sunset

The sun is setting on our time here in Australia. We have one more day and then we're headed home. These beautiful sunset pictures were taken on our walk this evening...

Jared spent quite a bit of time in the stroller- good thing he likes it!

Nathan's birthday

Nathan turned 4 on the 9th. He was excited to be the birthday boy all day...

We did a small party with Gabrielle (our hostess) and a family from church (who helped us out so much while we were here)- Thomas the train theme. He had Thomas cupcakes and got another Thomas train.

Amanda & Bruce, with Christopher (who wouldn't look) and Lana and Erin

Questacon

On Tuesday, I took the boys to a place called Questacon. It's very similar to the Children's Museum in Houston, for those who have been there. The boys loved it. I was going to take them on Nathan's birthday, on Wednesday, but noticed that 3 year olds are free and 4 year olds are $9.00. So we went the day before his birthday.

There was a place called "Mini Q" (I think)- especially designed for little ones to play. Nathan loved the construction area. He played with the manual conveyor belt, bringing these plastic bricks up and down. And he had to wear the hard hat and vest of course. Jared was drawn to the water play, watching the fake ducks swim around.

Bittersweet moments

Today was our last Sunday here in Australia... Nearing the end of our time here in Australia is one of those bittersweet times. We're sad to say good-bye to the wonderful people we've met (even in just 6 weeks), but we're excited to come home. We said farewell to most of our acquaintances at church- they made us feel so welcome and offered their service to us. We received rides and meal invitations and even a night out this week without the boys (along with free baby-sitting and use of their car). You can't beat that... We also called upon a ward member to help give the boys a priesthood blessing when they were sick. They came right away and even brought medecine for us to use.

I can see the hand of the Lord in our lives in so many ways. At a recent conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Henry Eyring spoke about looking daily for evidences of the hand of God in our lives and recording that. While unfortunately I haven't been keeping record daily, I have thought about that and noticed several times when my family or I have been blessed in small and simple ways. During our time here, being so far away from home, I have felt more dependent on God for strength and patience. When at times I didn't think I could walk anymore in the heat, with tired boys, carrying groceries, while the flies were bugging us, then I'd see a pretty flower and think it was there just for me. It was just enough to keep me going. OR another time when we missed the bus from the grocery store and the next one wasn't coming for an hour, a nice lady (who had seen us in line at the grocery store) offered us a ride home. OR when we found nearly the last motel room on Christmas and they didn't charge us extra for the kids. OR when we made it home 5 minutes before it started pouring, sparing us from walking in the rain. OR getting a full week off for Christmas. OR getting a chance to watch the First Presidency Christmas devotional again when we missed most of it the 1st time. OR all of the rides, meals, and service I mentioned earlier.

These are just a few of the little blessings I've noticed- small, but evidences of the Lord's love for me.

1st day of primary

Nathan is no longer in nursery (18 months to 3 year olds at church). Today was his 1st day of primary (Sunday School for children 3 and up- they have to be 3 before January 1st, so he didn't get to go to primary this past year). I got a glimpse of what it may be like to send your child off to school. I was excited to see him go to primary, but a little sad, because that means he's not a baby anymore. My baby is growing up...

The primary theme for this year is "I am a child of God." That is Nathan's favorite song and he sings it pretty well. I was so proud to hear that he sang it in primary today, and he even sang so well that they asked him to stand up in front while they sang it again. Yeah Nathan!

Sir Thomas

When we returned home from our trip to Melbourne, we were surprised to see 2 dogs and a GOAT. Gabrielle received it as a gift for Christmas from her children. The dogs belong to one of Gabrielle's daughters. The goat's name is Sir Thomas (you must say it with an Aussie accent...) - the boys were a little unsure of the goat, but have warmed up to him. Nathan liked playing fetch with the dogs. They would retrieve a ball as long as you wanted to play. The dark brown dog has only 3 legs, but does just fine. He catches the ball in his mouth before it hits the ground.

"Pudge"

"Meg"

Nathan and Sir Thomas

Day 7

Friday 28th- Day 7

We went to the Melbourne Zoo on Friday. It was HOT- felt like 90 at least. Nathan liked the elephants and Jared liked the butterflies. They both liked the gorillas, orangutans, and fish. The fish weren't really an exhibit, but that's what they liked.

We stayed until 3:00pm and then drove back to Canberra.

We made good time, getting in around 11:00pm.