New Arrivals

We've arrived in the land of the long white cloud!!! It's summer here and the weather has been beautiful ever since we landed. The title of this blog "A Whole New World" is not only an accurate description of our new lives, but also a reference to Disney's "Aladdin" since the girls are princess-crazy. The words to the song apply in many ways. . .we do have a new, fantastic point of view, new horizons to pursue, we've come so far, etc.

We left Texas on a sad, cold day but were so blessed to have a contingent of friends to see us off in the Tyler airport. I felt terrible for the people trying to check in behind us as it was absolute chaos with our 11 checked bags and the same number of children running around like crazy people. Thank you to the Giles, Andersons and Knights for coming to help and to say goodbye.


The girls with Michael and Abby.

We have a precious photo of the children holding signs that read "You Miss We" because someone refused to change her spot in the lineup (someone adorable who had practiced that way and somehow had ended up with a different sign than she had practiced with!)


Avery and Gracie, Ann-Elizabeth, Sarah and Micah in the Tyler airport.

Having Sarah has been an absolute God-send. I am pretty sure I would have lost children in the Dallas airport without her. Boarding the train to get to our next terminal was a bit like boarding a subway in NYC during rush hour - we let a train pass because it was too full, then we realized we really HAD to get on the next one in order to make our connection so we pushed and shoved our way in with Sarah in front and me bringing up the rear and barely making it in before the doors closed. Oh, and did I mention the two-year-old was NOT in her stroller as she had insisted on walking and we didn't have time for one of her fits. We did make our connection to LA and that flight went well, getting the girls each a DS Lite for Christmas was a good thing!

Once in LA things were a bit more challenging - it was raining and we had to walk outside past two terminals to get from American to Air New Zealand. Once there we were surprised that we had to purchase a return ticket for Sarah which took awhile, then go through security again - always fun with four children! We made it though and once on the plane we all were happy campers - we flew in Premium Economy which was quite comfortable and nice. The girls were terrific the entire flight - E was a little diva with her eye covers, earphones and all the other fun accoutrements.


Baby E and Miss Sarah on the plane to Auckland.

We landed in Auckland and rushed to get to the front of the line to show our passports and go collect our luggage, only to wait there for an hour and never have the luggage arrive. We had to go to the lost baggage area and describe every bag and what it contained (which I have to say was a guess on my part - I'd packed them weeks ago and was functioning on very little sleep) before then going through customs with our carry-ons and finally being allowed upstairs where we were greeted by Kate, Dugald's sister, and Fay and Trevor, dear friends of ours from our Mercy Ships days who now live in Auckland. Fay and Trevor had come to help cart luggage and of course they'd all been waiting for several hours - but despite all of that we were all in good spirits just to see each other again!!


The girls with Fay and Trevor in Auckland.

We spent the weekend at Kate and Ant's in Auckland which was great fun and a good thing since it was two days before the bags turned up. We got to see three out of four of the Howard boys (Kate and Ant's children) and the girls LOVED being with their cousins. I had to rule upstairs off-limits to my children in order to give Kate's a little breathing room.


Ben, Kate, Tom, Ant and Wills.

The girls with Kate, Abby (Tom's girlfriend) Tom and Ant

M and E with Aunt Kate

Aunt Kate took the girls to a fairy shop and bought them each a gift before we left Auckland - here they are shopping.

We left Auckland on Tuesday and flew down to Palmerston North to be with Dugald's parents for a few days. We still haven't seen Dugald but we've spoken to him and he is doing well and enjoying his new job. Tomorrow we will see him when we drive down to Rob and Liz's farm in the Wairapa (not sure about the spelling on that) to celebrate Margaret's birthday.


The girls in the barrel at the Esplanade in Palmerston North.

We've found New Zealand to be a warm and welcoming country and today we bought a car and tomorrow I drive! I am a bit nervous about it but feel I can no longer use jet-lag as an excuse to not do it. Shopping here has been a new experience - for starters all the shops close at 6pm! The more frustrating difference has been the lack of inventory and the rather high prices. Margaret and I went to buy bunk beds for the girls and had to go to several shops to even find a place where we could buy two that matched - and even then we had to order them from a catalogue! The sales lady was very nice but in the end she made some mistake and ordered me four twin beds, which of course won't work in the girls' very small room, so now it's back to the beginning.

The car was a similar experience - I went to the Toyota dealership to look at a Highlander, Previa, Prado and LandCruiser. Of all of those they only had a Prado in stock for me to see. Can you imagine??? However, they also delivered a car to Hugh and Margaret's doorstep for us to peruse, which in the end we didn't purchase. Instead I am now the proud owner of a 2004 Chrysler Grand Voyager - and I won't even tell you Americans what I had to pay for it but you would be shocked! The girls love it though - they think the automatic doors are divine. My oldest daughter, car-lover that she is, insisted on being a part of the entire process. So, while her sisters were off swimming at the Esplanade with Sarah, M was with me buying a car! She takes after Papa I think. Little Miss E takes after him as well, we rode a train today in the park and she thought it was simply the most fabulous thing she has ever done.

All the children are doing very well and taking all the changes in stride. I think we all still feel a bit like we are on vacation since we haven't settled in our house in Wellington yet. We move in next Wednesday after our weekend at the farm. We miss and love all of you very much and we will stay in touch via this blog and email until we have a phone. We are grateful for your friendship!!!