Quote

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Martin Luther King

FHE Funny

We were working on article of faith for FHE tonight. Sarah created a new one for us. 4th article of faith now says, "...third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, playing of the bands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." Wouldn't baptisms be so much more fun??

Zion

Last weekend was the final "fee free" weekend for the National Parks this year. On Sunday afternoon we drove up to the Kolob Fingers area of Zion National park and took a short hike. It was beautiful! At the lookout there was a cluster of little path markers (you know, those piles of rocks you see to mark the path) that was neat. JR and Elizabeth each built one to add to the group. It was kind of like impromptu, interactive art. We had a great time!

A Year of Joy

I've seen others do an exercise in journaling called 52 weeks of gratitude. It seems like a nice way to encourage the flow of ideas for journals (or blogs), and creates such a great opportunity for enumerating and appreciating blessings. After several months consideration, I've decided I would like to do the same on my blog, but with a little change. My patriarchal blessing speaks to me frequently of joy, and the joy that I can have in my life. I have found it to be accurate. My life is filled with joy. I want to take time to list my joys singly, at least some of them. So here is my first week:

I find great joy in Sarah. I am so grateful for her in my life. We call her our little joybird because she makes our whole family happy. She is sweet and cheerful to be around. She has the cutest little high pitched voice that makes us all smile just to hear her speak. She teaches our family how to be loving to one another by her example. And what a fun personality! She is full of life, eager to help and to participate. We love Sarah!!

Note the new haircut in the last photo. She got the scissors in my bathroom and cut both sides of her hair almost to the scalp. This cut is a long as we could keep it and have it look even a little normal. It's so fun having a 3 year old!

Camping!!

We "inherited" the old family camper and cleaned it out and put it on the diesel. Then we just had to go camping! It was quite fun. We went with Russ' brother Ed and his family. They brought their 4-wheelers and a good time was had by all. The spider came crawling into camp around dusk and hunted near some rocks for a while. Some of us enjoyed watching, some of us not so much! Everyone got dirty and smokey, so I think it was a successful trip.

The most wonderful time of the year

First day of school. Katherine is so excited to be in Kindergarten finally!! She has literally been crying each morning she woke up and it wasn't a school day yet. So finally all her dreams have come true. She has Mrs. Sorenson, a new teacher to our school, but an experienced teacher who really seems to be on top of things. Many of Katie's friends from church and Joyschool were placed in afternoon, so there is only one girl in her class that she knew before the first day of school, and one boy. But she sees it as an opportunity to make new friends. Our Katie is really quite relentlessly cheerful.

Elizabeth is in second grade and I don't know a child more eager to please her teacher. She wrote at least 3 letters to her teacher before she even met her. Mrs. Pritchard seems to be very organized yet relaxed. I think this will be a great year for Liz.

JR is in 5th grade. Because the new school will not be finished until after Christmas break and the current school is too small for the # of students, the 5th grade is being bussed out to the intermediate school where there are some available classrooms. So JR thinks he's pretty cool to get to ride the bus twice a day to and from the elementary. He also has many new kids on his class. None of his friends (all boys) are in his class, and their recesses are weird out there because there is no playground. We are going to make some extra effort to make sure his friendships stay strong this year. He ended last year at the top of his class and has great expectations for this year. His teacher, Mrs. Chantel Browning (formerly Mertlich,) is a former student of Russ', but as she was a great student, there is no conflict in that. (Someday we will run into a disgruntled former student. I hope it won't be too bad.)

Sarah is at home with me. We decided not to preschool this year. Mom just wanted to have some Sarah time. Being the youngest of 5, I think sometimes she really doesn't get to see mom and dad one-on-one very much. She can preschool or Joyschool next year. This year, we'll just have fun together.

Aubrey is back to school in 7th grade, which is a lot like 6th. No dad for a teacher this year, but other fun things. Choir, for one (lots of concerts and activities), and algebra (good thing she has her dad to help with homework!) Her friends are a year older and acting like it. Back to school for 2 days and she wants me to let her wear make-up. The next few years will be challenging!!

Russ, of course, is back to school also. He agreed to take a 7th period this year, which means a little extra money but no prep period during school, so he's probably going to be home a bit later each day this year. His eyes are acting like they are in their 40's (surprise) and he's needed reading glasses for the first time this year. All in all, though, I think the back to school transition for him has been fairly easy.

We are blessed to live where and when we do. I love that I can send my kids to public school in our small town and trust that they are learning appropriate things. I'm glad homeschooling is not a challenge I have to take on at this point in time.

JR "Mr. Monk" LeBaron

I found this entry in one of JR's school notebooks while we were cleaning out his room. I think my son has a little bit of OCD tendencies. Note the date made into an equation at the top. And do you know your favorite colors in order? He's a keeper!

At the end of July Russ finished laying up the wall in the back lot. Then we grouted it (filled up the empty columns of block from the top with concrete to make the wall stronger.) Aubrey and JR helped pour the concrete and they worked hard while the little girls played in the back yard. When we were done working, we had fun spraying the kids with the hose. We made reverse shadows on the wall. The kids called them "ghosts." It was fun to work together and then play together.

Our backyard is looking so nice. Tex's workers are here as I type putting up the canopy over the patio. Russ and I will pour the concrete over the next 3 weeks or so, and then we'll be done. YEAH!! We'll have to have a barbecue and picnic in the back yard to show off. Everyone is invited to come and check out our yard!