Thanksgiving

Tomorrow we're hosting a Thanksgiving of sorts. We have 9 families coming! This includes family and friends with children... Lot and lots of children! And it's raining outside as I type but never mind.

So consumed have I been with this endeavour that I found myself driving on the wrong side of the street the other day! Lived here nearly nine months now and that's the first time that has happened. Yikes. Must have had a lot on my mind. Scary how normal it felt to be driving up the right side of the road... That is until a car came around the corner straight at me! Her arms flailing sign language we all understand.

I digress. Thanksgiving.

There is so much to be thankful for. The mere fact that we have 18 adults and 12 children coming to our first ever Thanksgiving in New Zealand is cause for celebration! And there's Lloyd... I might be biased but will still proudly call him the happiest boy in my corner of the world. You all know how I feel about my husband. Skype! Let's not forget that. This house; so glad I talked Greg into it!

None of this would matter for a second if I didn't know there was a God up above in control of absolutely everything and caring about it all. Every single seemingly inconsequential bit. Ahhh... to be so loved. I am indeed thankful for this above all else.

Looking Back

Seven years ago today (tomorrow in the US but whatever) I married my husband. We met 10 years ago and have different opinions about the first time we ever laid eyes on each other. What matters about that argument, to me, is the fact that we each have a memory of the first time we ever laid eyes on each other! Think about how many people have come into and out of your life; from chance encounters to lasting relationships. Do you remember the first time you laid eyes on every single one of them? Of course not. Probably not even most of them. There must be a special place in our brains reserved for special memories like that. That pleases me no end! It was from that moment I knew, somewhere deep in my heart, that that man was different and was going to be in my life for a long, long time. He HAD to be, there was no doubt about it.

So here we are seven years later and it's our anniversary. Haven't really celebrated this date in years but still. It is a big deal and we both know it.

Second to my dad, he is the most patient person I know. And trust me, I know because I challenge that patience on a daily basis I'm sure. He is also one of the funniest people I know. He is the most amazing father; beyond my dreams amazing. He is a caring, understanding husband who loves me more than I deserve. And wow! is he handy around the house!

I love my husband! I am in love with my husband!

Tootin' my own horn

We've been here 8 months! But who's counting. I was sitting outside earlier today looking at the garden and at our house marvelling at how far we've come these past eight months. And I am VERY proud of us!!

We are so very happy here in this house; it's hard to believe we've been living here only just over a month.

Lloyd has some great friends. He's got one friend who lives right next door! True story. Carlos is the same age as Lloyd, he's very polite and they get along very well. He and Lloyd's cousin (and great friend!) Liam have been over here most of the afternoon playing cricket and now who knows what with a cardboard box. I love it!

Greg bought us a BBQ yesterday so now we feel like right proper kiwis. I told Greg I didn't think immigration would ever grant me residency without one!

I've got the most wonderful friends in Miranda, Alex, Natalie, Kirsty and Yvette. We are all amazed at how our friendship has formed and at exactly the time each of us needed it most for individual reasons. And I have really been enjoying reconnecting with friends and people I have known from visiting here or through yachting.

Tis the season for get-togethers around the BBQ. It's going to be an amazing spring and summer I just know it.