"Its Hard Work Being This Lazy" - Day 4

"Seriously, this relaxation stuff is hard work!"  At least that's what Scott said as he got on the elevator today after several hours on the beach.  And we all agreed!

This morning we slept in until 8:30 am.  Made some coffee and did some reading while we waited for everyone to get ready.  Today we decided to eat breakfast in our swim suits so we wouldn't waste anytime getting to the beach.

And that's just what we did!  After breakfast at the poolside restaurant, we found a new bed and loungers for our day.  This time we settled in closer to the restaurant, at the other side of the pool.  We were still incredibly close to everything but there were fewer rocks in the ocean to walk over.  The water was incredibly calm so we all waded out and talked in the surf while the kids explored with their snorkels.

After quite some time, we blew up a beach ball and continued our conversation while passing it back and forth.  It wasn't long though til the wind caught it and it started drifting away.  But Mr JC was on it... He took off after that ball.  Mary and I watched as he got farther and farther away, wondering if he was gaining on it at all.  (Apparently the water got very deep and he was no longer able to touch)  Eventually Tyler headed to shore and jogged the distance to pace it until the wind blew it in.  It was just like a scene from Baywatch as Scott and JC jogged back with the rescued ball.

Next, I relaxed poolside while the kids played a while... you know, with snorkel gear, as you do.

After that we headed back to the lounge chairs while the kids (and Scott) enjoyed digging a hole in the sand.  It was after lunchtime so I headed to the restaurant for some snacks.  I saw one of the men in the kitchen making fresh guacamole and asked if we could order some (not on the menu).  I tried to explain chips... although the waiter agreed, I wasn't confident he understood.  But when he asked if I wanted it with cheese I thought for sure we had gotten it.  When the platter arrived, our mouths were watering for nachos with cheese and guacamole.  Instead, it arrived as a pile of guacamole with several slices of cheese on the side.... nope, he didn't get it.  But we all had a good chuckle and went to work using the slices of cheese like tortillas and scooping the guacamole.  It was fabulous (and terribly messy)!

We took another trip to the ocean and enjoyed the water.  Again, mentioning how much we are appreciating the warmth and sun.  When we headed up to the condo for the day, we all realized just how tired we were.

We found some more snacks and all spent some quiet time... the kids with a movie, JC a nap, Mary a book, me on the computer.  It was a great relaxing way to spend the rest of the afternoon.

For supper we headed out on the town again.  I say town... but realize the main road that our complex is on is half abandoned and the other half FILLED with restaurants and small

We stopped at the pharmacy to get Mr JC a snorkel set and then the market for some laundry soap.  We tried a new restaurant, Cafe Bistro,  and all agreed it was a great option.  They even had half of the menu in English (well at least one copy) and the waiter was pretty good at translating.  I had the best Chicken Cordon Blue I've ever tasted, Mary had grilled shrimp, the guys each had a steak, and the kids shared a pepperoni pizza.  It took a while to get the check and the kids were getting antsy, so we decided to take the dance floor for a spin.

 

We walked back to the condo and enjoyed a variety of cartoons: Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny, etc.  We topped it off with some ice cream that we had picked up earlier at the market.

Soon it was time for devotions and then off to bed.  We had such a relaxing day yet are all exhausted.  Looking forward to another great day tomorrow.

Our Accommodations

We are staying in Marbella... a beautiful gated community on the shores of Juan Dolio, just 30 minutes from the capital of Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo.  Our unit is in building 5, 2-46.  

It is the closest unit to the beach and we have LOVED it.  At 3000 sq ft we have lots of room for everyone and we feel very comfortable during our stay.

The sitting area with gorgeous views.  We would sit here when the veranda was too warm.

This is the dining room with the sitting area and ceiling to floor windows beyond.

Here is the living room with a HUGE flat panel TV.  The laundry is tucked in the closet behind the couches.

The kitchen.

Bar Area in kitchen

The Master Bedroom with en suite and walk in closet.  The windows are sliders so you can sleep with them open and hear the ocean waves all night. 

The kids' bedroom with attached bath and two closets.

 JC and Mary's Bedroom with their own bath as well. 

The pool with our building on the far end.

The grounds at Marbella are beautiful as well.  There are 2 Olympic-sized infinity pools, canopy beds on the beach and a playground for the kids.  The beach area is cleaned and raked everyday to remove sea weed.  The swimming area is protected by a rock wall to keep out some of the larger sea creatures.  There are large comfortable lounge chairs both at the beach and pool.  It is a fabulous resort and I would highly recommend it.  

We found the condo through VRBO and so we worked directly with the unit's owner to rent and make arrangements.  He was wonderful to work with and quick to respond.  He even arranged our ride from the airport.  I've been very impressed with the hospitality of everyone we've worked with.

New Experiences - Day 3

We must have been tired!  Everyone slept in until at least 8:00 am.  We headed over for breakfast at the pool-side restaurant.  While we were sitting there, we watched people.  We saw a few fishing and scuba diving off shore, someone paddle boarding, and a woman carrying a basket of fruit on her head.

Then we decided to get our suits on for a relaxing day by the water.  We saved a four-poster bed and 4 lounge chairs between the ocean and the playground.  Its shown in the picture below, which Scott took from our bedroom window.   (That's Sammy and I at the center of the picture, playing on the beach)  

 Here's Tyler and Mary on the beach out front our condo... I took the picture from our balcony.

And here's where we spent our time, when we weren't in the water.  Resting under the palm trees watching the kids play together on the beach.

Then this gentleman came by with a case of hats and jewelry.  So three of us bought sun hats and JC picked up a new necklace... which the man restranded for him to make it longer.

Then, we were visited by this man who was selling coconuts...

Thinking it would be a great experience for the kids, we bought one.  The man cracked it open with a machete and we passed it around for sips.

It was different than I expected.  Very tasty and thirst-quenching.  The adults all enjoyed it.  Sammy had nothing to do with it.  Tyler wasn't so sure but still tried it.

We spent so much time IN the ocean today.  There is a rock wall set up under the water pretty far out that knocks down the big waves which makes it very comfortable to swim.

We headed in around 2:00 pm to get cleaned up for lunch.  Here Mary and I are sporting our new hats at our lunch table.

After lunch, JC and Mary brought the kids back to the condo while Scott and I ran to the market for a few things.  A lone dark cloud was looming overhead but we thought we could make it.

Trying to communicate with the vendors and converting currencies in your mind... the whole thing pretty challenging but I love it.  I cannot wait for Tyler to experience it.  When we were checking out, the power went out (apparently a common thing here).  Then the rain came.  Scott and I returned to our condo in the downpour.

The power blinked twice and then the rain stopped.  So we decided to take a little rest time.  The kids and I did devotions and then got suited up for yet another trip to the pool and beach.

We picked up some snorkeling goggles for the kids.  Tyler was a little apprehensive but Sammy caught right on.  It wasn't long til both kids were floating and exploring.  The best part is that the water is crystal clear.  At one point, Tyler discovered a crab on the ocean floor and we could see it through the 4 foot depth of water.  We tracked 2 different crabs all the way into the shore.

We finished up in the pool and enjoyed the sunset... Just gorgeous!

 

After the sun set we cleaned up and went out of the complex to try something different for dinner.  Imagine walking into an Italian restaurant, not knowing when to translate Italian and when to search for Spanish.  It was so funny.   Most of us settled on pizza and watched them grill it right there in a fire place in the dining area of the restaurant.

We walked the beach back to the condo and enjoyed the clear skies and the southern stars.  It was around 9:00 pm when we finished a few rounds of Uno and sent the kids to bed for a quick movie.

JC, Mary, and I relaxed on the patio while Scott drifted in and out of sleep.  He was on the edge of a migraine almost all day, so I'm hoping the extra sleep will do him well.

The kids are so happy to be by the ocean again!  Jumping, skipping and laughing in the waves... its so beautiful to see the joy in their faces.

The Eventful Second Flight - Day 2

Many have asked how Sammy did on the long flight from Philadelphia to Santo Domingo... It was the one we were most concerned.

I didn't include it at first, in my attempt to protect her and spare the details but for preservation sake, I'll share it here.  I cannot type out the whole story... First because it took hours to play out and second because as I look back, much is a blur.

Autism can do terrible things to our kids sometimes... An airplane tends to bring out the worst in mine.  But this plane brought comfort and hope as well, and I pray I never forget.  Here's my best summary.

We had prepped Sammy that she would have to watch two full length movies for this flight which was scheduled to last four hours.  As soon as we settled into our seats, Sammy started her first movie. After the 30 minutes of boarding and prep and another 30 minutes of waiting on the runway, we only had 15-30 minutes left in the movie.  It was then that I realized the battery had died on her noise canceling headphones.  I knew right then that it was coming...

I tried every tactic I know: soft talking, squeezes, distractions, threats... Nothing would combat the throwing, kicking, and screaming, shrieking, pounding on the windows, "get me out of here!"  

I frantically waved for Scott to come forward from his seats in the back.  He arrived at our row, we made eye contact... His eyes were wide and helpless as he stared at the mess.  He prepped the headphones for if / when she calmed down.  He took the customs paperwork that I had intended to complete and then was asked to return to his seat.  I felt so helpless.

But through the prayers of so many, God was there... The man seated in our row spoke words of comfort to me thoughout the episode "she's the most important person on this flight right now, don't worry about any one else" "you just take care of her" "she's doing fine". "Let her lie on the floor, they (stewardesses) have to understand that this is special circumstances". Kept repeating "special circumstances" and emphasizing how much I love her and how important she is.  It was amazing... I've never had someone be so supportive.  I had tears in my eyes as his words washed over me. On different occasions he even stopped to tell the surrounding passengers and flight attendants that she has autism and everything is just fine... She just needs a minute.  I cannot tell you how blessed I was by this man, and am completely convinced it was by God's provision he was there.  The worst of it last 15 minutes or so... Which seems like hours. When I finally had the chance to check the time, I realized we still had two hours left in flight.  Oh no.

Sammy laid on the floor for quite a while, eventually transitioned to lying across our two seats, then on my lap (you never realize how tiny the seats are in coach until you sit with an eight year old on your lap).  And finally she transitioned back to her seat and watched the time timer count down the final 30 minutes.  Sweet Sammy was back as we landed.

She was tired and very fragile but she had made it.

As we continue to raise the bar and challenge her I know that we can expect more meltdowns, more tantrums in the sky.  But as long as God continues to provide, we will proceed... Cause today, despite how it looked from the outside, my girl accomplished much!

Thank you for your prayers!

We Have Arrived - Day 2

Well it was an early morning indeed.  Instead of the 4:30 alarm clock, though, I was woken up by the darling little wiggle worm that should have been sleeping beside me.  3:30 am... apparently she was excited!

So we were all ready for the 5:05 transport to the airport.  The lines moved quickly and we were soon to our gate with more than an hour to spare before boarding.  We headed down to find a restaurant suitable for breakfast.  Somewhere between the gate and the food court, Sammy started to fall apart.  So she and I went for a quick walk around the terminal and met the group back at the gate.  

Scott sat with Sammy and I in the handicap seating of row 4.  I was thrilled with her behavior and   was even able to catch a few winks myself.  Our flight arrived almost 25 minutes early in Philadelphia which gave us a little extra time to switch 2 terminals and get to our next plane.  For that flight, Scott was in back with Tyler and the Wielhouwers.   As soon as we boarded, Sammy got her movie started (can you tell we had prepped her well?)  The man in the seat next to me shared that the flight rarely took the 4 hours listed... so I was eager that Sammy would have another great flight.  But, after all the safety presentations were finished, we had already eaten up 30 minutes of the movie.  Then we sat on the runway waiting for our turn to take-off at least 30 minutes more.  We weren't in the air 30 minutes when Sammy's movie was done... and so was she.  I'll save the details, but there were lots of tears, shrieks, legs in the air, and buns anywhere but on the seat.  It lasted a long time.  The gentleman that sat with Sammy and I was so kind and patient... the answer to so many prayers.  He did so much to comfort me and help explain to the other passengers and staff what was going on.  

After she started to calm down, the pilot announced that we had appx 1 hr 50 min left.  Ugh... it sounded like an eternity.  But, we made it!  Tyler got to sit with JC and Mary for both flights.  They swear he did really well and he was all smiles when he got off the plane.  We headed downstairs for customs and immigration.  It took a little time but went very smoothly.  

The property manager, Miguel, was waiting right outside the door for us.  Although he only speaks Spanish, we did pretty well communicating.  He is a native of Cuba and has lived in DR for 11 years.  He even serenaded JC for a while.  

We crammed 7 people, 12 bags, and a stroller into a run down Toyota Sienna.  It was so funny to see all of our faces turn from doubt to disbelief and then shock... but he did it - we all fit.  

It was a 30 minute ride from the airport to the property... started off with a slight fender bender before we even left the airport.  Yup, it was eventful... cars driving in reverse on the road, someone changing a tire in the driving lane, and even a bit of road rage.  It really was fabulous.  But in spite of it all, Sammy fell asleep.  The sweetheart has had such a big day!  Snuggled on Daddy's lap, crammed in the back seat of that minivan, she just couldn't keep those eyes open.

Miguel and Kenya helped us get into the unit and settled in.  It is BEAUTIFUL!  We will have no issues with accommodations for sure.  (I'll post more pictures later)

It was almost 5:00 pm when we arrived at Marbella so we got our swim suits on and headed to the restaurant on site for lunch / supper.  Mary took the kids swimming in the ginormous pool while we waited for the food to arrive.  Then we took a walk down on the beach to play in the surf and sand for a bit while we enjoyed the sunset.  

The sun set around 6:30 pm and I'll be honest we all were pretty tired.  The kids and I did devotions and then they watched a short movie in bed.  Us adults sat out on the balcony enjoying the sound of the ocean.  We made it til 9 but couldn't last much longer.  

So its off to bed for us!  Praying for sweet dreams and rested bodies for tomorrow. 

On the road... Day 1

We left the house around 4:50 pm.  We were only just a bit outside of Grand Rapids when the first kid mentioned they were hungry.  It reminded us that we never ate lunch.  Now before you go signing me up for mother of the year, let me explain.  Sammy's been begging to see the movie Paddington since we first saw the previews... And today, as luck would have it, was opening day.  The only way to see the movie was to hit the 11:00 am showing.  After stuffing ourselves with hotdogs, popcorn and tortilla chips (guess who?) we weren't interested in eating again so we skipped lunch.

Anyway, we stopped in Ionia for Applebees.  I can't put my finger on why it took so long but it was at least an hour and 15 minutes before we loaded back in the truck.  But our bellies were full as we got back on route.

We made it to the Holiday Inn Express  around 9:00 pm.  Mary, the kids and I brought the luggage up to our rooms while JC and Scott parked the truck for the week.  We have a 7:00 am flight out of DTW so we have a 4:30 am wake up call.  

We are all settled into bed at 9:30 pm.  Hoping for quality sleep since we won't be here long!

Dominican Republic... The Plan

We have been wanting to expand our horizons sort of speak when it comes to travel... To try new and exotic locations.  Both of our kids have a current passport but they are sadly without stamps.  

When looking at possible locations, we have a short list of countries that popped in our heads... Not for any particular reason other than curiosity I guess.

So I jumped on VRBO's web site and did a quick search in a few of the countries and very quickly was drawn to Marbella.  Located in Juan Dolio (near the capital of Santo Domingo) in the Dominican Republic.

The 3000 sq ft unit looks amazing and the grounds with it's pools, turquoise waters, beds on the beach and playground, looks incredible.  

We picked some dates in January, our coldest and grayest months here in Michigan.  We asked the Wielhouwers if they'd be interested in joining us and are so excited they said yes!  JC and Mary have joined us in Myrtle Beach a few times so the kids are pumped to have them along.

Booking went smoothly and the reservations were finalized within days.  

As the trip approaches, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous to be travelling like this with the kids.  I had to explain that the police might carry machine guns, that under no circumstances can we drink the water and the importance of clearing customs.  But even after explaining all these and more potential challenges, we still want to go... To  raise the bar, try new things and to stretch our kids.  So here we go... Our next adventure is about to begin!

We are as prepared as we can be.  The social story is written, we've loaded the iPads with games and movies, I have enough snacks to feed them for a day.  But a two-hour plane ride will be difficult for her, and the 4-hr one to follow and then the customs process almost impossible.  But Sammy's favorite memory verse says that "with God, all things are possible." So I'm gonna put my trust in Him and hold on for the ride.