Right now those of you who have met me, or had me at your wedding are probably thinking – Whoa, WHAT NOW?!? It does come to a bit of a shock to people because I haven’t really made a big deal out of it. I have been lucky enough to have had fantastic medical care (Medicare you ROCK!), a wonderful support base and a lifestyle that has made the transitions in each stage of my disease easier to deal with. And to be honest, while having this disease is does suck, I happen to think I have a pretty freakin’ awesome life!!

So, on the most auspicious of days – February 29th 2012 – I got THE call. They had a kidney match and I was to fly to Brisbane that day and have the transplant asap – HOLY CRAPOLA! I was sooooo not prepared for this moment but ready not, I was on the plane and at 7am on March 1st they wheeled me into theatre and gave me a new kidney! The transplant so far has been very successful, although I have had some side complications as a result of the new immunosuppresent medications I am taking, but I am so excited about all the possibilities for the future!

In months prior to the call, Peter and I had been dreaming up ways we can celebrate our upcoming TEN YEAR wedding anniversary on March 23rd. We had grand plans of holidaying on a luxury tropical island, getting frocked up for an expensive restaurant dinner or perhaps having the full day spa pampering experience as a way of celebrating our decade of marriage. Instead I was only a few days out of hospital and still in recovery mode, when my darling husband presented me with this wonderful surprise anniversary gift – beautiful memories of our wedding day and a wonderful reminder that we really have had an awesome life so far. Such a beautiful keepsake that he has worked so hard on (in secret!), it bought me to tears. THANK YOU my wonderful husband Peter, for all your love and support. You are truly my best friend, my partner in crime, my other half. Thank you for collecting our memories so we can look back at what an amazing first ten years we have had together, and my new kidney and I know the next ten, twenty, FIFTY will be EVEN BETTER!! LOVE XOXOXO!!

~ Emily

To us it is very important that we continually evolve and ensure that we are at the top of our game but also to strengthen our industry and give the opportunity to educate and make new connections. During the event I had the lucky task of blogging (www.exposeddownunder.com.au) and also capturing some footage which then I had only a few hours to put together to be shown on the same day. It makes me feel proud to have been part of it and also to make something for us to remember by.

- Pete

Some pictures from the event

I am capturing a bit of the presentation

Editor Challenge, bit of pressure never hurts

Great Bunch of Wedding Filmmakers!

First we had to drop off the cats to the cattery as they were being flown up at the end of the week. I love my fur kids, but four days is the car with them would kill us all! I can tell you right now, they were not very impressed with the alternative either from the sound of them in the journey to the cattery! After that we headed north, stopping overnight at Wagga Wagga, Narrabri and Miles before hitting Rocky and finally arriving at Yeppoon! They put on a lovely welcome, with sunshine, warm breeze and a welcome sign!

We have moved into our new place – upgraded from a two bedroom apartment to a four bedroom house, garage, pool and a PANTRY! What else does a girl need?!? We picked up the girls (cats!) from the airport and well, lets just say if they were dissatisfied when we left them, they were Very Angry when we picked them up! But I think once the furniture arrives they will settle in just fine. ?

So here we are in the Poon… I think this is going to work out allllrrriiiiiggghhhttt!!!!

Yeppoon is a seaside town on the Capricorn Coast in Central Queensland. The town itself has a population of about 11,000 and two traffic lights. Just off the coast are the beautiful Keppel Island which are part of the Great Barrier Reef. The city of Rockhampton is 40km inland and has a population of around 80,000. The coast line of aqua blue water, white sand and clear blue skies is absolutely beautiful! And to add to the appeal, it’s also home to my sister, her husband and now my parents too!

So… we have news… some BIG NEWS! Let me tell you the back story….

Peter and I met in Brisbane, Queensland back in 1999 and moved back to Melbourne in 2000 so I could be closer to family and friends. While we have enjoyed the past ten years with all our love ones, on many a cold Melbourne day we have often lamented leaving the warmth and sunshine of Brisvegas.  It may come as no real surprise to those close to us, but we do not like Melbourne winters. At all. That wouldn’t be so much of a problem if winter was just the three months Mother Nature intended, but winter in Melbourne seems to start late March and the grey skies, icy southerly winds and single digit temps do not let up until  eight months later October – EIGHT MONTHS!! And while summer can dish up some stunning days that make you truly appreciate this town, they seems to me to be too few and far between by the time March rolls around again!

We have talked a lot of moving to Queensland, but it’s always been on the list for “some day”. Then my parents (affectionately known as MAD [Mum.And.Dad – geddit?!?!]) announced they were retiring to the warmer climates of Central Queensland where my younger sister lives – well how can you miss a sign like that from the universe?! It was a scary thought; moving our business that we had worked so hard to grow, leaving our great friends, starting to a new place… but after much research and discussion Peter and I decided we were up for the challenge…. so the big news is…

We are moving to Yeppoon!!

- Pete

The Story: http://www.polkadotbride.com/wp/index.php/2010/03/05/jaye-and-xavier-save-the-date-video/

So tonight was just a short get together where we had a chance to have a bit of meet and greet, and already I have learned plenty and even more pumped.

I am so super excited to find out what the next 3 days brings us.

-Pete