2010 Newsletter

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Valentine's Day!!

Last year was so busy that I am just now getting out our yearly newsletter. I hope it finds you all happy, healthy, and living life to the fullest

January was an interesting month for Justin's health. He was taken to the hospital for extremely high blood pressure and informed that he had experienced a mild heart attack and was diagnosed with diabetes. He has since been on medications for treatment and is doing much better. Cara also finished her speech therapy and is on track for better self expression.

In February, we put our house in Cushing on the market and watched it sit and sit and sit. We started looking for a home around Sayre where Justin's new job as and realized that there was not a lot to choose from in our price range, so we continued to wait for someone to buy our house first.

Holland Pryce was born in March (18th) and is a very welcome addition to our family. We love having a little boy and decorating with blue (my favorite color). He is now cruising the furniture and getting into everything.

April was spent adjusting to a newborn and energetic sisters. Holland was blessed on the 18th with a lot of family and friends around to show their love and support.

Merilee graduated from Pre-K in May. She is a fast learner and loves the social interaction. She is growing so fast and people always comment on how tall and beautiful she is. She is such a big help around the house, especially with Cara and Holland. She enjoys drawing, coloring, writing words, pretend play, and likes to find ways to do service.

June-July was spent keeping cool at the pool, in the sprinkler, or at the lake. We made several trips to Western Oklahoma to look at homes and get to know the area. We found a home we liked at the last minute and realized it was only on the market for about a month and would then not be available anymore. So, for our anniversary present, we bid on the home and our offer was accepted. It was really scary to be buying a home while still trying to sell the house in Cushing, but we felt is was an answer to prayer and continued forward.

In August, Merilee started Kindergarten in Cushing. She had a lot of kids from her Pre-K class in her Kindergarten class, so she was excited. Cara and Holland kept me company at home while I tried to keep it as clean as possible at all times for last minute showings. Cara plays well by herself, but takes every opportunity she can find to sit in a lap for cuddles. She says the funniest things and when paired with her facial expressions, I find myself constantly amused by her. She also successfully potty trained and is no longer in diapers!! Her hair is getting long and she insists on wearing headbands even when I have fixed her hair differently.

September was a whirlwind. We closed on our house in Sayre, fixed it up aesthetically and got it up and running. In the meantime, Justin lived in the Sayre house while the rest of us packed up in Cushing. We finally moved a couple weeks later and got Merilee enrolled in Sayre Elementary. And Cara turned three!!!

We continued to adjust in October and found some fun fall activities to do in Sayre, including the Hoot n' Scoot, and the Fall Festival where Justin won $10 for best adult costume (he dressed as a woman).

In November we celebrated Merilee's 6th birthday, Justin was called to be the Sunday School resident and teacher in the Spanish speaking class at church, and Holland started he rounds of ear infections.

December continued with ear infections. Justin got a raise and a promotion to Captain and supervises the affairs in the California office here in Sayre. We got renters in our Cushing house. I was called as Secretary in the Relief Society at Church. Christmas was very exciting with it being Holland's first and also visiting with family and friends we don't get to see very often. We have been truly blessed this year and know the Lord has watched over our family as life has taken us along our journey.

Love,

Justin, Leighanne, Merilee, Cara, and Holland Luckinbill