Tis the Season...to be Stressed Out!!

Hello again friends, family and readers! This blog comes to you today from the great state of Iowa! (I am waiting for everyone to go shopping with me.) I thought that while I wait, I'll blog a bit. Not that much has happened since the last post but because I now realize how much I suck at posting. I do and I'm sorry.

Highlights...
Our Christmas festivities have officially commenced. We are currently with my in-laws in Iowa, followed by Christmas number two in Illinois with my family then it's a quick stop to Indiana for a Christmastime visit with Katie's family then back home to Missouri for a New Years get together with friends! Phew! As we were driving yesterday, Luke kept making comments about all the driving we are going to be doing. (And by "we" I mean Luke. I usually sleep.) (Wait, to my credit I have asked if i can drive. Luke always says no because he thinks he drives better than me. That may be so, but I get us there faster. HA! So I sleep. It makes the time go faster...)

As for Luke and myself spending time together, we Christmas shopped together for the first time ever in our 10years of being an 'us'. Usually I do all the shopping by myself so this was something different for us. We decided it do it this way because I don't know where anything is in my new state and needed a driver. So we went on Wednesday and pretty much finished everything... almost. I was really worried we would start World War III Christmas shopping together but I think we did just fine. We had a little pep-talk in the car beforehand about communication and respect for each other's "systems" and we got along just fine! We did not quite finish everything because after 8 hours I believe I exhausted Luke's good nature. He was crashing fast and I knew we needed to get out of there before the "yuletide merriment" turned into  "yuletide homicide". So we agreed to finish what we couldn't finish there here in Iowa. (Hence I am waiting) And Luke was rewarded with dinner at Texas Roadhouse. (Not my favorite the last time we went but super yummy steak the second time! I recommend it.)
A couple times when Luke started to glaze over I reminded him that usually I do this all on my own. And that is why I spend every night for a week at Woodfield until 11pm trying to get everything done. I think he walked away from this with a better appreciation for me. It's the little things... And to his credit, he figured out some gift ideas I was stumped on. All in all, it was a nice day together! Who knew?!

So that was Wednesday. Yesterday, we had little odds and ends to finish up before we left. I hate leaving for trips with a messy house. I like to come home with whatever mess I brought with me and not add to what was already there. So I moved as fast as I could, threw things in bags and suitcases, and Luke loaded it all into the car. Well... between the wrapped gifts, gifts that still needed to be wrapped, wrapping paper and trimmings, the stuff Luke packed in the car before I could condense it, and our luggage itself, I didn't realize just how much crap we brought with us until we unloaded it into my in-laws living room. I was actually embarrassed. Embarrassed. It was ridiculous the amount of crap we brought with us. And I'd like to say that once we give away all the gifts so the load will lessen, but we will be bringing gifts back with us! And my sister-in-law Claire! Plus her luggage and gifts! And the gifts she needs to bring back for the Chicago Christmas! And a dog!!! At one point on our drive Luke and I  reflected on the idea of if we had a kid. Can you imagine? All that stuff plus baby stuff??? We actually talked about getting a minivan. Something I swore to myself I'd never do. (That, or we just don't go anywhere for Christmas anymore. If you want to see us and our future kid, you gotta come to us!)

Ok so I am at the wrap up point. It always amazes me how I have nothing that is really going on yet I can write a super long post. Blabbermouth....
I think we are just about ready to leave for the stores to finished up our shopping. I cannot wait until this is done!!

If I don't post before Christmas, I hope everyone has a most wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year! All the best in 2012!!!