Yes, I tend to forget.

Well, hence the title, I tend to forget to update my blog...almost 2 months ago was my last post! Sorry friends.

A lot has happened here in beautiful Queensland over this time.  The floods receded and I finally got to see the REAL "Sunshine State"! We have had great weather and it's normally around 85 degrees most days. 

I got to meet, pet, and feed kangaroos last weekend!! I was so amazed at how tame and friendly they were!

I also climbed the Story Bridge here in Brissy last Sunday (Feb 20). Amazing views from the top of the bridge and even more beautiful at night!

I have been a bit homesick and missing everyone a lot lately...but managing to push on!  Only 2 more days until Zane is here and gets to stay until I go home. I'm really thankful for that.  And excited about all the fun I know we'll have while we are out here together! We are talking about a trip to Bali, Indonesia, Alice Springs, Australia, and travelling all over New Zealand before we head home!  We will probably be home around July 4!!

I promise to update as soon as we get back from our 2 week holiday.  Sydney and Whitsundays, here we come!!

Floods...

Requesting much needed prayers for Queensland...

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/brisbane-next-in-line-floodwaters-enter-city-20110110-19l56.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF65CkFY-UQ

My Birthday Cake

Here is a picture of my AMAZING birthday cake from Net and Gary! I was so surprised with the cake and a little "morning tea" with a few guests too! I feel so blessed to have found such an amazing family that contributes and shares this experience with me! They even included my baby Tuck Tuck on it! :)

 Check out her other cakes: http://caketopia.blogspot.com/

Long Overdue...

So, I've obviously been very busy! But the big news over here are the insane FLOODS! There has been so much (constant really) rain that floods are happening all over Queensland.  Luckily, we are a ways from the Brisbane River, so it shouldn't affect the house I'm living in. Please though, say MANY prayers for these people, I've never seen something like this and so many people are losing everything they have!

On a lighter note, I have gotten to travel a good bit and see a lot of Brisbane over the past few weeks.  We went to the Gold Coast last week and luckily had a few pretty days that I got to spend on the beach! I also got to go to Coolangata and Point Danger...right inside NSW. I've been really blessed to be able to tag along with the Hutchins family (who I work for) and "work" while doing all this! Check out the pictures on Facebook!

I'm getting really acclimated and learning my way around really well...I have done pretty well getting to know the public transportation system and it's actually nice and relaxing to take that instead of fight people on the roads!

I got a library card! YIPPEE! I just finished reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and loved it! Can't wait to get my hands on the second book!

Zane is planning to come out the first week of March and we're talking about taking our first trip up to New Zealand...I'm so excited and cannot wait to finally see him! I miss everyone else too :)

A lot of nights I'm so exhausted and just don't want to do anything but lay in bed and read or watch TV.  Hence, why my blog hasn't been updated! We did go out Friday night for my birthday though! We went to a restaurant called Garuva in Fortitude Valley. I highly recommend it (mostly because of the atmosphere!) to anyone planning a trip to Brisbane!

I'll try to do better on keeping everyone updated! Love you all!

xoxo

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! :)