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.