Capturing The Moment

Leigh is so good at capturing the moment, each photo seems to have it's own little story - the expressions, the body language, the background. It makes me want to write a little story about each picture, but I won't so that your imagination can think what it likes! It was such a beautiful day on Thursday and I'm glad our photographer was able to stop by in his lunch break! Thanks for the great photos Leigh.

Time to eat the Food Storage

It's taken me 3 years to get our food storage in order - and it's still not complete, but I think if we had to live on what's in our cupboards for a few months, I'd be able to give it a good crack! I really just try and keep my pantry stocked as much as possible and I'm finally at the point where when we eat something I just try and replace it when I can. (You know... keep those par levels up!)  Like everyone I try and stock up on certain things when they are on sale but NOT ANYMORE! It's time to eat our cupboards bare! I have to change my whole thought process when at the supermarket now and only buy what I need for that week, no more replacing & stocking up. Had a couple of boxes of Weetbix  in my hands the other day because they were on sale - but had to put them back!! 

The extra money we will now save from eating our food storage is going to come in very handy because organising this move to the UK is getting more and more expensive everyday. All these things keep popping up that we are going to have to do or get or buy. I'm telling you, as soon as Mick's exams are over in 2 weeks (don't even get me started on how exciting that is!!!) the Suby is up for sale and he is back on the bus! So, If you're interested in any of our cars - send me an email!! Anyway... so back to the pantry - I have to admit, that saying good bye to my beloved pantry is going to be very difficult so I took some photos so that I can check back up on it every now and again! 

Emily Starts Nursery

Emily started going to nursery a few weeks ago, but on Sunday it was her first 'official week' so I took the camera to get some shots! She's a very lucky girl because she has two beautiful friends to look after her - Charlotte and Leilani! Here they are off to nursery together...

Emily found some toys quickly and acted like she has been coming here for years! Our nursery is quite big at the moment so Emily has lots of kids to play with and we have wonderful nursery leaders too - Chernoa, Steve and Tania. They do a great job and the kids love them. I'm sure Emily will enjoy being the baby of the group and get lots of attention. It has sure made my life a lot easier now that she has started nursery because I no longer have to worry about who I'm going to grab to look after her while I teach primary! It's hard to believe that my little baby is so grown up though - 2 kids in nursery - never thought I'd be saying that!!

Lani & Emily Reunite!

Leilani went and visited Grandma on Saturday morning while Daddy was fixing our change table in Grandad's garage. Emily was asleep in bed so when Daddy left to go to work to study Lani decided she would like to stay and play at Grandmas for a while. She had a lovely morning and helped Grandma make some new clothes for one of Grandmas special dolls. When Emily and I turned up to see what was going on Lani and Emily were very excited to see each other! This is how it went....

What was I like when I was 18 months old Mum?

Just in case Emily asks me this question one day, here is the answer...

You love to talk and you especially like to say LANI!!!! You know heaps of words now and are starting to put 2 words together. You love your dollies and love to push them around in the pram, give them cuddles and tuck them into bed. You run really fast and love to be chased, you are good at 'Hide & Seek' now and get very excited when we play. You said your first prayer the other night (you said 'dear' and 'amen'!!!) You know exactly what you want and will sometimes throw yourself on the floor if you don't get it! You love to draw with chalk (on walls and all) and dance around. You have a big smile and get excited when you see us. Lani is your best friend and you love playing with her and copying everything she does, but I think you also enjoy being left alone every now and again. You like to watch Play School & you enjoy stacking blocks and watching them fall over! You are starting to become a bit of a mummy's girl and are starting to get a little wary when I leave you - but most of the time you are fine. You still love cuddles and give big kisses. You are a great sleeper and sleep 7 - 7 every night. You have a 2 hour day time sleep most days but sometimes when we go out you miss out on them, but you still cope fine. We love you Emily and are so glad you are a part of our family.

One Of My Favourite Things To Do...

I love to SLEEP! Especially in winter, being curled up in a nice warm bed - it's great! I am really enjoying not having any 'babies' in the house at the moment because it means I don't have to get up so early in the morning to look after them! Lani and Emily usually wake around 7 and Mick is up by then leaving for work, so he gets Emily out and they play quite happily together without me - so I don't have to get out until 7.30-8.00am. I love it! Leilani took this photo of me  the other morning - I had to laugh when I saw it!

Walk The Line

I grew up listening to Country & Western Music, so a lot of it I quite like. (not all, but some!) Johnny Cash was always a favourite and I can still hear the speakers vibrating in the car cause Dad has it turned up so loud! I have been wanting to see the 2005 movie starring  Joaquin Phoenix & Reese Witherspoon, Walk The Line for a while now and was quiet excited to see it on Dads DVD shelf  the other day. I really really enjoyed it, I think there is just something about 'true stories' that makes them so much more interesting to watch, and I think that's also why I loved 'Children Of the Silk Road'. I don't feel like I'm wasting my time watching  Documentaries and I love learning new things. You can learn so much about yourself and about life - and what's really important from reading/watching someone else's life. Of course it would be nice to know what bits are 'real' and what bits are there to make it a 'movie' but its enjoyable all the same. I found Walk the Line quite sad actually, and was reminded about how much of an impact we as parents have on our children. It also reminded me that the choices we make each day are so important and by making just one bad choice (like taking drugs) some of our next choices are taken away from us. (like to stop taking them - addiction kicks in and it's no longer a choice, our body and mind just need them). I know Johnny Cash was no saint all of the time but I also think that he really believed in his Faith and he always tried to stay true to himself. In lots of ways he was a good Christian and really cared about people, he just also made some bad choices - which we all do at times. Anyway, I could probably talk about this movie for ever but I better get to bed... if you are in for some Johnny Cash tunes go to this Johnny Cash Official site!

Move over QUEEN... cause I'm coming to England!

As many of you may know, we have been thinking about going to the UK for about 12 months in 2009. Well, last night we got the email we have been waiting for -  Mick was offered a job in Taunton, England! How exciting! There is still lots of paperwork and finalising to do before it is set in concrete but it's looking like that is where we will be for the year 2009. We just have to get there now!! There is so much organising to do that I don't even really want to think about it.  Taunton is South West of London and we have heard lots of nice things about it. See if you can find it on this map! 

So I have been really looking forward to this day - knowing either way if we are leaving the country or not, but it appears it hasn't been all I had expected. It's like it has only just hit me that if we go to England we are also leaving so much behind! Previously, when things were just a possibility I spent most my time thinking about all the wonderful things we are going to see and do! But now its 'real' all these other thoughts come to your mind. How am I going to say good bye to my family for a whole year?? It has been a big day for me today - I think it's still sinking in that it's 'really going too happen' but I'm sure tomorrow all the excitement will kick in again and I'll be feeling back to normal... (well a little!!) because even after saying all that I am very excited and feel very blessed for the opportunity we have been given to see another part of the world. It is going to be lots of fun and hopefully we will get to see lots of Europe too, not to forget a Jane Austin Tour around Hampshire! Anyway... so I better get back to reading my Lonely Planet guide of 'Great Britain'.   

Poor Little Emily

This morning Leilani was trying to 'help' Emily onto the bed and nearly pulled her arm off! Okay slight exaggeration there, but basically they were playing in the bedroom when I hear Emily crying, she came out holding her arm, and looking quite sad. She was also looking a little tired so after asking Lani what happened and settling Emily down I put her to bed. She kept waking up  though - crying and would be laying perfectly still when I would go in there - so I gave her some Panodol and she slept for about an hour, but when she woke she was quite upset - which is very unusual.  She wouldn't lift her arm and was holding it very stiff. Even though I thought everything was okay I was a  little worried so I took her to the Doctor - just in case. He said she was fine, and to just keep giving Panodol. He said this happens to children a lot. Gave me a name for the pain but I don't know what that was! It seems to be in her shoulder - where Lani tried to pull her arm out of it's socket! Anyway, Emily is fine, but has been pretty miserable all day. She just drags her arm around and cries every now and again. It looks like its still hurting, but she has gone to bed fine, after having a little rest on  the couch after her bath. My poor little angel. 

As for the arm puller - she had a fantastic day! Ange and I had planned on taking the kids to Kids Bizz for a few hours because it's been so cold and wet, and playing out side is a 'no no' for me! Anyway, after hearing me on the phone to Ange, Lani was very quick to tell me that Aunty Ange will come and pick her up and take her and Locke to Kids Bizz, while I take Emily to the doctor!! And that's what happened too! So Lani and Locke had a great day! Thanks Ange.

Bad News... Good News...

So the bad news came first... last night I was waiting for Mick to get home because we had our Home Teachers coming around. It was about 7.40pm and the phone rings... It's Mick, he is on the Southern Outlet with 2... yes not 1 but 2 flat tyres!! It was absolutely pouring with rain and he had hit a rock. The car behind him did the same. What a pain I thought! But I guess it could be a lot worse. He quickly rang Robbie Bell who thankfully was on his way to visit us, and asked him to pick him up. (Mmm, It's funny that Rob always seems to appear when it's flooding... remember the flood in Elle's bag!??) Anyway, it was too dark & wet to change the tyre and even if they did they still had another flat tyre. So much to our dislike we had to leave the car on the outlet all night - at this point we were glad that it was raining - because it would hopefully keep the thieves away! And it did. Mick got up early this morning, and went and changed one tyre, then took that tyre in to get a new one and then drove back and changed the 2nd tyre and then came and picked us up and we dropped him back off at his car which then took him back to the tyre shop to get  the spare changed and a wheel alignment done. What a hassle... not to mention the cost - they were brand new tyres too! Little did we know that this day would also bring us GOOD NEWS...

This afternoon I arrived home and peeked in the letter box to see this wonderful envelope...

As I was heading back to the car to get the kids out my phone rings - which Leilani found in my bag for me and kindly answered! It was Daddy... after quickly getting everyone and everything out of the car and inside I opened the letter with Mick on the phone, took a deep breath and read the following...

I then read the second letter which said exactly the same - except that it was for Physiology instead of Pharmacology! Mick sounded very pleased but at the same time a bit nervous and overwhelmed I think... only 4 weeks until the Oral exam in Melbourne, where he will undergo 20 minutes of hard core questions in front of 3 examiners for each section. And then... it will be over! (For now). Knowing there is going to be no more study in just 4 weeks time (I'm being very positive here!) is an amazing feeling, and something we haven't experienced for a very long time. I'm so excited! Well done Mick on doing well enough in the written exams to get an invite to the Viva. I'm very proud of you and know that you have worked damn hard for it. I know it's going to be a very busy and tough next 4 weeks but I can't wait to hear "Honey... I'm home" a bit more often! 

Where are we going??

I'm never quite sure where to answer when people ask you questions in a comment! I usually just answer in a comment back - but it feels kinda weird making a comment on your own blog and then you always wonder if they actually go back in and re-read the comments to get the answer! So anyway, because I had quite a few "where are you going?" comments I thought I had better make a post! 

So, where are we going....? Well, I'd like to know that too! We are still waiting to find out so when I know I will let you know!! It may even be somewhere that doesn't require a passport, but just in case I thought I had better start getting them organised. Sorry to disappoint you all, but believe me, it sucks more for me than it does for you!!! 

Hair doos, passport photos and going to the gym in jeans!

Today I visited Chernoa at 'Bounce' and got a much needed hair cut. It feels so good to get your hair done - especially when you have a thick mop like me - she thinned it right out, so now I feel normal again. She also gave me a bit of a fringe - I swore I'd never have one of these again, as I think going through High School with a stupid fringe was enough, but this one is good... it's a 'sweepy one off to the side!!!' It will probably annoy the hell out of me, but we will just have to see! 

After the hair doo, I thought I had better go and show it off - at the gym! Mum met me there with Lani, as her and Elle were very kind to look after the kids for me so I could get the full salon treatment in peace (Chernoa gives great head massages too by the way!) Elle stayed home with Emily so that she could have a sleep (Emily, not Elle). Anyway, so I rock up at the gym to find that I forgot to put my clothes in!! Had my shoes though and thought half hour jog on the treadmill is better than nothing - so I went anyway. Felt like a bit of a loser running with my jeans on, but I did have good looking hair! 

After collecting the kids, we went in to Kingston to get our passport photos done - hence the dorky looking photos bellow! Yes, I look a bit stupid, but it's hard trying to smile without showing your teeth - and who really cares anyway... as long as it gets me out of the country! Leilani was her usual shy self and sat there looking a bit worried and Emily just stared at the camera and didn't make a sound! And I tell you what... it's flamin' expensive organising a passport. These photos cost me $15.00 each (each person). I think I got ripped off! Maybe I should have never changed my name then I could have just kept my old one! Anyone want to volunteer to be our 'Guarantor'??? You only have to fill 3 pages out!!!  

We Miss Grandad

We are looking forward to Grandad coming home this week... hopefully. He has been touring the country for work (I'm sure that's not how he would put it!) for nearly 4 weeks now and we really miss him. I know Lani and Emily are going to be very excited to see him - they love their Grandad so much. They have been very lucky girls though as Grandad has sent them some very special gifts in the mail, the first few weeks he was gone. Hurry up Grandad!

Growing Up

Just some pictures of Leilani & Emily ready to go out for the day. Lani just loves holding Emily's hand and thinks it's so special. I can't believe how grown up they are now. Lani is very excited that she can open Grandma & Grandad's front door all by herself. Out the car she gets and off she goes - before I have even undone my seat belt! I then get Emily out of the car and off she goes too, inside talking to Grandma before you know it!  It makes life so much easier when you don't have to carry someone around though. They sure are two little girls now... won't be long and they will be fighting over who used all the hairspray or telling each other off for hogging the bathroom!!

Challis Family Reunion

Last Saturday (2nd August) we drove to Launceston to catch up with some of Micks family at a family reunion. We had a great day, even though we had to drive up and back in the one day because I had made plans to see 'Children Of The Silk Road' (which I loved by the way) that night. The kids had a great time running around the big hall - laughing and chasing each other. Gail cooked us a lovely dinner when we got back to their house before we had to leave. It was a really nice day and we enjoyed all being together.  

This is Emily, striking a pose!

Not sure what they were doing here

 Max, Lani & Emily

Michael, Leilani & Grandmama (and Ezra's head!)

Mick, Matt, Katrina, Rachel, Ezra, Jacoba, Kaea & Max

The three siblings!! 

This was funny - Lani wanted to have her photo taken with Max, but he refused to turn around! Check him out... Mr Casual!

The one with the...

I have been a very bad blogger over the past few weeks... I think F.R.I.E.N.D.S may have had something to do with it! I have been watching seasons 9 & 10 and became a little addicted and therefore blogging hasn't really been on my mind - it has actually felt like a bit of a chore, so that's why I haven't done any! But, I watched the final episode last night and so I might take a break for a while before starting from season 1 again! I just love it though, and I became quite teary towards the end - lucky Mick arrived home when he did - it was about 10pm and I had 10 minutes to go - I may have broken down if he wasn't there to comfort me!!!! I have really enjoyed curling up on the couch under my quilt lately, it's nice to do that in winter and because Spring is just around the corner I thought I had better get a bit of TV watching in! 

Anyway, the Blogging bug has got me again, so I better get to it and start blogging everything that has been going on... before it leaves again! 

Why did it have to end?