On my way home I stopped over in Sydney and had a quick layover catch up with my bestie Mel. Mel is my Canadian sister and I am glad our paths crossed in Australia!
After 35+ hours of travel I made it to Indiana. I got up early the next morning and did what every girl does when she gets home and has very bad jet lag.. Took the dog and cat for a walk.
I helped Mom at the cat shelter for two days. I got to feed this sweet little kitten, who now has found a forever home!
I caught up with my old friends, Phil and Laura Mott. I also go to meet Phil's beautiful wife Kristen and his adorable son Noah. So thankful for old friends! We meet up at the fair, can't get better then that!
Some things never change, and I have to say the Indiana State Fair is still as amazing as I remember. Mom and I watched the horse shows, rode the tractor pull around the grounds, had lots of food including a lemon shake up. Saw the chicken and bunny barn, saw sheep and goats. It was a great day!
Me and Mom inside the newly renovated Pepsi Colosseum that I am sure has a new name I can't remember, but its great inside and they kept the rustic charm. Good job Indianapolis!
Oh and I am so glad I got to see the horses with Mom, even the old lady that plays the organ in the middle of the ring is still there.
Big Wheels...
After almost 2 years of waiting I finally got to meet this sweet girl. I gave Wren Rush her first Mango Seed and I want the world to know she loved it!
Low fog, its the small things you miss.
When I think of home in the summer this is what I see. My Mom on a John Deer and the old red truck full of mulch. Your garden looked beautiful Mom!
I got lots of cuddles off crazy TomTom, he's and odd ball but he has won my heart.
Went to the children's museum!
Here's Mom hard at work at the cat shelter!
I am not accustomed to American grocery stores anymore. I got lost looking for cool-whip.
Me and the coolest cat at the shelter. Sir Thomas. If I could have brought him back to Perth with me I would have.
Good friends Sarah and Kurtis! Thanks for spending time with me and sharing Wren, she is a doll!
Drinks is the city, seems all the cool kids hang on Mass Ave now.
yeah.. I waited 2 years for these hot wings.. and they tasted great!
My friend Holly traveled to see me in Indiana and we spent the weekend hanging out and even went to the Zoo. Holly and I met while we both lived in Perth, she is from Michigan but lives in Duluth Minnesota now. Holly and her husband Sam became as close as family while we all lived in Perth together. I am so thankful for her friendship!
So funny to have a formal dinner with Mom, Dad and Holly, three people who have all been to my home in Perth. As an expat this kind of thing does not happen very often. Holly heard a lot about my family and Indiana home while we both lived in Perth. It was such a joy to actually get to share my family home with her.
Holly got a tour of Mom's garden!
Holly and Jack even became friends, so glad they got to meet!
Mary 2 and Mary 1. So glad I got to see Mary 1 while I was in town! Mary and I are childhood friends, I meet her before I could string two words together. Mary and her sister Kristen have a special place in my heart aways.
Dad got a new car while I was in town. Looking good Dad!
We took a lovely family trip to the lake for a few nights. Jack fell in the lake, a raccoon moved into Mom and Dad's room, I fished from a canoe, Dad and I paddle boated. I swan, we had a fire and roasted marshmellows. I even got to have a somemore!
Dad and a sun fish!
Hanging with Dad fireside at the lake!
Me and crazy TomTom again.
Dad must love me cause he let me drive his new car. It was fast!
Me and Wren, blowin bubbles.
Mom, Dad and I traveled to Fort Worth for my cousin Sean's wedding. I got to spend two afternoons with my Aunt Gretchen, my only Aunt on my Dad's side. Love you Aunt G, im so glad I got to see you!!
Me and Dad in Fort Worth
Me and the King of Greenfields.
Sean marrying his beautiful wife Michelle, so glad we got to be there for it.
From Fort Worth I flew back to Australia, I went to a really cool aquarium in Dallas after I dropped Mom and Dad off at the airport.
I had a wonderful trip home and these pictures don't even scratch the surface of all I got up to and the people who shared their time with me. Im so thankful for my American home.
I have been gone 9 years now, hard to believe. Going home is wonderful, but at the same time it is a reminder of all the family and friends I miss dearly. Living abroad is a constant roller-coaster of emotions. I love my life in Australia and I know it is where I want to be. But I love my American home, family and friends, and I am so thankful to them for understanding that my life is in Australia, and still loving me anyway.
Im also so thankful for my parents who gave me big strong wings, strong enough to venture far from home but who always remind me that they love me and accept me no matter where I roam. I love you Mom and Dad, and I miss you everyday.
I am looking forward to planning another trip home soon. As always there is never enough time to see and do everything I want to!
Thanks to Graham for supporting my trip home for 4 weeks, I missed you so much and in many ways going home is not the same without you. I hope the next time I fly over the Pacific its with you Razza.
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