Catching up

I haven’t done much writing this week, been too busy catching up after our holiday. But I did want to write about our time away so I can look back on it later, so with everyone home for Good Friday, I’m hoping I might actually have the time now to write it. Hubby is watching a movie and the kids are playing in their room. Fingers crossed, I might actually get to finish this now...

Thurs 22^nd

A looooong day driving to Christchurch. The plan was to leave at about 5am, like I did back in November when I drove up on my own with the kids, but we didn’t actually leave until about 11am. So we arrived in Christchurch pretty late, I think it was about 8pm by the time we got to my sister’s house for a cuppa and something to eat, and then on to Hubby’s Uncle & Aunty’s house to spend the night, arriving there by about 10pm. Yep, it was a long day.

We had a lot of fun on the way though, with plenty of stops and car games. The baby found it the hardest of course, and Hubby and I both ended up sitting in the back with him at different times.

Fri 23^rd

The day before my sister’s wedding, so we went to the reception hall in the morning to help setup, but there wasn’t much to do by the time we got there. Then off to the mall to buy some groceries and have a bit of a look around before lunch. The malls were a bit of a novelty for our kids, since there isn’t one in Invercargill.

After lunch we went to visit my niece and meet her 3 month old baby, my great-nephew for the first time. He was adorable of course, and it was so lovely to be able to cuddle and kiss him finally.

Then we had to head out to Rolleston for the wedding rehearsal, as Princess and I were in the wedding party.  Then Hubby dropped Princess, Froggie and me at my sister’s place for the night and he and the boys went back to his Uncle’s. My sister had her kids, our mother, and all four of her bridesmaids spending the night with her. We spent the night talking, laughing and sniffling our way through years and years of memories.

Sat 24^th

The Wedding Day.

Sun 25^th

Woke up tired and happy to a beautiful morning, and we cruised our way slowly through the day. After packing our things to leave, we said our goodbyes to Hubby’s Uncle and Aunty and headed north for Waiau. We stopped at another mall on the way so the kids could do a bit of shopping, and grabbed some more groceries.

That afternoon we visited the in-laws in Kaiapoi. They’ve had a hard time since the earthquakes, so it was tough seeing them and feeling guilty for not being around. It was good too though, just to be in the same room and watch them with our kids, after not having seen them since November last year.

It was dinnertime by the time we arrived in Waiau at my older sister’s place and we were ready to relax and just be. My brother had travelled up the night before too, so it was great to have him there. He and Froggie formed a pretty special bond in the days that we were there. He even taught him how to ‘High 5’.

Mon 26^th

Lots of time spent talking, laughing, remembering, with my brother and sister. We even watched our wedding video! My sister and her partner are the only ones currently that have a copy of our wedding video, since ours was destroyed, so it was special to watch it. So much that I had forgotten, and Wiseguy was just a baby, and so cute.

That afternoon we went for a walk and visited friends. More talking and laughing.

The kids enjoyed rides on the scooter with their Uncle. He’s such a cool guy, he always finds something fun and different for them to do whenever we visit. It’s never the same thing twice, and he never runs out of ideas.

Tues 27^th

Hamner Springs for the day.

I haven’t been there since I was about 15, so it was so lovely to go again and see how much it had changed, and how much it hadn’t. It was Froggie’s first swim, so my sister was stoked to be able to be there to watch how much he loved the water.

Wed 28^th

Time to go home to Invercargill, and it was hard to say goodbye. Hugs all round, and my sister had a little cry and I promised her I would come back in August when her baby is due.

Another visit with the in-laws on the way, followed by another looooong day of driving. Only this time we didn’t have the wedding day, and the excitement of catching up with friends and family to look forward to.

Thanks God...

...For providing for us throughout our time away.

...For blessing us with so many special moments with friends and family.

...For the lack of ‘family drama’ during the wedding!

...For giving us gorgeous weather to enjoy the whole time we were away.

...For keeping us safe, warm and healthy.

Please God...

...Help me to enjoy life here too, despite being so far away from friends and family.

...Continue to provide for us all our needs.

...Allow us to create special moments as a family, that we all can treasure and remember.

...Provide for me the means to go back to Christchurch and Waiau in a few months to be there for my niece’s birth.

...Continue to keep us safe, warm and healthy.