Callahan's 15...whatever!

When we kept asking Cal to help us plan the details of his birthday, he kept saying "whatever". I think it's mostly because he wants to be nice and not burden us. But it would be helpful to have more direction from him though, but sweet of him to have him leave it up to us. 

On Callahan's real birthday, he woke up to balloons all in his room, and Dave and I wrote funny and serious and nice messages on them for him. We packed his favorite lunch for school, and he was out the door. Callahan shares a birthday with a couple other kids at school so that was fun for him. He said the word didn't really get out so no one sang to him or anything, which he appreciated. After school, he had wrestling practice, and then we had a mandatory wrestling meeting and dinner for athletes and parents. Cal was a trooper and didn't complain though even though he'd probably wanted to do other things that night. He is excited for wrestling though. As soon as it was over, a few of his close friends Lily, Wyatt and Dawson came over for cake and to hang for a bit. They talked and joked around (Cal put on a Tinkerbell skirt for a while, always randomly funny), then played a couple of games, like spoons (but you had to go run and get the spoons), then we had cake and sang to him. We made a brownie caramel ice cream cake. That boy loves all three of those things, so we combined them all. Then we opened presents. Lily and Wyatt gave him a cool vintage BYU football and some of his favorite candy, he got a Nintendo store gift card and some candy and pop from Dawson (even though we told them both not to bring presents), and we got him a shelf for his room to put all his Legos on to display (did that while he was at school, he was excited), and a blow up gymnastics mat. The kids played on that and did tricks after we got it pumped up. Then the friends had to go as it was a school night. 

A friend birthday party finally happened for Cal, it's been several years for him because he didn't want one when we first moved here because he didn't know many people, then I was very sick last year. We gave Cal some ideas like paint balling or other ideas for his party, but he said it would be fun just to have them come over and "do whatever." So several of Cal's buddys came over and they hung out outside before they freezed, chatted, ate chips and drank pop, made up their own games and fun. We had some minute to win it style and other games, but they just chilled. We sang to him and had brownies and ice cream with different toppings. Then a few stayed and they watched the Krampus movie. His friends are so fun and really good, polite boys. I'm so glad he finally found his niche. 

The one thing I want to say whatever to is that he is 15 already. Whatever! Feels like he should still be five, not fifteen. But Callahan is growing up to be a fine young man. Happy birthday, dude!

15-year-old Cal

Nicknames? Cal, Cal Cal, Coolahan (that's what the younger Lundgren girls starting calling him), Epic Singlet Boi, the Party Sandwich (Coach J nicknamed him that because of his hair)

What is your favorite color? Green/neon green

What is your favorite toy? Legos

What is your favorite tv show? Ninjago

What is your favorite movie? Revenge of the Sith, Conan, Napoleon Dynamite

What is your favorite thing to wear? Custom singlet

What is your favorite animal? Snakes

What is your favorite book? Percy Jackson or Michael Vey series

Who are your best friends? Logan, Bradley, Abram, Bridger

What is your favorite school subject? Math

What's your favorite thing to say? I don't know.

What is your favorite snack? Sweet and Spicy Chili Doritos

What is your favorite fruit? Banana

What is your favorite vegetable? Cucumber

What is your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper & Mtn. Dew Voltage

What is your favorite breakfast? Sausage

What is your favorite lunch? Tomato soup & grilled cheese

What is your favorite dinner? Hamburgers & fries

What is your favorite video game? Lego Fortnite

What is your favorite board/card game? Chatter Matters

What is your favorite thing to play outside? Street football

What is your favorite thing to play inside? Wrestling

What is your favorite song? True Survivor (metal version), How Firm A Foundation

What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

What do you sleep with at night? Headphones or bed (always listens to music and reads before bed and sometimes falls asleep with them on)

What do you want to be when you grow up? Cardiac or neurosurgeon

Cal is a great kid. Even in church the couple of days before his birthday, the people sitting in front of us turned around and told Cal what a fine young man he was. They saw him help one of the deacons who struggles to fix his tie without being asked to do so. He is constantly doing things like this.

Cal is a grateful kid. In fact, his football coach told about him and how after each practice he thanked him and all of the other coaches. He never missed a day. Coach J talked about how that gratitude attitude will get him far in life. 

Cal is a cool kid. The kids at school are all really starting to see what a fun one he is. He always has a fun sense of humor, and is up for making more wacky videos for his channels or do some funny stunts for friends or family.

Cal is a nice kid. He tries to help people around him and do what he's supposed to. He has a lot of friends and enjoys texting those friends (all day long)! Even if he's not best friends with people, I don't hear him talking bad about others. 

Cal is a smart kid. Going to parent teacher conferences a couple of weeks before his birthday, it was clear that the teachers love him as much as we do. They light up when they talk about him. Mr. Merritt, one of his favorite teachers always says "I love that kid!" when Cal comes up and he tells me the latest. Mrs. Schramm, the math teacher says she loves how he talks math and gets excited about it.

Cal is a disciple of Christ kid. He takes his Priesthood duties seriously and tries his hardest to choose the right. He tries to get Emma to seminary every day. He is a good example to his peers.

October '23 Vibrant and Beautiful General Conference

Oh how we love General Conference! We started out listening to the morning session in the car. All the kids had their conference notebooks handy, though most just listened instead of worked in them which is okay. We drove down to Logan, to see Amber in the marching band competition (she's in the color guard at Green Canyon). The colors oon the trees were vibrant and beautiful and I loved looking out the window and listening to the vibrant and beautiful messages given by leaders of the Lord. We got to the USU football stadium to watch Amber's school head off against 5 others (including Viewmont, Dave was excited about that). They all did awesome, but Amber's school swept the competition, they did amazing!! They had a dragon theme and their musicianship was excellent and the color guard was totally insync and it was all creative and cool.  It was fun to watch and brought me back to my marching band days. We made some posters for her to embarrass her. ;) After that, we went to Mark and Mayela's and had a yummy barbecue for lunch and played. We watched the afternoon session together, which was great! Then we went in the backyard to hang out for a while and had a praying mantis versus grasshopper battle, haha! The kids thought that was great. And then we hit up the DI for junk for our Halloween costumes. ;) We listened to the evening session of conference as we drove down to Bountiful. I kind of like listening in the car, everyone is restrained in and the kids are usually pretty quiet, sweet! We feasted on Chick-fil-A after feasting on conference. We got to Bountiful at the Ryerses and hung out, then we went to bed. In the morning, we had Costco muffins and donuts and watched the morning session together. I brought the Conference bingo and marshmallows and the younger kids lasted for a few minutes before they started just eating all the mallows, lol! Then we went over to my parents for lunch, played outside and and watched the afternoon session. They got to paint bird houses during conference which turned out so cute! We especially were grateful to hear from our dear prophet, President Nelson! He had just fallen and according to doctors orders wasn't supposed to do much. We weren't sure if we would hear from him, but they saved the best for last! He was sitting on a chair, but standing tall and still as bright as ever! We were so grateful to be bolstered by the vibrant messages of faith, encouragement, hope, love shared at General Conference. 

                                                           Saturday Morning Session

Elder David A. Bednar - Pioneers. Stalwart souls whose names are not known or are forgotten.  See talk "They of the Last Wagon" from President Clark. Day after day, week after week, month after month they were faithful and pushed on. We have those pioneers today who have little or no acclaim, who are just as great as the famous ones. "I am grateful for millions of church members who are coming unto the Savior...in our contemporary wagon trains ". In the Path of their Duty. Consider the eternal impact of those who serve in nursery and Primary. Homes, neighbors, wards and units. "No less serviceable". Press forward in the path of your duty. 

Sister Amy Wright - What if the Lord came tomorrow, what would we do today? "Spiritual preparation is the only way to find peace and happiness." "Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to "abide the day". Focus efforts, holy and revelatory experiences. Small changes. Fill your lamp daily for yourself and to help light the way for those around you.  

Elder Robert M. Daybed - Don't be spiritually face blind. "If you can only lip sync and not sing the song of redeeming love" seek Jesus. "Will this help people see and love Jesus Christ? If not, maybe try something else." Don't just see rules, see the love behind it. Offer love to those on the fringe. Try writing down each time Jesus helps an outsider or outcast, you will run out of ink. 

Elder Carlos A. Godoy - Don't put posterities blessings in the balance. Our choices impact others. "Generations in the future will be blessed by your decision to stay on the covenant path." Be valiant for the sake of your posterity. 

Elder Christofferson - The sealing power is crucial to gathering both sides of the veil. "This sealing power is a perfect manifestation of the justice, mercy and love of God." "Without the sealings that create eternal families and link generations here and hereafter, we would be left in eternity with neither roots nor branches, that is, neither ancestry nor posterity."

Elder Ian S. Ardern - "Love thy neighbor", the second greatest commandment. Compassion is one of the greatest characteristics of Christ and it flows from us to others as we seek to follow Him. "Despite our every effort, you and I won’t heal everyone, but each of us can be the one who can make a difference for good in the life of someone." "It is unlikely you will know the recipients of your time, dollars and dimes, but compassion does not require us to know them, it only requires us to love them."

President Dallin H. Oaks - Heavenly Father wants to bless us with all He has. The way there is to follow Jesus' path. The final judgment is not just about what we have or haven't done, it's about what we've become. The Gospel of Jesus Christ helps us become.  “We have a loving Heavenly Father who will see that we receive every blessing and every advantage that our own desires and choices allow.”

Saturday Afternoon Session

Elder Neal A. Anderson - "All that we have and all that we are, comes from the Lord." Give what we can.  "The windows of heaven open in many ways." The only solution for poverty in the world is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "The power comes from placing our trust in the Lord."

Elder Jan E. Newman - Help children have special, sacred experiences. Dig deep! To build our lives on the Rock of Our Redeemer, we need to dig deep...we keep digging until we find Him." Hear Him, feast the words of Christ. However, that looks for you. Try to do a little better each day. Be consistent! Help children to know Jesus Christ, their personal Savior. 

Joaquin E. Costa - Use the correct name of the Church often. "We don’t come to Jesus because we are perfect. We come to Him because we are flawed and in Him we can ‘be perfected.’

"Our covenants are not merely transactional; they are transformational."
When we trust God and keep our covenants, we receive "Power to our weaknesses and comfort to our grief." 

Elder Gary E. Stevenson - Seek the best gifts. Having the Holy Ghost with you always requires lots of work. Recognizing the promptings of the Spirit. 1 - stand in Holy Places. Temples and homes. 2 - stand with holy people. The Spirit cannot be restrained there. 3 - Testify of holy truths.  4 - Listen to the Holy Spirit. Find a holy place to listen. "Latter Day saints should be gifted covenant keepers." 

Yoon Hwan Choi - "Do you want to be happy? Stay on the covenant path.Your life will be easier, happier and filled with joy." Make covenants and keep them! Pay your tithing. Do you want peace and joy? Stay on the covenant path. 

Elder Alan T. Phillips - True disciples lift, help and love others. We do not have to go far to see people we can help. Turn to Him. Pray to Him for comfort, love, answers and direction. Ask if He really knows you, is there, how He feels about you. Know your true divine Identity. 

Elder Ronald A. Rasband - We need more missionaries. One by one, around the world. A desire to serve is most important. "A mission may be the best chapter of your lives as a couple." 

Saturday Evening Session 

Elder Gary Sabin - Hallmarks of happiness. "While many things are interesting, few are truly important." Let the knowledge of who you are illuminate your identity. See others for who they are. The true sign of a disciple of Jesus Christ is how they treat others. Maintain an eternal perspective. "When everything is appreciated and nothing is expected...." You will never be happier than you are grateful. 

Elder Joni L. Koch - "When we choose not to be humble, we end up being humiliated." Are we following the prophets counsel? If so, we are trying to be humble. Unfailing counsel. "Let our strong opinions be swallowed by an even stronger conviction." We can't do anything through our own efforts. 

Sister Tamara W. Runia - Zoom out and look at the bigger pictures. Everything will work out. Stay at the tree and with a smile, beckon others to come and enjoy the love of God and have hope. Is what I'm about to say or do helpful or hurtful?" Hopeful and encouraging! Show loved ones the messages they want to hear. We need more empathy than advice, listening more than lecturing. Families are laboratories. "Our direction matters more than our speed."  

Elder Ulysses S. Soares - Brothers and Sisters IN Christ. Break down prejudice. We are all a family. "We are all fellow travelers as God’s children, equal in our imperfect state and in our ability to grow. We are invited to walk together, peaceably, with our hearts filled with love toward God and all men."

Sunday Morning Session

Elder Ballard - The prophet Joseph Smith we owe so much to him! The boy Joseph, what we have because of Him!! 

Sister Emily Belle Freeman - "He will invite us to walk with Him." Broken, ungifted, hurt, come along. The covenant path is all about our relationship with God. "Pace and placement are not as important as progress on the covenant path." 

Elder de Paula Perrera - We take Christ's name upon us as we bear testimony of Him. We witness Him as we say and do what He would. This is a way to open hearts and minds that Jesus is the Christ. Use the correct name of the Church to bring others to Him. 

Elder Cook - We are here to prepare to meet Him again. We don't ever know when that will be. Be a peaceable follower of Christ. "It has never been easy for His followers, nor was it easy for the Savior to accomplish His mortal mission." Invite others to come to Him. Have a peaceable walk with others. As we come to Christ, we receive rest, hope, strength, perspective and healing. "We can joyfully be peaceable followers of Christ." All will be made right and we will understand someday what we were asked to do. Lives full of thanksgiving, music and joy helps us to be of good cheer and avoid being cast down in spirit. 

Elder Uchtdorf - Prodigal Son. We are all rebellious son at times. "Our Heavenly Father will always run to us." "Today we celebrate for my child, once was dead, has come back to life." "Heaven will rejoice at your return." 

Bishop Waddell - Don't let hero worship let us look beyond the mark. Don't let idol worship impact your worship of God. "Choosing the right hero has eternal consequences." 

President Eyring - The Lord speaks to us personally through the Holy Ghost. Keeping the guiding influence of the Spirit. We are sometimes guided minute by minute on His errand. Review life for opportunities to repent. Our motives must be the pure love of Christ. 

Sunday Afternoon Session

Elder Dale G. Rebound - Don't look beyond the mark. Don't undervalue the things right around you. "Jesus Christ is our treasure." Repentance, sacrament, covenants, temple, prophets are these treasures He has given us. Don't take these things for granted! 

Elder John C. Pingree - What is truth? "Truth is eternal." The scriptures, the Spirit, the Prophet are sources of truth. Center on Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. 

Elder Valeri Cordon - "We must climb to the higher ground of Gospel culture in our families." Interact with children in "a higher and holier way". Teach the Gospel freely and without restraint. Use the Church resources to help teach things. Be intentional. 

Elder J. Kimo Esplin - We have access to the Savior as we worship in the temple. through temple blessings, Christ strengthens us as individuals, families, wards and world. This is the Saviors work and the temple is His holy house. 

Elder Gerrit Gong - "How do you know your parents and family loves you?" "Sometimes we need to hear ’Love is spoken here' is heard and appreciated here." At home, at Church. "When we covenant all we are, we can become better than we are." Can we hear the Savior saying "my love is spoken here'"?

Elder Girard Caurier - Don't let your eyes, ears or hearts deceive you. Love all. How we treat each other shows how we understand the atonement. So many talks on how we treat others. This is paramount! 

President Russell M. Nelson - Heavenly Fathers plan for us is fabulous. What we do really matters. The Saviors atonement makes the plan possible. His plan takes the uncertainty out of our future. "Think  celestial." This is being spiritually minded. Mortality is a master class in learning to choose the things of greatest eternal import." What will each of my decisions mean in the end?  "How and where and with whom do you want to live forever?" You get to choose! Faith and obedience. "Your obsession becomes your God." "There is no end to the adversary's deceptions." Do the spiritual work to gain increased revelation. Do the things that build faith and think celestial. 20 temples announced!! Including a couple in Mexico and Peru, several in Africa, HI and Alaska, Tulsa OK (Dave's mission. He was happy!), and Mongolia among other places.