The End of Life in Missouri

At Christmas, I made the decision to stay in Missouri a few more months. I was thinking about moving but based on the circumstances, I wanted some more time at home before leaving the nest. In February, I started working in the medical billing office I worked in last fall with my friend, Brittany. I started going to Singles Ward and made a lot of great friends. Then we moved to Holt. I know...where's that?? It's a small town north of Liberty and we absolutely LOVE it there. I quit my job the end of May so I could have more time with my family and work on my paintings. I started going to my new Single's Ward and had such a fantastic summer with them. Many more great friends.

I am so grateful I stayed in Missouri and I will cherish these 8 months forever. I learned a lot about myself, my family, and my desires. I miss my family with all my heart and I wish I could still be there. However, life called me here to Utah. I like to think of that time at home as a glimpse of heaven. Family. Laughter. Joy. Doing what we love while being together. Here are the photos from that fabulous time.

Wearing my heels

Flowers from Eddie...my first date since breaking up with Chris.

At work, I collected all the colored paper clips and used them instead of the boring, silver ones. It made my days a little more fun. I was so grateful for that job. It was a wonderful blessing and I enjoyed it there. It was an hour drive to and from Holt though and it was driving me nuts how much time it was taking from my life. So I quit 3 months before moving.

I met these ladies in the Platte City Single's Branch. They are twins named Erin and Sonja Litster. We came to find out that they are David Dahl's cousins...my dear friend from Alaska.

Our new house in Holt, Missouri. We moved here on February 6th. We absolutely love being in a small town and we love the country life. It's a blessing for my dad to live so close to work.

My cat discovered that the towel closet in the bathroom is a fabulous place to sleep. My mom isn't too fond of it.

EASTER

JEB AND BRITNEY'S VISIT

Teaghan and BriAnn became friends and it was fun to see the cousins together. It was fun having them visit for a little bit on their way to Florida. We haven't all been together since Jeb got home from his mission. They came on Mother's Day and it was simply heaven on earth that day.

Me and my precious baby, Cricket. Her and I were inseparable this year. She was always in the same room as me. Leaving her was painful. It hurts because she doesn't understand why I'm not there anymore and that just kills me. It's just a year and then I'll have her back...hopefully.

FROGS

We had guests every night this summer on our back windows...little frogs! They came at night when all the bugs were attracted to the light from our windows and ate them. We would have anywhere from 1-4 frogs at a time, big and small. It was so fun seeing them.

Kearney Single's Branch

I enjoyed the Platte City Single's Branch, but when I finally started going to the Kearney one after moving, I fell in love with it. I had so much fun going to this branch. I made so many great friends and had a blast at all the activities.

Game night at my house. Here's Benny, Lauren, Brian, Symber, Grant, Me, Alan, and Lora.

Omaha Temple Trip

FHE at a Royals vs. White Sox game. The Royals won 3-1. It was my first major league baseball game and I enjoyed it.

Flour paintball FHE. We put flour in nylon socks and whacked each other silly. It was so fun!

Afterward, some of the guys were determined to build a complete pyramid...this was our best. We tried for an hour and I wanted to be done. They made me be on it because everyone else refused.

My friend, Lauren and I went to the Art Museum downtown. I've been wanting to for a long time. I love these things outside of the museum.

4TH OF JULY

We went back to the town homes to celebrate the holiday with Aubre and Eran. The celebration is always so fun there. BriAnn was so brave and got right in there. She also burned my arm with a punk stick haha. Ethan wouldn't stop for 2 seconds to let me take a picture of him and Easton sat in complete awe of what was going on.

Emma did my make up :D. It took her a good 15 minutes and BriAnn kept saying, "You look funny, Aunt Rachael." I thought it was adorable.

Ok, this right here is the cutest little boy I have ever seen. I love his outfit!

Swimming at the Walker's house with the family

It was a little too small for me. I got stuck.

This summer was unbearable. I don't know how my dad worked outside every day. It says 100 but it felt like 115 with the humidity. Not even right.

YANKEES GAME

Ann, Calvin, my grandparents, Parker, Austin, and Austin's girlfriend came to visit and we went to a Royals vs. Yankees game which was really cool. Who doesn't want to go to a Yankees game sometime in life?? It was my mom's first major league game this time. You can't tell, but we were dying of heat. We were all sweating like pigs.

MINI TWISTER THAT BLEW THROUGH TOWN

We had a mini twister, or micro burst, blow down our street. It knocked down half the trees in our yard. It seriously looked like a ward zone. Limbs were EVERYWHERE. Three of the neighbor's trees fell across the street and we couldn't even get home. That's right, my mom and I were in town and missed it all. Then my poor father was in a tree cutting down the broken limbs when a limb fell on his head and split open his scalp. 10 stitches were needed.

LAST FAMILY GET TOGETHER

We got together for dinner a couple of days before I left and decided to celebrate my birthday since I'll be in Utah for it.

Leaving was really hard. I cried my whole last week, while I packed, and the whole night before we left. We stopped by my sister's to say goodbye and I couldn't even look at her. I have been preparing to move all year but it wasn't easy at all. I am so grateful for the time I was given at home. It was indescribable. My life is in Utah now. I need to be here and I'm excited to be here. It's time for me to fly!