The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

I remember the day that I received a copy of the proclamation.

My faithful home teacher brought me over a copy. I remember sitting and reading it and having an overwhelming feeling come over me that the decisions that I had just made, were the right decisions for my family and myself.

I had always thought that you get married and live happily ever after...the end.

That is not how it always works out.

I would never wish divorce on any family unless circumstances are 'in the safety of your family'.

Because of bad decisions on my part-I was faced with many circumstances and hardships in the safety of my family and I still do face many hardships because I did not rear my children up as I should have.

The difference today is, because of a wise daughter and many loving family members and a faithful home teacher-I have the gospel in my life, I have a husband that honors his priesthood and me. He treats my (grown) children as his children. We work together for the things that are most important in life-each other and our family. I really thought that the proclamation was mine, written for me and it is.

How grateful I am for a living prophet who is so inspired by a loving Heavenly Father. I testify that our Heavenly Father does listen and hear our pleads. It is our responsibility to listen for the answers. The Proclamation was the answer to my prayer at a time that I really needed it and when I was willing to listen.

Children are an heritage of the Lord

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

Plan for Happiness

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.

I Have Purpose....

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

The Family Proclamation To The World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

More Cute Pictures of Shelby

3 days old.

Check out all the dark hair. Mmmm must be from Jed's side ;)

Derrik and the Duck's

I needed a good laugh today. Thought I would share.

So my battery died for my camera and I had to try and find one. Nobody had one - so I had to order one off of the Internet. I was soooo HAPPY when it finally came. I don't like not having my camera.

When I looked at my pictures off of my camera it had all of Zoee's party pictures. We had such a good time at her party. I even got in and played on the big water slide. I will save the shock of my white body and not post that picture...lol I can hardly believe that Zoee is 7. She is such a beautiful girl. She reminds me so much of her mom.
Jed has been working hard on the house. He has very little time to spend at home but I can say that the time he does have he spends on the house.... and of course

the goats. LOL

I have been waiting to take a picture of Jed and his kids how they follow him back to get food. They crack me up. I will have to show you more of Willy jumping on his back. They keep us entertained.

Okay - laugh it up - Just wait until you guys turn 50...lol

Shelby Jaylynn

Shelby Jaylynn arrived Thursday August 19. This is Tim and Angelina's little girls.
7 lbs 13 oz
19 inch long
Desi went up to the hospital and took these pictures or her. Thanks Des.....

You Are Invited to a Family Proclamation Celebration...

What: A month-long blog party celebrating The Family Proclamation - with link-up parties, guest posts galore, and lots of giveaways

When: September 2010
Where: "We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice In Christ" and "Chocolate On My Cranium" and all across the blogosphere!

Why: Because we love The Family Proclamation and want to encourage you to share it, to live it, and to teach it to your family. Also because it has been around for 15 years now!

I found this awesome picture online and wanted to share it. I can't even remember who's link I took it off of. If I find it, I will post it.

I know, I have been boring lately 'but' my battery died on my camera and I had to order a new one. How can I blog with out my camera? That is just unheard of. Give me a couple of days and I will up-date my blog.

I received this poem from a sweet lady in our old ward the other day. I still have no idea why she would give this to me but it sure did touch my heart at a time that I really needed it.
I wanted to share it will all of you.....


Walking Home With You

Not long ago when I was home with Father every day,
He finally said, "It's time for school," and sent me on my way.
Just as I was leaving there, He said, "Please hurry home."
"I'm sending others too, so you won't be alone."
He knew that I would need a friend, So he sent you to help me home again.
And I would like to thank you for everything you do.
I'm glad I'm walking home with you.
During times I realize that I have so much to learn.
There is someone there teaching me at every turn.
And when the road is rocky and my heart starts to complain.
You are there to comfort me and take away the pain.
He knew that I would need a friend. So he sent you to help me home again.
And I will like to thank you for every thing you do.
I'm glad I'm walking home with you.

Christy Riches Hickson

This past week has been very busy. Where is the summer going? Crazy to think that I will be back to school in 25 days. Not sure I can say that I have enjoyed this summer though. Who ever said "Life is not easy" knew what he was saying. I am hoping that "but worth it" comes to light. Thank goodness for family and friends.

My cute daughter is so thoughtful of everyone. She does so much and I am so proud of her. Did I say 'my daughter' Oh yea, I am proud of her....I love her tons!!

She put together a shower for Angelina. Ang didn't pass out invitations to her friends so it was just a small one. Thanks to Leslie for joining in with us.

Meagan had some fun games to play.

Desi is always finds great buys :)

She decorated up her home so cute.

Now we just wait for our little girl to arrive.

Oh did I tell you how glad the kids were to have Justin home. LOL....he got molled. It was nice to hear his report back from his mission. Justin is just a part of our family.

Also on Sunday Tim got put in as 2nd Counselor in the Young Men's. He will do such a good job. We are so proud of him!

On Monday we had another birthday BBQ, this time for Derrik. The only problem was that the rain came down :( grrr. Thanks again to Tim and Desi for 1st letting us have it at their home and 2nd for letting us all come in the house. She had it fixed up so cute.

Justin came and joined the party.

Steven's came too. He was our home teacher when we first moved into our ward "and not active" He would come over and get his ears talked off from my boys. LOL....just ask him. Amber thought she kept my husband long ... he he he We did our share with Pres. Stevens.

So so grateful for a good home teacher that continued not to give up on us. Needless to say, he is in the Stake Presidency now.

Vickers came and joined in. They are so good to my Derrik.

Derrik made a very special friend when he was in the 10th ward. It was so hard for him when Bro. Bateman moved away. He is so dear to Derrik. When we opened the door and saw him and his family, we were so excited. I will have to say - that was the best gift he could have gotten. And as you can see by this picture.....He also talked Bro. Batemans ear off too. Love you Man!

It has been a while since we have seen the Bateman's. I could not believe how (I was going to say big but that's not what I mean. . .can I say old...?) and beautiful Lindsy is. I had to take a picture. I will always remember her with her long blond hair and the cute little dresses she always wore. Isn't she so cute!

Thanks to everyone that celebrated everything with us this past week. I do love get togethers with those that we love.

Next big day......

Zoee's Birthday Party.

30 years old!

I can hardly believe that he is 30. It wasn't that long ago that I wondered if he would ever make it to 1...but he did. How blessed I am to have been a part of his life this past 30 years. You know there once was a Doctor that told me...."he will never walk or talk". Not only does he walk and talk, he is an amazing son, brother, husband, father. He is such a hard worker. WalMart is very lucky to have him.

Derrik has taught me so much. I don't know anyone that is so quick to forgive and move on. His love is truly unconditional. He loves his cousins, uncles and aunts. I recall him telling each one of them that they were his "favorite" and he meant it. They have always been his cheerleaders in his life and for that I thank you!!!!

I am so proud of all of my kids but today I will focus on my miracle child for that is what he is. I thank my Heavenly Father for allowing me to raise this precious child - for I know that his life was in His hands.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DERRIK! I love you!!!!

My Brave Little Baby Girl ;)

She was so brave! We had to wait for 1 hour in the waiting room. Not once but twice (2) she let me know that she needed to go potty. I took her out and she went both times. Yes - not only is she pretty, she is smart too. lol.....
I should have waited to bathe her. I forgot the smell of the burning hair.

Her little voice is very soft now that she screamed while they burned her horns. Everyone in the waiting room could hear her cry. She is doing better, she is now back with her men.

Zoee would have been very proud of her!

My Up Town Goat

So we all joke about my goats being up town goats. It all started when I would run behind my goats to wipe their bums and give them baths. I just like things to be clean! lol.....

Well we recently got 2 more goats. Jezzebell and Karl. Today I have an appointment to have Jezzes horns burned off. This is very traumatic for goats when they are older. Some goats are even put under for this but Jezz is going to be brave and so I thought I would just coddle her for a while starting out with a nice bubble bath.
When I put her in the bath tub - she didn't try to jump out like our other goats. Look.....no hands. Okay the last owners of her must have given her baths before. I am not the only goat owner that likes her goats to be up towners.

Then she got a nice shampoo/conditioning and then yes...I gave her a bottle of water and let her stay in our back yard 'without those boys'. She gets to eat all she wants and let the ducks chase her all around. Next post will be the down side of this day. The Vet...and no more horns.

Now isn't she precious! ;)

A couple of weeks ago Zoee asked Grandpa if he would help her with a float for a neighborhood primary parade. They talked about fixing up his truck and letting the kids all ride in the back but then were told "no motor vehicles allowed" in the parade. So Jed started with a little coleman trailer
added a little paint. I helped with the stars.

Added a little material and some cute little pioneers.

And went to the parade. He is so clever!

What a fun idea for the kids.

Only one problem. HEAT!

I was glad to see near the end of the parade that someone was smart enought to hand out some otter pops.

I don't think the kids even minded the heat. They had fun.

Then we went over to the church and had a BBQ with our old ward. It was so nice to see everyone and to visit. The kids really enjoyed the slip and slide.

Has anyone ever noticed that it is alway's my grandkids that end up naked? Like at McDonalds and parks. Okay so atleast they don't look for big tree's. LOL. Can't say I blame them. If I could have - I would have too.

This next week brings us more BBQ's. I am looking forward to Tims '30'th Birthday BBQ and Justins welcome home. Wow - where does the time go?

Okay, so my priorities may not be in order but that's okay for now. I do know that my family comes 1st and that is most important. It's the time it takes to blog and what I should be doing right now ... like helping Jed.

Oh well - I had to tell you all about today before I forget.
Today was free day at This is the Place. I love that place, especially when it's free! We started early in the morning.
We got there before the crowd. YES!

So the kids got to ride the horses about 5 times - right in a row.

I think they had fun.

Then we went down and did some crafts. What a sport the boys were.

Of course we had to ride the train.

Tysen LOVES trains. Thomas the train that is.

It was hot today so the ride was nice.

Even Baylee got hot so we ate lots of free Popsicles.

Zoee and Evva entered in a contest. I think they should have won. They were the cutest in my book.

After eating all the Popsicles the kids were hungry so we stopped and ate.

I chose this picture of Desi and Derrik over the 'see' food...thank you very much Derrik.

It was fun just walking around and looking at all the old homes.

So can you tell what kind of rug they are laying on?

Buffalo

Then another little train ride.

and then off home we went. It was a fun day. Thanks everyone for spending the day with me. Okay now I had better go and help Jed.