Random Thoughts

HAPPINESS! At least once a day I lay these two little ones up on the bed, side by side, and change two stinky diapers! Yes, my little Maile is potty trained but will only go #2 in her diaper as of now. So when they're all clean I scoot them together, sing a little song while I tickle them and this picture is what I see. Two little faces smiling up at me. And what started as a bitter task always has it's sweet reward of seeing these happy little faces smile up at me.

GROWING! My little girl is loving school and just can't wait to put on her little uniform every day. She gets home exhausted and has been falling asleep at 7:30pm every night! And if you know Maile you know that is not like her! I'm glad she's playing so much and enjoying herself. Not to mention speaking so much Portuguese. It makes me happy to see her embracing the brazilian culture. But that doesn't mean she doesn't ask me all the time when we are getting on the airplane to go to Grandma's house for Christmas! :) Just 3 more weeks Maile!

BUGGED! Sometimes I just hate how the sidewalk and everywhere is so not stroller friendly! I know it's something stupid to be bugged about but it has made my life a lot harder now that I can't hop in the car and go places. And this specific sidewalk extra bugs me because it's on the way to the hair salon that ripped me off! I go to get a trim and some "deep conditioning" for my post-pregnancy thin hair and go to this "nice" salon near my house. All the guy did was put some conditioner on my hair, rinse it out with freezing cold water spraying me in the face while he rinsed it (and I could smell cigarette smoke on his fingers while he washed my hair), cut ugly layers in the front I told him not to, and then charged me an extra high price for all that. I bought some cream he said was awesome and told me to pick it up the next week when it came in. I'm so bugged cause he keeps "forgetting" to leave it at the salon and I still don't have it!! I know it's such a dumb story to go off about but I don't have lots of girlfriends to gabber off to here and it is just so annoying!! Sigh.

REFRESHING! For those of you that really know me you'll be surprised to know I read a book all the way through! And a long one too. And I just have to say that this book makes me so happy! I actually bought it on audio and listened to it every chance I could get and I loved the aspect of multi-tasking while reading a book. :) But I loved it so much that now that I'm finished I actually miss the characters. It is soooo good- please read it. It will make you smile. Now what to read? Any good recommendations?

HAPPY THOUGHT! Thanksgiving time reminds me of when I was younger and we would go to Arizona and spend the long weekend with all my cousins on my Dad's side. Leigh, Hillary, and I would slumber party in the office and we would have so much fun together! Then when I was an older teenager it got too hard to get everyone together under one roof and the tradition came to an end. But Thanksgiving time always reminds me of the best memories in Tempe, AZ- shopping, going to movies, jumping on the trampoline, playing games and sneaking down at night to toilet paper all the sleeping boys. Sometimes I miss my childhood so much!

WHO WOULD'VE KNOWN! I came across this picture of Lee's family the other day. This was taken the day that I met the Barbosa family before I was engaged. I had no idea the adventure that would lie ahead marrying Lee. And here we are somewhere in Brazil in a little place called Campina Grande. And this family has about 10 more additions to it since this picture. I love being a part of this family and am learning all about living with the "in-laws"! :)

AMOR! This was taken that same trip. I mean- come on, how could I have not fallen in love with this "gato"!! (hottie).

Lee has taken such good care of me down here. I have had a really hard time adjusting and I see him worry about making me happy and doing the little things that count. I really appreciate my amazing brazilian man.

SWEET! This boy Thiago has been coming to Primary for a few months now. It has been so sweet to see him fall in love with the sweet spirit the Gospel brings. I glance over and see him trying so hard to learn the songs, and he participates and his baptism day was so special to me. We sang the opening Primary song "Baptism" and the sweet melody and looking at him just brought back a rush of all those good feelings from my mission of seeing someone learn and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I was leading the hymn and my eyes filled up with tears as I looked at him in his sunday shirt all excited to be baptized. I held it together but I felt the spirit so strong and just felt so good.

TENDER! I miss my Papa. I came across this picture and so many memories came rushing to my mind. Too many that if I went into detail I would cry too hard writing this, but something that makes me feel so good is knowing Papa was here in Brazil right where I am. A year ago Papa came to Brazil to buy an investment property on the beach. Just him and Lee. Papa met my brazilian family and stayed at our apartment and just knowing that he was here makes me feel so much closer to him. I know he's close.

BOA NOITE! Time to go to bed. Lukey has been going through what I think is teething- runny nose, feverish, unsettled and waking up all through the night. And I've got to get in gear as I'm cooking lunch for the missionaries tomorrow and Thanksgiving dinner for my in-laws on Thursday! Hope it turns out okay! Beijos.