Finally......

Well, it’s official – I must be back in the working world because I haven’t updated this blog in months!!!
We made it safely to NZ. I am going to rewind and share our little journey up until now.
On the 19th June we said ‘so long farewell to our very, very special friends in Malaysia. My goodness was that tough!!! It was really ‘yuck’ to see the kids saying goodbye to each other!!!
We managed to fit all of us plus our luggage into our little Citroen and headed to the airport. After an hour disagreement with the check-in counter we were finally able to board the plane (without a suitcase) How weird was it to say goodbye to Evan???? I had a lady ‘helping’ me push a double stroller, carry 3 bags, a carseat & watch 2 children. When I say ‘helping’ – I mean she walked along beside me. Literally walked along beside me!!! She didn’t carry a thing!!! If you have been to the K.L airport, you know you have to walk, then catch a train, then walk again until you get to your gate (which in our case was the one the farthest away) While we were standing at the customs windows, Matthew spotted Adlai (the Ferguson’s were heading back to the US for a holiday) & he took off. He wanted to go with his friend. I had to tell a white lie and say that we would see him on the train. He kept looking for his friend (sad, very sad)
So anyway – we made it on to the plane. I strapped Trinity in, put Ben 10 on for Matthew and used my last Malaysian texts texting Evan. (Another yuck moment)
The kids both fell asleep within 30 minutes of taking off and didn’t wake up until 30 mins before we landed. Awesome, awesome kids!
We stepped onto NZ soil and at the gate we had a golf buggy and 4 people to help us! HEAVEN! What a difference it makes having help like that. It was so nice to step through the doors and see Evan’s parents waiting for us.
Sidetrack – only my brother Caine knew that we were coming home. No-one in my family knew at all, they thought we were in Vietnam (all part of the plan)
Back to Evan’s parents; I was cracking up because we had to pay a fee because we stayed in the car park too long after we had paid. Then we spent what felt like millions of years to find our motel. Then we get to the motel and it is NOT what we thought it would be. The Malaysians were FREEZING! Thanks to the Dunn’s the kids had some winter clothes, so the thermals were adorned as well as big fluffy jackets and even beanies!!!
While Gordon got the stew ready; my brother Caine has devised a devious plan to get my other brother Pearson and my sister Jeana to Auckland. They thought they were going out for dinner because Caine had something important to tell them. Can you imagine what was going through their minds? “Caine has won the lotto and he’s giving us a car, Caine is getting married etc, etc” So I waited out on the footpath (in my pj pants – the only wintery item of clothing I had at that stage) & they drove around the corner. Jeana nearly ran off the road, if only I had a video camera to capture the look on her face!!!!
On to part 2 of the plan.....Caine, Pearson and Jeana picked us up from the motel and drove us to Tauranga. We pulled into Tenaya’s house (my other sister) She did a double take from her dining room window, then literally flew out of the door. Close behind her was Jarelle. All I heard was “Haunty!!!!!!!!!!” & he came flying out to hug me (a great moment I must admit)
Part 3 of the plan – Tenaya rang Mum & Dad to say she was heading over to see them. We loaded up the cars and headed over to Papamoa. It just so happened that Mum, Dad & Aunty Christine were sitting at the front of the camping ground in the sun. So we were able to send the 3 kids walking up the driveway while we hid (we had a perfect view of them from where we were) It was so funny to watch their reactions. Mum was saying “there’s Jarelle, who are those kids with him?” Next minute Dad yelled “Mata” (Matthew’s Arabic name) Matthew went running to his koro. I must say I haven’t seen Dad move so fast! Then Mum started looking around because she was thinking “if the kids are here, the parents must be too” Then she spotted us all “Oh my God, oh my God” It was GREAT! It was really nice that we all got to be together that day too. It was classic. Once all the fun was over, it was time to eat. Fish and chips please – you beauty.
Another sidetrack – I learnt within about 2 hours of touching down in NZ that none of my eftpos cards worked. Thank goodness for Evan’s parents I must say!!!
That was our return to NZ. 3 long weeks later we got to go and pick Evan up. I loved seeing the kids run to their Dad! It was so nice & normal to be back together again.

Bali

Well, where to start? We gave the kids a sleep before we left & had to wake them for our 3.15pm taxi to the airport! 1 hour ride to the airport & then a 3 hour flight to Bali. The kids were amazing! Of course Trinity wasn't content sitting the whole time, but she just spent her time in the aisle waving to people. Matthew had his special Bob the Builder bag which had toys, pens & paper in it (plus we had the portable DVD player for back-up)

We arrived in Bali & after a 10 min taxi ride we were at the Bali Dynasty Resort http://www.balidynasty.com/

This was a great place to stay. So many things for the kids to do & the parents got to have time to have a holiday too. Check out the website so that it entices you to save, save, save! It's a 3-6 hour flight from Australia (depending where you live) & a 6-9 hour flight from NZ. Sounds long, but oh so worth it!

The pool bar was a hit, with happy hours from 12-1pm & 5-6pm. Evan made use of those 2 happy hours our 2nd day there!!!! Unfortunately a grumpy mum went down to 'get' him at 7pm, seeing as it was the kids' bedtime. Was he impressed? Not really! We headed back down at about 8pm....everyone else had left. Maybe Evan was the bad influence? Hahahaha! So we stayed for an hour, had a few mango tango cocktail buckets - yummo! Trinity & I headed back upstairs while Evan went to the pub on site in his togs. Is it a wonder he was asked to go & put a shirt on & then he could come back???? He met a guy, Jason from Wairoa;but now lives in Perth, while he was perched at the bar......his wife took him home too (hahahaha!) He didn't surface until late afternoon the next day!!!

Where was Matthew? Well after swimming from 10.30am-4pm, he was wasted! Took him all of 2 seconds to go to sleep. Our room was super close to the pool, so he snoozed while we had a couple of cocktail buckets. He made lots of friends & only came out of the pool to have a few sips of his banana milkshake. At 4pm Evan noticed him on the side of the pool falling asleep, so I took that as my cue to take him 'home'. We ordered room service (chicken satays & a hotdog)

Trinity spent her hour with us dancing to reggae on the bar!!! She is way too funny!

Evan still managed to get up the next morning (I am impressed) He was hanging out for brekky, since he had only had a liquid diet from breakfast time the previous morning! On that note, brekky was YUM! Bacon, all types of eggs, pancakes, waffles, quiche, potatoes, tomatoes, soups, noodles, rice, juices, pastries, fresh fruit, cereals...I think I have missed stuff out, it was so great!

Saturday morning was spent shopping & going to the main Kuta beach! Lots of bargains. We headed back to the resort (we missed it too much) We were in time for the 12noon happy hour (you beauty) & low & behold we met up with Regan Gee from Wesley. He was staying at the same resort with his fiancee Debbie & her daughter Ariana. How is that for a small world? (At that time Debbie was actually shopping) Regan was supposed to be swimming with Ariana; which he did - honest! We just added some pina colada cocktails & some food to the mix. A great afternoon! It was so good to meet up with Regan after nearly 15 years! Feels like it was just yesterday!

For dinner we met up with our new friends from Wairoa/Perth. Jason & Luanna & their 2 kids Dre & Chaya! It was Aussie BBQ buffet night - you beauty! It was super-duper yummy! Matthew, Trinity & Dre were dancing to the 4 piece band that would come & sing at your table. It was so cute. The 4 piece band was the bomb!!!!

Then it was off to bed. Did I mention that we had the BEST bed ever? I wanted to pack it up & bring it to Malaysia! Oh, how I miss it already :-(

Highly recommed Bali for a holiday. Highly recommend the Bali dynasty resort. Tell us if you head that way, we will join you! Photo link below & remember to check the resort website out....

Photos http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2023198&id=1081317076&l=b057ff95c3

Matthew's birthday

The day started with hugs with Mum & Dad. Then a couple of pressies from Nan & Grandad.

Don't worry, Matthew was just sucking his belly in, he isn't malnourished!

"Matthew? What would you like for brekky? Ummmm, jam samich & a milo"

Matthew & Trinity's friends, Alex, Seren, Ella, Adlai, Ezra & Gemma came to have morning tea. Cake & cookies. YUM!
It was a Pirate & Dora theme....lots of balloons, lollies (candy & sweets) & lots of new toys from Matthew's friends. Trinity even put her dancing shoes on for awhile.

Thanks to everyone for the pressies & the company. (Alex even got to wag school today)

Last but not least, we love Jarelle. He got to come to Matthew's birthday on the computer. Unfortunately we had a stinky internet line so I couldn't even get a photo of him on the computer. It was really sad because he wanted to be at Matthew's party! Don't worry Jarelle, you can come to Haunty's birthday.

If you want to look at other photos; here's a Facebook link

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022017&id=1081317076&l=277956ef5a

Can't believe our little man is 3. Where does the time go?

Dancing

The Rakena's getting their groove on!

Snow in Tauranga

Got to see some photos of my parents’ new abode. The ‘wharepaki’ according to Jarelle (supposed to be wharepahi – housebus) My parents are living in Papamoa with their campervan & a portacom which is their bedroom (one side) & the other side houses their wardrobe, dryer, computer & freezer. Nice set-up I thought after seeing the photos.

Also got to see the ‘snow’ in Tauranga (actually a hail storm)
It was great to see photos of my dad in my favourite pants. The photos actually reminded me of Kawhia for some reason; it was nice to see Koro & Jarelle together!!!

When I saw my parents’ bedroom I thought “mmm, the bed isn’t made – who was last out of bed this morning” – then remembered “who cares really, my parents are living a relaxing life these days”.
It was nice to see that there is a deck in progress along with many tools & bits & pieces. Wouldn’t be a Jacko Tukua whare without the ‘ornaments’ around the house.

Very new to this

Well I have no idea what I am doing, I need to spend time becoming familiar with blogging I think.

Happy Mother's day to all the mums.