Brad and Zach get baptized...

Once again I am lamenting the milestones my children reach. So fast? They couldn't possibly be 8. But they are. Brad and Zach were so excited for this special day.

The boys were baptized members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost through the holy priesthood which their father holds.

Of course, everyone was thrilled to support them in their decision. The grandparents flew in from Utah. Mommer and Grandpa Lund arrived and gave the boys a bank to start saving for their missions and a baptism pillowcase to design. Grandma and Grandpa Bender came with a triple combination scripture set that was also from Grandpa Mac. They also gave them their new Cub Scout shirts!

Zach was actually quite sick that day. He kept trying to smile because he was so excited but felt miserable. Because they were the only two being baptized that day, we were in charge of the program- which I loved. The talks were given by Grandma Bender and Grandpa Lund, and the prayers were given by Grandpa Bender and Aunt Jen. Mommer led the music. We were so grateful to have so many family members there.

Lauren and I sang "I Am A Child of God." Just before we were supposed to sing she started panicking, saying, "I'm too shy. Everyone will laugh." I rolled my eyes and told her I'd pay her a dollar if she did her best. She jumped right out of her seat and belted it out.

Abby was supposed to sing with us but she just clung to my leg and I ended up holding her throughout the song.

OK, these pictures are supposed to have water in them. I thought for sure I could Photoshop a font full of water. I finally gave up. If anyone knows how to do it, let me know. We went back a week later for these shots (that's why there's no water) because Zach was too sick the day of for great pics.

When Zach got out of the water and stood there wrapped in a towel shivering, he smiled and said, "Oh, I feel so warm and happy!"

Thank you to the many primary teachers, classmates, friends, and family who came. The boys felt loved and supported. Thank you!

And They're Off!

Three children in school ALL DAY! I have to catch my breath! Wow, the house is so quiet and .... cleaner. The boys LOVE school. Lauren reported on her first day that her locker partner was the "meanest go-wel (girl)" in the whole class, she cried during art class, they didn't get to play with the toys in the room, and had to wait "FOREVER" to be picked up once school was over. She didn't want to ever go back "never again."

But just as mom said, her second day was terrific. They played with toys and she didn't cry "too much." However, her locker partner is still super mean and got in the biggest trouble --which I think delighted Lauren.

Lazy Days at Possum Kingdom Ranch

We went up to Possum Kingdom Ranch with Steve's sister, Jen and her two little ones. Abby and Sam loved playing together! The men weren't with us so we ate a lot of PB&J and scouted out deer on the Gator. Zach drew a picture for the Ranch office and everyone played in the arcade, ate sno-cones, and swam. Pretty sweet!

Zach, Zach, Zach

This morning at 7 am I heard the front door alarm chime. When I looked outside I saw Zach walking out to get the mail- in his underwear. Zach is seven.

I said, "Dude, you were outside in your underwear!"

"No, I wasn't."

"Look down, Zach."

"Oh."

He turned around and went back outside. "Zach, what are you doing????"

"My pants fell off. I think they are outside. . . "

Smart kid, but not at 7 am.

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?

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.

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."

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.

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.