Bell Ringers

Rev. David Heyser is an inspiration. He is still giving his time to the Salvation Army even though he is sick. Rev. Heyser has been an important part of our family for a very long time. Aside from knowing my grandparents, he married my parents and my sister and her husband. We were so lucky to enjoy dinners with his wife and him growing up. Click his full name to see the Northland News Center cover his story. 

He is a commendable man. He served in the Marine Core, and has been a revered of the Presbyterian Church. He and his wife are among the kindest people I have ever met. His dedication and the dedication of thousands of other bell ringers around the country makes me so happy during the Christmas Season. The red bucket and the bells are a part of the season you just can't go with out. 

Hello Finals

Let the Finals COMMENCE!!! 

(So I'm a few hours late.. but.... GOOD LUCK!!)

My first day of finals went well! 

I took my Maps and my Cognitive Development finals. They went well! 

Wednesday is my writing final, and then Thursday my paper and my Lit final will close out my semester!

Be Merry: Happy Holidays

A Christmas Card from my loving friends Courtney and Karl, who call me "Mama Oakes" 

An Intercession..

Friday was marked with a terrible tragedy, a terrible tragedy that ended in the loss of 20 young children and 6 adults in the school, the shooter's mother in her own home, and the shooter. My heart and all my prayers go to the community that now lies shaken by the events.

As social media sites do in the wake of something terrible, Facebook exploded with prayers, comments on gun safety and control, comments of thanks for their safety and their own families, condolences and apologies for the sadness. There was one comment that made me sad, it made me so sad that I felt anger. A friend quoted someone who was questioning God and his existence, he said, ""Either God can do nothing to stop catastrophes, or he doesn't care, or he doesn't exist. God is either impotent, evil, or imaginary. Take your pick, and choose wisely." -Sam Harris""

Father Mike has given several homilies that have had the same message weaved in, the message that it's easy to believe, it's easy to have faith when everything is good, when life is happy and everyone is safe. It's hard to have faith when something horrible happens, when we're in a time of crisis, when our lives are stressful and we feel most alone and vulnerable.
God cares, he cares so much about us. He created us for love. He created us to love Him, and so He could love us. He loves us so much that He gave us free will. He gave us the power to choose. He gave us life, without free will and the power to choose we would all be puppets. We are not puppets. We make decisions to sin every day, whether it be something small, like a little white lie or gossip, or maybe something big, like adultery or murder, it isn't because God tells us to, it isn't something God wants. The power to choose doesn't mean He doesn't care.
God is all powerful, He is the definition of love and good, and He is real.
I have taken my pick. I pick God. I pick the good, and the love, and the hope. I pick Jesus Christ, and I pick the Heavenly Father.

Viva Christo Rey.

God Bless all the children who are now in Heaven, in His kingdom. God Bless the families marked by this tragedy and the community that is left to deal with the horrible choices of an angry and sick man. God Bless all the children and families, and I pray that we are all just a little more thankful for the great families and friends we have in our lives, and that we realize how fragile life is.

During this Christmas Season, I hope you remember the reason we are all here. I hope you remember that you are loved, and you have the choice to love or not to love, but either way, you will be loved.

-- Merry Christmas. God Bless.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Happy Holidays from all of Us to You

Happy Holidays!

My parents don't do Christmas letters like many people do, mostly because I think they just don't have the time. So, in honor of the tradition most families have of writing out a letter and sending it with family photos for all their friends and families to read, I'm gonna write one here.

Dear Friends of the O Clan,

Steve and Diane are doing well. Both are working hard and playing too. Steve is in a pool league (and his team is actually pretty good). Diane is a pro with knitting needles and has been knitting up a storm since Vi was born.

Let's see... Daughters from the oldest to youngest:

Jen: is still teaching preschool, constantly on the run, just got a new house, happily married, happy mom, happy auntie, loves Iced Caramel Macchiatos.
Kate: has a new job, constantly on the run, happy mom, happy auntie, still cutting hair on the side, loves chai teas (with no water and extra chai)
Hannah: sophomore at UMD, majoring in English Lit and Geography, transferring to the U, happy auntie, works at the preschool on breaks from school, loves gingerbread lattes

Grandbabies:
 Vi: getting big, can sing her ABCs, counts to 10 in English and French, so adorable, makes her auntie smile every time they skype
Kenzie: started at daycare, is getting big, can sit up by herself, had her first Thanksgiving this year, looks just like her mama!

Merry Christmas!
Happy New Years!

-- The O's

Desiderata by Mark Ehrmann

http://www.spirasolaris.ca/desiderata.gif


Silent Night (Click Here)

Letters to Santa

Dear Santa,

This year, I'd like to ask for things that I truly believe are more important than any toys or gifts or material objects. Santa, I ask that this Christmas you remind people of the reason we're here and the reason we celebrate. Remind our families that Christmas isn't about the presents under the tree or who got more than who. Remind our families that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Remind our families that Christmas wouldn't exist without Christ being born.

http://cbsphilly.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/santa-claus.jpg?w=420

Santa, I also ask that on Christmas, you bring families together. There are so many men and women fighting overseas or who are unable to make it home for the holiday season. Bring them home. I want everyone to be as lucky as I am to spend my holidays with my parents, my sisters, my nieces, my grandparents and my uncle. I am so lucky, and I want you to spread that luck to others.

Santa, finally I ask for love. I ask for you to let love blossom in this cold and wintry season. Let love's light shine down so that everyone can feel it's warmth and happiness. Let love embrace the lonely, the sad, the scared, and the content. Let love embrace everyone.

I realize that there are other things, peace, end to hunger, stop to violence that I could ask for too.. but I believe those things are going to take much more than one letter (blogpost) to Santa.

Merry Christmas,
H.Eilene

Playing in the Snow

I want to just say something about Yesterday's Theme... Jingle Bells. I love the sound of bells. Church bells, jingle bells, the bells that the Salvation Army collectors use at their red buckets. I love them. My favorite part of The Polar Express is the part where Santa gives the boy the bells off the reindeer's harnesses. Then, he loses it and then on Christmas morning it's on the tree. Gosh, I love it. It only rings when you believe. See-- I like it not just because I like shiny things, but also because I like the message it teaches us. To believe. Even if it specifically shows in the movie to Believe in Santa. What is so wrong with that? Santa was derived from Saint Nicholas. The Saint who was giving and selfless. I believe in Saint Nicholas. I believe in the beauty of his kindness; I believe that while we are so thankful for what we have, we also need to be selfless and give to others in need.


Soooo today's theme is Playing in the Snow. And I am a little bummed. My plan was to go play in the snow with my roommates and then post pictures and talk about it... buuut the snow storm hasn't hit yet. So.. instead I'm giving you pictures of our trip to Bentleyville last night. And by pictures, I mean 2.

Always,
H.Eilene

Jingle All The Way

http://www.musicteachershelper.com/blog/wp-content/images/jingleBells1.jpg

Christmas Classics

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http://images3.static-bluray.com/reviews/3371_5.jpg

These are from my 2 favorite classic CARTOON Christmas movies. Can you guess which they're from? The first one is easy...

;) 

-H.Eilene

A Random Interjection from Jane Goodall

This woman is my hero. I love her. I love her work. I love her research.




It's a tad long, but I love it. She brings a voice to the animal kingdom. It amazes me.

Peace... and Gratitude

Holidays are a time to be ever so grateful for all the wonderful things you have in life. This holiday season I am especially thankful for my family-- my parents, my grandparents, my two beautiful sisters, my brother in law, and my two healthy and adorable nieces. I am so lucky to be blessed with such a loving family, and I can't wait to get home to spend the holidays with them.

Holidays are also a time for memories. Sharing those memories with the people you love and care about, and making new memories to last  a lifetime. My fondest memories are from winter and the Christmas season with my family and friends. A few days ago I shared the memory (and tradition) of driving around to look at the lights with my uncle and sisters, and today I'll share one more.

Christmas Eve was always a busy night at our house. For dinner, we usually have my Uncle Tom's amazing homemade pizza, and then we just have family time until midnight mass. For the last two years however, I've spent Christmas Eve with Jordan's family at his Granny's house. His whole family is there, and it's a really fun night. The first year that I was lucky enough to join them we walked in the door and his uncle (who I've learned has QUITE the sense of humor) looked at us and asked Jordan who the ugly girl was that he brought along. If you know me well, you know that I turn a nice bright shade of red when I'm embarrassed or surprised or happy.. or really anytime my emotions shift dramatically. I was redder than Rudolph's noes or Santa's suit. Luckily, Jordan and his mom both warned me that he was quite the sarcastic one and I should ignore it.. otherwise, I probably would have started crying... and been far more embarrassed.

I'm thankful for every holiday memory and tradition I'm fortunate make with my family. I love spending the holidays at home, surrounded by everyone I love, and I look forward to watching Kenzie enjoy her very first Christmas in this world

Let Your Heart Be Light (And Loosen Your Belt)

 My favorite Christmas Cookies are Spritz, but because I don't have a cookie press up at school to make the shapes that are so pretty, I'm going to share this delicious cake recipe instead. The picture is from an awesome blog that posted a version of the recipe-- also, I'm not as artistic of a photographer, and I thought it was just really cool!  This cake is a Peppermint Fudge Poke Cake (but her blog calls it Better than...Christmas Cake which I thought was cute).

   
Ingredients:
1 box Betty Crocker Chocolate Cake
(take your pick.. I chose Triple Chocolate Fudge)
1 1/2 cups crushed oreos
1 1/8 cups Coffeemate Peppermint Mocha Creamer
1 jar of sundae fudge 
(I used a normal size jar of Smuckers fudge)
1 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 container of Cool Whip

*Also, make sure you have the ingredients on the back of the cake box-- eggs, vegetable oil, water

Let's get Baking!

To start, bake your cake according to the directions. I would have made a homemade chocolate cake, but Betty Crocker was much more in my price range! 

Once your cake is baked let it cool (in the pan). 

Take a wooden spoon and poke holes (using the non-spoon end) in the cooled cake. I would poke 20-25 holes (depending on the size of your spoon).

In a bowl mix together the sweetened condensed milk and 1 cup of the peppermint creamer. Pour the mixture over the cake filling each of the holes. 

Next, in the same bowl (so don't rinse it out!) mix together the jar of fudge, the remainder of the peppermint creamer (1/8 cup) and 1/2 cup of your crushed oreos. Spread it as evenly as possible over the top of the cake. 

Spread your container of CoolWhip over the top of the cake like frosting and then sprinkle the remainder of your oreos over the top. Some recipes say to also crush some peppermints and put them on top... I didn't have any peppermints. 

Let your cake set in the fridge for 4-6 hours and then serve! 

As you can see, my pictures aren't nearly as awesome as Something Swanky's. If you'd like to check out her blog, click HERE. She's got all kinds of great recipes, and check out the awesome pictures she has of her version of the cake!

Happy 3rd Day of Advent. 

Twinkle Twinkle Part 2

To go along with today's theme.. click the link below for some adorable puppies lit up!
They're adorable, and it will make you smile!

Click HERE to see 30 Dogs who think they're Christmas Trees

via flickrr.com

Twinkle Twinkle

One of my all time favorite traditions of Christmas is piling into my Uncle Tom's rental car and going out driving to see the lights in the neighborhoods, the lights the town puts out, and listening to Christmas music on the radio. It used to be that he had to bribe us with Dairy Queen, or sometimes Starbucks works (though that is more something J&J and I have done the last two years). Now, as I think of what a gift that time alone with him and my sisters was and how I never truly appreciated it as I should have, I will be so excited to look for lights and go driving this December on the hunt for the beautiful lights. 

I just love these photos (credit to the photographers who provided them). The first is of the lit tree. I absolutely love trees. I love when people decorate their outdoor pines and evergreens. The second photo is of lights on trees that were put up by a city/business. I love walking downtown with lights above my head. It makes me feel so happy and light on the inside. The last photo is of a home decorated for the season. My favorite lights are the small yellowish clear lights. I don't like the LED blue that burns your eyes. I know they're Energy Efficient, but I don't like the headache they give me. I'm also a huge fan of the huge bulbs in multi-color. They remind me of living in Arizona because they were our neighbor's lights. If a flipped one of my blinds up I could stare at the lights all night long. It was the best. 

What do you love about Christmas lights?  What are your favorites?

http://www.thedailygreen.com/cm/thedailygreen/images/Kl/outdoor-christmas-tree-lg.jpg

http://sammydvintage.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/christmas_lights_outside.jpg

http://rubenmarquezjr.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/2010-11-exterior-christmas-lights-1.jpg

Tis the Season

Tis the Season for mittens and scarves,
for buttoned up coats and long sweaters,for peppermint mochas and cookies,
for rosy cheeks and pink and frosty noses,
for catching snowflakes on tongues,
for snowmen and snowangels,
for trees decorated with tinsel and lights,
for eager children waiting for Santa,
for holiday music and cheer,
for friends and families to reunite,
for hot cocoa and blankets by the fire,
for classics like It's a Wonderful Life,
for remembering Christ and why we celebrate,
for being thankful and remembering how blessed we are,
for kisses in the snow,
for blooming love and cuddles to keep warm,
for memories to be made,
for ice skating on the pond and falling down,
for jingle bells and Christmas carols,
for love.

My Reason Why Is....

My reason why is the snow. 

My reason why is my beautiful family and friends. 

My reason why is watching the twinkling lights on the tree.

My reason why is the celebration of the birth of Christ. 

My reason why is the smell of peppermint in my hot cocoa.

My reason why is the mound of Christmas cookies on the counter.

My reason why is the laughter and joy and excitement of Christmas morning. 

My reason why is the gathering of the whole family to celebrate the holidays. 

What are your reasons why? What do you love about December and the Holiday season? 

25 Days

Today begins my favorite season. The Holiday Season. Christmas Season.
In honor of my favorite season I'm beginning a blog-countdown. Each day I will post something I found on an awesome scrap booking website. They provided 25 prompts for scrap booking. It's not the same, because I'm on a blog-- but, it's equally as exciting because I get to share it with you!!

Here begins the 25 day blog holiday!!

Merry Christmas!!