Saturday Cleaning Day

We've got the whole family out working in the Florida room. The kids and I have newspaper soaked in water and vinegar and are getting the windows squeaky clean. Edilberto is cleaning screens, cleaning the floor and doing some painting. There's a lot to be done but it's finally coming together.

I am taking a moment out of the work to say that I am having to return this borrowed computer today. I'm not sure exactly when I'll be on-line again. Hopefully soon though. See you then!

Feeling like a pathetic whimp!

This moving-in stuff has gotten old. I want my house to be organized, furnished, decorated, easy to keep clean, and beautiful...NOW! The Florida room tiling is just about finished as of today (took the guy almost exactly ONE MONTH to install the floor!!!) We just have to clean-up, paint and furnish it now. It will be our guest room/playroom/read and relax room.

The washer and dryer are outside on the patio. I can't do laundry until tomorrow when they're put back in the laundry area. Part of the tiling was done under there. I have a few pairs of pee-peed in underpants from my 3 year old, who's still learning to make it to the toilet, that desperately need a good washing.

Went to make my mom's meatloaf recipe for dinner tonight, but forgot to get tomato sauce. Plan B was spaghetti, but didn't have enough spaghetti noodles. Looks like the kids will be having baked (frozen) chicken nuggets instead. Thought about making blueberry muffins, but realized I don't yet have a muffin tin.

I went to take a picture but realized that the digital camera card was full. I don't yet have a place here to develop pictures (I'm picky. Guess I'll have to go anywhere to start out with).

Wish I had a friend who could just come over and hang-out. Mostly, I wish the kids had friends who could come over and play with them.

O.K. I've been through rougher moments in life. I am just in the mood to whine and cry at this particular moment. Tomorrow will be better!

Just For Fun

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Finally...An Update! (sort of)

Unbelieveable. I have two of my own laptops here, but can't use either one. I've got a loaner laptop from a friend which I'm on now. My friend had one of my other laptops and forgot the power cable to it. It's got no working battery either. And my other laptop has a short so can't receive power from the power cable!

This just reflects our lives right now in trying to get settled into our new home and life here. It seems like every detail, however small, is just plain complicated! I've felt silly for complaining because it's not like we have anything huge to complain about. I just am feeling weary with everything not working.

Take the construction of one of the rooms in the house. The guy who's working on it (new ceiling, dry walling, tile floor and painting), has been ill (migraines - I feel for him!) and hasn't been able to be very consistantly here. Therefore, we are living in this state of construction. There's a layer of construction dust all over the dishes, floors, countertops, etc. My asthma has been bad because of it. Life is on hold for me oftentimes because I don't know if the construction guy is really coming or not; even when he says he will be. I want so much to be completely unpacked! I think this feeling is compounded by the fact that we've been living in temporary situations for over 3 years. We need to be settled for a change!

Edilberto is often torn by wanting to get his family settled at home, and having to work and in the process of learning about the work he's just taken on. I know this will soon be past us. It's just been a difficult past couple of days. The feeling is worse for me because I am not on my own computer and can't communicate en masse like I want to without my Outlook Express and e-mails! I want so much to send out an update on us and PRAYER requests. We can certainly use your prayers if you read this!!! Thanks :).

Technical Difficulties

My apologies to those who come here to check-in on us. I'm bursting with things to say (I didn't earn the nickname "Babbles" for nothing, you know!), but our computer is having some serious hardware problems. I will be back as soon as we resolve them (one way or another). Please check-in again soon as I'll be back whenever possible.

Monday Monday

Glad to say that Isabella is very well now. What a relief!

I spent the day home with the kids though (I had wanted to take them out) because the cable installation guy was here installing our telephone, television and internet hook-ups. I had to follow him around the house deciding what walls to put holes into.

It's nice to be hooked-up finally. Although the telephone isn't working 100% yet and we still need to actually buy some telephones! Every day there are small steps made in getting settled, but it sometimes still seems far from accomplished.

The guy who's putting a new ceiling and floor into the Florida room (a room which we desperately need to have finished for more space and unpacking) didn't show-up again. He's very skilled but quite flaky it seems, in coming when he says he will. The washer and dryer are off of that room, so I end-up doing little laundry thinking he's coming. Or I don't take the kids out to play somewhere because I have to wait for him to show-up. *sigh*

Edilberto was very busy today picking-up large donations for the thrift store and also making some deliveries. It's a lot of physical labor.

All of the details of my day seem so insignificant compared to the Hell that some lived through and are living through in Virginia today. My prayers are with the families who have been stricken by this unbelievable act.

Sunday Ramblings

We were all set to go to our friend's church today, but Isabella got sick late yesterday. We were up almost the entire night with her. She's been miserable with a headache and fever, complains of weird things like her eyes hurting and her tummy hurting. She's been restless and hasn't really wanted to be held (except by her daddy when she does). She's thrown-up a couple of times (I think from her head hurting?) I teeter-totter on whether or not to take her to Urgent Care since it's the weekend and we don't yet have a pediatrician of our own. Just when we were getting ready to take her, she seemed to be doing well. It's all so confusing to know what to do. Do we wait to see how she's doing?

Liam had 5th Disease (I think) last week and was very restless when he had a fever. Then the rash on his face appeared and he was better. I thought that's what was happening with Isabella too. But then the other symptoms like her head hurting made me wonder. Of course, you're always scared thinking of meningitis. But she wanted the light on over her head in the middle of the night (wouldn't let me turn it off), when we were up with her. So that makes me think that's out as a possibility.

It's kind of a stressful weekend with Isabella not feeling well (and me worrying about her) and needing to buy a car a.s.a.p. among other things. The van we are using is borrowed until the end of next week. There's a possibility to buy a van (Honda Odyssey) at a good price (older but with under 100,000 miles and only one owner). Edilberto may have to go look at it today or tomorrow because it will probably sell quickly.

Anyone know anything about the Odyssey?

Feliz Aniversario Liam!

(Picture taken back in 2005)

Happy Birthday to our dear Liam. He turned 6 years old today!

For Snickollet

http://snickollet.blogspot.com/

Kids are well

Thankfully, Liam is better now. The fevers left as mysteriously as they came. We can now get on with exploring our new world. At least we had to stay home these days anyway because of the unpacking and getting settled (which of course, is still happening). But it was nice just to take the kids out to the grocery store today. I told them they were like magnets to me because they followed so closely and so well beside me the whole time. I think they were just glad to get out of the house.

On the way home, we drove across the street from our development to a very nice park we had heard about. We were just looking from the car because it was late and we needed to get the groceries home.

Edil, meanwhile, was at the thrift store fixing-up the place, waxing a floor and moving things around. However, most of the day was spent driving around hauling a trailer and picking-up donations for the store.

Back on-line again!

I'm back on-line, Edil is back to work, the kids have been sick (Isabella seems fine now, but Liam still is having high fevers off and on with no other apparent symptoms). I've been working hard getting our new place clean, organized, and finding places for everything. We still have quite a few boxes to unpack, some furniture and smaller things to obtain, and even need to purchase a van (we're currently borrowing one). So there's lots to do!

Edil's very busy learning the ropes at the Missionary Resource Network. So far, he's helped obtain 20 brand new sewing machines to send to the Dominican Republic for a project that works with mothers of over 200 children in a very poor community, and 10 new sewing machines to be sent to Peru; has encouraged a missionary from the Dominican Republic in creating self-sustaining work programs; has helped a Haitian pastor gather cargo to send to Haiti with things like furniture, tires, plywood, chairs, clothing, and many other things. This cargo is for two schools and an orphanage in Haiti. Edil has also served as translator from Spanish to English for a pastor from Peru (who was also given a computer through the ministry along with the 10 sewing machines.)

All this in just THREE working days!

I haven't gotten out with the kids much because of unpacking but mostly because of their not being well. It still doesn't feel like home but I know that it will take some time. I am anxious to, with the kids, get involved in the community.

Currently off-line, but mostly moved in at least!

We don't have our phone/internet hooked-up yet, but once we do, I'll be updating regularly again. We're are at friend's house for Easter and I'm using her computer to let everyone know that we've moved into our place finally. We've still got a lot of unpacking to do and are still feeling a big dislocated. It is good to be in one place again and hopefully soon, we'll feel a bit more settled in.

Happy Easter everyone!!!

Update on the Meeting and Moving Day!

Well, the meeting was informal. Just filling-out papers, hearing some of the rules of the community, like parking, what to do if you want to have a party at the clubhouse, etc. The president of the homeowners' association was a nice, family-man sort of guy. He was very welcoming and said that most people who lived in the community were likewise. He was surprised by the lady who had been so rude to us. I was relieved that things in the community weren't what they seemed on that first encounter.

Today is moving day. The house isn't exactly 100% ready for us to move into. But we'll have to get things done day-by-day. It will be nice to finally be in a place of our own after so long!

We got the cats, Daisy and Pepper, out of the kennel yesterday and moved them into one room of the house to get them used to it there. They were well cared for but seemed very happy to see us again!

The new paint in the house looks great! I love picking-out the colors and seeing them on the walls. I will try and post pictures sometime in the near future.

Well all right then. Certainly not the 'Welcome Wagon.'

Walking around the outside of the house we are moving into (eventually), we met our next door neighbor. A nice lady with two very cute children. Along comes her next door neighbor, an older woman, who blurts out to the other neighbor, "So these are the people who are roadblocking your driveway!" Then, looking straight at me says, "You're the people moving in? Have you been APPROVED yet by the 'Association.'?" Not a "Hello. Welcome to the Neighborhood." Nothing.

I had to maintain my composure and Edil had to understand what this lady meant. He said, "Excuse me?" And she repeated exactly what she said before. I guess we both felt like we were in a movie and couldn't believe what we were hearing. I've heard of people like this before but am surprised at how many people I've run into here like that (although this was more difficult because it's actually where we'll be living and not just a mere public place). It's been a challenge to continue to respond to this type of thing in the opposite spirit. We were able to overcome our hurt and offense by being extraordinarily kind to this woman in return. She backed-down somewhat and seemed somewhat embarrassed by her rudeness. She said she didn't think it would be a problem once we talk with the Association, for us to move into their neighborhood!

The day was very much like that for me yesterday. Though we are living in my native country now, it certainly is feeling quite a lot like foreign land to me. The culture is very different from what I am used to on the West Coast U.S. having never lived on the East Coast before, and never in a place with so many different people groups glomped so closely together (which I find fascinating, but also very challenging at times). People seem very surprised when you treat them with kindness.

Today, we have an "interview" with the Homeowners' Assocation. I'll let you know how it goes!

Paints, Tiles, Pots & Pans

Getting married again would help. No, I'm not looking for a new husband. It would just be nice to have another bridal shower and wedding gifts to start our new life, in our new place! We left a lot behind in Brazil (given away or sold) and are now having to start mostly from nothing. I just ordered new pots and pans. I bought a couple of lamps. We also get first pick of anything that comes to the thrift store Edil will be running (which is nice of course!) We were able to find a few things there, but definitely not everything we need (unfortunately they are out of pots and pans at the moment). We'll need to stock the fridge, cupboards, get towels, cleaning supplies, etc. etc. etc.

So, this will be a very busy week. The carpeting in the bedrooms has been ripped-out and tile floors are being installed. We will be painting the whole interior. Slowly during the week our boxed things will be moved in. Our cats will come out of the kennel to stay in a room at the house by tomorrow or the next day. I have a feeling it is going to be a long week. But hopefully a productive one.

Sunny and Breezy in Florida

We're here! Here's how the journey looked:

Left our house in Brazil, Tuesday, March 27:

After showering, lunching, one child throwing-up her lunch all over her clean hair and body, and having showered her again....

We left in what was thought to have been an air-conditioned van that Edil had hired to take the four of us, Edil's sister and niece to help, two cats in a cage, 8 bags, 3 carry-ons, and a stroller. Wrong! Was not air-conditioned. It was broken, the driver informed us. Which meant windows down, street dust and grease layered on our fresh clean faces and hair, hair blown around, dirty lungs, traffic noise, etc. along the 1-1/2 hour ride to the airport. I was not happy at all. One of the cats threw-up along the way. Was nice of her to do it by the door of the carrier so it was an easy clean-up later.

We were so thankful for Edil's sister and her daughter and the van driver to be there to help us with the kids, cats and bags. What a blessing! I don't know how we would have managed without them. American Airlines got us through the line easily by bringing us and our stuff to a special counter. It took us about 30 minutes to check-in (after getting to the counter!) It was tough walking away from the kitties as their carrier left the check-in counter. We said good-bye to them and wished them a good and safe flight.

Had pizza with our entourage before thanking them and saying our good-byes. We were blissfully ushered through security and passport control because we had kids with us. We were at our gate before we knew it, and on our plane. Leaving Sao Paulo at 9:20 p.m. I had to do what the vet told me. He said to check-on the cats and forget about them while we flew. I did think of them at times during the flight wondering how they were handling it all.

The kids did very well on the flight. After their meal, they both fell asleep for the entire flight. One peed their pants while asleep. I forgot to put on the diaper for that not to happen. When we arrived in Miami, I said that it'd be O.K. as mommy would quickly get some fresh clothes out of the suitcase (I had meant to bring some in the carry-on but in the rush of leaving I had forgotten!) when we got to the baggage claim. I was informed by thus child that it was, "O.K. mommy, it's all dry now!" That gave me a chuckle.

I couldn't believe the cats were sitting there in their cage next to the baggage claim area before we got there. They were perfectly fine! Our bags were all there already as well. We hired someone to help us carry everything. We were not made to have our bags inspected. Our friend was there WAITING for us those wee hours of the morning when we arrived. We got everything loaded into his double cab truck and off we went! So smooth. So easy!

The rest of the day was a bit more difficult trying to find a kennel for the cats to stay in while our house is being made ready for us. I found a suitable place at the end of the day. It was an exhausting day, but we were and are so thankful for prayers that went up for us as it went a lot more smoothly than I could have imagined.

With Kids, Cats and Bags...off to the airport tomorrow!

I highly recommend finding some way to make people think you are leaving a day before you actually leave. Amazingly, I feel like the packing part, even though it is a move, went a lot smoother than I expected (I had my wonderful sister-in-law and a good friend helping me with that, or else I'd be completely lost). There is still a bit of last minute packing to be done. It's hard to not want to spend time with friends and relatives who come by to hang-out. And it doesn't help when your husband isn't around to entertain while you finish the details. Yes, he left everything to the last minute...again! I did do my best in warning him weeks ago about some of the things that needed to be done. Honest, I did! Of course, life would be too dull to do things ahead of time. We just love living on the edge and the gritting of our teeth on a wild ride. Yeah, right!

I am mostly concerned about the cats and how they'll do with the travel. One of them is a nervous type. Hopefully they'll seek the comfort of one another and not scratch each other to pieces in the same carrier. We have an entourage going with us to the airport to help with kids, cats and bags. That is a relief. I've never flown with this much stuff before.

The kids are very excited for the trip. Because of friends visiting, they got to bed very late tonight, unfortunately. We will arrive in Miami very early Wednesday morning. Will write and tell all about the journey when we get there.

Checking-in on a Saturday night

It's almost bedtime and I thought I'd drop-in to update. We're readying to leave on schedule. I went to the mall up the street this afternoon trying in vain to find some large boxes (like plastic type) or some affordable extra luggage for tomorrow's major packing session. I have a small work crew (sister-in-law and a friend) coming over to help. I am missing a Target store right about now! I found nothing suitable for our packing needs even after trekking through the longest mall in South America! http://wikimapia.org/104141/

Wow...take a look. Here's the mall and if you scroll over you can see points of interest (according to "Wikimapia"). If you can see that big building, it's the mall (middle point being the main food area), if you click the left arrows and then use the down arrows a ways, you will find a point of interest (denoted by a square which, if you float over with your cursor, will make words appear) that says, "Restaurante da Gaucha," which is actually on the street we live on!!! We often get take-out for lunch at that place. We know the owner (having lived here so long of course; it's a neighborhood establishment.) How funny that's it's denoted on the map here. I had no idea it was famous!

And here's an interesting, if not sad, note. It used to be called, Restaurante do Gaucho (notice the o's have changed to a's). That's because Gauchos are a people group from the South of Brazil. The former owner, a man originally from the South of Brazil, and his wife have separated. His wife has the restaurant now, and therefore, Gauch"o", has become Gauch"a". She's doing very well with it, by the way. There are always very long lines there for lunch.

Stun Mode

Today, I felt like a very tired deer in the headlights. So overwhelmed with another move and packing. I just feel like walking away from the entire process. We are contemplating delaying our trip for one more week, mainly because our house in Florida won't be ready for us when we get there, our cats will have to be put in a kennel when we get there if we leave now, and there's so much to do here. It'd be nice to get another week to have a couple of days of rest. I don't think it will happen though. I do believe we will be leaving here in a few short days! I am exhausted though and hope that I wake-up tomorrow morning refreshed and ready to tackle the main part of the packing.

Tonight's class

Just returned tonight from teaching the second of two classes. It was a lot of fun tonight as the last 45 minutes of class, we sat in a circle and brainstormed of ways to serve in an urban setting (and specifically this city - which is also a university town).

The students also shared about ways they are already serving the city. What was interesting was that the students began to see that, while some of the things that they mentioned were good, they were typical of the way church groups function, remaining comfortable doing their service, but not really becoming part of the community they serve.

For example, one girl shared about how she and a group from her church like theater and dance, and how they go to the city center on the weekend to do open-air dramas (evangelistic themes), and how it is something "different." I told her that it was wonderful and I know that people are touched by that, but that it really wasn't that different as it's been done for years. I challenged her to think about taking that same group from church who love theater and dance, and becoming a part of the city's theater club, or dance club, or theater/dance classes, becoming part of the community of artists in town, and loving and serving their fellow artists.

I saw the light go on in her eyes. She suddenly got very excited and said that she'd heard of a town nearby opening a drama school and how she'd be interested in that. I challenged her to think about sharing with the drama group from church in being a part of that, or something similar. Rather than remaining within the confines of the walls of the building where they meet, but rather, relating with and becoming a real part of the community in an integral way.

It sounds like such an obvious idea, but "church" has become traditionally within the walls of a building, and a place that has become comfortable. Difficult is being out there with people who are in need of a hand, in need of a friend, in need of someone who cares. That is what the church is called to be. This is what I was excited to share with this group of students --- and I think they got it!

Back to the packing... I am in such a huge dilemma about the cats coming with us. First of all, I found out that the house we'll be living in won't be open to us until after the first of the month, as the present tenants won't be out until then. We will have to put the cats in a kennel. I wasn't wanting to put them through that after getting off an international flight! Another thing, the vet wants them in one cage, but I'm afraid they'll fight. He didn't think so because they'll both be scared and try and seek comfort from one another. I wish we could just find a nice ranch or farm for them to live at here. I'm just overwhelmed with all the details of this move to think about bringing them.

We are so looking forward to the point when we are settled and already have lots of ideas for the work there that we are excited to implement. If you saw our house right now though, you wouldn't know that we have to be moved and on a plane in a few short days from now!