Congratulations! O.K. everything is packed now. One more question: Patsy and Scott, what is your phone number??? We want to give it to Al's mom. Plese let us know ASAP.

Also, Shannon, your mom called us today. She did not know your number. She was trying to get through to you. - Brenda

Brenda,

We had our baby yesterday at 12:40 pm. Jessi Patricia Klassen was 50 cm long and weighed 3.440 Kg. Both Shannon and Jessi are fine and at home. The birth was quick (1 push). Great news about the enelope we are waiting for, please bring it, we need it. If you can, please also bring the Christmas cards. We would all love to have them. Teresa and Markus arrived safely and had a good sleep last night. Now we are just waiting for you guys!
Today is Jaden´s birthday, but we are having his party tomorrow.
See you soon,
Dwayne

Mom, I picked up your mail at Liz. What do you want me to do with it? Some Christmas cards, some stuff for D &S, Markus and Teresa, Scott & Patsy - I tried calling you today but I must have the wrong phone number. What is P &S new ph. number?

P.S. The envelope Dwayne and Shannon were waiting for is here! - Brenda

One more thing, our flight does come in at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

Hi Pats,
Thanks for responding about the school stuff. I'll try to get a bit more grammar stuff. It may cost a few dollars, in fact our Resource teacher told me today that the grammar book that I thought was free is actually $7.50, because it was a brand new book she had just ordered. But I thought I'd bring you several levels of that series because it is really thorough and if you practice that in all your writing, everything will be covered.

As for the gift boxes, we'll contribute $25. Thanks for everything. Mmmmmm! I can taste those turtles already! Mom, we are going to Niverville tonight to Liz's to pick up the LEGO. She has it at her house already 'cause I called her the other day. She said the people have moved in now.

Still no baby??!?! I check my phone messages, blog and e-mail every time I come home to see if I missed anything! See you soon. Love, Brenda

Hey, Brenda, thanks for asking about the math books, but we are using a math program called Math-U-See, so we won't need those. The grammar books and phonics books are welcome though!!!

Are you going to have any room left for your stuff??? We are so excited about all of you coming. Teresa and Markus are on the way already, so we'll be waiting for you. Just to make your day Brenda, the turtles are ready and the butter tarts will be done tonight!!!

Dad and Dwayne are working way too hard, but enjoying it. Mom and Shannon and I are finishing up the Christmas baking today and going grocery shopping for all of you. Should be fun!

Al and Brenda, how much $$ do you want to donate to our shoeboxes for 2 families here in Gramado? Let us know ASAP, so we can shop. Also, are you arriving on the 1:30 flight? We'll wait to hear from you.

Love, Patsy

Hi all! Well, now it seems very close! Any baby yet? I think I put my bet on today (or tomorrow?). Shannon I'd like you to start jogging and drinking castor oil.:) I'm told that brings it on! Our Christmas concert went well, on Thursday, Dec. 15. We had a scare! One gr. 5 boy came down off the third row of the risers and came stumbling off the front of the stage. He fainted! He was O.K. in minutes, but the whole audience (600) gasped. Then, yesterday we had some friends over for a Christmas party - Al's old crowd - Randol, Holly, Linda, Neil, Danny and Irene. It was fun! Our visas came! Yay!

O.K. I need to hear from you. We are packing today. I am bringing a few things for homeschooling, as Shannon asked (grammar gr.6). But our resource teacher also has some math books gr. 3, and gr. 6 for homeschooling - she has used them in the past and given them to other missionaries. She would give you a deal on them, if you want them. They are $20 each. It is called, "Jump At Home" by John Mighton. Does this sound familiar? Do you need these?

Let me know ASAP. I called Liz, mom, so we will get that from her. She was glad you had got there safe. She tried e-mailing you but couldn't get through.

I'm running over to my neighbors today with a tin of peanut brittle I made for each. Just call me Frances, I know. (Mom, that's a compliment!) Love, Brenda

When I saw the picture I thought it might be Al's cousins you were with, then I clicked on it and realized they were our wonderful cousins. I hope you had a great time together. Have you had your Christmas concert yet? Matthew and Emily had theirs last night and Niklaas had his tonight. They were both very good and now it's holiday time!!!

Markus wants the 22PM or the next one available after that.

Teresa

Hey, just saying "HI". No baby yet. Patsy hopes tomorrow pm will be the time. Can't wait till you're all here!
Al & Brenda could you bring those books mom gave you from Crossings, thanx.
See you soon
Dwayne

Tres/Niklaas,

I'll TRY to play the piano piece. I'm pretty rusty, so I make no promises. :) Brenda

Hey Bren, that looks like a fun group you had there...would have loved to have been there!!!

Mom and Dad are here and I just walked with Mom this morning....or should I say "ran"???

Today we have our last English class in the morning and also our last Bible Study group for the year this evening. The year end!

We're waiting for the rest of you now. Have a great day.

Patsy

Hi guys! I'm trying this "picture thing!" We had a great night with these cousins of ours on Nov. 25th. Now that I know how to do this, I'll send other pics along the way.

Are mom and dad there yet??? Brenda

I think I'll keep the noodle maker, Mom said that was okay.

Have fun this week with dad and mom!!!

Teresa

The noodle maker!! Well, I use it a number of times a year to make noodles, but if you really need it I could bring it. Do you need it for the camp or for yourselves?

I guess mom and dad are ready to go, eh! Maybe we'll try calling tomorrow yet - maybe!!

Brenda how's your piano playing ability? Could you sight read a choir song to accompany Niklaas? If not, he'll sing acapalo. Pats - it also has a trumpet part!! Matthew thought he could "get it transposed so I could accompany Niklaas on my violin."

Niklaas did not have a nightmare and hasn't really thought about the skeleton thing since his science class. God is really showing Himself to this boy right now!!! The boys are both saying they had the coolest pastor in chapel. They are different pastors, one from the USA and one from Australia. Isn't it great that kids are seeing cool pastors?

My "Taste of Home" party just ended and now it's time to think about Brazil. The party was okay, but not very fun. Some of us went into the other room and played games because the conversation was just to political for our liking. I made way to much food. However the eggnog with 6 litres milk is almost all gone.

Teresa

Tres, no worries about spiders...the snakes take care of them!

Oh yeah, and the lizards take care of the snakes!

The napkins could be either or.

Like my hair??? Same person, but unfortunately, I'm still in the growing out stage.

Tres, how badly do you want to hang onto Mom's noodle maker??? Shannon and I could sure use it here...if you don't mind parting with it, please bring it along.

Love,'Patsy

Al, your bet has been recorded.

Pats, my appitite was mostly wet by the lovely hair style you are sporting on the picture. Is this done by the same person who will be doing my hair!!

I don't think I would have guessed that was Jasper. Who does she look like? Very cute either way.

Pray for Niklaas tomorrow in Science when the skeletal system will be presented. He's very scared of having nightmares again. Thanks all of you great prayer warriors.

How is it there for spiders this time of the year?

Should my gift napkins be Christmas or other?

Teresa

18th pm -Al

Here are just a few pictures to wet your appitite

Hey everyone,

Spaces are filling up. Most of the office staff are now in on the betting and so there aren't many dates or times left. Anything 16th or earlier, 18th pm, 24 pm, 25, 26, 27 am, 28am and the 29-31st are still open. place your bets ASAP.
Dwayne

Thanx for the new date Tres. As everyone will notice, I edited the list so it is updated. Here are a list of the availible dates and times:
16 am, pm
18 am, pm
20 am
23 am
24 am, pm
25 am, pm
26 am, pm
27 am, pm
28 am
29 am, pm
30 am, pm
31 am, pm
Anyone wanting to place a second bet may do so at any time. Those who have not yet bet, please do so soon to get your best choice.
Dwayne

Thanx for the new date Tres. As everyone will notice, I edited the list so it is updated. Here are a list of the availible dates and times:
16 am, pm
18 am, pm
20 am
23 am
24 am, pm
25 am, pm
26 am, pm
27 am, pm
28 am
29 am, pm
30 am, pm
31 am, pm
Anyone wanting to place a second bet may do so at any time. Those who have not yet bet, please do so soon to get your best choice.
Dwayne

Teresa's new date - December 28th PM

Okay, everyone.
Here is the list so far for bets. (Dad as you will notice you also will not get the 20 pm. I was at Janz Team when I got your email and I didn't have the list. Janelle had already paid for that day and time)

Shannon -
Dwayne - 22pm
Jaden -23pm
Jasper -
Scott -
Patsy -17pm
Caleb - 19pm
Muki -
Hannah -
Teresa - 28pm
Markus -
Nick -
Mat -
Emily -
Brenda -17am
Al -
Mom -21am
Dad - 19am
Gwen -21pm
Janelle -20pm

There you go. Please let me know what your guess will be for the date and time of day of the birth. See you all soon.
Dwayne

Teresa, I´m sorry, but Dec 20 pm is taken by dad. He had emailed his date.
For everyones benefit I will post all the dates taken so far, later today. I don´t have the list with me at this time, but I´ll do it today. It is only 8 days till mom and dad get here! WOW Christmas is comming soon! We put up our little tree yesturday. It is very cute!
Tonight is nutritionist time. Last week I had lost 4 lbs, I hope to have more good news today.
We had a good time at church last night. It was the first time that Shannon came. On the 25th afternoon, they are all comming to JT to meet you and to have some fun together in the pool, etc.
Till later,
Dwayne

I 'm thinking 17th a.m. - Brenda

Teresa says - 20th PM

I would just like to add that all dates and times are local (Brazil) times. This is mostly for Al to know but everyone should know too.
Dwayne

Ok family, I, Patricia Ann Buhler, take 17th PM for the baby bet. Now I just have to convince the Dr. to induce labour on that day!!! Have a great day.

Love, Patsy

Patsy gave you the rundown of what the weather is like right now. The concert was great but today it is raining. As for Shannon´s doctor appointment, it went well but her protine is down in her blood so she is on a liver diet, along with other things. This lack of protine makes her even more tired than she would be if it were at the normal levels.
Okay here is the deal. The baby is due, according to the doctor and the ultrasound, between December 17 and 22. We decided here that since we where all going to be here that we would take R$5 bets on when she would be born. What you will need to do is tell me what date and if you are picking AM or PM. I will record the bets here on the blog at a first come fist serve basis. Since I am starting this, my prediction is December 22, PM. The winner will get the pot and if for some random reason the baby out smarts us all, she gets the pot. Place your bets now.
As Pasty said, she and I are seeing a nutritionist and are trying to loose weight by eating healthy. Having said that, we will be allowing ourselves some treat while everyone is here. We can´t let you have all the fun, or should I say food.
We are looking forward to having you all here for a while. Brenda, I never knew that it would take moving to Brazil for you to agree to have Christmas at our place, but we are looking forward to it very much. We bought a floating volleyball net for in the pool, yesturday. We are looking forward to lots of fun together.

Dwayne