Diamonds in the Rough

Friday, February 3, 2012

Bringing in the NEW YEAR!

We had a fun New Years party at the Merrills. We rang in 2012 at 11p instead of midnight, though. Us "old folks" were getting too tired. The adults played games and the kids rotated houses doing different activities. Of course Dave's bubble wrap is always the best noise maker. We even saw the most amazing shooting star when we were outside doing fireworks. At first we thought it was a fire work, but it was so bright and moving horizontal across the sky.

Christmas break at the park

We rode bikes, had a family soccer game, and soaked in the sunshine.

Christmas Day!

This was a great Christmas! I especially liked that it was on a Sunday. We opened stockings before church without the rush of wanting to get to the big presents. Then we got dressed and went to sacrament mtg. I enjoyed singing Christmas songs in the choir and Dave sang a duet of "O Holy Night" it was so beautiful. I really felt the spirit (usually I am distracted with noisy kids). When we got home the kids put their PJ's back on and we opened the presents under the tree (notice this is the first time we have hand pictures on Christmas where are hair is actually done and cute). Amy and I worked hard to make a nice Christmas for Nana, Papa and Chelsey. I got my huge oversized stockings out and we filled them with presents and stocking stuffers. It was fun to see them get excited about the things we got for them. Papa loved his clothes and savored opening each thing . Nana loved that we had put in healthy snacks she could eat. Chelsey was thrilled that we had got her a Happy Napper like the kids (she is such a kid at heart). What a special and fun day!

Christmas Eve...

new "fuzzy bunny" PJs, church dresses (church shoes for Caleb) , and hot chocolate mugs. Now they are ready for a special Sunday of celebrating Christmas.

It feels like Christmas at Grandma's!

What is it about Grandma Bevells house at Christmas that is so magical? Is it the details of all her decorating, is it that she spend all year bargain shopping and garage selling to get gifts for 8 kids, 50+ grandchildren, plus great grandkids? Is it her written testimony that she types and gives to all of us? Is it that she turns her yard into a wonderland of lights, stuffed animals for kids to arrange around manger, life size painted backdrops and nativity reenactment, Christ's tree where the kids get to give a gift to the Savior and put it on the tree, the two trailer hay ride pulled by a classic tractor, or the fact that she shows her love in service to her family and expects nothing in return? Or that she loves us all unconditionally..inlaws and all? For as long as I can remember, these traditions of love have been going on in her family. To me, Grandma emulates the true meaning of Christmas!

Baylee finally got to be Mary for the first time...she was so excited.

Who could Santa's helper be this year? He sure has a jolly laugh like papa!

Treasure Hunt...

Nana and Papa decided to simplify this year (great idea!) and do a treasure hunt for the grandkids. The treasure was a real treasure box full of MANY different small toys. Each kid got to choose one. It really worked out well...they loved hunting down clues, putting together the nativity, and all kids were happy with their gift because they got to choose it. It was a true labor of love from Nana because it took all her strength to put it together and write the sweet notes for her kids. Thanks Nana and Papa!

Ward Christmas Party!

This is my 2nd year of planning and organizing the primary talent show at the ward party. It's always fun to see the primary kids share their talents and even the shy ones get brave enough to get up on stage.

My kids performed "Frosty the Snowman" with actions and singing accapella. Kami as usual dominated the microphone. .. Lydia sang louder this year... Baylee was poised and new the routine. .. Caleb stood their staring at the audience.

So far none of my kids seem to get stage fright, they must get that from their dad. Even Caleb, who I thought for sure would be afraid to perform with the girls, seemed to show no sign of shyness, and happily stood by the girls.

Then, with the Merrill kids they sang "The Friendly Beasts". I love this song, it talks about the animals around the manger. The kids dressed-up and had a solo line to sing. Too cute!

And of course Santa came to the party...

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.