Mid Year Hall Holidays

After Easter the big celebration is Mother's Day :)

 "Happy Day  of Mothers"

We have Relief Society at the CTM for all the Sister Missionaries
(junior and senior).
This was our sweet but unexpected present from our Relief Society Presidency.

And as usual, I didn't have to cook that day or clean up,
which is my favorite gift.

kind of primitive but for some reason
greeting cards are hard to find here~

gifts at home :)

gifts FROM Home

This is an amazing photo/thought book from many family members..
These type of projects are NOT easy but we are so grateful~

Then the same month brings my birthday- May 30

To celebrate we went to the 41st floor of this building!

There is a "surround restaurant" with windows.

The view is extraordinary.  Skyscrapers on every side.

As far as you can see.

These black birds fly by often to remind us that

we're not looking at a postcard!

Next time we want to go here at night!
I can imagine The Lights!

The waiters were excited that their first guests for the day were Americanos~

This is their Saturday buffet.  Huge cheese ball on the right.

And Saturday is traditionally "feijoada" day.

Black beans with everything "pig" - inside and out :)

Historically a "creative" dish from Rio de Janeiro
for the slaves that had to eat what their owners refused.

Feijoada is now proclaimed Brazil's "national dish".

lemon garnished nostrils anyone?

None of us dared to venture into these pots.....

but it was interesting to look.

We settled for sausage, black beans, bacon, chops

and of course the salads, which are always divine.

We were unfortunately, too FULL for dessert :(

On Sunday night our good friend Carolyn brought over this
beautiful crystal bowl she bought in Germany
while recently visiting family there.
What an incredible birthday gift~

-Then June-

FATHER'S DAY

In Brazil and USA,  Mother's Day is the same date.

Inexplicably, Father's Day is in August here.
No, we don't celebrate twice!
That wouldn't be fair!?

But we were fortunate to receive many cards and letters
in May & June, from America to remember Grandma & Grandpa!


Pictured are a few classic examples


Then Craig's birthday is conveniently
remembered on June 30 as well~

Craig's favorite gift also is KP duty relief!
He got 2 weeks off for all his
June celebrations.

A fun party with friends at Sodie Doces cake shop~
YUUMMM

This store is right across the street.
I could jump out our window
and land in their parking lot  :)

He officially celebrated his eligibility for Medicare  :)

A little sobering to acknowledge our 3rd trimester of life!

This June (28th) also marked our 43rd wedding anniversary.


My Uncle Steve (vintage photo expert:)
just sent me this digital picture
that he took on our wedding day.
June 28, 1972
ages 19 & 22!

We look like children playing "dress up".

And here are some more recent shots.

Our anniversary was on a Sunday so again- no cooking or cleaning :)
But we went to a movie on Friday night~


This is an insightful message I like about marriage:

Most people get married believing a myth that marriage is a beautiful box full of all the things they have longed for: companionship, intimacy, friendship, etc.  The truth is that marriage at the start is an empty box.  You must put something in before you can take anything out.  There is no love in marriage.  Love is in people.  And people put love in marriage.  There is no romance in marriage.  You have to infuse it into your marriage.  A couple must learn the art and form the habit of giving, loving, serving, praising, keeping the box full.  If you take out more than you put in, the box will be empty.