The last few months.

Dear Blog readers, for those that still follow this little ol blog. 

It has been months since my last post and believe me when I say that I have missed it more than you. We had a flux of visitors August, October, November and then life just got busy with moving houses, school finishing up, Christmas and New Year.  My head has been full of thoughts both big and small that normally I would release onto this here screen for the sake of archiving but when you have left it so long, the need to play catch up with photos and stories became a hill I just never had the time or energy to climb.

But here I am, a few weeks into 2015. The kids back at school for another year. Lucy (almost 8) in grade 3 and Oliver (almost 6) in grade 0. Nathan (3) will return to his morning kindy next week and the comfort of routine has uncluttered this mind somewhat to at least attempt a start.

Lets do it with photos. I'm all for visual aids.

Marcus' mum Raeanne came and stayed for a month in August. It was so lovely to be able to share with her our life over here. For her to get a taste of South Africa and meet the faces that we interact with daily.  In other ways, and I shared with her too it was bizarre because despite the thousands of miles she had traveled to visit with us, it just felt like old times. Like when I popped home from the gym to find her making a cup of tea in the kitchen, it was just like back home. Having her in our house felt the most normal thing in the world and when everything else is all new and strange, having a bit of normal was just what the doctor ordered.

Next visitors were the Dowley family. Dear friends from our hometown and church.

You would never know they are actually English by this photo!  Marcus met them in Joberg and they got to watch the All Blacks lose in Ellis Park against the Springbok.  Surrounded in a sea of green I think they were secretly quite glad for the loss as it meant they made it out of the stadium alive. These guys packed a huge amount of things into their stay from safari's to sleeping with Elephants to watching the whales at Hermunus and attending a conference for ENT surgeons in Cape Town. (the main purpose for the trip.)   

They are seasoned travellers and wonderful quests.  The kids loved having Olivia and James around and we made use of them having a bit of space in their suitcases to be mules for us in sending things home.

A few days after the Dowleys left we moved house.  As far as moving goes it wasn't too bad as we had been working away for a month at furnishing  the new house and getting things delivered straight there.  

Our new place is a huge blessing and we are so grateful to have secured it for at least a year. We are hoping for 2 if the owners don't sell it.  It has a live in flat for our housekeeper Debra who lives with us Monday through Thursday.  It has a pool, a shady back garden,  a whole separate pool house for guests and is on a lovely quiet street close to church and Nathan's kindy. I am going to do a post with photos of the house a bit later so stay tuned.  In the mean time, here is a picture of the scullery. This room is so common in South Africa but not something you see in many New Zealand house designs.  It's where you hide all the dishes, ironing and the maid to pretend that you are able to keep on top of your chores and your house spotless all on your own . (grin) 

Our first house guests were Mum and Dad. How wonderful to see them but I do feel they got the exhausted version of me.  When Mum said not to organise too much because they really just wanted to hang out with us instead of sight seeing, I breathed a sigh of relief.  It was a flying visit in which Dad ended up in hospital a few nights with suspected deep vein thrombosis but which turned out to be an infection in his vein.  The result was he spent a lot of time with his legs up which is pretty un heard of for Dad but yet kinda lovely for us as he was always at hand for a cuddle.

Dad watching Frozen among a whole host of kid's movies. Our TV is in the pool house so it meant the kids joined him in his 'resting sessions.'

  

 Mum always a favourite with her story telling.

Christmas day and the whole lead up to Christmas felt a bit strange and I had my first real belt of homesickness.  School finished up on the 5th December so Christmas prep wasn't rushed into a week and because we really had only ourselves to buy for as I had sent presents home in suitcases for the cousins it was all really laid back.  We had Christmas lunch at our pastors house which was lovely as they have 3 young kids like us.

For New year we hosted a little party inviting our friends with kids over for a water fight, hamburgers, marshmallow roasting, early countdown and a game of charades.  It was a great night and I'm so excited that our kids are at the age of being able to play proper board games and party games with. 

And check it out. Some of our favourite South African's popped out baby number 3 over Christmas. And Lucy got to meet Lea's little sister June who quickly became her teenage girl idol. Makeup and nail polish are on Lucy's birthday wish list. 

Phew, feel caught up? Hope to talk again soon.