Twenty-Five Weeks

Baby Baby Girl is at 25.5 weeks developed now and is clearly evident outside my skin - there's no hiding her now!  Strangers have began to notice and many feel comfortable starting a conversation about my belly!  I've had to do a 2nd "weeding-out" of clothes that don't fit are not long enough to cover my entire belly!

Slowly, baby things have begun appearing around our small apartment - little reminders that our lives are going to change (and already have in some ways)!!  I often catch myself dreaming about our first few weeks together... wishing that maternity leave could last forever!!

Momma:

*feels very good most days!! Some back pains, but no real complaints!  I have really been blessed with a very easy pregnancy!  (Praying the third trimester, delivery, and early stages of motherhood are as easy!)

*feels like I cannot drink another ounce of water!  I have a 59oz. jug that I try to finish twice each day.
*is OVERWHELMED!  There is still so much to be done and Baby is due to arrive in less than 15 weeks! :O
*wants to have another ultrasound!!  I'm starting to doubt that Baby Girl is a baby girl and not a baby boy!  (Is this normal??)
*is hot pretty much all the time.
*finally gained weight before the last doctor's appointment!
*finally finished Baby's registry (Target and Wal-Mart) - a huge accomplishment in my book!
*has been enjoying using a fetal doppler to hear Baby's heartbeat at home!
*sees Baby moving more than feels Baby moving.  Neither happens regularly and its always very special when it does!
*has more goals and dreams than energy!

Baby Girl:

*is approximately 13.5 inches long and weights about 1.5 pounds
*has hair!  (I wonder if it's a head full of dark hair...)
*is already very well-loved and admired by many!

Daddy:

*is very careful to monitor momma's activities and feedings, ensuring the best for Baby.
*does not want to talk about baby names.
*will be an awesome stay-at-home dad when momma goes back to work!

Loving Baby,
Jewel

My Sweet Baby Girl

We had our gender-revealing ultrasound on September 4th and....

It was... surprising news, but we are very excited!  A little girl!  It's so good to finally know that I have a daughter living and growing inside me!  It's so fun to finally be able to pin little girl nursery ideas, register for dolls, dresses, and purple* things, and dream about all things princess!  For five months I have been so anxious to get my mind and my hands busy planning and preparing for our little one - son or daughter - and now that we know she'll be a princess, I can finally start dreaming and getting things done!

(Contrary to the picture above, I'm actually dreaming of all things purple NOT PINK!)

I'm 22 weeks now and feel like there is still so much left to do in only 18 more weeks! Eighteen more weekends including the busyness that is holidays!  I inherited a dresser from my grandmom's estate, so Baby Girl now has a place to keep her things as well as a changing table!

I decided long ago - boy or girl - to have an elephant nursery and thankfully, husband consented.  I found the nursery set below but... sad sad SAD, this design is discontinued!  The search continues and I haven't been happy with anything else that I have found... but I will find it!

Dreaming,
Jewel

31!

My husband turns 31 today!

Look how young he was when we met and started dating! (Almost 5 years ago)


This man is such a blessing in my life! I am a lucky lucky woman and I try to remember that every day!

He is a giver.
He is a hard-worker.
He is a leader, a shepherd, and a teacher.
He is a player of Scrabble, ping pong, and Nirtz; a lover of books, movies, traveling, and Asian food.

In his 31st year of life, he's going back to school and he's going to be a daddy!


"God bless you and keep you,
God smile on you and gift you,
God look you full in the face
and make you prosper."
(Numbers 6:24-26, MSG)



"This is the day
which the Lord has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
(Psalm 118:24, NASB)  

Happy birthday Bong Samlange,
Oun Jewel

From our arms to His

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.

Psalm 116:15 

At 1:00 this morning, September 3rd, 2013, Grandmom earned her eternal award - one she has truly given her life to/for.  No more suffering. No more pain. Walking with Jesus. Meeting her Lord. From our arms to His...

 I spent Sunday and Monday by Grandmom’s bedside, holding her hand, reading her Scripture, counting her breaths, and praying her into sweet Jesus’ arms. For almost 25 years, I was blessed to have the world’s best Grandmom – a true godly example, a woman of prayer and God’s Word, dedicated to His service. If everyone had a mother/grandmother like my family has been blessed with, the world would be a better place. There would be more kindness, generosity, and Christlikeness. There would be less hunger, war, and anger. I hope my children and grandchildren will have at least half the amount of admiration for Titus and I do as I have for my Granddad and Grandmom Ache.

Staring into Grandmom’s sleeping eyes, I remembered the good times – times when Grandmom was stronger, when I was younger, the special things that she would do, the ordinary things that she would do in a special way. Sitting beside her bed, reading portions of the books of John and Psalms, I vividly remembered her sitting next to my bed, reading to me – stories about little boys and girls in Africa.

To be continued…

Cherishing her legacy,
Jewel

My Precious Grandmom

If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you probably know that my grandmom is very fragile and often very sick.  Two weeks ago, she had a check-up with the doctor regarding a serious illness and surgery she endured in May. The next day, the doctor called my mom with grandmom's terminal diagnosis - fast-growing cancer in her liver and one lung.

She is truly a woman of the Word, of prayer, and admired by many! Grandmom was once a missionary in the bushes of Sierra Leone, Africa and although her two feet haven't been outside a few home states since her return from Africa, her influence has circled the globe, and her prayers have touched every nation. For many, many years she has financially supported almost as many missionaries and ministries as I have books on my shelf, including Samaritan's Purse, World Missionary Press, missionaries from the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, World Gospel Mission, the Wesleyan Church, and more.

I'm selfish to want her here any longer, enduring more. She wants to be with Jesus! She told me on the night of her diagnosis "my suffering will be short, but eternity will be long!"

For more than 10 years, Grandmom has been writing her testimony and life story in book form.  We praise the Lord that He gave her the strength and sight to finish her final revisions!!!  Once in printed form, this book will certainly be a gem for our family - a book to be cherished long after Grandmom is gone.  In it, she talks about life as a missionary, a pastor's wife, a mother, precious moments with Jesus, and life since Granddad passed away almost 20 years ago. I can't wait to read it and I pray that I will never take her written words for granted. 

Thank you for continuing to pray for Grandmom and that she will be with the Lord before she suffers much more.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Cherishing her legacy,
Jewel

Much needed update and big announcement!!!

Months of big life happenings have become Romdenh family history since I last blogged.
I'll try to catch you up on all of these happenings in the next few weeks, but it's going to be a challenge to rekindle this old habbit (as with any.)  My personal goal is to post two blogs each week! :)  I don't just blog for you, although you inspire me the most, but for myself too, and maybe even for my children and grandchildren to come!  I have laughed, cried, and smiled as I have read through old journal entries on this blog, and I really want to keep that going!!

Today's big announcement is pictured below, and my goal is to have another before the end of the week!

Onesie reads: "Cambodian American"

 

 

Onesie reads: "Made in America with Cambodian parts"

We are very excited and I am feeling very blessed to have a pretty easy pregnancy so far!  Three or four weeks were pretty rough with morning sickness, but I'm now at 141/2 weeks and feeling great! 

Statistics:
Progress: 14.5 weeks! Second trimester!
Craving: Orange juice!!
Avoiding: Garlic and coffee!!
Baby is: 3 inches long and weighs nearly an ounce. Baby has fingerprints and gender is becoming aparent!
Mom is: Excited! Praying for a health baby and easy pregnancy and delivery! Anxious for the next ultrasound! Energized! Trying to re-organize the house! Planning an elephant-themed nursery!
Dad is: Excited! Wants a boy!!!!!!! Anxious for the next ultrasound! Very protective of Mom! Praying for a healthy baby!

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."

1 Samuel 1:27,28 ♥ ♥ ♥

Already loving Baby,
Jewel

Giveaway extended...

Dale and Carrie have extended their adoption fundraiser giveaway, so I'm extending mine too! All donations must be made by midnight on Thursday, April 18, and the winners will be announced on Friday!

What you need to do:
1. Visit http://brad4dadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/2013/03/kindle-fire-hd-giveaway.html and donate any dollar amount using their PayPal button in the right column.
2. Leave a comment on Carrie's blog indicating the donated $ amount, and whether you shared the giveaway details on Facebook or your own blog.
3. Leave a comment on MY blog indicating the donated $ amount, and whether you shared the giveaway details on Facebook or your own blog. On my blog, each $ gives you 1 entry and each share (Facebook or blog) gives you 3 additional entries.

Remember, not only are your dollars changing a life and a family forever, but you could win one of these:

Andrea's Big Giveaway!

^^ These hearts love Andrea! ^^

My sweet friends Dale and Carrie are raising funds to bring home this sweet little girl, Andrea, whom God has called them to adopt.  Carrie has been working with children and adults with disabilities for ten years.  A few months ago, God called Dale and Carrie to more than loving children through a career and they have opened their home and family to a precious child with Down Syndrome. Andrea will be truly blessed in a life-changing and eternal way to become the fifth family member in the Bradford family. In talking to Dale and Carrie, I know that Andrea is already deeply loved by both her God-given parents and her little God-given sister and brother!

Dale and Carrie's financial goal is within sight - only a few thousand dollars away! If you can give just $5, $10, or $25 to help them reach their goal, you could win a Kindle Fire HD, a $25 Build-a-Bear gift card, or a beautiful hand-made jewelry set! Visit the Bradford's Adoption Journey HERE (http://brad4dadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/) to give and learn more.

 ------ THERE'S MORE!! THERE'S MORE!! THERE'S MORE!! ------

If you donate to Dale and Carrie (via the PayPal button on their blog) AND you comment on my blog, then you will also be entered in a drawing for one or two or three of these:

What you need to do:

1. Visit http://brad4dadoptionjourney.blogspot.com/ and donate any dollar amount using their PayPal button in the right column.
2. Leave a comment on Carrie's blog indicating the donated $ amount, and whether you shared the giveaway details on Facebook or your own blog.
3. Leave a comment on MY blog indicating the donated $ amount, and whether you shared the giveaway details on Facebook or your own blog. On my blog, each $ gives you 1 entry and each share (Facebook or blog) gives you 3 additional entries.

**In two weeks (April 15th,) I will update my blog announcing the winners and giving directions on how the winners can select/receive their prize(s).**

Thanks for supporting Dale and Carrie and helping to change Andrea's life forever!

Love, love, love,
Jewel