To Nicaragua!

My bags are packed: my ticket, passport, Deet, journal, boots, deoderant...it's all there. I leave in seven hours to catch my flight, and I am so excited for this journey. I hope to give you all a quick update during my trip, I wll have a lot to share when I return. :)

Love to you all!
Jolene xoxo

Thankful

"My hope for each of you is that you find your place in the world, because it is waiting for you to find it. May you discover your place and do what is good and honorable and just, and be battered but not broken. May you know and be known. May you find grace when you need it most, and reject bitterness when it is most tempting. Most of all, at the end of your journey, may you find peace." Tony Woodlief (a friend showed me this quote)

Once a month I meet with a group of four other amazing women to pray for our children. Between the five of us we have 15 beautiful children, soon to be 16. This time together has showed me so much about the power of prayer, fellowship and prayer with other women, and how important it is to pray for our children daily.

We have each taken a week day (mine is Tuesday) to pray for all of the children and the prayer requests brought by each of us. It is so comforting to know that every day of the week, other parents are praying for my children. Another great resource (also brought to my attention from a dear friend) is "31 Biblical Virtues to pray for your kids" it is a card with 31 prayers for every day of the month. (today the 5th is Self Control: "Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self controlled in all that they do." 1 Thess. 5:6)
You can order free cards by calling 1-800-366-7788 or going to www.praymag.com

I am so thankful for my children, and the grace, patience, and tender heart of God to guide Aaron and I in their upbringing. I am also thankful for friends and family like you...'it takes a village.' :)

Proud to be an American

Last night for Election day we had a Red, White, and Blue dessert and the kids watched the votes come in with us. They really got in to watching the states turn Red or Blue! It was moving having our family together as we watched a new piece of history be formed, a piece that will change our country forever.

Although the candidate that we voted for did not win, Obama's acceptance speech was touching and stirred a renewed sense of pride to be in a country where anything can happen. It is unbelievable to me that just years ago African Americans and women were not allowed to vote, and on our ballots this year we had the choice to elect both as leadership in our country. It is time for a change, and I am honored to be alive to see it. I am very proud to be an American!

SNL rap

I couldn't resist, this SNL skit was SO funny. Sarah Palin was such a great sport and so cute dancing on the side. Check it out. (you will have to scroll to the bottom of my blog and pause the music player)

Happy Halloween

We had a very full day of Halloween fun! We made Creepy Cupcakes and Bug Juice for part of our themed dinner. This was our fourth year of trick-or-treating at the Friendsview Manor, a retirement community here in Newberg. It was fun to have some of the employees and residents remember the kids and notice how much they had changed over the last year. After going to Friendsview, we went to a local neighborhood with some friends and went around one of the blocks. By 7:40 we were all exhausted and ready for our nice cozy beds! Ryan said, "Man, trick-or-treating makes me really sleepy..." :)

This year Ryan was an explorer, Tyler was a construction worker like Bob the Builder, and Anna was a ballerina. They were the cutest little trick-or-treaters. :) We are off to our cozy beds to rest now. Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Carving

We carved our Halloween pumpkins with the kids last night, they LOVED getting all messy in the slimy seeds. Tyler wanted a happy, smiley pumpkin. Ryan wanted a scary, spooky pumpkin and Anna wanted to put all the seeds back in the pumpkin. Ryan was emptying and Anna was filling. They were a pretty cute duo!

More to come after trick-or-treating! Happy Halloween!

A quiet day at home

Today Tyler woke up with the stomach flu, my sweet Tyler just wanted to stay in bed. Around lunch time I got him in a warm bath, fresh clean clothes, and back in bed to drink a little chicken broth. Too early. He fell asleep for three hours and awoke as my normal happy Tyler. Crazy how that happens.
We read some stories in his room: In This Snowy Place, Jamberry, and a chapter of Farmer Boy. Anna wanted to help read stories, cover him with blankets, and rub his head. She is such a little mommy at times and it is so sweet to watch her nurture her brothers.
After the stories, my own little farmer boy fell asleep. Since Ryan was still at school, Anna and I got to spend some time together snuggling, singing and painting.

After lunch and naps, Ryan came downstairs in a new outfit and said "Well mommy, I'm going to go hunting now." "Wow, you are all ready! What are you going to hunt for?" "Probably just a bear this time, we can make it into sausage and steaks." "Yum, that sounds great!' :) He is very interested in the woods and catching his own food right now. I am thinking he would love a trip to Mt. Hood, or even better, to the Rogue in Grants Pass. Nana and Papa would love to take him in their cool drift boat for fishing. :)

A quiet day at home is such a gift after a year of busyness. Lot's of good lessons learned. I am now craving simplicity.