wordless wednesday

fun with møller-nielsen

camilla

It was so great to see my close friend Camilla while we were in Denmark. We hadn't seen each other since our wedding (she was my matron of honor).  Since we last saw each other, they had a little boy. I was sad I couldn't be around during her pregnancy and birth etc. SO it was long over due getting to meet little baby J (who is no longer a little baby). I am so thankful for Camilla's friendship and am grateful we have been able to talk on the phone and visit each other to keep up over the years even though we live so far apart.

During this visit we got to see them several times and one of the times included several hours of rock throwing - which apparently is the best EVER according to baby J:)

 

roskilde

 

While in Denmark, we took a day trip to Roskilde where I have also lived. We had a wonderful day together and I was able to show Michael where I had lived, gone to school, church etc. We also toured Roskilde Cathedral where among other things the royals are buried. It is a beautiful church.  Wanting to connect with his viking history we also checked out the viking museum area.

 

 

 

 

   

We also visited some very special people in my life near Roskilde. They live in a wonderful place in the forest and they create such amazing things. It was great to reconnect with them and for them to get to know Michael a little better. 

 

 

family

It was great to see my family while we were in Denmark. We had not seen them since our wedding when they all flew to Phoenix to help celebrate. What a wonderful family:) I am blessed to have a family where both sides know each other and like to hang out. This meant that we were able to go to Jaegerspris Castle with both sides of the family while we were home. The weather was great and we enjoyed each others company, a great picnic, fun and games, the beauty around us.... and of course ice cream. What a wonderful day. Thank you everyone for making it possible.

 

 

what does home look like

One of the wonderful things about going to Denmark this time around was being able to show my husband the place I grew up. It was fun sharing where I used to live, go to school, shop, hang out etc. It was special to show him the sites and sounds where I have so many memories and where I spent my childhood.

Rundetaarn

Rosenborg and Kongenshave

Koebenhavn's Bymuseum

 

Assistens Cemetery

Vanloese

home

We just returned from a trip to Denmark and Norway. We had such a wonderful time.

Having grown up in Danmark and having spent my formative years there before moving to the states, Danmark is home. Even though I haven't lived there since the late nineties I still refer to it as home. I assume this means that one can have more than one home since I also refer to where I currently live as home. Even though I haven't lived there for many years and I am not able to return but every couple of years, there is a peaceful feeling of belonging when I spend time there. When people asked prior to us leaving what I looked forward to, it was of course seeing family and friends, but beyond familiar faces - it was just being there. Soaking up the culture, the smells, and sounds of what I know to be Danmark. This is a place where I feel understood in a different way. I often feel that my friends there understand certain aspects of me better. Since my American friends here have mostly only known me during my adult years, it is sometimes nice being in a place with family and friends who have known me either since I was born or at least during my younger years. Such history can be comforting and relaxing and can evoke a sense of belonging. I love being able to reflect on memories while also catching up on the present.

I will share more about our trip and share pictures in the days to come.

mor

Happy Mother's Day  - Mor! Thank you for being such an amazing and wonderful mor. You are such a selfless loving mother with an incredible servant heart. If we are blessed with children one day I pray that I will be a mother like you.

rest

Today I begin a new chapter of my life. This new chapter will be defined by rest. I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to focus on resting and getting better. Rest is not something I do well. It is not a strength of mine.  I anticipate it being difficult at times. I know I will have to battle the guilt of not being productive. I usually measure my daily success by how productive I am. I feel unsettled and guilty if I don't have something to "show" for the day. I know I still can be productive, but my sense of productivity should look different than how I have understood it to be. To be productive will be measured by how well I have rested. I am excited about what this new journey will look like, but I know it wont be as easy as it sounds. I am hopeful that a season of rest will bring healing and new life. As hopefully healing progresses, I look forward to rediscovering my passions and the new directions my life may take.

As I reflected in an earlier post   I am in the process of figuring out what it looks like to invest in me in order that I can better invest in the important people/things in my life ... In the meantime I am trying to figure out what that looks like, what things I have to give up, and what boundaries I have to set. I have had to make some difficult decisions in this process of determining what things I have to give up. Often right decisions are difficult. Today is a new day, the beginning of new rhythms and discoveries. Today I rest. Today I take a step in discovering who I am called to be in this new chapter and the chapters to come.

first birthday

Happy birthday sweet Jonathan. 

We wish we could help celebrate your first birthday with you and hear your sweet laugh. 

We love you, Uncle Buck and Auntie Signe