“Home is the nicest word there is.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
Yesterday Bear and I went to the Post Office and received a large envelope with my name on it. Inside was approval for my Permanent Residency in Australia. I could hardly believe it and promptly burst into tears. I didn’t realize how I’d been emotionally holding my breath, hoping that Australia would want me to stay, hoping that I’d be allowed to remain with my Bear. After my cry we laughed and whooped and hollered with joy. It’s been a long, long road but we’re finally here and it feels amazing.
I belong here now. I’m allowed to stay. I’m truly allowed to call this place home.
I can’t help but smile. A lot.
So Bear and I are celebrating. Much to our delight, on the same day my approval arrived, so did a box full of Christmas pressies from the US. So we’ve been having such fun watching new movies, reading through new issues of my favorite American magazine, and dreaming up the ideal recipes to utilize the three precious cans of mild green chilies our dear friend sent to us.
This afternoon we’re going to treat ourselves to a coffee and cake date, and this morning we celebrated with one of our favorite brekky’s: fried potatoes with onions and sausage.
Now I’m heading outside to start prepping my garden for winter veggies. After searing heat for days on end, last night a new front blew in and it is wonderfully fresh and cool. Can’t wait to get outside and dig and plant and plan.
How do you like to celebrate important things? xo
So pleased for you (and Bear) Krista. I’m sure you’ll make a fine addition to the country……. but you’ll just have to drop “whooped and hollered ” from the vocabulary now! 🙂 Just kidding, of course 😉
Thank you so much, @Kayrpea61:disqus 🙂 Trust me, you aren’t the only Aussie correcting my English on a regular basis. 🙂
Congratulations! That’s wonderful news 🙂 My husband and I tend to celebrate with wine – something fancy that we don’t make ourselves or haven’t tried before. Happy celebrating!
Thank you, @rachelfriesen:disqus Oh yes, a new wine is an excellent addition to such celebrations. 🙂
that is exciting and good news. congratulations !
Now I am praying the little African kiddies’ citizenship papers come through one day soon. We so want them all ‘Home”.
I loved~“Home is the nicest word there is.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
Ohhh, I hope your littles come home soon too, dear Susan. How wonderful that day will be! XO
So happy for you!
Thank you, dear Michelle. 🙂 It is a happy day indeed. 🙂
congratulations!!!!!!! how lovely for you. we look forward to the new Aussie Krista. we’re sure she will be just as wonderful as the old one but just a little more AUS-SOME.
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
“a little more AUS-SOME” – I love that, paradis. 🙂 XO
I think that next to Home being the nicest word there is, should be Love 🙂 Congrats on your PR. I thought that would not have been a problem with Bear being Aussie 🙂
What absolutely fantastic news. I’m so pleased for you. You are a fab person to be able to call Australia home. I think you can continue to whoop and holler Krista, maintain your individuality, like I’ll never lose my accent 😉
Ha Ha, even when we think you are starting to sound like a Brit, Cathy. Well, just a little bit, but not as much as Mini Sheila. 🙂 They say you never completely lose your original accent if you are over 18 when you change country/language. I can’t help but imagine your accent, Krista. Some variation on hybridised Scandinavian/North American/Queenslander after a few years, I expect.
Quite right Dad, Mini Sheila is the one with the distinct English accent not me. I too am curious what Krista’s accent is like 🙂
Oh, I can now understand how important that acceptance is, Krista, and I am dancing for joy for you!! Home is where the heart is and I can tell your heart is right where it belongs! Congratulation hugs!!! Jackie
That is wonderful news Krista, I am so happy for you. We usually go out for dinner to celebrate 🙂
Congratulations, Krista. I’m so glad you have received your permanent residency. Great news and a big weight off your mind for sure. I can imagine you must have felt like truly celebrating after what was obviously a very lengthy and stressful ordeal xx
Oh Krista, that is the most wonderful of all amazing ways to start your year. I got a little misty reading your emotional reaction to realising you are now an Aussie permanent. Yay! So excited and happy for you and Bear. Hmmm… how do I celebrate, something like this, I’d prob crack a beer with my loved ones. There would be some happy dancing too. Hope you kids are still kicking on and enjoying that feeling of freedom. Love and hugs. xox
Also, love the look of that feed. So delicious! 🙂
Congratulations!!! Celebrate with champagne.
I am so happy for you dear friend, so happy. What an incredible journey it has been to this point. We often celebrate with a special food or drink or a drive to our favourite beach. XO
Congratulations! I remember when I received that envelope too and it’s a wonderful feeling to be wanted. 🙂
Congratulations! It’s wonderful to have the place that you call home SAY is is your home too!
Congratulations!! So very pleased for you 🙂 Happy celebrating. We celebrate by going out for our favorite food. Or possibly at times hopping nto our car and taking a short and sweet vacation.