Cuter By the Minute

Last Saturday we went to a BBQ at the home of a lovely young family from church. This was for all of the adults involved in the search process for the new pastor (Andy). The hosts are a young South African doctor and his wife (maybe our age--35 ish). They have three children ages 7, 4, and 15 mos. Well, the kids adopted "baby Olivia" and she just loved them! She walked all over the property, swung, played on the trampoline, played in the duck and chicken houses (no ducks or chickens yet), and slid of the slide.

After returning home Olivia decided that Ian's hat is her new favorite toy. So she has taken to modeling it in every possible configuration, in front of our oven where she can see herself. This child desperately needs a mirror and a dress-up box! Enjoy the pictures...

Olivia and Peter in the chicken house

Olivia saying "get me off this bouncy thing"

Olivia in Ian's hat

Olivia and Ian kissing

Olivia swinging

Olivia and her favorite hat!

Settling-in

As you can see the kids are settling-in just fine. The living room is generally a mess between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm, but we make the most of it. Olivia is walking, running and climbing. She now has 7 teeth and wants to eat everything we do, well most of it. Ian is working on his first bottom tooth, lots of drooling but no tooth yet. He is rolling everywhere he wants to go on the floor and has just started dragging himself from a crawling position. He also loves his bouncy chair.

We are settling-in as well. I have had lots of visitors this week from church. Andy is working hard and loving his new job and the new people. We have been truly blessed to be a part of a loving and Christ centered congregation. We love Whangarei and all of its quirky beauty. We are hoping for some warmer days so that we might step out to the beach!

Enjoy the pics and know that we miss all of you!
With much love...

Olivia has her first pig tails today!

As usual Ian is all smiles...

He is working hard to crawl--

pulls himself towards things he wants.

A beautiful NZ sunset...

Olivia dressed to go out...

she doesn't always like having her picture taken.

Olivia loves our new shelves!

Ian ready to go to church on Induction Day

Andy's last photo before becoming a Rev

Olivia and her new dress from the Conners

Rev. Andrew Payne--November 2, 2008 Induction Service

On Sunday, November 2, 2008, in front of Andy's parents and a full house at Whangarei Central Baptist Church Andy was inducted as the Associate Pastor to young adults. Actually we were all inducted because this church understands that a pastor's whole family is called to ministry and serves in ministry. It was a very special and meaningful service. Hopefully we will be able to edit and condense the video so we can post it online as well. In the mean time enjoy these photos taken by different church members.

Things Not Found in New Zealand

The last three weeks have been very interesting. After a few moments of culture shock and sticker shock (from what things cost here) we have settled right in. I can tell you that every American should live outside of the country at least once in their lifetime. It will not only open your eyes to the wide world we live in, but it will also make you appreciate all that we have as Americans. It will also make you a little bit embarrassed about all that we have as Americans.

Some of you have been asking what we miss or what is different or what we need--so here is a short list of all of the above.

What we miss:
Friends and Family
Mexican Food
Cousins, Aunts, Uncles and Grannies that babysit
Small Group
New Movies (movie releases are delayed here)
Wal-Mart with 24 Hour Shopping
Diet Dr. Pepper (no such thing in New Zealand)
Bill Miller's BBQ
Splenda in Big Bags
Being able to buy Ziploc Bags in BIG boxes
Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent
A Dishwasher
A Double Sink
Air Conditioning
Driving on the Right Side of the Road (Bonnie)
Lane Bryant, Eddie Bauer, Casual Male, Sephora, Ulta, and Payless Shoes

What Is Different:
Some things that we always had to have in the US are too expensive to have here--like Ziploc bags (15 for $4)
Loreal Makeup Foundation costs $8.99 at Wal-Mart and is $38.99 here! UGH!
Pantene Shampoo is $3.5 for 32 oz at Wal-Mart and is $7.99 for 16 oz here!
You can't buy dry pinto beans at the grocery store--but did find them at the health food store for $3.50 for a 1/2 pound.
Vitamins cost a fortune here!
A lot of prescription drugs in the US are over the counter here (bonus!), like Olivia's medicine.
Coke comes in 1 or 2 liter bottles--2 liter bottle costs $1.99 on sale.
There is no shower in the bathroom and the toilet area is almost always separate.
No one has air conditioning and so they leave their windows open a lot.
It is colder here now than it is in Texas.
We have morning tea at church after service (very nice!).
You buy chicken breasts at the butcher, not the grocery store.
You can buy fresh milk at the store and it all has more cream in it than in the US.
None of the cheese is colorized.
Bottle brushes that cost $1.99 at Wal-Mart cost $10.99 here.
The Metric System, need I say more...
All of the extra letters--jewellry, Saviour, Honour, etc. and "S's" instead of "Z's"

Things we need:
White Leather Baby Keds in Size 3, 6, 8
Old Navy Baby Girl shoes in size 18-24 mos
Baby PJs (especially footy ones) in size 24 mos (girls or unisex), 9 mos, 12 mos (boys)
Gillete Fusion Razor Blades (re-fills)
Makeup
Dermalogica Facial Cleansing Stuff and Shave Stuff
Carol's Daughter Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Milk (for Olivia's hair)
Ziploc bags--gallon and quart size

Looking back at these differences and the things we miss, even at the things we need--makes me laugh. It has been three weeks jam packed with changes and learning. I can't say that I have loved every minute of it, but I have loved most of it. I came determined to remain positive and I have. The people are so friendly. We love our church! I love everything about the way Whangarei looks and feels. I love the stores, even when what I want costs 3x's as much. I love our car, even if I can't drive it--it is cute and was a gift from our 3rd cousins. I love not having a dishwasher because it makes me keep the kitchen cleaner and I have always preferred baths to showers. Accept for my allergies--I even love having the windows open.

This is an adventure of a lifetime and one that I hope does not end any time soon. We miss all of you very much. Feel free to send Ziploc bags!

Our New House

Here are some photos of the babies, our little house, our new appliances, etc. Please excuse the just moved in mess and enjoy the tour. I didn't take photos of the guest room to protect Nana and Papa's privacy.

Olivia dressed for her first Sunday in the new church

Ian in his jumpy seat

Our new fridge--thanks to the Paynes!

Ian asleep with Daddy in the lounge.

Ian eating his first cereal with fruit.

Our new high chair--rises and lowers,

tilts back for feeding Ian too!

Olivia eating PB&J in her new highchair.

Much happier about that today!

Our lounge from the kitchen--with gas heater.

Waiting on 3 seat sofa that matches the chair,

the loveseat will go to Andy's office.

Shelf/TV cabinet towards the kitchen

Two new shelves on sale for $64 each--

for the goods coming from America this week.

From the lounge into the kitchen--new floors!

Through our front, which is a sliding door,

onto the front patio.
(Sometimes the neighborhood ducks come onto the

porch and quack to be fed--our neighbor feeds them.)

The front walk to the drive,

we share the drive with two other houses.

Looking back to the front door.

Our part of the drive, our garage.

The shared drive with our neighbors to the side,

and in the rear.

The front of our house,

the Payne's car.

The neighbors on the other side are two

apartment buildings.

Front of neighbor's house.

Down our street to the main road.

Our NZL mailbox, opens from the top.

Our front door.

The kitchen with new everything!

Our kitchen table and Papa.

Our brand new dryer.

Our washing machine, sink, and shower.

Back porch/mud room to the backyard

(don't look at the recycling).

To the backyard.

Our backyard with 4 fruit trees and

2 grape arbors (lemon, feijoa, peach, apple,

and grape!).

The toilet,

always separate from the bath.

The bath...

The babies little room (Olivia'sbeen playing).

Built-in dresser/changing table

The hallway from the kitchen to the bedrooms,

bath, toilet, and laundry.

Our bedroom, just next to the lounge.

Papa fixing our wobbly table...