I miss New Zealand. Don’t get me wrong, it’s lovely to be home, so so so nice to see family and friends and to sleep in our own bed, own house….own space. However, it is difficult to get used to the “old” way of living again. The kids are loving being back at school again, off Rose goes on her bike to school and Thijs skipity skips into class each day, big smiles. It’s great to see the horses again, and start working on the young horses, exciting prospects for the future. What I am finding difficult is getting back into the routine. Up early, kids in school by 8, muck out horses, coffee time at 9.30. 10 am work the young horses then it’s lunchtime and before you know it the kids are coming out of school. I know it’s real life but getting into this routine again makes me feel a little bit trapped.
In New Zealand we had so much freedom, most of the time (apart from when we were working with horses/cows/sheep) we could just wake up when we want, get up, long breakfast together as a family then decide what to do for the day. School work was the only commitment but we could decide when we wanted to do that. So we’ve been thoroughly spoilt and now it’s back to reality and get back into the routine. Maybe it’s because I am not working yet (that’s work in progress, but in principle I have a job!), once I get my teeth stuck into work again I will look back and wish I could be in the routine we are now.
Anyway, enough of that. I should be grateful to have some time on my hands, to be able to work with the horses and pickup the kids from school. Oh and our house is sparkling clean. Soon I will be working full time again and it will be a different story. Suck It Up Princess. Honestly, sometimes I just need to give myself a good talking to……or write a blog. 🤣🤣
The kids continue to amaze me. They were back at school 3 days after we got back, no jet lag, no problems. Back to their friends and picking up school work. Rose is just a superstar, fitting back in and getting on with her work. It’s like she’s never been away. Thijs is now speaking 100% English and has a bit of a confidence issue pickup up the Dutch language again. But slowly and surely he is getting there. He’s a bit behind on school so I am doing some extra school work with him in the afternoons to help him catchup, and to build his confidence a bit. It breaks my heart, the other morning as I dropped him off he was in tears because he said didn’t know how to ask his friends if they wanted to play with him after school. That day I went home in tears too. So each night (and on the way to school) we are now practising together sentences that he can try out at school. Like asking friends to play, or asking teacher for help, or asking friends if he can join in. He makes my heart swell with pride when he nails a sentence with a “YES!” fist punch in the air….then tries to remember it as he walks in the classroom. I wish I could be there for him all the time…..❤️
TJ is pickup up customers here and there, some of them so pleased to see him he got cake!! He’s still pretty quiet but actually it’s good for him to ease back into it. We even get to work the young horses together in the mornings sometimes which is a real luxury, me grooming and tacking up, him lunging while I get the next one ready. Team work ❤️. We have 3 on the go at the moment, 2 three year olds ready to back and a two year old stallion we are hoping to take to the stallion grading next year. My favourite at the moment is 3 year old Livvy (Love Yours by Vancouver), she is big, beautiful and the sweetest mare. Pretty scared of everything but doesn’t do anything silly. Already after 2 weeks we have a saddle on her so hopefully she will continue to be good and I can get on one day soon! Neilan is the other 3 year old, he’s by Napels and although a bit small really is looking good and fantastic mover! Brannon is the 2 year old by Brantzau, lovely and leggy and so elavated, he’s going to be a bit special (fingers crossed!).
For the rest I am waiting for Philips to sort out my contract so I can start work again….full time office job as Financial Controller. Mixed feelings about that, on the one hand keen to get my teeth stuck into something, on the other hand very mindful that it will be a challenging role and I am determined to get the right balance in work/life. At the same time looking towards the future and lots of ideas/dreams/hopes going around in my head….enough to think about!
I’ve decided to keep writing my blog for now, more like a bit of a journal for me and a way to clear my head. If anyone reads that is wonderful, it’s nice to share and I love that my blog opens up discussions. Like for instance a few times (actually a lot!) I have been out in our village and have been approached by someone who says “you don’t know me but I know your husband, and I’ve loved reading your blog!”. 😆😆 don’t worry I won’t let the fame go to my head 🤣🤣.
Thanks for listening 😊
Laters
Kelly
As always, a brilliantly written , humorous and relatable post !
Love to everyone Kel … ❤️
Nat Xx