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.

Christmas Catch-up

Well Claire and Nate both made it in safely. We enjoyed a few days on the Puerta Plata beach front, unfortunately the weather was rainy but we still managed to enjoy our time together and enjoy a little ocean waves.

When we got back to campus we started to get the Christmas cheer started with some Christmas music and planting our little christmas tree (it is reusable :)- small carbon footprint- dad Isaia would be proud)

Nate helped set up our Christmas table with the traditional Isaia Christmas story book, delivered by Claire. Nate even made us a few Christmas tree ornaments and we will now begin our Christmas decoration box for next year.

As Christmas approached we enjoyed a progressive dinner on campus complete with 6 different stops. The boy's house was in charge of chips and salsa and Josh did a great job of making a pico de gallo, similar to a recipe my dad likes to make (was also featured this plate at our wedding)

Then came Christmas Eve. The Christmas holiday was honestly a little hard at times but the campus was supportive of each other and I really enjoyed the holidays. Christmas Eve involved a good dinner, candle light service, some sparkling grape juice- which is typically a part of our Isaia Christmas Eve dinner, and the girls sharing their favorite christmas memory and tradition.

We then drug the beds out and the girls watched a movie and had a sleep over. I headed home before the movie around 10:30pm and Josh made us some hot chocolate (which my dad makes traditionally Christmas Eve) and started a new tradition of bollos (similar to a cornmeal dumpling)- which were very good dipped in the hot chocolate.

Christmas Day started with girls opening their presents and then we had a great breakfast prepared by one of the staff members. The girls took some time to paint and just chill with their new presents. Here is one of the painting our girls did. They all have such various talents.

The afternoon we went swimming in local lake that included kayaks and zip lining. Some of the students burned off steam playing basketball and tennis. In the evening we enjoyed a evening with Claire and Nate. We made a great pasta with homemade bread (recipe provided by mom Ramsier but definitely missed her strawberry jelly). It was very special and much appreciated to have some family here over the holidays. For dessert we went to a restaurant in the mountains and ordered some great desserts, flan, cheesecake, apple dumpling, and brownies.

It was for sure a different Christmas but special in its own way. I was challenged to continue to focus on the purpose of the holiday and birth of Christ. I was showered with blessings from having Claire and Nate, to thinking of the life growing inside of me. Josh made such an effort to selflessly give of himself during this time as I am a little more sentimental, to say the least. 

A Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good night!

Updates

And again it is almost a month since I updated last. We are enjoying our new home at the Larimar house. We have gotten a new little puppy to practice on. His name is Duke and he is a mastiff. He is a lot of fun. We have had him about a week and already he is growing.  He was very helpful in Christmas decorations... well maybe not. The girl's house has done a great job decorating. Here are some of the sights in the house.

Last weekend Josh and I enjoyed a Sunday off together! We decided to take a few of the boys to the beach about 2 and 1/2 hours away. It was a wonderful day and the waves were a bit bigger than usual so that was fun. We also have taken the youth to a place called Lagoona Dudu. It was beautiful water and most of the students enjoyed the day jumping off the cliff into the lagoon or zip-lining into the middle and then jumping.

Yesterday I spent my first birthday out of the country. It was a wonderful day. I got to sleep in due to my new schedule (working 4 days a week from 5-10:30 and then 2 weekends a month). Josh was able to get the morning off and we enjoyed a typical Dominican breakfast at a local restaurant here in town. smashed plantains (Mangu), salami, and fried cheese. MMM, and some fresh juice.

Enjoyed some phone calls homes, although calling still comes with complications due to service and me only being able to mainly make calls. I was graciously given a homemade carrot cake and cheesecake both wonderful. 

Baby and mom are doing well, and husband is treating me kindly! We are hoping to go tomorrow for another sonogram and possibly find out the gender. We will tell but not sure when. I am feeling very good and definitely starting to get the "baby bump" (maybe when my sister comes she will get some pregnancy pictures),

Josh's brother, Nate, and my sister, Claire are going to be coming Sunday morning and we look so forward to visitors over Christmas. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving but it is definitely hard realizing being away from family may become more frequent during holidays. We did have a big thanksgiving meal here on campus and were able to have a relaxing day. I think that is a good over view for now. God has been teaching and growing us both and look forward to sharing that also on here sometime.