Making Music

This year Micah was invited to a music camp. 

Here are a few pictures of the group at their final concert and Micah getting his camp award. 

Emergency Room

Thankfully we have not needed the ER in the 2 1/2 years we have lived here.  However, in 2 weeks time we made 2 visits.  First was Andy with a kidney stone and then Micah took and elbow during basketball practice and got his first stitches.

I can't say that either visit was fun, but it was encouraging to know that we were able to take care of it all in Portuguese and everyone survived:)  It was also an amazing reminder of how good and gracious God is.  He has seen us through so much and we are so blessed in return.

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)

Finally 14

This is a few days late, but Micah turned 14 last Friday.  It is so hard to believe.  As I looked back thorough pictures and memories I was reminded of what a wonderful young man he has become.

We are so blessed to be his parents.

This free digital collage generated with Smilebox

FROM MICAH

I started school this week without knowing my schedule or times. I survived the first day even though I had no idea what I was doing. Our class didn't know what to do along with everyone else and half of our teachers were new. The Gripe A, or Swine Flu, is a big worry at our school. We have to use hand sanitizer at the beginning of every class and wash all of the desks after class. The teachers also wash all of the markers and even the erasers.

This year I have lots of classes: Portuguese, Math, Earth Science, Chemical Science, English, French, History, Research with computers, Geography, Music, Civics, Art, PE & Homeroom.

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.

7 - 2

Micah has been practicing with a local soccer team for the last few months. He has not been able to play in a game because he came in the middle of the season and here you have to be "federated" and begin at the beginning of the season. However, yesterday they had a "friendly" game and he finally got to play. We were amazed at the ability of these kids. Their footwork is phenominal - of course they have been kicking a ball since they could walk. His team is in the white - notice their colors - red, white, and blue! They have some really cool traditions. The 2 teams walk out side by side, make one long line in front of the grandstand and then everyone shakes the officials' hands. After the game the players shake hands and then they come over to the grandstand and give the crowd a round of applause. They are really serious about the traditions and sportsmanship of soccer. I've also included a video of one of the goals they made.