One Happy Year

Today "the kids down under" celebrates its first blog birthday and we want to say thank you to everyone for following along with our lives on our own little corner of the world wide web.  We really love sharing our lives with you as well as learning about yours.  Here's to year two and we hope to see you even more often next year.  

Love Always,

The Kids Down Under

One is the Loneliest Number

Isn't that one of the most depressing songs on the face of the earth?  Truth is, we aren't designed to be alone.  Wait, don't stop reading because your single and you think this is some post about how you need to find someone.  I know everything in the world is telling you that all of the time (trust me, I have been there).  This has nothing to do with lovely dovey relationships but everything to do about community.

I never realized the value of community until I moved to a part of the world where I didn't know a single person for thousands and thousands of miles.  (7,488 miles to be more accurate).  And so here are Dane and I, alone.  Just chilling in our little house, with absolutely nothing and nobody.  And then there was a knock on the door.  Our community had started.  Enter Greg.  The most gracious and generous man who provided us two strangers with a bed, couch, table, TV, bust most importantly, friendship.

As our time in Australia went on our community grew little by little but I would have to accredit most of that to our Connect Group.  Yes, this lovely picture you are looking at is our church connect group.  Nothing but love for all of em'.    A beautiful group of people representing so many different things:  Different Countries, Backgrounds, Facebook Relationships Status, Languages, Ages, Interests, Hobbies, Professions, and Dreams.  And I love doing this journey with them.

If there is one thing I have learned while in Australia it is the importance of not just doing church life on Sunday mornings, but actually doing life together outside of church walls.  You know, getting into one another's nitty gritty.  Eat together, pray together, laugh together, drink coffee together, shop together, go to movies together, cry together, be real together.  God designed us for this.  Community is part of God's plan for us, and I am hoping it is part of your life as well.

If you find yourself humming the tune "one is the loneliest number" a little too often, hit me up, because I know a place and a group of people who would love to get to know you and your nitty gritty.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." Hebrews 10:24-25

The Grounds of Alexandria

We had the most amazing little day trip today to The Grounds of Alexandria.  The place takes up a city block and they have utilized the space by creating lots of great little outdoor "pop up shops" where you can enjoy fresh pastries, grab a take away coffee or drink, help yourself to some fresh lemonade, hang out with the animals including a cute little friendly pig named "Kevin Bacon," a kids playing area titled "The Secret Garden," (if they only knew what we used that term for) and even an onsite florist.  The place is hopping, so while you wait for your table you have plenty to do and see.  Onsite are gardens where fresh herbs are grown and used in the kitchen.  They also roast their own coffee there as well.  The concept is beautiful, just keep your customers happy and they are coming back for more.

We drank rose lemonade, and yes, I am going to learn to make this and when you come visit us in the future, I will make it for you.

If I was a bee, I would chose poppies as well.  

Be sure to check out their photo gallery and if you live in the Sydney area, add this to your must do list.

Love, The Kids Down Under

Celebrating Creativity

Hi everyone!  Just stopping in to share some youtube videos that I have found super creative lately and I hope you do too!


Starting off with this video from Chipotle.  Chipotle has always had beyond creative add campaigns from what is written on their paper cups to the signs in the parking lots "our burritos are big but our parking lots are not."  And not that Chipotle really needs to advertise, the food speaks for itself, but I like to think they are just in the business of making smiles so they created this.  Oh I should also thank Fiona Apple for a beautiful rendition of "True Imagination."



Kids are some of the most creative people in the world and they inspire and teach me so much.  This is my pastor's four year old daughter.  She came up with the idea to teach the children of the world, and this is my favorite video she has done.


And now that you are laughing uncontrollably (yes it is ok to watch that one again) I will end with this one, which is a simple reminder that there is good in people.  This is such a creative story.  It warms my heart.



 Thanks for watching/reading.  I hope we brought a smile to your face today and sparked some creativity.

Love always,
The Kids Down Under

Weekend Moments

(source)

What made this weekend great:
* Saturday night dinner date at Outback Steakhouse.  We brake for free refills and free bread.

* Napoleon Dynamite was on TV tonight.  I still love that movie.  Secretly you know you do too.

* Hillsong announced they are adding another room to the house.  Are you ready for it....Hillsong LA!

* Made this delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe.  Score bonus points by adding caramel AND chocolate chips to the batter.  Thank you Martha.

* Coconut Lime scented candles.

* Watching Skyfall and Coldplay's Live DVD.

* Scored the highest Bejeweled Blitz score of my life with Dane by my side.  842,900

* Diversity nights began at church with Islander Night.  I will never get tired of watching the Haka.  Click here to watch a haka.

* Wildcat victory #emaw

* Dane worked a marathon of hours.  He is a legend.

* Words I needed to be reminded of:  "the joy of the Lord is my strength."

* Watching puppy predictor videos.  Here's one to wet your whistle.

* In a few short hours we will be waking up at 3:00am to stream the first regular season game of the KC Chiefs.  Go Chiefs!

* Tomorrow = Beach Day

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
xoxo The Kids Down Under