If I thought it was already too cold this winter, then I was in for a shock this week! -4ºC. Waaayyyy too cold for me. 

But what has been beautiful this week are the sunsets. I have a soft spot for sunsets. My collection of sunset photos is really amassing! I'm sure to everyone else they all look just the same, but to me they are a real work of art. God's fingerprint on the end of the day. And this week they didn't disappoint. Simply stunning. Breath taking.

Oh, and another beautiful sight I saw this week- Miss E and big brother washing up without arguing! It's a miracle!!

A Whole Deck

You know, it's one thing to have a tissue go through the wash, but a whole deck of cards!! Nothing surprises me with Miss E...

Winter Blues

There are some things I am very grateful for. Not living in the Northern Hemishere is one of them. Don't get me wrong. We have lived in the northern hemisphere and loved it. Loved, loved, loved it. I'm desperate to go back soon. But it's the winters that would get me. I cannot do the cold. No matter how hard I try. Once it drops below 20ºC I feel like I've moved to the Antarctic. So, I'd never be able to live in the snow.

Or maybe I could...
Maybe everything would be centrally heated...

Here, we do not build our houses well to cope with the cold. Especially older houses. And with the cost of electricity, heating becomes a real issue.

Last winter I google the type of thermal underwear you wear when you climb Mount Everest. I figure that if it keeps them warm, it should work for me.
Im still trying to work out how to afford it.....

Anyway, winter is here. For just over a week. And I've already had enough.

Maybe I should move to the northern hemisphere during our winters, and the the southern hemisphere during their winters. A permanent summer. Yes. That would suit me just fine.

Or maybe I'll just move to Queensland.

A Big Year

This year is a big year for many reasons.

1.  We are entering into the third year since we moved. After two years in Adelaide I wanted to leave. Badly. We knew people superficially, not very well. I was lonely and very homesick. We were so far away from family. So, as we entered this year, I knew what to expect.

But it is different. I shouldn't be homesick. I am home. That has definitely made the settling process much easier. And we have met some really lovely people. So, rather than thinking we don't know too many people really well, this is the year to get to know them better. To nurture friendships rather than abandon them.

2. After a six month, 3 day a week contract at a school last year that left me worn out physically and mentally, it was with some trepidation that I took a 12 month contract at a different school the year. But it was the best decision I could have made. I feel very blessed and grateful to be working at this school. Beautiful children, lovely staff, fantastic teaching environment. It is a four day a week contract but I almost always work five. And it's easy to do. But settling into a full time teaching role after several years of casual/release work, has hijacked my time. Finding the balance between work, mothering and having a life has been a balancing act. So much after hours work!

3. The Major has changed jobs. After 18 years, reaching the top of his field, he has decided it is time for a change. A huge decision. There is no work in his field here, so it means commuting and time away. He will be away for several months training before settling into the real job. And it means taking a big step backwards. He needs to go backwards to go forwards, and that will be hard for a while.

4. My biggest baby is completing is final year of school. Not sure if it's a bigger year for him or me! I can't believe it. He's now driving, studying hard, thinking about his future. I can't fathom that we are having these conversations, that his future without us is so close. 

But amongst all the busyness, there is always time for 4 hour phone calls with J!

On another note, J and I have decided to do a photo challenge on our blog http://lesleyandjo.wordpress.com/. 

Day one was blue. 

Looking directly into a glass of water.

Ok, so now it is time to stop procrastinating and get back to writing school reports.....

Really? Do I have to?.............

Apparently so.