Fit for a Queen

Here it is the end of November. Micah turned 5 on the second, Lily hit 7 months on the 11th and Dylan will hit 8 in less than 2 months. So, in case you were wondering that does mean that Shauna and I are staying quite busy. I guess the biggest news is that on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the 20th, another Stockstill female was born into this world. My brother Danny and his wife Sara gave birth to a beautiful little girl, Brinlee Rose. If my addition is right, that makes.... 4 boys and 4 girls in the ole clan (Keep it even Rebecca!). Christmas ought to be WILD in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

It seems like every year I find myself smack dab in the middle of November and find myself thinking, “Hey! What happened to Arbor Day… what happened to the whole year?” You see, for me Thanksgiving is perhaps THE defining moment of the year. It is the whistle for the fourth quarter to begin. We switch endzones, we hold up four fingers, we drink a lot of Gatorade, and we look to see which way the flags on the goalposts are blowing. It’s a time to suck it up and win one for the Gipper. Thanksgiving is the official launch of the holiday season which ends precisely as time expires in the final college bowl game.
So, there is a certain “gearing up” that has to take place. So, if you’re sucking wind at this point and looking for the nearest oxygen mask, let me give you a game plan to help you really enjoy the holiday season.

1. Eat the Good Stuff. I know, I know "everything in moderation." But, seriously... eat the good stuff.

2. Sing Loud. It is officially legal to play Christmas music. I believe the rule book states "Christmas music may thus be introduced to the musical rotation the moment after your first piece of Thanksgiving pumpkin pie has digested.
A list of my favorites: White Christmas- Bing Crosby
Drummer Boy- Bing Crosby and David Bowie
Baby it’s Cold Outside- Leon Redbone & Zooey Deschanel
Carol of the Bells- Vienna Boys Choir

O Holy Night- Enya Silver Bells-

The First Noel- Jim Brickman

Mele Kalikimaka

Silver Bells

Christmas in Killarney- Bing Crosby

The Holly and the Ivy (if you need more just email me)

3. Family Movie Night. Go ahead and pull out all the favorites. Set aside one or two nights a week to eat Christmas goodies, curl up by the fire (if you don’t have a fireplace- candles work nicely), drink hot chocolate and cuddle. If you need someone to watch a movie with, just come bearing gifts I’m sure they’ll be glad to hang out. If you need someone to cuddle with, come with an expensive gift. (Seriously, who can say no to a good fruitcake?) There’s no reason to go it alone!
A List of my favorites:
Christmas Vacation

White Christmas

A Christmas Story

Elf
The Polar Express

Rudolph, Frosty and all the classic flocked claymations
The Bells of St. Mary
Fletch (I know it’s not a Christmas movie, but I have to plug it at every opportunity)

Holiday Inn

The Family Man

Jack Frost

It’s a Wonderful Life (if you need more just email me)

4. Make Memories. Don’t let the holiday season rule over you. Don’t let money dictate whether it was a great season or not. Look, you’ve got one full month before the big day. Go ahead and make plans to enjoy every second. Do something extraordinary.

Go see a Christmas play

Make a Gingerbread house

Go Grizwall and decorate with lights

Put laundry detergent all over your neighbors lawn and then make snow angels

Ride up and down elevators singing your favorite tunes

Make divinity

Go caroling (alright don’t go caroling.)

5. Give Big. I know this should go without saying, but this really is the time to reflect God’s gracious generosity to a world with a lot of needs.

Invite someone over to watch a movie (snuggling is optional)
When your making divinity, make a little extra and find someone to give it to

Buy some socks and take it to the local shelter
Guard your words. Choose to be an encourager and give laughs away. (especially if you're laughing at OU - OSU score).

The season can be tough for some. Give someone a call or letter that might need it.

Live Beyond yourself.

Wow, it’s amazing how Christmas-y I’m feeling. Fingers up. Gatorade Down. The wind is at our backs.

Brinlee Rose