We are loving our time in the North West so far.. We have met some truly wonderful people and seen some beautiful country. Our first two weekends here saw us experiences two new activities and by weekend number 3 the kids had both learn to ride their bikes without training wheels.
The first weekend after we arrived Clinton and Sarah Snow invited us to go out on their boat to go Whale watching and stop for a picnic lunch in a small bay. We headed out early to beat the heat of the day and met Emi and Mick Rodoni, and Rowena and Nathan Winter out on the water. It was fantastic to watch the children's excitement at riding in a boat and seeing a Whale out in the ocean. It was the first time i had experienced seeing a Whale up close. It makes you feel really small and insignificant to think at how we pale in comparative size, and yet i also felt so infinite at the same time. The kids had a blast once we anchored the boat and set up for lunch. I enjoyed watching them frolic in the shallows and make new and old friendships strong. They were so happy and content. It was a great welcome to the Pilbara and i cant help but feel so grateful for this overall experience. The boat ride home was just as thrilling and i loved reconnecting with Sare and seeing Clint in his element on the water. We are so thankful to have wonderful friends here who have been so generous with their time and resources and who have made our lives so much richer thus far.
Our second weekend saw us hit up the Pannawonica Rodeo with the Rodonis (our new mates). Pannawonica is a 2.5hr drive south east of Karratha. There was some beautiful scenery along the way to this small town. Kent and I enjoyed listening to TED talks as we headed to our very first Rodeo experience. The kids sang the occasional "are we there yet?" from the backseat, but its not a real roadtrip unless the kids complain, right?! For our first rodeo I would have to say it was a great learning experience. we learnt that we needed to provide our own seating for one thing, but we also learnt that we should have prepared India a little more for what a rodeo was. At one point she looked at me and with a little grimace on her face said "mum, i don't know if i like how they are treating these animals. it doesn't seem right?!". But the excitement of the overall experience trumped her doubts in the end i think. The little ones loved lining up for free tattoos and loved Daddy buying them an icecream. At one point, whilst the children were positioned close to the fence watching all the action unfold, a horse attempting to evade the lasso skidded past and hit the fence, hard, right in front of them. it seemed as though it was going to jump right over and land on them so all the kids dove backward and gave a collective "WOAH". Reeve turned to me with a massive grin and lashings of dirt spread across his face. he was in heaven! we decided to head home around 2pm and got in around 4.30pm. the kids slept most of the way home. It was fun and we enjoyed getting to know Mick and Emi, and their gorgeous kiddies, Tom and Millie, a little better. I can tell next year's Rodeo won't know what hit them when we arrive prepared with chairs and full gourmet picnic on hand.
Karratha is proving to fit our family well. I can see us thriving here as draw closer to one another and tackle our adventure head first, hand in hand.
Last night Xavier Rudd played a gig at the Mermaid Bar in Dampier and today is Sarah's birthday, so i decided it was the perfect gift for my fellow music lover and friend. With our gorgeous husbands babysitting for the night, We headed out to Dampier around 6pm and grabbed a bite to eat at the bar before the show. It was so nice to sit, childless, and have a conversation with someone you know and trust. we laughed and enjoyed the non-interrupted dialogue. After dinner we headed into get a spot for Xavier and were both looking forward to his support act Bobby Alu. We were not disappointed! Bobby was incredible... and easy on the eye! He was also the drummer for Xavier Rudd. We had prime position to enjoy his set and then move into front row for the main event. It was an intimate show of maybe 100 people... it was musical magic! If you've never been to see Xavier Rudd live do yourself a favour and get to his next show. He is talent personified. He played the perfect mix of old and new and even threw in beautiful cover of "Time After Time'. Being so close and watching him play was a gift, it was as though joy wept from him as he played and showered us with light and soulful majesty. I loved every glorious minute... until the random drunk man who got a little handsy with Sarah, and the loud drunk lady who kept yelling for her favourite tune "green spandex" to be played. I could not have imagined a better show with company. His bass player, affectionately referred to as Uncle was a character who slapped that bass with pleasure. I bumped into him today at the shops and thanked him for his talents and had a cheeky photo. He was kind and obliged my request. I also bumped into Bobby doing a bit of shopping.... Only in Karratha would this happen. I'm really beginning to love this town.
Thanks for a great night Sare... we'll have to keep our eyes peeled for more gigs to come.
*post written 18/11/2014
Dear India,
How has time travelled so fast! You're
growth sneaks up on me quickly. I swear it was only yesterday that i was
loading you into your carseat for your first car ride home. You were so
small and fragile then. You do not seem as fragile now. this past year
has seen you grow in character. you have had to shoulder some heavy
concerns and i am so proud of how well you have handled every stepping
block placed before you.
This year has seen you begin
full time school, a transition made easier by the wonderful girls and
parents of our Madeley Primary school Friends. You were so blessed by
the teachers and children and i could not have asked for a better
schooling introduction for you. You had to change classes after the
first term and this turned out to be a wonderful gift. You were reunited
with Alyssa, Lily, Imogen and Madison, although you were sad to not
have Mackenzie and Abbey in your class anymore. It was a gift to watch
you all play together in the playground at break time. And the addition
of Mrs Burkitt as your teacher was a gift to you also. What a wonderful,
kind and smart woman you had to guide you in the term and half you had
with her. I know it was difficult for you to say goodbye to her and Mr
Moon and all of your friends when we moved to Karratha near the end of
the term 3. You were so brave on your last day of school. I cried for
you and still do some nights when i think about taking you away from
that wonderful community. You have been hesitant at Millars Well. Your
teachers Ms Elmer and Mrs Cunningham are also wonderful, but i sense it
is not quite the same for you. I feel it too sweetheart.I am impressed
with how you have overcome your fears of new places and new things. You
have had to do this without mummy there to hold your hand. I have spent
the days worrying over you and i cannot tell you how it has comforted me
to see you continue to excel in your learning and making new friends.
you talk alot about Cody, Jessica, Josh, Riley, and Jamal.
You
lost your first 2 teeth this year also! You were so excited to awake
the following mornings to see the tooth fairy had payed you a visit. It
was a joy to watch you live out the wonders of childhood. Reeve was so
jealous he wanted to have lost a tooth too, remember how he thought the
gap in his bottom teeth was a missing tooth? You were good to him and
played along so he wouldn't be sad. You are so thoughtful like that. You
look at people and try to help them fix their problems. i want you to
try your hardest to continue on in this way of living. It is a gift you
have, cherish it.
While we were still in Perth you and
Lyssy began singing lessons together. Ella and I loved sneaking to the
back window to hear you practice. When the time came for you to perform
at the yearly concert you were so unsure and anxious. You asked to have
someone help sing with you so you wouldn't feel so scared. this was
courageous India. even though i know you thought at the time it meant
you were not as brave as the other kids, it was brave to me. Sometimes
in your life you will need to ask for help and it will feel like the
hardest thing in the world. I was so proud to watch you realise that we
need other people to feel strong sometimes. You did an amazing job
singing "Let It Go' from Frozen. Ella brought you flowers and your
Grandma, Daddy, Me, Reeve and your cousins Elly and Bella came to watch
you. You had to wait until almost the very end of the concert so i know
the butterfly's were growing with each hour you waited. I hope you feel
proud of yourself.
You have just started Keyboard and
Swimming lessons.You picked up keyboard very well, i suspect music will
be a strength for you. I hope it can be a source of refuge for you as
you grow. it has always been a salvation of sorts for me. You completed
your first level of swimming at Madeley. It was your first school
excursion and i was so nervous to let you go on the bus with your class,
but you were fearless. Reeve and I came to see your final lesson. It
was impressive to watch you try your hardest. Now we get to spend half
an hour together in the water while Reeve has his lessons, before we
swap and you have yours. You love to play chase in the water and jump
in. You are getting really confident. I love this time we get to spend
together. We spy on Reeve in his class and you always tell me not to
worry. I'm sorry if i look afraid, i try my hardest to shield my worries
from you but you are intuitive and seem to know when i need a loving
pat on the back or kiss on the cheek.
You met your Great-Granny Smylie for the second time in your life this year. She lives in a nursing home in Adelaide and you were scared to visit her. The home looks a little bit like a hospital and you hate all things medical. But it was lovely to see you slowly open up and eventually cuddle our family's matriarch.Our Ancestors are important and help us to know more about ourselves. i hope you will learn as much about them as you try to piece yourself together.
You love to
listen to music still. Que Sera by Justice Crew and the Frozen
soundtrack have been regular listening in our home. You love to dance
and perform shows for us. You love anything Animal related and want to
be an animal rescuer and trainer when you grow up. You desperately want a
dog or bunnies for pets. You are terrified of snakes and wasps, you
will often tear in from the yard up here because you heard a noise.
unexpected and loud noises terrify you. You still attempt to climb into
our bed every night. You love to hug. You love to cook. You can now ride
a bike without training wheels. Your favourite movie at the moment is
Aliens in the Attic. your favourite colours are purple, pink and silver.
For
your birthday this year Mummy took you to see the Ballet on the Beach
with Sarah and Harrison Snow. It was a fun night that ended a little
earlier than you has hoped because of the chill in the air and your
asthma. We found out you had asthma 1 week before your birthday and you
had a terrible cough while we tried to find the right medications to
treat your symptoms. To compensate for leaving early we went to
McDonalds and had some food. You and Harry looked so cute all dressed up
and had fun laughing together and pretending your fries were walrus
teeth. Its been so comforting to watch you and Harry rekindle your
friendship and I pray it will last you a lifetime. you are a good
friend. surround yourself with good people and you will be able to
overcome all of your trials sweetheart. You were allowed to make your
own cake this year. you decorated it so beautifully and proudly showed
it off at a bbq at Baynton West park with the Snows, Rodoni's, and
Winters. It was a wonderful day to mark a wonderful year.
If
you remember nothing else in this lifetime India i want you to remember
that you are loved. You are loved beyond anything tangible in this
life. You are valued and worthy and loved. I could not imagine my life
without your light shining right into it! You are a glimmer of glory in a
fallen world and I am so glad i get to be your mum! Happy Birthday
sweetheart!
Mama xoxo
