Don't judge yet... my new hobby

I know like I have time for a new hobby... I don't even have time to blog. So don't judge yet because I am starting from scratch. Drum roll... my new hobby... iiiissss... taking pictures of Karis. Oh, but I've been doing that for over a year now. Right, but now I have a sweet camera to make better pics with. Really I need to work on editing. So there you have it. A blog nothing about Christmas. Except for now I would like to say that I am happy it's Christmas!

Advent: Remembering the Past-Looking forward to the Future

Gordon-Conwell Theology Seminary Advent Devotional

JOURNEY to the MANGER: Advent 2010

PSALM 61
Karen Mason

The Holy City

I grew up in a community of Christians who eagerly anticipated the return of Jesus Christ. So when Advent season arrives, my attention is drawn not only toward the past but toward the future. John sees a new Jerusalem where God will dwell with his people, where every tear will be wiped away and where death will be no more. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, will make all things new.

Following Christ daily is a challenge. As Christians, we are not immune from sickness, personal and financial setbacks and the effects of living in a world infected by human depravity. In the midst of those challenges, we can live with hope because we know that Jesus Christ will return and we will live with him in a new heaven and a new earth. The risen Christ has conquered death and there will come a time when Jesus Christ will appear. In that instant, sin and death will be completely destroyed, and his followers will enter into the new Jerusalem of his eternal kingdom.

We do not know when that will be, but we still live with confident hope because the sovereign God of the universe is Lord over time and eternity.

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Christmas Time?

So much emotion is expected and hoped for during the "holidays". Listen to the music, listen to how people talk, watch the parking lots at the malls... strange, but glad to be experiencing things a little different this year. In fact, I've had to find Christmas music online because I never hear it otherwise. No 24/7 Christmas radio channel or even one song is to be found. We also don't have any of our decorations... which leads me to the next issue.

I started a wreath making project a month ago and it's still not done. I keep making it and taking it apart because it's just not right. So any help or advice is welcome. In the meanwhile I'm sticking to baking and going back to my strict policy of only crafting when absolutely necessary.

PS- I will be starting a new hobby Saturday. Stay tuned... I think you're going to like it.

Merry Christmas!

Photo Update

reoccuring themes - a list

Rainbows
Here in the Southern Hemisphere we are quickly approaching Summer. For us it is rainy season. I am especially thankful for the rain because it cools off the already 100 degree days. Not sure if the quick to come and quick to go rain is the cause of all the rainbows, but lately I see them almost every day. Thank you Lord for your promise.

Sore throat
I have been sick so much lately. Finally, this week on my 4th visit to the doctor, the second doctor that is, I have an answer to the 20-something year long question. Why do I have sore throats? And why do they seem to be worse here? After a couple of tests I was diagnosed with a 75% allergy to dust and mold and a 90% blockage of one of my nasal cavities. Although this diagnosis is chronic, medicine can help and so far it is.

baba
Portuguese for babysitter this word seems to cause much celebration/headache for our family. The first baba Karis had was to good to be true. We loved her. She got pregnant and then almost lost the baby so she had to quit. Our second baba we grew to love also became pregnant. She had some bad morning sickness and felt it was better for her not to keep Karis. Now we will start with our 3rd baba on Monday.

Pregnancy/births/adoptions
So many of my friends are pregnant or just had their baby. I'm talking number in the double digits. Yes, I think around 20.

I think I had another item to add to the list, but me forgetting something is also a reoccurring theme.

3 Years

In case you are new to our blog or have been out of touch for the last 3 years please check out our day from December 1, 2007.

Brain, Mind, Train of thought

Does your mind wonder? Mine does...
What was I talking about? Oh, right my wondering mind.
Ha!
Check out this article.

Friends

My friends are pretty awesome. They have many gifts and talents they use to the glory of God. I have been greatly encouraged throughout my life by these women. Today is blog share day. So I'll share a blog with you.
Prayer of Hannah

Monday we had a holiday once again. We did a little trip to check out the Christmas decor at the local mall. We had heard from several folks that it was a little unusual in a good way. We arrived at 11:30 to a mostly empty mall... strange. Then, we saw the much talked about decor. A nativity scene, like with a baby Jesus and everything. There were big life size animals, Mary, Joseph, wise men, and even an angel.
On the other side of the nativity scene was Santa. Can't forget him...
Karis had no desire to come close to him. It was kinda funny.

This Week In Pictures

First pancake (no syrup)
Trying to reach the ball behind the couch.

Giving hugs.
Trying on her new swimsuit.Not pictured: pooping on the floor after escaping the bath tub. That night I was really thankful for tile floors.

16 Weeks

Time to count down to our one year anniversary and graduation of language school.
112 days. 16 weeks. 2688 hours.

Lately, I have been so confused with the fact that it is spring in November. Winter in July didn't really seem that strange b/c the temperature was never cold. Strange.

Also I would like to say that my days of nursing K have come to an end. The end of an era. Do any other mom's feel happy and sad at the same time? I set a goal when I was pregnant to nurse for one year and we did it. It wasn't always easy, no, it was horrible at the beginning. But it was so convenient! Never had to wash bottles or prepare them as I was running out the door. Not to mention the health benefits for both mom and baby! I think if I had to have another job besides the one I have now and I couldn't bake all day I would be a lactation consultant.

I would also like to ask for some help. Help! I am really struggling in the meal preparation part of my life. How do you plan? A month in advance? Week to week? Do you have a filling system for recipes? How often do you repeat a recipe? I'm talking basics here people.
Since Karis is now eating everything we eat I've become a lot more aware of how slack I was in this department. I need healthy stuff that doesn't take a long time to prepare. I'm a huge fan of making a lot of food and using in different ways throughout the week.
I found a website to plan meals. Is this a good idea?

Last but not least, Karis is almost walking. She will take a step or maybe two then sit down. Stay tuned b/c I think it will be soon.

First time...

Karis has experienced many "first" times these last few weeks.

Subway sandwich, ice cream cone, spaghetti, pancake, refusing a nap all day and falling asleep at 6pm sleeping until 8:30am only waking once for some milk.

Also she got to go to the zoo! Mostly she was tired and glazed over b/c she hadn't taken a nap (same day she fell asleep at 6pm). She did like the toucans, monkeys, and ducks.

Long Weekend

Normally when I hear long weekend I think, "great! more time to do fun stuff". So we planned a trip to visit friends in a nearby city. However, my immune system decided, once again, to let me down. So instead of a fun trip I'm sitting on the couch blowing my nose. I have only left the house once since Thursday.

On to more encouraging words... We received not one, not two, but THREE packages in the mail last week. Wow! Feel the love! Yes, they were all for Karis. She really has enjoyed all of her new toys over the past 3 days (since we haven't left the house). Thank you for showing your love in a very tangible way! It really is wonderful to know you haven't forgot us here.

Here today was the presidential election and Brazil elected the first woman president. Who just happens to have never held an elected office. Many of the educated people are astonished because of her lack of experience and "unpatriotic" history. The fact that her opponent was the "obviously" better choice since he has served in multiple federal positions and as the governor of Sao Paulo. Well, I've said too much. Read more for yourself here.

Happy Birthday Karis

The big event was the party on Saturday. So yesterday we enjoyed just being together. Karis slept in and I (emily) skipped the first two classes of school. For breakfast we had cheerios together. We then walked (well, I walked and push Karis in the stroller) to school and Karis swung in the hammock while I learned.

After lunch she was so tired so she took a 3 hour nap! Then, we continued our day with a trip to the best ice cream shop in town. Karis indulged in her first ice cream cone. Too bad it was melting faster than she could eat it. Thankfully there was a sink nearby. Then, it was off to the park to visit the ducks.
After sweating so much we needed a bath and then we headed to get Karis' present from Grandpa and Grandma Clayon.

It was a fun filled day. We love her so much!

Birthday Party Video

Check out the party video here

Made by Tia Rebecca.
Thank you!

Happy Birthday Week

The preparations have begun! I have a whole new respect for moms now. We planned a simple party with a few friends that is now grown into a huge event. Guess that's what happens when your daughter is the most friendly, loving, beautiful, curious, and wonderful little girl in the world.
Yes, I am up late... waiting for the cake in a bowl to cool. It only took 2 hours to bake! After a small slip up in my awesome attention to detail, I gave a quick cake emergency call to Molly (who, I'll have you know, did not know the answer). Leave it to me to stump the expert.
I have plenty of things to do, but I need to have a break from studying verbs and doing crafty things.
On a frustrating note: Our external hard drive is still not working. We have the click of death apparently. Thankfully we made a cd of pictures for my mom before we left the states. Too bad the only way for us to get them asap was through the internet. Shout out to my mom and all the PC users! You all have a lot of patience. Not me! Mac has changed my whole understanding of pictures and videos. Soooo easy and fast. Thank you Mac Book Pro.
Now time to research the best way to freeze a cake.

How do you like the pictures?? I'm trying to see all the similarities. Do you see any?

Thanks for the help!

Google reader here I come!
Thanks for all the responses!

Blog Reading

Bloglines, the tool I use to keep up with all the blogs I read, is closing down Nov. 1. I really need a way to know when someone updates their blog. Do you know of any? Please let me know!

Receiving Handwritten Letters

I can tell you exactly how many handwritten letters I have mailed since I moved to Brazil... two. My goal is to write more because until yesterday I had forgotten how wonderful it is to receive a note that someone wrote.

Yesterday we received a total of 14 personal letters! Yes, all at one time! It was so encouraging! Along with the notes we also received lots of gifts. Steven got books (his fav. thing), I got a book, ranch, and a magnetic picture frame (with a great pic inside), and K got a great new sippy cup and snack holders! We seriously needed these things and were looking to get some for her b'day. They are so expensive here!

We went out for pizza last night at our fav. place. The place just happens to be owned by the family that we lived with. We read all the letters together and just when we finished our Brazilian family arrived and the kids sat down and ate with us! So it was a really fun night!

Thank you beloved friends at FBC!

Julie- tell Lara that Karis thought of her this morning while we were at the park b/c we saw two mommy ducks. one mommy had 11 babies and the other had 8 or 9 (hard to count).

34 months, 11 months and 7 months= reason to celebrate

Steven and I have been married for 34 months.
Karis was born 11 months ago.
We have lived in Brazil 7 months.

So we took a family pic.
The other day Karis wore her overalls that her cousin gave her. Still holding on to the couch... walking is coming soon.