Just the Randall Crew

Happy Birthday!!

2012-01-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

Life just keeps spinning by...

It's Spencer and Kyle's birthday today!!! They are so awesome...

Today we were remembering how they are only 4 minutes apart...making Spencer the oldest! haha

It's been a great day celebrating my boys!!

Kyle Benjamin

Spencer Eli

Happy hat-wearing at our house now!!!

Happy 14th Birthday Guys!

Chinook

2012-01-18T13:01:00.000-08:00

Chinook is getting so big already! She is 4 months old now...and look at her go.

Spencer gets up early every morning to fed & train her (and Abraham also!)...

Chinook has learned to sit and stay. Now if only she would stop chewing on everything she finds!!

2012-01-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

Someday I might be able to show you this full picture...for now it will be my treasure to make me smile!....Me and one of my "little snuggle bugs"

Welcome back to the blog world!!

I'm still smiling...and even laughing...can't wait to share my joy with you!

Soon....

2011-12-12T11:33:00.000-08:00

Soon enough I will be able to start posting again! Can't wait to get rid of the security issues...

We have so much to share...birthdays, treasured moments, new books to review, pictures to share!!

Hang in there with us during this process...please continue to pray, pray ,pray ...

Merry Christmas!

Password

2011-11-07T05:16:00.000-08:00

Todd and I have been talking and decided that it is best that we deal with the privacy of our blog....so we will need to put a password on the blog so that it is limited to who can read it for now.
It only a little extra step for those of you who really want to read the blog...
Just pop me an email saying, "blog password" and I give it to you!
I'll post more on the blog as soon as I get the security up.
Thank you for understanding....
Todd and Sarah....and the CREW!!

Van...

2011-10-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

After driving 2 cars to transport all 9 of us anywhere over this last year, we finally have a better way to travel! The kids call this our "red barn" (being out here in the country and all...)

Even though this last year has been difficult at times, we are so thankful that we were able to save & that God's timing was perfect.

Now to see if it will fit in the garage!! haha

Source...

2011-10-24T05:04:00.000-07:00

As the water reveals itself in producing the foliage and fruit of the tree, so with a truly healthy Christian, his grace is externally displayed in his walk and conversation. If you talk with him, he cannot help speaking about Jesus. If you notice his actions, you will see that he has been with Jesus. He is so full of Christ that He must fill his conduct and conversation.

-Alistair Begg

Friends...

2011-10-21T18:10:00.000-07:00

I have some of the most amazing friends ever!! Thank you for blessing me over the last several days...those of you near and far...I couldn't ask for anything more!! You all help keep me focused...

Birthday Fun!

2011-10-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Wish we could show more pictures of the birthday party than just this...but to protect the privacy of our foster daughters, we can only show this! We had a wonderful weekend celebrating the newest one year old in the house...Thanks to everyone who sent a card, gift, or came by!! We even made it out to the pumpkin patch and had a hayride in the afternoon...the fun never ends at the Randall Place!

Breakfast..

2011-10-19T08:13:00.000-07:00

After we got the little girls off on their early morning outing today, Todd sent me & the rest of the kids out to breakfast!!! It was so much fun to get out of the house and change things up for the morning. (Of course, I made the boys through in a load of their laundry before we left...some things can't wait! haha) What a special treat to sit with 5 of my kids at a restaurant, relaxing, and eating a yummy breakfast!!
Thank you, Todd, for knowing when we just needed a special outing together...thanks for working so hard so that we can do that once in awhile.
Never fear...we brought back a fresh pumpkin muffin for Todd!!

Walking...

2011-10-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

I don't think it matters how many kids I have raised through this experience...it still thrills me to watch another little one learn to walk! The baby in our house is stepping out...and I think all of us spend more time giggling and being excited than she does! Of course, after she walks across the floor, she claps for herself! haha Such simple joy...

Longing for Heaven...

2011-10-07T04:36:00.000-07:00

This was taken from the daily devotion that I get from Truth for Life:

"Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shade in the picture to bring out the beauty of the light. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will peace not be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after labor? Will the recollection of past sufferings not serve to enhance the bliss of the glorified? "

Thanking God for another day to walk with Him!

Thoughts...

2011-10-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

I was listening to David Jeremiah's thoughts this morning on Turning Point. I found it very interesting. I have linked both his talks from yesterday and today below...
The title for his talk is "When Christians Wouldn't Know They were in a War"....

Part 1:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/turning-point/listen/when-christians-wouldnt-know-they-were-in-a-war-part-1-226341.html

Part 2:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/turning-point/listen/when-christians-wouldnt-know-they-were-in-a-war-part-2-226343.html

My heart longs for the Lord so often that I find it "smack in my face" when I am out of touch with Him...that usually comes through other people! ahaha Today I wanted to write down something that he shared about the temptations/distractions of Satan through an illustration that made me think...
Since I was writing them down anyway, I thought I would share them with you!

David Jeremiah talked about: Satan's Intervention Program (kind of a joke, but not really!)
He said that Satan's main idea is to "keep God's people so busy with the things of this world that they have no time to devote to their spiritual lives."

This is a story of what might take place if Satan was speaking at a convention of demons...
The instructions to the demons to keep God's people distracted would be:
*Keep them busy with non essentials.
*Tempt them to over-spend and to go into debt.
*Make them work long hours to maintain empty lifestyles.
*Discourage them from spending family time, for when home disintegrates there is no refuge from work.
*Overstimulate their minds with television and computers so they can't hear God speaking to them.
*Fill their coffee tables and nightstands with magazines and newspapers so that they have no time to read the Bible.
*Flood their mailboxes with sweepstakes, promotions, & get-rich-quick schemes - Keep them chasing material things.
*Put glamorous models on TV and magazine covers to keep them focused on outward appearances that way they will be dissatisfied with themselves and their mate.
*Make sure couples are too exhausted for physical intimacy that way they'll be tempted to look elsewhere.
*Emphasize Santa and the Easter Bunny that way you divert them from the real meaning of the holiday.
*Involve them in lots of good causes so they won't have time for eternal causes.
*Make them self-sufficient, keep them busy, working in their own strength so they won't ever know the joy of God's power working through them.

This last one made me think the most and look at those time when my joy has faded.
Words that made me think today....how about you?

Pot Pie

2011-10-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

The girls made a homemade pot pie again for dinner the other night!! Yummmmmm.... They do it all from scratch & we love every bite! Thanks girls for treating us right!!

New Paint...

2011-10-04T05:07:00.000-07:00

My boys sanded and repainted our mailbox the other day! Oh...I don't really like the "house" mailbox...but it was already there when we moved in. But the weather here is harsh in the winter, & it had taken a beaten! The previous owner had also painted the numbers on the side of the mailbox the same color as the mailbox. So no one could find the address when driving by...needless to say, the boys fixed that right up and now the numbers are black. They did such a great job! Thanks for your hard work and taking care of that...now on to the deck!!!

2 Years ago...

2011-10-03T04:50:00.000-07:00

Can't believe that we are celebrating 2 years at our house here! (When you move as much as we have, you celebrate little things like this! haha) It has gone by fast...and at the same time, seems like a long time. God has brought some wonderful friends into our lives during just 2 short years.
The first year here we spent getting settled, meeting new people, getting used to Todd's new job of working from home, getting involved in church activities, homeschooling, and working on our foster care license...
The second year was spent with much of the same things with the added bonus of loving on foster children living with us. From this time last year, we have had 5 different children living with us throughout the year (in addition to our own 5 kids!!)...We haven't had a day the entire year without a foster child living here! It is an amazing gift from God to be used in this way to bless others!
So what is in store for year #3? Who knows! We are out of space in our home and already need a bigger place (Surprise!)...so maybe another move will happen. Hopefully more blessings in the form of children will be added...
As we continue to be faithful to step out into the unknown, God continues to bless each step! Even the hard times abound with joy when we are walking in step with the Lord...
It's uncharted waters for us...we have only lived in one other place as a family for this long! haha

Photo

2011-10-03T04:35:00.000-07:00

Another great photo by Kyle...

Newest Randall family member...

2011-10-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

This little puppy is Chinook!!! She is just the cutest thing... (Those who know me will find it hard to believe, but yes, I kissed the puppy...being the animal-lover that I am! hahaha)

She is really Spencer's dog... Can you believe this precious little puppy wasn't wanted? So Spencer has stepped in, figured out his finances to be able to take care of her, and brought her home!

Hopefully Abraham will love this little Chinook shadow following him around...

Quote for the day...

2011-09-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

"Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent-free in your head!"

(I took that from a friend who posted it on facebook tonight!)

Made me think.....I might need to clear out some tenants! haha

Friends...

2011-09-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today was an amazing day! We went to Hutchinson for the day to worship at church and visit/encourage friends that are starting a ministry in Chicago. It was so nice to be there among so many good friends...fun to laugh...catch up on what others are doing...watch little ones run around...share a great lunch together...visit at a friend's house with tons of yummy goodies!! Amazing!!

It was like a breath of fresh air to go and share good times with friends...it restores my soul!

Now that sounds nice....but anyone who knows me (which there are many there who were even loving enough to show concern & pray!)...knows that getting there is no small thing!

I got up at 5:30am to start my day...moving 7 kids along with the little one spilling milk & needing a diaper changed...packing that started the night before...2 cars that needed to be filled with gas (yes, we still have to drive 2 cars to go any where as a family!!)...there is the drive down there that takes over an hour...and the drive back....and the schedule that gets off for the little ones...I haven't even mentioned the pain from my lupus that sometimes makes it hard to drive that far (I try hard not to complain about it!)...

One wouldn't think that I could find a "breath of fresh air" in all of those circumstances...most people actually question my sanity in even trying to do that...

But the friends there are a blessing...it is so nice to have them in our lives! It has always met so much to me every time we have been able to get back to visit!

I am going to thank God for His hand on this day...it was exactly what I needed! But He already knew that!!

Today...

2011-09-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

Today is such a beautiful day!! Of course, there is always life to deal with...pain, bad attitudes, & weariness...but then the sunshine and colored trees, the giggle of the baby and laughter from sisters, the pounding of the hammer as boys work in the garage with their dad...it draws me back to what is important!! To reset my heart on things above...far beyond the troubles of this world...that is what we are called to do. Then I can see with His eyes & love the day He has given!

Rachel's birthday

2011-09-22T19:28:00.000-07:00

(Boat after the dinner cruise)

Dentist

2011-09-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

We have made it through all 9 of us getting to the dentist...ok, not the baby! (She only has 4 teeth! haha) Everyone did great! NO cavities...except the Momma, who doesn't like going to the dentist & puts it off for years! haaha I guess I'm paying for it now! Oh well...I am so proud of the rest of the family!

Kyle's photography...

2011-09-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Everytime I get a chance to load my pictures from my camera to the computer, I am shocked at how many pictures there are...why?....Because many of the kids pick up the camera to capture "something"...These are some pictures that Kyle has been experimenting with...He loves trying to catch things in action, such as the leaf falling...talk about patience! ahaha He gets better time I see his shots! Maybe I should have him start his own blog of his photographs. One of his pictures won first place at our county fair...in the Adult Category!!! Isn't that awesome!!?!

Kaitlyn's Creation

2011-09-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

It is turning to fall here in Minnesota...our garden is finished (thanks to the freeze the other night!)...the boys have cleaned it all up already...trees are starting to turn beautiful colors...the geese honk as they fly by in the mornings...darkness creeps in early in the evenings....and now there is a scraecrow in our yard...Yep! It's autumn...and we love it!

2011-09-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

This is taken from the following:
Lisa Copen is the founder of Rest Ministries and has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for 18 years. She is the author of Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill.

God chooses those of us with illness to bear seasons of suffering because He loves us and knows that we can be more of a comfort to those who are suffering–who have no hope–WHILE we are living with illness. As we stand in the muck of life, still explaining how we rely on our Father’s guidance and love each day to endure our illness, people will listen. If we did not suffer, if life was easy, the cash overflowed, we never suffered, would those who were hurting seek us out for advice? Not likely.

I don’t understand it all and I don’t pretend to. I don’t even strive to fully comprehend it all, because even the Bible tells me it’s impossible for me to fully get it. Psalm 108:4 tell me, however, that God’s love is great, higher than the heavens, and that His faithfulness reaches to the skies. That is the best way the author of the Psalms could even begin to explain it in human terms.

It’s like God looks down at us and says, “I love you as deep as the ocean” and we look back and respond, “And I love you as deep as the toilet.” His love is beyond our comprehension. Ecclesiastes 8:17 says, “Then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it.”

But our inability to fully understand it does not lessen the impact it can have on our life. it doesn’t change God’s love. It only assures us it is worth fully grasping onto and never letting go

Catch up...

2011-09-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd take some time and catch up a bit...after taking a break from this blog, I realized how much I love to write and create memories with my family.

This picture makes me smile...it is part of who Rachel is! The figurine and tea set were part of her 16th birthday gifts...it reminds me of peace...slowing down...talking & visiting...remembering what is important. As the weather begins to cool and the winter sets in, I look forward to sharing time with Rachel around this setting.

My Gramps...

2011-09-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

Visiting with my Gramps when they came back from their cruise to Mexico last summer!

There is so much that I could say about my Gramps...and how much I love him! I am thankful that he was in my life..thankful that he lived with us some of while I was growing up...thankful that he loved the Lord! Thankful that he is enjoying time with Jesus and free from suffering now...

I love and miss you, Gramps!

2011-09-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

Words from Nancy Leigh DeMoss...

In many of our churches, we're knocking ourselves out trying to be "relevant" so we can attract new members. We don't want to appear to be different, extreme, or too spiritual, for fear of turning off unbelievers...

We have accommodated to the world rather than calling the world to accommodate to Christ. When will we realize that the world is not impressed with a religious version of itself? Our greatest effectiveness is not to be found in being like the world; it is to be found in being distinct from the world, in being like Jesus.
The absense of revival in evangelicalism today certainly does not reflect a lack of activity and opportunities. We have more Christian concerts, conferences, programs, strategies, media events, books, tapes, magazines, and radio/TV ministries than any generation in history. In fact, we have more prayer gatherings and more events and resources geared toward "spiritual awakening" than ever. But something is missing.

I remember discussing this matter with a minstry leader who observed, "Lots of people are praying, and lots of people are repenting, but so few are changing their lifestyle." A light went on in my mind when I heard that statement. The fact is, if people are not changing their lifestyle, they're not repenting. And if we're not repenting, then all our singing and praising and praying and producing are useless - perhaps worse than useless, because all the noise and activity may deceive us into thinking that we're OK and that we are actually experiencing revival.

Sarah's Thoughts:
I have read these words over and over...trying to pin-point that in my life...looking at repentance & whether is has led to a change in my life...wondering if I get lost in the programs, calling them service before I have set my heart right with the Lord...am I dulling my senses? It is hard to see change...in myself as well as others...how much do people really care about holiness? Am I fooling myself?

My Prayer...

2011-09-06T11:04:00.000-07:00

I am almost finished reading a 3 books series by Nancy Leigh DeMoss titled Brokenness, Surrender, and Holiness. I have been convicted in many areas but also been moved to greater joy in my heart towards the Lord. I have been praying a prayer by Nancy that she challenges the reader to pray for 30 days...

Oh, God,

show me more of Your holiness.

Show me more of my sinfulness.

Help me to hate sin and to love righteousness as You do.

Grant me a deeper conviction of sin

and a more thorough spirit of repentance.

And make me holy as You are Holy.

I am excited to see how God will change my heart to be more like His...Will that involve some pain? Possibly.

Will that move me into another uncomfortable area of life? Possibly.

Will it be the best thing that I could spend my time and life striving for? Absolutely!!!

Hopefully at the end of the month, I will come forth as more refined...better fit for Kingdom service...more pleasing to be around...

Nothing is more satisfying to me than to spend my time on things that eternal...People & God's Word!!

Starting school...

2011-09-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Wishing Todd a wonderful 1st day of school!!! I am so thankful for your hard work at your job...the many hours that you put into it, the compassion and care you have for all your students & their families, the extra time you spend with ones that need to find that lost file or work sample...
I am thankful that you have a job!! And one that allows you to be home with all of us at the same time...that is not an easy task to work from home & be diligent at work at the same time, while we are all here also!

Thank you for being excited to teach others...thank you for being willing to stay up late to take care of work and family issues...thank you for taking care of all our needs from the teens to the baby!!

Have an amazing 1st day of teaching with your school families...praying that the they will be blessed this year!!

Happy Birthday!!

2011-09-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

Happy 16th Birthday to Rachel Faith!!

(September 3rd)

(Rachel with Grammy & Papa this summer!)

It is so exciting to celebrate this wonderful birthday with Rachel. She is such a delight that words are hard to come by...most things sound so...simple! But Rachel is a blessing. It is a joy to have her company everyday...it is fun to have her around the house. And believe me, she could run this house if needed!!

It is wonderful to watch her walk through times of making decisions for herself and seeing her use the things we have taught her...like asking other adults for their input and wisdom...watching her search scripture & ask her dad what he thinks about certain issues...observing her try new things, then decide if it is for her or not...listen to her as she recites the Sermon on the Mount (at least Matthew 5: 1-26) from memory!!...be impressed by the level of compassion she has for the foster children as well as her friendship with her own siblings...amazing!

How exciting another year will be...God has been so faithful to guide us as we have raised Rachel...fixing our mistakes, calming our fears, strengthening us for another day...
As the saying goes..."It is hard to watch your heart go walking around outside your body!" And that is true of Rachel...but we are thrilled to mark this day and look forward to the joy of watching her fly as she continues to venture out on her own!!

Many sweet blessings, Rachel Faith...We love you...

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Mother's Day...

2011-05-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to my mother...

As I celebrate my 15th Mother's Day this year, I am especially drawn to my mother. We live far apart now and only see each other about once a year. That is hard for me...but I love how she encourages me to continue on, doing what God has planned for my life.

Mom, you have taught me many things...probably more in my adult life than you know! Since I have not had any grandmothers since I was a little girl, I figured that my mom wouldn't be there when I became a mother. (Of course, I have tons of "adopted" grandmothers along the way!) It is such a blessing to talk with my mom now when I am chasing after little ones or guiding the older ones...learning to respect my husband...relaxing in what the Lord has for me in life...the hard times that we have cried about together and the joys that we share as mothers!

You have taught me the long-suffering that comes as we both have Lupus. You understand when I can't get out of bed...but we both know how much more sweet that makes the times when we are feeling well!! We don't take that for granted!

You have taught me God's grace as you have been a foster mother to so many as I grew up...and now as I begin my journey of caring for these precious foster children. Again, you understand my frustrations and quiet joys like no one else at times!

You have drawn me to the Lord even without words...your love for my husband as your son-in-law, for my children (even when I would say, "guess what...another baby!")...and for me is amazing.

Thank you for loving me just as I am...being patient with me as I grow...always checking to see how I am doing...Thank you for being who the Lord called you to be!

I love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day

Hope for Orphans

2011-04-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been listening to the series on Family Life Today with Dennis Rainey, you should go listen to it. They have been talking about adoption and taking in foster children.
Of course, this is an issue close to the Randall Crew's heart!!!
We are becoming even more passionate about it as we live out God's command to care for the orphans. You can listen to the broadcast here: http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.6235823/k.809F/FamilyLife_Today.htm

They challenge people to look at God's heart and see what he has called us all to do. I am excited about writing a post soon concerning this issue. I believe all churches should be involved in this movement towards taking care of children in this manner... we all have so much & so much to give. No one is called to sit out on this one!

This will be another post coming soon...about the book Radical, by David Pratt, that I am reading...
"After studying God's care for orphans in James 1:27, we decided to contact the Department of Human Resources and take reponsibility for making sure they had enough families to care for the needy children in our county. They needed 150 families, and within two weeks 160 families from our church signed up for foster care and adoption. Today, all across our faith family, men and women are freeing up space in their homes for foster children, while others are spending their savings and investment accounts on adopting children from Birmingham and around the world..."
(Author lives in Birmingham!)

If the church doesn't take the lead, who will? We have had 5 foster children since Oct. (6 months ago!)...
Anyone wanting to know how to get started with foster care...just let me know! This is a challenge to get more believers involved in what God commands us to do...
I know there will be people who say they can't for this reason or that reason. All that is between you and the Lord...but there are many ways to get involved. We honestly only have a few people who are walking along side of us while we take in foster children and adopt....the load is heavy, but the joy from the Lord is great! Won't you join us?

I look forward to posting more...

Easter Candy

2011-04-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

My mom and dad were so great to send little Easter candy treats for the kids. Of course, being the awesome mom that I am, they have already started eating them before Easter! haha
As a treat for our little preschooler, I let her have a little handful of Smarties candy today. She was so sweet to offer to share them with a few of the other kids. We haven't laughed so hard than when we heard her going around asking each of the other kids if they wanted one of her "Smartie Pants!" hahaha So cute!

Spring-time snow...

2011-04-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

We woke up to another dusting of snow... it's been fun to watch the birds come back with the warming temperatures...then to watch them dart for cover as the snow falls, taking only the people by surprise. I would say that I am still new to all this snow stuff, therefore I haven't grown tired of it. But I have lived through 3 Minnesota winters... What I realized is that I really like ALL the seasons!

I enjoyed the "Chronicles of Narnia" look outside this morning... I wasn't feeling well, so I actually opened my blinds & snuggled back into bed. I got to lay there, nice and warm, while soaking in the beauty of God's handiwork. It was if the dancing snowflakes lightly kissed my window before making their way down to their assigned spots. It's so simple. It made me smile.

Now it is mid-afternoon...it has been a flurry of activity around our house. But I am back sitting in the same spot as I was this morning. Resting. Sitting still. Taking it all in again. The snow has melted. The birds are dashing between trees. With one glance out my window, I see my teenage boys, fishing poles in hand, heading down to the river. Seeing the boys' friendship...their excitement to be off on an adventure together... It's so simple. It makes me smile.

Our "new" used piano!

2011-04-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Now that the snow has cleared (well, until Wed.! haha), we were able to buy a used piano and move it into our downstairs area. What a blessing to hear Cambria playing! It's exciting to see the other girls sit down to learn some tunes also...

Thoughts from Oswald...

2011-02-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Anyone want to share thoughts from Oswald Chambers today?

"If what we call love doesn't take us beyond ourselves, it is not really love. If we have the idea that love is characterized as cautious, wise, sensible, shrewd, and never taken to extremes, we have missed the true meaning. This may describe affection and it may bring us a warm feeling, but it is not a true and accurate description of love." - Oswald Chambers

Our new family motto is that we would be "broken bread and poured out wine" for the Lord. Are we living this out? Are we loving beyond ourselves....even sometimes when it hurts? I am learning every day to be led by the Spirit, causing me to live beyond my little self.... beyond myself means towards the Lord.
Does what we do each day drive us close to oneness with the Lord? Do we ask the Lord to bring things into our lives to accomplish that goal?...no matter the cost?
Just some thoughts on my mind today...

Snow Day!!

2011-02-21T10:23:00.000-08:00

We have manual snow-blowers here! The kids went out and shoveled the driveway...(This is Kyle!)

This was just from our overnight snow!! We were seeing beautiful patches of green grass lately with 45 degrees during the day....which means there was nothing on our roof just yesterday!

This is our front yard...there is a road out there...somewhere!!

My gardening bench...

Out of downstairs window....the drifts are clear up to the window!

Continued shoveling... as a homeschooling family, we count this a PE!!! haha

And it's still snowing......

We don't have any idea of how much snow we have gotten so far, but it's a snow day for the Randall family!!

20th Anniversary fun!

2011-02-08T12:46:00.000-08:00

Coming soon....
Our fun 20th Anniversary adventures with all 7 kids to an indoor water park!
Updated:

Cambria playing in the lazy river...so fun when we had the whole park to ourselves!!

This is a new concept to us...indoor water park, while it is snowing outside!! So much fun...

Kaitlyn had fun trying to cross the pool on floating animals while using the ropes to hang on!!

The boys played basketball in one of the pools while I walked around with our foster baby!

Todd coming out of one of the water slides with one of the kids!! Did I mention that we had the water park all to ourselves??!! The water slides were great...after climbing the stairs to get to the top, the slide wound around and around even going outside...then coming back into the park to dump you into a pool!

**For our 20th anniversary, we took all 7 kids to an indoor water park for 3 days! Our first day there, no one else was at the water park...the lodge we stayed in was awesome (Northern Woods themed)...breakfast was filling for everyone...we could walk downstairs from our room right into the water park! I got to nap in the afternoon with the little ones while the older kids hung out at the water park all day!

It was one of the best things we have done as a family this year...The beginning of 2011 started off great for our family! Can't wait to make many more memories...

Happy Birthday!!

2011-01-22T05:52:00.000-08:00

Happy 13th Birthday to Spencer Eli....

Happy 13th Birthday to Kyle Benjamin...

Today my boys become teenagers!!! It is awesome! You guys are the best sons a mom could hope for. You have such kind hearts, yet love to be 100% boy!!

I am excited to celebrate with you both...although we have been celebrating for 3 days now...haha

It is wonderful to see you grow into young men...I am blessed! The next several years, as you apprentice under your father, is going to be amazing!

We love you both....

Happy Birthday from your proud Momma.

20th Anniversary...

2011-01-05T08:46:00.000-08:00

Today is a wonderful day for Todd and me! It is our 20th wedding anniversary.
We are both thankful for this day. I think we appreciate and love each other more now than ever before...which is how it should be, I think!

It's funny though....Todd and I were laughing last night as we found ourselves getting the little preschooler into bed, feeding the baby before she drifted off for the night, turning off lights....then spending time with our 15 year old who likes to come into our room to talk after the other kids go to bed.
Neither of us could have envisioned having 7 kids living in our home (one a baby!)...all while trying to figure out how to celebrate our 20th anniversary!! But we love it. It keeps us feeling young!

But that's the other funny thing. I don't feel old enough to have been married for 20 years now. Of course, I was only 19 years old when we got married...so that might explain some of it. I'm sure everyone feels that time goes by fast than our minds can keep up.
There were many comments made when we got married...many references to our being young. I don't blame anyone. It's not been the easiest thing to be married that young, continue in college, grow in maturity together through trials that almost ended it all....God is good to hold us tight. God is faithful to draw us to Himself. That is what has held things together for us. Believe me, left to ourselves...life always seems greener on the other side! God has done miracles in our marriage...and that's no joke.

So now I feel like I am beginning to see marriage through God's eyes and not just through the lens of "survival"....I am excited to move forward into the next 20 years of our marriage. Marriage has taught me so much about myself.

I love sharing my life with Todd. I am thankful that we have another day to walk together.
I am glad that we are both at a place where seeing our marriage as a picture of Jesus & His church is far more important to us than anything else. Do we know what tomorrow holds? Nope. Do we know if we will be moving again (we have lived in Minnesota for 2 years now...according to the kids, it's moving time! haha)? Not a clue how long we will stay here. Do I know who holds my future & has numbered my days? YES! And that makes all the difference to me. God's view of marriage is so deep and rich.

So as I look out upon my household...with the diapers & wipes, bath toys in my shower, learning cursive books to Ancient history to Biology...more snow boots & gloves than I can count that cover every inch of my laundry room...to the Driver's Ed manuals that start another chapter in our family....and I notice the wedding scrapbook album that sits on our dining room table. (Yes, that was Todd's gift today that took me this long to complete...I've been busy! haha) I am reminded of the thread of love that runs through our home. And I am grateful as well as humbled. It is by God's grace that we celebrate 20 years of marriage.

What are we doing to celebrate, you ask? We are taking all 7 kids with us to a lodge with an indoor water park! We will be gone for 3 days and couldn't be more excited! haha While the snow is falling outside, we will be inside swimming and floating down a lazy river. I am excited to make sweet memories with my family.
Oh...don't worry. Todd and I are working on special plans to get away together (just the 2 of us!) for a little vacation this summer. It will be a celebration time of our anniversary as well as my birthday! (I turn 40 in June!)....
I'm off to start packing the swimsuits! Happy Anniversary, Todd!

Stockings...

2010-12-09T17:33:00.001-08:00

These are just the kids' stockings!! Todd says that we need a bigger fireplace! haha

Prayer Request...

2010-12-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Would you please pray for my Gramps and our family?
My Gramps is having heart bypass surgery on Dec. 16th in Oregon. My mom is flying up there to be with her dad and other family. We all love Gramps and pray that God grants him more days to bless others!

All my love....Sarah
**Update: My Gramps made it through surgery this afternoon. But he did have 6 bypasses done. Please continue to pray for his recovery! Thank you...

Snowman!

2010-11-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

This is Kate's first snowman of the season!!

From one of my boys...

2010-11-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

If you know how stressful and FULL our home is right now, you will understand the emotions I felt when I found this note from Spencer the other day.

NOTE: "Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I have been overwhelmed with our latest foster care situation at times. But going into my room to "regroup" I found this note on my nightstand. Someone knew that I needed God's peace spoken over me. But who?

I realized that one of my almost-13-year-old twins had left me the note. I asked him if it was from him. His response was that he had read it during his quiet time that morning and knew that he should write it down for me. This not only answered many prayers that I have had, but it gave me a glimpse into the man that he is becoming. How BLESSED am I to have the privilege to raise such a young man!

Snow!

2010-11-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

We got lots of snow yesterday! It snowed all day. It is just beautiful. I love the first snow of the season...the power did go out for at least 3 hours during the night. Things seem to be up and running today. I guess this is a good time to take the chairs off the deck. They look like puff-balls!

It is about 30 degrees this morning as I write....so beautiful to see from my warm bedroom! haha

2010-11-11T13:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday!!

2010-11-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

Happy 9th Birthday to our Kaitlyn Rose!

Wow..how she has grown! She is always full of energy & spark of life!! We already had yummy cinnamon rolls for breakfast....

Can't wait to spend the whole day with such a delight!

(This is a picture of Kaitlyn with carrots from our garden last month.)

Much love to you, Katie!!

Saying Good-bye...

2010-11-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we said good-bye to our little foster daughter. She gets to go live with her daddy now. While we are excited for her, our hearts are also heavy. She is such a delight!! We have cherished everyday that we got to spend with her.

I am thankful that she was in our lives for her first month of life. We have learned many things...about ourselves, others, love, babies!!, giving, blessings, and God. We wouldn't trade it for anything!
At the same time, we are adjusting. We have tears. (Ok...I have tons!!)

Today for my devotions, I read Oswald Chambers....I won't quote it here. But it spoke to my heart, as God usually does. Basically it boils down to..."when you love with ALL your heart, you hurt with ALL your heart!" That is what God requires of us. There have been times in my life when I didn't love all my heart, because I didn't want to hurt with all my heart later. I'm sure we have all been there. But as I grow in my love for the Lord, I have to come to the understanding that it is His love that I love with...and it will be His pain that He comforts me in...
The question always comes back to this...Do I trust God enough to risk and love?
It's not an easy question to walk through...the pain brings me to my breaking point every time...Oh how I pray His peace and comfort will shelter me even now.

So, the Randall Crew was "squeezed" by the hand of God in loving our little foster girl. I pray that makes us know Him more...makes us more loving...more giving...more like HIM...
But for now, I have a lump in my throat, tears constantly in my eyes, and sweet baby clothes to finish washing. Oh...by the way...I did sleep well last night. But I did wake up at 2am and 4:15am right on cue! haha

Until next time...

Just for fun!

2010-10-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

We had a great time with our church family on Sunday afternoon. We went to a friend's farm for a hay ride and pumpkin pickin! The kids had a fun time...they also got to climb the towers of hay in the barn and then go down a slide into a mountain of hay!! So much fun...even if they were pulling hay out of their hair for hours! haha

Sleep...

2010-10-21T09:23:00.000-07:00

Another precious treasure added to my life...

My awesome hubby took care of the baby ALL night so that I could get some SLEEP!!! Oh, how wonderful he is...and how wonderful it is get some rest! hahaha I had to get going early this morning for an appt. It was nice to feel somewhat refreshed before facing the world today...

School Work...

2010-10-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

This is how Rachel does some of her school work now. And if you are wondering...she asks to do it this way! She is an awesome helper.

Baby Shower in a Box!!!

2010-10-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

My parents are so awesome! We got a package in the mail from them the other day...lots of cute baby things! It was like having a little baby shower in a box. Our foster daughter is getting so much love from everyone.... Our kids got to "ooooh" and "awwww" over all the sweet little treasures.

Thanks, Mom & Dad for being such wonderful "foster" grandparents!

Oh...and thanks to everyone that prayed for our class/training last night. It went well! Our kids stayed with wonderful friends that had been missionaries for about 30 years...we took the baby with us. It was nice that she slept during the whole 3 1/2 hour class...and then the hour it took to pick up the other kids & drive all the way home. Awww...the peace! Although it was midnight before we all finally were in bed...everything worked out beautifully!

2010-10-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

Life with a newborn is giving me brain "fog"....

But it's all good!

2010-10-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

It's a Girl!!

2010-09-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

**Update: Things are going well. We should get our license on Monday...just in time! Fostering starts next week!

Ten Commandments

2010-09-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

As a church we are studying the Ten Commandments for the next several months. From the little kids all the way up to the saints, everyone is studying this topic. I find it fascinating to read and learn about. There are several different books that are being used to study along with scripture.

We have a book that Todd is going through with our family in our evening bible study. ("Where is Moses When You Need Him?") So we are able to study the commandments during the week that will be talked about on Sunday. I also got out a board game that we have that teaches the Ten Commandments. Cambria, Kaitlyn, and I played the game the other afternoon. Quite fun! It's helping me to re-memorize them in order.

While that is all fun...there was an interesting point made in one of the books. If you are over forty years old, then you probably memorized the Ten Commandments. If you are under forty, you didn't. I found that interesting since I am just pushing that forty line! haha This has led our family into good discussions during our evening study times. So do we still need the Ten Commandments today?

On Sunday, our pastor put it into a picture that I think helped to explain it to our kids. (And maybe the adults as well! haha) We see the Ten Commandments and realize our sin...our need for a Savior. That leads us to see Jesus Christ as our Savior...after our acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as a our Savior and Lord, then we can look back at the Ten Commandments in a new light. Now we can see the heart of God in and through the Commandments....His love for us & how He wants us to live with Him.
So where do we all fall when looking at the Ten Commandments? Are they still a list or rules for you? Are you still stuck feeling like you can never measure up? Or are we children of God that want to walk with God as He wants us to walk with Him? Are we a people after God's own heart?

It has been good to search as a family through the scripture and learn about the transition from Old Testament to New Testament. The kids come up with thought-provoking questions that make us search for what we really believe....and that is ALWAYS a good thing. It has been good to realize that we are being drawn to the heart of God through this study. God's heart was the same then when He gave the Ten Commandments as it is today...even while we live under the new covenant. It didn't change. For us, studying the Ten Commandments is becoming a lesson in learning more about the heart of God...and that leads us in a closer walk with Him.

So when I read this in my devotion from yesterday morning, I couldn't help but share it.
We must continually keep our soul open to the fact of God's creative purpose, and never confuse or cloud it with our own intentions. If we do, God will have to force our intentions aside no matter how much it may hurt. A missionary (believer in Christ) is created for the purpose of being God's servant, one in whom God is glorified. Once we realize that it is through salvation of Jesus Christ that we are made perfectly fit for the purpose of God, we will understand why Jesus Christ is so strict and relentless in His demands. He demands absolute righteousness from His servants, because He has put into them the very nature of God.
~Oswald Chambers

Prayer...

2010-09-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Many hearts are heavy for a local pastor in the area. Several of my friends attend the church that he pastors and have kept me updated all week on the developments of his health. I will not go into details here, but the pastor has been given a shocking diagnosis with only weeks to live. I am asking many people to lift up this pastor, his wife, & 2 daughters....as well as their congregation in prayer during this time. Will you pray for comfort and lessening of pain for the pastor...also peace & God's hand upon his family during these shortened days?
...mourn with those who mourn...Praying God's name be lifted on high as we seek His hand upon this family...

***UPDATE: There will be a Community Prayer Service for Pastor Todd, his family and church at the Pierz HS football field this Saturday, September 25th at 6 PM. (If it is raining they will have it in the HS gym.)

2010-09-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that once a month you can enter your name in the drawing to win $50 in Usborne books!!

Just go to...

usbornebookcrew.com

Enter our bookstore & sign up today!!

The other side...

2010-09-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence,

you can bet there is more manure there!

**Couldn't resist borrowing this from friends at Teaching Good Things blog!

teachinggoodthings.com

What has been going on?

2010-09-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

Oh...a little of this and a little of that!! I have been sewing... Rachel and I are going to start an etsy shop. We have it up, but nothing listed yet. Fun place to sell all our handmade goodies! The shop name is Bucket of Bubbles!!! We'll let everyone know when it is ready to go. We plan to use the profits made to support our adoption efforts as well as our mission's giving!

Home educating is going well...we are on week #5 already! Time has gone by fast. Since we school for 6 weeks and then take 1 week off....we are coming up to our first break already! Yay!
Now that the kids are older, we are hitting some of those harder subjects...but Todd is in charge of Rachel's biology...and I continue to get grossed out by the 3 middle kids' "Jr. High" human body jokes during their science studies! haha
But it is all good! I can't complain...it is fun learning together!

The leaves on the trees are changing here...autumn was in the air yesterday when Todd & I took our mile-long walk during lunch. The chilly air and squirrels running everywhere...I love this time of year!
That also means lots of church activities starting as well as other opportunities to be apart of our community here. This year Rachel is taking on several teaching responsibilities at home as well as church. I am loving these high school years with her as she steps more and more into the life God has for her.
She is also a contributing write on a friend's blog... joyfilledgirls.blogspot.com

Reading: Oh, what wonderful (and challenging!!) books I am reading. I will have to make a new post just for things I have been reading....

Most of all, I am settling into what looks to be a "calm" season for us. I love being the guardian of our home...wife to my hubby & mother to my kids...aware of what influences come in or go out of our lives...not an easy job, yet God is guiding me with each step...how do other people do it without Him?
I am making new friendships...Oh, how the Lord has answered my cries in this area...He has sent some sweet ladies that refresh my soul, and that is a good thing! I am enjoying walking with women who have gone ahead of me in life...they are so gentle when guiding me in wisdom. How blessed I am!

And babies.....Oh, how my extended family is growing...I have a new niece, Payton...who is a sweetie! I also have 2 cousins who recently just had babies! What the view must be like from my Gramps' perspective as he looks down the line to his 8th great-great grandchild born yesterday! (That's 6 generations for those that are counting!!)

So I am sitting here watching the rain fall and realizing once again...life is sweet. Of course, there are issues to deal with, frustrations to fix, and longings that will never be satisfied this side of heaven....but I am choosing to see the Jesus in them all!!
What have you been up to?

Happy Birthday!!

2010-09-03T06:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my Rachel Faith!!!

Hope it's the best 15th birthday that you ever have! haha

I love you....

New Niece

2010-09-01T05:10:00.000-07:00

Yay!!! My brother, Frank, and his wife, Meg, had their first baby last night!!
Baby Payton was born with blue eyes and blond hair at 8pm last night in Cali. Oh I can't wait to see her!!
My mom says she is a beauty....
Congratulations to the Brazier family that continues to grow!!
Love you all....

2010-08-30T07:43:00.001-07:00

I love my kids!!!!

Usborne Sale!

2010-08-27T17:08:00.000-07:00

Usborne is having a sale on several good books!

The Usborne Little Book of Stories from the Old Testament is a wonderful little book.

This would make a wonderful gift to share with someone with a little one!

Only now through August 29th...it is ONLY $3.50...

Just go to usbornebookcrew.com - after entering our bookstore, simply click on the Internet Only Specials.

You can find this book and several others there.

It's never to early to stock up on Christmas gifts when they are listed at this price!

usbornebookcrew.com

Grocery Shopping

2010-08-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today we had a funny experience....we set out to do our "once-a-month" grocery shopping. We divided into teams like we always do...

Rachel & Cambria had their list...Todd couldn't make it, so I had his list plus mine (& Kate was my partner!)...Spencer & Kyle...they forgot their list!!!

So there we were at the store without one of our lists. If you have ever shopped for a family of 7 for the month's worth of groceries, forgetting one of the lists is not a good thing!

Out of desperation, we brainstormed the missing list & divided up to conquer the store. It took us awhile, but 4 overflowing carts later...we were finished.

Once we got home, we found the "lost" list. To our surprise, we only forgot ONE thing on the list.

Oh....what started out as a frustration turned out to be a fun adventure!

And yes, we claim all of that adventure as "learning"...

2010-08-16T18:01:00.001-07:00

Usborne!

2010-08-11T08:18:00.000-07:00

We are back and up & running with our Usborne Book website!!

I will not be doing any shows, but we will continue to run our website for anyone to order through...

It is a wonderful place to explore all the great books that Usborne carries!

See what great things you can find!

usbornebookcrew.com

You might enjoy this set of books for younger children that are just starting school and are learning about the different jobs people have!

These books are great for those children beginning to read....they are marked with the different levels and have awesome pictures to go with the information.

Usborne doesn't only carry books for small children, we also carry books for teens & adults! These books give links to approved & safe internet sites to continue exploring different subjects.

You need to check out the "Internet Only" specials on the website! This book is great to read before kids start their new school year. It is a paperback book (reg. price $6.99) but is currently ONLY $3.84!!

These Internet-Only specials don't last long and are always changing...

I will regularly be posting specials and new books here. It is a wonderful company to work for. Just ask me how if you'd like to join us!

usbornebookcrew.com

More Crazy Cucumbers!!

2010-07-25T14:27:00.001-07:00

Sunday Afternoon...

2010-07-25T14:22:00.000-07:00

So I took a break from all my lesson planning for tomorrow's VBS...because, well, I needed a break! haha But also because the boys told me that there was a pit-bull that kept coming in the garage while they were working.

She is one of the most beautiful dogs I've seen. She just plots right down next to me...so sweet...even for a pit-bull! She looks as if she has been over bred. I am already taken with her. (Which is an over-statement if you know me...the non-dog person!! haha) Don't know why I am so drawn to her. Strange.

She has no tag...don't know if we will keep her. Of all the things we are going through right now... I am relaxing outside in the shade of the tree with a pit-bull. How funny is that!

Definitely not in the inner-city anymore! haha

Update - Our police officer came by & knows the owner who lives just outside of town. This dog did NOT like the police officer at all....she jumped up and wanted to take him out. I think she was protecting us! ahaha He left to get the owner, and the dog returned to happy...letting us pet her & laying around. The officer returned to let us know that the owner isn't home...up & angry she got again! Amazing. So Todd put the dog in the back of our car (with Spencer...because she will do anything for him!) and off they went to drop her back at her home. Life in a little town!

2010-07-24T19:14:00.000-07:00

Garden Fun...

2010-07-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

This is some of what was brought in from the garden today...the peas, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeno pepper are not pictured here.

We have more cucumbers coming in than we know what to do with! haha

Thoughts from Oswald...

2010-07-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

"Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations - He gives us His teachings which are truths that can only be interpreted by His nature which He places within us. The great wonder of Jesus Christ's salvation is that He changes our heredity. He does not change human nature - He changes its source, and thereby its motives as well."
~Oswald Chambers

This was a great comfort and challenge to me today. It was a comfort, not because there are no rules, (for I believe that following His teachings/His heart can be more scary for some than rules!) but because He places His nature in us. As I allow myself to be transformed to Him, knowing & following His heart beomes easier because it is MY heart.
The challenge has to do with motives. While continuing to be transformed each day this side of heaven, my heart sturggles with human nature. I long to listen to His heart...which is becoming my heart...therefore making my behavior what He desires. Yet I fail. Many times I have worked on the behavior aspect, even looking "good" from the outside. At the same time, my motives are from my human nature side. It doesn't work well.
As I am growing through this, I am learning to allow His heart be my source of everything (not what I think His heart is but what scripture tells us it is!)...that in turn changes my motive for doing what I do. Funny thing happens though - lots of my "good" behaviors still look the same, only now they come from a more perfect motive - the heart of Jesus Christ!! I guess that goes back to wanting the heart of Christ - not the behaviors that make us look like we have the heart of Christ.
So as I look over the last 4 years, I see how I have changed. I think many friends still think of me as the same type of person....for some I am a joy to be around - for others, I am not. What I do see changing is where my source comes from and the motive that is behind what I do.
Most people know that I talk a lot about having our identity (source) grounded in Christ...and not in who other people say our identity is or our status or what we have or have accomplished in life. This is not new info. But it also never ends! It is such a precious gift to see the growth that comes when our source also becomes our motive for life! The growth (transformation) is non-stop if we are striving for a heart after Christ. Actually being able to see that growth...not in something I do but in what the Spirit is doing in me when I yield to Him...that takes my breath away all the time!!
Oh, I pray that we would all find the joy in walking through this journey together....encouraging each other in our tranformation...and not becoming complacent with accepting behavior as the "arrival" point!

Sunflowers

2010-07-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

These are my sunflowers that we have growing in the garden! I wish that I could have them year-round here. Right now they are about as tall as I am...lovely!

2010-07-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Favorite Picture of ALL time!!

2010-07-19T18:51:00.000-07:00

During our visit to my parent's place in Southern California, everyday was like a party! One MORNING, my dad (Papa) took Spencer for a walk. They came back with as many fraps from McDonalds as they could carry. That turned out to be enough for all of us! haha So here are the kids at 10 in the morning hanging out with their Grammy and Papa...what fun!! They are so much fun...

We love you, Mom & Dad!

(I'll be dropping pictures in from our Cali trip here and there over the next several weeks...)

My Rainbow...

2010-07-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

I just got to talk and pray with my friend, Laurie, today! We spent a couple of hours catching up on life and what God is doing....how things are going for her in Guatemala...how things are here with Todd looking for a job...and everything in between! She was the rainbow in my day. Thanks for calling, Laurie! Much love...

County Fair

2010-07-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

We had been out to the fair several times this last week for one reason or another. Yesterday we were there to help a friend with the "wool" demonstrations. The ladies were doing different spinning projects.

There was wool in different stages for the kids to look at...Rachel was there to demonstrate how to use a drop spindle to spin the wool.

In the building we were in, a man came to sheer about 7 sheep. When he finished each sheep, he would throw the wool into this tall bin. He would allow a child to climb in to stomp down the wool. Kaitlyn loved this job! She managed to climb out on her own also!!

There was lots of strange weather yesterday! Lots of thunderstorms, rain, hail, and tornado warnings...and a tornado or two, or three, or four!....(I don't really know how many there were! haha)

The roof of this building was metal...so the hail was very loud!!! We caught a break in the weather and made it home around dinner time...at the same time, a tornado was spotted and everyone at the fair took cover in the restrooms for about 2 hours!

We got home in time for our city siren to go off...so we took our hotdogs and headed to the basement. We also brought Abraham inside. The hail and rain came down!! Things finally cleared up, but there were many systems that passed through all day. We finally ended the night watching the lightning flash through the sky over St. Cloud. What a day!

Relay For Life

2010-07-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Rachel participated in her first Relay for Life...American Cancer walk to raise money to find a cure!

It was her friend's 18th birthday (Mandy)!! Mandy set up a team of friends and family to walk. It was lots of fun hanging out at the party tent on the field!!

Rachel is walking here with another friend...

We didn't stay all night, but the part we did stay for was awesome!!

Way to go...

Just for fun!

2010-07-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn had an awesome time with her cousin, Laurise! She loves to dress up...this was one of her favorite looks!!

Kyle's Catch!

2010-07-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

Kyle caught this when we walked down to the river this afternoon to fish! It's a small mouth Bass...19 inches! Both the boys cut it up really well and packaged it for the freezer. When we have enough, then we'll have a full meal for dinner! Yummmmm...

Our Garden...

2010-07-12T10:52:00.000-07:00

Lettuce & Cucumber... Before we left (above) & When we returned (below)!

Peas & Sunflowers... Before we left & When we returned!

Tomato plants... Before we left & When we returned!

4 garden boxes going one way...Another 4 boxes by the road!

Kyle took this fun picture!

Cambria's wonderful flowers that she grew from seed!

We're HOME!!!!

2010-07-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

Here we are in Yosemite!

After being gone for 33 days and driving over 6,000 miles...we are now HOME!!

We loved seeing our family while out in California....we already miss them. Being away from everyone for 2 years was toooooooo long!

But for now, we have 9 loads of laundry done and grocery shopping was completed today...so we are adjusting to being back home.

We have already seen several friends (one at the store on the way back into town to pick up milk...before actually getting home! haha) and neighbors...I think the kids are even going strawberry picking this evening!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us concerning our trip. It was an amazing time!

I'm sure that I will post more about our trip and even pictures...but for now, I am enjoying being home.

Update...

2010-06-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

So many fun things to post and update everyone about...

Cambria and I got to celebrate our birthdays several times!! (Fun!!)...

These pictures were from an early birthday treat while at Todd's parent's house.

We are having a great time on our vacation... spent time at Todd's parent's for their 50th anniversary and Father's Day...a church conference in Oakhurst (by Yosemite!)...time with my parents...our birthdays...Cambria & Kaitlyn's baptism last Friday...lots of swimming at my parent's apt. pool...

Tomorrow we are headed to Ventura (fun at the beach & visiting family there!)....

We still have family and sights to see...Yosemite, Fresno, San Fransisco area, Sacramento...

Through all that, our friends and neighbors have managed to keep our garden going back home!! We have heard great (and "fruitful"! haha) reports...Yay!

We can't wait to get back to Minnesota...but we are soaking up all the fun that we are having now!! Making the most of time since it has been sooooooo long since we have been here!

Too much fun to post more...but pictures will come soon!

LA Fun!!

2010-06-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

Santa Monica Pier & Beach

Who loves "Auntie Sarah"?? Two hands up for Elijah!!

2010-06-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Got to spend some time with my Gramps this morning when he arrived back from his cruise to Mexico...and before heading back to Oregon!! Love you, Gramps!

Emotions...

2010-06-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

Today we finished school for the year....and we are packing to leave on our month long trip to California...things have been going well...until...
I got out our suitcases to begin packing. There they were...the tags on the 2 suitcases that Rachel and I used last. These suitcases were last used when Rachel and I flew to Cali for Andrew's birth. Oh, how the memories flooded right back as I cut those airlines tags off the suitcase handles.
I held them for awhile...just breathing in how much God has covered me in the last 2 years...missing my Andrew...breathing again as the clock ticked by.
This is our first time back to Cali since Andrew died...so many emotions are overwhelming as I think of visiting everyone there...but I trust God will walk me through that chapter of life too!
So here I go....venturing out....

Awww....

2010-06-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy with school and packing this week...I had hardly noticed that it was our last day of school today! Surprise! Todd walked in with a "Thank you for teaching our kids" flower. It's beautiful, Todd...thanks for thinking of me!! Especially today...

Butterfly Update...

2010-06-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn's butterflies were doing so well!!

She was so excited to have a warm day to let them fly...

All 6 butterflies slowly took to the air...

What a fun project!

Prayer...

2010-05-29T19:34:00.001-07:00

Praying for our friends in Guatemala City today. I talked to Laurie on the phone today. The volcano has left inches of black sand everywhere! The residents are expected to clean it up from around their homes and leave the bags of sand at the corner of the streets to be picked up.

Here is Selvin and the boys doing some of the cleaning...

While I was talking to Laurie today, she was telling me how much it is now raining from the cyclone that is hitting the area....so much rain...mixing with all that ash & sand...it has closed the main airport.

They are most concerned about the poorer people that live outside the main city on the hills in villages. They have suffered great loss between these 2 events.

On a separate note, Selvin's grandmother passed away & the funeral was this afternoon...amidst all the rain. She was a godly woman and will be deeply missed.

Join me in praying for Laurie and Selvin...also for their family...and the people of Guatemala that are suffering right now.

Thanks!!

Solution...

2010-05-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

Spencer informed me today that he had a brillant idea of how to fix the oil spill crisis! He said that they should get a toilet, turn it upside down over the oil hole deep in the ocean....and flush the problem away!! hahaaha

(I assume he will be getting a job in politics when he grows up! haha)

Life in the Randall house! haha

Surprise!!!!

2010-05-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of those days in life that just fills your heart with joy until you think you are going to burst!!

Todd and I (along with Rachel and Cambria) each had our hands full with a baby in the nursery this morning at church. Things were fairly calm when someone knocked on the door....why would someone knock on the door? There is a window in it so that you can see inside. Todd went to get the door...

"It's Thelma!!" Todd quickly told me...

My eyes must have done a double take. Our sweet friends (and "adopted" grandparents to our kids!) from Hutchinson were there standing in the doorway!!!

What???

It was such a surprise! They had been planning for months to come and surprise us at our church here with a visit. It was over an hour drive away. I was amazed.

I know that I have friends that love me....and I am always one to go out of my way for friends...But today, I was wanting a God "with skin on" to reach down and give me a hug. That was actually my prayer.

So...not even knowing it...God reached down (even well advanced in the planning!) to provide just the right "hug" through some sweet friends.

Having them in church with us was like bringing parts of my world together! We also went out to lunch and back to our house for iced tea! What a beautiful day....our God is sooooo loving!

I am still in awe...still giggling like a little girl at Christmas...and loving the precious gift of Thelma, Gerald, and their son, Jason!!

Thank for making it such a special day!!!!!!!!!

I Take Joy...

2010-05-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

I have been praying about something. Something that I can't see an answer to. Just when I think I can't breathe...God speaks His truth through another person. I am sooooo blessed. And this person doesn't even know. I took a few minutes to view her blog this afternoon. There it was. My answer.

Sally Clarkson has blessed my life as a homeschooling mom in so many ways. I have read her books over the years. She has challenged in many areas...but when I line up her thoughts against scripture...and see the truth in it, I live such a blessed life.
I am eagerly awaiting her latest updated version of one of their books that I have owned for many years...Educating the Whole-Hearted Child. Like me, she lives a learning lifestyle within her home that is based on discipling our children in the Lord. What freedom and love it has brought to our home!
People have asked over the years, "How do you it? Where did you get that idea from? What is your mothering or homeschooling based on?"
My simple answer would be...Jesus Christ. Sometimes that is too simple for people. Sometimes I think it is too simple also...that there must be more to it than that! But as I spend time with the Lord and in His word, it is that simple. At the same time, it has been cultivated by the influence of certain people in my life also. One of those people is Sally Clarkson. She is ahead of me...3 of her 4 kids have graduated their homeschool and are thriving in life for the Lord. She loves to create an atmosphere of beauty in her home and life...and so do I. (She explains the reasons why much better than I can!)
So...if you are curious or wanting to be blessed...take some time to look over her blog.
http://wholeheart.typepad.com/itakejoy/
Their family ministry website is Wholeheart.org and I recommend ALL their books!
Thank you for letting me share a blessing and an answer to that prayer I had today!

Garden Boxes...

2010-05-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

The boys made all our garden boxes for this year!

The boxes are out in the yard...Yes, the front yard. It gets more sunlight and will help us meet & talk to neighbors more!

Rachel and I made some willow fences to start the boxes. Most of the boxes have the grass out of them now and a good compost on top.

Now, if it will just stop raining long enough...we can get all the seeds we started inside into the ground. Including this 17 inch tomato plant that Kyle started from seed!!

For Sale...

2010-05-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

Anyone out there in blogger-land want to buy our van???

2005 Toyota Sienna...only about 46,000 miles...

Let me know!

Butterflies!

2010-05-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

This year Kaitlyn has been studying animals and their habitats. So for the spring session, we decided to do the butterfly thing!! We ordered the caterpillars....all 5 survived! They soon grew fat and made their way to the top of the jar to make a chrysalis.

We carefully removed the paper that they were attached to....we pinned it to the butterfly garden habitat.

Then the waiting began!...we waited and waited...

Today was the special day!! So far, 2 of the 5 have spread their wings...they are beautiful. I will post pictures of them after they all "wake-up"... We have sugar water sprinkled on a carnation flower inside the garden along with an orange slice for the butterflies to drink from. Good Job, Kaitlyn!

New Bike...

2010-05-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

This is what the kids got me for Mother's Day as well as an early birthday (June) gift!! I love it! I went out for 3 separate rides this afternoon with the kids. Now this is the way to get exercise! It did start to rain on the boys and me during our last ride...but now I know how fast I can go! haha

What a fun Mother's Day!!

Anyone want to pray...

2010-05-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

I made it to the dental specialist this morning at 7:30AM!! I am glad that they could squeeze me before we are off to Cali in June.
I am glad that it was this morning because I was awake from 2-4 AM this morning...in pain...so I prayed...and I prayed for others, which got my mind racing with so many people that I wanted to intercede for...finally fell alseep just in time for Todd to get up an hour & a half later! Oh well.

After many tests at the specialist (and enough poking, prodding, banging, freezing, and x-rays to cause more pain!!) the verdict was in. Nothing is wrong! What?? He went over everything thoroughly with me. He showed me all the digital x-rays and how good everything looked. My sinuses are a little swollen and putting pressure on the roots of some teeth which can cause lots of pain...but that's it!
We did talk about my fibromyalgia (which he was familiar with! yay!)...He understood how it can exaggerate pain that "normal" people can tolerate. (This issue has been going on for several months now...guess we traded the "welts on my eyes" issue for this one! haha)

So I left the office feeling really good that I didn't need any root canals! But I also left the office still in pain. Oh well. If you think of me, would pray that the pain would be healed...but also that I would continue to draw my strength from God to cope with whatever He allows for me. Thanks...

Cinco de Mayo

2010-05-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

Feeling sad today... along with the many "firsts" I experience here in Minnesota...this is another first...

It's my first Cinco de Mayo without a celebration everywhere...in the city, in the streets, in my yard!!! I love celebrating different cultures. This happens to be one that I have grown up with and don't know anything different. Never had to "search" for others celebrating Cinco de Mayo before. Strange. The kids want to know when we are putting up the red lights outside, dancing to Mexican music, and eating GREAT food?? We already stick out here...don't want to make it worse! hahaa
Don't think I can get use to bruats and sauerkraut (I don't even know what it is or how to spell it...) I'm sure that I will fit into the culture here at some point....just longing for the familiar right now and missing the sounds on the street.
**Updated: Todd just made Horchata for dinner. I feel better now! ha