finn's training days

Finn has had a horrible rash on his bum; I am talking bright red, swollen, blisters...all over. Must be the tropical heat combined with the diapers and such. So, we have tried 8 different creams and ointments, have switched to the Brazilian day time washable diaper and have brought out the little Brazilian potty. Here was Finn's first response:

snippin' the sleeves

This dress was a steal at Target for like $4. It had long sleeves. Today, I wanted to wear it, but long sleeves in the tropics is pretty much a death wish (or a crazy-stare wish, which I get enough of already), so I cut and sewed cap sleeves. Turned out well. Did I mention this is a polyester dress??? Um...this will have to be an occasional wear.

Here is what I did with the sleeves...our neighbor girl enjoyed them!

i'm hanging for the first time

So we made it to Brazil, our new home (this pic is in Miami during our layover). Two days of travel, arriving with no luggage, and a humidity that will make the shortest of hair curl! Once our luggage did come, all 2 dozen pieces...I figured out a few things.

• I cannot read portuguese


• I have no idea what to feed my family with (beyond store bough coconut cookies and little bananas)


• I have never hung laundry before


• Kids help you get to the front of the line


• "220" on an outlet does not stand for a Phil Keaggy album


• Toaster glow and burst into blames when plugged into the 220 outlet


• Driving is an extreme sport

So, once I came to the conclusion that I need help with the basics of life, I asked the Lord for some serious grace, humility and patience.

I now know:

• Fire ants have short tempers...and enjoy their title


• Teenagers are the same everywhere (our house got TP'd the 3rd night here)


• Envelopes will seal themselves


• Just sweat and be happy


• Veggies and fruit are to be soaked in vinegar before eating


• Can't flush TP, the little trash can isn't just for ladies anymore


• Paper gets moist and wavy just sitting there


• Unplug everything when not using it


• The words for coconut and poop are the same, just with a slightly different tone...wonderful!


• This is where the Lord wants me right now!!!!

So this morning, after dropping George off at school (a 1/2 mile walk or so) I came home to make something and now feel like we will survive. Granola! I found (with LOTS of help) ground flax seed, whole oats, EVOOil, unsweet coconut, soy granuals, and honey!!! Yippeee...I can cook!!! On the menu tonite...GRANOLA!!!!

To see our family blog and its pictures, just click here

My 2 milk choices...

The variety of fruit...can you find the avacado?? Notice the outlet...uh...duck tape was put there by me, litte reminder!

days to go

Here I will be, in my suit, with my suitcase, ready to hop on a plane to Brazil, (with an additional dozen or more suitcases, bins, husband, kids, etc).

We got our visas end of March, and have been packing, sorting, tossing and storing our lives away. We leave Spokane on the 14th of April to head to Belem, Brazil. It'll take a few days to get there, but at 4:15am on the 16th, we'll arrive!

Thanks to the Lord, who is our constant rock.

mid march

"Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film."

March days are here, and so is the fresh air (still a bit cold) a desire to clean and purge, and my toes wanting air. Visas are said to be on their way to us March 25th, we'll soon see! If that's the case, we'll depart April 14th.

God has our absolute best in store...no worries!

The guys hiking around. George actually brought a sketchbook and a pen for the purpose of doing some work out on the trail...

...see

new toys

I am having muito fun with my new dehydrator, compliments of my pal, Lisa. Right now I have my latest version of "raw" oatmeal cookies in there, along with some pickles...you just never know. They, the cookies, are packed with soaked oats, dried raisins & apricots, unrefined coconut oil, flax seed, regular oats, black strap molasses, honey and pecans. Blended it up and plopped it on. Now the hum of the my new toy is emitting in the kitchen and the cookies will be done in only 12 hours!



Yogi tea is my new favorite edible toy. Just add boiling water and a bit of milk. I am ever sipping Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut --it is dessert in a mug! While I sip, I sit and reflect on the lavish love of the Lord and how I don't deserve a lick of it, but am so very thankful for it. Man, when will those cookies be done?

cute homemade baby burp cloths

I dragged out my blessed machine and went to work on an easy little baby gift! My friend is having a baby girl next month and has the theme of little lambs in the room. Found some nice fabric and got busy. This is a easy gift to make, and won't break the bank. A bit more than I usually spend, but she is a special friend.

1. Start with 1/3 yards of fabric per 2 diapers. I bought 3, 1/3 yards for the 6 diapers I will cover and sew. The diapers are the pre-folded Gerber from Target, they are everywhere. Don't get the unfolded ones...no no...won't work.



2. Wash it all (cold water)



3. Iron it all



4. Cut the fabric in about 20-21 inches by 6-7 inches. Depends on the size of the cloth diaper and how you want it to look.



5. Iron the ends under all at once, (saves time) and pin on the diaper for the middle strip.




6. Try to find contrasting thread colors to stand out a bit, or you can match if you must.
   
   
7. Sew as close as you can to the edge, it looks better than further in.
   
   
8. Use a variety of stitches too, if you wish. You don't just have to use the straight line option.



9. Cut all the extra threads off, fold, and use the scraps as the ribbon to tie together. This is my very first tutorial...hope it makes at leat 24% of sense!