Our Happy Holidays!

I’ve had so many things to write about since returning to Florida, but very little time to process and formulate my thoughts, let alone endure the agonizing upload time to share my pictures. But now, this first day of 2012, I find myself again preparing for a move, and know that if I have any hope of sharing our holiday joys with you it must be now.

Returning from The States with Gracie and my mom brought a flurry of activity to our house in Jonkoping. After a day or so of adjusting to the time change, dark days, and cold weather again, we began our Christmas preparations. Stockings were hung after Thanksgiving, and the Nativity scene was set out, but there was still much to do to make this big old house feel like our home at Christmas time.  Matthew liberally borrowed from the lights and ornaments left behind in the attic and had purchased an adorable tree (from a gas station, go figure) to set up in the living room.  Gracie and my mother made paper chains and we found some pink and white candy canes (food that requires red dye is tricky to find here in Sweden) to add to the tree for that old-fashioned festive feel.

From Germany, for my collection

Creative use of the library

Creative use of a toilet paper tube

It's not Christmas without Legos

After decking out the house, we moved into the kitchen and introduced Gracie to the joys of Christmas baking.  She’s a good little sous-chef until it’s time to use the mixer.  The loud noise sends her running from the kitchen, but if you need something measured, rolled, or decorated, she’s your girl!

The lack of snowfall has been a surprise, a relief, and a bit of a disappointment. After running around in July like a lunatic snatching up snow boots and pants, hats, gloves, and scarves from obscure internet websites and central Florida’s abundance of outlet malls, I had hoped we would need to use them for more than a week.  As it is, this was an unseasonably warm winter in Sweden (too many Floridians here, I suppose) and after only a few days of snow we found ourselves faced with another green Christmas.  We did enjoy the snow while it lasted; a child’s reaction to their first snowfall is precious and priceless, but after bemoaning the slow death of her snowman friend, Gracie and I took matters into our own hands creating our colorful winter wonderland.

I was so grateful to have my parents here for Christmas. Sharing the holidays with family helped appease the near constant loneliness that has engulfed me since the onset of the nearly constant gloomy weather in October. We shared a lovely meal at home, played with our new toys and gadgets, and enjoyed the day.

I hope you finished out 2011 with as much happiness as we did! Happy New Year!

Merry, Merry

Today I baked a German Chocolate cake from scratch with the help of a certain two-year-old. It should be noted that the first time I baked such a cake was for Matthew’s birthday shortly after we were married. Compared to my usual add “water, butter, and eggs to the mix” baking strategy it is an insane amount of work. But you do these things for those you love. Today our cake is for Jesus.

Somewhere jumbled between presents, a festive tree, letters to Santa, Advent calendar countdowns, cookies, and carols is the significance of the season. I have a lot of fond traditions and holiday memories that I want to pass down to Gracie, but most importantly I want her to know why this is such a cherished time of year. It is more than a few vacation days, more than wish lists coming true, even more than time spent with family and friends.

It is about the love of the Lord coming to us through the birth of a baby, reaching down to offer saving grace to a group of hopeless sinners. Every year at Christmas I remember the love that was born, the sacrifice that suffered, and the forgiveness that triumphs for me and for us all.

Merry Christmas.

Where the Heart Is

When it comes to travel, Dorothy Gale had the right idea.  Unfortunately lacking in the ruby red slipper department, Gracie and I were required to utilize more conventional means of transportation for our return trip to Florida. Desperate to reacquaint myself with the comforts of home (family, friends, that bright thing in the sky called the sun) I boldly grasped the hand of my two-year-old, steeled my nerves, and went where few parents dare to go: the airport. For a nineteen hour trip.  While pregnant.

Our trip passed without incident.  Gracie was mature beyond her years (in all honesty, she was mature beyond *my* years) walking for what literally felt like miles through the Frankfurt airport, passing through multiple customs and security checkpoints, and suffering through 15 hours of flight time with only Larry Crowne and Mr. Popper’s Penguins as our digital entertainment options. 

We enjoyed two lovely weeks defrosting in Florida with our family and friends. I loved seeing my family, taking Gracie to Magic Kingdom for the first time, attending MOPs at First Baptist Oviedo, and our playdates at the park and Amaya Papaya. These outings, our routine, and support system have been greatly missed while we’ve been in Sweden. I am so appreciative of the friends that made efforts to see us and spend time with us during our abbreviated stay.  I know how hard it is to find time to visit during the busy Christmas season, especially if you’re working or taking care of small children. My fond memories of seeing our friends and family will help sustain me for the uncertain duration of our remaining time in Sweden.

She travels well.

I'm going to order the child's meal for myself next time!

It's not home if I don't cook!

A quick trip to Publix with her best buddy, James.

Our first trip to Disney!!

Sleeping Beauty

Gracie got to see our favorite princess, Belle!

Dumbo Ride with Grammy

We rode the teacups.  Twice.





Worn out from the all the magic.

I went to my first softball game!

At the park with the cousins

My Husband: My Constant Blessing

When I was a little kid (admittedly a nosey, little kid), probably no more than 6 years old, I found a love note my dad had written to my mom. I don’t remember it word for word, but it went something like this:

Things that are always true:
1. The sun rises in the east
2. Ice floats
3. I love you

At the time the most significant part of the note was the two cool science facts I just picked up.  (Ok, fine… I was a nosey, NERDY, little kid.) After all, I already knew my parents loved each other. What I’m realizing now as a married woman is how powerful a husband’s love can be.

When Matthew and I were dating, he told me he first realized he loved me when he saw how happy I was and he knew he wanted to make me happy for the rest of my life. He works very hard to do just that. For seven years I have lived with his patience and forgiveness, his kindness, his humor, his intelligence, his spontaneity, and his generosity. He works hard so I can stay home with our daughter and his leadership for our family shows how dedicated he is to caring for us.

Since I found my dad’s note, there are a few more things in life (besides death and taxes) I know for certain. I know that the Lord of all holds me in his hand, guides me and loves me, and forgives me daily through the blood of Christ for my countless failings. Through God’s lavish grace, I also know the certain and deep love of my precious husband, and I am most thankful for him.

Visa... It's everywhere you want to be?

There’s a reason why pregnant women shouldn’t ride rollercoasters. Literally, you get jolted about and dragged along for the ups and downs, the sudden starts, stops, and drops. The emotional rollercoaster I was on last week felt much the same. Our visas are in limbo, and the coordinators at SAAB are trying to figure out what to do with us. As with most bureaucratic processes, the information available is murky and difficult to decipher. First, we were told, we would have to leave the EU for ten days and return to Sweden, or take a weekend trip outside of Sweden and then re-enter, or leave Sweden and return home to wait for our visas to be approved before returning, or apply for an interim tourist visa and stay in the country. It is a hassle for the company and emotionally draining for me.

It took most of the week for SAAB to verify what I learned on Wikipedia: if our visas are not approved we have to leave the European Union after 90 days (November 18) and wait to return when they are approved. After pleading with the migration services board, our visa application, for which an expedited processing request was originally denied, has been approved. However, since SAAB should have had our visas processed and approved before we even entered the country the embassy will not stamp our passports while we remain in Sweden.

In all honesty, I was hoping that these visa shenanigans were part of an elaborate, divine plan for God to get me home for Thanksgiving. While trying very hard to maintain some realistic expectations, I began trolling the Lufthansa website for three roundtrip tickets from Gothenburg to Orlando. Obviously, SAAB doesn’t want to spend $3000 so I can nosh on roasted turkey, mashed potatoes drenched in gravy, and a hearty slice of pumpkin pie slathered in whipped cream. (What?  I’m three months pregnant.  Food is kind of a big deal right now.  Don’t judge me.)

The current compromise is this: SAAB is sending us to Copenhagen. The plan is, if we go to Copenhagen for a few days, we can visit the Swedish Embassy office sometime between touring castles and spending too much money at the Lego store and get our visas stamped into our passports. All in all, it’s not a bad deal. We wanted to visit Copenhagen during our time here anyway and we were even hoping to go in November, so to be able to go without using up Matt’s vacation time or having to pay for our lodging is a very generous blessing.

Even with an exciting trip to plan, it is hard to start another week in Sweden. As much as I miss the food that I’m used to, being able to walk outside without bulky layers, and the freedom of my driver’s license and a full tank of gas; it’s my family and friends that I long to see. I can’t deny that part of me is still hoping our visas won’t be processed while we’re in Copenhagen and we’ll have to make a last minute dash to the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I can’t say for sure what God’s plan holds for our family, but I know that no matter where we are, he will be also… And I know I can trust him to take good care of us.

Light

I am consoling myself with candy corn that arrived this morning in box number I-can’t-even-keep-track-anymore from my parents. It seems that my move to Sweden will result in a financial bailout of the US Postal Service singlehandedly financed by my parents. Usually receiving a package from home is the highlight of my month, but today I find myself feeling melancholy even after tearing into the box like the birthday girl who’s had too much cake.

My mom is such a thoughtful person. Everything about receiving a box from home reminds me of her.  Her careful print addressing the box in bold black marker, the maternity pants that she washed before sending so I wouldn’t have more laundry to do, the cheery card with a happy puppy on the front, pumpkin spice candles because she knows how much I love them. She knows me. And I miss her. As I try not to cry into my laptop, my ever-sensitive daughter is wiping at my tears and hugging her delicate arms around my neck.

I have so much to be thankful for, starting with my compassionate little girl, my caring parents, a husband who is dedicated to his family and diligent at work. I have a sturdy roof over my head, clothing to keep me warm, and food in the pantry. I have the freedom in my relationship with the God who is above all things and assurance that he will hear and answer my prayers. As the days become shorter I resolve to focus on these things; they bring light into my dark days.

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About a year ago, my small group at First Baptist Church of Oviedo encouraged us to take a Spiritual Gifts Survey to see how we can best serve the church. My results were interesting, but not surprising, ranking highest in administration, teaching, and hospitality. If you’ve spent much time with me, you’re probably grinning as you read this. I have an unusual affection for spreadsheets and checklists, I actually enjoyed (and sometimes miss) teaching middle school English for five years, and nothing makes me happier than planning a party, hosting girls’ night, or having friends over (for cupcakes, of course).

I was overjoyed to use my talents at planning to prepare my home for our first set of visitors. Matthew’s grandmother, mother, and youngest sister came to visit for a week in October. A mundane grocery list takes on a higher calling when you’re planning meals for family you haven’t seen in months!

Top on our list of sights is Stadsparken, the city park across from our house. The trees are ablaze with red and gold autumn leaves, something my Florida eyes can’t seem to get used to. We also explored the nearby city of Gränna (population: 2600, about half the size of my high school!) where peppermint rock, locally known as polkagris, was invented.

Gracie and GG (Great Grandma) playing with the iPad

Peekaboo!



Joy in Gränna



Though our time passed altogether too quickly we enjoyed sharing our new home and acquaintances with them. Gracie loved having new people to play with during the day and I enjoyed having some extra time for a nap! I hope these pictures have encouraged you to book your visit at Villa Furulid.  We would love to have you stay with us!  And I promise to make some tasty food while you’re here!

Breakfast included!

Dinner is also included (We're practically a resort!)