An American In New Zealand

I finally got Broadband

2012-01-31T12:49:00.000+13:00

I finally convinced my husband to get broadband!!!!!

It's not like the states where you get unlimited.

we only get 10gigs a month, that includes uploads and downloads

but I don't care.

I am happy!!!!

yea!!!!!

My Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T16:49:00.000+13:00

New Zealand doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. Which surprises me, with how much they like to eat.....but that is another discussion.
I miss Thanksgiving.....
the huge newspaper with all the ads for Black Friday
watching Macy's Day Parade on TV
eating lots of Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy
eating lots of pie
just relaxing
eating again
getting together with family
I even miss the leftover casserole that we would have the next day.

What did I do on Thanksgiving??????
I went to Isobella's and Joshua's Kapa Haka festival to watch them perform.

Joshua is awesome doing the Haka....I didn't get a good picture, as I was running in, after helping his group on stage, but here he is doing the Pukana

And here is Picture of Isobella

and one just for fun

OH!!!
and just to let you know,
we had homemade spaghetti for dinner

"Pineapple"

2011-09-28T09:05:00.000+13:00

I don't know about you other mothers, but I am having problems with my children using negative words all the time.
You know calling each other names, etc.

So to help with the negativiy in our home, we have implemented a new word to replace any negative word.
That word ended up being "pineapple"

its really hard to be mad at your sibling for calling you a "pineapple",
and it is funny to thing that something is "pineapple"

we have been doing this for a week now, and it has helped a lot.
In fact we have had friends over, and they are now using the word "pineapple".

So I think we have started a new trend!!!!

When

2011-09-28T09:00:00.000+13:00

So I haven't been blogging lately, its not like I don't have a lot to blog about, I do. It's just I keep on telling myself I will blog about that when we have broadband. Guess what?????
I still have no broadband.

its expensive here, it is not like the states where you can get unlimited broadband, here you have to get so many gigs and other things to factor in.

Sometimes I think New Zealand is a little backwards when it comes to technology.

One day I will get it

but only when I get a job to pay for it.

Lucky me!!!!

Joshua loses a tooth

2011-07-14T15:36:00.001+12:00

Joshua with the help of Isobella pulled out his 1st tooth this week.
The tooth fairy even remembered to come, and brought him $1.90
He is getting to be so grown-up.

now the poor tooth fairy will be busy once again.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-07T08:33:00.000+12:00

Much Ado About Nothing!!

2011-06-22T12:35:00.001+12:00

I have just realize it has been over a month since I last blogged. I am such a slacker. I will try to justify it as, I really wish I had broadband, then I would be putting up tons of photos and blogging a lot more. But I thought I at least let everyone know what is going on in The Land of the White Cloud (that is what the Maori's call it)

Isobella turned 9 the end of May and Savannah turned 12 the beginning of June, and now Savannah is in Young Women's in out church.

We are now in winter and boy does it get cold. Am I left wishing we had central heating and a better insulated house, but all we have to warm everything up is a fire.

I also think that with the coldness and the lack of sun I get S.A.D. (Seasonal affective disorder). So I am feeling a little out of sorts, like having no energy, lack of desire to do anything. And wishing we were back in States enjoying your wet weather. I have noticed I have been having a hard time sleeping. But somehow I make it through each day.

Saturdays have been very busy for us. Joshua is now playing ripper rugby and is such the athlete and Savannah is playing netball again. so there goes my Saturday ( I don't mind though).

Its hard to believe that we only have 6 more months until Christmas. Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I have got a few things put to the side, but normally by this time I am almost done. Now that Savannah and Elijah are getting older, its really hard to decide what to get them. And good suggestions?

Hopefully I will start feeling happier.

Leaves are falling on the ground!!

2011-05-19T21:08:00.000+12:00

Leaves are falling off the trees, an some of them are even turning colour. It is "Fall" you say, not here in New Zealand. It is called by it's proper name "Autumn". It doesn't quite feel the same here, you know, when October comes and there is just this crispness to the air. Here it is either warm or its cold, no in between. And my poor kids, sometime I feel sorry for them, when I use words they have no clue what they mean, and for some reason, I have been using them alot lately. For instance.....

Trunk.....

here it is referred to as a boot.

Period (you know the dot at the end of a sentence).....

full stop. and my kids think it is hilarious, when I use the word "period"

They can't understand why we us the word "fall" for "autumn"

Hamburger meat....

is now Mince.

Their are alot of words that have changed, but it is late at night, and I can't think of them. Maybe in another post.

Tonight we have the fire going as it is getting really chilli now. But this weather does not know what it wants to do.

I just hope for a warm winter this year.

Happy Easter!!!!

2011-04-24T19:34:00.002+12:00

Easter Cookies and Scripture Easter Eggs

2011-04-22T14:48:00.002+12:00

these two things are from Easters Past.

First
Easter Cookies

Second
Scripture Easter Eggs

Hope you Enjoy!!

Five years ago Today!!!!!

2011-04-20T16:50:00.000+12:00

There are moments in our lives that we remember for always. For good or bad, every once in a while we reflect upon these moments and think of how they have changed us. On Wednesday April 19, 2006 was one of these moments. Five years ago was the day I took my four children in hand and left all I knew in the states and left to go and live in New Zealand.

I can still remember everything about that day. Trying to pack everything I could in 17 suitcases. The frantic run into Walmart to get a couple of last minute things. Getting to the airport and realizing I didn't have a stroller. Checking in 14 bags. And getting on the plane with my kids, who were then only 6, 5, 3, and 16 months, all by myself. Simon was already in New Zealand.

Simon had walked off his job back in the end of February, and we decided that we need a change and go to New Zealand. We had a huge garage sale, sold as much as we could. Packed some things into a crate to be sent over, but looking back on it now, I would have changed quite a lot of things to be brought over. Simon left to New Zealand a month before, and I was the lucky one who got to sale the house. It sold in a day, in fact we had 6 offers, so that was a testament to me, that we were doing the right thing.

So here I was all by myself with 4 kids at the airpoirt. Going from Salt Lake to LA wasn't a big deal, but trying to get 4 kids and 17 suitcases over to another terminal was hard, but luckily they had trolleys. But once the 14 suitcases were checked in, the real nightmare began. Try dragging four tired kids, one a baby, through the international terminal, with no stoller and you wonder where your sanity is. I did have an Angel come and help me out with the luggage we had left, so I could carry Joshua. We finally made it to our terminal and got to sit and wait 4 hours for our plane. But somehow we made it and then 14 hours later we were in Auckland New Zealand.

We then realized I had gotten someone elses luggage in LA, so we had to return to the airport and try to track down my missing luggage. And then we drove to New Plymouth. Where for over the next two years we would call home.

I never doubted this is where we were suppose to be , but it didn't make any less easier. The first year I was very depressed. And I still struggle sometimes and I wish I could be back in the states. As we tell eveyone who asks how long do we plan on staying here It will be just a season! I don't know how long that season will be. I do know that someday we will come back to stay for good, and then I will look on this time and see why we are here now.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-13T12:36:00.001+12:00

To Infinity and Beyond

2011-04-07T11:32:00.000+12:00

AfterShock!!!!!!

2011-04-04T16:18:00.003+12:00

As some of you may know. My husband works for the Church. And just recently he was sent down to Christchurch to help with the rebuilding of a couple of churches down there.
He was gone for 2 weeks.

While he was down there, he was able fix up two of the church buildings. They have another 2 down there, but they were a little more damaged, and their prognoses is in the air. He enjoyed himself down there, even though it was a lot of work. He also got to be shaken from a lot of aftershocks. He said you could hear it coming, and then the shaking would start. A couple times he happened to be up high on ladder, and he thought some of his work mates were shaking it (they weren't, no one below him) Scary, good think I didn't know some of the things he was up to.

He made an observation while down there.

Get prepared NOW!!!!
Simon was sad to see that some of the members themselves hadn't gotten themselves prepared after the last earthquake in September. They were in the opinion that they already had the big one, and they wouldn't have another.
This just goes to show, it can happen anytime, and anywhere, and it could happen again too. Christchurch wasn't suppose to have the earthquake, it should have happened in Wellington or Hawkes Bay. So you never know where it will hit, don't assume because you don't live on a fault, that it won't happen to you, because we didn't know about the Christchurch fault either.
From watching the news reports, water was the greatest need for everyone, so make sure you have lots of water. Here is a little tip, if you have a deep freeze, line the bottom of the freezer with 2 Lt bottles filled with water. It helps your freezer be more efficient, and if something happens to the power, your frozen items will last a little longer, and you will have good water.

I will admit I keep on thinking of checking and making a 72 hour kit, but I am a procrastinator. So hopefully it won't be to late, when I finally get a round to it.

Curtains

2011-04-01T09:02:00.002+13:00

I sewed these curtains by myself for the girls room. They aren't perfect, infact the hems are not straight. But I made them. And I got the curtain thermal material for only $2 meter. Sweet!!!!! I can do things if I put my mind to it, or I just want to show my husband that I don't always sit around the house all day playing farmville.

Identity

2011-03-11T12:32:00.001+13:00

Once upon a time, I had a name.......I can see it now, in bright lights for all the world to see.......

Je t'aime

(you know like Madonna or Cher)

I knew who I was and what I wanted out of life. I was an individual. I had an Identity.....

Then I got married.
And not that I am knocking marriage, I actually enjoy being married, for the most part, but then I became someone new.
I was now known as Simon's wife., and I am sure it was because he was so memorable. Who wouldn't forget listening to his accent, or his curly hair.
And to top it up, when we first got married, we lived with my parents so I was also know as Luana's daughter.
And I am sure most of the problem stemmed from the fact, if any one saw my name, they had no idea how to say it, let alone spell it, but that is another story.

But it wasn't easy, becoming connected to someone else. I needed to invent myself all over again. And just when I got used to being known as Simon's wife (in all truth I didn't mind it, too much, yea He is who I married, aren't I so lucky) I had children....

And since they take after him, in looks, and now accents. I am once again in the shadows. I have forgotten what it is like to be just me. And now all the kids are back at school, I am once again examining who or what I am, and that is a struggle. But even thought this road I am on is long and bumpy, I am happy.
I enjoy going to my childrens school, and constantly hearing “Hi Elijah's Mum” or one of the other kids Mum, because I know they are getting noticed from others, and making friends (lets face it, that is what a lot of mothers worry about). I think it is nice to be known as Simon's wife, he is a great man. But after I leave this life, I want to be known for something I did, as an individual, and I will get there someday.

Honey, this is why some days, Nothing gets done.

2011-03-09T09:24:00.001+13:00

I could not have planned a better day even if I had tried.
Last week, when I was in Hamilton, I left my husband in charge of the kids.
He got to take and pick them up from school. Do lunches, everything I would do for the week.

On one of the days. He got the kids all ready for school. Took them to school, came home and did some laundry, and thought I need to go to the hardware store for some things. No sooner had he gotten there, he got a call from the school..... Isobella was in the sick bay and needed to come home. So he went to the school and got her. Came home and then went back to school just a little later to go pick up Savannah, as she had an early day. They went to to see if Isobella could see the doctor, no apppmts, but they did see the nurse, who then got them an appmt. later that day to see the doctor. He then had to pick the rest of the kids up at school. Go back to see the doctor, who was running late. Saw the doctor (she just had a virus) came home to get the kids ready to go to band practice. Went to band practice, then on the way home, stopped at the grocery store, to get something to make for dinner. Made dinner and it was all ready time to clean up and get ready for bed.

Justice is Sweet!!!!!

I also laughted, because he told me he was going to do all these things, while I was gone.
I think he only was able to do a couple of them.

I Love to See the Temple

2011-03-07T13:27:00.005+13:00

Here in New Zealand, we have only one LDS Temple.
Located in Hamilton, which is just out of Auckland, on the North Island.
(Christchurch, where all the earthquakes are happening, are on the South island)
To get more people going through the Temple, a few years back they started
what is called “Temple Week” which meant your Stake would go for a week.
Well not really a week, More like four days. And your Stake would supply the Temple Patrons and Temple Workers.There is also another Stake that is assigned that week with you. They were also encouraging us to do our family history and bring those to be done that week. Your Stake gets to do this twice a year.

We have gone up a couple of times in the past, bringing along our children.
Simon has also gone one week without me.
But its been a few years since either of us have gone up.
So we thought it would be nice for me to go up, and leave Simon at home
with kids.

So last Monday, I started my trip up to Hamilton.
It is about a 4 hour drive. I went with some friends from another ward.
We stayed in the former dorms for Church College. I was well take care of, from not only my Stake, Flaxmere, but also by the Hastings Stake.

I really enjoyed myself, spending Tuesday through Thursday, all day, in the Temple. I didn't bring any family names, as this was just spur of them moment, but I was able to do other peoples families names from the other Stake. It was also much easier having the kids home. Then I didn't worry about, if they were getting bored or not. I was sad to leave on Friday, but I was excited to come home and see my kids. And to find the house was still standing.

The daddy did a good job, staying home with them. I was excited to hear, he had one of those days, where nothing gets done. So hopefully he now understands, why somedays, Nothing is done in the house. I think that my kids were saving up all the fighting until I go home though. A couple of them were at each other, and Savannah made the comment “you didn't fight when dad was here”. Makes me feel so good.

The next Temple Week is in July and it will be Simon's time to go up. And my turn to stay home with the kids. I guess I really should get some family names for him to do, when he goes up there.

Holidays, School, and Other Things

2011-02-08T13:00:00.003+13:00

I can't believe how quickly the Holidays flew by.
Although when the kids are home together, they do seem to drag on too.
We didn't do anything to exciting, but we did go to New Plymouth for a week.

But now the kids are back at school, and no one is happier then me.
The only thing now is....
it is hot
and not only is it hot, it is muggy.
I feel like I am constantly glistening, and there is no relief, as we do not have air conditioning.
Its been great for laundry, as I hang them outside, because we have no dryer.
It is also hard to get comfortable at night, you open the windows, but there is no breeze, and all that comes in, is the mozzies.

Hawkes Bay is very different, weather wise, then the other areas I have lived in, here in New Zealand. It's hotter and muggier.
I am just very grateful we have a pool.

As for school.....
Savannah is in year 7
Elijah year 6
Isobella year 4
and Joshua is year 2
I am not sure how that would be in the states, as things are different here. The years seem to be one year a head of what they would be in the states.
The kids are really enjoying school so far. and by no surprise, Savannah, Elijah, and Isobella are one of the top, in there classes.

I am now looking to get a part time job. I keep on trying to come up with something I am good at, but nothing comes to mind. I am good at reading, so maybe critiquing a book, would be my forte', or maybe I really should just write the great New Zealand novel. hmmmmmm.

Our House, is a very, very fine House!!

2011-01-13T21:45:00.005+13:00

Once again I have been putting off what we have been up to.....
Like buying a house for instance.......
Thanks to Kiwi Home Loan we are the proud owners(actually the bank is) of a
three bedroom, one bath home. Big double car garage Nothing to spectacular.....
but it does have an in ground pool. Which according to the locals, and from what we have experienced, is really nice to have, as it does get very hot here.

We have been in the house for over a month now, and I am slowly getting things unpacked. I just have to much stuff. and Now I have to go through it and decide, do I really need it? Which is hard for me, because I am a pack rat, and I keep on looking at all of it and think to myself. I may need it someday, I may not have used it, these past 4 years, but the minute I get rid of it, I will need it.

Where the house is located, I couldn't get a very good picture of it, but it gives you a general idea.

I Am Still Here!!!!!

2010-12-15T21:28:00.002+13:00

Things have been a little crazy lately. and when things weren't crazy, I was just to lazy to blog.

First off, Elijah turned 10 the beginning of November.

then we bought a house here in Flaxmere, if you thought purchasing a house in America was hard, it is a lot worse here. Their were moments that I didn't think it was going to happen. But somehow it did, and here we are. This house has an in-ground swimming pool, which of course the kids are loving.

We are still on Dial-up!

Joshua turned 6 the beginning of December.

Now we are in the Christmas frenzy, it just doesn't feel like Christmas here. Believe it or not, I sometimes miss the snow. I miss all the houses being decorated with tons of lights. I miss the Christmas songs on the radio. I also miss my family.

Now this week Joshua has been sick, he ended up getting "Scarlett Fever" so their went my, getting things done without the kids, before they got out of school on Thursday.

The kids get out Tomorrow until February, so things are not going to get any easier for a while.

You Got to Move it, Move it!!!!!!!

2010-10-28T10:26:00.002+13:00

I am finally here in the Hawkes Bay. We are living in a little suburb called Flaxmere.
We are living on the top floor of the Stake Presidents home. It is only temporary, until the house we are trying to buy either goes through or falls through. We do not have a set ward yet. The Ward we are living in have already petitioned for the children to be part of there Primary Program. And the ward that we might live in, have already requested our membership from Paraparaumu. We also have members in the other ward finding houses for us to buy there.

The children are now attending Flaxmere Primary School. The teachers are very excited to have them, as the oldest three have scored high on the tests the have given them. But all four have settled in very quickly.

One thing I have noticed being here, is how white I am. But the people have soon found out and commented, that I fit in very well. I guess it comes from, first being raised in Kearns and second, being married to Simon.

It is a lot hotter here then it was in Waikanae. I will have to live in sunscreen as the sun burns more here.

This past weekend we got to go to a "Justin Williams" concert. He was on the latest American Idol. That was fun. I suggest to anyone to find out about him. He is a great singer and a great role model.

I am still organizing myself. We don't have a phone, so hence, why I haven't blogged recently. I hope this finds you all well and ready for Halloween!!!!

Living Life In Limbo!!!

2010-09-24T14:45:00.000+12:00

As you may or may not know, we are moving over to Hawkes Bay, which is on the East side of the North Island of New Zealand. We are currently living on the West side.
We were meant to move over there in August., but for some reason we are still where we are.
We have been trying to buy a house. We put an offer on one the beginning of September, and after a few negoitiations we accepted their offer. All was well and then we hit a snag. ….. here in New Zealand if you are going to add a room to your house, or change is structurally, you have to get a permit. Which wouldn't be so bad, but it is very expensive. this is one thing where I think the New Zealand government is backwards. You want to encourage develoopment of homes, I don't mind the permit, but not at the cost they want. But back to the house, it wasn't permitted and it was going to cost way to much to get it permitted. So it fell through. We then have found another house, which my children were very excited about. ( it has a swimming pool). We got an evalutation on the house and it came in lower then what we offered, and once again it has some rooms that are not permitted.
I am so getting over this... I know that we are going through this for a reason, but it doesn't make it any less stressfull. I am ready to pull my hair out. I keep on asking myself, what am I not doing that we havent't got a home yet? I do not like living my life in Limbo... my two oldest are getting frustrated as well. I keep on thinking there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and we will get there soon.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-15T11:47:00.002+12:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-08T22:10:00.000+12:00

All is Safe and Sound!!!!

2010-09-06T16:57:00.004+12:00

I thought I better let everyone know....

That we are good!!!!

Now Why would I say this?????

There was an Earthquake, here in New Zealand on Saturday.

7.1

Near Christchurch

for those who do not know much about New Zealand,
we have two islands
North and South

I live on the North Island
and Christchurch is on the South.

That morning, before I knew what had happened I had a
dream that they needed to build another Temple here in New Zealand,
so they could earthquake proof the Hamilton Temple.

Coincidence??????? I think not.

Just a great reminder, to be ready....
Particularly since we will be moving over the the East coast,
Where earthquakes are more frequent.

What happened to Spring Equinox?

2010-09-01T22:02:00.009+12:00

According to all the news reports.........
Today is the first day of Spring.

Dummy me, I thought that the first day of spring was September 22.

Well no matter when it begins, the flowers are in bloom

Winter Sports are over, including Netball, That Savannah plays.

And we can go back to the Beach.

For your information we have put an offer in to buy a house...more news later......

Happy Birthday to.................ME!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-20T15:50:00.003+12:00

Today's my birthday.
I am not one to do anything special for it.
I did get my three oldest, singing me "Happy Birthday" this morning. Which in its self was very entertaining, as I had Bella and Savannah, pushing each other. And all three forgot who they were singing it too. Who ever it was it started with and "S".
My husband doesn't get back until later tonight, as he has been over in Hawkes Bay.

I won't tell you how old I am, but I realized that when I am filling out forms for surveys, my age is now in another category....hmmm I wonder if I will now qualify for some new surverys

I didn't wan't to make my own cake, so I got to go and buy one for myself. Happy, Happy, joy, Joy.

Being here In New Zealand, all of my baby pictures are over at my parents house, but here are a few I found. Hope you enjoy!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-18T17:47:00.000+12:00

The Big 4 0

2010-08-10T20:40:00.004+12:00

Today is Simon's birthday.
He has made it to 40.
This is to your "distinguished highlights"
although you are one who never ages.
For your Strength.

For the husband and father you have become

For the Spiritual man that you are.

For all the good times.

For your great genetics

wordless Wednesday

2010-08-04T14:15:00.000+12:00

Thoughtful Thursday

2010-07-22T09:32:00.000+12:00

Thought for the Day

Women are angels.

And when someone breaks our wings.......

We simply continue to fly.....on a broomstick.

We're flexible like that.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-21T15:19:00.001+12:00

Isobella's Baptism Picture

2010-07-17T20:17:00.002+12:00

Isobella Get's Baptised

2010-07-15T19:19:00.005+12:00

Isobella finally got baptised last night in Paraparaumu. We just kept on putting it off, Simon just said to do it on Wednesday, and we did. Isobella wore the dress that Savannah wore to her baptism. Then once she was baptised she got to wear the dress, that her cousin Nakaila Gunderson, wore at hers. I got to give the talk on baptism and Savannah gave the talk on The Holy Ghost. We then had cake and chocolate waffle cookies (Savannah made the waffle cookies).

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-07T16:19:00.000+12:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-30T10:22:00.000+12:00

Adventures at The hospital

2010-06-22T15:44:00.002+12:00

My baby, Savannah came to me at five in the morning, to tell me she wasn't feeling very good. I got up and gave her a tums and sent her back to bed. About a 1/2 hour later I woke up to her, paying tribute to the porcelain goddess. Got up once again, to help her clean up. Sent her back to bed again. Now keep in mind that we just got back from New Plymouth the night before, and Joshua had already woken me up at 3:30. We all got up around 7ish. Since we were already out late the night before, Simon suggested that all the kids stay home. I was to tired to argue and thought why not? We gave Savannah some toast, and some gingerale, that didn't last. Then tried some coke, that didn't sit well either. I am trying to get things done, and all I am hearing is "mommy". She was crying quite a lot. Savannah can be quite a drama queen, when she is sick, so I don't know how much of this crying I should take seriously. She was telling me that her tummy hurt the whole time, and she couldn't rest. I thought I better talk to the nurse on healthline, who then suggested I take her to the doctor.
I was lucky that my neighbour was home, so I could leave the other three at her place.
Off to the doctor we went. once there, they referred us to the A & E (emergency room for those in USA) in Wellington. which is like driving from salt lake city to Ogden.
Came home, tried to call Simon, let my neighbour know what was up, and then off to Wellington we went.
Got into the Hospital around 3ish, went in the A&E around 3:30. They took some blood around 4ish. Savannah then got an EKG around 5ish. Around 7 they decided to keep Savannah over night, and finally at almost 8 they moved her up into her own room.
I came home, and went back up there this morning. They released Savannah saying that it must have been only a bad tummy bug. Oh Joy!! this means I get to go through with this with the other three.
Through this whole ordeal, Savannah was a real trooper. I am just glad she didn't end up having an appendicitis. And I am really glad that she is feeling well once again. Now to catch up on some sleep!!!!

The Influence of Mothers

2010-06-08T13:24:00.002+12:00

I have been thinking of this for a few days, then on Sunday we had a lesson about "Mothers and Daughters" I figured it was a sign.

Savannah turned 11 last week. I figure I don't have much longer until she is more influenced by her friends, then by me. But until then I am going to enjoy it.

It has come to front of my mind since I won something off of Facebook last week.
On one of the things I am a "fan" of you had to write if you were "team Edward" or "Team Jacob" and you would be put in the draw for a shirt.
You can call me a bad mother but I have given Savannah "Twilight" book for Christmas and then last week I gave her the "New Moon" and "Eclipse" books. Which has been great, she has kind of been reading them, but they are still on higher level for her to get into them. We have seen the two movies together. And she has talked to me about them (I rather her talk to me, then her friends, see now?) the girls her age think its the "in" thing right now, and I don't want her to get secretive about things. In our talks she would ask if I was team Edward or Team Jacob. and my answer was "Team Jacob" so she was team Jacob.

This shirt I won was for "Team Jacob" and I made sure I got her size to give it to her for her birthday. Now it is all she can talk about. I bet when she gets home from school today, because she wore it today, she will have more stories for me.

So for right now, I can influence my daughter where I want to.
I just hope Bella will be that easy to influence.

"Tween"

2010-06-03T15:11:00.000+12:00

Not yet a teenager, but not a little girl any more.....
Savannah is 11
My girl with the perfect lips
You still have "Blue" Eyes (Once again my genetics)
and soft, beautiful Curly hair!!
I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I still remember you as
a sweet little 3 year old.
You ask me "Am I sad to see you grow-up?" that is a yes and no answer
I am sad that you are not little any more and do not fit in my lap and you don't need me as much.
But I look as you are now and I can't believe I have been part of your upbringing, you have turned out wonderfully so far. (yes I know you are not a teenager yet, and I might change my mind when we get there) But for right now You are dependable and I know I can ask you to do anything and you will do it (to a point). Your little Brothers and even your little sister follow your example.
May you continue on this path you are on now, and you will go far!!!

It's Great to Be Eight!!!!

2010-05-31T11:58:00.001+12:00

You will never guess who is eight now?????

ISOBELLA

although to me, she still looks like she is 6.
She still wears size six clothes.
I tell her all the time, that she is not allowed to grow-up.
She is one of my most entertaining children. She is constantly singing.
She always has to be the center of attention. She just makes me laugh.
Last week she came to me to show me she had a lose tooth. and within 15 minutes she had that sucker out. She has no teeth right now, I am trying to figure out, how she eats anything.She is a fruit-a-holic, so it is really funny to watch her eat an apple.

My genetics must be very strong, I look at her, and think, she must belong to someone else in my family, because she looks nothing like Simon.

We haven't set a date for her baptism. But she sure is looking forward to it.

She is a joy to have in our family!!

Here are a few pictures of her growing up.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!!

2010-05-01T09:25:00.007+12:00

Yesterday Morning we woke up at my parents home to snow. Joshua spent the day trying looking out the window at the snowflakes falling down. It had only had a little on the ground in the morning, it melted quickly away.

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but this morning (Friday) we woke up to over three inches of snow. So we bundled up Joshua to go out sledding in my parents front yard.

Here is a little video of Joshua going down the hill.

By this afternoon, it had melted all away. Joshua is counting down the days until it snows again.

Downtown!!!!!

2010-04-27T04:08:00.004+12:00

Joshua and I went downtown on Saturday for one of our return missionaries wedding. While we were there, Joshua took the camera and began taking pictures of everyone and everything.

I think I have a photographer in the making, this doesn't include the pictures he took at the wedding brunch. Nothing like the perspective of a 5 year old.
He had lots of fun. My only problem will be, is now, he will think he needs the camera all the time. Thank goodness for digital cameras.

In America!!!!!!

2010-04-24T02:41:00.004+12:00

If you didn't know already, I am here, I made it, I am back!!!! and boy was it an adventure.
I took off from Wellington airport at 7 am on Wednesday. Flew to Brisbane Australia on a 4 hour flight via Pacific Blue

Here is Joshua being entertained by the mp3 player.

Made it to Brisbane and made our way to the V.Australia gate, that would take us to Los Angelos. This is where it started getting fun. We were suppose to leave at 11am Australia time (that would be 1pm New Zealand time), but we didn't leave for another hour. So we sat on the plane an extra hour than what was planned. But at least on that plane, we had games to play and movies to watch. Joshua did very well. He played a few games and watched a few tv shows, but mainly he slept, on me. So I didn't get a lot of sleep on that flight. I watched "Amelia" "The Ugly Truth" and "Ben-Hur" and that doesn't take in the times I just played with play system that you have for your personal enjoyment. We finally made it LA after a 12 hour flight at 8am LA time still on Wednesday (3 am Thursday on New Zealand time).

We then headed over to the Delta terminal to get on the plane that would take us to SLC.But the plane was running an hour late, so instead of leaving at 10 we didn't even get on the plane until 10:45 and didn't get off the runway until after 11. Things were running smoothly, except for all the turbulance, until we got near SLC. They were having a huge thunder storm, so they were not allowing any planes in or out of the airport. So we were diverted to Grand Junction, Colorodo to refuel. and then it was back to slc at 5pm, 4 hours after I was suppose to land in SlC. (that would be 11 am on Thursday in New Zealand)

Here are a couple of photos taken on the plane, when we got near SLC.

So I had over a 40 hour Wednesday, spending over 24 hours of it either in an airport or on a plane. Joshua tells me that he doesn't like planes now, and I don't blame him. Hopefully he will have forgotten that, when we return in three weeks.

It has been great seeing my family, and maybe once I stop feeling like I am still moving, I will really enjoy myself. I know Joshua is.....as he told me on Wednesday "I am Special".

The Easter Bunny Skipped our House.

2010-04-06T15:07:00.003+12:00

This year Easter fell on The first Sunday of the month. Now here in New Zealand, we do not get General Conference broadcast into our home. We have to wait until the following Weekend, and then we go to the Stake centre to watch it, but that is another story. So we still had Fast Sunday here. Which means, we fast for any length of time up to 24hrs. We are trying to get Savannah and Elijah to fast, at least one meal, which would be breakfast. So to help things out a bit, I called the Easter Bunny and informed him, that his services were not needed at this time. We also would not be needing any toys this time, as we just had a garage sale and the father is on a rampage to get rid of any toy he finds. So to be fair to the bunny I told him he just couldn't come. We did have the missionaries over for dinner on Sunday, and Simon had a four day weekend. So that is about as Eastery as I have gotten.

Easter Cookie Recipe

2010-04-01T11:24:00.000+13:00

EASTER COOKIE RECIPE!

Making cookies with your children

to teach the true meaning of EASTER!

You Need

1- cup whole pecans

1-teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1-cup sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon

tape

Bible

EASTER COOKIES

Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)

1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and He became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30

3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.

Read John 10:10-11

4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27

5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.

Read Matt. 27:57-60

8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.

9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66

10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20-22

11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.

Read Matt. 28: 1-9

This recipe is by Wanda Long and appeared in Home Life magazine

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-31T15:47:00.001+13:00

Heigh Ho Heigh Ho, its off to camp I go.

2010-03-30T14:51:00.002+13:00

Today Savannah left us, to go to year six camp. She will be there until Thursday. So two nights away from us. Simon didn't really want her to go, but I didn't want her to feel left out, and she wanted to go. Savannah was nervous this morning, she had never been away from us for more than a day. She told me that she wasn't nervous, but her tummy was, as she had butterflies.

I told her stories of when I went to Mill Hollow in the middle of winter and how my toes froze, but I still had a good time. She isn't even that far away, just over at a ranch in Paraparaumu. So I can come and check up on her if I need to.

Its amazing how having only one child out of the home, changes the dynamics so much. Last week Simon took Isobella with him when he went to New Plymouth one night. The house was so quiet, though Joshua sure missed her.

I just hope she doesn't come home with the expectation that while she was gone that everything changed.

Scripture Easter Eggs.

2010-03-26T22:30:00.000+13:00

12 plastic take-apart Easter eggs.

List of items to go inside eggs with scripture references:

1. Sacrament cup (save and recycle your cup from sacrament)

2. Small silver coins (In the U.S they use dimes, but here in NZ, use any coin you like!)

3. Piece of rope

4. Piece of soap

5. Piece of red cloth

6. Small nail

7. Dice

8. Jagged rock

9. Piece of white cloth

10. Round flat rock

11. Spices (cloves, cinnamon stick, etc.)

12. Nothing (leave the egg empty)

Number eggs on the outside with a fine-tip permanent marker or stickers numbered 1-12.

Print out these scriptures and cut into strips and roll up and put in the corresponding number egg with it's accompanying item..

1. Matthew 26:39

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

2. Matthew 26:14-15

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

This fulfilled the prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-14 that Jesus would be sold for 30 pieces of silver.

3. Matthew 27:1-2

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

4. Matthew 27: 24-26

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” Then answered all the people, and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children." Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.

5. Matthew 27: 28-30

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

6. Matthew 27: 31-32

And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. [And he was nailed to the cross, and crucified.]

7. Mark 15: 24

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, ...

8. Matthew 27: 50-51, 54

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God."

9. Matthew 27: 57-60

When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock:

10. Matthew 27: 60, 62, 65-66

And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate... Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

11. Mark 16:1, Matthew 28: 2, 5

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had brought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. And the angel answered and said unto the women, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified."

12. Matthew 28: 6

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said...

For family home evening or on Easter Sunday, hide the eggs and have your children/family find them.

With your family, open the eggs one at a time, in order, to share with them the story of Christ's death and resurrection.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

2010-03-17T20:15:00.001+13:00

Wordless Wednessday

2010-03-10T15:20:00.000+13:00

"Fast"

2010-03-09T10:49:00.002+13:00

We just had Fast and Testimony Sunday this week. I have a hard time with fasting. After not being able to fast because I was either pregnant or nursing for over 5 yrs, it has taken me a long time to get back into the habit. It is something that I have always struggled with. I am trying to get my children into the habit now, but it is hard, I don't want them to think of it as a punishment.

This Sunday, I decided, that yes I was going to Fast. We talked to Savannah and Elijah about it on Saturday and asked them to "fast" at least breakfast.

I teach the 12-13 yr olds, and my lesson happened to be, you guessed it, on Fasting. So I had to be a good example and fast for that too.

We also were trying to sale our MPV Van, so Simon and I fasted that would happen. We parked our van by a road on Saturday and on Sunday we sold it. I was quick to point that out to our children. Because we fasted we were able to sale our van very quickly. Now I need to find another van.

I have many things like this happen to me with fasting, but I must be slow to remember, as I struggle with fasting.

On an another note, I finished reading the entire Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and Joseph Smith History last week. It took me almost 6 months, and now I have started again.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-03T18:56:00.001+13:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-24T10:25:00.000+13:00

You say "Tomayto" I say "Tomahto"

2010-02-16T14:43:00.002+13:00

I have lived here in New Zealand for almost Four Years, come this April. (Wow, Where has the time gone?) I am always telling my family how cute it is to listen to Isobella and Joshua with there kiwi accents. ( Bella say Purple, "puwrple" now say car "cawr " who are your friends "My Fwriends are Sydney and Maya") Savannah can have an accent if she thinks about it, its more a cross of the two. And Elijah, well he doesn't have either accent, in fact they he might be getting to go into speech therapy. (It's really sad, that even his own mother makes repeat what he has said, a bunch of times. I must be going deaf).

But do you realize that I am the one with the accent here. I always getting asked, " are you from Canada?". Good thing I am not offended from that. Makes you wonder what they think "yanks" (thats what they call us, Americans) should sound like? Not like Simon when we were in the states, always getting asked if he was from Australia. Living here, I can now hear the difference in their accents. Australia is more twangier, Just think of the crocodile Hunter " Now thats a Beuuty". I can also hear the difference in the New Zealand accent, depending where they were raised. Simon's Brother would be considered the brooklyn accent of New Zealand, thick and hardly understandable. But as for the accent itself, I really don't hear it like I used to. I guess you could say I have grown used to it. Now it's weird to hear other accents.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-10T09:31:00.001+13:00

Free at Last, Free at Last

2010-02-05T14:34:00.000+13:00

All the kids went back to school on Tuesday. They have been home 6 long weeks for summer holidays. I know they are not at long as the summer holidays in the states, but at least there I could go and visit my family. Makes a big difference on your sanity levels. Joshua in particular, was very excited to go, as he is now 5 and gets to go full time. The others not so much. You know how it is, you are bored so you want to go, but you don't want all the work to go with it. I have been looking forward to it, to bask in the freedom of going to the stores by myself, but once it came, I felt lost.

I have devoted so much of myself to my children, that now they are all at school, I find that I don't know what I will do now. Simon is on my case about going back to school, but until I decide what exactly I want to do, I don't want to waste money on something I will not enjoy. Getting a job here, kind of defeats the purpose of the government giving us an allowance each week for me to stay home. And I worry if I do something out of the home, how will that affect when the kids are sick? I also want to go back to the states for a visit, so anything I do, could have and affect on whether or not I got to go back for a visit. I am sure something will come to me. I am sure I will find something, and until then I am going to enjoy the time I have to find myself again, well at least until 3pm when the kids are home from school.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-03T20:58:00.001+13:00

Phobia's

2010-02-01T16:22:00.002+13:00

This weekend I came to a realization of something I already knew... I am claustrophobic. It hasn't stopped me from doing things, like go into Nutty Putty Caves. But I have noticed what I do because of it, I have to sit on the end of the row. But what really brought it to light this weekend was..... I was trying on a wetsuit and once I had it on, I couldn't get it off, Savannah had to help me and then Simon wanted me to try on another one. I started getting really upset just thinking about it and I ended up just swimming in my togs.

It may not be true claustrophobia, it is probably just a mild form. but it still can get to me.

On a happier note, the kids go back to school tomorrow at 9 am. woo hoo!!!

A Little bit of this, a little bit of that

2010-01-29T15:00:00.002+13:00

Went to the child psychologist this morning with Elijah. They don't really know what he has, he has bits of everything, but not enough of one thing to diagnose him and say " he is autistic" or he is "ADHD" or he has "OCD". You get the idea. They are still going to work with us, as the psychologist told me, it still creates a problem for us. As for having dispraxia....... well she couldn't say one way or another, because it isn't considered a clinical mental disorder, according to her metal disorder bible, but she did say she will be looking into it.

Wellington Anniversary

2010-01-26T11:26:00.004+13:00

This weekend we went and stayed in Wellington.

We first went to Te Papa Museum with a family that is also from the USA.

Then the Next day we went down the bottom of the island, as close as we could get.

Then it was off to Victoria Hill Lookout.

Then down to the wharf

Then we ended the day trying to get to the wind turbines, but it started to get dark and was spitting, so we left. Maybe next time.

Glow Baby Glow

2010-01-19T16:13:00.004+13:00

Last week we went up to New Plymouth. While we were there we went to the Pukakura Park festival of Lights.
As you can see with all these pictures, the kids had a great time.

I like these pictures taken in the blue light area.

Here is Grimace the Gorilla, You can tell that Joshua is a little weary of him, but he has his uncle Richard to protect him.

This is in the Fernery Area. Look how they glow!!!!!!!

Lets try this again........Joshua's Video

2010-01-12T08:22:00.000+13:00

Joshua's Video take two

Joshua's Hair Video

2010-01-08T19:40:00.002+13:00

Joshua's Hair

This is the progression of Joshua's hair, starting in November 2008 until now.

My Maori Warrior

2010-01-04T09:46:00.002+13:00

Joshua's hair is now long enough to pull back into a pony tail.

Isn't he cute??

Manu's Christmas Vacation

2009-12-29T17:31:00.004+13:00

We had a pretty good Christmas, Santa came and left lots of goodies for the kiddies.

I am finding having Christmas here in New Zealand, is really hard for me, to get the Christmas spirit. I am just programmed to just have either snow or brown. And I don't have all of my Christmas decorations, as they are in the States. I think the biggest thing I just miss my family.

We started the Christmas eve off with decorating cookies with the missionaries.
Elder Schipper and Elder Keys

This is our Tree with all the presents, including our cat Vanilla, who loved sleeping under the tree.

Then on Boxing day (the day after Christmas), we were off to the park.

I really need one of these things.

and yesterday was warm enough for the kids to run through the sprinkler, although today the rain had returned.

I hope you all had a great Christmas.

Joshua Christmas Decorations

2009-12-23T19:53:00.002+13:00

This is what Joshua made in school. He sure is talented.

The Tale of the Three Tree's

2009-12-19T12:10:00.000+13:00

"The Tale of the Three Trees"
Author unknown
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!" The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said. The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!" The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, nor with treasure. She was coated with sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river. Instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
Many, many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful," she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God.
That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
So the next time you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you.

Simon's Christmas Present

2009-12-18T10:11:00.003+13:00

I took the kids to get their picture taken for Simon's Christmas Present.

All the picture turned out so cute, but I was cheap and only got the one photo.

W.I.L.D!!!!!!

2009-12-14T15:02:00.001+13:00

What more can I say........

Oh!! The Weather Outside is........

2009-12-09T16:43:00.002+13:00

Today I did my semi-annual change of season clothes trade out. I was bringing out the summer clothes and putting away the winter ones. I just thought it was interesting, when I was on facebook, to read how in Utah, they are having a winter storm. I miss being there, but I do have moments when I have to think, thank goodness I am here, and getting to enjoy warm weather.

Its also doesn't make any sense to sing some of the Christmas songs. I know we will not have a "White Christmas", and we are not going to be "Walking in a Winter Wonderland", unless you count walking on the white sand on the beach. And no matter how many times I sing "Let it Snow, let is snow" it just won't happen, we don't even get snow in the winter. I guess I could change it to "Let it Rain, Let it rain". But I am still enjoying the songs anyway, and have been since the beginning of November.

Movember

2009-12-07T21:45:00.001+13:00

Here in New Zealand they do a thing called "Movember". Its for the men to focus on prostate cancer and depression in men. You grow a "Mo". Simon did it this year, and this is what it looked like before he shaved it off Last week.
I think he kind of looks like a cop. He looked like he belonged on "Chips" when he wore his sunnies.

My Baby turnes 5 and starts school today!!!!!!

2009-12-02T14:59:00.005+13:00

It's hard to believe how fast time has flown by. Joshua is now 5, and here in New Zealand they start school on there birthday, so he got to go to school today.

I think he is still to little to stay at school all day long. And now I have to figure what I am going to do with myself. all this free time.......

This Time of Year!!!!

2009-11-28T16:33:00.003+13:00

We are coming onto the Season that I have the hardest time being here in New Zealand. On Thursday we had an impromptu Thanksgiving dinner with chicken instead of Turkey. We had the Elders over. One of them Elder Schipper, is from Daybreak, and I sat and reminisced with him about Thanksgiving.

I miss on Thanksgiving day, going through all the ads and planning what you will be doing the next morning. I miss watching the Macey's day parade. I miss on Black Friday watching the news in the morning, and laughing at how many people got into fights and made at the shops.

I also miss, where we lived on Christmas Street, the turning of the lights.

We put up our tree last night. I got us a fibre optic tree, so I didn't have to deal with lights. It was fun, but crazy with the kids. Looks ok, but I remembered why I like decorating the house with out the kids around. We also went and saw Santa today. And now the kids are watching "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer". We also have been listening to Christmas Music.

So at our house, Christmas is here big time.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-25T16:58:00.000+13:00

Just call me J.T.!!!!!!!

2009-11-23T18:55:00.002+13:00

Joshua's middle name is Thomas. Recently we have been talking about he could go by the name of J.T. if he wants to. There will be two Joshuas in his class at school. So he might just get to go by the name of J.T. We just keep on forgetting. I figure it will also be easy to spell. I guess until we get used to this "change" he will be Joshua.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-18T19:41:00.000+13:00

Website

2009-11-12T21:52:00.001+13:00

Check out this website

http://www.thatsmybaby.co.nz/index.html

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-11T13:09:00.002+13:00

Happy Birthday Elijah

2009-11-03T14:42:00.003+13:00

Elijah turns 9 today. There were times I didn't think that he would make it to this age, but way to go Elijah. Only 10 more years and he will be able to go on a mission

Happy Halloween!!!

2009-11-02T15:14:00.007+13:00

My Kids got to go trick-or-treating on Saturday night. They didn't get very much stuff, since they really don't celebrate this Holiday here. But the kids had fun. It was weird as it was warm and stayed light outside until later.

Savannah went as a rockstar.

Elijah was a pirate.

Bella was an Indian Princess

And no surprising, Joshua was Spiderman

Then the three oldest went over to the Baptist church for Fear Factor, where they got muddy and gooey, and Simon and I took Joshua to mickydees for an Ice cream. Not a bad Holiday.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T16:41:00.002+13:00

Look Ma!!! No training Wheels

2009-10-24T21:59:00.006+13:00

So this weekend Isobella decided she wanted to ride her bike without training wheels. Simon took her outside, but he got frustrated with her very quickly. She wasn't listening to him, so he quit and left her on her own. But Bella was determined to ride it on her own, and so she taught herself how to ride the bike with out training wheels.

Elijah, not to be outdone, by his little sister. Went out and taught himself how to ride his bike without training wheels(we have tried on many occasions, and I had given up on Elijah ever riding a bike).

It was a beautiful day,so they were able to be out there for most of the day. Bella got really good at riding her bike, you would have never guessed she just learned yesterday. Elijah gets it now, but he needs a little bit more practice. We now just need to teach Joshua how to ride his bike without training wheels.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-21T13:47:00.000+13:00

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-14T14:55:00.002+13:00

Homesick

2009-10-11T16:26:00.002+13:00

This weekend we watched Conference at our house. We get it a week later then those in the states. Most of the time you get to go to your meetinghouse and watch it there, but with Simon working for the church, we were able to get a copy and watch it at our place. I prefer to watch it at home, as then the kids can do other things and I can listen. Only draw back is I keep on falling asleep, I guess I listen by osmosis. It just reminded me of being home in the states. Where we would have it on the tv in every room in the house, and on every radio too. It just made me wish I could be back home.

Then to top it off, my little sister had her baby today, and I wish I could be there to help her out. It is so hard to be so far from home. I know this is where we are suppose to be, but it does not make it any easier. I should be coming home, hopefully, within the next few months for a visit.

Will Monday Ever Come?

2009-10-09T13:30:00.001+13:00

I feel like Monday will never get here. Two weeks of holidays are never going to end. The countdown has begun.

New Plymouth Holiday

2009-10-03T10:55:00.004+13:00

For the beginning of the Holiday, we took off up to New Plymouth. It was a trip that we planned within a couple of days. The kids Nanny from new Plymouth called on Wednesday, wanting to see the kids. But in the middle of the holiday, I would be watching the Gunderson tribe. Simon did not go with us. So I got to be the lucky one to drive us. So the only times we could go were either the beginning or the end of the holidays. I chose to go the beginning, so we left Friday afternoon and got back on Wednesday afternoon. It was fun, but there is no place like home

We got together with Richard on Saturday, and the kids got to on the quads.

Here is Elijah.

Savannah

Savannah and Bella riding on the trailer.

Then on Sunday we went down to the beach and played with the drift wood, building forts.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Recipe

2009-09-23T13:56:00.003+12:00

Doughnuts here in New Zealand are not like we have back in the states. I miss them alot. There was nothing like going into Krispy Kremes and getting a hot doughnut dripping with glaze. mmmmmm making me hungry just thinking about it. One of the things I have enjoyed here is feeding the missionaries, I try to make them something from home. This is one the things I have made.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Doughnuts
2 pkgs Yeast (or two tablespoons if you don't have the packets)
1/4 c warm water
1 1/2 c lukewarm milk
1/2 c sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 c shortening
5 c. all-purpose flour
vegetable oil

dissolve yeast in warm water, add milk, eggs, salt, shortening and 2 cups flour, Beat on low for 30 sec. scraping the bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 2 min. Stir in remaining flour until smooth. Cover and let rise until double, 50-60 min. (Dough is ready when indentation remains when touched.)Turn dough onto flour surface; roll lightly to coat with flour.

Gently roll dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with flour doughnut cutter. Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 min.

heat oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees, slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula, turn once they rise to surface. fry until golden brown, about 1 min on each side. remove from oil and let drain.

dip in creamy glaze, set on rack.

Creamy Glaze
1/3 c butter
2c powdered sugar
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
4-6 tlbs hot water

mix together. I found it was easier to take a brush and put the glaze on the doughnuts that way.

enjoy.

I am stuck with him for how long??????

2009-09-21T16:59:00.002+12:00

Yesterday in Relief Society, the lesson was on "The Sweetest Union". Which was talking about being sealed in the Temple for Eternity. I love Simon, sometimes more than other. But we really do live on opposite sides of the world. I don't think that he is from Mars and I am from Venus. It's more like he is from the North Pole and I am from the South pole. Lately our discussions are that I am to soft with the kids, I need to get them to do more around the house, I am taking more upon myself then needs be... Well you get the picture. The biggest thing he gets on to me about is washing dishes. The kids need to do it, and I need to wash the dishes from breakfast and lunch and not leave it on the counter to be done after dinner. I think you should only have to do the dishes once a day. Last night he was once again on my case, about how I need the kids to do them to help me out. I looked at him, and he replied " you are always complaining about making dinner, so if you get the kids to help you out, things would go a lot smoother". So there you have it, I can even tell him what I want, (more dinners made by someone other then me), and it still comes out totally different in their minds.

Just Keep Swimming!!!!

2009-09-17T14:59:00.002+12:00

Last night I took the kids up to Levin to go swimming. I haven't gone swimming since we moved from New Plymouth. It was lots of fun. They have tube waterslide and both Bella and Joshua wanted to go down slide with me, I got my exercise for the week going up a whole bunch of times. The kids all enjoyed themselves. Its nice to see Joshua getting more confident in the water too. These kids would all benefit with some swimming lessons though.

Then today, my little man, went and got his injections for school. he was very brave, and when is was over we went to Mcdonalds. Amazing how that makes everything all better. Hard to believe that Joshua will be 5 soon, and off to school.
Where has time gone?

Radiator fixins

2009-09-15T09:51:00.002+12:00

On our way up to Tamaranui last weekend, my car decided it didn't like going up big hills, or going anywhere for that matter. It started heating up very quickly. It didn't help that we were pulling a trailer behind us either. We had to stop a few times to let the car cool down. Simon finally got some stuff to put in the radiator that sealed the crack temporarily, that we were able to get to and from Tamaranui, without it over heating.

When we got home, I got the task of finding a new radiator. Found one on trademe (NZ's equivalent to ebay)had it shipped to us. And Simon got to put it in, on Saturday in the rain. I am happy to report, it seems to be doing great.
I got lucky with Simon, as he is a do it all man. That man can do and fix anything.

Being on the side of the road reminded me of a road trip that me and my family took when I was 11 yrs old. We all had piled in a white Citation that had only 3 doors, and there were seven of us, squished in a 5 seater car. You have to imagine that my oldest sister was 19, my brother was getting ready to graduate from High school, my other older sister was 15, and then there was my little sister, and that isn't even including my parents. This was going to be our last vacation as a family, before we all grew-up. We were on our way home from Disneyland, when the citation gave out. We were on the side of the road, in the rain, as my dad went for help. I kind of remember getting to go in the tow-truck. We went to a car dealership and we bought the Nissan stanza. Janessa and I were in the very back, and when they closed the stanza we would always duck our heads, as we were used to doing that in the citation. I also remember my brother driving, and since it was a manual and the citation was a automatic, he didn't quite get it into the right gear. What a fun and memorable vacation.

I just liked this photo, even though it is a little fuzzy, as this shows another side of Simon.

Taumarunui

2009-09-09T09:33:00.010+12:00

Over the weekend we went to Taumarunui for a family birthday. We stayed at a Marae, which is the Maori's gathering or meeting place. We went with the Gunderson tribe. While we there, we had a huge hangi, where they bury the meat and potatoes to cook in the ground. We were up there for two nights, and we had a great time.

Here is Simon cutting up the meat. They had gotten two cows and two pigs for this.

Mikeal and Savannah

Elijah

Joshua and Bella

ET Phone home!!!!!

This is the hill the kids all climbed, where they got all muddy and wet.

If you look closely, you can see them as little dots on the hill.

Simon and Joshua checking out the fire for the hangi

This one is for my parents, we had gone down into town on Saturday and I was reminded of our journey there to Tamarunui.

Spring is upon us.

Bella

Simon and Bella

Simon and three of the kids

Nakaila (Savannah took this Picture)

Joshua

The Marae

Malachi, Elijah, and Bella

Joshua

Savannah

Look at me , I am upside down.

And now I have to show you I can do that too!!!!

Who's the Parent??????

2009-09-03T12:42:00.002+12:00

Lately, whenever things go awry (which is all the time) Savannah has designated herself the parent. I am constantly hearing Savannah tell off basically Bella and Joshua, all the time. Or she is telling me that I can't do things for Bella, like help her get dressed, brush her hair, etc... And when I do come over and try to tell Bella, or Joshua off, she is right there to put her two cents worth, into the punishment. She is driving me bonkers. Now this girl is normally the one that I have no problems with, she is just a sweet girl, who tries to do everything right. But now....I just want my sweet little girl back. I guess this is what you get to look forward to when your child becomes a tween. I am not looking forward to this with my other three, if this what they become like, I really hate to see what they will be doing to me.

On another note, Joshua and Elijah have been getting up before 6 am the past coule of days. Doesn't bother me as they go and watch cartoons, but Joshua has been falling asleep on the way home from kindy.... I could get used to this again.

Recipe-Lion house rolls

2009-09-01T10:23:00.002+12:00

I started thinking about what I could blog about, how life is different here in New Zealand. The idea came to me off baking and cooking. Everything I make is basically made from scratch. There are no boxes of Duncan Hines brownies here. The internet is my best friend for finding recipes.
I thought I would start out with one of the recipes that I just the most, Lion House Rolls. This recipe was given to me from a family member.

LION HOUSE ROLLS

oven 400 degrees
2 Tlbs Yeast
1/2 c. Warm Water
1 1/2 c. warm milk
2 tsp. salt
1 beaten egg
1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. melted butter
2 c. flour
mix until smooth
add 3-4 c. flour
cover- rise until double
punch down and divide into 3 balls
roll each ball into a circle, used pizza cutter and cut into 12 slices.
brush on butter and roll up
place in pan and let rise
bake for 15 min. or until brown.

then enjoy.

Sometimes I will do honey butter on the rolls before I roll them up, and bake them.

Christlike Service

2009-08-30T14:35:00.004+12:00

Well Today I gave my talk.... It was on Christlike service. It was actually a hard topic to find things on. I just ended up talking about how you need to know Christ before you can become Christlike. I told the story on the man who went to heaven and was being interviewed and he was asked if he knew who Christ was. The Man could describe what kind of man Jesus was, all the things he could do, and how he learned all these things in church. As this man was leaving the next man came in, saw the man giving the interview and cried out "My Lord, My Saviour" and fell to his knees and wept on the man's feet. I then went on to talk about some of the things that Christ had done in his life, and how we need to follow in example, I read a couple of Glen Rawsons stories, that I had heard before.... The one of the grandfather and his grandson and how he needed to love his grandson, and I also talked on the Murray High School Homecoming Queen back in 1997. I talked about giving service, I told the story about Pres. Kimball and the pregnant woman, and her child, at the airport. I ended by reading a story on the doves and the sparrows.

If you could tell, my talk was basically stories. I like to use them, they take up time. And I even ended just on time. So hopefully I am done with giving talks for another 6 to 12 months. Although I do enjoy the compliments I get afterwords, it does a lot for my self esteem.

Obsessions

2009-08-28T12:00:00.002+12:00

I was doing the laundry yesterday, and in the process I realized I had over 5 shirts for Joshua that had dinosaurs on them. You are probably be askin your self why? why have so many shirts with dinosaurs? well on answer is I got them on clearance. and the other reason is Joshua is into dinosaurs at the moment. So I have been getting him anything dinosaurs from shirts to books. Now Elijah is into reading Pokemon, so I have quite a good collection of books for him, I have been getting all the dvd's, and he has been getting all the toys. I think I am the one with the obsessiveness.

For my girls I have been getting all the Littlest Pet shop toys. For the past few Christmas's that is all they have gotten. I have already been going through my Christmas presents for this year, and once again that is all they are getting. I think I need to stop.

On another note, I am giving a talk in sacrament this Sunday on "Christlike service" which of course I haven't even begun to write it. Thats another thing I need to work on, I seem to be a procrastinator. So if anybody has anything good let me know.

Day Out with the Elders

2009-08-18T16:15:00.002+12:00

Once again we went to go and see some of our favorite missionaries....
Elder Cooper and Elder Scott are going home this week, and Elder Greenwall is heading back down to Christshurch, to end his mission there in three months.

we went to Petone to see Elder Cooper. they were in the middle of of a service project, so hence the picture of the Bishop and his wife with all of us.

Elder Coopers companion is Elder Keis?

Elder Cooper is from Idaho Falls, We will miss him heaps, he is one of the missionaries that I just got along with very well.

For some reason Joshua looks like he is getting ready to beam up.

We had Elder Scott in New Plymouth, so we hadn't seen him for over a year.If you notice Joshua is not in the picture, he is behind me throwing a fit.

Elder Greenwall we also had in New Plymouth, he is also another missionary, I got on with very well.

I don't like having to say goodbye, I wish I could keep a few of these missionaries just a little bit longer. Two years doesn't seem to be very long, and then they are home once again,

Sometimes "MOM" is a three letter word

2009-08-13T13:36:00.002+12:00

I love being a mother, but there are some days, that if I were to hear the word "mom" yelled out one more time, I am going to scream. Particularly when it is only being used to get another sibling in trouble. Bella is notorious for over use, with Elijah running a close second. And no matter how much you try to ignore them, they just get louder and louder until you finally respond in desperation of getting them to stop. I so enjoy when they are at school, so I can finally have a little peace.

Happy Birthday Simon!!!

2009-08-11T14:39:00.005+12:00

yesterday was Simon's Birthday.

We didn't do anything for his birthday, he went to work, and we had leftovers. The girls made him a card, and we had a cake that I had gotten clearanced from Woolworths.

I have been trying to upload some pictures of him, but my internet is to slow today, I will have to try again tomorrow.