Madge's Parrots

The other day when I was at work, Madge called me. She told me that she was not able to nap, like she normally does every afternoon. When I asked her why she couldn't sleep, in a sleep yet excited voice she responded:

Some parrots made a home next to my room. They were speaking really high in their language. And so I couldn’t sleep.

True enough, the parrots and parakeets outside can be extremely noisy, especially when there's a whole group of them. I just thought it was so sweet the way she expressed herself. We love you, Madge Pie!

Announcing...

Trumpet trills! We are so thrilled to announce that Little Guy/Gal #4 is on the way!

For the 10k Night Run, Mares sported her new shirt. She is definitely running for two! (Not only has she done this 10k while pregnant, she has run another 10k and a half-marathon to boot. Did I mention that she's incredible?)

The kids are all really excited for our October Baby. We saw the little on in our first ultrasound the day after Easter. I have never seen such an active one in utero. Because he is only 14 weeks old now, he still has some space in there to move. (Note: I am saying he for linguistic simplicity, but it definitely could be a she.) He would bounce around on the computer monitor and then apparently fall asleep. Then, he would begin bouncing again. He's quite the cutie...I can already tell...not that I am a biased dad or anything.

We'll have to write more about the kids' reactions when we told them, but both Madge and Pita probably spent five minutes asking us, incredulously, "Mom and Dad, are you joking?" As Pita said, "Is this for real or pretend?" When they finally figured out we weren't joking they were jumping around with joy.

Poor Mares has had some awful nausea for the past few months. This has been the worst nausea yet. The first trimester will be ending soon, so hopefully the nausea will be out the door, too. Say some prayers for her. In the meanwhile, the kids have been great helpers at home.

Now we'll have to figure out whether we need a new running stroller!

Family Runs

...we just returned from another family run (10k). It was a night-run! A great path, quietness, inclines and declines were super parts of the track leading up to the finish line where we all were excited to say, "Viva a familia!"

As we returned to the car to head home, we could hear our family song playing. What a fun night, together!

(Translation: Here the World Cup begins.)

It was also pretty fun to start and finish the run with the 2014 World Cup (in-the-works) stadium in the background.

Funnies

Peach, Peach, Peachy! We love you. You are full of animation and so much depth. Sometimes you are noticed by others for your cuteness and your spunkiness, and you do have both, but you are so much for than those. You have deep thoughts, a sweet, truly loving and sensitive personality, very similar to your big sister who also has a heart of gold and warmth for Jesus like you, Miss.  

Last night, Momma was kissing you goodnight, and you had the heating pad under your legs. (You have enjoyed many times the luxury of warmth and relaxation that the heating pad gives to your ...
g r O I w I N G legs. As I kissed you goodnight and asked if you wanted your Dora sheet or Ballerina quilt on you, you told Momma "no," because you were too hot. So, you tried to fix being hot by asking me, "Mom, can you make the heating pad cold, not hot, really, really cold?" Mommy had to smile inside and laugh... since the heating pad just isn't quite able to jump to extreme temps like that! I love you, Peach. You make us smile.

Another "funny" from last night. Pita came down the steps after being put in bed. She had her water bottle in her mouth but was trying to converse with me. It was a jumbled, mumbled voice that I heard, with the water straw being half in her mouth. She had a couple of excuses to leave bed:

#1: "I have a "skeeto" bite" (which the girls have been calling "Ba-geeto bites, and cracking up over!)
#2 "I'm filled with potty" (aka: "I have to get to the bathroom!)

Pita, we love YOU and all your little and BIG ways!!

It's All About You, Lord

As I look at the countless ways you serve, ultimately the way you love, I reflect on this song, The Heart of Worship, particularly these lines.

"...You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart ...And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus "-- song, Heart of Worship, Matt Redman


I know that what we can give to Our Lord is filled within and without with eternity, living out out the everlasting right here, right now.


I love you, and I am so grateful for the countless ways you serve and desire to be God's channel of grace in my life. We are that channel to each other, and instead of waiting to live heaven, thank you for living it now in service to God through your every day actions in our marriage: washing the dishes, grocery shopping, washing the vegetables, folding the laundry, wiping up the sinks (even if it is on another day than the scheduled "Tuesday Bathroom Cleaning Day"!) I love you.


I know I did not do anything to deserve goodness, and that it is all a gift. I gladly accept that gift, you, and I will treasure you and pray for you every step of the way that you may fulfill His plan and purpose for your life.


_______________________________________
When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart

[Choras:]
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You Jesus
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/m/matt_redman/the_heart_of_worship.html ]
[Verse 2:]
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I'll bring You more than just a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

[Choras:] I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You All about You, Jesus I'm sorry Lord for the thing I've made it When it's all about You It's all about You Jesus Its all about you Jesus

Always New and Exciting Callings...

Tonight as I was putting Madge to bed, she was telling me how her throat was still bothering her. During the day, I had taken our usual steps to help: garlic oil rubbed on her throat, elderberry syrup and cherry bark syrup swallowed, and warm salt water gargled. So, with these ways of "nursing" her back to health, she whispered in my ear tonight, "Mom you do such a good job taking care of me. Whenever I tell you something is wrong you take care of me and say you have it. I think God will call you to be a nurse or a doctor." I love you, Madge. You never know what God has in store for us next. But, I know my favorite duty is just being your mommy-nurse!

Happy Easter from Our Family to Yours!

Alleluia, He is Risen! Let us rejoice and be glad! We hope you are enjoying the fruits of the Season and are dipping into some yummy basket treats... if there are still some chocolates left!

News: CDC Reporting 78% Increase in Autism Among U.S. Children Over Past Decade

This is a pretty incredible jump, 78 percent increase in just 10 years! See article here and report here. It's hard not to think that there must be some introduced element that has caused this intense upswing.

A positive note, I was remarking to Mares over dinner, is the fact that autism spectrum disorders are not biological, i.e. they lack biological markers. As such, there is no danger of selective abortions to children with autism. I truly believe that children with autism and other "disorders" are an incredible gift to humanity. In and of themselves, people with autism are beautiful people who share in the dignity of the human race, worthy of our respect in every way. In addition, people with autism can help us to live outside our comfort zone, think of someone other than ourselves, and most importantly recognize the importance of truth over social mores.

Sisters enjoying sunshine

Today is another gorgeous day, still the rainy season but almost taking on characteristics of the soon-to-arrive wet season when there will be no cloud in the sky. With perfect sunshine above and lots of shadows cast below, I couldn't help but snap a shot of the sisters who were enjoying Madge's outside art creations: dipping her hands in water, making hand prints on the hot patio and tracing them with chalk. Fun art work... before Madge's making dog paw prints around the patio and making up her own "Blues Clues"!

Sister time and discoveries

Today the girls enjoyed their second Portuguese lesson, while Mr. Caleb and I enjoyed a little "date time" in the kitchen making some "Purple Slaw." The best part of it all, in addition to time spent with my sweet little son, was that I was making a dish that he and I love!
Yep, Little Cal and I are the two lovers of this slaw. Madge loves cabbage by itself, but not as slaw.



Little Caleb, however, cried yesterday after taking the last bite of slaw, with no more to replenish his bowl. After a healthy dose of veggies and fruits from our grocery run last night, we are stocked for two, good, loads of Purple Slaw. Delish! And, as sweet as the slaw, is the boy I shared my date with today...

Apt Quote on Life in Brazil

In a recent article, a Canadian expat who has been teaching English in Brazil for the last decade provided an apt quote about life in the country:

"Living here is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. Brazil is one of the most bureaucratic nations I have ever heard of and many of the rules and regulations simply don't make any sense whatsoever. One just has to accept the Brazilian way of doing things and exercise lots of patience."

Brazil is a big and beautiful country with many positive characteristics. The bureaucracy and regulations, however, can be intense and stifling. We've found acceptance and patience, as counseled by the above-cited expat, to be the best forward. We would add trust in God and his plan as an essential ingredient to sane living here as well. The final component that I have found helpful is "pessimistic persistence," a new term I just coined. Pessimistic persistence© is the art of insisting and not giving up in the attempt to resolve a conflict or accomplish something, all the while holding absolutely no expectations the persistence will pay off. Believe it or not, it's a form of optimism, as I have found myself happily surprised by the number of times there has been a pay off, in spite of the bureaucratic rules and regulations!

Roman Numerals and Microwaves

So many fun stories from the morning. Yet another from 6am this morning.

I was making coffee and Madge was helping out. She was heating up the cream for the coffee in the microwave. She asked me what buttons she need to push to turn the microwave on. I gave her the directions. She was thinking a moment, and then she stated matter-of-factually: [the microwave] "should have Roman numerals instead of these ones [conventional numbers]. That way I can learn right here when I use the microwave." This brought a smile to my face as I tried to imagine a microwave with Roman numerals...a little retro, nowtro action. (A quip from Mighty Wind.)

Madge has been learning all the Roman numerals in school--she has learned all the Stations of the Cross during Lent, and the accompanying Roman numerals. It's been really wonderful to observe. Throughout Lent, we have been doing the Stations of the Cross as a family. Madge gets so excited to do them, "Mom and Dad, I love doing the Stations of the Cross." Mares has done an incredible job of integrating many subjects into a Stations of the Cross learning module. For handwriting and spelling, Madge has written out each of the stations. (My personal favorite is when she reads from her handwriting book, "Jesus meets his afflicted mother." When she reads the word afflicted it's like she knows it's a big and sophisticated word.) She covers religion as they discuss the events in each of the stations. On top of it all, she has learned her Roman numerals! Now if only they made microwaves with Roman numerals...

Happiness

This morning the girls began their "official" Portuguese class at home with their instructor. It is so great to listen to their learning and participation with the instructor. One thing that I am so happy the girls brought to class (something you can't just read or learn about from a board-book...) is... their HAPPINESS! It is so beautiful to listen to the giggles, animated voices, and happy responses. There is nothing like happiness. Nothing. It is contagious. May we all pass a little around today, with just a smile, a laugh, a sweet treat brought to a person all alone, or complimenting another. Soon, everyone will be smiling and be seeing Jesus everywhere we go.





Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.". (Mt. 19:14)

Watching. Appreciating. Being Grateful.

This morning I came into the livingroom to sit and just look on to our threesome who were doing what they do every day: play together, pretend, be a family, create a picnic or a party, just be. together.

I cannot count the ways during the day that I am just grateful. Grateful to be teaching our children at home. Grateful to soak up the moments of their being the ages the are: the ages they will never get back to pretend and play side by side again. Grateful to have them learn how to socialize, look people in the eyes when they speak to others and be genuinely concerned for the good of another person. Grateful to love them all day long and to know I can feed them, hug them when they get bumped, their feelings are hurt, or direct them in gently settling an argument. I am grateful. We are all imperfect. We all have our faults, temptations, frustrations, bummer moments. I watch the girls and Little Caleb care for each other, and for Mommy and Daddy, and I am grateful, because they learn, and they are so capable of so much. If only I would step out of the way more to allow God's life to flow and move me in the movements He desires. Hard work is what it is. But, it is all worth it. God's grace is incomprehensible, because it is such a gift. How grateful I am to be able to help our little ones, alongside my husband, to guide and channel these moments in life for an ultimate goal that we can live out here on earth: heaven.

Circuito das Estações: Adidas 10k Fall Run

On Sunday, we ran the Circuito das Estações Adidas 10k Fall Run. It was a fun run, with great organization, and a neat path around all the government buildings of Brasilia. The best part was running next to the most beautiful person in the world (see photo on right). There were over 5,000 runners. As we were running with the running strollers, it took us a good 3k to get past the crowds so that we could actually find our rhythm. That's the way it goes. But it was a great time nonetheless. Runners would comment as I passed, "oh, two kids." Then Mares would pass, and they would recognize, "oh, three kids!"

At one point (around kilometer 7), we were to run downhill under a tunnel. Madge and Pita (whom I was pushing in the double-running stroller) shouted out, "Dad, go really fast!" So I had to oblige them. They raised their arms in the air, and howled as we zipped down the hill at a full-sprint.

Mares and I finished hand-in-hand. The commentator greeted us again at the end. "And here is the family. They've been running all the races in Brasilia recently, with their children."

We had a fun time. The girls love the races, and little Caleb seems to enjoy the people and the music. Hopefully there will be more to come!

Food and Heaven

All our kids are good, little healthy eaters. They eat almost everything put before them, including the sometimes-different Brazilian fruits and vegetables.

Our little Guadalupe, Pita, however, is our food-lover; sometimes it seems like she has a bottomless pit for a stomach as she snacks at all hours of the day. (Fortunately, Mares does a stellar job of keeping a steady supply of health snacks at their little finger tips all day long.)

It was 6:03am this morning, I was brewing coffee and heating some water for tea, as Madge and Pita joined me in the kitchen. They had frazzled bed-heads and sleepy eyes but their minds were racing, as they always are. Pita remarked (I'm not sure why) that she didn't want to die. I told her that death is okay since that is how we get to be with Jesus in heaven. And that's why we don't have to be afraid of death. She elaborated that she didn't want to die because Madge had told her that there would be no food in heaven. Madge chimed in, "Isn't that right, Dad, because we'll just be souls and we won't eat food?" I nodded my head. Then Pita moaned, "But I love food. So I don't want to die and go to heaven where I won't have food." While I am not sure of the specifics in the afterlife (and metaphysical argumentation can only get you so far), I consoled her that heaven will have everything that makes her the most happy. She smiled, "I love food." And that she does.

Nosso Amor

Today is Daddy's birthday! Happy birthday, to my best friend and our children's devoted Dad.



We love you so much and cannot begin to express how grateful we are for your life, the joy you bring to us (the many laughs and so much more!), and the stability of strength.


(We give you this song just to show you how grateful we are for your life.) Our souls are calmed when you are near.


Through all things, we can weather it, because we know that the Father is with us and Our Lady is constantly guarding and mothering us, protecting us, as St. Joseph goes ahead and paves the way of quiet strength and protection.


(Thanks to Maddy for these three pictures of our sweet Daddy!)

Thank you for all of your love, your goodness. We treasure you. We give God thanks for your life and give God thanks for our parents, for without them, and God's amazing gift and infusion of life, we would not be here. Gracas a Deus por vida. Vida e boa!

The Look of Love

(Photography by: Pita Snaps)

A look. A glance. A shared, yet-simple, dance. The moments with you I treasure. They are graces God sends to inspire. Heaven is not far-off. No, it is here being lived in your love. I give God thanks. I open my soul. I ask Him to shower our marriage with graces of gold. May we always be united in spirit, in prayer, a look, a glance, or a simple dance. You are my channel of grace here on earth.

Precious in His Sight

Yesterday, our three treasures sat on the step near the backyard and gazed upward toward Him. We give you thanks, Lord, for your goodness in sharing these three precious lives with us. We thank you for the individual personalities you have blessed them with. We thank you for their sweet and wondrous ways that are so good, so sweet, so holy. It is no wonder that you say, "Let the children come to Me." (Mt. 19). It reminds me that so many times you see the goodness in each of us that so many times others do not see. And, you see the difficulties too, but you love us nonetheless. For this, I am grateful.

A song we love to sing as a family:

Lord, you are more precious than silver. Lord, you are more costly than gold. Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds and nothing I desire compares with you. And, nothing I desire compares with you.

Never too Young to Contribute to the Family

Thank you for being selfless, my three little helpers. I love you so much and appreciate your many contributions to our family. What a difference they make.





The great danger for family life, in the midst of any society whose idols are pleasure, comfort and independence, lies in the fact that people close their hearts and become selfish. Pope John Paul II