Nanny & Papaw are here!

They arrived safely, on time and with all their luggage!  We couldn't be happier!


They were exhausted of course, but hung in until bedtime.  They even went ahead a gave us all our goodies!

This is only a few of the marvelous things we received.  We also received clothes that were sent from my Mom and Michael's grandmother.  Talk about being spoiled! ;)

We're having a great time catching up, that's if Justice decides to share Papaw.

Today the power went out and we left Papaw in charge of three kids while Nanny, Michael and I took the other two to the grocery store.  When we returned Papaw had helped engineer a very elaborate 'tent' in the living room.  The kids had everything they needed, even Papaw's peanuts for food.....

Papaw's + Kids + power outages = very cool tents

Shoot Me 2/52

Brooklyn and I went grocery shopping this morning.  This little grocery store is close enough to walk to, but I hardly ever do that because I can't carry 10 bags of groceries at the same time.  It's about as large as the average gas station in America.  Has 4 small rows, but it's packed full of things.

Just another shot of me doing my normal, daily activities.  I know, you're impressed.

Thanks Carin, for this fun meme!
 "Shoot Me! It's time to stop hiding behind that camera of yours. Your family is missing you in the picture. So it's time to post a picture of YOU (yes, you) every Thursday with your child, your spouse, your friend, your dog, or even by yourself. Just get in the picture, you'll be glad you did! And just jump in now with 1 of 52, you can do it."

Beautiful Portugal - My Village

See the bumblebee?

These are some of the sights you'd see if you could walk through my village with me.....

Portuguese cemetery

Old house with grape vine growing at the door.

Blue house anyone?

Pink Mary Kay car...in Portugal?!

I've Always Wanted to do This......

Take a picture of myself in the mirror. But to do that, I had to have a cool camera.







So, guess what that means?





Yep...I got a COOL camera!







I've not done much with it other than take these few pictures on the auto setting.





I have much to learn before I can do some pretty fantastic stuff.



Maybe I can find a class to take?
What do you think?

Shoot Me! 1/52

I love this idea!

For moms to stop hiding behind the camera.

This is what Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans has to say about her mimi,

"Shoot Me! It's time to stop hiding behind that camera of yours. Your family is missing you in the picture. So it's time to post a picture of YOU (yes, you) every Thursday with your child, your spouse, your friend, your dog, or even by yourself. Just get in the picture, you'll be glad you did! And just jump in now with 1 of 52, you can do it!"

So today I'll begin to share my camera with others. (I've always had a problem sharing.) To allow myself to be photographed doing my normal daily things with my family. One picture (at least) each week, must include Mom.

No excuses.

No make-up? No problem.
Got a bloated stomach? No problem.
My arms look fat and jiggly? No problem.

Absolutely no excuses. So please humor me and act interested.

I have so few pictures of me with my first few daughters when they were young. I was always the one taking the pictures. Now my first few are old enough to share my camera (in a VERY closely monitored situation.) Doesn't mean they're good photographers, but hey, a blurry picture covers a multitude of sin. ;)

So here we go.....

Last night after watering the flowers and grass.....


I took all the kids on a walk through our village. Through vineyards....

(Maybe my kids will learn to be better photographers by the time this year is up!)

..and through the back streets.


We walked so far, Justice ended up with blisters. He got a free ride home. ;)

Make a Girl Smile, Will Ya?!

Okay..look...I'll admit it.


I love birthday's!!

Especially when it's my own!




I've been singing 'happy birthday to me' all week long. The neighborhood kids playing in my home always tell me it's bad luck to wish someone happy birthday before their birthday, especially ones own self.

But that didn't stop me....I kept on singing. (and they kept on rolling their eyes)


So there you have it...Today is my birthday and I'm thrilled about it! No shame involved.

My one birthday wish, beside not having to cook supper tonight, is this......

To see how many different states, countries, continents I can get happy birthday wishes from.

Easy peasy, não é?

So leave me a quick comment telling me happy birthday and your location.

I'll love you for it.

"Happy Birthday to me...happy birthday to me....."

Photo Essay - July

From the looks of Bloggy Land, everyone is pretty busy these days. I'm not the only one who's posting randomly these last few months.

I don't have much to say really except that we are enjoying summer to the fullest. Just around the corner lurks the dark, cold and rainy Portuguese winter days, so I plan to live life to the fullest right now while I can.

I thought I'd share a few photos showing some events that took place during July.



The first news I'll share with you is by far, the most important. My second daughter Faith accepted the Lord as her Savior while at summer camp last week! We are thrilled that the Lord answered our prayers and that she is now a part of the family of God!

Michael and our three oldest kids went to camp last week. They had a wonderful time, and returned with arm loads of toys, pool floats and dirty clothes! I stayed home with these two boogers:



We had a nice time just relaxing and enjoying one another. I actually became bored at one point. Only having two kids to care for left me lots of time to wish for the return of the rest of my family.

My "babies" played so well together....Trinity took care of Justice as if he were her son...which only left me with even more time on my hands.



We laughed and we played....





In the middle of July we hosted a "think tank' meeting with others that serve in various areas of the church in Braga. It lasted all day, and of course included lunch.





We went camping one night.....ahem....that's all I'll say on that subject.



We received a surprise package in the mail from a precious family in Mississippi! These are ALWAYS a highlight of being on the mission field!




And so that brings us to August. Michael's mom and step dad will be visiting us later this month, so we are in preparations for their arrival. The month of August is traditionally the month of vacations. A lot of businesses close for the month or at least for several weeks. Vacationers from all over Europe come for the beaches and warmer weather. The roads and grocery stores around me are packed with folks speaking all different languages. Church attendance is down considerably as folks are traveling visiting family. Everything slows way down this time of year. So we'll try to enjoy it as school will begin the middle of September and our busy lives will resume their normal hectic paces.

So, until next time...happy summer ya'll!