cooper's day

Cooper James came flying in our bedroom on Thursday morning and asked, "What's white and excited enough to explode? . . . . . .ME!" As the second son, and because of his adept skill in bringing out the guilt in his parents, we usually celebrate Coop's birthday bigger than anyone else in the family.

Therefore, according to tradition, we left early Thursday morning for a wonderful day of skiing at Silver Mountain in Kellogg Idaho. For the first time in Lundberg history, all seven of us were on skiis or snowboards and enjoying a beautiful day of fresh snow and sunshine. The miracle of this statement cannot be overstated. It was especially fun to break off into different groups: Mom and the little kids on the magic carpet ski lift, Dad and the big boys on the steep runs, Dad and the little kids on the easy runs, Mom and Dad ALONE!








We were all pretty tired by late afternoon so we went back to the hotel and rested for a second wind before heading to the water park. I especially like the water basketball hoops, but I think the kids like the lazy river and I know the Dad likes the surf machine. After Cooper's selected birthday dinner of spicy chicken wings and tots we attempted a Jackie Chan movie with disasterous results. Too many boobs and butts for a family movie night. It was delicious to sleep in and have an unrushed breakfast and scripture power. Tony and I went for a walk on my favorite bike trail and then we headed back to the waterpark for another couple of hours. The weather was so temperate we could sit outside with wet hair and have picnic before heading home.

I don't think I've ever had such a rejuvenating 48 hours. Tony and I had fervently prayed that contention would be minimal and we were amazed by the results. Wilson was a great help and fun big brother. Cooper dished out and took good natured teasing with equal grace. Eliza and Max were the best of friends. Marcos filled his position of family entertainer with gusto and style.

This was also a week of milestones for extra curricular activities. Max and Eliza performed brilliantly (OK, they didn't embarrass the family name) in the dance recital. Sadly, Max's skin color appears not to give him a rhythmic advantage and now the whole town knows.


Wilson wresteled in the bi-state tournament on Saturday. Despite a horrible start (overslept the alarm clock, forgot one knee pad and shorts) he took second in his weight class. He was disappointed and reports that his loss was by three points. He would like us to remember that he wasn't pinned all season. I'm glad he isn't disfigured or dismembered.
I spent the most uplifting day Tuesday with Andrea and her RS presidency. We met at Sue Mellor's house where we were taught and participated in the art of printing. As much as I enjoy and marvel at Sue's talents and gifts and her amazing ability to share and teach I realized that what draws people to her is simply: her. Being around Sue makes you want to be better, try harder, be kinder and love deeper. I don't have the temperment or drive to learn the arts and crafts that she is so good at, but I would gladly participate in any activity to be around her. Being around Peggy and Rosemary felt the same. Of course any time with Andrea (I missed Betsy and Betina) is my happy place. And, because we added a lovely salad luncheon to our uplifting activities, it was an official meeting of the "Sisters of Relief."

We spent the whole afternoon today at Steptoe Butte and visiting Tony's patients and their horses. We didn't even go home after church; just ate Cup-of-noodles and changed clothes in the car. The weather is gorgeous. It feels too good to be true.

true love

Valentines Day 2010: no flowers, no chocolates, no candles. No weekend getaway. We haven't even slept in the same bed all weekend. Yet I am weak in the knees at the sight of Dr Lundberg at the clinic lunchroom table decorating sugar cookies with his 5 kids after being up all night to deliver a baby. He can barely keep his eyes open, has pink frosting on his tie and chocolate on his cheek and all I want to do is grab that man and kiss him hard.

Yesterday I'd promised to take the kids to the cheap movie in Pullman. Nothing worse than sitting in the second row of an overcrowded movie theatre on a gorgeous day watching singing chipmunks. Thank goodness I'd grabbed the roller blades and we could spend the rest of the afternoon on the Chipman trail. Max not only kept up on blades but he did it without whining or moaning! After the trail we went to the clinic and had a great skate in the empty clinic parking lot with Tony.

Thursday I took Marcos thrift store shopping in Moscow and Pullman. It was amazing to be back full circle to shopping in thrift stores with one kid, following a careful budget. It was like returning to my roots.

The week's high point was a kid-less hike up the Butte on Tuesday with a group of my favorite girls. The week's low point occured on Friday afternoon at the school. After helping to host Eliza's Valentine party I went to look for Marcos and discovered him in the teacher's copy room with a butt-load of poop and his pants around his ankles. Thankfully, my friend Jaylynn had discovered him and held him at bay until I got there. I was so mad that his subsequent bath was cold enough to freeze his little gonads.

I'm officially released from nursery, my happy place of toys and snacks and cute toddlers that are not mine. I am praying for personal progress passion and adolescent excitement as I assume responsibility for the 12 and 13 year old girls. I was reminded today to act quickly on spiritual promptings, not to wait. Today, not for the first time, I heard lines from my patriarchal blessing repeated in my setting apart blessing. It gave me courage to dive head first into the sea of puberty and 12 year old drama.