Mom, is it my birthday yet?

Being programmed to stand and smile when he heard his name, Justice still struggled to obey.  "Mom, they always laugh at me" was his response when given the 'evil eye' from Mom.

His sisters, each in their own varying degrees of pre-teen drama, stood and smiled.  One, quickly and meekly.  One with the flip of her hair and a cock of her hip.  One that actually curtsied.  The last, waving with her presidential smile.

Each week, another church...usually 3 different ones.  He was tired of everyone looking, poking, hugging, and laughing at him.  Why was it always funny when he stood up?

His Daddy, as always, introduced our family.  Starting with his wife, then the oldest child to the youngest.  By the time the congregation had seen the display from each of his sisters, and Daddy made a 'short joke'..."Son, are you standing?!  I can't tell!!" ...Justice was mortified.

Giggles erupted, his face reddened.

Mom, pushing on his backside..."Son....stand up!"

After a lightening speed 'stand up-sit down', his Daddy would say "Justice is 4...almost 5.  His birthday will be on the airplane."

How could folks not giggle at him....he's so darn cute.

But he doesn't understand that.  All that mattered to him was his birthday.

We threw together a quick party for him on the last Saturday we were Stateside.  Surrounded by my family to watch the season opener, we sang, ate a big cookie with an Alabama "A" on it, and he opened gifts and cards containing green paper.  -  "That's done."  I thought.  "Mark that off my Mommy to-do list".

 

But to Justice....it's wasn't done.

The next few days were filled with much stress.  Packing, repacking, unpacking, packing again.  What goes back to Portugal?  What stays.  Do we have room?  How much does this weigh?  What is most important right now?  Pictures of my childood, or pictures when all the girls were babies?  Both can't go.....

Justice played, watched American cartoons and enjoyed the last minute attention from grandparents.  All the while counting down in his head....thinking....."on the plane will be my birthday!"

We arrived at the airport in a whirlwind of last minute plans coming together.

Is Bro. Calvin here?  He's supposed to take our van.

Where is Pawpaw supposed to meet us?  We can't go through security yet, he's not here.

Gramps and Toni made it.  Gramps is never late.  (Like his oldest son)

Do any of our trunks weigh more than 50 pounds? "Lord, please no....I want everything that's in them!"

Deep breath....

Oh look, Bro. David came to say bye...but we're already in the security line.  Run, leave bags, quick hug.

Inconsiderate people.  Only concerned about themselves. Not offering to help a family of 7 with stuffed carry-ons, and help 5 kids remove their laced up, double knotted tennis shoes.  They pass us by in a huff....

"Patience, Nina......we don't have to do this for another 3-4 years."

Security alarm goes crazy....I look up...Lib is standing, eyes wide....."What did I do?"  She, my 'collector of little things' has an old, worn out cell phone in her pocket....Daddy takes it out roughly, tossing it into a tote going down the belt...frustrated....Lib gets a tounge lashing.

Justice still thinking...."It's about to be my birthday!"

We get on the first of three planes.

"Where is everyone sitting?  Who's scared?  Who's more scared and needs Mom or Dad next to them?  She got a window seat last time!  That HAS to go under the seat in front of you, for the 6th time! My stomach feels queasy and nervous.  Did you even eat breakfast?  I left my picture at Mimi's!  I'm SO ready to be home...."

These are random phrases floating through the air of the 4 rows our family takes up.....

We take off and I try to leave my stress and anxiety on the runway as we ascend.

The seat belt light goes off.....Justice looks at me....."Mom, is it my birthday now?"
"Not yet" I tell him.  "On the next plane, the really big plane that takes us over the Atlantic ocean.  On that plane you will turn 5!"  I try to sound excited for him.  My head pounding.

5 Hours later........

On the big plane, he sits in the row behind me.  With his biggest sister, surely she can handle him and let Mom and Dad sit together.  The flight attendant arrives, "Um, excuse me mam (In terrible English) "you have to stop your son from pushing the call button.  He keeps calling the flight attendants."

Deep sigh...defeated......"Come up here son...sit with me."

He's seated, buckled, playing his new video game.  I start dozing off.....

"Mom.....Mom....(poking me)...Is it my birthday now!?!"

I look at my watch, foggy headed trying to think what timezone we were in...."Yes, son.  In Portugal, it's your birthday."

Anticipation in his eyes, he starts looking around.  Almost in a panic.

Then it dawns on me...

He was expecting a PARTY on the airplane.



Exhausted I explain that's not what I meant and not what his Daddy meant everytime he heard his Daddy tell churches that he was going to turn 5 on the airplane.

Brows furrowed, he frowns.

"You are NOT the nice Mommy right now." he says.....

At that point, I didn't care.

I giggled, kissed his head and went to sleep.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A Very Happy 5th Birthday, to my One and Only Son!"

I Love You Justice!

A Photo Journey - Autumn Afternoon

Last week we enjoyed some beautiful Fall weather.  Usually by this time of year, the rain and wind have set in and the yard is so soggy you can't walk in it.  But the Lord extended our Fall season here in Northern Portugal and we loved it!

After the kids had eaten lunch there was still a little time before they had to be back at school so we went outside to find something to do....here is our photo journey of an Autumn Afternoon:

"What are we going to do Mom?"

Major wanted to play ball.

I wanted to swing and relax.

Major really wanted to play ball.

I decided to take some pictures.

Our oranges are almost ready.

Faith and Lib went on a treasure hunt.

Complete with a map and backpacks.

Faith looked more like Pipi Longstockings than she did a treasure discoverer.

Trinity didn't like any of our ideas.

And she really didn't like me taking her picture while pouting.

How long can I hide the fact that 9 year olds in America have REAL cell phones and don't play with their parents old ones?  Let's not tell her, okay?

Finally, it was time to return the kids to school  This is THE tree in the school yard, where everything happens.  I remember in my elementary school yard, it was a huge old tire on the playground.

When I left the school, I drove out to the coast for some me and God time.

Yes, I took these while driving...and yes I had a wreck while doing so.  But no one was hurt, not even my fender where I ran into a van.  Only my pride was damaged.

It was a beautiful day.

The water was rough and muddy looking, but I didn't mind.

During August, one can hardly see sand for the number of people on the beach.  I like it like this much better.

Always fishermen.

Sometimes I wonder if I started swimming how long it would take me to reach the eastern coast of America.

But then I realize how dumb that is.

It's almost time to go back to the school...good bye pretty skies....

 

This is what I was greeted bye when I walked in Justice's classroom.

My little man and one of his buddies.


Then it was home and back to the daily grind of snacks, homework, supper, baths and housework.  It was a fun afternoon.  I hope you enjoyed the journey.

Back to School - Portuguese Style

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"So....what's the difference" you ask?  "School is school, no matter where you go....right?"

Well, in part, yes.  But in many ways, no.


First, a few 'back to school' photos of my babies.....

Brooklyn, this morning before her first full day of school.  She was up, dressed and ready to go before any of us were out of bed.  She is going to Jr. high this year and will be riding the city bus to get there.  She was waiting on the front steps for a few friends to pass by the house on the way to the bus stop when I snapped this picture.  She was a huge ball of nerves.

Trinity, on her first day of school.  She wasn't very happy about going and wouldn't cooperate with the photographer.  She began the first grade last Friday, but is having a little difficulty shaking this continuous 'tummy ache' that appears each morning. She, too, is a big ball of nerves. 

Liberty, on the first morning of school.  She began the 4th grade last Friday and is doing exceptionally well.  She has the same teacher she's had the last two years and she has fallen into the school routine without problems.  School couldn't start soon enough for her!  No worries from my middle child.

Faith, on the first morning of school.  She also began the 4th grade and is enjoying the comfort of having the same teacher she's had the last two years.  (She and Lib are in the same class and we all adore Professora Fátima!)  She's my strong child.  Both physically and mentally.  She can handle just about anything thrown at her...and she does it all while laughing!

All three of my elementary school aged girls.  (Finally a little grin from Trinity.)

Ok..moving right along to the boy....THE boy.  He wasn't thrilled about a photo shoot before school.  He kept saying, "I don't want to go to school."

And the look on his face proved it....

He finally quit trying to be so tough, but refused to let his smile show.

....still trying to hide his grin....

"Okay Mom...this is the best I can do!...now do I still have to go to school?"

Okay...back to the differences...

Here are a few examples....


School schedule for everyone but Brooklyn:

9:00 - 12:00 - Class - I drop them off a few minutes before 9.


12:00 - 1:30 - Lunch at home.  I pick them up and we come back home to eat.  They relax a little after lunch cause three hours of school is tough on their young bodies....*notice my sarcasm* and then I take them back about 1:25.  There is a small lunch room at their school and they have the option of remaining there to eat....but..well...soup and rotten bananas are not real high on the list of favorite foods around here.  And taking your lunch is not an option.  My guess is about 25 % of the kids go home for lunch or to a grandparents house to eat.

1:30 - 3:30 - Class - I pick them up at  3:30.  Now most of the kids, I'd say about 95% of them stay at the school until at least 5:30.  During those last two hours of school they have all the extra curricular activities.  We noticed after the first year of school that it seemed to be two hours of glorified babysitting.  Since it wasn't mandatory to remain at school until 5:30, we chose to bring them home after the 'real' work was done.  There is also an option for the parents to pay for "after school care" and the kids remain at school until 7:00 each evening...and most of these kids that use this type of care were dropped off for school much earlier that 9:00 because of parents work schedules.


We also have to buy all of the books that the kids need.  They don't reuse textbooks.  Oh...and the school isn't climate controlled.  They burn up in the heat and freeze in the winter.  I think sometimes teachers bring portable heaters, but they don't use them very often, for strange reasons.  At least to me the reasons are strange.


So......here you have an example of what a country elementary school is like in northern Portugal.

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. ;)