Chilling in Durham!!!

Well I feel rested and have accomplished alot in a day and a half. Guess what it's cold here really, like I need to turn on the heat.
I have lots planned today so I will keep it short. I added the photo of Mariah with her braids, I hope we never do that again I want tell you how much Dougs brother paid for them and how difficult it was to take them out.
Cheers,
M

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delay,drunks and finally durham....

WOW the last 24 hours have been crazy and non stop. I arrived at the airport yesterday at 330pm, my flight was suppose to leave at 5 we were delayed until 830pm because the plane was very late leaving Miami and there was a drunk woman that they had to kick off the plane in Dominican Republic this took way to much time I think just drop her ass in the ocean and keep it moving ahahah.
Arriving in Miami at 11pm which meant that I missed my connection to RDU..ok stood in line and got the voucher for food, transportation and hotel. I finally got the shuttle to airport Hilton seemed like we drove in circles. Waited in line to check in and finally got to my room. I tried to order room sevice but they stopped at midnight and it was close to 1pm. I fell asleep after a bit and heard my wake up call at 6am. I left the hotel and checked in at the airport and waited and waited finally got on a flight at 940am and arrived at RDU at 1135am.
I got home dropped my luggage and went straight to check on Larry. I think he is going to be fine. I spent a good bit of time with him and after I finish do some stuff her at home I plan to go and check in on him again.
Just looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.
M

Going different ways...

Good morning. I will fly out this afternoon back to Durham to take care of something that was brought to our attention last night. I know we live in a clam place but things are not always calm. I should arrive at RDU at 11ish.
I need to throw some things into a carry on and get dressed for the day. I will try and update on my layover in Miami.
Cheers,
M

Swine Flu

Good morning!!! The big talk is Swine Flu. We are telling the kids to wash hands and keep there hands away from their face. I pray that we can avoid the flu spreading to the DR. We have so many poor people and the clinic and hospitals are not equipted to deal.

The weekend ended with lots of school work for Drew to finish. Math lots of problems, Science a marketing or advertisement to prevent smoking and in English a paper on alcoholism. I really don't have a pulse on what is happening in the states but here in the DR kids are smoking and drinking at a very young age. Drews class and grade 8 have several kids that are drinking and smoking. I hope these projects help the kids stop and think about these addictions.
Mariah wore blue jeans to school today. She is not a jean girl but has wanted to try the pair of jeans that have been in her closet for a while. I will be interested to hear how she makes out.

```IRONING UNDERWEAR```

OK I gotta remember this. I am in the process of interviewing new maids so that I can find one to travel with us back to the states.
I will just give her initial because I think she is the ONE that fits the perfect bill. I am typing as she is cleaning the fan and more dust that you can imagine.
U asked me to go to the laundry room for something, I see pajamas and underwear that have been IRONED what is this?? "Normal" I have been missing out on for almost 2 years now? I ask her when she ironed the underwear and she said yesterday oh and she ironed swim suites and I think socks were next. Do you wanna see a photo? I think it is photo worthy. OK we will see. Maybe it is in honor of my Moms birthday you may not know that my Mom is a clean freak and also has a somewhat addiction or love or need to iron. I should research this therapy...........

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA

Today is Nana's birthday, Missy's Mother. I would let you know the age but that would not be very nice of me. I do wish her a super duper day and we send our love to her. I believe sheis at her home in Arkansas and I just want you to know that she is a very special lady. She has been to our home several times and she has visited us here in the DR for a month last May. She is always a pleasure to have around and she is super with our children. We love you and will hope to see you in the Summer in Charleston or Mt Pleasant when your 8th grandchild is born. 1 from Kim, 2 from Karla, 2 from Missy and now it will be 3 from Karen.

April 26th 2009

Missy and Doug

Wow Missy is on her Mission!

Hey I am becoming a believer that Missy will actually make it for 30 days. It will be more of a challenge when our friends leave for the states on May 1. We will then be doing the friend duty of caring for their two children. Missy will stay some nights at their house while they are away for a few weeks.
Anyway, I think she has finally gotten the hang of doing a great blog with pictures and consistency. Today is Sunday and we just returned from having a great lunch after church. Missy is getting ready to read the book that I just finished titled "the Shack" by Wm. Paul Young. It is truly an inspirational book. I usually do not read books, I listen to them on audio books. My favorites are the John Grisham books. I have listen to almost everyone of them while I am on my travels in the states. I was out of books to listen too and I had some time on my hands so I started reading books that Missy has brought to the DR. I started with the book that I gave her for Valentines day
"365". This is a great book for developing an open relationship with your spouse. Missy enjoyed this book too. I then read another book "Take One" another inspirational book and the author has many other great books that I may start reading, yet when I got into "the Shack" I was taken back at how well it is written and how thorough and deep it gets for our connection with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Even though it is an inspirational book,(not a religious one) it is very, very good and a bit scary and suspenseful.
Oh well she has now started "the Shack" and I am sure I will not get to talk to her until she finishes the book (which is usually the case once she starts a book) so I am off to take Wolfgang, our dog, for a long walk. thanks for reading today and now that I have been reviewed on how to get on this blog again to write I will try to do it more, yet I will not make the same 30 day commitment that my love has.
until next time LET THE SUN SHINE IN.
Doug

Rainbows~

Good morning!! I got out of bed this morning and walked to the window and stretched while looking out at the beautiful mountains and landscape there was a rainbow!!
I think this is a great way to start a day! Drew had a sleepover with a friend last night and we were home late from a birthday party so I took the new maid we are trying out home and just chilled for the evening.
Doug went to Santiago yesterday. I worked and tried to get some things accomplished. Mariah was with me so the day was not as productive as I would have like. I did enjoy hanging with her and getting her feed back on what we were doing.
I was checking one house and the Gardner was sleeping, I asked him whats up and why in my Spanish and Mariah says Mom don't ya know he is tired. OK go figure.
We were at a great birthday party for a girl that Mariah and Drew are friends with. I took alot of great photos and will post later. Drew needed his camera for a project he is working on for Monday.
I am going to enjoy some coffee now, go say goodbye to clients that are leaving today and head to church. I am looking forward to a restful day. I have a book I want to start.
Hope your day is great.

M

I am really getting into my blog and posting photos. Thanks for the emails about whats happening and such.
The afternoon was pretty busy and we had a family dinner date with our friends. Mariah and her friend Ophir love to dress up when we go out. Drew and his friend Ofeck like to just "go" and could care less how they look. I am so thankful we have gotten the chance to meet such great people and will treasure our lifelong friends.
We love you Idan, Ilanit, Ofeck and Ophir.

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Earth Day With Classmates.

Yeah for Friday!!

So thankful for Friday. I will enjoy 2 mornings of not having to drive down the school road. I remember the stories that my Mom told us about having to walk to school, pick cotton and other interesting things. I think living in the DR and living back then may have many similar things.
I have already accomplished so many things this morning and it is not even 11am!!! Getting up early and going makes for productive days. I always find myself going to sleep really late in NC and waking late, its the exact opposite here early to bed and up early.
I am now in search of simple cream colored standard curtains and I have searched stores in POP and STG and can't find any. I so wish we had just one store that carried them. I may go to the web and have them shipped, its just a pain to wait I have to have the house ready by May 1.
I was in the salon this morning... color, coffee, reading a updated People magazine.
Going to get more work done.
I am thinking I should start getting rid of stuff June 18 will be here before I know it.

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Report Cards~~

The picture is of Teacher Vesna and Mariah
I hope you are enjoying the photos....I am going to be adding more. Check the previous posts to also see pics. I know it will be great to have this as a memory book forever.

I was so pleased with the kids report cards yesterday. They both got all A's and B's.
It was great talking to Mariah teacher Ms. Vesna. She really loves Mariah and WE really love her. Drew was a rock star getting the highest grade in several of his classes. We have smart kids.

Doug and I took a unexpected trip to Santiago today so that he could go to the dentist. We just arrive home and HE will return next Tue for x-rays and to have 6 cavities filled. I was a nervous wreck on the mountain roads and was thankful to have miss a rock or bullet that hit the window I was sitting next to. I will post a pic so you can see the shattered glass.

I am going to close for now. I must admit my body aches and if I had not made a promise to blog daily I would have just gone to bed.

Thankful to be safe at home with my family.
Peace,
Missy

Happy Earth Day..

OK I want you to know I borrowed the post below from an email Doug sent. This is how I almost had heart failure yesterday. I was so exhausted during the Earth Day concert and while watching DWTS I could hardly make it up stairs to sleep. Today the kids have community service and Drews class is washing cars, go figure I really don't know a family at the school that does not have a Gardner that does not do this every week if not daily for lots of folks. I could think of alot of things they could have done for community service but oh well such is life. We have a conference with Mariah and her teacher at 1:30 this afternoon. OH just to note its raining now ..car wash should be going great. I have already gone to school, driven to POP for a lawyer appointment, gone to the big super store in POP to look for bagels, no luck and am now waiting at home for the guy to come and figure out why we have no water up stairs. ahhh i wanted to have lunch with my family!!!!


We really do not know where we are going to have Mariah go to school. She has been thriving here in the DR where there is only 10 kids in her class, yet when we were home over spring break Missy had her tested by a psychologist and sure enough she has disabilities (challenges) in reading, and writing and a few others, her math is good and the Dr. said she has a lot of strengths as well and she would be the type to run the company if we get her to read. Anyway, the way Missy works with our kids she will get her the best school that can help her have extra help. Which leads me to a funny story yesterday.
It is the end of the quarter here and today if a student in middle or high school that is failing the parents need a conference,(all elementary kids have a conference led by the student) anyway I got a call from the counselor yesterday saying we have an appointment for Drew at 11 am. I called Missy and she was flabbergasted. She immediately called this counselor and said are you sure you have the right Drew.( there are 2 drews and 1 andrew in the class) He said 100% positive. Missy thought he could be failing in Music (who is an awful teacher) or Spanish which could be. but the counselor called me back and said that Drew is failing science and social studies his grades are below 70 and is failing. Well Drew just told us on Monday that he has a 96 in science and a 93 in math and a 90 in social studies. I could not believe Drew would lie to us and even Missy talked to the teachers last week and all was fine..So she asked me what we should do and I said I guess we will meet the guy at 11. that was not good enough for her. she has spent way to much time in Drew and his school work to believe this was true. she called back to make sure it was the right Drew and the receptionist put her on hold, well after a few minutes (Missy was with her friend and boss, Peggy whose son is the Andrew in the class getting ready to have a meeting on a property, Peggy is in the property business but they delayed the Meeting as Missy went right to the school and pulled the counselor out of a meeting to demand to see the report card. He said please sit down and she said I do not have to sit down just let me see the report. He set it down on the table with the scores face up and Missy didn't even look at them she just turned the card over and it said Drew Smith.(the other Drew in the class) He of course was apologizing profusely and she said did he even pass reading. she asked him specifically twice on&nb sp; the phone to make sure it is Drew Daffron and he said 100% he is sure. Anyway, this just goes to show how in tune Missy is with our kids and how determine she is not to let the school make mistakes. And we knew that Drew could not be lying about his school work as we are in touch with the teachers almost daily. After the confusion it made for great laughs for all of us.

Missy and Doug

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Doug, Drew and I were at our friends surprise Birthday party last night. We had a blast and loved the company. The diversity of this country is amazing and we are so

thankful that we have had the opportunity to expose our family to the culture and lives of others. We enjoyed dinner with alot of different folks I have been working with

in the

property management business. I am still lacking Spanish but understand quiet a bit and body language goes a long way. I noticed that our Gardner and his wife didn't even

speak with each other or anyone around them. I love Jose and wonder what he was thinking sitting in a nice restaurant that he has never had the opportunity to afford.. Jose

was dressed in his Sunday best and was very handsome, his wife who is pregnant with I think there 4th child was dressed in a very nice dress. I am looking forward to asking

him what he thought and if he enjoyed everything. Jose may just be a man of few words.

I missed DWTS so I am excited to watch tonight, but we have another function at school that is in the evening. The Earth Day concert. Mariah is going to say something about

not burning things and making explosions...How fitting for our fear loving little one. I never told you guys that a few months back Mariah had a wonderful experiment with

fire and the end result was burning up the maids umbrella, should I remind you that life is never boring with the D-CREW.


Doug and I had a nice conference call with the psychologist yesterday. I feel overwhelmed with the task that we should accomplish and where she is going to go to school but

after a few days of analyzing I will chat about it.


We welcome this day with lots of bright sunshine and wonderful weather. I must say summer is definitely here in the DR. Hope you have a little shine in your

day.


Sending many hugs and lots of peace.

M

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Happy Monday!! The count down is on. The kids are getting ready for school. Eating, taking vitamins, brushing teeth, finding shoes and books and such. This is the way we start each of our mornings. The alarm going off and the race is on to be to school by 755am. I am lucky Doug is a great partner to succeed in this race.
I have a conference call today at 2pm with the doc that tested Mariah.
We have a party to attend tonight.
Drew has basketball training after school.
Mariah has tutoring.
I have work.
Doug has a haircut :.)
Just another day in the life of the D-Crew.
I think I might grab my hat and go for Monday morning circle.
Yeah I will.
Catch u soon.

Peace,
M

Spring Break-Easter and such...

I am kicking myself for not posting in a while. I truly love writing about what is happening with us and especially going back and reading what I have posted in the past. I am going on a 30 day post binge. I pledge to post every day something, even just a hello.

We were in Durham for the week of April 2-12.
I first want to mention that Doug and I welcomed our 14 year anniversary did I just type 14 I am in awe of how long we have been married but if you can believe that we have been dating for 19 years wowowowo. Doug had been in Durham a few weeks before we arrive on the 2 so we missed celebrating our anniversary on April Fools Day. Doug had the house so perfect with beautiful flowers and oh so clean. He had purchased great snacks for the fridge and all the special drinks we like and miss. I know I have the best husband, father and friend that anyone could ever dream of :-)

We were excited to have our Dominican friends Judy and Omar visit for the weekend and for Drew and Omar to have a visit to a school that they are interest in attending next year. We were busy with school, friends and life in the south?./?
Judy and Omar headed back to the Dominican Republic on Monday morning and I stated my doctor marathon with Mariah and Drew. Mariah had her educational evaluation on Monday and Wednesday and the results are indicating she has a learning disability and ADHD. I knew she was ADHD and well we will deal.

Doug, Drew and some of Drews friends had a blast going to the Dean Dome and watching the final four game and then heading to Franklin Street for the wild celebration.

We visited Dr.Betty on Tue and Drew and Mariah got checkout and such. All is well.

We had fun seeing movies and hanging in our Durham house. Did I mention how cold it was? Mariah's lips were so chapped. We departed Durham on Easter and the kids and I flew Delta while Doug was on American. We arrived in Dominican Republic at 130pm and Doug arrived at 430pm.
We had a super Easter Egg Hunt at Peggys and she prepared a great dinner. What a great friend she is just like a sister.
I am stressing over where Mariah will go to school but know that all will work out for the best.
Mariah was in trouble again this week Wed to be exact...Writing on the sidewalk "I LOVE SEX" and putting a heart around it she also wrote that she hated a classmate.. (I thought she couldn't spell) The principal and teacher agreed that her punishment would be scrubbing the walk with brush, soap and water. Must I say she enjoyed this..AHHHHH
Doug and I were chatting that we had always thought that "bad" kids must come from parents that are not doing anything at home etc. Well must I say more we feel pretty crappy.
We attended New Life Church today as a family. I had gone with Mariah before with my great friend Judy and Mariah but never with Doug and Drew and only one other time in the year and a half we have been living here. I really enjoyed the off tuned music and the super friendly pastor and congregation. I am thankful we have found this English speaking church...The only one I might add or that we know of on the North Coast. Thankful for all the blessing we have been given.

Peace to you,

M