All-In-One-Day Blessings

What a Monday to start our week with!! God indeed is good all the time. I'm just so happy to share this with you all.

That today --

I finally got my Green Card!! It only took less than two weeks since I got my Welcome Notice from the USCIS. Thank God, things are starting to fall into place now.

My Social Security Number has arrived, too. Yehey!! Now, we can start applying for stuff here to build my credit - this would be very helpful to us right now, especially that we're buying a house anytime soon. The husband also said he can now go ahead and put me on the Navy Fed account since I have my own SSN now!!

The guys who install DirectTV are here in our apartment right now. Guess what I'm getting after all this is done?! The Filipino Channel Direct!! Yehey, I can finally start watching Tagalog shows again. Haven't done that since I got here. Can't wait to just sit on the couch, do cross-stitching, and watch Tagalog shows while waiting for my husband to come home from work. Now, I won't be that bored anymore. Thanks to my husband again for doing this for me. He could have gotten his high definition channels with DVR from the other TV company, but he chose DirectTV so I can have my TFC. I don't even know what to say to him for this big gesture he did for me. But I am sure my husband knows how much I appreciate this and how grateful I am for him always thinking about me first.

Anyway, they're almost done installing and now I have to go back to Babies R Us to start putting stuff into our cart. I'll be done here in a few and I can't wait to start watching Tagalog shows or whatever movie is on right now. So, see you!!

She's Finally Here ;)

My older sister, Hazel arrived here in the States on Monday, June 22nd. She lives with her husband about an hour and forty-some minutes drive from where we live. I'm so glad that she's finally here and that she could come and visit me when I give birth. It sometimes is still hard for me being away from my family, but having my sister here with me now, somehow makes it easier for me to bear. I haven't met her, yet since she got here but, we constantly talk to each other on the phone.

We do feel happy for her, especially that she's with her husband now. They've been away from each other for almost 8 months and I know how tough it has been for both of them. Now, the only thing that I know both of them are trying to deal with is, being away from their kids - Haniel, 4, and our little Princess Rhecia, 2. They're too young to be away from their parents, but that's how things need to be for now. Soon, they'll be here as well. That's one of our many prayers.

I do hope to go up there and meet them. My husband and I are kind of busy right now putting things in order in our apartment and the only available time we could possibly drive up there is during weekends. We're thinking about visiting them this weekend, the 4th of July, but that isn't for sure as of now. If anything, we'd probably head up there next weekend. But, we're definitely going to visit them.

I can't wait to see my sister!!

Quick Post...

There are still stuff around the house that we haven't put away till now. Well, some of them need to go back to storage, anyway so not really worried about them. [Hehehe]

I'm just dropping by to post a quick update. Won't be too long...

We started staying in our apartment on Friday, June 19th.

I finally was able to apply for Social Security Number on Monday, June 23rd. I will receive it through mail in two weeks ;)

We're slowly but surely turning the once empty place into our "home" :) We started hanging frames and wall decors this afternoon after hubby got off from work.

There's still so much more, but that's all for now..Will update more here soon..

Welcome Notice from USCIS

Got my Welcome Notice on Monday, June 15th. It arrived right after we got back from the apartment. Though I should have gotten my Green Card within 30 days after my arrival, I'm happy that at least they got now my immigrant visa packet from the Port of Entry where I entered the US - at LAX. The letter said I should hear from them within 30 days and that's fine with us. John actually called them last week asking why I still haven't received my Green Card and the lady told him that they're doing some upgrade in the system I guess, so maybe that's the cause of delays. She then told him that I should be good for now since there's an attached note on my VISA that serves as my temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year.

We're thankful to God for this news. Now, we're just waiting for my Green Card. I hope it won't take them 30 days, though because we're planning on getting me my social security number here soon. But, we know, everything is still in God's hands. Whatever is His will, let it be done!!

Busy...Busy...Busy!!!

It's such a busy week for us right now. First of, I'm so happy to say that we finally got our apartment keys on Monday. We went there to finalize everything and so glad we got it all done in no time.

My husband and our friend, Kimo started pulling out important stuff from the storage yesterday and brought them straight to the apartment. The moved the bed, couch, table, and some other necessary things. So, we basically started moving our stuff yesterday. I had to stay behind because I started feeling a little sick, but I was in-charge of packing small stuff that we have here in our room. I am not done, yet and there's still a lot to pack. But most of them are clothes, shoes, toiletries, and pillows so I'm sure it won't take us that long to pack them. Hubby just left the other TV so we could have at least something to watch while we're still here at our friends' house.

We're so busy that I had to call NTC this morning to reschedule my prenatal appointment for today. My husband can't make it out of work early and my schedule would have been at 13:10. Not to mention that we still have the U-Haul truck that we rented yesterday and it is due to be returned before 15:15. So, we had to cancel one appointment to be able to take care of other important things right now. But, I made sure I got my new schedule so that won't be a problem anymore and that would be on Monday, June 22.

Right now, I just have a little time to update real quick. I will be posting again here soon. I'm not sure when are we going to have our internet at the apartment, but my husband has that taken care of. So, hopefully within this week we'll be able to use internet at our new place. Plus, on Friday, people from DirectTV will have our cable set up. I'm actually excited about that because John ordered TFC Direct for me!! I haven't watched any Tagalog shows since I got here because they don't have any Filipino channel here. I guess that's why he got that one for me. I can't thank him enough but I know hubby knows how much I appreciate what he's done for me.

Anyway, got to go now. I heard laundry is done. [hehehe] Oh, before I forget -- I'll post my second Monday Musical when I get a free time. I already picked a song but just don't have the time to post it right now. Will do that here soon.

Moving in to the apartment in 5 Days!!

We finally found a one-bedroom apartment that we'll be staying in for the mean time and we're moving in on Monday!! We need a bigger place so we could provide space for the baby's crib and for everything that he would be needing. Plus, we have two beautiful dogs to consider. Right now, we're staying at John's friend's house. We're also paying rent so it's almost the same only that after we move out, we'd totally be on ourselves. We'll surely miss the Trans. They're such a great and nice couple and really are good friends to us. Anyway, we won't be too far from them so we can still see each other from time to time.

And guess where we're moving in to?

No other than the same apartment that my husband had stayed in before we got married and before he left on deployment. The same exact room!! God indeed works in mysterious ways. John left there more than a year ago, and when we were in need to find a place for us, God has provided!! Who would have thought that the same apartment would be empty at the same exact time we were looking for a place to stay? Not only that He gave us a place to stay in while we're looking for a house to buy, He made sure we'll be in a place where at least one of us has an idea about. It was indeed mysterious. And we both know, God has been in control the whole time. If only we'll keep our faith and trust in Him, He will never forsake us.

We're excited to start moving out our stuff and bring them to the apartment. I can't wait to start arranging and decorating our own place. Though I know it will be a lot of work, I also know that everything will be worth it so, that's not a big deal at all. Plus, we have friends who are willing to help us out. For sure, it's going to be a long, busy weekend for Mr. and Mrs. John.

We can't wait to finally be on ourselves - in our very own household.

Monday Musical #1: God Will Make A Way

PRAISE BE TO HIS ALMIGHTY NAME, JESUS CHRIST!!

Starting today, every Monday, I'd be posting songs that serve as an inspiration to me. Most of the songs I'll post here are gospel songs. Of course, there would be some that are not, but I'm sure, most of them, you'd be able to relate to as well...

I am doing this in memory of my Grandpa. He passed away on March 9, Monday. Like me, he loved gospel songs, he loved music. I may not have a very nice voice, but one thing is for sure - he's always loved the way I sing. I remember, he'd sit near me while my Grandma played the piano and I'd sing songs of hymn to the both of them. I will never forget how his eyes would lit up with so much joy and pride and that how he'll always be my Number 1 and Perfect Fan!! I will always miss how he'd used to hug me every time I finished singing. Grandpa never failed to show his deepest appreciation. And I know, even just through that, I was able to make him very happy and proud. Now, it's my turn to let the whole world know how great he was and that he will always live in my heart forever more!!

This first song is what I was playing over and over that day he passed away. We were in Manila at the time. They were in Samar. All the pain and sadness I felt that day were somehow vitiated by this song. I kept on praying for strength for my family and every time I'd hear the line "God will make a way where there seems to be no way", I knew that in the midst of sorrow and pain, God will make everything all right. That He will be there to give us the comfort and strength we needed at that time. And He did!!

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

On My 7th Month

[photo taken on June 8, 2009]

Time indeed flies so fast!! I'm already on my 7th month of pregnancy. Two more months and our little angel will be with us

My 7th month of pregnancy came with a lot of changes.

I'm having more sleepless nights now compared to my first and second trimester. I just keep on tossing and turning in bed, or sometimes I'd stay awake until 2 in the morning because I'd feel queasy and the baby moves a lot.

My right rib cage is sore now!! For some reason, Baby SL loves to squeeze himself into my right side and every time he does that, oh boy, what an ouch for Mommy!! [hehehe] But no matter how uncomfortable I feel when he does that, nothing still would ever beat the joy and love I feel inside. It amazes me and I know, it will always amaze me for the rest of my life, how a tiny one inside me is capable of making me feel so much joy, so much love.

I suddenly became lazy!! most of the time now, I don't feel like doing a thing. I'd rather stay in bed and sleep. I feel like I'm going back to my earlier stage of pregnancy. I haven't touched my cross-stitch for a week now. Every time I want to add something to it, I just find myself staring at it and leave it right on top of the night table. It's something I really am not happy about because I want to finish it before our baby's born. That's why I want to continue doing it this coming week. Not this week, though because we'd be busy moving in to our own apartment.

In contrary to what I said above, whenever I'm already outside, I don't feel like going home right away. Hmm, don't you find that ironic? I want to walk around because it relaxes me. And in a way, it serves as my daily exercise, but...

Trips to the restroom has been more frequent now. That's the only thing that makes me feel uncomfortable when we're outside. It's like, every 15 minutes or so, I need to use the restroom. My husband, who's always there to make sure everything is all right, asks me every time if I need to go number 1 when we're in a certain place that has restroom, before leaving. He knows I can no longer hold it back like I used to, so he makes sure that's taken care of before doing the next thing. He's such a great husband!!

Things are getting tough, honestly speaking. There's so much we need to get done now as far as preparing for the baby's needs. We are preparing ourselves as well along the way. It's never going to be that easy, we know that. But having a husband like John?! I don't think a thing would be that tough for me to handle. No matter what, I know he'll always be there to help me out.

Finally, Baby C`s Got a Name!! :)

We've finally got a name for Baby C. His name has these initials - S.L. and both sides of our families like it, too. We're just both happy that actually, it's not just the two of us who happened to like our baby's name. It's also important for us that there's harmony. Not only that we know we have the best name for our child, we also feel like we have the blessing of our love ones through showing us how much they also want to go with the name S.L.

I remember my Mother-in-law telling me over the phone how much she likes that name and that she already told almost everybody she knows - family and people she work with - that S.L. would be our baby's name. Isn't that so nice and sweet of her?!

Now, I can finally put the baby's name on the cross-stitch that I am doing right now. I no longer have to worry about it. I can't wait to get it done so we can have it framed and ready for Baby S.L.'s arrival.