well, we are officially attempting to potty train Elijah. yesterday he woke up and said, mommy, potty. I ran and took him to the bathroom and he pee-d in the potty. YEAH!!!!!!! so for the past two days we have been in big boy underwear attempting to use the potty. when elijah gets off the potty he looks inside and says, it's not working mommy.
well, today he when he went in the potty he turned around looked inside and said...
it's working mommy, it's working
what a cutie!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
a genuinely great day
we woke up in our own beds this morning (well except Peter, he comes home Friday). and we were the only ones here. I can't tell you how long it has been, well yes I can, one month! WOW
they boys and I had a fabulous day, they didn't wake up until 7:40, we enjoyed breakfast, pulled weeds (the boys love to help in the garden), went for a walk to stare at the bulldozer working on Caleb's school, played outside (the boys made a fort and campfire with all the branches I cut down), ate lunch, made homemade bread, played outside more, took baths, wrestled and tickled together, played with flashlights in the dark, read books and just a wonderful time together enjoy the days of summer.
I can say I live my life a little different these days, saying a little more of what needs to be said, positive encouraging words, and spending even more time enjoying my beautiful children.
just grateful for all that God has given me
they boys and I had a fabulous day, they didn't wake up until 7:40, we enjoyed breakfast, pulled weeds (the boys love to help in the garden), went for a walk to stare at the bulldozer working on Caleb's school, played outside (the boys made a fort and campfire with all the branches I cut down), ate lunch, made homemade bread, played outside more, took baths, wrestled and tickled together, played with flashlights in the dark, read books and just a wonderful time together enjoy the days of summer.
I can say I live my life a little different these days, saying a little more of what needs to be said, positive encouraging words, and spending even more time enjoying my beautiful children.
just grateful for all that God has given me
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
where do I begin?
wow! it has been a crazy few weeks, as I am sure you can imagine.
to start off, no news on the adoption front. still waiting to enter the next phase.
I spent the early part of June in Wisconsin preparing for my dad's funeral and spending some time with my step mom and sister. Amy and I had the privaledge of writing my father's obituary, which I posted earlier, and creating a slide show of pictures of my dad from birth to the present. These two projects were so memorable for my sister and I and very healing for our greiving process.
Amy and I headed back to Cincinnati where we spent another week together just enjoying life. It was so good to have her around, to be able to share my life with her, and to watch her spoil my boys. We had such a good time and after 3 weeks of being together 24/7 we still had new conversations and topics we never got to talk about. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together as we now won't see each other until December.
Our last day together we took the boys on the train to Chicago, went to Millenium Park, rode the el train, and then had to say our good byes. It was such a wonderful time to be with my sister and I am so grateful for our time together.
Peter left for Germany on the 19th to be a chaplin/assistant soccer coach for a US team playing in a tournament with Athlete's in Action. He is sooooo excited and having a great time. (he can text us for free) He went to the World Cup today and is on top of the world.
The boys and I are spending some time with his parents this week in Batavia, Illinois. Today we went to a restaurant "2 Toots" where a little train carrying food baskets brings you your meals. It was neat! We rode the train back to Batavia. I'm all trained out!!
Caleb, Elijah, and I are doing fairly well with the death of my dad. Caleb understands it all and shares the story. His one unanswered question is, "why did papa have to die now?" I just tell him, I don't know. The truth of answer is that we never know when anyone is going to die or why they do when they do. Elijah says, "papa in heaven, papa fall down". But my favorite things Elijah has said are, "papa in heaven with Jesus", "papa playing the drums in heaven with Jesus", "papa sleeping in heaven with Jesus", "papa playing golf in heaven with Jesus".
I can't help but wonder if he somehow has a connection up there, those sure sound like heavenly activities to my dad (well, I don't know about the drums? who knows maybe some time during his 50 years on earth he had a desire to play and now his dream is a daily reality).
As for me, I miss my dad very much and of course still want my daddy, but I am doing okay. I know he believed in Jesus and I know he is heaven and this makes me smile. I know I will see him again one day.
sorry no pics till I get back to Cincinnati.
to start off, no news on the adoption front. still waiting to enter the next phase.
I spent the early part of June in Wisconsin preparing for my dad's funeral and spending some time with my step mom and sister. Amy and I had the privaledge of writing my father's obituary, which I posted earlier, and creating a slide show of pictures of my dad from birth to the present. These two projects were so memorable for my sister and I and very healing for our greiving process.
Amy and I headed back to Cincinnati where we spent another week together just enjoying life. It was so good to have her around, to be able to share my life with her, and to watch her spoil my boys. We had such a good time and after 3 weeks of being together 24/7 we still had new conversations and topics we never got to talk about. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together as we now won't see each other until December.
Our last day together we took the boys on the train to Chicago, went to Millenium Park, rode the el train, and then had to say our good byes. It was such a wonderful time to be with my sister and I am so grateful for our time together.
Peter left for Germany on the 19th to be a chaplin/assistant soccer coach for a US team playing in a tournament with Athlete's in Action. He is sooooo excited and having a great time. (he can text us for free) He went to the World Cup today and is on top of the world.
The boys and I are spending some time with his parents this week in Batavia, Illinois. Today we went to a restaurant "2 Toots" where a little train carrying food baskets brings you your meals. It was neat! We rode the train back to Batavia. I'm all trained out!!
Caleb, Elijah, and I are doing fairly well with the death of my dad. Caleb understands it all and shares the story. His one unanswered question is, "why did papa have to die now?" I just tell him, I don't know. The truth of answer is that we never know when anyone is going to die or why they do when they do. Elijah says, "papa in heaven, papa fall down". But my favorite things Elijah has said are, "papa in heaven with Jesus", "papa playing the drums in heaven with Jesus", "papa sleeping in heaven with Jesus", "papa playing golf in heaven with Jesus".
I can't help but wonder if he somehow has a connection up there, those sure sound like heavenly activities to my dad (well, I don't know about the drums? who knows maybe some time during his 50 years on earth he had a desire to play and now his dream is a daily reality).
As for me, I miss my dad very much and of course still want my daddy, but I am doing okay. I know he believed in Jesus and I know he is heaven and this makes me smile. I know I will see him again one day.
sorry no pics till I get back to Cincinnati.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
9 months old
isn't she beautiful.
after our interview is written up we move into pgn. We found out yesterday that pgn is "supposedly" starting to move again. Our agency had 4 cases get out in the entire month of May (this is next to nothing compared to what they are used to), and 4 cases get out in one day this week. Hopefully this means when we get in we will move through more quickly, but as always, we just wait and see, no guarantees.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
update on the adoption
the interview we had been waiting for was finallly completed on Monday, May 27. now we are moving again and wait for the interview to be written up and submitted to the massive pile of adoption that are waiting to be signed off.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
don't have much time...
just wanted to say we have been out of commission for awhile.
my dad suffered a massive heart attack on Monday while visiting us in cincinnati. he was without oxygen for about 35 minutes, the brain damage was severe and on saturday, june 3 he went home to be with Jesus.
below is his obituary, which my sister and step-mom and i spent all of yesterday writing.
we would greatly appreciate your prayers.
one particular verse God gave me during our time in the hospital with my dad.
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go. Joshua 1:9
the prayer was for him, and I soon learned it was for all of us.
Jeffrey R. Ramminger, resident of Plymouth, passed peacefully while surrounded by his wife, Tina, daughters, Amy and Jocelyn, son-in-law Peter, siblings, Cindy, Judy, Duane, Sandy, Renee’, and his godchild, Jessie. Jeff departed to be with the Lord on June 3, 2006 after suffering a heart attack on Memorial Day while visiting the Cincinnati Zoo with his grandsons.
Jeff was first born to Leander and Rita-Mae (Armbruster) Ramminger on December 9, 1955 in Sheboygan. He grew up in St. Anna and graduated from Kiel High School in 1974.
Jeff had an immense heart and was a very generous man. At a party he was either grilling or dancing. He came into his own with the birth of his grandsons Caleb and Elijah. Being a “Papa” brought out the best in him. His eight year old German short hair, Milo was his greatest companion and literally went with him everywhere.
Throughout his life he acquired many skills working with his hands, from creating crafts to constructing Jocelyn's garage to building a toy box for Caleb. Most recently he owned several small businesses including tiling, raising bunnies, and a lawn/snowplowing service. He was always willing to lend a hand to others.
He is survived by his wife; Tina Cooney, daughters; Amy Ramminger (Damian) and Jocelyn (Peter) Sutton, grandchildren; Caleb, Elijah, and Micaiah, step-son; Nick Laack (Lori), step-grandchildren; Stephanie, Makayla, parents; Leander and Rita-Mae (Armbruster) Ramminger, mother-in-law; Millie Cooney, siblings; Cindy Bradley (Larry), Judy (Randy) Preder, Duane (Kathy) Ramminger, Sandy (Tim) Buechel, Renee’ (Jeff) Juckem, brother-in-law; Mike Cooney, and his dog, Milo. Jeff is further survived by many family members and friends.
He will be joining his Grandpa & Grandma Ramminger, Grandpa & Grandma Armbruster, father-in-law Donald Cooney, brother-in-law Pat Cooney, his beloved uncle Tony Ramminger as well as several aunts and uncles.
We will miss our dad, husband, papa, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.
Jeff and Tina are members of Bethany Reformed Church at 1315 Washington Ave., Sheboygan, where a time of visitation will be from 3:00 until the service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8.
In lieu of flowers, a fund is being established.
Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth are serving his family.
my dad suffered a massive heart attack on Monday while visiting us in cincinnati. he was without oxygen for about 35 minutes, the brain damage was severe and on saturday, june 3 he went home to be with Jesus.
below is his obituary, which my sister and step-mom and i spent all of yesterday writing.
we would greatly appreciate your prayers.
one particular verse God gave me during our time in the hospital with my dad.
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go. Joshua 1:9
the prayer was for him, and I soon learned it was for all of us.
Jeffrey R. Ramminger, resident of Plymouth, passed peacefully while surrounded by his wife, Tina, daughters, Amy and Jocelyn, son-in-law Peter, siblings, Cindy, Judy, Duane, Sandy, Renee’, and his godchild, Jessie. Jeff departed to be with the Lord on June 3, 2006 after suffering a heart attack on Memorial Day while visiting the Cincinnati Zoo with his grandsons.
Jeff was first born to Leander and Rita-Mae (Armbruster) Ramminger on December 9, 1955 in Sheboygan. He grew up in St. Anna and graduated from Kiel High School in 1974.
Jeff had an immense heart and was a very generous man. At a party he was either grilling or dancing. He came into his own with the birth of his grandsons Caleb and Elijah. Being a “Papa” brought out the best in him. His eight year old German short hair, Milo was his greatest companion and literally went with him everywhere.
Throughout his life he acquired many skills working with his hands, from creating crafts to constructing Jocelyn's garage to building a toy box for Caleb. Most recently he owned several small businesses including tiling, raising bunnies, and a lawn/snowplowing service. He was always willing to lend a hand to others.
He is survived by his wife; Tina Cooney, daughters; Amy Ramminger (Damian) and Jocelyn (Peter) Sutton, grandchildren; Caleb, Elijah, and Micaiah, step-son; Nick Laack (Lori), step-grandchildren; Stephanie, Makayla, parents; Leander and Rita-Mae (Armbruster) Ramminger, mother-in-law; Millie Cooney, siblings; Cindy Bradley (Larry), Judy (Randy) Preder, Duane (Kathy) Ramminger, Sandy (Tim) Buechel, Renee’ (Jeff) Juckem, brother-in-law; Mike Cooney, and his dog, Milo. Jeff is further survived by many family members and friends.
He will be joining his Grandpa & Grandma Ramminger, Grandpa & Grandma Armbruster, father-in-law Donald Cooney, brother-in-law Pat Cooney, his beloved uncle Tony Ramminger as well as several aunts and uncles.
We will miss our dad, husband, papa, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.
Jeff and Tina are members of Bethany Reformed Church at 1315 Washington Ave., Sheboygan, where a time of visitation will be from 3:00 until the service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8.
In lieu of flowers, a fund is being established.
Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth are serving his family.
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