Happy Birthday Trinity!

Trin (snaggle tooth) on her 7th birthday with her sisters Lib and Brooklyn.

Trinity, our youngest daughter, turned 7 on Tuesday.  It was a local holiday in our town, so schools were out and we had a beautiful day geocaching!  She even lost a tooth on her birthday!

So, in concordance with my normal birthday routine, I'll list the top 7 reasons why I love Trinity:

1. She waits on me to come to the living room when we are going to watch a family movie so that she can sit right beside me and share my blanket.  She's always been my best cuddler.
2. I never have to tell her twice.
3. She recalls bible stories with much ease when she is faced with real life situations that parallel biblical accounts. ( such as...."Mom, that was scary!  But God protected us like he did Daniel while in the den of lions!")
4. She is an excellent student that loves school, math and reading.
5. I have more pictures in my 'keep box' from Trinity than all my other children combined.  She's always drawing me something.
6. She's very sensitive.
7. She's MINE!

Trin (middle) with her sisters Faith and Lib

"Happy Birthday baby girl! I Love You!"
Love,
Mom

Traditional Ending...or is it a Beginning?

Last week, due to a scheduling conflict, I alone took my youngest daughter Trinity and Justice to her 'end of the school year' festa.

And what an opportunity it was!

It was hosted by the "mother" school in our district and was THE event to attend this Saturday evening. Classes from each represented school had an opportunity to put on a "show" of their choice. Some of the other kindergarten classes dressed up in precious flower, bumble-bee or cloud costumes and pranced around the stage with bent petals and falling off stingers. They were cute, don't get me wrong, but the real treat came last. (I think they knew, and saved the best for last!)

For weeks Trinity would come home from school and complain about the practice they had to do in preparation for the party at the end of the year. She fussed about how long she had to stand there, and how her arms were so tired they were going to 'fall off' from waving her flag so much.

I had no idea what this party was all about, I just knew that there were seamstresses involved, many 'fittings' and there was going to be a hefty price tag attached to the 'beautiful green dress' she was getting to wear. The seamstress came to the school on several occasions, would pass me in the hall and tell me how beautiful Trinity was going to be. Everything seemed to be quite secretive actually.

Well, the night finally arrived. The party, as does everything else in this country, began at 9:00. (PM!!!!) We arrived with her hair in a ballerina ball as I was told and as usual, we waited on everyone else to show up.

Finally the time came when we were allowed to move into the dressing area and we finished off the costumes with bows, sashes, and flowers.

Right before the children took their places on stage in front of a crowd of about 1500 people, Trinity was handed a Portuguese flag.

The night was cool and there was a strong breeze coming in from the Atlantic. She took her place on stage, wrapped the flag around herself and then looked out at the crowd......



I just knew she was about to cry and take off running. But instead....the music began and the little girl up front began to lip sync a song in traditional Fado music....



....and then Trinity came alive!



She was so sweet....and I cried during the whole thing.

The music, although I understood very little, was beautiful. Many were singing along and crying as well as they understood the meaning behind the song. I wish I knew the name so I could better understand and translate some of the lyrics for you.

The gist was this.......This is Portugal. We are Portuguese. We are proud.

But not in a yelling, in-your-face type song....but a heart felt, longing.....traditional Fado music. (here is a link for a sample of this type of music)

And Trinity's little blond head was on that stage waving that flag the entire time. That was her sole purpose.... to wave the Portuguese flag for all to see.



Now...last week I cried while standing in the butcher's (I know..I'm weepy lately) when on the TV came the American National Anthem as the USA was about to play in the World Cup. Before I knew who was playing, I had no interest in anything except for the man in front of me to hurry up. But after I heard 'my anthem' played....well, I was glued to the screen and saw people dressed in costumes like Abraham Lincoln and George Washington...I couldn't help but to feel proud.



But on this Saturday night, I was experiencing the same type of feeling. It wasn't 'my anthem' playing, but it was the realization that I have fallen in love with this beautiful country. With it's people, with it's traditions, with it's rich history. My children will be more Portuguese than they are American. I'm okay with this. They're almost to that point already....I mean what American kid doesn't know what Reese's Pieces are?!



So here I am today...spilling my guts in a way too long blog post about my lovely 'adopted' country....and my precious blond headed 'Portuguese' daughter.

Portugal has it's problems, but so does America...and I still love her.

"Thank you Lord for putting us here. Please bless our efforts and open hearts so that we can share of your amazing love."

Happy Birthday Trinity!

Our fourth and youngest daughter Trinity turned 6 yesterday. It is so amazing how fast they grow. How smart they become. How quickly they become so independent.

Yet, at the same time, can still be impressed with a box of crayons and markers!



They were out of school yesterday for a local holiday, so we celebrated with chocolate chip pancakes and a family outing.



We had a Amaka, our basketball playing friend stay the night with us, so she was here for our early morning celebration.





Then today, as is our tradition here in Portugal, we celebrated with her class. Trinity agreed that we have so many "parties" for each of their birthday's (home, church and school) that cake gets old, so she decided on a banana pudding.



"Hey..scoot that a little closer, please!"


much better

Trinity is passing out balloons and suckers as a little memento.



Her singing with her class after the party.




Since she turned 6, I'll list 6 things that I love about her:

1. Trinity is the best language teacher I could ask for! She talks to me in Portuguese without hesitation and will correct me without blinking. I've learned a lot from this little girl!
2. Even though she's the youngest girl, and 4th out of 5 kids, she is a FANTASTIC big sister! Taking care of Justice comes natural to her. I've missed having her at home with me this school year. Justice was lost without her.
3. She's my only "cuddler". Even though she snores like her Papaw, I love to take naps with her.
4. She's thankful. While holding my hand yesterday afternoon, she said, "Mom, I forgot to tell you thank you for my birthday gifts you gave me this morning." Makes me want to give her something else!! A grateful child is a beautiful child indeed!
5. She's helpful. Dishes are a pleasure when she's on a chair next to me. And being the great big sister that she is, she always makes room for Justice and gives him a hand towel, explaining the proper way to dry dishes.
6. She's Mine!! Thank you Lord!

I hope you're all having a great week, we sure are!

Dia do Pai - Father's day

Tuesday, Trinity's Kindergarten class had a party for their father's. The idea was for Dad's to stop by in the afternoon to eat a slice of Apple Cake that the kids made and for them to spend a little time playing with their children. Father's day was actually last Friday, but due to other circumstances, they had to postpone the party until Tuesday.


"My Dad" - By Trinity, Age 5


I think I see some resemblance!


Trin's siblings stayed outside on the playground while the party was taking place. (There were way too many kids in that classroom and adding my other 4 to the mix was pure chaos!)


Trin showing us all the cool puzzles she plays with.


Trin and the teacher's aid.


Daddy helping with the puzzles.


Her class.


Justice learning all about 'school'. He will be going next September.


Some of Trin's friends.


Ring around the Rosie - at warp speed.


Trinity had the first time privilege of taking her own pictures. Here are a few of the ones she took.....



Trying to squat down so Trinity wouldn't take a picture pointing up..not a good angle when trying to hide a double chin.


Check her out! 'Sass-y-frass'!


Another aid.


Snotty-nosed boy.


More of 'Sassy-y-frass'!


All is well over here. Staying busy and now preparing for the arrival of my Mom! She will be here on Monday and stay with us through Easter. The kids will have 2 weeks off from school for Spring Break starting Monday. We're praying for great weather and a blessed time together.

Friday Photo Flashback - Trinity

Okay.....



Promise not to laugh?






Here I am the night before giving birth to my fourth daughter, Trinity.


Here she is a a few days later.


And a few more days after that, at church for her dedication.


A few months after that with my parrot, Livingstone.


And a few months after that with her Mimi.


And a few years after that, (last month) here she is with her friend Ismael.


My...my..they grow up fast. 'Feels like yesterday'

(......All of us Mom's say it, but it doesn't make it any less true, does it?!)




I know you've been wondering where we've been. Well, we're here, doing just fine. Life seems pretty normal right now. Not much to write about. We're beginning some new phases in the ministry very soon, so hopefully I'll have some updated pics and information about all that next week.

For now, we're going to try to enjoy this weekend that is predicted to have NO rain! That means sunshine. Thank you Lord!

Have a great weekend ya'll!

Birthday's, Cherries and Lefty's

*****WARNING: Picture Post*****
If you don't like pictures, skip this post!

The cherry tree in our yard has never given fruit before. Well, now it has!


"Trinity's Garden"


Justice likes to concentrate with his tongue.


And prefers using his left hand.


My birthday girls. Brooklyn turned 10 and Trinity turned 5.


Brooklyn receiving traditional birthday kisses from her teacher.


Brooklyn's classmates.


Her friends at school singing "Happy Birthday"


I baked 50 red velvet cupcakes.


Her best friends, Ines and Jessica.