We give thanks....

Well Thanksgiving is finally here and I had no idea – it really sneaks up on you in a place where it isn’t celebrated. So while you all are filling up on turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, pumpkin pie, wine, and so on, we’ll be doing our part by having a week ending margarita (or two).

Since the whole idea behind this holiday is to give thanks, I feel it very fitting that we take this opportunity to thank all our friends and family for their support in our move. A few deserve special mention.

John & Star Kane: I’m really not sure how we would have made it without their support. There aren’t words to even describe all they have done and how helpful they have been. The extent of their generosity and unselfishness is amazing and we’re just hoping we’ll be able to make it up to them when they come to visit. From letting us use their car for six weeks to helping watch over the house (clear out recycling, cleaning of the gutters, etc.) – simply amazing considering their busy schedules. They went out of their way many times to help and asked for nothing in return. They have taught us a lot about what it means to be a friend. We are truly lucky.

Kylee: you’ve been a great help in keeping the yard tidy and the house clean. Thanks kid. Maybe some day you can come and visit and clean our house here.

Susan & Richard: We enjoy the care packages full of lint rollers, floss, and gum (nothing like getting mail that isn’t a bill). More importantly, we know you love Porter to death and you will never know how much you welcoming him to your home meant to us. It was such a difficult decision for us to make but we think it turned out best for all, especially for Porter whose well being was always our top priority. Porter can get all the attention he needs and we feel good knowing he’s in a great home where he is loved to death. We miss him terribly but listening to his meows and getting the pictures is great. As Angela expressed to you the other day while messaging, all of your help has meant more than we can share. I am not thankful, however, to have Richard’s reminders of the times he goes to Maria’s – dang I miss that Mexican food.

Mum (that’s what they are called here) & Dad: Thank you for taking on the unglamorous task of accepting all the forwarded mail, sifting the junk from the important, and sending us our remaining US mail. We also appreciate the attempts to pawn a few pieces of Angela’s clothing at the second hand shops—a new experience for us both. Your send off gift also helped us greatly our first few days. Muchas gracias.

We are very lucky to have this life and to be able to do what we are doing. Everything in New Zealand has worked out so well, we’ve made friends, gotten work, and managed to settle into a routine. Even Livvy has said she’s doing just fine (meow). We have absolutely no complaints about anything…life is good. It’s also great to have you reading and hanging in there with us! We hope to see all of you very soon, but until then, stay in touch with our blog (soon to be a web site) and Skype and email.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.