Cold Summer Day

"Here I do walk,
Frost amongst the flowers,
On a cold summer's day,
On a cold summer's day."
- Erasure


I cannot remember wearing a jacket or sweater during the summer months ever. But I do remember Texas days that were even too hot for any type of clothing!

Today in Helsinki temperatures reached the mid-60's (this is not a typo). Big wore a sweater vest to church this morning and Little had a light weight jacket on at the park this evening. Just as fast as the summer weather approached us in June...it is now exiting us during the last few days of July. The "warm" days that reached a high of 86 just 3 weeks ago seem like a distant memory. It is that time again to pull out the long sleeves and blue jeans. Happy Summer!!

Trouble With Goodbye

"See ya round, gotta go,
Sayonara, adios,
Arrivederci,
Au revoir, auf Wiedersehen,
Ciao bella, never change,
Oh mercy mercy.
Don't make me cry.
I got trouble with goodbye."
- Le Ann Rimes








After a wonderful 10 days with my family, they headed back to Texas & South Carolina. Even though our tiny, one-bathroom apartment is not made for a family of 8...it was great having them here. A familiar face can make all the difference in the world in a foreign land!



Our days in Helsinki were filled with walks to our favorite parks, picnics, family dinners, and quality time. We also were able to visit the Serena Indoor/Outdoor Water Park, take a Helsinki sightseeing cruise, and tour the open air markets of the city. They were impressed with the taste of reindeer, perfect summer weather, and the ease of public transportation. At the end of their 10 day vacation, they were comfortable walking the city alone!


The best part was seeing 'Big' grin ear-to-ear each night while we were tightly fitted at the dinner table. He would grab Grandpa's arm to his right and his Aunt's arm to his left and sing the Barney song. (He has not watched that show in over a year!) He loved having everyone here...or maybe it was the attention 24/7.

Goodbye is always hard, especially knowing we will not see each other again until Christmas. The time will fly too, as it has already!

Oompa Loompa

"Oompa Loompa doompadee doo;
I've got another puzzle for you.
Oompa Loompa doompadah dee;
If you are wise you'll listen to me."
- Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory






We just completed our side trip to Germany. Once we landed in Cologne, we immediately toured The Dom then found ourselves walking the streets of the shopping district. Friday night we stayed in a hotel recommended by Rick Steves (of course). Cute and quaint on the outside...HOT with no ventilation on the inside. Nobody got much sleep, but we woke up early the next morning to take the 509 steps to the top of the bell tower at The Dom.





Then we took the train south along the Rhine with expectations to tour the Burg Eltz Castle. Once we arrived to the station and walked 15 minutes we encountered torrential down pours. With a vote tally of 3-2 (I lost)...we returned to the station and continued to our next stop.








Bacharach is a small town located on the west side of the Rhine River. We again stayed at a hotel made famous by Rick Steves. Cute and quaint...but the rooms were equipped with a fan and windows that opened this time. We walked the main street and then settled down for wine tastings of the local Rieslings.






After my detour on Sunday, I enjoyed the afternoon in Cologne touring the Imhoff-Stollwerck Museum and watching real Oompa's at work. I was also able to sample from the chocolate fountain, but disappointed that it did not look like the one Augustus Gloop plunged into. I then enjoyed a few cold Hefeweizien with some sausage at a German Kuchen along the Rhine. I eventually met up with my family that evening.

Unanswered Prayers

"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers.
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs,
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care.
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."
- Garth Brooks

6 years later, I again find myself lost and alone in a European city. This time Cologne, Germany...

May 2000...My heart was broken before I departed for a 6 week backpacking trip across Europe with a friend. 4 days into our trip, she missed her boyfriend and flew home. I continued the journey solo, searching for adventures and myself. While day dreaming, I would pray to fall in love with some Spaniard so I could live in Spain the rest of my life while our blue-eyed children ran along the beach. Or some Italian lover that would speak to me in a romantic language each evening, while I sipped Chianti on the terrace over looking our vineyard. Needless to say I returned to the US as planned and continued with my life.

July 2006...Early Sunday morning I left my mom and her husband along with my sister and niece at a hotel in Bacharach, Germany. I had to catch a flight back to Helsinki so Daddy could return to work on Monday. Long story short, the train was late, I got off at a wrong stop, boarded another, yadda-yadda-yadda, missed my flight. The airline we are using only has 1 flight out daily so I am stuck here until tomorrow. I do not know when my family is returning to Cologne this evening or where they plan to stay the night. I was able to purchase another flight out tomorrow...the one they are booked on also. They will be surprised to see me in the morning at the airport

The same man that broke my heart in 2000 is now at home with our 2 children. He was kind enough to offer to use up 10,000 of his star points so I could stay the night at one of the top hotels here. My frugal self declined, but found a great room (with AC) for 59 Euros. Thanks to unanswered prayers...I am lucky to have someone truly as amazing as him.

The Hotel California

"Welcome to the Hotel California.
Such a lovely place;
Such a lovely face;
Plenty of room at the Hotel California.
Any time of year, you can find it here."
- The Eagles

Not California...not even close. But the BEST Bed & Breakfast (lunch & dinner) on this side of the Baltic Sea.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first guests to Finland...home of Santa Clause and vodka! You can't imagine how excited we are since we have not seen our family in over 16 weeks. They too should be just as excited. Not only to see the boys, but to escape the 100+ degree weather and red ozone alerts. Helsinki forecast calls for highs in the 60's with lows reaching the mid-40's. A nice break for any Texan.

The next 2 weeks will be busy with sight seeing, a few guided tours, and a "Finnish" dining experience. Daddy and I will even be able to enjoy a few date nights.

Our luxurious pillow-top, queen-size air mattress is available all year...anyone welcome!

Telephone Rock

"Rock rock rock rock rock,
The telephone rock.
Everybody sing now.
Rock rock rock,
The telephone rock.
It's the latest thing yeah.
Rock rock rock,
The telephone rock.
Ya know ya hear that ring now.
Rock rock rock,
The telephone rock!"
- Sesame Street

I could not imagine living so far from home and having limited communication with loved ones. When phone calls where too expensive people relied on mail, taking weeks for their letters of love to arrive. Then came computer. E-mail and instant chat lets you talk with anyone "live" but only through key board strokes, aborting the human voice and emotion.


Thanks to Skype, we have spent $12.19 on out-going phone calls ($0.021/minute) since our arrival April 1. AMAZING!! For all in-coming calls, we paid $30 for 12-months and were able to pick any area and country code that we would like our home number to be. Thinking of our family's residence, we opted for an 817 area code. Both Grandmas, Aunt "M", and friends with a DFW metro number can call us from home for free. With Skype downloaded on your computer (its free), we can talk for free... unlimited. And with the blessing of web cams, Grandmas can watch Big & Little grow. Unfortunately, we always have to keep in mind the 8 hour time difference between Texas and Helsinki!

Being so far from my family during this time of loss...it has been nice to receive frequent phone calls from everyone. Thank you for all your calls, e-mails, letters & care-packages (even though they were mailed prior to), prayers, and thoughts during this time of sadness and loneliness. It is nice to feel loved through the miles.

Dad's body was cremated today at 0900 Texas time. May his memory, spirit, and soul live forever!

"It is not Death that will come to fetch me, it is the good God...death is the separation of soul and body...I am not afraid of a separation which will unite me to the good God forever." - Saint Therese, The Little Flower

You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma

"Here the city lights out shine the moon,
I was just now thinking of you...
I work 10 hours on a John Deere tractor,
Just thinking of you all day...
You're the reason God made Oklahoma,
You're the reason God made Oklahoma...
And I'm sure missing you."
- David Frizzell


(My wedding day - 20 February 2003)









15 March 1944 - 8 July 2006






(Big and Grandpa in his wheat field - 2 April 2004)





In loving memory of an amazing man and incredible father...my Daddy. May you now find eternal peace and happiness. I will love you always!




(Little and Grandpa - 4 July 2005)

Navajo Rug

"Aye, aye, aye, Katie,
Shades of red and blue
Aye, aye, aye, Katie,
Whatever became of the Navajo rug and you?"
- Jerry Jeff Walker


Most of our runs follow the path that leads us around the bay. It provides a variety of scenery for me and the boys....lots of boats, people, outdoor restaurants, ice cream shops, and rug cleaning. HUH??

For the first few months we passed these docks in the water that I thought encompassed "stand-up picnic tables." I never saw anyone enjoying a meal there, but do you blame them? It was still 40 degrees outside!

Now with the weather warming, it all makes sense. The docks have high tables that you place your rug on for cleaning. People haul their rugs, soap, buckets, and brush to the dock. Lather, rinse, repeat! Then you carry your rug/rugs back to the shore and hang over a post to dry. Once again the trust factor in Helsinki is amazing. No one stills these rugs. After a day or so, your rug is dry and ready to take home.

We have not participated in this event yet, but I promise if we ever do...pictures will be posted.

God Bless The USA

"And I'm proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me.
And I'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'cuz there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God Bless the USA."
- Lee Greenwood

I never thought I would be celebrating the 4th of July somewhere other than America. We went to a BBQ at the US Marine quarters in Helsinki. They offered a great spread of meats, salads, and desserts with an open bar. A pool table, ping-pong, and horse shoes provided entertainment. My boys preferred throwing rocks into the water.

All of the guests that we met were connected with the Embassy...employed by, through marriage, etc. So, we were the outsiders and was noticed by all. It was nice talking to other American families that have experienced Finland. Unfortunately the day was not concluded with an amazing firework display or even a black jack or sparkler. Those are the little things we miss from home. But we did enjoy the conversations, connections, food and cold beer.

Lovely Cruise

"These moments we're left with,
May you always remember.
These moments are shared by few.
There's wind in our hair.
And there's water in our shoes.
Honey, it's been a lovely cruise."
- Jimmy Buffett


We just completed our trip to Stockholm, Sweden. We boarded the "ocean liner" (as Big calls it thanks to Baby Einstein's On The Go) Friday evening. After running around on each deck and enjoying the view, exploring in the 2 play rooms designed for children, and our dinner buffet, we managed to have the boys asleep by 2200. The early morning sun allowed us to admire the Stockholm Archipelago before breakfast and our descent at 0930.

Stockholm is an amazing city that offers a lot to see and do. We began with a tour of the harbor, followed by a nap in the park, the Vasa Museum, a long stroll through the city, lunch at an Italian Kitchen, a quick run to the National Museum, a walk through Gamla Stan (Old Town), and a last stop at Marten Trotzigs gran...the steepest and narrowest little street in the entire city (39 steps and 90 cm)!

We had to be back on ship by 1730 for departure. The quick day did not allow us to explore as much as the city as we wanted...but that just gives us a reason to return. After dinner and more time in the play room, we all were in dreamland earlier than the previous night. We arrived into Helsinki Sunday morning at 1000 with our bags full (okay...our maximum limit) of 'duty free' goods and a few souvenirs.