The Ordinary

Well. Oliver is growing (almost 3 months!!). the other day (they all run together sometimes so who knows how long REALLY ago but it doesn't really matter to the story so I will quit babbling) I was re-listening to our wedding ceremony. Jeff talked about the process of relationships storming, norming, preforming (I think I missed one). I feel like Josh and I were really starting to preform in our marriage, thanks to the Lord's help and Josh's patience. BUT then comes Olie- he has challenged us to re storm.

The last few month have been a journey. Olie is not what they call an easy baby I'm told but he is sweet and cute and loves to babble and giggle! He loves his daddy- and Josh is so good about taking him when he can. BUT he hates to fall asleep- he fights it- doesn't like to take naps in bed (but in arms is good). I am learning slowly to pray for grace (not patience because then the Lord will give me opportunities to practice it, just kidding). Everyday is hard. It is hard to be responsible for another human being. It is hard to do life here on campus and adjust to nap times, diaper changes, and feedings. I want desperately to be a super-mom and super-wife and super-christian! but God doesn't call me to be super (PRAISE THE LORD). He just asks me to be a sheep. Follow the shepherd. Stay close to the shepherd. Listen for the shepherd's voice. Find safety with the shepherd. Live peacefully with the other sheep. I love the idea of a shepherd/sheep. They aren't the brightest and don't always learn quickly (this sounds familiar)

So as I said lately we haven't been terribly busy doing things that are "blog worthy" just adjusting to baby life. I am still active as a house manager for the girl's house, which just consists of helping with paperwork and accountability stuff. I also help a little in the houses when I am needed. I continue to keep my eyes and prayers open to other opportunities that may approach. Josh is helpful in lots of areas. He is helping with a boy's summer program and in the boy's house. He is also able to drive the vehicles so sometimes he steps in as a driver for the students. I am getting much more comfortable driving into town and have taken quite a few trips lately. Olie really enjoys motion so car rides are one of his favorite ways to go to sleep.

The campus is doing well. We have transitioned to a new director, he is doing great. Jeff and Tina have left campus. There is a new family on campus, came in Friday! They are going to be working together in the boys house. They have a 6 year old son, Oliver along with 2 other children. I think that is about all the updates for now- next beach trip we will see if Oliver wants to go in the water and take some pictures. I will put a few of my favorites up here soon!

Oliver Isaia Ramsier

He is here!!! 9 months plus and he is finally here. I would say at least once a day I look at him and still am in awe of how God creates us. How he fit inside of my body. How God chose to use us to be part of the miracle of new life! you know... all the things a new mother goes through.

- A little bit about Oliver's birthday! He was born on April 27th around 8:30 pm. The doctor predicted a due date of April 25th according to the sonogram. My due date was April 29th according to my calculations so Oliver was right on time. That morning I started having pretty bad cramps that wouldn't let me sleep much past 7am. I thought it might be labor pains but I didn't want to get too excited. I tried to take it easy, eat a little and rest. Josh was working and had meetings so he was gone. As God can make good out of anything and has a way of knowing better than us- Josh had a bad stomach ache and was able to have the afternoon off. This was a huge blessing as the back pain/labor got progressively worse through the day. I did not feel any stomach cramps; all my pain was in my back - and boy was there a lot of pain.

We had a lot of support from other couples and friends on campus. I appreciated people dropping in until the end then I was a little out-of-it to say the least. We called our Doula around 4:30 pm and she came and helped labor at home for a while. Contractions were progressively getting closer and we called the doctor about 7:30 pm. He recommended we come into the hospital. We arrived around 7:45/8pm. As we were walking into the hospital I had to stop and I felt the need to push- Katie, the doula, highly encouraged me to take short breaths at that time so we could at least wait for the hospital to have baby Oliver. We checked into the ER where our Doctor Fernando checked me and I was 10 centimeters dilated and ready to push. We headed to the OR and pushed for about 10-15 minutes and out came a 7 pound 4 ounces miracle (full of jet black hair) that will forever change our lives! Josh was such a huge support and I am so thankful for his calm presence. He was able to get a week off of work and that was a really special time for us as we enjoyed being a family of 3.

We were back home by 11:30 am the next day. Individuals here on campus were so generous in providing meals, a hand for holding the little one, and prayers for his future.

The wedding in the Sky (Fly Delta)

Josh and I were able to celebrate the marriage of one of our dear friends Sheila Sabo to Doug Wilson on March 21, 2015. They met on a plan a little over 2 years ago and decided it would only make sense to get married on a plane!  About half of the passengers were not expecting to witness a wedding on this flight. It was neat to see how they responded. They were very excited to be a part of the ceremony and partake in little guest embroidered pillow cases and mini cakes! Also the wedding was preformed in the front of the plane on the intercome. We enjoyed this experience - The plane's destination was Montrose, Colorado and then we spent a few days with their family and a few other guests in Telluride, Colorado. It was so beautiful and such a wonderful last adventure for Josh and I before baby. I enjoyed days of sitting in the cabin or enjoying the outdoor warmed pool (well at least 2 days). There were also Gondolas I could ride so I was able to enjoy the mountains and the views without getting cold. Josh enjoyed the mountains on his snowboard! Got to show off these pictures!

enjoying a selfie with the bride and groom!

taking their vows

with Doug and Heidi, 2 of Sheila's precious children

with Heidi and Clara - (Sheila has 4 children)

our good friend Jason (Sheila's brother)!

Mason after we landed in Colorado!

in the airport

Gondola, Pool, Spectacular view... What more could you ask for!

Updates!!

How am I organizing this blog you may ask. yes I am playing catch-up of 2 months; so I figured follow the pictures. I will be blogging about the events that were picture worthy to us throughout the past 2 months.

Going to Illinois: included lots of Isaia family time, local shower with my cousin Traci (expecting a little girl just a few months after us), quality time with friends and family. Good food, including going out to eat and lots of home made food (and lots of sugar). We got our fix of snow and were ready for warmer weather after the 2 weeks.

Grandma with her "talking stick" so she is able to hold her own with 5 Italian boys plus the rest of the crew.

Dad's house warming gift!

The 5 boys!

The cousins - although we are missing a few.

such a great gift idea from my cousin Amy.

miss this family A LOT!

oh the things this amazing man puts up with and I'm sure it is only the beginning! We hit 2 years March 3-

Me (and baby boy), Grandma, & Traci (and baby girl)

mom Ramsier made her first solo flight to see us!! So appreciated. We are very blessed by all the efforts of family and friends

working on cloth diapers or I guess they can be used as hats.

lots of enjoyable dinners with this guy.

Also Traci spent a few days here in the Dominican Republic and helped Josh and I celebrate our 2nd  year anniversary. It was wonderful to share this time with her and share the campus and our work here with her.

Activities with the students: We have been enjoying our time here on campus. Josh has enjoyed taking the boys to Puerta Plata go-karting and to the beach. The boys also went on an over night trip to a beautiful beach Monti Cristi. The campus is continuing to grow as we look forward to welcoming a new counselor this week. He is coming with his wife and 4 kids (twins which are about 2 months old). Also towards the end of April we will be excited to welcome another family with 6 children, the father will be helping Jeff with more administration roles. The girls have enjoyed a shopping trip to Santiago, including self-serve frozen yogurt. The girls also helped host a baby shower for me here in campus which was a lot of fun, and helped up get excited for new baby coming SOON.

the boys at the beach

mmmm, the best present for the pregnant lady!!

baby shower games

Ramsier updates: I am getting bigger, one month left - baby very healthy. We have enjoyed taking time to go through a few birthing classes with our local Doula, who does speak English. Looking forward to a Skype baby shower with family and friends from Sardis area (also a joint shower with a good friend, Charla - who is due just a month or so after us). We are looking at buying a car this week, which is a pretty big investment and has been a long road as cars in the DR are a lot different than the US. Also buying a car, as an American, is just asking to get a poor deal; we have found a man on the island that has assisted in our search. 

34 weeks. Due April 29th!!

Preparing for baby: How in the world does a couple prepare for a new born to total transform their lives, so I here. The answer I think we are coming to is just, relax and enjoy as much of the preparing process. God has designed the body to take 9 months and for this we are thankful. It has been a growing anticipation for me at least. At the beginning, it was so hard to believe and realize what a child would bring. At this point we are still completely unsure of what having a baby will require and how to prepare BUT we are more excited. We are enjoying the time we have together and also enjoying lots of nap times when we can; also enjoyed a "baby-moon" to a friend's wedding in the sky, which I will touch on in another blog. As I think about labor and child birth I am excited and extremely nervous. It reminds me of the mentality of preparing for the Chicago Marathon I participated in a few years ago, except there is no way to plan for the date and I will be the only one “participating” in the race. I have prepared what I can and believe God will give my body the ability to birth the child. If not, it will still all be over one day… :)  

We have been blessed with lots of baby items and am so grateful to feel pretty settled and ready for new baby boy due April 29th- oh except for still no name for sure!!

March Newsletter

Here is the link if anyone wants to reference our March newsletter.

I will be updating this blog of new February/March events soon!

http://crosswindsyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/RAMSIER-MARCH-2015.pdf

Heading to Illinois

Well Josh and I are gearing up for our first trip back to the States for longer than 4 days. We are going to be spending the time in central Illinois with my family. We have decided it is just too much to try to make it to both families in one 11 day trip, although I would love to have some of his family visit us if it works out. It is hard not to expect to see everyone and do everything and plan every minute, for me. (Now, Josh's personality would be completely squashed by planning to do everything and see everyone). So we will do what we can and see who we can and enjoy some relaxing time and hopefully enjoy some SNOW! I will also get a week and a half to share 9 months of my pregnancy with my family. Who would have thought that I would be living in another country for our first child?!

Sometimes I look back 2 years ago and see how much Josh and I have grown to love each other and understand and appreciate the different personalities of us (although I still have a long ways to go in showing grace and losing my selfish self)! We are some of the most opposite personalities in some areas and yet that is truly what grows us and shapes us. I can't even imagine how this next stage of raising a child will change us. Is change good?! yes, as I say it out loud I realize how much I do resist it at times. I work with students everyday that I am challenging to consider changing their life track and yet thinking about life changing is a little overwhelming. Even just changing our scenery for 11 days involves preparing and being flexible; planning and continuing to live in the moment.

So in change I must continue to stand fast to the God that is never changing. We ask for prayers these next few weeks. Prayers for traveling safety. Prayers for renewal. Prayers for blessed time with family and friends. Prayers for Josh, I, and baby's safety and sanity. Prayers for the opportunity to celebrate the new life God continues to form in my body and the 92nd birthday of my grandma. Prayers that in the 11 days we will see God moments that continue to encourage and sustain us. Prayers that Josh and I can enjoy our time together.

Having a little Baby Boy

Yes boy, I realized recently I have not "posted" on the internet that we are having a little boy, according to a sonogram on December 10th. We enjoyed announcing to the campus with Claire and Nate here through a cake with a blue middle.

Just thought I would take some time to highlight and focus in on the pregnancy. I am not one to take the baby bump photos so I regret to inform you I don't have a lot of pictures on this post. I need to take a new one soon as I was given some maternity clothes and I LOVE wearing them (thanks to family this christmas)

Here are a few weeks highlighted in the journey so far:

week 7; confirmed we are expecting through home pregnancy test and hospital visit (I had a hard time fathoming this concept and was reluctant to expect the little baby to grow and flourish. Josh was diligent in prayer for our little one). This first trimester involved ignoring nausea and blaming it on the new foods and new experiences of the Dominican Republic. I enjoyed jogging with the girls in the mornings and continued to work with the girls many hours in the house. Nothing was really sinking in and nothing really showing.

week 13; while at a beach resort with the students here at CMA and my mom I started to have some real complications. One of my fellow staff members, my mom, and I visited the local Puerto Plata hospital (Josh was not in the area so he was not able to come with us but was supportive and concerned by phone). At this time, we were all pretty sure these were the signs of a miscarriage. As I sat there with my mom and Jaci I realized how much I did want to still be pregnant. It became more real and my mom was able to have a good medical experience in the Dominican Republic. The doctors reported it was only a hematoma around the baby but everything looked healthy. The doctor was able to actually guess the gender as a boy but didn't want to promise as it was very early (we would find out about 5 weeks later that he was in deed correct)- and my mom was able to see the little guy in a sonogram.

week 14; moved to a new house on campus so I would not have to be walking as much as the doctor encouraged me to take it easy till the hematoma dissolved. Announced we were having a baby.

week 15;  had the opportunity to meet a local missionary that is a Doula with a good amount of experience here on the island. She is flaunt in Spanish and works with the Christian doctor we were feeling comfortable with here in Jarabaco. So decided to move forward on planning on having our little one at the local clinic in town.

week 17; found out we are looking forward to parenting a health baby boy. So far. This was Josh's first time seeing the baby and getting to experience the medical process.

week 21; I got to start wearing maternity clothes. My mom Ramsier sent some clothes in the mail and my sister brought some clothes from my mom and sister-in-law. I love them so much. I truly am enjoying the baby belly. It is hard - definitely not my fat (not really looking forward to working on losing it in a few months but.)

week 22; I started having immense pain in my back and glut. I was at the point of not walking much, bending over, lifting anything. I just wasn't real useful. Josh really stepped up in this time and I had to practice asking for help with things that seemed ridiculous.

week 23ish; started to feeling some "nesting" possibly. I started looking at baby clothes, baby items, baby prepping. During this time I became overwhelmed and realized I just need to put this aside and work on this project when I am home in the states February 5-16.

week 25; that is this week. I don't know. The pain has passed, I started gently exercising again. I enjoy looking at baby items but I am not worried about how God plans to provide what we need for our first baby or even WHAT we need. The baby boy "Rufus" as my sister has taken to call him, is very active, especially after eating.

One of my friends here on campus is about ready for her little Selah to enter the world. It has been so helpful to journey with her and I am blessed to have her a few months ahead of me as I journey in this new experience in a new country with new friends.

I am sure there are many highlights I am missing but those are the ones that jump out at me while I am sitting here briefly. I am continually struck by the complete lack of control and power I have. In this realization, I can chose to become bitter or better. I can chose to be in awe of the power and shepherding the Lord has in my life or I can become bitter and try to control everything around me. I have to admit, at times I have chosen the darker road unconsciously but the Lord is faithful through my husband, his word, this christian community, and so many other ways to draw me into His peace and surrender and closer in relationship with His Son.