Aaaaaand we're back!

Jimmy Fallon and Ben Affleck SNL skit. Props to you if you know which one I'm talking about.

We have made it back safe and sound to the US! Two long days of travel and one big day spent working, doing laundry, going to the grocery store, and passing out at 8pm are over and I think we're back on track.

I have a lot to catch up on here, so I will try not to skip over any big events during our trip!

First of all, Joaquim's birthday was last Tuesday and it was a great day! His highlights were having ice cream with his two favorite ladies (me and Mãe) and then a CHURRASCO for dinner. That was some good meat! Baby liked it too and was kicking his approval. :) Pai made a lovely service in the chapel and it was a great time for family and friends to come over to Lar for a celebration. I had to give Joaquim his gift before we left so I kind of felt empty-handed on his actual birthday but I hope he still enjoyed lots of happy birthday kisses and spending the day together. :) We have since also celebrated with my family at my parents house this Sunday. Lots of guacamole and red cake. It made for a very colorful and delicious meal, and plenty of laughter to go around.

Joaquim was able to speak at church on Wednesday night, our last church service in Assis for the time being. I was blessed to hear him and trust that he really encouraged the church there. We are in prayer for them now for their growth and for a freshness in the faith of each one of them...as well as in us! It was a blessing to participate with them, and I enjoyed singing as part of Joaquim's message that evening as well.

The rest of our time in Assis was spent soaking up moments of conversation, and it seemed like we just had great meal after great meal. We'd wake up to a nice breakfast, then just a couple hours later it seemed as though we were sitting down again to a nice lunch, then a nice coffee break, then a nice dinner...and we just ate and ate and talked and ate! Joaquim got a few things done for Mãe in helping her prepare the taxes, and we each did our best to help serve Lar in a few administrative capacities during our last few days. That is a great need there...

On Saturday evening we said a very hard goodbye to Mãe and Pai at the bus station. Joaquim and Mãe had a moment that brought tears to everyone's eyes as it was clear that Mãe really didn't want to say goodbye to him. She is such a strong woman and I can count on one hand the times I have seen her cry, so that really did me in! The bus ride was a bit somber in light of that, and by the time we got to São Paulo we were pretty beaten up physically and emotionally.

Joaquim's cousin Leandro picked us up at the bus station (which is the size of an airport, I swear...huge!) and we went back to his house to meet his new little baby boy! After a nice breakfast with him and his wife Carla and the sleeping baby, we took showers and then took a NAP for a good 2 hours. Joaquim was hesitant to nap because he doesn't like to sleep when conversations can be had, but in his sympathy for me he laid down a bit and was out in a flash. After we woke up, his aunt and uncle had arrived to start the preparations for another CHURRASCO mmmmm. Another aunt and uncle came over for lunch, as well as lots of other people I did not know, and we had a delicious meal. The best part was the cheese-stuffed garlic bread that was put on the grill as well. I had quite a few pieces, let me tell you. Around 3, yet another aunt and uncle came over to pick us up and bring us to the airport. Between two cars (American suitcases filled with 10 pounds of coffee don't fit well in Brazilian car trunks...) we made it to the airport super early and they blessed us by hanging out a bit after we had checked in and took us to McDonald's. Mmmm McDonald's. So good.

The airport situation was comical because it was the first time a stranger had asked me if I was pregnant. So I got whooshed ahead to the front of all the lines. Checking in, then at security, and by the time we saw the big line at the exit immigration, Joaquim had learned the system and he asked a guard if there was a special line for pregnant women. The guard responded with an enthusiastic, "well of course! Right this way!" and ushered us both up to the front once again. I must say that I was very grateful because standing for long periods of time while pregnant and after a VERY long night and day was just not high on my to-do list.

Our flight (thank the Lord we bought a direct ticket...that was wise...) was really uneventful, and I did my dutiful hourly walking. Even if I had been sleeping soundly it seemed like I woke up on the hour no matter what. I was so nervous about taking care of myself and the baby so I guess I had my internal alarm programmed! It was a relief to land and know that we were done with traveling. My dad picked us up at O'Hare and we popped into their house to say hi to my mom before hitting the road back to our apartment to shower and get ready for work. I was in such a daze all day Monday that I am not even sure what happened that day. All I know is that I went to bed at 8:00 that night and felt much better on Tuesday.

So, what have we been up to in the last week? Joaquim has continued back on the job hunt...he has an open application at UPS that he was hoping would turn into employment by now, but we're in the waiting game. He is applying places left and right and trying to tap into new and old connections. We also had a doctor's appointment last Tuesday and were pleased to see a healthy baby! He is continuing to measure a bit ahead of schedule each time. They say it's a boy, so those male Allen genes are kicking in for sure! Yikes...

Now we're getting back into the routine here and also trying not to let ourselves become too content with the routine. We're always pressed in some way and learning something new...and God is always good! We're so grateful to have had a wonderful trip. Thanks for all your prayers!