Time Flies!

So, it is now mid-July and this is my 3rd post this year. Not so great. I don't know what it is, but I just haven't been able to get into this whole blog-thing. But, as I've been reading and searching around others, I've realized what a great thing blogging can be and I want to try to rededicate myself so that one day maybe I can deem myself a "blogger" as well. 

I liked what my friend Maria did on her blog when she hadn't written in awhile. She wrote up a top 10 list of highlights that had happened since she last wrote. So, here's ours:

1. Chris got a new job!!! He had been working at a little consultancy firm for the past two years, not really enjoying it and has been searching for a new job for quite awhile! It's actually really hard to get a job here in Sweden these days, so he hasn't had much luck until 2 weeks ago! SKF (www.skf.com) is one of the largest international companies. They're very family-oriented and secure. Chris will be working in their global communications group working a lot on their intranet and success stories (amongst other things). This is really exciting for us, not only because it's a new job, but also because it's an international company which could lead to international travels (ie. America) in a couple years! 

2. In May both Chris and I ran the Gothenburg Half Marathon! It's my second time and Chris' 6th. Over 50,000 people register and around 35,000 people actually run. The atmosphere is amazing and so incredibly thrilling! Chris got 1.29 and I 2.03. Both were satisfied. 

3. SUMMER!!! Since it's July, Chris (along with the rest of Sweden) has a 4 week summer vacation. I'm not kidding, I don't know anybody who works during July (besides store people). Swedes are very hard workers, but they're also great at relaxing when the time comes. So, we've been enjoying having dad home this month! Although, the summer's been anything but summer! Which is very frustrating for me who's used to 100F Utah-summers. All month it's been cloudy or rainy and hasn't reached above mid 70's. We're all praying for a couple sunny days so we can prepare for the long, dark winter months ahead. 

4. Mary was recently called to work in the Stake YW. At first I was very scared considering all our teachings are in Swedish and I'd have to speak it constantly. However, since then, I feel much better and am even getting excited about it. (Although, a bit sad that I won't get to work on a ward level with the girls.) But, I've been here for nearly 6 years, and I've got to stop using the language barrier as an excuse. I know Swedish, and it's time for me step up to the plate and use it! 

5. We just got back from Astrid Lindgrens World! Astrid Lindgren is the author of Pippi and about a dozen other Swedish characters that never made it internationally (or at least to Utah). They've built this huge fairy-tale land with all the characters from her books and have opened a park where kids can go and meet all the characters and where "kids can be kids". It was really fun. Not only for the kid, but for the adults too. Every half hour or so, they do little plays where they reenact the books and the kids just love it! Samuel got really into, but was a little sceptical about going up and meeting the actual characters afterwards. His favorites were Pippi, Emil, and Karlsson-på-taket (Karlsson-on-the-roof). It's fun for me that Samuel is growing up with all these Swedish stuff that I never knew that is such a part of Chris. But, it also makes me sad that he doesn't know what the 4th of July is or parades or Thanksgiving or baseball or American football or Dr. Seuss or mac and cheese or any of the American stuff. We're trying to show him both sides, but being in Sweden and having 10 small swedish  cousins close by makes it harder to get that American side in. The other day, we had Jello for the first time though. 

Well, top 5 will have to do for now. Like I said, I'll try to be more faithful and add pictures and movies and updates more often. I hope you all enjoy!