Photos Finally!

Hello everyone. I am finally up and running with a computer. I accidently left our card reader in Brazil and have been unable to download photos from my camera. So with Rick's help, I am ready to post! Below is a photo of James at one of his daily swim lessons. He already knows how to roll to his back and float (drown prevention) and this week he starts with the swimming aspect. Please pray that the weather will keep warm a couple more weeks so he can finish this course. We return to Brazil in January, the middle of summer, and I want him to have this life-saving skill. For my mommy friends, here is the website of the course we are using: www.infantswim.com It is fascinating, check it out! Being back in the States, we are taking advantage of the free events that happen in our city. Below are a few photos of a K-9 demonstration they had at a local church fall festival. James loved seeing those smart dogs perform.
Here James is helping daddy put together his bed. He still sleeps in his crib but the bed is great right now for cuddling up for storytime. We may start using it soon though, as last week I awoke at 4am to feel something tugging at my sheets. Let me first tell you that Rick was away traveling so I was by myself and horrified when I sat up suddenly to see my blondie out of his crib! A very uneasy feeling!Here is a photo of James and his Nana and Grandma Lou out to lunch. I love this photo!

Back in the States

Hello dear friends and family. Forgive me for not posting in a while but many things have been occuping my time. We arrived in the states two weeks ago today and we are finally settled and falling back into a routine. We will only be in the states for 3 months and then will travel back to Brazil the first week of January. We are in Florida staying close to my parents and it has been nice visiting with them everyday. James enjoys seeing his grandparents and asks constantly about "Nana and Papa". The week before we left to come to the States we were in the city of Aguas de Lindoia for our annual Fiel Pastor's Conference. Rick and I ran the giant bookstore...........( our background in the music industry comes in handy). Many pastors were blessed by the speakers and their edifying messages. Over 1500 pastors and leaders of churches were in attendence. Rick's father started this conference over 20 years ago and God has allowed it to grow into something that has touched many lives over the years.

................This computer is not allowing me to post photos for some reason but I will drive over to my parent's house and post some photos later after James' nap.

Hope you are doing well and having a blessed week!

The Party

Last Saturday, we celebrated James' two year birthday with a party downstairs in the banquet room of our building. The theme we chose was soccer while using the national colors of Brazil. Just like in Brazilian weddings, the table is the main place for photos so they are usually really elaborate.Our friend Edvanio, made this giant poster of James for the party. James smiled so big when he first saw it. I think I will tape it to the back of his bedroom door. It's just too cute to throw away. We set up a special room just for the kids to play. I made playdough,bought paint and set up little stations for the children to play. Although, I asked two young girls from the church to help in this room the paint eventually turned into a big mess. I won't do that again.
Here is a photo of some of the young people from church and grandpa or "ampaul" as James likes to say.James had a heyday with all the candy and desserts. Here James is sneaking a brigaderio. This is a popular chocolate trufle-like candy. It is made with condensed milk, chocolate powder and chocolate sprinkles. My friend Laura made these for the party and arranged them in the shape of the Brazilian flag. Thanks Laura!
Cookie in hand and ready to sneak a couple bites of sprinkles and frosting. He is sure a rascal!I think this was the first time for many of our friends to ever eat a cupcake. I think they liked them. Who doesn't like chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting?