'Seeya' for now friends......

Well, they're gone. It's been a sad few days for me - but I've come to realize that the only reason I'm sad is because this precious family were such good friends. If I didn't feel sad, then it was just another relationship....no real meaning.....that wasn't the case here.

Paul, Katrina, Elijah, Jo and Autumn-Grace are now enjoying some R+R in Bangkok before heading to Cambodia. We spent quite of bit of Thursday with them - in the end we had a quiet couple of hours with a beautiful bottle of 1987 Shiraz and had a good time - prayed and then we left.

I cried all the way home. I cried when Ebony's first words on Friday morning were 'Auty" (Autumn)....and I've cried a few times when I've looked around and seen the things they have given us and the things they have asked us to look after for them....and then there is the sweet little hair clip of Autumn's that she left on Thursday morning and I meant to return. It's all a bit of a funny feeling - but I know we'll see them again. People come in and out of our lives and we have to appreciate whatever time we have with people we love - we did that and we were blessed to have a few months where we knew what lay ahead...some people don't have that warning.

So - it's 'seeya' to the Gliddon family. We look forward to the next time we hear your voices or the next time we are looking at you face to face.

Here are some photo's of our last day......


Auty and Ebby



Elijah and Ebby



Auty, Ebby & Lijah (sadly Jo wasn't here until just before we left)



Lijah, Ebby and Auty in the spa bath


serious Katrina


melancholy Paul


and a beautiful sleeping angel after all the 'seeya's'

Easter

Well for the first time in a number of years we drove 'away' from Mt. Beauty for the weekend - usually we're driving here and so are our friends - but they had to go to WA so we decided to head to mum and dad's in Lakes Entrance. We left Thursday night and made it in record time (even over Mt. Hotham) and we arrived safely at about 10.30pm. The first attempt to travel with Eb at night and it worked a treat (although we didn't get to eat because EVERYTHING between Mt. Beauty and Lakes Entrance was CLOSED!). Luckily I had some potato chips in the car and Gra and I ate them.

Friday was a day of rest, then Saturday we went into Bairnsdale for some retails therapy (mainly because it's cool and I found that NONE of Eb's shoes fitted with sox!). It was lovely - then mum and dad treated us to lunch at the local pub which was beautiful (thanks Ma and Pa! xxx). Home late and to bed late for Eb, but she was well and truly ready.

Sunday we headed to Church and then home. Eb had a big sleep and then my brother and his wife and Eb's two 'little' cousins Beccy and Lizzie arrived - so Eb had an absolute ball playing with them.

Sadly Monday was home day and we left about midday. It was a great 3 nights and we're all really glad we did it.

Coming home was a little interesting with the weather turning really bad over Mt. Hotham and visibility reduced to about 2 feet in front of us for some time. It was a slower trip home!


Times enjoyed with Nana and Pa



Then with Daddy and Mummy



Now for some up-to-date photo's for the 'gallery'



and...precious cousins having fun together

Playschool concert

I couldn't wait! I organised tickets way back in January and, knowing how much Ebb loves Playschool I knew it would be a blast.... was I disappointed? .... not by the concert at all. Eb started off brilliantly she was dancing with her buddy Autumn-Grace before it even started. Then it got crowded and she couldn't dance much, but she happily watched the concert until the two 'characters' started chasing each other around the stage. All of a sudden I see the bottom lip drop and she comes flying into my arms. She spent the rest of the concert in my arms (hey! any chance for a hug is a good chance!...I made the most of it). She was ok while she was in my arms and got back into the swing toward the end. I'm sure the next one will be better :)

Our mates.....

Our dear friends 'The Gliddons' are soon to leave and we've had some wonderful times with them over the last year or so. When we first met them I didn't really want to get to know them well because I knew they would be leaving to live in Cambodia before long. Little did I know that God had other plans and we became good friends.

Eb has come to particularly love this family and, at the moment, almost every time we hop in the car she starts saying....Lijah, Jhoe, Auty, Trina, Paul...it brings tears to my eyes. However! when God calls - who can argue. Yes, I'll miss them ALL terribly in different ways...and sometimes I wonder how it has happened that the one family we become so close to are leaving...seems to be what happens to me here in Mt. Beauty! but life goes on and hopefully we'll be able to visit them later this year or early next year God willing. They are heading to Cambodia with "Interserve" a missionary organisation and I've set up a blog especially for their journey....www.gliddonspace.blogspot.com if you feel to follow too.


Commissioning service at Kiewa Valley Christian Centre

(From Ebby)
.....gee it's only 12 days until you all go ... I'm going to miss you all bery much.
Elijah (Lijah), you have been so sweet to me - loving me and looking out for me even when it's been hard for you - you are special to me - tank shoe for caring for me :)


Elijah and Ebby

Josiah (Jhoe), you are always fun to play with too. You're quiet - but I love the fun I have with you.


Jo and Eb

Autumn-Grace (Auty) - tanks for being my first 'Aussie' friend. I'll miss our fun times together like swimming and 'pay sool' (playschool) and I can't wait to see you in 'bodia (Cambodia).


Autumn-Grace and Ebby

Paul and Katrina (Trina) - you are the best! you have taught my mummy not to worry so much about the food I eat (yeah!) and you're always good fun to be with. I even really like you now after you tried to put me in that cot when my mummy was gone. You both get good kisses from me now!


Fun at Mt. Beauty Holiday Park

From me again ...... bless you all and know you have left a beautiful fingerprint on my life, on Graham's and, of course, on our beautiful Ebby's. We'll never be the same for the blessing of knowing you. God speed - happy travels - safe journey and fruitful ministry. WE LOVE YOU!

When the 5 other girls come to visit......

We have a blast! It was such a great weekend. It was the Labour Day weekend here in Victoria so Monday was a public holiday. Gra, Eb and I headed down to the local Caravan Park on Thursday night and set up...then Katrina/Paul/Elijah/Josiah & Autumn-Grace joined us for dinner. It was a beautiful night and we had lots of fun.

Then Friday arrived and we couldn't wait for Dick, Wendy and Ruby to arrive. They finally did at about 2.30pm and Eb had a friend for the rest of the day - they had a wonderful time. Ebony seems to really love camping - it's kinda sad that every time we attempted to go this summer it has rained...and it's barely rained all summer!!!!! go figure :)

Then Saturday morning arrived and I was so excited (Ebony would have been if she understood of course!). The other 4 families arrived around lunchtime and they set up their 'camps' or 'yurts' while I prepared some lunch and then that afternoon we all just chilled while the kids had an absolute ball. Unfortunately I didn't get a good photo of all 6 because there was always one sleeping/eating/playing etc...the big photo shoot was the next day.

3 families looked after the meal the first night and we all ate, drank and were merry (so to speak) - it was such a relaxed time and we all feel so totally lucky to actually like each other and enjoy each others company. I really look forward to the times we spend together.

We all slept quite well then it was Sunday morning and we decided to walk the girls (or ride as the Guest family did) to the local park. The weather has been exceptionally warm so it was lovely getting the girls out and about early. Then we had lunch together and later than afternoon we headed back to our place to have some nibbles and do the photo shoot. Well - I think the photo's will tell the story! It is SO hard to get 6 two year olds to stand still for a photo! Luckily we were all pretty relaxed about it and Mandy came up with the idea of laying them down head to head (what a great idea)! So it worked and we had fun and the girls had a ball eating chocolate. I'm still wiping the chocolate fingerprints from the doors and walls and loving it! It makes me smile every time I see some more. Today I washed the 3 cheongsam's that got 'chocolated' by the girls wearing them (the ones they borrowed) and they came up beautifully.

Then we came back to camp and although none of us felt like eating we did manage to eat the wonderful dinner the other 3 families had prepared (I have no idea how!). Then it was another night of friendship and chatter as our 6 gorgeous girls slept in their tents or yurts. What a wonderful day.

Monday came way to quickly - time to pack up and go....nnnnooooooooo! We didn't do a thing until everyone left and it still took us ages to pack up the camper trailer. I was sad but happy - it's been such a wonderful weekend - one to remember and one to look back on with very, very happy memories.

Now I'm busy trying to plan for the next get together in June!


Five of the six girls enjoying a swim on a hot autumn day


..then it was time for dinner...


and a bath of course :)


day two and our first attempt at a group photo


second attempt....


and finally...success!


another bath after some fun in the dirt!


a game of ring-a-rosy before everyone left


then something to amuse Eb while we packed up


with Eb giving orders!!!


then it was 'home' again

Today....a first

It happened - our Ebony has been with us for 14.5 months and TODAY I got my first 'unrequested' kiss! Tears fill my eyes immediately!. What joy a kiss can bring.

We've had a very big weekend with the other 5 gorgeous SUIXI girls coming all the way to Mt. Beauty for the long weekend (yes - I'll post as soon as I can!) - and then I worked for 6 1/2 hours yesterday and was absolutely beat last night and today. I was trying to clean Eb's teeth and ended up sitting on the floor in the bathroom with my eyes closed in tired frustration when she bent over and kissed me! Tiredness gone - joy overtook. Never ever did I know what the joy of that moment would be like - indescribable and beautiful. A heart warming moment in time and one I will NEVER, EVER forget. Thank you my little princess.