All I really need is a song in my heart, food in my belly, and love in my family

Ok, more than a month is too long to go without updating the blog. Sorry. SO much has happened since I wrote last...we'll have to summarize some of the good stuff. All in all, it's been a fantabulous month, with growing baby, family visit, mini-vacation to north Iceland, more friends visiting, more baby growing. Let's start at the beginning, and I'll go until I get tired or distracted...

Riley is in Iceland. He came on my birthday, and hung out for a while in Reykjavik before heading to his 'workcamp' in the north of Iceland. General consensus is that he is having the time of his life. Bars in Iceland don't card (he's one year under legal here) and so he has been taking advantage of that little loophole. He watched the final game of the world cup at a bar with a couple of Spanish girls in Akureyri....sure beats sitting around on the couch all day watching TV and eating Mac n Cheeze like last summer, eh little brother? While on a week long break between camps, Riley was kickin' it in Reykjavik, staying in my gracious in-laws' guest room ('Gracious' is an understatement. It is more than the simple and necessary big sister nagging role I occupy so very well when I say my little brother is a lazy slob. If left on his own he would sit in his filthy bed all day eating and watching TV and not talking to anybody. He would pick at his guitar with his chezenip encrusted fingers and get smellier and smellier if nobody told him to move his lazy ass and go breathe some air outside. I know I can say this about him because I am confident he doesn't read this blog, and I am also confident that if he did, he wouldn't read anything that hasn't already been said to his face. I told you, I am a very good nagging older sister. I love you, Riley!) S'anyways. When told to get off his lazy ass so my mega-gracious in-laws could air out his bedroom, my clever (albeit stinky) lil brother went downtown with his guitar to busk for some dough. He did surprisingly well, and seemed to really enjoy himself....He came back with wonderful stories about the Dutch girl who bought him a beer, and the old lady who put in a bunch of money and then winked at him. He now brags that he is a professional musician, a statement to which my ever-gracious symphony musician in-laws smiled politely.

After Riley left for his camp, the rest of the family arrived for their visit. Joy upon joys it was so heavenly happy to see them! (that's not a real sentence, but I was just too happy to see my family, real words and grammar aren't enough to convey the feeling!) Then the showing off of baby and country began. We went to the Blue Lagoon, then did the Golden Circle and went to the summerhouse, and I didn't hold Elsa for ten days...The Fam rented a car and an apartment in Akureyri and stayed there for a week. Tumi, Elsa, and I joined them and spent a lovely week in the northern part of Iceland. We took some day trips to see Husavik and go horseback riding, but the main priority was to relax and get to know the grandparents and uncles. I think that if we are going to live in Iceland (or anywhere else abroad) it is essential that we get to spend some time with my family at least a couple of times a year. It is so hard to see them and then put them on a plane to fly away and not see them again for six months; it would be even harder if I had to put them on a plane and not know when I would be seeing them again! I am convinced that Iceland is the best possible place to raise children, but it would be even more perfect-er if my family was not so very far away. As for now, I can look forward to taking Elsa Maria to the Pacific Northwest for the first time this Christmas. She will meet the extended family and get to see the other half of her heritage :)

Yesterday was a big day for my little family. Tumi told his employer that he would no longer work for them once his paternity leave ends. This decision has been a long time in the making, but basically, my man is not made to be an engineer. We were reminiscing yesterday about the fact that a year ago, he told his boss that he didn't feel a passion for the work he was doing. It is a hard decision to leave such a well-paying job that you've spent so many years being educated to do, but at the end of the day, I am convinced that it was eating his soul to wake up every day and go to a job that didn't fulfill or interest him. So what's next? He is taking classes this fall to become a certified high school math and science teacher (yippee!) and also exploring the world of journalism through a couple of extra courses. He will also be coaching soccer at our local sports association and conducting a weekly pub quiz about soccer. I am so proud that he is making a life for himself that fits better with his interests and personality! I keep thinking of some quote I heard somewhere about how you shouldn't let money dictate what career you choose, because the world doesn't need more miserable rich people...rather you should do what has meaning for you and nourishes your soul, because the world really needs more fulfilled people who get joy from the work they do. Go Tumi!

I bought some wonderful kid's music that Elsa and I have been listening too. I've learned I'm still as big a fan of Raffi's at 25 as when I was four years old. More about that later...cuz... it happened. Elsa woke up and my attention is needed elsewhere!

Snuggly baby in her warmy. Hanging out with Grandpa Frank. Livin the good life!
When the Davidson Children get together, names are taken and asses are kicked.
I may be the oldest, but now I'm the smallest...the boys have YEARS of big-sister bullying make up for now that they can beat me up!
Elsa meets her first puffin at the Whale Museum in HusavikReading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" with Gramma J
Love the life of a Grandpa, eh Dad?
Riley arresting Thomas the medieval Viking way!
Out for a stroll in Reykjavik
Elsa's first dip in the hot spring near the summerhouse
Big smiles and a rainbow at the Golden waterfall
This one is the album cover....
My future's so bright I gotta wear shades, yo!
Getting a ride from Unkka Thomas
Elsa loves her fluffy sheep. She eats its face like a good Icelander should.
Unkka Riley's in Reykjavik!