Happy Birthday Randy!

Randy has lived in Las Vegas his entire life (48 years). He was born in Henderson at the St. Rose hospital there. He was the only baby in the hospital, so his mom said they got excellent care. Randy was an unexpected RH factor baby so he gave them quite a scare. But they were able to get him stabilized and healthy.

When Randy was a baby his mom was sitting under one of those old fashioned hair dryers and she heard a voice say "Go check Randy." She said it was a very distinct voice. She threw off the cap to the hair dryer and ran into where he was sleeping He had turned comp

letely blue and of course wasn't breathing. She had never learned CPR but the spirit guided her on what to do and she revived him. They didn't know about SIDS back then, but she said that probably what it was.

When Randy was about 18 months old, his mom was doing some canning at the stove. He was crawling around by her feet. Somehow the giant pot of boiling water was tipped and started to fall. Randy's mom threw herself over his little body. She had 3rd degree burns all over her body. She was taken to the hospital and ended up being there for about 2 months. But again she saved Randy from death.

Randy is a very sensitive guy. He loves little children and babies and has always been and excellent dad. He always wanted to feed our kids their baby food so he could take a part in caring for them. When Kyle was 6 months old I had to wean him because I was 2 months pregnant with Carissa. Kyle wanted nothing to do with the bottle and screamed for about 36 hours before he finally gave in and took a bottle. Randy patiently took care of him and held him the entire time!

Randy loves our three kids profoundly and I think it's been e

ven harder on him than me, this year having two of them leave the nest. I am so appreciative of him for allowing me to be a stay-at-home mom and also for making sacrifices to take care of our family. Randy is very social and has great people skills. He is always game for any plans I make for us to spend time with friends or family.

Most importantly, Randy has a solid testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for a husband who serves to his utmost ability and leads his family by example. I'm blessed to have such a loving husband. Happy Birthday Randode!

~Love, Debode

My dad is the best! He used to have a shirt that said World's Greatest Dad and it is so true (sorry to break it to everyone else who thinks their dad is the best). I remember when he used to make us pancakes every Saturday morning. My mom didn't really like that tradition because it was like eating cake for breakfast but it was definitely a favorite with us kids! He is very loving and enjoys making sure we have a good time. I love him so much and all the memories that we share.

We used to have game night every Sunday after church and we would play Monopoly and Scattergories and just about any other game we could think of. My mom used to always joke about how she has 4 kids and it is so true. He plays with us all the time. In my child development class we learned about the important roles of fathers and how their interaction with their kids develops social competence. We learned that kids who have fathers who play with them tend to: be better emotional regulators and readers, manage frustration better, be willing to explore new things and activities, and persist longer in problem solving. I am so grateful to my dad for all that he has done for me. I know he loves us very much and I hope he has a great birthday!!

~Love, Sis

My dad has always been there for me, from the times when I needed a school project done, to camping and pinewood derby cars. He has helped me out with everything that I ask for help with. Even when he is busy he always finds a way to fit me and my needs in. He is the best dad that I can possibly imagine and I love him!!! Happy Happy Dad!

~Love, Cam

Randy is a very caring and kind person and fun to joke around with. He is a good father and has always been good to Debbie. He has always been easy to get along with and loves hangin' out with the family at family parties (even if it's lying on the floor or couch sleeping) He is definitely a go-getter and pays attention to detail (remember that pumpkin he took hours to carve at Wayne & Melissa's Halloween Baby shower?) He is always willing to help others and is a great example of using clean language! Happy Birthday Randy. We love and miss you!

~Suzy

I love my dad so much, and am grateful for the opportunity I had to have a father that cared for me beyond his own cares. I remember when he would come home from work and would finally lay down on the floor and start eating his dinner that mom would warm up for him.

And as we were all there watching Home Improvment or something and little Cammy would make his way over to dad and lay next to him. Then the eventual question: Dad, can I have some? haha Cam would have eaten a full meal already and watching dad just munch down on his dinner he had been waiting for often made me a little upset at my younger brother for taking something from my dad. But I know that my dad always was willing to impart of anything he had to others. He is the best father I could have on this earth and I am thankful for my Heavenly Father choosing to send me here at this time. I love all of my family. Hopefully I continue to bring others closer unto Christ that they may have the knowledge of Eternal Families as we do.

~Peace n Love, Elder Carlson

CLICK HERE to read the spotlight written about Randy in the May 2003 family newsletter. Go to the second page and click on it to make it big enough to read.