Happy Birthday Micah!

I dont have any GREAT pics of Micah- But I still think he is stinkin' cute in this picture!!! I cant believe this little guys is 3!!!! Happy birthday bud and we have been thinking about you all day! Love ya bud!

Oma's Cane!

This is is the only picture I could find at the moment- But it shows exactly what I am talking about! Mary was ALWAYS intrigued by my Grandma's cane! she would always play with it! My Grandma would say about her cane "I am just trying to be like President Hinckley" haha LOVE and MISS HER! Anyway my Mom bought the three girls a "candy cane" full of Sixlets! The first thing Mary did with it was walk like it was her cane! hahaha

I have no doubt she was thinking of her Oma!

Then she enjoyed the candy if course!!

yummy!

Mary's Movies!

Mary loves to watch her shows! Lately she has been into a couple of them! In fact we watched each of the ones below at least TWICE EACH today!

MADAGASCAR- She LOVES this movie- She will either call it 1) the Lion or 2) Alligator- I think she is trying to say Madagascar- but says Alligator! She laughs throughout this movie- and LOVES IT!

PRINCESS AND THE FROG:She LOVES this!

She cant say f-r-o-g some of the time it comes out as a bad word! and earlier today she kept saying "the frog the princess" haha Will and i couldnt help but laugh REALLY hard as she kept repeating herself! We have been working on that one for sure! She almost can say it right every time! Now she will says "the princess and frog" We love the songs in this movie! so much fun!

I love Mary!!! and thank goodness for Netflix! Thats the only way we can watch The Princess and The Frog!

Thanksgiving!

We had a YUMMY Thanksgiving! This year my favorite dish was the Sweet potatoes!! They are sooo yummy! I will post the recipe for anyone that cares! haha

This year we had dinner at my parents! Seth, Rach and fam came up. And my Aunt Lana and Aunt Karen (my Dad's sisters) came up as well! We had a lot of fun eating, playing games, watching home videos, watching movies, etc...

I didnt take a lot of pictures- but here are the few i did take!

The lovely dinner table!

Lindsey, Brooke, and Karen

Lana and Karen stayed in a hotel- and we went swimming there every night- (mary and i didnt the last night) Here is Megan and Mary when they first got in! Our little fishies!

Mary swimming- right after this she realized she wasn't able to touch the bottom- and flipped out a little but! (Can't wait for swimming lessons next summer!!!)

Brooke's first time swimming!

She didnt know what to think about it-- but then warmed up and loved it!

Rachel and her girls! ( they all look like clones to me!)

Pretty sad thats all the pics I took! hahaha Thanksgiving Day we watched 17 Again - Such a good show!

At dinner we rolled a di- and whatever number we got is how many things we got to name that we are thankful for! It was very fun!

Now for the THANKSGIVING part:

(here is a few things I am grateful for!)

• My Husband! Will is such a hard worker and does what he can to provide for out little family! I love him and I am thankful that I am sealed to him for time and eternity! I have fun with him and I love him VERY MUCH! He is my best friend. "Life with you makes perfect sense- you're my best friend!"
• MARY! I am soooo thankful for her! I know i say this a lot, but it is true! SHE IS SUCH A MIRACLE! She is a light in my life and makes me so happy! I really dont know what I would do without her and our relationship is so strong! We are best friends and I am so thankful for her sweet, spunky, full of attitude personality and makes Will and I so happy!
• My parents! They are my heroes! They have taught me so much and are such great examples to me and I am very grateful for all they do for me and my little family!
• My in-laws! I am thankful for Will's parents and the great relationship we have. I am grateful for what they do as well for our little family!
• My siblings- (including in-laws)!! I love them and always have a great time when I am with them- I have learned from each of them and are very grateful for them and their examples!
• My nieces and nephews!
• The Temple and the blessings that come from that and the wonderful feeling when I go! and the knowledge of ETERNAL LIFE!
• The gospel- the knowledge of life after death!!!
• and last but DEFINITELY not least: My Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ! I am so grateful for the atonement and the resurrection. For the sacrifice Christ went through for each and every one of us - THEY LOVE US and KNOW US PERSONALLY and I am so grateful for that knowledge and testimony!

Hope you all had a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Happy Birthday:

Daniel!!

This little guy turned 9 years old! I cant believe it!!! We were with him last year for his birthday and this is the picture from going to Garcias! Can you tell he was thrilled for his Fried Ice cream!!! YUMMY YUMMY!

{Emiline's Korner}

Hey Everyone - just wanted to let you know the business Melanie and I were doing Ohh So Pretty!! is no longer! Melanie and I have decided to do our own individual businesses! So I have named mine "EMILINE'S KORNER"! If you would like to order a bow (I customize) let me know and visit my bow blog!! (I dont have pictures up yet but check it shortly!

If you would like to grab my button for your blog here is the code:

<a border="0" href="emilineskorner.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp23/emilyempey5/button.jpg" /></a>

Same smile!?

Rachel always says that Mary has my smile! I love hearing that- because we all know Mary is a "MINI-ME" of WILL! Haha its pretty cute! Well I was looking at my profile pics on facebook- and these two were there- and I think I have to agree-- It looks like Mary has my nose, mouth, chin, "care bear" cheeks and crazy hair (THANK GOODNESS- Mary has no widows peak!)

Me!

Mary

Potty Training Adventures!

No she is not potty trained yet! (AHHH) But we have been working with her- and she LOVES to sit on the toilet because she likes to play with the toilet paper- I told her she CANT use it until she goes IN the potty! Well one day she snuck in the bathroom so her DOGGY could go potty on the toilet! hahaha and she was putting ALL the toilet paper in the toilet! we are going through SOOO much TP- its ridiculous - cause she sneaks in and puts it in the toilet!

This is her DOGGY she is potty training! hahaha

Look at that mess- Yes the TP was gone and MOST of it is in the toilet! GR! haha

RANDOM PICS

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I had to post this- Its way to cute not to! This is Sadie Lady in Mary's hat she got in Lava!

Will has been sick- and Mary is so nurturing! Here she is rubbing his head for him- and notice the stuffed animals all around him! She is so sweet!

Grandma, Tell Me Bout The Good Ol' Days! (Long)

I have been thinking a lot about my Grandma!! As you all know she passed away Sept 30! I miss her dearly and have cried a few times- because I wish I could just call her up and see how she is! On Angie's blog she posted about Grandma's funeral- so I thought I would copy her and put a copy of her talk that she did at the funeral! She did a great job! And I will have you know- she was asked to speak ONLY because she is the oldest grandchild! NOT for any other reason she may tell you! :) Here is the talk Angie SO beautifully did:

I am honored to be asked to talk about my Grandma Luckau and the memories I have of Grandma. I represent the grandkids and great grandkids. I was given this job since I am the oldest grandchild. I really was her favorite, but I was supposed to tell you it was because I am the oldest! That’s not true, she loved all of us!

I will refer to her as Grandma Luckau and Oma. She went by both of these names, especially Oma after she started having great grandkids. I love my Grandma and she will be missed, memories are going through my head of even way back to when she use to make cherry chocolates for Christmas! Oh those were so yummy. To her cooking us wonderful meals. To her cooking lamb for us and a steak for my mom because she didn't like to eat cute little lambs! To her being so proud of who she is and where she came from. To her crying when Brandon could say the pledge of allegiance. To her preparing a wonderful German Christmas. To her and Grandpa telling me how they met. She would smile when telling such sweet stories! To her playing the piano and had a little song for some of her grandchildren. I can just hear her say, "This is Angela's song"... and then playing a fun melody on the piano. She was my piano teacher for a short while! I love her sweet smile and her spunk! She will be missed. I am thankful that now Grandpa and Grandma Luckau can be reunited together forever!

I have talked to all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren about their memories of Grandma, we had fun discussing memories and laughing at the fun things Grandma use to say and do!

Wes told me a funny story of Grandma at their 50th anniversary party. People were trying to tell her she looked good and she said, “Tell me something I don’t know!”

Emily and Aubrey were talking about the time that they, along with Lindsey and Magan got called inside to sit on the couch because they were all in trouble. They got yelled at by Grandma, Em and Aubrey do remember what happened, they remember that Magan and Lindsey broke the glass on the back door, I asked Lindsey and Magan and they smiled and said, "I don't remember, but we probably did something." Magan said she briefly remembered being yelled at on the couch. They all got in trouble!

I remember a story that is probably embarrassing for me than anyone else. When we were little, Brian and I got in trouble once, I slapped him and he followed me down the hallway and kicked me between my legs. Grandma told us she was going to call the cops and told Brian that I may never have babies. I think Brian felt relief when I had Woods 2 ½ years ago!

Many of us have the memory of Grandma cutting up all kinds of vegetables and putting it in the veggie tray, for us to eat! She was very particular about her food, and took time and effort into preparing meals and snacks for us. I always loved it when she made cereal mix!

Some of the grandkids remember when we stayed at Grandma's they would go shopping and get something new, clothes, shoes, etc. Magan remembers her, Lindsey, and Emily getting wallets.

Lindsey told me that another time Magan and her were fighting and so Grandma separated them, she sat on the couch. Lindsey was saying how that was so different because Grandma always sat in her special chair. She read to them from a lion king book.

Rachel remembered sitting next to Grandma working on school work books with her. Magan said she has so many memories, Grandma babysat her a lot. She remembers playing board games with Grandma, and playing go fish a lot. Emily also remembered sitting on Grandma's bed eating with her. Grandma would make her a tray of food, just like she did for herself.

So I mentioned that Grandma was particular about food, I will give you an example. I can't remember who was all there, but Emily reminded me of this story when her and I were staying over at Grandma's a couple years ago and wanted chips. We asked for chips and Grandma didn't want us to have any because it was late at night. Lana told her that it was probably ok in the nice way that Lana can. So grudgingly Grandma went and got the chips and read the serving size and gave us each 8 chips because that was the serving size! And that is all we got! Bless her heart!

Lindsey remembers Grandma making peanut butter and chocolate sandwiches. And sending it home with them to travel home with.

Chelsea and Rachel recalled how Grandma would pay attention to our interests and save anything she found about it and give it to us... pictures, articles, videos, etc. Rachel remembered it about back street boys, and Chelsea remembered her doing this with Kenner when he loved eagles. She was so generous!

When my mom broke her ankle she took care of Rachel, Emily, Lindsey, and Aubrey for at least a couple of weeks. Karen said she liked to do that. Grandma was full of service like this.

I was told that Grandma had to be told not to tell us Orphan Annie stories, because some of us kids were having problems going to bed!

Will remembers going to Grandma and Grandpa's house one conference weekend and they were watching tennis, Grandma was so excited to tell him what she knew about watching tennis!

I have a funny story that my husband remembers… Ryan loves to camp, we camp all the time. Well he told Grandma we were just going to set up the tent in the backyard, and sleep in there. Grandma said we couldn’t do that and we needed to watch out for squirrels. Ryan smiled and said, Grandma I live by bears! Bless her heart!

Lindsey wrote a memory on facebook of a time, at the beginning of this year, she was sitting in Grandma's room and talking to her about random things (mainly boys). They laughed a lot and just talked for quite a while. She then said, "I like when you stay here, you are just so fun". Lindsey told her that she loved being there and loved talking with her.

Aubrey remembers talking to her about babysitting. Aubrey also reminded me that after we sing Happy Birthday, Grandma added a 2nd verse, “I love you so much, I love you so much, I love you so much, I love you so much!”

All of us had memories of her saying certain things that she was famous for saying, "Do you want me to call the cops?" One of these times was for someone writing on the furniture. When we would say, "I'm hungry!" She would say, "Hi hungry, I'm Hilde!" Another famous one was "Well did you tell him/her... it takes one to know one!" And the way she would say Grandpa's name when she was upset, "Paul!" or "OH Paul quit it!" When Emily and Aubrey were taking care of her, when she was really upset with what was going on she would say, "Paul!" I guess it became a habit when frustrated!

When Grandpa was still alive and they would send out the monthly newsletter "Luckau Logs and Lines" Grandma had her section about health tips. She called it Hilde's Healthy corner, then she started to call it "Hilde's heluva corner" h e l u v a

Grandma told us that when she was younger, she was ashamed of being German, this was during World War 2. Her parents spoke German, so when she would be walking somewhere with them and they started talking, she wouldn't walk with them. But we all remember her as being very proud to be of German descent. She was also proud to be an American. She loved America!

Lindsey remembers Grandma talking about dancing with Grandpa. She smiled really big while talking about this. She loved to dance and was upset when Grandpa stopped taking her.

Grandma loved her great grandkids! This is where she turns into Oma! I asked some of the kids, that could tell me a memory what they remembered and liked to do with Oma, and Katelynn (Brian's daughter) said "I would bring my sit up pillow and put it next to Oma and sit by her." "When we would leave she would wave at us out the door with the 'I love you' sign." I told Katelynn I loved that too, and she said, "I think she did that to all of us." She did and we all loved it!

Daniel (Brian's son) said, "I like to talk to her!"

Trey (Chelsea's son) said, "I like hangin' out with her!" When I told Chelsea he said that, she said, "That's what I was going to say too!"

Taya (Rachel's daughter) said, "I like to see her!" There is a picture on facebook that Emily posted of Oma and Rachel commented that Taya was looking at the picture and said "Oma is fun!" And Rachel said, "What?" And Taya said, "I love Oma, she is fun!"

Rachel told me that when it was Taya or Megan's birthday, Oma would get a present for the other one on top of the bday girl. She didn't like them to feel left out.

My son Woods, is full of energy! And I was a little nervous when I would visit, because he is all over the place and I didn't want to stress out Oma. One time I said, "I'm sorry, I know he is a lot!" and she said "No he's fine!" She did however say, " I get tired just watching him"

Mary (Emilly's daughter) was sweet with her. Oma would laugh at Mary, whenever she would sit on the bed with Oma, she would try to be as close as possible to her or on her lap! If Oma was in the room, Mary had to be right next to her, sitting at her legs on the floor or have her hand on her leg!

There were many re-occuring themes talking to all the grandkids about Grandma. We all remember her bringing out the dish of candy/chocolates after dinner and pass around. One big one was talking to Grandma she was such a good listener, and her smile was contagious! When she would be sitting in her bed, we would sit next to her and chat! Or she would sit in her chair in the front room and we would sit and chat! Oh she was so cute! She loved to hear about our stories and what we were up to and our interests!

After she got home from the recovery center on Monday, my sisters Emily and Aubrey went to stay with her to help take care of her. I am so thankful they were there. And I am thankful for all the help that Rachel was and for all the things Lana and Karen did for her. I know many more I can’t name everyone. I am thankful for the prayers and thoughts from everyone. It is hard to be so far away when things like this is going on.

Aubrey said that when she got home and saw the van she smiled. They opened the door and Grandma was smiling so big. she was so happy to be home. She talked to them. She ate dinner and totally loved it! She was cute with her meals and enjoyed food that she was use to having at home. On Tuesday morning she was kind of grumpy! She slept most of the day, but awake for meals and wanted to eat! She woke up and was out of it, thinking she was quilting, starting on a project, she tried to get out of bed, and Emily would say, "It's 9:00." And Grandma would say, "We won't start on the project today then." She told Aubrey she didn't want to go to school and Aubs said, "You don't have to today." And she would say, "OK" On Tuesday night there was a knock at the door and Grandma said, " Who the sam hill is here this late?" When she saw it was her nurse Roy, she smiled and said, "Hey!" Rachel said, "Oh yeah, she would do anything for Roy!"

On behalf of all the grandkids and great- grandkids, we will miss our Oma and we love her very much!!! This is to you Oma, (then wave with the I love you sign!)

Grandma in 2002- She LOVED America! This was on her birthday!

Grandma with all her children! Karen, Janice, Richard, and Lana! This was the beginning of this year!

This was 7 ish years ago! One of the last pictures of my Grandma and Grandpa together!! I miss them both soooo much!

This was in May this year! Mary LOVED her Oma! This is such a special sweet picture to me!!

*if you made it to this point say "I DID IT" in the comments!! GOOD JOB*

Happy Birthday:

Brandon!!!!

The man with the plan-with the muscles YEAH!

My World!

JiB jAb!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

MARYISMS: Beauty and The Beast style!

Mary has been obsessed with this movie the last couple days (thanks to Melanie haha)

Anyway we have it playing like 6 ish times a day! and Mary when she watches it will say some pretty cute things:

• When the beast goes out to save Belle when she runs away and the wolves attack the Beast- Mary says "Uh-Oh doggie get him"
• When Belle is cleaning out the wound- she will lick her arm like the Beast does and say "He lick-it hurt?" She seems sooo concerned for him!
• When the Beast turns to human- she gets a little sad and says "no i wanna Beast!" haha That made me laugh- the first few times she would get mad and i would just rewind it!
• When he is human and Belle and him kiss she went "yay! a KISS!!" she kills me with her smartness!
• She calls Belle's Dad "Grandpa" When he leaves in the movie she will yell "Bye Grandpa!"
• She also said when the Beast turned into a human- "yay- its Daddy" hahaha

I LOVE HER!!!

{Sacrament Meeting Talk}

(this picture was taken from Lindsey's facebook! I think its gorgeous- thanks for taking it Lyner!)

October 24- Will and I had the opportunity to speak in our new ward's sacrament meeting! I really enjoyed it actually- i was excited and nervous! My topic was on Receive The Holy Ghost based on Elder Bednar's conference talk! Very good I recommend you read it along with the other talks!!! Anyway so here is my talk (minus the introduction of my family and the testimony i gave!!)

In the teachings of Joseph Smith it says:

In December of 1839, while in Washington, D. C., to seek redress for the wrongs done to the Missouri Saints, Joseph Smith and Elias Higbee wrote to Hyrum Smith: “In our interview with the President [of the United States], he interrogated us wherein we differed in our religion from the other religions of the day. Brother Joseph said we differed in mode of baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. We considered that all other considerations were contained in the gift of the Holy Ghost”

The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead; He is a personage of spirit and bears witness of all truth! The Bible Dictionary says:

The Holy Ghost is manifested in every dispensation of the gospel since the beginning, being first made known to Adam . The Holy Ghost is manifested to men on the earth both as the power of the Holy Ghost and as the gift of the Holy Ghost. The power can come upon one before baptism, and is the convincing witness that the gospel is true. It gives one a testimony of Jesus Christ and of his work and the work of his servants upon the earth. The gift can come only after proper and authorized baptism, and is conferred by the laying on of hands

Baptism by immersion is the first ordinance of the gospel- and must be followed by the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Elder David A Bednar says:

“The ordinance of confirming a new member of the Church and bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost is both simple and profound. Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders place their hands upon the head of an individual and call him or her by name. Then, by the authority of the holy priesthood and in the name of the Savior, the individual is confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this important phrase is uttered: “Receive the Holy Ghost.””

Many times we overlook the significance of those four words RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST! As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred responsibility to desire, seek, to work, and to live that we in fact RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST and its spiritual gifts.

In D&C 88:33 It reads

"For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift."

So what can we do to seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost and therefore RECEIVE the Holy Ghost?

Elder Bednar suggest 3 things -that we - DESIRE to receive the Holy Ghost, Appropriately invite the Holy Ghost into our lives, and faithfully obey God’s commandments.

Let me elaborate on each: SO

1. Sincerely desire to receive the Holy Ghost

We should yearn and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost. When we pray daily - we should ask and desire the spirit to be with us.

In 3 Nephi 19: 6, 9 it reads

6 And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus.

9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them.

Elder Bednar asks :

“Do we likewise remember to pray earnestly and consistently for that which we should most desire, even the Holy Ghost? Or do we become distracted by the cares of the world and the routine of daily living and take for granted or even neglect this most valuable of all gifts?”

Receiving the Holy Ghost starts with our sincere and constant desire for the companionship of the Holy Ghost in our lives.

1. Appropriately invite the Holy Ghost in our lives

We can receive and recognize the Spirit if we appropriately invite Him in our lives. We cant demand the Holy Ghost in our lives- but should invite Him with the same gentleness and tenderness in which he entreats us.

How can we invite Him into our lives?

• we can make and keep covenants
• pray diligently as a family and individuals
• searching and pondering the scriptures
• strengthening relationships with family and friends
• having clean thoughts
• Doing whats right
• watching what we say- clean language and think before you speak.
• Going to church and
• attending the temple often!

If we break covenants or attract contention or fail to do what we KNOW is right such as failing to pray and study the scriptures, and having inappropriate thoughts, actions, and languages- the spirit will withdraw from us or avoid us altogether!

How can we recognize the spirit?

People recognize the spirit in different ways - Some have a burning in the bosom, some get the urge to cry because the feeling is so overpowering. some hear the still small voice, and some get the chills or goosebumps.

Elder Harold B Lee gave this testimony:

“I have a believing heart because of a simple testimony that came when I was a child, I think maybe I was around ten—maybe eleven—years of age. I was with my father out on a farm away from our home, trying to spend the day busying myself until father was ready to go home. Over the fence from our place were some tumbledown sheds which had attracted a curious boy, adventurous as I was. I started to climb through the fence and I heard a voice as clearly as you are hearing mine—‘Don’t go over there!’ calling me by name. I turned to look at father to see if he were talking to me, but he was way up at the other end of the field. There was no person in sight. I realized then, as a child, that there were persons beyond my sight and I had heard a voice. And when I [hear] and read these stories of the Prophet Joseph Smith, I, too, know what it means to hear a voice because I’ve heard from an unseen speaker”

An example from my own life when I have sincerely desired and invited the Spirit - and received confirmation was- One Year at Girls Camp, we were challenged to pray for the Spirit to be with us and to KNOW that Heavenly Father loves us. Well i did just that and that evening we as a stake were reciting the Young Women’s theme that begins “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him...” I stopped there and started to bawl- Right then i got this amazing overpowering feeling come over me- and i KNOW that my father in Heaven loves me!!

We need to strive to do whats right and invite the Holy Ghost so we may have his companionship with us always- which brings me to -

1. Faithfully obey God’s Commandments

We are reminded each week when we take the sacrament - that our willingness to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, to always remember him and to keep His commandments. We are promised that we may ALWAYS have His spirit to be with us.

As we pray and study the scriptures, we yearn to communicate with Heavenly Father in the name of his son, Jesus Christ- and we desire to obtain the knowledge received in the Scriptures , BUT we need to remember these holy habits where we can always remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are prerequisites to always having the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Elder Bednar says:

“Praying, studying, gathering, worshipping, serving, and obeying are not isolated and independent items on a lengthy gospel checklist of things to do. Rather, each of these righteous practices is an important element in a spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost. The commandments from God we obey and the inspired counsel from Church leaders we follow principally focus upon obtaining the companionship of the Spirit. Fundamentally, all gospel teachings and activities are centered on coming unto Christ by receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives.”

I am very thankful for this gospel! and for the opportunity to have the Spirit testify to me if i LET HIM IN and actually RECEIVE the Holy Ghost!