The Fitches' Future is in New Zealand

So I (Gordon) have been offered the position of National Youth Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand; I have accepted the offer in principle, dependant on the acquisition of the relevant work visas.

Our hope is that we can make this move happen in the middle of January 2010 before the kids start school in February, but we may have to be flexible. If we move we will be living in the capital of New Zealand, Wellington. which seems to be an awesome city from all accounts. And New Zealand seems to be a country equally influenced by both Great Britain and the US, so we should both feel at home.

This has not been an easy decision to make, our family is really settled in Spokane, I really enjoy my current work situation, and because we have so many close friends and family members in Spokane, leaving will bring us much sorrow. However daunting moving continent is, the position of National Youth Coordinator is really exciting and I feel that it suits my gifts well. We really have left the move in God’s hands, believing that He will either open this door, or firmly shut it.

We of course would love to have any of you come and visit us, and if you can hop onto a plane, there will be a house waiting for you to stay in.

Just for Fun...

... I decided to pull out my studio equipment again, dust it off after a summer of resting in the closet, and put my kids to work as models!

And also, who can resist taking photos of my amazing kids?? Not me!

So here are a few to share, and the rest you can see IF YOU CLICK HERE. Enjoy!

Our footie/soccer stars!

HERE are a bunch of photos from Baeleigh and Ainsleigh's first soccer games. The team, under 6 girls, have named themselves the "Pink Unicorns"! With Gordon as their coach, how can they go wrong?!

The games are played 3 on 3 with 4 ten minute quarters. Coach Daddy tends to put the girls as defenders, and Baeleigh really throws herself in to the role. In fact, her defensive strategy tends to be falling down in front of the oncoming ball! They will have games each Saturday until the end of October, take a break for winter, and then they'll start again in the Spring. Fun!

Remember to CLICK HERE for all of the photos!!!

Sophie Goes to Preschool

Can you believe she's old enough already??

Timid at first, and warm and loving when she opens up, I think she'll do great at school!

My big school kids

Tuesday was Ainsleigh and Baeleigh's first day of Kindergarten. It'll be no surprise that I took the opportunity to take lots of photos! They are amazing little girls, and so brave and smart, I have no doubt at the success they'll achieve in school.

Baeleigh at her desk.

Ainsleigh at her spot.

Walking in from the playground for the very first time.

I was one of many parents using this spot for a picture opportunity!

Daddy so proud of his girls.

Sophie was excited with them!

Beautiful Baeleigh

Amazing Ainsleigh

Have a great year girls!

Sophie Gets Glasses!

This is Sophie, on the way to get her very first pair of glasses.

She's feeling very excited!

Here is Sophie at the eyeglass shop.

She's feeling a bit excited, and a bit nervous!

This is Sophie getting her glasses on for the very first time.

She is feeling very nervous!

This is the lady telling Sophie about how to treat her new specs.

Sophie is feeling very, very shy.

This is Sophie all done at the eyeglass shop.

She is feeling very excited!

Sophie was a star at the optometrist at the beginning of this week, and has been really good with getting used to these new glasses today. She has an astigmatism, her right eye a bit worse than her left, and they figured she was borderline needing the glasses. The Dr. said he preferred she have them, though, to save her eyes the strain as they're growing. Her big sisters are jealous of the new glasses, and have been begging for their own pairs all day! They've also been amazing with Sophie, telling her how great she looks in them, and helping her keep track of the case, etc. There's a few more pictures of the day HERE.

Liam's First Food

Liam got his first taste of food a couple of weeks ago. The girls were ecstatic, a bit more than he was!

Here it comes...

... and he seems happy to give it a go...

Hmmm, this doesn't seem right...

Oh, dear.