The Refuge

Ryan and I have created a new website that will keep everyone updated on our Orphanage work. This will allow people to notify us if they are interested and how they can help. Please check it out and let us know what you think!!!

Blessings
http://diaporninos.blogspot.com/

Portland Trip

Well, now that I don't have Ryan breathing down my neck to get off the computer or to leave in order to go to my parent's house in Brunswick- I can write about our awesome trip to Portland. Ryan took me on a wonderful trip to show me where he went to school and the wonderful people that he knew. The drive up there was gorgeous- lots of beautiful mountains and rivers, etc. We (ryan, nelly, and I) made the 10 hour trip without any arguments- yeah I know, I can't belive it either.

I was able to meet some of Ryan's family- Aunt Ozella and Uncle Ver along with their two children Ben and Katie. I also got to meet Rachel and her baby and Sara and her husband Kevin. Rachel and Sara are children of Joy (ryan's moms sister) and also have a brother Andrew that I got to meet in Portland.

Ozella, Vern, Ben, Katie, Rachel, the baby (sorry, can't remeber his name), Sara, Kevin, Joy, and her husband (sorry can't remember his name either) all took a trip to Multnoma Falls. We were able to take the senic route to it and saw many beautiful rivers and waterfalls.







We were also able to go to a coffee house that Ryan RAVED about to play scrabble with a bunch of his friends. I didn't play b/c I'm not very good, but apparently Joh (Tabatha's husband) is pretty good at puns!!


While we were in Portland, we stayed with Aimee Jo and Andrew. She is the best hostest around!!! Thank you for allowing us to stay in your room while you slept on the couch. On Sunday, we went up to Faith Quest with Andrew to hear him sing. It was such an amazing experience. The following pic, Ryan and Andrew weren't even looking at each other and had the same exact face! I guess you know that they are related.



Overall, I absolutly love Portland and I hope that we get to move there soon. I know that it will be an overwhelming change at first, but I'll have tons of Ryan's friends to mooch off of. Well I'm going to head off to sleep now, I have to get Ryan up really stinkin early for his doctors appointment tommorw.

California trip

So I am finally recovered from our (mine and Ryan) trip to California and Portland. I had such a blast and have so many pics to share. This one is of Ryan and I (obviously) in San Franciso. It is so pretty down by the bay. But it was freakin cold!!



This one is of Cheryll, Ry, and Nelly in the same place.






Ryan and I decided to take a trip up to Big Trees National Park (which is about 1 hour north of Stockton). It is a forrest full of 300 feet+ redwood trees. These trees have been there for 1000's of years. This one had a scar where Ryan is standing, but the founders of the park decided to cut a whole in the tree so people could drive their cars through it.


Ryan and I are standing at the root system of a fallen redwood tree. As you can see this tree is HUGE!!!








The day before we left, Ryan's sister Amy finally had her baby- Hannah Joy Fry. We were able to go and meet baby Hannah the day she was born!! Ryan couldn't figure out how to get her out of the cart that they keep the newborns in. I guess he has a LONG way to go before he becomes a dad. But, doesn't he look like a natural!! Welcome to the family Hannah!


I'm not exactly sure what I was thinking when Ryan took this picture. But, it was so much fun being able to hold Hannah. I can't wait until Ryan and I have our own children!









Ryan is such a goofball around kids! These are his (and now mine) niece Abby and nephew Jacob. These kids belong to his older brother Eric and his wife Lori who are so wonderful!!





Well I have more pics to share of Portland, but Ryan is bugging me to allow him to get on the computer and post some pics also. I will try and post some more pics. HOpe you guys enjoy these. It was so great meeting all of you in Cali and Portland that I hadn't meet before. Ryan and I hope to know more by the end of October. We'll try to keep everyone updated

MIA

Sorry that I haven't written a new post in a while. Ryan and I were in California for 2 weeks and we just got back. As soon as I get over jet lag and the time switch, I'll write about my trip.

P.S. It was great meeting all of you in Portland and Cali that I hadn't met before. No wonder Ryan is such a great guy. He has AMAZING friends!!