Adios, Republica Dominicana!

Well, we made it back to the States. That statement doesn't exactly have the same excitement factor as "We made it to China!", but it feels pretty darn good. It is great to be home.

I don't know how, but we fit nearly everything into our 8 suitcases (well, 5 L.L. Bean duffle bags, and 3 suitcases) and 8 carry-ons. The kids pulled their rolling backpacks easily and Mama and Daddy were left with 6 other bags. One for each hand and one on each back. It is not a travel strategy I recommend, but when we traveled to post we felt like we needed stuff in case our luggage was lost, and this time, we just couldn't fit it all into fewer bags. Anyway, the porter at National Airport was happy to see us.

My goal is to become better at organizing and estimating the stuff that's left AFTER packout is over. This time, we packed our suitcases in advance, but there is still so much stuff you don't think about until the movers leave. Or something.

I think that over the last two years, we shed almost a thousand pounds of stuff. I feel pretty good about that- we gave it all away to our Dominican housekeeper, driver, and doorman, who will sell, use, or distribute the stuff to others. I think I'm pretty good at evaluating whether we use/need stuff and giving it away, and I'm getting better...but there is still room to go. My husband and I are in agreement that we are going to try to buy less stuff over the next year, and commit to giving something away when something new comes into the house. I also want to buy the right stuff- when you have the right thing, you don't need 3 more substitutes. I gave away a bunch of old towels and sheet sets that we kept even though we didn't like them- what for?

Anyway, a few highlights from our trip:

Lots of bags.

I took the quintessential Dominican picture on our way to the airport. Avocado truck, in case you can't tell. Yes, that's the beautiful road to/from the airport. Every time I drove it, I felt at peace...

The kids pretended to fall asleep during the long time it took to check our millions of bags.

Goodbye Dominican Republic! Thanks for two amazing years! We'll be back!

The kids are getting to be good travelers. They were quite enamored with Jet Blue and its screens on every seat. Um, me too. Can't we fly Jet Blue to China???

Ah, back in the land of fast food...although we ate plenty of it in the DR, so I really can't blame that on the U.S....

A few thoughts/observations on reentry:

• Our first morning here, L kept asking to walk around, something she never did in the DR. It felt so great to just walk on the sidewalk, knowing we were safe. Sadly, the high crime rate in the DR means that we didn't do a lot of walking- we drove everywhere. 
• M kept putting his fleece jacket on and off. It was probably 75 degrees on our first day back. This is a kid who used to hate warm clothes and was always hot. He's apparently acclimated to the Caribbean now. 
• As we drove by the Washington Monument on our way home from the airport, I felt that familiar twinge of sadness that it will be just a short visit. And then D and I looked at each other and realized- we're staying a while! We hope to enjoy D.C. to the fullest.

Today we fly to Oregon for a few weeks of vacation with the family, and then Rehobeth Beach for one last week of fun. Then we move into Oakwood and the Chinese training will begin! Looking forward to everything.