T h e L o n g e s t B l o g p o s t E V E R

I've taken a hiatus from my blogging. Sorta on purpose and sorta cause I haven't had access to my computer or internet. It's been good in a way but I've missed sharing our happenings with all our loved ones back home that I know are checking this site religiously looking for an update. To all of you (MOM) I apologize but I'll try to catch you up as briefly and concisely as possible.

We traveled last Monday, about five hours, to the city of Sao Paulo and its 20 million inhabitants. After about $50 in toll booths we arrived to one of the biggest cities in the world. I spent the majority of the week clinging tightly to the little GPS in my hand that served as our life support for much of the week! I don't say this in sarcasm. I say this in complete sincerity. THE GPS WAS MY BEST FRIEND and if any of you decide to vacation or travel through Sao Paulo "just because" I recommend you too getting one of these helpful "life saving devices"!

I had appointments at Einstein Hospital with two different specialists and hoped to get a second opinion on my crohn's diagnosis. I will return in June for a follow-up and hopefully a clear picture of what is happening in my body. For now...I'm stable and I'll leave the health out of this post for the most part.

We did get to meet some REALLY cool missionaries while we were in the city. We met the Marlins who helped watch our boys during my hospital stay. The Julian Family also helped by finding us a mission house to stay in and hung out with the boys as well! At dinner with their family one night we met a famous person by the name of Chris Black. He is a legend in our language school because "as the story is said" he learned the portuguese language in about 2 weeks. Rumor has it that he is soon to be making his premiere on the Brazilian version of MTV. They are interviewing him because of his EXTREME coolness! :) Check out some of his happenings HERE!
But for those of you more interested in some "brazilian nuts" aka J^3...I'll oblige you with some information and pictures as well.

After I was released from the hospital we decided to FLEE as fast as we could from the craziness of the city and go to more calm places for me to relax and wait for one more doctor's appointment the following Monday. We went three hours east to a piece of paradise known as Ubatuba.

You're not feeling sorry for us any more, ARE YOU!?! ha

This is what I did....

And this is what the boys did.....

NOTE: BIG SMILES ON ALL FACES

We stayed in a pousada called Portal da Cor on Lagoinha Beach. It is owned by a really sweet Japanese couple. They kept everything so clean and nice. We will definitely be going back when we have a chance.

We spent the evenings there eating popcorn and drinking cocoa over games of Rook!! GREAT TIMES!

Here's a video of the bidding war that took place for two people that I know will enjoy!

And because I can't decide which pictures are more glorious I'll just keep adding a few more....
We then packed up and headed back to the city and then on to home. Here are a few more shots from the road trip...
For those of you that hung through this entire blog post and the entirety of my pictures~~God Bless You! We're back in Ribeirao and boy does it feel good to be home...that's right I said HOME!!! Imagine That!