Wedding Invite in Days of My Destiny

So we got an invite in the mail yesterday for a wedding.... in New Zealand!

Lol. It's one of L's cousins. We heard of this wedding about six months ago. L's parents got an invite a few months after that and we didn't, so we figured we weren't invited.

We are seeing how feasible this is. As exciting as the idea is..... there's a lot to consider. We're trying to find the cheapest deal on flights possible already, and it's frustrating to see that we could fly to NZ for half the price if we flew in August... but we don't need to fly in August, we need to fly in April! (We did consider flying in August instead of for the wedding, I mean there are many advantages to that - eg spending quality time with the newlyweds later on in the year, and getting cheaper flights etc), but upon discussing this, we realised that, since Pete's death, it's important to us that we make it to the family events.

So we looked into accommodation and care hire. Turns out...... if we hire a campervan, a) there's our accommodation and care hire in one, and b) it's HALF the cost than the other option!!!! How crazy is that!!!!

Then there's spending money to consider. Campervans are self-contained, so we'd do a grocery shop for the few days we are there. Then we'd most likely spend some money on a couple of meals out. Then we'd probably buy one or two souvenirs for our daughters.

Then there's passports. Both L's and my passports expired last year (!!) and Little L has never even had a passport. M's is current until September this year, so that's sorted. For the rest of the family to sort out passports, that's $600 right there.

Then there's the "getting to an airport" bit. We considered flying from Newcastle, and then saw that flying from Sydney is cheaper. And then we thought about it again. Do we really want to be trying to get to the airport in Sydney when we don't even KNOW Sydney? Do we want to then also spend extra for the airport to look after our vehicle while we're away? Or do we want to fly from Brisbane and utilise family to take us to the airport and look after (and use to their pleasure) our vehicle while we're away? And also use that time when we get back to spend a day with family? So driving to either would mean spending on further travel costs (fuel etc).

At the same time, only L's and my name are on the invite. So L's written to his cousin, asking if it's a No Kids Wedding. If so, we won't be going. We did think about going without them.... but I just can't handle the thought of leaving the actual COUNTRY without my babies. I can't handle the thought of leaving ON A PLANE and leaving them behind. I just can't. And L isn't so sure on it either. Besides, WE ARE A FAMILY NOW. We would like to go to weddings as a family if possible. (Last year, L's best mate got married and it was a No Kids Wedding. L was best man so well, we worked around it, didn't we. But given the option..... while my kids are this little, I'll keep them, thanks.)

So yes!!! LOTS to consider.

L has a fair bit of Sick Leave up his sleeve from last year. He can get this paid out at any time. He thinks he might have up to $2,000 worth, which would make things a lot easier, seeing as this 3-day holiday could cost up to $3,500. We also have about 90,000 flybuys points that we would be willing to redeem. So that's exciting.

Just imagine..... in April 2014, we are driving in Auckland, New Zealand, in a campervan, being adventurous.

I absolutely LOVE that idea!