5000 beebees

Yesterday Maxwell grabbed the bucket of beebees on top of the lockers.  Seconds later I heard the sound of 5000 bright blue beebees cascading onto the floor and bouncing off the walls.  Max immediately feared for his life Cooper would kill him if he found out) and was overwhelmed with the clean-up job.   Happily, I did not freak-out like usual.  I asked Max if I could help.  He and I grabbed brooms and started rescuing beebees from off the mudroom floor.  Unbelievably Max allowed me to make a gospel connection.  Sin is like spilling the bucket of bee bees.  It is a mess.  It can be cleaned up and we have someone who is happy to help us.  The initial part of the clean-up/repentence is really visible, big dustpan fulls of bee bees.  After the initial work, we have to continue to pick up bee bees for a long time,  sometimes we have to continue to work on our weakness. Again, someone is there to help, to hold the dustpan, to point out hidden places.  Eventually there are no more beebees and no death threats from big brothers and all is repented of and made new.

My kids hate my gospel analogies, but this one was too good to pass up.

Maxwell also demonstrated good confidence lately by running for ASB president.  He stood up and announced, "It's time this school had a black president!   I embrace diversity,  which means I like kids of all shapes and sizes.  Vote Black Max for President!"  He didn't win so we are suing the school based on racial discrimination.  I can't believe Obama was in and Max was out--

Happy Birthday Max

Although this is a belated post,  A significant event happened on August 12th.  Maxwell Jonathan turned 9 years old.  Max has really been gaining confidence and height.  His wingspan continues to impress us and he has been showing a willingness to take risks and make mistakes that we are so proud of.  Max still has a very clever sense of humor, but is serious about life most of the time.  We love you Maxwell and are so glad you came to our family nine years ago.

 

Friday Night Lights

Friday nights are Football nights here in St John!  We have had some beautiful weather for our first two games and Wilson has shown some real effort on the field.  Cooper and Eliza are doing their part in Pep Band and Max was the Eagle's Ball Boy.  I sit in the stands and pray like crazy that no one gets hurt while Tony paces up and down the field like a caged tiger.  It was sure fun to have Grandma and Grandpa come for the first game.

back to school

And We're off!  Another school year begins for the Lundbergs.  There was a ton of energy as we sent off a new junior high student and a new high school student.  Wilson already has his first football game on Friday and both Eliza and Cooper will be playing in the pep band.  Tony gave beautiful back to school blessings on Monday night. 

 I'll record one special answer to prayer.  When Tony asked Marcos what he was concerned about for his first grade year, he replied, "PE."  On Tuesday, the school counselor adjusted Wilson's schedule so he doesn't have two math classes--instead he is the new TA in Marcos' PE class.  Wilson felt like that was an answer to Marcos' concern.  Marcos also told me before he left the first day that "if I feel uncomfortable, I will ask my teacher for 11 seconds and say a prayer."  I've been trying to remember to take 11 seconds several times a day and do the same thing.

Sadly, I don't transition well. A cloud of depression looms over me as I watch the stress of school descend on my kids. My greatest joy of summer is watching that burden lift and I can hardly stand it when it comes to an end each September. We had blessings last night and I asked for a blessing that I can feel joy this year. It will be our busiest yet and I don't want to miss the happiness because Im too caught up on the orchestration of the whole family.

Marcos

I bless you to hear and speak words clearly, be a friend, listen to your teacher and obey.  You will be like the oil that makes the classroom run smoothly and helps the kids get along.

Max

I bless you to do well in math, think clearly without anxiety, know how to overcome fears. By listening you will gain confidence.  This will be a good year and you will recognize the great intelligence that you have and that you are smart.   Through  your new confidence you will. help others.  You will recognize who needs a friend and be that good friend.

Eliza

You will have the energy and the ability to memorize.  You will be blessed with the ability to be kind and communicate well with friends and teachers.  You won't be taken in by things of the world, gossip or negative behaviors of your peers.  You will be blessed with the ability to focus.

Cooper

You will be blessed to utilize your talent of organization.  You will do well as you gain confidence.  You will be able to have long term learning that will stay with you through your future to build on.  You will be blessed to more effectively lead and will not stand for teasing or bullying.  You will be kind, not use rough words and be an example showing the light you have.  I bless you with a strong desire to read scriptures and pray.  Through these practices your school study will be easier and your mind will be opened.  I bless you that you will grow physically, emotionally and spiritually this year. 

Wilson

I bless you with the ability to be strong in school and sports and as a good influence to others.    I bless you with energy.  I bless you to use your creative ability to accomplish projects early.  You will do better communicating your creative ideas and thoughts to your teachers and you will gain confidence and do well scholastically.  I bless you that your headaches will be minimal and controlled by finding ways to minimize them.  You will have time to do all you need to do.  You will have a sensitivity to feelings, seeing outside yourself.  You will be a big help to your teachers this year.  I bless you that you will do well in music, and understanding computers.

I bless you with a desire to be on your knees more,  that you will come regularly to him and access the power of the Savior.  You will heal through seminary, prayer and scripture and will have increased empathy for others.

Cousin Weekends

One of the fun things we did to end summer was have a couple of cousin weekends.  Our first weekend we hosted the Riplets, Kolby and Corbin.  We had so much fun chasing those babies.  I cannot believe how adorable Kolby is right now.  Everything that comes out of her mouth is so cute and she is the most girly girl I've ever met.  I was impressed with Corbin too.  He is the rock that all his siblings turn to; if Corbin is around everyone is OK.  If someone gets hurt or has an accident,  they want him.  What a great blessing he is to their family.  Unfortunately I was too busy chasing babies to take pictures!

Our second weekend we had the Cam and Jill cousins.  Impossibly, within a few hours of arrival,  Kimball finds a snake and spends the weekend taming it.  Addy and Eliza, Marcos and Lane disappeared for three days and only came out to eat or swim.  I spent my time making a lot of food and chasing Maren around with glasses.  I was throroughly entertained by those two sassy little blond girls.

Fun with the Kolbs

Callie and Jake and Amy were home this weekend which meant some wonderful entertainment on the lake. It also meant a very beautiful sacrament meeting where Kaleb blessed the sacrament, and we heard strong testimonies from Amy, Callie, Jake (the clone of Tony Lundberg) and Audrey. Watching Jake and Callie is like watching myself at age 20, except Callie is a lot cuter and dresses better. We are so proud of her. She took her nursing boards today and passed with flying colors. She is everything I wish for Eliza and Im so grateful she is Eliza's idol.


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wrapping up summer

Our last hooray of the summer was a trip to Silverwood.

We are worn out--Summer kicked our butts and we need to get back to school to rest!

 There is excitement and anxiety about the new year, Wilson has his most important Junior year.  Cooper begins High School, Eliza junior high.  Max is a 4th grader and gets real grades now.  Marcos will go to school 5 days a week in the first grade.  I am excited to teach the Book of Mormon in Seminary, go back to work and volunteer at the school.  Tony keeps plugging along at work and constantly being humbled by his calling.

The greatest miracle of the summer was Wilson getting a wheat truck driving job.  He worked so hard and gained so much confidence.  I was really proud of him for not missing a single day of football practice--at 6:00 am.  Wilson continues to be a really enjoyable kid with a great sense of humor.  He still has really bad hair.