Excited about new school

Illïus went to meet his new classmates at his new school 'Vasa skolan'.  Named after King Vasa, the guy that sunk his battleship...  pretty tragic and silly story.  The king got a real nice ship built, but was not happy with the amounts of cannons on board.  He added a few extra and sunk the ship in the harbor.  Good going King Vasa.

 

 

The school is in the far back, that pink building to the left of the yellow houses.  This is a typical street here.  Xavier was allowed to come as well.

 

Illïus doing what he loves the most.  Climbing around on monkey bars at the new schoolyard.  He is soooo happy to be there, and is quick to try new tricks.

Cotton candy bliss

Believe it or not, we actually missed the faire in Nyköping.  I felt so bad, because Anïas, Illïus and Xavier had been looking forward to the cotton candy more than anything.

 

To our great surprise, one of the largest faires came to our new time this autumn about a week after we had moved in. We found out about it from all the helicopters flying around and I went online to learn 'what may have happened'.  On the city's newspaper feed it told us that the faire was in town.  We quickly headed down and oh joy! cotton candy.

 

 

Illïus got his cotton candy first, and he laughed so hard.  It was gigantic and looked like a smurf hat bobbing when he shook it around.

 

Xavier was speechless over his over sized cotton candy... enough said.

 

Anïas thought his might have been on the smaller size.    Dear me...

Goodbye Fokusskolan

This was the last bit of creation Illïus made at Fokusskolan.  He is now moving to another city and we thank all the staff and friends for the past year.

 

Cookies for a BBQ

We were invited to a friendly BBQ at Liam's old classmate's house.  We decided to bring some chewy chocolate chip cookies.  Duncan and I whipped up a batch with gigantic size chocolate chips.  It really really was one of the best recepies I have ever tried.  Good times!

Becomes about 18 large cookies.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups of any chocolate.  We used regular chocolate candy.
• Cookie sheet with baking paper.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 celcius).
2. Mix flour and baking soda
3. Mix room temperature butter with brown and regular sugar.  Beat until mixed and fluffy.
4. Add eggs, salt and vanilla.  Mix it up.
5. Stir in chocolate chip and get in with your hands if you need to have it all blend well.
6. Drop a heaping tablespoon.  We fit 6 to each cookie sheet.
7. Bake until golden edges but a soft center.  12 min worked for us.  We made a try first so we did not ruin a whole sheet by under or over cooking.  Do the same, save yourself heartache.
8. Remove from oven and cookiesheet, keep it on baking paper.



Welcome Duncan!!! we missed you!

This time, I actually ended up going to the Stockholm airport by myself.  All other motion sick members of the family got to stay home.  I guess I still suffer from bad memories from our last family trip when we got Liam from the airport (previous post).

The feeling of picking up a loved one from the airport is always overwhelming and chokes me up.  All the boys have gotten so big. 

It was a good thing I did not have anyone with me because there had been a train accident on the rails before Stockholm and all train traffic was stopped for a few hours.  Replacement taxis were provided at no extra charge to people that had Arlanda as a final destination, all others had to sit tight :O

My delay to the airport worked out super, because as it turns out, Duncan's plain had a delay as well.  We literally met each other half way through the airport.

Welcome home away from home Duncan!  Love you and love Jeffrey for making all this possible this summer.  Love you my husband!

Welcome home away from home Liam!

Finally!  It has been a long wait for everyone to get a visit from older brother Liam. Illïus and Xavier came with me on the train to Stockholm, and oh boy!  that was a ride and a half!

Our family (except for dad) gets real motion sick and more likely than not, one of us will throw up on a journey. Illïus threw up a few times on the train to Stockholm, and continued on the train to the airport. Thank goodness for the abundance of plastic bags that are attached to every seating row. Xavier's fleece cowboy hat also helped Illïus from images zipping by his eyes.

Illïus and Xavier on the roof of a toy train at the train station.

Needless to say we hit the drugstore immediately when we arrived at the airport, and the ride home was smooth as butter.

Through the years, we have picked up Liam and Duncan at the same exact spot for obvious reasons.  This time however; we moved clear across the arrival hall to prank Liam.  Illïus and Xavier stalked him so he was not lost :)

 

Welcome home Liam, WOW you grew tall!

WE MISSED YOU!

What bugs children see

Totally amazes me how different children see the world.  They notice the smallest of things.

 

Here they stopped me to look and talk about the real big bee in the middle of an apple blossom.  A loooooong discussion about animals and honey making took place, and I cannot even begin to describe the excitement they experienced when they came across the green, weird looking bug to the right. 

Preschool day + cowboy = Spiderman

Sweden celebrated preschool day today, and he went as a proud American jeans loving cowboy.  He came home with a Spiderman face :)

With bugs come silly boys

It is time to go look at spring bugs, but not until they check out what I have up my nose.

Walk towards the light...

Anïas, Illïus, Xavier and me were trekking on our bikes through the woods next to the children's school (Fokusskolan i Nyköping) when the sun was setting.  We took this surreal photo with the iphone.  Walk towards the light children hehe... or alien abduction?

Mamma, I lost a tooth!

Illïus has been waiting for sooooo long for his tooth to fall out.  Finally it dropped at school today.  He had twisted it out.  He was so excited... those were the days :)

Happy mother’s day all!

I want to wish all great grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers, sisters and daughters a happy mother's day.

(My son Xavier wanted to pick me all the flowers, but we decided on taking them home in a picture format.) 

One of the most beautiful blessings in life is the presence of a child.  No matter if the child is biological or not, being around a child as it grows up is amazing.  The funny thing about time (for many) is that time has the ability to soften memories of hardship and struggle while enhancing the cherished ones.

My husband and I have come to the agreement that our youngest boy Xavier will be the last child we have.  My eldest son Duncan is turning 18 this year, and it just goes to show that time stops for no one.

It is sometimes hard to choose to be present with people I love.  I might be there, but my thoughts and actions are elsewhere.  It is a bad habit that we should get rid of it post haste and treat like the bubonic plague.  I work on seeking out moments of joy with people I care about on a daily basis, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem at the moment.  As I have recorded them, these moments have become a large treasure combined.  It takes a lot of effort to include and invite people into activities and chores.  How many times do we get-to-it by ourselves because it seems faster, easier and better that way?

Well, I will continue to refuse to hop on the grind train, and will not allow people and time to pass through my life as if I was in drunken haze, only to come up for air and a memorable view every decade or so.

Our family were forced to start anew when we moved to Sweden.  All we previously knew came to a halt and was done away with.  We were given an opportunity to recalibrate our path through life.  Our family gained a focus on appreciating each other; deal with each other justly and with love and respect.  Jeffrey and I decided to care more for eachother and work more as a team.  When our children see us together, they know with certainty that we belong.  We are one.  All have a voice in our home, all are seen and heard. Our time best spent is with each other.  We chose to raise a family by being active examples; talk and preach less - actively interact more.  We live by the phrase "talk is cheap" and "walk the talk! Give it a try.  It is good stuff for all.



Happy mother’s day to all important examples out there!  Take a moment to write down and document a cherished memory and keep it safe.  You will not regret it.

Spring fixin' things

Jeffrey was keeping the boys busy today with fixing them for spring.  Tire changes, lube... you name it.  This brought some neighbors around with their bikes as well, and with them came their children.  In the end it was a bike shop on the lawn. 

 I stayed busy in our garden because I was finally able to direct sow some seeds.  Our rhubarb was ready for a picking which in turn became a very nice pie to to round off this busy family day.

Getting pumped up!

The kids got bored waiting for the school BBQ to start so they went crazy on a taxi toy for 30 minutes. People were gossiping about my kids as theirs were quiet and non-participating onlookers. It did not phase the boys, they did not even notice.

Hurray for happy and carefree moments.

The smallest things

My son Anïas asked me to come outside for a while to see what 'spring sign' he had found.  In the midst of a sea of grass, were 3 very tiny flowers.  It made me extremely happy to have him share this discovery with me.  It also made me appreciate and respect how truly wonderful he is.  He is doing what we are asked to do.  Find joy in the most simple and smallest of things.  Appreciate the creation of our Heavenly Father and life on earth.  Be kind and strong for those who are weaker.  Share your joy with others. 

Xavier has become an example with his flower friend

It is very apparent and humbling to me, to see in action how my actions affect people around me.  People tend to talk too much.  People pay lots of money to hear other people talk.  We read lots of books and print about talking the talk.  We go listen to inspirational pick-me-up- talks.  Many of our misfortunes and anxieties would end if we would just: do what has to be done; change what has to be changed;  stop looking at the life of others and live in ones own.

There are many people of ALL ages, that cruise past this one single flower.  Not ever seeing it, not stopping to appreciate it.  The norm of what I have noticed here is lack of respect for living lants and animals by many.

Xavier has not so much been told about flowers, animals and small things as shown by me and his father.  How we act now mimics his behavior towards the same. We can now see with full joy of our hearts, that our actions has had a very true impact in his young life and behaviors.  Here he crawls into thick flowery bushes to hop onto a rock so he can cradle this one spring tulip.



He is so excited and loves how big, bold and beautiful it is.  Xavier gently pets the flowerpetals for a while and tries to cradle it like an old friend.  He talks to it and we visit this one flower for a couple of weeks until it's life came to a rest.  Xavier and I wished the flower a good sleep, and we hope to see it again next year.

We will forever love my grandfather

One of the reasons that I opted to move back to Sweden after a decade+ in the US was partially due to my grandparents getting old and ill.  They raised me and are my beloved examples in all things.  They never spoke much, but were examples of how to live a righteous and loving life as disciples in Christ.

My grandfather has been a hard worker his whole life, born into a very large and poor family from Jokkmokk (the very northern parts of Sweden).  He almost died a couple of weeks ago and I feel the urgency to take down his life history and of those relatives that still live in his heart and mind.

About 3 years ago, my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson and Alzheimer.  These 3 years have substantially changed my grandfather's and grandmother's quality of life.  His health is deteriorating quickly.  I have been wondering how such cruel illness happen to selfless and giving people that love God.

Now a month later, I understand more.  He never curse God about his ailments.  He loves the opportunity to have lived a full life and accept his current time that is heavy laiden in his sufferings.  He is brave, and worries more about us than himself.  He is grace and an example of hope and faith.  He knows where his place will be when God resurrect His chosen the last day.  My grandfather might need help remembering what a wonderfully blessed life he has had, and he knows that this life on earth is but a short moment in time.  He knows he is loved by all his flocking grand children and great grandchildren that all love him so.

We stop our days, for our grandfather and great grandfather.  We take time to tell him we love him.  We thank him for our lives.

A stick is never to big

So Illïus and Xavier hauled a huge stick the size of a tree into the house to 'keep' for later. It just cracks me up. All my five boys (the eldest is now 17) have grown up with a love relationship towards sticks.

Here I am asking my youngest boys to promptly carry the 'small' stick outside.  Illïus thought it was a good idea to just save him some trouble and toss it over the balcony railing.  I managed to stop them before it fell over.

Illïus loves the guitar

He picks it up often and sings a tune for those who are willing to listen.  We have had so much fun listening and watching him play.

Grandpa Bob and Bram sent some birthday money and what he wanted was a guitar of his own.  He can't wait to get his new guitar with a stand and guitar chair. 

THANKS GRANDPA' BOB and BRAM!

A pre-teaser -- Creeper style

Xavier apparently needs a lance

Xavier got a new present from grandpa' Bob and grandma' Bram.  It is an awesome used bike we found on the Internet.  We biked on my bike to where previous owner lived a few miles away and Xavier proudly biked it all the way home.  On the Monday following, Xavier found an 'awesome' stick according to him and wanted to bring it home post haste.

THANK YOU GRANDPA' and BRAM!

A lance for all..!

-Xavier, wait a minute.  What the heck are you doing with that tree?
-It's not a tree, it's my stick.
-Where are you taking it?
-To my new bike!
-Xavier, you are NOT taking that with you home!
-Yes I am!
-No, there is no way... drop it!
-But mooooom, I can put it on my bike (in the bicycle basket).
-No Xavier, it won't fit!
-Oooooook, mom... :C
-Thank you honey.


I had  to convince him the stick is happier at his school.

Summer is on the wall

A thank you goes out this week to the two budding artists Benjamin and Celin.  Their spring and summer theme is a happy one indeed.

Friendship is an ongoing theme at Fokusskolan in Nyköping.  The students and faculty work together on creating a conducive environment, where every person is important and have a voice to be heard. Many students escape to Fokusskolan to rise from difficulties they may have had at other schools.  That places an additional burden onto the staff, but this Christian school has divine help and many prayers.

No school is perfect.  No staff is perfect.  No faculty is perfect.  No family is perfect; however, having followed this chalkboard each week has left a significant in-print and testament, that the children are lovingly encouraged to aspire and grow at their own pace.

Fear not, you are numbered

"Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; 

And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost." -D&C 50:41-42

"Ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends;" -D&C 84:63

And the Father and I are one.  I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you." -D&C 50:43

Fishing with a 'fish stick'

Xavier hopped off his bike as we were coming home from his great grandmother Mary-Ann's house.  We biked along side Nyköping's river when he suddenly stopped and climbed down the river bank.  I was at first impatient but decided to park my bike next to his and go down to sit with him.


-Xavier, you don't just hop down next to the water.  You can fall in.  You have to wait for me.
-Sorry mom
-What are you doing?
-I am fishing...
-Fishing?
-Yes, I am fishing.  This is my 'fish stick'.
-Oh, maybe we should go home and get some worms for the fish to eat.
-Ok... but I can fish sticks (and he reaches over to snag some bypassing sticks)

Last hockey cup for the season

This was the last hockey cup for the season. Anïas had a great time with his team mates. He has really grown to love playing this sport.

Here he stands outside the arena (in his Islander ballcap), warming up for the first game.  The kids were doing some dashes back and forth.  I took a quick picture through the chain link fence to the arena.

Pre-game warmup

Game start.  Anïas is to the far top of this picture in black.  The puck has been dropped and he moves in for a pass.

Here he is is skating backwards,

preparing to stop incoming play.

The cup ended with tired and happy kids. Playing the whole rink is new, and it is tough work skating across the whole lot.