Welcome Home Ms Mae!!

On Sunday July 10 we were blessed with the arrival of our newest baby bird - Loralye Mae. She was born at 10:24 AM weighing 6 lbs 15 oz and stretching a span of 21 inches. We are now home and resting comfortably. Momma is healing up and the most difficult part is not being able to pick up little Lincoln (who is not so little anymore). We were graced with the love and support of Grandma Sue who came out the minute we knew the day had arrived. Our good friend Bethany stepped-in to take Lincoln until Grandma could get here from Colorado. We are truly grateful for all the support we have received from friends and family. This week Grandma Mare and Papa Todd will arrive and then a laundry list of guests to come: Aunt Jayla, Uncle Kyle, and Tanti Katie confirmed at the moment but I am sure that list will quickly grow.

Lincoln meeting his sister for the first time. He loves to give her kisses but not sure if he is ready to hold her just yet.
Loralye's first bath at home.
Loralye and Mama - Day 2 of life!

The first moment Loralye met her Mama as she is waking up in the recovery room.

Second Lieutenant Mitchell

Jason Kyle Mitchell is officially a second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Oh wow "what does that mean " you all ask...

Jason was chosen over hundreds (I don't know the real # but i know it was a lot) of fellow doctoral student applicants to join the United State Air Force Biochemical Science Corp. So in 2 years, after Jason finishes his doctoral program at George Fox,we will be an active duty Air Force family. After Jason completes his internship year, most likely with the Air Force in Texas, Washington DC or Ohio, we will fulfill a 3 year commitment. Jason will be a Clinical Psychologist in the Air Force that can mean many things, but most of all a priceless opportunity to help a population in so much need.

I am obviously so proud of Jason and the selfless commitment that he will be making to our great Country. We appreciate all the support and prayers that we got along the way and will keep you all in the loop.

On March 29th Jason was commissioned into the Air Force reserves until he graduates. Todd came out to be there for the ceremony. Todd being there meant so much to both of us, it really made the day so special.

Here are some pictures of that exciting day.

Jason taking the oath.

Congratulations, welcome to the Air Force.

Jason was so excited to get this coin. He is suppose to keep it in his pocket at all times. (There is significant meaning to having it, but I know I would explain it wrong if I tried. I just know the higher rank, the less drinks you have to buy)

Here Jason is signing his acknowledgment letter.

New house

Here are a couple pictures of our new house in Portland.

Lincoln and Oliver in the backyard watching Jason mow. The good news there is that it wasn't raining. Apparently, this was the rainiest March since 1904. Uh no thank you! That is not the kind of record I want to be a part of.

The view of our backyard. We have all of these flowering plants and trees and I am so excited for them all to bloom. YEAH 25 weeks pregnant. I didn't really know how pregnant I was until I saw this picture. I guess I need to start paying attention. So 15 more weeks if she is on time, 11 more weeks if she is early like Lincoln. Jason has been praying for the former.

Quick shout out to Rampart DECA.

Also I cut my hair off.

The Move

We have been reprimanded on numerous occasions - Not to name names but SB, JM, and QM have been the most persistent with their complaints. To give a brief verbal update on our family in the last month we have traveled home for my mothers 50th birthday, moved from Newberg to Portland, joined the Air Force (Jason), opened a new Chase branch (Holli), continued the pursuit of doctoral training (Jason), and continued to care/carry 1.67 babies (Holli and Jason- a little). Not that these excuses are adequate for empathy from our dear friends!

We have recently relocated to a 1928 home in SE Portland. Our new home has charm and we are walking distance to some of the best restaurants in the nation. It also has ants, opossums/rats, and homeless men that dig through the recycling bin. Our neighbors are nice and we live in a beautiful neighborhood with a great park. Our neighbors love their birds as well (e.g., chickens in yard, parrots on breasts). Oliver and Lincoln love there new huge yard and I have cleared a patch for a summer vegetable garden. We love and miss you all and we all know the typical pattern - I write a post and Holli trumps me with a picture post - you will just have a wait a few days for what you are all hoping for. Just so you know I am as cute as ever!

Happy Halloween

Superman with the pumpkins we carved.

Lincoln and his friends, Lillian, and Elias

Lincoln and Mom. No it isn't a halloween costume, I ( meaning I paid a professional to mix and apply a "natural" brown color) Not the quit the hazlenut brown I was expecting!

Let me know what you think.

Lincon and Clark Kent, trick or treating ( How cute is Jason, I got home from the store and he had dressed up to match his "superman")
Up up and A W A Y

Marathon Maniac--Jason Kyle Mitchell

This blog is 100% dedicated to my marathon champion Jason. After months of training Jason completed his very first marathon. The one set back, the marathon was in Portland and it rained the entire time. Not just a light drizzle, but HARD rain!! Jason's official finishing time was 3:48 minutes. Yes Jason ran 26.2 miles in the pouring rain and completed it in less than 4 hours.

Here are a couple pictures of his wet adventure.

Drinking a cup of coffee at 5am.

Lacing up his running shoes. Oliver is excited, he thinks he gets to go too.


Papa, Grandma, and Lincoln at mile 11 as we wait for jason to run by.

Jason just about to cross the finish line. WOO HOO!!



Jason and I. I was so proud all race. We drove all through Portland to see Jason as many times as we could. We caught up with him 4 times. After mile 11 we stopped at a coffee shop to warm up and get a croissant before we saw him at mile 20. I guess the 4 of us don't have the same dedication to be in the rain for 4 hours.



Jason and his proud dad after he crossed the finish line.

At the end of the race jason got a rose (Portland is the city of roses) and a tree sapling. The night before jason was really anxious because he didn't know where he would plant his sapling. (Yeah, that is only something Jason would worry about before running 26.2 miles).

Family photo.

Lincoln is so proud of his Daddy!!! Cool medal Dad.

Jason and Maryellen

An afternoon with Lincoln

Lincoln is a very busy one year old. I thought I would share our afternoons with the rest of you .

Snack Time

Step 1 - eat a snack

Step 2- put the entire snack in your mouth at once



Step 3- Feed your dog Oliver some grapes

Step 4- Mom tells Lincoln not to feed the dog

Push the Popper

Uncle Adam bought Lincoln a popper for his birthday. He just figured out how to actually push it. He used to just shake it up and down to make the poppers pop.


OH NO!! When Lincoln runs his popper into something he gets very upset. He doesn't quite get why it won't keep going.

So simple, but so fun. (how cute is my son PS)

Walk around the block

Lincoln loves being outside more than anything. We go on walks and Lincoln insists on bringing he Lion.