My interview!!!!!

Oh my I feel so important - someone wants to interview me!!!

Ok, Ok, truthfully I signed up for it myself on Heather's amazing blog Want What you Have, but hey Heather had to sit down & write out questions for me (& what an amazing job she did -that woman has a gift with words). So now I get my moment in the spotlight, that moment where I get to share my thoughts & ideas (wait, I think that's what I do anyway on my blog). Oh well I just get to feel special!!! So onto Heather's questions:

(I may have a slight tendency to silliness - especially when I'm tired & emotional - both today- oh& lacking coffee - wait I'll just go & make an iced coffee before I start - see now I'm raving on & on& on...)

Back recaffinated & ready!!:

#1 You're a mother of 4 children, including twin boys. What do you think is the greatest challenge you face as a mother of multiples?

Lately I've been telling everyone to be thankful they don't have multiples!! (It's alright I'm just joking when I say it!!) I'm finding that although it's so nice to have the twins, it is so difficult having two very active little boys going through the same milestones at the same times ("No" is a current favourite). I think one of the most difficult things at the moment is that whenever I tell one of the boys he can't do something the other one goes & does it straight away just to make sure he gets the same reaction - & it's driving me crazy - of course I'm going to be angry no matter WHO drops the kitten etc. etc. etc.
One of the most difficult things I found with having 4 children so close in age (Zai was 3 3/4 when the twins were born) was the rude comments I got from strangers. Once a lady was so openly rude to me in a shopping centre that I just hung my head in total embarrassment due to her crudeness. Finally after she had talked (at the top of her voice mind you) all the way down the shopping aisle - her husband said "____ Be Quiet".
Anyway off the topic - now I'm rabbiting on & on!

#2 A year ago, you moved from the city to the country, leaving behind your family and all that was familiar. What advice would give to someone who was contemplating a similar life change?
DON'T!!!!! LOL -
Actually that's not true, but it sure was a difficult year. However if you feel it's God's will then definitely DO!! One of the best things we did was move near an open & welcoming church (we already knew about the church & had visited a few times before we moved down)! Throughout the most difficult times of homesickness & adjustment we always have had our church family to lean on.

#3 On Sunnyside, you and your husband raise sheep and plant crops.Coming from the city, how did you learn the skills necessary for farm management?

Fantastic question - not sure about the answer. To say we knew nothing when we moved would be a complete understatement. Thankfully we have the most wonderful neighbours, friends & church family & we have asked many, many questions & everyone has been willing to answer. We've learnt a lot from them. Both our neighbour & also some friends have been more than willing to show us their way of doing things & we've learnt everything else by trial & error!!

#4 How does the school system in Australia work? Can you describe an average school day for Zai? (Bee was curious about this - and me too!)

In Australia our school year starts in late January (tomorrow here) or early Feb (for Victoria). Our year is divided into 4 terms with approx. a 2 week holiday between each term. Our summer holidays start a week or so before Christmas & most states have 5 to 6 weeks holiday!
In NSW you go from Kinder to year 6 in primary school & then year 7 to year 12 is secondary school.
Our school here is a bit different from most schools. Here most of the children arrive by school bus at 8:45am to school. School doesn't start til 9:20, however each child in kinder & Years 1 to 3 have to go & read a "home reader" (basically a book at their level) to a parent (who volunteers - I would go in on a Monday morning last year) or teacher before they go & play until bell time. The primary school then has an assembly & they tell the children anything that they need to pass onto parents (BTW never trust a 6 year old boy to pass on anything!), any information for that day or week etc. If there are any birthdays they sing happy birthday. They then go to class - the kinder went straight to the library for a story & then to class to start their work. At this school morning tea is at 10:46 - 11:06am & lunch is 12:52 - 1:39pm. (yes, I looked that up!!) Both of these breaks are eaten in a shade shelter outside & then the children are free to play & they play outside for the whole breaks. They do have specific days for library, art & sports, although the teacher always makes sure they do some kind of physical activity (that has a really weird name in this state (that's the qld girl talking!!)) every day. School finishes at 3:25pm & the children must go straight to their bus because as soon as the bus has all it's students on, they leave (basically the school is empty by 3:30pm - it's amazing to see!)

#5 What are 3 places that a visitor to Australia absolutely must see?

* Sunnyside - well who wouldn't want to visit here!!! LOL
OK seriously - I don't know if I'm the best person to answer this because basically I've seen most of Qld & NSW & we visited the Northern Territory when I was about 8 or so, but I've never been to Victoria, South Aust or Western Aust. However my 3 top pics would be:
* The great barrier reef off northern qld - it really is beautiful & even though we spent most of our numerous holidays up there visiting relatives, I do remember some times of fun seeing the beauty of the reef!
* Northern Territory - this is an amazing place in itself. The wild beauty is breathtaking! (although I remember being petrified of the crocs, I had this idea that if I was ever chased to run in circles & then climb a tree (not sure why the circles or how I was to get to a tree while running in circles)- remember I was only 8!)
* One place I really, really want to visit is the great Australian Bite - do the great ocean road. I've heard it really is beautiful.

All in all I think you could spend a year traveling around Australia, it is so big & diverse!

Thanks Heather for your great questions!

So now over to you- If you would like an interview on your own please just tell me & I would love to come up with some questions (although don't expect Heather's standard) to ask you!!