The Smith's Journey

Follow us on our journey through family life. No matter where we live you will be able to keep up on our happenings. Have fun and remember to leave comments.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

America Update

Here's the news everyone has been waiting for. Will we go or will we stay?
After a long time of weighing up all the pros and cons, we have decided not to go to the States at this time. We don't know if it will happen another year but at this stage its a no go. Without going into details we calculated what we'd need to survive the daily grind of living expenses and weren't able to balance the figures. With my medical history of Epilepsy I need to have health insurance which is rather expensive for an American Citizen let alone a non citizen. Yes we're a bit disappointed and feeling slightly foolish after saying that we're going. But wisdom prevails and we stay.
We do have a couple of other plans up the pipeline. One of them is actually happening for me. I am starting a Book Editing, Proofreading & Publishing course. This will provide me with a diploma and is NZQA, (whatever that means). It is recognised in NZ & Aussie. The course is a 6 - 12 mth one but depending on circumstances it is possible to do over 2 yrs. I wont need that long though.
Our close friends Scott and Rayminda came for a holiday from Eureka, Montana. They have been the 'go betweens' with our plans to move over there. It was so great to catch up. We were kinda hoping that we weren't going to have to say a proper goodbye, thinking that we'd see them in a few months. After a fun dinner together with Rach & Neal, we said our goodbyes and I have to admit, I wasn't feeling that happy for awhile after that. I'm not sure whether the dishes got washed with dishwater or my tears. I do hate goodbyes. We had such a cool time with you guys (Ray & Scott), I'm stoked that we got to spend the time we did together. Great how all the girls got on too. Cool to see that tape you made of Eureka and its unique youth group.:-) Which we still have by the way. You left it on top of our t.v. We shall work out how to get it too you.
Aimee is starting school at the start of June. Not far away eh!! Scary!!
Emily had her birthday on the 17th March. We went out to Woodpeckers on the friday night, nice food. Loud. Lots of kids. Figures seen as though its a family restaurant!:-)
We even saw another family that has a kid at the same school as the girls. The saturday was actually her birthday. Terry & I took her out shopping. Her face lit up when we went into a bike shop. We'd been teasing her about taking her shopping for fruit and veg! She thought we were taking her to buy some lollies! It took 3 shops before we found the right bike. She's over the moon, she had her bike stolen soon after we moved in here. It was really old and rusty so we didn't file a claim, but then we didn't want to buy her a new one if we were going over seas. At the same shop I got my birthday present (an early one I know). For me we got a Sara Ulmer road bike. Its really light and so easy and comfy to ride. Albeit I haven't had the chance to go for a proper ride. We took the girls down to the school grounds to ride so I tried it out there.
Well I think thats all the news for now. Remember to leave a comment.

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Having fun in the sun!!

Sorry guys and gals. Haven't updated for a while. We're now enjoying some summer. The Church camp was on this weekend at Eyre Lodge. Beaut weather. We didn't stay out there but went for the afternoon. The guys have been challenged to a soccer game by Parklands Baptist. They (Kaiapoi Baptist) had a practise out at camp. Quite a few came back with rather red faces. Sadly one of the men lost a necklace that was his late wifes. Most of the people at camp formed a long line of searchers. Sort of felt like I was a CSI agent! It was found but at the swimming pool. Its such a relief to have it found.
We attended the church service out there today. Again a beautiful hot day. After church we went to the Swannanoa Fair. Man! Huge! The girls got to buy a pretty glittery magnet/window thing. Sarah-Jane & Aimee chose a ballet dancer and Emily got a butterfly. All three went on the bouncy castle, Me and Em went on a ride that whirled within a whirl. Dont know what its called but it was fun. Terry went on with Sarah-Jane but she wasn't too keen on it. Aimee and Sarah-jane had a pony ride. They loved it! I actually thought that Aimee would chicken out but no she was a real natural. SJ's face absolutely lit up. Terry took Em to a pirate ship slide. It was worth the sunburn on my shoulders. We had friends that had a stall there so we cruised out with them (and used their sunscreen for the girls).
The girls are doing well in school. Settled into their classes and enjoying the teachers they have this year. Its so amazing to think that Emily is in yr 5. She's getting so grown up. Our friend Rach told us about a writing competition so Em is writing a story. Entry has to be in by the end of March. She's doing really well.
Sarah-Jane is still a real girly girl. Loves her cuddles. She's settling down a lot better now that I sing a song to her at bedtime. What can I say? I'm brilliant!! :-)
Aimee is so full on! She is getting good at making up excuses to not get into bed! But she is so cute. She fell over today and I put a bandaid on, well at bedtime she comes through and does this wee act about her knee hurting. I got up gave her medicine and then sternly said "Now Get To Bed" Of she runs with a wee giggle that I interpret to be "ha ha mum I played you!".
Any way I've probably waffled on a bit too much. That's what happens when I do my blog while I watch CSI and Jericho.
Hope you are all well. Remember to leave a comment so I know that you're alive.