cousin ski camp 2008

The first annual cousin ski camp was a great success. Cameron says next year it's going to bigger--with t-shirts and report cards. What a great way to end the summer.

anniversary 16

Sixteen years ago this weekend I made a big mistake. My mistake was tentatively, cautiously backing into love with Anthony Wilson Lundberg. I did it all wrong. I should have jumped pel mel off the cliff of love whooping and hollering like crazy. Thank goodness I have an eternity to do it right.

It has been a real blessing to celebrate our anniversary this year in St George with Mom and Dad Lundberg. Mom is still in the rehab facility but is headed home next week if all goes well. There have been many tender mercies as we have been with Mom and Dad this weekend. Mom's greatest struggle right now seems to be overwhelming anxiety. I'm not sure we can understand how frightening it was to lay alone in the desert unable to move and in horrible pain. Her pain seems manageable now, but I know she has nightmares and terrible claustrophobia.

One of the things I think Mom is very good at is allowing people to serve her. It was such a testimony to me that we love and feel closer to the people we serve. I think there is a special bond that occurs when we serve someone's physical needs, like mother's and their children. I felt that when I helped Mom shower or when Tony rubbed Mom's legs and back with lotion.

It was equally good to see Dad. We have been worried about him because of the immense burden the accident has placed on him. We got to see firsthand the inextricable emotional connection that binds Mom and Dad. The first time we were in the car with Dad alone he teared up trying to explain what it felt like to almost lose Mom. He has an almost unrealistic optimism that has caused great concern for his daughters, but is truly his coping mechanism for dealing with grief. Tony gave Dad a blessing before we left which I think will be a source of peace and strength for him.

Life will never be the same for Mom and Dad. For starters, I think they will be selling the four-wheelers right away. Dad says they are going to buy dune buggies instead. HaHa

We are in the final two weeks before school starts and I was feeling kind of panicky; have we maximized summer? have we made enough memories? have we taken advantage of the glorious days of unstructured time? Like an answer from heaven directly addressing my anxieties, yesterday was one of the best days of the whole summer. Tony had the day off because we were supposed to be taking all the youth from church to the lake. The weather, torrential downpours, resulted in a cancelled lake trip, but a great oportunity for a family adventure. We headed south to the St Joseph national forest and found the most beautiful hike. We were soaking wet after our three mile trek, but the rain made the colors and smells amazing, and the temperature was warm.

After our hike we drove to Spring Valley resevoir where Cooper and Max were in fishing heaven. Despite the resevoir being stocked with trout we managed to escape without any dead things to take home. We had dinner at a Hawaian restaurant in Moscow and then while Tony was at his high council meeting, I took the kids to Walmart to buy dry clothes and spend their birthday money. All it takes to truly be stripped of pride is a visit to Walmart with five filthy dirty, sopping wet kids to buy the cheapest clearance rack sweatpants and t-shirts I could find. Max found a "storm trooper helmet" with voice changer to spend his money on and it was like a dream come true for he (and his older brothers). He wouldn't even let me put it in the cart, but insisted on carrying it around the store in his arms.

This weekend is the first annual "Cousin Ski Camp." If all goes well, this could be a new Rippy tradition, maybe enough to lure our Utah cousins to come up. If nothing else it helps alleviate my "school is starting" panic attacks.

max is four

Dear Max,

Today you are four. You have milked it all day. You have eaten forbidden foods, watched way too much TV and have not done a single one of your chores. You even got to wear your new Spiderman Suit to bed. It's been quite a day.

You are getting so tall and so handsome. I am very proud of you for learning to go off the diving board this summer and swim with your face underwater. I love the way you talk, your facial expressions and your smile that will not only open doors, but roll out the red carpet. You are cautious, always careful. You are also sneaky. I know who hides the vegetables under the table near your chair.

You love your brothers. Many times a day I find you and Marcos cheek to cheek, head to head or eye to eye, wrapped up in a big hug. You love your sister. You try hard to understand and cooperate in her girl games. You love your Dad. Your terrific giggles always give you away when you are hiding from him and he loves every minute.

I know you love me. Sometimes you love and need me so much I can't breathe and I get impatient with you. I am sorry. Every night I ask you, "who's boy are you?" You look at me with your beautiful black eyes and perfect brown skin and reply, "yours." I love this ending to your day.

Sleep well my boy. Tomorrow you are back to nutritious meals, limited TV and having to make your bed. For tonight, enjoy your superhero dreams in your spiderman pajamas and know your Mom loves you beyond comprehension.

essence of summer

If I had to pick the quintessential week of summer 2008, this first full week of August may have been it. Tuesday after a family visit to the dentist, I took the kids to Kelmgard Park where we hid from the heat under the giant picnic pavilion. The boys jumped on the picnic table and ripped off their shirts announcing themselves as the "Naked Brothers Band." I thoroughly enjoyed the awesome airband concert. Later we played Swiss Family Robinson and pretended we were in a fabulous tree house. Our most entertaining moments came from watching Marcos drink from the fountain where he got sopping wet amid squeals of pleasure.

Wednesday I discovered how much work can be accomplished with a continual supply of frozen OtterPops. We cleaned up both the attic and the garage, did a school clothes inventory and with an acknowledging nod to the fast approaching school year, went to the Pharmacy to pick up school supplies. Our total was over $75.00 (any price is worth not having to go to Walmart), so Michelle, our gracious Pharmacy owner, gave us a rebate that covered ice cream cones.

Thursday we headed to Spokane for a complimentary day at Riverfront Park thanks to some Physician Group Tony belongs to. I prefered the Imax movie about Lewis and Clark to the rides that gave me whiplash and nausea. At Max's request we rode the Riverfront Park train which took us straight to the donut shop and snowcone shack--heaven for Cooper. Marcos loved playing in the big fountain and we ended the day with a ride on the carousel. The whole day felt unhurried and unscheduled. My DNA allows me to relax so much more when someone else is footing the bill--it can't be helped.

Friday I left the little kids at home and Cooper, Wilson and I took our bikes to the trail of the Coeur de Lanes. The minute my bike tire hit the trail a flood of some of my happiest memories came rushing through my head. On the trail, I am in heaven. My friends Shannon and Kevin and I rode with 9 kids to Harrison where we enjoyed giant melting ice cream cones. The biggest difference between riding with a group of scouts and a group of biker chic moms is the quality of the bikes. A couple of kids lost their ball bearings, very few bikes were the right size for the riders and our little group was a caucophany of screeching brakes when we came to a stop. I was sure grateful for Lola's (my bike) sweet ride. The kids did great despite the heat and were really good sports.

The kids were worn out when we got home, so Tony and I let them relax in front of a movie while we grabbed the boat and ran for the lake. We were the only boat on beautiful Rock Lake, where the water and air temperature were indistinguishable . It was a great night for skiing and skinny dipping :) Just as we pulled the boat on the trailer, great black clouds filled the sky and the lightning and thunder started. We had dinner on the porch with the kids and watched a fantastic summer storm. We ended the night watching the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic games. The performances were unprecedented, but I couldn't help feeling like all the show and glamour hid the Chinese reality.

Saturday morning I taught a class at the single's conference and got back in time to head to the lake again with the Workmans. It was too choppy to ski, but it felt so good just to fish and swim and wake-skate to cool off. I made Eliza try belly boarding on the wake skate even though I knew she was terrified. I want so badly for Eliza not to fear everything like I do. I want her to take risks. Woosiness is the character trait I least wish to pass on to my kids.

Today Wilson gave his first talk in Sacrament Meeting. He did a very nice job and I didn't have a single part of it. He shared scriptures, personal experiences and testimony without being silly. In addition to non-woosiness, I desperately wish for my kids to be confident and have an ability to speak articulately in public.

I am anxious to post about our wonderful annual vacation with Hainsworths and Hughes at the lake, but I need to pictures to do it all justice. For now I'll use the same cliche phrase I use with every vacation with our dear friends--it was our best year yet!