2010 in a nutshell

Since it's New Year's Eve, Paul and I always talk about what our favorite things from the past year have been. A few of our favorites are:

• January = The boys and I moving back to Dominica once Hawken got his passport so we could be all together again.
• February = We survived our first semi-close volcanic eruption (2 islands away).
• March = Matix turns 1 and 1/2 and gets to go to nursery for the first time, and Hawken learns to roll over on the beach.
• April = Grandma Kim comes for a visit, and Matix hunting for Easter eggs.
• May = Paul and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary. 4 years married to my best friend.
• June = Hawken turning 6 months old, and the boys are becoming real friends.
• July = Grandma Stacy coming for a visit.
• August = Hawken learning to walk, then full out running.
• September = Matix turning 2, WOW!
• October = Trick-or-Treating on campus. Both boys really got into it, such a great age. Hawken was a shark and Matix was a surfer with a bite out of his surf board.
• November = Thanksgiving on the seaside deck with tons of friends. So memorable.
• December = Hawken turning 1!! Paul finishing his first 2 years of medical school, moving back to the States, Christmas with Paul's family, and being together just the 4 of us again in our new home here in Miami.

We love our life and our crazy adventures. It isn't always easy, but we love it all. We have 2 beautiful, healthy, silly baby boys. We have each other. We are excited to see what comes next in 2011.

packing

Matix, by biggest helper, fits into our tiniest suitcase. :)

Packing to come back to the States was easier this time since Paul was finished with his classes, so he could help me pack. We had to pack the bags that went with me to go back into storage, the bags that went with Paul that he would need immediately for himself, and for the boys... We had 50lbs a piece to work with, and since Matix is 2 years old now, he got a bag as well. Thankfully we got everything packed, and everything was in the right place.

Bye to Ena

This is Ena. Probably one of my favorite Dominicans. She barely spoke English, but she tried very hard. She was our housekeeper.

No, we are NOT rich. Most of the homes and apartments for rent to students come with a housekeeper. We paid $800/month, and we asked if it would be cheaper if we skipped the housekeeper bit, but they said no. We had to pay the same price whether or not she came, so I thought, huh... I have to have a housekeeper? OKAY! :) She came once a week. She swept, mopped, washed the dishes, made the beds, and folded EVERYTHING. It was cute to see all the random things she ran around folding. She was pretty thorough, and oh so patient with my very "helpful" and messy little boys. We miss you already Ena, you were WONDERFUL.

IGA NOT DONE

The IGA in Picard, that had a finish date of August, then November, then December 15th, NEVER GOT FINISHED!!! :( They got pretty far, but they have again pushed the date back. They started to paint the outside a few shades of green, and it was looking promising, but still, not done. I really wanted to go shopping there 1 time before I left Dominica. Good old Dominica, moving slowly, at their own pace despite deadlines, on island time as usual. :)

Bye to Lazarus

Lazarus was our landlady's boyfriend and our maintenance man. When he came over to do yard work or fix something, he would always take a minute or two to play with the boys. He was very good about that. He's not so good at persuading our landlady to give us our entire security deposit back though... Sad. She still hasn't given it all back to us, so we are in the process of having Ross housing department get it for us. Fun. But anyway, we will miss Lazarus, his super thick accent, and his amazing coconut pulling skills.

Bye to A.J.

This is A.J., also known by Matix as "chiten guy" (chicken guy) :) He gave us free chicken all the time, and we LOVED it. We gave him our double stroller (a real commodity on the island) to use for his baby girls. We will miss you A.J., you were always so kind to us.

Matix took this second picture. It shows his face better. I don't know why he was trying to look tough in the group shot I took...? :)

Bye to the Walpole Family

Jamie (mom) knew me when we both lived in Colorado, but we weren't really friends. Then she and Justin (dad) decided to go to Ross for med. school, so they got in contact with me through a mutual friend. After months of questions, and planning, and packing... They arrived. :) It has been fun playing with Lexi (daughter) and baby Hayden, and getting to know Jaime better.

They are through 1 semester now, so they have another year left on the island, but when we left we gave them TONS of our stuff. See? It pays to stay on the island during the breaks! :) So, because I am an OVER-packer, I think they will be set up until they return home to the States. :) Miss you guys!

Bye to Keira

Keira was a tiny little thing when they first got to the island and now she is almost 2! Keira lived right around the corner from us and we spent many a Monday morning over there, or lazy afternoons in the pool. Jacki and her hubby are a few semesters behind us, so they get more island time. They are from New York, so maybe we will meet up again if we are placed there for rotations... We shall see. :) You guys are great. We will miss you!

Bye to Curvin

Curvin is our friend, driver, laundry guy, and he brings us fresh fruits, veggies and eggs too. He's a multi-tasker. :) The boys love him. I love that he did our laundry. I have done only 1 load since I have been back in the States, and it just isn't the same as having it washed, dried, folded and returned to your front door. We will miss you Curvin.

Bye to Tracy

Another sad good bye. Tracy was leaving on the same day we were, but since it rained we weren't able to make it to the waterfalls we had planned on for that morning. So we had to say our good-byes the night before. Tracy is super fun. We have SO much in common, it's creepy. She and her hubby still have a few semesters on the island, but hopefully we will catch up when we are all done, in Colorado, right Tracy? :)

Matix and Hawken are in love with her as well. Matix says he is thankful for "Tace an Sane an fens" (Tracy and Shane and friends) in his good night prayers. It is so sweet. He went to nursery for the first time in America on Sunday, and he asked "Where a Tace?!" (Where is Tracy) She was his nursery teacher on the island, and he was super confused why she wasn't here in the church in Miami. We miss you Tracy!

Bye to Kelly and Shane!

About a week before we left Dominica, our friends Kelly and Shane left. :( They came over in the morning to play one last time. It was bittersweet. A few other kids stopped by to say good-bye to Shane too.

Kelly is a great friend. Always positive and sees the best in everyone. I miss you Kelly!! Matix and Hawken miss their first real friend, Shane. Shane is SUCH a good boy. Very sweet and loving.

Wishing you all the best in freezing cold Michigan! Bye guys!

Visit

Because of the delay, I had a lot of extra time. I even got to go see another friend, Melissa. Hooray! I had been planning on packing and leaving on Monday, but we had to wait for my wallet to arrive via overnight air mail on Tuesday before I could leave. Melissa is pregnant and just barely starting to show. Adorable. :) Paul and I LOVE the Lopes family. Can't wait until we can live near each other again. I wish I could have visited for longer, and with everyone. Maybe in another year, right? :)

Chipotle

My friend Michelle came to pick me up from the airport in Phoenix. We took a lot of pictures in the middle of the night that are NOT flattering at all... so I won't share those, but the next morning, we had an unexpected delay (Paul took my wallet with him to Miami... No U-haul without an ID or credit card, no shopping for last minute things to load up the trailer either... WOW) So, Paul's sister Colleen, her friend Brianna and I went out to eat with Michelle for lunch. Chipotle, I have missed you! :) I ate every bite. I love America.

flights

Our trip... Saturday December 18th. We had a yummy pancake breakfast with our neighbor Phil.

This is the last family picture we took on the island. Right in front of the apartment we called "home" for the last 16 months of our life. This is the home where Hawken learned to walk, and talk, and feed himself. This is the home where both my boys turned 1 year old, and then Matix turned 2. So many wonderful memories. We will miss it here.

The boys got all loaded up and ready to go.

At the Dominican airport, the boys had fun watching the planes, trying to run back into the security area (super fun), and flirting with all the ladies. :)

The first flight was to Antigua. It was a good flight. Hawken fell asleep with me, and Matix played with Paul.

In Antigua, we were informed that the flight we were booked on was canceled. Thank you Liat. So Liat set us up in a fancy hotel, which we loved. We had fun there, despite having to change all our connecting flights, and pay for it out of our own pockets. It was a beautiful resort hotel.

In the morning (Sunday December 19th) we continued on our way to Puerto Rico. Another great flight. These boys are really good flyers.

In Puerto Rico, we went our separate ways. The boys went with Paul to Miami and I went alone to Atlanta and then on to Phoenix. We had lunch together and then I boarded my plane. It was hard to part, but for the better good.

This is what Paul felt like after his flight alone with the boys. :) Paul said many people commented on how impressed they were that he was doing it all on his own. Good job hubby!! I knew you could do it!

MIAMI BABY!!

We made it to Miami. Finally. Lee, Colleen and I left Arizona WAY later than expected didn't drive through the night, so it took us from Tuesday evening until this (Friday) morning. Once we get a few things unpacked and settled in, I am hoping to get some pictures up of our adventures... I missed Paul and the boys SOOOOOO much, it's good to be back with them. Merry Christmas EVE!!! So glad we made it before Christmas DAY!! :)

Update

Everyone is GREAT! Paul, Hawken, Matix and Stacy are in Miami, picking out a Christmas tree. Matix is back in love with Grandma, and Hawken is slowing warming up, but needs extra snuggles from daddy. I talked with Matix today and he told me all about his trip, "uh pane, mommy bye bye, I go pane, yeah!" Very excited about everything. I am in Arizona with Lee and Colleen, trying to get our U-Haul. Hopefully we get everything packed up and ready to go tomorrow evening for our long drive (34 hours) to Miami. Wish us luck. :)

en route

I am currently on my flight from Atlanta to Phoenix now, after RUNNING to make my connecting flight from San Juan. I got in at 6:31pm, and my connection left at 7pm (boarding at 6:20pm) Hmmm.... How do they expect me to be able to make it there? Where I got dropped off at and where I had to board this flight were at opposite ends of the airport too. This flight has free wi-fi while we are flying, which I find EXTREMELY fun. You are reading something I am writing and posting at 26,000 feet up! So I tried to take a picture of myself on the plane with photobooth... HA HA! Then I took another one because I looked SO exhausted I laughed at myself, but really Paul has been having the harder time traveling. :)

Paul should be in the airport in Miami with the boys right now, waiting to be picked up by his mom who flew in yesterday to help with the boys while I go to Arizona to get the car and drive it out (with Lee and Colleen).

I hope the last flight for Paul went well. Hawken strapped to his front in the baby bjorn that is WAY too small for him, Matix in the incredibly difficult to break down stroller, one carry-on with wheels, another carry-on that has started to rip, 2 personal items, 1 diaper bag, and hopefully he still has his sanity... :) I love you hubby, you are a rock star! He had both boys by himself, during NAP TIME... Hopefully at least one of the boys fell asleep. Paul is a very capable daddy, so I know I was leaving the boys in good hands. But hearing them cry out for me as I walked away to get on my flight was NOT my favorite thing to hear.

Paul and I had an interesting time getting to this point though. As with ALL of Paul's flights, they were very eventful. :) Just kidding hubby, not all, but a lot. :) Our first flight was Dominica to Antigua. We made the flight fine. Had to shuffle around some weight, and give the guy some of our exceptionally heavy wooden puzzles. :) I think it softened him up, in order for him to let us through. When we got to Antigua, after waiting for our flight to Puerto Rico, they told us it was canceled. :( Boo. The airline put us up in a SUPER fancy hotel. Free everything. :) We ate like kings! We had to cancel and change all of our connecting flights from Puerto Rico. And cancel the hotel in San Juan. We lost a TON of money, and were told, "sorry for the inconvenience"... Soooooooo, hundreds of dollars poorer, and many hours later, we are getting to our destinations... Cheers to traveling. We are excited to be back in the States.

4th semester sale

Every semester right before finals, there is a "4th semester sale". After running around like a crazy person weighing everything, I realized we had WAY TOO MUCH STUFF. Lots of things had to go. So... I went through the entire house, pulling out items that are especially heavy or bulky, and things that the boys didn't play with anymore or were worn out. I also pulled out things that we brought from the States that we never ended up using, since it is easy for us to be able to replace them when we get back to the States, but for our island friends it would save them the shipping. A few people had called dibs on certain items so I sent out an email of what was remaining, and then had an open house, hoping to clear most things out before having to drag all the rest up to campus to sell. The email got rid of a few things, and the open house got rid of even more, BUT, I still had a million things (9 boxes and 1 suitcase)... YIKES!!!! Both Paul and Phil had to help me get the things up to the CAC, plus we loaded up the double stroller. I really should have taken a picture of us carrying everything. We looked ridiculous.

The sale was supposed to open at 8am, so getting there at 7:30, I thought I would be safe. Of course not. There were TONS of people already there. They swarmed me and instantly I was crazy overwhelmed. Paul and Phil were so sweet and tried to help as much as they could, but of course they had to go study at some point, so after a few minutes they left.

I had already labeled everything and was trying to keep our money and the money for Phil's sale items separate (I offered to sell his stuff for him, so he could study)... People were trying to barter... And by try, I mean, they failed. :) For instance, I had a bottle of unused sunscreen. I bought it in the States for $9.95US dollars. I had it marked as $10EC dollars (only $3.75US). So, already, it's a great deal, right?! Apparently not.

Lady: "How much is this?"

Me: "Ummm... (as I show her the tag) It's $10EC."

Lady: "WHAT?!"

Me: "Well, I bought it in the States for almost $10US dollars, so it's a really good deal. You can't get this brand or SPF strength either."

Lady: "Hmmm (looking disgusted at the price tag) How about $1EC?"

WHAT?!!! That's 37cents!!!! WHAT?!

Me: "Ummm, no."

Unbelievable. There were a lot of situations like this. All in all though, I got everything but what you see here sold. YAY!! :) The yellow suitcase wasn't for sale, it has a few unsold baby toys in it. And I didn't change my prices, unless I felt like that person deserved an even better deal.

Some of the now empty boxes.

The few things we still have left are light weight and easy to pack, so if necessary, we will just bring them back with us. I am so thankful that the whole sale is over though. What a day. I was up there from 7:30am until almost noon. Yuck. Tracy woke up early and came over to watch the boys. This is a big deal for her because she usually doesn't wake up until 10 or later. So, thank you Tracy for entertaining my boys so I could argue with some strangers for a few hours. :)

Hawken's sick

Hawken has an ear infection in BOTH ears. He is usually such an easy going, happy baby, but lately he had been off... Paul took a peek in his ears and he said he thought it was infected. We took him up to the clinic and the doctor there said his right ear had a slight infection, but his left ear was on fire... Poor little guy. He has been doing a whole lot of nothing for the past 2 days. Snuggling and cuddling and relaxing in his chair are the only things he is really interested in doing.

Hopefully he will be feeling back to his normal self by tomorrow for our airplane rides... We shall see.

Sunday memories

The last 2 Sundays we had here have been bittersweet for us. There are many things about island life that we will miss, and many things about island life that make us excited to return to the States. BUT, on our picture perfect walk to church, we mainly focused on what we will miss.

The way Hawken hangs out of the side of the stroller, so he can get a better look at everything. We gave this stroller to a Dominican friend, AJ, so we are just down to the single now. Which is fine, but we will miss seeing him do this.

The goats. One day we saw a momma and her brand new baby goat, wobbly legs, wet fur and his umbilical cord still attached. Amazing.

Walking by the old fish hatchery. This is my shark face. Intimidating, I know. :)

Paul pushes the stroller. Sometimes the paths are difficult and need to be cut back, so I am ever so grateful for my strong and willing hubby. Such a good dad to these boys.

After church we said good bye to lots of our favorite Dominicans and Haitians. We will miss you all, and I'm sad we didn't get pictures of all of you.

Our bright green church building. In the States, most of our church building look the same, but here in the Caribbean, they match all the other brightly colored houses and buildings. I love it.

I love the houses and businesses here. All built in some unique way. Colors are their friends, and they make this place so whimsical.

The fishermen lining the beach with their fresh catches. One cleaning the fish, and the other blowing the conch shell so everyone will know of their catch.

Rainbows after the rain. Even if it was only a drizzle.

Friends and neighbors coming over to play with the boys. So much fun. I have a feeling we will have a lot of "I miss you" posts about Dominica coming soon...