Thanksgiving Blessing

Our Thanksgiving was certainly a blessed day.  In the past, since arriving in Portugal, we've celebrated Thanksgiving on the weekend after because the kids were always in school on Thanksgiving Day.  While I enjoyed each of those celebrations, it always made me feel a little sad when Thursday came and went without any celebration.  Normal routines, normal day, nothing special really.....sad day.

But this past Thursday, there was a nation wide strike planned throughout all of Portugal.   So this meant that there may or may not be a bus driver for the kids that morning.  If they made it to school, there may or may not be a teacher for the first class, or the second, or the third....you get the idea....

We've been here long enough to know that anything could happen on these days, so we took advantage of the uncertainly and allowed the kids to stay home Thanksgiving Day.  We planned a lunch with other Americans and together we celebrated and shared about the blessings God has bestowed upon us this year.

This was our table and our honored guests.

Earlier than the kids would have liked, the buzzer rang from the front gate.  The kids know what that means!  No one visits unannounced before noon around here, so a visitor at this hour only means one thing......A PACKAGE FROM THE STATES!!  Since it's not a holiday around here, the mailman was still working and delivered a special box of goodies from Mimi!

Brooklyn with our special friend, Ms. Pat.

 

The kids going through the box of goodies.

This was after our bellies were full and we were being lazy by the fire, watching football.

John, our sweet friend and cancer survivor, with Faith.

Justice showing off his new hat from Mimi.  Just in time for the Alabama/Auburn game.

The kiddos table.

Michael and I

Bro. Mosely and Ms. Pat

Sweet Taneski and Lovely Lauren, basketball players from the States here playing ball in Barcelos.

Our day was so special and for the first time in 4 years, it actually felt like Thanksgiving!  We may have to let the kids play hooky on Thanksgiving day from now on???  Maybe the school will excuse it for religious reasons?!  Wouldn't that be awesome!

I hope you're all doing well.  We are moving right along.  God is working in miraculous ways, but the devil is doing his share too.  Please be in pray for the Andrzejewski Family as we continue to try to serve Him faithfully here where He has put us.

Happy Christmastime to You All!

Christmas On The Mind

Don't judge me please.  I'm not one of those people that puts up a tree in November and then completely skips over Thanksgiving.  I promise.

It's just that winters seem so long....so cold...so wet...and so lonely at times, that having a tree up helps with the winter blues.

Monday night, after a failed attempt last Friday, was the night we finally got it all out.

I couldn't believe how quickly we got it done.  Proof my kids are growing up quickly, and know better how to do this stuff than I do.  Next year, I'll sit by the fire with a cup of coffee and give orders!

They even walked around with the camera snapping away.  Which means that Mom got to be in some of the photos!

At this rate, we could have a few more trees around the house! (I'm only kidding, my Love!")

(Speaking of more than one tree.....Are you one of those people?  You know...the ones that have a tree in every room of the house?!  If so, please explain this to me....I find it very confusing.)

Liberty looking a little bit like a character from bible times......

Me, being very thankful for free, picture editing websites.  I've aged quite a bit in the last few years....that complexion smoother deal is a blessing!

Trinity got lazy, it appears....

With 4 girls in this house, each within 5 years of another, it's amazing how different they are.

Personalities ringing out....sometimes accompanied with a little attitude.....but each so very precious to me.

So, there you have it.  A Christmas tree is up and twinkling in this little village in a cold, dark, rainy northern Portugal.  Only confirms to our neighbors that we are indeed, the crazy Americans!


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Oh, and speaking of being Americans.....yesterday we were invited, Michael and I, to go to Trinity and Justices school next Wednesday morning to talk to the students about the American holiday, Thanksgiving!  And then today, we were invited to go to the Jr/Sr high school and do the same thing!  What an opportunity this is!!  Be praying for us, would you?

Faith and Friends

Faith had a pajama party for her 11th birthday.

I've decided that I like doing sleep overs better than 'Saturday afternoon--invite the whole class parties'.  They're a lot easier and the kids are so much calmer.  Just buy a bunch of junk food, let them giggle until at least midnight maybe 1:00, and make pancakes the next morning......wha-lah!  A perfect party for an 11 year old girl!

Faith started going to what amounts to the Jr./Sr. high this year, so she met new friends.  These three girls have become inseperable in the few short weeks since school started.

The fact that they were allowed to stay the night with our family, is a pretty big deal.  We're the weird ones, strange Americans that have funny beliefs.....I'm so thankful their parents thought enough of us that they allowed their girls to come. 

Her friends wanted to sing happy birthday in English.....you should have heard it!  It was a hoot!

Later in the evening I snuck into the living room to find them looking at my old pictures.  There were a lot of giggles and pointings going on!  I'm sure they were laughing at my 80's hairstyles!

There was even some discussion about where in the bible it says that you can't get to heaven on good works.  Faith, being a little missionary.

Then finally, the next morning, pancakes!  I made these to show them how it was done then I turned the griddle over to them.  They designed their own creations and ate themselves sick!

Now, as is my custom, I will list the top 11 reasons why I Love My Faith!

1.)  She's tenderhearted.  Especially towards those less fortunate, and animals.
2.)  She's always laughing.  Can be annoying at times, but it's certainly what makes Faith herself.
3.)  She's a whiz in the kitchen...my right hand girl.
4.)  She frequently requests that I stop what I'm doing and sit on the sofa to cuddle with her.
5.)  She's easy to please.  Doesn't expect much and appreciates thoughtfulness.
6.)  She's not embarrassed by me.  She loves when I'm goofy in front of her friends.
7.)  She's a beautiful, child of the King!
8.)  She's taught us so much....especially about having "Faith" in the Lord!
9.)  She's a pretty good big sister.  Only aggravating the younger ones, every once in a while. ;)
10.)  She's still her Daddy's 2x4.
11.) And she will always be my Faithy!!


"Thank You Lord for this perfect addition to our family.  You knew what you were doing in giving her to us.  My prayer is that she grow and mature in you.  Always having a desire to serve You with her whole heart."

Happy 11th Birthday sweet girl!

Mom and Dad love you greatly!

The ABC's of Me

It's been a LONG time since I've done anything like this....thanks Jennifer for recommending it!

A. Age: 37
B. Bed size: I don't know....it's tiny though.
C. Chore that you hate: Most all of them except cooking and baking.
D. Dogs: Major, a black Lab
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee and a slice of toasted wheat bread with peanut butter and banana
F. Favorite color: red
G. Gold or Silver: I like both
H. Height: 5' 9"
I. Instruments you play: vacuum cleaner....oh, and I'm pretty good on the iron too...lol!
J. Job title: Wife/Mom/missionary
K. Kids: The coolest 5 you'll ever meet!
L. Live: Northern, Portugal
M. Make of car: Chrysler mini van
N. Nicknames: I've never really had a nickname, except for
maybe as a kid my older stepbrother always called me pig nose. Poor me.
O. Overnight hospital stays: tonsillectomy when I was 4 and then with the birth of each of my kids
P. Pet peeves: I have many, but the worst ones would be slow moving people (who have no medical condition to be this way) and people who 'bait' me.
Q. Quote from a movie: yo, Adrianne!? (I'm a dork, I know.)
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: 1 step brother, 1 step sister and 1 half brother
T. TV Shows: my favs are Raising Hope and Parenthood
U. Underwear: What about it?!
V. Vegetable you hate: hmmmmmm I don't think I really hate any of them.
W. What makes you run late: I'm not ever late.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Arm, broken in 4th grade. Dentist X-ray's ...few others.
Y. Yummy food that you make: You'll have to ask the people that eat it.
Z. Zoo animal: Monkeys

Your turn....and let me know if you post this...I'd love to get to know you better too!

An Autumn Walk Around Our Place

Yesterday, while enjoying upper 80 degree temperatures, I went for a walk with my Nikon. I didn't get too far cause I started sweating, and I wasn't up for all that.

Here are a few pictures that I took just around our house.

I'm posting using a mobile application and it won't let me give a caption for each picture individually. So.....one day I'll get all this mobile stuff figured out.

Hope all is well with you, my few faithful readers. Here, things are getting along just fine. We're busy as ever, but enjoying the blessings of our Lord.

More soon.....

Mobile Posting? Wow...I'm learning.

While getting ready for service tonight, (which starts at 9:00!!! Will I ever get used to that?!) I saw this.......


Thanking my Lord for the privilege to call on him.

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.

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

I Love You Justice!

Bikini Shine?

Yesterday we picked up our van from having it cleaned in preparation to sell......


I can't help but think these men shined my dashboard with their old undies!!
(Hanging on the line to the right...next to where the mats to the van were.....)

Just a little bit of what we 'see' all the time......


~Thanks for your kind comments about the kids yesterday.  Everything turned out fine......

Prayers from Portugal,