Here We Go....

As I sit here today, and try to enjoy my life .... it's hard. I just keep asking God - WHY? Why must he take such a young life? Why does he make it so hard? Why does he put us through such pain? But these questions are questions that we will never know the answer to. His love for us and His plans for us are so much bigger and greater for us to ever understand. As Christian's, we have to put our Faith and Trust in Him and believe that His plan is the best, not just for us, but for everyone around us (and this is one of the hardest parts of being a Christian).

Today my heart aches. My heart aches for a family and a young man that I have NEVER EVEN met. My family and I have been praying for this young man for 3, or so, months, just asking God daily to heal him. Hearing my 12 year old and 8 year old pray nightly for Logan Shelton, melted my heart every time! But yesterday God decided otherwise....He took sweet Logan to heaven to be another one of beautiful angels.

The love that the people of Effingham County has shown the last 3 months for The Shelton family, has been astonishing. This community has really pulled together, and I am happy to say that I live here. The love, the support, the gifts but MOST IMPORTANTLY the prayers that this family has had the last few months amazes me. People they don't even know have been praying daily for them and their family. That is nothing but GOD'S LOVE SHINING!

I have always enjoyed reading and writing poems (I am not the best by far), but I do enjoy it. I always feel better after writing my thoughts or worries down. So today, I just sat down and I wrote a poem to this Sweet Logan. I just feel like I know this child....even though I have never met him. My heart just aches and cries for him, his family and his friends. God Bless The Shelton Family and Friends as they endure these difficult days ahead!

L6S

So sad I never met you,

your days were Oh so few.

You were loved by so many,

you never even knew.

I've prayed and prayed and prayed for you,

and patiently waited for your debut.

Only to be told by God,

that He had other plans for you.

The love in this community

amazes me today.

Everywhere you turn and look,

your name is on display.

People will stop and ask why it hurts me so,

when you were someone I didn't even know.

The answer to their question,

is so simple and true.....

You remind me of my own son,

who's love shines through his eyes of Blue!

To know you was to love you,

that's what everyone has to say.

Jesus loved you more on this very day.

He grew you big wings for you to fly,

to watch over your family and friends

by and by.

"Here we Go"

is a phrase they say you always said.

Now your legacy will live on and on,

but THIS PHRASE WILL NEVER BE DEAD!

By: Carrie Ramirez

Love Always,

Carrie & family

R.I.P. Logan Shelton

(the boy I will get to meet one day)!

The things that change our Lives!

May 17, 1999.....our lives changed! Our baby boy entered this world and we were so very Blessed!

I would have never thought or believed you could possible love someone as much as you do the minute your baby enters the world! But boy do you......I could have held and rocked him until he outgrew my lap (only if he would have let me)! I remember every waking minute with you are our precious baby!

Jackson Alexander you are such a blessing to us! You keep us on our toes everyday and have since the day you were born. We are so very proud of you in every way! You have grown into such a wonderful Christian young man, a great big brother, a great ball player, a smart boy, a Good Looking Boy and loving son! You mean the world to us!

As I sit here today and write this Birthday wish to you, I cry with joy and happiness, BUT also with sadness.......I just can't believe how fast you are growing up! Your graduation day will be here before we know it (and that scares me to death)!! I'm so HAPPY TO CALL YOU MY SON! I hope you have such a wonderful Birthday because you deserve it!

(1st day of kindergarten)


God Bless you son and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

We Love you Always and Forever
Momma & DaddyO

We are all AMERICANS........

and we ALL SHOULD COME TOGETHER as one NATION UNDER GOD to help others that are in need.

As you know, we had some devastating storms hit the U.S. last week, killing hundreds of people and leaving thousands homeless. Jose and I have really been in discussion on how we could help or how we could bring our community together to put forth efforts to help with the disaster relief. After Internet research we found an organization that has been very helpful....

Here's a little background.........

As most of you probably heard, during college football season, the outraged Alabama Fan poisoning the Old Oak Trees in Toomer's Corner on the Auburn University campus. It created a HUGE uproar in Alabama, and created a even BIGGER rivalry between the two schools. As of April 27, 2011, the state has really come together AS ONE to help the ones in need that where effected by the deadly tornadoes.

Warren Tidewell, an Auburn Fan created a Facebook page shortly after the tornadoes called 'Toomer's for Tuscaloosa', and by 8:00 pm that night the page had over 8,000 'likes'. The name was created by playing off the name of 'Tide for Toomer's', a grassroots charity formed by Alabama fans to raise money for the efforts to save the poisoned Toomer’s Oaks on Auburns Campus. Tidwell is hoping to return the goodwill gesture and bring the state together.

WE ARE HOPING OUR GEORGIA COMMUNITIES CAN DO THE SAME - PUT RIVALRIES ASIDE AND HELP OUR FELLOW AMERICANS!

With the help of Chief Bohannon and the Rincon Police Department, we have a DISASTER RELIEF DROP OFF CENTER set up!!!!!!

Drop off can be made at

The Rincon Police Department

Monday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

All items will be transported to Peachtree City, GA to a warehouse that has been set up by 'Toomer's for Tuscaloosa' - and all items will be distributed through-out the State of Georgia and Alabama as needed.

Items needed:

Non-Perishable Food Items

All baby supplies (diapers, wipes, food, etc..)

Personal Hygiene

Batteries, Flash lights

and list can go on, on.......

you can visit their website for a complete list of items needed at : http://www.toomers4tuscaloosa.com/

LET'S SHOW OUR LOVE AND SUPPORT TO OUR FELLOW AMERICANS!

If you have any questions please don't hestitate to get in contact with me!

Love to all,
Carrie

and The Years Are Adding up.....

Growing up as a little girl your dreams are always so big......Finding the best looking boyfriend, getting the biggest diamond ring, having a wedding fit for a Queen, then eventually having perfect/beautiful children and living Happily Ever After! For some of us these dreams have come true and for others we couldn't be more HAPPIER than the way our lives have turned out.

No, I didn't have the biggest diamond ring (being engaged at 19 years old, the ring size DIDN'T matter), nor the wedding fit for a Queen (ALL THOUGH I sure did feel like a True Princess), but saying those vows in front of God and all that were present
IS MORE THAN A GIRL COULD EVER DREAM OF!

13 Years Ago today, I walked down the aisle to the most handsome little fella I had ever laid my eyes on and said "I Do". Not only to him, but to GOD and all who were there to witness it!

It was one of the happiest days of my life!

No, I CAN NOT sit here and say that is has been an easy road, but I CAN say that it is a road that I'm glad I'm on! Marriages, I know, can have there waves of ups and downs, but a Marriage that consists of one spouse being a Police Officer, I believe, has it's MOUNTAINS of ups and downs! These mountains are something that we accomplish and maneuver through together AS A TEAM! Jose and I have definitely been Through Mountains, Over Mountains, and Around ALL TYPES of Mountains, but in the end we have always been there to comfort each other.

Jose I just want to THANK YOU! Thank you for creating SO MANY wonderful memories with ME. The memories that we have created the past 19 years, are memories that will ALWAYS have a very special place in my heart! You are MORE than I could have ever asked for! Thank you for Loving me the way I am (because I know it's not easy)!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO YOU THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!

I pray that God will continue to Bless us as a couple and as a family for many, many more years! And one day people can say: and "They Lived Happily Ever After"!

Love Always,

Carrie

a/k/a Momma

Favorite Verses

As we are entering into the new year, I've been trying to live my life as a better Christian! Seeing my family and my kids really grow in Christ warms my heart and makes me so happy! I've been doing more reading and trying my best to do more memorizing! I've come across quite a few verses that - I LOVE!

John 14:6 "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Matthew 6:34 "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Mark 14:38 "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

James 3:10"From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

Philippians 4:6"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Romans 8:28"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Mark 10:9"What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

I hope at least ONE of these verses touches your heart as they have all touched mine! God Bless!

Love to all,

Family Update

It's hard to believe that we are already half way through February. My goodness, this year is flying by just like the rest of them have. Hope every one's year is going great!

We (as a family) are entering into our busiest time of the year. We will be living at the the ball park for the next few months!! As you probably already know, we wouldn't have it any other way! This year, not only will be at the local recreation fields, we will be spending a lot of time at the middle school field. We are so Happy and Proud to say that Jackson made the middle school baseball team! What an accomplishment for a 6th grader! Out of about 60 sixth graders that tried out for the team, only 5 players were kept! We are having a little bit of trouble adjusting to the getting home from school at 6:30 and still having to do all the nightly chores (especially homework), but hopefully we will get into a good routine soon!

Tristan will also start playing softball for a little recreational team within the next month. She's so excited and can't wait to start practicing. She asks Jose to go outside in the yard and throw with her every chance she gets! I think we have another ball player in the making!

My health is currently back on the right track, Thank God. The last couple of months have consisted of tests, tests and more tests, oh and a little blood work here and there. The Dr. has come to the conclusion that I had a blockage in my intestines back in November that caused me to get so sick. He believes the blockage occurred at the incision spot, in my colon, where I had my surgery 13 years ago. The latest test results did not indicate 'active' Crohn's disease in my intestines. Come to find out, after a long talk with the Dr., that Crohn 's Disease can only be detected and diagnosed when it is 'active' or if you are experiencing a flare up. So needless to say, I am still going to be treated for Crohn's Disease and stay on my medications. Which is fine by me!



Love to all,

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS.....From our Home to Yours!

The Ramirez Christmas was pretty quiet this year! It came and went so fast for us this year! We enjoyed quiet, quality time home alone with each other!! It was nice, but at times lonely, not having any local family to enjoy the Holidays with!

We did have a great Christmas and hope you all did as well! May God Bless each and everyone of you in the upcoming 2011!

Make your own free digital scrapbooking design

Love to all,