De Champs

Occasionally Tyler gets the chance to take a little break from studying. Usually after a big test he tries to take a few hours off and just relax. This day a good friend watched our kiddos and we actually got to go on a date. Dates are very rare here and it was so nice for just the two of us to go out. We went up to a great restaurant in Picard called De Champs. They have a taxi service that takes you up a very steep long hill, the road was very rough. Being so high up we had a wonderful view from our table, we got to see the whole town, bay, and watch a gorgeous sunset. "Life is good".

Summer Program

Ethan had an end of the summer recycling program. They made a reggae band using repurposed materials only. He played the drums, they were made of old cans and soda bottles. They also put on a fashion show that showcased their talent of making interesting costumes out of cardboard boxes, bags, and any other items they could find at home. While we were there for the program, Ethan showed us around his school and playground. Sam also goes to the same building, but he attends the Early Learning Center on the other side of the building. They both enjoy it very much. They are on break now but will be starting back soon. Ethan will be in 3rd grade and Sam will be in pre-school.

The Beginning "First Semester"

I thought that I should start a blog to help me journal our family's adventures in Dominica. Early this year we got the news that Tyler was accepted into medical school here in Dominica and it has been a whirlwind of planning and getting adjusted to living in a foreign country. While I had mixed feelings about making this move, and I'm sure I will continue to have my reservations about leaving our home, friends, and family, we are having a great time. Our family is only going to get stronger from this experience and we are happy and excited to support Tyler in his goals.

To begin, Tyler came down to start school in the beginning of May. The boys and I stayed behind to have Ethan finish school and pack up the house. The boys and I came down on June 12th, 2014. We were lucky enough to have Papa and Nona Myers's help with our many flights and layovers (it was exhausting)! My first impression of the island was that is was very green, it was raining when we landed, and I quickly found out that it rains a lot here! We were also not used to the humidity, it is often 70-80% humidity, yikes! But most importantly we were together as a family again and that was most important. Tyler was right in the middle of studying for two tests that next week so we just had to jump into life here and start figuring out where things were and how to live. Thanks to many of the wives here, they quickly helped me to figure out how to shop at the small grocery store, shop at the very colorful local farmer's market, get drinking water, bake bread, the list goes on....

About two weeks after we arrived Sam and Ethan started a summer program that is run by the University. That has been a great experience for them both. Ethan has been able to see so much of the island through weekly field trips that they take, and even Sam's younger group got to take a field trip to a close by old military fort on a peninsula called Cabrits. We have also taken many trips with other mom's, and their kids. Some of our favorites have been Batibou beach, Spanny Falls, snorkeling Toucari, Douglas, and Purple Turtle beach. When we stay closer to home we like to go swimming at the University pool, riding razor scooters at the Annex (school building where Tyler often studies) and going to the nearby beach called PBH beach.

                      Our apartment (our landlord lives above us and the basement is used as a storage space)

 Tyler has to dress up as doctor for his patient interviews

 Spanny Falls

Hibiscus Falls

My freshly baked bread

Batibou Beach

 Sam's field trip to Cabrits ( Levi and I tagged along)