Enjoying Each Day

Friday, July 15th: Vacation half over but we are still on a roll!  Headed to the interior of Sao Paulo State to Indaiatuba, a wonderful little city where Everson has relatives.  I shot this picture out the window as we sat in traffic...a common pastime in Sao Paulo City.

My opinion is there are not many lovely places in our city but this avenue is one of the few.  Lined with lovely old trees, it is lovely in spite of the fact it is also an attraction for the homeless, drug addicts and dealers, too.  So, here we sit..in traffic...for hours...

Enjoying a cute little park later that evening.

It is a good thing we enjoyed this evening in the warmth because 24 hours later it turned cold and to this day is COLD again here.

The main reason we went to Indaiatuba: Isabelle's 15th Birthday Celebration!  In the Brazilian culture, a young woman is royally celebrated on her 15th birthday.  The parties/events range everywhere from a full blown wedding like ceremony (with the birthday girl in white and her attendants also in white or all matching dresses) to nowadays some girls choose to take a trip versus spend the immense amount of money on a one night party.  Isa's night was somewhere in between.  While simple compared to a wedding, it was lovely and God-honoring from start to finish.  We were served a delicious meal of two kinds of meat, fried yucca root, french fries, rice, beans, yucca flour topping and a wonderful salad buffet.  

The service before dinner was short, sweet and very well done: singing, speeches, prayers, more songs and music (Isa is a musician).

Isn't he about the cutest little thing you have ever seen??

Isaac Jorge

My beautiful little guy

Isabelle's parents: Ismael & Adriana...Everson's cousin.

Dancing with her daddy!

The amazing cake table

The sweets table...every child's dream!

Two of my favs in the world!

Isa singing a worship song

A friend of the family painted this wooden banner for Isa.  I am in love with it!  I have already told him when I redo my children's room I want one with a Scripture verse painted for the children's wall.  Amazing!  the phrase comes from the song Isa sang during the ceremony.  Translation: King of Hearts, only You are worthy of exaltation.  15 years  ISABELLE

And of course, no Brazilian party is complete without dancing at the end of the evening (actually this was about 1am!)  My children love to dance...and their mother loves to watch! :)

My love, myself and my bro-in-law

Dani and myself...an Indaiatuba cousin

Chloe and her little friends took over the stage!

Noah in the middle.  He was so sleepy but did not want to give up and sleep

Sunday, enjoying leftovers from the wonderful dinner the night before.

Delicious cake with fruit filling

I think going to bed in the early morning hours was telling in everyone!  Being incredibly silly!

Monday was mommy's day off!  My love gave me a whole day to do what I wanted to do.  I asked this precious friend to spend it with me and she readily agreed.  Being teachers, we both enjoyed the simple pleasure of just wandering around the mall, eating to our heart's content, talking for hours and having NOTHING to rush home to do.

Who would have thought???  I would never ever pay the horrific price tag attached to them but it is comfort to my heart to know they are there! :)

A trip to the mall is never fully complete without a starbucks.  It is a very rare treat for me and one I revel in!

Our wonderful day ended with a lovely, long visit with this woman of all women.  Words cannot express my love or appreciation for this woman who welcomed me into her home and life way back in 2001.  I don't see her often but each time it happens my heart is lifted and my spirit warmed deeply.  She and her husband will always hold an incredibly special place in my heart.  Love you Lourdinha!!!

These two women were two of my first friends way back when I first came to Brazil.  We have lots of history and stories and memories.  We have laughed and cried together.  We have grown and parted ways and been reunited so many times we have lost track.  They are precious to me.  Beyond expression.

And at the end of my day away, I came home to this.  Also precious beyond words.  And so so good to be back!

Tuesday we spent at the inlaws, eating chicken with polenta (courtesy of the amazing cook of a MIL!) and enjoying a few hours with the little Isaac boy  while his mommy ran errands.  I also was able to hang out several loads of laundry to dry in the sun that chose to appear for a few hours, which was a blessing.  Oh the difference of having a house where you can hang laundry out in the breeze!  someday!

Sleepy boy

Wednesday (yesterday) we enjoyed a day at the zoo with the brother and sister in law.  It was their day off and they chose to share it with us, which was way special.  It was a crisp, cold day but the kids enjoyed the animals nontheless.

As you can see, my daughter is in constant movement!!

I thought it was hilarious how my BIL avoided the taking out and putting back in of the boy in order to see the animals!

And that's it for now.  My SIL has a lovely camera and will send me her pictures of the rest of our day.  Will post more when I receive them.  Until then, back to vacationing and lazy days of sleeping late and going to bed late and enjoying just being together as a family!

                                                                    Be back later!
                                                                           Be blessed,
                                                                                  JAMA