My Community Project

My Community Poject

Firm Foundations For Families

WE are raising OUR future leaders in OUR homes. If we want strong communities, state,and nation, we MUST strengthen our homes and families.

For my community project I am starting a non profit organization, Firm Foundations For Families. We teach, reach and support, families. I have been teaching organizations, church groups, youth groups, and civic groups, that feel the "waters are rising" on families and they want to make a difference in families and individuals lives. The presentation is also effective for companies that want their employees happy and want to make a difference both at the job site and in their personal lives.

I have a Face Book page under Firm Foundations For Families, with posts that give tools, information and visions for all who read it.  

  I would like to thank all of you who made this possible and who were such a great example to me and my family as I marked, set, and sunk my pegs.

If you know of groups that this presentation, workshop or seminar would benefit please contact me.



Sheridan Days

Sheridan Days

Sheridan Days has been going on for a VERY long time, even before we moved here, and we have lived her a VERY, Very long time!!

I have never been in a parade, at least that I remember, so the experience was new.  I arrived at the Parade Site and was greeted by a sweet lady named Patti Swift.  She had arranged for my "ride" a yellow convertible!  My driver was Brain Thomas, from Chuck Colvin Ford and he had brought along his daughter, and granddaughter.  Once again my sweet man, Mike, and my children Joseph, Zachary, Matthew, and Emma, supported me, while some of my other children cheered me on in the crowd.  We  had bags of candy to share along the parade route with the little ones and some of the big ones.  Some of my grandchildren Makinzie, Kimber, and Owen Jager and one of my daughter in laws Tiffany Jager also walked along side of the car passing out candy.  My driver had a huge supply of candy himself in the car  that everyone was passing out, including me, every once in a while. 

As the parade took off I felt a bit apprehensive, but right out of the gate everyone was soooo postive and supportive of my role.  People cheered, clapped, whistled, and shouted congratulations! 

The best part was seeing all the families, and moms holding little ones along the route.  I really wanted to get out of the car and visit with each one of them.  I wanted to tell them they were doing "hard work" but that it was worth it.  They are laying the foundation of our community as they raise their children correctly.  

Dream Do Come True

Dreams Do Come True

Is there anything greater than a brand new baby?  Yes, Two brand new babies!!

Since I first began having children I have always been passionate about families, children, and moms.  It would thrill me to see a mom and dad out with their children in public.  Just tonight at one of our favorite places to eat, a very tall dad walked by our table with 3 boys, 2,3, and 4 all dressed in summer nice attire.  One little boy even had suspenders on.  When we went to leave I noticed the little boys and there was their mom with a new baby girl.  I took a few minutes to tell her what a great job she was doing.  She smiled and said thanks, she looked great!!!   

So today with the help of some great people, I met with a man and told him of my dream to spend time with great moms!  Moms, that are out there doing their best.  The moms that are looking for some extra support, or just a person to say, "yes, I have been there."  Moms, that we can share our worries and our victories with.   

There is no greater success than that of being a parent.  There is also no more challenging times than that of being a parent.  But being a parent takes skills and tools.  Some  are looking for a better way to parent or better tools to help these children underneath their stewardship find their mission in this life and be who they came here to be.

I am sooo very excited! Thanks to the great people who have my same dream I am going to get more opportunities to spend time with more and more great moms and families.  

One of the Greatest Lessons

The Greatest Lesson

(At Least One)

As I was getting ready to speak today at the Kawanis, I had a small revelation. 

For some reason I have this terrible time of shaking as I speak, and the more the spirit is with me the more I shake. LOL  Not really funny but it is pretty challenging at times. 

The other side of that coin is, I LOVE to speak and teach.  Now these two things don't always go together well.

But this morning as I was getting ready the thought that some of our greatest weaknesses are our greatest strengths came to me,

AND

then the scripture "I give them weaknesses to make them strong" followed right behind.  I started to understand a bigger picture. My Heavenly Father knows what I must become and what I need to conquer, so with faith, practice, and depending on Him, I will.

I now have a whole different out look on my shaking.  I know that the Lord has given me gifts.  I love to teach, and share my knowledge and inspire others to try, grow, and move forward with their lives.

I am very grateful for any opportumity the Lord gives me to share and grow.   

Mother's Day at the Grotto

Mother's Day

at the

GROTTO!

The day was May 13th and I had been invited to speak at the Catholic Church in Portland Oregon.  The church went by the name  "The Grotto".  I again was nervous as I prepared my remarks.  One can never be sure, especially at a religious setting, what might be not proper to say.  I did alot of praying and the night before, at a very late hour, it was finally finished, and ready for rehearsing. 

My sweet family all assembled at the Grotto to support me and that was very nice.  My husband's sister Linda, and brother Bill, also came.

The setting of the Grotto is one of the most gorgeous settings I have been too.  I was told "Grotto" means "cave", and that is what we looked at.  A very large beautiful open cave like structure.  There was a beautiful chapel also but our meeting was held outside. The day could not have been more perfect for weather or temperature. 

The sister that met me was soooo warm and inviting, I instantly felt at ease.  She had flowers for not only me, but for ALL the mothers that had come form Oregon American Mothers.  We sat on the stand and she sat right behind me, telling me everything I was to do.  We were in the shade and some of the audience was in the sun, but no one complained.

The sweetest and saddest part of the day was in the morning before I had left, I talked to a VERY close friend of mine, Carol Stephenson, who was very ill from cancer.  I told her I was going to be talking about her that day and she told me "I'm still here, I'm not going anywhere".  I told her to be tough and I loved her.  I hung up and went on my way.  I was giving my talk and shaking like I usually do, when all of a sudden, I totally stopped. I thought to myself, WOW I must be getting use to this. LOL  I finished my talk, gathered my papers, and went back to my seat, still thinking that I was finally getting use to speaking to large audiences.  I was just leavening the area and driving to my daughters when my phone rang and it was my friend's husband, Jim.  He told me Carol had passed away at 2:00 their time in Florida so that was 11:00 our time, and I had spoken at 12:30.  I knew then that she had spent sometime with her family and then came to hear me speak and calm my heart.  I am so grateful for my beliefs and for knowing that there is more after this life.  My friend passed away on Mother's Day and I am sure if we get to choose, she chose that.  She was a fantastic mother and her children were her life.  They would never forget her, but this just locked it in for all of them.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to share with people of other faiths, my belief in our Heavenly Father and the importance and missions of mothers. 

Opening the Legislative Session

Courtesies from Representative Dembrow

A Trip to Washington D.C.

A TRIP TO D.C.

     First let me start with I am not fond of flying, then add on alone, and I am terrified.  But I am Mother of the Year so I will try to be strong.  I remember the night of the Gala and they told me I would be going to D.C.   I was concerned knowing I would be flying there, but like all good moms, I put it in the back of my mind on a shelf to show up later.  Well later came and I found myself standing in line to get on a plane and fly to D.C.  I am here to tell you, just in case you were wondering, I made it and I had a marvelous time.

     I arrived and stayed on Dupont Circle in D.C.  It was beautiful and it was very exciting for me to be there.  My first day I probably looked like a deer in head lights but after a short while everyone made me feel comfortable and I noticed that there were other deer also. 

     We all met each other and then headed off to the Capitol and had a wonderful time visiting and eating fun appetizers.  We walked through the halls and into the Rotunda.  There are no words to describe the feeling that I felt.  My husband and myself and Helen and Jim Bean were the only ones in there and AWWWWW is all I can say.  I do believe the the Lord had a hand in the making of our country and standing in that room and feeling the spirit confirmed that to me. 

     We then had a girls night and that was fun, having hair, make up and nails done, eating great food and just getting to know each other better. 

     The next day was the speech day and oh my was that an exciting day.  The speeches from the Young Mothers of the Year were so inspiring.  I had pen in hand and took notes about things I wanted to remember.  Such great young women.  Then it was time for the Mother of the Year.  The only two things I remember is, I was freezing, they had turned on the AC and I was very glad when my turn was done.  The other women were again uplifting and inspiring and I learned so much.  That evening we went out on the town and that was great fun.  D.C. at night is breath taking!!! Looking at the Lincoln Memorial all lit up sent chills up my back.  WOW!!!!

     The last day was guest speakers and a MOM to MOM conference and it was good.  The last speaker was a gentleman and I am sorry to report I do not remember his name but he was beyond fantastic.  He made us laugh and cry.  He touched my heart to want to be better and do better and that is a good speaker. 

     The evening was "THE" night.  The Gala, the night we were all excited and waiting for, who would be Mother and Young Mother of the Year for the Nation?  But first dinner, LOL  Yep that is how we felt too I think.  But after dinner and a couple of speeches the time finally came.  I knew that I had chosen in my mind two or three or maybe four women that for sure it was going to be.  They announced the Young Mother of the Year and then the Mother of the Year.  I was pretty familiar with the Young Mother of the Year as she had been very involved with us and shared her life and hopes about the organization.  The Mother of the Year I did not know.  She was an OB/GYN and she had started either one or two orphanges is in Africa.  I can't imagine how she will be able to do everything.  But I am sure she will do a great job.

     Sunday was spent in the National Cathedral and it was gorgeous!!! Again, another breath taking experience.  Then back to pack our bags and head to the airport, but coming home my sweet man was right beside me.  He had flown out and spent the 3 days with me!!! Best part of the trip!!!

The House of Represenitives

and

ME!

I am sure that someone has a sense of humor but a couple days after the Gala I remembered someone said something about "and your first assignment is you are to speak to the Legislature and OPEN the HOUSE , or maybe it was the other way around. LOL

I then spent the next three days and nights going over all kinds of material, but finally after much prayer and a very good man, (Mike) I came up with my first official speech.

The day started out like most other days, NOT !

The previous day My SWEET Man had been my secretary sending emails back and forth between Rep Dembrow's secretary and himself  making sure I knew exactly where to go and what I was going say.  I have to admit as I left the house with all kinds of papers and numbers and maps I was sure I was not going to make it.

I did arrive and if Cinderella ever had a day like this she would have been jealous.  I had my own front parking spot in the very front of the Capitol, number 5.  I was escorted and taken care of .  We took pictures as a group and then the time came.  A very nice man came and escorted me to "the room" and took me up to the podium.  They pulled out a platform for me so the people could see me.  I practiced a couple of times and then waited.  The big moment came.  I was introduced, all of my friends were up in the balcony watching as I was about to make my first debut.  The speaker of the house introduced me and I took my place.  Oh thank goodness for a VERY large podium, I was shaking so bad, but I held it together and managed to deliver a speech that I felt, pleased my group, as well as my Heavenly Father.   The speaker of the house thanked me, and told me I was welcome there anytime!  Rep Dembrow then read a small bio about American Mother's and myself, the audience clapped  and I was excused to leave!

After lunch and meeting a few other people, which is another story all in side it's self,  I returned home, parked my carriage ( Camry) and returned to await another assignment. 

Feb 17th 2012 The GALA

The Gala 

It was Feb 17th and I had been very nervous and excited about this event. 

Mostly because a few of my "crew" were going to attend and any time we get together

no matter how many it is like a piece of heaven. 

I had submitted my portfolio back in January during which my husband Mike, was having open heart surgery and as he lay connected to this and that wire and tubing, I typed on my laptop thinking to myself, "what in the world are you doing?"  But still I kept going, mostly because all 13 of my children had written essays about me!  Jager's don't quit so this was not an option now.

I don't think I even remember much about the dinner.  I kept looking around the room at the amazing women that were also nominated for this calling.  I knew I was not in the running but so excited to spend a little time seeing them with their families and enjoying mine.

The time came and we were escorted up to the front by "our men".  One of the ladies was escorted by her son all decked out in his Marine uniform.  He looked amazing!  We were to say something profound and I listened as the other women spoke and I thought, "Oh, I need a pencil to write that down, that was so great!"  My turn came and again I can't tell you what I said, but gladly sat down next to a woman, Julie Hess, that I had come to admire just through quick facebook chats.  I was pretty sure it was her, she had done everything.  She teased me and I teased her about the "runway" as she called it.  When they read my name I thought I would pass out!  My family, of course my cheerleaders and team were instantly on their feet shouting and clapping.  WOW! What a team to belong to.  I was then suppose to stand, accept my flowers, and make a speech! LOL  That was not what I had even thought about.  I somehow managed to stand up, take the flowers in my "very shaking" arms and ask Jackie ( MOY 2011) "are you sure?"  She hugged me and told me yes!  I remember speaking to the group and only thinking about what brought me to this spot in my life.  My "birth" mother, My "real" mother, my belief in who I was sent her to be by a very loving Heavenly Father and my family.