A Valentines Party

Another missionary mom here in Costa Rica has thrown me a lifeline. I've grabbed on and it's keeping me afloat in these crazy days of adjusting to life with four children and our new homeschooling adventure. Not only is she a long term experienced missionary mom - she also has three boys ages 10, 12 and 15 AND has raised them all on the mission field AND homeschools AND is totally into bonding and attachment and co-sleeping all that wonderful stuff AND has given her boys totally original names which I think is so cool. Talk about a lot in common and divine appointments. I treasure these Wednesday afternoons I get to spend at her home with her lovely boys. I get a chance to GET OUT OF MY HOUSE, talk, talk, talk, talk (with an adult) and ask questions and just learn from another mom who's a step ahead of me. I really love the way God takes care of me. And I know this is one of his ways.

This Wednesday Jill let me know ahead of time that we were having a Valentines party. So of course everyone wore red and the boys were very psyched up. When we got there, I have to admit I was holding back tears. Jill had set up three different stations of Valentines activities, all completely age appropriate for my children. Not only that, but she had prepped her older boys to be involved with each activity and work alongside and help my boys. It was about the sweetest thing I've ever seen. I think living so far from family and people that truly love my children, to see someone reach out in that way to me and my boys touches me so deeply.


So they started out in the back painting a Happy Valentines Day banner. This was done first so it would have time to dry and we could roll it up and take it home! Instant Valentines decorations!


Next we moved into the kitchen where Jill had made THE MOST DELICIOUS sugar cookies and frosting I've ever tasted.

Each kid got to frost and decorate three huge cookies.

And the best part of course... eating!

Look at these amazing cookies - we got to take a bunch home too!

Final step - make a secret, special Valentines card for mom and dad.

Here they are working away. I wasn't allowed in the room, so I just peeked around the corner. The cards they made are just darling.

I like to call this photo, "All Things Boy." Sticks, ropes, trees, and dogs, could you ask for more?


Add to that list puppies and balls... it's boy heaven!

Jill, I hope you're reading this! And if you are, THANK YOU - for reaching out to me and just being who you are. It means more than you know. :) See you next Wednesday!