Ethan's Band

Ethan has gotten quite creative in the last few days since we have been home a bit more.  He built all these instuments with his Kynex set.  Thankfully they don't make noise :)

Intervalo - Taking a break

Intervalo means intermission or break in Portuguese.  I know it has been a while since I posted anything, but I was taking a break while preparing for my language exam, getting the boys through the last month of school and their exams, our trip to Germany and a few other things. The break does NOT mean nothing has been going on.  Below is a quick wrap up of our last few weeks of school, basketball, soccer, etc.

Abundant Blessings

(arrival to Portugal - Jan 2009)

When we arrived in Lisbon almost 1 1/2 years ago, I had many concerns.  My biggest concern was for Micah & Ethan.  We had decided that public school was the best option, but it was not an easy decision.  The first day we left them, I cried all the way home - how would they function when they couldn't understand anything going on around them?  However, I had to trust God that He was bigger than all of my worries and that He would be with them every step of the way.  I must admit, those first few months were not easy. Communication with the school and teachers was difficult for all of us.  There were days of tears (for everyone) and days were we had to almost kick them out of the house. 

All that said, I must share some wonderful news.  After completing their first full year in Portuguese public schools, both boys have recieved passing grades for this school year.  It looks good on paper, but the true significance of it is so much more.  Micah and Ethan have both managed to learn a second language AND pass their academic classes as well.  They have also made friends and  adapted to the culture quite well.  Today when we entered the school building the security officer greeted us with, "Congratulations.  Have you seen Micah's grades?  He did so well."   The Father has blessed us immensly and we are so proud of our boys.  Now as we approach a new move, please pray for a smooth transistion to a new school and new friends.

(a few months ago at an anciet ruin - March 2010)

Festa do Ethan

Saturday we had a small birthday party for Ethan.  It was the first time we'd had a group of Portuguese kids in our home and we had a blast.  We played Jenga and introduced them to Twister.  We also built towers out of marshmellows and toothpicks.  They loved it.  It is wonderful to finally have "normal" events in our home and share our lives with the wonderful Portuguese people.

9 YEARS

Can you believe it?  Ethan is 9 today.  He has such a loving, adventurous kid and his smile lights up a room.  Happy Birthday Ethan.  You bring so much joy to our lives. We love you.

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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 ETHAN

I started school this week. I have the same teacher from last year and it has been really fun.

Back in the Swing

I know it has been a while since I've posted anything, but life has been a bit crazy here for the last few weeks. The boys are back in school and soccer and we are all adjusting to a new routine.

Both boys have begun soccer and are loving it. Micah actually is asking to invite players over to the house! Can you believe it?!



They have also started back to school. It has not been easy, but certainly easier than last year. Ethan has the same class & teacher (PTL - this will make communication so much easier for all of us). However, Ethan's 2 best friends are not in his class. He was a bit disappointed, but after the second day announced that he had made a new friend with a new student and he could show him what to do. LOL! We could just picture that conversation. Micah has pretty much the same schedule and teachers as last year, so we hope this will help quite a bit with communication as well. The exciting thing is that our quiet child who always shruggs his shouldres or says "nothing" when asked what he did at school today, now comes home offering information about his day and smiling. We even caught a glimpse of him goofing off in the courtyard with other classmates. It does a momma's heart good! Here are the obligatory 1st day of school pictures.

FUTBOL TIME IN PORTUGAL

The new futbol season has kicked off in Portugal and this year Ethan has decided to play as well. Here are a few pictures from his first practice. He loved it. Everytime he scored he would run down the field celebrating. He was so funny to watch. Micah is "officially" part of the team this year and has his first game Sunday. With 3 goal keepers on the team, we will see if he will really get to play.