January 17, 2013 - Back to Blogging

Hello 2013.  It's taken me awhile to catch my breath and find some time to sit down to blog a bit.  Grace, Noah and I are still in the US.  We have had bursts of busyness with some down time as well; we have missed Far since he went back to Dar last week and look forward to reuniting with him in another week's time.  

I haven't been so great with the camera this trip, especially because THE FLU (Kristoffer) and SERIOUS WINTER COLDS (everyone else!) are not particularly pretty to photograph.  We have had the pleasure of catching up with friends who are so dear to me from high school and college and the family circuit too. We've met up with some dynamic dinosaurs, shared story time at the library, and marked a milestone or two (Noah's first haircut...and soon his 2nd birthday!).  

Since we are starting to think about repatriating to the US in another year or two, it is nice to know that our kids will be so easily indoctrinated into Western culture when the time comes:   i.e. we haven't been here yet a month and Grace knows the words to two Taylor Swift songs (it's true...but thankfully, she still prefers Adele!) AND while Noah's vocabulary is still pretty limited he can say OREO. That said, we're ready to get back to our regularly scheduled program in Dar.  I didn't realize that 7 weeks away from home would be a bit sad for our girl, who has her own social life and misses it a lot (along with her house and her room and her Rose...).  And it is a little bittersweet to leave knowing that we are not likely to come home again for 12-14 months, depending on what the future has in store for us.

But let me not get ahead of myself.  Here are some sweet moments from our 2013 so far:

The Dinosaur Show in Boston

 Noah's First Haircut

 Playdate with Will, Finn, and Baby Bridget (their parents, J & Dave, too!)

Just Hanging Around

I hope the year is starting out well for everyone else.  I am eager to see where the year takes us.

LMW

December 31, 2012 - Annual Year End Blog

Time to say goodbye to 2012.  

Best parts of the year included: Noah's adenoid surgery last January which has allowed him - and us! - to finally get some sleep and finally making our move to Tanzania.  We are very grateful for the Nordic School community that is a great environment for our children to play and grow, while also learning Scandinavian languages and culture.

Difficult parts of the year included navigating our transition to Dar, Kristoffer's adjustment to a new kind of work, and the tragic loss of my newborn nephew, Kyle.  We remember him in our thoughts and prayers everyday, and especially pray for Christine and Kevin and Zoe.

We hope that 2013 is a really big year for us.  I hope to learn to scuba dive and to travel much more within Africa, especially if this is our last year living there (and we are not ruling out a trip up Kili). I want this to be the year that I finally get in shape.  Now that I am all caught up and organized in terms of photo albums and baby books, I also hope that this year I finally do something with the last 6 years of video footage we have taken.  I hope that we make progress on our children's book project that we are working on with my friend Sarah.  

Kristoffer says, about 2013: EVERYTHING BETTER.  He hopes to learn to sail.  He hopes for some clarity about our future after 2013.  He would love to do something nice for his wife (that was a direct quote - I'm excited!), publish our children's book, lose weight and get in better shape, and to end poverty.  Good thing he isn't aiming too high :)

This is what Grace has to say about the new year:

When Noah was cornered about the new year, he would only say, "Nene! Nene! Nene!" So I hope my mom knows what that is all about, because clearly he has high expectations from her!

We wish all of you a happy, healthy new year.  This year we learned that you can never quite predict what will happen.  You can't fully plan.  As you experience life you have to do the best you can to enjoy it when it's good and get through it when it's hard, appreciate your loved ones, and somehow make the world a little bit better than you found it.  That is my wish for my own family, and all of you.

Kwaheri 2012....Mambo 2013!

LMW

December 30, 2012 - Christmas Kids

A Very Merry Christmas Eve and Morning in Denmark...

~ Trip from Denmark to Boston on the 26th was smooth and easy.  Yippee! ~

Christmas with the Mueller Family on the 27th followed by another day of family fun...

Highlight was Grace getting Buzz Lightyear - the toy she wanted most for Christmas - from Uncle Mark, Aunt Carrie, Matthew and Nathan.

Mueller Grandchildren...so nice to be all together but also incredibly sad without Kyle.

Making reindeer cookies with Zoe

It is nice to be in America to start a new year!

LMW

December 24, 2012 - Christmas Eve

We are having the nicest time staying at Rasmus and Jytte's house, and have also had two nice visits with Farfar and Marianne.  Last night we were at their house for a full-family dinner, including Morten and Lexi from London and Mikkel's family with 7-week old baby Karla (she is the sweetest thing).  

We start our Christmas Eve festivities in just about an hour.  The night of the 24th is when Danes have a big Christmas dinner and exchange gifts. Because we combine traditions in our family we still have a Santa Claus morning tomorrow (one sack of presents for the kids and stockings for everyone).

Here are some Christmas scenes and faces - although sorry we didn't take that many! - of the last few days. 

I know I am not alone, particularly in my family, in feeling pretty emotional this Christmas.  It is hard for me not to think about Kyle constantly...or Newtown almost as often.  It is a joyous holiday mixed with some pretty serious grief this year.  The Christmas album of John Denver and the Muppets is my favorite, and these lyrics from one of those songs, have been on my mind, bringing me a little bit of peace. I share it with you, wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

LMW

The Peace Carol

The garment of life, be it tattered and torn,

the cloak of the soldier is withered and worn.
But what child is this that was poverty-born, the peace of Christmas Day.

The branch that bears the bright holly, the dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day.

The hope that has slumbered for 2000 years,
the promise that silenced 1000 fears.
A faith that can hobble an ocean of tears, the peace of Christmas Day.

The branch that bears the bright holly, the dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day.

Add all the grief that people may bear, 
total the strife, the troubles and care.
Put them in columns and leave them right there, the peace of Christmas Day.

The branch that bears the bright holly, the dove that rests in yonder tree.
The light that shines for all to see, the peace of Christmas Day.