Further Extended

For quite some time now, Aunt Maria has been eager to meet Ramona in person and shower her with love and attention just like Aunt Crissy and Cousin Aubrey did in July. She and Josh arranged to fly back to Illinois this past weekend, and we met up with them at Parry's house on Saturday afternoon. After pulling into the driveway, Forest gathered Ramona from the car while I went ahead into the house. One of the first words out of Maria's mouth were: "Where is she?"--meaning, of course, "Where is my little niece Ramona?"

Forest brought her in just a moment later, and before long she was in her Aunt's outstretched arms.

Thank you to all of the people who have taken the time to come and meet baby Ramona. She is blessed to have you.

Dear Ramona,
May you always remember that you are loved . . . not only by the people immediately surrounding you, but by people living far away, too. Family ties can be incredibly strong and can extend far beyond the Illinois cornfields that make up your world right now. Although when you're older you may not remember these first visits from Utah relatives, someday I hope these pictures and others can help you see the place you've had in the family since you were small.

Love
Your Mommy