Marci's Village

A boy and a beautiful day

It was a full weekend this past one --  a graduation party (me only) a "just because" party on early release day at a friend's house, a basketball game (a win -- yeah!), a trip to Wet'n'Wild, and a beautiful sunny afternoon playing with neighbors in our backyard.

I don't want to forget a thing.

Talking about community

Some friends from school open their house every year to a bunch of kids (three classrooms plus a few extra kids are invited) for an amazing Easter Egg Hunt.

This year I was able to attend the event and was happy to see how fun it was for everybody -- children and parents. 

Maya is a little concerned that I'm slowing her down by asking to take a picture, ha ha!

Prizes!

The water slide was the icing on the cake at the end

Phillip even flipped upside down

Thank you friends for opening your home and your heart to your community of friends. The candy, the food, and the prizes are great, but the energy that comes from being around good people is undoubtedly the best gift.

Community

It happens naturally. It's in our nature as humans to look for the company of others. I am more thankful for that than words can express.

The grandpa who played with Phillip and friends at the park on Friday. Phillip said that all his friend Chris had to do was ask to play with the man and his granddaughters.

Friends from school to watch "America's Funniest Videos" with

A delicious meal

Really delicious -- I'm still finding out from my dear friend what  this turkish dish is actually called (besides "tasty", "mouth-watering", etc).

Sharing a meal

Laughing at each other's jokes

"God creates men, but they those each other"  Niccolo Machiavelli

A sleepover and a play date

As I write this, I can't wait for Bruce to come home so I can run to Gymnastics and see my little girl. She had a sleepover last night at her coach's house (who is the mother of an adorable six year old girl) and I miss her. I want to here all about her adventures. 

All ready to go, sporting her new "messenger bag".

 

This morning when Phillip and I were still having our breakfast of bagels, Phillip said he thought he had heard a laugh in his bedroom. I told him that he was probably imagining Maya laughing at us as she was having something delicious for breakfast (even though we love bagels). Two seconds later I got a text from the mom saying that they were just leaving Dunkin Donuts. Ha!

Phillip and I went on our own little outing to the tennis court and played tossed the ball around a little. In the afternoon, my friend and her adorable kids came over for a play date so Phillip could play with the kids and I could catch up with the mom.

Spring Break

Excuse the mess and the dirty socks

Children at play.

Blessings

I met Joy about ten years ago when I still worked at St. Joe's. Soon after I started as a new nurse, she left to take a job at Thunderbird (where I work now). When I transferred to Thunderbird we connected again and I was amazed to hear her stories of volunteering in different countries, including Brazil.

Well, last month Joy resigned her position as a Child Life Specialist Manager and started on her goal to help orphanaged and disadvantaged children around the world. I couldn't be more excited for her, especially because her first stop is... BRAZIL! As I write this she is probably sleeping for the first time in her new quarters at YWAM in Recife, Brazil, and starting to get used to her new life.

When I found out Joy was going to Brazil I jumped at the opportunity to teach her some Portuguese. We had three two-hour lessons, which helped me to get to know her and her mission a little better. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to do this. I can't wait to hear about her adventures helping youth at-risk and spreading hope to children who don't have much but will now have someone who truly cares what happens to them.

And... look at the beautiful basket Joy gave me at our last day together. I cannot believe that she knew exactly what would make my heart happy: a beautifully written thank you note, inspirational quotes (love, love, love these!), candles, lotions, stationary, tea, and tea cups. Thank you, new friend. I haven't taken the basket apart yet. I was waiting for your departure so I can think of you in Brazil every time hold any of those special items in my hands. God bless you, Joy.

We all need friends

This is a picture of Maya and friends this morning when I went to pick her up at a friend's house. The little girl had a sleepover for eight (!) girls ages four to eight, most of them six year-olds. Maya tried hard not to show how tired she was after being up until after one in the morning. She still went to Gymnastics this morning and worked hard. Everything is fun when you spend time with friends.

Did you notice the girl with one sock? Maya says she always does that.

As far as Maya's mommy, well... she loves to be with friends too. Yesterday I saw a few of my dear Brazilian friends I hadn't seen in a long time. Life is busy for everybody -- some of the gals are back in the workforce, one of them had a baby, some of us are just busy with every day life ("happy stress", it's what I call it!). Here are some pictures of some of us:

 

Julia - the new mom of baby Benjamin. He is as big as he is sweet. Adorable!

Dani, me, Nanci, and Katia

Dear friend Cristiane, whom we don't see as often anymore because she is a busy working momma.

Baby Benjamin

My dear friend Silvia and I visited Julia and her little family today. We had the pleasure to look at this handsome boy sleeping while we talked for hours (he takes nice long naps for his mommy - isn't that wonderful?). I am so happy for Julia and Jeff as their beautiful family grows.