I am just me..... e

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!

Well I never thought we would be doing it as a family.....just the whole terror filled with excitement, but we did. What did we do? WE ALL HELD SNAKES! AND WE LOVED IT! Liam was a little affraid at first but he is the one who loves watching the documentaries and animal planets shows, so I knew he would come round in his own time. They were stimpson Pythons (sp?) and they were just amazing. Soft and sleek, yet so muscular and strong. You really get a sense of their ppower when you hold them cause every muscle moves as they slide up and over you....truly amazing, and if you have though once or twice about it....DON'T THINK ANYMORE, JUST DO IT!!!!

We also held and pet with the Bob Tail Lizards and the Blue tongues, we stood and watched as the Dugite and the King Brown struck at the glass as we walked past the glass....freeeeky! We pat the dingos as the man told us all about them....did you know that they have no smell....ie; they don't make your hand smell when you pat them. If they get wet they don't smell....funny aye cause they seem just like a dog. The kids loved patting the Quakkas which were so cute, and we wqatched Joel laugh as the 'BIG BIRDIE' he called it (Emu) pecked his hand as he put it on the mesh...lol

Anyhow....it was a fabulous experience and we are so thrilled that we all did it together.

This week Riley gets to met his new Vet. He will be vacinated against Heart worm which is the largest known killer of Aussie Dogs and the reason there is quarintine if you travell out of Aus with your pet.

The kids schools are all sorted. 200 metre walk for Nikiita and Liam and a 20 minute bus ride for Kate. Great schools and really relieved that is all done. Medicare and WA Licenses is the jobs for this week. Signing our lease and chasing the conatiner which sounds like it should be ready around the same time as we get the house keys....fingers crossed. BRING ON ROUTINE....BRING ON NORMAL! BRING ON MY SCRAPPING STUFF! I am getting so grumpy without it all. BRING ON BROADBAND! BRING ON FOX!

ok.....hugs to everyone, and thanks for all the nice emails I have recieved from you super gals....it has made this trasition easia!

MWAH
hugs
e

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!

Well I never thought we would be doing it as a family.....just the whole terror filled with excitement, but we did. What did we do? WE ALL HELD SNAKES! AND WE LOVED IT! Liam was a little affraid at first but he is the one who loves watching the documentaries and animal planets shows, so I knew he would come round in his own time. They were stimpson Pythons (sp?) and they were just amazing. Soft and sleek, yet so muscular and strong. You really get a sense of their ppower when you hold them cause every muscle moves as they slide up and over you....truly amazing, and if you have though once or twice about it....DON'T THINK ANYMORE, JUST DO IT!!!!

We also held and pet with the Bob Tail Lizards and the Blue tongues, we stood and watched as the Dugite and the King Brown struck at the glass as we walked past the glass....freeeeky! We pat the dingos as the man told us all about them....did you know that they have no smell....ie; they don't make your hand smell when you pat them. If they get wet they don't smell....funny aye cause they seem just like a dog. The kids loved patting the Quakkas which were so cute, and we wqatched Joel laugh as the 'BIG BIRDIE' he called it (Emu) pecked his hand as he put it on the mesh...lol

Anyhow....it was a fabulous experience and we are so thrilled that we all did it together.

This week Riley gets to met his new Vet. He will be vacinated against Heart worm which is the largest known killer of Aussie Dogs and the reason there is quarintine if you travell out of Aus with your pet.

The kids schools are all sorted. 200 metre walk for Nikiita and Liam and a 20 minute bus ride for Kate. Great schools and really relieved that is all done. Medicare and WA Licenses is the jobs for this week. Signing our lease and chasing the conatiner which sounds like it should be ready around the same time as we get the house keys....fingers crossed. BRING ON ROUTINE....BRING ON NORMAL! BRING ON MY SCRAPPING STUFF! I am getting so grumpy without it all. BRING ON BROADBAND! BRING ON FOX!

ok.....hugs to everyone, and thanks for all the nice emails I have recieved from you super gals....it has made this trasition easia!

MWAH
hugs
e

Coming together

I think anyhow. We got confirmation on Friday that we have a house! It is a lovely old place gorgeously renovated and set on a 1/4 acre in the foothills in Greenmount. We should take over on the 18th and then hopefully the container won't be far away and we can start the process of unpacking....yuk! but yay!

The kids are excited. We can start to settle now. I have appointments on |Wednesday with schools for the kids and I am sure this will start to make us feel normal. We are all a little over eachother. The kids haven't been able to experience the other aussie kids so this will be cool.

We are off today to do the AQWA. The Aquarium of Western Australia so that will occupy us all for a time. The kids love widlife and sea life so this will be awesome.

The other exciting news is the vehicle. I might have a nice tasty wagon arriving soon but that is all I will share for now......yay suspense.....

Few dramas with Joel after dislodging the radial head in the elbow but after a long hospital visit we are sorted and it is popped back in. Now you wouldn't even know any differnt....anyhow....enough to say that our luck has felt a little shy or normal lately.

Ok.....off to get organised. Hugs to all
e

Soooo warm!

Here I am again. Day 22. It has been three weeks and wow it feels longer. Maybe because we are still trying to settle but anyhow....we are all good. Craigs work is cool. He is finally starting to get to know everyones names which has been the hardest part. The joys of having a big team. Otherwise all good. House hunting is still going. Finding the right house will take some time and that is ok.

Have finally got some pics off the camera cards. Forgot to bring the software for downloading from the camera and so it was just easier to fill the cards and then get the local store to put them onto disk....man that process is cheap here! Liam and Nikita with their favourites pals at the Caversha Wildlife Park which is not far from where we are, and Joels pic was taken the day or so before we left NZ but just love how grown up he looks in it.

The dragonfly is a critter that came and landed under the pergola here at the house and stayed for ages. I got among this pic, some really close pics of him and he never budged. Amazing creatures. Typepad from this laptop is putting things in a funny old order and dial is nuts so forgive this muddle but have to fly.

Ok.. Hope your all well.

Hugs

e

{not meant to be}

Well the house was ours.....or so the manager thought. That was until the owner got advice from their accountant that if they kept ths property there would be a huge capital gains penalty....so he told them to sell. I got the call and I was gutted.....really gutted. The chance to get the kids settled and into scholl and back into some form of routine wqas getting very very attractive and relieving Craig from the commute was getting attractive....but hey. Not meant to be I guess.

So yesterday we were back on the horse....out there driving past a bunch of houses. The property managers do a great job of making them look and sound awesome but some of them simple are not. It is a frustrating process but necessary, so for now....we are still here. Still with 4 kids who are ready to eat eachother out of frustration, and a mum who is probably loosing the plot a touch...lol....more anyhow.

Ok....calls to make....things to do. HAPPY HOUSE THOUGHTS! Thanks for all the well wishes everyone.

hugs

e

Divine home.......

It is Day 16.....the rain is welcomed by all here cause when i stops it can be months before they see it again. Warm though....for us anyhow.

Divine Home. I have found the most divine home and it happens to be so very close to Craig's work it is hilarious. It would mean no more freeway driving for him which is awesome. The home is 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms one is our en-suite and has a full corner spa with jets....BRING THAT ON! Separate theatre room with plugs for speakers etc. Solar hot water, reverse cycle air cond (for heating and cooling, huge section with built in sand pit, huge lawn for the kids and puppy to run around, and man i am pumped. Just waiting for the elusive phone call.....happy thoughts people.....please.

Kids are great but slowly they are getting very over being here together all day each day. I guess after all that we have done it is getting a little tiring. If this house is confirmed it means we can enroll for the new term which will be great for them and me...lol

Well a short post but one non the less. Hope this finds everyone well. WA Scrappers feel free to email me using the link with a list of all the cool LSS.....I feel the need to start looking and maybe buying....even if I can't do much the retail therapy would be awesome.

Hugs to all.

e

{did I move countires????}

DID I MOVE COUNTRIES? Did I????? Did I pack up 4 kids a dog and my husband and relocate?????

Well yes....mad I know, but hey I have to pinch myself.

Well here I am. Day 11. Don't ask me about the first 5 days cause they really are somewhat of a blurr! We really didn't think the small time difference would mes with us as much as it did but finally on day 5 we started to feel human again or at least something that slightly reasembles human.

Flying into Perth was the nicest feeling. It was night and the lights were amazing. The kids all travelled so bloody well. We were expecting the worst so we were very pleasantly suprised. Joel fell asleep about 2 hours into the flight and slept for 2 hours, so by the time he woke and walked alittle and charmed all the passengers (and he did) it was time for hi tea (Queens birthday monday on Air NZ they served tea and scones in celebration) andthen we began our decent.....it seemed to be all over just as it was beginning....the perfect flight!

The famiy was gathered outide the terminal and it was soooo good to see my Dad. Still have to pinch myself a little when I think I can go visit and have coffee now.....awesome. At least at the moment we are busy with house hunting etc and we can't crowd him too much...lol. Riley travelled like a star! The ladies at the pick up in Perth fell in love with him and drew hearts all over his crate and wrote ' Beautiful Riley' everywhre.....so nice4. He came out of the crate and was so happy. He ate and drank and snuggled for the next few days but didn't show any of the signs of a long flight that they prepared us for. The pet transporters were INCREDIBLE! So here is a plug....Chalenge International Pet Movers Ltd. Warwick Lee.....he was amazing. If you need him to move your treasured animal call Auckland 09-292 8789 or 021 PETMAN! He was awesome. Thanks.

We stayed at Dads the first night here as we thought trying to find the temporary house in the dark would just disorientate us all more. Had a good sleep and arrived out the nhouse on the tuesday. The house is amazing. So lovely...brick and tile 4 bedroom 2 bathroom and 3 living aras. It is nice to be able to unpack our cases and just chill.....although we didn't really unwind till after the tim difference thing wore off. Joel was sleeping in the portacot, but we found that he was just too uncomfortable, so on day 6 we decided that we had to get him into the bed in Liams room. MY BABIES IN A BED!!!!! GRRRR Denial denial denial.....anyhow....regardless of my feelings he has been very comfy and hasn't looked back.

Craig started the new role on Monday and of course the first few weeks are unproductive and tiring...there are so many people to meet and get to know not to mention the departments he is responsible for....all in good time. It really is a huge role and I think he is having trouble comprehending that this is possible the pinnacle of his career path. This role is really in terms nof purhasing and procurement and everything it involves, it is the grand-daddy!. I am very proud of him. He will succeed....he is just so well respected and it is such a nice thing to know.....love him.

Kids and I are doing great. Hard at the moment as the schooling is all so strictly zoned that we cannot enrol then until we have a fixed permanent house so that is taking time but with their holidays looming I am not worried. To be honest it is really nice to have them home and be doing some cool stuff. (although there has been days when I could have sold them all) Yesterday we all got on the train in the North East of the city after dropping Kaitlyn at my neices (same ages so they are loving having eachother to hang with) and went down to Fremantle. The train ride is so cool and such good fun for kids that haven't trained it before. NOT TO MENTION FREAKING CHEAP! $3.40 for me and $1.40 for each of the kids return! It doesn't get better than that. When we all got to Freo (that is what the locals call Fremantle) thee was a HUGE container ship at the port being unloaded so another reat thing for the kids to see was where their stuff would be going and how it would be unloaded before being delivered....sad thing is they asked where it is now, and of course it doesn't sail from Nelson till the 14th....grrrr.

Great days here with the temp dipping to 7-10 overnight and then the barmy22-25 during the day. We had an 18degree day the other day and we were still in t-shirts while all the locals are moaning how cool it was....pretty funny. The neighbour from the house next-door came over the introduce herself (lovely lady) and said that her and her husband chuckled when they heard the kids swimming that first few days....they wondered whether we were poms....too funny.

Hillaries at sorento Quay is amazing. It was one of my favourite places when I was here before having the kids. Now it is even better and so geared up for the families which is wicked cool with play grounds etc. We played and ate and then walked.

All in all.....it has been awesome. Loads of things I miss but loads of things to discover....like how freaking cheap the video store is! Yes the rainy days were filled with TV sitter movies and popcorn. This weekend we are taking the kids to the Caversham wildlife reserve. They are dying to hold Koals and wombats etc and after seeing a kangaroo in the RSPCA grounds off the freeway the other day and a gecko thing yesterday they are bursting at the seems....luckily animal planet was a favourite of my kids shows to watch on sky and they know everything about snakes and animals and love them all. Bring on Foxtel.....poor mans tv here is not exciting, so we are all hanging out for some animal fix!

Outside of one of the living areas in this temporary house is a water feature...we discovered that there is actually 2 goldfish living in there but heavens knows how long they have been there without any decent food, so we got some food and now one of our daily chores is to feed the fish...Joel loves it. Although he loves throwing the little pebbles over the fence into the swimming pool to! After teaching him from birth to throw stones into the estuary in Mapua, I guess it all seems the same right!

Well.....that is my update. WA is super.....missing all my kiwi pals, but hey....there are planes right! I will have some pics soon but the software for the camera transfer is in the container....will have to get these pics off and onto disc so I can share.

hugs

e

{for my dad & extended family}

7 sleeps to go !!!

{ROLLER-COASTER}

ROLLER-COASTER. That is my word for the month. It is exactly how I would describe this last few weeks. It has been so hard organising all of the things that go with relocating a large family, but I am sitting here on this cool Monday morning awaiting the impending arrival of Crown. It is charged with emotion. It is sad that we are leaving this place. This area is rich in many ways, and we all feel that we have not really scratched the surface. My eldest left a week ago and then last night we put the middle 2 on a plane to the North to make this next few days easier for ourselves. tINGED WITH SADNESS AND CHARGED WITH EXCITMENT. tHIS RIDE IS ONE YOU CAN'T FIND AT A THEME PARK!

The boxes will soon mount up around us. We will leave the house today and let the guys do their thing. When we return we will have our lives in boxes....again....remember that layout?

Take care everyone, and we will chat on the other side of the ditch.

Hugs hugs

{where are the days going?....anyone?}

It is like we have all of a sudden lost the last 10days. It was not that long ago we were talking to the children and now here we are....counting down. Packers arrive monday to start the pack. I have sold 3 cars, finished work, looked for houses, and schools, had a grage sale, and cleaned out and thrown stuff out of almost evern room in the house. It is enough to describe me as completely and utterly scattered. I am shattered. Like bone chilling tired. Like Joel waking every night for hours tired. I look 90.......but.......I know it will all be worth it. It will be fabulous!

Today my girl turned 10! My baby girl. It is crazy. She was so thrilled when she opened her pressie from all of the family & her grandies to see her most wanted pressie.....Ipod. She is on cloud 9, and I wish I could join her.

I sent out loads of emails tonight ( with not allot of luck I have to say) with all of the new address details etc, but sadly loads of them bounced. If you have not recieved yours please email me and I will happily resend to you. Our temp house in Perth is lovely......check this out.

reckon it is just a shame we can't stay here right....lol

Well. Must fly. Have tonnes to do tonight and already it is 10.20pm....gunna be a late one again.

hugs

e