Beginning in the Middle

After 10 years in Vancouver we have found ourselves washed up in Canberra with three kids, it is 2020, and this blog is an attempt to understand who we are, why we are here and to document our path forward. To date I feel that life has just happened to us in a mostly passive way, maybe that is just a part of who we are, which is fine, so long as it is not simply apathy and submission. Life is not a fait accompli, so maybe a little more consciousness from us to try and bend it towards a path we would like to take is something we should aim for.

 During this recent difficult transition period of adapting to Canberra, I feel that many little moments of joy, inspiration and fun have been missed, overlooked and forgotten, so I'm hoping that this blog will help us to recognise those times, and demonstrate life isn't all drudgery (even though it sometimes feels it is), and encourage us to find more excitement, challenges and ways to enjoy life.

 So, who are we currently? 

 Mama - 40, unemployed stay at home mother of three and often a bit depressed
Favourite colour: blue-green, because i can't choose between blue and green
What makes you excited? the thought of leaving canberra
How would you describe our family? close-knit but currently unmoored
Favourite thing in Canberra? Learning to navigate around
What drives our family: trying to strike the right compromises -achieving a reasonable quality of life while giving the kids solid opportunities
How do you help the family: by trying to facilitate learning and experiences for the children
Aspirations for the family: well-adjusted happy children
Personal goals: reverse my physical decline, find outlets to build skills and satisfaction, improve parenting and patience


 Dada - recently 40, an overburdened, overweight and panicked mid-level software dev, who is also probably a bit depressed at times
Favourite colour: orange
What makes you excited? bikes
How would you describe our family? close
Favourite thing in Canberra? the warmth
What drives our family: adventures
How do you help the family: make money, run adventures, fix things, clean things
Aspirations for the family: buy a house
Personal goals: lose weight (currently 68kg)

 Huon - 6, about to start grade 1 and is probably most passionate about star wars lego and his bike
Favourite colour: Gold
What makes you excited? Going to a party
How would you describe our family? Nice
Favourite thing in Canberra? To go bike riding
What drives our family: money
How do you help the family: by being good (behaving, following instruction), 
Aspirations for the family: be more active (going to places more often)
Personal goals: to try to stop fighting with Jethro


 Jethro or Big Guy Laurence - 4, an effervescent soon to be preschooler who loves to do things with people - preferably driving matchbox cars
Favourite colour: Gold (hmmm, a little influenced by big bro)
What makes you excited? Party
How would you describe our family? Nice
Favourite thing in Canberra? Bike riding
What drives our family:  money
How do you help the family: opening up my mouth
Aspirations for the family: not boring stuff
Personal goals: braaawwwwkkk (loud shreik)

 Beatrix - almost 2, strong in both body and will, and exceedingly adorable
Favourite colour: green or a word that sounded like green
What makes you excited? sticky tape
How would you describe our family? bop bop
Favourite thing in Canberra? Silence...like mother like daughter
What drives our family: goolk (milk)
How do you help the family: mama dada
Personal goals: more goolk


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