International Moving...Are we crazy!

International moving… well, I think I was a bit naive to think it was a simple thing.  Moving from one city to another is stressful and difficult…but moving from one country to another is, well, beyond belief stressful! But I am thankful that I have God to lean on! Everyday I must lay everything at His feet, trusting that He has a plan and purpose in everything. And so I start this blog. Not only to encourage myself by having something else to vent at besides Chris = ), but also to encourage others in the future who will be going through this process.

We arrived back from Franklin Tennessee refreshed. I can honestly say that was one of the most relaxing holidays ever.  I would even rank it in the same category as our trip to Maui, Greece and to the Laguna beach hotel that was catered to adults only.  Sitting on the porch swing, sipping cups of coffee and sweet tea (my new favourite), and just driving around the new area. Oh and frozen yogurt at sweet ce ces. Yes, that was definitely a high light for our entire family. 

So now we are back in Newcastle getting ready for our trip back to America!  There is so much to do and only weeks to do it in. I think its officially 11 weeks…we are thinking of bumping the moving date forward as everything starts up in the beginning of September and may prove to be an easier transition.

Today is Fathers day… Kinda just arrived before I was ready.  Liv painted Chris a dinosaur picture, which we turned into a card, and she had picked out a glass star a few weeks ago that says “number one dad” on it. We then proceeded to make, what I now term, triple chocolate disaster cookies. I always forget how hard it is to make, bake, or cook anything with two little ones in the smallest kitchen around.  Fae wanted to help, Liv wanted to help, eggs were going everywhere, chocolate powder was smeared everywhere…Phew, it was a mess! But the result was amazing yummy cookies from a recipe I played around with. I will include it at the bottom in-case you want to try them with your little ones as well…or without them and actually relax while you cook = ).

This weekends tasks are:

            -    To get through all the laundry from the vacation and put it all away

            -    Finish all the paper work for the solicitor from our flat (Yes, we sold our

                        rental property last week)
            -       Put luggage away from our trip

            -       Make a list of everything we want to take so we can get a proper estimate from the moving      
                      company

Since the weekend is almost over, I need to get onto all of this stuff today.  Next weeks tasks are waiting for me tomorrow.  I found it really helpful to break down all the tasks into weekly lists. That way it doesn't seem so overwhelming. I need to remember that life is happening now,  as I prepare for the future, and I need to live that way!

                          Triple Chocolate Disaster Cookies

1 cup butter, softened                                    2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 cup packed dark brown sugar                    ¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup white sugar                                         ¼ teaspoon salt

2 eggs                                                            1 cup crushed up white choc bar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract                             1 cup crushed up milk choc bar

2 cups all purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. Stop yelling at the kids at this point and savour the moment together!  Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt (yes, allow your toddler to measure out the flour…it makes the cookies more interesting that way).  Stir into the butter mixture and mix well.  Mix in crushed up chocolate bars.  Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet either greased, or lined with parchment paper. 

Back for 8 to 10 min until set. These are really yummy hot!