Kathleen and the girls just left. They are currently on a plane to LA, the first of four flights they will embark in the next 40 hours. That's love....when a friend will go through all that by herself with three children just to come visit you.
The five weeks here with them was amazing. We both cried when we said goodbye, just so sad to end this time, and because it was beautiful, and because I will miss her companionship, and because, wow....just how blessed we are to have each other....to know one another since we were six and to love one another and love each other's families.
I love that she knows our life here...truly understands it. She can picture everything now. I love that she knows my girls and Warren better than ever before and actually can see my daily joys and frustrations. I love that I know her girls. I know that Stella is a gorgeous, empathetic, sweet, poised young lady and Siena is fierce, happy, fun, and strong-willed. I love that Vivi is the hilarious, dance to the beat of her own drum, loving, endearing three year old of the crew. I love that I love their smiles and can see the light in their eyes and their little souls. I love that I got to witness Kathleen in her full mothering mode - the challenges and the rewards. I love that we are on that journey together. I am amazed how despite our very different lives and sometimes different views, Kathleen and I still have so much in common. The core of who we are and who we are together remains strong. In short, my heart is full.
So much has happened over the past few weeks that my blog entry would be a book if I tried to detail it all. The pictures tell the stories best. The first pictures are the pictures I got from Kathleen's camera so some are repeats of what was already posted (but new pictures). After that you will see pictures of Andie's birthday (letter coming soon), the half marathon we ran together (Kathleen got third place overall!!!), a few resorts, beach days, the Hornik girls at the Passin girls' school, performances galore (at home every night), and some dolphin sightings. Enjoy!
Leluvia
This was our first trip to Leleuvia. Still Siena and Vivi's favorite place we visited
River Trip
Colo-i-Suva Hike
Visiting Mere's school
Snuggles at the Holiday Inn
Rako Pasifica Day camp
Market tour with Chad and Kathleen
Picking citrus at farm
saying goodbye to Chad- tears all arond
Eco cafe swing
selfie after three hours at Eco-Cafe
Warwick
henna at Warwick
loved snuggling this sweet one
Amazing Warren making breakfast for girls while we ran half marathon!
One of the many nightly performances
Kathleen took girls to park while I worked
This was halfway down the road of their five mile walk!
Warren and Vivi. Magic trick of removing the thumb. Vivi loved Warren. It was mutual.
First day back at work....greeted by a rainbow
Happy 9th birthday Andie. Thank you to BeBe, PapPap, Amma, Aunt Kate and crew for all of the awesome gifts!!!
very happy with her gifts
Out to Daikoku for Andie's special day
Followed by Snowy House
Andie loved her dessert!
Visiting Warren at the office
Peace Corps Fiji - pit stop on day in town
shared smoothie. Look at those eyes!
Andie modeling all of her new clothes!
Zoё too! Thanks Bebe!
Hornik girls at ISS assembly
This is hilarious:
ISS assembly
Check out Stella right in the mix
Beach Day at Pac Harbour
Lol - she was! So relaxed!
Post half marathon- yummy bu after run
I think I drank three!
Strong mamas!
running crew
spa post marathon
Kathleen being awarded third!
It's a hard knock life!
snake on the beach
another beach day
these two
loving this book!
Wine Tasting.
lots of fun
ISS Day
Horniks come to school!
Horniks wore uniforms
Vivi in my office
another performance
Athletics Day
Lunch afterwards.
Takalan Bay Trip to see the dolphins
GPH night
Kathleen did not enjoy this picture at all. ;)
Girls loved the snow
Andie's birthday party- A huge success
cupcake decorating
Maybe Zoё didn't get enough on hers??
my sweet, sweet 9 year old!!!
This ice cube is a HUGE hit. Kids cannot stop swimming in the freezing cold just because it's so fun!
Scavenger Hunt rules. Scavenger Hunt was AWESOME! Below are some of the pics the kids had to take!
Had to take a pic with an emoji
Had to get pic in the ice cube
and a pic with HOlly
extra points for a picture of a snail
needed a pic with a handstand against a tree
and a funny face with a stuffed animal
hugging a tree
Girls had to make videos for scavenger hunt as well. Here are a few:
cute Vivi snuck in there
Brownie cake that looks like it says 6, but it's actually 9. Too bad I didn't bake the brownies long enough and they all were mush. Kids didn't mind!
Scavenger Hunt
presents
cake
saying goodbye was hard for them
Love that Kathleen got to meet most of my nearest and dearest here in Suva!
Saying goodbye. Very sad girls
Farewells are always tough
After everyone said goodbye, I drove the girls and Kathleen up to Tambua Sands for the night for one final beach day. We stopped by Eco-Cafe again on way there.
Tambua Sands beach - lovely
The final goodbye. Sota Tale!!!! See you at Christmas!
And then, I come home to this girl who aged overnight! The lipstick and dressing up doesn't help! Oh how I love being home with my girls and focusing on them. They grow up so quickly. Sigh. Thankful for all we have - good friends, family, and friends that are family. Again, heart is full.
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