Stimulus Package

With everyone tightening their belts and the economy headed the way it is, you have to wonder if the Stimulus package actually did anything or not. I realized today that it did.

A few weeks ago I started baking bread about every other day... I "thought" it was because the weather was getting colder, and it's just nice to have warm bread and a warm kitchen when it's cold outside, but I realized the real reason tonight. I realized how nice it's been not to have to buy bread, and I started running the numbers in my head... We probably go through 3-4 loaves a week, at $1.50 a loaf that's about $6.00 a week or $24.00 a month, or $288.00 a year....that's a good chunk of change.



I had just been "stimulated" to bake bread to offset the rising cost of living...and I'm betting LOTS of other people have been similarly stimulated. So in honor of the Stimulus package, I'm going to call it "Obama Bread" and each time I take a bite...I get a little more satisfaction.

Sonya LeBaron

Time moves continually forward day after day, and for the most part we pay it no mind. Perhaps it's because of the steady rate at which it moves that we often lose interest and only glance up occasionally to note its passing, in those moments when we do take notice, often so much time has passed that we get the illusion that it has sped up and somehow sneaked past us without our knowledge.

Haply or not we are sometimes forced to take notice of it's passing and in shock we find that we are looking at empty pages in our book of life, that otherwise might have been filled if we had only been more aware.

Time is a treasure most often disregarded, and then most often wished for when we find it is gone.

Yesterday my "Sister in Law" died unexpectedly (such a generic description for someone who was never close to being generic) in all truth Sonya was more of a Sister, and a friend, and her presence will be greatly missed.

Before yesterday we had the option of looking forward, (at least in this life) to a continued friendship, now we are forced to only look back at what we had, and wish that we had more.

I pay tribute to an amazing woman who touched many lives, who touched my life, someone who loved life and who always welcomed us into her home when we came to visit. She was one of the few modern day pioneer's that I have known, and like all who knew her I will miss her greatly.

My prayers are with my brother, and my nieces and nephews; I know their loss will be much greater than mine.

I am so grateful for a loving Savior, who paved the way for life after this earthly existence to continue, that loss can become gain once more, and that death can be overcome, and friendships can be renewed, and continued.

Goodbye Sonya for now... I will wait patiently for the day that we can resume our friendship once more... until then your friend, Rich

Prom Past and Present

Just a quick post of Justin when he went to prom before school let out....It's amazing to watch your kids grow up, sometimes it's almost a sureal experiance.

I think way....back to when I went to Prom... (Yes the dorky looking guy is me, and the beautiful babe beside me is Randie) We would be out in public together and I know all the girls would turn and wisper to their boyfriend "How did such a dorky looking guy get such a good looking girl"...and the boyfriend would take his eye's off Randie for a second to wisper back "There was a guy with her?"...

It will be interesting to see how Justins Prom picture looks 20 years from now...I know mine sure has changed.

Yeah!...Summer is here

Yes, I'm finally updating my blog, I think that sometimes life is like a whirlpool (No, not that it sucks) but it spins you around so fast that by the time your head stops spinning you realize it's been a month or 3 since you last updated your blog.

We just recently returned from a LeBaron Family Reunion, (it's the first in about 10 years) and It was nice to see cousins and more cousins, and then a couple more cousins....all together they estimated that there were 250+ LeBaron's running around American Fork Canyon. Actually we were all in a lodge because of the rain and it was pretty packed...at least claustrophobia doesn't run in our family.



On the way home coming up out of Provo Canyon there were some really nice cloud formations especially by Deer Creek....I took about 16 pictures and compiled them all together into the picture below.



My Garden is all in, and doing well, I'll post some pictures when it gets a little more established.

The kids are going every direction...I think Justin is gone as much as he's home this summer with EFY (Especially for Youth), High Adventure Camp (which he's on right now) and The Trek (Re inaction of the Pioneer Handcart company crossing Wyoming) Plus the Family reunion, and the upcoming Breinholt Reunion next week, He's got a full summer.

I'll try and be more diligent, because it is nice to have this as a "historical reference" to show that we have done and are actually doing things.

I was recently asked to teach the Gospel Doctrine class (Adult Sunday School Class) which I really enjoy, it helps keep me grounded and realize whats important in life.

Fireproof

If you haven't seen this movie, you should. It's probably not going to win any academy awards, but it has a strong message that every married couple should see. When it came out in the theaters I was thinking it was just another "BackDraft" type movie... I couldn't have been more wrong, and happily so. It is a heatfelt movie produced by the Sherwood Baptist Church and touches on relavent modern day issues that plague husband and wife relationships today. No matter what type of marriage you have this will touch a cord and give you something to think about... Kudo's to the Baptists for putting out such a great message.

High Jumper

Justin decided he wanted to get back into High Jumping...He was really good in Jr High, but has been out of it for a couple of years. Today was his first time back and he did pretty good, and took 2nd place in their meet by jumping 5' 8" his goal is to hit 6' before the end of the season.

20 year Anniversary

I don't buy flowers probably as often as I should, but time teaches many lessons and sometimes I learn quicker than others. There are definitely times when flowers are the answer...and no one had to tell me that 20 years together qualifies as one of those times.



I was looking at our wedding picture the other day, thinking "man, I was young, I really didn't have a clue back then", fortunately 20 years gives you a few clues, Now I look at our kids and see how fast their lives are changing and I wonder how did we get to this point already. Isn't there a rewind button some where?

Randie has always been one to not only savor the moments, but to also make them last as long as possible, which I have to say has sometimes caused minor grumblings (yes myself included) "Isn't family time over yet?" But to my wife's credit we will always have those times to look back on.

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful woman to share my life with. We have made it through some very difficult times, which have not only strengthened us, but have brought us even closer together. I remember when we purchased our first home for $50,000 dollars, our house payment was $300 dollars a month, and I remember how hard I struggled to make that payment... (now I would give my eyeteeth to be able to make a payment like that again.)

I learned early in our marriage that success in a marriage isn't necessarily about finding the right person, it's more about being the right person. I was lucky... to not only find the right person, but when I'm with her to be the right person.

So today on our 20th anniversary I pay tribute to my wife, I look to where we have been, and see where we are now...and can't imagine the wonders and blessing that the next 20 years will bring... Life is definitely a journey, and I couldn't have asked for a better traveling companion.

First Letter

We recieved Stephen's first letter today.

Dear, Mom

I addressed it to Mom, but really it's for everyone. I just know she was probably waiting by the mailbox for it.

It's weird to think that It's only been two days here, it seems like a week. I won't lie the first two days have been really hard, and really several guys including me have thought, you know this is not for me, I want to go home. I've been trying to deal with all the stress, and I will continue to push forward with faith in Jesus Cristo.

Something was shared today that changed my point of view a little. I was so full of anxiety, I started to get depressed and one of my teachers shared something with the class that really relieved me. In Alma Chapter 25, verse 27 it says "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

This was Ammon who wrote that, the best missionary of all time, Even he was depressed at a time, but he didn't give up. I WON'T give up, and ever since I read that my anxiety has lessened, and my depression is Gone.

My companion is named Elder Hill... I didn't like him at first, but he is a good missionary and a good friend. I miss you all, I have to go to bed now, but I'll write again soon. I just wanted to say I love it here! I know how to pray in Portugueese! stay strong.

Love Stephen

P.S. I love you Mom, Oh and tell Brady and Justin I'll send them one soon.

Arrived at MTC

We recieved this in the mail today...

Stephen made it to the MTC, and apparantly already has a friend.

Stephen's Address

Here is Stephen's address

Elder Stephen LeBaron
MTC Box 315 BRA-MAC 0420
2005 North 900 East
Provo, UT 84604-1793

If you want to send him an e-mail you can log onto http://www.dearelder.com/
on the left side under "Send Stuff" you will find a link "Provo MTC (Free)"
Fill in the fields using the informaton above, type your letter and click "Send Letter"