Most Recently...

As behind as I am in this blog, I thought I should just start with what's happened most recently... and there are some pretty big things - well, not that big, but let's just say that getting back into a regular routine after 3 months off  and all the prep for the move seems big to me...

On Wednesday the 15th of September Tony finally started back to work... but 3 months off makes for a rude awakening to getting out of the house on time to catch a bus that only comes every 20 minutes... thankfully the kids got to say good-bye at the door...

before he took off running around the house for the bus!!! This may be a familiar morning ritual!

Then on Monday the 20th of September our little boy started "kindy"... it's really just a pre-school programme for kids under 5 to prepare them for going to school. This is the last week of the term so he'll go for 3 days then have 2 weeks off then start into his real term which will still just be 3 days a week.

I made it back for "mat time" when the teacher called him up to the front to introduce him as a "new friend" to the rest of the class... he went up there so confidently (doesn't really look it here) and I was so proud of my little boy (until the next day when I happened to be walking past the playground just in time to see him push a classmate, get pushed, then push the next kid so hard he fell over into the slide - yeah, not my proudest moment).

And to celebrate Hunter's first day of kindy, I took him for an ice cream at McDonald's - he got to eat the whole thing himself (with the cookie flake) while mei mei had to share with mom... the funny part was he then complained about a tummy ache that night - maybe that "YUMMY YUCKY" book we had was right about ice cream being yummy and too much ice cream being yucky... I never seem to feel that way about it... but maybe there's some merit to it!

This past weekend we went to visit our friends at the hospital to see their new baby girl - Liberty Burrows... she's adorable and mum is well too... certainly you'll see some of them posted eventually too... but on the way home Tony decided to take us for a real Kiwi experience - fish and chips at the beach...

so here we are at Petone waterfront in the back of our new car enjoying some shelter from the wind before the BIG STORM that blew across NZ.

And the week before we met up with some extended family at Te Papa to say hello/good-bye to Nanni Bev who was in town for a Princess Party. How fun to have some family time...

and yes, she's got tights on... oh she's just so adorable in her little turtleneck and tights!!! What a doll!!!

First Weeks in Wellington

That 4am start on Thursday, August 12 was a cold one... but thankfully the heater in the new car worked well and the four of us made it to Wellington in record time (going the speed limit)... our kids are amazing travellers!!!

Along the Desert Road we looked out to the right and this was the majestic view of Mount Ruapehu! Wow!!! We live in this country... you jealous??? Come on over!!!

We didn't even drink the V energy drinks we bought - we saved them til the conference the next day... when we it all started to sink in that we were tired!!! I'm pretty happy to be driving again!

One morning while we were staying in the serviced apartment we decided to go out to breakfast. I love eating breakfast out... and the Occidental does a pretty decent(ly priced) one! Tony's blueberry pancakes were the best but the kids got their first sample of Wellington's cafe culture - their first "fluffies"!

Hunter's stirring up the chocolate powder into his foamy milk with the little spoon like mommy's coffee spoon...

and Helena - well mommy doesn't look like this after a good latte (maybe I feel like I should look like this) but I think she certainly enjoyed it!!!

Although our friends have all been so generous, caring, giving, accommodating... we did enjoy those 5 nights in the serviced apartment where we could actually just totally relax on our own timetable.

Then Monday, 31 August the trucks arrived with our earthly goods...

YAHOO!!! We're "home"!!!

Awaken The Dawn

Gentle breathing from the back seat,  minds buzzing in the front. This was it. We were on our way! We've been transient since June 8 when we left our home in Taipei with just a few suitcases and moved in with some dear friends for six nights (well, Anna and Sharon know the truth - it was more than a few suitcases that squeezed into their apartment and the church office). We then spent a fantastic six weeks in the US with family and friends, then another 48 hours in Taipei, then eight nights with the Anstiss family in Toowoomba, Australia, then four nights on Auckland's North Shore with Papa and Nanni Anstiss and now we were driving our very own Toyota Estima 8-seater at 4:00 in the morning to our destination city: WELLINGTON!!!
State Highway 1 is pretty quiet at that time in the morning - actually, very quiet. And though we should've been dozing off (we had 2 bottles of V energy drink waiting just in case), we were excited - expectant - somehow very much awake.

I can't remember where we were when the sun actually cracked through and night became dawn and dawn became morning but I remember I noticed the change. And I knew we were on our way to where we were meant to be - for this time - in this new season.

After only 8.5 hours (we drove the speed limit but miraculously made it in record time from Auckland to Wellington with kids - oh, but truth be known, we were landing in Paramata which could make up for that extra half hour on the usual 9 hour journey) we'd finally arrived at our 'destination'.

Later that night, we travelled into the city with dear friends Mike and Anne to attend the conference that brought us to Wellington six days earlier than originally planned and you know what - it was awesome! Really, you know what - God is awesome!!! And as we worshipped our great God together with well over 1,000 others I realized yet again just how much God does love me (and you for that matter) and just how much He desires to show me that love over and over and over AND how I can share that love with people around me.

AWAKEN THE DAWN - the theme for the conference - intended to stir something of God's spirit among His people in NZ for His glory. That first night of the inspiring 4 nights of conference I believe my heart was stirred and something new is in store for me and Tony and the kids while we're here in Wellington. I don't think it was a mistake that we drove through the dawn on that same morning either - we're 'home' for now - and excited to see what will transpire in the hearts and spirits of the people around us.



And yes, I am very very behind in the blogging of our adventures but that will come little by little as it looks like we may have found a house to move into and so I may have a little bit more time to do such things as blogging! One can hope, right?!?

TOOWOOMBA... ba da boomba!!!

Okay... this is going back a ways, but hey, the kids are napping and it's warm inside so here we go...

July 30...After about 48 hours in Taipei we were finally on our way in the direction of home. Well, we were heading in the same hemisphere at least... We had a fantastic flight from Taipei to Brisbane on Business Class!!!! OH YEAH!!! Actually, there was a bit of frustration at the Taipei side because we were on a codeshare flight and they said there were only 2 seats for us in Business Class... you can imagine - after that long haul from LA just hours before we were both ready for our rightly earned places in BC (this was Tony's official return to NZ flight so we get business tickets) then to be told we only had two spots!?! What were those poor kids going to do with themselves in Economy?!? Of course I said I'd take Hunter in Economy with me and leave Helena with baba if that were the case. Well, praise be to the God who cares about the little things - when we got to the gate they walked us right in to 4 seats in Business Class!!! YAHOO!!! And oh what a difference that made!

Pajama princess - the cutest little thing on the plane - hands down!!!

It was after 10pm when we got going so thankfully Hunter and Helena drifted right off into la la land and we parents got to enjoy a delicious meal and some uninterrupted entertainment (good priorities, eh... should've gone for uninterrupted sleep, but how often do I get to fly stretched out with my own movie and actually finish it?!?) And I really have to gloat a bit - the food is actually really yummy! I've only ever flown Business Class two times - on our way to Taiwan and now 5 years later on our way back - and oh, it was a nice trip!!!

Both kids slept for a good solid 6+ hours of the 9 hour flight so it was wonderful and restful! Hunter enjoyed his breakfast (as did Helena) and he even got to watch his own movie before we arrived in Australia!!!

So... Toowoomba!!! For those of you who have no idea where or what it is (like me before this trip) - it's a town located about 2 hours inland from Brisbane near the Gold Coast of Australia. Our dear friends Lucas and Justine Anstiss transplanted their family to this fine town about two years ago so this was a perfect chance for us to catch up and see their new life.

The four big kids would meet at the breakfast bar in the mornings and challenge each other to eat more or different foods... next visit they'll have to sit somewhere else though because I think baby Zander won't want to miss out on the action again - this time he was none the wiser!

Antonio is just about 6 months younger than Hunter and the two of them got on pretty well... we brought him a Lightning McQueen shirt from Taiwan so the boys shared their love of Cars!

Now this is the funny part... we thought we'd have a relaxing week catching up with old friends, exploring the region, basking in the Anstiss hospitality we've come to know and love... and of course we did get to experience all those things and more - much more! But Lucas had 'other plans' for his time off work to create a bonding experience with one of his closest friends... take a look at this...

When we arrived Lucas informed Tony that he wanted to build a shed in his backyard... yep - it was a kitset so it would probably only take a day or two right... yeah, right!!! Of course these guys couldn't just pop up a shed - they had to do it properly... so here we go... they first dug out a plot (after buying Tony some coveralls and gum boots)...

(they found a few treats in the process)

Then filled in the plot so it would be even...

then built a foundation from planks to insure proper ventilation.

They did start to get weary at times so they hired a few other workers, but most of the time it was just the two of them (or one of the two of them depending on what the day's activities held).

It was cold most days - but in the sun it was pleasant... yet with any household project we've ever encountered it always takes more time than you expect. This project took pretty much the week (well, admittedly they did have a bit of time off the shed intermittently)... but finally on Friday, August 6 they had something to show for their time together...

A NEW SHED!!!

Well done, guys! And though we laughed about it, you know, isn't it what friendship is about!?! It's not always about what I want or how I can be entertained. True friendship is living life together in community, helping each other - emotionally, spiritually and practically. We appreciate a rich relationship with this family because over the years we've visited them in their home, cooked and eaten meals together, sat around the source of warmth discussing work, marriage, parenting and how Jesus wants to help us in all those areas of our lives. And after this week in Toowoomba, Tony and Lucas now have a tangible memorial to the friendship they have been building for over 15 years! That's a pretty good week if you ask me. (then again, I wasn't outside hammering...)

And while the men were working on the shed or taking breaks from working on the shed there were plenty of other things going on during our week. This was hilarious! Keep in mind it was winter there, so although Tony and I did each get out for a couple of runs, it was much more appealing to do a workout video. So the first time I fired up my Jillian Michael's dvd Liberty came to join me before heading off to kindy... honestly, she did most of the workout in her school clothes while I sweated alongside her... then for the rest of the week she kept asking "Jen, when are we going to exercise" Talk about accountability!!! One day she even dressed up in her gear with pigtails and everything... we had a blast!

And on August 4, thus said Miss Liberty turned 5!!!
I made her some pink pancakes for breakfast then she went to kindy in the morning and the Anstiss's did a 'normal' day - while we headed back toward Brisbane to hit an outlet mall to update my winter wardrobe...  Now anyone who knows me knows that I really am not that good at shopping for clothes - Tony pretty much has to drag me out (unless I'm with my mom or sister)... but I was determined (and desperate - really, I did not have much in the way of winter clothes since our 5 years in the subtropics)... and I struck gold at a shop where I got some nice things for just $29 each!!! What a bargain!!! Then anyone knows that feeling when you have tasted success you just want more... Anyway, we stopped the spree and made it back to Toowoomba to join Liberty's birthday celebration at the restaurant of her choice - Sizzler!!! I haven't eaten at a Sizzler in years... but there was plenty of food for the kids to eat and plenty of healthy options (why was I just drawn to the bread pudding at the dessert bar???)!

Happy 5th Birthday!!!

On August 5, I got a special treat... Justine helped Tony look after the kids (well, he was on shed duty) while I got away for almost 4 hours by myself... I came back with a new hairstyle after a wonderfully relaxing trip to the hairdresser!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

And then on August 6... we got to celebrate my actual birthday with a lovely day at a women's Bible study Justine goes to and a delicious chocolate cake (my new favorite made with beetroot) before a fun dinner out with Tony... spoiled!!! (notice the hair...highlights, color... best 'do I've had in years!!!)

We went to a place called "Chutney Mary's" and absolutely stuffed ourselves on the Royal Feast!!! Good thing we had our cake before we went out!!! We thought about going to the movies too but hey, you gotta remember those kids don't sleep in!

For our last full day together, we had originally thought about a day trip, but then the reality of driving for hours in separate cars caused us to come up with a more creative solution: A PARK CRAWL!!! For anyone who's ever heard of a "Pub Crawl" or a "Cafe Crawl" (you go from place to place to place enjoying the specialities of each) this is where I got the idea (though I've never participated in either before)... Toowoomba has lots of lovely parks but we hadn't been to too many so we decided to hit three of their favorites... The kids had a blast and we got more quality time together. It was really a fun way to spend a Saturday morning!

And of course the traditional pancake meal with the Anstiss' took went to a whole new level with Lucas and Justine preparing them on an outdoor grill... way to go!!! Aren't you just drooling thinking about it!?!

The kids loved them so much that they in fact ate most of them leaving the dads a bit unfulfilled, but I think the overall experience served them well!

We had to get the tourist shot at Picnic Point overlooking the land to the east of the town... it was such a beautiful day that we shed a few layers and enjoyed the sunshine!

Justine and Liberty just hanging out while the boys were climbing around (I think Helena must've been climbing around too... or stuck in her stroller for running off).

This was Hunter's first 'slumber party' week - he slept on Antonio's trundle bed... what a great deal! The two really ended up working well together... it was fun. Thanks, again, Anstiss family for your amazing hospitality... we're looking forward to seeing you in NZ next time!!!

And then, like all good things, on Sunday, August 8 it was time to leave the comforts of the familiar and get back on another airplane... after these hugs and kisses we were actually going to arrive on home soil...

(oh but let me say, travelling Business Class for only 3 hours on a smaller plane is totally different from the big international flight - but at least the food was still so yum!!! We even got ice cream!!! YAHOO!)

The Start of a Great Vacation...

After Tony's work ended we headed over to the US for about SIX WEEKS of family fun!!!

As expected, we spent the first five days in California just trying to get caught up on some sleep... even still- it was a great first week! My incredibly generous parents had given up their bed for the week so we could get adjusted while they slept over at our incredibly generous friend Mary Ann's house!!!

Five days after arrival, Tony went with our Uncle John to the Grand Canyon where they spent the week with the Seaside Community Church youth group 12 miles down at the Havasupai Indian Reservation. He had a fabulous week! This is the youth group's annual summer trip that they've been doing for YEARS!!! I've done it, my sister and brother have done it, my cousins, heck - even my grandparents have done it... but for multiple reasons, Tony didn't get to go that year he stayed with us in California - but he's always wanted to experience it! So it was awesome that he finally got to go, but not just 'go' he even got to speak one session with the kids at camp and had an influential message to share and really felt like he got to impart something of value during the fun times too... so all in all - he had an incredible experience (too bad I don't have photos of this one).

Meanwhile, the kids and I had a less adventurous but no less enjoyable week in Orange County playing at the pool, visiting friends and family, hanging out with neighbors and soaking in the California sunshine!

On Saturday, June 26 - the day Tony was due to return, Amber had set up a gathering of girlfriends and kids to catch up at our parents' playground. Amber is great at doing this - I need her in my vacation (and life) because I was just all planned out after the big month we'd come off of. Anyway -several of our dear friends came over and it was just so fun to see how we've all grown (and our kids more obviously).  

 Of course we love having my mom in the group too - she's the one who has seen all of us grow up! And yes - so this is the story... my poor mom broke her patella a week before we arrived! So after a week of really disciplined rest/ice/rest/ice/rest the doctor said she didn't need surgery - phew! That was a relief... but she did need 4-6 weeks of recovery which meant - she was home with us!!! EVERYDAY we got to hang out with mom/Grandma!!! What a blessing in disguise! So instead of working and missing out on the everyday details - she got to experience most of it with us (dad got to come home for lunch and breakfast sometimes too so he didn't miss out on everything)... it was quite special and unique really to have her around so much.

As you may have gathered from the photos, my parents live in a townhouse/condo community... and where their house is situated there were about 6-8 kids always around so Hunter and Helena made some summer buddies and they were always outside playing together. This day we'd got something in the mail that had bubble wrap so we took it outside and let the kids go nuts over it... they LOVED it!! Running, laughing, jumping - Helena rode her trike across it... it was cheap entertainment!!!

So when Tony returned from Havasupai, he invited us to a dinner/photo sharing party that night... so we all went along to meet some of our old friends (and old friends' kids!!!) and see a bit of what Tony experienced. It was great to hear the kids give testimony to the way God used this camp to give them new plans, new purposes and set them on fire for him. I always thought it was cool how we had this amazing encounter with God at the beginning of our summer so we could cultivate that spirit while we had time during our summer vacation in prep for going back to school with more boldness, love, joy, etc...  Our kids, of course, enjoyed the eating aspect of the evening, but when the talking started... see ya!! Thankfully a guy who actually designs and produces skateboards was there (his son went to camp) and he let the kids play on some of his toys:

Hunter and Helena LOVED the skateboards so much we were tempted to get one to bring back, but our luggage allowance was already going to hit the max as it was... maybe when they are older! It was fun to watch Hunter especially get the hang of balance and motion - he was able to navigate that thing pretty well by the end of the testimonies! And Helena - well, she just loves anything that's got a hint of danger!

Sunday, June 27 - Happy Birthday DAD!!!

It's been a bit of a family tradition for a few years to go to an Angel baseball game to celebrate my dad's birthday... he used to play baseball, he still likes baseball, but mostly he likes having his kids and grandkids around. So after church we all put on our red (well, some of them did) and with Subway sandwiches in hand, headed over to the Anaheim Stadium for some major league action!!! 

Unfortunately, the game was in the middle of the day - no shade, sun blazing - so our first experience with the Angels felt like we were somewhere else... well maybe I'm exaggerating a little... but when the fireworks went off for the homerun scored - Hunter and Helena went nuts!! And that was the end of our hot seats - we went for a walk to distract them and tried to find some reprise from the heat.

We did stop to loiter in a few spots (before being told to move on) - Hunter found this vantage point a bit more interesting than our original seats - of course he's got good taste - right behind home plate!!!

And finally little Helena gave in to her exhaustion and slept a few winks.

So here we are - the gang!!!

Little Evan enjoyed his outing now that he gets more than just a seven-inning stretch...

but poor ole Uncle Matt became the base for a bit of dog pile! Just wait til these boys are 10, 12, 15... Yikes!

After the game we headed over to Matt and Tori's for some pool time and a delicious birthday BBQ - I love summer in California!!!

The kids enjoyed Grandma's walker... they all know how to turn a bummer situation into something fun!

Grandpa's best present - having his grandkids altogether in one place!!!