Who Says There Is No Christmas Spirit?

Something very interesting happened to me yesterday and I decided it was worth posting. I was driving in St. George and came to a stoplight near Walmart in Washington and a big truck pulled quite close to me. At first I thought perhaps this individual wants to move over to my lane, but as I looked up, a young man was motioning for me to open up my window. I did so thinking they might need directions to someplace, but as I rolled down the window, he handed me an envelope and wished me Merry Christmas and drove away!

I was a little nerveous to open up the envelope because you hear all the negative stuff about laced stickers etc. but I opened it anyway. To my GREAT surprise there was a card with the following message: People are unreasonble, illogical and self-centered, LOVE THEM ANYWAY. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives, DO GOOD ANYWAY. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies, SUCCEED ANYWAY. The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow, DO GOOD ANYWAY. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable, BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY. What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight, BUILD ANYWAY. People really need help but may attack you if you help them, HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth, GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU'VE GOT ANYWAY. (found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta).

In addition to the message there was a one $100 bill. I wasn't sure if it was real but felt pretty good about getting the message anyway. The sceptic that I am, I went to the bank and asked if they could check for the authenticity of the bill. Sure enough, it was real!

Well, I have always believed in paying it forward, so I got five $20 bills and copied the message on a card and I have them ready to hand out today in the rain. As Ron and I have everything we need, I decided, instead of keeping or spending the $100, to give it away and make someone's day.

As it has been a tough year for many, we still have been blessed with more than others may have. I don't feel I am doing this because I am such a great person - believe me, I have been tempted to just get the money out of the envelopes and go buy something fun or unnecessary or whatever...and just hand out the cards! But that is not how I see it - experiencing giving is a great feeling. I know when my kids were small, we were given plenty through the church or other people when we were having a hard time during Christmas or other times. It is my turn now to be on the giving end.

May all of us have a blessed Christmas and remember the people who have been there for us - either in our time of need moneteraly or spiritually or emotionally. It all counts and I hope I will always be reminded of this special day when I want to whine about not having enough.

A Few Great Weeks

Just a few weeks ago Ron and I made a trip to Nebraska and Missouri. Nebraska Huskers had games in Lincoln and in between the games we went and visited Mika and Jessie and Luke in Carl Junction, MO. Both games were quite pathetic , Huskers vs. Texas Tech, loss 31-10 and Huskers vs.Iowa St. loss 9-7. Actually Nebraska had more turnovers than they had points in the last game so it was pretty painful. However, it is the experience of being at the Husker stadium with 84,000 fans that gets you, win or lose! We even had a tailgate party before the last game and had scrambled eggs, little smokies, bagles, hot chocolate and breakfast burritos. So good!

Mika, Jessie and Luke have their work cut out for them in their new home. It is darling, though! A wrap around veranda, two bedrooms, HUGE kitchen and the most beautiful fireplace made out of the rocks from their property. Ron and I had our sleeping quarters in the apartment above one of the carages. While there Mika had his haircut - 13 1/2 inches and he is donating it to the Locks of Love. He now looks SO handsome! (Ask Jessie! :D) Their property is beautiful with lots of trees and very secluded. The visit was so much fun that we are planning on going again soon!

Along the way we also visited some of Ron's relatives, Aunt Charlene and Uncle Chuck from Papillion, NE and their family, as well as Cousin Sandy and her husband Dick in Rockport, MO. We even were able to hook up with another cousin of Ron's, Mike and his wife Cathy. While in Missouri we got together with Grandpa Bill and Paul, Diana and Shawn.

After our trip we hit the road running at work, and Jaana came for a short visit for Jorel's 2nd birthday. It is always fun fun fun with Jaana around. Ron and I then drove up to Salt Lake to see Brian, Booke and the boys. We watched several hours of tackle football games, visited and watched more football on the TV. I don't know if we can stuff more things into a 2-week period, but I know we gave a go! Life is good!

Tribute to my Uncle Pentti

Uncle Pentti has been in my life for 53 years. 32 of those years he was diligent in remembering my kids' birthdays, Christmas and writing letters at least once a month. 32 years is a long time for anyone to keep in touch long distance. But Uncle Pentti was unwavering in his commitment to family. He passed away August 29, 2009 and I will miss his notes and cards and letters.

My Uncle Pentti had many challenges in life. His physical development stopped around age 12 and his hope all his life was to be "normal", to be able to get married and have a family. He knew this was not possible, but in stead of drowning in self pity he took on serving others. He received the highest honor in scouting for 40 years of service. He took care of both his mom and dad (my grandma and grandpa) until they passed away. He was always willing to assist others and make sure everyone had what they needed.

When I was a young girl, I remember Uncle Pentti giving up his share of fruit or piece of cake so that I would not have to go without. He took my sisters and I swimming in the summer making sure we were safe at our favorite swimming hole. He would tell us stories of his childhood or stories about relatives he went and visited. And that really was his favorite thing to do - tell stories.

Uncle Pentti had an opportunity to come to United States about 13 years ago. My kids remember him always willing to play with them making up games that did not necessarily need a common language. The bond of family and friendship didn't need to be spoken. He talked about that American vacation for years! We always laugh when we think about Pentti sitting next to Ron in the big truck yelling "Easy boy!" when Ron was driving too fast for his liking.

Uncle Pentti was born May 11, 1934. His favorite pet was a goat because it reminded him of him - stubborn and hard headed. His life truly was devoted to family and serving others. I have a lot to learn from his life and choices he made along the way. Open, honest, non-assuming, loving and true he has taught us all about how life should be lived. I love you Uncle Pentti. Enjoy your new life - life free from physical stress and closer to heaven.

One Year Later

So here I am - the slow going blogger. I think I have found out I am not very good at blogging and writing about the happenings in my life. However, my life has been everything but boring, so here is a little catch up!

The most exciting part of this last year has been family and the get-togethers we have had; Nugent Kid Reunion, Thanksgiving, trips to Denver to see Ron's Mother, my Disney Birthday that did not happen (:D), Markus' High School Graduation, Finnish Family vacation, being a grandma "Mummi" and so many more fun memories. Thanks to all the great people in our family, I have had one of the best years of my life! And I am not just saying that. And the year is not over yet!

There have been a few difficult things happen to me as well, but they cannot shadow the joy I have felt as I watch our family grow and mature and enjoy each other. My uncle Pentti passed away in August. He was one of the "rocks" in my life and always remembered kids' birthdays and did all he could even with his very minimal income to send a gift or a card. He is in the arms of our Heavenly Father now and I know he is happy to get rid of his ailing body. I will miss that connecting thread to Finland I had through him.

Another bummer experience this last year has been losing our health insurance and having to take on more responsibilities at work. But I still have a job I like for the most part so I cannot complain all that much. Ron and I are most likely the last to "abandon the ship" if things get that difficult at our school.

Hard to believe we are half way through September in 2009. I often wonder what happened to the first nine months of this year! I guess I am older now and I move slower so the rest of the world seems to just fly by. I have worked hard to reclaim my health by losing weight, biking eight miles a day and using the elyptical (?) as often as possible. I even was sucked into trying out "Contour" - an electric
workout belt that works your abs while you do other things like wash the car or read a book or... I will let you know how it ends up working for me. Actually the "shocks" it sends through my abs are mostly annoying so perhaps it will do some good. :D

I look forward to next month. Ron and I will go to two Husker football games in Lincoln, Nebraska and visit Mika, Jessie, Luke and other relatives in Missouri for four days. Can't wait. I think we are due!

Life Is Full Of Surprises

Life is often full of surprises and most of the time they are good ones. Last weekend Markus and I drove to California to see Jaana, Paul and Jake, mainly to get a few things for Jake's new apartment (which by the say looks wonderful!) and help welcome him to his new home. It was such a fun thing to do and support Jake in his new adventure and step into adulthood! He surprises me - just a year ago he had very different ideas about life and now having been around his sister and brogher-in-law, he has mustered a lot of courage and hope for his future. Thanks Jaana and Paul for being there for Jake and helping him move forward. And thanks for putting us up again in your beautiful home. All the improvements you have made look amazing!

While in California, I had a chance to enjoy dinner together with Paul's parents and his sister and it was fun to catch up with them. I had not seen Paul's dad since Jaana and Paul got married so it was a good little "reunion". It always is interesting to visit Barkev and Sonya since they have so much to share about their heritage and homeland. I always learn something new when I am around them. Another pleasant surprise!

Monday I hit the road running to get ready for all the upcoming seminars at work and it seems I have not had a chance to take a breath all week. However, I still had a chance to do some special baking staying up late both on Tuesday and Wednesday nights working on my kitchen creations. I baked some Finnish Rye bread for a friend of ours, Beaver, who has decided he wants to learn to bake it. I also made my very first New York Cheese Cake on Wednesday to give to our Computer Guy at work. Vin has helped us on several occasions with our home computer without pay so I found out he likes cheese cake and... Surprise - New York Cheese Cake takes five packages of cream cheese (8oz. each)!! I had no idea, and being on a diet I didn't get to taste it. Vin says it was good, but he could just be nice. (?)

Krista and Jorel came home on Tuesday from Indiana and another surprise - JOREL IS WALKING already! He had sort of started a week ago, but now he waddles around everywhere. He reminds me of ET, but is working hard to keep his balance and smoothing out his step! Such a fun surprise!

All these little things happening around me are helping me as I create memories and legacy of who I am. As I remember to seize the day and remember that every moment has something to offer, I am finding myself happier and more content. Even at work. (Another surprise!)

This is just wrong!

This year I have been working on my health and habits to live a longer life. That includes losing some extra pounds and continuing to excersice daily. Since April of this year I actually have dropped 15 lbs, but I have literally worked my butt off to get there. Ron on the other hand has not been on any kind of diet or excersice program at all. However, we both started a special VERY LOW calorie diet last week and guess what! He lost 14 lbs the first week. I lost five. NOW THAT IS JUST WRONG!!

What is it with us women that we first grow up taking care of our little brothers, then we go through monthly misery, then carry and deliver babies, take care of them and see that they all get a decent start on life, and to top it off - we can't lose weight in any easy manner?!? God must have had something special in mind when he created woman. I realize the world could not go around without us, but couldn't it be a little easier and less work to look good?

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate my life, my health and my family. Everything else really is secondary. I, however, got my vane gene from my Mom Ritva. She at 75 still looks amazing and has a great positive outlook on life. I want to be just like her when I am 75. So I better just keep on working so I will get there and be proud and confident in who I am - no matter what the outer core may look like!

Happy Memories

What a wonderful few days I had at our first annual Immediate Family Reunion! The last time the children were together was at their grandfather's 90th Birthday last July. It was such a joy to have them here at our house and visit and visit and visit till wee hours of night every night. Mika and Jessie and Luke arrived Wednesday morning after having driven 22 hours straight. They were surprisingly chipper and excited to be here even after such a long road trip. They all look SO GOOD! That evening we went out to dinner at TED and ALLEN's here at Hurricane and pulled out photo albums of my Finnish family. Jessie pointed out Mika didn't know much about my family and she wanted to see what they all look like and where I really came from. It was nice to talk about my family - I have not done that in a long time.

Jaana, ,Paul and Jake arrived Wednesday early evening and we all just visited and needed to catch up with each other. Pizza was good and we all needed a little sleep to get ready for the next day. Sand Hollow Reservoir is a beautiful place to hang out on Thursday. We had lots of floaties and inner tubes to float on the water, and Mika found a little area to go fishing with Markus. Jorel was so cute and loved the water! After looking like prunes we went to get ready for a dinner that Ron and I provided at Wildcat Willies in Springdale. Food was great and I think everyone had a wonderful time.

Friday we all went for a ride to Price Canyon - what a breathtaking place that is! Even though I have seen it a few times it never stops amazing me. It truly looks like Disney was there and put it all together. Hard to believe it is all real and natural! We had fun and Mika and Jessie got me a beautiful bracelett as a momento from the park. Jaana and Paul took a lot of pictures - I will include some of them in this blog. Friday night we experiemented with Reese's Pieces smores - yummy over the bond fire at the back yard. I decided to go to bed by 12:30am but I think the kids stayed till past three am.

All in all this was the best time I have had with all the children in forever. I have never been very good at just having fun, because I was always taught that work comes before play. Hardly ever have I made time to just play! So this was good for me as well as for the rest of the family I think.

I also had a chance to have a talk with Jaana, my oldest daughter. Actually she initiated it and I love her for that. She is a great daughter and she has a lot of courage - more than I do. We got some things discussed that needed to be aired out and I have learned a whole lot on how my actions and choices have affected not only Jaana but the rest of the children as well. It is not easy to stand accountable for my choices and the affect they have had on others. I am grateful that I have another day to perhaps fix some things I screwed up earlier and get clear on what I was feeling and thinking surrounding the kids' dad and the divorce. It has not been talked about really, and now I realize I should have conitinued to just say what was and what is now. Thanks daughter - you are awesome!

Can't wait to do this again - hoping we will get together next year and have a chance to just spend time together. I suppose the older I get the more important family relationships become for what else is there really? This is where it really counts to carpe diem or seize the day!