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. 

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!

Julius is (almost) three!!!

I told the guy I want to take a picture of him as a three year old.. This is the pose he decided would suitable. I think the guy wants to be a model or something. Where on earth does he come up with this stuff, is beyond me.. 

He is the kindest, most loving little boy that I know. He is 99cm tall and weighs just under 15 kg. tall and thin like his baba. While we struggle with his health, he still enjoys life. At the moment he is missing his baba a lot, and this comes out as a lot of äiti hold me, don't leave me etc. but in general he is a happy little boy.

At three years (well almost) his absolute favorite person is uncle Miikka. Whenever he visits is like a Christmas and birthday put together. Julius still love music and really enjoys dancing and acting. We often get to witness elaborate scenes from Risto Räppääjä or Fireman Sam, costumes and all. He gets too much tv time, but I justify it to myself with the fact that unless he is sick, he never sits and stares, he is always too busy to act it out himself.

Julius, my little angel, have a happy birthday! Äiti and baba love you very very much. You express the purest joy whenever you see something that you like. Your face lights up and makes the whole world shine a bit brighter... Never let that go!

Sunday burgers

I refuse this new "diet" to let us miss Sweet Sunday burgers, so today on the list were mini-burgers... Not the best buns but Julius-safe and the kids devoured them..

 

    Before the oven

    The end result with some sweet potato french-fries

I seriously need some help with the breads and buns, but until then this will keep us alive. On a positive note J is not itchy at all, can the diet really help so fast???

It's new day, it's a new world...

    Second trip to the shop

New products to play with, I'm all excited.. And I'm happy I got most of the products organic too.. And from the s-market close by. Convenience makes life easier...