a visita foi uma experiência maravilhosa

Coach Thiago and Middle

Coach Eduardo and Coach Bruno (half of Lindolfo)



Coach Igor

Coach Bruno and Oldest

Coach Lindolfo and Coach Thiago

Father's Day and World Cup

So, the "Father's Day" part was a little downplayed, but we had a good day. We got up and went to church, which most of the talks went over Lindolfo's head because he wasn't sure what they were talking about and they spoke too fast for him to follow, but he tried to sing the hymns, and seemed very interested in the sacrament. He watched Oldest passing very closely. We sat with the P family so as to help me out with translation issues. He had told us that he is catholic and his father was evangelist. He and I had an interesting talk about perceptions of Americans and Brazilians. Basically, there are good people everywhere, but they seldom make the news :).

The game was a little noisier from them, and Carly and Brittan came over to watch as well. I made an attempt at rice the Brazilian way - and they said it was really good. I also made a new to me black beans recipe, which I thought was just okay, but others thought it was yummy, and the new chicken fajitas recipe. They ate and then finished the last few minutes of the game and headed off to Big City.

Then, the DR and I went to a pot luck/surprise party for a friend who was turning the big 40. We have had a crazy but fun week, and another one is on the horizon with more sewing camp, and a soccer tournament out of town.

Saturday 3V3, Lake, and Other Adventures

Saturday started bright and early with the 3v3. Middle's team didn't show up until just barely before the games were supposed to start- as an on-time n a z i, this drives me crazy.

Middle played the loaded team from her comp team, and lost- which set them up to play again for the championship- which they also lost- but after a few quick goals- Middle's team decided there was no way they were going let them score again- and they didn't let them- It is tough because they are all friends, but there is a little divide in attitudes and it will hurt the team in the long run if something isn't done about it. They finished with their heads up, and smiles on their faces- so, all is good.

Oldest's team didn't do too badly in their first game, but still lost 4-3, again.

Meanwhile, the Team Brazil was missing a player, and recruited the DR to be their defender! I might not have mentioned, but he isn't exactly in shape. After a little while, I sent Oldest in for him, not having any desire to be a widow at my age.

And my mothering skills just got better and better, with Oldest about collapsing on the field during his second game. Poor guy- he had to use his inhaler just before half time, and was playing really well- he had scored two goals and his team was winning 4-1. Shortly after halftime, he started to lose it, and we had to pause the game because he was lightheaded, and shaking really badly, and after someone replaced him for the last few minutes, they lost 5-4. He gave us a bit of a scare, but recovered pretty quickly.

Team Brazil played their toughest game after that- with a couple of friends of Outpatients, the sister of one, and the sister of Middle's friend and teammate, plus another guy. Cody, Kaden, Aleece, and Carly played really hard, and well (they ended up wining the 3v3). Cody broke his hand at somepoint during the game, but just kept playing. Outpatient and Cody played soccer together for years, and hockey for a few years as well, so it was fun to watch, but it made me miss my boy, and I knew how much he would have loved playing with them too.

After that, I got the patients home and fed. After a few hours, the DR took them and Lindolfoo, Eduardo, and Bruno to the lake for several hours. I kept trying to call them so I knew who I was feeding and when, plus Middle was supposed to babysit at 7- they were not home until about then- nice. Good thing she was babysitting for the P family, and they came over here early so they could visit with the brazilians again.

There was an EQ BBQ, so we took Lindolfo and Bruno with us after Eduardo left for his hosts' house. It was a nice visit for them with the P's and after we took Bruno to his hosts' house, the DR let Lindolfo drive. Very funny experience. Here in the states, we take for granted the many luxuries we have in our cars. Lindolfo had not driven an automatic before, nor had he ever had an electronic button to adjust his seat. We talked about how expensive it is to have a car in Brazil, and the crazy driving, especially the motorcycles.

Then, we "met" Juliana, his girlfriend, via skype. And her very pretty sister, Gabriela. Who is Outpatient's age, so of course the DR launched into matchmaker mode.

It was a long and exhausting day, and Lindolfo said he would like to go with us to church in the morning. That should be interesting. Then all the remaining coaches are coming here to watch the World Cup before they have to head out to the Big City for another camp.

Just for Outpatient

Oldest playing for Team Brazil

The DR !!!!!! playing for Team Brazil

Carly playing against Igor- Team Brazil


Cody playing against Lindolfo- Team Brazil


so sad you missed it :(

Camp Week One- Day Five and 3V3

Well, today was just another perfect example of how life gets way too crazy around here :). Camp went well, and the evaluations seemed to be just as sincere as I had hoped they would be so that the patients would really know what they needed to work on. Oldest was obviously exhausted, so I thought it was a good thing he hadn't wanted to sign up for the 3V3. Ha.

We hurried home and fed Middle, got her stuff and water, then headed off to the tournament, while the DR would bring the other patients in time for the game. Well, I was about 2 blocks away from home when I got a call that one of the teams only had one player showing up and could Oldest please come play. So, I turned around to go get him and his stuff. He wasn't too happy about it, but I tried to get him to look at it in the most positive light.

Games began and as it turned out, Oldest and Middle played the exact same time schedule so the DR and I were running back and forth between fields. Oh, I forgot one piece of drama, we had left without cleats for Oldest. Luckily the DR had just barely left so he turned around and grabbed them, getting to the field with no time to spare. Oldest's team- using that term very loosely- did okay at first, with him getting a goal early on, but they ended up losing 4-3. Middle and her team won 1-0. She had two girls from the B team on her team and two from the A team with her.

We watched the Brazilians play 3 on 5 against a girls' team. They obviously didn't go all out against them, but seemed to have a really good time.

Then Oldest was playing his second game, and it wasn't too far into the game when he needed his inhaler and it hit me like a ton of bricks that he was still trying to recover from pneumonia and I had completely spaced it off. First I let him get fried by the sun at the camp, then talk him into playing the 3v3- sign me up for Mother of the Year Award right now. They lost that game, pretty bad- but that was the most loaded team. Oldest played okay, especially considering his health. Middle's team won their game 6-1. The Brazilians had another game later, but the patients were so beyond done, so I took them and we went out to eat and home to sleep since they had games scheduled at 8:00 am.

It was a crazy day :)

Camp Week One - Day Four

Thursday, the soccer camp moved to a new location for the day so that the other fields could be mowed and made ready for the 3V3 (more on that later). I had intended on spending a lot of time down there, observing, making notes, and taking pictures. But, I had to get up really early again for an early store trip, and the past three days of sewing with Youngest had taken a toll on the house and my energy, so I didn't get down until later, just in time to take a few pictures.

Middle then went immediately over to her friend's house so her 3V3 team could make team shirts.

For dinner, we had the typical American quick BBQ of hot dogs and burgers (although I did make the burgers). Lindolfo's favorite condiment? Potato Chips. On his hot dog. He also really liked the relish. It was a less crazy day, but since it has been totally crazy and will be again, it felt good to sit a little. I went to pick up Middle, and helped a few of the girls then noticed that Middle, who had been told to change out of her soccer clothes but chose not to, had green and purple fabric paint all over her jersey and shorts!!!! AUGH! So I hustled her out of there, we ran home, and between spray and wash, and rubbing alcohol and plenty of elbow greese, I managed to get most of it out. Geesh that girl.

We stayed up very late with Lindolfo, trying to help him with his english for his evaluations. First, I was really impressed that he knew the players so well and I was happy that he tried really hard to be honest yet very positive. I hope my patients get evaluations with that much thought into them. We finally did have to leave him on his own, as the DR and I were pretty much just taking up floor space and needing tooth picks for our eyelids.

Friday is the last day of camp, but the beginning of the 3V3, which Middle is scheduled to play her first game at 5:30 and the camp goes until 4:00. Will be crazy for sure!

Camp Week-Times Two- Day Three

Middle in the white with red shorts-

Today was more than a little warm :) I started my day with a 6:00 am trip to the store for sunscreen of the super blocking variety. The Oldest, Middle, and Lindolfo are all rather pinkish. We had breakfast, made lunches and -surprise! Thiago wasn't late today :) We also ran a quick errand to buy lip stuff with better sunscreen for them.

Oldest's legs after three days- look at those white feet!

Youngest and I went to sewing camp, and we finished her apron- well- except for the decorative button. I still need to help her sew it on, but the apron turned out adorable. We also started a couple of quilts for her dolls, Alex and Kaya. Sewing Camp is over for this week. For some reason, they are only doing it for three days a week instead of 5 this year.

Middle had her singing lesson, and all the host families got together for a pot luck dinner. I took baked beans at the DR's request. At first, not a single Brazilian took any, but in the end, all all had them except Lindolfo- he isn't "Americanized" yet :).. When I was cleaning out the pan at the end of the night, Oldest about freaked thinking I had wasted beans- but there wasn't hardly a drop left- and I made a batch and a half!

Oldest went to Mutual, Lindolfo stayed to play games with the other coaches, and the DR went to his meetings. I had needed to run to the store for a few necessities, but the DR didn't get home until well after 11:00!!! So- I guess another early morning trip to the store.

Camp Week-Times Two- Day Two- Tuesday

Another bright and early morning- geesh I need some room darkening curtains in my room. 5:00 am is just way too early to be so very bright.

Anyway- I made breakfast, we packed lunches, applied copious amounts of sunscreen (a day later that we should have- ouch and sorry Oldest). Lindolfo took advantage of our free calls to Brazil to call his mom and sing happy birthday to her. (That song is universal for the most part). Then, Thiago was supposed to pick Lindolfo up at 8:30. He didn't come, didn't come. Call to the host family- he had left almost 20 minutes earlier. So, we loaded up the car and headed, knowing we were going to be late and we needed to pick up the other coach, Bruno, because his hosts had left already. As we were pulling out of the neighborhood, here came Thiago, so he followed us and we made it just about 6 minutes late. This adventure threw off Youngest and my schedule- but it was all good.

Youngest and I went to pick up the few remaining items we needed to sew her apron. I had promised the Brazilians that I would DVR the Brazil-North Korea game, so I made a quick stop at the store to clean them out of Guarana. Every last can and bottle. Then we headed to sewing camp. We had most of the apron put together, then I had to run home during the lunch break to make sure the DVR started correctly, and I was hurrying to do a little housework while I waited to be able to make sure. Then, I headed back to the high school to help Youngest, but she had a little problem and was ready to come home for the day. Helped me out because then I had a couple of hours I hadn't been planning on to clean the family room and gather a few snacks for the game. Only four of the coaches were able to come over because one of the host families (Igor's) hadn't been aware of the plan made on Sunday, and had scheduled something else.

I was a bit worried, because Brazilians are proud and loud soccer/football fans. But, they were either really being careful, or they have nothing on the Cougar Fans that hang out in my family room during American Football games. Lindolfo did come up at one point and said- "Brazil play very, very bad." Finally a cheer at about the 51 minute mark. Meanwhile, we had a potluck dinner to go to, so I made cookies and we had a lot of pasta salad left over from the night before. The girls and I headed while Oldest and the DR finished watching the game. A couple of them )Eduardo and Lindolfo) came over to the pot luck for dinner. I forgot to find out what they thought about that. They downed four (2 liter) bottles of Guarana, and if the Dr had realized there was still more in the cooler, they might have finished that off as well.

So- messy kitchen, yummy cookies, and still an apron to finish.

Camp Week-Times Two- Day One

Monday morning came a bit early- woke up about 5:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. Gave in and started moving about 6:15, then woke everyone else up at by 7:00. Breakfast in Brazil apparently consists of cheeses, breads, and meats. You know, sandwiches. So, I had German pancakes and buttermilk syrup going, and Middle was helping me get lunches packed, and Lindolfo made himself a sandwich for breakfast :). He did try the German pancakes and likes the buttermilk syrup. Packed lunches and they all headed out the door to soccer camp, while Youngest and I headed to Sewing Camp.

It was a different experience to have just her there. She picked making a bookmark out of Aida cloth and decorative stitches for her first project. It drove me a little batty- BUT- it was a great project for learning how to thread the machine and bobbin- because, by the time we were done, she had changed thread colors 6 times. She was very pleased with her bookmark. Then, she had picked out a certain bag, but they don't have a pattern for that yet, so she moved right along to the strawberry pocket apron. Small problem, there is no pattern for that at all- just a picture and a basic materials list. Lucky me. So, I get to figure out how to make this little baby all by myself.

At lunch, I went home to let poor Miss Sophie out- she is sooo deprived having to stay home all alone during the day. I also got dinner started then headed back to sewing camp. For dinner, Outpatient's good friend and former companion came to join us for dinner (ribs,chicken, salads, and Guarana), and Lindolfo, Jason, the DR, and I sat around visiting with Jason and Lindolfo switching back and forth between Portuguese and English. Then Lindolfo went with Jason to watch some World Cup action and play cards with a group of friends. He seemed to have enjoyed himself. Later night for the kids than they needed, but seemed to be a good day all around.

On a side note- since it was flag day, it was pretty cool to them to see flags flying all over the town. How do you explain flag day? I said it was kind of "happy birthday" to the flag-

Oi- Tudo Bom?

So, Sunday night, we had been invited over to a family in our ward for dinner. She is from Brazil and was making us a Brazilian dinner. Very appropriate considering our impending house guest. We had to leave to pick him up at 6:00 so we decided to do dessert at our house after we returned. When we got to the meeting place, we were asked if we speak Spanish. Um- no. There was one coach who speaks very little English, and we decided we were as good an option as anyone else- better, in fact, since we at least know several people who speak Portuguese. We brought home Lindolfo. He had been in the US of A a whole 10 days! :) He actually speaks quite well considering. Anyway, within a few minutes of having him at the house, we had him on the phone with Outpatient. He looked at me rather strangely when I handed him the phone, until I told him that Outpatient speaks fluently. Lindolfo had fun talking to Outpatient, and then our friends came over for dessert, bringing feijoada. So, within just a few minutes, of being here, he was able to talk in Portuguese and eat Brazilian food. Good deal for him.

It is going to be an awesome experience. He is so nice and very outgoing. He teaches physical education in Brasil, and has a lot of coaching experience. We had a very good conversation with him about soccer/football in Brasil and the United States.