Taking a Step Back to Look Forward

That's a really deep heading, isn't it?  Well, whether you like it or not, this is another serious post.  Maybe one of these days I'll get around to posting some pictures of the last month because I know most of you just scroll through the photos and skip the words anyway.  I'm often guilty of that on your blogs too.  So don't worry, the feelings are mutual.

With the new year and moving (again) I'm just trying to formulate a plan for my life.  The problem is, I have no plan and no ideas.  I was supposed to start my job back up at UNC when we move back to North Carolina in 2 weeks, but my boss retired leaving me once again unemployed.  Then, when we come back to Omaha in May I will need a job to keep me sane and productive

So what do I do?

• I don't want to be an Engineer or anything like it (thank you five years of school for nothing).
• I don't have time in NC to get a real job - so I'm thinking craft store again, it is!
• I realize that Graphic Design is what I really love and I can get by learning on my own but I kind of want official training.  So do I take some classes at the community college? Work to actually get my associates?
• Do I just use this time to develop all the talents and hobbies that I will never have time to learn again?
• Do I use my current talents to create an Etsy shop? But let's be honest, there are thousands of women out there with my same talents selling the exact same things I can make.  Although I would love it, I'm not too hopeful on this one.
• Do you all judge me and think I'm a lazy bum for not having worked since June? Because let's be honest, that's what worries me the most.  Why do we do this to ourselves? I had a breakdown a few weeks ago because I feel like I have nothing that defines me anymore.  I used to be "the engineer" or "the music girl" or "wifey" but with all these transitions I feel lost.  I meet new people and feel like a nobody. I want to be ME again, but I have to figure out who that is.  And don't you worry, my freak-out was due to hormones and I just suppress those feelings until they come around next month. :)

Wanna know the original plan? I was supposed to be pregnant by now but that hasn't happened, yet.

So seriously, what do I do?

Yep, New Years Resolutions.

Alright ladies, (I won't even call out the gentlemen, because Ryan is most likely the only one who reads this blog) a new year is upon us and with that comes resolutions.  I am the first to admit I am terrible at setting goals.  In fact, I never even bothered to set them until last year.  The whole being married thing and having someone to report to and hold me accountable is definitely a factor in that one.

Ryan and I are very realistic in my goals.  I'm going to be honest with you here.  We are terrible at doing the things we should be doing (aka praying together, reading our scriptures, etc).  So we go with Ryan's life motto which is, "Aim low and achieve."  

Here are our goals. I figure the more I share them, the more they might actually happen.  If you would be so kind as to keep reading and to comment, you will see where I can use your help!

• Our focus is ATTITUDE! (Last year it was HABITS... we are still working on those same habits)
• Read the Doctrine and Covenants together (keep on track with Sunday school)
• Pray once a day together (at least)... like I said "Aim low and Achieve"
• Attend the temple once a month with a purpose in mind each time
• Take 20 family names to the temple
• Remember to fast each month for 2 meals (with a purpose)
• Go on a planned date once a month
• Make holidays special days (learn the meaning of each holiday) and develop traditions
• Eat salad as a meal 2-3 times a week
• Work out 3 times a week

Now, here is where I need your help.  In addition to reading the Doctrine and Covenants together, I want/need to improve my own scripture study.  Because let's be honest again, I suck at it. It is a daunting task.  Last year I read the entire Book of Mormon.  But again, I just read it, not STUDY.  Do I do that again?  Do I study by topic?  I've been wanting to study Preach My Gospel - do I do that? And how do I study? How do  YOU study?  I've been finding some help from blogs online that give some good tips.

The Redheaded Hostess gives a lot of great tips if you are interested.  One of her biggest tips, and one I just heard as a recommendation on Sunday as well is to keep a study journal.  Do any of you do this? I'm definitely thinking about it...

Last item of advice, por favor: Holiday traditions.  Put your thinking caps on and do share what you used to do as a family growing up or what you do now as a young family.  Lately I've heard myself saying over and over again, "I'm not a holiday person." But that's boring.  It's time to stop being boring and make holidays fun.  

Here's to 2013!!

Merry Christmas

Do you know what's difficult? Narrowing down our family and friends to just 100 Christmas Cards.  Especially since we keep moving and meeting new people.  So, apologies to those of you who didn't make the cut.  We still love you!  Happy Holidays!!

 

To number 51!

Saturday was AWESOME.

I don't know how many of you have been to an auction before, but I had not.  I went with our really good friends Rob and Melissa who just bought a house so they have plenty of room to fill.  Auctions are nothing new for them but as soon as the auctioneer started with his "onedollarbadabadatwodollardolllarfifty" Rob said I got reallllly wide eyed and stunned.  I had no idea what he was saying and I'm pretty sure I heard a "yaba-daba-doo" thrown in there somewhere.  As time went on, I got a hang of it and we all became the joke of the auction.

You see, all 3 of us were using the same number to bid.  That was one man and two women.  They were all a little unsure of our relationship.  We also were by far the youngest ones there actually bidding.  And we were bidding on things no one else wanted to they began to look to us if they couldn't sell something.  It wasn't that we were bidding on junk, we were just bidding on home basics that apparently everyone else has and doesn't need.  For example, I saw them holding up two Pyrex bread pans so I paid $2.  Little did I know I got a whole box of kitchen things, including an electric wok.  All for $2 - SCORE!  I was hooked.  

I did buy some totally useless things as a joke, but I am really happy with the majority of my purchases.  I got some really cheap kids stuff (sleds, swing, bouncy horse) that my nieces and nephews can use until we need them.  I also found a quality wooden child's rocking chair that I'm really excited to strip and redo.  But my favorite favorite purchase is a sewing machine cabinet for $35! It came stocked with an old Singer sewing machine, and a cupboard full of thread, scissors, some yarn and other miscellaneous sewing stuff.  In retrospect I'm realizing that my sewing machine probably won't fit... looks like Rob and Ryan have a little project on their hands!

And as far as auctions go?  I will definitely be returning in the future.  Especially when we have our own house to fill!

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.