SWEye Drs. Retreat 2011~

This year the chosen destination was Flagstaff. Ahhhh, love that place! Such good memories from my good 'ole NAU days. :)

First of all, can I just tell you how much I loved seeing this in the mail?? (the official invite)We had a sitter come stay with the kids and we headed up Friday evening. After a late dinner with Scott & Melissa Sellers, we went to see an even later movie (Captain America; it was good)!! We don't have kids to worry about, so why not live it up, right?!The next morning, we had a nice breakfast then the docs had a coding class while the spouses were left to explore Flagstaff. Two of the other wives and I headed to downtown Flagstaff to check out the little shops and boutiques, then to the mall. I got a couple shirts and a necklace.

We met back for lunch at Black Bart's Steakhouse. (Did I mention it was a western theme?) When we walked in, there were cowboy hats, bandanas and harmonicas at every seat. They had a few doctors participate in a little talent show, we had lunch and then we all were tutored on how to play the harmonica. It was so hilarious!!

Matt bought a bolo tie for the occasion.

After lunch, we had hours to kill so we drove up to Snowbowl to find "our" tree. I ended up traipsing uphill, through wet grass and mud, in a SKIRT and SANDALS!!! But we found it! It's getting a little hard to read the original hearts we've carved there. But we added another one to include Preston and this new baby.

Afterward, we headed up higher on the mountain to do the Skyride.View from the top~ 11,500 ft.On the way back down

We had a little time left before dinner so we headed back downtown to walk around a bit. By that time, we were both plain exhausted! We met up with everyone for dinner, then said our goodbyes and headed to bed for the night. We had to be up super early and on the road Sunday (slept through the alarm- oops!) to get back for Matt's first bishopric meeting.

Even though we end up sooooo tired after cramming so much into so little time, it's nice to be treated to a weekend getaway by Matt's employer. I know not everyone is fortunate to have such a great job in this economy, so we thank our lucky stars for the opportunities we are given.

BIG Changes

We had some special experiences this weekend and need to put them down on "paper" so I don't ever forget.

I'm usually not a fan of change. I like things comfy and cozy, right where I am.

It was announced 1 week ago that our ward would be split. Of course that conjures up all kinds of speculation about boundaries, new callings etc. Friends and family kept teasing that Matt would be the new bishop. Matt and I talked all week long about the possibility of him being released as Young Men's president and pulled into a bigger calling and it just made us nervous wrecks.

Thursday, the call came that we were to meet with the Stake Presidency on Saturday. I can't even describe it, but the feeling of fear melted away and we were strangely at peace, although anxious to see what would happen. Before we went, I read both mine and Matt's patriarchal blessings and I was reminded how powerful those words are and truly meant just for us.

Matt was called to be the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric of our ward. As we sat there together with two members of the Stake Presidency, the Spirit was palpable in the room. The whole thing was such a huge testament to me, that the gospel is true and that these men are called of God and speak with the Spirit.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a smidge bit nervous about the whole thing. Baby #5 is on the way in 4 months and I'm alone on the bench as Matt sits up on the stand every Sunday, coupled with meetings a'plenty. Somehow, for the time being, I feel ok about the whole thing. Maybe the gravity of the calling hasn't sunk in yet. Maybe it's really the calm before the storm, who knows! I know that we've both been prepared for this and I know that my Heavenly Father is close by my side to help me be patient and supportive as my husband takes on this new calling.

New Mr. & Mrs. 2nd counselor of the Ironwood Ward bishopric

And in true form and fashion, Derek ALSO was called as the 2nd counselor in the bishopric of THEIR ward!!! I swear, these brothers can't be one without the other! They both "graduated" from being Young Men's presidents together to being in the bishopric together! I love the close bond they have with each other. More importantly, I'm so grateful for the good friend that Kristin is to me. I know there will be hard times for both of us as our husbands are off serving our respective wards. But I'm thankful that I have someone there right next to me, who knows 100% how I feel and I can lean on for support.

~From Matt

This past week has been pretty amazing. I too am not a fan of change. I LOVED my calling as Young Men's President. I have built great relationships with the boys and the leaders I get to work alongside. It was also great that Derek and I had the same calling as Young Men's Presidents and could share in our experiences. As soon as I heard of the Derek's(Vineyard Ward) and my ward(Ironwood Ward) splitting and making 3 wards I had a sick feeling inside. I was so comfortable with where I was at and didn't want things to change, but I had a feeling that change was going to happen. On the Tuesday leading up to the split, Derek had a call from the Stake and was asked to be 2nd Counselor in the new Vineyard Ward Bishopric. I was so excited for him, but it tore me up inside because of our closeness and how much we enjoyed being Young Men's Presidents together.

Thursday afternoon the call came for Lindsay and I to meet with the Stake on Saturday. How can they expect me to wait until Saturday?! By that point Lindsay and I had talked about what the interview may mean. The closer Saturday came the more peaceful we felt about it.

We we arrived I felt very calm. President Gary Smith of the Stake presidency called me in for an interview while President Jason Bagley interview Lindsay. During the interview President Smith made sure I was living the gospel as best as I can. He also inquired about my willingness/time/capability to serve in a calling with more responsibilities. He then extended the calling to be ordained a High Priest.

When we were done Lindsay and President Bagley entered the room. President Bagley with heart felt emotion, thanked me for who I was and the care I extend to my beautiful wife and children. He was pleased to have interviewed Lindsay and made sure that we were both ready for this responsibility. During the interview, I could feel Lindsay and I growing closer together. The feelings were truly special! We then walked in the room and were formally introduced to Bishop McLeod and Brother Fairbanks(1st counselor). Their wives were there and we had a great time talking together and having our first meeting with our wives there.

We called our family and had those that could come to the combined sacrament meeting the next day. I was doing okay until they began to announce Bishop McLeod as the new bishop. I knew I would have to stand up. The feelings were overwhelming, but Lindsay and I had both received confirmation that this was the right thing for our family and for our Ward. One of the next hardest things was when they called me to come sit on the stand with my new bishopric. I had to leave my family on the bench. I will miss being with them and I hope the kids will be reverent when it is only Lindsay with them.

After sacrament meeting, we went to the Primary room where Derek's ward was ordained and set apart first. After my dad ordained Derek, the stake president asked me to come up so Derek could stand in and help as my dad ordained me a High Priest. I was then able to turn around and help set him apart as 2nd counselor in his bishopric. SOOOO Cool! Our first ordinances as High Priests were to ordain/set apart each other. When it got to be my ward's turn, it was such a special experience to have hands laid upon my head and receive the new ordinance and be set apart in the bishopric. The responsibility is overwhelming. I have so many people I look up to in our ward. I will do my best in my new calling and in whatever I am asked to do.

I love my Savior so much and I have felt him bless my life especially this past week. Lindsay and I felt our relationship with each other and with our Savior grow leaps and bounds this week. I am humbled by the calling I have received. For as special of an experience as it was, it was 100 times better having gone through it with my brother Derek. I love him so much! I can still remember as a boy when he went hunting with my dad. They had to sneak out of the house without me knowing. When I found out Derek was missing I ran around the house looking for him. I ran to the back yard and he wasn't there. I then ran to the front yard and seeing the car was gone I screamed his name so loud that everyone on the circle could have heard it. We have always had a very close bond. Being Young Men's Presidents together was awesome and I can only imagine how being 2nd Counselors together will be.

Did I call that or WHAT???!

Yep, JINXED again!!! I'm just going to have to blog about things months after they are settled!!

Here's where the little guy has been sleeping for the past few nights....

.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.

Back in the crib, his choice.

And for now, that's ok.

At least he's been staying dry! [KNOCK. ON. WOOD.]

Gender revealed~

We had our ultrasound yesterday. We were for SURE finding out whether this baby was a BOY or GIRL because I just needed to know. Let's face it, I'll be honest- I wanted another GIRL so. dang. bad.

I had a very vivid dream a month ago, where I saw a baby GIRL with dark hair (like Brooklyn and Preston had), curled up in on my chest and it felt so real. I just knew this baby was a GIRL. As time went on, I seriously started doubting myself. I mean, we've never had a baby GIRL alone, our only one came with a BOY. According to the heart rate old wives tale, it was a BOY. The Chinese gender prediction calendar said it was a BOY. Our last two babies have been BOYS so the odds are stacked against us. And I was pretty sure based on when we conceived, it would be a BOY. I Googled everything under the sun (embarrassing that I'm admitting this...), trying to find any info to support the fact that it *could* be a GIRL, but ultimately, I convinced myself this baby was definitely a BOY. I didn't want to get my hopes up too much for a GIRL, so I was just planning on it being a BOY unless I was told otherwise. Matt reminded me that we've had special experiences with all our previous children where we knew what they were going to be before we actually found out. He told me to have faith. You know, mother's intuition?

I was extremely anxious for our appointment. Matt was there with me and we got to see our sweet little baby, wiggling all over the place. I told my OB what my gut instinct was. He is lightning fast on getting that "money shot" and once he had it, he asked me, "What do you see there [between the legs]?" Matt said, "It's a BOY" and I said, "Nothing?" He smiled at me and went for high fives. "It's a GIRL." I couldn't stop smiling. I was so shocked that I was right afterall!!! Matt's X chromosomes finally came through, one last time! ;) Love you, babe!

This picture is pretty crappy, but I can assure you, we saw those parts, clear as day!

Little skeleton face & belly

After calling some family members to spread the news, I made a detour to pick up some baby GIRL items to celebrate. I've pretty much cleaned out most all of our GIRL stuff from when Brooklyn was a baby so it'll be fun to do some shopping and finally buy those cute, tiny baby GIRL clothes I've oogled over for so long. Matt's a little scared, I think. ;)

{17 week belly shot}

I feel her (that still sounds weird!) moving a lot now, every day. Matt can't wait til he can feel kicks from the outside. It's all finally starting to feel real. And as strange as this sounds, now that I know this baby is a GIRL, I think that'll help ease me into the realization that this is our last. I can't wait to finally meet her and hold her in my arms!! Right now, I'm on cloud nine! And Brooklyn can't wait to finally have a sister. ♥

Jinxing myself and another BIG boy milestone!

Remember just days ago when I mentioned how Preston was staying dry during naps and nights?? Guess who has woken up wet more mornings than not this last week??? Let's just say I'm washing a lot of bed sheets these days. I'm holding out and keeping him in unders because he DOES still have some mornings he wakes up dry and I know he can do it.

Up until this point, I have been adamant that Preston remain in his crib until this baby is born. He is an excellent sleeper, still takes 2-3 hour naps daily, and I absolutely don't want to mess with that. And I need downtime.

Well, since Preston is "potty trained," I felt guilty keeping him trapped in his crib if perhaps he did need to get up and go potty, because he won't climb out. The clincher was on Monday... he was napping, I was sifting through our office and cleaning out paper, listening to my iPod. When I got up and went out for a break, I heard him crying on the monitor and I could tell he'd been crying awhile. Oops! I hustled upstairs and he was completely soaking wet. :(

There has been a toddler bed set up in his room for months. It was time. We told him he could sleep in his little bed that night and we never heard a peep from him!! I was more hesitant to put him there for naptime because *I* didn't want to have to deal with him getting in and out of bed, requiring me to go up and down the stairs or lie down on his floor. But yesterday, I relented and he did fabulous!! He does wake up inSANEly early in the morning.... Now, I probably just jinxed myself for posting about THIS. I'm just praying that he continues to be a good boy. ;)I feel like all these things lately are really speeding up the process of Preston not being a baby anymore. Every day, Matt and I look at him and say how old he's getting. Good thing we're having another one! ;)

SWEETEST Family Reunion ~ LeBaron 2011

This year, the Milos were in charge of the reunion. We got up to the cabin late Friday night and pitched our tent. Saturday morning came early and everyone was up and ready for the traditional Wayne's breakfast.After a little relaxing time, everyone gathered for games, Minute to Win It style.

Captains of Team Milos ♥Ding Dong towerStacking cupsThreading a needle with one handSticking playing cards into a watermelonTP mummy wrapBalancing a soda can on it's side We had snow cones to help cool off, ahhhh! Uncle Milo brought all these tops from Peru and the boys were hooked on that all weekend long! Too bad I didn't get a better picture....Matt taught those interested how to make these survival bracelets. I helped all 4 kiddos make their plates and played some cards with family.

A few misc~ Presty kept dropping his drawers where ever he was, whenever he needed to go potty. I caught this treasure shortly after breakfast. ;)

Yep, there it is!!Brooklyn won this prize after a drawing for completing a get to know you game. :)I don't think there is such a thing as being TOO dirty at the cabin.
Love this face!!

Independence Day

*Matt had the day off :)
*Slept in

*Had grand plans for a red white and blue breakfast, didn't happen
*Saw Cars 2 at the theater
Preston barely made it through with the help of approx 12 DumDum suckers at the end!!!*Got car washed
*Bought up the firework stand ;) Still getting used to seeing those on every corner!*Laid around for a good part of the afternoon

*Went to the grocery store
*Had grilled steak(Matt)/chicken(me)/hot dogs(kids),
roasted potato wedges, corn on the cob and watermelon for dinner
*FIREWORKS out front with neighbors

Poor Presty didn't like the noise and sat huddled like this inbetween crying episodes. :(I was messing the the manual settings on my camera and therefore got a ton of crappy black shots. :( Here are a few that I managed to capture....

Twinners getting brave and lighting their own!! Grand finale~All the kids got glow sticks and I handed out popsicles to help chill us off afterward.

I truly am grateful that we live in America and can enjoy so many freedoms. While we were singing America the Beautiful as the closing song in church on Sunday, I started to get emotional (darn hormones again!) at the very end. Such power and truth to those words!!

God Bless the U.S.A!! ★