Introduction

I admit it - I've been inspired by Stephanie Nielson and her blog "The Nie Nie Dialogues" (check her blog out) to start a blog for my lovely children.  After reading Stephanie and Christian's story I thought to myself "heaven forbid something were to happen to me - as my children's memories of me faded ... would they know how much I loved them?  Would they know how much joy they bring into my life.  Well, Stephanie's darling little ones will know how much she cherishes them - thanks in part to her wonderful blog that depicts her absolute joy in being their mother.  

Torby, Brynn, Annika, and Kyra-this is for you.  

I love you more than you can ever imagine!

P.S. I have a fab husband, Per (pronounced like the fruit "Pear" - it's a Scandinavian thing), and I would dedicate this blog to him too but he'd think that was totally corny!  Nonetheless, I'm sure he'll be featured plenty in my daily musings too.

I also hope my circle of extended family and friends will enjoy keeping up with us now that we live across the country.  WE MISS YOU!!!

Here's a quick introduction to the family for my first blog entry on October 5th 2008.

Per: software engineer (he telecommutes so we get to enjoy his GQ persona around the house all day - EVERY DAY), stud, avid basketball and tennis player, composer (in previous life - like before he married me and I squashed all his dreams)!  He's also a strapping boy of Norwegian descent and nobody messes with "the Per".

Torby (11):  the first born... and our only son.  Torby is short for Torbjor (also a Norwegian thing).  Torby loves football, swimming in the pool, and hanging out with friends.  He's thinking of taking up Lacrosse (our exchange student from Holland played Lacrosse - more on her later).  He's also a great student and an all around cool kid!

Brynn (8):  Our first daughter.  Brynn is also a Scandinavian name (we think) and also one of my best friend's names.  Brynn loves cheering (she is an official cheerleader for the Torby's football team), swimming in the pool, hanging out with her MANY friends, scrapbooking, and going to Activity Days (it's a church thing).

Annika (3):  Annika loves to dance (I'm sure you'll see pictures of her dance recitals soon).  She won't part with her Dora blanket for even 2 seconds on any given day.  She wants to be a cheerleader like big sister Brynn.  And she loves our exchange student, Jolien, like a sister - Jolien went home a couple months ago and Annika still prays for her safe return EVERY NIGHT!

Kyra (2): We believe Kyra is the cutest baby on the planet!  Her fluffy blond curls are all the rage in this house.  She also has a great sense of humor (like her big brother) and she keeps us all laughing.  She also LOVES to swim - good thing we have a pool in the back yard - and she LOVES taking walks with the family each evening.  She follows Annika around like a little puppy dog and every time Annika leaves her to go to dance class a little part of Kyra ... dies (oh the drama).

And finally there's Zandra (that's me), Per's wife and the mother of these lovely little angels.  I married the guy I had a crush on in high school - lucky me (unfortunately he didn't know I was alive in high school - more on that later).  I love to play the piano but don't get nearly enough time to do so.  I love to swim with my kids.  I like early morning walks with my husband.  I would LOVE to lose 20 pounds and get back to my pre-baby weight.  My wish is to have more time to spend with my family - I'm working on that one.  As a side note, I also have a job outside the home - but this does NOT define me.  I am a Division Controller for 19 hospitals in Tennessee and Georgia but you won't hear me talk about that part of my life much on this blog. I would love to be home with the kids but that has not been the Lord's plan for me thus far.  As I said earlier, Per works from home so he takes care of Annika and Kyra during the day - LUCKY!!!

That's enough info for now .... much more to come in coming weeks, months, and years!  A big thanks to Stephanie Nielson for being such an inspiration to so many.  I pray for a speedy recovery for you and Christian each and every day.