Our last week in Norway was a long week of goodbyes. We spent the few days after Kris and Shanna left walking around the city and visiting our favorite playgrounds and museums. At home we were busy cleaning and packing the last of our belongings. The preparations for moving were exciting and sad for all of us.
Maarit continually asked us how things would be different in "The United" ....as in "Do they have pølser (hot dogs) in The United?" We learned that there were many things she must have forgotten about the US since we've been away. She remembers her special people, but some of the every day things and nuances of culture she had forgotten. We also love how she insists on calling the United States 'The United'.
Even Gus was tired out from all the packing and cleaning. It is a testament to her love for her baby brother that Maarit lets him snuggle Special Bear!
One of our last mornings in Stavanger Maarit spent the whole morning in her undies. After we promised a walk to a playground she ran upstairs to get dressed...this was the outfit she came down with. Ready to go play!
Our friend Aaron took this picture on our last visit to our Norway home after we had checked out with the realty firm. We will always love our little house in Norway and remember it with fond memories.
I think this shot by Aaron looks like Maarit is the lead singer in the Mattson Family band.
After checking out of our house, we went to say goodbye to Gus and Maarit's Norwegian grandparents: Jessie and Egil. It was very sad to leave them, they have been so incredibly kind to our family and especially to Maarit and Gus. They made birthdays and holidays special with their kind gifts and visits. We were lucky to live near such caring and wonderful people.
We realized we had never shown a picture of our constant shopping place...our grocery and hardware store, and the place to find clothing and toys. The AMFI was always a big hit with Maarit, especially for icees and treats and it was a welcome reprieve from the rain when we were walking home from school.
After saying goodbye to our home and neighbors, we headed to see the cave in Viste which has been occupied by humans since prehistoric times. The cave is black with thousands of years of soot.
We visited the North Sea one last time.
We spent two wonderful nights with our friends Aaron and Annemieke. Maarit enjoyed having them play and spend time with her. She especially loved hearing Annemieke read her Dutch children's stories (translated of course). She was also very interested in these baby spiders outside their doorway.
On Tuesday, June 25 we flew home to The United, ending our 2 year Norway adventure. When we think back on our experience we are so very grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to Norway, teach, learn and grow as a family and as individuals. We are amazed, looking back, how much Maarit has grown up and changed since we first moved overseas with her as a 2 year old toddler. She is now such a big girl, so confident, independent and she has developed a wonderful personality all her own.
We are also grateful to Norway for Gustaf. Our family was able to grow because of the fantastic care Norway provides to women and children. He is well and healthy because of the love and care he received in Norwegian hospitals and from his Madla Healthstation nurse and doctor.
We gained so much in our short time in Norway including wonderful friends, memories and perspective about how we want to live our lives- for that I am forever grateful. It is a running joke in our family that Gus is actually Norwegian and we plan to bring him back to visit his homeland when he is old enough to see the sites and appreciate the culture.
We are excited to be back with our family and our dear friends in the Midwest, but a part of our hearts will always be in Stavanger.
As we were flying out from the Sola airport we held hands at take off...all 4 of us together heading off on a new Family Mattson adventure. We looked down on the town and the country we called home for 2 years and said "Goodbye Norway! See you in a few years!" ...and I am sure that we will.
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