Earring give-away

My blogger friend Megan is hosting a give-away.  Go to her blogspot http://inthiswonderfullife.blogspot.com/ and enter the give-away!

~Angela

Giveaway...

Go to my friend Megan's blog, inthiswonderfullife (you can find the link below under "blogs I follow") and win an ETSY Keep Calm and......picture!

Have fun everyone....and blog on!

XOXO,
Angela

Pray for my twin sis...

I just realized I had not yet talked about Misty's medical issues.  She has been to so many doctors who cannot figure out what is wrong.  Finally on Friday she went to a doctor that has given her peace and a renewed sense of hope!  He is going to test her for every issue he can think of until he finds out what is causing her issues!

Please keep her in your prayers, and our family in your prayers as well, as we go thru this time of uncertainties and unkowns.  It is a scary place to be, but we know God will get us through this, no matter what!

Thanks!

~Ang

Cowgirl Claire

We got Claire a pair of pink cowgirl boots, and she absolutely loves them!  She also looks absolutely adorable in them!  Here are some pictures:

She is so precious.  I love taking pictures, and especially of our daughter!

Other than helping Claire clean her room and taking these pictures of her, we have been kind of lazy today.  After church we went to eat with my sister, niece and nephew, and then came home and have been watching "Snapped" and "America's Got Talent" that we had DVR'd this past week.

Tomorrow is back to work day! 

Until next time...
Angela

Wedding was beautiful...

I wasn't able to get many good pics during the wedding, but got several cute pics during the reception (while waiting for the newlyweds and family to arrive after pictures!)  Here are a few:

My family:

Claire took this one of Mommy and Daddy:

They used a Jewish Chuppa (?) as a setting for their wedding; they love the symbolism of it:

Jake and Claire tearing up the dance floor (look at my baby girls cowgirl boots!  We love them):

Jake and Claire have a special bond, they love to play together (I wish I would have gotten one of Ashlyn and Claire!  But Ashlyn didn't dance)   :) 

I am really tired so I will post some more pictures tomorrow; I got some (pretty) good 4 generation pics!

Goodnight,

Angela

Weddings

I am attending a wedding tomorrow; my 21 year old cousin, Maegan, is getting married.  I love attending weddings.  Usually I tear up at some point, and ESPECIALLY when the bride walks thru those doors - just ask my sister - I bawled like a baby when I first saw her!  I cried harder than her husband-to-be!  :) 

There is something magnificent and lovely about weddings.  They inspire you; they make you think back to your own wedding day (or dream of the day you get married).  So, I am really excited to attend the wedding of my cousin and her soon-to-be husband, John.  Tomorrow they will officially be Mr. and Mrs. McDonald!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Take time to enjoy your family.  Look at your husband or wife and let them know how much you care about them. 

Until tomorrow,
Angela

D-day: October 1992

I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was 14 years old.  I sat in that cold waiting room.  After what seemed like hours (it was actually only minutes), my mom came into that room after talking to the radiologist, Dr. McMillan, and told me the news:  I was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Houser Syndrome (MRKH for short), and I would never be able to have a child.  MRKH means that the uterus and cervix did not form when in utero.  It happens between the 6th and 9th weeks of gestation.  I WAS DEVASTATED.  I remember going to school that afternoon, and telling my twin sister the news.  Without batting an eye, she replied, "It's okay sis, I will carry a baby for you". 

A lot of emotions go into such a thing, and she prepared herself mentally and emotionally from that day on.  Fast forward to September 2005:  our cousin and his wife lost a baby on her due date, because of a cord accident.  On the way to the funeral, my sister thought about how sad that was, and even more so, how sad I must be at never having the hope to even have a child.  I did not know it then, but my sister had a plan.  The next day, my sister and brother-in-law came over to my house, I was amazed when I heard these words:  "I want to carry a child for you, and also be your egg donor".  WOW!  My dream of motherhood was in the works, and I was in such shock and awe.  For my sister AND brother-in-law to make a choice to give me such a precious wonderful amazing gift, was amazing!  I could never repay them for this selfless act.  In June 2006 my sister got pregnant - we had a positive pregnancy test on July 16, 2006 - and on February 21, 2007 (5 weeks early), Claire Grace was born into this world...into my heart...into my life!

God has blessed me beyond measure, and I try to live my life in a way that is pleasing in His sight.  He knows my heart, and He knows how thankful I am for the blessing of a beautiful daughter. 

If you are reading this, and your life is full of sadness, depression or despair because you cannot get pregnant, or you lost a child:  please know that GOD LOVES YOU and HE HAS THE PERFECT PLAN ALREADY MAPPED OUT FOR YOUR LIFE!  He will never leave you nor forsake you.

I am very emotional after typing the beginning of my story - so I will end with this:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your strength, and with all your might.  He will bless your life abundantly.  I am living proof.

XOXOXO,
~Angela~