St. John 2008

We had an absolutely fabulous time on our trip to the Virgin Islands. It was wonderful to be back. I don't think anything ever changes down there. Honestly, the best part about the trip was the fact that we really didn't do much at all. The mornings were spent lounging and then packing up for the beach. We would spend a few hours there until the little girls started having meltdowns about sand on their hands, water in their faces, or whose turn it was with the fish floaty, which of course signaled nap time. We'd head back to the house, rest and read, then everyone was in the pool until the bugs came out, which meant it was time for dinner. No need for clocks...
We had a fun night at The Beach Bar. The girls played by the water and the grown ups had cocktails. One day was spent in the British Virgin Islands, on Jost Van Dyke. This island is too perfect for words. Main street is a sandy road lined with boats. Great White Bay and the Soggy Dollar Bar should be on everyone's must do list. There is not a better place, in my opinion, to spend the day in a hammock with a Painkiller (rum and other yummy stuff), a good book, and wonderful people. Of course, this time there wasn't much "hang time" since the little ones kept us busy, but no complaints. The night before we left we stayed on St. Thomas. There have been some changes there...lots of new buildings and a nice new marina.
We talked a lot about "what if" and if we would still be there had this or that not happened. We cherish the time that we lived down there and we know that at some very deep, heart level, it changed us for the better. It's certainly a different way of life. All in all though, I think we agree that is a bit too surreal to actually try to have a family down there. Of course, it is so expensive. A cantaloupe costs $6.00!
It is our refuge though. Our "Somewhere in the Sun".

A Home for Us Far Away....

If you're on Facebook you already know that "Erin is....ready for vacation". We are almost all packed and ready to fly to St. Thoms in the US Virgin Islands and then ferry over to St. John for a week in paradise. For Gary and I , it is a bit like returning home since we spent the first year as a married couple living and working on St. Thomas. We love, love, love, the Caribbean lifestyle. Someday, we hope to return semi-permanantly, which is why we get up and go to work everyday. We are so excited for Hanna to go to the beach. Even though her first home in China was by the sea, this will her first experience on the beach and by the water. We can't wait to "lime" around with the Damiano family and we are so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share this vacation at their beautiful family home. Enjoy the little "preview" of what we will see and do over the next week.

Please Pray!

As most of you know, I have a wonderful circle of friends via a yahoo group. We are a group of women who have never met, but I consider them some of my closest friends. We were all orginally connected through our adoption journeys, as a way to support each other throughout the processes. We have evolved into so much more. Some of us have been able to meet, others of us just talk on the phone. At this time, we have a friend in our circle who desperately needs prayers. Carole's 31/2 year old son was in a horrible accident involving a tractor this past weekend. He has already had several surgeries and is facing much more in the next few days. He and his brother Paul have only been home from Ethiopia with Carole, Marty, Mary (5) and Julia(21/2) for 6 weeks. You can check progress at their Caring Bridge site and leave them a word of encouragement on their guestbook. They live in Wisconsin and Samuel is being cared for at Milwaukee Children's Hospital. You can also read about this wonderful family and their journeys to China and Ethiopia to bring their children home at paul-samuelphillipson.blogspot.com. Thank you for lifting up this family during such a devastating time.