New Hair!

BeforeJon David's mom, Berit, made this outfit! Isn't he sooooo cute!

And after....

I love this new do! It is so fun and easy! Now the european in me is totally READY for this summer! Yippy!

Our Family from Norway's visit at easter!

Jon David and I have too many words to describe our feelings for this visit and too little space/time. We are full! Jeg er mett!


We enjoyed every single moment of our families visit. I must say that to have 6 people in my home for 11 days could not have been easy under normal circumstances. In this case, it was like being on vacation! If you ever get a chance to host a Norwegian family...do it! It will change your life forever. They are easy going, so polite and very gracious! Not to mention a lot of fun to be with.
We took them everywhere in Nashville that we could fit in 11 days. I still can't believe how much we packed in. They went on and on about how this was the best trip ever and that they could not have even dreamt of so much fun. I loved hearing that, i must say.





We drummed the day away on Easter Day. Even Ethan had it in him to hit on a beat or two.
These are two of his biggest fans! I loved seeing Ethan bond so well with these two wonderful, great uncle's of Norway! He really took to them immediately and they just jumped at the opportunity to hold him, change him, feed him and read to him at night! It was so sweet.
You know i had to take them to the Pancake Pantry! Since eggs, sausage and pancakes is a TOTALLY American breakfast and not something they have, (unless i am around) they stepped up to the challenge very willingly!

We also took them to the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Ryman, The Grand Ole Opry, Opry Mills, and Opryland Hotel. And that's not all! On Easter we went out to my parents house and had an amazing time! Lot's of good food, a wonderful Easter egg hunt, drum circle and some hula hooping too! Oh, and of course we enjoyed a very nice and relaxing hot tub dip to end the night!


I captured the very essence of who Terje Adnevik is, in this picture. Have you ever seen a more loving, and tender hearted man in your life? Jon David was the best thing that ever happened to me! His family came with him and in this case, it is still a mirage of blessings every single day!



The Hansom Four! Here we are at Radnor Lake!


Mom made us hide in the closet while Jon David and my dad hid the Easter eggs. We had a blast hunting!









This is all of us at the Opryland Hotel.




Have you ever seen a happier baby with his great uncle? This is literally the morning Ethan met Helge and he just fell in love with him!

I am sure you can see that we had a fun filled time! Ethan has never been more adored and he deserves every bit of it! Hee, Hee! ( i am biased, you know).
For now we say good bye. Until this summer when we visit them again. We have realized a lot of things. Life is simple! It can always be great and Love truly does conquer all! That is what they taught us. They really live simply and it made me want to stop! Stop everything! Just about everything in my life is a complication that i entertain. Why not? Why not just let it all go and accept what is for what is and just love the ones your with. It has been a hard lesson and long overdo. We truly do just need to live in the moment. We have right now and tomorrow has all our hopes, but do we let them control our happiness. Terje taught me that when we have everything go wrong in a day, that it is really exciting just to see what the day will bring instead. It isn't disappointing, to him, it is just an adventure! Thanks Terje. Thanks to all the others too! We adore you and can't wait to see you soon!

To The Truth Maker

When did i stop trusting God and Knowing him as Abba Father? That is the question i am trying to answere everyday. How can a traumatic event throw such a curve ball at you? Your riding around in your life mobile and all of a sudden...BAM! Who am I, who is God, how did i get here? This is where i live these days. This is my battle everyday. There are lies i somehow got stuck in and am desperatly looking to find my way out of. What is the truth?

Truth Maker, will you show yourself to me? Will you give me the key to remove myslef from this ugly and horrible thing i live with everyday.

Fear, go away. Hide myself in you... NO WAY! Go to Jesus forever and a day!

Truth Maker, chase away all that lies, decieves and eats at me each day. Fill me up a fresh and let me know your here to stay.
2 Tim 1:7

Jesus has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.
give me this power,, let me know this love, taste the peace that such a sound mind does bring.

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love cast out fear, because fear has to do with punishment! The one who fears in not made perfect in love.

Punishment...hmmm. That is NOT the God i have been shown and am drawn so desperatly to. Perfect me Pappa in your everlasting love!

Snow baby meets water and snow for the first time!

For those of you who have a special interest in Ehan's extracaricular activities!

recipes!

Ok. So there are many of you who have been asking me for several different soup recipes. here are a few of my favorite ones of the year. Please, note that i don't really measure when i cook, unless i am baking. So, this is the best i could do. I guess i always add a little more flavor than it asks for. I just fix recipes the way i think it would taste good. That way it is more my recipe. So, feel free do the same and make it your yummy recipe!



This is a picture of the little guy eating his first teething cookie. He is cutting 6 teeth all at once so, i thought he deserved a little messy fun! I had so much fun with it and cleaning up to. I guess this is a pic of things to come when he finally gets to enjoy my soup dishes!

Crock Pot Curry Vegetable Soup

4 med carrots (sliced)

2 med potatoes (1/2 in. cubes)

1 can tom diced with juice

1 can garbanzo beans drained

1/2 lb. green beans (cut into 1 inch pieces, 1 1/2 c)

1c coarsley chopped onion

3-4 garlic cloves

2 TB thickner ( quick cooking tapioca, or arrowroot, maybe flour)

2 tsp curry powder ( i use more)

1 tsp ground coriander( or more)

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

salt to taste

1/8 tsp cinnemon

1 1/2 c veggie broth

2c hot cooked rice

In a 3 1/2 quart crock pot or pot put everything together besides the tomatoes and rice. Start with potatoes, then carrots and so on. Pour the broth on top over all of it, seasoning too.

Cover an cook on low for 7-9 hours or on high for 3 -4 hours. If you are not using a crock pot just cook till desired tenderness. Add tomatoes to crock pot and stir , cover and cook another 5-10 min. Serve over hot cooked rice. I like to make is a little more indian and have a side of cucumber yogurt dressing and some Naan Bread. I get the bread from Whole Foods or an Indian restraunt. I have tried to make it...never turns out for me.

OPTION 2 for this soup:

Make plenty, cook half way so that potatoes don' t get soft yet. And put half in the Freezer. Cook the other half as recipe above tells you for dinner now. For another dinner bring out the one you froze. Add Chicken ( bite size peices), 1 TB Cardamon seeds placed in a filter or tea bag thingy. 1/4 tsp chili powder or more. 1 tsp of tumeric or more. maybe some green and red peppers chopped. A little lemon juice or lime. And the thickest part of coconut milk ( not light!) about 1/2 a c. Some garlic salt. HMMMMMmmmmmmmmm GOOD! This is a great way to "updo" your left overs!

Then for an even yummeir change. Cook your rice in the other half of your coconut milk. The part that was more watery. Add enough water to make the difrerence for the correct water/rice ratio! I credit this idea to my good friend Jenny. check out her unique and inspirational blog @ www. jenfindingherway.blogspot.com

Wala!

Again serve with Naan bread and yogurt sauce.

Fall Sausage and Kale Soup (EASY!)

1 TB oil

1 L onion diced

4 c Kale- bite size

2 (14 oz) chick broth

4 plum tomatoes

2c diced potatoes (red skins)

1 tsp rosemary- fresh

1/2 tsp ground pepper

12 oz cooked chick sausage ( halved lengthwise and then sliced)

1 TB cider vinegar

Heat oil, cook onion for about 5 min. Add Kale for 1-3 min. Stir in broth, tomatoes, potatoes, rosemary and pepper. Increase heat to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover. Cook till veggies are just tender. You don't want potatoes to be too mushy. 10-15 min or so.

Stir in sausage and vinegar and cook for 2 more min.

Serve immidiatly

Fancy Butternut Squash Soup ( slightly more involved, but YUMMY!)

this is not my recipe, but my friend Nita Ellis gave it to me!

Butternut squash -peeled with pot peeler, cut in half and remove seeds. chop in 1/2 "cubes. Put in a bowl with sliced onion, toss with olive oil, cinnemon, nutmeg & allspice. Spread on a cookie sheet (may add sliced apples- optional) Roast @ 35o dg. Flip occasionally until carmalized. You could just stop here and serve as a side dish!
For soup: Take the above and place in a blender or food processor with the chick broth and blend. This is your soup base.

steam some cubed potatoes. Stir fry any veggies you like ( brocolli, carrots, garbanzo beans, etc.) add the stir fried veggies to soup base, adding more chicken stock if needed.

Season soup with curry, coconut milk and lemon grass. The best is if you can put a couple of fresh lemon grass stalks in it. Otherwise use whatever you can find at store.

optional to Serve over basmati rice and garnish with any of the following:

yogurt, grated lemon grass, shredded coconut, mango cutney, dried cranberries, and bananas.

I used all of the above and served this as our thanksgiving meal! It was absolutly amazing!

I hope you all enjoy!

Here is to an incredible 2007, a brand new niece and a wonderful mormor!

On December 26, 2007 Jon David's Mormor, (grandma) Hannah Rotbaek, passed away. Flew away really, to meet the one she has only dreamt of all these years! How excited she must have been to finally meet her first love!

Today, is January 3, 2007, (although, I won't post this till later) the day of her

"Life Celebration"! Most call it a funeral. I just can't see why. Maybe, if I broke it down in a Greek, Latin or Hebrew text I would understand it better. Seeing as how i don't know it's origin, I am not off to a good start. Anyways, it turned out to be a real great "Life Celebration"!

This is a picture of Jon David with his Mormor when he went to visit last Easter. One thing about her that was pretty awesome, is that she could light up a room with the light in her eyes when anyone would mention Jesus' name, read scripture to her or tell of His goodness. I love this picture because that is just what Jon David intended to do on that trip. Light her all up inside with the Word of God. At that time, it would only last for a moment. Now, it will last for Eternity!

Here is to you sweet Mormor,Hannah! And Here is to you, sweet Maker of Heaven!

On a very BIG side note. Several hours after Mormor's burial, her great granddaughter was born. Jon David's sister, Hanna-Gudviet, had a baby girl at 5:30 am the next morning.

When a chapter is ended a new one begins! And from her very line and her very name! INTERESTING!!!!! Hmmm, God IS good!

The pictures below are the events that took place just before Jon David left for Norway this New Years day.

My uncle, Archie Adams and his wife, Barbra Adams, came for a visit. We had a blast! Ever since Ethan was born I feel like our house has been like grand central station with visitors coming to meet my prince. You can not know how much I love that, not to mention showing off my little babe! This visit was the "Grand Finale" of them all and of a fantastic 2007! New Years Eve turned out to be a ton of fun! We Played Settlers, our favorite game that I got Jon David for Christmas! Had great fellowship and toasted to the New Year with a great bottle of Champagne! Oh, and the glasses we are wearing are a trip to look through! Each one of us had a different pair. Mine were angels, some dancing snowmen, christmas trees, stars, snowflakes, and santa's. Really great fun!

A kiss good-bye to my love on his last night before he left for Norway, New Years Day! He's a prince of a guy!

So, I am bringing in the New Year alone...but not, I have Ethan. And I really quit enjoy it. It is so peaceful and sweet after so much hustle and bustle. The downer is that i have no way to get all the Christmas stuff put away. I guess it will just have to stay up for now!

Happy New Year to all of you and may it be fuller and richer than the year before!

So much for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...Hope it was full for you all! Here is a summary of ours!

We made this video as a Christmas DVD stocking stuffer for the fam. Turned out to be a big hit. So, then i just added a few moments of our x-mas time! Hope you enjoy.



I am going to let the stories of our Christmas and New Year trickle in bit by bit. See you soon!