this is our happily ever after

Seasons

Winter is in the air, no matter where you live....even in Houston.  I love pulling out my sweaters and coats, drinking hot tea to warm my insides, and snuggling under a blanket and reading.  Here is a bit from my devotional this morning entitled "Thankful for Seasons"

Just as God determines the weather, He also controls the cycles in our lives: "to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1  Do we resist those seasons and complain about the "snowy" conditions on the horizon?  Or do we trust God and thank Him for whatever He planned for us?  Rather than praying for a change in circumstances, pray for a change in heart. 

not too bad

My stress test wasn't too bad.  I had to do a few breathing tests first and then get on the treadmill.  I wore this very attractive mask on my face that was really tight, but once I started walking I forgot all about the mask.  I was able to breath through my nose and mouth (within the mask).  I started off walking very slowly and then the speed was increased  after 2 minutes.  The speed stayed the same, but every 2 minutes the incline changed.  I made it through 4 incline changes before I had to stop.  I was breathing really hard and my legs were about to give out.  The technician knew I was struggling and told me I could stop, but I kept on for about another minute and then called it quits.  I knew the next incline was coming and I didn't think I had that in me. 

Needless to say I was really stressed about nothing.  It was over really fast, about 30 minutes total and then I had some lunch at Jason's Deli and treated myself to a Starbucks.  I took a good nap this afternoon, not even the latte could wake me up, and made some homemade vegetable beef soup for dinner.  Going to go read Kite Runner, a incredible, must read book about modern Afghanistan.

ME....RIGHT NOW

*I’m CRAVING a coke because I can’t have any caffeine today, therefore I’m craving it.

*I LOVE my wonderful husband, my kitties, my family and my friends more than any of them could ever know.

*I FEEL a bit overwhelmed with everything I want to get done this week.  Clean, organize, and decorate the house…fill the Christmas card orders that have been placed so far, work on the Christmas gifts I am making, etc. etc.

*I ALWAYS CARRY lipstick, carmex, a notepad, a pen, and my cell phone in my purse

*TOMORROW I have to have a stress test, which I’m really stressed about (is that why they call it a stress test?)

*I’m HAPPIEST when my house is clean and organized.

*YESTERDAY I went to church, ate lunch at Gringo’s, cleaned, took a nap, and went to my aunt and uncles for dinner.

*My FAVORITE FOOD INGREDIENTS are beans, tomatoes, pasta, and fresh vegetables

*The MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS to me are my relationship with God, Brian, my family, and my friends.

*My EYE COLOR is brown, but sometimes they are hazel.

*My FAVORITE MATERIAL POSESSIONS right now are my computer, printer, scanner; my wedding rings, my Mazda 3, my camera, and my Christmas dishes.

*TO RELAX I like to take a bath, drink hot tea, and read

*I LIVE IN

Houston

,

TX

*My WORST HABIT is buying too much produce and not being able to use all of it before it goes bad.

*My GUILTY PLEASURES are watching Grey’s Anatomy, eating Mc Donald’s French fries, drinking coke, and Starbucks.

*I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT Brian and my medicine

*I WISH I could fast forward through my heart transplant and recovery

*I DREAM ABOUT adopting a little girl, being a mom, and living somewhere with seasons.

Thanksgiving in San Antonio

On Wednesday afternoon Brian and I headed to San Antonio to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends Kelly and Ryan Newcom and their friends Tom, Natalie, Allie, and Matteo Aloia.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving to remember for years to come.  Truly one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had.  Kelly, Natalie, and I were in charge of preparing some of our favorite dishes for the feast....and I must say we did an incredible job.  Turkey, dressing, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rolls, cranberry relish, sweet potatoes along with yummy homemade apple and pumpkin pie filled our bellies while great conversation and laughter filled our souls. 

Ryan and the girls got up very early on Black Friday to hit some of the sales at Best Buy, Target, Old Navy, and Michaels.  We all got some great deals, got alot of Christmas shopping finished, saved lots of money, and were back home by 9:00 am. {We started shopping at 5:00 am...crazy, but worth it!}  After returning home, having some brunch, and taking a siesta we all just relaxed and enjoyed our time together.  We enjoyed another scrumptious dinner last night, prepared mostly by Natalie (who's an awesome cook.)  Kelly and I managed to have some time in the Scrapbook Room working on layouts and planning for the future of SBR Cards.  Below are some photos from our weekend.  I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving with those you love...

Angela, Kelly, Natalie at Fralo's on Wed night

Brian playing Legos with Allie and Matteo

Tom, Natalie, Allie, and Matteo Aloia before T-giving dinner

Brian and Angela Moore

Ryan and Kelly Newcom

The Serious Shoppers

Happiness is time with friends

Faithful Friends

my newest accesory

Ok girls, now don't be jealous of me...along with the fabulous "gucci gowns" I've gotten to sport this week during my medical testing I also received this personalized bracelet that is so cool....it even has my birthday on it.  This bracelet is my ticket to get into all of those "employees only" doors at the hospital....They won't let you into the door until you can show your bracelet and confirm your name and birthday...once you've done that you're golden!  Bless those poor people who can't remember their name and birthday....do they get to gain entrance to these secret chambers?  I wonder!  Maybe if I forget my information next Tuesday I won't have to do the stress test...hmmm, better yet....I'll get someone to wear the bracelet for me....they would never know it wasn't me....Any volunteers?  Seriously! 

All of my tests have gone fine so far....it did take 30 minutes yesterday to draw all of the blood they needed from me, but I only got stuck once though....my skinny vains are just slow as molasses.  I expected to be at the hospital from 7:30-3:00 today, but was finished at 10:15, can you believe that?  In all my time at hospitals I've never gotten out that early.  Once my stress test is done next week, the transplant review board will get together and hopefully recommend that I be placed on the waiting list...From there it's just that waiting...it could be 2 days or 2 years...only God knows.  I'm glad I don't know when it's going to happen....that way I can just live in my happy, blissful state until I get the call...then it's just a matter of hours before I"m at the hospital and on "I don't care" drugs.  That's all for now....Angela

Designing+Creating=HAPPINESS

a glimpse of my happy, creating, art, scrapbook area...other than the kitchen this is my favorite place in my house!

I'm excited to announce that SBRcards has officially added my Christmas card collection to their awesome website.  Earlier this year, my seriously cool friend Kelly and her husband began this card division of her scrapbook company, The Scrapbook Room.  She asked me to begin designing and creating products  for SBRcards and today is officially the day that my designs have been added to SBRcards 2006 Christmas card collection.  If you click on SBRcards and view page 5 of the Christmas collection you can see what I've been up to lately.  If you click on the card it will show the inside card message and who the designer is...I'm Angela M.  Don't forget to check out Kelly's great cards too!  We each hand make the designs we have created.  I absolutely love creating and designing cards, scrapbooks, invitations, mini books, etc and am thrilled at this opportunity to work with my hands and create products that people can have for themselves or share with loved ones.  This has been a wonderful blessing to me during this very tough time in my life.  It has given me something to work on, allowed an outlet for my inner artist, provided a way that I can "work" at home doing what I love, and blessing people with something homemade that is filled with love.  This is just the beginning for me; I want to begin creating vacation albums, adoption albums, baby albums, wedding albums, life albums, recipe albums, children's albums, and cards and invitations for every occasion.  If you find yourself in a place where you are surrounded by photos and memories, but no time to put them in a scrapbook let me know.  I would love to help you by creating a family keepsake for you to enjoy for generations to come.  Or if you want need Birthday, Anniversay, Baby, Thank you cards, etc for the next year let me know.  I will be getting more designs on SBRcards very soon.  Until then, check out SBRcards and order your Christmas cards today! 

Blessings, Angela

back to life...back to reality

OK, so it's been over a week since I last posted...not because my life has been boring (which it usually is), but because I've been really busy.  I had an absolutly wonderful time in St. Louis with my family.  Lot's of celebrating while I was there...Travis's graduation and grandpa's surprise 80th b-day party...I had some time to bond with my cousins Kate and Kristina, which was awesome since they've both been living in Europe on and off for the past 9 years.  We've gotten to see more of each other in the past 6 months (since they moved back to Illinois) than in the past 10 years....seriously, it's awesome!  Below are some pics of my time at home....Enjoy!

   

this is what fall is supposed to look like Houstonians! 

Officer Travis A. Rule PASSED THE STATE TEST!  He's officially a police officer now!  Can't you just hear the theme of cops...."bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when Trav comes for you"!  Congrats little brother!  So proud of you!   

The "Rule Family"...all grown up, well sort of!

Kristina teaching me how to make risotto....watch out Rachael Ray...Kristina might just be the "next food network star"

Like mother, like daughter... "Emmacita" and Kate both adore Travis, don't we all though! 

Dad, Grammy, Grandpa, and Auntie Karol....

Home

Greetings from Illinois....land of beautiful fall color, piles of leaves, sweater weather, and all things Fall.  I've been keeping busy running errands for mom, spending time with family and friends, and relaxing.  Travis graduated last night.  It was a great ceremony as 26 cadets graduated from the police academy.  I have some great pictures, but no way to share them until I return to Houston.  So check back to see the photos.  Tonight we're going to my aunt's house for a yummy italian dinner...this weekend will be more time with my family.  My cousin Kate and I are going to a big scrapbook Holiday open house tomorrow....looking forward to that!  Take time to enjoy the weekend and reflect on the blessings in your life...

I'm leaving...

on a jet plane.  Tomorrow I'm heading to St. Louis to see my family.  The main reason I'm going is that my "little" brother, Travis, is graduating from the police academy on Thursday.  I'm always love going home...seeing my family and close friends who still live in the area, enjoying some cold, Fall weather, eating mom's cooking, playing with Harley the dog, etc.  Of course I have a million things to do today to be ready to leave tomorrow.  LAUNDRY is at the top of that list as is sending my Christmas card samples to Kelly so she can add them to the SBRcards Christmas card product line.  I'll let you know when my Christmas collection 06 is available to be ordered!  Very exciting!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Surrender

This week's scrapbook challenge was our favorite song right now.  Here are my thoughts....below is the layout....and below that are the lyrics.

Surrender…..that’s the title of the song that challenges me every time I hear it or think about my what God is asking me to do right now.  Surrender….let it go….lay it at my feet….put all of your dreams and hopes into my Almighty hands….and have faith that My Plan is far better than your own.  Surrender….know that in the pain and suffering that is to come I will be holding you and your dreams….Let it go….Rest in Me….stop carrying all of these burdens and let me carry them for you.  Look back at your life, think of what you had planned, and then think about what happened when you surrendered your plans to me.  Even the trials happened in order that My perfect plan for you could be made real.  Do you think that now, after all we’ve been through that I will let you down that I will allow suffering with no purpose in mind?  Be still and KNOW that I am God….I am the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  Let me hold your dreams, not so that I can crush them, but so I can add unimaginable, beautiful, amazing things to them.  SURRENDER

My hands hold safely to my dreams
Clutching tightly not one has fallen
So many years I’ve shaped each one
Relflecting my heart, showing who I am.
Now you’re asking me to show
what I’m holding Oh so tightly.
Can’t open my hand; can’t let go
Does it matter?  Should I show you?
Can’t you let me go?

   Surrender, surrender
   you whisper gently
   You say I will be free
   I know but can’t you see
   My dreams are me, My dreams are me.

Say you have a plan for me
And you want the best for my life.
Told me the world has yet to see
What you can do with one
That’s commited to your call.
I know of course what I should do
That I can’t hold these dreams forever
But if I give them now to you
Will you take them away forever?
Or can I dream again?