No, I am not packed yet!

Less than a week to go and I'm still feeling pretty good - for the most part.  I thought I had this whole week planned out, figuring exactly when we would move what and to where.  Alas, nothing has gone according to the plan.  One of the bumps in the road this week was due to a the very sudden and untimely death of my Aunt Jackie.  My mother's older sister (only 62 years old), didn't wake up on Christmas Eve morning.  So sad.  I'm feeling pretty bad for the whole family, especially Uncle, cousins and my Aunt Jonie and Uncle Jamie.  Too much loss in the family.

So, no, I am not packed.  I am just going with the flow, and actually not getting stressed out.  And, guess what?  I think we actually are even ahead of "the plan".  The house is mostly packed up.  It is the whittling down of clothes, toys, and recreational stuff that we have left to do.  And figuring out what makes the cut.  Kind of a fun process to think of what you really "need" to live comfortably.  

 I would like to give a shout out to all the awesome family that has been helping us out with childcare, moving help, etc....   Sure am going to miss my support system.  I'm sure I would totally be flipping out this week if it weren't for them.   And, now off to one more event, Broadway show Billy Elliot.   Maybe tomorrow I'll actually get to pack something in a suitcase.

Trying to pack it all in

Yikes.  This is the week I have kind of been dreading.  Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas, it just comes at a really bad time this year.  And, we are feeling very obligated to hit every family christmas we can.  So, in the next three days, we have 5 different christmas celebrations.  And, our goal is to be out of this house by the New Year.  Which means a moving trip to the cabin and to Chippewa Falls, WI.. Plus packing our 8  suitcases/bags for New Zealand (which may be the biggest packing challenge of my life).  Seriously, I really shouldn't be blogging right now.  However, I seem to have this eerie sense of calmness.  I'm not sure if I trust it, am I really that ready.  I even heard myself end a sentence in "no worries" the other day.  Maybe I am channeling my inner New Zealander.  Maybe I am just crazy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

The Start of the Goodbyes

Wow, it is really getting close! Only 2 and 1/2 weeks left. And the goodbyes are starting.  Both Liam and Phoebe had their last day of school this past week.  We were sorry to say goodbye to their awesome teachers and friends.  The goodbyes are starting to make my stomach do some flips.  Still can't believe we are really doing this, but saying goodbye makese it feel a how lot more real.

Phoebe's last day of preschool - pictured with teachers Sara (above) and Machael (below) and friends.

Liam says goodbye to his kindergarten teacher Ms. Seastrand

and gets some hug

and gives some hugs

Why New Zealand?

So what made us decide on New Zealand.  Honestly, I could see myself living just about anywhere. I just like experiencing new places.   We ultimately decided on New Zealand because we have heard it is one of the most beautiful places on earth and we felt it would be a pretty easy transition.  We speak the language, the schools are great, and we knew Brett could find employment.   Also, the people there are extremely fun and friendly.  Back in the day of my eurotravels I befriended many a kiwi and they were just awesome.

Really, has anyone ever heard anything bad about New Zealand?  I'm sure it's not perfect but I have some pretty high expectations.  From what I know the police do not even carry guns there.  Who hasn't dreamed of visiting New Zealand or Australia?  I figure, if you are going to travel across the world, you might as well stay a little while.   In our even grander dreams, we like to think of this move as just a jumping off point.  Maybe we figure out how to keep traveling for awhile.  Brett has already looked in job opportunities in Australia and South Africa.  I would love to show the kids really how different life can be, maybe through volunteering in India or traveling thru southeast Asia, maybe a clinic in South America.   Likely we will be back in Minnesota in the next 1-2 years (also a frequent question I get).  But, maybe not.  And, if we do come back, hopefully it will inspire us and the children to do it again later in life.   I guess it depends on how brave we are or how homesick we get - but I might as well keep dreaming for now.  It got us this far.

More of your Questions Answered...

So, like I said in my first post the most common question people ask is "why are you moving?"  The next ones I hear are "When?", "Why New Zealand?", and "What are you going to do there?"  If you are not one of the hundreds of people that I have already answered this too, then stay tuned.  If you know me even a little, you know I like to talk, but even I am starting to get tired of answering these same questions.  So, here it goes.  And, for those of you really close to us who may be trying to answer these same questions, feel free to reference them to the blog.  

When?

We are leaving the state of Minnesota on January 4th, 2011 somewhere around 4:00 pm in the afternoon.  We are actually traveling to Phoenix to visit Terry (Brett's Dad) and his wife Bonnie for almost a week.  Then we head to LA for 3 nights.  If weather permits, the plan is to surprise Liam with a trip to Disneyland for his birthday (shhhh).   We leave the US on Jan. 13th to travel 10 hours to Fiji.   Here is where the travel planning was not so ideal.  Liam's 6th birthday is on the 14th, we are actually crossing the international date line on the way to Fiji, which means (poof) the 14th disappears.  (also shhhhh..... we'll explain this to him a lot later in life).   As far as he knows, he will have a birthday on the airplane, which I hope he actually sleeps through.   After we arrive in Fiji, we get on a boat to travel to a smaller island for a stay at the Octopus Resort.   We are in Fiji for 5 nights, then off to Auckland.  In Auckland we have no idea what we are doing with the exception of Brett meeting with the Medical Council of New Zealand to have final approval to work.   If any one has any suggestions of what to do there, please comment.   We have 4 nights there and then we board one more flight for a quick 55 minute flight to our new home in Gisborne.   We will arrive there January 24th.   Was that the longest answer ever.    See, I told you I like to talk.   I think I'll go ahead and address the other questions in my future posts.  

Getting Ready

This is what the last several months have looked liked:

End of June - We make the decision to accept the job in Gisborne, New Zealand.  Kelly loses a whole night of sleep as she explores amazing beach rental opportunities.   Brett tries to calm her down as she tries to commit to a lease before the job contract has even arrived or been signed.  This is Wainui Beach, where she is now determined to live.

July- Job contract arrives

August -  The deposit is placed on the beach house.  Otherwise known as a "bach".  Against Brett't better judgement,  Kelly rents a place she has only seen one picture of the inside of - can't wait to see how this turns out.   

the deck on our future house - does it really matter what the inside looks like?

September - now for a really crazy month.  Garage Sale.  Brett runs an Ironman Triathlon.  Liam starts kindergarten (a day late because of the triathlon).  Got the house ready and put it on the market.  Sold it in 4 days. Sent in Visa paperwork, sent back to us denied.  And, then, Brett heads to a conference in Denver.  Never want to do a month like that again.

Garage sale

Ironman finish 13hrs, 43 mins

first day of kindergarten and preschool

house goes on market Sept. 25

October -

Still feeling a little out of control.  Found a temporary furnished house to live in (thank god).  Phoebe turns 4 and gets her ears pierced.  Had to finish up some items to close out open work permits on the garage we built (5 years ago).  Move out of our house!!! (oh the sadness of this event was a little overwhelming for me).   And...finally, the approved visitor, work, and student visas arrive!!!!

Adams family moves out on Oct. 24th, 2010

Arrival of the visas and the "Welcome to New Zealand" guide for immigrants

November -

Life has calmed down.  Feeling really settled in new house.  Trying to prepare for the biggest packing challenge of my life.  Flights booked.  New suitcases bought (going really lightweight).  And, even sold the good old Subaru!!  One of the many items we have sold on craig's list.  Trying to prepare for a crazy December!!

even got in a november trip to the lake

so long, farewell old friend

The Journey Begins

The job contract is signed, the house is sold, and the plane tickets are bought.  This really is happening.  The Adams family is taking off and moving from St. Paul, Minnesota to Wainui Beach, New Zealand.  The most common question I get when I tell people that we are moving is "Why???"  The best short answer I can give is "because we can" or "for the pure adventure of it" and this is the truth.  We are not being forced to do this and we are not running away from anything.   In fact, one of the hardest parts of this move is that we are happy - we have/had good jobs, a cute little house, and a very comfortable life.  Maybe too comfortable.  We knew it was time, time to live out a dream.
That brings me to the long answer to "why are doing this?' (you can stop here if the short answer did it for you)  It really all started around the time Brett and I met on that cold ice skating rink back in February of 1998.  He had recently returned from some Euro-travel and was applying to Medical and PA schools.  I was a self proclaimed travel junkie and was in my first year of Physician Assistant school at Augsburg.  From the start, we talked about how one day we both wanted to travel and live in another country "someday".   We were young, of course it would happen. And then, life really started happening.  Brett ended up in medical school (because, of course, he wasn't accepted into any PA programs).  I graduated from PA school and started working.  Brett proposed. Then residency, a house, the kids, and the real job for Brett.  Phew!  We still managed to do some traveling, but once those little kiddos started showing up our life really changed.  We always continued to talk about our dream of moving away for awhile and experiencing a different culture.  We started to realize that if we were going to do something, this would be the perfect time in our lives.  Our house was getting too small, our kids were getting easier.  It was either time to buy a bigger house and have another baby, or start living out a different goal.   Not any easy decision, and I struggled with it for awhile....guess you know which way we decided to go.
Stay tuned to hear how this life changing decision worked out for us.  I can't wait to find out myself.   And, I look forward to sharing the stories of our adventures.  Should be quite the ride!