Monday, June 03, 2013

Stella


Happy Birthday Stella!

We are so blessed to have such a fun and spunky little girl.  I cant believe you turn 8 today!!  We love you so much.  

Sunday, June 24, 2012

We love the USA

 We're in the USA!!!
 Hiking Mt. Charleston

 Going to the Circus.
 Feeding the ducks.



 Watching Aladdin at Tuachan.

 Waiting for the show to start.


 Swimming and spending time with family.




 We're loving every minute of our vacation.  Next week Drew joins us and we can't wait!! 


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Fall Favorites







I know what you're thinking Fall favorites.  It's Spring.  On your side of the Equator it is but in the Southern Hemisphere it's Fall.  The change of seasons is totally throwing me off.  It feels like Christmas is days away instead of months.  I'm sure things will quickly change when we get to the States in a few weeks.  

These pictures are from a recent trip to the beach.  We love everything about the beach!  I just wish we could go more often.  

Monday, April 02, 2012

Saturday, March 31, 2012

How Firm a Foundation

Succor:
Noun:
Assistance and support in times of hardship and distress.
Verb:
Give assistance or aid to.
This word was is an answer to my prayers.  I've received so much assistance, love and support since moving to Brazil and continue to receive it.  If you have done anything, big or small you have been an answer to my prayers.  Thank you.  Before we moved to Brazil I wasn't sure if it was the best choice for our family.  It took a few months for me to receive an answer to my prayers asking about this decision.  I wasn't sure about what to do.  So I trusted Drew's decision.  Then I received my answer. 


This is from my journal in January...
 Sunday, January 13, 2011
I think I'm still waiting and receiving answers about Brazil.  In church today, we sang How firm a Foundation.  I love this song.  As I was singing, these words jumped out at me, "At home or abroad, on the land or the sea - as thy days may demand, as thy days may demand, as thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be."  I also vividly saw these words from my patriarchal blessing, "Now the day may come, Eryka, when you will have the desire to go out into the world taking principles of life and salvation unto the children of our Father in Heaven and if that desire so comes the way will be made open unto you."  I also remembered the title and advice Elder Eyring gave us from the latest conference, Trust in God, Then Go and Do.  I had a strong feeling of peace and support come over me.  I've never had this kind of answer.  I felt like it was directed just for me. 


Tonight, as I was listening to conference this song was sung again.  I had the strongest feeling of knowing I am loved.  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me.  He hears my prayers and answers them.  He has a plan for me and has provided amazing friends for me to receive assistance and support from.  He has blessed me with an amazing husband.  He loves me, supports me and comforts me.  I have three wonderful kids that also bless my life more than anything.  I love being their Mom.  I'm so thankful for my beliefs.  I love listening to conference and hearing the words of our living prophets.  I know that it truly blesses my life.  


Sunday, March 18, 2012

Something new Sunday

Blogging hasn't been my thing for a while.  I want to update it.  I just never sit down to do it.  So this is my new idea.  Every Sunday I''ll post "Something new on Sunday."  This will hopefully get me out of my blogging rut.  I love the idea of having a record of our life and what we've been up to but I'm also lazy.  Here's to me not being lazy!

My first "Something new Sunday"...

Where to start.  There's so much to tell about Brazil.  It's been an adventure I never thought I'd love.  I came into this thinking this is my ticket back to New York.  I never really thought I'd like Brazil.  I know, not the best attitude to start off our adventure.  I never expressed my doubt about Brazil.  I was always excited for the new experiences we'd have but this really was my ticket home.  Somewhere in the past 7 months I've started to fall in love.

It started with a crush.  The food was so delicious.  I never thought rice and beans could taste so good.  The fruit here is amazing.  It really tastes so sweet.  I enjoy it almost as much as candy.  The juices are unique and amazing.  Some of my favorites include watermelon, pineapple with mint and the classic orange juice.  Fresh food is just so good.

I get butterflies in my stomach when I try speaking portuguese.  It's not pretty to hear me speak but it's coming.  I feel like I'm picking it up so much easier than Spanish.  I'm sure it helps a ton that I have the Spanish.  The two languages are so simular and at the same time world's apart.

The kissing.  Here in Sao Paulo you kiss everyone (Yes, everyone.  From your friends to your kids teachers to anyone you can think of and of course you even kiss strangers.) on the cheek every time you see them.  I love it.  I'm not a touchy feely person but I love that I'm always greeted with a kiss.  It's inviting.  It softens people.  I'm all about the kissing.  So don't be shocked if I start kissing you when I come and visit!

It brings tears to my eyes when I think of all my amazing friends.  They are endless.  They would do anything for me and do.  They make me feel so loved.  After our experience in Spain I didn't really plan on having very many friends here in Brazil.  I was so wrong.  This is what Brazilians are best at.  They love people.  They love to party, big and small.  Friendships have definitely been the thing that has made me fall hard.  I can't even describe how amazing my friends are here.  If you are one of them, Thank you!!  I love you to death.  I don't know what I'd do without you and I'm so glad I don't have to find out.  Living international is a bonding experience.  In Spain, we really bonded as a family.  Here in Brazil, we are also bonding as a family but that family has opened up to so many good friends.   (Don't worry friends back home we still love you too!!)

I have fallen hard these last seven months.  I love it here.  So come and visit so I can show you how amazing my life is!  You might even fall in love too.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Love this boy

He can float on his back forever. Usually with the biggest smile. :)



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