Domincan Bound!

Most of you know we are getting ready to move to the Dominican Republic. We are moving this Fall to the capital city, Santo Domingo. We're planning to live there for two years then come back to the U.S. Two years in another country...many thoughts and feelings are swirling around in my head and heart. It all seems surreal to me, as I don't really know what life will be like on the other side of this move. I like to know what to expect and I make lists and plans in my head surrounding my expectations. I'm coming up at a lose here, because I just don't know how to plan for this one! It's totally out of my comfort zone!

I've moved quite a few times since graduating high school and saying "bye-bye" to my home state of Northern California. I've lived in the South, I've lived in the Northeast and now I am headed for the Caribbean. The thrill I felt each time I moved and opened myself to a new experience is motivating me, but I'm so anxious about things that seemed so trivial before I had a child. Will we find a pediatrician who shares the same medical perspective we do? What if my child gets sick from the water or mosquitoes? Will I survive "Dominican" driving? How will I handle random loss of electicity and water? Will I REALLY be able to communicate in Spanish without having to think about EVERY word I say? Etc, etc...

It's a funny thing, because I have had several opportunities to travel to Latin American and Caribbean countries. Every time I have fallen in love with the culture and people. I have almost moved to a couple of these locations to work as a teacher or in some sort of Christian ministry/humanitarian capacity. The thought of immersing myself in another culture and people has always had a special place in my heart.

It's probably no surprise to others that I married a Latino and am moving to his home country. I'm not really that surprised by any of it either. We're just not going under the circumstances I expected. I'm not going to work in a school or an orphanage or on a mission of some kind. I'm going to support my husband as he takes what he learned in graduate school back to his country to make a difference. I'm going so my child will have a chance to experience part of his cultural background. I guess I'm surprised that I'm not going for my own reasons. I, selfishly, wonder about my identity there. It seems so noble, in a way, to go and support my husband, but I'm really nervous about finding my own fit.

I'll tell you more about our timeline next time I blog. For now, I'll leave you with a few pictures of where we are headed:

This is a good depiction of Santo Domingo. If you look closely you can see cars in gridlock in an intersection. Thoughts of driving...yikes!

Apartment buildings next to a park in Santo Domingo.

The center of the island is a mountain range. One of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen!Eric's grandparents live in a small mountain town where we will spend many weekends with family.

Summer Days

It's been so long since I blogged last that I don't even know where to start. It's just like me to get busy with other things and forget to keep everyone updated on all of the things I am busy with!

We have had both of our moms in town over the last month, so there has been a lot of activity in our house. I miss that we don't live near our moms and it's so great to see Eric interact with his Gammy and Abuela. My mom was here for his party, so that pretty much took up all of our time. While Eric's mom was here we did a lot of shopping (she LOVES to shop and look in all of our American stores. Eric says she has made shopping a sport). And, we went to Cape Cod.

I've been to the Cape a few times since moving here, but this is the first time I felt like I really experienced the Cape. We started in Sandwich where we visited the Glass Museum. After that we drove almost to the end of the Cape and went to the beach in Orleans. On our way we passed a cemetary where several of the original Pilgrims are buried. We "drove" past it because I was the only one in the car who wanted to stop.

Since then, we have been laying low dodging the heat and humid days and going out on the nice warm sunny days. I have been tending to my garden, which is producing some lovely tomatoes and herbs. We had radishes earlier in the summer and the carrots are taking root. Many of the flowers got choked out with the endless weeds. Seriously, you turn your back for 2 or 3 days and they've taken over!

We went to Kelly and Steve's Lakehouse in Central Mass for the 4th of July. Eric and Maddie took their first dip in the lake. We set off our own fireworks over the lake and somehow Eric slept through the whole thing. I don't know how kids do that!

My sweet one-year old is transitioning into his toddler phase. He is becoming quite strong-willed (where he gets that from, I don't know?!). He's in to everything and protests the slightest command. Man do I have it coming for me in the next few years?! Amid all of the usual toddler stuff he is so much fun and beginning to walk! He isn't walking on his own yet, but with a hand to hold onto he can walk the entire block to the garden and back!

he biggest thing in our lives right now is planning to move to the Dominican Republic in November. It feels like a long way away, but it's really right around the corner. My head is swimming with things to do, lists to make, people to contact, things to sell, things to pack, etc...

...with Gammy.

...with Abuela. (even though he has the same shirt on it was two weeks later.)

At the lake on the 4th (or rather in the lake).

The guys stretching their legs at the beach on Cape Cod.

Giving Maddie Josti a hug. Papa Eric says, "That's my boy! Si Senor!"