DH's Birthday, our Anniversary, our Brazil date...

For my DH, life began August 1st. We became a family on August 1st. Now, our new lives as expats are scheduled to begin on August 1st! While that is what the official paperwork says, it can move a little bit when we work out the details. I have heard that they like Thursday arrivals at posts, so we can probably count on that being moved up a day. Of course, if they can take us a week or two earlier, I wouldn't mind...

Since last I wrote, we finished up DS1's mission paperwork and doctor/dentist visits and he had an interview with the bishop. After the bishop receives a completed copy of the medical form (the doctor forgot to fill out a section and has re-sent one), DS1 will just have an interview with the stake president and his papers will go to Salt Lake. It shouldn't take too long for us to hear back after that.

I was wrong about that groundhog thing. I will admit that Phil may have been right this year. I thought that I had seen my last snowfall for two years two weeks ago, but there have been a few since, and there is still a chance of snow in the 10-day forecast. I think the coats will have to last another few weeks yet. March is supposed to start out in the 40s and 50s, but after a couple of days we are back to highs in the 30s. Yuck. I can hear my Minnesota friends offering me their sincerest condolences right about now. Let me remind them that I lived there for 38 YEARS and I deserve warmth. 'Cause I do. 'Cause I said so.

I am pleased to report that I have discovered a few second-hand stores that I am in love with. Unique is huge and I knew the chain already. It seems to have a steady turn-around of stock. There is also a little shop that is run by a local hospital system close by, a Goodwill not too far away, and another Goodwill right next to the FSI. So far, I have found a really durable, humongous duffel bag for $12 that will be perfect for checked baggage, as well as the two remaining carry-on suitcases that we needed. I have been looking for alternatives to capris for Brazil. I know some Mormon women are able to pull of shorts, but with my long legs, I haven't found any that are long enough. While we will have A/C in our bedrooms, common rooms won't have it at all. I have found a cute skirt and a dress so far that will do for casual wear. I also found a really nice dress that would work for a more formal brunch. I wish my sewing machine weren't in storage. I suppose I can put some material and patterns in my luggage and make some skirts when I get there. But, in the meantime, I will keep scoping out the thrift shops. I have to keep looking for duffel bags, anyway.

DH and I both took some tests this week. Mine was just the ACT Business Writing test. If I ever want to work at post, this test may help me get a job. It was easy. After passing the English Composition CLEP test a few years ago, I wasn't expecting it to be too hard, but after taking it, I have to say that it was a breeze. DH's test was more important and more difficult. He had his last formal assessment before his big Portuguese test in April. They do these every 8 weeks throughout the course to make sure they are keeping up. His came in at at least a 2+/2+. The examiner said she figures he is at a 3 in reading, but their informal test only goes up to 2+, so she couldn't tell. He needs a 3/3 to pass the test, so he is in really good shape! He mainly needs to eradicate a little more Spanish from his vocabulary. We don't anticipate anything but an examiner's bad day to get in the way of him passing the test. I'm really proud of him!