It’s official!!!!

Rich is a Kiwi 🎉🙌🎊

We all now have dual passports making travel a whole lot easier. It’s taken a lot of time, paperwork and money but very happy to be at this point. We felt like this when I was able to get a Canadian one. Those of you who travel as a family on different passports, know all about those different immigration lines!!!!!! Coming and going from NZ on a Kiwi passport will be a breeze now for Rich, he is heading off to Canada again soon for a visit so it will get its first use!!!!!! 🎉

Rich, Luca and Danielle finished the fence, it looks fab and so functional! The solar lights are remarkably bright given they have limited light at this time of year to charge.

All these years none of the animals have looked to escape without a boundary fence in place, though they well could have 😬. The only time some strayed, was when we first got the sheep and they did not understand where home (treats) was, they only did it once, came when called and never looked back.

We like to think it is because they are all content here ❤️

It is well into the Fall, the garden, despite a little neglect, continues to feed us.

Later in the month Ted, Luca and Rich and are heading to an out of town to a concert for a couple of nights. This will be Luca and Teds first concert, (Masayoshi Takanaka), and they are pretty excited!!

We considered sending them by themselves; however, it involves flights, transfers and finding the local hostel in a large city they do not know at all. After a “Mum discussion”, we decided we will send Rich along to help guide them through the process, next time they are on their own 😉.

More news at this end, after almost 6 years of Otology Nursing, I am changing direction! It has been quite the journey for me, I fell into this job during those very turbulent covid times, and it evolved into far more than I initially signed up! It has been brilliant learning, met amazing people, and grateful for this. However, the company has been moving in a direction that does not align with my practices for a while now, and the struggle to hold the line has been real, it is time to move on before that line breaks.

I will be working at the NZ Blood Services. I feel so privileged, it is quite the opportunity, and I literally jumped at it when it they offered! It is a complete change for me, this area in NZ is evolving fast, they are wanting nurse leaders to transition it, and I am very excited about the opportunity and all that the role offers. Feeling very lucky indeed! I like change, it always gives me a boost and good for the grey matter!

I am lucky enough to have a 3-week break between leaving and starting, will be good to breathe. Looking forward to hanging out with these little beauties and their friends ❤️

The house is full of teenagers this weekend as they lap up the last of their 2-week break. The next term is pretty full on with assignments, University open days, career expo’s and decision making, it is an exciting but somewhat anxiety inducing time as the wider world beckons.

Otago University was established by ordinance of the Otago Provincial Council in 1869 and opened for teaching in 1871, making it New Zealand’s oldest university. It has been months of discussing options both here in NZ and overseas. Luca has always had a strong sense of self, and knows what is going to work for him, this is it, we think it is an excellent choice. He is meeting with one of the professors next week to discuss his study path.

This photo of Dunedin at night came across my feed recently. Such a pretty city!

For the first year away from home, I am pleased Luca will not be far away, but at the same time able to establish himself independently.