I don't want to be in an airplane for at least 10 years :)
Our flight to NY was cancelled due to wind and snow so they routed us to Paris instead. We had to wait in Salt Lake for 6 hours before the plane took off. The girls behaved pretty well but they were restless by the time the plane was ready. Eila did very well considering the 9 1/2 hours we flew to Paris. Liana feel asleep before take off and slept for about 6 1/2 hours. She woke up for food and colored a bit. Andrea fought sleeping for the first 3 hours and eventually dozed off. Antti and I stayed awake most the time and read a book. Overall we got through it okay.
We miss Utah. On our way to Antti's parents house we were in seperate cars. He went with one brother and I went with the other. We both afterwards said how we felt anxious and wanted to go back. It's funny when you are sure about something you can still be scared. I think we are doing better. Once we feel a bit established I think it will get better.
Finland is beautiful and full of white snow. The air is clean and fresh and feels great. The girs have already played in the snow a bit and are going next week to sled and ride a pony! They are very excited. We miss our family in Utah and have already spoke on webcam today. It was nice to see them.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Keep Smiling...
Today was Antti's last day at Kennecott. I was anxious all day because I know how much he loves his job. I take on his sadness because he is putting on a tough face. I know he is hurting and is scared about his future employment. In a way I feel responsible for his pain.
Since about 2 1/2 years ago I started feeling the need to consider moving back to Finland. I consider myself to be someone who doesn't focus on something unless it is important and this feeling seemed important.
I was afraid to tell Antti. I knew how much he loved living in Utah. He has wanted to live in the western/desert lifestyle since he was young. He got his dream and I was about to take it away. Surprisingly though he wasn't opposed to the idea. He was a bit shocked and needed some time to process this possibility.
We didn't talk about it much for a couple months because I think we were both still processing. The feeling never went away for me. In fact it got more intense. I was freaking out a little because we had just bought a house a year earlier and our family life was great. Antti's job was solid... It couldn't get any better.
I soon knew I had to approach Antti with discussing it again. We both knew that because of a spiritual promise made to me in the past I was supposed to gain inspirations for my future family. Talk about pressure! I just knew I needed to stay with it and not push the thoughts away anymore. We started discussing different scenarios. Maybe school. Maybe work. Maybe stay. Maybe not.
In the early part of 2008 we decided to plan a trip to Finland for a vacation. I had already lived there but I needed to go back to feel it again. To get some clarity on my feelings. To see what it was that was calling us back. No, I didn't get any sure sign or anything. I just felt peaceful like I was at home. My kids were at home. Even though I saw possible hurdles and struggles I knew. And I think Antti even felt it somewhat.
We came back and started planning little by little. Still I think for Antti and others it didn't seem real yet. At this time we started experiencing financial struggles. We put our house up for sale and it wasn't even getting tours. But after a few price drops and a few months on the market the tours started. We got 1 possible offer but it didn't work out. We tried everything. We invested money in building onto the house. By the time we reached the end of 2008 our yearly income had been cut in half due to the economy. I was 7 months pregnant and we couldn't afford our house anymore let alone pay for the baby to be born. To top that our vans transmission went out 3 days into the new year. That was the month we started making major decisions.
About that time I think I realized how the Lord works in mysterious ways. Everything was happening so fast. All of these changes that we couldn't control were happening to prepare us for our future.
I don't know what is going to happen in Finland. Sometimes I think we are moving there for my selfish reasons. I know that this is wrong but I still get bouts of guilt when I see how sad someone gets about our decision.
My Father in law spoke at our wedding and he said something like this: "Your life will not be easy. The kind of marriage you have is not typical, it's not going to be perfect all the time and you will have to work at being happy. But if you do stand by eachother and listen to the Lord, you will be happy".... I believe that.
Since about 2 1/2 years ago I started feeling the need to consider moving back to Finland. I consider myself to be someone who doesn't focus on something unless it is important and this feeling seemed important.
I was afraid to tell Antti. I knew how much he loved living in Utah. He has wanted to live in the western/desert lifestyle since he was young. He got his dream and I was about to take it away. Surprisingly though he wasn't opposed to the idea. He was a bit shocked and needed some time to process this possibility.
We didn't talk about it much for a couple months because I think we were both still processing. The feeling never went away for me. In fact it got more intense. I was freaking out a little because we had just bought a house a year earlier and our family life was great. Antti's job was solid... It couldn't get any better.
I soon knew I had to approach Antti with discussing it again. We both knew that because of a spiritual promise made to me in the past I was supposed to gain inspirations for my future family. Talk about pressure! I just knew I needed to stay with it and not push the thoughts away anymore. We started discussing different scenarios. Maybe school. Maybe work. Maybe stay. Maybe not.
In the early part of 2008 we decided to plan a trip to Finland for a vacation. I had already lived there but I needed to go back to feel it again. To get some clarity on my feelings. To see what it was that was calling us back. No, I didn't get any sure sign or anything. I just felt peaceful like I was at home. My kids were at home. Even though I saw possible hurdles and struggles I knew. And I think Antti even felt it somewhat.
We came back and started planning little by little. Still I think for Antti and others it didn't seem real yet. At this time we started experiencing financial struggles. We put our house up for sale and it wasn't even getting tours. But after a few price drops and a few months on the market the tours started. We got 1 possible offer but it didn't work out. We tried everything. We invested money in building onto the house. By the time we reached the end of 2008 our yearly income had been cut in half due to the economy. I was 7 months pregnant and we couldn't afford our house anymore let alone pay for the baby to be born. To top that our vans transmission went out 3 days into the new year. That was the month we started making major decisions.
About that time I think I realized how the Lord works in mysterious ways. Everything was happening so fast. All of these changes that we couldn't control were happening to prepare us for our future.
I don't know what is going to happen in Finland. Sometimes I think we are moving there for my selfish reasons. I know that this is wrong but I still get bouts of guilt when I see how sad someone gets about our decision.
My Father in law spoke at our wedding and he said something like this: "Your life will not be easy. The kind of marriage you have is not typical, it's not going to be perfect all the time and you will have to work at being happy. But if you do stand by eachother and listen to the Lord, you will be happy".... I believe that.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Friday, January 09, 2009
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 :)
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