30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 15-25

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day 15: Free Flu Shot & Health

Today, I am thankful for a free flu shot on Wednesday and for NOT getting the flu! It was my first flu shot and I've heard too many people say something like, "Whenever I got a flu shot, I got the flu" or "I only got the flu when I got a flu shot." Titus got a flu shot a few weeks ago and didn't get the flu either, thank you God!

Day 16: Relaxing, Productive Saturdays with Pdai!

Today I am thankful for relaxing and productive Saturdays at home with pdai! Lots of nesting, homework, and writing baby shower thank you's.

Day 17: Safety in the Storm
 

Survived the storm.. sustained no damage.. celebrating with fried noodles. Thank you, Jesus! (Picture taken at our church.)

Day 18: A Surprise Paid Day-Off!

Today I am thankful for a surprise paid day-off, in a warm home with electricity, for all that was accomplished, and for the time spent with my husband!

Day 19: My Parents

Today I am thankful for parents who have been there whenever I have needed them... and still are! Parents who are willing to inconvenience themselves so I can borrow a car.

Day 20: TIME with my husband!

I am thankful for extra time spent with my husband this week!  My office hasn't had power for four days and I have been working only part-time in a makeshift office and part-time at home!

 

Day 21: Baby Movements

Today, I am thankful for baby movements! I am a blessed woman!  To feel a baby move inside of you... it's a wonderfully indescribable feeling.

Day 22: Healer...Teacher...Father

I've been wishing since early October that something annoying would stop happening. Earlier this week, I started praying about it.. and it's been gone for two days. Today, I am thankful that it's gone. I am thankful that Father God is HEALER and a gentle TEACHER. I am thankful for every moment that He opens my eyes to His goodness! Today, I am feeling overwhelmingly blessed!

Day 23: TIME with my husband!

Today, I am thankful for another day just me and Pdai!  We had such a good weekend just spending time together! Only *10* more weeks and our lives will never be the same!

Day 24: Brookhaven Family

Today, I am thankful for a church family that truly inspires me every time we are together! Thankful that it seems so natural to rejoice together and to mourn together. I was blessed to witness their love and service today! Thankful for those who have welcomed my husband into the Family. Thankful for those who have and are investing in us. Thankful for those who lead by example. Thankful for new church family and for those who have been around for years!

Day 25: Grandmom's Nativity Set

Today, I'm thankful for a possession and what it represents: Grandmom's nativity set. It not only represents the true meaning of Christmas, but for me it represents her passion for it! It represents a family heritage. As a little girl, she let me set up all the figurines; she made it a "special job." Wish I could at it up at her house just one more Christmas, but... feeling truly blessed to have at mine. Love you, Grandmom! Thankful for her faithfulness, her example, her teaching (with and without words), and for lasting memories.

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 6-14

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day 6: A Warm Home

Today, I am thankful for a warm home to abide in.  When I was a sophomore and junior in college, I participated in weekly early morning prayer walks on campus. One bitterly cold January morning, I was overwhelmed with compassion for the homeless - for those who have no warm shelter in which to take refuge. On cold winter days, I often remember that moment and I am grateful for my home, for its warmth, for the blessing that I have never had to worry about where I will sleep and how I will stay warm and safe.

Day 7: Full Kitchen Cupboards

Today, like yesterday, I am increasingly thankful for how the Lord provides and has always provided.  I do not take for granted that I have food to eat.  Thank you, Father God, for providing for your humble children.

Day 8: Healthy Cravings & the Lord provides!

I neglected to have my regular glass if orange juice this morning, but when I got to work there was a bag of tangerines waiting for me to devour! The Lord provides!! Pregnant girl's best friend! Simple pleasures. Thankful for a pregnancy void of much morning sickness and for healthy cravings!  

Day 9: Sleep

I am thankful for a few more weeks of good sleep! I instinctively woke up at 6:00am this morning, remembered today is Saturday, and rolled over and slept until 10:00am! Probably won't be ANY mornings like that after Baby Girl arrives.

Day 10: Memories with my Cambodian family

Today, we are feeling sad that we could not attend our brother Chamrang's wedding in Cambodia, but I am feeling very thankful for the memories that we have already shared together.  I cherish the memories that we have already made together - family meals, watching the nephews play, going to the market for groceries, and family vacation at the beach - and I look forward to the many memories to be made together in the future! 

Day 11: Safety

Today, I'm thankful for a safe (albeit LONG) trip home from a meeting in Indianapolis. I got stuck behind either an accident or a breakdown and either way, I'm just thankful that the Lord was watching over me. God is so good to me! Creator, Sustainer, Protector, and Provider!

 

Day 12: Baby Girl Gifts

Today, I am thankful for all the ways that friends and family are already blessing us and Baby Girl with baby clothes and baby wipes and baby wash and baby elephant toys and so much more!

Day 13: Schooling

Today, I am thankful for the wisdom, strength, and determination that the Lord has given my husband to go back to school. Titus got a 98.8% in his first class and is in week two of his second class. REALLY proud of him!! Also, very thankful to the Lord for blessing us with Titus' FREE TUITION!

Day 14: The Lord's Promises

This morning, I woke up very heavy-hearted - burdened by the thought of Thanksgiving without Grandmom and burdened by all the devastation in the Philippines. Today, I am thankful for the Lord's promises.

*I will never leave you nor forsake you! (Deuteronomy 31:6)

*I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart... (John 14:27)

*I am with you always! (Matthew 28:29)

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 4 and 5

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day Four: Nurse Mom

Today, I am thankful that my mom is a nurse. Nurses make the best moms! That was especially true when I was little, but its still true today!

Day Five: Work

Today, I am thankful for my job. I don't love it everyday... and that's all I will say about that.. HOWEVER, it really is a huge blessing to our little, growing Romdenh family. It pays enough. I get a good amount of sick and vacation time as well as paid holidays. They are paying for Titus to go to school. The health insurance is good. I have made great friends in my office. My boss might be crazy, but he might just also be the perfect boss for me. With so many people not able to find work, I am really thankful for a good job at a really great place. PS: It sure beats the months that I worked three jobs (waitress, church janitor, and daycare worker) before Titus came to America!

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 2 and 3

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day Two: Baby Movement

Today, I am thankful to feel Baby Girl moving!  It wasn't too long ago that I started to feel what is undeniably baby movement. For weeks, I didn't feel any thing, but I would see movements in my belly! I am so thankful for the precious reminders of the growing life inside me and for the resulting assurance that she's okay.

We love you already Baby Girl - so much - and can't wait to meet you in just 3 short months!

Day Three: Grandmom is in Heaven

Today, I'm thankful that Grandmom is in Heaven. I am missing her a lot today and nothing makes me feel better than knowing she is with God, the One she wholeheartedly gave her whole life to. She's praising Him with the angels! She has received her eternal reward! 
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:23) ♥ ♥ ♥

Thankful,
Jewel

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 1 - Marriage

Goodbye pumpkins, hello snowflakes! Goodbye candy corn, hello candy canes! Goodbye oranges and yellows, hello reds and greens! Time for Christmas decorating, Christmas shopping, Christmas cookies, Christmas movies, Christmas carols, and everything Christmas!

While I might seem overly enthused with the Christmas season already, I cannot let the season of thankfulness slip by without daily recognizing the many many blessings in my life.  Today, November 1, is the first in a new blogging series: 30 Days of Thankfulness.

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day One: Marriage

Tuesday (October 29) was our second wedding anniversary.  The last two years have been both the hardest and the best years of my life!  My husband is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cannot imagine life without him!
He makes me laugh.
He keeps me accountable.
He makes me feel safe.
He encourages me to dream big.
He believes in me.
He spoils me and helps me!
He cooks!
He cleans!
He loves me! He loves Jesus! He loves my family! I know all of this without a doubt.
He is my best friend and we have so much fun together!

Today, I am thankful for the gift that Titus is and for what the Lord has done in and through our marriage.

Thankful,
Jewel

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