Room for one more...

A few weeks ago we had the missionaries over for dinner. As we were chatting, it came up that the new set of sisters our ward would be receiving would need a place to stay for a bit when they first arrived. Marty casually mentioned that we could make room for them if needed, but we didn't really think much about it. However, a few days later we got a phone call. "Brother Vieira, does your offer still stand?" Oh, boy. "Yes!" we said. And then we got to work cleaning and rearranging.

Well, a day or two later we got another phone call from some friends in the ward. "We know of an exchange student from Japan that is still looking for placement. Would you be interested?" No! Absolutely not. Those were my initial gut reactions. But then I started thinking that we should at least pray about it so Heavenly Father could confirm my gut reactions. Always dangerous:) After thinking and praying for a day or two, I told Marty that we needed to make room for one more. We WERE supposed to take in this Japanese exchange student after all. At least we had a few weeks to prepare still.

The sisters moved in with us right before September began. Oh, how I love sister missionaries! It was wonderful to have them in our home. Our children were obsessed and stalked them to no end. I would often find them sitting outside their door in the morning--listening. "Mom! WHAT are those sisters doing in there?! WHEN will they come down for breakfast?!" When that tactic wasn't working they would go out in the front yard and try to see as much as possible through their windows on the second floor. "Mom, I saw one!! She was reading her scriptures!!" All that studying about drove our kids crazy. They couldn't understand why the sisters would not just come down and play with them! I loved it. And Sister Lee and Sister Palmer did, too. They will forever be honorary family members.

We spent a glorious two weeks with the missionaries down the hall. Then, as quickly as they came, they packed up their things and headed on over to their official apartment that was now ready for them. And we were left with one day to get things ready for our new arrival. We scrubbed, and washed, and vacuumed, and rearranged some more. Then, we packed everyone up in the mini van and went to pick up our 15 year old son.

I can already see why Heavenly Father sent Isamu to us for this year. He is just perfect for our family. The first morning, probably still dizzy from the time change, he sat down to show the girls how to do origami. He shows love to our children, he is polite and humble, and he is hard-working. His example will be greatly appreciated all through the year. I can already imagine that I will be sad to see him return home next June. His humility is probably what stands out to me the most. We felt like our offering to him was humble: a bed, desk, and dresser in our busy home. His first response was, "I've never had my own room before! Thank you!" I worried for weeks about what he would like to eat. He has eaten everything put before him without complaint. The fact that we can offer him choices for breakfast is luxury to him. He is used to natto (fermented soy beans) and rice to start every day.

I am learning what it truly means to be humble and grateful through this teenage boy. I am feeling like we have more than we could ever need as I look around at our home. Why is it that I EVER feel like we need more? While he learns English and experiences a new corner of the world, I will be learning what it truly means to simplify and find joy in the abundance of little things that make life so sweet. 

 (new family picture--courtesy of Dorothy)

Let's Review

Tonight during family scripture study:

Marty: Dorothy, what were the names of Nephi's older brothers?

Dot: Laman and.....Lemon oil?


Close enough, my dear:)

Ham.

Goose is a total Ham. I want to be as funny as her when I grow up:)

Dot's First Talk

Our sweet little Polka gave her first official Primary talk last Sunday. With Marty's recent release, we were both free to watch her and support her on her special day. (As a side note, Marty was called in as the Young Men's President for our ward--in case you were wondering!). Dorothy literally spent hours preparing her talk. She and I spent time brainstorming and talking. Then she and Marty spent more time together on it as she drew a picture for each part. She insisted on not only drawing a picture, but also writing out each piece. I am so proud of her for wanting to go the extra mile. Here she is with the final product.

"Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers"

"Bedtime"

 "Before we eat"

"Before long trips"

(I love that this particular long trip is in a covered wagon)

"When we need comfort"

(she wanted to draw Christ coming to her when she is crying)

"To keep us safe and warm"

(this is when the power went out during last winter's blizzard. She remembered praying and then before we fell asleep the power came back on."

"When I pray I am talking to God."

"Morning Prayers"

"Understand scriptures"

(she ended by saying that our prayers can help us better understand the scriptures and find answers.)

What a neat experience to watch the testimony of such a sweet little spirit develop. I am feeling so blessed to be a mother and to have these experiences.

Art Folders

For the time being, our dining room has become the official art station. We have moved meals to the kitchen nook, and the girls have free reign to draw, paint, cut and glue, and create to their heart's content. While I love this arrangement for many reasons, I do NOT love when the floor becomes so littered with discarded pictures that we are all slipping and sliding across it. So, on a recent trip to Target, I let the girls each pick an art folder to hold their favorite pieces.

I love how their personalities come through in their choices. My serious little artist, Dorothy, chose the artsy looking white with paint splotches. My silly and care-free little artist, Lucy, chose the Yoga Dogs--and could not be persuaded otherwise! 

Now our dining room floor is a bit cleaner, safer, and I find a reason to smile every time I see their folders.

A good day.

Today was a good day. I awoke to the lovely sight of a 7 as the first number on our bedroom clock. After rolling out of bed, I watched Marty finish putting on his tie and shoes. His blue eyes were sparkling. He flashed me his sweet smile (with that gap between his front teeth that makes me swoon), and sent me out to feed the animals with a kiss while he headed off to early morning meetings.

I was antsy during the beginning of Sacrament meeting while everyone around me sat whispering their thoughts on why two members of the Stake Presidency were visiting our ward unannounced. I knew why. I just couldn't say yet. I let out a sigh of relief as they released my husband from his calling as first counselor to the Bishop, asked him to bear his testimony, and sent him down to sit with us on our pew. He kissed me again, and it felt good to have him there to help me make it through the meeting with our three munchkins. I know he has loved serving all different people of the ward, but I know he will be excellent in his new (yet to be revealed) calling. We have spent at least half of our marriage with him on the stand, so this season of our lives will be a treat! I love sitting next to him.

I stayed after for a meeting with the Young Women's leaders. After some yummy lunch and good discussion with good ladies, I headed home to my babies. They smothered me with kisses, hugs, and things they wanted to tell me. Then we all took to our peaceful Sunday afternoon activities: the baby playing in the playroom; Marty and the girls finishing Prince of Egypt on our bed; me quietly keeping an eye on everyone, pondering. I walked down to check on the baby boy who just happened to be naked from the waist down letting his slightly rashy buns air out. He proceeded to walk over to me and hand me a nice lump of poo. Oh, how I love that boy. I laughed pretty hard at that one. Lots of hand washing commenced.

When the movie was done, we finished up the night with our Sunday tradition of popcorn and smoothies. Jammies, tooth-brushing, books, and prayers followed. Laying in the dark, I then got to listen to Lucy snoring, Ezra nursing, and Dorothy telling me stories about dragons before she drifted off to sleep. How very grateful I am for this good day.

It's a family thing.

 This whole pony/horse ridin' business goes waaaaay back on the Vieira side. 

Here is grandpa Vieira as a boy with his horse.

 And here is my sweet Marty on his pony

and a few years later riding his horse, Apache.

 And the third generation of riders:

our Polka, Goose, and Baby Boy.

I know there were even more animals and riders further back, 

but these are the ones we have documented in photos. 

Family Traditions Rock.