Yes, I know, I'm the worst blogger EVER! It's been nearly 6 months since my last post! Winter here was wet, windy and work. I'm still enjoying my job at the hospital. I've been there over a year now. I usually do three days per week, occasionally more and often less if kids or travel demands. It's perfect with it's flexibility and the income helps support my horse addition.
I returned to the US to move Mikaylie to Trevecca for her first semester of university. It was so hard to leave her all alone in a new state, at a new school, with no family anywhere nearby. But Mikaylie proves to be a capable, independent young woman and handled it like a pro. She has since decided to transfer to Pearl River Community College where she has been offered a spot in goal on their women's soccer team! This is what she was dreaming of when she left NZ for the US in 2013. AND, she'll be just 10 minutes from my Mom, who also happens to work at the school! Such relief to know she'll be close to family again and will be playing the sport she loves!
After depositing Mik at Trevecca, I flew to Dallas where I met up with Kaigan who then joined me on a flight to New Orleans for a few days with my Mom and Grammy. Kaigan only had the weekend because he had work on Monday but I stayed a couple more days for family and food then returned to Dallas to head to London with Kaigan for a short weekend trip! Having a son work for a major airline definitely has its perks!!! We had an awesome time and saw about as much as two people could possibly see in two and a half days, which included The Tower of London, The London Eye, The British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Hard Rock Cafe London and the Red Bus tour. It was both of our first visits to London and we both are eager to return. We got back to Dallas on Monday and I flew back to NZ on Tuesday.
Will wrapped up his first season of basketball, has taken an automotive class and built two amazing pieces in his wood class. Brylie finished soccer and year 10 of high school and has started riding my Joe. She and he click like a match made in heaven. Brylie has the confidence and skill to manage his sometimes fizzy, thoroughbred nature and is interested in doing some showing again. Graham continues to enjoy his drama class, finished up his soccer season on 2 different teams and got some new specs so we're eager to see how he'll excel in school now that he can see! Nani trialed and was selected for U11 soccer reps. The achievement brought her to play in 4 different day tournaments around the North Island. She was one of the 3 youngest players of the 24 girls on the two U11 teams and shows lots of potential as, what else, goalkeeper, just like big sis.
Billy spent a couple weeks in the States for a conference and to visit Kaigan, Mikaylie and the family. He was there for Thanksgiving which he spent with the whole family. Of course I was sad to be absent but thrilled for him.
Since Billy was away during Thanksgiving we had to push back our annual Thanksgiving celebration until December. We were blessed with another beautiful day with lots of food (4 deep fried turkeys!) and friends. This, our fourth annual event, brought around 150 people to our home! A friend of ours who had spent some time in Africa working with the orphans of Watoto spoke about the organization and we took a collection. Please visit watoto.com for more information or to make a donation to this amazing cause.
In preparation for next year's feast, I purchased 8 turkey poults! Turkeys are so funny, very social and even more stupid! They often perch on the fence for the night then jump down into the yard surrounding the house in the morning, looking in the windows and even coming inside if doors are open! They come running at the sound of my voice which can be frustrating if I'm just trying to get a horse out or weed the garden. Billy doesn't think I'll be able to eat them come November but we'll see… Lacey, a weimaraner pup, joined us in the last 6 months as "Brylie's dog". She is gorgeous though occassionally naughty as she's been known to jump onto the table or counter looking for food!
Another addition to the Viner farm is Geoffrey, a kunekune pig. A kunekune is similar to a potbelly pig in the States in that it's more pet than food. And most recent, Biscuit, a precious, little kitten taken on for mouse patrol in the house. Our other two cats won't come in because of the dogs but this wee little girl has taken to the dogs quite well.
So now it's summer here in the Southern Hemisphere and the kids are out of school. Kaigan and Mikaylie have come out for their Christmas break, both moving into new locations upon their return; Kaigan back in Daytona Beach for his last 3 semesters of school and Mikaylie to Poplarville to give college soccer a go, hopefully doing some studying as well. The weather has been fantastic for the most part and we've spent some time at the beach and river on kayaks and paddle boards, done a little riding and took a couple of trips to see some Lord of the Rings/Hobbit filming locations.
The 3-ish weeks Kai and Mik have been here have FLOWN by and already tomorrow Kaigan leaves, Mikaylie, the next day. So the tears will fall and I'll be counting again til my next visit or theirs. But watching them both pursue their dreams and becoming the people God has created them to be fills me with such pride and joy I can't help but smile.
