A very happy day!

Ariel is amazing! I have to back up a little bit and explain. You see, we don't have hot water. That's okay though, I've been fine mostly, it's just the way it is. So when it gets colder outside and the water is cold because it sits in a tank on the roof, I just heat some water on the stove and put it in a bucket in the tub to bathe with from a cup. That's worked for 2.5 years and somehow, you get used to it. Ariel loves the cold water, even when he has the option for warm he chooses cold, I dunno, he likes that sort of thing. That being said, I LOVE hot water. One of my favorite things to do when I go back to Oregon is sit in the tub and take long showers. Well, Ariel knows that and so for my Bday today...he got me a hot water heater!!!!! They should install in this afternoon and I am so excited. I will now have 8 lovely gallons of hot water to be the cleanest girl on the island. This is a very good day.

Julie got us a Flip video camera for the wedding and it's been so fun using it. Ariel is absolutely crazy for it and has been taking videos all over the place. Although this one's a little cheesy, I'm trying to test out posting them and this was one of the shorter ones. Oh, and it's in Spanish as well, so, good luck with that. :)

Jarabacoa

Jarabacoa was amazing as well. It was cold in comparison with the hot north coast, so we went hiking to the waterfalls and hanging out by the river. The hotel we stayed in is right next to the main river up there so we had our dinners on the balcony overlooking it!

To Jarabacoa

So we got changed into "leaving clothes" and headed off to Jarabacoa. It's about 2.5 hours away, so we, of course, had to stop at Taco Bell (always a treat as it's one of the few ones on the island!!) on the way up. We got an amazing sunset driving through the mountains as well!

And the wedding

We couldn't have asked for better wedding weather! It was such a perfect day, even with starting with a little sprinkle. It cleared off amazingly though and we had a bright blue sky and nice breezes. The ceremony went well...even if it did start super late because the sound equipment didn't arrive! Again, things I have to remember and get used to as I live in the Dominican Republic!

The setting was amazing, overlooking the ocean but up on a cliff a bit in a little foresty area. We didn't have to add too many decorations as it would have taken away from how naturally pretty it was. My grandma did an awesome job with the flowers and they were just the right touch to the area.

The reception went by fast but it was nice to be with everyone. Ariel was in charge of organizing all the food and it paid off as everyone ate to their heart's content. And yes, the two little pigs were with us as well, and no, I did not partake! We had time to wander around greeting the guests from table to table and it was nice to see so many family and friends there supporting us. We did the cake cutting and boquet toss, and then somehow it was already time to go!

We had such an indescribly fun day, I wish I could put words to it!

Wedding week

The week of the wedding we did some organizing and planning and lots of prep. Making bows for the flowers, which my grandma arranged, putting together candy gifts, ribbons on lots of things, etc.

We made a trip to Santiago on Thursday where we met up with Ariel's aunt to pick up the wedding flowers. We traded some that weren't the right color and got extras...it was fun!

We also got to do some special things like going to the spa for massages and pedicures. Of course, it's always a little different with the Dominican twist to it, but it was fun. I got highlights put in my hair, thanks to the help of everyone too!

Arrivals

The weeks brought in my parents, then Eileen and Julie, followed by my grandparents. My parents went with me a few days to school where we had a dental team in. We gave the kids Hep B vaccines and checked their teeth, then the next day had the ones come back who needed some rotten teeth pulled. Those pictures are amazing, but are still on their way, so hang on!

It was so special having everyone here...I've dreamed about this! We didn't do too many touristy things as there was so much wedding stuff to do...and it was raining! It rained steadily until Thursday, so we were making back-up plans for the wedding. Thankfully it cleared off for an amazing wedding day, and everyone else got to see what "cold" days are like here for us!

Catching up

So after getting back from the honeymoon, I turned my computer on to realize the keyboard had finally died. It was a slow death, starting about a year ago with a virus and then slowly losing key function. I was getting good at copying and pasting letters, but it is finally time to retire it. We've manged to now hook up Ariel's desktop computer keyboard to the laptop so I'm able to type again, hooray!!!

So I thought I would go back a little bit and update on the last few weeks.

This was a surpise shower the gringa girls threw me in Montellano. It was so fun and there was lots of food and great gifts. It was nice to see everyone, we always find ourselves asking why we don't get together more often!

Some Photos!!!!

Almost married!

Things are busy now as the wedding approaches, hence the lack of posting. We had a great team through the school on Thurs/Friday and we gave Hep B shots and pulled lots of rotten teeth! So grateful for them and the work and connection they have with our kids!!

My parents are here and Julie and Eileen are here and my grandparents will be in this afternoon. We are all staying together in a house in Cabarete which is fun! I love wedding week!!! Just a few more days now till the wedding and all is going well. Plans are being carried out and we've just been checking and re-confirming all our details! Now we're just praying for a sunny day, but know that either way we'll be just as married!

This little piggy went to the market...

Yah. So we're having 2 roasted pigs at the wedding.

Ariel went to the farm to pick them out.

I'll be having rice for lunch!!!

Happy kids

Every day we continue to see more of our kids back. The count is still a bit unsure of kids are gone as they filter in slowly as the problems remain at a distance. Families that once said they were never going back are in fact heading in after all, mostly because they are out of options for places to live. It is hard because it is their only choice and so they do what they can. It is a problem that will continue so long as the racial tensions are what they are. And so we will just do our best to continue working with the kids we are blessed with, hoping to give them a way forward and maybe even out of the village someday.

Getting closer

Julie is demanding a new blog entry, but the truth is that the updates are fairly boring right now. The teachers are in training this week and as I'm not a teacher, it's been a good prep week.

Wedding plans are going well as each day seems to pass in a flash. We have just over 2 weeks left until the big day and are getting very, very excited of course. My parents will be here next week followed by Julie and her mom and then my grandparents.

It's been so interesting planning a wedding here! It's another reminder of the truly cross-cultural relationship and marriage that we have and will have. It's a constant reminder of the importance of never assuming the other one understands and to talk each and every thing through. It's been good to learn about bringing the American and Dominican life together and it's going to help make an excellent wedding and amazing marriage.

A few of the different things in our wedding: we'll be using Padrinos, who are chosen by the couple to support them in the wedding, the madrina buys the cake and the padrino buys the drinks; they're also in the entrance along with the bridesmaids. We'll be using a wedding program which is a new element for most Dominicans...they normally have someone announcing each person walking down the aisle and each step of the wedding rather than reading it in the program like the Americans are used to.

Feliz Cumpleanos

Happy Birthday to Ariel! We had a fun day yesterday as it is also a national holiday so there is no working! There was a meeting at church for the morning, but in the evening we went out for tacos and then back to his house for birthday cake. Just a few more weeks until we'll be eating cake of another kind! Happy Birthday, Ariel!!

School days

All continues well at the Care Center. We have the majority of kids now in school and have been pleasantly surprised by the number in attendance. Each day more kids are there, which is also quite normal for the beginning of the year. We hope as February rolls around that we'll all be in the routine of school again and see every happy little face showing up.

Speaking of February rolling around, wedding plans continue strong as we finalize everything and continue to bring this day together. My parents will be here in two weeks, shortly followed by Julie and Eileen and then my grandparents! I'm really looking forward not only to getting married, but to having my family and friends here with me! The days have been flying by and we are excited about all that is ahead!

We're back!!

It was so nice to see each of their little faces yesterday! We had a total of 106 kids which isn't too bad, considering. As it is the first week back in class, we expect to have lower numbers, so in the weeks ahead we will have a better grasp of how many kids have really moved out of the village, but we continue hopeful that things will soon be near normal again.

Back to school

We started back today and all is well. Today and tomorrow are teacher-prep days, organizing, cleaning, that sort of thing. We are excited to be opening our doors to the kids on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to seeing how many kids are around and how they are all doing.

Word is that there are still families that will not be moving back in out of fear for a repeat in events, but we will wait and see what that means for our attendance. We hope to continue as normal, taking more precautions with saftey and travel for ourselves as well.

Back to life

Well we are all set to head back to the village on Monday. The staff will be first on Monday to get the classrooms and offices ready, hoping to welcome the kids on Tuesday or Wednesday. We aren't sure what to expect as far as numbers, but are hopeful. This is an effort to help make things "normal" and encourage others to return and move forward with life.

In many ways, our school is a "free zone" for the village, neither choosing Haitian or Dominican. We are about 60% Haitian and have a mixed staff, always striving for equilibrium. Our director, Alberto, has been careful to stay out of arguements in the village and manage our school well in regards to race issues. So we hope this is just another step in reuniting our kids, working together, and showing these kids that they don't have to live the same issues that their families have. I am excited to see them, it's been too long!

Into the village

We went to the village today for our staff meeting. Physically, everything is mostly the same. There is a row of shops that had all the windows busted in along with some other buildings with broken windows from looting, but most things looked the same. Our bathrooms were broken into where we have our storage things, but just little things were taken, nothing of high value.

While we had our meeting, we did see a few trucks coming into the village filled with furniture and boxes...a sure sign that families are coming back. That was encouraging.

What was hard was hearing story after endless story of all that has happened. Looting, robberies, fear, fleeing, it was hard to listen to some things. Some I talked to said they absolutely will not move back to the village because they know this will continue to happen. Others say it's just a matter of time and they'll be back in.

We are still working on a plan for starting back to school. It is supposed to be next Monday and I am hoping that it happens. I'm desperate to see these kids and hug them and know they are really all okay. I worry for them, that they're not eating, that they're in a house with 3 families and 1 bed, that they don't get to play, that they don't get cuddled.

I'm ready to listen to Jeuli singing and see Jonas' broken-tooth smile, to see Carlitos riding on his bike when he's not supposed to and hear little Yira's voice again. I'm ready to go back to school and for things to all be normal, like it's supposed to be.

The village update

Just to give a bit more info about the village, I know many have been emailing asking me about it. I still haven't gone into the village but we are supposed to have a staff meeting there tomorrow. Most families have still not returned but are very hopeful that soon they can.

The stories continue to come in of the looting and stealing that took place in that first week. Nano, the man who makes metal art, had his shop looted and all things stolen from inside. Luis, our doorkeeper, had all of his savings stolen as well. The good thing is that nothing has happened since that initial week, as families have left the village and temperatures have seemingly normalized.

I will continue to let you know anything more that I hear. I'm a bit nervous about going in for a meeting tomorrow...I can't imagine how the families feel when they think about moving back.

Happy New Year!!

I made it back 15 minutes before midnight, just in time to get to the church for the midnight celebration. There was lots of shouting and hugging and kissing and then...it's a whole new year. I was happy to make it back in time, even if just barely, to celebrate with everyone.

Friends!!

I packed in friend time over the last 2 days at home and it was so great! First Jeff and Cali came over so I could meet one of the most amazingly cute babies ever, Dallas! He's only 7 weeks old and super cuddly. Right after that Bethany and Matt Thomas came over so I could meet Bethany's growing baby, or at least see her all pregnant. The next day I went to Megan's house and met with her and Heidi and got to meet their little ones too. It's been years and years since seeing them...but the great thing is that I think everyone is still the same! I'm thankful the snow let up enough to allow some good friend time while I was home!

The village

Many have heard about what is happening in the village but I wanted to let the rest know and clarify what's happening.

About 2 weeks ago, 3 Haitian men living in Caraballo, I'm not sure who they are, killed a Dominican motorcycle taxi from Caraballo. The three Haitians were hidden away in some of the houses in the village for 3 days, in which time frustrations rose from the Dominicans. The Dominicans started going through houses in the village looking for them, then the police and military got involved. It turned into quite a Dominican-Haitian conflict as the Haitians are here illegally and for the most part unrecognized by the government. The Haitians were being thrown out of houses and others, out of fear of riots and violence, have fled the village.

Both sides have made homemade bombs and guns, so the scare is real. Military got involved in the beginning but it appears that things have calmed down now.

At last check, of the approx. 200 Haitian families that were in the village, about 50 remain. I talked with one of our favorite workers today, Fransua, who is staying with his family in Montellano at a friend's house. He has hope that things will get better and they will be allowed back into their homes soon.

We know and trust that things will improve, we have seen trials before and will get through this as well. Please keep these families and the community in your thoughts and prayers as we hope to be able to get back to school soon and know that everyone is safe at home.

Navidad!

And so we made it to Christmas Day. We were still unable to get out of our driveway and down our hill, so my aunt came to get us. We managed to get to my grandparent's in time for dinner and another round of presents. I loved being with all the family and seeing the new additions and how the little ones have grown so much.

Christmas Eve

We stayed at my parent's house for Christmas Eve and had a great dinner and then opened presents. Chistmas is so much better with kids, isn't it?

Finally, a snowman

The Dixon family made the drive from Salem to my parent's house...a drive that took 6 hours but should've only taken 1.5! It was so great having the kids here and seeing more of my family...I was beginning to wonder if I would get to see anyone besides my parents, my cat, and the snow.

Let it snow...no more.

We had some snowy, snowy days here. After a few days trapped inside, my mom and I finally busted out on foot to Gresham. We ended up hitching a ride with our neighbor but walked back along the Springwater Trail. It was filled with snow and even started snowing for us on the way home. It was nice to get out, although I wonder if we really needed the 8 lbs of potatoes I carried home.

Um, help!

The snow just keeps falling. Will this ever stop???

Not in Kansas anymore...

Temperature right now for Gresham, Oregon: 19 degrees F, "feels like" of 3
and I shouldn't have done it, but in Puerto Plata: 82 degrees F, "feels like" of 87

Snow and ice

The progression of the snow yesterday...you can tell in the depth on the trunk and the burial of the bush next to it.

Yah, we can dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Visiting

I didn't let the snow keep me in after all today! I walked over to Jenny's house, whom I've been friends with since the 4th grade (Jenny that is, not the house). It was so nice to catch up and cuddle her new baby, Noah, and play with Maddie. Has it really been that long that we can have proper families now??!!

Let it snow...some more!

It is definitely snowing! It hasn't let up the whole day and it is really beginning to pile up. It's been fun though to have a bit of a change of pace, from sun to snow in one simple flight!

A snowy welcome

I made it to Oregon on Tuesday night and was welcomed to lots of snow and cold. It's been fun watching it fall and even trying my snow-driving skills today...yes, I still remember how to drive in snow. It's going to be a fun 2 weeks here.

Family photos

We updated our family portrait yesterday...I think we've all grown up a little bit.

Christmas Program

Today was the last day of the semester for the kids. They did what I think was their best program yet! There was singing and pantomimes and lots and lots of food more singing. Each child received a gift bag filled with fruit, nuts, candy and cake to take home. Their families also joined us for the presentation which meant a very full, but happy, cafeteria. Click on the picture if you want to see it bigger...their faces are priceless!

Princesa

Can you believe how much she's grown? This little one is all personality now and loves to walk around and cuddle and carry chairs! It was so fun seeing her today, it's been a long time. She's already almost 2 years old...time has gone so quickly! Can't wait until she gets to join us in class as well!

Anticipation

The photos of the kids...that was BEFORE their vaccines!

Happy kids

We vaccinated again yesterday and the little ones...well, they weren't so excited about it. The tears flowed freely as they over-analyzed the one small injection! Oh these faces.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a nice Thanksgiving this year with the Makarios crew. We went to their team house in Puerto Plata and had the fully American Thanksgiving with everyone. It's always fun being together and even better when it's to eat great food!

Home Sweet Home

The van has come back to Kids Alive! It just went on a little vacation, okay a 5 week vacation, and was found on a public transportation route in Haiti. I guess it got tired of the same old thing around the north coast and was ready for a change. Anyhow, it is now back safe and sound which is pretty incredible. To be honest, I might have lost hope that it would return. It's going to be put to use in Constanza, another ministry site where it will be loved and cared for. Now to find those New Kids on the Block tapes that were in the glove box...

Rainbow

The rain brings some pretty beautiful things as well!

It's raining still

This is how our neighbors got to wake up this morning...flooding again! It's been raining constantly for a few days but last night it rained and poured!

That is normally their driveway and the plants are not usually submerged

This is the view out my window, the water is entering their front door. Hopefully the rain stops enough for some of this water to go down and allow everyone to sweep the water out of their houses. It looks like the rain's meant to continue for a few more days. Apart from the flooding though, I LOVE the rain and how cold it is. I pulled out my sweaters and hats and socks for the occasion!

Rainy days

We got some rain today and the kids were let out early because of needing to cross the rising river. Lots of moms came to pick their kids up with umbrellas, but this mom economized and brought a tarp!

No need for school buses around these parts!

Yah, this place starts to grow on you after awhile!!

Little Darlin

I get to do a lot of things in my time at school, but my favorite has to be hugging and cuddling. This is Darlin, or Dacgnne, depending on who you talk to...that's just how names work here. Anyhow, she came in with a fever but in the end was just happy to cuddle after a bit of Tylenol. She sang me songs and told me all about her family and two moms, one dad, siblings, etc. After a little bit she was clearly feeling better and got sent back to class, but she even looked up at me and said, "Gracias por las pastillas" or in English, "Thanks for the pills", meaning the vitamins that they are now taking daily. That was my favorite part of the day.

Jazz Festival

This weekend there is a Jazz Festival happening on the beach in Cabarete. Last night Ariel and I headed out to it and then were joined by his cousin and girlfriend, Jairo and Charlotte. It was a nice time to sit on the beach and listen to music while watching the ocean and stars and talking.

The school

It's probably time to show everyone what we look like at the Care Center these days. The school is actually pretty great in looks these days. We have come to a halt on construction with the next to classrooms due to financial restraints, but otherwise, everything is looking established and healthy. The kids are using the basketball court and seating, our sidewalks are going strong, and the kids love the gazebo! We hope to finish those classrooms with windows and doors and furnishings, but in the meantime we use them as they are and pack tables/chairs back and forth daily. We have changed so much just in one year, it's amazing to look back at where we were...it's all happened so fast!

Dentist

We continue taking kids to the dentist...almost weekly at this point. They're still getting fillings and cleanings and this week should be their last visit before we start with another group. I'm still so thankful for the work the dentist is doing with us, all free, to meet these kids' needs in such a significiant way. She's even offered to come to the school and do dental checks and work regularly, so we're trying to find a way to buy the equipment to make it happen.

Christmastime is here!

As today is November 1st, Candace and I deemed it Christmas-decorating-time. After all, Christmas is just next month, right? We got out each of the Nutcrackers (my mom gives me one each year) and the lights and little trees, it's so great decorating for Christmas!

A bit of rain

Yesterday it rained...and rained, and rained, and rained. It rained so much that the drains filled, the roads filled, and then the houses filled. I know this picture is dark, but it's the road to Ariel's house which is completely covered. His house filled as did the neighbors' and many others in town. The rain eventually stopped and the water drained away in the night, and the morning was spent sweeping and mopping water away.