Finland and the fears

We are about to embark on a new journey. Many of you already know that we are moving to Finland at the end of February. There are many mixed feelings about leaving but mostly we are joyful. We look at this change as an opportunity to start over again and make our life better. We want to stay positive and not get down about the "what ifs" in our future.

I will miss my Mom. She is a great influence in my life as well as in my daughters life. She loves them so much and it is very hard knowing that they will be seperated. I hope that Mom can travel to Finland often considering we will not be able to visit the U.S. very much. My Dad is okay with our leaving and understands what we are doing. That helps me to feel like I can say, "see you later" rather than goodbye.

I don't like goodbyes. I don't like them AT ALL. I avoid goodbyes at all costs. I seem cold and distant when I say goodbye (or so I think). We are not emotional people in my family. My Dad's side is more emotional and that is a refreshing change when they come around. I just don't like that feeling of not seeing someone again. I already choke up when I think about missing out on something. That is why I am going to start writing out my thoughts. So if you don't think I will miss you.... I assure you, I will.

I have always wanted to get closer to my aunts, uncles and cousins but with different lives and busy schedules it's been hard. I feel close to them even though we don't spend much time together. I truly am a very deep loving person. I think that's why I struggle with emotion. I don't want to look like a lunatic when I see someone... I am very loving with my girls and my husband. I could be more so. But I do think I try.

I will keep up with posting my thoughts and our family adventures. Please check back often. I want to stay in touch.

The blessing of Andrea Briell Patomo

On May 3rd, 2009 we presented our baby girl to Heavenly Father. She was very calm and slept most of sacrament meeting. We are grateful to those who came to support us on such a special day.

Happy 30th birthday Antti! We love you

We had a fun get together with all of our close friends and family for Antti's 30th birthday. My good friend made this cake because Antti is from Finland where berries are very common. We wanted to give him a little bit of his homeland at his party.

I am so happy that I have been able to spend these past 6 years with such an amazing man. He is truly the heart of our family. We love you Isi.

Park time!

We love going to the park to play! What a great day to be with friends.

Thank heaven for little girls!!

Christmas Day

We had a great Christmas. Girls slept in until 7 am and Nana and Papa came to watch them open gifts. We have done this for 2 years in a row. We have enjoyed having them be a part of our Christmas morning. When Eila opened her new blanket she was SO EXCITED. She cuddled right up. It was nice to have Hannu with us also because we don't get to see him much.

Santa came for Christmas Eve!

This was so fun! Santa walked all the way from the North Pole to visit us. Eila happened to be sitting in the window when he walked up... She said and I quote: "Santa's walking down the sidewalk... Santa's coming up our driveway.... HEY SANTA'S COMING TO OUR HOUSE!!" It was very fun. She really enjoyed it. Liana not so much but she did watch.

Visiting Joulupukki

Of course Liana hated sitting on Santa's lap but Eila was starstruck. She was so excited to tell what she wanted. Eila had forgot to mention she wanted a new blanket because we had lost her original so since the line was so long to go back around we just decided to have her whisper it to him across the mall and he would hear it... Worked well :)

Craft day!

I saw these very inexpensive wooden toys that I thought the girls would love. They both picked out thier own. Liana picked a train and Eila picked a boat. It was a lot of fun to see them so happy.

I know, I know.... Halloween is over

I just wanted to show you how cute our girls were!! Liana was a unicorn and Eila was a horse.

It will grow back..... I hope!

In October of last year we took the girls to get a shorter haircut because it was just becoming to much to deal with the screaming and crying over tangles. We took off at least 6 inches on Eila and 3 on Liana. It was a lot of hair and I was sad!!! It has been 4 months and I am not seeing to much regrowth yet but I hope for the future :)