Christmas Nostalgia

I was looking through old photos and found some pictures from last year! I love you all so much and I am missing you and your Christmas spirit this year! Christmas is definitely not as commercialized here in Ipatinga. In bigger cities they do more, but there are no town decorations. My in-laws, I have since found out, belong to a church that doesn't believe they should commemorate Christmas, because we should be celebrating his life everday. I say that's hoo hocky. But only because they are ALL about their own birthdays. And shouldn't we be celebrating our lives every day if we are going to have that attitude? In my oh so humble opinoin. Anyway my MIL was fine with me decorating. I put up a nativity, a couple of santa clauses, our really cute stockings (Thanks Kim! Sidnei loves his still!), and just a few things here and there. We bought a table top tree and didn't use the big one because of my nephew, we were afraid he'd be into everything. It is pretty, I am just really missing all the good Christmas spirit we have. I made sugar cookies, which helped me :) and my in-laws loved them! I also made them for the ward party and people went crazy over them! I was so proud of myself. I made a little over 150 sugar cookies this year!!

I just want you all to know how much I miss you. Sometimes I dont feel like I convey it very well. I feel like sometimes I clam up on the phone, but honestly, it's only because I'm usually choked up. I get so emotional because I just have so much 'saudades' (the portuguese word for missing someone or something...but this word doesnt translate well, because it is so much deeper than missing...maybe a mixture and missing and yearning) I am so grateful for all the support you have given me these last couple of years. I would never have done as well as I have without you all. I don't want anyone to be upset either. I have been here for almost 7 months (next week!) and things are going really well. I am so proud of myself for how well I've adjusted, how quickly I've learned, and how independent I am already! I grow by leaps and bounds every day and we have a good life here. I am grateful to be with Sidnei. He is my best friend, he is so wonderful to me, and I couldn't imagine my life without him.

Merry Christmas to you all. Of course I will call, but I wanted to express just how much you all mean to me. Love you all more than you can imagine!!

Here are pictures from last year! This was the weekend before Christmas!












Sorry Rachael...I just couldnt resist!