ONE YEAR!!

One year ago from now we were sitting in the Orlando airport eating sushi and drinking one last Starbucks as we waited to board the plane to make the big move to the DR. Oh, what a year it has been. It has been great in so many ways and hard in others. We have learned so much about ourselves, each other, Dominicans, and God. We are definitely not the same people we were when we left the U.S. a year ago. It feels really good to have finally reached the one year mark. Besides adjusting to having a newborn, we feel settled here and  feel like we have found a good "rhythm." Thanks SO much for all of your prayers....we wouldn't still be here if it weren't for them. 

Some of our first year memories:

-Constant noise...bachata music, people selling things over a loud speaker, roosters, motorcycles

-HEAT!!!...taking cold showers and barely drying off before hopping in bed to make it through the night

-Finding out we were pregnant 1 month after moving here

-Hosting lots of birthday parties for our friends and neighbors

-Learning to live more simply

-Giving yourself 3 hours minimum to make a grocery store run

-Introducing Dominicans to American food

-Our 2 day trip to the Campo...Elliott still loves the Bestia

-Elliott's men's bible study in the garage every Tuesday night

-Learning to drive like a crazy dominican...we are no longer phased by the traffic and lack of order on the road

-Everything breaking a month or so after you buy it

-Getting out of traffic tickets (that we didn't deserve) by speaking only English

-Still struggling to communicate in Spanish

-Line drying clothes

-Lots walks with Ridley in the park....people are afraid of him and move to the other side of the street when they see him coming

-Being able to travel around and see the beautiful Dominican beaches and mountains

-Floating in the sea off of Bahuruco

-Termite infestation in the guest room closet

-Giving birth to our precious little Avery

El's parents are here and will be baby-sitting tonight as we go out and celebrate the BIG one year anniversary!!