Searching for our next rental.

So often I think of something I should write in here - thinking of this as a diary for the kids that eventually they will love to read! We've been pondering where our next home is. I really stressed out the first few weeks after we found that that for sure we'll have to move from here. And then I've settled down for the most part. Or well, to be honest, it depends on the day and moment how I'm faring. I'm not worried about the physical part of the move (well, not much anyway!), but that the kids have to again say goodbye to a home and school, and adjust to a new home, school, surroundings. To me it is just so sad. Seems unfair. But then I have to switch my thoughts when I get to feeling like this. I have to remember that God paves our path before us as we travel through our lives. He will guide us to where we will be living in August, and there is a reason why we can't just move back to home in Minnesota yet. Our minds want to fight this, but I realize as we go along looking for a place to live 'next', that I have to totally trust in God's plan.

It's a bummer that the kids will have to switch schools when for the most part they've found their spots in this school. For the most part. We are really hoping that we would find a home in Vantaa, so the kids can go to the International School of Vantaa. It's an 'English school'. Maybe would make the transition easier, since talking Finn has been such an obstacle for most of the kids.

On another note: Our eldest child turned 10 today, and our youngest turned 3! Kind of special that they share a birthday. Reflecting: Of course I can remember the day N was born. Entering foreign territory, going into deliver him (induced delivery.) And life has never been the same! And I would not go back to life before he was part of our family. I did not realize when the dr. and nurse commented just after birth (he gave a bit of obligatory crying, then started to check out the lights and such in the room) how alert he was, that he was abnormally alert. Usually a baby is just looking to be comforted. N was truly looking around. He was a delightful baby. Did not want to sleep much (we now know that sensory integration issues were keeping him hopping!), was quite spitty ... well really spitty, throw-upy, runny-poopy, until we started him on lactose-free formula. That and Zantac for acid reflux for a while. But this little boy was so sharp (I mean, exceptionally so) that I remember when I tried to put the Zantac into his bottle one time and he saw .. and refused to take the bottle. Once he saw I started with a new bottle and got a fresh drink in there, he took it right away! N has always been inquisitive, very smart, thoughtful and sensitive, and really fun. There have actually been a few people who have told me they get great entertainment just watching him in motion. These ones also have wondered ... what will he be when he grows up - he has great potential! We are so lucky to have him in our family and as our oldest child! Fast-forward to today: he is not in constant motion like he was as a little boy, but sure has energy. He loves sports - every kind. And has a natural talent in almost any sport or active play he tries. He's great in math, does his homework without me asking him to, gets himself to school on time (whoa! is something starting to go the right direction here?) He has a bit of temper and I have to remind him all the time to be careful because he has tremendous strength for his age. His foot size is just a tad smaller than mine - he is going to be a big guy. And I don't tell him often enough how much I love him. I hope he knows anyway.

And then our darling 3-year-old. Amazing how time has gone. Amazing that our baby is three already! He is also quite the go-getter. He's fun, outgoing, has (until quite recently) been very pleasant and agreeable. He is the apple of everyone's eye in the family. I remember when he was born and was healthy (after 3 babies not wanting to breathe after birth), and he cried and cried so hard - and the dr. said after a couple minutes that they would typically be attempting to soothe the little guy and quiet him down, but he knows how the crying is such music to our ears, they will let him cry for a bit. Another one with a sensitive tummy (I'm just realizing that not only is he lactose intolerant, but seems to be intolerant to milk protein, as well.) He's a busy, inquisitive, bright kid, too. He's learned the art of charm: 'Please, Mommy?', when he really wants me to do something or give him something. And for sure, it's hard to say no! And speaking of ... he just came with a stack of books and asked me to 'please' read ALL of these books. Who can say no to that?! We don't have to look at the messy house if we have our noses in a book, right?! :-)