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All posts for the month April, 2012

New Shoes!

Posted by The Jarjoura Family on April 13, 2012
Posted in: Activities, Unique Brazilian Experiences. Leave a Comment

To preface, the American Society pulled money together to give all of the kids at Missionaries of Charity new shoes for Christmas! Having a toddler myself, I knew it was time for the kids to get new shoes again and I wanted to make sure they got them! We recently had a friend visit us from the U.S. and she was kind enough to bring flip flops in her luggage for us to give all of the kids! (Thank you, Stacy!!! We really appreciate it!) Today, I was joined by friends Donna and Mollie, and we dropped off all 29 pair of flip flops for the kids! While we were there, we had the pleasure of feeding the kids their lunch! Not too far from what I experience at home, my kid was the only kid not eating anything! After lunch, we helped get the kids cleaned up and then we put them all down for their nap!

I am filled with so much joy when I see the love and devotion given to these kids by the sisters! The kids and the sisters occupy my heart and my prayers now and forever. These beautiful, bright-eyed kids give me a new appreciation for so many things. I am so grateful for all I have been graced with and I am so grateful that I am able to do something so small for others. These kids deserve the world and the world deserves them!

Easter Fun!

Posted by The Jarjoura Family on April 8, 2012
Posted in: Activities, Holidays, Kid Crafts. Leave a Comment

With Tammer in Shanghai, Stavros and I are really missing him and are trying to keep busy. Easter is a day that really hits me spiritually. For good and bad, my brothers, sisters and I were sort of ”reborn” on Easter weekend in 1987 when we were put into foster care, so Easter is always heavy on my heart. If we were in the U.S. today, we would be celebrating with my siblings–having a big egg hunt for the kids down south, then enjoying a nice dinner with Tam’s parents. But, we’re in Brazil, so Stav and I are keeping busy doing other things! For something new, I thought Stav would love to do a Bunny Hunt–with just the two of us! I staged bunnies throughout the yard for Stav to find! The bunnies were adorable, double-sided printables I found online. Stav was absolutely thrilled and kept saying, “Rabbits! Where did they go?!” Sweet, sweet boy! He was all smiles, even with his silly bunny ears on his head!… I really wish my dad could have seen my son with his Easter basket in his hand just one time–I know it would have made him smile!

We were also invited to a nice Easter Brunch with friends! The food was delicious, the mimosas were fantastic, and the kids had the best time! If I eat another piece of Easter candy, I am sure to explode! Thanks Donna and Megan for including us! Here’s to spiritual resurrection.

The Hunt!!!…

Jelly Beans for Stav and his friends!…

Carrot Garden: made of sugar wafers, Nutella, jelly beans and edible Easter grass!…

Glitter Eggs…

Easter Brunch, crafts, and a few more eggs with friends!…

 A Stavros egg and a Daddy egg!…

An Early Easter Celebration

Posted by Bren on April 6, 2012
Posted in: Holidays. Leave a Comment

Tammer is traveling to Shanghai this Easter, so the Easter Bunny visited our house a few days early! We were lucky enough to have a big celebration last weekend at Stavros’ Egg Hunt, but we also wanted a low-key celebration with just the three of us! Stavros got his basket, but gave it very little attention. It’s alright, it’s filled with candy that I love anyway! (Thanks A.J. and Linda, for sending the Jelly Belly’s! Yum!) Really, Stav’s only concern was with his present–a Kindle Fire! Stav has been playing, learning and “reading” on his Kindle since he got it! We’re happy that we (I mean, the Easter Bunny) made such a good choice for Stavros’ present! We also went to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants before Tammers flight. I told Tammer he could pick the location, so he, of course, picked a favorite of mine! Stavros and I will be missing Tammer, but we’re grateful that our separation is for just a short time. Our hearts go out to all of the children without a mommy, a daddy, or both… this Easter and always.