News about Australia

So we'd be preparing to go to Australia for the last few months.
Dru's mentor, Tim, had thought it'd be a wonderful idea for Dru's career to go live in another country since his job is international.
We thought that was a good idea as well and hopped on board.
Tim approached James, who's the head lawyer at Simplot, which the plan and James was on board as well and liked the idea.
They sent out some numbers.
We countered and showed them that we didn't need that much since the kids and I were citizens on NZ, Australia would accept us wholeheartedly and we didn't need visas or schooling or anything.
They loved that and told us to start getting our passports ready and everything organized.
We were aiming to go in June of this year.
We started making subtle plans, and telling our friends and family so they weren't hit with a shock you know.
James said he'd ask the CEO and show him the numbers and tell him he was on board with the idea and was will to have the legal department budget Dru to go over and help out Simplot from over there.
The idea was for Dru to build a bridge between Aussie and Boise Simplot and bring us more united as a business.
All sounded great.
We then sat and waited for James to talk to Garett, who is the CEO of Simplot.
We waited.......
and we waited.........
and we waited until I was totally over it and basically forced Dru's hand to find out what was going on. We needed to know, we had to make plans, it was already April and June was coming up quick.
So Dru pushed, in his way, and we got back an answer.
The answer was no and we were so shocked you could've knocked me over.
I couldn't believe it.
Everyone was shocked.
I guess some things are happening in Australia and Garett simply said that right now would not be a good time for Dru to be over there. It would drive a wedge between them rather than build a bridge and he needed Dru to not go right now but not shut the door on it.
I told Dru, for us to move forward we needed to shut the door on it and live as if it's not going to happen.
For as upset as I was, it was finally good to have a answer and be able to move forward with our lives.
Another thing that has helped me to not be as upset as what I thought I would be was an answer from the Lord.
A week before the answer came I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep..............while I was lying there a wave of peace flushed over my body and I was told 'If you don't go to Australia, everything will be ok'
Of course I was a little shocked but lay in that feeling and felt good in it.
In the morning I told Dru and figure it was a good well rounded point of view and I knew things would be ok, but I still figured we'd be going.
Fast forward a week and we were told the answer is no................I remembered this experience and was grateful to be able to have been prepped, in a way, for this news.
For as upset as I was, I KNEW, that the answer was right.
Now I don't know why we shouldn't be going right now, if it's for our kids, Dru's career or what, but I trust that the Lord knows and that our lives will work out as we stay true to each other and the paths we're on.
Dru's a hard worker, his people are good to him and know what he wants. They'll keep fighting for us and if the time is ever right, we'll be given that opportunity.
For now, the answer is to stay in Boise and do what we do here. So we'll do that and move forward with our lives here.
The lord knows how much I desire to be with my family and what they mean to me and being with them, means to me. I trust him and always have.
So for the answer I didn't want, I'm doing pretty well with it and are now looking forward with new eyes to the future in Boise with trust that our family is in the right place for now.

Lots happening........

We made the last of our beignets from New Orleans. Sad, but great.

Mr. Herron got some new goats and brought them to school. So I went to visit. They're fainting goats. They're pretty cute man. I want some.



This one loved the kids and the attention.



He was trying to eat my hair.



This one doesn't like all the attention. He was a cutie.

Some of Yuki's artwork on the smart board at school.


Emiko and I were watching the netflix show 'Our Planet' There was some walrus' that were trying to get to the water but were so squashed that they were falling down the cliff face and dying. It was horrible and Emiko and I were really upset. Poor animals.
It's such a good show though you know. So good for the kids to see about nature and not watch other bullcrap.

Yuki posing for her young women's leader on a hike they did together.

I made some snacks for the kids classes for their big end of the year testing.

Everyone, bar Dru, got their New Zealand passport and citizenship which is wonderful news right? I love that we're all dual citizens and that Simplot paid for it.



The week before Easter I was teaching at church and it was a really good lesson about Jesus. I cried a lot just studying for it and realized quickly that it was a no make up kinda lesson. So this was sent out to the sisters. I thought that was pretty funny.
The lesson went great and I loved it and love teaching.

Yuki had a play date with some friends.
These are her BFF's from second grade. They came together and had a great time. They walked down to the dollar store and then played at the park, then came home. We'll have to get together again really soon.




Then the other night we got onto skype with these guys and finalized our Japan trip and brought our tickets. We looked over the itinerary and got pumped. I'm looking forward to the trip and being with these guys. I love them.

I also made this hat for Dru and love how it worked out. How cute is this hat am I right?

Love how it turned out.

Emiko went to a birthday party and had some fun with her homies.

She's so cute I can't even handle it.

She won her bowling and the kids father said she has sheer talent. Who knew right?

Yuki went to regionals for her mile run and qualified for the district meet today. I'm so proud of her and think she's amazing. I love her.

Here's she is with some of her mates.



Takeshi has won man of the match three games in a row, basically every game he's played. The other team chooses so they don't know that he won the week before or the week before.
I finally took him out to Del Taco where he could reap the rewards of his good playing skills.  He loves rugby.

Emiko's face paint.

I got this thank you note from Yuki's class for being their art mum. So cute right?


Chocolate and flowers man. Can't go wrong with that right? So lucky.

Yuki rock climbing with Tashi and some videos

Saw this on a car and started laughing. If anyone's driving the road up to bogus then they'll start laughing too.

Yuki went to a climbing gym with Tashi. She had a great time.







I'd like our family to get into climbing more. It's just where to fit it in.























Yuki climbing with Tashi cheering her on. Love hearing this guy playing the piano with Lola our piano teacher and friend. It's awesome and he's getting better and better. Now his songs are more like songs rather than sounding like a beginner pianist. Masaru made this video of his wrestling matches. Wait for it........... I couldn't find my phone and what do you know? I find this on my phone.
Crack up man.

Art and report cards

I mean COME ON. How cute is this drawing that Emiko did? I love her and her cute drawings.

How cute is this summary of her spring break trip. It was a great trip.

Her cute lion drawing.

Masaru's latest report card. I'm happy.

Emiko's St Patrick's Day art. Pretty epic.

Emiko's report card. She's doing great.

Her teacher is moving with them into second grade and we couldn't be happier. I know Emiko will grow with this teacher.

Yuki's report card. Always great.

Her teacher's comments was nice.

Yuki's whiteboard art.

That turtle............so cute.

Emiko's flowers she did in art.

Takeshi's report card. Pretty good apart from some behaviour issues.

I can't believe this year is almost over.

Emiko's weekend news. "I watched conference. On Saturday I did chores. My chores are vacuuming my

room. My next chore is vacuuming the hallway. The next chore is cleaning the mirrors. Next is vacuuming the stairs. Next is the mud room. I have to sweep and mop."

She sounds like a regular cinderella doesn't she?
Super cute.