The LeBaron Bunch, kinda like The Brady Bunch only BeTTeR

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. but the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."
George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

Thursday, February 26, 2009

We're waaaay better than Ringling Brothers, what?

What can I say? It's Tank
My little Sunbeam, in the red.
6 yr old Buster tying Loo's dress.







My dear friend asked me at church, "Are you writing these things down?" Here's me writing it down. Oh my goodness, I know we all ask the question, "Why do we even go to church we're not getting anything outta it anyway?" And, "Isn't it breaking the Sabbath to go or be apart of a circus?" Apparently not, we do it every Sunday.

So of course my morning began with the normal Sunday scramble, we got to church in time to take my 2 and 3 yr old to the potty, my boy Tank is 2 1/2 and just learning and didn't go, but he was big to try. We get back in our seats just in time to start the circus. I decided to write things down on the program and every time my 3 yr old girl Loo Loos saw me write on Tank's back she wanted me to write on her back. It was pretty funny.

First things first. Have you ever arrived at church only to find out your have a hole in your stocking, something unknown on your skirt, sticky stuff on faces and TooTHPaSTe on your daughter's dress? This is just the beginning. Thank goodness for the all-terrain wet wipe, although it couldn't fix the hole in my stocking. Hmm, maybe I shoulda packed some duck tape.

Next up is the juggling act. Tank wants me to hold him and so does Lou, time to hand over the baby to DH and try to balance two kids one on each knee, so far they're happy. Oops, they start to fight, it's time to send one over to grandma. Thank goodness we are in the same ward.

We sit in the very front, I'm a LeBaron now, buck up it's tradition, I guess. So we are setting the standard for the ward or the substandard, or the standard not to be. People that used to sit behind us now sit a couple rows back. Some brave the 2nd row behind us, k the Gifford's do, bless their souls. Maybe it's dry council Sunday and they're into a little more action, I don't know.

The Copy Cat. I love it when it's time to sustain someone into a calling and they say "Any opposed" and my 2 yr old's hand almost always goes up. Hey, he saw us with our hands up, it's his turn.

Walking on Eggshells. During the Sacrament I just pray the kids won't touch all the bread when they're finding the biggest piece. And I hope and pray they don't dump the water from their semi-empty cup into the other cups as they put their cup back into the tray. And please cover you're mouth when you cough and sneeze. aaaak, I'm going insane. No one's ever experienced that I'm sure.

How does he do it? The Incredibly Small Gum Chewer. Somehow 2 yr old, Tank got to church with some mysterious gum. My guess, from the trash, but he is enjoying it soo much and it's keeping him quiet for now. So I was very amazed that after eating the bread and the water from Sacrament he managed not to swallow it, impressive.


I always take baby Dolly and nurse her after Sacrament, Loo came along. So we get to the mother's lounge and I can hear my son Tank over the speaker. I guess that's one advantage to sitting on the front I can still keep tabs on my family. If I can hear it from the mic who can hear it in the chapel? aaaaahh too loud

Last act same as the first. Loo decides she needs to go to the bathroom again, Dolly's now in a nursing coma, asleep and here I am trying to keep her asleep and take care of Lou's business in a very small stall. Not funny.

Oh the joys of motherhood. Why do we take them to church? Why? You get hear the most precious and unforgettable prayers at night. Over time you know you are somehow taming your wild animals and training them to be church-going, proper citizens. Not to mention you're going to have grand kids someday and so the circus goes on, only this time you simply smile because, hey, pay backs.

Anything's Possible

What can you do on the way to church? I don't know how many of you scramble to do a few last minute things, but this is what I was able to accomplish on the way to church. Fix my baby's hair bow, put on lip liner and lip gloss and mascara, change a shirt (reeeally fast and discreetly, don't worry no one saw, I hope) put on nylon socks and shoes. Wheww!!!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

My Man's on Youtube

What can I say? This is pretty self-expanitory. My man knows how to survive, and took the time to document it so we can learn how to live under dire circumstances. Man vs. Wild eat your heart out. Although, this video brings up the question which one is wild, the man or the wild?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Everything you wanted to know about me, but were afraid to ask.



With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I feel this almost nagging feeling that I should write some random thoughts on my life and blessings. Oh say about 25 of them. I was tagged to do this a few times on facebook a while back, but didn't do it on there. Maybe I still will. But I really did do it, I just wrote them down in my journal, so here goes...

1. I truly believe I live in a fairytale, (I'd say musical, but I'm not that good of a singer) I know no one is perfect, but I wouldn't change my life if I could. I know a good solid foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ is a BIG reason my life is so perfect (even if it wasn't perfect it would still be perfect, because it is perfected in our Saviour) Thanks to a mom and dad for raising me strong in the gospel.

2. I love all things hand crafted, knit, crochet, glass work, needle work, clay...love it. I want to know how to do it all.

3. I have 6 kids- 3 boys, and 3 girls- boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl. 12, 7 1/2, 6, almost 4, 2 1/2, and 7 mos.

4. I love reading cook bk's, organizing bks, decorating bks, get rich quick bks...because I like to see things done and wish I could do it- it's a good way to dream.

5. I had my 1st and last leading lady role as Elmire in the play Tartuffe on the Dixie College stage my Freshman year.

6. I don't have any sisters so I tend to think all my friends should be my sister- we should act like sisters and share our clothes and ask advice and go to the park...etc.

7. I don't get offended. Well, not too easily. I get offended over foul language, and such.

8. I love decorating (at least in my mind) I have so many ideas going on in my mind that it takes a while before I actually settle on some thing.

9. So since I love decor, anytime I'm at someone's house I automatically (sometimes secretly, sometimes I ask) want to go through their home.

10. I am married to the first and last boy I kissed. I have never regretted it, ever.

11. I cut everybody in my family's hair and my mom's (when she had it) I don't cut my hair. (well, not anymore.) For some reason they think I can cut hair. It took a few oops before I got DH right. Now there is no way I would let another woman get that close to him, cutting hair is a very up close and personal thing.

12. I have never drank any type of alcoholic beverage- never had coffee or tea and never smoked ever.

13. If I haven't seen someone in years I am able to pick up right where we left off as if no time has ever passed. I take friendships very seriously. So let's have a chat.

14. I'd much rather do this than clean my house or do laundry.

15. I looove it when the sun comes up in the morning and shines into my kitchen. But I do welcome the night after a long day too.

16. I always wanna run on a nice sunny afternoon. I don't always do it but I think about it.

17. I floss everyday (and brush, of course) with my DH. He gets me my floss and brush every night.

18. I just about like everything I eat and will probably try anything once- I ate sushi for the 1st time last year- didn't like it. But I found out that I like Bleu Cheese dressing-yum!!

19. I want to go on an overnight backpacking trip w/ my DH. And maybe someday I'll get strong enough to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim.

20. I made bread for the first time ever last summer- which means grinding the wheat.... and it turned out perfectly, I don't know why I was so afraid to do it. Homemade wheat bread is my favorite kind, and maybe a slice of banana bread or two.

21. Most of the time when I see some decoration or craft or bracelet I think "I can make that when I get home." But do I ever do it? very rarely.

22. When I was 14 I told my mom that I was gonna marry Mr. handsome man LeBaron, and I did.

23. I have been pregnant or nursing for 8 going on 9 years. I haven't been myself for a while. Or is this the new me? We have 5 yrs between our 1st two kids so I am immensly grateful for all these little ones. Our prayers where answered one right after another.

24. I still have my Christmas lights up on my bed from 2 Christmas's ago, it's unanimous they're gonna stay.

25. I am so blessed with children who want to be righteous and a loving husband who has always provided so well for this family. He is such a caring husband and father and is still my Knight in Shining Armour. He is my solace, and my wise friend. He is my counselor and confidante. Not to mention a very handsome man. I am soo thankful to have such a wonderful and tender man who still loves me with all my faults. I have such a blessed life.

There, now I feel very naked, now that I've let it all hang out. I am feeling a bit uneasy. Maybe queasy. I want to know more about you, you do the same thing.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

I've fought it long enough


I have to finally admit it isn't ever going to go away so I might as well face the fact that I need to plan dinner. I have been inspired to start a menu for the week, heck for the next 2 weeks or even for the whole month. So I am going to commit myself to making menus and sticking with it.

My family's favorite meal is Hawaiian Haystacks, so we will have this probably every 2 weeks and some version of pizza everyweek, and try not to be too greasy unhealthy about it. I have found there are sooo many different ways you can do pizza, plus, the kids really like to help make it. Also, have a spaghetti night. We'll see how long this lasts. Also, depending on whether the kids like this idea, I will try having breakfast for dinner once or twice a month.

I am always curious as to how other moms handle the dinner scene, so if there is anyone out there that would share, pleeeease do, I wanna hear your comments. I dare you. Also, share some of your family favorites.

Which brings me to.... thanking Erin, (my new friend that I have never met, but who isn't afraid to post on my blog. Did that make any sense?). Thank you Erin for inspiring me to make weekly menus. Now that you know me a little too well, it's embarrassing, I'm ready for a change.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Second Chances

I mentioned my second chance I had with my mother, but neglected to say anything about her 2nd chance. My mom has always talked about all her regrets (we all have them) since I've been married. You know, things she wishes she would've taught me before I left the nest. Well sewing was one of them, so this was such a dream come true. She was able to teach me a few techniques of sewing that she wasn't able to when I was still home. Well, she probably tried but I'm the one that wasn't ready to learn. So she gotta 2nd chance too. I hope we can have a lot more SECOND chances together.

It isn't about the dresses










For a long time now I have had the desire to make dresses for my girls, and I knew I couldn't do it alone, (really I didn't have the energy or know-how.) So my mom has this great idea, "Hey, why don't we make Christmas dresses for the girls, I'll help." So weird, she and I were thinking the same thing.
So we got some great fabric, cheap too. My mom is a wonder woman and figured out a pattern from their existing dresses and we got to work. My mom came over to my house and spent hours making patterns and sewing (and unpicking, I messed up a lot). So in the end they turned out pretty good, they are a bit wainkey here and there, but good enough.
I soon figured out it was more than just making dresses, it was about making memories with my mom. You see this is my second chance with her, she battled breast cancer last year. I saw my healthy, robust, angel mother shrink, her clothes got looser, her energy was zapped, her hair came out by the fist full, and she never complained EVER.
I am soo grateful for the time we were able to spend together, and to see the joy, and excitement in my mother's eyes as we created these dresses. Thank you mom for your patience and sacrifice to make these memories possible, I look forward to doing it again, love you.

Monday, February 2, 2009

It was Tattered and Torn

I got these little ladies from the DI and thought maybe they had some potential. They were dusty and falling apart, but put on a little paint and some new fabric, and voila' you got yourself a little shabby chic. Not too shabby.
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