Sweet Moments…

The Christmas season seems to bring out the best in people.  I have three sweet moments I witnessed while out Christmas shopping the last two days and I couldn’t resist but share.  Sometimes we get so lost in the hustle and bustle that it’s easy to forget and cherish the little things. 

All three were witnessed at Walmart.  Shocking, I know :)  Maybe I need to send out my own version of “People of Walmart” e-mail.  On Friday, I was just finishing up shopping for the day and stopped at Walmart to grab a few odds and ends on the way home.  As I browsed the Christmas section I heard this sweet little voice singing Christmas carols as loud as she could while her mom pushed her on the edge of the cart.  Her voice carried throughout the store spreading Christmas cheer for shoppers about.  Precious.

Then, last night, Trent and I made another quick stop at Walmart to grab a poinsettia and some items to make a veggie pizza.  First stop was the bathroom (may seem like too much information, but it is important to the story).  While Trent was in the bathroom I was looking at the poinsettias displayed right outside the bathroom and again I heard a little voice singing Jingle Bells loud enough for all to hear.   Where was it coming from you might wonder…the bathroom!  According to Trent, this little boy was in the bathroom with his dad patiently waiting outside the stall for his son to “finish up” while he sang away.  Bless his little heart!

Finally, just as we were about to check out there was a young boy, maybe 11, in front of us at the self checkout.  He nervously stepped up having already asked for help before he even started.  As he started checking out I noticed he was buying a single nail polish and a headband.  A Christmas gift for someone special.  Maybe his sister.  Maybe his mom.  Maybe his girlfriend :)  He appeared to be there shopping alone and I could tell this gift was important and he wanted to get it just right.  I think he did.  Someone is going to get something on Christmas.

I had to share because these kids brought joy to me without even knowing or trying.  In a world that can be so scary and unpredictable, I truly believe there is more good than bad.  Sometimes you even find it when you aren’t even looking.  As my mom would say…GIG!  (God is good)

Now, a sneak peak of our Christmas tree before we head off to Christmas #1 today in Plattsmouth.

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!

{The Launes}

Minnesota Trip

Earlier this month, Trent and I took a little weekend getaway to Minneapolis so we could go to a Bears – Vikings game.  We left after school Friday and made it a quick trip heading back Monday morning.

We visited Mall of America (by the way we bought nothing there!)  Mall of America 1 – Laune’s 0.  Then we went to IKEA…so much fun.  I could have bought everything there.

The main event was Sunday afternoon.  We braved the weather and thankfully headed to Mall of America Field’s inside the dome.  Lots of fun was had by all.

Skol Vikings, let’s win this game…

Like father, like son…

Trent’s parents came up late Saturday night for the game too.  Steve is a Vikings fan and Trent is a Bears fan so it was fun.

The bears lost so that was sad.  And this picture was taken just a few minutes before we headed back to the car and sat in the parking garage for an hour with out moving. 

And we got to see snow.  A lot of snow.  Like almost a whole foot!

I think I like weekend getaways. 

Now, I am on Christmas break and enjoying Nebraska snow and cold weather.  I have Christmas music playing almost nonstop on Pandora, Christmas presents wrapped under the tree and 98% of my Christmas shopping completed.

Tis’ the season…

{The Launes}

Defying Gravity…

This was a good weekend.  We hung out with friends, Trent had his last football game of the season, we watched some Husker football and celebrated two birthdays.

First off Friday, we stopped in at my Grandma’s surprise birthday party.  She turns 90 tomorrow.  Pretty unbelievable considering she still plays golf several times a week and has hardly any gray hair.  I would be okay with those genes :)

Then we headed to our friends Tony and Jess’ house for dinner before heading into Omaha for some fun. 

Last week Trent and I were driving through Omaha when we went by a place called Defy Gravity.  It is an indoor trampoline complex and I knew immediately that I needed to go there.  We had a trampoline growing up and some days I spent every waking moment jumping my little heart out. 

I was also reminded of an episode of The King of Queens when Doug was going to the trampoline instead of physical therapy like he told Carrie.  See below…Trent would so do this!

And so we went.  We jumped, flipped and dunked.  Sweated, laughed and laughed some more.  We were definitely the oldest “kids” there, but it was well worth it.  I felt alive and as if I was Gabby Douglas training for 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. 

Trent was a blast to watch.  He once again was just like a big kid having the time of his life.  I wish I had a video of him.

I’m thankful for friends that are kids at heart, just like Trent and I.  I’m thankful that I can still flip and arial like I did when I was a kid and only hurt a little the next day.  I am also thankful for Sunday afternoon naps.  Even if it means I did nothing for school this weekend. 

I am anxiously counting down the days until Thanksgiving.  It will be a busy week and a half at school with a baby shower, grandparents’ day and Thanksgiving festivities, but I love it all!

{The Launes}

Baby Bumps…

I love my friends.  Truth be told…I do not see them often enough.  But last weekend we got together for Amy’s baby shower.  She is due the end of January, but with winter and the holidays fast approaching, this seemed like the perfect time! 

Amy was as cute as ever with her little baby bump…

Amanda and I painted pumpkins for the shower…

The Ashland girls…

Aside from baby showers, this week was incredibly busy and exhausting.  Kirsten had her final volleyball game of the season.  Not quite the result we had hoped for, but Kirsten is a great volleyball player and we have had a blast watching her play high school volleyball.  I am crossing my fingers that she decides to play in college. 

#25…my favorite setter…

And finally…nothing says crazy like Halloween on a Wednesday.  We partied, paraded and partied some more in room 111.  The kids loved it and their teacher was exhausted by the end of the day.

I anxiously rushed home after school to await my trick or treaters.  I had a record breaking year with 25 trick or treaters.  Made. My. Day.

And oh yeah.  I dressed up as Charlie Brown.  1st grade went with the theme of It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.  Classic.

Now I am discovering that Thanksgiving break is only 2 and 1/2 weeks away.  There is so much to do in the meantime, but I am oh so excited and thankful!

{The Launes}

My Life in Pictures…

My life in pictures.  Because quite frankly, I haven’t been able to find time to actually write about what is going on.  I think about it.  A lot.  And then I get busy with the next thing.  As some might say, I’m a day late and a dollar short.  So I decided to post some pictures of the last month and let the pictures do most of the talking.

Nebraska verses Wisconsin. Tailgating. Comeback of the year.

Monica and Tyler’s Wedding…

Market to Market Relay…

The view on my final run…

The Common Tread –

11 Hours 32 Minutes 13 Seconds.

And Finally…Date Night

On a rare Friday night off, we went out for dinner at Old Chicago and then to see the movie Trouble With the Curve.  Good times.

Now, I have survived most of October.  Wedding, Market to Market and Parent Teacher Conferences can all be checked off my list of things to do.  I can attempt to catch up on laundry and cleaning and enjoy the beautiful fall weather that Bill Randby is promising this next week.  Today, I’m off to cheer on Trent and the Concordia Bulldogs as they go for their 5th straight win.

{The Launes}

National Coffee Day…

Happy National Coffee Day! 

I celebrated with Caribou coffee this morning.  Perfect after a morning run!

Now I’m headed to Lincoln for a little pre-game tailgate that Brian is putting on.  I have a new Husker shirt for the Big 10 opener and I am super excited to enjoy this beautiful weather and cheer on the Huskers.  Go Big Red!

{The Launes}

Big Brother…

Labor Day is often considered to be the unofficial end of summer.  However, in my books, the Big Brother finale marks the end of summer for me.  In fact, it is one of the highlights of my summer.  With fall just days away, Jamie and I celebrated the Big Brother finale in fashion last Wednesday.  Running, Valentino’s pizza, YoYo Berri frozen yogurt and Julie Chen.

It was a perfect night for indulging.  I jumped on the Ian bandwagon in recent weeks and was rooting him on to win the $500,000.  Life couldn’t get any better.  :)

In the end, Ian won in a landslide.  Whuuut?  Whuuut?  Very deserving, in my opinion.

YoYo Berri…Yum!

Thursday morning, I woke up feeling empty inside.  Summer had come to an end.  My Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday night T.V. schedule was suddenly very open and I now have to wait nearly a year for the next batch of Big Brother houseguests to capture my heart.  On the bright side, it’s something worth waiting for.

Now, tonight is a rare Friday night with nothing going on.  Trent is out of town for football and I spent the night at home catching up on a little laundry, putting out a few fall decorations and surfing Pinterest.  Is it weird that it is not even 9:30 and I am ready to head to bed?  I guess I just need to get rested up for a busy weekend!

  {The Launes}