The Blonde Squad in Auz

Saturday, August 23, 2014

FAMILY IS FOREVER

The "REASON" for the Trip - We love you Grandma Estelle
Family - Left to Right
(Brother JR, Stephanie, Gram Linda, Great-Grandma Estelle, Papa Bruce, Brother Sam, Sister Sher & Sister Suzanne)

In addition to traveling to Fiji, we (The Manning Women) had the opportunity to continue on to Utah for an extended family reunion. The Wardles were getting together to celebrate Jack & Estelle Wardle’s Life & Posterity (Grandpa Jack would be 88 and Grandma Estelle is 87).

My dad, Bruce Wardle (the oldest of Jack & Estelle), wanted all of his children and grandchildren to make it to the reunion. Tom and I were a little hesitant as to how we were going to make this happen due to the timing and the massive expense. However, with the consistent quiet petitioning and prayers of our sweet Claire, Heavenly Father made sure that most of us were there.

The reunion was a BLAST! The Wardle family sure knows how to have FUN and PARTY! I am so grateful that 30 years ago, my mom married such an amazing guy, Bruce. He has been such a steady, loving, dedicated, wonderful dad to me. My children adore him and cannot imagine their lives without Papa Bruce nor can I.

During the reunion, we went boating, played dress-ups, competed in mini Olympics, battled corn-hole (Sorry Daniel I was a terrible partner), paddled canoes, danced the night away and showed off our amazing talents. It was a reunion for the record books - Thanks Aunt Laura. My kids were so happy to be able to refill their love buckets. Here is a video link Wardle Family Reunion on Vimeo

One of the most difficult things about living abroad is being away from family. My children have very strong bonds with their extended family and it is difficult being so FAR AWAY from them. This reunion gave them the opportunity to RENEW those bonds and it was wonderful.

Tom and I were concerned that the girls would not want to come back . We were so concerned because a few of them were feeling quite low that we literally made them sign contracts that they would return before they boarded the plane headed for the US. However, I can safely say that after they had been away from Australia for a little while, they were ready to return. This trip home (USA) gave them PERSPECTIVE (Tom’s wallet is a little disappointed that perspective is soooooo costly). Life can be good and wonderful wherever you live.

I am so grateful for forever families. I am grateful to have a loving, supportive, generous, crazy, fun, faithful, and valiant extended family. They have been so supportive to us as we have moved around this great big world. They have helped us to give our children ROOTS and feelings of belonging whenever they return home. I love you all to bits!

Sundance "The Fiddler on the Roof"

The Manning girls competed in Mini Olympics and WON!

Pioneer children crossing the plains in the handcart companies.

Dale & Chloe Langston - Tom's Parents

Claire attended EFY and LOVED IT!

We LOVE the Alpine Slide - always a must.

Mo-Tabs at Deer Valley - I love my family!
(JR, Me, Zannie, Linda Lou & Sammy - we missed you Sher & Bruce)

Dance Party

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

BULA

Our View from the Plane

Our View from our Room

Sunsets in FIJI

Picturesque in every way!

One of the places that we really wanted to visit while living in Australia was Fiji. Fiji is just a 4 hour flight from Sydney and a favourite holiday spot for many local Australians. Beautiful beaches and aqua blue waters are some of OUR most loved destinations so we knew we must go.

The trip was a DREAM! The beaches, water, food and hospitality did not disappoint, We learned that FIJI TIME is awesome and you can literally have no worries.

The girls fell in love with the generosity of the Fijian people. They learned to say hello (BULA) and thank you (VINAKA). The Fijian approach to life is much more simple and yet they are incredibly happy.

Once again, we were reminded that stuff (material possessions) doesn't make us happy. Our relationships with each other and Heavenly Father should be paramount in this life. Tom and I want our children to be reminded often that there are many people in this world that live without all of the stuff that we think is necessary. We want them to see firsthand that there are people that are working hard and only being paid $3.00/hour for their labours. They are doing their best and not complaining about their situation.

Fiji gave them many examples of this. We were able to build some wonderful relationships with some of the locals and they definitely left a mark on our children.

In addition to immersing ourselves in the culture of Fiji we were able to do a little sea kayaking, snorkeling and water sports. The girls were in heaven. HEAVEN, according to my girls, is being able to wear a swimsuit 24/7! I don’t know that swimsuits are my favourite attire but, I do love warm weather so I guess that is a win/win.

It was a fantastic trip! If you ever have the chance to go to FIJI - TAKE IT!