So Long Schaint Kittshh

Well...this update is long overdue...just by a few months. I suppose moving across the world, and then across the country contributed to that. We successfully made it off the island.

It was nothing short of a miracle. Seriously.

Med school is hard...for the student...for the family...for everyone. If I would have known everything we went through on the island(s) back in the beginning of 2009, I might have had second thoughts about signing up for this "adventure."

I'm super-duper glad I ignorantly got on those 3 planes and a ferry to start our journey all those months ago. Besides marrying each other and having our kiddos, all-in-all...it is one of the best decisions I think we've ever made.

I'm already missing things about our Caribbean adventure.

Like our car. It was a 13 year old Honda Van that had about 65,000 island miles on it. I know vans "aren't cool," but I reeeallly miss that car. A lot. The only thing that makes me happy is to know that our super cute friends are joy-riding around the island in it still. I hope they listen to some Spearhead in our honor every once in a while as they look out one window to the ocean and out the other at the volcano.

[Mimi swimming in December]

The other thing I am missing about the island is the weather. It is fa-reezing here. Within a week of being in snow, we both agreed that snow is great to visit, not to live in. Our tans went bye-byes too.

And I miss my Beth. We were pretty much St. Kitts Bff's. I think Dave really liked that we were good friends because Beth has good stories, and after every workout or "project time," I'd come home to Dave asking, "Any good stories??!!??"

[p.s. look at my pregnant belly...awww]

Our last memories of our Caribbean adventure are some of the best. Packing and getting ready to move was a little stressful (as usual), but we tried to squeeze in a few more moments of laughter and bonding.

[Us and the Allred's for one last "Progressive Dinner" around the island]

The night before we left, the Allred's took us on the BEST (and yummiest!) progressive dinner ever. We had delish appetizers at Marshalls, then delish indian food at Pride of India, then delish dessert at the Marriott. It was...delish!!!! And not-to-mention, the perfect way to spend our last night on the island...with very very dear friends on a gorgeous tropical night!

[Us and the Allred's at the Airport]

[Us with some members of our Branch at Church]

[Getting our paperwork together for emigration one last time]

Leaving the island was bitter-sweet. We were very excited to start "the next chapter," but very sad to know that we were leaving a beautiful island, and great friends. We left on December 23rd to head to Puerto Rico for the night. It took forever to get through emigration, and by the time we finally got to security...they were calling final boarding call. It was very stressful to realize that after all we'd gone through, we were going to miss our last flight off the island!!! I lost my cool, and Dave went into a daze.

Luckily, we made it through the gate as they were closing the doors. We ran out to the plane, Mia tripped up the stairs getting on to the teeny-tiny plane, and Kainoa had had it. He was screaming in my arms, and Mia was screaming in Dave's. We just sat down, looked at each other across the isle, and started to laugh/cry all at once.

This was it...the moment we'd been waiting for...to get off the island...for good. It was about 200 degrees on the plane, and we were already sweating profusely from the stress of getting through the non-airconditioned airport. We couldn't even enjoy the feeling, really. It took us right back to 20 months earlier on our first day when we took the ferry from St. Kitts to Nevis in 200 degree weather with Mia screaming and wanting to nurse, trying to get all of our junk on the boat. Coming and going, this adventure has been one wild ride!!!

[Chillin' in Puerto Rico at the Renaissance Resort]

[Christmas Eve in the sunny Caribbean]

Luckily we were able to regroup in Puerto Rico at the best resort ever for the night.

Only regret?

Not staying longer than one night.