The Family....what I believe...

"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."-Proclamation to the World

Camping trip to Cold Creek

Finally used our auction item we won at the YW's silent auction which was a razor rental and toy hauler for 2 nights. The razor was fun the trailer not so fun...wow was it not so fun! Company was awesome though and we had a few intense games of Rummycube!

  

           

After Camp Pool Party

We had an after camp swim party at my house to take an actual picture in our camp shirts (we were missing quite a few girls due to vacations) and to watch a video of all our pictures of our fun adventures!                                                                                            

Our cute YCL's did leader award and we loved them! So thoughtful!! And of course the girls gave me heart failure when I saw them jumping off the waterfall piggy back style. Gotta love them

My week at Girls Camp

Kate riding a horse for the first time

 I had the great opportunity to spend the week with 39 wonderful girls and 9 amazing women and 2 fun and supportive guys! We went to the Rockin R Ranch in Antimony Utah and had a blast!
I am so blessed to serve with women who love the Young Women and each other unconditionally and they are just so much fun!!! And to top it off I have 3 girls in there with me.

Me trying not to look like a complete fool and failing miserably

Hiking with Kate and Shekynah

Kate learning the two step (mother alarmed)

Brooklyn also learning the two step

Brooklyn

Me and Kris doing the crab crawl hahahaha 

Brooklyn practicing archery

Evidently the Decker girls are a bit competitive!

Temples

"In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped 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 their divine destiny as heirs 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."
-Proclamation to the World

We were able to take our family with the youth to see the Payson temple open house! Brayden, who was at BYU, met us there. It is absolutely beautiful. The young women have raved about it ever since and many want to get married there. I was struck how silent it became in the celestial room. Even though many did not know the significance of the room they felt the spirit there. We live in a time where we get to witness God's miracles and majesty all around us! 

Brooklyn 4th Year Hike

Brooklyn did a back pack 2 night 20 mile hike to Pine Valley  with the 4th year girls. Her pack was overweight but she didn't care (27 pounds). I was pretty nervous for her. The thought of the "potty pack" was enough to scare her to only pee twice up there- HAHAHA- but she loved it. She came back and said she didn't know why everyone said it was so horrible. She said it was fun and the scenery was beautiful. You have to love our happy sunshine girl! 

 

Playing games

One of our favorite things to do is to spend time together! When we are lucky enough to have all the kids in town then we enjoy have a fun and usually fiesty game of Settlers of Catan! All of them are competitive and it can get loud. And it makes me so happy. This is what heaven feels like.

Learning to drive

Ok so they may be 22 and 18 but neither one of my boys know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle. Lucky for them Brayden married this cutie who owns one and taught them how this week! HA! What an adventure!! Colby was more excited than Brayden. I think Brayden was hoping to remain unknowledgeable so that Heather would have to drive when they were in her car. Its good to have fun and pretty driving instructors (and patient)!

Family Time

There is nothing that brings me greater joy and happiness then spending time with my family! Especially in the pool

After temple feast!

It wouldn't be a proper Decker post to not include the after party feasting. Colby was most excited to pick where we would go to eat after. We said he could eat anywhere. He picked Famous Daves. He said it was the nicest place we have ever eaten at. HAHAHA! That is sad isn't it. I guess thats what you get being in a family with 8 kids- sorry. We told him not to get used to it ;)

Best Day Ever! Colby's Temple Day

Of all the happy and proud moments we have had with Colby these past few days (with Seminary graduation and High school graduation) this was my happiest. Going to the temple with him was pure joy. Seeing the joy in his eyes was even better. He got it. And the I looked over and thought my heart would burst with love and pure happiness and joy when I watched his dad and brother sitting there with him helping him. Having my parents there and Heather and Brayden made it so sweet and a day I will never forget. I am so grateful for temples and the saving ordinances and covenants that are preformed therein that make it possible for my family - and all families- to be eternal families! Because I sure love my family!!!

Dinner after graduation at Red Robins

Colby Graduation Day at the Thomas Mac Center!

Working with the youth

I have the great honor of serving the young women in our ward. I get to rub shoulders with the excellent young men also. Seminary and High School graduation is a little bitter sweet for me as I say goodbye to girls I have watched grow from shy, awkward Beehives (12 years old) to confident, beautiful, strong and faithful 18 year old women. I'm sad to not get to spend weekly time with them but I am so excited for their next adventures in life. The world is a better place because of them!
Here are a few of them