Shame on Me......

....for allowing a month to go by without posting!

First of all, thank you for your prayers while I was sick.  It took a month, but I am finally back to normal and loving this beautiful spring/summer weather we've been having lately.

The kids just went back to school yesterday after a 2 week + 1 day Spring Break.  (The one day was because there was a holiday on Monday so their break was extend one more day.)  We didn't do anything special, just enjoyed one anothers company and played outside in the sun.....

Here are a few pictures from our Spring Break.....

We cooked out with friends

We ate yummy foods

We played in the mud

We tried new recipes

And everyone of them was a HIT!

We rolled hair

Read the bible

And made resurrection cookies

It was a wonderful 2 weeks!

Now the rush is on......to get everything scheduled, arranged, packed, cleaned and organized for our 12 week furlough this summer.  Time is winding down and there is still much left to do in preparation.

We are certainly looking forward to seeing friends and family, but the short 12 weeks means we will be busy as bees as we try to raise more support while visiting some supporting churches along the way.

Sorry I've been gone so long....hoping all is well with you, my bloggy friends....

Prayers from Portugal,

Springtime Defined

Hat Chick recently asked what springtime meant to me.


Well...here goes.....

To me it means I get to use my clothes line again! This morning I was able to use it 'officially' for the first time this year.


It means the kids have been using the swing in the olive tree.


It means Major won't let anyone outside without first throwing his ball.


It means the plumb trees are blooming.


It means Mom's lazy chair is warming itself in the sun.


But we can still enjoy the spoils of winter....citrus fruits. (These navel oranges are waiting on you Mom!)


And these lemons are crying out to be made into lemonade.


And it means my tiny azaleas are finally blooming.



It means more sunshine and less gray skies. It means more outdoor exercise and it means I am HAPPY!

Happy Hump Day ya'll!

Good Bye To Good Friends

Wednesday we hosted a BBQ with our friends and co-laborers to say goodbye to Leandro and Priscilla. They will be returning to Brazil the first of June. We wish them well and pray that God would give them clear direction for their future. It's been a blessing getting to know them.

Here are some pictures....as usual...



Leandro and Priscilla


Enjoying the beautiful day.


BBQ Brazilian Style





The good life!


Bingo in the grass.


Tigra found a cool place to rest. She's going to have kittens soon.


Looking at fruit trees.


Make a note....It is possible for a man to wash dishes! I have proof! And notice the homemade ice cream!!

The preachers.


The preachers and their families.





Trin with her goofy grin.


My Love

Have a great weekend everyone!

Monday Mayhem

Does this sound like a Monday Mayhem to you?

1. Sleep til 10:00.
2. Leisurely drink two cups of coffee while still in PJ's.
3. Finally shower and heat up left-overs for lunch.
4. Watch my 2 and 4 year old put snails all over their arms and toys.
5. Organize a Treasure Hunt to occupy the last day of Spring Break.
6. Accept lots of hugs and kisses from 5 precious kids.

No, it doesn't sound very mayhem-y to me either. But rather just the opposite. I'm enjoying spending this day with my kids. It's rainy outside and cold, so were staying in. Mondays are our "off" days. If there is such a thing.


However, if this weren't such a wonderful day, I would be having a Mama Fit about my clean sheets that accidentally got left on the clothes line yesterday. This is the view outside my kitchen window.....and I've already mentioned that it's raining!



AND our Resurrection cookies that we made that were supposed to turn out hollow on the inside to represent the tomb, turned out like Peeps marshmallow candy......go figure. Maybe because we made them on Easter night instead of Easter Eve? Hmmmmmm?



But, like I said....no complaining today.....today is a good day. The kids said they taste better like this anyway.


Last night after church we carried the Custodio's out to eat to thank them for their help with the music in the services the last few weeks. It was a nice time of fellowship and it helped relieve some of my sadness I had yesterday missing my family from the States.



You never know when your food will show up with an egg on top!




My baby girls are growing up. This is also another area I could 'fuss' about....but I choose today to celebrate family rather than complain about it.


God is so very good.

Girls Rock!

A few Saturdays ago, my family and I went to see a professional girls basketball game.

In Europe, basketball is a far second to their beloved soccer and I noticed a few differences between professional ball here and the States....

• First and foremost it was FREE!

• There were about 30 people there.

• Kids ran out on the court at half time and shot the ball around.

• Part of the gym which could pass for an average high school court was roped off with police tape.

• The players live in a hotel, not luxurious houses.

• After the game the players walk to the stands and greeted folks.

But let me tell you what.....these girls might not be good enough for the WNBA, but they can play ball! I had so much fun watching the no-look passes, blocks and what amounts to tackles. They won this game and advanced to the playoffs.

We had 4 of them come over for dinner last Saturday and to watch a little March Madness. We had a good time and we plan on going to another game soon.







Look what's for lunch.....


Yum!


Trinity loves puzzles.



Some friends of ours, (yes, we have friends) made a quick visit to The States recently and brought us back gifts! Who doesn't like gifts?!?



Washcloths are hard to find in Portugal. Most folks uses sponges or nothing at all I guess, so Ms. Julie remembered my frustration in needing these babies. But aren't they adorable with our names on them?? But you know what's NOT adorable though? The stack of washcloths after each kid has taken a bath where they ramble through the whole stack looking for the one with their name on it. I'm sure if they use someone elses washcloth, they'll melt.




The book she's reading is in Portuguese. She actually looks like she understands it....I am SO jealous!



He hates haircuts, so we buzzed him at home. Poor thing.