Diamonds in the Rough: December 2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Family photo time!

okay so I finally get everyone looking cute and ready for family pictures and it ends up being windy cold day. Thanks to sis' Amy, and her nice camera we ventured into the wind chill to hopefully get some pictures worthy of cards and such. Here is some of my faves...

Buddies!

Aren’t these pictures so cute of Baylee and her good buddy Braelyn. Thanks to Arabeth who took these photos after their Kindergarten program.

Kindergarten Christmas Program

How darling was this short and sweet Kindergarten program. I totally forgot to bring my camera, so much thanks to my friend Arabeth who took this photo. Baylee's class sang "Oh, what a Miracle". She was beaming on the front row and really got into the actions. She loves performing- I know she didn't get that talent from me. She really wanted to be singing Feliz Navidad, and it was all she could do to keep still when the other class sang it. I loved the hats Mrs. Romney made for them - she has been such a good teacher, who cares so much.

Santa's Lap

Lydia keeps saying "Santa Claus" but refused to sit on his lap when she saw him.

Holiday Highlights so far...

***The girls collected toys to sell and set up a garage sell in Mesa. They earned money to buy presents for family members. The toys that didn't sell were donated to a family in need.

***Mom and kids went to the Town Lighting with hot chocolate and cookies. We got to see a live Nativity. Lydia was most thrilled to be able to pet the real animals (sheep, goat, pony, dog). Baylee and Kami got to sit on Mrs. Clause lap for the first time. Kami asked the important question "are you the REAL Mrs. Clause and Elves?"

***Lydia and I got to go to Uncle Glen's wedding reception. Quickest trip we ever made to the valley. We are so excited he finally met a wonderful girl that captured his heart (a Christmas miracle). Glen and Chanel both seemed so happy and perfect for each other. Dallan catered an awesome Luau dinner. Grandma Bevell worked hard to make it perfect for her last child getting married.

***Dave drove to St. George, UT for the Christmas Dickens Festival. He created an English style booth and dressed up Dickens style selling his artwork. The big event was a great success and he worked hard for 4 days 10am-9pm selling his work. It got him in the Christmas spirit and he was excited about the goods he bartered for to give as presents.

***I hosted the first annual Santa Bingo girls night, with Amy's help. Getting Mom's together for a night of visiting and laughs has proven to be a necessary outlet for their sanity.

***I baked the Christmas goodies and my "elf helpers" delivered them to friends and neighbors.

***Dave got to sing "White Christmas" in the town's Christmas Spectacular. It was a wonderful production full of great costumes and props. Amy and I went to see it with all the kids. It was quit humorous to try and keep the children quiet through the whole thing. By the last number we were standing in the back with the kids, waiting to see Dave and Rustin perform. Next thing I know, Lydia is missing - panick- I found her heading out the front doors -relief.

***Baylee performed in her Kindergarten Christmas Program. So Cute! Her teacher made them all knit hats to wear. They learned Silent Night with sign-language. And Baylee had a little speaking part.

***Kami's favorite song has been "Oh, Christmas Tree". She sings it while standing by our tree, posing as girls do, smiling for all its worth.

***Lydia's favorite song is "jingle bells" while bouncing up and down, and "Silver and Gold, Silver and Gold...".

***I have enjoyed several late nights wrapping presents and watching Christmas movies.

***Dave has kept the home fires burning, while enduring the cold to take care of the animals and get the wood. We love waking up to a warm fire.

***Another Christmas miracle - Nana and Papa got called on a mission to Florida, leaving January 7th. We are so excited for them and yet are going to miss them, especialy since they leave so soon. The panick of preparation has set in and we hope to be able to help them get ready to go.

***Exciting announcement! Dave got to go with me to my ultrasound appointment and thrilled to find out we are having a BABY BOY!!! due May 10th. He can hardly wait! and seems to be extra attentive to my well being. We are all excited for the new experiences a baby boy will bring.

Our lives are full and blessed with Christmas highlights yet to come...

Counting my Blessings!

So I was contemplating how blessed I am and what a great year it has been. My kids are growing up so fast, and sometimes I don't fully appreciate life unless I stop and look back at all that has happened and all that I have enjoyed. Though I haven't written my new years resolutions, my goal was to make December a meaningful month full of meaningful activities and remembering the Christmas spirit. With great expectations, however, days roll by so quickly and not all my lofty goals actually happen. But, we have managed to do some wonderful things. Sometimes those wonderful things were simple, like snuggling with my children and reading stories of Christmas, being reminded of child like faith & love, or when my kids decided they wanted to suprise mom with acts of service. The fun thing about girls is they get these high pitched excited voices when they get to add decorations to the house, or bows on packages,when playing with baby Jesus in the manger, or when they get to make a delivery.
Luckily, We have had only one fatality with the porcelain Nativity. Baylee calls me on my cell phone to say "MOM! Something horrible happened. I was playing with the baby Jesus and I accidently dropped it and the head broke off." I consolded her devistation and laughed when I got off the phone - grateful it wasn't a real emergency.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Christmas is Coming!

So the girls couldn't wait to finally start putting up Christmas decorations. They took over and I had to go back and rearrange a few things (or all things). It is fun to see them so excited. Such girls! Uncle Troy cut us down a beautiful tree from the forest. We just love it. Something so cozy about a real tree in the house and a warm fire.

Thanksgiving Feast

We had such a fun Thanksgiving. Four fun packed days in the valley with lots of family. Mom's house was packed with Bowmans, Merrills, and Bennetts. It started with a pie baking marathon and turkey pit cooking the night before, a fun tradition. A lot of extended family got together for the feast on Thanksgiving, with tables set-up on the the carport. It really worked out great. Good food, good company! And everyone pitching in to help with food prep and clean-up. We wore of the full stomachs with everyone playing Ultimate Frisbee. Aunty Sean got a bunch of us mom's into a late night showing of New Moon for free. That was fun to be spontaneous and irresponsible, even though we had to get up at 4:40am for the Black Friday deals. I went with Amy, Aunt Sheri and Aunt Linda to do the Friday shopping. We got some good bargains and had some good laughs. Dave and Uncle Curtis got in a fun round of golf. The kids were content to eat and play outside most of the days. Lots to be Thankful for! We love being with family!

Our Adventure

Our adventure together started when a city boy met a country girl at heart (even though she grew up in the city). We are so glad that our paths crossed and that our destination was the same. Now after almost 8 years of marriage we continue to enjoy the adventure of our lives together. While I try to keep up the pace along the path, he makes sure I don't miss any of the scenery along the way. We want to appreciate each stage of our family journey together, by treasuring the moments that matter. With so much to be grateful for through ups and downs we like to carry on the phrase "never has life been better than this".

Describing Myself

So, I have always thought it challenging to describe myself. Maybe it’s a second child syndrome or maybe its because I am a melting pot of quircky traits. Luckily I am not alone in that, its genetic, haha!

So, here is my attempt at describing myself.
An Arizona native, though I was actually born in CA. I love Arizona and its diversity. The desert can be so beautiful. I come from a family of 4 kids. I am #2. I loved taking care of my sister Chelsey, who was 8 yrs younger than me and growing up I always loved babysitting, because I could just play with the kids. I have a lot of self-motivation and a challenge never stops me from trying. This trait was acquired at a young age when I wouldn’t let being the smallest and shortest be a disadvantage. I have always loved horses, since I can remember. It’s in my Randall blood, though I have never actually owned one. I love the outdoors and sometimes its hard to be doing the mundane house jobs when I would rather be outside. I really enjoy figuring out solutions to problems. I like gadgets (a trait from my father). Thus, when my Sunday School teacher hired me as his secretary, when I was a Junior in Highschool, I was in my element and thoroughly enjoyed getting his company out of the old and in to the new computer world. This job supported me through college. I truly love learning. School wasn’t easy, but I enjoyed what I learned and was able to go to BYU. In college I had a hard time deciding on a major because their was so many subjects I wanted to learn about. I took classes in Engineering, science, business, dance, recreation, and music. - so, I probably could be labeled as knowing a little bit about a lot of things. An experience I’ll never forget was living in Jerusalem and Egypt for 4 months doing a BYU study abroad. It gave me a bigger perspective. I am more of a listener than a talker. I love hearing about peoples experiences and I am good at keeping confindences. I remember as a youth sitting amongst my adult relatives, just listening to them talk. I am so grateful for a close extended family that loves to share ideas. I am a detail person and a planner, I am working on being more spontaneous. I am learning to appreciate the different stages in my life, and now that I am 32 I really wish time would slow down. I am so grateful to be married to Dave, a super wonderful husband and father. Above all, I love being a wife and a mom to 3 beautiful daughters, it gives purpose and meaning to my busy days. I enjoy music in my home - playing the piano, singing songs, and dancing with my kids. I especially love to dance with Dave, even though we don’t get to very often. I love doing projects with my kids and reading to them. I enjoy cooking healthy nummy foods and I have way too many cook books. Cleaning the bathrooms is my least favorite house chore and sweeping the floors (since they need it so often) is therapeutic. I will sweep and sweep with a million thoughts going through my head. I have always loved giving hugs (the big bear hugs), when I was young it was my pets, now it is my kids. So big hugs have become a tradition in our family. I love it when I can use my talents to serve others. I love the Gospel. I love that the Lord makes up the difference for our imperfections. I am so grateful to have a forever family.