Morais Family update

Morais update….
April 23, 2007

It is nearing the end of April. We have been living in Portugal for four months now. In just four short months, we have experienced foggy winter days, turbulent moods, blissful travel, magnificent meals, much needed family time, hours for exercising, and much more. We have all grown and changed so much.

Marcos had a difficult time transitioning to life in Portugal. Though we all struggled in our own ways, Marcos’ feelings were the most evident through his anger and acting out. He had virtually no comprehension of the language in January. He would scream when he was left alone with his family that only speaks Portuguese. It made him crazy! Marcos is now a different little boy. I am so proud of him. Mostly to his grandfather’s credit, Marcos is close to fluent in Portuguese. He makes mistakes but he isn’t afraid to speak. He flips back and forth from English to Portuguese without skipping a beat. He adores his Portuguese family and looks forward to being left alone with them now. His grandparents couldn’t be happier as they are now able to know their grandson and all of the funny things that he can now share with them.

Marcos is outside playing much of the day. He knows his way around the farm and takes off to explore by bike or on foot by himself or with his grandfather – so different from what his American life would be if we were there now. He spent time teaching his American grandmother how to say certain words while she was visiting. Sometimes he would lose patience with her, however, when she didn’t get the pronunciation just right. It’s fun to be learning a language and a culture together with my four-year old son. We wonder out loud together and we teach each other and we laugh at things together… we are just trying to figure it all out.

Jenna is now 16 months old. She is and always has been the happiest member of our family. Her grandmother loves her and spoils her and helps create the best life for Jenna. Jenna is fed homemade soups – blended especially for her for lunch and dinner every day. She is bathed after every bowel movement. She plays outside and goes for walks and spends a lot of time watching the sheep. Jenna’s skin is golden brown, her hair wild and curly. She is the delight of her grandparents and to all of the maids in the house. Jenna knows both Portuguese and English. She doesn’t speak a word of either language – but understands everything. She sings all of the time. Though she doesn’t know the words, she knows the tune of four or five songs and will burst out with her “la la’s” at any given moment. Her singing is wonderful except at 2:00am – which does occasionally happen.

Duarte has the busiest life of us all. He works, plays, translates, drives, and provides experiences for visitors. He takes time to boat and to bike and to be there for his friends and family. He also has his brother here whom he adores and does his best to make time to spend with Lipe. Duarte is happy and grateful for this time to reconnect with his culture and with his family. It means so much to him to have his parents know his children and for me to know about the culture from which he comes.

I am content. I am happy. The bumpy roads I bounced along when we first arrived to Portugal have passed. There was a big turning point for me when one day I woke up and suddenly I understood the language. After months of just noise, I suddenly could hear the words. I can speak the words too. That has made an incredible difference.

I haven’t cooked a meal, cleaned a dish or a house or washed or folded a single piece of laundry in four months. I sit down to meals that are served to me and my cup is always full. My clothes are dried on the line in the hot Portuguese sun and then ironed and folded neatly. I can exercise for hours at a time on any given day. I love this way of life. I don’t know how I will transition back to the United States to the life where I try to maximize every second to be able to get it all done. Fortunately, I don’t need to worry about that for a little while yet.

Through our own individual trials and tribulations we have connected with each other as a family in a special way. We know each other well and have an intimate understanding of our family rhythm. It’s nice to have time together. This time has changed us and shaped us to become a healthier family. We have always loved each other – but its easier to love and laugh when time is being spent respecting one another and caring for one another in both good and bad times.