Goodbye Australia - see you again soon...

Its the beginning of the end of our Australia trip.

3 months abroad is no joke! 3 months away from our home office, our pets and the other members of our family has been rough but here are a few things we learned.

1. We can do it! With some support - child care being a top one, plus transportation and we were lucky with this trip to have accommodation taken care of too.

   
   

2. It may have been too long! We are each feeling homesick for different reasons - for Mr L, soon to be 4, its his kitty and puppy, toys, brother and sister, papa, aunty and cousin. For me its - everything, especially bacon (its just not the same here!) and for Regina I think she is looking forward to familiarity... And less bugs.

   Next time, and there WILL be a next time, we are going to aim for 6 weeks to 2 months.

   
   

3. We need to build (and appreciate) the support we got back in the states too - there were some silly logistics that were not able to be handled without our help (even from 8000 miles away). No more paper towels??!! And some wonderful neighbours stepped in to help collect packages from our door.

We are bringing home a lot - and not just the physical stuff in suitcases. Its all about the serenity, peace, exploration of this land. Road trips and visits up through Albury, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. And closer to home - the Dandenong Ranges, Grampians, Ballarat and Melbourne. Exploring, discovering and experiencing has been the key, with our fav towns, Timboon and Warrnambool weekly visits.

Here is what we put in a jar and keep in a safe space to remember our trip:

Serenity

Quiet

Peace

Warmth

Ease

Sand

Watching movies

Laying together

Eating

Driving

Singing

Bird Calls

The 12 A-Pot-Holes

Cousins

Friends

Loving embrace of family

Night Stars

Night noises

Cricket cheers (the game, not the animal)

Chirping

ABC, ABC Kids

Timboon

Adventures

Quilted Scenery

Road side peeing

Deep Breaths

We start the 30 hour trip home tomorrow - with layovers and flight times its a long long long day.

Bye 'Stralya, we'll see ya'll Stateside.

Us. Down an alley by Lygon street after ice cream from our favorite place. Pidapipo.

This is the ocean in Port Campbell 15 minute walk from HQ. I can just hear the waves when I look at this picture!

Playing on the balcony in North Melbourne

Possum caught having a dawn feast on the bird seed. Worri Yallock, Victoria

My Son, My Brother and My Dad taken on a farm tour (other son and brother not pictured)