Diamonds in the Rough: Holiday Highlights so far...

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

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...

1 comment:

wylie said...: Oh congratulations!!! A boy =); December 16, 2009 at 8:57 PM

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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.