merry christmas

The new Frederickson Family Christmas ice skating party was a big success! It was a really fun way to start Christmas and was a venue that can accomodate our ever growing group. After Ice skating we had a yummy soup lunch at the church and then put together kits for homeless people.






Christmas Eve was at Dustin and Kimberly's house sans Kimberly who is doing a great job keeping the Riplets inside and growing. One of the good things about Kimberly in the hospital meant that we got to have Corbin spend the week with us. He continues to be very entertaining. One afternoon Marcos was having a crying fit because he couldn't get candy at the store. When I asked him if crying EVER works with me, Corbin interjected and said, "yeah Marcos, crying only works with some people like my Grandma." The highlight of Christmas Eve was talking to Mom and Dad on Skype. They got to watch all the kids open the gifts they had sent--Chinese dresses and tshirts. The kids loved them and will be well dressed for the Chinese New Year.


We spent Christmas Eve at Dustin's house. Kimberly is in the hospital trying to keep the Riplets from



I wish every year Christmas could be on Sunday. It was so nice to have Santa gifts, gingerbread waffles for breakfast and then a less than one hour church. Our sacrament meeting was beautiful. After church we came home and opened gifts. I think this year was the first time the kids all gave gifts to each other and were really excited about what they gave. That night we had Book of Mormon Christmas and invited our friend Paul over for Tamales. It was a wonderful relaxing day.

band concert and lost teeth

Max finally lost his two front teeth. I have never seen such a cute kid without teeth. He loves to make sucking noises through the space in his mouth that drives his siblings crazy. Too bad they weren't singing "All I want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth!" at the band concert. Eliza was very proud to play her clarinet, Max was a wonderful "Bell #7", Marcos looked very spiffy during his performance and Wilson played the bells in the high school band. Good lundberg representation once again.

gingerbread train is a comin'

winterfest

Marcos turns 5!

Comfort from Ether

It's been a rough couple of weeks with our number one son Wilson. He quit wrestling, stopped going to church and seminary and was failing all of his classes except math and PE. He slept all the time, was angry and obsessed with the pretend world of video games. Tony and I have been beside ourselves wondering what to do. We scheduled appointments with the psychologist, adjusted medication, revoked privelidges, increased love, and sought advice from family members and trusted friends. The young men's president and quorum even took a special trip out to St John to "rescue the one." Grandma and Grandpa have sent letters, and Aunts, Uncles and cousins have been praying and joined in a special fast on his behalf. It is a very humbling experience.

Today while reading in Ether the story of the Jaredites took on a whole new meaning. The Jaredites were in a storm. The Lundbergs are in a storm. Neither of us realizes that Heavenly Father is the one creating the storm with the purpose of getting us to a promised land. Sometimes we are in the depths and sometimes we got a break and came to the surface. (Sometimes Wilson isn't angry and his heart softens). When the ship came to the surface, the Jaredites spent a lot of time in gratitude. During the breaks I can sing praises like crazy, instead of obsessing about the next drop. The Jaredite ships were tight, didn't leak or couldn't be hurt by monsters or whales. During Wilson's angry times, Tony and I have been united (tight) and focus on protecting the other members of our family. We find relief in doing the routines we know keep us safe, scriptures, prayer, FHE and temple. We both have light during the whole storm. I know Heavenly Father directs us and facilitates situations to help. The Jaredites eventually were brought to the promised land and set their feet on dry, solid ground. Eventually, Wilson will plant his feet on solid ground and the storms of teenagerness will pass. I'm thankful for the comfort I found in the scriptures today.