Just a Quick Trip to the Dentist

I have to say, living here in PNG definitely helps me to appreciate many things I know I took for granted when I lived in the US.  Like grocery stores that were open at all hours, or medical care that was easy to access.

Tomorrow I start on my way to take Elijah to the dentist.  Gone are the days of hopping in the car and driving 5, or even 30 minutes to the dentist, like I could have back home.  For him to see a pediatric dentist and get the care he needs is quite an ordeal.  So tomorrow, the P2 bus will arrive outside our house at 6am to drive Elijah and I to the airstrip.  Then, we'll have an hour-ish flight to Port Moresby, where we'll get to sit around and wait for 5 or so hours until our international flight to Cairns.  Two hours after we take off from PNG we'll be in Australia.  Then, we'll finally be that short drive to the dentist!

This week I've been incredibly busy.  Since Matt will be remaining behind with the other four kiddos, I've been busy getting things organized for him.  I've been cooking and baking a ton, so that they will have easy meals at hand.  I've been making lists out the wazoo for Matt, and putting things he should remember on the calendar:  Julianne's ballet class, library day, etc.  I'm sure some thoughtful friends will step in and bring a meal or have my poor, motherless family over for a meal!

 I'm very blessed to be able to stay with a friend for over half my stay in Cairns.   It will be great to see her and her family.  And most importantly, I'm happy to be getting Elijah's teeth the care they need.  I'll probably update more once I find out exactly what the treatment is going to entail. 

It will be hard to leave my family for this long!  But I know I'm leaving them in Matt's capable hands, and hopefully I'll be back with them in a week!  (Yeah, I know... a week long trip just to go to the dentist!  Such is life here!)