They've left and taken my baby with them.

All good things must come to an end I guess. Yesterday afternoon we put our journey girls back on a plane for Madrid. We did not like seeing them go. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed showing them Lisbon, laughing with them, and just hanging out. (You girls are great and we love you!  Snuggly misses you already.) Not only did they leave, but they took Micah with them. He is headed to Germany for a retreat and is meeting up with a group in Madrid. Can you believe it?! I put my baby on a plane for Germany? He is even flying the last leg home alone. My we've come along way in a year. I stressed out last year just sending him to the next state for summer camp and this is another country. He walked through the gate and never looked back. I am thankful the girls were here to travel with him. It put my mind much more at ease.

A Day in Belem

Christmas 2009

Today has been wonderful.

Morning
*Great country breakfast with all the trimmings - breakfast casserole, counrty ham & biscuits, red-eye gravy, and even monkey bread.
*Opened presents with family and friends

Afternoon
*Watched a marathon of movies - Home Alone 3, Night at the Museum, and Deck the Halls
*Much needed naps
*Skype calls with friends and family

Evening
*Christmas dinner with turkey, potato casserole, cranberry sauce and coconut cake
*Games of Yatzee and Clue
*Charlie Brown Christmas Movie

BUSY, BUSY WEEK

My parents and aunt arrived last Friday (with all their bags missing).  We finally have recieved 5 bags (yes, one is still in Paris). Then 2 friends from Spain arrived on Tuesday (minus their bags as well - notice a pattern?). Needless to stay we have not strayed from home too far in anticipation of luggage being delivered.

 However, we have squeezed in a few outings. A local mall set up an ice skating ring and the boys have been begging to go, so off we went.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This afternoon we decided to head to the Baixa (downtown) to see the sights and check out Christmas lights.  It rained a bit, but it was beautiful.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A few days ago we went to the beach and to one of our favorite spots - Boca de Inferno (Mouth of Hell). It is a place were waves crash and the sunset is breath-taking.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Finally Here!

My parents and aunt finally arrived (3 hours late and 6 bags short), but they are here and we are all so excited.  Hopefully the bags will arrive tomorrow from Paris or we will have to go shopping, though that might not be all bad, right?

Field Trip

Yesterday Andy & I went on a field trip with our teachers and 2 other friends to Mafra. This is a small town outside of Lisbon that has a HUGE monestary. Not sure how old it was, but a royal family lived there along with a a group of monks. Andy said it was like the Portuguese equivilent to the Biltmore. Here are a few pis.

                                     

This is the monestaryThe part in the middle is a church.

The life-size Nativity in front of the church.

The library.

The church.

There is a game preserve very near this city and the king had is set up for his private hunting grounds, thus a room of dead animal heads.  It was kind of creepy.

This was the infirmary for the monks.  The cubicles on the sides were set up as "hospital rooms"and the cots could be pulled out in the middle area for mass everyday.   Below is an example of one of the cubicles.

Can you belive all these huge rooms ( and so much more) fit inside this building.  Like I said, it was HUGE!

Shake, Rattle, & Roll

Last night I finally got to bed before midnight. I was so proud of myself, but when I woke this morning I find that I had missed an interesting late night adventure. Andy stayed up to watch a ball game, fell asleep in the living room and woke about 1:30am to our building MOVING! Yes I said MOVING! Portugal experienced a 6.3 earthquake early this morning- the largest in 40 years. It occured off the southern coast, so thankfully all we recieved was a good shake. The kids and I were a bit disappointed that we slept thtough it.

Dec 17, 2009
Quake shakes Portugal, Spain

MADRID - AN EARTHQUAKE measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook southern Spain and Portugal early on Thursday, Spain's seismological institute said.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

The epicentre of the quake, which occurred at 2.37am (0137 GMT, 9.37am Singapore time) was in the Atlantic Ocean about 100km south-west of Cape St Vincent in Portugal and at a depth of 58km, the National Geographic Institute said.

The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 5.7 magnitude on its different moment magnitude scale. It said the quake struck at a shallow depth of 10km. -- AFP

Someone passed this along to us. It really makes you stop and think about who and what Christmas is about and what is has become.

Party in Portugal

Last night we had a Chrsitmas party with our fellow collegues. We were all Americans, but we partied in true Portuguese form because we did not get home until after 1am and we were not the last to leave.  There was more food than we could possibly eat and the kids had a great time exchanging gifts and decorating cookies.  After most everyone left, a few stragglers  stayed to play Guitar Hero/Band.  It was hilarious but a good time was had by all.  Thanks Mark for a rousing jam session.  Thanks MG & Cristi for opening your home.  It was a great night.

We are so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group.

These are a few of my favorite things....

I love decorating for Christmas, so here are a few of my favorites - old and new.


Our lovely overgrown Charlie Brown Tree.
It has a charm all it's own and is really beginning to grow on us.


My great-grandmother's ceramic tree.
This is my all-time favorite Chirstmas decoration.


My wonderful Willow Tree nativity.


Our new Portuguese wreath.



No fireplace this year, so we are settling for the french doors.


Cute Christmas Tree cutout chalkboard for the kitchen.

Frosty stands by the door ready to greet visitors.

A Day Behind

Ok, I know I siad I was going to blog everyday in December and I already missed yesterday. However, I did take pictures yesterday with the intention of posting. Does that count?

Experiencing Christmas here is very interesting. It seem that every store plays English Christmas and many of the Christmas decorations even say "Merry Christmas" in English. I had to really hunt to find a wreath that said "Feliz Natal".

Yesterday I was struck by 2 interesting events. As I was leaving the Metro/Bus station there were 2 men set up selling really cheap (price & quality) Christmas decorations. People were clamoring to buy them - NOT! Then later, as I was driving down the street, I saw a man at the intersection trying to sell something to the stopped cars. This is not unusual becuse people are always selling newspapers, magazines or such. However, ths man was selling Santa Claus hats. Is there really that big of a demand for cheap Santa hats?

Another Holiday

Today was another holiday in December - Immaculate Conception Day.

Yep, a holiday to celebrate the Virgin Mary's miraculous conception.

But my thought is this....Mary either had a really short or VERY long pregnancy, if she delivered on the 25th. Actually it is a day remembering the conception of Mary herself. However, there was very little evidence of a true celebration of the event.

We spent the day at the soccer field. Ethan had a mini-tournament this morning and Micah had a game late this afternoon. (I intended to take pictures, but left the camera at home. Oops, sorry no pictures this post.)

It seemed that most Portuguese (who managed to get the day off) seemed to be out and about. We ran to the mall for lunch and I think half of Portugal was there. It was like the day after Thanksgiving. Too many people for me.

December in Portugal

A friend of mine was challenged to post everyday in December, so I decided to pick up the challenge as well. I know, I know - it is already the 7th, but better late than never.

Andy just returned from a training seminar in Switzerland (Yes, life is hard some days.) He did not get to see snow, but the Christmas decorations were beautiful.


A beautiful store window display.

Fully lit tree - Beautiful!

He also brought home a very special Christmas treat - a Traditional Germany Christmas Pyramid. I remember having on in my home as a child. There is something so mezmorizing about the candles making the whole thing turn

12 Days of Christmas

I found this funny version of a mixed up 12 Days of Christmas. I hope you enjoy.

Micah

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

It is hard to believe that today is Thanksgiving. We are in school today, there are no grand festivities planned, no black Friday shopping flyers and life moves on as normal. However, that does not make us any less thankful for where we are or what we are doing.

God has blessed us so much in the last year.
There have been so many changes.
-selling a home and 15 years of accumulated stuff
-leaving behind family and friends
-living out of suitcases for what seemed like months on end
-packing all we own into 12 suitcases and moving overseas
-leaving behind "normal" for the "unknown"
-learning a new language
-adjusting to apartment living and city life
-re-learning to drive a stick-shift and then driving in Europe
-the loss of Chick-fil-a, Sonic, Cracker Barrel, Krispy Kreme good mexican food, and so much more

All of this things have been adjustments but what lessons and blessings have come from them.
-learning that possessions are just things and we can really function (and thrive) with much fewer "things"
-even though family and friends mean so much, HE IS EVERYTHING WE NEED!
-the love, support, and encouragement of family and friends is priceless!
-I really can learn a new language at my age!
-the "unknown" is only unknown to me, HE knows it all and is there through every step
-(nothing really compares to a Chick-fil-a and a Sonic limeade with a Krispy Kreme for dessert:)

Blessings to you all. Enjoy the song of Thanks below and be thankful for the freedom we have in HIM!

Christmas With a Capital "C"

This is a great Christmas song by the group Go Fish. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... November 17, 2009

Outside my window... the sun is finally shining again!

I am thankful for... the wonderful morning spent exploring Lisbon with friends, old and new.

I am thinking …of how fortunate I am to live in such wonderful place.

From the kitchen…I found sweet potatoes in the market this week and just had a baked sweet potato with butter and brown sugar. Yum!

I am wearing...a nice warm sweater. It was a bit chilly today.

I am reading…Colossians

I am hoping...to get the kitchen clean today.

I am praying... for new friends and more opportunities to share life with them.

On my mind …planning Thanksgiving dinner for neighbors.

Around the house... the boys finally have bookshelves and their rooms look more lived in now.

One of my favorite things... downtown Lisbon. I spent all morning there.

Pondering these words …“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our attitudes.”- Charles Swindoll

Glorious Morning

I have been a bit under-the-weather the last few days (it's just a good old fashion cold), but as I bundled up this morning to watch the sunrise, this is waht I saw....




"Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, Job 38:12

FROM ETHAN

I am really having a fun time playing soccer. One Saturday all the kids played a game against all the dads. We had so much fun and WE WON!

FROM MICAH

Sunday was the first game of Ultimite Frisbee. We started a pick-up game with some friends in a local park in the hopes of meeting some new people and encouraging them to join us and play. We only had 6 players this time, but we played anyway. The game went well, but it was so tiring. I'm hoping that we'll have a better turn out at the next game and hopefully in a few weeks we will have enough to play a real game. I'll let you all know how it goes and if the group grows.

Recipe For A Healthy Life

Someone sent this to me and it is just too good not to share.

25 Ingredients for a Healthy Life


1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life.

3 . When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today. I am thankful for ______________'.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5.. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a College kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals everything - but you have to ask Him.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!!!

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

DAYBOOK

(This is an idea I have taken form a friend.)


For Today … SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24

Outside my window... the sun is rising over the mountains and the weather is beautiful.

I am thankful for... new friends and warm weather. (We’ve been in Germany for a few days & it was COLD!)

From the kitchen… after a week away, the cupboard is bare and a trip to the grocery is essential.
I am wearing... my PJs (first lazy day in a LONG time).

I am reading… The Shack

I am hoping... to enjoy a restful weekend before jumping full-force back into language school.

I am praying...for fresh ideas for meeting neighbors in my community (parks, cafes, etc)

Around the house... LAUNDRY (we’ve been gone 5 days)

One of my favorite things... hearing Portuguese when we stepped on the airplane and understanding it all.

A few plans for the rest of the week... laundry, language school, but most of all I plan to be more dileberate at looking for opportunities to share with those around me everyday.

SUPRISE! SUPRISE! SUPRISE!

Have you ever had one of those weeks? Well that is what we have had this week. Sometimes the "everyday-ness" of everything is just wearing on the body and the mind - like fighting traffic for almost and hour to get to class every morning, having to go to 3 different grocery stores just to get the things on our list, trying to ask a simple question of Ethan's teacher an drawing a total blank, etc. It's these days when we long for the familiarity of the States.

Well, the Lord knew we needed a boost. We arrived home last night to find a note on our mailbox announcing a package. However, we could not pick it up until 9 this morning. We decided it was worth being a few minutes late to class to stop. Wow was it worth it. Right on top were RECESSES!!!!!!! After quickly eating 2 we decided we could face the day and headed to school. While running errands in the afternoon we were suprised when our neighbor called to say she had signed for 3 packages for us. Needless to say we hurried home to see our bounty.

We finished opening the first package and the other 3 as well. It was like Christmas. The boys recieved a mound of baseball, football and soccer cards, as well as playdough and a treasure trove of dollar store finds. There was a healthy amount of chocolate, muffin mixes, chili peppers, gum, magazines, fall cookie cutters, crest toothpaste, a TN football poster and so much more. I think the biggest hit was the fall Candy Corn. It is amazing how little things can hold such a warm spot in your heart.

Thank you Scott & Lori, the Hendersons and Poppa & Granny. You made the end of a not-so-great week GRAND!

Happy Anniversary!

We were so excited last weekend to be invited to celebrate the 40th Anniversary with the Baptist Church in Vila Nova de Gaia. This is the one of the churches we worked with when we first came a few years back with our volunteer team. The church has built a new sanctuary and it is amazing. It was great to be with this church body, celebrate with them and meet some folks that we hope to be able to partner with once we move.

We took this opportunity to spend some extra time getting to know different areas of the city. One of the highlights was the downtown at dusk. We were in search of an American restaurant that we had heard about. We found it and it was just like in the States (check out the pictures to see where we ate!) After dinner we walked around and were able to get some great night time pictures. We were reminded anew of our purpose in being here and how eager we are to move to this city.