HALLOWEEN 1967

Liz in her homemeade clwon costume 1967...

Bennett and Cameron as a clown...

My mom made this clown cstume for me in 1967. Me and my 2 sisters wore it...Chrisitne, Bennett and Cameron wore it (can't seem to find Christine's picture in the clown costume but I can picture it perfectly)...and now it's Tess's turn...

Carving pumpkins...

Tess and Cameron are SO excited for Halloween! They have been counting down the days until they got to carve their pumpkin!! Tomorrow is the big day!!

I expect to pass through this world but once; Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it,for I shall not pass this way again.

Acacia Village update...

It's really happening!! All the hard work and fundraising...Here are the latest pictures of the new Children's home in Acacia Village. It will replace the orphange that Tess came from. It will house 250 orphans!! Next are the medical center and school room!! Such a blessing for the children that will live there until their new families can come get them!!! Keep Acacia Village in your prayers because God is listening!!! www.acaciavillage.org

parent teacher conerences

Tess continues to do amazingly well at school. I met with her teacher, Mrs. Milner, yesterday and she could not believe she has only been speaking english for just over a year. She has already tested out of the resource pull-out program that she had last year. She also scored in the 88% in language for the grade level testing they did in September!! How's that for a quick learner. Mrs. Milner said the class recently did a project for another class and asked for a volunteer to present it to the other class. Tess raised her hand and was choosen. Mrs. Milner said it was not easy and it involved getting up in front of 2 classes and giving the presentation...she was great!! I wish you all could be with her on a daily basis...she is really an extraordinary person! I am so honored and lucky to be her mom!!....and you should see her play soccer...that's another story-AMAZING!!

Miss Independent

Tess was on her own this morning...Jeff woke her up and jumped in the shower. He told her Cameron was sick and mom was sleeping and she should get ready and ride her bike to school. Jeff and I went to the U2 concert last night and got home at 1:30 am. Cameron was burning with fever so I was up with him and did not get much sleep. So Tess got herself dressed, got herself breakfast and rode her bike to school....all by herself!! and she is so responsible that she even left me a note saying that she did not feed the dogs so that I knew to feed them when I got up!! She sees me leaving notes on the counter a lot to communicate with Jeff and Bennett...and she picked it up without me ever telling her about it-WOW!! What a great daughter we have!! Such a smart girl!!

Grandma Ann's 1 year memorial

Our sweet Grandma Ann passed away 1 year ago this weekend. We all had a stone bench made in her honor and had a service to dedicate it this weekend.
Sitting on grandma's new beautiful bench...outside the sanctuary
Jeff and his sisters Jane and Jenifer at the dedication- sitting on the new bench
Bennett and grandpa
We all went to lunch after the service...we miss you grandma.

It's still summer in California...

I don't mean to brag but it is still 75-80 degrees and sunny everyday...

DO HARD THINGS

Funny...when I look back on old posts it was all about Tess...she is doing so well that she is now just a "regular" Jonas.  I feel like my focus has changed a bit towards my teenagers-who seem very needy all of the sudden :)  At Saddleback Church this past Sunday I saw this book and it really hit home with me for Bennett and Christine...DO HARD THINGS by Alex and Brett Harris.  These boys are twins from Oregon and have written such an insightful book that anyone with or related to a teenager should buy them this book.  It really speaks to kids about stepping it up and doing more than is expected of them in today's self-serving society...even if it's HARD!! ...worth a read...and you should read it too -guaranteed to put a spark in you too!!

Young Life youth group...

Young life summer camp in Upstate California this past August...life changing for these kids!!

Bennett belongs to a youth group called Young life.  We are so happy for him and the whole group.  They meet every Monday and have various activities where they meet as a group to worship and help each other grow as teens and Christians.  Bennett is very dedicated to it and we are thankful for Mark and Jaime for their leadership.  The work they are doing with these teenagers is remarkable!!

PARIS...need I say more...

AHHH...Paris...the city that brought Jeff and I together...always such an amazing, special place for us.  We walk around and remember where we used to meet for our first dates...24 years ago!  It's still just as much fun!!
...trying to do a self portrait on the Champs-Elysee with the Arch de Triomphe in the back ground...it was my birthday...
...the shopping...NO COMMENT
...great Parisian graffitti...
the courtyard of the school Christine will be attending next semester...we went to visit it for her and took a bunch of photos...we're so excited for her!
Jeff's favorite thing about Paris...FROMMAGE!! (cheese)

Until our next trip...Au Revoir Paris!!

DAD"S 80th in Portugal

Happy Birthday dad!  We all met in Portugal to celebrate my dad's 80th!  The party was in the winery of a beautiful old "Quinta".  It was so great to see all my family and friends from growing up!!
My first cousins and sister and my cousins Dutch husband.
Jeff with Joao Paulo and Peter...they clean up nice!!
Daddy's girls...
The birthday boy and his daughters...Here's to many many more. We love you dad!!!

Football fun

The pre game is half the fun!! The boys are already at the field and we grab a quick bite.  I am really starting to like the "friday night lights" club!! 

PS.  We won...Bennett had a great game...

PSS  Off to France and Portugal for work and my dad's 80th birthday...NOT TAKING THE COMPUTER so no posting for 10 days!!  Au Revoir...

OUR BABY IS 19 !!!!!

Happy Birthday Christine!!  We cannot believe you are 19!  You are  amazing, interesting, fun-to-be-around, loving, responsible,talented, courageous, smart...I could go on and on!!  You are hilarious and you win the "most photos taken of oneself" award.  We miss you every single day!! I am so looking forward to watching your fabulous life unfold!!  The world is yours for the taking!!....don't mind if I ride along on your coat tails...heehee

LOVE YA TONS!! Happy Birthday Christine Jellybean!! OXOXOXOX