Oo La La

I have a thing or two to say about life guards. They are good and bad. Good because I like knowing we are safe and that they are keeping an eye out. Bad because I feel I am constantly being 'checked out.' Best thing about sunglasses is people can’t see your eyes so I can see them looking at me without them knowing it. Then I just secretly laugh to myself, close my eyes and breath in the fresh salty air.

Today, well actuary tonight, the Reading church are getting together to decide who gets the job pretty much. It is more complex but there it is simple. So tomorrow morning or later this week we should here wether we have the job or not. Oh my! I am so exited! I know I should not be too exited in case we don’t get it but I am pretty sure we will and I just want to hear. Hurry up! It's all happening!

When dad came back from England I felt like everything had halted again but I realise now I just needed to trust God because things haven’t stopped. Not by far. Things are moving faster than we realise. We are just filling out days so the months can fly by! I have may marked off on my calendar as 'England month.' Want to know what’s cool? We are planning on getting a Germen Shepherded and I have a calendar of puppies. Guess what puppies is for the month may? Yep, a German shepherded. I was so excited when I realised this. A little sad I know.

So this afternoon I have been hunched over a plank of wood painting words on it with my mum. It was actuary very fun and we made it look really groovy except now it’s done we are not sure we like it... We will sand it back and I will keep you informed on what we think. For some reason today my fingers are stiff and I keep mucking up what I am typing I’m going to give up and say goodbye. Believe me when I say when we find out about the job you will be the first to know.

10 things about me you probably don't know

1: I sing very loudly when I use the hairdryer or vacuum cleaner

2: I can't shower with the door open

3: I can't put the ipad down without locking it first

4: I am a serious day dreamer in the car (People would say anywhere)

5: I hate watching sport on TV

6: I have been wearing glasses since I was five

7: I am an extreme perfectionist

8: I can't stand pencil marks where they aren’t meant to be on my work

9: I never sit straight in a chair in class

10: I can't sit still (hence you will always see me spinning my ring around my finger for something to fiddle with)

There, that’s my blog for today. How much of that did you already know? xxx H

He's Home!!!

He's home! He's home! He's home! He's home!!! Yay! Yay! It was around four in the morning, so I was half asleep when he knocked on the door but it was the best feeling to wake up this morning remembering we have our daddy home! He is quite jet lagged as you can imagine today and at the moment in bed. He is happy to be home and told us he had an amazing time which we are all really pleased about. I am so relieved to have him home safe. I thank God for that because I don’t know what we would have done if something went wrong. Every day I prayed for his safety and then every day I knew God would bring him safely home. Now it's over and he is home it doesn’t feel like he was really away that long, it went really quickly. Mum and I did a great job with keeping the week moving! Now let’s get this week moving because we should hear about the job next week which I am feeling both excited and nervous about. Also impatient because I am so sure we have got the job I just want them to tell us.

Daddy brought us all home presents as well! Mummy was very excited with her Cath Kidston bag (under-statement!!) and I was delighted with shoes, and make up in little vintage tins! When I spoke to dad on Skype earlier in the week he said he had a surprise for me. Well! When he gave me my Nan's paints and brushes as well as pencils I almost cried! She is happy in heaven and left a while ago but she is always close in our hearts and to have her paints is such a blessing.

As a result of having all these lovely new things, I realised they won’t look nice in my messy room which had collected junk because I have put off cleaning it saying 'We are moving soon anyway.' But this morning I set myself to the task of cleaning it. I mean clearing it out! I went through every single thing I own throwing things I don’t want, organising my clothes (I have to say I did hang my clothes in colour order. That is how serious I got!) I vacuumed the floor and then by the end of it, with a headache and the sneezes from the dust I was content with what I had done and sat down to paint my nails a groovy purple.

I had a thought. This will be our last Australia day living here. In Australia. So, 'gd'ay to you mate!' because I won't be able to say that for much longer.

And now here I am and all I can think about at the moment, is how much I just want to be in England and how much I want to wear my new shoes out and how blessed I am to have such an incredible family who I love and adore with all my heart.

An apple a day will keep the doctor away

Long-time no see, ay? I have been off the radar for what feels like ages after being tackled down by sickness. I got sick! I don't get sick! Obviously I do and while dads away! What happened there? Here is what happened. It was the day of the interview and mum and I had both planned on fasting for the day (food and her wine) and we both wake up feeling dreadful. I could barely stand, my head pounded when I did and I had completely lost my appetite. I had to forget the fasting and eat something or I would be worse but I felt bad for going back on my word. I then went back to bed at eleven and slept the whole day away not waking up will five thirty. The next day wasn’t so much better and after that I gradually built up. I haven’t felt like talking on Facebook or Blogging or anything, all I did was watch movies and sleep. The best cure I tell you!

Go figure mum and I both get sick on the interview day. In the end I summed it up as an attack, Satan is not happy because we are stepping closer to fulfilling what God wants. About the interview; it was long but dad said it went fantastic! Which is, well, fantastic! He is having a great time over there and has spent time with family who haven’t seen us for a while so it was great! The second day he was there was a massive blizzard! The airways closed which is scary and we are just praying he will be able to come home on time. When we talked to him on Skype he said it hasn’t been snowing for at least twenty four hours so all should be good. I am very excited about this job, I am trying not to get my hopes up but, whoops, too late I think. The fact is it is all seeming very serious now and I feel now more than even that the job is ours! I just really want to hear whether we got it or not!

More news, I brought a typewriter! No you didn't read wrong. I phoned what seemed like loads of second hand shops and Salvoes said they had one. Navey blue, quite old and it works! I said 'Right, hold onto it I'm coming now!' I want planing on using it but it's a bonus it works and I thought it is good for vintage prints and things like that. They even took fifteen dollard off it for me. So exited!

Mum and I are a great team and have been keeping busy all week minus the sickness. We have both had down times but have each other and have been doing awesome; we are really looking forward to having daddy back! Today we went to the park with Emily and her little boy and sat and talked while the kids ran around like crazy, laughed and then crashed when we got home. Everything is good; God has us in a good place at the moment. We all want to hear about the job but that will come in time. We just need to remember all good things come to those who wait (How cheesy do I sound?) and we have done what we can now and we just need to willingly give it all over to God.

Standing with the king

This is pretty out there but I have decided that I love bathing the twins. Not so much the bending down and getting drenched in the process but making them smell amazing and seeing their gorgeous little faces when I fill the bath with more bubbles than water. Today we spent the morning at the beach with a family friend and her lovely two girls. It was a beautiful slightly chilly morning but I found by the end of it even I was up to my knees in water drenching my leggings. I didn't plan on going in but little Martha’s face as she asks me if I will take her into the water I couldn’t say no. As we approached the water she clung to me tighter and I was reduced to breathe through my mouth as the stink of sea weed increased. I could feel she really wanted to go in but was afraid so I stroked her head and kept talking as I placed her into the water. Other than having her breath taken away she was thrilled and squealed in delight every time I splashed her. This was a moment I want to capture and keep close forever. She was a buzzing little girl after that.

The minute we arrived home however I peeled the twins clothes of and dunked them in a bubble bath smooching soap and shampoo all over them. It is extremely satisfying dressing a clean two year old who was smelling of fish and beach now of coconut and strawberries. See where I get the satisfaction from now?

Changing the subject, daddy has arrived in England and I received a message from him last night saying he has arrived, is safe, tired and that is it COLD. Go figure. I am so excited about him being there! It is such an opportunity for all of us. I do feel a little unsure about things as well. I missed him last night and was feeling sensitive about the whole of Process England.

After writing my last post I cried about the morning and how this process is ripping some things away from us. I know God has it all in his hands but it's still hard. I have already lost my friends; I lost them the minute school finished even though it will be another three or so months until we move I seem to be out of their lives. I didn't mind at first. I was the one who was constantly saying 'You want to catch up?' 'Do you want to come over?' 'Hey...' and so on. Half the time I didn't get a reply so in the end I gave up thinking 'If I am the one holding this friendship up, what’s going to happen when I let go?' and guess what happened? I lost my friends. The last few weeks I have been feeling frustrated. I was the one who was left to organise my own going away party. In the end I said forget it. That’s just not on. I said to myself if nobody is going to make an effort, neither am I. What’s the point? You would think someone who is already almost sixteen would need friends but we are moving. I would have lost them anyway. I will make new friends. It's ok. Besides, my best friend is my mum; she is the support I need. And God, standing with God is standing with a King. A king who I can call Father.

I feel excited about making new friends, going to a new school, having a new house, meeting new people, oh oh and getting my driver’s licence! By the time we have settled in I would have turned sixteen and daddy can start teaching me! All is good it just feels out of reach at the moment. I know that God will place it in reach when we are ready. I thank him for looking out for us. For keeping us from harm and guiding us with gentle hands.

A snowing welcome to your soon to be home

One day crossed off. One day until dad goes through the interview and eight days until we have him back home. Yay! Can't wait! Today has been an ok day. I knew the morning was going to be an awkward one. My sister and I were going out with the grandparents who are extremely upset about us moving. This is understandable however they portray that sadness with complete bitterness resulting in a fall out between my parents and them. I knew this sitting down at Mc Donalds today and I could feel the tension. I nodded, smiled and subtlety checked the clock.

When we arrived home at lunch I was in a mighty big funk. In the end mummy takes me out to get the rest of the food shopping before we pop over to her friends. Mummy’s friend, Emily, is a gorgeous mother of one and soon to be two. We were greeted with kisses hugs and I could feel myself rising from my glumness already. We all sit and talk me on the floor entertaining the little one, who after many times me babysitting, knows me very well. That little boy full of joy, heartily conversations and tea was the perfect end to the morning and start to the afternoon. I am feeling very blessed.

I spend the rest of the afternoon watching a move before the twins come home from day care and I give them a 'big one' bath much to the youngest, Olives delight. after soaking and throwing bubbles in every direction possible around the bathroom I taken them out, rub strawberry cream all over their bellies and dress them. And here I am now, sitting down and writing while mummy is cooking dinner, the boys and Milly are playing Lego and the twins are watching Dora the Explora who is dancing around the screen shouting Spanish words I am sure the girls don’t understand.

Last night daddy was in my prayers as I lay where he usually lays in bed and imagine him on the plane. It saddens me to think he is there all alone in the sky but I know he is not really alone for God is with him. I really miss him. I am excited for him too though. He gets to go to England! And even better, it's snowing there at the moment! A snowing welcome. I am so excited to hear how he is doing and even more excited to have him home. I am so grateful for the amazing family I have around me, for my incredible mother who is keeping strong and all us six inline even without the head of the house. (Or the second head of the house. God is top) I would just like to say thank you to her. Xxx

President

Today I woke up to a lovely surprise. It was raining! Living in Australia during summer this feels extremely rare and me being someone who loves rain and the cold it was quite a relief. I mean I am still walking around in a black tank top and shorts but the grey sky, drizzling rain and harsh winds is a beautiful change from the draining heat and mugginess we have had for the last two weeks give or take.

Today we all kissed and hugged our daddy goodbye for a week and a half. He left three hours ago with his suitcase and a brave smile on his face. I know we will see him next week, I know he is not gone for that long and this is a huge step in Process England. And I know I need to be brave but our family is so tight and with him gone a chunk has been temporarily bitten away from our lives. I struggled to keep the tears away. I kept a smile on my face until the door was closed. My mum and I walked into her room in silence, sat down onto the couch and held each other while the tears dripped down our faces. No words were needed just the love we were bleeding. Having each other calmed our emotions as we picked ourselves up and realised we are not alone. God has not left us. We know we will be fine. It was just so hard to see dad go.

My youngest sister at the age of three came into the room and sat onto mummy’s lap. She looked at us with her big brown eyes reflecting our sadness and said 'You hurting in your eyes?' and wiped mums tears away before laying her little hand on my cheek mopping my tears. I pulled her close and kissed her head telling her I love her and we are going to have an amazing week.

After that mum and I made a battle plan. We have something on every day to keep the week moving and time to spare to sort the house for the England move we all know is coming. Today mummy and I are in the process of clearing out the linin cupboard. It is a huge job of ridding our house of unwanted linen, board games, clothes, cutlery and all the other little things which accumulate in there. All topped off by a trip to salvoes.

I have just finished playing around seven games of president, a card game, with my siblings. I won six times and by them I was expecting them all to quit but they pursued and the last game the second youngest age six won. I had a feeling I was gonna lose that game.

I have moved into mummy’s room and will sleep where daddy sleeps until he comes back which I am quite excited about. Tonight I think that mummy and I will buy a movie and enjoy a together night before going to sleep content with knowing daddy is on the plane stepping closer to England where the snowflakes fall gracefully, where family reunions will take place, and the England is one step closer our home.

Don't forget to pack your socks!

Today is what I call a packing day. Packing for what is going to be an extremely long flight to England for my dad. Especially with the nine hour wait in Dubai airport before the next flight. I have to say I don't envy him there but I also have always wanted to go to Dubai. It always seems to be included in action movies and I want to know why. Maybe I will ask daddy why he thinks this is so after roaming the airport for nine hours. He leaves for the airport in the afternoon tomorrow and won't arrive in England until Thursday. He has his angry birds and my phone (because our youngest at the age of three threw his down the toilet!) so I don't think he will suffer too much.


Today, as I stand at the wardrobe door I watch my mother rake her hands though all of his clothes. Now the truth comes out! She turns down three pairs of jeans daddy holds up, announces that she doesn't like the stripy shirts after years of wearing them and with a gleam in her eye she places his suit in the case. I am very grateful to have her because now he has dashing clothes to wear (especially after she went out and bought more shirts, socks and yes jocks in mind. She has one of the kindest hearts I known anyone to have. And not just for the socks shopping) and I can be confident he will look his best for the interview. He looks fit to go and kiss the Queen's hand while he is there!


Daddy and I place a black thick jacket onto the bed as well as a blue jumper. Mum ,however ,says the blue jumper is too old and daddy needs to just take the black one. I then look at dad and give him a wink before shifting my eyes to the case indicating I will slip the jumper in later. Dad replies with a grin. I am struggling with the fact that it is so cold over there though. I mean I have lived in England before but being in Aus for so long I am struggling with these heavy jackets dad is packing. Even when it's cold here you put a jacket as thick as the black one on and you get hot! Even in winter! My initial reaction is 'Don't pack that you will get too hot' but then I bite my tongue and remind myself this is England not Broome.


When we all come to the conclusion that dad does not have suitable suit pants to wear on Saturday for the interview we all slip out shoes on, jump in the car (when I say all I mean, mum, daddy, my second youngest sister and I. The boys stay home entertained with miniature Lego men and the twins are at day care) and head out. Arriving at the Salvation Army we score a pair of pants in under fifteen minutes for two dollars. Awesome! I have to say I did spot my dad dancing around the shop with them on looking for mother’s second opinion. I smiled to myself and turned away thinking how much fun it would be if Wednesday was the day we were all moving over there. Permanently.


Last night we talked to one of dad's old friends who we haven’t seen in years. I think the only memory I have of him is his flash red car and him saying there were only twenty four of them in the whole world. One of those twenty four parked near our house for an hour or so. Beauty! The conversation over Skype turned out to be a huge blessing and, after explaining to dad's friend about his small trip for the interview, he agreed to let dad stay at his house. He also told us he would look for schools in the area for us kids and that he and dad would go for a drive to look for a house. Then he said in a thick English accent 'Alright I will see you Thursday then' and I thought that sounded really weird!


I am very excited about daddy going but I am also very nervous. This is a huge step in Process England and if we don't get this job it's going to be a mighty bit knock back. I feel in my heart this job is right and every night I pray giving it all to God. I pray that it is right and God will lead us in this journey turning us around the right corners, I also pray that if we don't get this job He will be there to wipe our tears, lift us up onto our feet and give us the strength, we physically and mentally won't have if we don't get this job to start looking again. I am confident and have the faith in God that this will most certainly not happen. That we will not have to start looking again and this job is in God’s hands more than it is ours and he will give it to us when it is right. And I think it is right. I think the job is ours.

A big step for a bigger leap

Ok wow, where do I start with this? I guess by stating who I am right? I am Holly, eldest of six, we live in Australia, I have a strong love for my family and God and I love writing. I have started writing this because I feel I need to share this process my family and I are enduring. I call it process England. Truth is this feels like a very complicated and long process but isn't that what process's are all about? I mean, the process to set up my account on this Bloggers site is one example! It took me the whole of ten minutes just to chose my user name. All the ones I chose were taken. Now I'm either very fussy ignoring the suggestions the site gave me or I am very unimaginative.

What I am planning on writing in this blog is my everyday doings. Wow that sounds boring, right? I don't think this will be though. I will be sharing the steps forward to our goal to move to England. I am finding that Process England includes a whole lot of waiting and relying on God. I am only human and with knowing this trip is not going to be easy I want to be able to get out there and do things to contribute to it. I want to make things happen. But I think we are at a point where after we have done all we can we just need to stand with God and trust his doings. I think by doing this blog  things will seem clearer and I will also enjoy writing about the experiences. Sharing them.

Process England is exiting, satisfying and thrilling as well as frustrating and emotionally draining. Lately I feel like I am crying over nothing. I think this is either my time of the month or my way of coping when things seem rough. Or a mixture of both. I am extremely blessed to have such an incredible family who always seem to find a way to make me smile even when I feel like the biggest grump. The most amazing parents who completely understand the way I feel and manage to wipe away every tear even when I feel like that isn't possible.

 

We had some incredible news about the job we applied for in Reading near London. We had the first interview over Skype and that seemed to go well. I was in my room attempting to Skype my friend to pass the time but after an hour of choppy conversations we gave up and I retired to my bed (which is at the moment a mattresses on the floor. I really don't mind though. It's more comfortable than it sounds) and pick at my rug until I hear my dad bid the interviewer goodbye. leaping up from my bed I run out into the room and congratulate them on a fantastic interview knowing they did amazing even though I wasn't there. Apparently I wasn't the only one impressed because last Friday we get a email inviting us back for another interview after nights and nights of praying. My first reaction, a wild suggestion; you should fly over for this interview. Have it in person. I was not the first to come up with this idea, far from it actually. But I was so thrilled (and a tad jealous) when daddy booked a flight to England for this Wednesday. Things are moving forward! Gods hand is at work. I can see that now.