Take Notice and Be Aware

With the cold weather comes illness so we haven't been able to make it to church lately. Family has been sending us sermons and this sermon in particular really made us think about what is happening in the world today. We all know that some of the end time signs are already presenting itself...all I have to say is weird/catastrophic weather and all SDA's give me a raised eyebrow. But as this pastor says you can just feel the evil tension in the air, between the war, the battle for oil, food and jobs, it feels like the Second Coming has to be near. We truly believe this is not a time to be "sitting on the fence". That is what the devil wants. The devil wants us to be living life every day oblivious to what is happening around us...more concerned about our tv programs and possessions. Matthew 24:38-39 "For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." This pastor including the media believe September to be a time of devastating times, predicting a market crash and marshal law. Do not be oblivious, understand that what is happening is not a coincidence, God has warned us of all that will come. I urge to do your own research.

Missing the 4th

So this was the first year I didn't celebrate the 4th of July. It was pretty sad talking to everyone and hearing about warm weather, fireworks and bbq's. It really made me miss home. We did go on a cookout in the outback with some other teachers and of course forgot our camera...but hopefully I can snag some photos off another teacher. Adeline was the hit of the party though all dressed up in her red, white and blue colors. Grammy sent her the cutest little 4th of July outfit with matching bows. She is adorable!

Missing home,

Amber

Love my cheeky baby

Peek-a-boo Mommy!

Cheese!

Another picture!

Look Mom, I can keep the hat on!

I love all my new toys and this pretty dress Nana got me!

This video gives a complete picture of what I get to be around all day long. I may be the worst housewife ever but I am the luckiest mother and wife. I have such a loving and supportive husband who I love with all my heart and I have this amazing child who makes me smile and laugh all day long. God has truly blessed me!!

Feeding the lambs

Click here to see some more fun pictures!

Here is a video of the country that we live in!

Some neighbors of ours have a few baby lambs that got lost from the herd and are being bottle fed. Adeline had a great time chasing them around. We also spent the afternoon cutting wood for the next few weeks. I took a few pictures of what the area looks like where we live. Enjoy!

Our trip to Bathurst

Click here to see some more fun pictures!

Not much has really been happening since the holiday. Life is pretty slow and casual here. Adeline and I have a normal routine of getting up, eating, playing, napping, eating, nature walks, playing, eating, bathing and then sleeping. Pretty much the normal day-in-day-out stuff with an 17 month old. I watch a little boy for an hour every day until school gets out and his dad comes to pick him up. Adeline and him have fun feeding the chickens on our nature walks.

Daniel had a one day conference in Bathurst which is up near the Blue Mountains. It's pretty cold up there and can even snow occassionally. Adeline and I went with Daniel and spent the day in the nearest large city, Orange, shopping and playing in the park. We had a ball! Adeline met a few other kids and loved playing with the ducks!

On the way home we stopped at Bunnings (the equivalent of Home Depot) so Daniel could pick up a new ax handle for cutting wood for the fire. We ended up buying Adeline a little cottage for her to play in. She loves it and won't come out of it!

Anyway, life is good here! Hope all is well with you!

Amber

April School Holiday

So these last two weeks were Daniel's school holiday and for the first few days we worked around the house trying to get it in some sort of order. Daniel worked out on the yard so Adeline had a place to play and I got our clothes all hung up and put away...finally, after two months of living out of a suitcase! Yay!

On Thursday we left for Sydney and went through the Blue Mountains. They say it's one of the only places in New South Whales that actually has four seasons. The city of Orange was beautiful. There was a beautiful park in the middle of town that had a bird cage with all the local birds(mostly parrots), a gazeebo, a pond with all different kinds of ducks, a rose garden and a beautiful flower garden. It's one of the only places that actually had trees that changed colors with the season. It was gorgeous! But, unfortunately my camera battery was dead!!! Sorry, no pictures.

Other than that our vacation was pretty much running errands the whole time. We got our passports stamped, got set up for Medicare and private health insurance, I got a tax file number so when I want I can work, and helped Nikki move out of Sydney. But we did spend one day catching up with Roman and Meg at swimming lessons. Adeline took Daddy this time and they has such a good time! We also took some pictures of Adeline "hamming" it up with the camera. She learned how to say "cheeeeeesssseee"! It's adorable!

Enjoy the pictures!(sorry but the link below isn't working. Just copy and paste it to a new web browser)

http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=asfangel&P=&SID=208516&Show=Y

Finally!

After a month we finally have internet...therefore I can update our blog! I am so happy to update you all on our move and how we are going out here in "woop-woop" or otherwise known as Tullamore.

Here is a little information about our new home.

We are approximately 100 Kilometers from the center of New South Whales, therefore the climate is very much like the desert, cold at night and very warm during the day. The area is relatively flat surrounded by wheat and sheep farms. Australia is one of the leading countries in wool production. Tullamore is an old Irish town that was established in the late 1800's. Today, including all the local farmers, there are approximately 700 people in the town. It has one pub, a bowling club (not the normal bowling we would think), one police officer, a small grocery store, and a post office. It has a small child care center and the school that Daniel is working at, Tullamore Central School, has approximately 80 students.

We are living in a 4 bedroom home located on the school grounds, so Daniel just walks out our gate is at the school in 2 minutes. There is a park just up the road that has a brand new covered play set that Adeline can play on. She has already learned how to slide down the slide all by herself...she getting to be such a daring child.

This last Saturday the town had a dance for all the "oldies" in support of the school. Daniel and I were able to find a few girls to watch Adeline and we were welcomed by all the township. Everyone was very friendly and festive. Besides the Irish parade they have each St. Paddy's day this is the second largest event. We had a great time. There was a great live band and they had an American chef cooking great meals and the most exciting event of the evening was the yabbie auction. Yabbie's are what we would call crayfish. After being auctioned off, a circle is drawn on the floor the disgusting little things are all placed in the middle of the circle and race to get out. Obviously whichever one gets completely out of the circle wins. It was very exciting! (And disgusting!)

Ok, so the bad news...there is nothing near us!!! To get anywhere, whether it be church (yes an SDA church with a school and tons of little one for Addie to play with!), shops, petrol stations, basically anything is about an hour and a half away! It is horrible! The nearest largest town is Dubbo which is one and half hours away and Narromine (where the church is) is just over an hour. The really unfortunate part is that to get to those towns you have to drive about 40 kilometers on a dirt road!!! Yes we are out here!! But with all that said, that won't stop Addie and I from getting involved. I have already signed her up for swimming lessons in Dubbo and have signed up for a mothers group that meets in Narromine. I am very excited!!

The other bad news...the house we are living in has been a bit neglected over the years and has taken lots of time and effort to get the place looking reasonable. With lots of help from the locals this place is looking better everyday and we will be excited to get new carpet and a fresh coat of paint soon!

Sorry this is so long but I thought everyone would want to know all about what has been going on and how we are doing. I hope you enjoy the pictures I have attached too. There will be more to come of the local scenery and animals soon!

http://www.dotphoto.com/Go.asp?l=asfangel&P=&SID=206965&Show=Y

Love you all and thanks for all your prayers!

Amber, Daniel and Addie

PS - Here are a ton of pictures including some of our last playdate with Roman and Meg, our day at the Royal Sydney Easter Show (or fair), and of course tons of Adeline playing and having fun!