Gerês National Park

.....sooooo......this is what arrived at our hotel room door just minutes after setting down our luggage.



And this was our view as we were driving there.



My husband took me on a two night romantic getaway in the National Park of Gerês, Northern Portugal. It's been so long since just the two of us went away for a vacation in many, many years. After 13 years of marriage and 5 children, the time finally came!



We stayed in a precious hotel surrounded by mountains and waterfalls.



Ate dinner by candlelight, had spa treatments and even drove into Spain one evening.



Just across the boarder Spain has natural warm springs....



and delicious food!



We had such an amazing time! I love my husband, and this time we had together was priceless. I'm so thankful for the opportunity we had and the precious folks that stayed with our children so we could go. I can't believe this beautiful place is only 1 hr and 20 minutes from my home! I hope it's not another 13 years before we go back!

What have you guys been up to this summer?

Where Do I Start?!

Wow...I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. Life has been so busy lately.

There has been celebration, after celebration lately....a lot of cooking and fellowshiping and church services to attend. But I praise the Lord for "work"....that means He is blessing!

Here are a few pictures from a Bar-B-Que we hosted last week with some friends and co-laborers.


Here I am putting the finishing touches on the black beans and mac & cheese.


Justice learning to play soccer with the men.


About to pray and eat!


Some of us ladies enjoying a little sun.


The "cook"!


The girls learning how to play 4 square.


Singing under the tent.


Playing Phase 10.


Stealing chips.


Choking the dog.

We are so blessed to have friends and co-laborers to fellowship with. We had a very nice day filled with American, Brazilian and German foods.

Yesterday we had all the girls teachers over for lunch. They weren't too sure about the pasta that I made, but the lemon pie was a hit! Friday is the last day of school so we wanted to have all the teachers here to say "thank you" for a fantastic school year. These ladies have helped our children so much over the last two years and we are very grateful for them. I pray they see the love of Christ in us.

Yesterday was my anniversary. 13 years! Michael and I are slipping away for two nights next week. Going to the mountains! I'll post pictures when we return.

See ya!

My eyes are playing tricks on you....

Cool, huh?! I'm easily impressed these days.

Waldorf Chicken Salad

I've seen so many recipes for this dish. Some complicated and others not so much.....but the main idea is this: Chicken, fruit and mayo.

This is a great meal for my family when its hot outside. We eat it on crackers, inside rolls, on a bed of lettuce, with little tostas, or just plain in a bowl. It's light, slightly sweet, and it's loaded with fruit which is always a hit with my kids.

I use:

Cooked, diced chicken breast
apples, several different kinds, diced with peel
grapes, de-seeded
almonds or walnuts
celery, cut into small pieces
raisins
light mayo
honey

I cut up everything, throw it in a bowl, fling on some mayo and honey and mix it up until it looks and tastes right.

I'm such a sophisticated cook, aren't I?! Following recipes isn't really my thing. I like to make things as simple as possible. Good food doesn't have to be complicated.

It's easy and fairly quick if you have some kids willing to help dice up the fruit and de-seed the grapes! (But if your stateside, you can buy seedless grapes...sniff...sniff...)

This week is full of celebrations for us and occasions to cook. Yesterday we had one of the girls teachers over to eat with us. I served this chicken salad which was very different for her, but she seemed to like it.

I'm linking up with Fringegirl over at The Domestic Fringe. Stop by her place for more fantastic summer recipes. Or better yet, post one of your own!

Hope you guys have a great week!

Dia das Criaças - Kids Day

I'm SO glad it's finally June!

Waaaahooooooo!

The Chicken Pox has come and gone. Now that all five kids have had them, some worse than others, I can put that scary childhood virus behind us and move on!

Today in Portugal is Kid's Day. All the local businesses have some sort of offer for the kids. Maybe a free coloring book, free stickers, 1 Euro train tickets and a play day at school.

Last year I knew very little about this day, and allowed my children to stay home from school (they are still in school until the 18th of June. They don't start until mid September) to witness the miracle of birth. Our little Tigra had kittens and I thought it more educational than a day spent playing at school. But they were informed the next day at school that they had "really missed it"! They missed inflatable bouncy things and worst of all they missed ice cream! *gasp*

So now I understand the importance of allowing my kids to be...well...KIDS on Kid Day! After all, children are 'not machines' we were told after only a few months here in Portugal. (Apparently we were expecting too much out of ours!) But we as parents have higher expectations for our children. We've had to find a nice balance between responsibility and childhood pleasures.

Speaking of pleasures....look what's in season right now! We pop them and eat them like grapes...fabulous!



This was my gift to my little kiddos...for Kids Day.



Major hates the pool and all the splashing that he gets from it. He's disgusted with me for bringing it home.



Got to love a little blond headed kid with a "pool hair-do". It' so messy, it's cute.



And Tigra could care less as she is dreaming sweet dreams today and not in the pain of labor like she was last June 1st!



Summertime....here we come!

The 'Pox' Lives On....

Last week it was Justice.

This week, Brooklyn.

Next week, I'm predicting Faith since she feels like Brooklyn did last week....run down, head ache, low grade fever and sore throat.

Motherhood....I tell you what......it's been a while since I've had a Mama Fit!

Chicken Pox

A spot. A spot. Another spot.
Uh - oh! Chicken pox!
Under my shirt. Under my socks.
Itchy, itchy chicken pox.
Don't rub - don't scratch.
Oh - no! Another batch!
On my tummy. Between my toes.
Down my back. On my nose!
Lotion on. Itching is gone - just for now.
It comes back - Owe!
One and two and three and four.
Five and six and more and more.
Daddy counted my itchy spots.
Lots and lots of chicken pox.
Itchy, itchy
I feel twitchy!
I rest, I read, I eat, I play.
I feel better every day.
And then . . .
No new spots. Hooray!
I'm okay!

Author Unknown

I've not been able to attend a church service in 2 weeks. And I won't be going for another week now that I have another one that requires Mom's love here at home. Pray for us all please. We have a busy weekend planned with activities at the church and Michael will be preaching for a fellow missionary on Sunday. I hate that he will go alone, or at least without me. It's never the same he says, when I'm not there. I guess you pastor's wives understand what I'm talking about.

Brooklyn has had the varivax vaccination that's supposed to keep her from getting Chicken Pox. Any of you had kids that still got them after the vaccine?

Ichingly Yours,

This and That

It's really very cool that the schools here in Portugal will allow you to bring a cake and celebrate your kids birthday. Brooklyn wanted me to make a giant cookie for her birthday party, but I had to make two of them because those kids LOVE my desserts! It's the sugar....the desserts here in Portugal aren't nearly as sweet as the ones we Americans make!





I always try to make something different. The kids loved the giant cookie. They said they'd never seen a cookie so big!






We celebrated mother's day the same day as you guys did in the States. Here are a few pictures from Mother's day at church.








This week has been so nice. The weather is absolutely beautiful! I'm having a hard time staying indoors.

However, I'm mothering a very sick boy that has the chicken pox....he is so pitiful. Would you say a prayer for him?



Hope you guys are enjoying your week......

Friday Photo Flashback

My first three children were born very close together. Then there seemed to be a little breathing room before #4 and eventually #5 were born.

Having those three baby girls was so much fun but equally as much work......wow...those days were almost a blur!


This was one Sunday after church. They were sitting on the guest bed. I believe it was a weekend when their Mimi was visiting us. We were living in Georgia.



This was taken at our favorite Pumpkin Patch, just outside of Atlanta. We loved that place!!



And here was the first day of school 2004.

Tonight I'll take them all to basketball practice...they sure grow up fast!




Hope you guys have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Brooklyn!

Saturday was Brooklyn's 11th Birthday. We had a pic-nic planned, but the weather was nasty, so she decided she'd like to go get a hair cut instead. So she and I spent a few hours out together at the salon and then a cafe for pastries and coffee.

She'd recently gone shopping and had purchased some really cute dresses that make her look, well, like the pre-teen that she is. So I think she wanted a new hair cut to go with those dresses.

These are her 'after' pictures:






Last night at church we had a party to celebrate a few birthdays. Trinity and Brooklyn were included. Here is a picture of them praying after we sang happy birthday.....



well....we were supposed to be praying...Trinity looks like she's getting ready for bed.


Anyway...in honor of Brooklyn's 11th birthday, here are the top 11 reasons why I love my precious daughter:

1. She's considerate and sensitive.
2. She's an excellent student and always does her best in whatever she attempts to do.
3. She's maturing into a precious, young christian lady who loves to hear the story of her birth.
   
4. She loves her Daddy and will defend him till she is red in the face.
5. She recognizes when I'm stressed out and offers to help without pointing out that she knows I'm stressed.
6. She's easy to please and grateful for what she gets.
7. She reads better than I do...In two languages.
8. She shares her room with her 3 year old brother without fussing....well, without much fussing.
9. Although she misses friends and family, she thinks living in Portugal is pretty cool.
10. She tells me how skinny I am.
11. She's mine! Thank You Lord!

Now, aren't you jealous you don't have a cool 11 year old like this living with you?!

;)

Have a great week ya'll!