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LDS.org - Family Chapter Detail - The Family:A Proclamation to the World

This past Sunday in Relief Society the lesson was on the family and so of course the Proclamation that was put out by the First Presidency in 1995 was used. As always no matter how many times you may read or listen to something you can always learn something new. This time I learned something about being a single parent and guiding my children in this gospel and helping them to get back to our Heavenly Father. In life I am trying my best to cover both roles. Yes the kids do see their dad but when they don't I am the one to feel that spot (I tell you it is not easy!!!) When it comes to the church I kinda feel a little bit lost because the priesthood which I used to have in my home is not there all the time. I have many family members and brethern in the church who are there for me when I need them though. They take such good care of me and my kids and I am so thankful for it. Anyways as I was saying I wasn't quite sure how to be the father rold model when it came to some stuff. As we read through the fathers part in the family my jaw dropped and a lightbulb went off. Honestly it scares me even more because that much more pressure and responsibility is put on my shoulders. I want to be the best I can for my kids. I want them to strive to have a relationship with God and each other. Some days I feel I am walking in the right direction and other days I feel so lost and alone. Thank goodness for prayers and a loving and forgiving Father in Heaven. For those who haven't ever read the proclamation to the family or for those who need a refresher here you go. I hope you enjoy and know that with God we are able to do all. Family and religion are huge to me. They make life worth living and striving for so I will have an eternal family!


LDS.org - Family Chapter Detail - The Family:A Proclamation to the World

4th of July

I know I am doing my kids a disservice when I talk more about the fun plans for 4th of July than what 4th of July really is about. I usually try and have a family home evening lesson about our freedoms prior to the 4th but I totally flopped this year because I didn't get the kids back until the 3rd and I was so excited to have them home after them being gone for 2 weeks I just relished in their hugs and hearing their voices. We did have fun together so I guess us having the Freedom to do that is what I am most grateful for.
We spent the 4th here in our hometown. I love little towns and their holiday celebrations. I know the fireworks will never live up to a cities but we have stuff out here that in the city is mayhem. We had pie eating contests, candy grab, games and of course the most looked forward to firemans water fight! At night we went back to the park to watch the fireworks. I don't know if its just me or what but there is something magical about laying underneath the night sky with fireworks going off and patriotic music playing. I love my Country!!! I love living out here and enjoying a small town 4th of July.

Our new home

Pictures of our new house. We are loving being in our own place and unpacking. The kids are finding lots of treasures that have been packed away for a year. They are happy and so excited with each box they open. I am glad they are all smiles because my boxes are not so easy to unpack. Each day brings a new meltdown but I just go to my room and cry it out. I than try and find something else to do to get me through the pain. Eventually I can go back to unpacking and for the day the pain has passed. My parents have been here with me and have stepped in when needed and held back when asked. I am grateful for them being here at this time. I know I could have done this without them but it sure helps to have someone there. This past weekend the kids and I were up in Lincoln and my parents had a little too much fun at some yard sales. They had already brought stuff down for me from Oregon but found more treasures and for awesome prices! I bet if I was the one out there prices would have been doubled if not tripled thats always my luck! Anyways they got the daybed for Sierras room, entertainment center and 2 book shelves in my family room, my kitchen table (which I totally love!) with 8 chairs and even a barstool thrown in. Our home is coming together nicely and pretty soon it will be time for my sister Shannon to step in with her decorating expertise. Its gonna look wonderful and be just the home we need. I continue to feel so blessed. People are helping me every corner I turn. The support out here is amazing and I continue to feel I am making the right choices for me and my kids.
When I was making plans for the storage pod to be delivered they told me if I could have it unloaded in 30 minutes the guy would just sit and wait and than he wouldn't have to drop it off and come back and get it days later which would save me $150. The guy said do you think you can do that? I said of course I will get some guys from my church to help. He honestly didn't believe me and I honestly was nervous seeing as they couldn't give me a time just said we will call you when we are headed there!! We at least knew the day so I kinda prepped helpers. When the storage got here I had my parents, my sister and 3 of her kids and than 5 of their friends. Within a bit there were about 8 more people from church who showed up. I thought I would be good to help but as soon as those doors for my pod swung open I broke down and basically spent the entire time in the corner of my room crying. I couldn't pull it together and knew my stuff was in good hands so I spent my time releasing hurt and anger and feeling Gods love for me take over till I was calm again. The pod was unloaded in exactally 30 min! The driver said "WOW I didn't think you could do that and I have never seen this many people show up to help. Makes me want to move back to a small town!" Yep I am blessed. Thank you to everyone who helped physically and to those who have sent their prayers and thoughts my way. They are being felt and I am so grateful to have so many good friends and family around the kids and I!



Tucker and the twins share a room




Sierras cool new bed


Courts room is small but my sister Shannon had this cool bunk. Court is loving it and it gives her room the space she wouldn't have otherwise. Her desk is already covered in her art supplies!

Womens Conference 2011

This was my 2ND year at Women's conference. I really enjoy it but honestly enjoy time with my sisters much more. I am so glad I come from a close family. We have our differences but we know we always be there for each other. We have invited our brother on our sisters trip numerous times but for some reason he passes. This year my mom sacrificed going to Women's Conference so I could go. Since I had no one to watch my kids she said she would stay with them and let me go as "I needed it more" I know it was a huge sacrifice for her and I greatly appreciate it. I had a rough beginning to my week and was really hesitant about going but when I got in the car on Wednesday I knew I was doing the right thing. I would be blessed and the growth would come as I listened and built my self esteem back up.

These two pictures would be my sisters who procrastinated picking their classes out! I knew what I was doing because I am that good :)
They eventually figured out their classes and for the most part we were all pleased with the classes that day whether we made it to the ones we originally wanted to or not. I really feel that Gods hand is in this. We may know what we want to go to but than end up in another class that was way more suited for us. That's why we should always pray and trust in the Lord to guide us.


I love the mountains but I was really trying to catch the women going from one class to another. It is awesome to see thousands of Women in one place for one purpose and that is to be better daughters of God. The morning session we sang As Sisters In Zion. That song always touches me deep and listening to thousands of sisters singing was such an amazing experience. There is such strength in the sisters in Christs church.

Thursday night there is a concert. Last years was so good but I think this years was even better part of the reason was because I got to meet those who preformed. Amazing talent was on the stage that night and some really cute talent also. Seeing though as the guys were either to young or married with kids I could only drool from afar LOL! My pictures on my camera didn't turn out that well and I was bummed that my favorite one with Kirby Heyborne didn't make it. I have liked him since the RM came out. I will say I was quite starstruck that night. I have never met anyone famous before so I was like a crazy teenager. My sisters dealt with it and supported me in my craziness. In concert was Kirby Heyborne, David Osmond, Josh Wright, Hillary Weeks, Jenny Oaks Baker, and Vocal Point. They all did such an amazing job. I laughed and I cried.
This picture is my sister Krysten, David Osmond, and I.

One of the fun things we do is service. There are lists and lists of stuff to accomplish while at Women's Conference. I am amazed every year with how much stuff gets put together. It truly is amazing what can be done with lots of sisters willing to serve! Janine and I thought we would help make princess wands to be donated to children's hospitals. They seemed easy enough till we started. Seriously the hardest craft I have ever done. I swear it is way harder than it looks. Janine is totally crafty and so it made me feel much better when she struggled.


This last picture makes me happy. This is one of my Bet Friends for school. I met Heather McCrosky when I moved to Panaca in 2ND grade. We have been friends ever since. We don't get together or talk as much as we would like so we were both pleasantly surprised when we were both going to be at Conference. We got lots of time to catch up and even though it had been 5 years since we last saw each other and many months since talking we fell right back in place. Heather is truly an amazing daughter of God. I love her and look up (or down) to her. I will strive even harder to not let 5 years pass again!

ModBod Outlet

Womens Conference and Sisters trip what could be better? I will post about that later. Today my post is about the coolest store and the two ladies who work there. As we were driving up to Provo for Womens Conference we saw a sign near the Springville exit for a ModBod Outlet. We exited and stopped at a gas station to ask directions (you men would know nothing about this) and we found a lady who didn't know where it was but as she was driving home she saw it turned around and came back to tell us where it was. Yep gotta love Utah people:) Anyways we found the store and were greatly dissapointed to find it closed. They are only open Fridays and Saturdays. We plastered our eyes to the windows trying to see all the cool stuff inside when out of the back room steps one of the ladies and shocked us. She came right up to the window and we carried on a conversation trying to get her to open the store for us as "we would make it worth her while" she told us the register wasn't up working we said its ok because we had cash! Well we finally left but of course had to make a stop on our way back home on Friday. As soon as we walked into the store she started laughing and grabbed the other lady and said "these are the girls I told you about!" Seriously these two ladies are the sweetest funniest girls ever. They totally made our shopping enjoyable and the clothes are outlet prices. We danced and sang (ok maybe just me) LOL hello who can stand still when Taylor Swift is on the radio??? Anyways we promised the ladies we would facebook and blog to get the stores name out. The store has only been opened since November I believe. Here is the address and phone number if you are ever up that way stop in and tell them Rachel and her crazy sisters told you to stop in!
ModBod Outlet 1180 N. Main St. Springville, UT 84663
1-801-491-7472

Funny thing is we all chose our bags without the others knowing so the fact that we ended up with pink and green just tells you how close our minds still are.

This is my new dress and shirt Love it!!!

Happy

For the past 2 weeks there has been a huge change come over me. I have seen and felt it inside me, those around me have commented on how happy I am. I came to this point almost overnight I decided I wanted to be happy and I was gonna do all I can to be happy again. I don't want to be a slave to the happy pill anymore. I can take charge of my life and because my depression is not patholgical and is situational I can work through this. I have many friends who suffer and I know they still need the help. I am not downplaying it at all for them. Depression is so real and needs to be taken care of with help. I have found for myself though I could take charge of it and I haven't taken the pill in 2 weeks and I am happier than I have been in a long time. I miss me. I hate my kids seeing me unhappy and crying constantly. I want them to see mom happy and see mom surviving this horrible thing thats happened in our lives. With the help of a good friend I have stepped away from things that were tying me down and looked to those things which would set my heart free and sailing. I can not change the past only effect the future. We can withstand and overcome that which is placed in our lives. God gives us only what we can handle. God knows more than me and has never led me astray. I keep my eyes on Him and will be so happy. My bucket has been draining for awhile now and in the past 2 weeks it has gone from empty to overflowing. I have to give credit to some very dear friends and family. Some friends I haven't spoken to in 13+ years and through this have reconnected with. Family who has always been there for me and always will. I love you all and I am sooooooo thankful to be feeling happy and alive again.