From our home to yours

Merry Christmas guys!!!

Emma

What is it about a 3 year old that is so precious? Today at supper she ate her corn on the cob and commented "licious" then added "this corn is 'licious" and "yummy!!" OH, if today could just be frozen in time. She is now on her tenth time around the house, through the front door and in the back door. Happy to be coming and going, saying hi as she goes. I was so proud of her during the Cantata she just sat happily and contented with my friend Gina, and only once thought she should go be with mommy. By the way, my choir did a great job, it was such fun to put it all together. I was a bit worried for them as it was pretty hot and it is a long time to sing with taking a water break, but they pulled it off. Scott's duet with one of our students was great, I could have listened to him all day.

Emma is been playing a lot with Laney's toy houses and people, they are the fisher price family ones that are quiet small. She is really starting to have her characters interact, I love hearing her play it reminds me so of Laney who always had quite the story happening. Christmas is getting close and I can't wait to see her open her presents. She opened a couple one day when Scott and I were at Choir practice and Jonathan was "watching" her. But since then she has joined the other two to just look at the few gifts under our tree and wonder what is in them. I am so thankful for those who mailed us gifts as the things we bought the kids will come with Charis, but thanks to my mom, Marcy, and a church in Maine there are presents under the tree for everyone, and I did hear that Santa was stopping by...

Here are the other pictures that we took of our family that I didn't send in the Christmas card, look at Emma she is smiling for the camera!!! Now that was nice (note, she usually points at the camera and says " no cheese!")

Birthday weekend

I had a fun Birthday weekend Friday I went to Goiania with Scott and my friend Ang and her husband. We went to walmart and Sam's club then on to our favorite restaurant. It was very nice to just take 2 hours eating and talking and laughing. Without a doubt you leave quite satisfied.
Saturday was a nice day, we had a practice in the morning for our Cantata, and the rest of the day I just kept busy at home. It is amazing how much time I can spend just cooking and cleaning. My sister called with a surprise announcement. She got married. She sent a picture today and I am so happy for her. She is beautiful of course!!!

Then Sunday, the day, I enjoyed my morning, breakfast in bed, and then played for the church service here. My friend Gina had has come for lunch and she made a fabulous pork roast, and mulberry pie. That was so nice, we hung around and played password, ouch, my brain hurt after that, so I went home and tried not to pace until Sunday night church.

Sunday night our choir went to the church downtown and participated in the Christmas service. We presented three of our songs from the Cantata, and they did great. It was my first time directing, but I really enjoyed it. And so glad my "first" is over. Now we just have to pull together our last few pieces that need some work tonight, and the whole thing is on for Thursday night.

They were great!!!

Here are all the campers at the beginning of the show
They sang lots of songs, some about scary stories, some about camping, and others about favorite Bible stories

Laney ended the story singing how Angles watch over us It was fun just seeing all the pieces come together after months of practice.

The show went off without a hitch, at least, no major mistakes, and the crowd loved it. I don't know why we are so surprised when they laugh at the funny parts, but we were. Thanks to Karla and Scott and the mom who brought snacks. Karla was my right hand turning on and off lights, getting the kids changed from one costume to the next and opening and closing curtains. Scott helped with a lot of the final details like lights, mics and sounds. And of course, made sure we got a good video recording so that the all our favorite moments can be replayed again and again. The principal was the main character, Headmaster Don, who was only the camp leader cause he wanted it to look good on his resume (he doesn't really like kids) and that added extra meaning to the funny parts!!!!

Emma and Tigey

Today is the day

Yes, we survived the rehearsal practice, it went much better than last year, but still full of energy, itchy kids and light and sound challenges. But we are ready to go at 7 pm (4 pm eastern time) and I can't wait for it to be over and done and a success.

Today when I weighed myself I was just 2 pounds from my goal, I have lost 14 pounds and love the feeling in my clothes. Finally all my Emma weight is behind me and if I keep it up only 6 pounds more and I am down to my pre-pregnancy weight. It really has surprised me that I could do this.

One other thing. The family that has the dog Ginger that we called our own for a few months is not sure they want to keep him - they are moving- and asked if we want him back. Boy, I just don't know, he is quite nervous and I am afraid that this back and forth business will not have helped. The kids miss him, though so we are praying about it... They are also planning on sending their kids here starting in January and another family is moving onto the base and will send their kids and care for this family's kids. One of the families is with TEAM the other is with a camping ministry. It is exciting to see how we are spreading our wings and accepting more people and having a bigger part in helping the Gospel go forth here in Brazil. I will have 2 new students in my English class, that should keep me busy. I have 7 research papers to grade this weekend, and that is plenty, now I will have nine of everything to grade, wow, it is getting busy that is for sure!!! These additions will also be good for Laney has there will now be two girls here close to her age, she will really like that, and I think it will be good for her. Gone are the days that her only friend was Lucas, but he is still her favorite.

Christmas

There are moments in Brazil that I absolutely love being here. I usually walk each evening around 7 pm and last night like many nights all I could do was watch the clouds change colors and the sun set. It was beautiful!!! The birds are swooping around also. I love watching them some climb so high in the sky you almost lose them, but the come back down. It is usually just the perfect temperture and peaceful. I try to never miss those moments. Especially these days when life is just going from crazy to insane!!!
After I got home last night we decorated our tree. I was reminded as I opened the box that last year when we left the states, my favorite family heirloom ornaments had been accidentally stored. I had made some and bought some simple balls, but what amazed me was instead of being heartbroken again, I was remembering how much fun I had last year as I decorated my tree "from scratch". My mom also saved the day by sending some snowflake ornaments and streamers. I can't wait till I get home and get a chance to dig through storage and get my hands on those things, but until then, I am enjoying my simple tree.