Prayer

... praying for my girlfriends who are now facing the start of their hubby's deployments.   It's not easy.  But I'm thinking of them and hoping and praying that they will have the right people at the right time - helping them get through the difficult time of being apart.  As wives, we know what we are getting into.  We understand in a way that is hard to explain.  It's our children.... especially when they're younger - who we cry for.  They don't understand why their daddy (or in some cases, their mommy's) have to go away.  But then our kids also surprise us and become our strength during the deployment.  OOoohh, it's just not easy.... and so today I pray for my friends.  I pray for their loved ones.  I pray for their safety.  I pray that they have PEACE!

Philippians 4:6-7

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.



FAST FORWARD - what a blessing it was to be able to witness their reunions and capture the moments for my friends!!

Daddy being home was the BEST PRESENT ever!

Dani and Mia were so excited to have Daddy home for their birthdays!  Having him

back home from deployment was the BEST present ever!

Birthday Party at the PIC with 

Alyssa  . Ella . Kelsey 

Seeking Higher Ground

April . May . June . July . and now August...

Time just passed us by... and we got busy being TOGETHER!  Living life and enjoying each other and annoying each other... hahaha!  We're family... everything is mixed together... the good, the bad... and the growth of it all - and becoming stronger!  

The week Dale arrived back on GUAM... our little island had a Tsunami warning/scare.    In times of trouble (on an island)... everyone was urged to seek higher ground.  Dale & I were actually on our way up the hill to our CO's (Commanding Officer, his boss) house, in a gated-guarded community.  Because of the Tsunami warnings - the gate guard was instructed NOT to let anyone pass through the gates.  Dale & I were caught in the traffic of those seeking higher ground... and at the gates unable to get in.  It was a helpless feeling, really.  

Getting caught in the traffic was frustrating.  Not being able to get through the gate was frustrating.  Not being with our kids during a Tsunami warning was frustrating.  Thankfully the warning was just that... a warning.  There was no Tsunami coming our way.  

There's definitely something BIGGER than a Tsunami coming our way... and yes, we should always be seeking HIGHER GROUND... and there needs to be urgency in our method of getting "there".  If you knock at the "gates" the door will be opened!  ASK.  SEEK.  KNOCK!

Matthew 7:7

    ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Beautiful calm waters  - the day after the Tsunami warmings!

Attitude is Everything!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning,  looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. Well," she said,  "I think I'll braid my hair today?"  So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up,  looked in the mirror  and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.  "H-M-M," she said,  "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"  So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror  and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.  "Well," she said,  "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."  So she did and she had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up,  looked in the mirror and noticed  that there wasn't a single hair on her head.  "YEA!" she exclaimed,  "I don't have to fix my hair today!" Attitude is everything! Be Kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.. Live simply... Love generously... Care deeply... Speak kindly....... Leave the rest to God

Ephesians 4:2 (New International Version, ©2011)

² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.


Last night Ryan asked Dale to buzz cut his hair... just shave it all off - leaving a short stubble all around his head.  I'm not fond of it... but Ryan was so excited about the fact that he no longer has to do his hair... until it grows again, of course!  This story made me smile and made me think of RYAN. Never having to seek approval, really not caring what others may think... but just taking chances and smiling through it all!   I just hope that he will always use this attitude for GOOD things.  I've had some heart to heart talks with some of his teachers at school and they are also aware of his leadership skills... just channeling it in a positive way is the trick!  I LOVE his attitude.  I LOVE his happiness!


This morning, I found his older brother staring at himself in the mirror... running late for school I quickly asked him, "What are you doing?"  With a smile Mo tells me, "I'm wondering what it would look like if I buzzed my hair like Ryan's".  He's my thinker... my analyzer - never jumping into things.  One time a barber shaved his head like Ryan's haircut and he really didn't like it - yet here he was again analyzing it because his brother's attitude about his short hair was infectious!  This month he is turning 13.  I will be a mommy of a teenager!  The fact that he takes his time to think things through is exactly what I need to help me get through these beginning teenage years.  He announced a few weeks ago that he has a "girlfriend".  He's realistic about it all.   I LOVE that he is open enough to tell me this.   I LOVE his smile.  I LOVE that he thinks things through.


A few weekends ago I had a different situation.  We went to a baby shower and while the mom's were in one room... the daughters were able to go next door and get their hair braided, styled, nails done... just a little pampering session.  Dani wasn't sure if she wanted to get her hair done... decided on a braid... and after I asked the girl to braid it... she said she wanted to wait until her sisters b'day party 2 days later.  Well... the lady braided it anyway (because I asked her to)... and on the way home she was teary and I asked her why the tears?  Sweet girl didn't want me to get upset that she wanted to take the braid out as soon as we got home.  She didn't like it.  She was upset that I paid money to have it done... that she wasted MY money!  OOOoh my sweet girl... so thoughtful and considerate and always worried about others over herself.  We had a heart to heart on the car ride home and I told her not to worry and that it was okay if she took out the braid... LIFE is too short to be upset over these little things!  I LOVE that she cares.  I LOVE that she considers others.


... and then there's little Mia.  Her hair is taking it's sweet time to grow in.  She makes comments often about wanting to go to school.  We heard a trick that when kids can reach their arm over their head and touch their ear... then they're ready for school.  She takes this literally and every day her little fingers are getting closer and closer to her ear... and the excitement of it all is building daily!  She did manage to move up to the Kindergarten class in church because she turned 4 years old.  That was exciting news!  She couldn't wait to get to church!  Then reality hit.  She was the only new kid.... and the kids were singing a song she didn't know.  Looking at me with uncertainty I snapped a photo of her and decided that I needed to leave the room before she changed her mind. Without saying goodbye, I started to shut the door and our eyes locked... with tears welling in her eyes... she gave me that big girl wave and my heart just sank knowing my little girl is growing up!   She did awesome... she stayed and didn't come running after me.  Definitely the easiest one to separate from me, showing no drama (unlike the three older siblings who all acted like I was ripping off their arms when I left them in a class alone).  I LOVE her independence.  I LOVE her eagerness to try.


Attitude is Everything!  I go to bed at night wondering if I did enough for my kids... did they learn anything from me... do they know they're loved unconditionally... are they enjoying their LIFE now and not wishing or wanting it to speed up.  As a kid we always want to rush life... but now as an adult... how I wish it could just slow down!  I'm so grateful to be able to enjoy my children at every stage... thankful to a loving husband who understands the need for one of us to be home and present for our kids.... and a partner in life who is actively involved in raising our children together!   It makes all the difference!

BETTER TOGETHER

BETTER TOGETHER by Jack Johnson is a new favorite song of mine... because that is exactly how I feel... because as a family we are BETTER TOGETHER!  I feel complete once again!   It's been almost a month now since Dale came back home... and we are all back in the swing of things!!!

**EXHALE!**  We made it.  I made it.  He made it.  We all carried this deployment differently.  I'm so proud of the kids and how they pulled together and helped out... all in their own way.   I'm so thankful for my parents for coming out to be with us during the holidays and the tail end of Dale's deployment (3 months here on Guam)... truly making my time without Dale much more bearable!   This time apart has only made our relationship as a husband/wife - even stronger!  There were moments where it was tough... but overall - I am praising GOD for his watch care over us and for bringing us all HOME!



We never counted the days apart... never did a count down or a count up... we just got busy with LIFE and living in the moment and knowing that the reunion would be AWESOME once we got there!  Skype and Facebook were our only way of communication.  Surprisingly... we would go for over a week without talking to each other... which made for when we did talk to each other... much MORE special.  There was a "ticker" on my blog - and that's what I checked right before Dale arrived back home... and it read - 238 days!

**again, EXHALE!** TWO-HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT DAYS!

It was such an exciting feeling once we got Dale's itinerary and knew that he was on his way home.  What a LONG journey it was!!  Ironically, Dale's arrival back to us - was only a 1/2 hour difference from when my parents were arriving back from their 3 week stay in the Philippines.  Talk about perfect timing... my parents arrived at 4am on Monday morning March 7th... and Dale arrived at 4:30am that same day!

Our command has a wonderful way of WELCOMING BACK their own... even at 4 in the morning... there was a BIG group in attendance to give Dale hugs and make him feel LOVED!!!  It was a bit overwhelming for Dale (he told me later) - and I must add... I was proud once again, of how the kids were able to share their Daddy with everyone that came out to say "WELCOME HOME".    Of course, they all jumped at him when they first caught a glimpse of him through the DO NOT ENTER doors... but that didn't stop them!  JOY filled my heart to see the excitement on the kids faces... and the BIG smile that Dale had as he walked through those doors... and as much as I was wanting to rush in on that moment... I was so happy I stood back and absorb it all and give our kids that time... and capture that JOY!!!


Romans 12

Love in Action

 ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another

... with anticipation ...

• 
  

  • 

    16 hours ago

    Dale Dan Ramirez

    • coming home...
      Hi my family, Daddy is coming home Monday and I can't wait - seeing you on skype for the past 7 months was fun but it never replaces being WITH you, hugging, playing and laughing together. I know you all were helpful to each other and helpful to Mommy...this was a BIGGER job for Mommy as I was away defending our country and I thank you for helping her each day. It will be fun being together and getting used to being 'home' - my 'home' for the past 7 months was different so adjusting back to Guam will be a very nice thing. You'll have to remind me of the routine and take care of me too...I'll catch up I promise. I love you all and am very proud of your accomplishments - it's just the beginning of the great things you'll be doing. I'll write you more when I get to the Hawaii USO - I'm in the L.A. USO now....USO rules!  LOVE YOU family, Daddy!
  • 

    about an hour ago

    Dot Ramirez

    • Hi  The kids are excited... although driving me a little crazy (yes, i said that!)... they wrote you notes/letters about you coming home... I'll transcribe them for you...
  • 

    about an hour ago

    Dot Ramirez

    • from MORGAN:
      
      Daddy,
      
      Hi! Welcome back! We missed you so much! I remember the last time I saw you, it was in Pennsylvania. It was at Uncle Len's house, downstairs and I was sleeping on the couch. Then, you woke me up and that was the last time I saw you, that was a long time ago! 10 months! You've been gone for so long! We can't wait to see you! You're coming home tomorrow. It's too bad that I have to go to school the day you get back. I wish I could stay home, but I have the band exchange with Andersen. I can still spend a lot of time with you because you have the exciting two weeks off from working. We can go go-carting and eat meat! It's been so long since we had barbeque. I forgot what your juicy BBQ chicken tasted like. I'm craving it so much now. It was succlent and the sauce was so awesome! Hopefully, you can make some when you get back. It's going to taste so good! I remember when we went to Maryland 2 or 3 weeks before you and I remember how happy we were. Imagine how happy we will be seeing you after 10 months! See you in less than 24 hours! Bye. Love ya! Can't wait to see you!
      
      Love,
      Morgan
  • 

    about an hour ago

    Dot Ramirez

    • from RYAN:
      
      Dear Daddy
      
      Welcome back home from a long hard deployment. We know you've worked very hard for us. I also love that you're back and united with the family again.
      
      The thing I missed about you most was your fun singing, laughing, basketball dunking, go-cart racing and back massaging skillzzzz!! You are really fun and a very good person to hang out with. I love you a lot!
      
      Your son,
      Ryan
  • 

    about an hour ago

    Dot Ramirez

    • from DANI:
      
      Dear Daddy,
      
      I'm so glad you're coming home! It was so sad you had to miss Mommy's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day and ALMOST my birthday, but you're coming 7 days before it! I can't wait for all the things we're going to do when you come back. I missed your grilling! You made THE best chicken, vegetables, and steak on the grill. I also miss you waking me up in the morning before you go to work. The last thing I would say to you was always, "Bye, Daddy - Love you!" I even said that before you went to your deployment to Kuwait.
      
      Thank you for the cool camouflage hats and bag you got in Kuwait. I use the hat for hikes. It's really useful.
      
      I'm so excited to go to sleep and then waking up to hear, "{Time to go get daddy". I will wake up like a FLASH! I can't wait until then!
      
      I  U!
      
      Daniella
      Dani
      DanDan
  • 

    about an hour ago

    Dot Ramirez

    • from Mia:
      
      she drew a picture of you with a mole on your face... and a scratch on your head... hahaha! and she is in it and Dani is on the drawing and she wrote...
      
      I LOVE YOU DADDY!
      
      She is very excited to show it to you!
  • 

    33 minutes ago

    Dale Dan Ramirez

    • these letters are the best, thanks for relaying them to me - thankfully the airport has free wi-fi so i can check on the messages while waiting...and draining my battery. this is a long-excursion for me...starting almost 72 hours ago - broken up in phases but a long process - it's okay since each phase is closer to Guahan. in LAX and in Hawaii, we've had several folks pull us/me aside saying 'thank you for your service' - it truly is a humbling feeling when folks do that - true Americans, these folks are. we live in a great country. for me i say, 'thank you' for YOUR service in keeping our family healthy and being my best cheerleader - you deserve the medal rather than me. love you
• • 
    
    

You know who you are... THANK YOU!

It's hard to believe that Dale will be making his way home to us in less than 33 hours! There were times this deployment felt long and times it felt like it went by quickly... so I'm wondering why these last few days have felt like a lifetime? The anticipation of it all is so exciting and exhausting and frustrating and relieving... does that even make any sense? 

When I think about the last 10 months and close my eyes... your faces are the ones I see and the voices I hear and the messages I recall... and the love I feel from near and far. I am so grateful for my family, childhood friends, college friends, Navy friends, church friends... neighbors... YOU were placed in my life for a reason and I just wanted to THANK YOU for the big things and the little things each of you did to make this time bearable. 

So many of you on this list of family & friends are far far away... and even from afar - you made a difference! Especially this past summer and thanksgiving when we traveled back to the states... THANK YOU!

Your smiles, your gestures, your actions, your talents, your mentoring my children, your visits and opening up your homes, your notes/e'mails/phone calls, packages were so appreciated! Most of all... your prayers and encouragement! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!  

If you are in the Guam area... I just wanted to let you know that Dale is arriving at a crazy early morning hour of 4:35am this MONDAY - March 7th! If for some reason you find yourself awake - you'll find my little family giddy with excitement and anticipation at the Guam Int'l Airport with BIG SMILES as we welcome home a very missed husband and daddy! 

In a few hours Dale will be waking up to head to LAX to wait and wait and travel and wait and travel and wait and travel... a terribly LONG journey - LAX - Honolulu - Marshall Islands - Guam. Please continue to pray for traveling mercies for him! Thanks bunches!!

... and again... I am so incredibly grateful for YOU in my life! God is good!

 Dot