Along with 1,535 other immigrants from over 100 countries, Anna Maria Ulrika Wilcox became an American citizen!  It has been a long journey for Ika; although she came speaking English (somewhat:), there was much about America for Ika to learn.  She now follows the news closely, as our political world is very different from Sweden.  There are some very heated discussions over how we could manage to be the wealthiest nation on earth, yet have only 2 viable political parties.  I must admit she has a point.

Her cute Swedish accent will always be with us, we hope.  It really is pretty funny when she yells to Matt from the kitchen that there is an animal walking across the floor – usually an ant that he must do something about.  Evidently “insect” has not really stuck with her.  So much more has, though.  She has earned a Masters and worked as a school psychologist, all in a foreign language (although less foreign now).  In itself, this was an very impressive accomplishment, as I have spoken english all my life, and after attempting to read a chapter of her psychology textbook, I found it might as well have been written in greek.

One other important step in this process of Americanization, she married Matt.  She has been a joy to our family, and just to top it off, she’s growing my grandson Bo.  Congratulations Anna Maria Ulrika Wilcox, we are so proud of you!