Absence makes the heart grow fonder???

So many apologies for my absence! It's been crazy and I hope in just over a week the craziness will be over... At least the craziness unrelated to Christmas anyway. (I've just worked out I can use my phone to post blogs... More time consuming... But I feel like I'm communicating!)

We have a 4 bedroom house with pool and playground (?!?!)... Fully air conditioned so gotta love!!! Plus we can move before Christmas!!! The first stand alone house that husband and I have ever lived in. Too much I know!!

Wee tad has decided that he now wakes numerous times over night so imagine my surprise when we discovered he had cut 3 of his molars. I chastised myself for not assisting with bon Jela or neurofen and then thought 'hurray only 1 more to go!' Not only that he is now spontaneously walking and today has worked out how to stand from sitting... Boy that back yard can't come soon enough!

Noosh is definitely her own woman. Only wears princess dresses currently... Talks all the time and likes to exert her authority... At least the perceived authority she thinks she has. We wrote to Santa last week (as she refuses to have anything to do with him in person). She was very specific wanting to tell Santa that she wasn't grumpy and that she and tad wanted scooters and she would teach tad! (We'll wait to see what Santa brings!)

On the Christmas front, I have been spoilt by my mum being here for the past week. She also went over the top and subsidised a nativity set I've had my eye on for a while!! I can't wait to move so I can put it up with Christmas tree also!!

There is so much more to say but suffice to say cairns is lovely... Comes with its own set of challenges including starting all over again on the friends front but I think it will be lovely (in another 6 months!).

And here is my cry for visitors!! I know it's a horrid time to visit over the next few months (due to humidity and temps) but we'd love to have you come hang... Assist me in looking forward to things. (I am a little aimless at the moment).

Moving

So my absence from blogging has not been intentional but rather brought about by our big news!!!!

We are moving!!! ... to Cairns!!!!

So the last 3 weeks have seen Hubby be offered the job, accept the job, moving companies contacted for quotes, scouting trip to Cairns for 5 days completed, my resignation handed in, children's nursery resignation handed in... and now we have farewells, Noosh's 3rd birthday (which we are celebrating early so she can have it with her friends), and last days with the dear people that have made Sydney home for us for the past 20 months.

On our way to Cairns. Noosh being ever so much the grown up girl!!

Its bittersweet.

Hubby's job is an interesting change. On paper it looks like a demotion, but he has wrangled a pay increase into his offer.  His new boss is FANTASTIC! He sees the value in Hubby and sees the potential for where he can end up.  He is a big promoter of family (in fact him and his wife have already offered their babysitting services!).  I'm so proud of my husband... my heart is bursting with pride.

Life style will be awesome too.  We'll be moving from a 2 bedroom apartment (+ study) to a 4 bedroom house with a swimming pool.  We'll get that backyard. And the kids will get a trampoline for Christmas.  And for all this... cheaper than the rent we pay in Sydney!!  It also means we have loads of space for visitors!!! Great barrier reef up this way so plan your visits over the next 12 months!!

Outdoor water play area in Cairns.

I'm sad about leaving the kids nursery though!  They have been nothing short of STUNNING! Wow!  Even now... I get really emotional about how the kids will cope not seeing their favourite carer's on a weekly basis... Sophia, Mimi, Rachel, Natalie, Sue, Mandy, Jenny have just been amazing.  I don't want to say goodbye.  I'm sad for our little people that I'm very happy to relocate myself but what does it mean for them.  I don't want to do resettling into another nursery.  I don't want the torture of hearing their cries for weeks on end as I drop them off...

Who says this is out of order? Especially when Daddy can create the virtual motion anyway!

BUT...

In a twist of events, the job I thought I might have, may not happen.  I was offered a job within 24 hours of emailing my CV.  It turns out that she may not be able to pay me a 'breakeven' salary (as childcare is more expensive up in Cairns than in Sydney - crazy!).  This initially was upsetting but my little people are growing far too quickly and why shouldn't I take a year out to hang exclusively with them.  I can embrace playgroups, mainly music groups, enroll Noosh in ballet lessons (be still my excited heart!!!).  Plus, I have a business idea.  I floated said business idea with one of my Sydney besties (who is a graphic designer) and she said she would do all the design work for advertising for me.  So who knows... I've always had a hankering for working for myself so why not give it a go?  The other option for me is starting my masters!! Decisions decisions!!

Daddy and Noosh exploring the creek in Cairns.

So can you understand my excitement... my reticence... my sadness... my eagerness???  And can you also understand my absence???