“Thankful Lists!”

This year E and DJ made “Thankful Lists” in group settings. E made yet another variation on a “Thankful Turkey” at a Ladies’ Tea that she and I attended in mid-November, and DJ made a “Thankful Pumpkin” right before Thanksgiving Break in his first grade class at BJA.

I love both ideas!

E’s list (written on the turkey feathers) includes:

paper

My Bible

school

My family

food  (This only applies to yummy food.)

DJ’s list (written on the pumpkin strips) says:

I am thankful for

My country

that I am a michinery [missionary]

salvation

My toys

I’m so thankful for all that these lists represent!

And it’s always fun to look back at lists from previous years!

2015

[hand-print “Thankful Turkey” projects, varied from the previous year and done at home]

2014

[hand-print “Thankful Turkey” projects, done at home]

2011

[a spontaneous list, compiled at the dining room table]

2010

[hand-prints “Thankful Turkey” project, done in Children’s Church]

2009

[a spontaneous list, compiled in the car while driving home]

So much to be thankful for!

“¡Feliz Navidad!”

We enjoyed an early Christmas Celebration with los Abu at their home in Jacksonville.

El Abu got a quick glimpse of the adventures of Encyclopedia Brown!

And the sun was in everyone’s eyes – and tears were in our hearts and in at least some eyes – as we prepared to pull out of JAX yesterday.

I’m especially thankful for the treasured (albeit brief) visit...

Thanksgiving Day!

Though I didn’t get to take pictures of the whole family, these three are favorites of (most of) the cousins!

And this one could have been taken about 35 years ago:

“Little Matthew” and “Little JM” figuring out a project!

(More) Tidbits from our Travels

A unique opportunity and month-long adventure began for E and DJ on the morning of November 9.

We’re humbled by the generosity of God’s people. And as a teacher (and as a mom!), I’m especially thankful for what the experience will add to our family’s education!

~ ~ ~

We’re enjoying “everyday life” with PaPa & Grandma:

Watching Grandma cut the Lemonade Pie!

Making faces with PaPa!

DJ got to be a “Native American” for Thanksgiving Day!

And both got haircuts at Jelly Beans – with Miss Teresa!

SO much to be thankful for!

Autumn Leaves!

We’ve been enjoying the fall colors here in the Upstate since we arrived about a month ago – but they’ve been especially beautiful this week!

What variety of vibrant color!

SO thankful!

¡Maestro! ♥

Oscar Washington Tabárez igualó ayer al alemán Sepp Herberger como el DT con más partidos dirigidos (167) a una misma selección nacional en la historia.

(Mira todos los datos en la página de la AUF).

“SuperMoon!”

About an hour ago, we stepped outside to snap a few pictures of tonight's SuperMoon. The haze from the forest fires (to the north of us) influenced the lighting, making for some cool effects.

#NoCameraFilter

The heavens are telling of the glory of God...

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands...

Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge...

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple…

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

~Psalm 19

#SomosCelestes

Hoy, 10 de noviembre: Uruguay vs Ecuador en el Estadio Centenario

[foto de Wendy Díaz]

Espero que el resultado de hoy se parezca al de Dani en el recreo ayer. Su equipo ganó 3 a 0. Y entiendo que ¡él anotó los tres goles! Pero fue según “las reglas” inventadas por los alumnos de primero de escuela. (¡jejeje!)

¡Si supieran cuánto anhelo estar allí esta noche!

“Patch the Pirate Club”

E and DJ got to be part of the concert with “Patch the Pirate” on Sunday at Victory Baptist Church in Jacksonville. We’re thankful! (They already knew the songs; all the bus rides from Montevideo to Pando, listening to “Patch” on JM’s Kindle paid off!)

We’ll never forget the Hamiltons’ gracious ministry to our extended family back in 2011. And we’re thankful for these new memory-making moments as well...

I’m not sure about the angle of this picture (or the camera lens),

but I love all the happiness here!

The Jacksonville Zoo

And other memorable moments!

Getting to feed the giraffe was a special highlight!

♥ ♥ ♥

We got to celebrate la Abu’s birthday with her!

Denny’s can serve up quite the birthday breakfast!

I loved watching how much the cousins enjoyed each other’s company.

(Please notice that all five pairs of eyes are visible in this snapshot!)

We even got to learn more about “baseball” at a Little League Game!

We’re thankful for precious memories made with extended family!

Tidbits from our Trip

October 25:

That awkward moment when you take your children from their current highly relational culture to their passport culture, and they ask:

“How are we supposed to greet people here?!”

[In Uruguay, we usually greet with a kiss. And I now appreciate the “ice breaker” quality of that custom more than ever!]

~ ~ ~

When I told E that I wanted /RASP-berry/ yogurt, she immediately replied:

Do you want to eat it in /FEB-RU-ary/ on a /WED-NES-day/?


October 27:

DJ, to me, after taking placement tests (hoping to get into first grade): “Mrs. T said that I made an A plus!”

Then, after a short pause: “A plus B plus C plus D plus E...”

Growing up in another culture, he has no idea what an A+ means! But tone of voice told him that it’s positive.

♥ ♥ ♥

October 29:

The pace of a baseball game just might be making me more nervous than the pace of a soccer game does...

(Just sayin’...)

~ ~ ~

Overheard recently in conversation (by bilingual Little People):

“Electrodomestics” don’t count!

Are “creatures” seres vivos?

November 3:

Trying to watch Game 7 of the World Series...

Baseball just might be officially bad for my health!