Whoa! It's March! Here's what I'm Loving!

Happy Day of Happiness friends! Yes, I do realise I am a couple days late. oops!  What are you doing this week to spread some happiness? I was able to spend some time with some nursing friends after our last study day this week. An awesome way for us to spread happiness - seems like life goes by too quickly and all to often these gatherings are missed for some of life's other appointments. Good to have a catch up now and again. :)

Here's what I'm loving this week, joining in with Meghan for this weeks 'things I'm loving'!

I'm loving that my mom and dad spent six weeks with us here in New Zealand. I'm so happy that we have the opportunity and that we had so much FUN. They have made it back home safely, so a blizzard and more cold weather. Not ideal. But, loving the adventures we had here! Keep an eye out for some updates! ;)

I'm also loving Aoraki / Mount Cook. Breathtaking. 

I finished my Bachelor of Nursing last July, and have been working as an RN since then - however, my actual graduation ceremony was held this week! It was so much fun! 

Loved having mom and dad here to watch me get my Bachelors Degree! :) 

Miss G walking with me in the parade. 

The Mr, myself and Miss G. I wore Degen's beads of courage as my jewellery, as he was my inspiration to change careers. I'm so happy I did, I'm absolutely loving the difference a nurse can make in another persons health journey. Such an amazing opportunity. 

Had an amazing time at this gorgeous lady's wedding! So much fun catching up with friends, and being part of all the love of such a wonderful day. Not only did this beautiful woman deliver both of my babies, I also made her be my friend. Lucky me. Love her to pieces! 

We also got to see a lunar rainbow on the way home from the wedding, I reckon that's good luck! :)

Have an awesome week friends - check out what others are loving with Meghan's link-up: Things I'm Loving. And, spread some happiness!! 

Reflection

I'm not naturally a reflection or a 'dear diary' type of person, so this particular day of the challenge is not as appealing to me. However, I'm dedicated to finishing this challenge!! :)

Today's February Expat Blogger Challenge is looking at the 5th post I wrote, and discuss my frame of mind and my style of writing.

My 5th post was about Mother's Day - I started this blog to keep my friends and family updated on our lives and whereabouts. So, I guess my frame of mind was keeping people informed. :) I was a bit used to describing our lives with Degen's Caringbridge Site, and enjoyed the fellowship it brought. I also liked that I could update everyone at the click of a button. 

My 2014 goal is to spend more time writing and blogging, so long may it last! February is also my birthday month, and blog revamp month. Here's hoping!! :)

Things I'm Loving - early November!

Wow! It's November!! How did that happen? We've been busy, busy! I'm adjusting to full-time nursing, Miss G's loving her in-home daycare and the MR Ed is still tinkering away on trucks and his car... (It does look pretty cool!)

Anywho, onto things I'm loving in November...

This weekend, we celebrated Guy Fawkes by having friends over for a BBQ and to watch the annual fireworks display put on by our local firefighters. I was having so much fun visiting, eating yummy food, drinking fantastic New Zealand wines and cuddling Miss G (who now thinks they are too scary and noisy)... that I didn't take a single photo! But, I promise, it was fun, and I'm loving we had the opportunity to catch-up with friends in good weather! :)

Loving the roses in our gardens!!

Sitting pretty at the Victoria Esplanade Gardens for a friends birthday party! 

I'm loving that I'm back at bootcamp this week! CAN. NOT. WAIT. Summer fitness, here we come! I'm planning on hiking Tongariro crossing this summer, so best get in shape for it!! Here we are hiking the Manawatu Gorge...

We've had some absolutely stunning family photos taken by the gorgeous Kim Sargent Photography. Sorry, no sneak peeks, as they are Christmas gifts! But, come the holidays, look for the redesign of my blog! (New year, new look!) Kim is AMAZING if you are in the Manawatu and looking for a photographer. Beautiful photos by a wonderfully talented lady. Love her!! :) Ok, maybe one TINY sneak peek!! PS, yes that is my thumb holding the photo... ;) 

I'm loving The Kite Runner as my latest read. I've just finished a few lovely Philippa Gregory books, so I'm welcoming the change in scenery. :) 

Check out what the others are loving this week in Things I'm Loving!!

Things I'm Loving: AUCKLAND!

Linking in with Meghan for this week edition of 

Last weekend, we loaded up the ol' Suby and headed up to Auckland for a whirlwind weekend of FUN. 

It was my sister's 30th birthday celebration and we headed up to the Mexican Cafe for a fun family gathering on Sat eve. 

Miss G LOVES Mexican food!! 

YUM! 

We had a table(s) of 20 - complete with 7 kids! (4 under 3!) Excellent food, great atmosphere and AWESOME company!

Headed north of Auckland for some fun with my absolute favorite English family. 

Loved catching up with them! 

Miss G loved Dinky! (But was too scared to ride!)

My favs - Debbie and Guy!

Tegs and her gorgeous horse! 

My Bro was in town for 24-hours of fun - and we braved to rain to hit the Auckland Zoo! 

Chasing a 2-year-old is not an easy task! ;)

The awkward moment the emu attacks you?

"Hurry, there's more animals!"

Knackered! 

Toured a bit of Auckland city - mostly got lost and couldn't find parking. Felt like a bit of a hillbilly. ;) 

Uncle Dano and the girls. (Miss G's nickname for my bro.)

Siblings!

No one was playing the game with me! ;) 

P.S. Follow me on Bloglovin... 

Things I'm Loving: Christmas!

"I wholeheartedly believe that no matter what is happening in your life, there is always something you can be thankful for..no matter how simple it is."

Linking up with Meghan - check out what others are loving this holiday season! 

Me, Mr Ed and Miss G on Christmas afternoon. (We are all hot!)

I'm loving we spent Christmas with good friends! It was 31 degrees (88F) and 85% humidity here in the Manawatu. Yikes! But, it was an awesome day to spend with friends. The kids spent a good portion of the day in the pool. Even Santa visited! Miss G was definitely NOT keen on him... 

Loving the HOT Christmas with friends! 

The girls! 

Trouble! Miss S and Miss G cruising around the yard! 

Auntie Abbey taught Miss G how to go down head first - she was so INTO that!

I'm loving the fun-filled Saturday we had with my sister and her family just before they went up to Northland for the holidays (lucky!). The cousins love to get together! We even SKYPED with Gma and Gpa in the USA! 

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! 

Look what Santa brought me!?!? 

Things I'm Loving - 1 March

Linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm LOVING on 2 March!

LOVING the photos that Morwenna @ Keepsake Photography captured for Miss G's first birthday and cousin Keira's 4-week photos! Of course, we had to sneek in some photos of all of us girls! Aren't they great? LOVING them!!

Miss G 

So Big!! Me and Miss G! :)

Me, Miss G, Gma, Baby K and Sissy

LOVING that Gma spent 2 months with us in New Zealand! Loving that she takes the opportunity to leave a Minnesota winter and come visit us girls in the New Zealand!! Miss G LOVED having Gma stay - and so cool they have so many fun memories together now! Yay!! LOVED having her here and we were all super sad to see her go home yesterday. But, looking forward to visiting the USA this summer! :) 

Check out what others are loving at Paisley Jade. 

Things I'm Loving - 21 Feb...

Things I'm Loving on 21 Feb 2012... 

Linking up with Paisley Jade for Things I'm Loving... Check out some of the others if you have time - fabulous lists!! :)

Loving this cute girl! On the beach at Napier for the Art Deco Festival last weekend! Yay for great weather, fun costumes (on others), good fun with family and cheeky monkeys!! :)

Loving that Grandma (my mom) has been here in NZ for 2 months! Yay for escaping Minnesota winters to come visit her daughters and granddaughters!!

Loving that we've been using our pool! Miss G loves the water!

Loving that I just finished two back to back placements - 6 weeks in surgical and 6 weeks in mental health. Loved them both! Now, I have an essay due next week to get done RE: mental health, one week off and then back in class! 54.16% on the way to being a Registered Nurse!! (Thanks Amanda!)

A Year in Review - 2011

Kia Ora and Happy 2012!

Sorry I have been MIA for quite a while - we have been quite busy in the Meyer whanau. Between my surgical placement (LOVED!), Edan's work and being on-call and Miss G just being her cute self - we were *busy* to say the least!

From 17 Dec - we loaded up the Outback, dropped the dog at the kennels and off we went on our north island adventures! But, more of that below.

Here is a review of 2011:

January
*Miss G arrived!

*(My) mom was here for 7 weeks!

February
*Dad and Brother came down to NZ as well.
*Welcomed Sam into the family as he married my sister Jen in Palmerston North!

March
*Learned to make grape jam with my friend Annaliese. :)
*My brother stayed with us for a while. Had fun doing touristy things!

April
*Netball season kicked off!
*Auntie Tracey & Uncle Murray babysat Miss G while we went out for the evening!
*Had an impromptu Easter dinner with some good friends - was wonderful! Lots of adults and lots of kids - very crazy, but very cool! :)

May
*Released balloons in memory of Degen's 2nd birthday. xx

June
* Started back at work - 1 shift/week.

July
*Started back at Nursing school - year 2!

August
*Helped friends move into their new house.

September
*Celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary.

October
*Edan's brother - Blair's and Joanne's wedding in Tauranga. Welcomed Jo into the whanau!

November
*Began surgical placement - LOVED it!
*Competed in the Taupo Cycle Relay - with Megan and Nicola!

December
* Spent week in Rotorua in memory of Degen, courtesy of the Ronald McDonald House Charity. Had a wonderful time! Saw the lions, G and Edan went for a helicopter ride, walked thru the redwoods, explored the Buried village, wandered the shopping centres of Rotorua, played on the luge and enjoyed the thermal areas.

*Spent Christmas eve and morning with Jen & Sam in Taupo. Miss G loved the lake!

*Had fun spending time with the family in Tauranga/Papamoa. Enjoyed the beaches, shopping, learning to play bowls and just relaxing!

This was actually really hard to remember the year! I had to check my calendar to see what has gone on! :) I'm sure lots more has gone on - and obviously it has - I just can't remember dates or details!

Here's to a great 2012!