Christmas Eve, and we have had a really nice day! It seems so nice to have Ami here all day - he's had so much work (which is good, I know), so we get used to doing things with him gone from 7 a.m. at the latest until early evening. So the boys have had chance to enjoy using the 4wheeler in the last couple days, and we've been attempting every day to do something towards Christmas cleaning. Last night before we went to bed we got the ham into the oven. The kids have been helping with various Christmas preparations ... some are more helpful than others with cleaning, and all of them like baking. Our traditional baking is piparis and tarts, and in America it has been to make karjalan piirakkas too. This year we didn't make those because they're inexpensive and good from the store (not quite as good as homemade, but anyway so convenient!) - but we did make candycane cookies and some jam cookies.
Oops, kids are calling Mom to come play a game before they go to sleep .. I hope I can get on here this evening still and write a bit more. We had a great day and evening! We are so blessed.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Christmas is coming!
We're not in any way ready for Christmas, but it's coming anyway. And it's as it is every year, we start thinking about, talking about, planning a bit for the season. It'll feel more like it's coming when Ami and I go shopping this coming weekend - should almost put the tree up then, too. The kids drew names, so they're excited to start their shopping. M bought her gift already - I have a rotating system with the kids for who gets to go with me to the store when I go grocery shopping. So D's next, and we go through the rotation. Except C doesn't make it - he doesn't seem to realize, and then the kids get turns a little more often. Those times to be alone with just me for a couple hours is so fun and important! C does get to the store, too - I end up going somewhere during the day it seems once a week or so, so the 'home' kids are with.
I've thought of a couple funny sayings lately that I should get written down - but ... let's see if I remember them. C's into cute little words like, 'that thingie' if he doesn't know what something's called, and some not so cute like 'you dummy' when he's upset with someone. Every kid has surprised me when I realize they know at least some colors. A couple weeks ago or so I realized that C knows some colors.
L talks about his friend Paulus - he has gotten so frustrated because we don't go visit Paulus' house often enough. It's so fun how they find their buddies! He's really good about whittling a computer turn almost every day - he'll get dressed, eat, do a job (he likes to empty the dishwasher) and then lets me know what all he's done, figuring he's earned his turn. And I usually let him take one then. The weather has been such that there's not much to do outside (no snow, dark and wet ... now we have a teeny bit of snow, but not enough to keep them occupied outside for very long when they go.)
K is still struggling with her potty issues. I'm not good enough about making sure she drinks lots - she'll take lots to drink, but then it sits in the cup. Also don't give her the stool softener like I should - according to the dr, her stools are soft, but she isn't getting them out. So that's probably why they are frustrating for me to use on her. Then we really have accidents. Tho now it seems she wets often during the day, too. Dr. took blood tests and came up with nothing, so we'll see what they see when they do ultrasound in a couple weeks. She's such an independent kid - she spends lots of time in her room doodling on paper, reading, looking at Aku Ankka's. She surprised me a week or two ago when she brought a book for me to read and I started reading, then pointed to a word for her to read and she took over the reading! She couldn't read every word, but sure did well. I was just giggling, I was so surprised!
D has this absolute devotion for his youngest brother. He just loves to play with him!! He likes school because he has buddies there, but would probably need more challenge than he gets. Already last year he would have been ready for more challenge, and now is again doing kindergarten since that's what 6 year olds do in Finland. He's a great worker, even at home. Likes to have his bedroom tidy, and does a great job (with L) getting it tidied up on Saturdays. He waits for the day he can have some real tools and make things. We should probably get the boys set up with things next spring. How do they learn if they don't have the equipment to practice with?!
M loves to sing! She also loves to play the piano. She doesn't want lessons at this poing, tho'. She would rather just play the songs she can figure out on her own, or what I can show her. So she doesn't play very many at this point - I'd love to get her into lessons so she could learn more, but she says no, so we won't waste the money! She also loves to write, draw, read ... I should get more English books here for them ... we always get from the library, but she'd probably like some 'Jack and Annie' books or some such.
T is also Mr. organized. He likes his room to be left alone, and tho' the desk might get a bit messy, it's otherwise usually in tip-top shape. He's still quiet in school, but does talk some, so he's come a long way! And it doesn't seem to bother him that he doesn't talk much - at least what we see of him, he's very self-confident. I wonder if Jr's biofeedback treatments did help him. He does have a hard time saying so if there is something he doesn't know (school work for example), but I think he's slowly starting to come around and can ask for help with homework and say, 'I don't know how to do this.' Schooling in Finn has sure been challenging. More so than I would have realized. T is one who knows when he's tired he should just go to bed, and he does. Not at some super early time, but he does tuck himself in earlier than most of the others usually. He likes to make scrambled or fried eggs, by the way, and does them well!
N also likes his bedroom to be left alone, and wants things to be in place. He gets frustrated because for some reason the kids do like to play in his room. I've tried to get them to switch rooms around and have his room as L's and C's room, and playroom as well. But he doesn't want to switch. He doesn't complain about school for the most part, but I know in some ways this has been really hard for him to have switched schools, and to have to do it in Finn. Tho' the teachers do their best, I think he really feels the pressure that he should start talking Finn - and then it makes him so anxious, he just can't talk it. Probably the 'oldest child syndrome' too - they just don't want to make mistakes. I know the Finn will come, and then will come well!
A has been working, working, working. I know we have to remember to appreciate the fact that he does have so much work to do. He was able to go buy us a van yesterday - so it'll make life much nicer (from time to time!) - we can just hop all together in one vehicle and go visiting on the weekends, for example.
We've missed home in America, but I'm trying to keep us remembering what we have to be thankful for (work = bills can get paid; work = we can sometimes do something fun; work = we can sometimes buy something fun - the boys have almost earned their 4-wheeler, and that wouldn't happen without sufficient work.) The older boys were realizing though, that tho' it's nice that Dad has work, we also miss having him home more like he used to be. But I told them that he won't always be this busy (as he's been in the last week, for sure - last week was very busy, with long days away from home.) It's good they like to have Dad around!
No Christmas card this year, I guess - couldn't get pics into the computer. Oh well.
I've thought of a couple funny sayings lately that I should get written down - but ... let's see if I remember them. C's into cute little words like, 'that thingie' if he doesn't know what something's called, and some not so cute like 'you dummy' when he's upset with someone. Every kid has surprised me when I realize they know at least some colors. A couple weeks ago or so I realized that C knows some colors.
L talks about his friend Paulus - he has gotten so frustrated because we don't go visit Paulus' house often enough. It's so fun how they find their buddies! He's really good about whittling a computer turn almost every day - he'll get dressed, eat, do a job (he likes to empty the dishwasher) and then lets me know what all he's done, figuring he's earned his turn. And I usually let him take one then. The weather has been such that there's not much to do outside (no snow, dark and wet ... now we have a teeny bit of snow, but not enough to keep them occupied outside for very long when they go.)
K is still struggling with her potty issues. I'm not good enough about making sure she drinks lots - she'll take lots to drink, but then it sits in the cup. Also don't give her the stool softener like I should - according to the dr, her stools are soft, but she isn't getting them out. So that's probably why they are frustrating for me to use on her. Then we really have accidents. Tho now it seems she wets often during the day, too. Dr. took blood tests and came up with nothing, so we'll see what they see when they do ultrasound in a couple weeks. She's such an independent kid - she spends lots of time in her room doodling on paper, reading, looking at Aku Ankka's. She surprised me a week or two ago when she brought a book for me to read and I started reading, then pointed to a word for her to read and she took over the reading! She couldn't read every word, but sure did well. I was just giggling, I was so surprised!
D has this absolute devotion for his youngest brother. He just loves to play with him!! He likes school because he has buddies there, but would probably need more challenge than he gets. Already last year he would have been ready for more challenge, and now is again doing kindergarten since that's what 6 year olds do in Finland. He's a great worker, even at home. Likes to have his bedroom tidy, and does a great job (with L) getting it tidied up on Saturdays. He waits for the day he can have some real tools and make things. We should probably get the boys set up with things next spring. How do they learn if they don't have the equipment to practice with?!
M loves to sing! She also loves to play the piano. She doesn't want lessons at this poing, tho'. She would rather just play the songs she can figure out on her own, or what I can show her. So she doesn't play very many at this point - I'd love to get her into lessons so she could learn more, but she says no, so we won't waste the money! She also loves to write, draw, read ... I should get more English books here for them ... we always get from the library, but she'd probably like some 'Jack and Annie' books or some such.
T is also Mr. organized. He likes his room to be left alone, and tho' the desk might get a bit messy, it's otherwise usually in tip-top shape. He's still quiet in school, but does talk some, so he's come a long way! And it doesn't seem to bother him that he doesn't talk much - at least what we see of him, he's very self-confident. I wonder if Jr's biofeedback treatments did help him. He does have a hard time saying so if there is something he doesn't know (school work for example), but I think he's slowly starting to come around and can ask for help with homework and say, 'I don't know how to do this.' Schooling in Finn has sure been challenging. More so than I would have realized. T is one who knows when he's tired he should just go to bed, and he does. Not at some super early time, but he does tuck himself in earlier than most of the others usually. He likes to make scrambled or fried eggs, by the way, and does them well!
N also likes his bedroom to be left alone, and wants things to be in place. He gets frustrated because for some reason the kids do like to play in his room. I've tried to get them to switch rooms around and have his room as L's and C's room, and playroom as well. But he doesn't want to switch. He doesn't complain about school for the most part, but I know in some ways this has been really hard for him to have switched schools, and to have to do it in Finn. Tho' the teachers do their best, I think he really feels the pressure that he should start talking Finn - and then it makes him so anxious, he just can't talk it. Probably the 'oldest child syndrome' too - they just don't want to make mistakes. I know the Finn will come, and then will come well!
A has been working, working, working. I know we have to remember to appreciate the fact that he does have so much work to do. He was able to go buy us a van yesterday - so it'll make life much nicer (from time to time!) - we can just hop all together in one vehicle and go visiting on the weekends, for example.
We've missed home in America, but I'm trying to keep us remembering what we have to be thankful for (work = bills can get paid; work = we can sometimes do something fun; work = we can sometimes buy something fun - the boys have almost earned their 4-wheeler, and that wouldn't happen without sufficient work.) The older boys were realizing though, that tho' it's nice that Dad has work, we also miss having him home more like he used to be. But I told them that he won't always be this busy (as he's been in the last week, for sure - last week was very busy, with long days away from home.) It's good they like to have Dad around!
No Christmas card this year, I guess - couldn't get pics into the computer. Oh well.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Broken table
A couple days ago one of the legs broke off the dining room table. I did my typical fix and wrapped tape around it!! :-) Well that didn't work very well, but Dad got something propped under so it'll stay enough until we rig up a new table. The table leg had still been on (somewhat) until yesterday, it came off, but the table was propped so I didn't stick the leg back under the tape. Lucas noticed that the leg was off and told me, "Mom look! There aren't even any toes on anymore!" I had to chuckle - in other words, the whole leg is off, not even the little curled part on the bottom of the leg were left standing!
Niclas was so cute when we were talking yesterday - I can't remember what the topic was to begin with, but then he was saying that when he's grown up and if he's in the situation that he doesn't have money he will take any job he can get just to earn the money to buy food and the things that are really necessary to live. He added that there are many things we can live without, but of course he will have to have some kind job to have money to buy what is necessary. Then he said, and if there is someone else who doesn't have food, he will give them some of his money, because everyone has to have food to eat. And if for example he had $200, maybe he would give them half of it, ... or maybe even all of it if they really needed it badly and he had what he needed. He did say that he would rather save his money if possible, but he would be willing to give it away. I thought that was so precious - he was so serious. He has such a kind heart!
Travis and Derek are both very sensitive in that they want to have their sins forgiven before they fall asleep every night. They can be so challenging during the day at times - but they do not want to fall asleep without sins forgiven. Travis is a reader - when I go to the library and get books, he has the chapter books read within a day or two. He's also very bright and with a quick wit - great sense of humor and he quickly catches on to humor in books. Derek loves to draw pictures and even make books, with the words and pictures. His last book was about a castle, king, knights, etc. It's not very long, but I love the detail!
Minda is very tender - her feelings inside and out get hurt very easily. As the boys say, she has sensory issues! :-) It sounds funny to hear kids talking like that, but I think it's probably true. She also likes to write and draw, too, and is good at it. She has (actually all the kids have to some extent) an interest in helping me bake. She catches on quickly to such things as how to form a karjalan piirakka and how to make a pulla braid. She is our only child who really 'dares' to use some Finn in school and sometimes with others.
Katja should be in kindergarten in America, but in Finland she won't start until next year. I'm not worried about her academics, though. She can write all the letters and numbers, knows shapes, etc. And she has taught herself to read pretty well already, and also sounds out words and writes quite alot. She also likes to draw pictures, but she does more writing than drawing these days.
It's hard to see that the kids aren't fitting themselves in super quickly with the Finn kids, when we go visiting or have company over. I guess it doesn't seem to bother our kids very much, so I shouldn't worry. They play amongst themselves (and fight) so much and well, I guess this way they will first get to slowly get to know Finn and gain friends at the same rate.
Niclas was so cute when we were talking yesterday - I can't remember what the topic was to begin with, but then he was saying that when he's grown up and if he's in the situation that he doesn't have money he will take any job he can get just to earn the money to buy food and the things that are really necessary to live. He added that there are many things we can live without, but of course he will have to have some kind job to have money to buy what is necessary. Then he said, and if there is someone else who doesn't have food, he will give them some of his money, because everyone has to have food to eat. And if for example he had $200, maybe he would give them half of it, ... or maybe even all of it if they really needed it badly and he had what he needed. He did say that he would rather save his money if possible, but he would be willing to give it away. I thought that was so precious - he was so serious. He has such a kind heart!
Travis and Derek are both very sensitive in that they want to have their sins forgiven before they fall asleep every night. They can be so challenging during the day at times - but they do not want to fall asleep without sins forgiven. Travis is a reader - when I go to the library and get books, he has the chapter books read within a day or two. He's also very bright and with a quick wit - great sense of humor and he quickly catches on to humor in books. Derek loves to draw pictures and even make books, with the words and pictures. His last book was about a castle, king, knights, etc. It's not very long, but I love the detail!
Minda is very tender - her feelings inside and out get hurt very easily. As the boys say, she has sensory issues! :-) It sounds funny to hear kids talking like that, but I think it's probably true. She also likes to write and draw, too, and is good at it. She has (actually all the kids have to some extent) an interest in helping me bake. She catches on quickly to such things as how to form a karjalan piirakka and how to make a pulla braid. She is our only child who really 'dares' to use some Finn in school and sometimes with others.
Katja should be in kindergarten in America, but in Finland she won't start until next year. I'm not worried about her academics, though. She can write all the letters and numbers, knows shapes, etc. And she has taught herself to read pretty well already, and also sounds out words and writes quite alot. She also likes to draw pictures, but she does more writing than drawing these days.
It's hard to see that the kids aren't fitting themselves in super quickly with the Finn kids, when we go visiting or have company over. I guess it doesn't seem to bother our kids very much, so I shouldn't worry. They play amongst themselves (and fight) so much and well, I guess this way they will first get to slowly get to know Finn and gain friends at the same rate.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Another busy day ...
The kids had a fun day at school today, and parents were invited too. Well, it was a fundraiser (for fieldtrips) - so the youngest ones and I went to see what it was all about, and it was pretty fun. You can buy a ticket and win a prize; each ticket wins. You pay and then pull a number, they then find the prize that matches that number. So the kids won a variety - C got a large Pooh bear eraser; L got a dog mug with small stuffed dog inside; K a stationary set; D a couple books; M a shake container (can make a shake in it), a cdrom, and some mints; T a bird candle holder, a stuffed animal, and a reflective vest; and N got 2 card games, a paper binder, and a man's tie. He wasn't very excited to win the tie - it was his second prize, and he threw it to the floor. It was a pretty stupid prize to put in for a kid. Think if someone went with money to buy only one ticket and that was the prize. Well, overall the kids had fun and enjoyed what they got.
We made our Wednesday library trip then too, and a quick stop at the bakery. Cole's 'funny' thing for the day (tho' I didn't think it was super funny right at the moment) ... he was helping himself to juice, and I noticed when I heard the juice pouring on the floor. His large cup was already filled and was overflowing, and he kept on pouring. I raced over and took the juice container away, and then he looked up at me and asked (so innocently), "Dat 'nuf Mom?" (That enough Mom?) We got a chuckle over that. And Niclas was so helpful, I got the bucket and mop, and he cleaned up the juice (it was a pretty big puddle!)
We made our Wednesday library trip then too, and a quick stop at the bakery. Cole's 'funny' thing for the day (tho' I didn't think it was super funny right at the moment) ... he was helping himself to juice, and I noticed when I heard the juice pouring on the floor. His large cup was already filled and was overflowing, and he kept on pouring. I raced over and took the juice container away, and then he looked up at me and asked (so innocently), "Dat 'nuf Mom?" (That enough Mom?) We got a chuckle over that. And Niclas was so helpful, I got the bucket and mop, and he cleaned up the juice (it was a pretty big puddle!)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Cute Cole ...
This morning I was folding clothes and started singing, "Gethsamane, Gethsamane, I must remember thee ..." And Cole looked at me and said, "Uh-uh got no money. You 'n a guys got a money." (Uh-uh means 'I don't, I didn't, I won't, etc., and the 'guys' are the other kids.) I just thought that was so funny!
We're taking life a day at at time here ... some days we seem to roll with the punches and some days we're more lonesome for America and our home there.
I need to get on here sometime soon and write an update on each of the kids. Well, maybe it's not an update on here, it'll be a starting point on here about each child, but ... give a description and some fond memories, perhaps!
We're taking life a day at at time here ... some days we seem to roll with the punches and some days we're more lonesome for America and our home there.
I need to get on here sometime soon and write an update on each of the kids. Well, maybe it's not an update on here, it'll be a starting point on here about each child, but ... give a description and some fond memories, perhaps!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Going back to September ....
I copied and will paste a blog post from my Bebo page ...
After the incident I wrote about in the last posting, Ami came home from the dr. with Cole, he said they had xrayed and didn't see anything. But morning he had a high fever, and it was up and down all day Thurs. and Fri., and Fri. he just wanted to be in my lap, had a raspy sound to his breathing, so I brought him to the dr. We were several hours at the clinic (mostly waiting - it's like urgent care, and just happened to be really busy), then to e.r., and were there for several hours before they admitted him. He had a high fever, was not dehydrated, but getting a bit dry, didn't want to tun his neck to the left, and his white blood count (?the one showing there's infection) was up to around 150. They considered using a bronchioscope?? today if the white blood count wasn't significantly lower and he wasn't feeling better. But he's much better, and the blood count was down into the 30's, so they let us come home (whew!! it was a long weekend!) He still doesn't really want to turn his neck to the left much, but it's better than it was. Well, thank goodness for modern medicine! All's well that ends well, hey?!! :-)
May be an interesting post to look back on in the future!
After the incident I wrote about in the last posting, Ami came home from the dr. with Cole, he said they had xrayed and didn't see anything. But morning he had a high fever, and it was up and down all day Thurs. and Fri., and Fri. he just wanted to be in my lap, had a raspy sound to his breathing, so I brought him to the dr. We were several hours at the clinic (mostly waiting - it's like urgent care, and just happened to be really busy), then to e.r., and were there for several hours before they admitted him. He had a high fever, was not dehydrated, but getting a bit dry, didn't want to tun his neck to the left, and his white blood count (?the one showing there's infection) was up to around 150. They considered using a bronchioscope?? today if the white blood count wasn't significantly lower and he wasn't feeling better. But he's much better, and the blood count was down into the 30's, so they let us come home (whew!! it was a long weekend!) He still doesn't really want to turn his neck to the left much, but it's better than it was. Well, thank goodness for modern medicine! All's well that ends well, hey?!! :-)
May be an interesting post to look back on in the future!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Fall Break
We've been surviving Fall Break this week - without wheels to go anywhere! The first couple days the kids were going stir-crazy. I think I almost went over the edge on Tuesday - the commotion, noise, constant bickering, and kids not hearing my voice over all the noise. My nerves were frayed by evening. But Wednesday and today the kids have played soooo well. They have been making mailboxes on their bedroom doors, making mail for each other, inviting each other to parties, etc. I wish we could at least make it to the library, but we just can't because we don't all fit in the car. 5 seatbelts and 8 of us (the kids and me.)
I hear Minda reading to Cole in Finn! The kids haven't talked much Finn, but it'll come.
I smell the makkarakeitto calling my attention. It's no good if the makkara gets cooked for too long on a too high heat, I've realized!
We're hoping to attend the Thanksgiving course at Jamsa Opisto in a little over a week. Sounds like it will be a really nice weekend!
I hear Minda reading to Cole in Finn! The kids haven't talked much Finn, but it'll come.
I smell the makkarakeitto calling my attention. It's no good if the makkara gets cooked for too long on a too high heat, I've realized!
We're hoping to attend the Thanksgiving course at Jamsa Opisto in a little over a week. Sounds like it will be a really nice weekend!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Life in 'Land
Life has changed more than I would have ever imagined when I last posted. We made a huge, huge decision to move back to 'Land. Here's lots of work for A; at home in America there just wasn't anything much anymore (work.) We have renters for our home there, we have a rental home here. We're settled in here for the most part - the language is coming along pretty slowly for the kids, but I guess it's only been a couple months.
The household is crazy - I'd better go settle things down.
The household is crazy - I'd better go settle things down.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Fun summer day
We had a fun day today - although there's always an underlying stress from A not having enough work. I went grocery shopping in the afternoon, and then we went to the lake. We have J here from 'Land for the summer, and a couple of cousins from P and K's family (C and O); we took turns on the boat and fishing from the dock. Had the puppy along too - he's a rascal, but we have fun with him (sometimes, anyway!!) We were at the lake for about 4 hours. Or more?? Got home at about 9:00.
I'm taking some online classes - I'm taking my 3rd one now, an algebra class, and will then have another math class the other summer session. Let's see where this leads me. Possibly to nursing school eventually.
We forgot N's piano lesson today. We'll get it in tomorrow or next week, and then will be done with lessons until fall. T has realized that he can get the bird to sit on his shoulder and carry it around the house when it's sitting there. N likes to carry it on his shoulder too now, and K has too. The others are probably too nervous still to have it on their shoulders. Anyway, kind of fun for the kids!
I'm taking some online classes - I'm taking my 3rd one now, an algebra class, and will then have another math class the other summer session. Let's see where this leads me. Possibly to nursing school eventually.
We forgot N's piano lesson today. We'll get it in tomorrow or next week, and then will be done with lessons until fall. T has realized that he can get the bird to sit on his shoulder and carry it around the house when it's sitting there. N likes to carry it on his shoulder too now, and K has too. The others are probably too nervous still to have it on their shoulders. Anyway, kind of fun for the kids!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hey- getting started!
I have to start this off just like I've been doing this or a long time - in other words, I'll not start describing each child, etc., but let their descriptions and personalities show as I blog. I'm excited to start this type of 'diary' for the kids to read when they're bigger!
The kids spent lots of time in the pool today - as they have done in the last couple weeks. It's so fun to have the pool, but I think we have to think of putting some type of higher fencing or such around it to be sure C and L aren't able to get in when we're not aware. What a great addition to our yard for this summer!
So, with that, I'll sign off for the day! It's too late to write much more ...........
The kids spent lots of time in the pool today - as they have done in the last couple weeks. It's so fun to have the pool, but I think we have to think of putting some type of higher fencing or such around it to be sure C and L aren't able to get in when we're not aware. What a great addition to our yard for this summer!
So, with that, I'll sign off for the day! It's too late to write much more ...........
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