How We Roll

This is the way we roll, we roll; this is the way we roll ;) I'm pretty certain that's a song of some sort from way back when...

Thought I'd let you know how we travel to and fro and what helps our trip run smoothly. Well, first and foremost all the prayers lifted up for us is what makes our day run smoothly! I am NOT kidding on this one.

We stroll through security and the airport with a MacClaren double stroller. It's very light and easy to maneuver and fold. I hang a carseat on one handle (the smaller and lighter the carseat the better!). On my back is a backpack and I carry a slingbag (made in the DR) with our extra clothes and blankets. Adeline carries the smallest backpack I could find for her body which usually contains most of our snacks. The final bag we carry on is a small insulated LandsEnd softsided lunchbox to hold the milk drinks. I received these cute Winnie the Pooh neck pillows with a diapers purchase in the DR and it was well worth the space they took up in the backpack. Little Miss started out the first flight with a DVD while brother took a great nap. He actually traveled with a double ear infection on both rounds of the trip. But I am blessed with children who don't have ear troubles on the plane with or without infections. And the list of goodies that helps me travel with toddlers:

• snacks (small sized candies (i.e. M&Ms, tic tacs, etc) & items with nutritional value (energy bars, nuts, raisins, etc)
• napkins & grocery bags
• activities (stickers, crayons, paper, card game)
• small toys for tray area
• 2 sippy cups & 2 bottles
• 2 small blankets (although maybe I'll start carrying one since AA charges $8 to buy one on the plane now!! Oh but it does come with a $10 BB&B gift card...so I guess you do make $2 on the deal)
• extra pair of clothes (came in handy when Dman had a blowout at the end of his first flight on the return trip)
• 4-5 diapers for a 9hr day b/c you never know if it will turn into a 12-18hr day
• 1-2 pullups for the emergency times when you can't get to the potty but your 3 1/2yr old MUST go to the restroom
• DVD player (usually only used on one flight and she never watches it for more than an hour...we could probably go without it next go around)

Last note. We don't mind the 7am flights (which means you need to be at the airport at 5a) because the kids do a great job catching up on sleep once on the plane. I do admit that this was the first trip where they finally got over the "I'm riding an airplane" excitement and went to sleep the majority of the trips. I no longer have much anxiety about flights since Darton is 2 and required to have a seat. It might cost more to fly, but it's a world of a difference when you don't have to manage 3 bodies in 2 seats!

Another Wedding...More Dancing

Adeline isn't afraid to get her groove on any more!

Trey's wedding

We arrived in time to go to my cousin Trey's wedding. The kids had a blast dancing with my cousins, aunts, and grandmother. But I really missed not having my hubby to dance with!
Adeline wore a dress Scott's mom made for Jenny about 25 years ago and Darton wore the vest of a suit Scotty wore as a child. The kids sat down to watch a movie the Sunday night after the wedding and after we didn't hear crying or complaining for a while we went to check on them.

Oh Texas How I Love Thee

Not quite sure if I've re-fallen in love with Texas or just the United States. I can officially say the honeymoon stage of life in the DR is over, and I've come to appreciate the comforts of life in the States. What comforts exactly?

1. I can drive with my purse in the front passenger seat and the car unlocked.

2. I'm not fighting 3.5million people to get where I need to go and driving is NOT a race.

3. I'm greeted and served by a waitress with a smile on her face....and that's in a fast-food restuarant. Can I get a shout out for Chik-fil-A's service! They took my tray to the table, they came by my table to see if I wanted a refill, and they have throw-away place mats for the kids!!

4. I don't have to demand help from an employee at a store. Shopping is a pleasure.

Let me explain what it's like when I walk into a typical retail store in the DR. You must walk in with a chip on your shoulder in order to receive help. Help must be demanded and then the employee is usually your best friend...but not until then. The DR retail experience has seriously made me a different person...one I do not like. I enjoy sharing a smile with the person helping me. I enjoy saying "yes, mam," "please," and "thank you." I've stopped smiling in the DR. I haven't stopped having manners though....YET. Maybe I'll go back refreshed and ready to spread a little kindness to the average Dominican. My good Dominican friends say there's a lack of learned manners in the DR, not a lack of friendliness. Last Christmas I would have disagreed. I'm realizing they're probably right.

We miss you Daddy!!

Scott's Perspective

I had a fun experience yesterday. A nearby community has asked us to improve the road through their village. We already built them a small bridge so they can cross the river dry and they want us to continue the improvements.

I’m organizing the contractor and the work to do this. So I called a meeting with the community to help them understand that we will need to remove some produce trees , fences, and “power poles” (tree branches with bailing wire for electric line) for the equipment to fit. Also wanted them to be sure and inform the kids and drivers in the area.

We sat out in front of the colmado (a small convenient store/bar found on most streets in the DR) on plastic lawn chairs. The local preacher came and started us with a brief 2min message and prayer. We discussed everything for 45min and then he closed us with prayer.

It gave me a glimpse of what life must have been like 60-80+ years ago in rual United states. Each house has one light bulb running off their “power grid”. Nearly everyone walks, a few have pickups or motors or horses. There’s a single schoolhouse. The running water is intermittent. They all gather at the local dry goods store for meetings and the preacher is there with his Bible. It’s an absolutely beautiful little place; away from everything, much cooler than in the city. Everyone sits on their lawn, laundry hanging out to dry. The doors of many of the (what we call) shacks are open. A table and a few chairs is normally all that can be seen.

I asked them if they were sure they wanted a better road as it would mean more traffic, more dust, more people, more dangers for the kids. They all said yes.

I’m sure this is only the beginning of the rapid changes this little community will see over the coming decades…

What! Chocolate Jesus??

Did you know that when a 3 1/2 year old is telling her Daddy on the phone that she went to Chucky Cheeses that it can be interpreted as "Chocolate Jesus?"

A TX visit always means a visit to see my mom at work. Lunch in the park with mom. Feeding the ducks french fries. Visiting Aunt Shareen's farm.
Cousin Colten's 1st birthday party.