in my mother's eyes

i heard a song today, a song my friend shared for mothers everywhere and it moved me to tears... such a beautiful song that captures how i feel about my mum...

mother's day | 2015

motherhood defines you. if you are a mother, you hold on to that moment {and the moments} that changed your identity and your destiny so close because suddenly your heart is moving and living outside of you. it's an incredibly humbling and raw journey to be on.

mum's you rock!

easter 2015

our family gathered in a local park to celebrate easter and spend time together. the cousins running freely, sharing hugs and cheeky laughs. it was a memorable time...

a {farm park} birthday party

isaiah is an animal lover at heart and i couldn't think of any place better than to visit animals in a quiet location with our family to celebrate with.

serendipity farm park in whangarei, is a tranquil setting for a day trip, escape from the urban hustle or in our case, a 2nd birthday party! 

the day started off clear (as rain was predicted!) and so we prepared the food, packed raincoats and rain boots and traveled a short distance from the centre of town to a whau valley...

two years!

happy birthday to our boy!
your birthday this year reminded me very much of the day you were born {grey and drizzly} - i kept thinking about that day and when each significant event happened... it was a day that forever changed your daddy and i.

Whangarei is 50

in 1964, whangarei, nz became a {city} of more than 20,000 residents. it was a great time for the region and in that year over 60 local events commemorated this achievement. to mark this 50th jubilee a parade and after party was organised on saturday. and what a fantastic opportunity to bring some local pride and celebrate the uniqueness of who we are!

father's day | 2014

it was a stunning day, with puffy clouds hovering in a sea of blue. an amazing respite from the unrelenting rain we have experienced since being back.

we started with celebrating hubby, with rough and tumble on the bed... Pancakes and presents and a fun 'the present or the bag' rendition, making opening presents a little more interesting. i owe hubby a forty minute massage because of it!

Mother's Day | 2014

I hope all you mums had a super special day on Sunday and were lavished with treats throughout the day! Taking a moment to soak in the blessings that you have as a mum is important to do as we navigate our way through the ups and downs of this precious position we hold. Also remembering that this day is a tough day for many, through grief and loss. You are deserving of this day too. x

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My Mother's day was a great day of special plans and mini-adventures.

My boys spoiled me with a handmade card that I had been dropping the hints about for the week leading up to the day that I had no idea about ;) I love these created collages and all the minute details Hubby adds, Isaiah enjoyed colouring the card with the highlighters and later in the day I realized his little legs too!

Christmas / 2014 New Year holiday

Looking back on our three week Christmas vacation

isaiah's 1st birthday: pooh's party in the park

isaiah's first birthday was a memorable moment for our family. the start of a new era of celebrations and wonderful memory making. our boy's big first birthday was not just a party but a celebration of what the year meant to us. it was a gathering of those unique people who encouraged us and were there for us even though it was from across the ocean.

i loved this day and the weather, the green, the park... we had arrived the day before from a wintery south korea so it was very surreal at different points in the day...

A first father's day

from baby Hub

Today we are celebrating a first.

Looking back and forward

 Sickness, school events and celebrations have kept me super busy this week!

I am thankful to share that Baby Hub is all clear of sickness now. He had been battling with a double ear infection for over a week. This boy is still so sweet and happy even though I know it has been painful; not to mention anti-biotics issues.  Loving that he is starting to chew on everything! He shows so much determination when he wants to put something in his mouth. Teething is coming up fast I think.

I love special events at school. We had a read-a-thon day at school on Wednesday and I was Piglet... Chosen because at the moment, this is Isaiah's favorite. This was a day intertwined with intensity and fun!

It is finished...

Easter from Bjorn Amundsen on Vimeo. Sharon Irving's poem.

'... peace and well being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes (that wounded) Him we are healed and made whole. Isaiah 53:5 AMP

It is finished.

He overcame.

He rose up again.

He is mighty to save.

march 2, 2013

i learned today that on my birthday this year i have been blessed with 11,688 days here.

wow! days sure clock up...

i had many highlights of my day but one of my favourites was when my boys came through and surprised me with breakfast in bed.

Our Waitangi Day...

Happy Waitangi Day to everyone in Aotearoa ~ New Zealand but also those roaming wanderers scattered around the world. ... our day looks a little different to kiwis celebrating at home today!

Welcome 2013

Dear 2012,

First of all, what a roller coaster you were. There were thrills, spills and loop de loops. You were a year of growth on so many levels, culminating in the birth of our beautiful baby boy. 

You are now a patchwork of amazing memories; our epic 'baby moon' in Europe, winning a new position at my school, signing for another two years in Korea, a missions trip to Nepal, learning about the limits of our emotional selves, celebrating 4 amazing years with my favorite.... There are many more.

This year will go down as a big transition time with lots of friendships cemented. I so appreciate now, through hindsight, the learning that has taken place, the tears shed and the laughs ricocheting in my head. 

Thank you 2012. You were totally worth it.

Clockwise: 4 generations, waiting for an ultrasound, Sorakson National Park with team Kiwi, Hubby in Zurich, Anna and Jono in Koln, Hubby's touch rugby team, Autumn photos, Piza, Mum's visit to Korea, Rome, baby Hub bump.

A Baby Sprinkle

I wanted to have a gathering of people to commemorate this next big adventure - so mum and I decided on a Baby 'Sprinkle' rather than a Baby Shower.

Friends and family gathered at mum's house and enjoyed catching up and some fun little games.

Thank you mum, you made this a very special day for me.

My niece Rebekah, guessing my baby bump size - she was so generous!

I started talking and didn't realize that my gift had been 'caught'!

There were lot's of yummy treats and all tasted of SUMMER.

My sister-in-law Joanne, mother-in-law Christine, niece Rebekah and friend, Anika.

Special friends Betty and Jeanette.

Alice, a wonderful family friend who met my mum when I was a baby bump... The cycle continues!

Thanks everyone for a great day and memories for years to come.

Noraebang

Last night we gathered together with friends for dinner and some fun times before I fly out to NZ in 6 sleeps! Wow, it has come up so fast...

' Karaoke is most commonly called "Noraebang" (노래방, literally, "song room") in Korea, but various Korean alternatives like Norae yeonseupjang (노래연습장), or Norae yeonseupshil (노래연습실) are also sometimes used. Noraebang is even conducted in transport vehicles such as tourist buses. Noraebang is the equivalent to the Karaoke-Box in Japan, whereas singing before an audience of a karaoke bar is called Karaoke (카라오케) in Korea. '

Noraebang is something that lets of steam and is fun to do with a large group, especially the friends we went with last night... There was everything thrown in the mix from 'Puff the Magic Dragon' to Bon Jovi's 'Dead or a Alive'... Hubby even chose the 'Wiggle and Giggle' song. 

Loving it Kim!

In Noraebang you need space to really shake your tail feather...

Sometimes your face says it all...

Shot of the night I believe, backing dancers included!

A bit of slow dancing...

Mike did not feature in the singing this night but got acquainted with the song books and scrutinizing the best choice of songs for the amount of time we had...

And girls just want to have funnn...

 

Baby Hub was kicking around and loved it too!

It was so awesome to have a good laugh with some good music... These photos are priceless!

The Greatest Gift

 But he was pierced for our transgressions, 
   he was crushed for our iniquities; 
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, 
   and by his wounds we are healed.Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

Happy Easter everyone. 

Two Firsts

Visiting an local orphanage 15 minutes down the road from where we live.

I accompanied a 5th Grade group that I am mentoring for their final assignment of elementary school.

Their hearts are so big and they connected with the kids there. Bringing donations from students in our school. A special opportunity to witness.  

We will be returning to these kiddies to regularly support and teach English. 

Another first, two colleagues; our friends from school, got married. 

It was a very interesting experience.

We are so happy for Mr. Hong and Risa! Congratulations!

Life is busy. And it is now the countdown to our missions trip to Nepal this Friday. I am so excited and nervous too!