Tantrums

I've realized this before, but I was reminded of it again last night.  If our kids take after me, we're going to have to deal with some terrible tantrums!  I throw them more often than I should, especially at my age.  Most of them are just playful and Ryan thinks they're cute, so they help me get my way.  Last night, however, was a real hissy-fit.

Ryan got a cold a few days ago which means I'm just starting to get it.  I was sleep deprived yesterday and when it came time for bed, my body refused.  My nose was plugged and running at the same time and I was battling being too tired to fall asleep.  Poor Ryan was trying to sleep next to me as I huffed and puffed and rolled over and even threw my pillow on the floor.  I was quite the whiner.

I have a feeling I am doomed.  My children are going to be quite the terrors if I don't get my act together!

Service Advent Calendar

As Ryan and I got a little carried away with out Black Friday shopping we both realized we need to think more about others.  We're really good at serving one another, but it's time to go outside our marriage comfort zone.  I've seen Service Advent Calendars floating around pinterest and decided that is just what we need!  They made theirs all pretty:

However, I'm not much of a "make things pretty" person unless it's permanent (like our stockings or our tree advent calendar).  Therefore, mine is much less impressive.

I was going to put the list of activities AFTER you saw the picture, but blogger is being silly so here is the list of service opportunities that we came up with.  Most of them (okay all of them) came from others' suggestions.  I think there is a good variety of quick/easy, extra thought required, time consuming, costing money, etc. Most of the lists were for children, so it was actually a little difficult to find 24 that weren't things such as "read a book to your little brother."

1. Pick up any trash you see laying on the ground 
2. Write a letter to a loved one
3. Address and mail Christmas cards 
4. Do Family History Together
5. Put money in a Salvation Army cup
6. Help at the Food Bank
7. Anonymously give flowers to someone
8. Go caroling
9. Say hello and smile to everyone you meet today
10. Pray for those you know need a little extra help
11. Leave change in the vending machines for the next person
12. Buy hot cocoa for Salvation Army bell ringers
13. Make a meal for a friend
14. Purchase a toy for a child in need
15. Bake and deliver Christmas treats
16. Organize a potluck with friends
17. Speak kindly all day long - NO complaining!
18. Buy and deliver Christmas gifts for a family in need
19. Leave a gift for the mailman
20. Tape candy canes and "Happy Holidays" notes on ATM's, vending machines, etc.
21. Attend the Temple
22. Offer to babysit for a friend for free
23. Write a quick note to five people telling them how much you appreciate them.
24. Find the home with the best Christmas lights and write a thank you card
    
    So there you have it! You should give it a try, I'm really looking forward to it. 

Classy, huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Very Luke Family Thanksgiving

This year was actually the first year that Ryan and I spent Thanksgiving with my family.  We've gone to St. George twice and then stayed in NC for the other year.  In the past we've had an official "Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Shootout" but it was a little more low-key this year.  I feel like everything went much more smoothly than it has in the past.  It's probably because we're all now old enough to each contribute a dish instead of leaving my Mom to do it all.  (Thanks Mom for all your hard work in the past!).  And we went shooting AFTER dinner instead of before.  Either way, I didn't feel any stress this Thanksgiving and I couldn't feel any from the rest of the family, so if it was there, it was hidden.

We went down to my sister Marisa's house in Pawnee City and had fun throwing around the football, and babies before dinner.  Sadly I accidentally deleted the picture where you can see her face of pure bliss.

Post dinner contentment.

These two seem to love us the most.  And we love them!

Once we'd cleaned up dinner and let things settle, we headed further into the middle of nowhere to go shooting.  As I said, in the past we each shoot 25 clay pigeons (or attempt to shoot them) and the winner gets to take home an awesome trophy that I made years ago to display proudly in their home.  This year, we just shot whatever we wanted and a variety of guns.  I promise we're not as redneck as it looks.

How could I NOT get a picture of this?

Shortly after arriving, someone couldn't hold their bladder (and it wasn't me for once)

All the ladies.

Ella loves her Uncle Ryan

Thankfully I captured a shot where Ryan hit a target!

Yeah, that happened.  She's 3 1/2.

Shelby wanted a new redneck profile picture.

I hit 3/5!

I just love those big headphones

Future florist?

Isn't he so good looking? Our children are going to be the cutest.

So there you have it, our not-so-redneck-Luke-Family-Thanksgiving.

Three more thanks

Day 20: I'm thankful for naps.

Day 21: I'm thankful for the internet and modern technology.  It would take so much effort otherwise to stay in touch with my friends! :)

Day 22:  On this Thanksgiving, I was most thankful for band-aids, that most often than not the body can heal itself, and thumbs.  Stupid sweet potatoes... I had no idea how hard they are and they got the best of me.  I also found out how many things you cannot do when you have a disabled thumb.

I know a lot of these weren't deep and profound, but that's me.  I am not deep nor profound.  I was really trying to be thankful for the things that were right in front of me that day.   If you wanted something more eloquent, I can refer you to some of my other Facebook friends who did a much better job with this.  I just thought it would be a good reminder for me of all the small things in life to be thankful for!

Days 17, 18, and 19

Day 17:  I'm thankful to live in the state of Nebraska and that I got to go to the last Husker home game of the season and Tom Osborne's last game working for the University.  Go Big Red!

Day 18: I'm thankful for good food, games, and friends.  That's what Sundays are for, right? (Oh, and family. But no family this week).

Day 19:  I'm very thankful that Ryan and I have everything we need (sadly we're not to the point where we don't WANT things).  We have plenty of food, a warm house with a place to sleep, plenty of clothing (both cute and functional), vehicles that should run for many many years to come, and all the other fun stuff of life (games, tv, bicycles, craft stuff, and many other things that make life enjoyable).

Days 15 and 16

I'm thankful the weather has been so gorgeous here! Funny how in Arizona I was cold in the morning with lows in the 60s and now I don't even wear a cost and bask in the sun and warmth of the 50s.

I'm thankful that my trip to the dermatologist came out with no negative results! I may have a lot of moles, but they are all just fine. Hooray!

I'm a little behind...

Day 8: I'm thankful to know that we will all be resurrected one day and be reunited with those we love.

Day 9: I'm thankful for my sister Marisa.  She has always gone above and beyond to take care of the family, and now her own.  She is a great example of a mother, wife, sister, friend, and member of the Church.  She always makes a point to include Ryan and I in whatever she can and I know I can always turn to her.  I love you! (Sorry, other siblings, if your birthday was in November, you'd get a shout out too!)

Day 10: I'm thankful we were able to get one motorcycle ride in before winter! And I'm also thankful we didn't get blown off the road as the storm blew in.

Day 11: I'm thankful I have a home to return to in Lincoln with two loving parents to welcome me and let me relax and do nothing.  Because that is what home is for.

Day 12: I'm thankful I have my scriptures on my phone.  It makes reading WAY easier! I WILL finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.

Day 13: I'm thankful for pinterest.  Silly, I know, but however did we plan dates, make crafts, find recipes, and decorate without it? It's saved my butt a time or two for sure when I was in a crunch!

Day 14: I'm thankful to watch a baby who sleeps right through two very loudly barking dogs.  My days would be a very different story if that weren't the case.

We're in Omaha!

I realized I haven't really told ya'll what we're up to in our daily lives.  I'm here to remedy that.

This is where we currently live:

Tommy and Jayme (Ryan's best friend from HS) are kindly letting us take over their newly renovated bedroom basement in their house here in Omaha (120th and Center-ish if you want to come visit).  They are so easy to live with, and we enjoy having Tommy to play games with any night that Ryan has the energy after work.  AND Rob and Melissa (our other best couple friend) only live 7 minutes away.  We spent A LOT of time with them our first weekend here.  It reminded me of the good ol' college days where Rob was only a few buildings over at the dorms.  However, we call it a night at 11 now instead of 2 a.m.  Lame old people.

I spend my days with this cute grin:

 

And these begging eyes:

So far, so good! It took Ryno a few days to figure out what the heck that thing was that was always on my lap.  Now he just deals with it and shares his space (and me).

Luna is a great baby and really only cries when she is hungry or needs her diaper changed.  But I am getting a nice taste of what it's like to be a mother and no longer have your time be YOUR time.  She still eats every two hours so it's been an adjustment trying to get things done in her 20 minute - 1 hour naps.  Great training for my future! (No, this is not a pregnancy announcement).

Ryan is working full time at Community Rehab down in Bellevue.   He was supposed to be working here in Millard, right next door to his gym, and was quite upset when they moved him to Bellevue which gives him a 30 minute commute each way.  He's learning how to handle long days and early mornings as his schedule is 7-6 MWF and 8-12 T/TH.  And I'm learning how to be at home with a baby and new car.  Needless to say it's been quite the adjustment for both of us.

We've loved being back in Omaha, however! Nebraska weather has proven that it hasn't changed one bit.  On Saturday we were able to enjoy the 75 degree weather with a motorcycle ride.  Then, the winds and rain kicked in and we woke up to a chilly 28 degrees on Sunday.  Just lovely.

 We still have A LOT of people to see, but that's what is so great about this place.  We have so many friends of all personalities so we can always find someone to join us in our crazy endeavors. Although, we can't seem to think of any crazy or fun things to do here.  We're at a loss of things to do that are inexpensive/free.  So we've spent a lot of nights playing games.

Suggestions?

Day 7

I'm VERY thankful...

To have a dog that doesn't shed.  Or beg.  Or snatch food practically out of my hand.  Or barks a lot.  Or licks.  Or runs away if he's off the leash.

Pretty much I'm super thankful I have the perfect dog.  (Can you tell I'm a little annoyed by the other two dogs I'm living with?)

Day 6

I am thankful for...

Sunshine.  It can do wonders to lift the spirit.

Day 4 & 5

I am thankful for...

My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints and the comfort it provides me.

My health. Although I've been having weird sciatica lately, I am thankful that I have two arms and two legs that function properly along with the rest of my body.  So many people are fighting internal battles with their health and I need to remember how lucky I am that I am not one of them (at the moment).

Day 3

Today I am thankful for...

A good haircut. It can make a girl feel beautiful with just a few snips of the scissors!

Day 2

I am grateful for...

All of our wonderful friends in Omaha. This really is home.

I laughed SO HARD

I laughed so hard today that I couldn't speak or even breath. And, the story probably isn't going to be as funny to you guys.  Oh well.  Ryan and I were driving to go on a bike ride and I was playing around with his Gatorade water bottle. You know, the ones that all the athletes have? Looks like this:

 

Anyway, when you squeeze it, it puffs out some air that sends just an itty bit of water spraying. (Driving through the mountains it scared the heck out of me when it would spray on its own. Or I thought Ryan was spitting on me while he talked).  Today, I decided to spray it right in Ryan's face for a good laugh. He was surprised and we laughed a bit.  Then, I thought it'd be even funnier to spray it in Ryan's ear, you know, kinda like a wet willie. However, when I squeezed it this time not just a little spray but water, a full on stream of water went flying right into his ear and down his face. I laughed so hard. Luckily Ryan did too. Gosh, I am still laughing about it, now!

Oh and Ryan wanted me to mention that we went on a 7 mile bike ride around Lake Zorinsky. Man, my muscles are not used to those motions and I had jello legs.  Oh, and in case you were wondering, 55 degrees on a bicycle is cold.  A hat or ear warmer and gloves is recommended (of course we learned from experience). 

Day 1

Today I am thankful for...

A husband who can work the knots out of my back, take the topper off the bed two nights ago, then put it back on tonight all so he can hopefully stop listening to my whining about back pain.