Here We GO…

So a bit of an update, we found a really nice couple to take our dogs. It was SO hard. We all cried but the couple were so nice and already had Bostons, so they were familiar with a lot of the breed’s idiosyncrasies. Despite how hard it was to give them away, what a blessing to find such a wonderful place for them to go.

Those of you that know us personally, know the rough couple of weeks that our family went through before leaving.

We finished packing our bags. Trev and I each had one suitcase (actually they were duffle bags) of clothes a piece, the boys shared a bag for clothes, we had one bag for medical/hygiene items, one bag for kitchen items, one bag with an air fryer and toaster oven, one bag for linens, one bag for shoes, and one miscellaneous bag with fun things like games, fishing gear, etc. So we ended up one bag over the two bags per passenger limit. We also had four pieces of carry on luggage; two of which were nothing but school for the year, one was nothing but electronics- laptops, iPads, and the Switch, and one backpack with our liquids and some books. You get a personal bag as well as long as it will fit under a seat, so the boys had a backpack a piece with emergency clothes in case luggage was lost and I had a purse with all the important paperwork in it. All in all, I don’t think we did too bad, seeing as how we were packing for our family for a year and trying to bring as much as we could so we didn’t have to buy things we already owned.

An update on the current housing situation- the original plan was to move into a renter house owned by the director of the ministry, as his current renter is building a house and was set to be done by February, which was perfect for us arriving in March. For anyone who has built a house before, you know that it usually takes longer than expected. In this case it seems like it will now be more like June before the house is completed. So the back up plan is to live on the ministry campus until the renter’s house is ready. The problem with living on the property is that there is a small one bedroom apartment with no room for the kids but there is a room beside the apartment that we could temporarily use too. That would mean the boys would live in a separate space from ours. Not ideal but doable temporarily. Well, the week we are set to arrive, is the week before English camp on property and they need those spaces for campers and counselors. Therefore, Roberto, the director, had an acquaintance that was going on vacation those two weeks and he is willing to rent us his apartment for those weeks. So at least we’re not homeless. Yay!

We stored the camper and Trevor’s truck. My mom is going to drive my Expedition periodically while we’re gone to keep it in good working order.

Our goodbyes were said and nothing was left but the leaving. Alicia, my bestie, came by and picked us up at the house and Trevor followed in the van with all our luggage.

We shipped orders that morning at the warehouse and prayed with the ministry staff. Stan and Kevin took us to the airport in a church bus.

We had a great experience at the airport with Delta employees and TSA, well with the exception of that extra bag costing us $200 instead of $150. Oh well, too late to turn back now. So we paid our fee and waited for the plane. The flight was long but the boys didn’t care once they found out they could have unlimited snacks, soda, and movies. So much for the – hey boys you’re going to want to try to get some sleep on the plane – advice.

It wouldn’t have mattered though. The people in front of us were very loud and talked more than 6 hours of the flight. They weren’t being ugly or obnoxious, they just weren’t ready to sleep on the plane. I had packed me a little bag with makeup remover, face moisturizer, and chapstick to help with the grimy feeling you get when you sleep in your makeup. But even that plus the eye mask and ear buds, were no match for the talking Brazilians. The boys got about an hour of sleep. I tried. Trev didn’t even bother.

We arrived safely around 5:40 in the morning and our luggage was already loaded up on carts for us at baggage claim. Sweet.

Roberto dropped us off at the apartment to get some rest before lunch and a tour of the campus for the boys. Needless to say, the boys were exhausted.

Now we begin our new life in Brazil.