Mini Vikings

Lets see the world

I am doing it and doing well..

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Summer is strange in Sweden. You never know what to expect. Keeps you on your tippi toes. I had to pull out the long underwear. ahh

I got really sick a couple of weeks ago which lead me to the ER. Never fun. The bright thing is it’s made me super focus on my health and fitness. I was starting to get into the groove, but now I am Gisselle intense. I am almost middle age (I can’t believe I am even writing that.) I feel 25….. no really! I sometimes freak out when I think I have lived half of my life. I feel so blessed to have this wake-up call. I want to be around for a while. I want to keep up with the kids.

Strange how sometimes a kick in the pants is exactly what we need. You don’t realize how much life you have until you feel sick. Feeling so blessed to be able to play and be active with my kids. Don’t forget its never to late start getting in shape and eating better. Health is wealth! Seriously!

I would love to know what kind of work out do you do? Do you go to a gym? I have been working at home and loving pilates.

I can’t wait to show you the before and after. I don’t think you could tell that much, but let me tell you my waist is loving my jeans again. I can’t say that my energy level has increased. Hoping with my change in diet and exercise I will start to notice. I have noticed my body craves to have movement. The thing I am most excited about is having my kids watch/notice me working out. I grew up seeing my mom work out daily. We would eat breakfast and she would do her aerobics. Now they watch me but color since we don’t’ have an open floor plan. It’s cute sometimes they will come to join me for a couple of reps, or tell me I am doing it wrong or best they can do it better. wink wink I am just overall excited I am doing something so beneficial to myself and for my family. I’ll keep you updated on this journey.

I would love your tips for staying motivated, cute work out clothes or fun new fitness classes.

Giddy up

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Here we are again trying to get a blog going. It’s funny because I think about making this blog a real thing but I just never put myself out there. So afraid to have people think I am fake or trying too hard. Today is the day, letting those fears drop. I also started a lot of other things today. For example, I have worked for the second day and a row. I am sure you are thinking wow two days big deal. I know its actually hilarious to see myself type that. The thing is I borderline the “not fat but not skinny” after kids. I care but I don’t want to do the work. Well, that is over….. big time. I am coming to an age that they call “middle age”. In my head, it’s now or never and it is only going to get harder if I don’t start now. I lost a baby in January (more on that later). It wakes you up!

The alarms are ringing. A lot of alarms! I feel like there has been a huge awareness lately to how short life is. I have so many dreams and goals I still want to do. I want to die trying to live the best life. I am not talking about things and vacations, I am talking about daily life. I want to live the best life daily, in normal things. I am so tired of feeling tired. I want life-giving conversations. Slow evenings with the husband. I want to enjoy my kids discovering this big beautiful world. I want to love people and make them feel special just the way they are. I want to walk in daily gratitude, I want to be looking for ways to serve around me.

We are still living north and loving it. It has been a huge change but overall I think for the better. Besides missing friends and loved ones.

The fun news for May so far is my mother-in-love is moving here in two weeks. I am so excited. She is amazing and I can’t wait for my kids to have family here with them. Hoping the father-in-love will also join us eventually.

Its been an amazing winter, but so excited to have summer.

The summer liv list (which I am sure I will be adding to) :

  • Camping in Norway (near the beach)
  • Stand up paddle boarding in the lake
  • Lots of bike rides
  • Plants some flowers with the girls
  • Lots of ice cream
  • Picking flowers and seeing if we can paint them
  • Finally, get Majkens US passport
  • Weekend trip to Stockholm
  • Go to museums near us

Do you have an summer plans? We also have a lot of house projects we need to get done.

Life changes

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There are some serious life changes happening in my life.  Some good, some hard, and some that just need to be kicked out the door.

We have decided to move to the north of Sweden.  We have been in Gothenburg area for the last five years.  I have so many emotions…… seriously  I am all over the place with my emotions. One moment I am thinking let’s get out of here now.  Then I am upset because I can’t imagine leaving all our friends and the place we call home.  Change is hard, but the weird thing is I think I secretly crave it.  Please tell me there are more of you out there like this.

I am not going to lie I have gone through some dark and lonely times living in Sweden. More than I have ever in my life.  When I look back I can get really discouraged.  At one point I remember saying to my self this has been the biggest waste in my life.  I haven’t  done a single thing I had hope to do (I know thats a lie). I sat there thinking.  Christy all of the friends you have and hang out with you have made yourself.  By putting your self out there.  You have given birth twice( 1 c-setion and 1 natural birth) in a forienge country, you have learned to master driving stick in a big city and driving on ice.  You can go grocery shopping and understand what you are buying.  Learning how to live with really horrible weather at times (remember I am from Hawaii).  I realized every single day at one point, I am completely uncomfortable!

        Uncomfortable every single DAY!

 You get the point. I realized in that moment I am so strong.  I thought about how many would have left, given up.

I made it!

I am still here and there is still so much I want to do.   I am slowly coming out. I pushing my weakness into strengths.  I just want to encourage you guys don’t give up.  I know its hard….. trust me I know, but also know you can do anything you put your mind to!  Be brave and you will realize how strong you really are.

 

Here is a song from Bethel

Slow down, take time
Breathe in He said
He’d reveal what’s to come
The thoughts in His mind
Always higher than mine
He’ll reveal all to come

Take courage, my heart
Stay steadfast, my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

Sing praise, my soul
Find strength in joy
Let His words lead you on
Do not forget
His great faithfulness
He’ll finish all He’s begun

So take courage, my heart
Stay steadfast, my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

So take courage, my heart
Stay steadfast, my soul
He’s in the waiting
He’s in the waiting
And hold onto your hope
As your triumph unfolds
He’s never failing
He’s never failing

And You who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep, Your promise to me
That I will rise, in Your victory
And You who hold the stars
Who call them each by name
Will surely keep, Your promise to me
That I will rise, in Your victory!

 

photo by elin click here for her work