Holiday: Visiting Family and Friends in SA

In January we spent over a week visiting our family and friends in South Australia.  It was amazing!! The good thing about living far away from loved ones is that every moment spent with them is precious - and this trip was no exception.  I am so happy we got to see all of our grandparents, all of our aunties and uncles, most of our cousins, and all of our close friends.  It makes me smile just recalling the memories :)

On Zoe's and my very first day in SA (Andre came a few days after us) we visited my Granny and Grandpa (Mum's parents) on the farm.  I just LOVE going to the farm!  It's like another world and I just love the country life, and now showing Zoe everything just brings a whole new meaning to the farm.

One of my favourite moments in this whole trip

The cellar in the forefront; the house just behind it

Ready to exit the house yard and follow the dirt paths and explore the dairy and chook pen

The old barn

Picking fruit on the way back to the house

Zoe and Grandma, at the back gate

Zoe didn't quite make it onto Grandpa's lap (1. because she was too shy; 2. because he was as dirty as ever. #farmlife) but enjoyed the food he expertly fed her!

Great-Granny and Zoe

Weren't my grandparents the handsomest couple?!

With my cousins!! Love you girls!

It is ALWAYS a highlight to see Nana and Grampy!  They message us all the time, post letters, photos and gifts, email often, and video call regularly - but nothing beats seeing them in person.  We love you!

Playing with Mr. Potato Head - classic!

Grampy has a great love for pickled onions, so we had to introduce Zoe to the sensation!

Grampy and Zoe bonding over pickled onions

Zoe avoided Lottie (Nana and Grampy's dog) but loved the dog bed

With Great-Nana!

25 years ago with my Pop - Nana's Dad; my great-grandfather. Such love

With Nana and Grampy back in the day! Their love for Zoe is the same (more?!) as it was for me all of those years ago, and it's so special to experience.

Mum, Zoe and I took a drive through the city with my great-auntie.  Love the buildings in Adelaide!

We had lots of catch-ups with friends, too!  Some of them weren't documented in photos, but thankfully others were.

We got to hug Lici (and her bubba ;) ) and see her and John's new home. Thanks for the hot chocolate and lunch, Lici!

The way to Zoe's heart is definitely through her tummy...

Catching up with Auntie Maria :)

Meeting Brooke's twins, Eleanor and Olivia, was the greatest joy!! They are so precious!

Auntie Lorraine playing with Zoe on the Macca's playground!

These two are peas of a pod

MY SISTER TOOK ME HORSE-RIDING!!!!!!!! Best date ever!!! 

Jarryd taking us for a drive. Zoe and I were a lot more apprehensive than we look ;)

Zoe carried the egg inside, no worries. I took it and put it on the bench... SPLAT! 

My family, in our original seats at the dining table :) 

Such precious memories from this fun trip!! I just love seeing my siblings with my daughter... they love their niece so much!

~Rachel

Being Present

I wrote this little post just one week before Andre and I left our home in South Australia and began our road trip to Queensland... 1 and 1/2 years ago!   I'm glad I wrote these few sentences, because it is a great reminder to be present where I am, in this moment.  I hope this is an encouragement to you, too!

***

It is easy to love something more when it is gone.

We can begin to appreciate things more when we no longer have them.

Things that, before, seemed so insignificant suddenly have great meaning.

Moments we never noticed are now embedded into our memories forever.

In this season of transition, I am noticing tiny details of an average day; reveling in the presence of my family; appreciating the knowledge that I could visit a friend in 30 minutes if I wanted to... All because I know these exact circumstances will change very soon.

The daily grind is suddenly something joyful - because I know I only have 1 week left at work.

My walk to work is suddenly beautiful - I notice the birds singing; the flowers seem more colourful; the air smells sweeter.

Hour-long lunch breaks are suddenly an hour of opportunity - to catch up with a friend; to browse the shops; to go for a walk around Adelaide city; to read a book by the river or in one of the pretty parks.

Passing by a friend on the street or in the train is suddenly an occasion for which I'm so grateful - because I can only assume that once we move, I will have less acquaintances and therefore less chance of randomly meeting someone I know.

~Rachel

Visit to Sydney + Camila's Baby Shower

Recently I took a weekend trip to Sydney, to spend time with my friend Camila (who happens to be one of Andre's best friends from Brasil!) and to celebrate her baby shower with her!  It was a full, busy, wonderful weekend of catching up with friends and making memories.

Ready to fly! {Also, as a side note, in the last year I have noticed I have a squinty eye :O Help!}

Some kind of chicken pastry thing for dinner

Terrible descent-into-Sydney picture...

My brother got style

Making lunch at Ryan's place. With the mannequin.

Hanging out with these dudes :D (wow, I just realised our smiles really do look like this little emoticon :D ahaha)

Daniel took a few pictures of Ryan and I.  What a laugh!!

Okay, this one is actually kinda sweet. He was feeling baby move :)

Rearranging...

Love my bro!

Umm...

This was the first Max Brenner Chocolate Bar I ever went to - about 5 years ago, with Andre and Annelise

Thai for dinner. Don't ask what we are doing...

...we're pushing back our cuticles. Now, don't ask why. Please. 

Such a cute, fun outfit from Camila for our little girl, for when she is about 1 year old

The Main Event of the weekend was the baby shower for Thiago and Camila's little girl, Julia.  Everything worked out so beautifully!  The stunning cake in the centre was made single-handedly by the auntie-to-be, and all the other beautiful sweets are Brasilian, and SO delicious!  A friend brought pretty flowers to decorate with.  Finally, the company was lovely, too!  I got to catch up with friends I haven't seen in ages, which was awesome!

The baby shower guests + food :P

Celebrating baby Julia!

2 baby bumps, getting bigger every day!

A random car that Ryan and I saw

Sending pics to Andre of me drinking from an Avengers mug :P

Sunset, highlighting the huge moon, from Thiago and Camila's apartment (way better in real life!)

Sweets to take home to Andre :D

It was such a privilege to be able to share this time with Camila.  It's been such a blessing to me to have her friendship over the last few years.  I have often felt that I am missing out on some amazing friendships because most of Andre's childhood friends and best friends (not to mention his entire family) live on the other side of the world.  So, to be able to have a lovely friendship in Camila, and even journey through our pregnancies together, has been a true gift from God that I will always be grateful for.

~Rachel