we uprooted the kiddos for our adventure abroad over 3 years ago...
& yep...i
& yep...my mind often wanders back to seeing the kids with salty, sandy feet & having endless beach towels on the line...
but...
i wouldn't change a moment of our life here...
the adventure is daily for us...we are so proud that we are doing it...kids in tow...
we have a true love of the countryside that would never have been part of our days in sydney...
we have seen our kids surround themselves with wonderful friends, sports commitments, country pursuits & a love of school -that had i known- i could have saved myself worrying for so long about before we took the plunge...
we travel to places that i know will be etched for ever in all our memories...
we live a village life that still seems like a storybook to me...
&
we, as a family, have an understanding of how others live that one can only gain through the experience of doing it oneself...
we regularly smile across the table to one another...
the hubster & i...
just a little moment between us both...
a little nod to the fact that we are *doing it...filling our dream*...
the dream we'd shared together for so long...
to live abroad...away from what we loved...to take our little family on the adventure of a life time...
to show them the world from a base that was so different to what we knew...
the beaches of sydney to the countryside of england...
with this enormous move...with all the excitement & anticipation & nerves & fun...
came other changes...
the kiddos got bigger...
we arrived with a 9, 7 & 2 year old-all with sandy feet & sun-kissed noses...
we now have a 13, 10 & 6 year old- all lovely, worldly & country-kissed...
they have what can only be termed as international accents...
i'm very proud of that...
aussie kids learning compassion for others through travel...& being pretty damn cool & calm about it!
for us two big kids...
the ones that had dreamed about adventures with little kiddos in tow...
it's been nothing but the experience of a lifetime...
we parent in perfect unison together- as there is no-one else to do it for us...
no long weekends at cousin's houses...
no sleep-overs at grandparents...
but we've embraced it as a blessing- when we are back in oz...the luxury of having these guys to ourselves won't exist...
but...we will always have had these times...just the five of us...
*a good life wednesday*
inspired by sarah from down under {here}
trying to see it in the everyday
xox
I am so glad that you are enjoying your life in our lovely country, and I am sure that it will always remain with you when you are back in sunny Australia (which I would like a bit of now!!)
ReplyDeleteJillx
It is an adventure that will be forever etched into the makeup of your kids, and I am both envious and in awe. It must have seemed the most gigantic of moves when you first pulled it all together. I know that if I didn't have my business commitments (and ties) I would just love to give my girls a similar experience.
ReplyDeleteWow, it is great this life you have made in a new country. My parents took us to live in England for 12mths when I was 10, It was a wonderful experience, I will never forget it. Your kids will have lots of special memories to treasure.
ReplyDeleteYes the weather has changed for the worse hasn't it? and do you know why, its because I brought down my sun brollie from the loft, happens every year, I think oh the weather is lovely i'll get the brollie down and then the weather is rubbish :)..oh well it can only get better, glad your enjoying the lovely countryside but i can see how being away from family can be a down side x
ReplyDeletei love the part about kids learning compassion for others through travel.
ReplyDeletea great show on SBS atm "go back to where you came from" you might like if you can view. australians learning compassion for refugees.
love your photos especially the 1st one.
cheryl x
Just gorgeous, Melissa. You deserve to feel proud of what you have achieved - it has been a huge undertaking and you've pulled it off so beautifully. Your kiddos scored well in the parent stakes! J x
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post!!! Hope you'll post more some day about how you made this dream come true. :)
ReplyDeletethere is something about this post that stirs a childlike joy and at the same time envy in me. i'm so proud of you for taking that huge step of faith into the world with your family and embracing all that it's brought you. you are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteYou write beautifully. Amazing pictures too. I've only been following your blog a few weeks, but it is quickly moving to the top of my favorites :)
Thanks for your comments on my bookshelf post! You should definitely try the chalk paint! You will love it! It distresses so nicely and you can paint your pieces inside if necessary - it has NO odor at all.
As always, you manage to say what I feel most days and what I forget somedays. I too know that our adventure will end and this will all be a memory. Somedays, I long for our old ordinary life...but underneath it all is what you've said beautifully here. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are stunning as ever Melissa! You are on the most remarkable journey together and the children will have the most precious memories to last them a lifetime! They will become even more world wise without even realising it! I wish I could hear their gorgeous accents! Happy weekend and enjoy some relaxing time with your family! X
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely post, thanks so much for sharing at Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays. It is certainly a good life if we make it
ReplyDelete