A look back....

Since participating in chocolate on my cranium 's Family Proclamation celebration. It has made me think a lot about just how important what the family proclamation says is. I was not raising in the Church. I was not raised in any church or religion. I am not going to go into my childhood as that is a long post for another time :) But I will say it is the complete opposite of how my life is now. So lets go back and see a little how my life has changed in comparison to what the family proclamation tells us :)

"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."

I gave birth to my first child December 25th, 1989. I had turned 17 years old about 4 months before. I was unmarried, and not even still dating her "father". Yes I was a unwed teen Mom. I was blessed to have a wonderful Mother who helped me and stood by me though. And this child changed my life forever, in a good way :)

"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."

So I meet and married my 1st husband in 1990. We were married March on my senior year of high school. I didn't tell my Mom until 2 weeks later, I was also pregnant again. Which is a huge part of the reason we got married. I gave birth to my 2nd daughter that August. By mid 1993 I was single again and pregnant. I gave birth to my 1st son Jan 1994. My ex husband has never seen my son, nor have I ever received a dime of child support. He has not seen my daughter since she was 2. (She is 19)

I met my now husband in 1996. He was a friend of my little brothers, and we became great friends. We moved in together on my 25th birthday. We lived a lifestyle that is night and day from the one we live now. That is a good thing :) We had a 1st daughter together Jan of 2000. We were not married, nor did I have any desire to. I had tried that, figured I wasn't any good at it, and thought things were going just fine. Luckily my husband thought different and pretty much forced me to marry him April of 2000 :) We had a son May of 2001.

That delivery was very hard, and almost killed the baby and myself. I knew "someone" was looking out for me, and begin to feel the need to go to church. I didn't know where to start looking, so just pretty much was seeking other Christian's out on the Internet. My husband was raised Jewish and wanted NOTHING to do with organized religion. That Christmas time we decided to take the kids to see Christmas lights. We started on our way to one place, but ended up on the other side of town at the Mesa temple lights. When we walked up my husband told me to go get some information from the booths they have set up with missionaries. I thought he was teasing me again and ignored him. But he persisted, and I went. The 1st thing I picked up out of all the info was the "Proclamation to the family" I knew I was in the right place :)  I filled out a contact card, and a few days later we started the discussions. My husband will tell you he could feel the spirit the minute he stepped foot on the grounds.

We were baptised that April  with our 3 oldest children. And in Sept of 2006 were sealed as a eternal family.

I know that the proclamation spells out exactly how we should live. As I have lived on the other side. It was not good there. I am so blessed that I can raise our now 9 children in truth and righteousness. I often refer people to read it, and give it framed with the Greg Olsen cards surrounding it as gifts. I know how important it is to have it hanging in my home where we can always see it and remember....

5 years and 1 day ago

I gave birth to Princess Paige :) This was not a "oh my water broke, get in the car" kind of birth story though so I will back up to 5 years and 4 days ago. I went into my Dr for my 32 week check up. I almost cancelled but felt strongly not too. Glad I learned to listen to those promptings! The nurse took all my vitals, and then my Dr came in. She asked me how I got to her office. And I asked her what she meant. 'Did an ambulance bring you in?" ( My Dr office was at the Univ of Utah hospital)  I replied ' Ummm no I drove here, parked and walked in" She just stared at me for a minute "What have you been doing today?" I am now thinking she is weird LOL " I went and got my son a haircut, went to Target, then came here" More staring. " Kelly your blood pressure is 183/110 and your pulse is 144. I am admitting you right now, and you may want to reconsider having your tubal" It is now my turn to stare. " Umm are you telling me my baby is not going to make it?" , she then said " Well I am not really sure at this point, but we need to get you upstairs NOW" So with my crying, and Adam trying to stay calm, Upstairs we went.  Monitors, poking, and prodding, and I am settled in. I am told that I am on bed rest, and will remain at the hospital for a unknown time, but it may be until I deliver. This was Friday, Sept 9th. I ask then if they could please just not bring her into this world Sept 11th. We have had so much tragedy lately, I wanted her to have a happy birthday. So I laid in bed for days, Then on Sept 12th they took me down for a fetal stress test. Left me in a chair, smiled at me and said they would be right back. By right back i didn't know they meant with a bed, and a handful of people to rush me down for an emergency c section. I cried for them to call my husband. ( He had just started a new job that day and I had no info for him there) But luckily while i was doing the stress test he kept calling my room and didn't get an answer, so he called the nurses desk. they told him what was happening and he rushed down.
I dont remember a whole lot after this as I start to have a seizure. I was told they got me stable, and delivered a blue and listless Paige who scored a 1 on the apgar. My husband arrived during this and they allowed him to see her. He asked if he could give her a blessing, and luckily being in Utah they called over the hospital looking for another priesthood holder. A male nurse rushed and helped him give her a blessing, and with 5 min she scored an 8! She was taken into NICU. I was taken to a recovery room. I thought I didnt make it through the delivery so was a little freaked out when I woke up and saw my husband and kids there. It took me a min to figure it all out. A wonderful nurse then brought me in a picture of Paige she took and printed at the NICU so I could see my baby for the 1st time....

I then spent 2 weeks in the hospital because they could not figure out what was wrong with me since my BP and pulse stayed high. Finally after me freaking out about having blood drawn all the time, and my IV's blowing out, I mentioned a odd pain in my left side. A ultrasound reveled a blood clot in my pelvis brought on my a hay wagon accident ( That is a whole'nother story LOL) So a couple of days of blood thinners, and I was on my way. Sadly Paige had to stay for 6 weeks.

She arrived at NICU 2 lbs 6 oz and 15 in long. After 6 long weeks she got to come home at 4 lbs. A baby that small has to be in a specialcar seat that lays flat. And her preemie clothes were HUGE. Everyone was scared to hold her, and we had to be super careful bringing her out, But I was just so glad to get her home.

We knew it was touch and go for awhile, so it was really important to get her blessed. I had to order her a tiny special made blessing dress. I still pull it out and marvel at how tiny she was. A dear friend who helped with our joining the church did her blessing for us. I remember crying when he wish health upon her because I felt so comforted when I heard those words.

And here we are 5 years later... No major illness', No brain damage, no CP like we feared just a BUSY little girl who I cant imagine not having in my life....

Happy Birthday to you Miss Paige, and many more...

The Family Proclamation

Over on one of my favorite blogs Chocolate on my cranium they are doing something really cool! And I have decided to join in :) Every Monday (yes I am late this week LOL) there is a topic to blog about. This week is "September 6 - Photo Essay: Photos that "say" something about the Family Proclamation. For example, a picture of your family playing a game with the caption from the proclamation that says, "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on . . .wholesome recreational activities."


So here is my contribution...

"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."

"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."

"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other."

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness."

(Picture is from the Daddy/Daughter ball our stake holds yearly)

"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."

"The family is ordained of God."