Little Things That Count

Joe and I needed to add a little Holiday cheer to the apartment. It definitely looks different than are usual spread but different does not always mean bad. Having this adventure has been such a learning experience already. 

Brisbane's tree is powered by solar energy. The star at the top is made of solar panels. So amazing!

A choir of Angels singing outside of the Brisbane Convention Center. They were really good. I love their proper foot placement as well. 

Last weekend we went to the most incredible Christmas Program at Citipointe Church. All of the performers were amazing and professional.

Joe has the next two weeks off so we are going to travel around the city and surrounding areas to see what we can find. Hoping to head back to the beach and maybe hike the mountains. 

Happy Heart

My niece has lost two teeth since we left the states. It's ridiculous how cute she is!

Joe and I attended Citipointe Church this morning and truly feel blessed. Even though it took a 25 min bus ride and a mile walk, it was well worth it. The first couple I walked up to for direction happened to be American! They came to Australia six years ago. I felt like it was God stepping in and guiding us through with a little comfort of home. After leaving I could not help but have a happy heart. We wil be attending the Christmas program this next weekend! 

Happy Holidays!

Joe and I tried a new local place called "Balls." Yes, I feel like Joe gravitated towards the restaurant due to the title but it was really good. 

The restaurant actually brings in a local artist who created chalk drawings. The detail of this one was so amazing. It made me want to start drawing again. 

This past week was my first temp job in Australia. It was only for the week but I met some really great people. I am hoping to keep in touch with them as much as possible and pray that I find an awesome company like that to work for. I feel pretty spoiled to have gotten so lucky my first time out. They are located in the city on the 24th floor with panoramic views. 

One of the guys at the office used to be a chef so he made an Australian, or New Zealand depending on who you asked haha,dessert on my last day at the office. It's called pavlova and is so good!  

Joe felt bad about Thanksgiving and missing family so he txt me while at work to let me know that he is renting a car and we are staying in the coast for the weekend. It rained the first day but was still a great experience. 

This is the view from our apartment over the weekend. I could get used to waking up and seeing the ocean. 

We even saw our first surfing competition! I think it was for younger competitors but still amazing to see. 

This was a sign inside of our rental car. I'm glad Joe saw this or maybe we would have not known haha!

Christmas is approaching and seeing the lights in such hot weather is still something we can't get used to. 

Joe has been traveling a lot lately and it can be difficult at times when I am all alone but he is working so hard for our family. I'm so proud of him! 

I am starting to meet people and actually have a girls dinner on Wednesday. Things are starting to come together : )

Silver and Platinum Status

Joe traveled to Sydney just one day after we came back from the states. He was there for a conference and to present to a client. His was able to see the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We are hoping to go back to bring in the new year. 

While Joe was flying back from Sydney, he found a 7 page spread of Indianapolis inside of the Virgin Airlines magazine. How cool is that?!?

I am now a Silver Medallion member with Delta and partners Virgin Airlines. This means I have flown over 25,000 miles from July of this year. This does not include one of my international trips with Qantas Airlines. Joe is now a Platinum Medallion member with Delta and partner Virgin Airlines which means he has traveled over 75,000 miles with them alone this year. He has also had multiple trips with Qantas Airlines. His status allows us to recieve free upgrades and Sky Club use. I don't like when he is gone but these are nice benefits when traveling with him. 

Back to Brisbane

Joe and I decided to pick up Grace early from school on Friday so we could spend time together before heading back to Brisbane the next day. We took her to eat at Brunchies which is one of her favorites. It is hard to think that we won't see her until next year. She has already promised to skype and send pictures from her recitals and I will not miss out. Love you baby girl. 

Stephanie and Travis let us have a few people over before leaving on Saturday. We played Cranium, Family Fued, and Euchre. Of course I had to get pictures with all of the girls. A huge thank you to Stephanie and Travis for allowing us to stay at their house for two weeks. It was so cozy and we felt comfortable the whole time. Also, Grace gave up her bed and room for that long as well while still going to school and getting perfect scores on all of her tests. Such a rock star! Steph, I am counting on you to let her read this : )

Before the party, the kids watched a movie. This is so cute! 

Joe is now a Diamond member for Delta and therefore we were both upgraded to first class on our first flight. Thank you Delta for giving the Elite status to the partners as well. Truly loving those benefits! 

Joe and I were not able to make it around to see everyone while we were back in the states. We are sorry if we didn't make it to you but we hope you understand that our schedules were expremeley packed. Joe was actually back to work and up all night the second week back. We are hoping to be back in May and will try to get out more then. 

We are now safely in Brisbane. I walked into the apartment, unloaded our suitcases, walked to the city centre to activate our iPhones, came back and fell asleep for almost 13hrs. Needless to say I have been up since 1:30am here and am not quite feeling myself yet. Joe is already back to work and of course making me more proud than ever. One lucky lady : )

Tennis and Arcades

Grace is in tennis this year so I was able to go see her practice. 

Silly pictures to pass the time away.

Typical tennis crew. Of course Lincoln cheesin it to the extreme. 

I am not sure how this started but you can obviously tell how it ended haha

Joe and I went on a double date with my sister and brother n law. It was nice to hang out with just the two of them and have adult time before we head back in a couple of days. 

By adult time, I mean the arcade at Dave and Busters lol

We are going to miss these two. It is a good thing we already have a vacation planned together for May 2014 : )

Dinner with Friends

Last night we had a great time meeting up with Gina and Steve at Siam Square. It seems like Joe and I could talk to these two for hours. Hope to see them everytime we come to town! 

Joe realized that the way we discard our straw wrappers describes our relationship. Guess who has the neatly folded one and who has the crazy unorganized one haha

Down Memory Lane

I traveled back home yesterday to meet up with my best friend Caitlin and go to our favorite restaurant, Hacienda. My Dad called on our way and asked to join in. Cait and I felt like we were in high school again. Well minus the two small children : )

Surprise Visit to America!

Whoa! It has been such a long time since I have posted to the blog. A small part of that is due to homework. It seems every time I am online, I am working on my MBA. Also, a large reason was in part that Joe and I were planning a surprise visit back to Indianapolis for a wedding. One of my best friend's Nicole was married just yesterday. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was a blast. Joe even stepped in as an usher to help out. I love that he is so easy going and willing to help.

This was from the night we landed. Lincoln was snuggling and Max would not stop following me around. Of course I love it.

With the Trick or Treat changes, Joe and I were only able to see the kids go to a couple of houses due to the rehearsal dinner for Nicole's wedding but it was still a blast. Dad was able to come again this year.

Little Hermione Granger!

Little Harry Potter!

Pictures before the candy began

First house down...

Many more to go.

Lincoln loving on Max and his new costume

Max and his skull costume. I didn't want him to feel left out.

Couple shot from Nicole's wedding

Mrs. Nicole Gleason

Myself, Nicole and Shelby relaxed at the reception

Nice to see this group of ladies together again. Christy, Nicole, myself and Shelby

Taking wedding selfies

 Joe and I are in the states for another week. He is actually working from home and I am traveling back to Greentown. It seems crazy but I feel so comforted to go back and see my friends. Hoping to get many more pictures to post and it not be too emotional leaving. Our next trip back will not be until May at the earliest. Until next time, homework calls :)