Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Happy Birthday Randi and Garen!

(I tried really hard to scan a few pictures of when my kids were babies, but it keeps telling me they are read only, so here goes with out, maybe later!)

My two oldest kids were born 1 year and 4 days apart. Crazy huh? I kinda believed my mom and mother in law when they said nursing was a great birth control, but when I was puking in the toilet, and my baby was just four and a half months old, it just felt toooo familiar. I called my mom, and she said "well, ya know you never really went thru a blue-sy period after Garen was born" I wished so hard, because I remembered all too well the 9 hours of induced labor, which exhausted me, which I was deliriously losing my controlled.....breathing? what breathing? Who says you can control your breathing???? Oh, as you can see it was (maybe still is) all too fresh in my mind.
But true it was. So before my second anniversary, we had two babes that blessed our home. Garen just turned 29 on Saturday, and today, Randi is 28! Yes, it's true. That is why my being 50 is such a reality!
Garen was a 6 lb 3 oz baby, but today at 6'6" is a big teddy bear! He has a heart for his friends and family, and is fun to be around. You see here at Jordan's wedding all the boys were supposed to pick up Breana, but no help needed when you have Garen around!

Garen tends to be a bit camera shy, so we often get him in passing or looking like this, a bit embarrassed to pose.

Garen's life is a fun adventure, and always seems to be in a bit of transition, because he has many interests, and many talents, and he takes periods of time to devote to the talent and interest that is the most engrossing at the moment. Example: his Graphic design work, he enjoys designing t-shirt art, and company logos. He loves to play the drums when he has enough friends in town to make a band. He is always looking for the most current music to listen to and view at their shows. He is back in school to pursue a teaching credential as a History teacher. Garen would be a hilarious teacher of history and help it come alive for teenagers, we are excited about this. And his current way to spend time is with one of our favorite people - Christianne!
My Randi is sunshine personified! Randi has every adventurous bone in her body that is lacking in mine. She may look like her momma,but she is her dad's girl. She can and will do everything that is beyond the realm of safe in my book. She loves the outdoors, and all the adventure it brings. She can't wait to go skydiving, she is in school to be a physicians assistant. I remember when she did her first dysection in school, and how thrilled she was. Telling us about that frog that was splayed open and getting pinned to the board. Then came the cat, and now she just can't wait for the cadaver....eewwww!

This is what she asked for for her birthday.... A PLASTIC SKELETON MODEL! WITH ALL THE ORGANS, AND MUSCLES! what did you get for your 28th birthday?
She is the best friend anyone could have...she will go out of her way for you, if ever in need, and is as loyal as they come if that could be a fault. She doesn't have many others so we would have to count that one I guess. She is giving and loving and every mom wants her to marry their son, and everyone who meets her knows that her smile will not be soon forgotten.

Randi has been a delight her whole life. She threw a few tantrums when she was a baby, but she got that out of her system early, and has been a dream to raise & watch turn into the beautiful woman of God that she is today! She is not only my daughter, but I admire her as a person. I think she is a favorite of all her siblings, she is just as giving as you could imagine.

I love you two more than you could ever know, and I am so proud of the people you have become. You add so much to our family and to your friends lives, and I know we couldn't have made it thru without your light and your love!

17 comments:

Traci Elizabeth said...

YAY!! happy birthday Garen and randi!! OOOOHhh...how i love your children!!

Brendon said...

What a wonderful tribute to your children.

Happy birthday Garen & Randi! You truly are amazing people with great talents and ambitions. We love you!

River said...

Happy B-day Garen, Randi and Sheryl! I hope you all have had good ones. Sheryl... I hope you remember me... I know it's been years. I found you thru Mike and Dejah's blog.

Lauri said...

Oh yeah! Garen would be an awesome history teacher. Maybe the students would actually pay attention an listen to him.

And who doesnt love Randi. Seriously! I remember the first time I met her and thought, "there's a girl with a lot of spunk!"

Happy birthday to both of you!

Dejah said...

You always write beautiful blogs. Happy Birthday Garen and Randi! We love you both!

Erin said...

Way to raise some awesome kids my dear!

Happy Birthday you two kids!

Randy is awesome and some of my favorite camp memories include her!!

And I would so take history agian just to have Garen!!

Grammy Staffy said...

You have such a wonderful family. This was a lovely tribute to Randi and Garen. I wish them both a very happy birthday....I love the cute picture of you with Randi...cute gals for sure.

Emily said...

That is the best tribute! I love the picture of Randi at the wedding, she looks stunning! So beautiful and Garen looks cute with that girl!

Heidi said...

Happy Happy birthday! Love that picture of Randi from the wedding. Do you have the one of our little family from that day?

Marie Rayner said...

Happy Birthday to what sounds like two pretty wonderful people!!! They look so happy and like people I would love knowing. Isn't it a wonderful feeling to know you have brought up your children to be decent human beings? There is 23 months between each of my 4 oldest children, just like stairsteps. At the time I thought it was pretty crazy and hectic, but my empty hands would give anything to be able to start that all over again! They grow up far too fast! I just turned 53 and my oldest is 34. Crazy! Where did the time go!

Sara said...

Ok. Could there be better Mom than that?! I love the way you love! xoxo

Christensen Family said...

Happy Birthday too! That was a wonderful post. I thought having kids 15 months apart was bad/hard... Wow! A year apart. I can't complain at all. You are an amazing woman/mother.

Christensen Family said...

Happy Birthday Garen & Randi, we sure do miss you guys!!!

Carolyn Baggett said...

can i just say I LOVE your family and not that it matters but your girls look a LOT like me and my sisters!!! Randi has gotten mixed up with being me and Katie's sister so MANY times, in fact, the very day I met my husband Charlie, Randi was with me and Katie and he thought she was our sister!!! craziness!

Sundbergs said...

What a sweet post. I think your children are great too and I hope they had great birthdays.

Jenn said...

Happy Birthday Randi and Garen!! This was a very sweet post- your children are great! love them all and we were so lucky to have grown up with such great examples.

Emily said...

Happy birthday! Your mom described you 2 perfectly! And it really makes me miss you guys! Randi you look so BEAUTIFUL!!