Between America & Norway

I love being home but I still have the feeling I am walking between two countries. One foot is in the US and the other is in Norway. I can close my eyes and easily imagine gigantic craggy mountains lining the fjords, turquoise water in pools and rivers along winding roads, the ocean at my sea-cabin doorstep, and water bursting out from high and low places. It's the nation of my heart and for that reason, I am completely in love. 

Although the photos of Norway are glorious and beautiful above, I have many reasons to be thankful about my life.  The good news is that I can see all of this with my eyes open, not through imagination but the reality of love and family. This is our gift from the Lord and the reason I am not sad here in the states.

Chad: my son and a delightful fellow

Stephen, Jenn and Samson: wonderfully glorious trio

Megs: beautiful daughter with a sweet spirit

Shya: Irrepressibly happy, beautiful & loving

Hunter: A cuddler extraordinaire and completely adorable

Thank you, Father, for the blessings in my life!

Hunty and ShyShy

Missing these lovely ones while we're in Norway........

A Thankful Heart

Vivien has been writing about the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving here and I am reminded again of how abundantly the Lord has blessed my life. I have a heart that is over-flowing with gratitude to Him for the beauty I see around me. Here are a few examples:

Shya Simone - 4 yrs

Hunter Augustus - 2 yrs

Samson Jude - 1 yr

Spencer Bailey Walden - 4 yrs

Chaddy with Spencer in his pocket

 Stephen & Jenn; Megs & Bryan

Chaddy, Sharon, Vivien and Corky

Raelynn in St Helena, CA (Yes, Raelynn, there are only photos on my Plog)

And last but never least, NANNY!

Life is so very, very GOOD!

Bunads!

There's nothing cuter than two wee grandbabies in their Norwegian bunads!

Shya is going to be four in a couple of weeks and Hunter turned two in August.

Here is a pic of Shya and Hunter with their magnificent mom, Meghann!

We're going Christmas-tree shopping soon! 

Utah, this is your queue to snow!!!!!

Adorable-ness

I love, love, love being home for a variety of reasons but seeing Shya and Hunter every day is at the top of the list.  They are absolutely delightful and it makes me so happy to hear them coming through the door calling, "Beste!!!!" It was fun to shop around Norway and find things to bring home that their compatriots don't have like viking helmets and bunads!

Hunter the Magnificent, Viking Boy!

Beautiful Shya in her 'big girl' bunad, the traditional dress for Norway.

This is the view of Spencer over my laptop screen. Adorable, eh?

I feel blessed to have such a lovely family: Megs, Chaddy, Shya, Hunter, Spencer and, of course, Vivi! It has helped with the homesickness I continue to feel for Norway. 

Three Little Beings I Miss

ShyShy the Beautiful Dancer!

Hunty the Magnificent!

And Spencie!

I have to admit that my heart aches a wee bit and I'm missing home....