Backlog...

Hello Blogland, 

It has been about a month since I have written anything and I am getting on the computer to post before I get the dishes done, and fold the million clothes I have on my bed, and build a fire in the fire place, and walk the dog, and...and...and....

The reason I am doing this post before all those other things is that by the time I get those things done all I want to do is sit and vegetate or go to bed myself.  I have been quite exhausted and not really willing to get on the computer, but that also fills me with guilt.  I miss reading how all of you are doing and so I am here now.

We are still adjusting to ''the Great White North''.  However, it is not quite white yet.  It is getting noticeably colder though and we will see some minus signs soon on our thermometers.  Norway really is a beautiful country and anyone is welcome if they would like to come visit!

My life has mainly revolved around the house and the kids.  I organize and try to empty boxes still (along with all the other housework we all have to do).  I am taking David to an open preschool every Tuesday and Thursday (this is helping him learn to play more with other children and let him hear Norwegian being spoken), Andreas and I are constantly working with Sam and homework...I know it might sound ridiculous to moms and dads in the U.S., but in Sweden Sam received homework once a week and here everyday.  I actually think it is a really good thing for Sam, but it is definitely different and we are stepping it up to help.   

Sam and David are still in the adjustment mode also.  Sam starts reminiscing about his friends in Sweden and decides he doesn't like it here.  So we are reminding him that he really does like it here (which he does), he just misses his friends in Sweden.  David still says, '' I want to go home''.  So we go into our comforting mode and telling him why this is home now.  Poor kid needs to stay put for awhile to really get the stability in place.  I don't really recommend moving a year after you adopt a child, but I promise we are working with him and trying to teach him that home is where his family is, and we are his family forever! On the whole I think the kids are doing really well.

David is really getting into dressing himself and finally using the toilet and not the diaper for number 2 (I am really happy about that one...it has not been easy to get rid of the diaper for this little guy).  He keeps telling me how big he is and I am really proud of him (not to mention that I bribe him with candy if he poops on the toilet...hey don't knock it...it works).  The other morning he came downstairs in the outfit I captured below.

Yes, he is wearing orange capris with a red polo top and finished it off with a lambswool vest.  I wish I would have taken the pic when it was all backwards and inside out, but you'll have to use your imagination for that.  He was really proud of himself for this outfit...so this is what he had all day.  I am sure the folks around here think I am color blind.

I have to admit that I have felt quite worn down lately and it was obviously showing because my wonderful husband sent me on a bus back to Sweden last week.  Just for a couple of days...but it was good to get away and relax with my friends.  I called it Mommy on the run (it was amazing how many of my girlfriends connected with that) So if you are a mom and feeling worn down...you are not alone and I am praying for those that I know...if you would like to be added to the list, just let me know.

It was really great to be with my friends and just be...I really do praise Jesus for this amazing husband that he gave me. Do we always see eye to eye...NO, do we annoy each other every once in a while...YES, but one thing that we have always done in our marriage is to remember to be thankful for the other.  I can't even begin to express how much my marriage to Eas has taught me about God and myself.  We have been married for 15 1/2 years now and I love spending every minute I can with him.  He is one amazing and handsome man.

Speaking of blessings, the other day we received a blessing from God in the form or a rainbow.  I was quite tired that day and really needed something...not that I knew what....  We had been having storms all day and then suddenly in late afternoon the sun shone brightly through the back of my house. I didn't think much of it until I walked into the kitchen to start dinner and out the window saw the pics below...

I just love it when see tangible things that remind us that God is still there...even through the mundane.  What a great way to provide a promise signal!

Then last but not least for this post is the Church hike we took two Sundays ago.  Several families in the congregation took 3.5 kilometer hike up to the highest point in Ostfold...we means Eastfold (yes, it sounds like we live in a Lord of the Rings book).  Once we reached the summit there was an amazing view.  We ate lunch, Eas did a quick sermonette and then we hiked back down.  I really enjoyed myself...although it was quite cold for me.  I wish I had a picture of myself, but since I had the camera it didn't happen.

The view from the top of Linne Kleppen.

It was a wet hike, but I had Wellies on and had the dog on a long leash.  I didn't expect on a path that there would be anything dangerous.  It all looked fairly typical with rock, roots and puddles.  However, one puddle that I decide to step into swallowed my whole right let and half of my left.  I never did hit the bottom, but caught myself before the rest of me went in.  It could have literally swallowed one of our children!  So that is why I was a bit cold and wet, but hey, at least everyone else knew not to step there!

This big tower is at the top.  In the summer someone is actually paid to live up at the top and watch for forest fires. What a job...not sure I would want it, but it seems to be a good early warning system.  

Since we are in Norway and Scandinavia has a lot of troll stories....there was a stone troll family at the top. Above you see the mom and the child in the back left.  

This would be the dad troll.  The funny think is that it no longer surprised me that there would be weird funny troll statues in the middle of now where.  Guess I really have assimilated to Scandinavia.  

Here is my husband giving the sermonette...first time with our dog.  Not sure what Sam is doing in the background.  

Sam adding to the sermonette. 

David and his favorite girl Kaisa. He loves her and is constantly telling me so.  And when he wants me to hold him and I cannot he tells me the Kaisa carries him (thanks a lot kid).  

Quite a few of the group.

Overall, it was a lot a fun and great to do with our church family.

Honestly, this is just some of my backlog...but I have to get other things done tonight, so this is what I am sticking with at the moment.  Still working on our first trip to Nepal to set up the beginning of what will hopefully become an orphanage and school.  This has begun me on a deeper journey in my devotion and prayer life that has really been great. Praise Jesus that he has removed most of my fear and it slowly moving me forward to take this huge leap of faith.

All of this has also started my desire to adopt again and work in orphan care again.....but that is a whole different post (actually several different posts).

For my family and friend, I pray you are doing well.  I miss you more than you know, but I am doing well.

Blessings,
Laurie