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Bath Time!

2009-07-06T09:18:00.003-04:00

Evie is changing so much everyday but one of the big things is bath time. She has always LOVED baths. I think it has always been a relaxing time for her. Lately however she is discovering how much fun a bath can be. I think next bath we are going to have to put her in the bathtub because after this one water was everywhere. She has learned how to use toys and make big splashes!

4th of July in the mountains!

2009-07-04T21:23:00.000-04:00

We got to go to a friends house up in the mountains on the 4th of July. It was nice because we actually got to relax (which doesn't happen that often)! Enzo played golf and went fishing with our friend Ron. I was content just staying back in the cabin with my Evie and Sheri. We did all get to go look at the beautiful waterfalls.

Lover or Prostitute

2009-07-01T06:52:00.004-04:00

This was popped on my news feed on Facebook as a post by someone else. So many people and organizations need to hear this story(including myself)!

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school
of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly
searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with
Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across
a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short
version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:

Christianity started in [Israel] as a fellowship;
it moved to Greece and became a philosophy;
it moved to Italy and became an institution;
it moved to Europe and became a culture;
it came to America and became an enterprise.

Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old--barely out of
diapers--and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the import
of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, "An enterprise. That's a
business."

After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class,
raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I
thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had
performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha's
raised hand, "Yes, Martha."

She asked such a simple question, "A business? But isn't it supposed
to be a body?"
I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the
only response I could think of was, "Yes."
She continued, "But when a body becomes a business, isn't that a
prostitute?"

The room went dead silent. For several seconds no one moved or
spoke. We were stunned, afraid to make a sound because the
presence of God had flooded into the room, and we knew we were
on holy ground. All I could think in those sacred moments was,
"Wow, I wish I'd thought of that." I didn't dare express that thought
aloud. God had taken over the class.

Martha's question changed my life. For six months, I thought about
her question at least once every day. "When a body becomes a
business, isn't that a prostitute?"

There is only one answer to her question. The answer is "Yes."
The American Church, tragically, is heavily populated by people who
do not love God. How can we love Him? We don't even know Him;
and I mean really know Him.

I stand by my statement that most American Christians do not
know God--much less love Him. The root of this condition originates
in how we came to God. Most of us came to Him because of what
we were told He would do for us. We were promised that He would
bless us in life and take us to heaven after death. We married Him
for His money, and we don't care if He lives or dies as long as we
can get His stuff. We have made the Kingdom of God into a business,
merchandising His anointing.

This should not be. We are commanded to love God, and are called
to be the Bride of Christ---that's pretty intimate stuff. We are supposed
to be His lovers. How can we love someone we don't even know? And
even if we do know someone, is that a guarantee that we truly love
them? Are we lovers or prostitutes?

I was pondering Martha's question again one day, and considered
the question, "What's the difference between a lover and a prostitute?"
I realized that both do many of the same things, but a lover does
what she does because she loves. A prostitute pretends to love, but
only as long as you pay. Then I asked the question, "What would
happen if God stopped paying me?"

For the next several months, I allowed God to search me to uncover
my motives for loving and serving Him.

Was I really a true lover of God?
What would happen if He stopped blessing me?
What if He never did another thing for me? Would I still love Him?

Please understand---I believe in the promises and blessings of God.
The issue here is not whether God blesses His children; the issue is
the condition of my heart. Why do I serve Him? Are His blessings
in my life the gifts of a loving Father, or are they a wage that I have
earned or a bribe/payment to love Him? Do I love God without any
conditions?

It took several months to work through these questions. Even now I
wonder if my desire to love God is always matched by my attitude
and behavior. I still catch myself being disappointed with God and
angry that He has not met some perceived need in my life. I suspect
this is something which is never fully resolved, but I want more than
anything else to be a true lover of God.

So what is it going to be? Which are we---lover or prostitute?

There are no prostitutes in heaven, or in the Kingdom of God for
that matter, but there are plenty of former prostitutes in both
places. Take it from a recovering prostitute when I say there is no
substitute for unconditional, intimate relationship with God. And I
mean there is no palatable substitute available to us (take another
look at Matthew 7:21-23 sometime).

We must choose.

Dr. David Ryser

Evie's Tribute to Michael Jackson - Evie Faz Tributo ao Michael Jackson

2009-06-30T10:51:00.003-04:00

Brazil X USA

2009-06-28T21:03:00.000-04:00

We had some friends over to watch Brazil X USA soccer game. USA came close but didn't quite do good enough to beat them.

Evie Loves Bella - a Evie Ama a Bella

2009-06-27T18:30:00.001-04:00

And she is off!

2009-06-26T20:49:00.000-04:00

Enzo and I are sitting in my parents living room (we have been staying at their house house/dog sitting) and low and behold Evie had crawled off her mat! I put her back on and grabbed the camera. Here are some pics from the second run. She is exhausted but you can see her trying!

Welcome Audrey Cate!

2009-06-23T20:37:00.000-04:00

My good friend Sarah finally had her little Audrey Cate! she was born June 18th..and she is beautiful! Evie was happy to meet her new friend!

Evie Updates

2009-06-23T18:34:00.002-04:00

Evie keeps growing, not sure if it is in the same proportion of my love for her (which can't be measured with any equation known to man).

She learns new cute things to gain our attention every day. These past few weeks she has learned to rock back and forth when we sit her somewhere. The dancing to the Baby Einstein, Dora the Explorer and other baby and older kids cartoons has intensified.

She needs attention 24/7 and holding her, doing goody things to her, hurting yourself Three Stooges style makes her laugh real hard.

Her love for television seems to have been inherited from the Hall side of the family (although my mom is a good variety shows fan).

She LOVEs to be constantly doing things, like her daddy and doesn't like a nap (she fights it with all er strength) also like her daddy.

She is a people-loving girl like her mom and socializing is Evie's thing.

I always look forward to learning a new thing about my Evie everyday... I love my sweet Evie.

Other pictures from this Summer (so far...) that make me happy. :)

2009-06-22T20:51:00.003-04:00

Spending Father's Day with my Dad!

2009-06-22T15:48:00.001-04:00

First Father's Day!

2009-06-22T15:47:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Enzo celebrates his first Father's Day! Evie is so lucky to have such a good daddy!

GreenCard Joke

2009-06-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

AS you know,USCIS was 120 days late w/ my documentation. And **I** have to go to THEIR office to get a temporary stamp on my passport. Very professional!

Here is a joke for ya:

I got my renewed permanent resident card in the mail TODAY as I got back from the appointment to get the temporary stamp on my passport. Funny enough, I asked the lady at the USCIS office if it would take much longer for the card an she said she didn't know... What one branch of the USCIS does the other one has no clue!

I checked the date they sent the card: June 17, 2009. Basically, I think they were trying to avoid me having to show up there and be "more work" for them in person... But the snail mail wasn't as fast as they'd expected. This appointment had been set for a month already... Just a theory... ;)

The (di)service costs more than $600... If not "customer", let's say they should respect us as humans that also have families and jobs and have nothing to do with them being understaffed at least.

Birthdays!

2009-06-14T15:58:00.004-04:00

Well another year has come and gone in the life of Enzo and Paige. I celebrated my birthday last Thursday (June 11th) and Enzo celebrates his tomorrow (June 15th). It's funny because since we got married we celebrate everything together including our birthdays! So much has happened during my 27th year of life. Looking back and looking forward has made me realize that in a way I am in a crossroad in my life. I believe that every 5 years I begin to look for a change in one way or another. This year marked my 5th year as a teacher and in 6 weeks I begin my 6th year. I hope I can make it through the school year. It is important for the soul to always be learning new things and challenging yourself to try things that you have never done before. While I say this I am preaching it to myself. I need to spice up my life and by this I don't mean romantically. Having Evie this year was perfect timing. I started having these thoughts and I knew something had to change. She brought life to my world. In a way, she rescued both me and Enzo from the mundane, selfish life we had become accustomed to.

Happy Birthday to myself and Enzo! We got the best present that will continue to give.

Evie's Neck Control - Eita Pescocinho Forte!

2009-06-09T12:09:00.001-04:00

How Incompetent Can USCIS Be?

2009-06-04T20:58:00.003-04:00

Ok,

I normally don't like to rant... ;)

... why is it that immigration is soooo messed up in this country (well, and probably any other country anyway, but you would think the U.S. would have gotten it right by now)...

They denied my mom's request for a tourist visa back in December of 2008, she wanted to come spend time with her new granddaughter, Evie who was born in February 2009. I guess she didn't seem honest to them because she is poor... and with an absurd syllogism: "I am poor, therefore I want to move to the U.S. illegally to get rich..." and deny her the visa... Well, but that is another story I have already complained about in many posts here...

Now, the only way for my mom to spend time with us and her granddaughter and get to travel the U.S. with us is to get a permanent resident card after I become a citizen... ironic? No, I think it is plain stupid! So, here I am thinking, I can start my naturalization process right now since it has been 3 years of U.S. and I should have my permanent resident card in hand (they ask for a copy of it... why? not sure)... wait, I forgot a detail... in April 2008 I applied for the 10-year permanent residency card. And the waiting game begins...

I got a letter a few weeks after the approval of the 10-year card which was February 25, 2009 (notice it was almost a year after applying for it in the first place)... Makes you wonder what the USCIS folks were doing this entire time, playing golf? The letter said that if within 60 days from then I didn't receive my card I should call the USCIS 1800# (another "very intuitive" message system to follow). Well, you guessed right: 60 days after the APPROVAL I started calling every week... One of the operators sent an email to the USCIS local office that was processing my case. I called a few days later, an enigmatic response saying that I should get it in the mail soon and that if I needed to leave the country before that I could go to their office and get a stamp in my passport allowing me back in when I return...

Makes you wonder why I paid over $600 for this service, right? No wait, not a service, a "favor" (it seems like)...

Called again later and the next agent said that I would have to wait 30 days from the last notice so they'd be able to email the local office to ask for a status again. Ha! Here I am, 90 days AFTER I was supposed to HAVE MY CARD and nothing. Called them again exactly a month later (May 28)... the agent sent the local office another notification.

I got an email this week (notice it is a no-reply email address) saying I should receive the card within 60 days (if not, contact USCIS)!!!!!

Do I need to compare this to a restaurant, where you pay for a service and you are (generally) served well and appreciated as a customer? I guess you get the idea...

USCIS = incompetence...

And my mom still doesn't get to come... but we're going to visit soon... if I get my card... well I can always waste my time and go to the office to get a stamp on my passport... after paying $600+ for a card... yes, I get a stamp for $600+, it feel like...

Set back for the Goldmans

2009-06-04T08:10:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Dear Friends and Supporters of David Goldman,

As you may know Brazilian Federal Judge Rafael de Souza Pereira Pinto issued a ruling Monday the 1st ordering the return of Sean Goldman to the United States in 48 hours. It was an extraordinary ruling in every sense.

David left for Brazil Monday evening to be reunited with Sean and bring Sean home today, Wednesday June 3rd.

There has been a major and shocking development. The New York Times, reported that on Tuesday evening "...Marco Aurelio Mello, one of 11 (Brazilian) Supreme Court justices, suspended the sentence after receiving a request from Brazil’s Progressive Party, which argued that ordering the child to be sent to the United States was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court must now take up the case, but it was unclear when that would happen." The Times also quoted Bernard Aronson, a former United States assistant secretary of state for Latin America who is advising David Goldman.

“Brazil needs to define itself as either a nation of laws or a nation that harbors and protects child abductors,...”

We still do not have all the facts surrounding this order, whether or not an uninvolved political party can even appeal a Federal judge's decision under Brazilian law. We are now told that the 11 member Supreme Court will vote on the appeal next Wednesday June 10th. If this appeal succeeds, basically rejecting Brazil's sovereign obligation under the Hague Convention, it endangers all of the 70 American children and countless more from other countries who have been abducted to and harbored in Brazil. As Mr. Aronson bluntly stated above, we too can only wonder if Brazil will allow this to happen and deny this father and son their fundamental right to be together.

We have no animosity towards Brazil and its nearly 200 million citizens. Today we have been receiving emails from hundreds and hundreds of Brazilians and Brazilian-Americans, this single one is representative of the very same sentiments expressed in all of them:

"Some group of Politicians got a new order from a Federal Judge changing the sentence about Sean come back to USA. I couldn't believe this happen. I am so disappointed and furious...and I ashamed to be Brazilian. I'm so sorry."

NBC's Today Show aired an update on the events of the last 48 hours on Wednesday, You can view the video at: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/#31080439

Dateline NBC which traveled to Brazil with David has tentatively announced that it will be airing a complete one hour report on the Goldman case on Sunday June 7th at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 9:00 p.m. Central. For supporters in the Mountain andPacific time zones please check your local listings for the channel and correct time.The situation in Brazil is FLUID, please check the FORUMS on thewww.BringSeanHome.org website for any breaking news on the case.

There is an excellent synopsis of the events of the past three days on the Asbury Park Press website. The article Congressman: Father visited with son in Brazil was written by Bill Handelman.

Radio station NJ 101.5 (FM) is scheduled to air a taped interview withCongressman Chris Smith on Thursday the 4th. Unfortunately we do not know the time of interview will be aired. NJ 101.5 streams their broadcasts online: http://www.nj1015.com/

WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP!

Friends of David Goldman

* Judge in Brazil Stays Order for Boy’s Return to U.S. The New York Times

Evie's first time at the pool

2009-05-31T21:00:00.007-04:00

Summer is here! I have a feeling that this summer is going to be unlike any other due to the fact we have an extra person in our family! Going to the pool is great for a little 13 week old. She enjoyed it so much. She only started crying when we decided to leave. So much has happened in her little life so far. She is turning over from back to front and front to back, she is laughing, and can you believe she sleeps at least 9 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep EVERY night..She's done this since 7 weeks old! I really don't think I cold have asked for anything better. I have never done well with not getting enough sleep myself so I really think God knew I couldn't take it. I get so cranky!

Here are some pictures from our day at the Cadenhead's pool. They are moving in the next couple of weeks so we are trying to take advantage of every minute!

Lucky Father

2009-05-27T14:42:00.003-04:00

I am a lucky father. Not only do I have the best wife in the whole world, I have the cutest, smartest daughter as well. I am really thankful God has given me the opportunity to work from home and that I can spend so much time with my baby.

Paige went back to school last week and I have been able to take Evie to work with me... well, work is a few steps from the bathroom, very convenient. ;)

She sits on my lap as I go through meetings on the phone and work on things on the computer. She will cry when she needs food, a diaper change or when my attention has been taken by the computer or the phone for too long...

She keeps daddy company...

Papai Doidão

2009-05-23T23:36:00.001-04:00

Things I learned while on maternity leave

2009-05-13T13:20:00.003-04:00

And the count down begins... exactly one more week before I venture back to work. Oh brother.

If I hear a stay at home mom complain ever again I think I might blow a casket. Now that I have experienced a bit of their everyday life I just don't get why some are so mad at the world (now I am not talking about all stay at home moms... some appreciate it). Maybe they get bored or maybe they fight with their husbands..who really knows? All I know is that the past 12 weeks could have possibly been the best 12 weeks of my life. Ever since I can remember I have worked. Either I was in school full time or working full time. Right after I graduated I began teaching and never thought twice about it. It was just so natural to have a job. Now don't get me wrong. I really think I was created to work (in some sort of fashion) but boy has it been nice to take a break.

Now I know what some of you are thinking..."but you are a teacher and you get so much vacation!" I mean really are you serious? My vacations consist of getting things ready for the school year AND I don't even get paid to do it. I remember last summer I got called into school several times to "finish" things up. And don't worry I make up for all that vacation time before and after school during the actual school year.

There are some major reforms that need to happen in education and with teachers. I could go on and on in this area but I won't. If you disagree with how much a teacher does I can let you have a conversation with my long term sub. She has already called me several times in tears over what happens to a teacher.

Lesson #1-appreciate your teachers. Give them gifts and thank you notes. They do more than you will ever know for your children.

Lesson#2- Thank God for where he has you... at home or at work.

As I said the past 12 weeks could have possibly been the best time in my life. I have to give little Evie credit, it was all because of her. She has been amazing. Even her cries are beautiful. She has been sleeping for about 9 1/2 hours every night and some days she makes it without ever getting upset.

Lesson #3- the love of a baby could possibly be the closes we get to being with God while on Earth.

Enzo has been the best Daddy I could possibly ask for. He argues with me over who gets to clean the poopy diapers.

Lesson #4- marry well.

When I entered parenthood I really had no idea what I was doing and I have discovered no one else does either. Everyone has an opinion from breast feeding to vaccinations. Don't listen to them. Mother's intuition is stronger than you think.

Lesson #5-Smile when people give you their opinion and move on.

Happy Mother's Day to Me!

2009-05-10T14:39:00.003-04:00

Evie and I celebrate our first Mother's Day together! We did this by Enzo taking us to the Watershed restaurant in Decatur (place owned by the Indigo Girls... one of my favorite bands). I know the picture isn't very good of Evie but it was the only one of us together! I must say my baby is sooo good out in public. We even saw some people whispering about her and then finally they came over to tell us that she was the most beautiful baby they had ever seen! I told them I thought so too! Oh and we also had her baby dedication Sunday at church!

Evie's Smile

2009-05-09T15:35:00.003-04:00

Sem Palavras ... Speechless...

10 Weeks old today!

2009-05-08T20:34:00.003-04:00

Today Evie turned 10 weeks old and we welcomed it in with Vaccinations! She did great. When we got there the doctor was blown away by how alert she was. She said she hadn't seen a baby this alert before. She said "Look at that neck control!" I know I am joining all other parents in bragging about their child but I have to say she really came out of the womb this alert and moving her neck like a 6 month old baby! It has been unbelievable. Here are some things we have discovered are Evie's favorites in the past two months:

1. ceiling fans

2. sitting on the end of our knees facing the rest of the world bouncing up and down.

3. bouncy chair and swing

4. BATH TIME!

5. Being involved in conversations

6. Enzo playing the guitar to her (quick way to get her to stop crying)

7. Lotion being rubbed on massaged on her body

8. sleep on our chest

9. laying between us on our bed

10. loves diaper changes

11. Mornings are her favorite time of the day(everyday she wakes up and talks to herself and waits patiently for mommy and daddy to wake up)

Poor Evie thinks she is being nice to her!

Happy Birthday Dad!

2009-05-04T13:09:00.003-04:00

Today is my Dad's birthday! On Saturday we celebrated so here are some pics!