Learning the art of....

I am learning the art of saying no. Of saying no to things that are great but will take away from me being the best Mom I can be. This is a hard lesson for me and I know I miss out on time to build friendships or participate in something that would be enjoyable or fun or enriching. Don't get me wrong, I believe it is of the upmost importance to take care of yourself as a Mother and a Woman. But you have to prioritize what is best for your family. I am finally learning the power of "No" with no guilt--no strings attached.

I am learning the importance of time.  Spending time with the ones I love. Enjoying every single moment. Of not hurrying or rushing (and how much that makes me a better person and Mother). Of less things on my to-do list. Of less in my schedule. Of more relaxing. I am loving it. Less helps me enjoy more. My heart is full of more gratitude, each day is filled with more joy and life is just so much better.

I am discovering myself and staying true to Rachael. It is a great journey. Discqovering and staying true to me.

Getting to know me!

I used to dread my birthday. Getting older. I thought my life was literally going to end when I turned 30!

Lately though, I have come to the realization that I am loving my thirties! I have learned so much and feel like I am finally getting to the core of who I am. And living true to that everyday. Every single day.

I am a mother! This is the most important thing I do. I want to live each day with the intent to do my best, create memories with my children and build relationships with them. I am married to my best friend. Our relationship is awesome, but that's because we work on it everyday. Strengthening our relationship and spending time together is a priority.

I love the Gospel. My savior. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for me. I know I am his daughter. I want to let my light shine every single day. To learn, to grow in my testimony and to serve the
Lord with all of my heart.

I am grateful that I am getting to know myself better, to focus on the things that matter most. Everyday. I am so grateful that I am learning to manage my priorities, to learn my limits. It is liberating!

Looking beautiful

Looking good makes me feel beautiful. I know clothes are just clothes. But still they matter. I have learned the value of great basics in my closet and how to dress fabulously for little.

DO:
Only buy things that you LOVE. You know those clothes that you put on and always work. I always ask myself, do I LOVE this before I buy it. If I am on the fence, I wait. You can always come back to buy something. It takes more time to buy GREAT pieces, but it is totally worth it. 

DO: 
Plan lots of time to shop. I try on everything. Everything. (I never buy anything on line). So many times, the shirt I think I will love-- look awful on me. And the thing I feel so-so about on the hanger, I love when I try it on. Nothing worse than being in a rush.

DO: 
Shop thrift/consignment stores. So much money is spent in fashion --I try to get the best end of it. Quality clothing/accessories/shoes for close to nothing. Again, you have to be patient and try on lots. But I love getting a great fitting skirt for $3 or a designer purse for under $5. It doesn't have to cost a lot to look great. 

DON'T:
Get fixated on a size. I always look in the size above and below my size. I feel best when I am comfortable and my clothes fit. When they aren't too tight or baggy. Plus, I've found that wearing the size that fits best (maybe a size bigger than you are used to) looks best too. 

DO: 
Accessorize--A necklace, scarf or pair of earrings can give your t-shirt and jeans or any outfit a quick lift. This is how your basics stretch so far, by mixing pieces and accessories --you create endless POSSIBILITES! The best part, accessories are cheap! 

DO:
Stay true to yourself! I love bright colors and have finally figured out that although an outfit can look great, if it is a pastel, it just doesn't speak to me. For others, pastels are their thing. So, I only choose things that are bright colors/patterns. I am loving this change. Be true to yourself--Bright all the way 
baby!

DO:
Get dressed everyday. Make yourself beautiful. Even if you have no where to go and will be taking care of babies all day. It makes such a difference. The best thing you can do for others is to take care of yourself! It doesn't matter what you wear, the important thing is that you feel beautiful. 

Now go and shine. 

My family

 Olivia playing basketball. She is a great defender. She really

gets the concept. I just LOVE watching her play

 She plays so hard, and so smart. 

 Everyone was bunched up on one side, so she dribbled to the 

other side and scored.

 Power defense. She makes my heart smile.

 I love this boy.

 POWER IN THE HOUSE!!!

{what Isaac yells because he kicks the ball}

 He LOVES to play and he is so much fun to watch.

 Action shot!

 Michael Boy! 

My camera promptly ran out of battery, it is all charged up now and I will be getting some shots 

at  his last games this weekend. 

I love how he puts his heart and soul into every game

 Three day weekend means putting the fort up in the playroom for a sleepover. Waylon crashing the party. He is just the BEST dad ever.

 Michael

Kind

Happy

Sweet to his core

Great Helper

Loves: Lego's, Reading, Root beer, basketball, soccer, playing board games, his family, learning, Math, anything large muscle, anything with his Dad (watching football is his fave)

Can't believe he is going to Middle School next year.

He is totally a Daddy's boy

ALWAYS willing to hug me

 My treasures. Adorable, aren't they?

 Isaac

Happy

Silly

Affectionate

An individual

Loves: Pillow Pets, Wii, tickles, playing with Michael and Olivia, reading, basketball, 

soccer, gymnastics, school, sweets, fruits/veggies

This kid makes me smile everyday.

Olivia

Thoughtful

Kind

Fun

Smart

Determined

Beautiful

Hard Worker

Loves: Her Mom, pillow pets and many other stuffed animals, her friends, art and anything creative, playing with her brothers, french toast, PB and Jelly, to be silly, reading, basketball, gymnastics, football, loves to watch design star with me.

Growing into such a wonderful young woman! 

.

.

.

Top all of that with my great hubby!

My family is the best!

I just love them :)

My new mantra

This moment is perfect. That is my new Mantra.

Perfect despite the kids arguing.

Perfect despite the health issues.

Perfect despite the messy house.

Perfect despite the lack of sleep.

Perfect despite the tween's attitudes.

JUST PERFECT. Plan on life being messy, disappointing etc. but plan on LOVING and LIVING
Every.single.moment to its fulest potential.

See the beauty.

Embrace the challenge to sty positive.

This moment is perfect.

Finding Me

I feel like the past year I have been getting closer to Me.....

The Me that focuses on what I really value

The Me the simplifies

The Me that accepts (and loves) myself as I am RIGHT NOW

The Me that tells and shows my husband that I love and adore him daily

The Me that enjoys every single moment of every single day

The Me that is more patient with myself and my shortcomings

The Me that chooses to trust in the Lord in all circumstances

The Me that loves who I am now and sees her Divine potential

The Me that knows I AM AWESOME and knows its okay to let everything fall apart sometimes

The Me that is Grateful, I mean grateful to my core because REALLY I am so blessed

The Me that does less, buys less, is content with less.

The Me that prays always so that my Father always knows what is in my heart

The Me that knows there is life after death, that it is real, I will be there



The Me that loves being pampered and treated like a princess from her sweetheart

The Me that knows how essential it is to take care of herself, that it is the best thing she can give to others!

The Me that loves to read, listen and do things that invite the Holy Ghost

The Me that knows that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and my family
The Me that is perfectly content with where I am and who I am

The Me that sparkles because she knows and believes that she is a daughter of God

The Me that love, love, loves being a Mother

Choices...

I choose happiness!
It isn't always easy.
It doesn't come naturally to me
It takes work
But it is a choice.
Life is better.
The sun shines brighter.
The flowers smell better.
I see more good.
I feel the Lord's tender mercies.
I feel my Heavenly Father's love.
.
.
Repeat daily or hourly if needed.
(now I choose to clean my house...lol)
Sometimes not fun, but I love the end result