A world away

Well, we finally made it to New Zealand...after 24 hours in car / flights...we made it without much difficulty at all.  The girls were great, we received many compliments on the flights from fellow passengers.  Not one tantrum from one child, no messes to change clothes and all slept rather well.  Zoe of course loved the free drinks of apple juice and visited the tiny little bathroom at least 10 times!  As people have said, Air New Zealand was absolutely wonderful, everyone friendly and helpful.  In tow with us was 6 large suitcases, 5 carry on suitcases, 5 personal bags, 3 car seats and a stroller.  The car we bought was waiting for us at the airport, I laughed when I saw it (small Mercedes SUV) and how we would fit our only belongings in it.  Luckily I have the best packer / genius for a husband...he crammed everything in that car plus the 5 of us :)  Attempting to get to our hotel from airport was slightly difficult due to no phone / GPS...we got lost only once, we got our first tour of the north shore.   My first impressions of Auckland...absolutely beautiful.  On the outskirts of the city, it reminds me of a tropical island with clear water, green lush plants, palm trees and warm winds.  The city of Auckland is small, you can get anywhere in less than 20 minutes.  Its a busy little place, lots of foot traffic, but the streets are easy to navigate.  Lots of Asians!  They joke around here that the Asians are taking over.  There are lots of different cultures, very odd styles of clothing, everyone smokes, and there is a kabob / chinese restaurant on every corner.  We stayed in a nice apartment / hotel for about a week until we got our apartment set up. 

Auckland City

We moved into a 3 bedroom flat in Mt. Albert, about 10 minutes from Auckland City Hospital.  Its a great area, lots of shopping, parks and restaurants near by.  The flat is very modern with a pool, gym, etc.  The girls are sharing one room, bunk beds for the big girls, Jazz is in a pack n play...in the closet again :)  There is no bathtub...had to improvise on that!  Our outdoor porch is my favorite place, big sliding door from the living room, girls can go out and play anytime.  Our flat is backed up to a reserve, walking trails and Mt. Albert is right behind us.  

Everything here is expensive...from food, utilities  clothes to petrol.  Our first grocery shopping experience left us speechless...spending $400 on necessities.  It costs $130 to fill the gas tank to one car.  It has made me more conscience of what I buy, how we eat, how we live.  I reuse plastic ziplock bags, kids do not eat as many snacks, wash gets hung outside to dry, we walk most places instead of driving.  It makes me feel better to live this way, it makes you think about the environment.  

The sun...oh so intense here!  I read that the ozone is thinner...no pollution...and this part of the earth is closer to the sun.  Even if the temperature is only 72 degrees...when that sun is out, it is hot.  Everyone keeps their strollers covered up, kids wear hats / long sleeves to the playground and sun block is a must at all times.  Everyone knows I'm an american when out and about...the kids running around with tank tops and no hats....but we did just come over here after summer.  I enjoy working on my tan again!  The days are long...sun up at 5am, sun down at 930pm.  

The beaches are amazing...just how I pictured.  Beautiful water with green mountains.  The water is cool but nice on a hot day.  Sand is different at each beach, shells are beautiful.  

Driving...still working on it.  Driving on the left side of the road with steering wheel on right side.  Not really any aggressive drivers here...no one runs red lights...speeding not a huge thing here.  

The girls are adjusting well.  I got Zoe enrolled into Primary school, she starts in February.  Jazz starting walking, she is allover the place.  Skye and Zoe and loving the BIG playgrounds here, they are so different that anything they experienced in the states.  Its not just slides and swings...but zip lines, tire swings, climbing walls, ropes and bridges.  

What do I miss about the states...family and friends :), dryer sheets, cheap tampons, morning star burgers, snow at Christmas, and having money!  

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from us Kiwi's!  Maybe we will be out on the beach when Santa flies by!  

A better tomorrow...

~19 days till New Zealand

When it comes to politics...I hate politics, everything about it.  I grew up in a Republican family under the influence of God...it was totally my parents beliefs.  It was in college that I found myself and discovered a new world where I could make decisions for myself.  We have been having conversations with our 5 year old about God...that as parents, we don't believe in him.  We want our children to have their own beliefs and we will stand by them no matter what they believe in.  Last night Obama was elected as president of the US for another 4 years, what a victory for this country.  This country is made up of immigrants and people come to this country for freedom...but we are far from it.  We are a country of racism, people are not given equal rights whether they are of color or gay...and its quite sad.  I hope the next four years brings everyone a little closer...and I believe Obama can do that.

Trick or Treat...it was a cold night when the pirates came out to play!  The girls were ready to go and went door to door collecting a pumpkin full of candy.  Skye loved going to everyone's door saying treat please and Zoe was running around with her friend Noah.  Jazz drank a good bottle all snuggled in the stroller playing the part of a dalmatian...she enjoyed looking at all the kids, glow lights and sounds.

 

Sandy a category 1 hurricane came with lots of rain, wind and flooding.  We did not lose power, but it was quite a rain storm.

Beach after Sandy

More containers packed for Salvation Army donation...more containers for my sisters baby.  I start packing suitcases next week!

Jazz turns 1 in a week...my sweet baby girl! She still cannot walk or talk much, but she is full of energy and love!

And the countdown begins!

~ 34 days till New Zealand!!!

Carters Mountain

 We are enjoying the fall with lots of weekend trips.  A little trip home to Charlottesville, to the now famous Carters Mountain for apple picking and pumpkins.  The views were spectacular and the kids loved running around.  Carters Mountain has become quite famous over the years, on the weekend, the cars are backed up on the interstate!  We have been coming up to this little gem for years, they have delicious apples!  The kids enjoyed lunch, apple cider and of course, apple doughnuts.  We picked out a great little pumpkin to carve.  Papa and the kids went on a hayride.  A great trip indeed!

Next, a trip to Norfolk to visit our old stomping grounds and take the kids to the Zoo.  They loved all the animals at the zoo, the train ride and running around.  After the zoo, we drove around Ghent, looked at our old hospital, medical school, apartment and Colley avenue.

Greg and I have taken on the challenge to really get into shape by doing P90X.  We are on week 3, its going well so far and its great to have each other for motivation.

We officially have no cars...NO CARS!  Greg is driving his rental car for work which leaves me with nothing.  I'm stuck with limited shopping...riding my bike everywhere...definitely a life style change. 

My parents picked up all our extra stuff to store at their house...which was only about 5 bins.  We are on track of packing up the suitcases!  Lots of things on my mind and I'm getting butterflies thinking about how close we are to leaving.  We bought a car in New Zealand...so one less thing to do when we get there!  We are tracking houses / apartments on the internet...it is very confusing to know what to get.

11 months old!!!

Goodbye Summer...Hello Fall

~ 50 days till New Zealand

I think our beach days are over...fall weather has settled in...windy, rainy and cool.  Last Saturday was the last day on our little beach, its sad because its our peaceful getaway, our little retreat on the weekends.  I will miss my tan!!!

We took the kids to Busch Gardens, they love going to Elmo's World and the rides.  They had it decorated for Hallow-scream which was fun to see, scary music playing and lots of pumpkins all around. 

The younger girls are really enjoying spending time together while Zoe is at school.  They love watching Mickey together in the morning and playing with toys...Skye is getting better at sharing too.  We took a mini field trip to the Aquarium and they both just loved it.  Skye's favorite animal were the sea turtles, Jazz loved looking into the big shark aquarium. 

I finally got my New Zealand Nursing License!  It has been 5 long months in the making.  Greg got his visa and now the rest are processing...we are getting close!  We sold my Land Rover...boy do I miss it!  I'm driving Greg's stick shift which is not fun at all...I had to learn how to drive it in a day and I'm still pathetic at it.  I only now drive when absolutely necessary...haha!  We are starting to pack up again, going through clothes is the biggest task.  Our mission is to pack in 5 large suitcases, two small carry on suitcases and our carry on items...I laugh at the idea!  7 weeks to go! 

Where does the time go?

~77 days until New Zealand~

We have been back in Virginia a month...its hard to believe.  Greg is working Monday though Friday, a job he dislikes, but it gives us family weekend time which we rarely had over the last 9 years.  I'm now a stay at home mom...I really miss work and the contact with adults and patients.  There is so much change in our house over the last year...maybe it has taken a slight toll on the kids, they are going through so many phases right now.  Zoe started Kindergarten a week ago, from what I can tell she loves it, at least the bus ride.  She is slowly making friends and is coming home with a big smile on her face.  Her teacher Mrs. O'Donnell has been there for years, so I hope Zoe learns a thing or two from her.  Skye is going through a "whats that" phase, very curious about her surroundings and eager to learn and read.  She is also going through a very emotional time, tantrums and gets easily upset, maybe just feeling like she is in the middle.  Jazz is growing by leaps and bounds.  She is cruising all over the house, loves exploring new toys and is starting to clap and wave hello.

We spend most of time on the beach...cooler weather is in the air so I want to escape out to the sand as much as possible.  Zoe has really become bold and is using her boogie board in the water.  Skye loves to play in the sand, she loves jumping in the small waves and laughs up a storm.  Jazz likes playing with her sisters, she sits and digs, eats sand, and does some more digging.  I have yet to read a page of my book on the beach, but its fun being out there watching the girls.  

The cats finally found a home, a nice couple took both of them and they are slowly adjusting.  I miss them a lot, they are part of our family.   Its a lot of preparation, money and quarantine time to take an animal to New Zealand.  Looking at the big picture, I would love to bring them with us, but it would not be fair to them.  They will be forever loved by us and I will think of them often.  

With the fall weather coming...its a fantastic time to get the kids out there and explore the area.  Greg and I are taking on a challenge of putting aside the wine (tear) and getting into shape.  I bought a bike off Craigslist for $25, now if I can just ride it (lol...its been at least 20 years since I've been on one).  We also bought a kids trailer for Greg's bike, so we can tote around Skye and Jazz.  I will let you know how this weekend goes...hopefully no big mishaps with the bikes!  

Awesome Feeling:  Greg paid off my credit card!

Deal of the day:  Greg found 4 large suitcases for New Zealand...all for $290!   

Zoe's friends came to visit!