I would like to tell you about my birthday weekend. My husband did a wonderful job planning and giving me a great weekend. My birthday was on Friday, March 14th. For all who need to know, I turned 34. I was kind of bummed about my birthday because it wasn't Spring here. I know it sounds weird, but it has always been Spring on my birthday and that was special to me. Andreas knew that I am not Swedish enough to throw myself a party (this is what the Swedes do) so he wisked me away! On Friday morning I was woken up by my husband and son bringing me breakfast and flowers. They sang to me and handed me one piece of paper each. I received two tickets to the pairs ice skating finals for the world championship! They are being held in Gothenburg. It is really cool to live close to a place that has sporting events like this. So Andreas and I will go this Wednesday. I plan on bringing my huge American Flag, let's hope I can use it.
After that Andreas took Sam to his Swedish play group so I could relax! Another wonderful gift. Then I was asked to pack because Samuel was staying with his grandparents this weekend and we were going to the ocean house (as Sam calls it). The ocean house is in a place called Grebbestad. A seaside city that has boomed over the last few years. Luckily the house is a little outside of the city and on a cliff facing the ocean. It is an amazing place and we are always thankful to be able to use the house (Andreas's grandparents passed it down to their children and now Andreas's parents are very gracious in letting us use it). So around 3:00pm. we dropped Samuel off with very happy grandparents and drove up the coast. We had just enough time to drop our stuff off (realize there had been a mouse in the house) and off we went. I didn't know that Andreas had planned a Swedish massage for me a little ways down the road (it was a spa down the road to clarify). So after an hour of massage I came out quite relaxed. We ended the day with a huge bowl of peel and eat fresh shrimp and a movie. What a relaxing day!!! I was told that Saturday morning breakfast would be served at 8:30 and we would need to leave the house by 9:30. I was quite amazed because my birthday was done, but Andreas had something up his sleeve.
The next morning we were out of the house by 9:20 with some pretty warm clothing items on. We headed for Fjallbacka (another ocean town that I love). We stopped at a boat with several other people on it and jumped on. I was then told that we would be going for a day trip to the Weather Islands. These are the islands on the outer west end of the archipelago. This means that there is pretty much open ocean between those island and Denmark or England. Not knowing what kind of day we would have we brought rain gear and books with us. We would spend the better part of the day on the island and eat at a restaurant there. The day turned out better than perfect. There was no wind (for all of those who know Sweden this is a miracle) and it was sunny and warm! We ended up hiking to the western end of the island and laying in the sun in t-shirts. We were actually warm (thank you Lord)!!!!!! It was a glorious day (for those of you who don't understand the intensity of my adjectives please look up grey and rainy on the weather channel and you will see a picture of Sweden in the winter!). Andreas also decided to take a swim (with the word swim being a loose term) in the ocean. I say the word swim is a loose term because it was more like a dip (literally). The ocean is probably around 5 or 6 degrees C or 38-39 degrees F. Cold, really cold. But he can now claim to have been in the ocean in March (a claim that I do not care to hold).
We spent the whole day outside. When we returned from the wonderful island we walked with our dog by the house and lounged in the sun. It was a day that I needed desperately. I have thanked my husband constantly for that day and I also must thank the Lord for the beauty that He allowed me to be a part of. I cannot explain how it helped me, please come and enjoy it for yourselves sometime. The pictures below will show you some of what I am talking about. Unfortunately my camera is in the States being repaired so we used my phone camera.
Today we woke up to fog all around us but by 10:30 the sun burned it off and it was another amazing, sunny, gorgeous day. So we lounged in the sun for as long as possible and then came home. It was wonderful to see Sam again. He was asleep and looking very cute when we arrived. When he finally woke up he told me that he wanted to go back to Far Mor's house! Of course, what kid who gets to do what they wanted for 3 days wouldn't want to continue to do that! However, he told me that he missed me, gave me a big kiss, and then growled at me like a lion. Ahh, the wonders of motherhood!!! It's good to know that he didn't change much in the time I was away. I have to say thank you to mom and dad for allowing us to use the ocean house, for taking such good care of Sam, and for being happy for us that we received the sunshine (after last summer you have a right to be bitter).
Enjoy the pictures below. God bless you all and I miss you.
Laurie
P.S. I did receive a very good birthday gift from my old boss Tom Velie. He wrote informing me that New Beginnings received their Hague accreditation!! Thank you Lord. That was a lot of hard work (it stretched my brain) and I am glad that it paid off for everyone that worked so hard and for the agency to continue in it's ministry of adoption. We give all the glory to God.
Hello England!
This is where Andreas went "swimming".
The water was so clear that you could see the bottom at several points, so beautiful. I need to point out that the Swedish ocean is very dark and it is not common to be able to see through it.
This is Fjallback from the ocean. I love how it is built on a hill and everything is so quaint and tucked in together. The big steeple is a very old state chuch.
Yes, even the dog had a great day!
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