Graduation

I have graduated!

Packing and cleaning

Not much news, just packing and cleaning (well, Nathan is packing and cleaning anyway! I'm trying to do the normal everyday domestic things).

We need to be out of our apartment Friday morning, so Nathan is very busy getting us ready. Our friend Dave kindly donated some time and his car to drive quite a few boxes of household stuff to Regent. They have a giveaway at the start of every school year for new families, particularly those from other continents. We benefited greatly from others generosity when we arrived, and are happy to help new students arriving over the summer/autumn! It also gives us more space to clean and see what is left to pack.

Tonight is Nathan's Convocation - fancy academic word for Graduation. I hope to take a few photos, and sometime put them up on the blog. Speaking of which, the blog will need a new name next week...not sure what to call it yet!

Ryan is doing well, and sleeping as well as can be expected during the nights. 6.5 weeks old now, and getting bigger. We have our final appointment with the midwife on Thursday afternoon (wonderful timing - just when we are probably at our busiest!!).

Not enjoying saying goodbye to so many of our friends :( Trying to persuade many of them to visit our beautiful land downunder. The snakes/bugs/spiders aren't that bad, promise! We are looking forward to seeing our family back home though.

What's happening when we get back to Brisbane? Only God knows, and He's not letting us in on the plan just yet...watch this space!

My menfolk

Going to apply for Ryan's Canadian passport this week, then we can get his plane ticket and Aussie visa!

Winding down

Nathan completed his Comprehensive exams on Wednesday (it was 5 hours of translating in Greek & Hebrew and essay writing). He got his marks back already, and did really well praise God! :)

Nathan is finding it hard to keep in study mode now that the 'big one' is done. There is a noticeable decrease in stress in our household, and I'm appreciating the extra help he can now give me with the boys. Yesterday Nathan did a few trial packs of clothes and books in suitcases. I proved that all my clothes DID fit into just one suitcase. (apart from the ones that I sent home early with Mum hehe - is that cheating?)

It feels like we have one foot here in Vancouver, and the other in Brisbane. We've started preparing for 'home', but neither are we quite ready to leave the 'home' we have here. Moving on in life has anticipation and excitement, but after being here for almost 3 years, and growing our family here, Brisbane does feel a whole world away.

Ryan continues to grow and sleep and eat and cry. He will be 1 month old tomorrow! Not sleeping in his own little bed at night yet though :( Likes the company too much I think. He hasn't grown much in length, but he is around the 9 pound mark.





Daniel's digestive tract has improved a lot the last few weeks, and he is a noticeably happier boy with more energy. He is also learning how to be louder (not so great when the baby is trying to fall asleep), mastering walking up and down the stairs, and enjoying playing with other kids. Here are some pictures we took this morning as we walked around the community garden, looking for creepy crawlies and enjoying the Spring sunshine. The last photo is of the tower that Nathan studies in - a penthouse converted to a study room, with amazing views of the ocean, mountains, and forests surrounding our home!