Thanksgiving at the Ranch

You gotta love Thanksgiving in Texas. We spent it at Possum Kingdom with Steve's sisters, Jen and Mindy, and their families. The kids got to go on a boat ride around the lake. They got to wear special wet suits that their uncle Steve said only worked when you peed in them. Zach tried it out and agreed that he was much warmer! Brad and Zach drove four-wheelers by themselves for the first time and everyone shot big rifles at skeet for the first time.

Lucky Number 7

7? Can my baby boys really be 7? Wasn't it just last week that Steve and I were up at night, each with a little bundle tucked in our arms? Wasn't it just yesterday that started to walk, talk, read, run, love?

There is something special about these boys. They exude hope. They still assume that everyone will be nice and that everyone in their class is their friend. They still like to snuggle with mom and dad. They still love to play with stuff animals who are their imaginary friends.

Zachary Hunter Lund loves to draw-- all day. He draws everything he sees or thinks about: video game screens, recipes, conversations in comic book form, how-to plans for inventions, plans and instructions for parties. He is detailed when he wants to be. He loves to play video games at his friend, Julian's. Mario Galaxy is his favorite game right now. He often says "and ya know" and stumbles on his thoughts. They seem to pour out of him and get lost in the rush. Zach is never bored. Zach is an optimist. Although 20 minutes younger than his brother, Zach is taller for the first time ever. He loves pizza, red, Build-a-Bear and getting Blue faces at school. His favorite book is "The Big Book of Questions and Answers".

Bradley Bender Lund is a really smart kid who knows that its most important to apply yourself. He always wants 100% on his assignments. He wants to follow directions and make good decisions. He is an amazing computer whiz and loves video games. Super Smash Brawl is his favorite game right now. He is the one I can count on to complete a job on his own. He remembers everything. He likes to read video game manuals and actually remembers what's in them. He loves blue, being first, pizza, Build-a-Bear, and Going Bonkers. He loves Cam Jensen books.

Holy Heroes Batman!

For the past six years I have given way too much energy to costume searching. Even worse, I spend a great deal of time manipulating my children into being who I want them to be. Lauren and I watched many Youtube clips of Wonder Woman and her Lasso of Truth. "Look how cool her crown is. It is like a boomerang! Wow! She can change clothes super fast! Boy, you will be an awesome Wonder Woman!" "Zach, you don't want to be Ben Ten. Several of your friends are going to be Ben Ten. There really should only be one Ben Ten. And look, Superman has muscles!"

I'm really into themes. This year, Superheroes. Last year, Classic Halloween: witches, dracula, and a bat. 2006, Peter Pan. 2005, A Toy Story. 2004, Cave girl with dinosaurs. I think this is the last year of the themes. The boys refuse to be Wizard of Oz characters and I don't want them to need therapy later in life because of their controlling mother.

We had some friends over for our Mystery Dinner and then went Trick or Treating around the neighborhood.

All that and Lauren wouldn't wear her wrist bands and boots, and Abby's cape went missing for the photo. Shocker!

The Pumpkin Patch

I got to go to the Pumpkin Patch in Flower Mound twice this year. Once with Abigail and her little boyfriends Asher and Gabe, and then back with the whole family. Second trip both camera batteries were dead. Don't you LOVE this picture of my sweet thing Abby?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!

My lovely Miss Lauren is 5-years-old! She wanted a Unicorn Flying Pony party and invited her fairy friends to celebrate with her. The fairies made jewelry, searched for the flying unicorn and ate unicorn horn cupcakes in our backyard.

Her favorite gifts were from her grandparents: tap shoes and a stuffed flying unicorn. Doesn't that sound like Lauren?

Apples and Ovaries

I had parent/teacher conferences this week. Zach and Brad's teacher shared the following anecdote:

Another teacher came in to read a story to their class. About half way through the book about apples, Zach's hand shot up. His face was serious and anxious, like he just remembered something he was trying to recall,

"I know what they are called! Ovaries!"

The two teachers were caught off guard and stared at each other, then busted up laughing. Indeed, at some point in the production of an apple, the pod is called an ovary. Only Zach would know that.

Early on, Brad and Zach have loved learning detailed facts and Steve and I made a very conscious decision to omit several female facts for fear of a Kindergarten Cop type discussion with their peers. Oh, what a righteous decision that was! I can just hear Zach continuing, "Apple ovaries are not the same as girl ovaries because..."

Apple ovaries is really as close as I want to get to sex ed in the 1st grade classroom-- taught by my 1st grader.

Shake Your Booty Y'all!

Could it be that after 6 years and 10 months of constant diapering (sometimes three little bums at the same time), that we may get a break? I don't want to get my hopes up but Abigail started potty training today. She caught on after just one drop in the potty. I didn't have to remind her to go potty. She would just call out, "I going pee pee" and would already be on the potty when I got to her. She even did a #2. Yep, that's right. Genius. I think I should clone her.

Of course, she only stays dry when she is naked... which could cause a problem when we go anywhere with a dress code. And she will only go on the potty chair. She screams when I suggest the humongous big people potty with the beautifully squishy Dora seat. I enjoy the Dora seat so I can't figure out why she wouldn't love it.

I rewarded Abby with M&Ms each time she went but her favorite reward was the Potty Dance with Mommy. She likes to boogie to sassy country music and shakes her naked behind. Quite the cute picture.

Those are band-aids on her arm: Scooby Doo and Fairies (our first-aid kit is now empty).

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully once again diaper free. Do you think it is ok to bring the potty chair to church?

What Is Your Role?

I just came across the photo from June, taken at the Science Museum in Dallas. It's really a study about how we all have our roles in life. It's important to find our niche so society as a whole can function properly. This tribal specimen clearly delineates their roles so that not everyone is ever happy all at once and not everyone is pitching a fit all at once. Their roles shift from time to time because, after all, eventually, everyone must be the "nose picker."

I WON! Now Show Me the Money!

Did you know that the Baltimore airport is infested with mice? At midnight they seem to patrol the gateways with a feverish delight. I know because last week I had the privilege of going to that fine city to contest a parking ticket; actually two. Steve got two tickets one weekend in 2003. Yes, I said 2003. We paid the $46 and went on with our lives. Then 4 years later, Baltimore sent a collection agency after us saying that we didn't pay and now owed them over $1500!!!!!

If you have spoken to me in the past year, you have heard about this thorn in my side. I have spent way too many hours on hold waiting for idiots who pretend they can help me. After a year of fighting with these morons, I finally got a trial.

I approached the judge with a thick folder of receipts, cancelled checks, and names. The judge didn't even ask me anything. He looked at his papers and said, "This is ridiculous. Not-guilty."

But I couldn't let Baltimore off that easily after the psychotic roller coaster they locked me on. I said,"Don't you want to hear just how 'ridiculous' this has actually been? You will gasp."

The judge said that because I flew from Dallas for a parking ticket defense, I could take all the time I wanted. I felt like I was tatteling on a bully and it gave me a bit of satisfaction.

The lessons learned here are for everyone:
1. Get a receipt of payment with any ticket you receive.
2. Check that against your bank statement to see that they cashed the check.
3. Always request that the officer be present at the trial.
4. Never sleep on the floor of any airport anywhere.
5. Night cleaning crews at airports like to sleep across the seats and watch TV. No wonder there are mice...
6. Never visit Baltimore- ever.

Quotables

After church last Sunday, I had a meeting. When I came home, the kids were swirling around my legs begging for food. I asked Steve what they had for lunch. "A protein bar and a banana." 'Nuff said.

If you look at my profile, I have a new picture. Abby brought that Polly Pocket and said, "Mama Pocket. That you Mama." Oh... if only I had Polly's clothes, too.

Lauren was throwing a little tantrum the other day because she didn't want to go to preschool. She kicked and cried and fussed, "I don't want to go because Hayden (her cute little girl friend) will be wearing pants and I do not want to look at pants ALL day!"

The Start of Something Big!

Here we go again. Another Fall, another year ahead in school. I'm sure I'm not old enough to have first graders. Brad and Zach are extremely enthusiastic about school. Lauren was a bit timid about it but got over it quickly. Abby was just thrilled that she was NOT going to school and got to hang out with mommy all day. When Lauren was Abby's age, she started preschool. She always wanted to go into the boys' classrooms and was confident to strike up a conversation with the teacher and other kiddos. When I took Lauren to school this year, Abby clung to me for dear life. I know she thought I might be dropping her off and she was going to fight me. It's nice to have some quiet time with my little baby.

Is "Washable" really washable?

The answer is ... sort of. There definately is residual marking that last for a few bathtub scrubs. After I took this picture and took them up to the bath, Lauren revealed that they had also colored their belly buttons and nipples. Madonna would be proud.

A Bit of Potty Talk

I'm not quite sure I should share this but I will. Why not? I have two six-year-old boys who refuse to wipe themselves. They will sit on the pot forever, waiting for me to come bail them out. This week they were at Camille's house. Camille heard Brad calling from the bathroom. "Camille, I need you to wipe me."
"No. You are six and can do it yourself."
"But my mom does it for me." "What do you do at school?"
"I NEVER go at school!"
After refusing to wipe his way-to-old hiney, Camille left him alone on the pot. A bit later he came out.
"So, did ya get it taken care of?"
"Yes and it was DISGUSTING! I DON'T want to talk about it!"

Maybe I shouldn't talk about it either... but I've earn the right.

Michael Phelps' Smelps... Whatever!

Here are the true Olympians! Brad and Zach really got into the swimming during the Olympics. Brad kept telling me that he was in fact an "expert swimmer" like those guys on TV. The boys decided that we needed to hold our own Olympics "with medals and races and diving." We were all ready-- cupcakes made, invitations crafted, rules written out -- and then it rained and rained. But my OCDish little guys would not let me forget about the event. So, the first night the sky was clear, the Lund Olympics hit the pool. Let the games begin!

Michigan Isn't That Far, is it?

Mark and Mary Williams blessed sweet Kate in Utah so I got to sneak at peak at their new little girl. Mary you are sooo missed!

I wanna be 4 again...

Aloha!

My mom does a fun luau each year. Due to my Grandma's declining health, she decided to have it at my grandparent's home. She invited the nurses and aides who have been so kind to my grandma and grandpa. Grandma was in and out of consciousness in her bedroom but when I spoke with her, she recognized me. "Grandma, we are having the luau. Your sister Willy is here." "Well, how do I look?" "You look great. Mom did your hair and you have on your red floral housecoat-- very Hawaiian!" She asked for Grandpa. He came in and told her about the party. I think her memory had taken her back a few years because she suddenly said, "I told you not to have that damn party." It was pretty funny because Helen Farr doesn't talk like that!

Everyone must notice Lauren's hair because it is rare that she lets me do it. Take note--it probably won't happen again.

Road Trip!

I got a crazy idea to drive to Utah this summer. We didn't have a lot going on so we had oodles of time to cross the country. I talked Camille Phillips and Annie Cash to caravan. Annie's husband, Justin, came as well. When we stopped for breakfast at McDonalds it looked like 1 guy, 3 wives, and nine kids... Texas to Utah... FLDS?

Usually, Aubrey and Lauren sat in my van-- the "Fairies", and the "Transformers" went in Camille's van. The girls played with a roll of tin foil for hours. Zach and Abby each threw up, but what would a trip be without a little vomit.

Note the junk in my car. If we were in a wreck, no one would get hurt because there was so much wedged around the kids. Better than bubble wrapping them!

Sweet Abigail

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl. It's hard to let her grow up. She is such a snuggle bunny and lovey girl. There is something so dainty and girlie about her. Maybe it's her creamy skin or her blond curls. Maybe it's her high, sing-songy voice. She likes to stay up with mom and dad, cuddling and flirting until she falls asleep. Abby is a Daddy's girl, greeting him with hugs and kisses each time he comes home from work and sometimes stewing and pouting because Daddy is gone. She is extremely observant and wants to do everything the big kids do. Her favorite spot in the house is on the kitchen counter so she can watch everyone. Her brothers and sister have realized that Abby copies everything they do and say so they try to use manners and share. Good job, guys!

She received a Cabbage Patch swim baby and a Tinkerbell sleeping bag and tent. All of the other kids have sleeping bags so now she can sleep downstairs with them. When anyone mentions swimming, she runs to get her swimsuit, her "mermaid pants" (swim diaper) and the sunscreen. She likes to sing "Popcorn Popping" and a version of "I am a Child of God" that includes parts of "I am Like a Star". Abby loves all junk food and likes to sign "cracker" and "candy" in an attempt to look extra cute and up her chances of getting what she wants. It usually works.

Abby you are soooo loved by your mom and dad and family!
Abigail's middle name is Helen, named after my Grandma Voorhees. Abby and Grandma are both sweet natured. Abby should be honored to carry her name.

Happy Independence Day!

How amazing is this holiday! We got to watch fireworks on the 3rd of July-- one whole day before the 4th of July! Then we went to the ward pancake breakfast and the Coppell parade. (I had forgotten how hot it gets in Texas) The kids have grocery bags to collect all of the goods that came our way. We ended the day with more fireworks. I bought all of my favorites at a roadside stand in East Texas: Grand Flower Blooms, Snakes, Cones, and sparklers. The children thought that these fireworks were just as amazing as the Coppell ones!


We spent the rest of the day at the Houghton's swimming, eating, swimming, and swimming a bit more.

Red, White, and Blueberry!

We went blueberry picking in East Texas. Whitni Parker and Asher jumped in our car and we followed Jenn and Sam out to Edom. We arrived at this adorable, picturesque farm early in the morning on a perfect, slightly cloudy day. We picked for about 15 minutes- enjoying ourselves- when Lauren decided it was too hot and too hard to pick anymore and pretty much fell apart. But we did manage to get a pretty big bucket full. $40 in gas, a bag full of illegal fireworks from a roadside stand, and several large muffins made for pricey berries, but I would highly recommend the trip and plan to go next year.