Dominican Republic

Well we're back! We've been back for a week but wow it takes a while to get back up to speed sometimes. The Dominican was beautiful! The weather was a balmy 80 degrees with humidity and the occasional rain shower, perfect tropical weather. Our room was huge with it's own jacuzzi tub! The resort we stayed at had 7 different restaurants to eat at and great food. All of the staff were really nice and helpful. We went zip-lining one day which was quite an adventure. It took us an one hour truck ride to get there and then they had a 12 line course through the canopy. It was a great course and it was cool to see the country side and more rural areas. Another day we went snorkling with sting rays, sharks, and all over the reef with tropical fish. All in all it was a great trip. It was quite far away though. 7-8 hours of flying time depending on everything. Coming back through customs is never fun but Miami is sooooooo busy!

This is what humidty does to my hair. The white girl afro.
This is me unsuccessfully paddleboarding.
This is me successfully paddleboarding. It's much easier to maneuver while on your knees but I wanted to be cool so I tried to stand up for a while. I eventaully had enough of dunking myself and stuck to kneeling.
Beautiful view from where we snorkeled and paddelboarded.

Beach bums! Lots of reading and sunbathing.

Our view everyday.


Walking down the beach

Ben reading....the only time he really reads books is on vacation. He'd rather read things on how to do his gunsmithing or read a catalog to see how much things cost. I like stories, he likes to read for information.

I kind of felt like a queen in this bed.Sitting in LAX, we arrived at long term parking at 6:00 a.m., got to the airport, got our tickets and checked in luggage, through security to our gate, in 25 minutes! That has to be some kind of record, thus we were reallllyyyy early and had time to kill.

Cancun!

Ben and I decided a long time ago that we would take a big trip sometime. We didn't do a very big honeymoon and wanted to do something bigger after we had been married a while and all that. Well we finally found something we liked and a time that worked. Cancun was amazing. It was warm everyday. The hotel (we did all-inclusive) was great. It was a very relaxing fun in the sun trip. Side note: we booked our trip through Costco travel and loved it. It was a complete package with flight hotel and transfer to and from the hotel. Everything was seamless!

Our hotel room


Ben on the beach.


Me on the beach.


First walk down the beach.


Ben loved the shade (and no setting up needed :)


My book. We spent lots of time lounging in the sun reading books.


Our view at the beach.


The view from our balcony.


Happy to be on the beach.


On our way through the mangroves out to the ocean to fish.



Ben's big fish. A 40 lb. Amber Jack.


Me fighting my fish.


My 25 lb. tuna or "Bonita"


Riding back to the dock.


Last day on the beach.

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Ch Ch Ch Changes.......

Yes I know, I've neglected this blog once again. Life really caught up to me the last couple months. Also, my camera was broken, or rather my memory card was and it took a couple tries to find the right one for it. Anyway, a lot has happened over January and February for Ben and I. The biggest change being my job.
I previously have handled insurance and patient account information at a Physical Therapy office in town. I've done that for the last year and a half. It took me a while but I finially realized that this wasn't the right job for me for multiple reasons. The problem was that I love where I work. My bosses and the people there are the kind of people I wouldn't find to many other places. It was my responsibilities there that was leading to my frustration. So once I finally admitted to myself that this job wasn't a fit for me, I told my boss. The way he reacted is a true testament to why I want to stay there. He wasn't suprised because he had seen how different things had affected me. Not only was he understanding, he thanked me for being honest with him! Then he proceeded to work out a plan with me so that I could keep working there doing something else that is way more suited to me and my strengths. God's providence is just amazing sometimes! It took them a while to find someone to fill my place but they found someone great who really will do a great job. So, as of Monday, I will be part time doing miscellaneous front office work and hopefully some other paperwork for the Therapists. The job is losely defined right now because we are going to try some different things and see how they work out. Being the structure loving person I am, it's taken a lot of faith in God's divine plan for my life to move forward. What better place to be than in the hands of my Savior? So I move forward, excited. Excited for all the possibilites and doors that have been opened!
Next big thing....We're going on vacation! Ben is taking me to Cancun for a week. Anyone who knows Ben knows this is huge. He's not a traveler by any means and him taking me there and being excited about it is crazy. But we are going! Our tickets are booked. Passports are ready (after much anxiety on my part after realizing my maiden name was still on mine, not to worry it has been changed and Ben won't have to take someone else). We are staying in an all-inclusive resort and plan on being beach bums most of the time :)
As I look back over this post, I realize I'm am so wonderfully blessed. It's easy to forget when you're a worry wart like me. Everything is working out with my job for the better. We get to go on an amazing vacation. Life is GOOD.

Shaver

Well I am officially the last one in the family to post about Shaver but better late than never right? I have an excuse. We got a new laptop and it has taken Ben and I couple nights to get it where we want it to be! Anyway, Shaver was a great time for all who came. Here are a few of the shots I took.


What beautiful world we live in!



Katie's thrifty finds



Buddy decided to come with me



Ohhhhhh soooooo......



CUTE!



Little Owen



The pathway Ben and I had never seen, it was always covered with snow!



What a pretty picture they make