Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Date Night

I how I wish I had the luxury of going on a date with my lovely hubby but he is still far far away and I have to wait for that until after Christmas. So, the next oldest Missokia "took" me out :). This is what he does 95% of the time:



So when he got tickets to go and see Pikkukakkonen concert for his birthday he was overjoyed. The concert was yesterday night at Tampere-talo. We have been to some Fröbelin palikat concerts but they are always at some school gym, so this was the first time going to a proper concert hall. Jaana and her little cutie Hugo joined us too. It was filmed by Yle also, but I really hope the camera didn't catch us since I was rocking the tired mama look a bit too much. It was nice to be just the two of us, and while we missed little Max, it gave me a glimpse of how life would have been with only Julius around. Whether it is a good thing or not (I say yes, but that's just me) he has had to become more independent and more self-sufficient than if I could only focus on him. I noticed that I was serving him far more, than I normally do, because it's just impossible since my attention is divided between the two. Julius is older, so most of the time it is Max who gets help for example in getting dressed while J takes care of himself. I wouldn't change it though even if I had the option to go back. They love each other so much, and I can just imagine the teenage years when Max will be getting in trouble and J will be the to back him up - and vice versa.

But thanks for the night out my little dude :) 


at the concert hall... What on earth happened to my hair????


J man









Sunday, October 20, 2013

The BEST best friend of the world

When I was two years old my parents built us a beautiful home in Hervanta. The area wall full of little kids and quite fast we were a group of girls growing up together. While I've lost touch with every other person from that group I have always had Jaana by my side.

We shared our first day of school together, playing horses on our back yard, gossiping about boys and talking how cute is the one next door. She kept me sane when I was doing gymnastics every day - she was still there while others got frustrated of me always being away. When were we teenagers my parents were always happy if Jaana was part of the group that I went out with. They knew that she would make sure I got home safely, which she always did. She was there listening Anja Niskanen with me and dreaming about whoever was the current boy I was "madly" in love with, she even delivered love letters on my behalf ;).

Even though we have lived in different cities or even on the other side of the world, I have always know she is there for me. She was there for my wedding day (and you can imagine me being the bridezilla) in Finland and in Tanzania too. She is Julius' godmother. No matter how much time passes, we always have the connection and I know I can call her even in the middle of the night. She has always balanced my life. I never have the pretend to be anything else than me if I'm around her.

I was watching this movie the other week the words from 01:33 were like talking about her. 




Happy 31st birthday my lovely Jaana. Hope you have a good one! You are the best friend anyone could ever hope for. I hope I can be half as good of a friend to you. Let's see if we can make it to 40 together ;).


Coming back from school day 1





Friday, October 18, 2013

Brothers...

Sweet moment I witnessed:
I'm downstairs watching tv after bedtime. The boys are still up reading books in their room.
Max drops something and starts crying äiti... Before I even have a second to respond I hear Julius saying: "don't cry Max, I'm here..."

Big fights = a lot of love, my guys <3



Monday, October 14, 2013

Older and wiser??

I'm 31, thirty one, today. When did this happen? I feel like I went to sleep at 27 and woke up 4 years later. This is another reason to keep up with the blogging. At least this way I can look back one day and see that oh, yes that's what happened. I get it now, this is why these years are called the rush hours years.

I don't feel old, and I don't think 31 is that old either. Growing up though it felt like when you're thirty you should be "done" with life. And on paper my life might seem like that I'm there: a house, husband, two kids and job but still I feel like screaming I don't even know what I WANT to do when I grow up, so how can I be thirty already???? Does anyone else feel lost at this age or did you find what you love to do?? 

I really don't mind being thirty-one, isn't the new hot thing to be fourty, so I still have 9 years to that, but the expectations that come with being a grown-up suck. Shouldn't life be a discovery that continues throughout your whole life? I still want to learn and experience and do different things... So happy birthday to me, another year has passed by while I was busy living life :) I think next year I will be many experiences richer, who knows maybe I will finally come up with what I want to do with my life.

Monday, October 7, 2013

The Angels of my life...

Saturday night I start feeling it. I'm getting sick and this is no joke. During the night I spend most of it in a hot bath since it seems to be the only place where the pain is not so horrible. I load up myself with pain killers and dread the morning when the little guys get up. When morning comes after sleeping for two hours I know I won't make it through the day without some reinforcements. Quick call to my dad and mom, my two emergency Angels. Dad will come for the morning shift and mom will try to make it after nap time. Pain is not getting any easier even though I'm taking 1g panadol. Fever stays the same.
With the help of my parents we survive the day. When I go pick up the giddos after my visit to the doctors I get greeted with big smiles and guilt of not spending the Sunday together subsides. Julius is asking if I am ok, do I need to go to the hospital, did I take my meds already and volunteers to hold my hand while we walk to the car so I won't get hurt. He makes sure that his little brother has his seatbelt on and reminds me to drive safely and stop when the trafficlight is red. My caregiving Angel.
Today I woke up when the smallest family member put his hand into mine and sighed "äiti".My little golden Angel. After a night of such a stuffy nose and a subsequently a dry mouth that I spent it dreaming of a coca cola glass that just would reach my mouth no matter how many times I would tilt it, wake up like that feels like I'm in heaven.
7:32. The best neighbors ever take over the morning routine, and get the kids to daycare on time. I get to rest and am told that there will be a lunch delivery later on in the day. Always there when you need someone the most. Everyday Angels who understand what it is to run a household alone and what moments of the day you need them the most. 
On top of this I got other offers to take the kids or help me otherwise. I would much rather have Tonny here to back me up when these situations arise, but I rest easier knowing that if I have an emergency, my boys will have easily 10 people making sure they are ok.
How lucky am I??? Thank you God for blessing my life with all these wonderful people. 




Thursday, October 3, 2013

Muumi Seikkailu Muutto

At the beginning of the fall I saw this new Arabia Muumi-mug in the shops and it stuck with me.
It’s called Move, New Adventure.

Then two weeks ago we made a decision that the whole family will be moving to Tanzania at the end of this year. The cup got even more meaning. New adventure. 

There are many reasons to justify this choice: rational, emotional, any kind. One of the decisive ones is Julius’ health, because he was doing perfectly while Tonny was here, and not so much since he left again. Stress on my kids is just not something I can live with. 

This way we get to be a family while Tonny is on his new adventure. It is scary, exciting, wonderful and sad all at the same time. We will have to leave many wonderful friends here in Finland, the amazing day care group that the boys are a part of, our beautiful home and of course family too. But luckily planes fly both ways and we can come back and the nearest and dearest can come to visit us too. I won’t mind leaving the cold Finland and seeing the ocean again. We also have family there, and the boys get to be with them and bond with them too. We all get to improve our swahili, and come back - which I know for sure one day we will - stronger, and our energies filled with an amazing life experience. 

My new philosophy in life is to live for me, and for the things that make me and my kids and my husband happy. Right now this is it. Just being together, no matter where in the world it will be, is what makes me happy. What fills me with pure joy just from being alive. And because of that feeling, I know, that even if the change will have some obstacles on the way, this decision is the right one to make.

We’re coming home baby….



The little Guy’s big birthday bash

Julius turned three at the end of August, but because we wanted Tonny to be part of his big day,
the party only took place September 14. He loves the Cars 2 movie (could be explained by the fact that he got to watch it way too many times during rush hour traffic in Tanzania, thank you iPad) and for a while we have been thinking that it might be cool to take him to his first real movie experience. So, what better than to test this as his b-day party. I found couple of amazing versions of this online (mostly from allthingsgd.com) and did my best. By no means could I reach her level, but something like it at least :D !

And no, we did not spend a fortune on this party. Actually if you take away the thank you-gifts, it was probably the cheapest birthday ever. We loved the opportunity of being able to invite all of his friends and family. No limitations needed because the space was vast, and easy for a big group of people. 

Birthday boy with his new favourite toy, it’s from the new Planes movie, so I guess we know what will be the next favourite thing



We rented the old Hervanta movie theatre called Cinola. Using a plain old projector, speakers and some decoration magic the place looked awesome. The amount of guests was well over fifty, but it was easy enough since there were enough seats for everyone, lots of toilets and plenty of room for kids to run around.




Every kid got to go home with their car themed toy, and a little licence plate- thank you card with their name on it



Birthday boy got to sit with his two favourite people Vaari and Miikka-eno


The snacks included movie stuff like popcorn, candies and nuts and raisins

Drinks bar




It was an amazing afternoon spent with friends and family. The pictures don’t seem to do it much justice, but trust me :) (Tonny was in charge of the camera, but he ended up enjoying his time with friends and family too much to remember to take any photos)

See: he was there, enjoying the smallest Missokia

Once again, happy birthday Julius! Next up, little Max will be turning two…. HAH!