Wedding Party and Flowers...

I am participating in Kelly's Show us Your Life--Wedding Party and Flowers Edition. So after you check out my post, please stop by and visit all the other blogs too!

Here are the pictures I found of our wedding party and flowers:

We had a small wedding party---three bridesmaids and five groomsmen.

I chose calla lilies and roses for our bouquets, as well as for the vases down the aisle and on the reception tables. I LOVE calla lilies! On occasion, I purchase them for our house when they are in season because I think they are simple and elegant. If you notice, our flowers are displayed in the background of each of our album photos (above and below).

This picture was taken of our cake and you can see one of the bridesmaid bouquets on the table as well as the beautiful vines and candles in the backdrop.

I did manage to find this photo too...

This is a picture of the table in our hotel room after our wedding...you can see my bouquet and the flower arrangement on the table is what we had at the reception.

Looking forward to seeing what everyone else's wedding party and flowers looked like :)

The Dress...a little late :)

I am a little late on posting to Kelly's Show us Your Life---Wedding Dress Edition...but, better late than never!!

As I was searching for wedding photos of my dress last night, I realized that I really didn't have any good ones saved on my computer. Most of mine went into our wedding album. BUT...here are a few I found:

This one actually came out of our wedding album....

This is probably my ALL time favorite picture from our wedding...I just LOVE it :)

Here is a better look at the detail of my dress...this is my sister and I.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the wedding dresses!!!

Decisions...

It has almost been 6 months since the DH had his embolization surgery. So we are anxious to make some decisions on what our next steps will be in "growing our own garden." We've scheduled an appointment with our RE for Wednesday, August 5 to get his advise on what decisions need to be made to move forward.

Please keep us in your prayers as we are faced with this next step. And please pray for our doctor as he analyzes our diagnosis and offers us options for becoming parents. Most importantly, please pray that God will give us the strength and knowledge to make the decisions He wants us to make.

Jenna's Journey GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm making a post from Biloxi, Mississippi!! I didn't think I would have computer access, but luckily the park where we are staying has WiFi...lucky me!!!

We are having a GREAT time so far...we've antique shopped, looked for shells at the beach, ate some of my dad's AWESOME cooking, and went to the casino last night. We have one more day and night to hang out with my parents and then my DH and I are headed to Destin. I am SO ready for the clear blue Florida waters :)

One of the MAIN reasons why I am so glad that I am able to check emails is because my sweet friend Jenna at Jenna's Journey is hosting a GIVEAWAY!!! She emailed me a few days ago and asked if it would be okay for her to allow bloggers to earn extra entries for the giveaway by donating to our IVF Fund. And of course I TOTALLY agreed!! How awesome is that??? Jenna understands too well the journey of trying to conceive and FINALLY gave birth to her precious little boy, Brayden!!

So without further ado, Jenna will be giving away this book...

I have NOT read this book myself, but after reading the preface, I WILL be reading this book. So if you'd like to be entered to win, please visit Jenna's blog here.

If you'd like to earn TEN extra entries (WOW, that is a LOT of entries) you can donate to our IVF Chip-In. All you have to do is click on the Chip-In button below and donate any amount you'd like. Please know that ANY donation would be greatly appreciated! We are so close to our goal and hope to make plans to start our next fertility treatment just as SOON as we get back from our vacation.

Good luck on the giveaway and THANK YOU Jenna...what a blessing you are :)

Prayers O'Plenty...

I set up this post before I left for our vacation because I have a few people that I specifically wanted to be in prayer for while I was away.

Please say a special prayer for...

Stuart and Sarah...they just finished their FIFTH IVF cycle and discovered they were pregnant on Friday. Then Sarah had another Beta on Sunday and her numbers didn't increase as much as the doctor had hoped for. She is going to Dallas on Monday for another test. Please pray specifically that her baby is healthy and her pregnancy will be continuing.

Jennifer...she longs to be a mommy and just had her last Lupron shot before her and her husband move to another state. Pray that she will no longer have to take Lupron and she'll be able to ovulate on her own.

Adrienne...I am sure many of you are following Adrienne's Journey of Love, but if you haven't, you MUST go and read her posts from the beginning. Adrienne and her husband have been through so much over the past 9 months...two failed adoptions and many miscarriages later, they are expecting their Lily from South Korea. YEAH!

Candie...she is going through the journey of trying to concieve her second child. If all goes well, Candie will be inseminated on Friday or Saturday. So pray specifically that this will be a successful journey.

If you'd like to join me in Prayers O'Plenty, just copy the button below, post about it on your blog, list the people you are praying for, and then let them all know you are praying for them.

<br /><center><a href="http://growingourowngarden.blogspot.com/2009/07/prayers-o-plenty.html"><img src="http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/liannap1/cornerprayinghands-1-2-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br /> Many blessings!

Hope and Future...

I have been going through a low period in my life...because I discovered that once again we were not going to be parents this month. So we made the decision to call our Fertility Specialist to get a jump start on putting an end to this Infertility Journey. We were hoping to get in to see the doctor either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday this week, because we leave for vacation tomorrow, Friday. The nurse was VERY nice and sympathetic, but she explained that unfortunately, our doctor will be out of town until Friday. So our plans will just have to wait until after we return from our vacation AND when my NEXT cycle starts :( So that's another LONG month of waiting. (Notice I said OUR plans...this was evidently NOT in HIS plans)

My DH and I had a great talk the other night about our future and we are both hopeful that our Infertility Journey will soon be coming to an end. We came up with a plan on what we want to do next and how the outcome can change everything.

Please pray for both of us as we follow through with these important decisions about our next steps. We need all of your guidance, love, and prayers!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.~Jeremiah 29:11

Negative...but still Believing.

I wonder why something like this...

...can absolutely RUIN my day! Who am I kidding? It actually RUINS my month!!!

So this is why I have been in a funk ALL day long. I didn't feel like doing anything today, although I know that is not the right attitude. So I got home from church today...thank GOD I didn't have to work in the nursery...and then I took a two hour nap. But sometimes, especially on days like this, it just takes every single thing I have to keep going; even with my day-to-day plans.

So although my test was a negative...I'm trying to think positive about our upcoming plans. My birthday is Thursday....woohoo ( I love my birthday). And then we'll be heading to Biloxi to meet my parents for a long weekend. The following week, the DH and I are staying in Destin and Pensacola Beaches and I can't WAIT. When we return we'll start making plans for our next step in the Growing Our Own Garden.

“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”~Matthew 8:23

Promise...

What is a promise?

"a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc."

OR

"something that has the effect of an express assurance; indication of what may be expected."

Have you ever broken a promise? Has someone ever broken a promise to you?

One thing I know is that the Lord will NEVER break His promises....

"...and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." ~Romans 4:21

I am believing in His promise today...the promise that we will become parents.

Will you join me in believing in this promise?

Prayers O' Plenty....

Do you realize how comforting it is to have someone pray for you? Or with you?

It is just as rewarding to pray for someone else in need.

Afterall, "...if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."~Matthew 18:19-20.

Let's take the time today to pray for one another. Take a minute to send someone an email, give someone a call, send someone a text message, or leave someone a comment on their blog...just to let him/her know that you are praying for them today. It will only take a minute and can mean the world to someone.

Join me for Prayers O'Plenty.

<br /><center><a href="http://growingourowngarden.blogspot.com/2009/07/prayers-o-plenty.html"><img src="http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr278/liannap1/cornerprayinghands-1-2-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></center><br /><br />

Copy this button for your blog, and list a few people that you are praying for...AND more importantly, let them know you are praying for them.

Today, I'm specifically praying for:

Kate McRae

Sarah and Stuart Creamer

Amy at Our Daily Blessing...Life

"And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing; you will receive."~Matthew 21:22

Bag WINNER!!!

Sorry for the delay in posting the winner for these adorable bags...

YEAH EMILY!!!

Please email me your address at Liannap@aol.com and I will get these cute bags to you this week :)

New OutLOOK Part II...

We spent July 4th with family yesterday...my husband's family normally has their family reunion on or near July 4th every year. We had a great time, enjoyed all the great food, and spent the final part of the evening watching fireworks. To be honest, I didn't know the majority of the people in attendance...but I didn't feel bad, because I don't think my DH did either :) But one woman really stood out to me. As we were waiting in the buffet line to get food, I noticed that the woman behind me had on the cutest summer dress...chocolate brown, with very detailed embroidery on the bodice and the bottom of the dress. So I commented about how adorable I thought it was. She thanked me and mentioned that her husband had gotten it for her, which made her love it even more. Probably 10 minutes had gone by and I found out that the woman had to leave the party. Our cousin told us that her and her husband and been TTC for four years now, had finally gotten pregnant and had a miscarriage. It was just TOO much for her to handle being at the party with ALL the babies there and she left crying.

This just broke my heart. I wish I would have known that she too was experiencing the pains of TTC. Not that I could have done anything to help the situation, but knowing that someone else is/has been in your shoes, can sometimes make a HUGE difference. I prayed for her yesterday, last night on the way home, this morning, and this entire situaiton is still weighing HEAVY on my heart. Please pray for her too...she is really hurting.

Although sometimes those of us experiencing infertility feel so alone, it's amazing to realize that SO many women (and men) are going through the EXACT same thing.

I have a new outlook on the infertility journey...we ALL could use more love, more sensitivity, and more prayers.

New OutLOOK...

Welcome to the NEW Growing Our Own Garden Blog...isn't it cute?

Faith at a Design of Faith created my blog make-over and I couldn't be happier. I think it fits me PERFECTLY!!! I love the rustic yet girlie look....it is SO me :) Thanks Faith for the new LOOK!

Praying for Friends...

As I was reading through blogs this morning, I felt an overwhelming sense that I needed to pray for a few special bloggers today. Please join me in surrounding these ladies with many prayers today...

1. My friend Sarah is having her embryos transferred today at 10:30 a.m. This is her THIRD IVF cycle and we are praying for success this time. She is a loving, Christian woman that desires nothing more than to be a mother. And what a GREAT one she will be :)
2. My friend Rachel is expecting a call ANY DAY NOW to receive word that her and her husband will be able to take home their baby, Josiah, from South Korea. Pray that her time of becoming a mommy and bringing that cutie pie home will come SOON.
3. My friend at Naturally Caffeinated Family is expecting her second baby ANY DAY. Please pray that the New Edition's delivery and birth is a smooth one.
4. My friend Judy is trying to raise money for her Blue Star Mom's group. I honestly can't say enough about these ladies and what they do for our troops. Please visit this post and say a prayer that they will be able to raise the funds they need to continue supporting the military families and their soldiers.
5. My friend Amy is on a mission trip with a group of kids from her church. Please pray that she will use this experience as God's way of preparing her for motherhood.
6. There are SO many ladies experiencing infertility and waiting to become mommies. Please take minute to visit Dwelling in the Land and say a special prayer for these women.

I understand how trying it can be to WAIT for God's plan...praying for peace and guidance for all of my friends. Please visit these blogs and let my friends know that you are praying for them too :)