Life is starting to come together.

Last week was busy. We finally were able to pick up our car, so off Mike went with the help of another American family (the LTC) and away they went to Sydney.  What an ordeal ...such a process.  Mike drove the car all the way back to Singleton only to be told he could not drive it until he had it completely registered (no temp plates here!!!).  Finally got all the i's dotted and T's crossed and now we have our car registered and insured ($$$$$) which means .... it is time for me to start driving, ahhhhh!  I would be lying if I said I wasn't terrified.  I have been driving a little bit here and there and I think I'll be OK :) It's probably a good thing that I have not driven since I left the states December 12th but driving on the opposite side of the street is still tricky to me. 

In other news ... Xanny is finally registered for school!!! He is very excited :) We have decided to send Xander to a private Catholic school.  This is not what it seems, and no we are not Catholic.  We have talked to several parents in the area (all of different religious backgrounds) and they have only had wonderful things to say about the school, teachers, and its programs.  He will start "kindie" February 6th.  The Australian school year is different from the U.S. school year.  Their new year starts Jan/ Feb. unlike the U.S. with Aug/ Sept.  Kinda neat.  The end of the school year falls in mid-December so they get a very long Christmas break but short summer break :) I think I can live with this change.  We had an interview today with the principal, who was absolutely wonderful and then a quick tour.  What came next was not one of the happier moments for Xan .... a trip to the uniform shop.  When he realized he was going to have to wear a uniform the "coolness" of the new school quickly changed.  Poor Dude, but I have to say ... he looks DARLING! Pictures soon -to-come.

Tomorrow is Xanny's small birthday party. Since he has not had the opportunity to meet many kiddos we are having a small Mario party with another family ... Thank goodness for them. They have been so wonderful to us and their children are darling.  They are older than our boys but our boys adore them both.  They military is a phenomenal place (most of the time;) and because of it we have privileged to meet amazing families, like the "T" family. 

We hope all is good and that life is treating everyone well.  I will be sending out our "Christmas/ we have moved" card in the up-coming week .... please send me your addresses ... my address book is one of the many things "misplaced" during the move.

First Beach Trip - Nobby's!

Xanny and Louden's friend James came to Australia for Christmas! He is our 3rd child :)

So far, our favorite beach, Nobby's Beach! So pretty!

Mike and the boys checking out Nobby's for the 1st time.
FYI: We were only there for 45 minutes WITH sunscreen and we all got fried!





So I am having technical difficulties with this post, but I did figure out the picture thing, yay! The 2nd two pictures are from our first trip to the beach once the boys and I arrived in Australia, Nobby's Beach! It is definitely our favorite so far, but we haven't been to many yet, 3 or 4 so far. So amazing. Never in my life have I lived so close to the beach, 1 hour scenic drive and we are there!! There are some people that think that is too far but when you have never been able to go unless you are driving at least a few hours and staying a couple days, this seems like nothing. We usually try to go every weekend. Get up in the morning, grab some breakfast, bring a travel mug of coffee and we are off! The best part about many of the beaches and public attractions here is that bringing your own picnic is the cool thing to do, not to mention easier! Back in the states we always bought food from vendors or nearby fast food but here everyone packs coolers and goes! Love it! Healthier and cheaper!!!                                                                                                                                                                                     

The top picture is so funny! We had people stop and laugh. There was also one tourist that stopped to take a picture. LOL. Not sure if that was legal but whatever lady, enjoy that one on the house.  Our DEAR friends, the Beemans flew from Germany (where they are stationed - yes, military friends) to spend their block leave and Christmas with us.  They are one of those families that you meet in the military that instantly become family.  I cannot tell you how wonderful and selfless they are.  They have come to my rescue so many times and taken care of me and the boys whenever Mike has been gone. They are that family that you spend all of you time and holidays with because you can't spend it with blood relatives due to being in the military.  Needless to say, holiday's together had become the norm until they had to leave for Germany in August 2010, one year before we were suppose to leave.  We were thrilled when they called to see if they could spend their block leave with US!!! We had such a wonderful, adventure filled 2 weeks with them.  I'm sure they thought I was completely crazy seeing that I had just arrived here myself and was not yet settled so I was a complete head case, but if anyone in the world would have understood, it would have been them.  The 3 little boys, Xanny, Louden, and James are so close they are like brothers. I hate that they are so far apart, but I have a feeling that their high school days will be spent together ..... not sure if I can handle this, but maybe they'll surprise us! LOL. We Miss You Guys!!!!!                                   

Finally made it!

First I must say, I am sooo sorry for taking so long to update our blog.  Life has been crazy and to be completely honest, from the last post I made up until about a month ago, I was in a funk! Between being out of my element and the unknowing, I became slightly depressed and just didn't want to talk about it.  Every time we thought we were going to hear something, something else back-fired and frankly I was over it.  I got to a point were I chose not to talk about anything until I knew something for sure, in regards to all aspects of our lives. Once we finally received good news, that we were literally clear for take-off, I had one weekend to pack up 5 months worth of stuff, tie-up lose ends, and say good-bye to family. 

The entire situation is a long story and I will break it down over the course of the next few months in an effort to hopefully provide some information and help to those who might go through a similar experience.  Now, when I look back at the situation I am happy to say that some good things did come out of it and most importantly, we are a family again!!!!!!

The boys and I left New York on December 12th.  We had to travel to NYC to catch a 6 hours flight to LA (Cali) where we then got on another flight that brought us to Sydney.  That flight was 15 hours long and I am thrilled to say, it was a great flight! The boys totally ROCKED! For anyone who knows me and had talked to me prior to leaving, you knew I was freaking out!! LOL. The thought of flying on your own with your children is scary, but when you are the proud parent of a Xander and a Louden it goes from scary to horrifying. OK, OK totally mean, and trust me, I love my little men but they are a total handful and full of unexpected surprises.  But to my surprise (and Thank the Lord for sanity sake) the boys could not have been any better. They were PERFECT ANGELS!!! I even received compliments on how well behaved my children were especially for a 3 year old, first time flier...another funny story.

Yes, it was Loudens first time flying. This added even more stress to the situation because here I was taking my 3 year old on his first flight .... 6 hours and then another 15 hours. He totally rocked! He had the flight attendants completely wrapped around his finger.  On our first flight he even walked around with two of them and helped serve snacks. HILARIOUS!!! For that, he earned his wings :). Proud moment for Lou. He still wears them proudly.

We got here safely and without any complications, as far as travel goes.  Michael was waiting for us at the airport just as excited at a kid on Christmas.  Life is Good! I have so much more to share but I want to figure out how to post my pictures on here ... so I will fill you in ASAP!  Thank you everyone for checking on us and we hope you had a Wonderful Christmas and Magical New Year.


XOXO,
BRE