Engagement Anniversary and Comments on Marriage

On December 26 in 2010, Titus asked me to be his wife.  It was one of the most beautiful and happiest days of my life.

I am a blessed woman.

I can't promise "happily ever after," but certainly "for better OR worse" and NOT FOR GRANTED.

My husband is a blessing and has made our marriage wonderful.  I love waking up next to him in the mornings, watching him brush his teeth and examine himself in the mirror.  I love seeing his waiting face in the window when I come home from work.

I have a hard time blogging or doing anything on my own that doesn't involve him sitting next to me.

And that's all I have for now. :)

Love love love,
Mrs. Titus Romdenh

Change

Change is the title of this chapter of my life. Since April 30, I have had to learn what it's like to NOT being a student after being a student for 16 years. Soon-after, I transitioned into the workforce full-time.  Since first entering the post-graduation work-force, I have held four different jobs.  Almost two months ago, I became a wife.  A few weeks after becoming a wife, Titus and I moved from my parents house to our own apartment on the other side of town.  Finally, we just recently began attending a new small group on Wednesday nights.  All of these have been GOOD changes... "for-the-better" changes... but none have been easy.

I'm looking at another change; a change that is going to change a lot of things; a for-the-better, but hard change.

On December 27th, 2011, I was hired by Indiana Wesleyan University as Schedule Specialist in Graduate Organizational Leadership.  It means [much] higher pay, 13 days paid-vacation, health insurance, a wellness program that pays me to walk, and numerous other benefits, including... free tuition for my hubby!!!  Praise the Lord!  We (and others) have been praying for this!  While I admit that I would rather be with those one, two, and three-year-olds that have stolen my heart, my attitude is changing [and it's taken lots of prayer and humility] because I really do trust that this opportunity is God's Best and God's Will for us right now.

I feel nervous... excited... humbled... and honored to be chosen for this position!

Love love love,
Jewel

Reflections on time spent not blogging:

Gracious me, it has been a LOOONG TIME since I have blogged.  Almost three weeks ago, I started my last entry with a similar line. Between working 3 jobs, being a new wife, moving into our new apartment (which doesn't have internet,) my sister's surprise visit for Thanksgiving, and etc., I have had LITTLE-TO-NO time to blog in the past few weeks and I am so disappointed about that.  Much has happened.

After waiting more than a month for the previous renters to move out of the apartment that Titus and I signed a contract for, we signed another contract for a different apartment and told our previous landlord-to-be that we were no longer interested in his still-not-empty apartment.  God has been so gracious my husband and I, and we have been B.L.E.S.S.E.D by the generosity of others as we have been given a couch, lamps, end tables, a microwave, a microwave cart, mirrors, knives, etc!  We are still eating our meals either picnic-style on the floor or sitting on the couch beside an end-table.  I'm anxious to have a dinner table where I can display my wedding bouquet 

and have my morning devotions with a cup of strong, black coffee.

In other news:

I am still LOVING my job at the daycare and I think often about the kids on the weekends.  (I still cherish my weekends and some time off, but I do miss my babies!)  I had a conversation with two co-workers on Friday about *having favorites.*  I will be the first to admit that I have favorites; I love 3 or 4 of my babies much more than the others.  One co-worker was quick to say "we shouldn't have favorites" (blah blah blah,) but I really believe it's okay to have favorites IF the other babies aren't treated poorly because they aren't your favorite.

Cracker Barrel is still ROUGH and I have wanted to quit numerous times (especially when I was scheduled to work ON Thanksgiving Day!) but God keeps reminding me that right now Cracker Barrel (both in the prep area and in the dining room) is my mission field.  In fact, I might be the only missionary there... and it's a very dark place to work.  I am growing and learning and certainly being challenged -- all a part of preparation for Cambodia -- and I definitely COVET your prayers that God will be seen in me there.  A few weeks ago, I started writing "God bless you!" on the back of my guests' receipts; but after a guest left a salvation pamphlet under my tip this week, I have been seriously evaluating how I can be a light to my guests, and especially my co-workers.

I could write so much more, but I just heard the dryer finish and I desperately want to finish ironing my clothes so Titus and I can return home and I can eat my leftover Oriental Chicken Salad from our hot date at Applebees last night. :)  I hope I will have an opportunity to write again this week!  Thank you to my loyal readers who remain after I have starved you of blogging for so long. :)

Love love love,
Jewel

5 years blogging!

Between a wedding and honeymoon, working 3 jobs, being a new wife, and moving into our new apartment, I have had LITTLE-TO-NO time to blog in the past few weeks and I am so disappointed about that.  I have been blogging regularly for just over FIVE years now and to think about all that I have written about on here.. all that has happened in these FIVE years... WOW!  To be honest: I blog for myself, but it definitely makes me feel proud and loved to know that others enjoy reading my blog (even if it's only occasionally!)

So much has happened in only the last week of my life.  God has been so real and faithful to me this week, reminding me that He is Sovereign (Isaiah 45:9) that He has complete authority - and I trust that He will continue to provide and to guide.

Last Sunday morning, I found my gas tank empty. I was so frustrated having to stop and get gas on the way home from church, and angry at myself for accidentally filling the tank (I got distracted *flirting with my husband.*)  On Monday afternoon, gas went up 22 cents!  I laughed at myself for being so frustrated and I thanked God for the blessing of an opportunity to fill my tank before the price jumped.

Last Friday, my favorite Uncle Tom passed away suddenly.  A few days later I was working at Cracker Barrel -- having an almost-miserable time encountering difficulties that slowed down my ability to finish my side-work before I could clock out and go home -- and a co-worker told me that my Aunt Regina (Uncle Tom's wife) and Aunt Janie were there and asking for me.  I was then grateful that I was STILL at work and able to spend some precious moments with them before the craziness of the viewing and funeral.

My twin sis Jessie also received a blessing in her own frustrations.  On Friday, she was trying to buy airline tickets and kept getting error messages that her credit card was being denied.  On Saturday, she was able to buy her tickets for $200 cheaper than Friday's price!

Today I am thankful for reminders of God's faithfulness and sovereignty, and I hope that I am blessed by reading this blog in five more years!

Love love love,
Jewel

Mrs. Romdenh

After a crazy, stressful week of working, decorating, shopping, picking up groomsmen at the airport, etc., our wedding finally came and it was beautiful!  Of course not everything went right and I had to let go of getting some things done, but overall... I wouldn't have changed a thing!  There were a few special people missing... wishing our family and "family" in Cambodia could have attended or been more represented.. but we had it videotaped especially for them.

I'm still waiting on pictures from our photographer (who did a WONDERFUL job!!! Seriously the best...) but here are some "behind the scenes" pictures from before the wedding.

LOVE the broach bouquet that my sweet friend Michele made; I didn't see it until a few hours before the wedding.

Loved every moment of pre-wedding Wedding Day spent with my girls!

Packing for our honeymoon.. at the church.. right before the wedding.   Procrastinate much??

After I finished packing for the honeymoon, I made our wedding slide show.  This all took place only hours before the wedding!

Many many thanks to Andrea for numerous things, including doing my make-up.

How many people does it take to dress a bride?

How many people does it take to dress a baby?

Green Bridesmaids' dresses... Bronze MOB dress

MORE TO COME FROM THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!

Love love love,
Jewel

Life WITH a fiancé

After getting engaged December 26th, Titus and I spent only two weeks together before being separated again for almost TEN long months.  We exchanged many emails and facebook messages, spent hours on chat and Skype, and even texted some.... but nothing compares to experiencing life together, hand-in-hand, side-by-side... sweet togetherness.  My bff Loren asked me, "How is it being with your man?"  SO. MANY. EMOTIONS.  It's beautiful.  It's fun.  It's weird.  It's hard.  It's dreamy.  It's different.  It's interesting.  It's exciting.

The end of today will mark the end of his first week in America.  He landed in Indianapolis at midnight on Saturday, we arrived home around 2am, and a few hours, went to church.  Church -- the people, the music, the pews, the noise, the offering, the clothes, the building, the parking lot -- so different for him!  He was a little overwhelmed [understandably!] after being greeted by family, friends, and pastors that have heard so much about him.  We had lunch with Mom, Dad, and Grandmom, followed by him opening a cellphone for his belated birthday.

Since then, we have been to Wal-Mart twice.  On our second trip, we met "Uncle" Jolly - one of my profs who is conducting our wedding.  From an aisle or two away, Uncle Jolly recognized Titus (he didn't see me!) and called "Titus?!!"  It was a really special SURPRISE, especially since we were just talking about him on our way to Wal-Mart.

It's been really hard to leave him at home while I go to work.  On Monday night, my parents brought Titus to Cracker Barrel while I was waitressing.  Tuesday night, Mom made spaghetti, while I was waitressing again at Cracker Barrel.  Wednesday, we went to my aunt's house and met aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and siblings for the first time.  That was a special memory, and I really can't wait for him to meet Mom's small side of the family!!

On Monday, my friend Renee took amazing engagement pictures of us in downtown Marion.  That was so much fun, and I was surprised to see some previews already online when we got home that afternoon.  Monday was a productive day - we bought Titus' suit for the wedding and his wedding ring.  We ate at Sunrise Asian Grill, which was really good!  On Thursday, we went on our first date to Steak 'N Shake, and then bought pumpkins to carve before meeting the sweet lady who is making our wedding cake.

Now we are in New York spending a day with my twin sister (and best friend.)  Titus' best man also lives only a few minutes away, so we are going to meet them for dinner after visiting the Asian market for Cambodian groceries.

The first week has been so memorable already, and I can't wait for the next few days, weeks, months, and years with Romdenh Chamnol, my sweet husband-to-be!

Love love love,
Jewel

Pre- Fiancé Coming to America

I can't remember when I wrote my last blog entry, but I know that it has been a long time.  So much has happened and I wish that I would have had time to write about it.

Some of the very best friends a girl could have threw me a bridal shower at my church last Sunday and it was so special.  I was so touched as each woman and girl around the circle shared how they know me - many for more than 16, 17, or 18 years!  I have gone on trips with many of them, shared a bed with some, worked in the nursery or the kitchen with others... special memories.  Life has changed a lot (I think 'change' is one of the first words that I would attribute to life both present and near future) and I hope and pray that I will be able to keep some of those memories forever.

Other significant events in recent days could include finding our first apartment (after our plans to live in a friend's basement changed,) continuing to work 50-55 hours a week between 3 jobs, Grandmom finally moving home again after three months in the hospital and nursing home, etc.

Titus is on a plane RIGHT NOW somewhere between Seoul, South Korea and Atlanta, Georgia.  We were able to talk a little bit last night during his 12-hour layover in Seoul (thanks to free computers with free wifi!)  He seemed to be doing okay except for the language barrier. He couldn't believe a sandwich and coffee cost him $10. (At some restaurants in Cambodia, 3 or 4 people can eat for $10!)  After a 13.5-hour flight, Titus will land in Atlanta, Georgia.  I sent him a few dollars in quarters, so hopefully he will find a payphone and call me after he goes through customs.

I am so excited for all the special people in my life to finally get to meet him - parents, siblings, grandmom, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends who are like family, pastors... While I know that going to church tomorrow will be very OVERWHELMING for him, I hope that it will be a special memory for him too.

I'm off now to clean the church, to shower, and to spend my last few hours at home before Titus arrives! I have dreamed of this for months and it's all finally happening... the next chapter of My Fairy Tale Love Life starts in less than EIGHT hours!

Love love love,
Jewel

Hello, October!

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

• 1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 1 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (adjust this to how "pumpkiny" you want it)

In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator until serving. Serve with ginger snaps, Nilla wafers, cinnamon graham crackers, or apples.

[I apologize for not giving credit to where credit is due, but I can't remember where I found this tasty goodness!]

Love love love,
Jewel