Sisters.
Ok so I knew that I forgot some really important details when I wrote my last blog. My excuse is that I was exhausted and trying to get a blog out before my flight from Melbourne took off since I hadn’t posted one in too long. So…BIG news…

EMILY IS MOVING TO AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe I forgot that huge detail (although it is a good indication of how “flat out” I’ve been over the past couple weeks). For those of you who don’t know, Emily (aka Em, Emmer Demmer, Auntie Em) is one of my younger sisters. She is sub-30, single, no kids, and although she loves her job working at a nursing home, she isn’t handcuffed to her job. We have talked for over a year about how awesome it would be if she could come nanny for us, but for various reasons hadn’t actually made anything happen. As I was thinking about Ty starting school in January, I thought, gosh it would be great if we just had Em take care of Lily, Ty could ride the bus to school, mornings and evenings could be less hectic. Jay and I talked about it, did some research, figured out what visa she needs, and asked he if she would seriously consider it. She was keen, really excited about the thought of it. I spent the next couple months telling her about all of the negatives, the stresses, the homesickness, the missing out on things back in the states, wanting to make sure I didn’t pressure her into something she might regret. And then I spent months trying to get her to apply for her passport, and then her visa (which was literally approved 6 hours after submitting it), and then booking her flight. So it’s official – no turning back now!! Em will be moving here in February. Woohoo!

What is also AWESOME news is that my other sister, Jess, her boyfriend Jason, and my niece Brianna are flying over with Em in February for a couple weeks!!! She is on the adventurous side and wants to look into going crazy things like trapeze training, ropes courses, obstacle courses.

And I am pretty sure I mentioned this already but my baby sister Brooke is coming early February with a friend, and my oldest sister Sundie, hubby Brad, and niece Lucia are coming in March. So February and March will be full-on sister time – I can’t wait!!!!

Daddy Weekend.
I also didn’t mention that while I was in Melbourne, Jay stayed home with the kids. The little ones probably don’t want me to come home because dad is awesome. He takes them to Hungry Jacks (Burger King) for dinner, Macca’s (McDonalds) for dessert, to the park, swimming, to birthday parties…you know, no sweat. Have I ever mentioned how amazing Jay is? Rockstar dad – the kids and I are lucky to have him.

Ears.
We had Lily’s 2 week post-op checkup for her grommets, and she had a clean bill of health. We have to bring her back in a bit for a hearing test, but I know it has made a difference. She is making a lot more noises when she babbles, and has been more confident about trying to say more words, such as koala, milk, boat, Ty, ta (thanks). I am so glad we went ahead with the surgery.

Goodbye.
Ugh. Another goodbye. I really really don’t like them, especially when I know how much time it will be before I get to say hello. Unfortunately in the situation we are in, goodbyes are a fact of life, and the price we pay for the pleasure we get out of getting to say hello down under. Every time someone comes to visit, we are filled with new memories – things we will never forget. Jessi, Mark, Johnny & Alice…here are some things I won’t forget.
Whoa.
TooWOOmba.
The hike to Tipplers surf.
The inflatable flip flop.
Mark on the big blue ball.
Whoa.
Lassoes.
Lily’s grapes.
Octopus.
My chat with Alice at Tipplers.
Beeping boat.