A Few Things I Will Remember...

He could only come for eight days but considering the sacrifice he made to make those eight days happen...they were special beyond description!  Having my dad enjoy the last 8 days of my mother's month long visit with us was truly a gift from God.

Mom managed to get a hug before...

Meeting his newest grandchild!

I will remember watching my dad sing hymns to Noah...

Putting him right to sleep!

I will remember presenting our son to our church family and to the Lord with all four of his grandparents in attendance!

Us four

I will remember that my dad was able to share a bit and present Noah to the Lord...He also did this for big sister Chloe 3 1/2 years ago.  So blessed to have my parents here for both our babies dedications.

Pastor Antonio praying over Noah's life

The family and two pastors

Daddy with his two littles! 

Papa Rod multi-tasking!

I will remember how she was tuning her guitar, "just like Daddy!"

Our tea party that Chloe had asked that we have with Grammie Phyllis when she came!

We asked three special friends to join us, Amanda, Lucinha and Juliana...Chloe doesn't look very pleased with her tea party but she did cheer up once she woke up sufficiantly from her hap!

Learning to drink tea like a big girl!

I will remember how they slept together like this for hours...not sure who put who to sleep!

Our little man just continues to fill out into an adorable pudgy little guy!

I will remember how after months of sitting dismantled in a shipping box, Papa spent hours putting her little kitchen together with no assembly manuel (Chloe was blessed with this play kitchen from the USA but as it was used we had no assembly manuel), piece by little piece!

I hoped it made sense to him because it looked hopeless to my mom and I!

Look a little overwhelming?

Not for Papa and his little helper!

An extremely pleased little girl, finally able to enjoy her kitchen!  Thank you, Allison girl, for blessing little Chloe.  She has logged hours already sitting in front of her "kitchen"  making all sorts of delicious "dishes"!  We love you and your generous heart is an example to us.  How I hope my little girl will grow up to be like you!

Daddy has discovered the wonder of slings...!

And Noah is hooked!

This is his happy 7 week old picture.

His rolls just make me smile!

The special month with Mom and the week with Dad were so special and I will remember so many things about our time together.  Six people in 500 sq. feet and we got along great!  Trips to the park, cooking with my mom, taking naps while Grammie sang and rocked Noah, having tea and scones with countless visitors...seeing my parents enjoy Noah's first real smiles and coos.  I feel a bit like Mary of old...I just want to store these precious memories away and ponder them!

In the busyness of my parent's last few days here, my 6 year anniversary of living in Brazil came...and went.
--October 22--I have been pondering that as well.
Here are a few things I have learned (not necessarily in order of importance...you have been warned!)
1. That you cannot be a polite driver in Sao Paulo and get where you need to go!
2. Most food ingredients for my American recipes can be either found under radically different names, substituted or done without entirely.
3. Being married to a Brazilian and having Brazilian in-laws is an invitation for a lifelong lesson in cross cultural communication, living, give and take, patience, laughter and yes, even some tears!
4. I have learned to love my husband's family like my own.  They bring me tremendous joy and love on my children and I in truly beautiful ways.
5. Sao Paulo city is still a crazy maze of streets, overpasses and bypasses that yet to make a lot of sense to me, but our suburb town is a nice, neat, navigatable (is that a word?) map in my head.
6. I can get pretty much anywhere I need to in SP and greater SP by public transportation...by car?  No way Jose!
7. I have learned the terror of being assaulted at night at a bus stop, survived and managed to make it 5 years without another one.  Praise God for that!
8. I have learned to be much more aware of my surroundings, the people around me and remove myself from potentially dangerous situations by running, locking doors, keeping my mouth shut (the only way to even try and keep my nationality hidden) or simply not showing up in that area!
9. I have learned that innocence is not always bliss...in fact in a city of 23 some million people, it most likely is NOT bliss.
10. I can translate conversations from Portuguese into English and vice versa...instead of having it done for me.
11. I have learned very cleverly how to get in and out of Brazilian banks without setting off the stupid and ever present sensors in the swinging doors (that by the way, is my claim to fame!  If you want to know how, just ask me!)
12. I have just recently found out there is a whole community of ex-patriot women who are married to Brazilian men and have joined their Facebook group.  I have only met one of them but am really excited to meet more when my baby is a bit older and getting out is not such a monumental feat!
13. I have learned to live well without a Mexican food restaurant or Starbucks on every corner (believe me, that is a tough one folks, but I have done it!)
14. Outback Steakhouse is my favorite restaurant and is a sure way to "kill some of those misses" as we say in Portuguese...or "bring a little of America to my day!"

Enough random thoughts about life in Brazil after 6 years.  They have been good.  They have been real.  There have been as many tears shed as seratonin released through laughter.  The challenges have often felt greater than the joys but in truth, I think I am starting to truly feel more comfortable here than in my home country...in some ways!  I guess that is to be expected.  Six years is a long time.  It is a good time.  Because God is truly, always, forever good, all the time!

Until next time, my dear readers.
A very Merry Monday to you all!

Jama