Winding Down

With less than a month left in this great country, we're doing all the requisite prepping that an across-the-world move for a family of seven entails. It's stressful. And sad. Tears keep slipping out of my eyes. But we're Focusing On the Positive here and so let me take a break from the madness that is my house (perpetual-cleaning/purging/organizing-frenzy-zone) and share a few glimpses of the last couple of months. All these moments stacked up over our time here, as captured in photos, hold the promise of more tears as we reminisce and look back on this blessed little chapter in our lives.

a promising support team

Seriously, we need to get Miss Kenna into some gym classes, right?

Will got voted Class Captain this year. Funny guy got sort of pressured into it last minute and credits his win to a cool, smooth speech (didn't have time to get nervous and prep for it like the other kids!)

The Three Stooges. They like to copy everything he does (pb on the face - some sort of Instagram silliness). And recently he discovered that magic that is a CAKE MIX. Easiest gig ever! Been spending plenty of time soaking up the last rays of summer in the neighbor's pool and having dance parties on their drive. Got real acquainted with this water scorpion that wouldn't leave and the blue tongued lizard that lives in our back yard wall.

Cockatoos at Eddison Park

Enjoyed a few friends' dogs lately. The littles are completely enamored with Kathryn's pups and I nipped my dog craving by watching the Swann's dogs over one weekend. (Sidenote: trying to walk three large dogs and a toddler, alone, with a baby on  your back is no bueno - especially when the "naughty" one wriggles out of its leash. Now that was a shot of adrenaline! I haven't run that fast in a decade.)

Kenna also got a surprise 2 minutes into another walk when running the same one downhill in the bush (she's fast!) as a sharp stick skewered through the sole of her shoe. (Also no picnic treating a bloody emergency while trying to wrangle poor dogs back inside their fence with scared toddler in tow!) Great dogs though - we had fun. Just not ready to take that kind of crazy on at this stage.

The little kids so desperately wish they could ride to school with the bigs. Sending them off is freaking adorable.

And ample Sorenson dress up (or undress) time galore!

St. Patty's Day snuck up on me and I didn't notice until my Instagram feed lit up a half hour before the kids returned from school. Luckily Summer had dozed off so I scrambled around throwing out rainbows and clovers, dying milk and hiding treats and clues just in the nick of time. Phew!

Did a impromptu and memorable game of Truth or Dare one night with the older kids. Dad came up with some good dares (raw onion, soy-soaked rice bubbles, or spoonful of vegemite, anyone?) and they learned a few things about us old folks!

Had angels watching over us one day as I accidentally bumped on the burner on our way out the door (melting the blender cord and a bag of granola) then had a near collision with a semi on slippery roads in a round about. It's shocking how such harrowing experiences can happen in mere seconds.

"Family #2" is in that wonderfully magical stage of discovery these days. Constant heart-melters.

Easter is celebrated with a four day weekend in Australia, which is a delight. We got a lot of move stuff done but also enjoyed ample Dad time. Even enjoyed a feast and game night with the Sorensons (our virtual "cousins" here.) I was a bit distracted to pull off our week long celebrations but we did cram in the Jerusalem dinner, empty tomb cookies and some Messiah music along with our Easter discussions. We've done it enough years now that things are really starting to stick - they get the true meaning and enjoy reviewing Christ's last week. I love this holiday! We use THIS BOOK but I'm sure there are many beautiful resources out there.

Easter Bunny had Des: totally traumatized, Sum: in ecstasy, Annie: excited, Kenna: chill, Will: seriously, Mom?

 Puddle jumping gone wild after school one day. They were in Heaven.

 Daddy's morning goodbye committee. (I don't know how he ever leaves.) And yes, the mullet. It must be documented. It's amazing. I just can't bring myself to cut those golden baby curls off!!

I attended my last Stake Relief Society Camp and went out with a bang. Honed some new archery skillzzzz and snuck out for a midnight dip with besties.

 I tell ya, every Stake around the world should be in on this, such a great idea. Not just for bonding, good food and late night games/talks, but the classes Saturday are so enriching. My soul friend Kristin, professional life coach extraordinaire, ran one and had us write our faults/regrets/insecurities on tiles then put us all in goggles, and let us hammer them to smitherines!

 Will has enjoyed his own camping/kayaking/hiking adventures with this fantastic Scout Troop. I wonder if he'll ever be in such an intense and accomplished troop again. As the only American participants, these guys even won the Cotter Shield, a weekend competition between the many scout troops in the whole ACT - they are hard core!

 Dad took the kids on a bike/hike up Mount Taylor on Easter Monday and what a view! Sounds like I better sneak over there myself early some morning and check it out before we go.

These gum trees have climbed right into my heart and will stay there forever.

 I tell ya, we're having a hard time letting go of this place...

Summertimes!

It has been such a great last summer here in Oz. My heavens, will we miss this place! While we haven't traveled everywhere we thought we might during our three years, we are very happy with all we've experienced and the priceless memories that are forever etched in our hearts. Can't think about the goodbyes without tearing up, but hey, that's still two months away, so let's focus on the positive! Here's a glimpse of how we kept up this summer:

From family painting days, to ceiling/hair adornments... creativity was a-flowin'.

Lots of outdoor time. We especially enjoyed the live music at the National Botanical Gardens and our generous neighbors' pools. (Hot Aussie summers would've been a very different experience here without their kind, open invitations!)

I was very proud of these brave souls as they got out of their comfort zones to go busking a couple times. I keep telling them, do it while you're young because people appreciate it a lot more when kids get out there.

And I'm not gonna lie, they made bank.
(Sidenote: their motivation was mainly due to their mean parents who made them pay for a large chunk of the fun school camp on offer this year! Definitely fast cash.)

 

 

splurging on some gelato afterwards

Forgive my use of Instagram photos, but that's how I kept memories tucked away this summer...

A couple days I did tending trade offs of our two youngest so the big kids and I could bike ride or explore or geocache or whatever and MAN, was that fun! We kept yelling out to each other, "This is so cool - we can go so fast!" or being wowed whenever we loaded in and out of the car in under 10 seconds rather than 10 minutes. As much as we love those sweet, rowdy, little munchkins, it was a real treat to have active fun and mature conversation with these awesome kiddos of mine that are just growing up way. too. fast.

Cared for the school chooks over part of the summer holidays and I could hardly pull them out of the pen each time. Especially Des. While the other kids were diving and chasing to catch them up, he would just walk up to one, scoop it up in a hug, stand up and smile like it was no problem.

Of course, plenty of indoor fun to be had as well. This was the most laid back summer I think I've ever had in my life. I was a relaxed mum. We didn't have sports on or any real trips to speak of. We'd done all the local sights already so we just chilled out and enjoyed life. And while they didn't read as much or learn any new skills, I think the bonding that took place in our last semi-reclusive summer certainly made up for that.

Granola became an almost weekly tradition this summer.

outdoor group Suzuki classes

Fell in love with the old school Manuka Swimming Pool too. Retro cool digs complete with mosaic artwork on the walls and walkways. I swear these guys really are fish now.

And lest these pics make it seem Dad wasn't ever around, Darren took these girls on a paddle boat ride without any prodding when they were out together one Saturday. That memory's gonna last a while. :)