Jewelry Keepsakes pendant

Hallie, at Jewelry Keepsakes contacted me before our trip to Thailand to see if I'd be interested in reviewing a keepsake item from their store.  I checked out their website and loved what they provide (memory jewelry, photo necklaces, key chains, etc.) and told her "yes!".  

I loved how many options they have for bereaved family and loved ones.  You can get cremation jewelry of all kinds and keep your loved ones near you.  (I especially love what this can mean for bereaved parents who have lost infants/babies. One of my favorites is this bracelet. )

I chose a photo engraved pendant.  The photo I chose fit best on the diamond shape.  

The picture I chose doesn't show up super sharp, but I kind of like it.  (We think it may be because I used a black and white photo.)  You can't see the image from far away.

I also got the back engraved.  It says "full hands, full heart".  Sort of a play on how often people tell me I have my hands full.  But, also, my heart is full, not just with my children here on earth, but the ones in heaven as well. 

So, how do I like it?  

I love it.  I ordered a long chain to wear with it and I love that length as well (I don't have anything else that length.)  its a little "soft" in terms of metal.  Eliza chewed on it and scratched it already, but that's not really Jewelry Keepsakes fault, know what I mean.  I don't think they likely tested their bereavement jewelry for toddler teeth impressions.  

I wore it several times in Thailand (with the same outfit.  We were there two weeks.  I washed stuff. ;))

You can get a pendant of your own at www.jewelrykeepsakes.com.  They range in price depending on what you're looking for.

 (The one I got is listed at $39.99)

The time I tried a tiny (bird) tattoo in Thailand

It's true.  At the ripe old age of 31, I got a tattoo.  In Thailand. 

 No, I wasn't drunk.  It wasn't a spur of the moment decision, either.  

I've been wanting this specific tattoo for over 2 years now.  A tattoo of 6 small birds to represent the 6 babies we lost.

It's taken me 2 years to convince E.  He was FIRMLY against it for a very long time.  Up until our Thailand trip, actually.  One day, during the trip, we were laying on the beach and he actually asked me more detailed questions of why I wanted it.  I told him I wanted something physically apart of me to remember them by.  Something I can touch, feel, and hold close.  He suggested planting a tree, but I told him it would kill me if the tree died or we moved.  (Plus, I really wanted something specific for EACH baby.  Not something collective for them together.)  Then, he suggested a necklace, or something similar, that I would wear like a wedding ring.    But, I wear a necklace with a charm on it for my four living children almost every day (I have two different ones that represent each of them, then I just got a new necklace with their picture on it from www.jewelrykeepsakes.com.  Blog post coming on that coming up.)  

E saw my points, (I guess.  either that, or he was tired of me asking constantly) and said he could see why I wanted one.  If I really wanted it, he'd go with me, even, to get it done.

Rather than wait until we got home (and give him a chance to change his mind), I researched tattoo parlors in Bangkok.  We were spending one more evening there on our way home, after our island trip.  I found one that got wonderful reviews and headed down there on Monday after we checked into our hotel.  

The man who helped us spoke WONDERFUL English, and printed out a page with birds on it to let us chose each one we wanted.  E even helped pick out 2 of them!  After picking them out, he transferred them onto my wrist, taking lots of time placing them, replacing them, getting the arrangement just right.  It was during this placement that I got quite misty eyed, grieving for my tiny babies.  (This was/is the closest thing I'd ever have to a memorial for them.)

Its been a looooong time since my last tattoo (um, 14 years ago?!?) and I sort of forgot how it felt.  Some of them hurt worse than others.  The one under my pinky finger...that one definitely hurt he worst.  I may have been practicing some of my labor breathing techniques and asking E to distract me with pictures from our trip.  Thankfully, it only took about 20 minutes.

immediately after it was finished

Tattoo wrapped up safe and sound during a foot massage on the street.

On the plane ride home

Tuesday evening.

I'm looking forward to when its healed and I can rub my finger across all of them.

In case you are wondering "why birds"?    1. They are just cute and 2. I love the references in the bible about how God takes care of even the birds, so how much more does he love us, his children.  These two are my favorite:

Matthew 6:26
26"Look at the birds. They don't plant, harvest, or gather the harvest into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?

Luke 12:6
 6"Aren't five sparrows sold for two cents? God doesn't forget any of them. 7Even every hair on your head has been counted. Don't be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows.