Just a quick update as I just realised we have been here just over 5 years. From UK to US for 20 yrs and then to NZ with a 4 and 6 yr old it has been quite an adventure. Fast forward 5 yrs and we have rented a freezing cold rental, bought a small state house for 18 mths (warm house) and then rented a freezing 1970's house in the country..pool etc..whilst we built. We decided the only way to own a warm dry house was to build. We built about 18 mths ago on a small lifestyle block, and now have cows and 2 new Labrador puppies, as sadly our 14 yr lab passed away last yr. Loving our new house and the central heating we put in.
Building here was very different to building in the US and often had some interesting miscommunications with our kiwi builder but it all worked out in the end. I have changed jobs a couple of times from Emergency dept nursing to community and now finally settled in Anaesthetic clinic. Better hrs, 4 days per week and home every night with the family.
Kids started at a local primary school but my older boy did not get on there so well so after 3 yrs we moved him and a year later his brother, to another primary school. Much better and a lot more settled. Mr 11 off to middle school next yr and Mr 10 1 more year. Kids have lost their US accents and sound like regular kiwis.
Hubby has been promoted and seems to have found his niche with the same company for the past 5 yrs. Like myself, a lot of adjusting but gradually getting more settled.
We have done some travelling around N Island, down to Welly, up to Coromandel and to Australia. Regular trips to the beach and other local attractions. Rotorua remains one of the kids favourite. Lots of walks in the bush and mountain bike tracks in the summer.1 trip back to the UK(first time ever for the kids) and mixed reactions. TOO busy!!!!!
I have started getting into road biking and have a few adventure type events coming up. Hubby has done gym and rowing recently. We have also been busy as a family working up our lifestyle block.
Kids are so active compared to the US and have tried judo, cricket, swimming, BMX, horse-riding, cycling, Kapa Haka, miniball etc. Hockey and soccer are our staple winter sports, and looking forward to trying Tennis and Touch this summer.
I have watched (with fear and amusement) the US presidential Election run up, and that, along with the multiple shootings, have reaffirmed that we made the right decision to leave the US.
We are applying for citizenship at present and cannot believe 5 yrs has gone so quickly.
Generally we are happy we have made the right decision and really happy where we live in the Waikato. Now is someone could turn off the rain and turn on Spring...