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.