Anniversary & Adoption

Today is our 5th anniversary! To begin the day, we went to Bethany Christian Services' office in Chesterfield and participated in our joint interview. It was an emotional and informative experience, and we left with a positive feeling about the process. Wade has his individual interview Monday afternoon, and mine is Wednesday...along with our home visit. Assuming our business references are sent in right away, our home study will be completed next week!

At this point, we are #1 on the waiting list. According to Aimee at BCS, we may move into the active adoption program (where we will be eligible for selection) within a couple weeks or months. That's incredible news! The process may still take many months, even years, depending on the available adoption situations and our criteria--which come together to make a "match." Our criteria are pretty narrow right now, and we will prayerfully consider each situation to see how God leads us. Ultimately, we know that God has chosen a child for our family, and He will guide us to him or her.

It's so exciting to know that we will soon be receiving information about real children that are being placed for adoption...and that our profile will be viewed by expectant mothers! During the next week, our challenge will be to refine our letter and profile so that it is ready to go on BCS's website. Once our home study is finished, our profile immediately goes online (even though we'll still be on the waiting list). And if an expectant mother chooses us from the group of profiles, we will automatically move into the active process of adopting our child.

So, here's to a Happy Anniversary and the journey to adoption!
Bless you, Ramona

Hollywood Christmas

Time for a tea party! Tonight was our annual Candlelight Advent Tea at church. This was my first year hosting a table, and it was a delight! The theme was "Hollywood Christmas," and even though those two words don't have much to do with one another--it was mahhhvelous, dahling! At the very last moment, the group decided to get wacky and wear formal attire. What a perfect opportunity to dust off that old bridesmaid dress. Even though we were the only divas in evening wear, we had a ball. Thanks to my co-hostess, Suzanne, and lovely ladies: Stacy, Hope, Rachel and April. You all made the night so special!

A Little Life

Liliana buids one of many "cities" during our stay in H'burg.


Craft time on Thanksgiving morning. What a masterpiece!


"Cinnamon Stuff" made to order. Only $1.25 each.

Time, indeed, is a sacred gift, and each day is a little life.
~Sir John Lubbock

Wade's Family

Memories, important yesterdays were once todays. Treasure and notice today. ~Gloria Gaither

A Heavy Heart

Tonight we returned from our annual Thanksgiving holiday in Mississippi. We enjoyed a fun(and food)-filled week with family and friends.

After nine hours in the car, I'm so glad to be home sweet home. This has been a bittersweet day for me. While my time with Wade and Liliana was joyful and precious, the weight of a very heavy heart has burdened me.

This morning I learned that my dear friend's battle with cancer has intensified. My heart aches for her, and I have not been able to get her struggle off my mind. Our families are very close, and it saddens me to see them experience such pain. I'd take this affliction upon myself, if I could. All I can do is lift her up to the Great Healer and ask Him to care for her.

Thankfully, God understands our prayers even when we can't find the words to say them. In times like this, I find comfort in the following passages...

God stands fast as your rock, steadfast as your safeguard, sleepless as your watcher, valiant as your champion. ~Charles Spurgeon

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-33

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34: 18

I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength and my song. Isaiah 12:2

Please pray for Kate, her husband and their three beautiful boys. May God bless you, Ramona

Thank You

If the only prayer you said in your life was "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

How true! Thank you, God, for this day and this life. ~Ramona

Two Thanksgiving Toasts

Here's to turkey. Here's to pie. Here's to scales that make us cry.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ~Hebrews 13:2

Happy thanksgiving!
Bless you, Ramona

It is well. It is well. It is well with my soul!

The chorus of "It is Well" has been playing in my mind all day long. And all is well here. I have recovered from the rough weekend and I am counting my many blessings. My sights are fixed upon the winter season, and my two favorite holidays are just around the corner. Thanksgiving is such a beautiful time of remembrance and gratitude. And Christmas (and the whole month leading up to it) is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to others and give, give, give! More than anything, of course, it is a season to celebrate our savior in grand fashion. What's not to love!

Mmm...I can already smell the turkey.
Bless you! Ramona

Birthday Blues

I'm think I'm going to change the date of my birthday. Okay, that's technically impossible...so I guess I'll change the date it's actually acknowledged. I'd stop recognizing it altogether if it weren't for family members who would loudly protest. For some reason, the actual anniversary of my birth is always one of the worst days of my year. And it's not that I'm disappointed because I start with high expectations. The days are objectively awful.

Two years ago, my birthday was accompanied by the loss of a baby, the loss of a cousin and the diagnosis of my father's cancer (that took his life seven weeks later). Last year was a little less rotten, and this year I'm battling a migraine and a miserably persistent upper respiratory infection. To make matters worse, I thought I just lost my husband. Never fear: Wade is fine...but due to a phone snafu, I was worried sick. Now the tears won't stop flowing, and emotional outbursts are not good for a stuffy nose and aching head.

At 4:30pm, I'm going to call it a day and postpone any semblance of celebration. My age will change today, and I'll acknowledge it on...Thanksgiving. Why not?! That's an uplifting holiday with plenty of fun, food and family. Thanksgiving it is!

Okay, please pardon my brief, but cathartic ranting. On a more positive note (I truly am an optimistic person, despite my current doldrums), I am thankful for another year of life's precious lessons, a strengthened faith and exceptionally beautiful family and friends. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,
Ramona

Tag, I'm it!

I got "tagged" by two friends yesterday. I'll play along! Here are eight random facts about me, some big, some little:

1. I love cherry cola, tropical Jelly Bellies and Willie Wonka candy!
2. I dove all the way through college and coached two years at the college level.
3. My eyes are horrible (farsighted)--I'm supposed to wear glasses all the time!
4. I've had my photo and several quotes in People magazine.
5. I don't eat until after 10:00am, but I adore breakfast food (especially omelets & pancakes).
6. Primates are my favorite creatures. I studied chimpanzees and wrote my undergrad thesis about their cognitive abilities. I've always dreamt of studying them in the wild.
7. My middle name is "Lisa." Yes, Ramona Lisa.
8. I was a Muslim before the Lord rescued me and brought me to a saving faith in Christ.

Tagging:
1. Kate S.
2. Jenna S.
3. Suzanne C.
4. Johhny B.
5. Sarah G.
6. Jada S.
7. Thomas S.
8. Betsy J.

The rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they are tagged and reminding them to read your blog.

If you have a blog, leave the address in my comment section. I'd love to keep up with the latest and greatest in your life!

Blessings,
Ramona

1 John Bible Study

Our wonderfully rich study of 1 John came to a close tonight. Pictured above are the lovely ladies whose hearts have been knitted together through eight weeks of study, sharing and prayer. This experience has profoundly impacted my life, inspiring me to love with a more thankful and joyful heart. I praise God for beautiful relationships and powerful lessons.

Road Trip

Last week, Liliana and I took a road trip to Indiana while Wade headed to Minnesota for business. Even in the midst of fighting a brutal virus, Liliana and I had a grand time singing, chatting and laughing during our five-hour adventures in the car. I am so blessed to have such a great passenger, especially with the amount of traveling we do! She colored and created "sculptures" with stickers as we drove, and she didn't utter a single complaint during the entire trip!







We had a ball with family during our weekend away, and Liliana had many opportunities to play with her cousins, Luke and Clayter-potater. Above: Uncle Russell with a three-kid pile up. Left: Cousinly love. Liliana and Luke hugged each other twenty or thirty times, making sure to fall on the floor together while locked in an embrace. What a riot!






We also celebrated my mom's birthday--Happy Bithday, Mama Joy! While browsing the best dollar store in the midwest, I allowed Liliana to choose her own gift for Grammy Joy. After scanning the aisles for twenty minutes, she made her decision... costume glasses with Groucho Marx eyebrows & mustache. Of all the quality merchandise she could have chosen! As it turned out, the present was a big hit with the entire family. I snapped photos of each child (an adult) wearing the silly glasses!

Our time in Madison was short, but sweet. Liliana already misses everyone so much that she has been asking to go back. I have a feeling she's going to enjoy road trips more than Mommy and Daddy (and that's saying a lot)!

Here's to a wonderful week. ~Ramona

Excited and Encouraged

As we work to complete our home study for adoption, each day brings greater excitement and renewed resolve. Wade and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us! A million thanks for the encouragement and support we have received thus far. We are so appreciative of our wonderful family and friends!

Blessings, Ramona

Wonder Drug

After 20 hours of migraine misery, one tablet did the trick. I heart Maxalt.

Irresistable Germ Factory

Thanks to my inability to stop kissing my sick child, I have been stricken with an upper respiratory infection (that's fancy talk for "a cold"). I'm exhausted. In the wise words of my 3-year-old germ incubator, "I'm running out of entergy" (yep, energy with a "t"). That's what she said to me this afternoon, and I definitely second that emotion. It's 8:41--time for bed.

Stay well! ~Ramona

Touring the State Capitol

We recently took a day trip to the Missouri state capitol, Jefferson City. The purpose of our visit was to obtain our criminal background checks as part of our home study for adoption. While we were there, we also had an opportunity to tour the capitol building. Since I'm not a history buff, I was surprised to find how much I enjoyed the experience. The building itself was fascinating, from the grand statues and steps leading into the entrance to the lovely murals on the ceiling and the fossils embedded in the walls and floor. What an architectural gem!

While I took in the beauty of the capitol and the quaint little shops downtown, Liliana found pleasure in the simpler things. She particularly enjoyed experimenting with the echo of her voice in the capitol building while looking for every opportunity to climb steps (and there were hundreds). While we waited at the office for our records, she played for at least 30 minutes with stones on a retaining wall. I never cease to be amazed at the things that interest her and the way her sweet 3-year-old mind works. She is such a little dynamo!

Here's to the simple pleasures. ~Ramona

What's Not to Love?

There are so many things that I love about my daughter--most things, in fact. One of her really cool traits is that she absolutely adores babies and animals. Every time she spots one of God's little creatures, she goes totally gaga. Her entire demeanor changes, and she becomes enamored. It's such a special sight. I love her compassion and adoration for so many reasons. And it sure will come in handy when a new brother or sister arrives on the scene! Pictured above: Liliana enjoys a "kiss" from Holly, a neighbor's pug (who, incidentally, was dressed up as a bunny for Halloween). So cute!

The Simple Pleasures

After partying with our church family, it was a mad dash for candy in our subdivision. Liliana totally got into the trick-or-treating scene, racing from house to house like it was a timed event.
She worked so hard to reach every doorbell and waited patiently on the doorstep looking so sweet and angelic. Then, as soon as each unsuspecting neighbor placed a bowl in front of her, she grabbed the biggest handful she could muster and immediately stuffed it into her bag. One person asked her, "How many would you like?" And without skipping a beat, she exclaimed, "Too many!"

As we moved from house to house, Liliana bravely approached the "spooky stuff" while calmly telling herself, "Don't be afraid. God is with you." Much to my surprise, she walked right up to the home with the creepiest scene like it was no big deal. To be honest, I was a little weirded out by the critters, so she was fearless.

At the end of the evening, she sat on the floor and enjoyed the spoils. She gathered all of the candy around her and joyously began throwing pieces in the air. What a joy. Even though Halloween is one of my least favorite holidays, seeing my daughters excitement and enthusiasm made this one of the best days of my life.

Hope your day is filled with simple pleasures. ~Ramona