Life As It Is

When you start to find life normal after a big move, one feels both relief and a little disappointment. Relief because you're starting to settle in, and feel at home. And disappointment because what girl doesn't like a bit of drama? Everything was so interesting! Everything was so new!

But I'm finding my drama in new places. Though honestly I don't know why I like drama. It really is most stressful.

Yesterday for an example of drama, the kids were eating dinner, and Piers asked to go to the toilet (his main delay tactic when it comes to the ever difficult task of dinner). So upon promising he'd go straight there and come straight back, he set off on his little adventure. An adventure which did not involve the toilet in any shape what so ever. Instead he headed off to the craft cupboard, where he started to draw a face on his fingers (a trick I showed the kids the other day, and have regretted ever since). There I found him, and he immediately started chucking Le Mega Tanty. So we pulled the old 'Go to the table, or we'll go straight to the bath.' which usually has him back at the table in 3 seconds flat. But nooooo, not tonight.

The drama that ensued was a half hour battle between he and I, with me trying to get him into the bath, and him absolutely SCREAMING. It was exhausting.

Ah drama.

And to top it off, when Saturday, GLORIOUS Saturday came around, I stepped in Piers' poop.

Yep. His poop. He did a bit of a stinker on the bathroom mat.

My life is such a fiasco! Haha

But I am enjoying it on the whole. A little lonely, but God is growing me, and revealing more of Himself to me, and I just feel genuinely blessed by everything.

So here I am, in England settling into a 'normal' life.

What THAT is, I am not entirely sure of!

Lots of love xxx

Wine Tastes Better in Europe

England continues to absolutely blow my mind.
Sometimes it is so cold, it feels like an average Australian winter day in the middle of summer. But some days, especially the twilight period, entirely obliterate any bad feelings you would other wise have towards English weather.
I am really feeling at home now-in this place, and with this family. I feel so blessed to be working for them, and I find myself absolutely adoring the children even though they can be little horrors sometimes! Haha, but this isn't bothering me as much as it was-because I mean, I can be a horror too, you know? Maybe not so outwardly and obviously as these kids, but i am from 11-16 years older than them. And those of you who know me really well will know I am not a complete angel all month round :D

But of course, I havent always been in this frame of mind for the past few weeks. there was one week there that I was a bit of an emotional wreck (those of you who skyped with me during this time will know that very well!)
But God sorted me and my higher-than-normal-hormone-fuelled body out, and I'm feeling considerably better about it all now!

So last week I went to Italy with the family-it was such an amazing experience!
By the end of it I had stopped referring to the family as 'my employees', and started, more often than not, referring to them as 'my family' (do not be offended true family, there is just something about living with others...I'll always love you best :D). I no longer asked them what 'they' were doing, and found myself asking what 'we' were doing for the day.
And Italy itself was divine. We stayed with Serena's mother in these botanical gardens set up by their ancestors. These gardens were insane! They were their own little sub-climate, with wisteria growing right next to bamboo, and roses next to acacias from Africa. Totally fab!
We spent most days at the beach (thanks to the 30C heat, and 100% humidity), although we also went to the (fantastic) food and clothing markets, as well as up into the mountains to go swimming in these gorgeous mountain pools, filled with water flowing directly from the Alps-altogether bracing!
The food was amazing, the coffee better than anything I'd ever had, and drunk just the way I like it (black and VERY sweet!), and I have to say-the wine was awesome!
(I may have got a little too jolly in front of the adults one night...oh dear)
But wine is truly better in Europe-I am drinking a glass of rose right now, and I promise you, that would not have happened in Australia.
Since coming back, it has been average weather, and a little lonely (Curtis and Luce totally DITCHED!! haha)but I'm feeling good.
I'm seeing Foals in November (HOLLLLLY CRAP!!!), and the fam has lots of great plans for these hols, and we're getting a dog soon!! (It will be mainly my responsibility-stoked!) And in aprox 2 weeks I will be 19-and am feeling quite old about it all. But still-EXCITING!!
God is always looking out for me-and I know I could never say thanks enough!
Now here are some photos for your lovely eyes-love you all ever so much!! xxxxx


Last Night Hangs with Curtis and Lucy!!



The gardens in Italy



The super chilly mountain waters



The beach we went to daily

Once again-so much love!! God bless xxx