Life...

Well...I have been SUPER busy lately! Valletta (2) was extremely sick last week and we've been trying to get things ready for CHRISTMAS!!

Last weekend we went to to Gold Coast for Netta's brother's  (Peter) birthday! It was amazing! The weather was a bit dreary, but the Marriott was beautiful! There was a salt water pool with fish in it so you could actually snorkel and see fake coral reef and fish!! See pics here: First weeks in Australia

I got to go to church this past Sunday! I went to Hillsong Church and heard a great message from Pastor Brian Houston (Sydney's senior pastor) about putting HIM and everyone else before yourself...I really enjoyed it.  I also met some great girls on the bus on the way there after Su and I went through some crazy traveling via public transportation! FYI, you have to hail the buses or the literally ZOOM past! Crazy how things worked out and we met some great people though. I will DEFINITELY be returning!  And I REALLY want to go to the Sydney campus!! (Link: Hillsong Church)

I got a chance to go to the mall today...things are EXTREMELY overpriced here...or either the States are cheapo! HA! Just to get a pedicure was $40 and eyebrow threading was $30! CRAZY! I also got a Starbucks Toffee Nut Latte--very much the same as my beloved Caramel Brulee Latte at home :) THANK GOODNESS! Trying to figure out the buses and trains for public transportation is very stressful but I am finally starting to gain my footing around it with the help of friends! I get nervous every time I go somewhere for fear of getting lost!

I hate I'm not going to be home for the birth of my sweet little nieces! I know that Megan and Zane are going to fill in quite nicely for me though! :)

Hopefully Zane is going to get to come out for a while in March(ish). I'm very excited about the opportunity to be able to travel with him! He really is such a great support in this adventure for me and I'm forever grateful!

I've gotten a few Christmas cards from the States! THANK YOU!! I'm very sorry for the delay of my responses to some emails and messages too, I'm trying hard! :)

I miss everyone at home so much--especially with it being Christmas! I'm sorry I'm missing major events, but I'm really thankful for this opportunity! Plus, I'm getting to experience an 85 degree Christmas! AMAZING! I love you all!  Thank you for the continued support from everyone!  If you want to skype, please let me know times so we can work that out!

xoxoxo

Pavlova...

I forgot to tell about PAVLOVA, also called "pav". It's an original Australian dessert and absolutely DELICIOUS!!! See recipe and picture below :) yummmmmyyyyy!!

RECIPE: http://www.aussie-info.com/identity/food/pavlova.php

Just an update...

Well guys, I've been here nearly a week and I'm loving it...minus the weather anyway! Today is the first day I've gotten to see the sun!!! Nina (newborn) and I took a walk and my sense of smell here is just so strong.  It's amazing how different the trees and plants smell...but I love it! There are the most beautiful flower trees on our street, I'll try to get a pic of them! Pink and yellow! :) I walked past  the train station today (not to far at all) and that and the bus line will be how I get from one place to another.  I still have to figure that out, it's a bit complex!

Nina and Valletta (2) are such dolls and I love being able to play with and care for them! Nina is just so tiny and aware and starting to look at all of her surroundings. Valletta is quite a trip! I spent the day with her Sunday and we went to the mall where she played on the bouncy and almost fell asleep! She's so adorable and extremely intelligent!!

The older girls will arrive this Thursday and we're taking a trip to the Gold Coast to celebrate Antoinette's brother's birthday! I'm excited for this new adventure and hope the weather will hold out! It's supposed to rain all the way through December 23--yikes! Stay tuned for an update!

Yesterday I got to video chat with Zane, Mom, Keith, Allie, Cale and Robbie! I loved getting to see everyone and I'm getting to talk to Zane a lot more than I anticipated--which is also wonderful!!

I miss everyone! Keep the emails and facebook messages coming! :) 

Arrival in Australia

Well guys, I'm finally here! Everything is wonderful so far--hot and humid just like the south in the summertime!

It has been a long and grueling journey to get here, but I'm thankful for safe travels and such a warm welcome!  Zane and I spend Monday and Tuesday in LA.  We went to eat at Flemings Steakhouse Monday night and woke up Tuesday and went to Hard Rock to each lunch then went out to Venice beach, I'll post pics ASAP.  As you can imagine, I was stressed out and worried about flying out that night... but Zane sent me off successfully (and only a few tears ;)! ) I went through so many time zones, trying to sleep and plane changes I was pretty oblivious to where I was.  I landed in New Zealand on the 2nd (after leaving the States on the 30th-ugh) and then caught another plane to Brisbane.  After a ridiculous wait in line to pass through customs and immigration and finding all my bags (thankfully they made it safely), I FINALLY met Antoinette and Gary at the airport and rode to their house and got things settled throughout the afternoon.

Thus far, I haven't seen much of Australia.  I've been way to jet lagged and tired and trying to unpack, but I'm sure it'll all happen soon enough.  We have a trip to Valletta's (2) concert at her daycare this afternoon! I'm very excited for the things that are happening in my life and feel very blessed!

MY BLOG!!

Hi y'all!!  My first blog post!  I'm just starting this so bare with me while I get the hang of "blogging."  As many of you know, I've been amazingly blessed with the opportunity to go live and work in Australia with an amazing family!  I feel that God has provided me with this opportunity for a reason and I knew I'd be a once and a lifetime chance!

Zane and I are flying out to to LAX on November 29 and staying for the day; then I'm Australia bound on November 30 and will arrive in Brisbane on December 2.  19 hour plane ride between the two flights...yikes!

I'll be a nanny for a family during my time in Australia, more to come on that after I meet them!! YAYYY!

I'll try to update everyone as much as possible while I'm living in Australia. Time is quickly approaching and I'll surely miss everyone...but I'm so excited!!!