Christmas 2011

So this year we had Christmas on the 23rd of December because we were going to Texas on the 24th. We also did not want to take any of the gifts with us because Dedrick's parents just moved into a new place. Also let my dad meet my kids for the first time. I was glad I let my kids meet there grandfather for the first time, they really enjoy getting to know him.

The kids got everything they wanted and were able to share the joy with there grandfather! I want to thank everyone in the family for gifts and friends for all the nice cards. I hope that everyone had a great holiday with the ones they love!

Here is a few of the pictures taken!

Kids Christmas Program

All three kids had the chance to perform in this years christmas music program. I hope you enjoy, sorry if some of the video's are shake.

Kaliska

Aidan

Rebecca

Lund Family 2011 Christmas Newsletter

It's been a remarkable year for our family. We started the year in a rental home in Galva, KS, with the expectation that Dedrick's job would require moving our family to Mobile, Alabama in May or June as the third and final rotation of a training program for engineers, and that we'd probably have another move after that before he received a long-term assignment. About the time preparations were underway for the move, the position of facilities engineer for the area we have been in for the past year here in Kansas opened up and Dedrick was asked to apply for the job. Now he is the engineer for a natural gas liquids (propane, etc.) fractionation plant, 3 underground storage facilities and rail and truck loading racks. We think we will be here at least 3-5 years. We miss the mountains, but we like the people here and have found we like small town life.

We bought a house in the town we've been renting in the last year. The kids have been able to stay in the same schools and keep their friends and teachers. Damian and Dedrick have made some really good friends here and have family date nights with the other two families several times a month.

Damian has started working part time as postmaster relief for our town of Galva. Her boss Linda thinks Damian is a real gem and says she's been learning the job very quickly. Damian enjoys getting out of the house and hearing all the town's gossip!

Dedrick has discovered a new hobby that he can share with the kids. He has gotten into hobby-grade electric off-road remote control trucks that go 30-50 miles an hour. Rebecca and Aidan each have trucks to run with Dedrick. Dedrick took the trucks to show a coworker and now his friend Robert at work has bought 4 trucks that he keeps at work. Somehow now Dedrick doesn't go out to eat nearly as often, since he and Robert are always out driving or fixing their trucks on their lunch break!

A few highlights from the year:

• We took a trip to Kansas City and visited LDS Church historical sites and then went to Worlds of Fun amusement park.
• Rebecca was baptized.
• Kaliska started afternoon preschool.
• Aidan had his tonsils and adenoids removed. He's breathing better at night now!
• We found out Aidan has acid reflux, joining his dad and grandparents in that category...
• Dedrick had surgery to correct a deviated septum; now he's breathing better through his nose than ever before.

And at the end of next January we will celebrate our 10th anniversary! Thank you to all those who've supported us through the good times and the bad. Nah! Nah! Na-Na-Nah! to those who said our marriage wouldn't last. ;-) And we'd especially like to thank Janine and Howard for all their help and love.

Under Construction

The Christmas letter is in progress, please stay tuned! It has been a crazy few weeks!
Please enjoy this video to tide you over!

Curtains

So I have been working on learning to sew and working on small projects. So far I have made two things and a request for another. My first project was popcorn warmers for my kids. The other project was making curtains for Aidan's room and two doors in our house. I have made Aidan's curtains!!! I am so happy they turned out and look good in his room. Aidan loves them and is happy!

I need to go with my hubby to find the material for the other two windows. Then out of the blue my two youngest asked me to make them capes. (If anyone has a pattern for a kids cape, let me know!) So I will once I find a good pattern and they pick the colors they want!

I am glad I can do small things for my family and home!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving with our friends the Marshall's, the Stark's, and Phyllis! We were not able to go anywhere this year because I was working all week and Dedrick was recovering from his nose surgery (deviated septum). We had a great time in each others company and playing games late into the night. I want to thank the Marshall's for opening your home this time of year to us.

I am grateful for the many blessings I have this year!

My husband who works so hard for his family. He makes it possible for me to stay home to be with our kids. He then comes home to spend time with his kids after his long day. He also has been working on projects around the new house!

My sweet Becca who reminds me to relax and enjoy the day! She is a smart girl who enjoys life and tries to make has many friends as she can. Her life my be hard, but she does not give up! She is just an inspiring sweet girl!

My handsome Aidan is just the little gentleman. He love to help me when ever can, like opening my door, help clean, cook and just makes me laugh. He is also the boy in the family who like to find way to pester his sisters and make big messes!

My silly Kaliska is a mommies girl. She wants to be were I am at all times and do what I am doing. She loves to draw her family and silly stories, then leave them all over the house for us to find.

I am thankful for my three kids and husband who do not give up on me and support me. I am thankful for my wonderful in-laws for all the love and comfort they give to us. I happy to be in this life for the journey and adventure!

Flying Time

It seems time has gone by very, very fast! We have been very busy for the last few weeks. We have had the kids first parent-teacher conferences, book fairs, lots of dentists appointments, no school, and many more adventures.

Dedrick had to go out of town for two weeks for training and then come back for nose surgery (so he can breathe better after the doctor fixes a deviated septum). We missed him very much! He is also doing well after his surgery! While away he got to see his parents for the weekend and his cousin Marisa!

My afternoons have been very strange this fall! My youngest little munchkin got into afternoon preschool! So my afternoons have been free of kids, it has been weird! When I go out in the afternoons, I feel like I'm missing someone! Next year will be even stranger!

I know this post my have random info, that is how my brain has been working! Here are some pictures!

Struggling

I have been struggling for the last few months with being a mom and wife.

It started when Becca asked "Why she only had one set of grandparents?"

It made me stop when she said that, and made me think about what she said. It made me realize that my kids really do have one set of grandparent, when in fact they have two. One set cares, the other set doesn't.

How do I answer her question honestly? How do I tell her that my parents don't even want to be in our lives? How do I try to answer her questions when I do not know the answer myself. I wish I could say I prayed and read scriptures for help when I haven't or asked for help from anyone.

I have been hiding this pain for so long and Becca asking just a simple question, makes me cry. I have come to the fact I have to let go of the hurt, anger, sadness, and quilt. I have to move on to be the better person for myself and my family. I need to shed the extra weight that hurts my heart and beliefs.

When I was a kid, I knew in my heart that my parents did not want me. The way they treated me was different then my brothers, the way they never stood up for me, belittled me, and never seemed to listen. I was a good student, friend, respected those around me and helped others. I did not do drugs or alcohol, I took care of my brothers, played sports, and tried to do the right things. I am not perfect, I did make many mistakes and got blamed for the ones I didn't even do.

When I was 8 right after I was baptized, I decided not be like my parents. It was about a year or two later that my parents divorced. Every kids blames themselves for awhile. When I was a little older I started asking questions about why the divorce happened? Why my mom was always talking bad about my dad? Why my dad stopped trying to see my brothers and me? I had so many questions and nobody would talk to me, they would brush me off or get angry and ground me. This was my life, to be used, put down, belittled, and ignored by my mom. To this day my mom treats me like I am not good enough because I broke her control.

My dad was never there, he was also getting remarried with woman who had their own kids. He stopped coming to see, calling, and writing my brothers and I. Then he ended up in prison for the last 9 years. When ever he calls or writes it to ask for something or asking for money. Now that he has gotten out of prison, he wants to try to be in my life.

The one thing my parents are always doing is putting me in the middle of their fight. They ask me to get information from each and then tell the other one that information. I feel like the adult and them the children. With all they do and how they make me feel, is it know wonder I am struggling with being mom and wife.

I am used to all the negativity in my life, that I am forgetting people love me(I think). I want to let go and be free of this pain and live for my self and my family. In order to let go I need to pray, honestly read my scriptures, and ask for help. The three things that are the hardest for me to do. I feel a little better getting some of the pain out in writing, instead of bottling it all up(which I am very good at).

I am trying to be a better person, friend, wife and mother. It will be hard and slow, but I need to let go. I have come to the fact that my mother will never see me for me, she will never know her wonderful grandchildren and that will be her doing. I have tried and tried, now it is up to her. My dad wants in my life and I do not know what to do! They both hurt me, I am having a hard time forgiving because they keep doing the same things over and over.

My answer to Becca was as honest as I could give her and that was that my parents do not have the time. I told her it was nothing she did, but mine. My sweet girl told me that they were missing out! I would have to agree with her. I was given three wonderful blessing and one good man. I know I suck being a mom and wife sometimes, but at the same time I know I'm doing something good. I have to keep telling myself I am worth it and try to heal!

Halloween 2011

We had a great Halloween this year! The kids have been looking forward to this day since I hung all the decorations(which of course I forgot a picture). We did the trunk or treat at our church. Went to the pumpkin patch to get our very large pumpkin. Carved the pumpkin with a jig saw because it has a very thick shell. Then when Halloween night comes my three silly kids and their goofy dad goes out. I stayed at the house to pass out the candy. They came home very happy with all their loot!

Witch


White Ninja


Corpse Bride




Pumpkin!


Loot!

Pumpkin Patch

We took the kids to a pumpkin patch last Saturday. We had some very nice weather and decided to take advantage of it. The kids enjoyed the hay ride, sliding, picking our 61 lb. white pumpkin, and playing with the giant sling shot. We did not get to do the corn maze, because dad got called into work. We just enjoyed spending some family time together.

Bandit and Frost

We got two ferrets for Dedrick's birthday in January and this is the first time I have blogged about them. We adapted Frost an 1 year old albino, and 14 week old Bandit. The kids love them to death! When the kids are having a bad, sick, sad or happy day they just want to snuggle with them. They my smell a little, but they are so much fun to have around and to play with. We love them!

Bandit






Frost

Sewing

So the last few month I have felt like I should learn how to sew. My father in-law gave me a sewing machine a little awhile ago and has been sitting in my closet. So a few weeks ago, I ask my friend Jennifer to teach me how to hook everything up and operate the machine. She was very patient with me, and answered all my questions.

So my first project was to make popcorn warms for my kids, I learned to make them in Relief Society activity a few years ago. I think I did pretty good for my first attempt at sewing. The next sewing project is curtains for Aidan's room, the laundry room, and the garage.

Wish me luck! Here is the first project!

Clean Room

So the other day I asked the kids to help clean their rooms. Kaliska came to me to show me her room. She said the floor was nice and clean. Then I noticed her bed, and asked were was going to sleep? Kaliska just laughed and said on my bed, silly!

She is just a little stinker, you just have to love her!

Floor


Bed

Fixes

Fence
So about a month ago the fence got knocked over in a storm. After Dedrick and I talked about the all the options:

1-file a home owners claim
2-fix it our self's
3-tear it down

We decided to tear it down, for the simple reason that the fence as been up for 14 years. If we filed a claim we would have paid 5 times more than it would have to fix it our self's. So with the help of Brandon, who likes to hang out with my husband, they have been slowly taking it down. We will put a new fence in maybe a year or two.






Van
It was my third time working by myself for my part time job. I was having a great day so far, I was able to do everything without calling my boss for help. I had happen to get there before the mail was delivered. So I moved my van out of the way of the ramp and to the side. I was in the building when the driver comes to me and tells me he hit the back of the van. I was shocked and worried it was going to be bad. It was not has bad has I thought considering the size of the mail(22ft box) truck. So we get each others insurance info, he leaves and I get back to work.

When I got home I called my boss and told her what happened and then call the insurance to file a claim. It took about a month to fix the damage, and now my bumper is very shiny.

Labor Day

This summer we did not have a chance to go on any trips as a family. So Dedrick and I decided, with a three day weekend, to get away. The kids had been asking to go to Worlds of Fun in Missouri. So Dedrick and I talked about where we could go within a few hours drive from home. We decided to head to Missouri to see some church history and go to Worlds of Fun.

So at dinner on Tuesday the week of, I told the kids we were going to pretend we were on a trip. I asked them to name what movies they would bring, what snacks and drinks. They got a piece of paper and each wrote down what they would want and bring. So the following day after I got the older two off to school and Kaliska was still asleep, I got the movies and players together. I also did laundry to have clothes to pack for the kids the following morning on Wednesday. On Thursday I went to the store to collect all the treats for the trip. Friday I took the kids to the movies so Dedrick could pack for us without the kids around. Saturday morning I worked, and Dedrick finished loading the car so we could leave when I got home.



Since we left about 10:30am on Saturday, and took us three hours to drive. We decided to see the many things around the area of Independence, MO. We went to the Latter Day Saints visitor center, then the Liberty Jail, then the Shoal Creek Living History Museum, and then drove by the new temple. When we got done looking around we had dinner and headed to the hotel, were the kids spent the evening swimming.

Sunday morning we went to Worlds of Fun from 10am to 6pm. The kids had a blast! Poor Becca got scared on alot of them, put she still had fun. We were so tired after playing, we rented a movie and ordered pizza in the hotel room to rest for the evening.

Monday we let the kids swim for about two hours before we check out. Then headed downtown to see a few parks, the mall to shop, then headed home. The kids loved the surprise trip and the best time:)

P.S. Becca did not believe we were going to Worlds of Fun, she that we were joking. Silly Girl!!!

Back to School

So my wonderful kids went back to school. Becca and Aidan went back on the 24th. Becca is going into 4th grade and Aidan is going into 1st grade. Kaliska starts on the 30th, she will be in afternoon preschool. They all are very happy to be back, and hang out with there friends. (Side note: Becca is in the middle school now, it is very strange!!)

It will seem strange not to have anyone at home in the afternoons, when I have had someone with me for the last 6 years.

Here is to a great school year!

Baptism

Our sweet girl Becca was baptized on Saturday afternoon. We are so proud of her and the hard work to get to this point in her life. She has her own struggles, yet she faces them with a bright smile and lots of love. We love you Rebecca!!!