Hur går det?

Under veckorna i Finland fick vi ofta den frågan, och den är alltid lika svår att svara på. Mitt standardsvar är att vi lever - på något konstigt sätt har vi överlevt i över sex månader utan vår Matilda, med en enorm smärta och saknad. Den här kvinnan, vars baby dog i april, har beskrivit hur det är att mista ett barn på ett mycket bättre sätt än jag någonsin skulle kunna. Vi känner båda igen oss i hennes beskrivning. Tyvärr är det bara på engelska, men förhoppningsvis går det att förstå även om man måste använda google translate.

Köksmatta

Tack Martina för den fina mattan! Passar perfekt i vårt kök.

Wedding

The main reason we went to Finland was my youngest brother Paul's wedding. He was the last of my six siblings to get marries. It was a great day. The bride and groom were beautiful, the reception was wonderful, the food was great. We all had a good time, even though Edith was a bit sick. Weslie had been asked to say the closing prayer - and he did it in Swedish! He's gotten so good at it and I'm so proud of him.

The beautiful bride Johanna

My dear brothers

Father and sons

My parents and siblings

My parents with all their children with spouses. I'm blessed to have an amazing family.

Edith had fun too. Here with her oldest cousin Ellen, 11 years.

Edith and uncle Tussi

With her goofy cousins Edgar, Elis and Hannes.

Still Alive

We are still alive, and trying to enjoy our last days here in Finland, while struggling with a lingering bad cold. Edith has had lots of fun with her cousins and beloved Mommo and Moffa, but she's also had a rough time with jetlag and a cold and cough for two weeks. Today we had to take her to a doctor, after she got a high fever last night. Turns out she has an ear infection, so now she is on an antibiotic. We are so thankful we found out now and we pray that she'll recover quickly, so that our return trip on Monday goes well. Weslie has also been sick for a week now, and I have just recovered from my cold. Despite this we enjoy visiting with family and friends. 

The weather has been nice and cool from a Texas standpoint, low of 55 and high of 80. Once again, we should have brought a bit more clothes. I think I have been gone for too long, I have forgotten how cool the Finnish summers can be. Here are some pictures from our time here.

Meeting family and friends at the summer fest of my little hometown, Lepplax.

Enjoying Mommo's delicious food (while watching Moomin on her ipad...)

 

Swimming in the cool waters of gulf of Bothnia
 

Playing with cousins.
 

Eating blueberries. All you have to do is step outside the door and there are lots and lots of delicious blueberries.

 

Free to run around everywhere - no poisonous snakes (well, there's one but it doesn't kill you) or spiders or scorpions.

 

Edith and Isabelle
 

The cousins - hard to get them all to cooperate (one is laying on the floor, crying to the right).
 

Six Months

Today Matilda would be six months. It has been six incredibly long and sad months without her. She left us way too soon. Mamas shouldn't have to say goodbye to their babies. Sisters should have time for sleepovers, and sharing clothes and secrets. Daddies should get to walk their daughters down the isle. (If I may borrow the words of this mama). Instead we are left with empty, aching hearts and arms. We miss you so much, our sweet Matilda.

Summer

Enjoying a nice summer day at mommo's house.

Jetlag

It's 11.30pm and Edith is up for some late night playing after a few hours of sleep. Mama would rather be sleeping right now. Jetlag is not fun...