Packing things up... longing for summer

We are bringing down some of the things Liam left behind when he moved back to the states a couple of years ago.  A mother's intuition told me that he would not return back from the US summer break, so I was prepared in a sense, for him not coming back.  It is never easy, but one has to stand strong and not burden ones children by showing feelings of sadness and a selfish sense of loss.  My life has all been about choices, and many times I have supported decisions that are hurtful to me, but that I know will lift others concerned.

So here he is, my 'lil boy' Liam and his lovely little steph brother Devon (2011).



Liam has braved many things in his young life.  A decision of moving to Sweden, leave family and friends behind, learn a language and meet other cultures is a big one.  I am sure, he will always look back with a heartfelt rememberance of his time here with us.  The opportunity to meet with family members that are very old and some now gone.  The opportunity to go to school, and befriend young people that fled to Sweden to escape wars and contentions.  Some of which had stories to share with him of lost parents, siblings and families.

As we say goodbye to his old bulletinboard we took a quick snapshot of it first... Some things have been taken off as keepsakes already by his younger brothers because they missed him from the first day he traveled 'away' to home.

We hope he can come and visit this summer!  Love you Liam!

Set a goal... and score!

So, since I launched this little blog project you fell upon, thanks to TWiM (this week in mormons), I have added quite a bit of silly and heartfelt stuff.

I am also following advice received. to distinguish and set goals for this year and plans on how to attain them.  It is real hard.  To set the goals up was easy.  To actively thinking about them every day and taking action on attaining them is hard work.

I twittered on my twitter account about things that inspire me at the moment.  One of those is to really be aware of what I do with my time; how I choose to spend it; how I prioritise tasks and how I sometimes MUST forsake good things for even better ones.  NOW that is REAL HARD. 

I am now going after a Swedish drivers license, since the American is not valid here.  DANG! 
I am finishing my pre-qualifications to get a Swedish teaching degree.
I am working hard on becoming a better wife. 
I am working towards being able to go to the temple.  Last time I went was 6 years ago in Washington D.C..

So it all starts for me with 'Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.' -Alma 30:8

For me one meaning of that is to remember who I am, and be kind to all.  Act with care, charity and with loving patience.  Keep my eyes on the prise.

I take great counsel in Elder Henry B. Eyring that warns us "There is a danger in the word 'someday' when what it means is 'not this day.' 

I'll let you know how it all pans out.

Meow, serve me!

Well, me, Anïas, Illïus and Xavier cracked up over our cat Tusse 'furball' after he neatly placed himself on a kitchen chair, eagerly awaiting his turn for breakfast.

Xavier was convinced he was after the ham.  I can almost hear Tusse's thoughts, "Dang! they caught on to me."

Computer game... on a chalkboard

My son Illïus dragged me over to the chalk wall this Monday.  He had to show me the 'superiffick' videogame his friend Jesper and Antonio had whipped up on the wall.  Here Illïus stands at the starting position.  Soon his small fingers trace and follow the dungeon 'level' until he finishes on top to the left side.  The sound effects and voices of jumping and such were all acted out with serious and great timing.

How much joy this wall has given us as a family.  Thank you all wonderful artists and the school for this amazing wall!

When you look for the good, you find it in all things

I have learned, that when one stops nagging about bad things, compare one to others, or whine in silence or out loud, one quickly allows small happy moments to enter one’s life. I have learned, that when one decides to ACT on NOT ALLOWING gleeful thoughts, unhappy annoyances and other behaviors enter into one’s mind and actions, one quickly tune into finding inspirational sources of mental and heartfelt happiness.

When one is filled with good thoughts, how can ones actions be other than good? Then in turn, how can people around oneself not get affected by this in a positive way? If one press forward with what one is given in life without whining or negative thoughts, the burden of everyday life becomes half as heavy. I LOOK ACTIVELY for those cheerful and positive influences that lift me up and I choose to stay away from those that drag me down (whatever that may be).

Love yourself and safeguard those downer thoughts. They often lead into a downward spiral of actions and direction in life!

As I was biking up a steep hill with my 4 year old in the bicycle trailer, I saw this face form at the top.  Cheering me on.  What do you see?