The Ends of the Earth

Monday, March 12, 2012

Anticipating April's Harvest Festival

We've really enjoyed the last few weeks in Wellington. Wellington is truly feeling like home, and honestly I pinch myself every day - I feel very thankful to be here! We finished an exciting week of prayer at our church. The church setup a 24/7 prayer room about 20 minutes drive north from our home. We signed up for a 1-hr session as a family, and I brought the boys to a few 1-hr sessions during the week. In so many odd ways, Wellington feels so much like my college days in Boston. This is mainly due to the strong community we've experienced. The following are located within a 5-minute walk from our home: Jason's work, Charlie's preschool, my work, our doctor, grocery store, 2 parks, the waterfront, our church plant building, our babysitters, 14 coffee shops (exaggeration - but not by much). Many friendships have quickly blossomed with Jason's work, our church and the expat American community in Wellington. I think this is a really precious season in our lives - and I'm thankful!

Autumn is upon us and it is strange to think about April Harvest Festivals. In my "northern hemisphere" thinking, I've equated springtime with Easter as NEW LIFE is springing up everywhere! My brain constantly feels twisted with opposite seasons, but Wellington's temperate (i.e. San Francisco) climate doesn't really offer intensely distinct seasons.

We really enjoy after-work runs along the waterfront as a family (especially for the last few weeks before Daylight Savings Time in NZ). Here are some pics from a park about 1.25 (okay exactly) miles from our home.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Whiplash and stuff

A "weather bomb" hit last weekend and cancelled our Wellington Embassy Amazing Race. I've never heard the term, but I think it is probably the equivalent of a tropical storm??? We were all set to dominate the race as Jason and I teamed up with Patrick and Jessica Carroll on Team Flat White Fury. As it turned out the weather wasn't that bad (Jason was afraid Charlie was going to be blown off the face of the earth on a stop to the grocery storm - but there were really no casualties). We still had a babysitter scheduled for the day so Jason and I went on a nice date to a french cafe and watched a matinee at the Wellington International Arts Festival. It took place at the marae (Maori Meeting House) just down the road from our house. The play was called Tu and it was EXCELLENT. It told the story of a Maori family in Wellington in the 1940s who lost many sons to WWII in Europe. Really phenomenal. I guess we missed Sir Ian McKellan at the previous evening's performance.

We had beautiful weather this past Saturday (1 week after the weather bomb). I got to take a 4-star General's wife around Wellington for the afternoon while Jason babysat (ahem - parented) the boys. It was fun to show off our gorgeous city. I'm hoping I can add it to my performance report for my Air Force reserve duty... After the boys' naps we went for a run along the waterfront, played in the sand, and then met our friends for fish and chips at the beach.

Finally, our AMAZING sponsor family at the Embassy is heading back to DC. They have a 4 year old son Chase (mentioned earlier) and they gave us all of his hand-me-downs. I really miss garage sales in the US and it was so fun to get all of her goodies. I wasn't the only one excited about the new stuff!

Liam played with this basketball thing for hours straight.

He loves to dance to the music and he just keeps shooting baskets over and over.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Dad and International Women's Day

Cocoa Beach 2009

I didn't realize that March 8th was the International Women's Day holiday until I was in Moscow, Russia studying abroad in 2001. All I really remember was a party at the program coordinator's home where each lady took a turn sitting in a chair and one of the male students in our group gave us a rose. It was sweet, but a little awkward.

Moscow 2001

I find it a little ironic that my dad shares a birthday with International Women's Day. Growing up 1 of 4 daughters, I became accustomed to people commenting on how it was a pity dad never had a son. Each of us had boy names (I think I was actually off the hook - but Joseph and Alex were possible names for the younger girls). We even joked that our two cats growing up were girls. I remember trying so hard to be interested when dad took me into his "man cave" and showed me how to change the oil in my car. The truth is we really adored our dad growing up. I think he had it pretty good. :) (sans the clogged shower drain - SORRY dad!)

Anyway - I'm so glad your "man kingdom" is growing with the addition of 3 amazing sons-in-law and 4 gorgeous grandsons - wow! I don't usually do birthday shout-outs on the blog - but I want to let you know I love you and I hope you have an amazing birthday.

Colorado 2007

Washington, D.C. 2007


Awkward Family Photo

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Undies Part II

Monday, March 5, 2012

Sandbox

When we found out we were moving to an apartment in the city I was so bummed out that the kids wouldn't have a Sandbox. Secretly I really don't like sandboxes as the primary mission of any toddler is to empty the box of all of it's sand. Here is our new "urban" sandbox! Much better!!!