It's a Christmas Miracle!

I only have a short time to post before we go spend time with extended families so here goes!

Christmas is an absolutely wonderful holiday. I love the feeling of love and happiness that comes from spending time with family, serving others and enjoying buying gifts for other people. Christmas Eve, we always go to my grandma's house and have dinner and read a Christmas story together. Last night was a little different because we visited my Grandpa in Rehab after he just had hip replacement surgery, then we went to their house. After visiting at Grandma's, we came home and watched It's A Wonderful Life. This morning, I think we slept later than we ever have on Christmas. Someone woke me up at 8 to go open presents and my parents were already up. Usually, we run into their room and beg them to get up.

Christmas this year was a little different because money has been kind of tight. None of us minded since we all know that Christmas is more than presents. However, my mom was having a really hard time because she wanted to buy us things and she couldn't. When we were getting ready to go down and open our presents, my mom said, "There are presents here that I didn't put here." Then she asked my Dad if he knew where they came from. He didn't know either. Me, being a little cheesy said, "It's a Christmas Miracle!" About six times. Everytime I said it, my older sister would sing, "Fa who dor ace, ba who dor ay" (The who's song from The Grinch). We thought that was pretty hilarious. Anyway, we first passed around presents that we bought for each other.Then, we tried to figure out where the mystery gifts came from. After talking and asking questions, I asked my younger brother (He's 17) if it was him. He is a terrible liar. He said it wasn't, but we could all tell it was. I opened the present that he had secretly bought. Inside it was a wrapped box. I opened that to a gift bag. Inside it was a card. I opened the card to $80 cash and a note that said, "Here is $80 towards a new cell phone :) Merry Christmas!" Now, if you have seen my cellphone, you know I need a new one. It's a joke... He bought both my Dad and older brother a ticket to a really nice Ski Resort. (Those are NOT cheap) My older sister got a new camera from him, my mom got a nice food processor since she has wanted one. My little sister got an ottoman for her room. My mom just cried. She cried really hard and as I hugged my Santa Brother, he cried too. Soon, all the girls and him were crying. My brother has been working over time like crazy at McDonald's to earn the money to spoil all of us. He must have spent some where around $400 dollars for everyone. He is the sweetest little brother anyone could ever have. He DEFINITELY wins Brother of the Year. So in all reality, this was the best Christmas EVER because of my little brother. That act of love and kindness cannot be beat. I tear up even now thinking of all the time he spent to get the money for this, how he has been listening to everyone to see just what they need or want.

He kept everything at my aunts house until late last night. Then he snuck down at five in the morning to set them up next to our piles of presents. My Aunt knew what he was doing so her an my Uncle bought him something so he would have a nice present too. He got a nice stereo since his is run down and overused. Christmas isn't about the presents though. It's about the service that people do. The acts of kindness that people do and the love that is shown. My little brother showed true love and selflessness this Christmas. I love him so much!

Prayers Are Appreciated

Today, my room mate Ashlyn got into a car accident with two of her brothers and one sister in the car. She slipped on black ice into oncoming traffic. One of her brothers was killed instantly on impact, the other was life flighted but didn't make it. Her little sister sustained a broken collarbone. Ashlyn is in the hospital with a concussion as she blames herself for all that has transpired. It is such a tragic event and a just a week before Christmas. Ashlyn and her family are in a lot of pain as they morn the loss of two members of their family and so, with a heavy heart, I ask for your prayers on behalf of my room mate and her family. Hopefully, Ashlyn will be able to leave the hospital soon. I also hope they will find comfort in the knowledge that theirs in a forever family and they will see their sweet boys and be with them again. They are in my prayers and even though you may not know them, I hope that they are in yours too this Christmas Season.

This is the article that was posted about the accident before the 10-year old passed away.
A 7-year-old boy was killed and three siblings were injured Saturday when a 18-year-old sibling lost control of the car she was driving and slid into oncoming traffic.
At 11:30 a.m., a Honda Civic was traveling north on state Route *** near **** South when the vehicle spun out of control and was T-boned by an oncoming Chevy Malibu, according to the **** Department of Public Safety.
Three children, ranging in age between 7 and 12, were sitting in the backseat. A 7-year-old boy was killed, and a 10-year-old boy was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The 18-year-old driver, her 9-year-old sister and the 53-year-old female driver of the Malibu sustained minor injuries.
Names and hometowns of those involved weren't immediately available.

PASSED!

Words cannot describe the relief I feel after passing my Biology final today! No more Biology for me! Don't get me wrong though. I do like Biology, just this particular teacher was so hard and made it less fun than it could be. I need to go to Rate My Professors and warn others. I will say that I came out with a lot more knowledge on the subject, but I don't think I'll remember anything on the Kingdoms and the Phylums we learned about. I just finished my Math Final and I feel really good about that one. I just have one left tomorrow at noon and then I've got to find a ride home from someone. I probably will have to wait until Friday to go home. :( Not having a car in college is really difficult. It's doable but it's hard. If you are me (which you aren't), you have awesome room mates who drive you or lend you their cars.

Excuse my rambling, I must now go to the beautiful Library (I love libraries!) to study for my final final. :)  It shouldn't be so bad. If I can pass Biology, I can pass ANYTHING!

FHGF (Fake Hot Girl Friend)

If you really love steak, how bout a free steak dinner!? The catch? Be this 28 year old mans fake girl friend for his office party. If you email him, he will give you all the dets. Don't worry, it's not like it's suspicious or anything. Come on, I would do anything for a free steak dinner!

Beware The Studying Monster

He will tempt you to get on Facebook, post on your blog, go to Wal-Mart or do anything besides studying. He is very manipulative and good at what he does. He is actually sitting next to me rubbing his hands together and cackling because I am posting on my blog instead of studying. However, he will be very disappointed in me when I begin studying in earnest. Dear Studying Monster, you have won far too many times, it's time for me to beat you!

Finals: Read all about it!

FYI, finals = stress. Why? Here, I've made a list!

1. Some finals are tons of questions, so you must know tons of stuff.
2. Some finals are only a few questions, but you don't know which ones so you have to know tons of stuff.
3. Your professor can change the time of the final and the place if he or she so chooses.
4. Math is hard to study for.
5. If you don't pass your final, you have to take whole class again.
6. Big tests the week before the final.
7. The need to study, but absolutely no desire.
8. 7:00 AM finals. (Will I sleep through it on accident?)

So that's why it's stressful. Why it isn't?

1. I only have 3!
2. After your last final, you get to go home for Christmas!!!!!! (I may be just a little excited for that...)
3. Finals week, absolutely nothing happens so you have time to study, take breaks, eat, go to Wal-Mart, and exercise to destress.
4. It's only two days and only 6 hours of testing.
5. I know more than I think I do. (I hope.)

Finals are in one and two days. Wish me luck!

The Girl Effect

This video is AWESOME!

Just click agree (even if you don't) and the video will start.

The Girl Effect