Future Music Artists?

A few times a week, B, my oldest will break-out in song and create the most AMAZING tunes! One time he went on and on with his mini-guitar like it was the rockinest (can I say that?) song ever. I then took a pen and paper and listened arounded the corner from the kitchen to write down what he kept repeating. This was actually the first time I heard him make-up a song in English. It may not make sense but here it goes:

We can know Jesus (3x)

and your hearts are not right...

Don't be afraid God is here!

You're not hard to find...

Your Gospel Story!

You can get better,

Sleep on a bed,

and go outside!

A song I heard him sing before this was about Adam and Eve in Finnish (This is with my translation):

God made Adam and Eve

Oh Yah! Oh Yah! Oh Yah!

He told them to take care

That's right That's right

Not to eat from that tree

True dat! True dat!

But they didn't listen

Too Bad! Too Bad!

So God Disciplined

That's right! That right!

The one I like as well was the one he made-up with the tune of "KUM BAY YA" (Note: Jumala(You-Malla) is "God" in Finnish:

Jumala, My Lord, Jumala...

The one that tops the cake is one T sang in Finnish:

Who made Lighting McQueen, Lighting McQueen, Lighting McQueen?

Who made Lighting McQueen?

Our Heavenly Father!

Great Wedding Photos: Eat Your Heart Out OMA!

My Trip to Sweden: Foreign Particles and Yacuzzies

Elina and I leaving Sweden back to the boat.

On the way into the "old town" I met this guy. Mikko told me not to pick-up on any dummies...does this count?

Breakfast buffet on the boat nearing the dock. Beautiful villas and homes on the many little islands surrounding the main land, bright sunshine and clear skies!

We couldn't stop joking about this sign in out bathroom, "Don't throw foreign particles in the WC-bowl."

Elina modeling our pink "wc-bowl".

AAAHHH, no diaper changing, pushing milk in a pram up a hill, or slaving in the kitchen...at least for two evenings.

In no particular order here is my boat trip to Sweden with my dear friend, Elina. She made me do it and Mikko accepted the task of caring for our little ones for two nights. Thank you babe! The trip was hilariously fun. We mostly ate at the buffet and stayed in our room playing "Fallen Cities" talking our brains off. No due harm was done except two short dark haired guys tried to say hello to us while we were wanting to see the beautiful night sky, get off my nerves please! One drunk Swede touched my arm in the lift as he was trying to talk to Elina, as soon as the lift opened we jetted straight for the buffet! Hmph! I was ready to wack him one! Never-the-less, we were safe and protected by the hand of God! On our way off the boat to the "old town" the Swedish police had stopped a woman dressed in mens clothing. She was obviously drunk and in Finnish yelled, "Why am I always the victim?!" It ripped my heart in half and I wanted to hold her hand because there were no other women around except the cleaners. Ofcourse she probably stole something, or started a fight. Who knows. I battled inside if I should have asked if I could be with her until a female officer arrived. I thought maybe I would have been an inconvienience for Elina trying to get into business not my own. That is probably the only part of the trip I didn't like, because I knew that woman was broken hearted. Despite my heart bleeding to help her, I continued on and regret it. Lord has forgiven me, but her face is on my heart often...Our last evening on the boat we were in the sauna, jacuzzi, and steam sauna like forever! Laughing our heads off like two teenage girls. One of the signs was in Finnish, Swedish, and English, however they spelled "Jacuzzi" with a "Y" instead of a "J". Our laughing continued...and still does over this stupid thing. ANYWAY...Did we adventure the museums and absorb the wonderful history of Swedish royalty? Ofcoarse NOT! We went shopping...it was sooo much more fun.

Non-realistic Living in Reality

I often think I should stop blogging. Then something stirs in me. Once in awhile I have deep desires to write. I love to journal and often find it poetic and theoropeutic. My life is upside now that I have 3 lovely, delightful, children who pilage our cupboards and suck the milk out of Valio...and myself.

I think how wonderful it would be to sit on a white sanded beach in the warmth of the sun and journal my hearts desires. Heidi, you are in Finland and it has already snowed in the northern parts!

Right, right.

Sooo, where am I going with this? I make unrealistic plans for the week. Some weeks are good, some are bad. I plan meals and school and sometimes 20 projects and think it is completely reasonable.

Not really.

I think I sometimes confuse my life with Southern California paced lifestyle where I used to take B all around Riverside and do the bulk shopping, coupon shopping, dry cleaners, and playdates all in one day. After that I would not have to bulk shop for awhile nor go to the store during the week. Perhaps I look at that and try to transfer it onto my 3 children who all talk and all have opinions to some extent (Yes, even P).

I forget that they are half-Finnish with unique individual personalities with language needs etc. I walk them EVERYWHERE I go. I don't think an automatic van would answer my need to get everything done. They need me. This is Finland, it is just different and my circumstances are the way they are.

I am daily laying my plans to His feet saying: Lord, help me, you know me better.

Lord, plan my day.

I noticed, lately that I will say that prayer and then go on my way, doing things, MY WAY. Don't get me wrong, housework needs to get done. It is important...but not most important. I love what I do, yet sometimes I plan for guests and hobbies and put it over fun time with the kids. Too many older mothers tell me life is short. Enjoy them when they are young. I think I need to listen to that.

It is ok to make my lists, but to really be okay with letting some of those to-do things go is not the end of the world. I sometimes get "creative" and let people do it, or delegate tasks. Or just tell myself: I can't do it, be okay with it.

One morning, for example, I wanted to visit three shops that were on the same street. I ended up only seeing one because I had to catch the bus and go home to feed the kids. When I am with the kids and I mean WITH the kids, we have fun.

This verse has come up more often for me while here in Finland, hope you are encouraged too.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Writer's Block: Your Opinion Please...

So I have a plethora of things to share, yet I don't know where to start. Could you help me, or at least remind me of what I wanted to write about? Help. Thanks.

Cry or Laugh, you choose...

You think I'm brave for having come to Finland. You think I have sacrificed so much to be with Finnish people, eat their food, enjoy their silence, sweat in their saunas...But you have to read this! I was crying and laughing at the same time. Here are some folks we know who have gone through alot lately. Please read.

P's First!

Didn't have a camera, so in no particular order...here is some of P's party! Neighbors and family came, once again too many shoes in the door way!

Boys enjoying the Liimatta side of the family.

Birthday girl enjoying t's playset.

Hangin' out on the balcony during the party.

T showing P how properly bathe a doll.

Mom opening presents while P plays with paper.

Mom presenting the cake.

P owning the cake. Happy Birthday!