Decemeber Events

December is one of our favorites...as I am sure it is yours as well. Rio (our elf) found us all the way in Brazil. The kids have had fun finding him every morning, a little fun something to look forward to through the month. I have found it so hard to feel like December here being so warm. We turn on as much Christmas music, movies, and lights as much as possible.

 

 Tiffany, Devin's little sister, left for her mission and we were able to Skype with her the night before.

 The kids had their end of school year reviews and they are both adapting so well here. Dev and I are so proud of them.

 Eating lunch with the sister missionaries (one of the kids favorite things). These Christmas dessert/cakes are everywhere during the holidays.

The ward Christmas party...

 A lady in our ward made this nativity out of foam paper. She is so creative!

 Each of the families were suppose to make an ornament and put it on the ward tree.

 Another Christmas party for the kids school. They all did so well in their performances....

 ....and Connor graduated!! He is onto first grade in Feb.

 To top all the parities... we went to Dev's work party. I didn't grab many pictures because I was chasing kids, but it was a gorgeous location!

 We have one more week to tie up all our loose ends....and we will be on our way to the US for the holidays! We can't wait. Happy Holidays!

 

I am Thankful

This year there is so much to be Thankful for. Love in our home, a new job, shelter over our heads, food in our fridge, school for the kids, many thoughtful friends, but one thing that has stuck with me this holiday is time. There are many ways to think about time....time to adjust, time to heal, time to learn, time to progress, time to make, time to begin, time to end....the list can go on and on. This year has been so hard, yet so rewarding. I feel incredibly blessed to be in Brazil with my little family. I pray that I am using my time to be the best me.

This Thanksgiving (actually it was the day after) we got together at Bryce and Keisha's. We gathered all our American friends and family and ate so much Thanksgiving food. Everyone added their special touch and it was perfect.

 

Presli filled up on the veggies...such a cutie!

We did a variety show with all the families. It was really cute and a fun idea.

After the Thanksgiving festivities we celebrated Bryce's birthday. We played games, ate more food, laughed till our cheeks hurt, and stayed up till we couldn't take it any longer. It was so much fun. I love birthdays....and get-to-gethers!

The night ended with a bang....I will let the pictures speak for themselves.....hahahahaha

 The next day the kids had their primary program at church. The theme this year was "Families are Forever". The whole program was perfect, I was in tears and had chills through the whole thing. It was powerful. The kids said their parts in Portuguese and Devin and Connor sang a solo together in English. It was perfect.

With my post being about Thanksgiving and having our Primary Program about forever families it is only fitting to express how grateful I am for our little family. I am so grateful for a husband who works so hard for our family, but also knows how to balance his time in spending it with each member. It is a valuable gift that I am still trying to learn. I am grateful for his example of love, motivation, and consideration. I am so grateful our paths lined up 7 years ago and we are now developing our little family for eternity. There is nothing more I want more in life than to be with them forever, learning and growing together with whatever life throws at us. I know we can get through anything together. I am blessed beyond measure! We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving Season with those you love!

some people are worth melting for

Every birthday party I have prepared for my littles there is a specific "awe" moment that make all the prep for their party worth it. For Presli it was after she had walked into the house after swimming with dad. I was decorating and had just put the lights up. She walked in and her jaw dropped as she jumped and squealed like little girls do.

 Our family loves to party and that is not an understatement. Any excuse to get together and make memories and share the love....you bet we are in.  I just might really enjoy all the prep work along with the response...kind of like giving a gift. Maybe it's my "love language" showing people I love them by doing stuff for them. Somebody can tell me they love me all day, but "actions speak louder than words."

 

I guess you could say that we love our sweet, spunky, nurturing, smart, 4yr old- Presli!

 

 She woke up the morning of her party not feeling great, but she was determined to feel better because she wanted to be sung to. Her very own birthday song at her party and on her birthday is the main thing she has been looking forward to....sweet girl!

 We have so many loving and supportive family and friends!

 "Our Brazil snow" as the kids called it was a hit! A mess...but a hit. They couldn't get enough.

 Presli has always been very independent from the day she was born. She came when she wanted. A few days before my induction date, the day after Thanksgiving. She is still very independent yet extremely nurturing. I am so proud of our sweet little girl and all of her spunk. She is quite shy and quiet, but observes more than you would believe and will reiterate all she has absorbed. She has adjusted well to Brazil and is picking up on Portuguese better than me. I hope she has felt as special as she really is. We Love you our little angel!