Milestones

 Week #2

The most important thing we did this past week was take communion together for the first time since we've been married.  Although it was done virtually it was still very special. Although he doesn't understand everything he listens to my pastors sermons and  he says that he can tell that he's a very dynamic and impactful pastor.  All of which is very true.

We're settling in to an offbeat rhythm.  I say off beat because there's still so much to figure out in this process. Big changes for us both and we both knew it wouldn't be all rainbows and unicorns. We're both making adjustments and trying to find our new normal.  Of course there's some frustrations at times on both our parts but we do still talk through things and try to compromise or just agree to disagree.  He's already working which I think is helping a lot. He is accustomed to being very active. Sitting around the house all day isn't his thing.

Since he's been here the weather has been a bit bipolar. We've been as low as the 40's and as high as the 90's. All within a 14 day timespan.  In general he's cold no matter what the temperature is outside because when it's hot outside I have the air on in the house. In this picture it was actually 90 degrees outside and he's dressed in long pants and long sleeve shirt.  On this particular day we ventured out to the local park and also rode around the neighborhood a bit.  He actually drove which was pretty scary for me lol. If you've ever been to the Dominican Republic you know that lanes, stop lights and signs mean absolutely nothing there.  He's got a lot to learn about how we drive here. 

Last week was the last week for the parenting classes which are facilitated by Life Esteem.  I work as the site coordinator there and hubby went along with me the last night to help me get the site shut down for the summer. It was nice to have him there cheering me on from the sidelines as I cleaned (rolls eyes) BUT he did take the trash out for me. 

There are so many little things to take care of but things are moving along. I was pleasantly surprised that his SS Card arrived 10 days after he did. Wow that was fast.  We opened our first joint account another milestone for us.  Our first overnight trip this past weekend.  We went to Kalahari in the Poconos for my grandson's birthday.  It was quite the adventure.  I think we were both a little overwhelmed by the number of people there and nobody was wearing masks. He was pleasantly surprised to find that there were many Spanish speaking guests and workers there.  We actually met a young man who just arrived here in the USA the same day Raulin did. Neither of us was comfortable participating in any of the waterpark activities. He did enjoy himself in the arcade though.  All in all it was a good trip but we were both happy to be back home. 

He continues to be shocked by how expensive things are here.  We finally made it to the cell phone store to figure his phone out.  Fortunately we were able to just get him a new phone number and didn't have to buy a new phone.  The one he has is only a couple of months old.  We did have to buy a new screen protector and he had sticker shock when he saw the prices.  

I think this week he really started to miss home a little more.  I know how he feels.  There are so many little things that you never really thought about before that you miss once they're gone.  So many little things that we take for granted in life.  

This past week had some challenges but we figured things out. Our next adventure will be this coming weekend. We're going to Maryland to visit my family there.  Stay tuned for more from the Martinez's