Fota Wildlife Park, Co. Cork

My aunt and I took the kids to the Fota Wildlife Park while she was here in April.  We lucked out with fairly good weather, and the kids really enjoyed themselves.  While there were fences to separate us from the animals, we were able to be much closer to them than we ever had at a zoo.  There was no zoom on the camera in either of the next two pictures!

The kids were thrilled to discover that they could buy food for the ducks and feed them.  Scarlett loved these babies!  They actually jumped out of the water at one point and waddled around a bit.  Scarlett was even able to pet one before it jumped back into the water.

This guy was so expressive and easily my favorite.

And this guy shocked everyone when he jumped up on shore right in front of us.  He. was. MASSIVE!  I wish I could have put Scarlett next to him in the picture for comparison.  Never knew pelicans were so big.  Look at those feet!!

I think the highlight for the kids may have been the train ride around the park.

Loved the way this guy was peering into the train as we drove by.  ;)

There were plenty more animals, but it was kind of nice to just enjoy the day without snapping pictures every other minute. 

Sunny Days

It's days like today, when the sun is shining brightly in skies of blue and there is a gentle breeze blowing, when it's easy to remember all that I am thankful for.

Days like today when it is easy to smile at their crazy antics and take a step back and soak up all that they are and all that they offer this world.

Days like today that get me through all the other days.

Nate and I have had a lot of conversations lately about the length of our stay here in Ireland.  It's come up at the office for Nate a few times in trying to get a game plan together for what needs to be accomplished while he's here, and it's come up at home as we try to think about things that we want to accomplish as a family while we're living abroad.  And I'm struggling with what I'm feeling.

I love Ireland.  I love what we have here with our little family of four.  I love the relationships that we are making and the laid back lifestyle we have found.  I love that my kids are happy here, that they have made friends so easily, and that they know the freedom of running and playing outside with those friends.  I love that they are happy at their schools and that they are learning and growing in leaps and bounds.  I love that I can support Nate in his role here and that I can be here for my kids before and after school. 

This isn't to say that I/we love every. single. minute.  But I will come clean and admit to all of you that I have actually asked Nate about the possibility of making his position here permanent.  And then....

And then we skype with friends from back home and my heart aches from missing them and hearing about all of the things that we are missing out on.  Or my kids talk about all the things they want to do when we get to Bloomington this summer.  I think constantly about projects I want to work on in our home in the states.   I think of sitting on my couch in my sweat pants having a glass of wine with my closest girl friends.  And I don't know that I could ever do this permanently, the giving up of all I've ever known.

It's not easy, living with a foot in two different places.  Missing friends back home while still trying to form relationships with new friends here.  Trying to make this house a home all the while the place we consider to be our "real home" is thousands of miles away.  Adjusting to a new environment and relishing the new-ness while eagerly anticipating returning to the familiar. 

I honestly don't know what the future holds for us long term other than the fact that we will be back in the states at some point.  I don't know how we'll feel about returning to Ireland after spending 6 weeks back in the states for the summer, or even how it will feel to be back in the states after living in Ireland for 10 months.  It all just seems so uncertain to me at the moment, and it has been consuming my every thought.  I'm trying as hard as I can to stay in the moment and enjoy the here and now, but keeping my thoughts where they need to be is proving more difficult than I would like.  All I know for sure at this point is that there is definitely a piece of my heart in 2 separate places thousands of miles apart. 

Aghagower and Westport, Co. Mayo

We were finally able to drive up to Co. Mayo Easter weekend to visit my cousin, Shari, and her husband, Olcan, at their gorgeous new home in Aghagower.  The drive up was great and we loved seeing all of the baby lambs romping around the fields.  They were SO cute!

 Olcan takes photography groups on 10 day tours through Co. Mayo and had his coach (bus) at home for the weekend.  It was so nice to be able to all drive around together while he showed us around Westport and the surrounding area.  Scarlett was especially thrilled.

 Olcan pointed out this pub to us which just happens to be owned by a member of The Chieftains, who I love.

A beer garden AND a playground.  What more could you want?  :)

My kids loved this bicycle sculpture.

Back at the house, my kids were obsessed with Olcan and Shari's cat, Mr. Pip.

After a delicious dinner, we headed down the road to explore the cemeteries in Aghagower.   The kids were thrilled when a neighbor's dog, Daisy, started walking down the road with us.

Olcan is an amazing tour guide and Nate and I were trying to take in as much as we could.  Olcan was great about getting Grayson involved, too, and had him on the hunt for the oldest person buried in the cemetery.  According to the headstone, he was 137 years old!!

 Olcan was showing us around the ruins of a  monastery and pointed out the "face in the window," and "3-D Jesus." 

I couldn't pass by this phone booth without snapping a picture.

Unfortunately, my camera died at this point and I forgot to bring the charger with me.  We had a fabulous time visiting with Shari and Olcan and absolutely can not wait to go back to see them soon!!

More with the Ohio Irwins

Our 3rd day with the Ohio Irwins was spent at the Cliffs of Moher.

We've spent a lot of time at the Cliffs, but it never ceases to amaze me.

Unfortunately, day 4 dawned with a stomach bug descending on our house.

Within 24 hours, Grayson, Nate, Chris, and myself were all struck with a 24-hour bug.

It meant postponing our trip to Dublin by a day, and even then, Scarlett and I ended up staying home.  I think everyone else had a great time on the Viking Splash Tour and at The Guinness Storehouse, though they would have to tell you more about it themselves.  :)

We spent the last 2 days of their visit hanging out at our house.  It was great to let the kids enjoy some down time with each other playing around the house and outside, especially since it meant that the adults could spend time doing this:

Thanks so much for making this trip happen, Chris and Laura!! 

We so enjoyed having you here!

Can't wait to see you in July!

Catching up

Can't believe how long it's been since I posted here.  Life has kind of taken over the past month or so and we have been completely busy.  We just finished up 3 weeks worth of adventures and travels with family that came to visit us here in Ireland.  It was so amazing to share our new home with family, and I can only hope that they enjoyed their time here as much as I am.

Our first set of visitors were Nate's brother, Chris, and his family. We were so incredibly excited to see them!  It was great to see the kids pick up right where they had left off like no time had passed at all.

We tried to lay low their first day here so that everyone could catch up on some sleep, but we did sneak in a short trip to Lough Gur.  The kids were quite happy to run off some energy, and most of them were happy enough to pose for a couple pictures.  ;)

Love all of the fun "wellies" in this one.

I think we managed to get some great family pics of the Ohio Irwins.

 I love the way Katelyn is standing in this one. 

It's very "Katelyn," and makes me smile every time I look at it.

That night Laura and Katelyn surprised Scarlett with a new nightgown.  She was beyond excited when she realized that it matched Katelyn's.

After a (surprisingly) good night of sleep, we headed to Durty Nelly's for lunch,

and then spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.

The girls were thrilled to get up close and personal with the "princess" at the castle,

but I think it's safe to say that the animals took the cake,

especially Irish Wolf Hound, Finn.

Stay tuned for more of our adventures with the Ohio Irwins!!

Happy St. Paddy's Day from Ireland!!