Dream Big

I had to post this because Isabelle just looks too darn cute not to...in this picture she worked really, really hard to make a pillow tower to reach the ceiling...about 2 years ago I took a picture of Abby doing the same thing! That picture is in my scrapbook right now & below it reads " Expose yourself to the possibility of doing something remarkable!"

That sums up my two amazing daughters...they are both always trying to figure things out & doing pretty remarkable things along the way...in my eyes, making a huge pillow tower is pretty cool!!!!! Sitting on top without falling is pretty remarkable too! I like that they both dream big! As kids nothing holds them back, nothing! I want my life to reflect that...right now I'd say things like"yeah, but it might fall" but why not say" yeah, but it could stay up "

Dream big!!! Why not? What have I got to lose?

I know that I keep quoting Erwin McManus in his book "Soul Cravings" but listen to what he says here...

"We were created to strive for progress and to pursue it with passion. It is God who designed us this way. He made us creative, and he makes us responsible. "

We are the ones who have to ACT on the creative juices He gives us...we have to build the baseball field so that "they will come", we have to put together a "pillow tower" to reach the ceiling...why not? Yes it might fall, but why not try...dream big!

Late Anniversary Post

I've been waiting to put my pictures on my computer so that I can post about our 13th Anniversary vacation...so here they are!

We traveled to the Erie Islands back in October to get some R & R and to have a little fun with the girls.

It was almost 90 degrees the entire 4 days that we were there...beautiful weather & wonderful family time together. We sailed on a boat, Abby got to surf at Kalahari, we met pirates, stole buried treasure, took nature walks, discovered a deserted beach & walked thru underground caves...Kelly's Island, Put-in-Bay are Cleveland's lost hot vacation spots...I'd recommend anyone spend time up there! What a beautiful place!

I can't believe it has been 13 years already since David & I said "I Do". What joy it has been to call myself his wife. We have grown alot together(especially since I've known him since I was in 2nd grade & he was in 5th grade)we've grown not only as individuals but as a couple as well. I never realized that I would love him more & more with each coming year! I never thought it was possible to love him more than I already did! David is an amazing husband, father, son & friend...he loves soooo good on people! He gives his all to others. Thank you Lord for answering my prayers many years ago by giving me this Godly man...I adore him & I'm thankful for being able to stand beside him...thru the good times & the hard times...I look forward to many, many, many more times to come!

Role Models?

Last night we had a special HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL birthday party for Abby & her friends...we had about 8 kids & 8 adults over & just had a blast! The kids had a little talent show & sang to all the songs & did a show for the parents...we had a few HSM trivia games...we put play microphones, starburts & HSM stickers in the kids goodie bags...what a fun party! Abby & Isabelle had a great time!

This morning after breakfast, I noticed David & Abby were suddenly missing from our morning playtime...they had closed the door of the school room & were talking-Daddy & daughter...I had no idea about what...until they called me in. David was practically in tears...

They then shared with me that one of Abby's friends who was at her party told her about Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella from HSM)...I'm sure you all heard about her taking her clothes off & taking some photos of herself that ended up all over the internet...well, Abby's friend told her that it wasnt true & of course Abby wanted to know if it was true...so David told her that the rumor was true. Abby apparently began to weep. She loves Vanessa, she thinks she is so talented. She is supposed to be a role model...

We have all made mistakes, I know I have..too many to count. But if only the celeb's realized that people look up to them. Abby didnt end the conversation there...she decided to write Vanessa an e-mail. After I read it I then realized why David was almost in tears. It was heartwarming. She told Vanessa that she was sad about what happened & told her that she was beautifully & wonderfully made & that God loved her & that she would be praying for her...

Amazing...she was still not finished...she then printed off some HSM pictures & wrote on them "Remember to pray for Vanessa & the rest of the HSM cast"
She put the picture up in her room so that she'll remember to pray for them!
What an example...
...my daughter is "reaching Hollywood" right where she is at...
Beautiful.

Abby's 7th Birthday!

Where has 7 years gone? I remember the day that Abby came into this world(what mom wouldnt right?). She wanted to come about 3 weeks earlier but the doctor wouldnt let her-but she still decided to come 3 weeks before her actual due date. That's my girl! Abby is on her own agenda! She has a mind of her own. She wanted to get started on her life! Things to do!

We always knew (somehow)that one day we'd have a baby girl. While David & I were dating we would always talk about naming her Abigail...we didnt know why-we just knew.

Then when the doctor forgot to announce what we actually had...David so gently whispered in my ear "Ang, it's Abigail Rose-we have our baby girl"

My heart leaped! What a beautiful baby(even though she had a slight cone head due to the sucction they had to use to get her out) :)

Now 7 years later I look back & see how God is beginning to grow her into this incredible girl. Everyday I think "wow"...I know that she is going to do amazing things in her life. When we sit & read the Bible together daily, Abby challenges me, she asks questions that I would never even think to ask about God. She wants to learn, she wants to do His will, she desires to love Him.

We went through a few weeks of her not saying "I love you" to either of us(not even David)...we would say it to her everyday & wonder why she wouldnt respond...we prayed, we questioned...is she confused about love? Abby is very deep. During our times of prayer about this we realized that Love is an important word. You shouldnt just say "I love chocolate" ...yes, I REALLY like chocolate, but how can I put "I love you" and "I love chocolate" together? They mean two different things...Erwin McManus talks about this in his book "Soul Cravings"...get this book-it's a great read...so we asked God to calm our worries...to let us just LOVE her regardless if we heard it back or not...we patiently waited, loved, kept telling her that we loved her...and then she asked "how do I know if I really love someone?"

Woooo, her deep mind took her to a place, where if she wasnt sure about love then she didnt want to say it...she didnt want to just say it and wonder if she really meant it.

Well, one would normally be concerned about this...but God reminded David & I both that one day, we don't want her to just say "I love you" to anyone...yes, she is commanded to "love everyone" but to give her heart fully to express "love" is slightly different. I want Abby to carefully think about who she loves...who she one day will give herself to (future husband).

It's beautiful actually...I then started to enjoy her "time of searching"...we didnt push her, we just loved & waited...

Last night for the first time in a long time, Abby said" I love you mom & dad"...David & I both melted. I know that love is not about "hearing the words back" and getting your fill from someone, but wow did it feel good to hear her say it. And I could see in her eyes that she truly meant it-it wasnt just a response...it was from her heart.

Thank you God for my beautiful, amazing Abigail! She teaches me everyday...

Happy Birthday Abby!