December 2022

 December is in full swing and we have had a peaceful month.  Last Wednesday was one of my favorite days.  We dropped Sam off to take his final driver's test and headed to Cedar City to catch the 7:00 session.  As we walked into the temple the snow was falling softly and the lit  temple was beautiful in the darkness.  When we came out of the temple the snow was glistening in the sun with hundreds of diamonds.  We spent the next couple of hours helping Rebekah pack and get ready to move to Las Vegas. We got lots done and then drove up the canyon to play in the snow. The snoeshoeing was great and a good workout as usual.  We grabbed Cafe Rio salads and headed home for Tony to play raquetball, and me to take Sam to counseling.  We ended the night at the Spanish activity.  We were exhausted, but it showed me the correct and possible way to "serve night and day. " 

Last weekend I went up to Salt Lake City to help Amy get her apt all settled.  We worked hard and got it so cute.  I told Amy the weekend was all about her feeling prioritized.  For me it was a lesson in receiving revelation and that there is always enough time  when I follow Gods agenda.  

We have had Kimball staying with us for a week and have enjoyed having him here.  He is in a time of figuring things out and I hope he can feel safe and loved here.  He wants to serve a mission, but I think timing is everything.  

Our only work parties have been school related.  We had a holiday Bunko party and on Friday I hosted a luncheon for the speech therapists. It was fun  to pull out the Christmas dishes and host my friends without stress.  

Last Tuesday night we crashed the Prime rib dinner and musical theatre at Diamond Valley.  Fun to be spontaneous, but we like going with other people better.  

The gifts are wrapped and our neighbor gifts have been delivered.  We have a happy week ahead of us and the kids will come home on Christmas.  Keeping it calm and Christ centered is all that really matters. 

Thanksgiving 2022

 I am pleased to report that all 7 Lundbergs were together for a holiday and it was a success with no drama or fights!  It was a beautiful evidence that God heals broken things.  Eliza arrived Tuesday afternoon in good spirits and Cooper and Max flew in on Tuesday night late.  Hainsworths arrived on Wednesday so we spent the day prepping for the hungry pilgrim feast and playing pickleball.  A few of us went to the tabernacle exhibit.  It is such a significant way to prepare for our new temple and we loved the giant picture of the Tijuana temple.  Jeff and Stacey were here visiting Grandma and Grandpa, so they joined as well. Callie and Jake arrived to complete our family happiness!

The hungry pilgrim feast was a great success.  We scored Croshaws pies with some luck and telephone endurance on November 1st.  I was a little grumbly about waiting in line to pick the pies up.  While standing there I overheard someone mention Tekoa Washington and then Spokane.  I spent the next 45 minutes in line enjoying a wonderful conversation with Palouse familiar people and it made my day.  Everyone was happy and friendly, until I got walked out with 10 coveted pies.  

It was fun to introduce Jeff and Stacey to our tradition and the hungry pilgrim feast is always the highlight for me.  My favorite was Brooklyn's apple cranberry, because she makes the best crust.  Other favorites were the lemon sour cream and blueberry sour cream.  

On Thursday Luke took over the kitchen and by 3:00 we had our feast!  Tony did two turkeys this year, but his classic sage and rosemary was the best.  I snuck in a visit to Rob and Julie, my cousins visiting from Kansas.  I felt peaceful and calm all day.  I was happy that Wilson took Wendy to the instantcare and then to the house because both she and Harlow were so sick with pneumonia.  I think Wendy felt relieved to have a bath and crawl into my bed for a rest.  Luke even made her homemade tomato soup.  

Cooper had rented a fancy car to drive down from Vegas so he was our official errand runner.  He also was the official coffee, chic filet and Popeyes runner.  Sam and Eliza were thrilled to be spoiled by their big brother.  

Max stayed until after thanksgiving dinner and then went north to visit his girlfriend for the weekend.  Wilson lent him his car, and Chelsea let him stay at the house.  It was also a weekend to celebrate Max's graduation from high school.  Cooper gets the credit-it was the nicest gift he's ever given me or Max.  

Harlow's Mermaid Birthday

 Sweet Harlow is an official 1 year old!  On Thursday she had her first taste of ice cream.  She liked it until the cold got on her legs!

On Friday we celebrated with both sets of Great Grandparents, friends and family for a mermaid themed bash.  Wendy's friend Sydney drove down from Logandale to make Harlow a vegan smash cake and it was worth every minute.  It took a few minutes, but as soon as she tasted the frosting, she dug right in!  She was smiling and showing off the whole time.  I was so happy to see Wendy so happy.  I love how hard Wendy tries to be a good mom.  She is very deliberate and dedicated.  Wilson wasn't able to join us, because he had the flu.  His birthday gift to her was a long cozy nap together, and it was her favorite.  

ASHA in New Orleans

My first ASHA was a fun experience!  I was invited to join 6 other school SLPs for a couple of days of great communication disorder related classes.  New Orleans was not my favorite city. Lots of darkness from its slave history, voodoo, and partying culture.  I did like the food!  I tried new things like etoufee, turtle soup and lots of crawfish. The beignets and the best desert of my life, a chocolate bread pudding that was heaven on a spoon, might be a reason to go back. 

 

A packed weekend!

 Last week Tony and I watched a powerful talk.  From it we embraced a few ideas.  First, waiting is work, backwards is often forwards, and our love, influence and resources can be given to those who accept it when our children don't or can't.  These lessons, especially the last one, has changed our paradigm and motivated us to use our energy for those who want us.

This weekend we went up to meet Pepper Ann.  Jake and Callie are always open to receiving what we have to offer and time with them always fills our cup.  We also spent time with

Jeff and Betsy and even just a few hours and a couple of Jeff's omelets can get us through hard times.  We also took Corbin grocery shopping and to dinner and enjoyed some one on one with him.  It was a packed weekend and we didn't get home until well after midnight, but we both felt so much joy.  God multiplied our time and we did more than we thought possible