I Think I'm Quite Ready for Another Adventure...

Well folks, I'm back.  Finally!  Jonathan and I spent a great 6 weeks back in the good ol' USA, and now we are back in the swing of things with island life again.  Except this time, instead of living in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, we are living in Portsmouth, Dominica in the West Indies.  If you have no idea where that is, let me show you a little map:

All of these islands are considered "The West Indies".  That's us there almost in the center.  We are far south and a little east of the USA and only a couple hundred miles north of South America.  We are on Atlantic Standard Time which makes us 1 hour ahead of Eastern Time, 2 hours ahead of Central Time, 3 hours ahead of Mountain Time, and 4 hours ahead of all you West Coasters.  Dominica is a volcanic island (there are apparently 8 active volcanoes on this teeny little island!) so it's very mountainous.  I'm not sure if this is geographically correct or not, but the island is somewhat of a rain forest.  It rains multiple times a day here, but it's usually only for a split second and most of the time there are blue skies even when there is a downpour!  It's a little strange and takes some getting used to. You have to bring an umbrella and/or a rain jacket everywhere you go because inevitably it WILL rain at some point while you're out.  There is a constant sound track of birds and frogs and other things that surprisingly enough is quite pleasant.  With the windows open (which they are ALL THE TIME) it sounds a bit like we're camping.  But I rather like it!  Out the front of our apartment, we are looking onto the hillside.  There are other apartment buildings (they definitely are NOT considered "complexes" here...) and a spectacular view of the mountains.  Out the back of our apartment...well just see for yourself:

That's right folks.  An ocean view!  Oh it is so spectacular and the picture doesn't really do it justice.  We rented this apartment sight unseen (welcome to the world of a first semester Dominican med student!), and the pictures showed a sliver of an ocean view out the back balcony.  Honestly, though, I figured that was just a pitch to try and get people to rent here.  When Jonathan and I got here, it was already dark out, so we couldn't see anything.  Our landlord, Clifford, pointed out where the ocean was.  But it wasn't until the next morning when we got up and went out on the back porch that we saw that gorgeous view.  Totally worth it.  Our apartment is located about a 3 minute walk from the main campus, about a 7 minute walk from the annex (where Jonathan will be taking most of his classes this semester), and we can literally throw a rock from our back porch to the building they call "The Barn" which is the multi-purpose building where lots of students study at night.  There is also a pool on campus which is visible from my back porch.  I will be frequenting there I think!  

So even though we have only been here since Saturday, we've already got TONS of stories (I know that surprises so many of you).  I will bring them out in small doses, though, so you won't have to read a novel.  For now, let me just give you a small picture tour of our sweet little island home.  And also remind you that we would LOVE to have you come down and hang out!  It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and (though it's small) the Womack Bed and Breakfast is open for the next 16 months y'all!  Buy your plane tickets and then just come stay with us!  

This is actually a view of Barbados as we were flying in (we caught a connecting LIAT flight from there into Dominica...).  It was so spectacular!  We will definitely need to make a trip back there at some point...

This is the view from what they call "The Upper Seaside Deck".  This is actually on campus!  Behind me in this picture is a sweet little open air place to eat (there's a Subway inside!) where lots of students enjoy their lunch.  Down on the shoreline (that little brown deck) is where they conduct yoga classes.  Sign me up!

This is an old "ruin" from a rum distillery.  And yes...that is on the campus of the medical school.  Only in Dominica y'all...

This is our little apartment building.  It's called Comfort Zone.  To the far left you can sort of see the sun going down over the ocean.  That is a sight to see lemme tell ya.  We are on the 3rd floor and our apartment is smack in the middle (#13).  The Wellses are in #15 which is the end unit on the right.  You're looking at the front of the building now.  That's Jonathan on the left and Matt on the right.  Stay tuned for the story about the floor fan he's holding...

This is Portsmouth Beach which is on the Caribbean Ocean side of the island (it's the ocean/beach that we can see from our apartment).  Our apartment is about 150 yards to the right of this shot.  I know the sand looks like it's dirty, but it's not.  Dominica has lots of different colors of sand!  The front of the picture shows the chocolatey brown sand and just beyond it you can see the black sand.  Even though it looks like just mud and dirt, if you had your eyes closed and were walking in it, you'd think you were on a powdery white sand beach.  It's very strange, but I'm in love with the black sand.  It looks like black diamonds when the sun hits it and it sparkles!  The next three are several views of Portsmouth Beach.  You can actually walk about 200 yards up this beach and find yourself on the main campus.  Pretty sweet!

Panoramic shot!  The building on the right is the Portsmouth Beach Hotel which houses some students as well.  There is a restaurant called Le Flambeu which is associated with that hotel and it's right on the beach.  Their food is delish!

(that's Matt and Michelle)

Blue skies and a charcoal grill!  I think Sunday nights at Sunset Lodge might be resurrected... 

A very serious sign located near the entrance gates to campus.  And of course...Jonathan doing his best iguana impression...

More to come later including a tour of our apartment, some more beach pics, Portsmouth Market, getting our barrels full of stuff, and a floor fan from a Chinese restaurant (yeah...you read that right...).  Stay tuned!

What Can You Bring?

So, my dear readers, it has been quite a while since I last posted.  I should apologize for that I guess, but in actuality my temporary hiatus from the blogging world has been a good one.  Time spent with family and friends while eating awesome food, shooting the breeze, and catching up has been more that cathartic for Jonathan and me.  We feel a bit like our spirits have been filled back up and we're just about ready to be sent off on our new adventure!

I've been thinking for a while now about what my little "holiday post" was going to be.  Tonight Jonathan and I went to our first formal affair as an official "med student and wife" duo.  It was a nice evening put on by Deaconess Hospital at the Petroleum Club here in OKC eating good food, meeting new people, greeting familiar faces, and enjoying entertainment.  While listening to this amazing performer (Kyle Dillingham), my inspiration for this post was born.  I encourage all of you to follow that link and/or look this kid up on iTunes (his band is called Horseshoe Road).  He's quite an incredible musician, which in and of itself is inspirational.  However, my inspiration came more from the testimonial style words that he spoke in between his musical offerings.  Before he played The Little Drummer Boy, he started with a mini testimony as to why he chose that song.  That particular Christmas song is one of the top 5 songs that bug the heck outta me around the holidays.  It's just one of those ear ninja songs that gets stuck in your head and plays on repeat for hours on end.  Ugh!  But light was shed on that little annoying song tonight.  Kyle said, "Sometimes during the holidays we get caught up in bringing the perfect gift.  Giving the perfect charity.  Giving and receiving the best and most popular and practical things.  And then sometimes...God calls you to something different.  Sometimes He calls you to bring something you wouldn't otherwise bring."

And that is me and Jonathan this year.  We feel a bit like we're taking more than we deserve while not having much to bring in return.  What can we give Him...poor as we are?  What can we bring?  For that matter, what can we give to those we love?  What gift is enough to show gratitude for the love and support our family and friends have shown us across this year?  Is there anything that could be considered "enough"?  Honestly, no.  There is not a gift we can wrap that would ever be enough to show our gratitude for that love.  Either from our loved ones, or from our Father.  So what DO we bring this Christmas?  We bring our Father our humbleness and humility as we continue to follow where He leads.  We will get on that plane on December 28th, take a deep breath, and continue this leap of faith He's called us too.  And we'll try to remember, when the going gets tough, that this journey is HIS plan...and that the "gift" at the end is knowing He was always carrying us!  We bring our parents a few little trinkets from Freeport, but more importantly, we bring them our gratitude for their physical, financial, and emotional support.  We try to convey to them our realization that there are millions of people out there who don't have mothers and fathers like Jonathan and I do.  We bring them the assurance that we WILL complete this task, make them proud, and return the favor of their generosity when we are able.  We bring our dear friends (so many of them are like family to us...Patrick and Nicole really go into this category even though they're technically family...) our appreciation for their grace in providing us those nudges and high fives and hugs when we were so in need of them.  I use the word grace because we are so undeserving of that from all of you, yet you all so freely give it.  We are forever grateful for your love and support...words cannot express.

So what can you bring this Christmas?  We all get caught up in retail during this time of year, and we forget to embrace the real reason for this season.  I won't be too "cliche" here, but it should be recognized that when we were still sinners, our Father gave us the gift of HIMSELF.  He incarnated Himself and sent his likeness to this earth because that was the greatest gift he could think to give.  And it arrived so humbly and simply...even though it was in actuality the greatest gift ever given.  No big bows, no super Black Friday deal, not a single dime spent.  Just the best of Him in the purest human form.  A baby.  When we sing songs like O Holy Night and Silent Night, my heart responds to the simplicity and quiet of that precious Holy Night.  There was not a line out the door of the stable, there was no traffic on the road to Bethlehem, there were no bank accounts drained.  It was just a young girl, an obedient young man, some poor shepherds, and a tiny newborn baby boy.  Yet it is THAT story that has been told for thousands of years...

So...this 2012 Christmas...what will YOU bring?

Slow Economy? Quick Fashion Fixes!

We read an article this week in a beading magazine that we just HAD to share with you all.  Since many of us are finding ourselves short on expendable cash these days, AND the holidays are coming up, I (Rachel) think more than a few of us are feeling a little overwhelmed with the prospect of 1) Gift Buying, and 2) Holiday Attire Shopping.  This article made an AWESOME observation.  It said the quickest and most inexpensive way to change the look of an outfit is by changing your accessories.  It can be as complicated as a schnazzy scarf or a sweet pair of boots, OR it could be as simple as a different pair of earrings or a new hairdo.  The more I thought about this, the more wisdom I think it holds.  I mean, a little black dress can be one outfit with a cute pair of Toms and some boho chic jewelry, and something COMPLETELY different with some sparkly earrings, an updo, and some sexy pumps.  But the most expensive part of the outfit (i.e.-that perfect little dress) does its job in both scenarios.  All YOU have to do in order to create an entirely different look is change your accessories.

Gift BUYING for other people can become a task also.  You want to make sure the people in your life feel loved and appreciated, but money is so tight sometimes.  How do you come up with a truly inexpensive gift option if you're not the "DIY" type?  And even if you are, sometimes that "DIY" gift is just not fitting for the "recipient" OR you just simply don't have the time to devote to it.  Because the same thing holds true for everyone, purchasing a fabulous accessory for someone as a gift is something like giving them a gift that keeps on giving!  They get something cute and fashionable that will ALSO expand their fashion options!  Quick fix, fab results!

So this holiday season when you hit the stores or those sales, remember that sometimes the simplest gift can be the most profound!

What's going on with ADKOF this fabulous Black Friday Weekend??  Here's the info:

Friday 12:00 AM-11:59 PM : FREE SHIPPING!

Saturday 12:00 AM through Sunday 11:59 PM : FREE SHIPPING and 15% Off Your Entire Purchase With Code SBSFLAIR

Monday 12:00 AM-11:59 PM : FREE SHIPPING and 20% Off Your Entire Purchase With Code CYBFLAIR

So make sure you go and take advantage of these awesome deals!  We've been posting new stuff like crazy in the last few days, so you'll definitely need to head over to THE SITE stake your claims.  We've got some super cute Christmas Party Accessories that you'll definitely want to get your hands on.  See for yourselves:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Your ADKOF Team!

The Last of the Bahama Problems

Though I am SURE there will be a list just as long of "Dominica Problems" here in a few weeks, I thought I would leave you all with a little insight and some humor.  Right now, Jonathan and I are probably sitting in an airport somewhere (I pre-scheduled this post for today since I knew I wouldn't be writing for a couple of days...).  Our minds are likely FAR from these Bahama Problems as we are most certainly looking forward to being home in the states.  That being said, enjoy a few tidbits from life in the Bahamas...

Bahama Problem #1) Have an appointment at 10:00 AM, call a cab to pick you up at 9:00 (factoring in 'island time' which means they will likely not be there until 9:50 anyway), taxi picks you up at 8:45 and you sit there waiting for your appointment for an hour...

Bahama Problem #2) Have an appointment at 10:00 AM, call a cab to pick you up at 9:45 (since they were so prompt last time), cab shows up at 11:00 AM, you miss your appointment by an hour...

Bahama Problem #3) You and 4 friends call a cab to pick you up at the port and take you home, cab shows up ON TIME (what a concept!), cab is a glorified VW Beetle, all 5 of you cram into the back seat (couldn't be closer if you were Siamese Quintuplets), cabby's son is in front seat with feet propped up (super comfy) while playing a video game...

Bahama Problem #4) Have a hankering for a panini sandwich from Solomon's, walk up to the sandwich counter and ask the girl what her best sandwich is, she goes into detail about what her favorite sandwich to make is and how delicious it is, you say "Mmmm...sounds great!  I'll have that!", to which she responds "Oh, no sandwiches today..."...

Bahama Problem #5) Go to Zorba's (most approachable restaurant in the port), ask for a chicken gyro, waitress says "No chicken gyros today", to which you respond "Ok, I'll just do the souvlaki then", to which she says "No...we are out of everything on the Greek menu", you sit there confused (in the GREEK restaurant) about how best to proceed...

Bahama Problem #6) Go to After Deck (another fairly approachable restaurant in the port), find nothing entirely appetizing and decide to order the chicken fingers from the kid's menu (even if they ARE $10.95), waitress says "No.  You can't have that..." and leaves your table to talk to her manager, comes back and says "Fine...you can have it, but you have to pay $13.95 for the 'adult portion'", to which you say "Fine...whatever...", and when they bring it out, the only thing adult about it is the piece of wilted lettuce they've placed under your 3 chicken fingers...

Bahama Problem #7) Go to the grocery store with ground beef/turkey on your list (never know which one will ACTUALLY be there this week), find ground meats in the back meat bin, pick up a tray, read the label, which says "Center Cut Pork Chops", put the tray down cuz you're not sure you want to risk eating what type of animal might ACTUALLY be ground up on that tray...

Bahama Problem #8) Try to make a grocery list that is simple, include chicken breasts on it (easy peasy dinner option), go to back meat bin, find chicken wings, chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, chicken livers, chicken gizzards, chicken necks, and NO chicken breasts.  The entire chicken is there...except the part you actually want to eat...

Bahama Problem #9) Buy milk that is not due to expire until next week, have a craving for a nice tall glass of ice cold milk later that night, pour yourself that tall glass, sit on the couch and take a giant swig, realize AFTER you swallow that swig that your "fresh milk" tastes more like sour cream, proceed to bathroom to commence gagging...

Bahama Problem #10) FINALLY get rid of the tiny little ants that crawl around your kitchen countertops (no matter how clean they are), put box of cereal on top of the fridge (where you've NEVER seen ants), begin running out of groceries toward the end of your last week in Freeport and decide to snack on some multi grain cheerios, examine the sealed cereal bag thoroughly to rule out ants (SCORE!), begin eating 5 or 6 handfuls of cereal, realize THEN that there are ants crawling all over you...and inside the bag...proceed to bathroom to commence gagging...

Bahama Problem #11) Wake up after a fairly restful sleep to find your entire body stuck to the industrial plastic that your mattress is covered in, peel yourself off and head to the bathroom (cursing that stupid plastic all the way there), and think better of that cursing realizing what the alternative would be if you decided to sleep on the mattress WITHOUT the industrial plastic, decide either way that it sucks...

Bahama Problem #12) Run out of toilet paper at home, head to the store to buy some, find a package of 4 rolls for $12, decide that is OUTRAGEOUS, send husband to campus to steal some from the public bathroom, curse yourself for not thinking about this earlier in the semester...

Bahama Problem #13) Sweep entire house, open front door to sweep everything out, gecko drops from door frame and scurries into house, you run into your bedroom and shut the door to escape certain death...

Bahama Problem #14) Sit on futon after a long day in the Bahamas, decide that hubby is looking particularly delicious tonight, hop over to his side of the futon to get a little frisky, futon snaps in half, landlord doesn't replace it for 3 weeks...

Bahama Problem #15) Mosquito net in bedroom is hung, dog sleeps on bed, dog cannot see mosquito net, dog gets tangled and confused, mommy and daddy are trapped inside mosquito net, dog begins to panic, mommy and daddy are powerless to help...

That's all for now folks...

It's Been Real Freeport (#1)

Today is the last full day in Freeport.  Tomorrow, in the EARLY morning, we will be taking Michelle and Matt to the airport.  We'll see them off to Indiana, and then Jonathan and I will buzz back home, grab the pup and the suitcases, and head out.  We don't actually get to leave until 2:45, but since we have Matilda and it's an international flight, we will have to be there more than 2 hours early.  So we will plan to get to the airport around 12:00.  If leaving was as easy as coming here was, it really shouldn't take us long to get through customs and everything, but we can't take any chances!  So we'll hit Zorba's in the port one last time for a little late breakfast and then head to the airport to drop off our rent car and get checked in.  I can't believe it's almost here!  To quote the best Christmas movie ever (The Muppet Christmas Carol) "After all, there's only one more sleep til' OKC!". So to round out our countdown here, I'll treat you to #1!

What I Will Miss About Freeport #1-

The close-knit-ness of MERP.  This semester only "entertained" about 150 students.  So that, plus being on a tiny island has meant that we've grown to know and love so many people here like we've known them for years.  It really is like a pressure cooker situation as far as relationships go here.  You're forced to become each others' family because you're so far away from your own.  I have been so appreciative to Jonathan's fellow students and the MERP faculty for being so welcoming to me and also for being there for Jonathan.  For making us both feel like we belong here (even if we are old farts...), and for stepping up and being family for us.  We hope that we've done the same for some of you.  This little dysfunctional family has been a lot of fun to be a part of!  This little group will be split up and broken down before we actually get to Dominica (since some will head to St. Maarten), so I know the next 4 semesters won't be like this one has been.  But we are so grateful for the great relationships we've built here and for all the memories we will have of this experience.  This really has been a great place to start.  It's helped us "get our feet wet" in regards to island living, and has really solidified that this medical school thing IS for us.  Isn't that the point of MERP?  So going into Dominica we are solid and confident and ready.  And we couldn't have asked for a better class to matriculate with (no Matt, I did not say micturate...)....

What I'm Looking Forward to in the States #1-

Getting to meet Emma Henderson!  I probably can't express to you how excited I am about this.  I have to confess my intense jealousy of all the people who have already gotten to see her and hold her.  I just can't wait!  We are beside ourselves excited about spending time with Jared and Sara.  We've missed them so much!  And I thought for a while that it would be weird to come to Houston and see them with a baby, but as we get closer to that day, it doesn't seem weird at all.  Emma has just slipped right into the picture and now we are just so pumped to get to meet her.  We are bringing her a little Bahama love (in the form of a baby elephant and an 'island girl' dress)!  Excited doesn't really touch it honestly.  We are excited to spend time in Houston in general and getting to see all our Houston family members (I would list them all, but it would be a phone book y'all...).  We will be in Houston on the 25th (either morning or evening...we're not sure yet...) and we are pumped to see everyone and spend time with everyone.  But this little darling has been sucking my attention for the last week and a half.  So she's in the forefront of my mind.  As are her mommy and daddy...words don't do justice the excitement I feel when I think about me and Jonathan getting to wrap our arms around all 3 of them!

One Day More!!!

We're DONE With School, Just 2 Full Days Left

Well, the MERP end of our med school journey is over, and we could not be more thrilled.  Jonathan did well on his test and we have his hard work and all of your prayers and well wishes to thank for that!  He won't get his official scores for a few days, but he feels really good coming out of the test.  He has worked really hard this entire semester and it really paid off in the end because the final wasn't "live or die" for him.  He went in relaxed and confident which was a total 180 from how he felt going into Mini #2.  That made me feel so much better.  Today we will be errand running like crazy!  We have to take Matilda to the vet for her health clearance to fly home, we have to get some bubble wrap and tape to make sure our stuff gets home safely, and we have to vacuum seal the last of our clothes and linens so they'll fit into our suitcases.  Somehow we've managed to consolidate our packing MUCH better as we're coming home than when we left.  It's all a learning process, so hopefully we'll do better packing for Dominica than we did for here.  At any rate, tomorrow is our last full day here in Freeport.  It's getting real people!  But I do have to say that it's been a little strange for me the pack up this little apartment and get it ready for a move.  It doesn't feel like we're actually leaving!  I think part of that comes from the fact that we've only lived here 17 weeks.  But the other part is just my brain not processing how quickly this time has flown.  It gives me so much hope and peace about the future of this journey.  It's a long road, but God has blinded us to the time it's gonna take to walk it and has accelerated our perception of that time!  What a great God we serve.  He never asks us to do something He won't equip us to do.  Medical school at all might have sounded like an impossible feat in the beginning, but He called us to it and He'll get us through it.  Here's looking forward to the next 18 months which will be the LAST 18 months we'll spend in the Caribbean (at least as residents)!  Here's #2 in our countdown...

What I Will Miss About Freeport #2-
The many Sunset Lodge stories.  This is more of a memory than something that I will actually miss.  Even though we don't live at Sunset, a large majority of the students here do (including the Wellses).  So we find ourselves over there a couple of times a week, and we spent like 3 straight days there during the hurricane.  Sunset is sort of like "grown up dorms".  It is an actual apartment complex, but they only lease to students.  So you can imagine what kind of place it is when you cram a couple hundred med students all under one roof.  When they're hitting the books or in class, it's quite pleasant.  When the tests and quizzes are over, it's the party spot.  During the hurricane, I literally had flashbacks to my freshman year at OU roaming the dorm hallways doing stupid stuff.  Us old married farts get fed up with it a lot of times, but it does provide us with lots of laughs and plenty of stories.  Oh to be a 28/29 year old married couple interacting with 21/22 year old college students in a college setting again.  It makes me feel old and young all at the same time.  I imagine that Dominica will probably revisit some of these same feelings, but this semester specifically has been one big giant flashback.  We call it our "alternate universe" because it really is.  Some days I look around me and go "Wow, this is a pretty cool opportunity we've got here. We live in the Bahamas!", and some days I look around me and go, "Wow.  I'm surrounded by college kids.  Where the heck am I??".  Sunset Lodge has been a sort of time machine for me...

(Just thought I share a little glimpse of my world with you.  Where am I??)

What I'm Looking Forward to in the States #2-

Shopping!!!!!!  I don't have a lot of money, therefore I will most likely not be doing much buying, however I am so excited to actually get to walk around a mall and hit a Target.  Goodness, that makes me happy!  Things won't be outrageously overpriced (for example-a t-shirt here in the "straw market" will run you about $20 and will not last you more than like 3 washes).  I'm even looking forward to grocery shopping!  For whatever reason, everything in Freeport is crazy expensive.  I'm hoping and praying for at least a little break from that in Dominica, but I'm not holding my breath.  I do think that the upside to having to pay so much for things here is that we've become quite stingy with our money.  Hopefully that will translate to the states when we officially move back there in 18 months.  At any rate, I just can't wait to do some shopping at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Macy's, Target, you name it.  And if any of you are in the Houston or OKC area and need a shopping buddy, call me!  I will DEFINITELY join you.  Just don't make fun of me if tears of joy stream down my face when the sliding glass doors open...

Tomorrow is our LAST (full) DAY IN FREEPORT!!

#3--It's Almost THE Weekend!

Right now, Jonathan is taking his final here in Freeport.  He has studied really well this week and I'm actually not nervous for him at all.  I'm just ready for him to be done and have something to show for all his hard work this semester.  Pray for him, though.  This test is 4 grueling hours long.  Parts of it are over new material and parts of it are comprehensive.  Thanks to all of you who sent prayers or sweet notes his way this week.  They are SO very appreciated!  Today, I myself am literally sitting around waiting for him to be done.  The bags are packed, the kitchen is cleaned and empty, the floors are mopped and swept, the travel documents are organized, and we are ready to go!  I am really excited for him to get home because it means our 6 week vacation will have officially begun!  But for now, here's #3 in our little countdown:

What I Will Miss About Freeport #3-
Vedant!  Vedant has become a part of our little close knit group here in Freeport.  I started hearing his name towards the beginning of this whole Freeport experience when he became a part of Jonathan and Matt's little study group.  He quickly evolved from study buddy to true friend and we are so grateful to have met him!  Vedant is part of the group here in Freeport that will be going to St. Maarten in December instead of Dominica (he is an American University in the Caribbean student).  We will miss him dearly, and wish him all the best in St. Maarten and in his future endeavors.  He will actually be leaving on Saturday (lucky dog), so Jonathan and I and Matt and Michelle will be seeing him off at the airport.  It'll probably be a really long time before we get to see him again.  We are so happy that Mara and Fatema and Matt and Conrad (and many others) will be accompanying us to Dominica, but it truly will be strange to not have Vedant around when we get there!  Vedant...we love you man!

What I'm Looking Forward to in the States #3-

I was gonna save this one for #1, but I just can't stand it anymore.  I simply MUST write about it.  I am more excited than I can probably express to get to spend time with our families.  I can't wait to see Bernice (who, by the way, is more than halfway done with chemo AND will be completely done with it BEFORE we head down to Dominica!).  I can't wait to put my arms around her and see her face!  I can't wait to see my mom and hug her and talk to her and catch her up on everything.  I can't wait for a big bear hug from my daddy.  Can't wait to spend time with Charlie and for him to see how different Jonathan is after his first semester in med school.  I know he's gonna be so proud!  I can't wait to see Patrick and Nicole!!  Skyped with them Tuesday night and it made me miss them more (if that's possible).  I hear that Granddaddy is doing REALLY well right now too, so I'm looking forward to seeing him and Helen for sure.  And again, I can't wait for him to get to see Jonathan.  I would REALLY like to find a way to get to Alabama to see my Mimol and Pa and Gammy, but I'm not sure we're gonna be able to sway it.  However, just being in the states means I'll get to talk to them more easily which is a SUPER perk in my book.  So in short, I'm just ready to be surrounded by family during the BEST time of the year.  The holidays are built for spending time with family, so I'm so blessed to be coming home during that time.  Jonathan and I will both be soaking it up as much as we can since this time next year will most likely be spent in Dominica (we might get lucky and be able to come home for a week or 2 during Christmas if we can afford it...).  For now, though, we will just be thankful that we get this time this year.  So excited to be HOME!  Even though we are literally nomads right now, HOME is wherever the people you love are!

Can you believe that we will be home in less than 80 hours?!  Ok...mind officially blown...