American in Norway

Whilst waiting for the kids to finish swim practice.. I decided to take a walk through old town & stumbled upon an All Saints day celebration... Despite the cold & the rain, it was lovely.. They gave each of a little box, paper and a pencil.  We were told we could write the things we WISHED we had said, to our loved ones who had passed.  I thought & thought & couldn't come up with a single thing.   All of my loved ones who have passed knew how much I love/d them & how important they were to me.  I am thankful for having no regrets about things I should have said.

Thankful in Nov... I have so many blessings in my life.. and I am happy I have an excuse to write them down this month. I an sooo THANKFUL for my health, the health of my children and husband and the health of our parents. At this moment, I have two friends and a cousin fighting cancer, and additional friends worrying about their parents health. I am so blessed that this year has been so good to us. and we are all healthy and happy.

Doing a little throw back Thursday - on Saturday.. Cause that is how I roll 😜 Bjørn and I met at a Royal Caribbean Cruiseline Halloween party 18 years ago- & been together ever since...  Happy "meeting each other" Anniversary Blue Eyes- love you

Sorry to worry y'all! Life is good- very good. I am keeping myself busy with HAPPY, healthy kids & hubby.  Dane's leg being broken last spring was actually a BLESSING - yes, I said that.  BLESSING !  Made hubs & I get off of our  butts & move our children to a better environment. Dane is thriving.. as is the rest of the family.  We were so thrilled with the new school, that we moved baby girl as well. As if I didn't have enough to do keeping up with the kiddos, I accepted a new position with Oriflame & am responsible for the Norwegian sales team. I have been traveling all over Norway & have probably been in your area. Lol I will be going to Northern Norway in the middle of Nov.  so if you have any suggestions of things to do in Tromsø or Narvik, please let me know. I am unable to post from my laptop - if there is something I missed (update to blogger) let me know... Until then, I will have to try to post from...

The words are not mine... I have a fantastic friend who will write about pictures I lay out ... Makes my heart smile .. Thank you! A Tree in a Park A mother’s role Is that of a large oak To stand tall Sturdy in the storm Provide shelter from a spring rain And shade from a summer sun. But like a maple Mothers must always remain sturdy Grow deep roots For a solid foundation From which her family Like branches can reach. And like giant spruce Mothers provide a home Nests from which her children Can be nourished Made safe and Allowed to grow. Yet like a single pine Rising high in neighborhood park A mother cannot follow But must wait for her children To return When they’ve taken flight. So we must look upon mothers With both humility and pride For we could not be where we are Without them. Their love And their plight.

march 30 Charles Bridge...  I could have hung out here all day...

march 29 The best thing we could have done..  was to pack up the car & get out of town.. & that is what we did... The greatest revenge is HAPPINESS.. and we were determined to have a FANTASTIC time.. no way I was going to let - some mean.. turd.. ruin our time.. NO WAY... I traveled to Prague as a backpacking college student.. and LOVED the city.. I couldn't wait to bring my children here... if I could have my way.. I would take my children to all of my favorite cities... so they will always remember their first visit was with ME.. :-)  & Prague at Easter was fantastic..  

march 28 Hello PRAGUE... here we come.. Thank goodness my children are 1/2 TEXAN.. and are used to CRAZY,LONG ROAD TRIPS! (as a child... it used to take us a good 12 hours just to get out of Texas..) could gobble this little one up...  L O V E.. after 16 hours.. (with an overnight in Denmark.. 1/2 way) we arrived.. Hilton - Prague.. 

march 27 After Dane was attacked.. I was pretty sure that our Easter vacation was RUINED.. thanks a lot - you big jerk. bully.. but after a weekend of being in the dumps.. I decided to just screw it. if the Dr. thought it OK.. we would load the kids in the car & head somewhere FANTASTIC. Dr. said Dane'sleg was healing nicely... & we should enjoy the Easter holiday.. :-) WOOO HOO... NO - ONE- can throw together a last min. road trip like me :-) We threw the kiddos in the car... and decided to head to PRAGUE for a much needed break. yes.. one of the totally cool things about living in Europe.. being able to hop in the car & just go to Prague.. or Paris... or...  heading through Sweden as the sunsets...

march 26 Bet y'all though I had given up on the ol' 365 didn't ya? nope... I have been taking a picture EVERY DAY.. (pinky promise) I just haven't been very good about posting. Life getting in the way - don't cha know 

Shoes By the Door Amid the mess And the stress The calls and the shows I'm reminded Lord Despite it all I'm truly blessed So for evermore Dear Lord This shall be my prayer To be loved And for kids shoes to be lined up Aside the front door. (thank you to my fabulous friend MW- for the wonderful words to my photos..)

for those of y'all who follow me.. you know I am a bit obsessed with the sky... I love a good sunrise /sunset.. what I haven't done before is look on the OTHER side of our house... one one side the sun is setting on the other.. the moon rising. PRETTY DARN COOL. amazing what you can see when you open your eyes... When I was flying to the US in Feb.. I noticed a sunrise on one side of the plane & the moon on the other.. when you get a chance... look for it. :-) and about an hour later...

march 24 After spending the weekend walking around in an upset HAZE... the sun came out..  and I started to feel better... both kids had friends spend the night.. so the house was full of love & laughter.. the sun was out.. and it was the first morning of the year I was able to sit out on my deck and enjoy my morning coffee.. in my tempur pedic slippers... ( I know they aren't sexy.. but lord are they comfy & warm) and my jammies.. Just plan on keeping my head high..emotions in check.. and following up with the police.. school.. and hospital... what a crappy start to our Easter vacation...

march 23

march 22 Many things were broken today... including my mommy heart.. today.. my son was attacked in his classroom.. by another student. while sitting on the floor.. while the teacher was in the room.. we have been a mix of emotions.. all of us.. shocked.. and down right pissed. unfortunately. if you are under the age of 15 in Norway.. you can't really get into trouble.. the max. punishment ? 3 days at home..  OUCH..  I am sure.. that 3 days at home .. playing on your iPhone & PlayStation must be pretty PAINFUL.. this isn't the first time the child has been sent home for being violent.. but he had never broke a bone.. ahem.. keep you posted..

march 19 ORIFLAME march 20 my daughter.. the ARTIST.. march 21 these are just the sunglasses i removed from my old car... lol. I may have a problem.

march 17 I remember when March 17 used to mean GREEN to me... oh.. & lots of beer.. these days.. it is all about blue skies & churches. I think I like the Green /Beer Paddy's day better... shhhhhh.. don't tell ..

march 16  between birthday parties & swim team I managed to get out and take some photos about town.. I love finding new things.... in areas I walk past.. yet never take the time to look around.

march 12- 365-71 new shirt from the US... ready for school my little abercrombie  & fitch chic. march 13 365-72 kinda like Friday night lights.... but NOT. Wed. night soccer field.  told you most days aren't very exciting... :-)  march 14 365-73 another day in the office... thank goodness I love my job.. nothing like a little coffee & Oriflame tender care in the morning. :-)  march15- 365-74 What a week... Eva wasn't the only one who passed out early on a Friday night.. 

Although I have been a BAAAD  blogger... I have still been taking a picture   every.day. march 9 365-68 Flying home from the U.S.  march 10 365-69 Sunday walk with the hubby... I think he missed me. march 11  365-70 new FAVORITE coffee cup..   - I am kindda a weirdo when it comes to my favorite cup... I don't like to share. 

march 8 I was sooo thankful for the 2 extra days I received with my parents... but with each phone call "home" to Norway .. I know it is time to get back.. I miss my babies.. it appears the kids aren't the only one missing mom... (honey... it is called W A T E R ... )