'I am doing my best to separate the man he was [on] Saturday night from the man I married,' Ms Butler told the Houston Chronical through a family spokesman.
'I know that's not the same person. The main thing right now is my kids.'
The couple, who have been married since 2014, share two children together.
Police said the tragedy escalated when the couple started arguing in the car on Sunday on the way home from a high school reunion.
When the two arrived home, Jason pulled a gun from his truck and shot Rachel in the chest, before turning the gun on himself.
Ms Butler was rushed to hospital, and was put into a stable condition.
Rachel told the Chronicle it was a 'miracle' she'd survived.
'God needed us here for our two precious babies,' she said. 'I am very sorry everything ended this way.'
This article originally appeared on New Idea.
