THE EMPTYNEST YEARS

The "C" word

2012-01-25T17:01:00.000-08:00

Cancer...on how I hate that word and the memories it brings to mind. A precious aunt that made a comment I will never forget when she said "I'll take my cancer any day over Alzheimer's." My sweet daddy who battled lung cancer that eventually went to his brain. Eric, only 30 years of age, fighting a 2 1/2 year battle with brain cancer. January 13 we discovered my sister has Stage 2 agressing towards Stage 3 breast cancer.

January 17 Ron left for a consulting trip to Egypt, and the next day seemed like a good day to get the routine yearly mammogram behind me. My appointment was just days past my due date of January 13 but things quickly snowballed to including a BSGI exam, ultrasound, needle biopsy and a trip to the surgeon on January 23. Thankfully the biopsy came back negative, but due to the recent family diagnoses, hot spots on the BSGI (which as I understand it can be cancerous or beign), and past questionable mamo's I will have an outpatient procedure on February 3. The Dr. seemed cautiously optimistic but the risks are bleeding, infection and I think he termed it "a possible undesirable diagnosis." Ironically, the results I heard on Monday were an answered prayer as that "C" word came up way too often during the needle biopsy.

As I sat waiting for the needle biopsy I was playing WWF and texted a few people to please offer up a prayer. I was somewhat encouraged in that the dr doing the biopsy felt like we should wait until we had the results before bringing Ron home from Egypt. After consulting with the surgeon I was once again encouraged in that there did not seem to be a rush to get this done or to bring Ron home early. I told Ron today that since we are getting older solo Dr appointments are no longer a good idea.

At any rate, I guess I have two objectives in posting this. The obvious is that if anyone is still reading this blog please say a little prayer that the next procedure comes back clear. Although I think most people that might have read this blog at one point are probably too young to deal with yearly mammograms I am sure you have family members that are at this magical age. Push buttons, move mountains, and do whatever it takes to keep loved ones current with their mammograms. Early detection can save lives. That's my story and I sticking to it!!

GONE TOO SOON

2011-12-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

Cancer is a terrible illness at any point in one's life, but especially when it strikes someone so young and with so much to offer in life. This is 2011 - why is there not a cure for cancer and Alzheimer's Disease? Guess in a good and perfect world there would be and that is not the world we live in.

December 9, 2011 our family lost a young man that was rock solid in his walk with the Lord. I wrote on my blog in August 2009 that Eric is the type of young man every parent prays that their daughter will bring home to dinner. Eric read my blogs, back in the day when I blogged, gave me permission to seek prayers on his behalf, and was grateful to know others were praying for him through the blog world. Eric woke to Heaven's glory, and was met by his Granddad who might have took him fishing. Many years ago, Mr. Warren promised the five Warren grandkids 20 dollars to anyone that caught a white catfish from the family pond.

I remember Eric's visit to Scotland and how he would have to duck to tour the local castles since he was well over 6 feet even while still in high school. Eric was such a smart guy and read everything. He was the easiest person to buy for on our Christmas shopping list - a Barnes and Noble gift card for his reading pleasure!

For those of you that might be interested, logon to www.crawfordfuneralservice.com to read Eric's obituary. Modern technology is so awesome in this day and age - hopefully one day medicine will catch up and find a cure for cancer.

Springtime in Alabama

2011-03-11T22:44:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year, and as I watch the spring flowers "show off" I can't help but to reflect on how much my folks loved flowers. Mother was in one of the first classes taught in our area for Master Gardner and my dad dearly loved winter pansies. Each year we plant pansies in honor of my dad in the flower beds and in hanging baskets.

Almost three years ago now we transplanted day lilies, irises, azaleas, camelias, and mondo grass at our house that originated from the garden my folks raised. We put Mother in the golf cart and she gave very specific instructions as to how each plant should be planted. Comments from my, at the time, 95 year old mother ranged from "don't plant it too deep" to "save the dirt!" Mother would share her plants with anybody that asked, but heaven help the person that dug up too much dirt with her plants.

The flowering plum tree came with the house and is blooming early this year due to the unseasonably warm weather we had in February. It was never a favorite of Mothers as she thought it was pretty useless since the fruit is not edible.

Andy rooted these rose bushes using clipping from Mother's yard, and we moved them from our first house here in Alabama to our retirement house. I get a real kick out of seeing our children take clipping from bushes to start another plant.

Everytime I pass by the blackberry and blueberry bushes I am reminded of some special little boys that had a good time picking berries last summer. Looking forward to a do-over already.

I will never forget a comment the Queen made one day while we were transplanting some flowers here at the house. We had finished for the day and she looked at what we had done and said "looks like this yard has some Margarent in it now!" While I will never be the gardner that the Queen was I do love the idea that our yard brings us fonds memories of two very special people.

Grandbabies Rock!!!

2011-02-19T11:32:00.000-08:00

Just in case I have not already stated this obvious fact, GRANDBABIES ROCK!!!!!

Ron and I are 56 years old and this is the only face

that could possibly make us do this.

For the record the picture and video of me coming down this slide is locked away in a safe as Ron has dared me to erase it!

To anyone with grandbabies over the age of two...we now get it!

Musing on Russia and Egypt

2011-01-29T18:44:00.000-08:00

I have been humbled this week by the world events we have all watched unfold via CNN and other social media. Bad things happen all the time, but this week I was rocked to my core by the fact that we have often walked the floors where so many were killed and injured in one of Moscow's busiest airports. I well remember my first flight into Domodedovo and how crowded the arrivals area would always be. This airport was always busy, and my heart certainly goes out to the families of those who died and were injured in Russia this week.

This is a picture of Andy and Ashley arriving in Moscow at Sheremetyevo airport for a holiday visit. Airport arrivals should be a time of joy and reunions not tragedy and sorrow. Shortly, after the bomb in Moscow rumblings began in Cairo, and now we have the general population calling for a new President. Russia and Egypt will always hold a special place in our hearts and please allow me to share some photos of Egypt and it's people.

We first met Mahmoud in the early 1990s during our time in Egypt. Mahmoud started his little flower shop in a corner kiosk, and now operates a beautiful flower shop on Road 9 in Maddi, Egypt.
This is Mansour...a very talented artist that created portraits of our children that we cherish to this day.

This is the owner of the local jewerly shop that many expats visit during their time in Cairo. Habib redesigned my wedding band to mark our 15th year anniversary and almost 20 years later I am still enjoying my ring.
The camel bone man, jewerly man and t-shirt guy...all special people to us as they remind us of calmer days in a beautiful country.

We had been gone from Cairo for almost 12 years by the time we returned in 2009 and all these vendors welcomed us back with open arms and we met some new Egyptians that I am holding close in my thoughts and prayers this week

We bought a Christmas stocking from this lady and she very graciously stiched our grandson's name on it for us as we waited.
Even in the factories, the workers were welcoming to us and smiled for our photos.

Obviously tourism is huge for Egypt, and this weeks events will make a significant impact on people like our escort for our day in the desert

Poverty certainly exists in Egypt and I can only imagine how long this young woman had worked cooking bread on this particular day.

In addition to these Egyptians, there are also several expat families living in Cairo at this time that we hold close to our hearts, and pray for their safety during this uncertain time in a country that we love.

Rest assured I have no idea the political stands these people take and I certainly have no political cause in this post other then to try to show a few faces of people that this week has greatly impacted. Please join us in praying for the people of Russia and Egypt - local and expats alike during the upcoming days.

Thanks

2010-09-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

Many thanks for the kind comments posted on Facebook and my blog regarding the Queen's passing. We had the service yesterday and shared a few tears and giggles over the life of a woman that had lived 98 years. Mother has lived during 7 wars, 17 presidents, the Great Depression, and gone from horse and buggy days to space exploration. I learned that in the year she was born the average life expectancy was 38 years. My kids heard that their grandmother was a Sunday School teacher, Master Gardner, accomplished artists and crafter, teacher of art at the Women's prison, and a professional business woman with her own business. Her pastor of many years spoke of Mother's love for the Lord and the contributions she had made to the church. It was summed up that Mother was met at Heaven's Gate with a Golden day lily and was already digging in Heaven's flower gardens. We will certainly miss her but rejoice in the fact that she is now healthy and strong again. She fought a hard battle the last few months but is reaping the rewards now. Love you Queen!

2010-09-05T22:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight after a 20 month struggle against the effects of a stroke, Mother passed away at the age of 98. Several years ago I nicknamed her "Queen" and the name was soon taken up by the staff, where she has lived for the last 17 months, as they addressed Mother. I have been really touched the last few weeks as it became obvious that she would soon be leaving us by how kind the staff was to her. Several members of the staff have said on more then one occassion that she was a favorite. She never complained nor was she demanding to the staff, and somehow had managed to find contentment in where she was at that stage of life. That is not to say that she never asked to go home because she did on more then one occassion, but she always had a smile when anyone would speak to her.

A sweet memory of the Queen I have of a really sad time is last night I walked around the corner of the bed to check her and she actually said "Boo!" I was shocked and sat down beside her and asked "Did you just boo me?" and she smiled. Her CNA came in the room moments later to check on us and asked how she was, and when I told her she just booed me Mother gave me the biggest grin. A true priceless moment!

My Mom and Dad have both left us now, and while my heart is heavy tonight at Mother's passing I praise God that she is no longer suffering and is now walking in Heaven and smelling the flowers with those that have gone ahead. I can hear her now going "ohh eee look at the beautiful flowers!" Just hope she is not driving as she is admiring the flowers!!!

Below are a few favorite pictures of the Queen and Pop!

50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

The end of a long night!

50 years together must have been ok!?!

All dressed up and ready to party!

Cooking together in Trinidad for the boys of St. Dominic's

Enroute to Maracas Beach in Trinidad

First tourist stop during their visit to Trinidad

This has always been one of my favorite pictures of my Mom and Dad. It was the first morning in Trinidad and they were up and drinking coffee by 5 AM. Would love to know what he was saying to her! Wonder what the Queen's first morning in Heaven is like?

Time Flys When You Are Having Fun Part Two

2010-06-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

The day after our Moscow reunion we headed towards Texas to spend some time with Wyatt while his folks were away on business.

Like all good grandparents we dropped mom and dad off at the airport and headed straight to Chuck E Cheese.

Saturday morning we set off for the Children's Museum in San Antonino where Wyatt seemed to believe he was about four years old!

Sunday morning was a shopping trip to the outlet stores, and in the afternoon we headed towards Round Rock, Texas to meet Susan and Artem for dinner. Let's just say that I hope Wyatt grows up and has Artem's manners!

Such sweet boys!
Monday we set off for Sea World and had a blast! They had the neatest sprinkler area and of course I had to follow Wyatt in.

There was really no need as the little guy never turned around once to see if I was near by. Ron had duty on the playground and once again our little man was off and running. It was a great day!

Tuesday afternoon we went to the local pool where we quickly discovered Wyatt had no fear of the water. The pool is not a "do-over" for us!

Wednesday we stayed in the area and just enjoyed watching Wyatt explore. Lots of play time, trips to Burger King/McDonalds, shopping and enjoying seeing life through the eyes of an eighteen month old toddler that kept us on our toes. Sweet memories that we recalled on the 840 mile car trip home!

If you could not tell, Ron and I are totally Gobsmacked over our little guy and really enjoyed our time in Texas!

A quick stop at home to cut the grass and attend a wedding and we were off again to move Ashley from Nashville to Kingsport Tennessee. Wonder when Ron ever had time to work!!!

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun Part One!

2010-06-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

In the cold, rainy days of winter Ron and I had an idea to host a mini Moscow Adoptive Family Reunion here at our home in Alabama. After all we were kinda centrally located between several families and there is nothing we enjoy more then hosting events here at our home. So, during the first weekend of June we hosted what I hope will become an annual event, and that it will grow to include more of the wonderful families we met while in Moscow. These are the true faces of Russian adoption and it was a pleasure to have these families in our home.

You would be hard pressed to find four little boys that could be any sweeter then these little guys.

They all got along so well and we were hopelessly in love with all of them before the weekend ended.

The first weekend in June worked well this year so pencil it in for 2011 for the second annual Moscow Adoptive Family Reunion "Do-Over!" Hopefully, the fish will be biting again!

Thanks Susan for the wonderful pictures!

2010-06-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

LIVING THE RETIRED LIFE IN ALABAMA

Ron has nicknamed me the "Social Butterfly" as I really enjoy hosting events here at our home. In April, we had around 25 people in for a Easter Meal

and we got to show off the grandbaby.

Andy and Kasey were really good sports about the doting grandparents, and took pictures of this old gal doing the bunny hop with Wyatt on Easter morning

May was here before we could blink our eyes and we hosted 20+plus classmates from Ron's graduating class. We even convinced a few couples to bare their family secrets in a home style version of the Newlywed Game!

June has arrived, and today our niece chose Nasha Dacha for her Bridal shoot. Isn't she beautiful!

This weekend we are so excited to host a mini reunion. Our guests have all been here and none of them work for BP!

Can you tell we are enjoying retirement?!?

2010-05-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

THE THINGS WE DO FOR A SMILE FROM A CHILD

Recently I was asked to update my blog with pictures of our grandbaby so I am more then happy to accomplish that at this point. Tonight Ashley called and asked that I put out a prayer request for little Tristen who was born several weeks early to young parents that lost a baby a couple of years ago to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Ashley said that she believed people that read my blog loved babies and were Christians so I am more then happy to lift this child up in prayer.

It got me to thinking how blessed we were to have two children born with no health issues and now a young grandson that just lights up our world with his smile.

Thank you Lord for all your blessings and for the health of our children and grandbaby. I lift up Tristen for healing and protection and I pray especially for his parents that they feel Your love and protection at this time. May Tristen grow strong and healthy in order to bring a smile to his grandparents heart as they see him grow. I pray that the family will have many wonderful holidays with this precious baby. In Jesus name....Amen

Thanks Susan for the idea of the bunny tracks. Wyatt loved them!

Four Generations on Easter Sunday

2010-04-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

What a week it has been. First the heartbreaking story of the Tennessee resident that sent her child back to Russia. I just can not get my mind around such behavior. Personally, we know of at least 21 children that are now living in the states with loving families, and love reading their blogs and seeing pictures of how they have blossomed since being in the states. For any of you not in the adoption circle please read this blog for some great insight on adoption This whole story just breaks my heart...

Mother has been in a High/Low bed for several weeks now and I just hate it. Use of this bed has taken away her ability to turn herself as there are no rails on the bed. Apparently, they elevate her for meals and she fell out of the bed on Saturday. I don't understand how a bed with rails is considered restraints, but they can put a frail 97 years in a bed with no rails, elevate it for mealtime, and leave her unattended. This whole situation just breaks my heart...

Maybe next week will be better.

Have You Hugged a CNA/Nurse Today?

2010-03-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

Mother has been in a nursing home for almost a year now and has been blessed with some amazing caregivers / CNA. These gals work non stop and really seem to care for their patients. Recently I was surprised to learn that in the state of Alabama there are no legal restrictions on the number of residents a Certified Nursing Assistant can be assigned per shift!?! A brief list of tasks these CNA's perform daily would look something like this:

1. Assist residents in/out of bed. This would include responsibity for being sure the bed linens are ok.
2. Assist with bathing needs of residents.
3. Assist many residents with putting on clean clothes for the day.
4. Deliver meal trays.
5. Assist with feeding residents meals.
6. Pick up meal trays.
7. Deliver fresh water and snacks.
8. Transport wheelchair-bound residents to/from group activities/dining hall.
9. Toilet/Offer to toilet each resident an average once every two hours (= 4 times per shift).
10. Charting patient info.

They have a huge and often thankless job, and I would just like to go on record in support of CNA's and a limit to the number of residents they can be assigned per shift. After all, they shoulder the main responsibility and care for some pretty precious people!

Three Things That Break My Heart

2010-03-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

If I had to list three things that break my heart it would be 1) the orphan crisis, 2) poverty, and 3) the elderly. I have been reading MckMama blog this past week while they were in Kenya. Due to our international postings, Ron and I have seen first hand people living in poverty. One of my first memories of living in Cairo was a small child sleeping on a piece of cardboard while flies swarmed around the child. I remember a family of five living underneath the stairs of our first apartment building in Cairo, and the only toys the kids had were sticks and rocks. Ron tells me it is worse in places he has worked but I have not visited. I have seen the poverty MckMama wrote about in third world countries so I was not surprised at what they saw in the slums of Nairobi.

While in Trinidad, we were blessed with an opportunity to work with a local orphanage and sponsor a young boy named Ronald who was four years old when we first met. The houseparent was so supportive of efforts by the International Women's Club and we were even allowed to take the children out for visits. On our first visit with Ronald we went to McDonald's and we are sure it was his first trip to a restaurant. Ronald's first reaction when given the Happy Meal was to wait patiently for what we wanted him to do next instead of digging into the box for the toy. We remember that he consumed every drop of ketchup, but wrapped up half of his burger to take to his brother. (It was later that we realized what he was doing with half the burger.) It was very difficult saying goodbye to the boys when we left Trinidad, but I got a chance to surprise them and returned about 18 months later to check on them. Ronald is the one in the red and blue shirt and jean shorts.

Many of you have been to orphanages and are probably thinking this one does not look bad. I wish I had pictures of what it looked like when we first moved to Trinidad. Kudos to the drilling department in Trinidad and Tobago who worked with a young Eagle Scout candidate to paint the first floor of the orphanage. Also, the International Women's Club is responsible for the new floor on the first floor.

For me there are few things in life sadder then a nursing home. It's hard to believe that Mother is coming up on her one year anniversary as a resident of a nursing home. We try our best to get there daily around mealtimes to encourage her to eat something. Today when we arrived she was sitting at the table, had not touched her meal, and was sound asleep. Over the last few months we have watched her regress, and it's almost like she is forgetting the very basics of life. As I looked around the dining room I was saddened to see so many people struggling so hard with such a simple task as eating a meal. Today in that dining hall, I realized what MckMama was saying about taking things for granted. As Americans we live such a blessed life, and my struggles pale when compared to those living in third world countries, or the elderly in a nursing home.

I also liked the point MckMama raised upon returning home about her children and what we are teaching our children in regard to such things as orphan crises, poverty, and the elderly. Andy and Ashley both got to visit the children in the orphanage in Trinidad, and it's my prayer that it impacted them to the point that they have a heart for the needs of others. They witnessed the poverty as they traveled with us. Although our children are now grown and on their own, I believe they are quietly watching our reactions and support of things like orphans, poverty and the eldery. It does not matter if our children are toddlers or young adults, they watch and observe their parents. So for now, we will continue to care for Mother the best we can and although we do not feel called to adopt we can support the orphan crises in other ways. We will respond because it's the right thing to do, and because these faces are also watching us even though they are adults. How about you? What breaks your heart?

I

CHANGES IN LIFE

2010-03-01T18:27:00.000-08:00

A really sweet gal that is still in Moscow recently left a comment on Facebook about how difficult it was waiting for news as to their next assignment. Wow! I really could relate to where she is coming from as limbo is just terrible. We are coming up on the two year anniversary of BP shutting down in Russia and I am just beginning to realize why we left. Ron and I loved living in Moscow and meeting couples coming to Russia to adopt was definitely a highlight. Without a doubt, Russia was our favorite overseas posting and we will always have a special place in our heart for the country.

These pictures below show why is was time for us to leave the place we loved and move on to the next chapter is our lives. While we hated to leave I would not trade the opportunities that have unfolded here since we have returned to the states.

We recently got to keep Wyatt while his folks attended a CE class. It was a blast!

Wyatt loves to play in the car.

This is one of my favorties as Wyatt has the biggest grin on his face.

Sorry Andy and Kasey I did not get any pictures of you guys this trip

Touring in Nashville and lunch at the Wild Horse Salon with Ashley

Elvis recorded in this studio and played this very piano. This piano is one of the few items Elvis was never able to buy according to the tour guide.

Ron just returned from taking his Mom to see family in Oklahoma. The smile on her face is priceless as she hugs her two grandsons.

Have I mentioned that we are loving retirement life?!?!?!?

Eric has given me permission to ask for prayers for him as he battles cancer. Eric and his Dad will be traveling to MD Anderson this week for testing, and I covet your prayers for this very special young man. Eric reads this blog and I know he would appreciate your prayers.

So to one of the most positive people I know - enjoy the time you have left in Moscow and I look forward to hearing about the new adventures in your family! Eric - you are in our thoughts and prayers as you travel this week.

We Are Not Promised A Rose Garden In Life

2010-01-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

Ron and I recently saw a bumper sticker that stated "I AM TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED"
We loved it, and made a deal that when we found one it would soon go on one of our vehicles.

Today, along with my brother and sister, I signed a paper that basically stated that we did not want a feeding tube for Mother who is now down to 97 lbs. Deep in my heart I know it is the right thing to do, but it still hurts to write it down in black and white. Mother had signed a paper years ago stating that she did not want artificial feeding so that eased the pain a little knowing that we are following her wishes. I know I would not want a feeding tube if I was in her current condition, but it still hurts to see her like this.

Without a doubt, we have led a blessed life in that we have two wonderful adult chlidren that are happy and engaged in life, we have traveled to places I could only read about as a child, met some amazing people that we treasure deeply, and most of all we have our trust and faith that God will not abandon us. Our grandson, Wyatt, has our heart in the palm of his little hand and we just love him to pieces.

This has not been an easy week for our family due to several different medical issues, but we believe that God is in control and no matter the outcome of any medical issues we will praise His name!

Ron's Mom is the redhead and the Queen has the dark hair

Do me a favor - if your Mom/Dad is alive give them a call soon and tell them that you love them. So, we are not promised that life will always be a bed of roses or stress free but with God by our sides life is always a garden of blessings!

Roll Tide

2010-01-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

We did not get much snow today in Alabama, but the Crimson Tide is bringing home the National Championship. The last championship won by Alabama was in 1992 so it has been a long time coming. I think The Bear would be proud tonight!

Roll Tide!

2009-12-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

Last week I read an article titled Ten Reasons To Not Retire Now. Interesting reading considering that Ron and I are some six weeks into this new journey and loving every minute of it. So for the record we would like to post our

TEN REASONS TO RETIRE NOW

WAKING UP ON THE FIRST MORNING OF RETIREMENT AND HAVING A CAMERA DUEL

HAVING TIME TO HELP DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH ASHLEY

PUTTING UP CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN ALABAMA ON OUR TIME SCHEDULE

TIME TO DO THINGS AROUND THE PLACE

ENJOYING LOCAL HOLIDAY ACTIVITES

SPECIAL MOMENTS WITH SPECIAL FRIENDS

TIME TO TRAVEL AND SEE THINGS ON OUR "BUCKET LIST"

TIME TO TRAVEL AND VISIT THE GRANDBABY IN TEXAS

THE GRANDBABY!!!!

PRICELESS MOMENTS WITH WYATT

So for the record retirement is great.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?

2009-11-27T19:03:00.000-08:00

I would like to nominate Lydia for President! Yep, she is only 11 years old but if she can kickoff a campaign that raises over $28,000 in less then two weeks we need her in Washington! Way to go Lydia and congrats for keeping the faith and reaching your goal. We were in Nashville this weekend and got to see Lydia's interview live on Fox. What an amazing young girl!

Now that Thanksgiving is over our attention moves to Christmas. Although I will admit that I am an early Christmas shopper, I struggle when I see Christmas decorations coming out shorty after Labor Day. I can't really start to put up the decorations until Thanksgiving weekend, and it just does not seem right to listen to Jingle Bells in the middle of football season. BTW Roll Tide!!

There seems to be some rumors that many people are calling this season Happy Holidays and I just want to go on record as saying the Warren household wishes you a Merry Christmas. I will be the first to admit that I have signed my Christmas cards Happy Holidays for many years, but this year I will be signing Merry Christmas. In the past I did not understand why people would make such a big deal out of the use of Happy Holidays now I wondering if I was becoming desensitised to the phase. We will be putting up a Christmas tree not a Holiday Tree. We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas

Comments are really welcome on this as I am interested to hear your thoughts on using Happy Holidays,

Retirement Is??????

2009-11-22T19:40:00.000-08:00

Awesome!

Does this man look like he is missing getting up at 5am to take morning reports?

Our time with Amoco/BP has taken us to Lafayette, New Orleans, and Houston in addition to five foreign countires. Yes, we can no longer take walks in the snow to Arbat Street for a stop at Starbucks. We can't take the tube into Central London and catch a play on the spur of the moment. No trips across the mountain to Marcass Bay for Bake and Shark, walks at Crathes Castle, or horseback rides in the shadows of the pyramids.

What we can do is stop at Ron's mom for a quick bowl of soup before heading off to evening services, catch up with classmates from high school, post lots of pictures of a really adorable little guy in Texas,

enjoy time with our family, and look for ways to be of service to Him.

There is a little girl near Nashville that has a dream of saving a child from a life in an orphanage. Just in case somebody should click on this blog that might not know of the Hollis Family please take the time to read their story, and listen to how God might lead you to respond. Lydia and her dream is where we will be donating in honor of Ron's retirement.

Yes, life is going to be different now and we can't wait to see what God has in store for the rest of our Sunset years!

Life's Blessings

2009-11-15T05:59:00.000-08:00

Ron just called and he has finished his work in India, turned everything over to his replacement, and will soon be flying back to the states for the final time. One of the issues I have been struggling with as we move towards retirement was what's next, and my dear husband had the answer for that today as he said the Twilight years are after the Sunset years! I love it. Recently they started drilling another well in India, and part of the process has something to do with breaking a coconut at the well site as an Indian ritual of blessing the work.

Like so many others this past week I have been mesmerized by young Stellan's story. Last week when I checked in I was shocked at what Stellan and his family were going through, and was almost late for a Dr's appointment as I continued to refresh the screen throughout the morning for an update. The battle young Stellan has fought has been especially dear to me as our grandson, Wyatt, is just a few weeks younger then Stellan.

As I am sure so many of you know the story has a happy ending and Stellan is now home after nothing less then a miracle. Now that is a true life's blessing and something to be thankful for!

I am so thankful for the next chapter of our lives that will soon unfold with my Retired Oilfield Hand! In honor of Ron's upcoming retirement and our grandson we will be making a donation to a charity that benefits children/young adults for each comment left on this blog in the next 24 hours that shares something you are thankful for. In that Ron's nephew is currently battling brain cancer we are leaning towards M. D. Andrerson where Eric is undergoing treatment.

Our post when we left Moscow had ten comments and we are hoping for at least twenty to celebrate Ron's retirement, children everywhere, and young adults! Come on now and leave a comment of your Thanksgiving blessings.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Then They Do

2009-11-08T21:20:00.000-08:00

The lyrics below by Trace Atkins are one of my favorite country soungs. I even made a dvd one time with old pictures of Andy and Ashley thru the years using this song as the music. I have highlighted a few lines that really hit home with me.

In the early rush of morning,
Trying to get the kids to school:
One's hanging on my shirt-tail,
Another's locked up in her room.
And I'm yelling up the stairs: And everybody's late,
"Stop worrying 'bout your hair, you look fine."

Then they're fightin' in the backseat,
And I'm playing referee.
Now someone's gotta go,
The moment that we leave.

I swear that I can't wait till they grow up.

Then they do, and that's how it is.
It's just quiet in the mornin',
Can't believe how much you miss,
All they do and all they did.
You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:
Then they do.

Now the youngest is starting college,
She'll be leavin' in the Fall.
And Brianna's latest boyfriend,
Called to ask if we could talk.
And I got the impression,
That he's about to pop the question any day.

I look over at their pictures,
Sittin' in their frames.
I see them as babies:
I guess that'll never change.
You pray all their lives,
That someday they will find happiness.

Then they do, and that's how it is.
It's just quiet in the mornin',
Can't believe how much you miss,
All they do and all they did.
You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:
Then they do.

No more Monday PTA's,
No carpools, or soccer games.
Your work is done.
Now you've got time that's all your own.
You've been waitin' for so long,
For those days to come.

Then they do, and that's how it is.
It's just quiet in the mornin',
Can't believe how much you miss,
All they do and all they did.
You want all the dreams they dreamed of to come true:
Then they do.

Ah, then they do.

Last month we had the opportunity to use some of the time that is now our own, and enjoyed an incredible three weeks traveling in Egypt, Isreal, Turkey and Greece. As we move toward retirement next month it was really special to have a chance to return to Cairo where our international travels began in July of 1990.

As wonderful as our trip was it paled when compared to my trips to Texas and Tennessee this month. Ron and I are so blessed that dreams Andy and Ashley have held over the years have come true. Andy is happily married with a beautiful baby, and working hard in his own business.

This weekend I was in awe of our daughter as I watched her perform her duties as an on call veterinian.

Yes, they don't need us as much now, and truly our work with them is done. Do we miss them? You bet - every single day but we are thrilled they are happy in their chosen fields. We are honored to still have a relationship where we see them often, and try really hard to give them space to live their own lives.

Recently,I joked with my cousin that Ron and I were leaving our emptynest years and moving into our SUNSET YEARS.

Thoughts of retirement and stepping into the Sunset Years are scary and exciting at the same time. I am so grateful to be sharing this adventure with my soulmate of 34 plus years. For the four or five of you that still checkin on us keep stopping by, as we share our thoughts and reflections on retirement. I have considered changing this blog to the Sunset Years, but that would take a consult with Rob and Dede to accomplish:)

Have a great week!

Paka!

The seasons of our lives

2009-09-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year - weather is cooler, leaves are thinking about falling and of course college football. As summer turns into fall it's a time for change and thus my much needed blog layout changes. Another big change in store for our family is that Ron has turned in his retirement papers effective November 30, 2009! We always said we wanted to retire soon after Andy and Ashley were both on their feet, and working in their chosen professions so I guess now is the time.

Andy is happily married with a beautiful baby boy

Ashley is following her dreams as a veterinarian in Tennessee.

I know most that read this blog are adoptive couples we met while in Moscow, and you must be thinking retirement and kids on their own is a long time from now. Trust me the years go way too fast, and the children in our lives quickly turn into young adults.

Ron and I thank God for our blessings in life and are praying for Eric (Ron's nephew standing right behind Ashley) who will start radiation treatment this week. I have spoken to Eric since these health issues developed, and his outlook on life is an example of a young man that walks with the Lord. Please keep Eric and his family in your prayers - especially over the next few weeks.

Ron is not one to spend his retirement days on the couch watching tv, and I just hope I can keep up with him. We are really looking forward to seeing the plans God has in store for us in this next season of our lives. Thank you Lord for family, friends, and my soulmate of 34 years!

Photo credit for three of the four pictures in this post goes to Melissa Bridges

Words can make you cry or sing!

2009-08-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

Coments from two different people today - one broke my heart and the other made my heart sing.

While feeding Mother dinner she looked at us and said "I am just too tired to swallow."

While chatting with Ashley tonight we were discussing a couple that adopted a cat she was fostering. I asked her if they were an older couple and she thought for a moment and said, "no they are about your age." Considering I am now an official senior citizen my heart just melted with that comment!

Really Sad Post!

2009-08-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

This has been a real heart breaking week while visiting the Queen! It's almost like a knife goes through my heart when she asks me about her brothers, sisters, mama and daddy. The Queen is the oldest of a large family and has one sister that is still living. Yesterday she wanted to know if her mama had been to see her, and when I asked her if she was dreaming about her mama she said that when she gets better she will go see Mama. Talk about heart wrenching! This week she has also told us her house burned down, and talked about rooting plants in a branch of water. She was even able to tell us that the rootings were azaleas.

My dad passed away seven years ago this coming November and we were talking tonight about how active he was until the last week. Mother has been dealing with this since January 18 and it has been a really sad thing to witness. Tonight I was looking at some pictures from this past Thanksgiving and I was shocked at the decline in Mother. Don't get me wrong I know that we have been blessed to have our Mother for 97years, but this is just really hard!

THE QUEEN...THANKSGIVING 2008

This post came with a warning that is was sad, and for the life of me I don't know why I find comfort in blogging about all this. Just think, I am writing a sad post before Ron goes back to work so there is no telling what I might write next week. I do know why I blog about this...there are prayer warriors out there that will read this and say a little prayer for our family as we move towards uncertain days with Mother just as Ron and I have prayed as we read other blogs.

Life is a truly like a box of chocolates and sometimes it is just hard!

2009-08-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

Remember that line where Forest says something like "life is like a box of chocolate and you never know what you are going to get!" That seems to be really appropriate here at the Warren household these days. It is really sad to see the current condition of the Queen and while I have turned that situation over to the good Lord another family member is in need of prayer.

Ron's nephew had a car accident last week and initial tests show that he could possibly have a serious medical condition that contributed to the accident. All the test results are not in yet, but please remember Eric in your prayers. Eric is 28 years old and rock solid in his walk with the Lord. He is the kind of young man that every mom prays her daughter will fall in love with.

Eric sharing a giggle with his Grandmother....May 2009

Ron and I went to visit Ashley this weekend in Nashville and we thank God for this young woman that loves the Lord and has a real heart for family. Mother recently turned 97 and where she has lived a long life one is never ready is let go of a loved one. Today she was so weak and mostly just consumed fluids as solid food was proving difficult to swallow.

Ashley with the Queen....Easter 2007

The Queen shortly before her 97th birthday

TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THIS BOX OF CHOCOLATES CALLED LIFE....

2009-08-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Gee - life is really quite in Alabama and I have not had much to blog about lately. I did recently join the ranks of Senior Citizen but the pain of that day was eased by this picture from Texas!

Isn't he just the cutest little guy!

In July I did travel to Texas and got a chance to meet up with some of the Moscow ladies for lunch. So good to see everyone!

Ron just finished his fifth hitch in India and we are pondering some possible major moves in our lives. Hopefully, options will be laid out soon and we will have a better handle of what and/or where we will be?!? Got your curiosity up yet? Trust me when I say retiring is a very good possibility but......

WARNING-PROUD GRANDMA POST

2009-07-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

Andy and his family had some photos taken recently and Kasey shared them with us this week. I thought they were precious and today I sent them to almost everybody in my email address book. Just in case I missed someone - please forgive me as I fall into the proud grandma role!

Happy Fourth of July!

Kasey's brother got married recently and they found this adorable tux for Wyatt to wear to the wedding.
The happy family
I just love how he has his little hand on his daddy's face not to mention the bubbles! There is no way this picture was posed.
Nothing sweeter then a sleeping baby.

2009-06-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

WOW! Grandkids are just so much fun, and now I understand the saying that grandkids are your rewards for teenage years. Ron just finished his fourth hitch (but who's counting right...)in India and we went to Texas for a visit. Andy and Kasey were very gracious and generous with the baby, and we even got to keep Wyatt for an entire day while his folks were at work. It was great!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

BITTER OR BETTER?

2009-06-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

This picture is my current screen saver. Each and every time that I sit down to my computer I can't help but to smile when I see that grin on this baby. Sorry Andy and Ashley, but I guess you have kinda been replaced as favorite photo subjects:) Our family has been lucky in that our children, and now our first grandchild arrived safely and with no medical problems. We always here about stories of families that lose a child are has to deal with medical issues, but for me it has really been brought home through the world of blogging.

I tip my hat to families like the Freeman's who lost little Kayleigh in May, and the founders of Sufficient Grace that took something bitter in their lives and used it to make something better in their lives and the lives of others. How about little Stellan, and the fact that so many people around the world was praying for him while he was sick? The sermon I heard on Sunday was actually about Why Does God Allow Suffering?

It is my prayer that when God does choose to put suffering in my life I will be able to take the bitter pain of suffering and turn it into something better. Off now to make my donation to Sufficient Grace Ministries.

THE BENEFITS OF BLOGGING!

2009-05-31T05:47:00.001-07:00

I think I have already confessed that I had never blogged until I met Rob and Dede while they were traveling to Moscow to adopt. That chance meeting allowed Ron the opportunity to spend some time with Karyn and Norm who introduced us to Becky and Keith, Dana and Aaron, Lea and John. Later we both met Michelle and Ian and the rest is blogger history. Blogging gave us the opportunity to meet 17 adoptive couples from Jan to August of 2008, and our lives were changed forever as we shared Moscow and a small part of their adoptive journey.

When we left Moscow I thought I would stop blogging as not much exciting happens here in Alabama:) I think I discoved today the reason I have continued to blog. Like us many others I have been reading little Stellan's story on My Charming Kids, and today I was blown away by the wonderful idea McMamma had. Their family supports Sufficient Grace ministy and McMamma came up with the idea of donating $1 for every comment left in one day on her blog to this cause. My interest was peaked so I surfed on over to their website and decided this was something to get behind and support. If I was computer talented I would link this blog to the site, but I am too excited about this idea to take the time to fiqure it out. So I cut and copied a description of what Sufficient Grace does.

Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women, a 501 (c ) 3 non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization, was founded in 2004 by Kelly Gerken with the purpose of reaching out to women and families to offer comfort, encouragement and hope. The Dreams of You division of this ministry was created specifically to provide comfort to women and families who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. Kelly has experienced the loss of twin daughters (Faith and Grace) at 26 weeks and the loss of an infant son, Thomasâ€¦who died shortly after birth from Potter's Syndrome. From her own family's journey of grief and healing, Kelly has created the Dreams of You Memory Book and other beautiful support materials to help families form a precious memory for their babies who leave this earth too soon. Her mother, Kathy Rutter, created the Comfort Bear in 2004 for grieving mothers to have something to hold to comfort the ache of their empty arms. (Although Kathy went home to heaven in October 2006, the bears are still made with a grandmother's love and prayers by the Helping Hands Ministry at Harvest Fellowship Church.) Over the years, Kelly has shared her testimony of God's comfort and sufficient grace and her gift of song with churches and women's groups. She has also given hospital seminars encouraging caregivers on the importance of creating a tangible memory and understanding the grieving parent's perspective. The Dreams of You Memory Book and Baskets are currently available at 5 local hospitals: Lima Memorial, St. Luke's, St. Charles, Henry County, and Defiance Regional Medical Center as well as Rodenberger Funeral Home. Many individuals have come to us as well through our website and word of mouth. Bereaved parents are never asked to pay for our materials. We are supported through donations from individuals, hospitals and other organizations. Sufficient Grace Ministries also provides a quarterly newsletter, The Women's Edge, which encourages more than three hundred women in eight states, through biblical truth. Our memory book is now featured in a national catalog (A Place to Remember). We are also working on expanding and completing more projects to serve grieving families.

So in honor of our grandson Wyatt we will be making a donation to this ministry plus a donation of $5 per comment left on this blogpost in a 24 hour time period.

I leave you with a picture of our grandson napping with his Poppa.

Where has the month of May gone?

2009-05-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe the month of May is almost finished. We had a blast in early May with a visit from the Mixon's and Bridges family. Melissa did a great job in capturing some of the highlights of the weekend of Ashley's graduation celebration, Andy, Kasey and Wyatt's visit, plus a family reunion held at Ron's mom. Ashley graduated on May 5 and we held a dinner afterwards at a local restaurant to mark the occasion. Where have the years gone?!?

After graduation finished Ron and I were off to a Drilling Conference in San Diego. I laughed as Ron was "networking" to retire while most of the other attendees were looking for their next assignment at the conference. We loved San Diego and took an extra day to enjoy the area.

I returned to Alabama, and Ron headed back to India for his fourth hitch. It has been busy as we moved Ashley from Auburn to Tennessee for her first job. Many thanks for all the help from family to get her settled.

I will close for now with a few pictures of Wyatt's visit to Alabama.
Andy and Granny showing Wyatt the blueberry bushes

Wyatt getting to know his cousin Kate

An Irresistable Grin!

Checking out the roses

and the neighbor's horses.

hmmm.....did I really just say Wyatt's visit to Alabama. What I meant to say was Andy, Kasey and Wyatt's visit. I'm a proud new granny, grandma, mimi, nana, baba,!?!! I do wonder what Wyatt will end of calling us. I am sure we will answer to anything:)

On a sadder note the Queen has turned another corner in her journey of life. At this point I am not sure where it will take us, but I am confident that God is in control and has a plan. She has lost down to 98 pounds and just does not want to eat anything. Please keep her and the family in your prayers as we take things one day at a time.

2009-05-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

8 years of books, supplies and equipment.... $

8 years of room and board .... $$

8 years of tuition.... $$$

earning the title of DVM.... PRICELESS

PROUDLY INTRODUCING DR ASHLEY HOPE WARREN

HOSPICE?

2009-04-29T21:25:00.000-07:00

Hospice-what's that?!? This old gal still has lots of flowers left to plant!

Miracles in our family

2009-04-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

No new posts for awhile as it has been pretty quite around here. Mother continues to improve waaay past any of our expectations, and now we are looking at the possibilty of getting her into a rehab hospital. There is a huge chance that with the right rehab she could walk again. This past week Ron and I were curious as to what she might could do and were blown away by her determination to walk. This morning she told me that she never thought she would not walk again. Love the fighting spirit!

The Queen arrived here on Feb. 10 with a bedsore on her right foot that was already labled Stage 2, and anticipated to go to Stage 4 at any moment. Did you realize that Superman died from complications from a bedsore? In this picture she was telling the stroke to get out of her legs:) So our little 96 almost 97 year old Queen is probably going to be released from Hospice soon. How amazing is that!?!

Our other family miracle is our new grandson - Wyatt. Like so many other's I have been following little Stellan's fight for life which has humbled me and made me realize once again how fragile life is, and that we just never know what is going to happen from day to day. Seriously now, have you seen the recent post with Stellan recovering from surgery where he has a IV in his head and a precious smile on his face. The fact that Wyatt and Stellan are close in age has not escaped us also.

The next few days promises to be hectic and full of excitement as graduation nears. Andy and family will be arriving next weekend to help celebrate Ashley's graduation from Vet School. Did you notice on the sidebar that there are only 11 days remaining until graduation! As for Ron and I, we are counting the days and hours until we can hold this little man again and praying for Stellan and his family.

I can not believe how much Wyatt has grown since we saw him in March. Thanks Kasey for the photo updates.

What a wild ride!

2009-03-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

A little over six weeks ago we moved my mom in under Hospice with Adult Failure To Thrive. An apparent stroke had left her speech slurred and weakness on her left side. Somebody failed to tell the Queen this as in the last week I have found her laying on the bedroom floor twice, hanging on to the edge of the mattress this afternoon by a thread, and trying to climb out of her easy chair on numerous occassions. We have tried bells on the rails, monitors, and elevating the feet to make it difficult for her to scoot out of the bed. I have monitors in the bedroom and den area but she is a quiet escape artist and never makes a sound. When I found her this afternoon hanging on to the mattress she was as quiet as a church mouse. I am really concerned that if she keeps this up one day she is going to fall and really hurt herself.

So we have gone from sleeping 20 out of 24 hours in the day to trying to get up on her own several times a day. I don't want to sedate her and I will not restrain her to the bed or chair, but I do fear for her safety. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Paka!

Interesting Recipe

2009-03-21T19:46:00.000-07:00

Although I try hard to be positive and upbeat sometimes you just feel like you need to throw in the towel and bake a cake. Ron left on Thursday for India, and that alone is enough to make me head for the chocolate. My sister came up over the weekend to help with Mother and we decided to try a new recipe. Thanks to Janelle who sent this awesome recipe we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night! In times past I would tackle this with our kids, but now its with the Queen who could not believe we were going to cook a cake in the microwave. Yep, the Queen had cake tonight even though she did not eat her dinner, and I agree with Tamara that at 96 you eat what you want when you want it!

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high).
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

You need a really large coffee cup for this. It was quick and something fun to do with the Queen.

Have a good week!

Paka!

Pets in Heaven

2009-03-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

It has been a couple of tough days in the Warren household, but I have to say we are so proud of our daughter. When we arrived in Memphis Ashley was outside with Murphie, and we were all happy to see him stand to welcome us to Memphis. After a brief greeting Murphie collapsed and watched the other dogs playing. It was decided that Murphie's time would be after work on Monday, and we would take him out of the kennel for a ride and visit to the park. The vet's Ashley is working with in Memphis were so kind to us as they came outside and let Murphie be surrounded with loved ones, fresh air, birds singing, and sunshine as he drew his final breath. It was so hard to see a family pet of 11 years end like that, and to not be able to stop the pain for Ashley. Ron and I are incredibly proud of the woman Ashley has grown into and know that she will be an awesome vet full of compassion for all animals great and small.

Do you think that we will have pets in Heaven? I once heard a sermon on this where the pastor gave all the Biblical references to animals from the Bible and promised to give his opinion the next week. Unfortunately, we were not able to be there that week so I did not get to hear his conclusion. I believe that there will be pets in Heaven and today Murphie probably went fishing with my Dad!

We returned to Alabama and excitement with Mother this afternoon. Yesterday we bought a yellow magnolia tree as a memory tree for our yellow lab, and was planting it while we thought Mother was asleep. We had been outside less then 30 minutes when I went in to check on her and found her sitting on the floor with her back against the bed. How she managed to get out of bed is anybody's guess, but thankfully she was not hurt. You have to love the logic of a 96 year old when asked if she was going to try that again her reply was "I don't remember doing it the first time I might try it again!" Mind you this was after her telling me there was no need to put the bed rails up as now she could get out the bottom. And the beat goes on........

A Bittersweet Experience

2009-03-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

The Hospice volunteer sitter was here today and she had taken care of her Mom for nine years. She recommended that I keep a journal of this experience. Mother has been living with us for almost five weeks now. It is a real bittersweet time. We were blessed this week with wonderful weather, and Ron was able to put Mother in the golf cart for a ride around the yard to look at the flowers.

Last night my sister and I were taking care of Mother and she had us laughing so hard that I was crying. These are precious moments that if she were not here I would have missed a real blessing.

Recently I was asked how I could lift Mother from the wheelchair to the bed without hurting myself. Truthfully it is just something that you do. Caring for a loved one under Hospice is hard work and a real commitment but also a privilege.

As the primary caregiver of a terminally ill patient I thought I would share a few points for consideration if you know anyone under Hospice care.

If you visit someone that is under Hospice and say "Call me if there is anything I can do for you" I can almost promise you that you will never be called. I have heard that several times, and tonight was the first time I broke down and asked for help. We got a call late tonight from Ashley saying that it is time to put her eleven and one half year old dog down. Ashley will be a vet in less then two months and we all knew this was coming, but Murphie is her baby, and she is our baby, so we will leave Mother tomorrow with my sister while we travel to be with Ashley during this time.

Now if someone tells me "I have a couple of hours available on Tuesday, and would like to sit with your Mom while you take a break" my heart would just melt.

The other thing is if you know someone that is homebound/terminal try to visit them early in their illness. The last few days my dad was really sick there was a constant flow of people in and out of the house. At that point the visits were for the family and not the patient.

I thank God for a wonderful hubby that has agreed to this, family I can call on for help, and for the opportunity to share this time with my Mom. Hang on Ashley we will be there soon.

Snowing in Bama

2009-03-01T09:20:00.001-08:00

This post is dedicated to all our wonderful snow days in Moscow! We woke up this morning to snow and had to get outside for some pictures. As you can imagine snow in Alabama is not very common.

First video I have ever placed on a blog. I have come a long way since first getting introduced to blogging by Rob and Dede. Tee hee!

The weather forecast last night was for snow here in Alabama, but I did not believe it since we were in the mid - 60's most of the day on Saturday. I woke up a bit after 7, and sure enough we had snow. We bundled the Queen up with tons of blankets and took her outside for a few minutes to see the snow.

I was afraid I would never get to wear my Moscow coat here in Alabama. So what, if it's with PJ'S underneath:) it was 7am in the morning.

The snow today has reminded us of all the great memories we had in Moscow from Sergey Posad to slushing through the mush at the outdoor market. Russia will always hold a special place in our hearts!

Paka

2009-02-28T07:27:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe that on Tuesday Mother will have been living with us for three weeks. I think she is doing a bit better since leaving the rehab facility. Here she is getting individualized attention as opposed to group care and seems to be improving. Mentally she is still struggling to understand what is going on and why she can't walk. She is a great patient and always says thank you for anything you do for her. This has been a true group experience, and I have been amazed at how God has always provided an extra pair of hands when need the most. We serve an Awesome God!

When this first started we talked to mother alot about the new babies arriving in our family, and we are looking for Andy and Wyatt to arrive on Thursday for a visit. Holly and Eli will be coming down from North Carolina sometime in March, and I am sure Melissa will be here soon with Whit. I have often wondered if one of the reason Mother has fought so hard to get better is to see these great grandbabies. I will close this post with a few pictures of Ron, Ashley and I getting ready for Wyatt's arrival. Can you tell that we are over the moon with the idea of having Wyatt here for a few days?

Paka!

OFF TO SET UP WYATT'S BED AND WONDERING WHY WE BOUGHT A HOUSE WITH STAIRS.

FINDING A TREASURE IN THE ATTIC THAT HAS BEEN STORED FOR OVER 22 YEARS.

OFF TO SEE HOW THE BED HAS HELD UP AFTER BEING IN STORAGE FOR YEARS.

THIS THING WENT TOGETHER EASIER THE FIRST TIME AROUND. WONDER IF IT'S BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING OLDER.

ALL DONE AND FEELING LIKE A POPPA.

GRANDBABIES ROCK!

Please Pray

2009-02-07T19:28:00.000-08:00

Our family has made the decision to move Mother home with us under Hospice Care on Tuesday. I would be really grateful for your prayers over the next few days, weeks or whatever time the good Lord choses for this to go on. Can we do this at home? Truthfully, I just don't know but I keep thinking back to a sign on a local church that I pass on the way to the rehab hospital. The sign reads Do something - God will do the rest

2009-02-01T17:35:00.000-08:00

Had to share that Ashley got her results back this weekend from her national boards and she PASSED! We are proud parents of an Alabama certified and Nationally certified soon to be Doctor of Veterinary Medicine! It has been a long and challenging four years, but Ashley is almost at the finish line. They have four more weeks of clinical on campus and then she will travel to Memphis for an eight week internship. I think this picture is so sweet!

CATCHING A FEW ZZZZ'S

I know some of you with young children at home must sometimes think college is so far away Trust me - eighteen years will fly by!

LOOKING LIKE A FUTURE VET

I want to thank those who have read this blog and lifted up a prayer for by mom "The Queen." Things are about the same and my heart breaks for her as she struggles to talk and move about in the bed. Posting these pictures and writing about this stage of her life and mine has been real therapy for me.

WITH MY MOM 1955

2009-01-29T08:51:00.000-08:00

Vanity almost got the best of me, and I started to not post this picture as it shows me when I thought I wanted to let my hair color go. Yep! If it was not for Loreal I would be totally whiteheaded:)
Despite my gray hair in this pic it is one of my favorite photos of my mom and sisters.

I have a huge decision to make over the next few weeks, and I ask you to join me in prayer that I make the right decision. Mother has apparently had a bad stroke, but is currently in a rehab hospital for 21 days to see where therapy will take her on the road to recovery. Her left hand is lifeless, left leg very weak and slurred speech, but according to the therapist she is trying hard in rehab. Yesterday I watched as she was helped back into the bed, and Mother was pretty much unable to assist in the process. After the 21 days it is clear she will not be able to return to assisted living and the other options are a nursing home or to move in with us.

I think back to years ago when nursing homes were unheard of, and people took care of elderly family members in their home because that is just how it was done. When daddy got sick six years ago we put him in Hospice care and he passed peacefully at home. This is in no way to belittle families that choose, for whatever reason, to place their loved ones in a nursing home, but I am struggling so hard with that option. Perhaps this is why we left Russia and Ron is now rotating to India. This gives me the option to care for my 96 year old mother at home.

Please pray with me on this by asking for wisdom to make the decision based on what's best for The Queen, and not on the fact that I have a phobia about nursing homes.

OK Lord, My Wagon Is Getting Full

2009-01-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

Conflicting reports on my mom today as I heard she was doing great mid day, but when I went around 4 she was very lethargic and non responsive. I am hoping she was just tired from her first day of therapy. Please keep her in your prayers.

Our daughter, Ashley, had a car accident tonight in North Carolina. Praise God she is ok, but some were hurt. I am also thankful and very humbled that my niece was available to get to her at the scene of the accident. Please pray for Ashley as she is dealing with this accident out of state, and going through a clinical rotation in North Carolina

The Circle Of Life

2009-01-21T17:46:00.000-08:00

Dinia and parents - 1958
This past Sunday afternoon we received a call from my sister who was at the Assisted Living facility where our Mom has been a resident for over 2 years. Apparently, The Queen (my Mom) was not eating, lethargic, and somewhat unresponsive. Ron and I set off to see what was going on and enroute decided that if anything would make her responsive it would be pictures of the new babies in our family. We will welcome 4 babies in our family between Wyatt's birthday on Dec 16 and mid February. Sure enough we were able to get her out of bed and she responded to the pictures of the babies.

50th Wedding Anniversary - 2002
Soon, I was reflecting on The Queen's life and wondering how do you encourage someone that is 96 years old, has buried her husband of 50+ years plus a son to eat and drink when they are just tired and want to be left alone.

Ashley and The Queen - 2005
Mother was born in 1912; yep that makes her 96! After five children, 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren she has lived a full life. She is a talented artist and a Master Gardner. I am thankful she had the opportunity to visit us in Egypt, Scotland and Trinidad. Mother also traveled to Italy and Switzerland on painting tours. For many years she owned and operated one of the two beauty shops in our small town.

MARCAS BEACH - TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Today she is just tired, but has never clearly made her wishes known to the family as to what to do when she gets sick. Yes, she signed a Living Will and DNR, but that was all she would discuss. Today we had to move her out of the hospital and into a rehab facility for 21 days. Initial reports late this afternoon are that she is trying to wake up and eat some. The next few days will be crucial in deciding how to care for her.
All this is being said to encourage anyone that might be reading this to be sure you understand the wishes of your loved ones. All too often these gray areas come up and difficult decisions must be made.

Dinia and The Queen Christmas - 2007
Ron and I would appreciate your prayers for The Queen and Ron as he travels tomorrow to India for his second hitch in Deli. Please pray for travel safety, and wisdom among the family to make the right decisions for The Queen's care.

Every Coin Has Two Sides

2009-01-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

I know all newborns look kinda the same, but please indulge this new Baba as I share my favorite photo of our first grandchild. I forgot to post this on the last post. He has so much hair for a blond baby, and it was just too irrestiable to spike his hair for a pic.

Can you tell we are hopelessly in love? This child has parents that love and adore him not to mention a host of grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and relatives. Since most of you that read this are in the adoption circle you are all so aware this is not true for many children.

In January of 2008 our lives were changed forever when we started to meet adoptive couples traveling to Russia. We had worked with children in orphanages in Trinidad but the majority of those children were not eligible for adoption. This past weekend Ron and I traveled to Nashville to see the Christmas lights, and had the privilege of stopping in Franklin to hear a young woman from Brentwood, Tennessee talk about her ministry in Uganda. If I have my statics correct we learned that if 1 believer in 8 would respond to the needs of orphans then that would make a world of difference in the lives of many children.

While in Russia Ron, Ashley and I traveled to Poland to see what had happened in the concentration camps. What happened there will forever be imprinted on our hearts along with this ministry in Uganda. Once you see/hear about something like that it is with you forever.

WOW!

2009-01-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

Ron, Ashley, and I just returned from meeting our new grandson and we are completely in love with the little guy! Before we left I told Andy, Kasey, and Ashley that they had been replaced on my screensaver by a little blond hair boy. It now all about Wyatt:)

The day we left Ron woke me up singing "Wake up little Susie we gotta go see Wyatt!" When we drove up to their home Andy was sitting outside with the baby, and we were all smitten within seconds. There is just something about seeing your child with their child that just blesses a Mom's heart. I love the photo below as Andy seems to be saying "Look what I have Mom."

Then it was inside to see our son change Wyatt for the first time. Priceless moment. Afterwards Andy gives me the baby and in the photo below seems to be saying "This is how to hold the baby mom!"

Andy had bought a Santa suit and surprized us by having his dad dress up as Santa to visit Wyatt. Really cute. It was a wonderful evening!

Not sure how else to describe meeting Wyatt other then to paraphase something Ondrea said in her Christmas letter. Seeing this child was like God has thrown back the gates of heaven and given us a glimpse of what's inside.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Six Things That Make Me Happy

2008-12-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

It seems that I have been tagged to list six things that makes me happy. Thanks Ondrea for making me feel a part of the adoptive blogging network:))

Ron and I are thrilled at the thought of the safe arrival of our first grandchild. I know that is a very obvious thing that would make us happy, but its all so new and exciting at the moment.

Tonight I had driven to Auburn for a celebratory dinner with Ashley marking the safe arrival of Wyatt. We decided to get a pedicure before dinner. They were just filling the tub with water when her cell phone rang. Soon to be Dr. Ashley Warren, DVM was being paged back to the clinic to handle an emergency. It made me happy to see her reaction and response to her chosen profession.

Since Ron is rotating to India at the moment I get really excited and happy when the computer rings with a call from SKYPE. Email, Instant Messaging, Skype, Web Cameras are all so cool! Thanks goodness for modern technology!

It makes me happy to travel and I enjoy seeing things I could only read about as child growing up in rural Alabama. Never in my wildest dreams as a child did I imagine we would spend over 14 years living overseas! Traveling in Alabama in the 60's indicated a trip to Flordia or maybe the Smokey Mountains:)

I love getting Christmas cards especially when they have photos in them! Also, Ron and I have several adoptive blogs we like to keep up with and it just blesses our hearts to watch these children blossom in their new families!

Ron and I are happy as two peas in a pod after 33 years of marriage! He makes me smile when he calles me "dollie friend!"

I will beg off on tagging others as many seem to already been tagged

We Are Grandparents!

2008-12-16T19:01:00.001-08:00

We are now grandparents! Kasey went into labor this morning, and when I talked with
Andy early afternoon I was amazed at how calm he was! As the afternoon wore on I called Ron in Deli and woke him up to pace the floor with me:)

Andy and Kasey welcomed their first born (Wyatt Wilson Warren)today at 4:06pm weighing in at just over 7lbs. Andy told his dad that the baby has more hair then the two of them together.

Ashley and I will fly out to Kyle on Dec 26 and Ron will arrive Dec 28. Pictures by the New Year for sure!

God is good!

Merry Christmas ya'll!!!!

On The Road Again

2008-12-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

Please pray for my soulmate of 33 years as he leaves today for his first rotation to India. Prayers for travel safety and protection from the top three risks in India of malaria, dengue fever, and snake bites will be really apprecitated. Would you believe that 50,000 people died in India last year from snake bites?

I will remain safely in Alabama with two fierce guard dogs for protection. They look friendly, but once my nephew decided against entering the yard alone with them.

By the time Ron returns from this hitch we will most likely be grandparents. How cool is that?!?

Thanksgiving Blessings Continuing

2008-11-29T08:32:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or does anyone else ever experience the after the holidays slump? All the preparations, gatherings, going and visiting and then it's over. I had a great pick me up last night after Ashley left to return to school! I had a visit from the family of one of the adoptive couples we met in Russia. To make it even better Ondrea's family was visiting other family members less then 10 minutes from us. It is such a small world. It was such fun to met them and swap stories. I loved hearing the grandparents of these precious children talk about getting to know their grandchildren. Ron and I will be grandparents in a few weeks and we can't wait!

Things are interesting at the moment for Ron who left on Monday to start his first hitch in India. Thankfully, he was in London for business meetings when the attacks broke out in Mumbai, and BP placed a travel ban to all locations in India for 14 days. So that's the good news on Ron, but the bad news is that while walking today with some friends from Russia Ron felt something pop in his knee. He had been having trouble with his knee for several weeks but we thought it was "Arthur Visiting" and all the manual work he was doing around our place here in Alabama. This has to be painful for him as he has decided to return to the states and get his knee checked out while he is waiting for the security issues to settle in India.

Hope you all had a wondeful Thanksgiving!

GO BAMA GO!!!

2008-11-08T18:02:00.000-08:00

Ron and I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1977 during the Bear Bryant reign, and it has been a really long time since Alabama football fans have had a lot to cheer about. So far, this has been a great year for Bama and we made this diaper cake for an upcoming baby shower! It not a great picture but you can kinda get the jest of the cake theme. The dad-to-be is a huge Bama fan. Hope the mom is!?!

Now if Bama could only beat Auburn in a couple of weeks!

BP found us!

2008-11-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

It appears that BP has found us, and want Ron back in the grind:( I knew this "garden leave" would not last forever, but timing on the new assignment could not be worse with holidays approaching and the arrival of the grandbaby. Ron is now working on medical release and visa requirements for a rotational position in INDIA! It looks like he will be headed off for his first hitch around Thanksgiving and returning before the New Year. The good news is that I will probably go with him to London over the Thanksgiving holidays for a few days. Really can't complain about a side trip to London can I?

Ron and his mom share a giggle during her birthday lunch.

Rotating seems like a good position for us at this time in our lives. I will remain in Alabama so I will be around when the grandbaby arrives, and the days off for Ron sound great also. Since we have been back in Alabama we have both noticed a decline in the health of our Mom's, and we are considering moving my mom in with us full time. My mom is 96 and has been in Assisted Living for several years. Ron's mom is 84 and still drives and lives alone. Right now we check my Mom out of Assisted Living on Monday and have her spend the night with us and most of Tuesday. This seems to give her something to look forward to.

We recently bought a golf cart for tooling around the yard, and discovered this week that the faster you go with my mom the more she smiles!

A friend recently put things into perspective for me when she told me that Ron and I have had some amazing opportunities to travel and see the world, but extra time with our moms will be just as special!

This is one of my favorite recent photos of "The Queen"

My mom loves to be outside on warm days when she can dig around in flower beds

Our family will welcome 5 new babies between November and February so I got creative today and created a diaper cake for an upcoming shower. Ron was really surprised as he has never seen a diaper cake before. The main thing I would do differently would be to use larger diapers on the next try. This cake probably has around 60 diapers. I used Sesame Street and Beanie Babies for my theme, and was pleased with the outcome especially considering it's my first try!

Best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season!

Thanksgiving Blessings

2008-10-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

Over the last few weeks as we have started to put down roots in Alabama I could not help but to reflect on how blessed we are. I have had the honor and privilege of sharing 33 years of marriage with my soulmate. Several days ago we received our ocean shipment from Russia, and such a flood of emotions came over me as we unwrapped 120+ boxes of memories. Each day as I walk past my table from Sergey Posad I say a little prayer for the artist Irina who recently lost her battle with cancer. Our collection of Father Frosts are more then things as they remind us of wonderful times at our favorite weekend haunt. We discovered many talented artists in Russia during our time there and the pictures below were done right before we left.

We have also had some wonderful opportunities to travel and explore places I had only read about as a child. I believe that living overseas has made us more open and accepting of different cultures. Our kids saw poverty in the streets of Cairo, and as a result have never felt the need for the latest fad fashions and high dollar brands. I think God for this opportunity to travel, and to expose Andy and Ashley to different cultures. We have raised and educated two children who have a strong base in life, and I have come to realize that now our roles in their lives are changing. Gone, and they should be, are the days when we can instruct them, and now we are trusting God to lead them as they travel on this wonderful journey of life.

Our son and his wife Kasey will soon welcome our first grandchild. Things have changed so much since we went through this, and I was just awed when I saw the first ultrasounds of this precious child. It is my belief that we all try to do our best as we are raising our children, and that hopefully each generation raises the bar of excellence as they raise their child. It is also our prayer that Andy and Kasey will train this child to love the Lord and to have a servant's heart. I love the fact that even at the age of 29 we talk to Andy several times a week and we always end our conversations with three simples words "I love you." Kasey has grown her hair really long recently, and just cut it for charity and I was really touched by this. I thank God for the opportunity to be a parent and grandparent!

Ashley, sweet Ashley, who is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and has chosen the perfect profession. Ashley has wanted to be a vet since she was a small child and will reach that goal on May 5, 2009. Vet school has not been easy, but she has not given up and I just know she will be a wonderful vet. I have seen this child endure hours of HS soccer practice with blisters on her feet that would make a grown man cry as giving up is not part of her nature. Last week we had the opportunity to spend some time with her and she was sharing something about her week. Ron complimented her, and said something to the fact that she was a good girl. Ashley reply was something along the lines of "I'm a good girl cause I had parents that raised me this way." Please don't think I am sharing this to pat ourselves on the back, but it was just such a precious moment on this journey of life!

As far work assignment - that is still in the air. We went to Luanda and somethings would have been a lot easier then living in Izhevsk, but at this point in our lives Angola was not for us. Ron and I were chatting a few days ago about the fact that we are assuming that things will work out for the rotional positon and trusting God to deal with it as He sees fit. So for now we are continuing to enjoy our "Garden Leave" as we sit on our back porch and count our blessings.

I've been tagged

2008-10-02T04:05:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to reveal six obscure facts about myself. Thanks Tamara and Karyn:)

1.) When I was about 8 years old I felled out of my dad's truck door when he turned a corner. It was a hot summer day, and we were just returning from the community pool. My dad had purchased an ice cream cone for us and I was leaning against the truck door eating my ice cream as he turned a corner. When my dad got the truck stopped and reached me I was sitting up in the street crying that I had dropped my ice cream cone on the street! Hey I had my priorites straight!

2.) When I was about 14 years old, I was in the hospital for a minor surgery and received flowers from the sitting governor of Alabama at the time. I also rode in the ingaural parade of this governor. Did you notice that I did not reveal the name of the governor? My how time changes one's outlook on life!

3.) Ron and I are not only childhood sweeties, but we have known each other for so long that we have no story of how we met much less how he proposed marriage.

4.) I have a BS in Social Welfare from the University of Alabama and have never worked a day in my chosen field of study except as a volunteer.

5.) I have lived in Alabama, Lousiana and Texas. We have lived overseas in Egypt, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, Russia, London and the verdict is still out about Angola. We have traveled more overseas then we have in the US. Kinda sad there!

6.) This is not a obscure fact but meeting adoptive couples in Moscow while they were in country to expand their families will be in our memories forever. We love seeing photos of these precious children and the changes in their eyes since joining their Forever Families. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I don't know anyone to tag as it looks like alot of you have already been tagged. We are on our final day of the recee trip to Angola and still in the debating phase of is this where we need to be. If we do not accept this assignment it will be because of housing options here. You know you are getting old and set in your ways when you are considering turning down a posting due to housing. I forgot my cable to download photos but will post some early next week if anyone is interested. Regardless of our final decision regarding Angola I will leave here tonight with a prayer in my heart for this country and the people here.

We Are Off To Africa!

2008-09-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

The time has come to take the plunge and see if we can make this possible assignment in Africa work! Our flight will be leaving soon and we will have about a week to see if we can live in Angola. As this blog was mostly connected to adoptions in Moscow I think I will start a new one. Blogging is still a bit new to me and I think that our blog is connected to this one. Maybe I just have two blogs now on one site and you have to log on the original one to get to the Angola one. At any rate, those that read blogs are experts at this and if interested in our next adventure I am sure you will find the link. I will try to sort out a direct link to the new blog. Can you tell I am over my head at this point on blogging!

Paka!

Lemons into Lemondade

2008-09-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

It appears that our trip to Angola is going to be delayed as our passports were not delivered today by UPS. The frustrating thing about it is the passports made it to Montgomery but not on the truck for delivery, and to top that the local office is not open to the public on Saturday for pickup. So we canceled flights and hotels and now must work on rebooking the flight to Angola which does not fly everyday. Oh well...this is where we maintain a high degree of flexibility.

The good news is that we got to spend the day with Ashley in Auburn. Ron and Ash worked on a plumbing problem in the trailer while I took the paintings we had done in Moscow to Hobby Lobby for framing. Then we decided to take in a movie. We chose the movie because the starting time meshed with our schedules for the evening. Gotta take advantage of anytime we can get considering Ashley's clinical rotations. Loved the movie - Tyler Perry The Family That Preys with Kathy Bates.

I think we turned our Lemon of the day (passports not being delivered) into Lemonade (time with our our daughter)!

Life in Alabama

2008-09-03T20:52:00.001-07:00

WELL!!! People have asked me in the past if I thought I would ever be happy living in Alabama after some of our past postings. It is nice to go out to eat here in the states, get sweet tea with free refills, and not have to float a small loan for the meal out! It is nice to be able to get in the car and head to Walmart without making arrangements for the car. It's great to go into a grocery store and be able to read labels. Loved our apartment in Moscow, but it's nice to be here in Alabama where we can be outside more. It's really fun to go and enjoy a movie at the theatre instead of watching the dvds from Ismalova. BTW I loved Mama Mia!

Ron is busy trying to get Visas sorted for our recee trip, medicals lined up so we can start the malaria prevention meds, and checking in with the office. We have also been enjoying some great family time and had over 25 people here for a Labor Day Cookout. The chance to spend extra time with family is a definite plus to being stateside!!!

Ashley's three legged dog checking out the neighbor's horses. Poor dog, as to him the temptation to chase those horses would be like me passing up Blue Bell ice cream!

We are currently waiting for our passports to return with our Visas for Angola in order to travel next week for our recee trip. We are going with an open mind and expecting the worse so anything positive with be a nice surprise. Who knows it could turn out to be a fascinating place like Russia! Just for giggles I added a poll at the bottom of this blog to see who would accept a posting in Angola. Please vote!

Farmer Ron in his "do rag!" Never thought I would see this but Ron claims they work great!

Next post will probably be sometime late September after our recee trip.

Paka!

Dinia and Ron

Dasvadanya Moscow!

2008-08-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

November 15, 2003 we arrived in Moscow for the first time, and I have never been so cold in all my life as it was already snowing here and my Alabama coat and shoes were not keeping the cold away. We were fortunate to have two postings to Russia, and despite all the TNK-BP issues we count Russia as our favorite international assignment. Fast forward to August 17, 2008 and we are all packed out and leaving on the high smoker tomorrow afternoon. This past week has been a blur with packing , final good byes with expats, and one last trip to Gogul Mogul with adoptive families.

I think it's offical now that Ron and I are the older generation as we got to sit for the last photo at Gogul Mogul tonight! It has been such a wonderful experience living in Moscow, especially the last 8 months and meeting adoptive families traveling to Russia. If anyone should have any questions regarding Moscow please feel free to email us and we will do our best to be of assitance.

Hopefully, at 12:55 tomorrow we will board the Moscow-Atlanta baby flight for the states. We leave with many fond memories and a prayer in our heart for this country.

Dasvadanya Russia; it has been fun!

Guess Blogging Is Like Eating Just One Potato Chip!

2008-08-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

Since we are leaving Russia next week I thought I would discontiue our blog since most people that read it are coming to Russia to adopt. At this point, I guess I am having second thoughts about ending the blog as it is a lot of fun to hear from people around the world that are on an awesome journey. I also wanted to share our thoughts about the current Russia, Georgia, Ossetia and US issues. The only repercussions we have seen in Moscow from the crisis to date is a rather large demonstration in front of the US embassy on Saturday, and an alert from our company to always carry our passports and be aware of our environment. Monday I had a phone call from home checking to see if we were being impacted. I feel that those reading this blog are praying people, and at this time I ask your prayers for this sitution in Georgia/Ossetia. Ron and I both beleive that this is a crisis in Russia/Georgia and the fallout has the potential to be widespread. It is also our prayer that those still waiting for travel dates are not impacted by this crisis.

Where in the World are the Warren's?

2008-07-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Due to the upcoming changes within TNK-BP we traveled to London in July to investigate the next job assignment. It was great fun to do some shopping, see a play and enjoy some of our favorite restaurants in London.
After the business was taken care of we rented a car, and landed in Liverpool. We enjoyed the Beatles Museum and some wonderful Chinese food in the city. We were a bit surprised to discover that Liverpool has a huge Chinese influence. Liverpool is a pretty seaside town, and we had a great day exploring where Beatlemania originated.

Then we were off to Wales for a couple of days of life in the slow lane, and enjoyed a neat little B and B in Snowdonia National Park. Wales is beautful country and a true hidden treasure of the United Kingdom. At one point we felt like we were on top of the world.

This is one of my favortie photos of our trip to the UK as it shows Ron writing post cards to Andy and Ashley. Although they are 26 and 29 with lives of their own they are never far from our thoughts and prayers.

After a few days in the UK it was back to Moscow for a final round of goodbyes within the expat community, packing and visiting with adoptive couples . It was our pleasure to meet Meghan and Bill who fought off jet lag on their first night in town to join us for dinner with Vernon, Christa and Andrew at our favorite restaurant - Gogul Mogul!

We were thrilled to learn that Meghan and Bill brought a scrapbook of their new son to dinner, and Bill goes down in my book as SUPERDAD since he created the book! As an avid scrapbook fan I think the scrapbook will be a special treasure for their new son! Way to go Bill!

We also had a chance to meet up with the Jeff, Sarah, Maya and Tristan for lunch at McDonalds, and a photo opp in Red Square. We are praying that Ian and Michelle will return to Moscow in early August. Hopefully, on August 17 we will have a chance to welcome one last couple to Moscow on their first day of Trip 2 and our last day in the country. I can't think of a better way to end our time here in Moscow.

Early August we took a short trip to St. Petersburg for some sightseeing. For anyone traveling to Russia to adopt I highly recommend that you consider a side trip in St. Petersburg. We even have a wonderful guide to recommend to you. One day after my 54th birthday we will start packing out. Ron gets kudo's for delaying the packing until after my birthday. Ron and I are from the deep South, and this was our first opportunity to truly experience living in snow for months on end. One thing for certain about Russia is that you can experience snow!

We have loved everything about the weather here from the sunshine,rain, snow and especially the fall colors have all been awesome here in Russia. It has been a wonderful experience to live in Russia and we leave with many fond memories of this country.

We will arrive back in the states August 18 and enjoy a few days in Texas with our son and his new bride. Then it is off to Alabama and the Retirement House where we will once again be waiting news from BP. Life is indeed very good!

Life goes on and change is certainly a part of life so we are now looking forward to our next adventure. At this point, we are still considering an assignment in Angola but no firm decision on that until we make a recee trip sometime late August or early September. Currently there are over 100 BP expats living in Angola so we are thinking it would not be that bad and it would only be for 2 years. It would be a great opportunity to see South Africia and go on a photo safari. HMM! We shall see what develops!
Our main purpose in this blog was to introduce ourselves and communicate with adoptive couples, and since we are now leaving Moscow perhaps it is best to end our Moscow adoptive blog at this point. Maybe we will start one in the future about our next assignment or the new grandbaby. It has indeed been a blessing for us to meet, at last count 17 couples since January 2008, and witness your journeys to your forever families. You are our heroes and we consider it a honor and priviledge to have been a small part of your adoption journey. Although we will be out of Russia as of August 18 please feel free to contact us via email if you should have any questions about this wonderful country. We will be thrilled to hear from anyone traveling to Russia, and will gladly pass along "Ron's Map" of the Arbat area with some of our favorite restaurants marked to anyone interested. All the best!

Mixed Blessings and Emotions

2008-06-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Summertime in Moscow

It's with saddness that we must report that our time in Moscow is drawing to a close. A decision was announced on Tuesday that BP will be reducing the staff here in Moscow. and since we have been here over 4 years we will be leaving on or before October 1, 2008. What a wonderful experience it has been to live in not one but two cities in this vast country! I will have to admit that Moscow was my personal favorite, but Izhevsk had its own personal charm. This has been one of the strongest expats communities Ron and I have ever had the priviledge of being a part of and we have really enjoyed our time here. In Jan of 2008 I had the honor of sitting next to Rob and Dede on their way to Moscow to pick up their son, Feb we meet Mark and Sinzina, and in May what we lovingly call our "adoption connection" expanded by leaps and bounds. Many thanks to the May group for stepping out on a limb to discover why these crazy American expats had an interest in your adoption journey. June has been fun with several new couples in town, dinners at our favorite restaurant, stops at Starbucks, and fun trips to the outdoor market with adoptive couples. Although after our experience on the metro with Becky and Keith we were concerned that we would never hear from adoptive couples again! LONG STORY! We are looking forward to those that will be coming into town in July as we will still be available right up until the packers arrive. No date has been set yet for moving so please continue to contact us. Also, I have proposed to the board of our American Women's Organization here in Moscow that we make meeting and assisting adoptive couples a possible interest group. So, although we are leaving late summer early fall we will maintain a connection here in Moscow for those coming later in the year.

Andy and Kasey at their optical clinic in Kyle, Texas

At this point, we have no idea what the future may bring for us within the grasp of BP. Our son and his wife will be bringing our first grandchild into the family around Christmas, and that is a stong pull towards heading to the retirement farm.

Our future Vet on Arbat Street

Ashley seems to be having the time of her life with her clinical rotations, and is just a few months away from reaching her goal of becoming a vet. We marvel at the accomplishment of our gifts from God and thank our Lord for them. What a blessing they are to us, and we are so proud of them and the goals they have accomplished

At the age of 53 there is still some possible interesting assignments that merit investigating so check back in a few weeks for updates.

2008-06-15T23:24:00.000-07:00

We had a great day yesterday with Michelle and Ian! The weather was prefect, despite a sudden brief downpour, and it was so much fun for us to see their excitement as they explored Moscow. Yes, we made the usual trip to Ismalava but we added a side experience into the Moscow underground since their hotel is just outside of what is called the city centre. Would they have tackled the metro on their own? Certainly, but hopefully it was a bit easier for them after watching us back up the line at the Kacca window as we struggled with the ticket purchase. Think velka Karyn!?!

The objective of today's post is to ask those of you reading for suggestions on ways we might can be of assistance. My heart has been blessed recently by the response of the ladies here in Moscow to possible future needs of couples arriving. We hope to have a brainstorming sessions soon on things we might could do to be of assistance. I have had offers of assistance for ya'll ranging from a car seat and a pack and play to use in the city to accomodations. Would a list of essential Russian vocabulary works be helpful? If you traveled in the winter to Moscow your housing was pricey, but with tourist season now in full swing housing appears to be a preminum. In no way are we trying to replace your translator/driver instead we are attempting to assist them and exhance your experiences here in Moscow. Please feel free to contact us and never think for a moment it would be a bother.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

Paka!

Dinia and Ron

Back In Moscow - Finally

2008-06-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

I left Moscow on March 17 for what was intended to be a 2 week trip out of the country, and I finally returned to Russia June 7. The past few weeks and months have been a blur with activity around visa renewals, family reunion, visiting our son and his wife in Texas, granddog sitting for our daughter, and the unexpected passing of my sister's husband on June 1. My sister and her husband Art attended the family reunion on May 31, and I spoke with Art early morning on June 1. A few short hours later he was gone. I only mention this on the blog as it really drove home to me how we never know when we will see a family member for the last time. Also, how important it is to tell our love ones that we love them.

That being said, it is good to be back in Russia. This is my favorite time of year here as the weather is mild and sometimes the traffic is even lighter. I did want to mention that it is also the time of year when those with allergies might have trouble here. In Moscow, they have a poplar tree here with blooms that can cause problems to those with allergies. At times it almost appears to be snowing as the blooms fall from the trees, and the blooms remind me of dandelions. Last spring a good friend with allergies was hospitalized as a result of the blooms this tree has.

Ron and I look forward to the return of Becky and Keith and to meeting a new family next weekend. It has been such a blessing to meet adoptive couples and we look forward to sharing Moscow in the future with new arrivals.

A sidenote to the couples that were here while I was away. My first meal out after returning to Moscow was to the restaurant with the stuffed chicken and strawberry pancakes. Talk about good! Yes, I have already been back to the market for BBQ and shopping!

HOME

2008-05-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

Ron and I have moved so often in the oil business that it has sometimes been difficult to determine where home is. Although our kids got to be expats and travel they had to change schools often and never really had roots as children. Currently Ron is at our flat in Moscow, and I am holding down the fort in our retirement house in Alabama. So where is home? I guess I would have to say HOME is where the Lord places us on any given day. If I had not remained in Alabama I would not have gotten to spend some extra time with my Mom and our daughter, visit with high school friends, host a luncheon for some senior citizens in the community plus a family reunion. If Ron had not returned to Moscow he would have missed the opportunity to meet some wonderful adoptive couples in Russia. The adoptive couples would have been fine in Moscow without Ron, but I know they have blessed his heart with stories of their journey to their forever families. Now my perfect plan would have been for Ron to remain in Alabama for all the events here, and then we travel to Moscow together and meet the great couples coming into town. God's plan was different and I guess today I have grown to appreciate the fact that all things happen in God's timing.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt apprecation to Sue and Susan, friends since grammer school, for their generous donation today of school supplies for the Children's Cancer Hospital in Moscow. I know your donations will be appreciated and put to good use by the children in treatment at the hospital.

Future Grandparents?!?

2008-05-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe that we will be grandparents soon! What a great chapter in our lives we will soon be starting. I am so excited, as I finally was able to add a ticker counter for the new grandbaby and Ashley's graduation along with an geosite counter to our blog. This future "Baba" still has lots of things left to do in life and new things to learn. Rob and Dede, you guys are responsible for getting me "hooked on blogging!"

It has truly been a blessing for both of us to meet Rob, Dede, Liam, Mark and Sinzina. This week Ron has had the pleasure to spend some time with Karyn, Norm, Dana and Aaron. We are fascinated by international adoption and find you guys to be true heros in making a difference in the life of a child! If we can somehow make your time in Russia a little easier and enjoyable then its time and energy well spent for us. Please know that there are several couples in Moscow that are more then willing to meet you guys and provide some assistance while you are on your adoption journeys. Best wishes as you go forward in this exciting journey!

Paka!

Dinia

Life Is Good!

2008-05-09T19:46:00.001-07:00

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Our most exciting news for this posting is that we are going to be grandparents! Our son and his wife are expecting near the end of the year. I have always joked with Ron that I would follow him anywhere for work until the grandkids came. Excited and proud does not begin to describe the emotions we are feeling at the moment. Perhaps it is now time to really start thinking about retirement and wondering what life will be like with grandbabies! I wonder if I can teach the baby to call me Baba!

Friday Ashley left for her offsite clinical rotation and we are currently granddog sitting in her absence. While stateside awaiting work permits, we had the opportunity to attend her Junior Presentation at the Vet School, and needless to say we were busting with pride at what she has accomplished while in school. Graduation is May 5, 2009 and we are counting the days.

Saturday Ron and I will mark our 33rd wedding anniversary and I have to say its gets sweeter with each passing year. I am married to my soulmate and feel truly blessed. Ron leaves May 11 to return to Moscow and I will follow early June after Ashley returns and a family reunion.

With a new baby coming and graduation from vet school on the horizon I will have to try to fiqure out how to add the cute ticker countdowns to our blog site.

Life is good! On we go in this wonderful journey called life!

Moscow Bound!

2008-05-01T10:52:00.001-07:00

We have been stateside since March 28 awaiting work permit approvals which finally arrived today! This wait does not compare with what you guys are going through in the adoption process, but it has given us a glimpse of what its like waiting for the mailman to deliver those longawaited passports with valid visas! Ron will be trading in his farm clothes and back to the daily grind on being an engineer in Moscow. This time in the states has given us a preview of what retirement will look like, but it has also made me sit back and appreciate each day God has given us in a particular location. Best wishes to those that will be traveling to Moscow soon looking to expand your families and know that we are available to assist you in anyway.

Boys of St. Dominic's

2008-04-14T07:39:00.001-07:00

Finally found some more pictures of the boys in Trinidad who first generated our interest in international adoptions.

My 50th Birthday Gift From Our Kids

2008-04-11T06:40:00.001-07:00

Thanks Rob and Dede for getting me into this blogging thing! It has been lots of fun and I have learned some new things about computers. I guess I have had too much time on my hands to post this slideshow! Gotta get back to Moscow soon! Andy and Ashley made this slideshow for my 50th birthday and it was a complete surprise. I thought as new parents ya'll might get a giggle out of what your children could do to you at later date. Oh by the way, this slideshow is one of my most cherished gifts from our children.

Paka!

Dinia

Still Chillin in Bama

2008-04-10T22:11:00.000-07:00

Sweet Home Alabama

Ron and I are still in Alabama awaiting visa renewals. While it is nice to be home and have a chance to visit with family and friends we are anxious to return to Moscow. Best wishes to those that are traveling now or will be soon. We check email often, and even if we are not back in country we will be more then happy to arrange a contact person for anyone in Moscow that would like to see some of the sights ie the great buys at the outdoor market and some of the best BBQ in Russia.

I am trying to upload to a slideshow some photos our kids put together when I hit the big 50 so all you young adoptive couples will have a preview of what your child could put you through in the future!

Paka!

Dinia

St Dominic Photos

2008-03-28T21:14:00.001-07:00

Hi. I'm Ashley, Ron and Dinia's daughter. I stole their info so I could put some pictures of the boys from St. Dominic's up for them. Unfortunately, I can't find many good pictures electronically and the good hard copies have been put in scrapebooks already. Mom should have some more pictures coming soon though. The boys from St Dominic's hold a special place in my heart also. I have always been interested in adopting and after having spent time with these boys I look foward to one day bringing home such a child. However, that's in the far distant future sometime after graduation and finding a decent job.

2008-03-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

Christmas (2007) in Sweet Home Alabama

Greetings from our homestate of Alabama! It is truly interesting times for TNK-BP secondees in Moscow at the moment. As all of you working through the adoption process are fully aware sometimes things get bogged down in redtape in Russia and it seems it also happens in the oil industry. Ron and I are currently in Alabama waiting on visa renewals but hope to return to Russia soon. In the meantime, I just wanted to let anyone that is passing through Moscow soon know that we have a group of friends that are standing by to be of assistance to you. If you would like a friendly ear in Moscow drop us an email, and we can connect you with someone there that would be more then glad to meet you and share Moscow with you from the viewpoint of an expat living in your childs birth country.

Thanks Ashley for posting the slideshow of St. Dominics!

Paka!

Dinia and Ron

The Reason Behind Our Interest In International Adoptions

2008-03-13T06:42:00.000-07:00

It has truly been a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet adoptive couples traveling in and out of Moscow. The thought occured to me that some of you might be wondering why Ron and I are interested in international adoptions. One of the perks of living overseas is the opportunity to be a "accompanying spouse" and experience a new culture. While living in Trinidad we became involved with a children's orphanage and had the time of our lives! Our "baby" had just left the nest and we were new emptynesters so it was easy to fall in love with the boys at the children's home. For two years we were sponsors to a young man that just stole our heart and became part of our family. Adoptions are rare in Trinidad as parental rights are rarely entirely severed and unfortunately second generation children are not uncommon in the home. We were blessed with an amazing relationship with the houseparent and were often allowed to take the boys on outings. One of the hardest parts about leaving Trinidad was saying goodbye to the boys, and it was a delight to return about a year later and surprise the boys. To this day we have a teddy bear that we keep close by to remind us of the special young men of St. Dominic's Children Home. If I can ever sort out how ya'll upload pictures to BubbleShare I will share some photos of the boys. So there...that is part of our motivation, and the rest is just the delight in meeting you guys as you work through the adoption process. You are our heroes!

Paka!

Dinia and Ron

Safety Security and Sergey Posad

2008-03-11T22:24:00.001-07:00

SAFETY SECURITY AND SERGEY POSAD

CAMPFIRE IN THE FOREST OF SERGEY POSAD

Well...It seems I have become a bit too relaxed in my outings around Moscow. Last week I lost my cell phone from my coat pocket while on Starry Arbat. I used my phone, put it in my coat pocket, and after I returned home it was gone. You would think after what happened to Mark and Sinzina's camera I would have been more careful. At any rate, let me say that for the most part we feel totally secure walking about the city. I hate being in the car when traffic is heavy so we walk or use the metro more then we use the car. Now I will be more careful and remember to store my phone in an inside pocket.

I also wanted to mention the possibility of a day trip to Sergey Posad, especially for those of you that choose to remain in Moscow between your court date and Gotcha dates. Sergey Posad is about a hour and half outside of Moscow and a wonderful day trip if your schedule allows. Let us know and we will fill you in details of a day trip to Sergey Posad.

Ron and I are enjoying receiving emails and comments on the blog spot from new couples. Even if we are not in town when you travel to Moscow I am pretty certain that we can connect you with an expat. We wish you all the best as you move through the adoption process.

Paka

Dinia and Ron

Our Favorite Weekend Haunt

2008-03-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

The craft market just outside of the city centre. Local crafts and some of the best shaslik in town. Vendors from Old Arbat come here on Wednesday to buy in bulk for resale in the city centre.

Singing ladies at the craft market.

Ron and I returned on Friday from a short break to Dubai for some sun and relaxation to discover our first email from an adoptive couple since Rob and Dede left. We were thrilled to hear that Mark and Sinzina would be arriving on Saturday and up for a trip to the market. Fortunately their apartment was close to ours and shortly after they arrived we were on the metro and headed out to Izmaylovo craft market. Mark and Sinzina did a great job describing the market on their blog, and about the only thing they did not get to experience was the shaslik which is reason enough for a trip out there. We have been known to arrive on the Delta flight and head straight to the market for lunch. At any rate, it was a pleasure to meet another adoptive couple and we hope to hear from others in the future!

Living in and visiting Russia

2008-02-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

Andy and Ashey in front of ice sculpture in Izhevsk, Russia created for the New Year.

Ron has been working for BP/Amoco his entire career. Currently he is Well Control Manager for the joint venture of TNK-BP. Ron enjoys his job, but after 30 years in the industry finds himself looking forward to the retirement years.

I have often been asked what I do with my time here in Russia. One of my favorite things is visiting the Children's Cancer Hospital here in Moscow. On a recent visit I got to visit with a family in their room. My Russian is horrible, but I was able to determine the child's name, age and that she was the youngest of three girls in the family. When I shared my name and age the mom giggled and told me her age. Russian women can sometimes be secretive about their age so I thought it special that she shared this with me.

Andy is now married but has visited Russia once. One of my favorite memories of him in Russia was while we were cross country skiing. We have found Russians seldom make eye contact with you on the street, but they were amused by our cross country skiing efforts. While in Izhevsk Andy and Ashley visited a middle school and chatted with the students.

Ashley's most recent trip to Russia was Thanksgiving 2007 at which point she declared she had seen all the tourist sites and wanted to go sledding. I will make a long story short and just say never trust icy ponds in November!!

At any rate, as I have already mentioned this blog site was established as a way of making contacts with adoptive families. Ron and I would like all adoptive families to know our door in Moscow is always open to you. We wish you the best as you go through the adoption process

Paka!

Dinia and Ron

About Our Family

2008-01-31T12:26:00.000-08:00

Ron, Dinia, Dr. Andrew Warren, Dr. Kasey Wilson Warren, and Ashley

Rob and Dede encouraged me to try blogging, and I see it as a great way to intoduce ourselves to other adoptive couples. It has been a blast sharing a bit of Moscow with Rob and Dede, and we hope to hear from other adoptive couples in the future.

May 27, 2007 was a huge day for our family as our oldest married fellow classmate Kasey Kay Wilson from Lawrence, Kansas. Home for us is in Alabama and the wedding was our first trip to Kansas. I think all weddings need a bit of drama, and our wedding drama was our daughter oversleeping and missing an early morning flight to the big event. Several phone calls later, and with a lot of excitment Ashley arrived in time for the rehersal dinner with her Grandmother in tow.

Ashley has wanted to be a vet since she was about 8 years old. She is now within 16 months of reaching her goal. We will soon have 3 doctors in our family so our pets and eyes should be covered in the near future. Currently Ashley is the proud owner of three dogs (one she claims is a foster dog), three cats, and two rats or perhaps I should say ferrets.

As I mentined earlier Ron and I have been married 32 years and we can see retirement days ahead! At last count we have moved some 23 times within those 32 years. Home for us has been New Orleans, Houston, Egypt, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, Izhevsk, Russia, London and now Moscow.

About Us

2008-01-31T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hi!

After meeting Rob and Dede on my recent return flight to Moscow I have decided to give blogging a try. Since this is my first attempt please forgive the mistakes.

Ron and I have been married for 32 years and have a newly married son (age 28) and a daughter (age 25). In May of 2007 Andy graduated from the University of Houston School of Optomery, and two weeks later married in Kansas. Ashley is a third year vet student at the University of Auburn. Andy and Ashley have both visited us in Russia.

We are starting our 5th year involved with projects here Russia through TNK-BP. Our first two years were in Izhevsk, followed by a short posting in London before returning to Russia in November 2006. I have always enjoyed chatting with new adoptive parents on the Delta flights between the US and Russia. After living in Trinidad where we were actively involved with a children's orphangage we certainly can relate to the need for international adoptions.

Hopefully, we were able to provide Rob and Dede with additional insights to the home country of their new son through our perspective of American expats living in Russia. So......if you find yourselves in Russia with time on your hands please know we are willing to share this wonderful country with you.