Ooooops!

Well I picked the wrong week to revamp myself and the blog! With my mom leaving one day and then Nate's little sis coming the next I find myself with little free time!

Yesterday we attempted the beach and it was a flat out mess. Sand was everywhere. I didn't think about a wet diaper attracting so much sand and then depositing it elsewhere :)

Today we are venturing off to the hippy fair and the botanical gardens. At least there won't be sand!

Tchau,
Sara
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Remember When?

Remember a year ago when these photos were taken?

Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl who is growing way to fast. 

I cannot believe how much life has changed. I knew that it would change but really I had no idea how different things would be. I am totally in love every morning that I wake up and I can't wait to see what new things she learns. Looking forward to the changes that will happen in the year to come! 

Tchau,

Sara

Bye Bye

Why does the word goodbye carry so much emotion? Sometimes the emotion behind the word holds too much weight to even come out of my mouth.

Since moving away from family and friends I can no longer say goodbye without shedding a tear. The tears may come after the guest is gone but they always come. 

Tonight my mom left and for some reason I really want to be home and close to her. I loved watching Belle run to her and give her kisses and hugs. I could hear the two of them laughing down the hall or Belle babbling to my mom for something she wanted. 

These are the times when living in another country really take a toll on me and my heart. While I believe that what we are doing is right for our family at this moment in time I still long to be close to family. 

Nate and I laughed the other day when we were talking about the future and we referred to living in Tulsa as our dream.... Who would have thought that after all the teenage years of trying to get away and explore that we would dream of returning. 

Homesick in Brazil.

Tchau,

Sara

Revamping

I really must say that I am sorry to all the readers.... if there are any left! I have neglected to write anything substantial in such a long time that I have forgotten what to write and how to write it.

Blogs can be easy when I take a photo of the baby, slap a cute saying with it and move on with my day. What I really want to write involves so much brain power that I wish I could upload my thoughts while I sleep in order to avoid the time it takes to type, edit and post.

The new old me will emerge over the next week without fail I promise. I plan to revamp the blog with new photos, update the books that I have been reading through my library thing widget, updated the blogs that I actually read, and post a little more substance other a photo here and there.

I read a sanskrit saying the other day,

"Night will be over, there will be morning,
The sun will rise, lotus flower will open.
While the bee inside the lotus flower was thinking thus,
The lotus plant was uprooted by an elephant."

Basically don't plan so much and live a little more. Why wait to make changes or live your life. Enjoy each day, "c'est la vie".

To a new day and new goals! Join me and change something for the better in yourself or for someone you know.

Tchau,

Sara

PS- Of course I am still going to post about Belle... I have to but I want to write about anything and everything. Maybe one day it will lead me somewhere I didn't know I wanted to be.

Olympics

I used to love you but now maybe I hate you because I miss you.

I am sitting here with a glass of wine after a long day involving Belle, three walks, an hour of tennis, dealing with the maid being late.... again, a little rain then sun, Skype dates, difficult diaper changes, and too much speaking English (yes, my mom is here and I am not used to this much communication) and I realize that I hate Brazil.

I am soooo freakin upset that I have to sit here and watch the Olympics (should it be capitalized? I think so in this moment because that's how important they are to me) and never really see the US... ever. Well, I lie. I guess I have seen women's sand volleyball.

I watch the same stupid clips over and over again about Brazil winning a medal. I really would have thought that they have won thousands of medals based on the commercials, clips, replays, and general coverage. When I go to the official Olympic website I find out that Brazil only has 5 medals. Ughhhh.

I feel like I am missing everything and right now I am having a hard time seeing what I am gaining being here.

I guess this is the final straw? Maybe it's my mom being here and me realizing that I miss family way too much. Or maybe I just miss the great country of America. Period.

What ever the problem, I must find a way to change or find a solution.

Onto my next glass of wine. Maybe I will sleep the problem off tonight and have a more positive attitude tomorrow!

Tchau,
Sara

Soccer Stadium in Salvador

Nate is in Salvador at the moment for work. He took a photo of one of the stadiums that are supposed to be ready for the 2014 World Cup. Looks like there needs to be a lot more work!!! I don't think that any of the stadiums are ready at the moment :(

Tchau,
Sara
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Tour of Rio on a Clear Day!

The day started off with the driver picking us all up at 730 am. We loaded the car seat into the car and took off to see Cristo Redentor before the crowd invaded the area. The ride there went perfect while Belle ate breakfast and my mom and I kept her busy.

Enjoying the view

Belle taking Nate everywhere. 

The morning haze hanging over the sleeping city at 9am.

Sugar Loaf in the distance along with the city of Niteroi.

Finally a clear view!! I didn't know that there is a stone heart
emblem on his chest.

Family photo

What really happens when a family takes photos.

Belle enjoying the wind.

Look at her hair! We had to practically teat her away from the
place when we were leaving.

View from Ingreja Nossa Senhora da Gloria (Gloria Church)

Belle running around some more to make up for all the time in the
car seat! 

Entry way or the narthex.

Ceiling in the narthex. 

It was built to be a fortress too so check out the thickness of the wall...

Beautiful

They were preparing for a wedding and we got lucky enough
to see it when they were setting up the flowers.

Plaque on the outside.

Steps of Lapa made of tile. A guy from Argentina, Soreno, started
decorating the steps with tiles and it's now a popular
site to visit in Rio.

Family photo on the steps

With grandma too.

Belle walking the steps.

The view looking down isn't that great.

Cute kitties chillin on the steps. Sorry dad I know you hate them!

At the top.

After the steps we took a mini lunch break in hopes that Belle would take a nap. We went to Amarelinho in Cinlandia and got some grilled meats, rice, fries and a few beers. Belle had already eaten all her snacks (tons of grapes, goldfishes, mango smoothie, a banana, crackers and cheese bread.) so she stuck with a bottle. Our driver did give her a her first french fry but thank god she didn't like it! Despite being up for about 6 hours and pushing her around in the stroller she failed to fall asleep. Deciding we should head home to avert disaster we went back to the car. Within 5 min of riding in the car she was out like a light so we decided to continue touring around.

The next stop we made was at a church but I am not sure the name because we were being quite in the car so she would stay asleep. I guess I could have asked once we parked and got out to look around and take pictures but I failed. Don't worry. Belle stayed in the car with the AC going and Nate and the driver looking after her. 

The church

Just breath taking. 

The ceiling above the altar.

Side altar. Check out all the detail. The entire church was like this.
I couldn't use the flash so I had to rely on the sunlight coming through a
few of the windows.

The bells :)

Just a neat picture I think.

Because I had no flash I ended up leaving the shutter
open for 1 second to allow more natural light to enter.... I didn't have a
tripod so that's why it's a little shaky. 

View looking down to the altar. I just wish I had my good camera!

After we left the church we drove by the Sambadrome (where they hold Carnival) and another unimpressive church. Both places we declined to get out. Belle slept the entire time, 2 hours, and woke up as we were pulling into the neighborhood.

After we all fell into the house exhausted from a long day my mom watched Belle and I took a mini catnap. Thanks mom!

Later that evening we had a little party for Belle where she smash her very own cake and ran around in a pink tutu. I will have to post those photos on the actual date of her birthday so you have to what to see and see it :)

Hope you enjoyed a real post for once!

Tchau,

Sara

Belle Walking Around at Cristo

Here I took a video of Nate following Belle as she walks around the base of Cristo Redentor. I can't believe how much she has grown!!

Enjoy while I compile all the photos for a bigger post tomorrow :)

Tchau,

Sara

Mom's Visiting!

This morning my mom flew into town and Nate picked her up at the airport. Meanwhile I took care of Belle and then went to pick up her birthday 'smash' cake for tomorrow plus a bunch of cupcakes. Guess what I had for breakfast.... a cupcake. It was amazing.

The lady who is baking these cakes and cupcakes brings all the stuff from the US and it really was a treat. I think I might have to purchase stuff from her all the time just to keep a stock in our refrigerator!

Anyway tonight we plan on laying low and possibly trying to get Belle into her birthday outfit to take some photos. Tomorrow we have a driver coming to pick us up at 730am to take a sightseeing around Rio. Yes, we have a car but parking is very difficult and I would rather spend time with my family and not worrying about where our car is or where we have to walk... blah blah blah.

Hopefully the sun will shine and Christ the Redeemer will be free of clouds! The two times that I have been have all been cloudy. Not to mention this will be the first time that Belle sees him. Technically she visited the sight when I was 5 months prego but we will just count this time.

5 months prego with Belle.

First time seeing Cristos with Nate and his lil sis Amy.
This is about 5 months pre- prego.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and wish us luck for a clear day.

Tchau,
Sara

One gets sick....we all do

Since the post last week Belle managed to get better but I managed to get worse and so did Nate. Unfortunately the weekend was spent coughing and sneezing with a little nyquil :(

Belle did great even though Nate and I took an F for parenting. She ran around and played well by herself with the occasional meltdown.

Now I am preparing for my mom to be here! She should arrive tomorrow if everything goes right and I cannot wait.

I am having a cake made for Belle and cupcakes for the rest of us to celebrate her birthday. My mom is bringing down the cutest little outfit for her and hopefully we will get some good photos!

Tchau,
Sara