The O'Neill's

plans

2010-01-14T12:46:00.003-05:00

As the months swept by and Steve's graduation came and went plans keep changing. Regardless of my hopes and fears opportunities continue to arise and pass us by. Somewhat depressing, yes, but realistic nonetheless. I said once, in a show of falsified strength, "It doesn't really matter if we get let down again, we've been let down so many times we're pros at it." Alot of options are hinged on finances, as it is so many times in life. Other options are so far out of our control, like how many substituting jobs will Steve be offered? Are the public schools even hiring? Where does this leave us? Floating, in a most uncomfortable way, with sand up our butts.

2008-07-23T10:49:00.001-04:00

Steve, Bella and Sparticus at their best

2008-07-23T10:45:00.002-04:00

Here are some new pictures of some of our summer outings!

2007-07-06T13:37:00.000-04:00

Where to begin? Well it has been a while since we have updated. It is hard to update an online website when you dont have the internet. It usually means either I(steve) or holly has to find some time to drive one of the many places that has internet for free and the time to upload pictures. Well Today I am updating a awesome camping experience we had with two other couples from our smallgroup we attend. We went to rocky Gap State Park and had an awesome time. As you can see with all the pictures. We took them camping and also had a fun time swimming, or well being thrown in the water. Oh the joys of having a waterproof camera.

All in all things are going great with us. We are just around the corner from our one year. Which we will be celebrating by going to dinner and movie, since we dont normally do that kind of thing. We have been busy working and camping whenever we get the time too. I started a new job with the Dept of Natural resources program called "hooked on Fishing, Not drugs". I am a fishing instructor at the patapsco valley state park. I think it is going to be a great job, because it is only a job during the weekdays and not the week nights. It also pays a lot better than retail at the hudson trail.

So That is all for now, more updates coming soon of our vacation with my immediate family in north carolina and some more camping pictures. So stay tuned, same bat channel, same bat time!

Hello again!!

2007-05-20T00:19:00.000-04:00

School is out. So far so Good! Well to catch up on past events here are some pictures. First we have a picture of the weekend or two ago when I was out on the bay fishing. I didnt get any keepers, but it was a good time. However, I will be out fishing tomorrow. Hopefully that will be a better day than the last for me. I could really go for some fresh fish.

Not too long ago Holly and I attended a wedding up in PA. We looked Great! Atleast I think so, Feel free to comment how you think we looked.

Also recently my sister went to prom. He is a picture of her and her date, also known as the boyfriend named Shawn.

Our Good friends treated us to a concert at Jammin Java in Vienna VA to see Derek Webb and friends. The concert was very awesome. We sat in the front row. The leg room was great but the neck pain was hurting me from looking up.

Its Spring, and its closely getting to summer which means great weather to do this!!!

Well that is it from us ONeills. We'll try and update soon.

In lacking photos...

2007-05-14T09:06:00.000-04:00

I plan to make up for it with much writing. As many of you know we O'Neills, for many different reasons, do not have internet access at our home. So most interneting is done at work or school. So mostly I am saying this to explain the lack of blogging on our part. Here are a few highlights from the past few weeks:
-Went exploring in an abandoned house and later that night picked 11 ticks off the dog, 1 off Holly and 2 off Steve
-Took mom Hathaway to a kayak demo and subsequently bought Holly's kayak and a life vest for Sparticus (he is not an avid swimmer)
-Planted a small but impressive vegetable garden
-Last days of school for Steven, including final grades of As in two classes
-The solidifying of many vacationing plans for the summer, including but not limited to camping, Topsail, New England and George Wash Nat'l Forest.
-A new work contract for Holly (=more money!)
-Starting Sacred Marriage in our small group, an amazing read.
Hope everyone is as excited about summer as we are!

the real spring

2007-04-13T16:13:00.000-04:00

so in honor of our recent cold snap here are some pictures of when it was quite warm out and we could partake of our most favorite activity, walking in the woods,

another dollar in the till

2007-03-11T10:42:00.000-04:00

so a quickie update, unfortunately i am at work so no pictures. i(holly) got a second job working at a local vet hospital as a part time receptionist and i start tomorrow. this means one of two things (a)we will be able to put more money in savings or (b) we may defer some money to finally buy our kayaks. our wish list seems so long sometimes and the idea of buying a house so far off its hard to keep on track. otherwise i am super excited about getting this job becuase i enjoy working with animals and also sparticus needs to have a tooth removed so now we can afford to do it.
as far as work with the county goes my temporary assignment to linthicum is coming to an end. i'm excited to be roving again and moving around the county but also a little scared to be leaving my protective umbrella of my mentor.

in like a lion out like a lamb?

2007-03-03T21:45:00.000-05:00

So far march has been wonderful. Wonderful weather that is. Us O'Neills are doing fairly well. I(Steve) just recently found out I wont be able to recieve as much money as I did this previous year for school. So I am unsure of what exactly this means for me. So Im still awaiting a letter to see if other scholarships come through. Hopefully there will be enough for this next year, otherwise, ill be working another job very soon. Which I may because the past week or so my hours have been cut since the winter season is over, and the spring is to come. Which is understandable, but Ive got a stomch to feed, well actually 2 stomachs to fill, that is if you count mine as one.

I am longing for those warmer days to come. Days to start biking to school, taking sparticus to the dog park, playing some frisbee, going outside more often without so many layers on, going rock climbing, hiking, and just spending more time outdoors, and driving with the top down, with my co pilot holly. I bet you thought I was going to say sparticus as my co pilot. Hes the co pilot on the days she works. Work has been all right for holly. Things are just still moving along for us.

So thats about it for this update!

and now a picture for your enjoyment!

cold weather update

2007-02-18T16:55:00.000-05:00

So. Not much terribly interesting has been happening recently. Steve's back in school and still working part-time ar Hudson Trail. Holly is currently looking for a second job as her new work schedule (24 hours on 72 hours off) has afforded her an ample amount of time off. we are begining to begrudge this bitter cold and icy weather.
Also, Julie and Joe got engaged at christmas so Holly has had so much fun helping Julie plan. Its such an odd thingbeing on the other side. I am getting so much enjoyment out of hearing what her plans are and giving her suggestions I have been feeling some regret that I didnt include more people in the planning of my wedding. I am very excited though especially because I am trying my hand, for the first time, at cake baking, I'm going to make the groom's cake ( Mr. Incredible theme).

Since I cant show you any of the beautiful dresses Julie tried on this is a picture of her cute niece Mia.

now that christmas is over

2007-01-15T19:57:00.000-05:00

So much happened over the christmas season, where to start? Christmas #1 started at Dad Hathaway's on the 23rd. It was a big deal and even included Merrill's famous wheat pancakes. Steve got the big win present with a Ryobi tool set. I think though that Sopie like the wrapping more than her actual presents.
This was a pretty big deal, mostly because this was only the second time that Merrill had spent time with his grandchildren, its a growing relationship.
Christmas day we woke up early and celebrated our first O'Neill christmas together.

Then it was off to the O'Neill's for Christmas morning with them. Holly got the most awesome present of a sewing machine, the only request she made. woohoo! Then the clan descended upon the house and much jollitry (is that a word?) was had. Then, whew this is exhausting, we packed up and went back north to Holly's mom for some more Hathaway christmas.

Descending Upon Mass.

2006-12-19T11:51:00.000-05:00

So on the 3rd day of our trip we headed down to Dedham, MA where Grandpy Harding resides. This is Holly's mother's father. A very intelligent retired school teacher who is an incredibly link to our past. Through Rick and Grandpy we've learned (and relearned for Holly) abou all the amazing people that are our relatives, the scandal, the tradition, the innovaters. All very interesting and all told to us very enthuisiastically.
The oddest conversation came shortly after lunch, as we sat down after fixing Grandpy's rug, the talk turned to religion. Now, as a history to this particular revelation a similar conversation has taken place between Holly and Grandpy, and between numerous other professing christian relatives and Grandpy with much a similar result. It is a very odd thing to explain for i am not completely sure as to his(Grandpy's) actual final stance on who or what God is.
To understand his point of views you must also understand what kind of man he is. One who values above all education and intelligence. One who is not swayed easily but must see all concerned facts and arguements. And also One who spends the entirety of his retirement reading books of all assortments.
To the best of my deduction Grandpy is a of the belief that God as all the religions see it, is only a creation of our minds to justify our behaviors, to guide and justify us as humans. he does think Jesus was a real person though not the son of God. He thinks that we cannot put God in a box and cannot understand Him so therefor the bible is not to be believed because it was created by man and reguardless of divine inspiration it must be falliable. also that the thought that man is special and God loves us most of all is what he descibes as arrogant.
This was only some of the conclusion he drew, and it was such an odd conversation mostly because he is one of the most polite people i know. a few times he said well i hate to push my thoughts on people for fear that they will loose their own. (he is a big supporter of peoeple having a strong faith because he thinks it is best for mankind) My response to him was simply that if a conversation with him would make me loose my faith then that faith was not worth me having in the first place. it was so odd for him to hear me say that i have no trouble whatsoever believing that God created the universe, that Jesus was God, and that the Bible was true.
i could go on but i wont bore you anymore, needless to say the time was spent in some of the most interesting conversation i have ever had.

well then after all that heaviness we trekked off to Boston. with a little effort and getting quite thouroghly lost we did find a parking garage and the commons and the replica of the Cheers bar to eat at. joining us on our travels these days is a small friendly gnome. his origin is not fully known to us but we welcome his company.

WINTER VACATION

2006-12-17T17:28:00.000-05:00

Well here we are, we have moved in the past month. took finals, well steve did. One out of the four turned out to be great grades so far. Holly is off for two weeks straight, well was off untill she took up a overtime shift. But all is well.

We are in New Hampshire for the week. Staying and visiting with my new family, but revisiting hollys family. Its cold, with a chance of snow this week. Tomorrow we are going to boston to visit with Grampy, hes old, like 89, so he couldnt make it down for the wedding, so I am looking forward to meeding him.

We are also going to boston, mass to walk around. Well Life is good here.

CHECK BACK IN SOON FOR MORE UPDATES

Moving and the Derek Webb

2006-11-15T21:04:00.000-05:00

I never put an update about Derek Webb. So he was amazing. We both Highly Enjoyed him. He played some old caedmons call songs, some of his older songs and quite a bit off the new album. It talked about the history behind his songs. He was amazing! Also, you can download his new CD for FREE. www.freederekwebb.com . It is enjoyable, It took a while for me to grow on it. But I love it now. It's a cd that raises christian ethics, and he wants to give it away to people for free, so they will talk about the cd.

Mr. Derek Webb also informed us about blood water missions. Blood: Water Mission is a non-profit organization that works to tangibly reduce the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to promote clean blood and clean water in Africa, and to build equitable, sustainable and personal community links. The mission provides holistic community development in Africa and educates and mobilizes Americans to act. www.bloodwatermissions.com for more info.

Another Update, we have been approve for a new place. So we will be moving in begining on December 1. I really wish everything could magically move into the cabinets and where it belongs. The only bad part about moving to a new place, is the moving itself. But hopefully we manage to rent a Uhaul and get a team of people to get it done fast. And yes Sparticus is coming along with us.

Im still looking for a part time job.No luck so far, but I am hoping for one soon especially because if I dont I will be so bored in january. But I still have a few more possiblities.

That's about it for now..

This is my photo for the rain.

Watkins Park

2006-11-12T18:16:00.000-05:00

So on Friday since I dont have class we tried to wake up early and go to watkins park. We woke up, but not as early as we thought were going to. It always ends up like that. But atleast we woke up in the morning and not the afternoon. So after a quick breakfast I loaded up the bikes and the dog and we were off.

Thursday - Naval Acadmey Walk

2006-11-12T17:47:00.000-05:00

So Thursday was so nice, we took a walk around downtown annapolis, and the Naval Academy. After we got our coffee at City Dock though.

Later that night we went to hang out with some of our small group buddies at fuddruckers and then played some cranium. The more I play that game, the less I like it because everytime the team I am on loses. Just once I would like to be on the winning team.

And then, after that I took Holly home and adam, best man, from the wedding went and did some urban rappelling at an location that will not be released. It was fun and legal. It was a late night for us. Well and that was thursday!

Beautiful weather!

2006-11-12T16:16:00.000-05:00

So the past two days has been amazing here in maryland. We have been outside a lot. Or well I have been. On friday, we went to watkins park, in good ole pg county. It was amazing weather and a great time. This is the photo of that day, actually there are two photos.
This first photo is a cow that sparticus really want to bite for some reason. I think he was protecting holly and I from it. I am guessing this was sparticus view of it.

This awesome photo, is the frog who i had an awesome photo shoot with. He or well she was a great model. I took like 15 other pictures.

More pictures to come later when I have more time to upload.

STAY TUNED!

Nov 9 Photo of the day

2006-11-09T11:48:00.000-05:00

I am going to start posting photos of the day, everyday I get online. They wil normally of the day or around the day was taken. It till help me get outside and explore to take more pictures.
This Photo of the day, was actually taken last week in the yard. ENJOY!

a change of space

2006-11-08T21:10:00.000-05:00

We have been looking for a new place and may end up moving out soon. We have only live in this place for almost 3.5 months, but due to some other circumstances we want to move out. So we have found a place in bowie, not much father than where holly grew up at. It also isnt much farther where we are living now. Im excited about going to this other place. The kitchen is bigger, there is a separate bedroom, we wont be living underneath a dog that barks nonstop,and also wont be living under a daycare with loud kids. So I am praying that God will hold everything together in His hands as we move one place to another. Im excited about the new place, but I am not excited about moving and packing. We need moving boxes. I think if we cant get people with trucks to move all of our furniture, we may rent a Uhaul truck for a few hours so we can move everything at once, in one day. Hopefully we can also get people to move things in and out too.

So, that is what has been on our minds and hearts lately. It has been difficult moving to a place that cost more than ours now. But we both have faith that God will provide. We also feel we can both operate better as a married couple, because I can be in a totally different room doing homework with lights on as Holly can sleep in the bedroom with the lights off for her busy work days or vice versa.

We are going to see Derek Webb tomorrow night. It should be awesome! Im really excited. He's not my favorite artist, but I do enjoy his music. Holly and I haven't been to a show in a while too. It should be a good time for all. Even though I much rather go to our small married group. But it was cancelled. Holly and I have been loving it so much. Everyone there is really awesome and supportive. I think that has been the biggest blessing for us as a married couple. I would recommend it for any married couple.

That is it for now, Later,
The O'Neill's

Family Fun

2006-11-05T23:46:00.000-05:00

The other week we enjoyed our time with our favorite niece and nephew.

Oh I enjoyed this little cute thing. Isnt she adorable!

It's the Aiden Monster!
Sugar for the first time, whats a better First Birthday present?
grrrrr!
Oh I love the bears!
Reading and sharing time with daddy!

A boy with his toy!

Birthday Present for Nick.

You know what time it is? Its game time! Let the settling begin! Oh yeah, dont forget to show your game faces...hahaha.

Fall hiking trip

2006-11-05T23:09:00.000-05:00

So Holly and I have been meaning to hike Old Rag, for quite some time. Its a hike I used to do with Boy Scouts and once in my confirmation group. I enjoyed it then, but then again I wasnt an old man with a bad knee and anke. But we both survived the 8.8 mile hike/rock scramble. It was a chilly day, but it was amazing. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasures, however the pictures do no justice of what it really was like.

Our Step Son

2006-10-22T00:42:00.000-04:00

So Holly and I have been visiting "our step son" every weekend, and every other chance we can. Its quite depressing without him around. You may be thinking who this son we are talking about, and maybe why we didn't tell you about him before we got married. But little did you know.... Its SPARTICUS!!!! We miss him dearly! We are praying that our landlordlady will come to her senses and let us have him in the place we are renting.

Here are some pictures of him and us below.
this is him on his way to Grandma's O'Neill

He gets spoiled by his grandma by playing with all his cousin gidgets toys, then he takes a nap on the lazyboy couch
sometimes he takes a nap with holly. They both know how to cuddle very well. I would know!!!!

It was such a beautiful day out the other day, We took our boy to the Dog park. Boy did he have fun!!!
He met a friend, who was a cutiepie.Everydog enjoys a good sniff around the park, who doesn't?
Who loves their toy ball??? Sometimes he loves his ball so much, he get crazy, then we send him to a time out where we force him to leave it.
He enjoys our company and we enjoys his!
MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE!!!!

It was a great day at the Dog park. Even us humans had a good time. Who says only Dogs can have fun at the Dog park!

October camping

2006-10-12T15:11:00.000-04:00

This is our first post so I won't go to indepth. Only to say that the weekend of Oct. 6 Steve, myself and Sparticus packed our tents and Coleman stove and, with two other couples and a second dog, headed to the mountains in George Washington National Forest. These woods, just outside of Harrisonburg, VA are quickly becoming our favorite spot. Though it was rainy and cold we had a blast. We explored, made S'mores, and off-roaded, stretching our Jeep Wrangler over some rough back woods roads. One of my favorite things about camping though is coming home to sleep in the most comfortable bed ever, one that isn't interupted by rocks and sticks.