Love Languages

Shortly after we were married, Brandon and I read the book The Five Love Languages. I really enjoyed the book, and most of it has stuck with me. A few years ago, I read the book Five Love Languages for Children. I recommend both. Anyway, there are five primary ways that people receive and give love.
1. Physical Touch
2. Acts of Service
3. Quality Time
4. Gifts
5. Words of Affirmation

While the entire family was in Colorado this summer, we were all able to talk about our love languages. It was so much fun. We laughed a lot and learned some things, too.

My goal in this post is to remember each person's love language.

Sadie: acts of service. This girl LOVES to help with things. I need to remember to help her with some things, too.

Maisie: First one is physical touch. She loves to hold my hand, hug, snuggle at bedtime, etc. Her second one is words of affirmation. She will be the one to tell me that something looks nice. "Mommy, you look cute." Things like that. I also know she needs words of affirmation. When she tells me she doesn't want to wear something because she will be ugly, I have to affirm her with God's truth.

Analise: First is quality time. Analise always wants to do something with someone. She especially needs that 1-1 time with her dad. Her other one is gifts. This was good for me to learn. She enjoys making things for people, help choose gifts, and she loves to receive them, too. And she remembers where everything came from.

Brandon: After doing the questionnaire, he decided that his isn't on the official list. He explained that his would fall under the word "sacrifice." Whatever someone has to sacrifice for his sake shows him how much he is loved. He gave a couple of examples that just make me laugh. I mowed the lawn for him several times this summer, and each time he told me thanks. However, if his mom had mowed the yard, he probably would have sent her a thank you card. Why? Because she doesn't have much time, and therefore it would be sacrifice.(And I just have oodles of extra time on my hands....)
 And I also joked with him that he feels loved when I sacrifice time with him to let him go hunting when he wants. He agreed. I tease him that he feels most loved when I am not with him. :)

And mine - quality time or really, just "time." I feel most loved when someone takes time for me, whether it by spending time together, taking time to help me with something, remembering things I like/dislike, or taking time to pick out just the right gift. I am most happy when my family is spending time together. My second is words of affirmation, which kind of surprised me. However, when Brandon leaves me a note, or compliments me in some way, if fills up my love tank. My third would be food. :)

And so in our little family of five, we have all five love languages. As a parent and wife I have to remember to express those love languages that don't come easily and also to try and receive love different ways, too. May I overflow God's love to others.

My Acts of Service Girl - she wanted to help!

Polar Express

 Ahh...we love going on the Polar Express. We went again this year with our good friends. Brandon wasn't able to go since he was out of town. (VA, I think). Since we had an extra ticket, we invited Aaron to go with us. He was the perfect choice; the girls love him, he's easy to add to my girls, and he had other friends riding with us. 

We loaded for up the 6:45 ride. Like Maisie's boots with her feety jammies?

 After listening to someone read "The Polar Express," we arrived at the North Pole. Santa came on board and gave each kid a bell.

 We then got out for a picture with Santa.

 It was a great time with lots of smiles and laughter. Thanks, dear friends, who blessed us with this great night!

Operation Christmas Child

 Operation Christmas Child is one of my favorite ministries, and it has been for many years. I think the first time I remember seeing a church involved with OCC was when I was in college. Shortly after we moved to NE, I took this idea to a ministry at church. Since then, we have been participating for many years. This past year a friend and lady from church asked me to pray about becoming the Collection Center Coordinator. I had felt like God had called me to this several years ago, but I knew the timing wasn't right. After Kim asked me to pray about it, I felt the Spirit telling me it was time. 

My role isn't hard. Basically I oversee nine other relay centers that collect shoe boxes the week in November. I will also oversee the relay center in Kearney. At the end of the week all the relay centers bring their boxes to me, and we load them up on the semi. Then I do the final paperwork.

This was my first year to shadow Kim for the entire process. I loved it! I loved meeting people from all over who have a heart for this ministry. I love how churches make this their main mission work and pour their time and resources into it. I love seeing college kids donate their time to load all the heavy boxes onto the trailer. I love seeing families - with kids, work together and pack shoe boxes. I love how it takes our eyes off ourselves and onto someone else who doesn't have much. This ministry is more than a shoe box. It's a life that receives the gospel message.

All this to say the week before Thanksgiving, I spent a lot of time at the church collecting and loading shoe boxes. The girls helped as much as they could. They enjoyed loading the boxes with shoe boxes. It was something they could do. Analise even labeled the boxes for me, and I trusted her to do so. I desire for this to become a part of who they are - who we are as a family. Brandon helped by using his muscles moving boxes and also helping the girls.

Just thinking back on it makes me want to do it all  over again. 

We had a record year for our area. In 2011 we collected 8,000 shoe boxes. Our goal for this year was 8,500. Ready for this? We collected 9,400+ shoe boxes! Praise the Lord!

Girls' Writings

I wanted to remember a couple of things the girls had written. Analise wrote the above paragraph for some spelling homework. She had to write about a chore she must do; she chose picking up dog poo. I knew her teacher would get a kick out it, and I was right.
Below, Maisie added to my grocery list. When I texted this to my mom and Peg, they both knew what Maisie was requesting - fruit snacks.

A Season of Thanks

 November - a season to focus on thankfulness. My pictures are in no particular order, but since it's January, I am going with it. Above is the five of us on Thanksgiving. We are full and content. And thankful!

Sadie had a feast at school. She makes a cute, little Indian.

 We spent Thanksgiving Day with family in town. Some of Bill's family came from Hastings and Texas.

Here is Sarena with Grandma Muriel, Danny and Grandpa

My youngest nephew

 At dinner time during this month, we talked about thankfulness and each named one thing we were thankful for and wrote it  on a leaf. We then hung them on the patio door. I have to say, that green grass looks so nice right now.

 This is the leaf from the first night we named something we are thankful for. It's hard to read, so let me help. Maisie was thankful for 4 wheelers.

Sadie was thankful for race cars.

Analise was thankful for monster trucks.

My oh my.

 After a few nights of talking about meaningful things to be thankful for, Sadie comes home from preschool with this cute picture frame. She has two meaningful things on her list. Two. My oh my.

 Again this is hard to read. Maisie did this craft, and it made me smile. Maisie has struggled with her speech since she was little. And now as she begins to write, I learn how she hears words and thus says them that way. For example:

"I daku (thank you) for my mom."

"I daku for my dog."

Since then she clearly says thank you. I am glad I made the list with the dog. Poor Brandon. :)

 The day after Thanksgiving, we went back to the Luke hub to watch the Huskers play. Lots of red, white and fun times in the house. Here the kids tackle Uncle Dave.

 Maisie kindly shared her headband with Uncle Derek

 The ladies in all three Husker colors

I want to remember the Weds. night before Thanksgiving. It was 7pm, and I was getting ready to run to the mall for something. As I put on my coat, Maisie comes out of the bathroom and tells me her potty was all red. That stopped me in my tracks. I asked her a few questions, called Sarah and decided to take her into urgent care. I had nothing to go on besides what she told me and that is was "hot" when she went potty.

I had her drink water on the way there, but even then we weren't able to get much for a UA. More potty went on my hand then in the cup. The joys of motherhood, I guess. The doc on call said her UA showed some sign on infection, and since it hurt when she went potty, and it was the night before Thanksgiving, she put Maisie on an antibiotic. And I was thankful. We didn't want a miserable 6 year old on Thanksgiving!

Lord, we are thankful....and for more than things on wheels that go fast.

13.2

Analise finished her half marathon at school this fall. We stayed after school on Mondays so she could run. Maisie even ran some days. Towards the end of the marathon program, Analise ran almost three miles in one day so she could complete the half. I was thankful for a friend who encouraged me to stay so she could finish. I had no idea she would run through the flags and later get a bag at an assembly. She was very excited! One of these days I want to run a 5K with that girl. If I can keep up with her...

At This Age

One would think I had enough birthday posts already. However, I need just one more. I got to thinking about how I don't remember my mom at age 35. I was just five or six. What did mom like to do in her spare time? What were her favorite foods? What were her dreams and desires? Her least favorite chore? I don't know those things. I should ask her and see if she remembers. :) But it did make me think that maybe I should write a few of those things down for me so my girls can look back and see what I was like at 35. Here goes - 35 things about me in random order.

1. I really can't believe I am this age. I remember high school things well, and can't believe it's been over 15 years since I graduated.
2. I am a procrastinator by nature, though I am trying to get better with that. However, I have learned that sometimes it does pay off waiting until the last minute.
3. I love Target soooo much more than Walmart.
4. I can't wait to get a Hyvee next year. Whoo-hoo for a "real" grocery store.
5. I don't drink coffee, and I have no desire to. I love Starbuck's hot chocolate, and that's about the only place I do anymore. Call me a hot chocolate snob.
6. I love to eat. But I have learned this past year to stop sooner. And my stomach has shrunk; I can't eat like I used to. But I still love food.
7. Chips and homemade salsa is a big weakness for me. Love it.
8. I enjoying cooking and trying new recipes.
9. I enjoy baking with my girls. I remember spending a lot of time in the kitchen with my mom and sister, so now I do it with my own girls.
10. Reading a good book is an "escape" for me. I love to read a good Christian fiction book. Sometimes a book can consume me, and I can hardly put it down.
11. I now love to read my books on my Nook. Something I didn't think I would enjoy. However, my favorite place to read my book is in bed. Now I can use my Nook with the back light and read in bed without worrying about keeping Brandon awake.
12. I am thankful we got a dog this past year. She has provided lots of family time with physical activity. And she taught me that I enjoy a morning walk by myself.
13. As much as I love staying home with the girls, I do admit that I need "me" time. If my mom was in town, I know that at least once a month, I would call  her and offer her the kids for a couple of hours.
14. I am so thankful I started exercising again this year. And now that Brandon and I do it together most nights, I am thankful for that time with him, too.  I still wish I enjoyed running.
15. I love to spend time with friends. Going for coffee/hot chocolate with friends at 8 pm is not uncommon.
16. I love my Tuesday morning Bible study. I don't know what I would be without it. The women and studies have changed my life.
17. Speaking of Bible studies, I love to do Beth Moore and James MacDonald studies. I have probably grown the most from them.
18. I love date nights with Brandon. Just wish I had more of them. Now that two girls are in school full time, sometimes we have date lunches with Sadie.
19. I feel like I do laundry all the time.
20. I am the "no more sugar" Nazi. The girls ask for sugary things all the time, and I feel like I always tell them no. They get some in moderation, don't worry.
21. Ahhh...sugar leads me to donuts. Another favorite food.
22. I love music. Downloading a new song from itunes can give me a "high."
23. Singing is in my blood. One can tell the mood I am in by whether or not I am singing. And this is my main mode of worship - a song in my heart.
24. I love, love, love going to Christian concerts. And I am thankful for a hubby who supports it. I can't wait for the Chris Tomlin concert in a few months. I get giddy thinking about it.
25. I get just as excited to go to a Husker football or volleyball game as I do a concert. Call me strange, but I love them, too!
26. I enjoy traveling. I look forward to going to different places as the girls get older. I would love to go on another Caribbean cruise. I find it completely relaxing. Brandon thinks it would be confining. So I need to find a Christian cruise to go on with him.
27. My favorite tv show now is "NCIS Los Angeles." It's clean, suspenseful and funny. I love to watch with Brandon while a dog is curled on my lap.
28. I also loved the show "The Sing Off" and wish it would come back on air.
29. I love my home, but I wish it was bigger. And nicely decorated. And clean all the time. How's that for honest?
30. I love to wear jeans and an Under Armour sweatshirt. But at the same time, I love to dress up in something cute with ruffles. I just don't go places where I get to very often.
31. I wish I was more intentional with each of the girls. I love teachable moments, but always long for more intentionality with them.
32. Brandon likes boating a whole lot more than I do. I do it for the sake of the family; I don't do it for me. I hope you girls like it more than I do.
33. I love my minivan, and I am not ashamed to say it.
34. I get headaches on a monthly basis, and I am trying to monitor/control those. One of the main reasons I started exercising and eating less.
35. I am beyond thankful to my Lord for blessing me with SO much. I feel like I was given a second chance at life almost five years ago. And in the middle of my frustrations, I try and remember to be thankful I am here. Something I ask myself often is, "Am I strong or am I spoiled?" I long to be strong!

Roadtrip to Lincoln

 

 A couple of weeks after our trip to Omaha, we took a family trip to Lincoln. It was our night to use our volleyball tickets. Yeah! We had three tickets, so Analise went with us. Needless to say, she was thrilled. We took Maisie and Sadie  over to Tabitha and Jesse's to spend the evening. They were excited, too. Everyone was happy, so you've got to love that.

I just love Husker volleyball, and I love the Coliseum they play in. And I knew this was the last year in this venue, so that is why I really wanted to go. And I am so thankful we could.

 Huskers beat the Hoosiers

 We spent the night in a new hotel (thanks to hotel points) and spent the next morning swimming. Actually, I forgot my swimsuit. (And not on purpose. :)) The rest of them spent a couple of hours swimming and having a great time.  While they swam, I went to Kohl's on a mission. Santa was planning ahead.

 We had a great weekend. I loved getting away as a family. I loved the girls having fun with Tabitha and Jesse. I loved how Tabitha and Jesse loved their time with the girls. I loved being at the volleyball game with a husband who enjoyed it, too, and a daughter who loves learning more about the game.  And so all my birthday gifts come to and end, and like said, this was one of my best birthdays ever. 

When we packed for the trip, I told the girls to  pack their backpacks with things to do in the van. Not far down the road, Analise pulls out her globe. A globe. We laughed so hard. Sadie had one slipper in her backpack. And Maisie's funny was she was quiet, looking out the window when she announced, "I just counted to a million.!"

A Quick Get Away

Brandon and I were able to leave on a Saturday morning for Omaha. We dropped off the girls at Grandma and Grandpa's house and headed out. The girls were excited to be there, and we were so thankful for them taking care of the girls.
When we first got to Omaha, we went to Borsheims to get our rings cleaned. While they were getting cleaned, we ate lunch at Paradise Cafe. They have my favorite tomato soup. We then went to a mall so I could do some shopping. First stop - The Buckle. I really wanted some Miss Jean blingy jeans, so I tried on MANY pair and finally found some to buy Yeah! Next stop - Maurice's. I wasn't impressed with much in the store, but Brandon was helpful in picking things out for me to try. So I ended up getting some things...even though I was "thrilled" with my purchase.
By then it was dinner time, so we went to The Cheesecake Factory. I love their Chicken Carbonara. So good. So not healthy. We weren't sure what to do next; we both wanted to see a movie, but there wasn't anything good showing. So we spent over an hour at Dick's. I love that store. We had so much fun just walking around looking at things. Brandon can really make me laugh when we shop at those stores. We finally headed to our hotel where we curled up and watched the NE vs MI football game. Brandon relaxed while doing other things, and I read while watching the game. For me that was total relaxation. I was able to watch a game without a certain daughter talking/asking questions the entire time.
Sunday morning we slept in and then hit Kohl's, Sports Authority, and finished with lunch at Biaggi's. For Brandon's sake we went to Cabela's before heading home. Finally a store that he enjoys.
We picked up the girls in the late afternoon, and we were ready to be with them again. I really appreciate a husband that is willing to go away with me to do things that I enjoy but wouldn't be his choice of how to spend a weekend. And we had a good time. We enjoyed meals with good conversation. We laughed a lot. And we both relaxed. Something we both needed.

Now for the ending of the story. The jeans I bought stretched while I wore them. So they didn't fit anymore. I took them back to the Buckle where I tried on more jeans. Went home with another pair, and I wasn't excited about them. So a couple of weeks later, I went back to the Buckle, AGAIN. And I tried on about 15 more pair. Finally, I found "the pair." Ready for this....skinny jeans! I said I would never buy skinny jeans. And guess what? I love them!  Later in talking with someone from church who works for the Buckle, I learned there are about 85 different fits of jeans in their stores. And I only tried on about 30! And then when you add the pockets and stitching, there are almost 200 styles/fits. Amazing. And I found one I love. They aren't Miss Me's like I wanted, but these are more practical. :)
And then...I took most of my things back to Maurice's and exchanged them for things I liked even more. Plus I had coupons this time, so I came home with more for less. I guess I learned that I don't need the big cities to get my shopping fix. Though it is fun to get away. And my dear hubby, took me away, and then I ended up getting more things local. What a man. What a man.

Birthday and Halloween

They always fall on the same day, year after year. This was the 35th time. Goodness - I am 35.

And I have to say, this was the best birthday I've had in a long time. Let's see what this old mind can remember....

 

Some background - A few weeks prior to my birthday I emailed Brandon at work and told him that I wasn't going to hint at what I wanted. I informed him that I wanted a weekend away with him to Omaha for some shopping, and that I would love, love, love to go to a Lincoln volleyball game the same weekend.

As we prepared for the celebration with his folks, he told me he wasn't able to volleyball tickets for the NE/Penn State game. I wasn't surprised; it was near impossible.

 

I celebrated with the Luke family a few nights before my birthday. Jacki made Mexican Chicken Chowder soup for my meal. Sarah added some fruit; we had some bread, and it was all yummy!

I got some new things for my kitchen, some spending money and some other goodies.

And then Sarah had me open my gift:

A Husker N with a volleyball on it. I loved it! Last year for her birthday I had given her an N with a football on it.

 After I opened it, she handed me a note from Brandon informing me that I had three tickets for the NE volleyball game vs IU in a couple of weeks. I was giddy! I got to go to a game! Sarah made it happen - thanks so much. And I was also thankful for the friend that donated her three tickets for that game. More to come on that.

 For my cake, I made pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting. So yummy.

 

My real birthday was full of fun, too. To start off, I had an eye appt. Good times learning your eyes have again gotten a little worse. Another sign of old age. From there, I took my dilated eyes to meet Sarah for coffee at Starbucks. However, it was more than that! She had Gretchen and Lindsey there, too. And my favorite donuts to go along with my hot chocolate. I felt so loved.

 

I was the able to go to my fave Thai place with Brandon for lunch. I always treasure that time with him.

The afternoon was full of phone calls, texts and reading sweet messages on FB.

Brandon came home for a quick meal (left over soup....I wasn't going to cook on my birthday). We got the girls in their costumes and off we went.

Three tigers this year  - costumes I bought at 75%  off last year. Sweet little tigers, aren't they?

 We went over to Lindsey's house first to see all our friends dressed up. There was the "Peanuts" gang, a gymnast, Doc McStuffins and a pizza box. It was a beautiful evening to be outside!

 Surrounded by my friends - G and L

 From there we headed over to the cousins' house to walk their neighborhood with them. What a fun looking crew. We enjoyed our time with them like we do every year.

 After we walked a couple of streets with them we stopped by at each of the girls' teachers home. I love how they are excited to see their teacher, and the teachers are always excited to see them, too.

We came home, got the girls in their jammies, and then they hid my gifts in the living room.

Each girl had drawn a picture for me on a white board. So special!

 Caramel thought she could have a sock for my birthday.

I just felt so loved all day long. My quality time love tank was FULL!