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.

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).