Addison Marre' Randall

I am so glad to announce that our little peanut has finally arrived! Addison (we call her Addi) Marre' Randall was born on March 5, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. She weighed 7 lbs. 2 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long! I was in labor for about an hour and twenty minutes, so I am amazed that I can tell you that she was actually born in the hospital, with drugs and by my very own doctor ( he is Rustin's Uncle, and he WAS NOT on call). The story goes as follows: On the morning of March 5, I headed into the doctor to be checked. I was at a 4 and 70% the week before, so I was surprised I had not gone into labor yet, and was hoping he would just send me down to labor and delivery to get things started( I was 2 days away from 39 weeks). Unfortunately, when he checked me, nothing had changed. He did strip my membranes, though (not pleasant), and I went home. Luckily had had a lunch date to cheer me up. Around 5 I started having some contractions, but nothing consistent, and not really that strong. They kind of came and went for a while, then went away. Right around 8 they came back and were real. On the second one I told Rus we needed to call my mom to come. We had my neighbor (thanks!) come and stay with the kids till my mom got there, and we high tailed it to the hospital. By the time we got there, I was dying!! They checked me and I was already a 10 and I just about cried. I thought "no drugs and no doctor". Luckily they got the medicine man right in and got Kimball(doctor) on the phone. When Kimball got there, he literally ran in the room out of breathe and said he sped the whole way. They waited a few more minutes until my epidural kicked in a little more (yes, I said more not all the way!) and then after a few pushes she was here!! She was wonderful and funny. She cried none stop until the second I fed her, and has been a ferocious eater ever since! She is such a good, sweet baby! The boys love to hold her (Gavin pets her) and each one is extremely sweet to her. Gavin loves to wave at her and say "Hi" every time he sees her! We have truly been blessed by her presence!

FHE Excitement!

So I just wanted to bring your attention to a new blog that I have posted down toward the bottom of my page. It is a FHE idea blog for families with kids from 0-5 and it is awesome. I came across it last night as I was looking for some help online for FHE (didn't happen Monday because a good friend ended up dropping in). I consider the find a answer to my prayers. Sunday was our Stake conference, and due to Brigham's recent health issues, I got to go by myself and soak up every last word without one interruption. They stressed missionary work and the family. I came out feeling like I needed to really make family prayer, temple attendance, FHE, and scriptures more of a priority in our home. Not that they aren't already, but they could definitely be bumped up a notch or two. That brings me to my wonderful find of this FHE blog. They are simple, yet fun, and there are lots of different topics to choose from. The best part is there isn't major prep involved (usually my downfall), so it is easy to put together. I am excited to use it in the coming weeks! Hope it can help some of you out!

Proud

I am proud of a few things today. For the last week Brigham has been practicing "reading"(he knows it by heart, so reading it isn't really required) a book to me in preparation for taking it to school and "reading" it to his class. The exercise is to help them feel comfortable getting up in front of others. He backed out yesterday because his fears got the best of him, but decided today was the day. He even asked in his prayers if Heavenly Father could help him be brave (another proud moment). I went into his class and watched from the back as he "read" the kids his story. He did such a great job!! I was one proud mama!! When I came home I went to work on cleaning the house while Caleb and Gavin watched a show. I was amazed at how much I got done in the short amount of time, and that it didn't totally wipe me out royally for the rest of the day. Proud me moment!! I vacuumed the bedrooms and hallway, swept the kitchen floor, and cleaned 2 of the 3 bathrooms(i.e. counters, sinks, toilets). What an accomplishment for a 33 week pregnant women and mommy of three!! (i am patting myself on the back right now:)) It even gets better. Then I got myself ready for the day and my sister-in-law brought her 4 year old triplets over to play/eat lunch/take to school, and I didn't loose my cool!!. I know I am probably starting to sound a little smug at this point, but if you could just understand how I have felt for the past few weeks, you would get it. Let's just say this, I went to my 33 week visit yesterday and it went something like this: Doctor: How are you feeling? me: I am so tired all the time!! Doctor: Oh, well I bet you are anemic --checks chart--Yep, you are. Take some iron pills. me: Oh...... I wish I would have known that info a little sooner. I have been dying I have been so tired. Anyway, hence my proud reaction to all of my insignificant accomplishments. I will stop now.

Apologies and Hair

I am not very good at this blogging thing. I am sorry to those who periodically check in and find the same old , same old. I am even more sorry to those who have stopped checking at all. I don't know why, but I never have a whole lot of enthusiasm to write in my own blog. Reading others is a whole different story. I love to look at other's blogs, especially those who write often. You would think that would give me more incentive with my own, but no. I do have one small insignificant thing I can sort of blame it on--baby in tummy+3 crazy boys= 1 tired mommy(pretty much 24/7) I am ready to have a few months of new baby under my belt. All in good time. Mean while, I trudge on through the day to day trying to keep my house clean and the laundry done. Exciting news-- I am having my hair cut on Saturday. 3 hours of no kids and chatting with my cute hair dresser. It will be a good break. I have a dilemma, though! Do I grow out my bangs, or cut them back cute again. I just can't decide. Anyway so long for now!

Gingerbread Fun!!!

So for FHE this week we put together ginger bread houses with the boys. First and foremost, the packs from Costco are AWESOME!! Things went much smoother than last years attempt and you get a house, 5 trees and so much candy you will be sick from eating half of it. Anyway, we had a blast and the boys are still talking about/picking at the houses. Here are a few pics!

Happy Birthday Caleb!!!

This past week our Bugger turned 4 years old!! For those of you who know Caleb, you would agree that this picture pretty much sums him up!! We had a great party for him on Saturday! It was the first party he has had where he got to invite friends. We had a company come called Wild Things that brought 4 different animals that Caleb got to pick out. He picked an iguana, a rainbow parrot, a corn snake, and a blue-tongued lizard. They also brought a ferret as a surprise. The kids where scared at first, but then loved the animals. Caleb thought they were really cool, but soon lost interest to his presents that he had already opened. Oh well, that is a 4 year old for you. On his birthday we let him go the the toy store and pick out a toy(because after doing Christmas, I didn't know what to get him anymore). He picked out a dinosaur, of course. That afternoon we went with some friends to a place called jumin jacks that have big blow up slides. Caleb had a blast. He chose McDonald's for a birthday dinner, and we topped off the day with cake and ice cream with my family. It was a good day! Here is a list of my favorites of Caleb, and a few pictures. 1. He sings whenever he colors 2. He knows exactly what he wants 3. He really likes giving me kisses on my hand at the moment-very sweet! 4. He loves to wrestle with his brothers and dad 5. Whenever he has to stand in front of a large group and wants to disappear, he just puts his hands over his eyes. Makes me laugh every time!(case in point) 6. He has pretty eyes 7. He could live off chips and hot dogs I love you Caleb!!Here are some pictures of his party and big day:

Path of Destruction

Looks cute and innocent, doesn't he!! Well don't let it fool you, people. He is a destruction machine! I am ready to put the kids to bed and collapse on the couch and it is 9:15 in the morning. Let me try to paint you a picture of the disasters that have occurred, all before 8:30 this morning. All was going well as we got ready for the morning. We had done breakfast, gotten dressed and brushed teeth and hair all before eight o'clock. I was now discussing with Brigham what chores he would be doing when I heard dumping coming from the kitchen. I walk down the hall and into the kitchen to find Gavin dumping a whole brand new box of Kix onto the floor. My temper was rising, but I felt I kept it in check. I scooted the boys out, got Brigham going on his chore (him being grumpy about it), and started to sweep up. I was literally in the middle of sweeping up the mess and telling Brigham to get going when I heard crashing glass downstairs. I ran down to find Gavin pulling out bottles of canned peaches and grape juice onto the cement floor in my laundry room. I am assuming you are using your imagination. Well, unfortunately I didn't keep my temper in check, and everyone walked away with heads down, Gavin in tears. Luckily it made Brigham spring into action and get his chore done in record time. After a few minutes of gathering myself, I apologized to the boys, finished cleaning up the cereal, and started the task of glass, peaches, and grape juice cleanup. Little did I realize that Gavin, in destruction mode, had now moved on to the play room where he proceeded to clear out all the shelves of toys, bins, games, you name it, and find them a new home in a pile on the floor. By that point I was numb inside and have still pretended not to have noticed yet. To top off the morning (you thought that was it!!!), I called my friend to give her kids a ride to school when I noticed it was raining. she convinced me it was not raining all that bad and to walk. We were already super late and as I rushed out to meet up with her, I was met by lots of rain!!! Brigham was walking like a slug and complaining that his clothes were getting all wet when a neighbor stopped and offered to take him to school! Hallelujah! It was heaven sent!! The only problem was that my friend had totally sat in the rain waiting for us, but after my morning, I was giving up. She still walked and I went home feeling awful for ditching her, and ready to sit down and cry from my morning. So this is my vent. Instead of crying about it, I am blogging in hopes to make it all better. Please day, turn around!!