I'm updating the blog 3 days early so I don't have to take the computer with us on our camping trip. Nice idea, huh. Anyway, these last few days have been quite exciting. Last we chatted it was the 22nd. The 23rd-25th was just a whirlwind. I don't think Blake spent a single night at home. Bouncing between his friends and holiday camp in order to see everyone and say good-bye. I played taxis and packed up the last little bits of our stuff.
On Sat the 26th - even though the weather was starting to turn, we moved all of our stuff. We had a covered trailer so the rain didn't hinder us too much. When we loaded and when we unloaded, we just sort of dumped everything to organize later. On Sunday the weather decided to get yucky and we were in flood warning down in Murwillumbah. We still made it to my going away party, though the turn out was low... understandably. By this time the rain was coming and the wind was howling.
I left Blake and Michael to clean up the old house and drove with the kids back to the farm. Upon arriving Kaye and David told me to pack my bags. They were about to be flooded in and I wouldn't make my ceremony if I stayed. So leaving my little ones with the brave grandparents, I drove back up to the coast with our camping gear and we stayed in our empty house. We watched a few movies, had dinner with the neighbours, relaxed and of course cleaned up the rest of the house.
On Monday the rain was lessoning but the wind was still pretty strong. We made it to the ceremony, I made my vows, shook some hands, was sad that the kids weren't there, got my certificate and went back to the empty house.
By Tuesday the weather on the Gold Coast was nice and sunny, but the farm, and Murwillumbah was flooded in. So Blake and I hung out and went shopping and visiting more friends while Michael went to work. On Wednesday we even went to Wet N Wild. On Wed afternoon we figured a way to get Blake and I home. We drove down and left our house in town with some friends. One of the three roads into Murwillumbah had opened up. Then we had to drive a-round-about way to the beginning of Brooks Rd where I was met by a 'tinny' or small tin boat. In the boat we went and we followed the drainage/irrigation of the cane fields past the floods where I was picked up in the ute (truck) by David and the kids. Boy where they excited to see me. I even got 4 tantrums in the first two hours back, just to welcome me home:)
Michael was able to join us by Thursday evening. We have spent Friday, Sat and Today sorting our moved stuff and packing to go on our camping trip. A bit delayed but we called the place and they are all fine there in Cania Gorge. We were going to go over to the coast and Bundaberg the last 3 days of the trip but since we are leaving late, and they are still hindered by the flood, we'll just skip that section of the trip. Next time I write to you I will be in the States! Our plane leaves on the 11th and I should be able to update you by the 13th - well the US 13th :)
Misc videos:
Sorry some of the are sideways from my phone......
At the Citizenship Ceremony - don't ask me who the guy is, couldn't tell you, but he gave us the paperwork we needed so we like him. And we got our photo with the Queen! Well a photo with a photo of the Queen, same thing right???
Last photo of Rocky before we gave him to a very loving home. We've been checking up on him and he's very happy, well loved, and spoiled. On the right are the kids in the car waiting to go to Kayema's house, reading their books.
Boat ride to the farm after the flood.
Clean up after the flood. Lots of sugar cane mulch to use this year:)
Random old photos found on my phone: On the left - Mia, Sienna, Sophie and Thomas eating a snack at Movie World after riding the bumper cars. On the Right Blake getting his 1st prize certificate from the CWA International computer booklet on Chili. He got first at branch and regional level.
Blake made bows and arrows for everyone.
Sophie and her building block creation. She's very good at following directions and copying instructions.
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