My Very Own Angel

A Pay It Forward, Like No Other..

2010-05-02T18:36:00.003-06:00

I needed to share this touching story with you all, if you don't think God speaks to us, you really need to think again.

Written by, Melissa Sahlmann

Back a few months ago I told Stephanie and Teresa that If Vance lived to his 6month birthday I would give away the My Very Own Angel tee shirt Theresa bought me. I felt like if he lived to be 6 months old, I could let go of it and start to focus on him living. Not stressed that each day could be the last. We agreed and I told the the date, MAY 23. This was touching for Stephanie as it's Vayden's birthday as well. So I've been going along not thinking too much about it. I sent Stephanie a comment of the 23th of April reminding her that the 6 month mark was only 1 month away, but didn't think anymore about it. A good friend and I spend most of last night and morning talking about how God has worked in us and what we want to try to give back. After she left, I sat reading my bible and came to a page that was marked by a business card. I looked over the page to see why it had been marked, but none of the verses stood out to me so I pulled out the card. Later I flipped it over to read the front and it was a MVOA card from Stephanie..."I'm sorry for your loss..." but I have no loss I thought, so I left the card next to my scriptures and went about preparing dinner. I was in the middle of frying two things at once and not doing a very god job at it (when smoke is billowing from your oil that's not a good sign), plus Vance had started to cry for his next feeding, so I was a bit frazzled when a knock at the door came. "Gosh who is it now??" I thought to myself. Zoe (Teresa's step-granddaughter) from next door (and yes her family coincidentally lives next door to me) looking for Gillian most likely. When I opened it however, it was a young man, mid twenties maybe. I'm standing there holding the baby while he is waling his head off and the guy starts a sales pitch. "I'm with this company in Thomasville NC...BLAH BLAH BLAH..selling furniture...BLAH BLAH BLAH." I was about to blow him off because the smoke was getting thicker, then he asked about Vance. How old? I'm trying to ditch out of the conversation but he pulls me back in. I have a six month old. Six month twins, but one died at 15 days and my son who is living is 6 months. AWW but before I have a chance to say anymore he's leaving to go on to the next house. After Vance is calmed, I pull the pots off the stove and glance over at the business card still sitting next to the scriptures on the couch, so I decide to give it to him, but no not just the card. I know it's earlier than we talked about but this mom had a boy and my tee shirt is blue. Couldn't be a fluke that he came to the door telling a complete stranger about his son just after I found the card, God was leading me. I run upstairs to get it and amazingly the shirt was sitting out from some organizational projects I'm working on around the house. I grab the shirt, the baby and the card. He's down the road four houses down and still working in the opposite direction, but when he sees me walking his way with the baby he stops and waits for me. He thinks I want to look at the furniture, but instead I hand him the shirt and the card that I had written my name on the back of and tell him it's for his wife/girlfriend. I tell him I know a wonderful group of women that have been through the same thing and that he can tell her to find us on face book. A co-worker comes up and asks what he has so he tells him while he holds up the tee shirt...."Amanda will really like that" he says.

*****************************************************************************

Vance was given a fatal diagnosis in the womb, I met Melissa through Teresa who became very involved with her story, not long after meeting her Melissa became like family to me. When Teresa ordered a blue MVOA t-shirt for Melissa I sent it along with a carrying to term comfort pack. Days after the mail was sent I had a gut feeling that Melissa would not need the shirt or the comfort pack, we had a few months until Vance's due date but I just felt like he wasn't meant to be an angel. I emailed Teresa and told her to hold off on giving her the pack and the shirt, I felt in my heart that Vance was going to make it,Teresa felt the same. Vance was born exactly 6 months to the date I lost Vayden, and his prognosis was bleak I remember talking with Teresa every other day where she would say "I have the cap and shirt in hand" as she would visit with Vance and Melissa often to capture precious moments. The days turned to weeks and the weeks to months, and here we are almost 6 months and although Vance faces obstacles he is proving the Dr.'s wrong with every passing week.

God is good, so good.

23 Days of Giveaways

2010-04-28T14:00:00.003-06:00

Welcome to My Very Own Angel’s 23 days of giveaways. My sweet angel baby Vayden is celebrating his 1st yr in Heaven on May 23rd, in just one year his loss has blessed me with a wonderful network of families, friends and brought me closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our father God. In just one year this foundation has donated 345 teddy bears to local Oklahoma City hospitals ensuring that no woman leave L&D empty handed. Vayden’s story in one year has touched the hearts and lives of many and I choose to celebrate his life, his story and my mission with my loyal supporters. Thank you for one amazing year I have learned so much from the stories of your angels and I am so happy that so many of you are PROUD to say “I Have My Very Own Angel”.

The 23 days of giveaways will be held on FB only. Each giveaway will be posted by 10:30am and will close between 10:30 – 11:00 pm CTS of that same day. The winner will be announced and will respond to me via email ONLY at myveryownangel@gmail.com with their address and giveaway date number. All winners will be randomly selected. You may enter in however many giveaways suit you and your personal needs. Please take some time to visit the sites of the donated products I use in these giveaways. A very special thank you to everyone who donated items.

The 23 days of Giveaways will focus on healing and total family, not every item will be directed towards infant loss, just as not every item will be for a boy and a girl. Please only enter giveaways for items you could actually use or really want.
You may not enter the same giveaway twice. You may not exchange prizes for a future giveaway item. All items to the winners will be shipped between May 27th and June 1st . The last day to submit your address is May 26th.

· Vayden’s 1st angel versary is on May 23,2010 I ask that you all be so kind to visit my website at http://www.myveryownangel.org/ and donate just $1.00 for Vayden’s 1st yr. You have no idea how far $1.00 can go from so many loving hearts. Just $1.00 will help see that hospitals keep getting teddy bears from The 345 Teddy Bear Project. Thank you for your donation. If you are having trouble finding the donate button the website please visit this link for my chip in button on our blog.

May 1st we will begin the 23 days of giveaways, good luck and god bless you all.

When Life Happens - Vacation Notification

2010-02-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Vacation Notification

My family and I were originally scheduled for a month long vacation in March. At that time the angel store would be temporary closed for 4 weeks, in the last week my father has become ill and although the details of his illness are somewhat unknown, I’ve made the decision to go to California to be with him and my mother. Due to this unexpected change in events the angel store will be temporarily closed from Feb 1st thru March 31st. Emergency orders may be processed around my husband’s work schedule throughout the month of February. I will be taking a few CTT comfort packs to Ca with me in the event I come across a mother carrying to term.
The angel store will re-open March 31, 2010 in perfect time for any of you who are seeking a shirt for Mothers Day. The website will still be up and running and I will be updating the blog from California.
In May we will celebrate Vayden’s 1st year in Heaven, along with the many accomplishments he’s made in just one year. I will be hosting a 23 day giveaway, where I will be giving items away everyday from May 1st all the way up until Vayden’s 1st angelversary; I am very excited for May.
I apologize greatly for an inconvenience, but my family will always come first. Please keep my father in your prayers as we want a total and complete healing.

Thank you

Stephanie Stewart
-Founder of My Very Own Angel

I'm Going To Go To College

2010-01-21T11:03:00.001-07:00

A young girl grows up with 3 sisters and 4 brothers. Both her mother and father never finished high school as well as her older siblings; she is 13 with 6 nieces and nephews with 1 on the way. In grade school when asked what are you plans for the future she replied ‘I’m going to go to college”. Many doubted her ability to finish school based upon her family history, still this young girl insist she’s going to college. The years continues as more and more obstacles came her way, her father is out of work and her mother’s hours were cut, the young girl now has to get a job to help out the family. She goes to school all day and works all night, it becomes harder and more stressful for her to focus and fight through her daily fatigue. Friends and family are unsupportive and encourage her to quit school and work full time, they’re exact words are “it would be easier”; she stands by her word that she is going to go to college. She makes it through high school and gets into college, she is more aware, mature and appreciative of what college is really about and how hard it is to achieve. She did not take going to college for granted and she finished top of her class.

The connection between this story and loss is you have to tell yourself what you want to happen. It’s just like faith in Gods promises, you have to tell yourself that you’re going to walk through the rain, never give up and never lose yourself on the rough roads. Tell yourself that you’re going to get through this and it’s going to make you a better stronger person. Going through this allows you to understand the true blessing behind pregnancy and children, you will never be the same, you will be slightly bruised and broken but you will heal and your overall appreciation for life will grow.

A few months ago someone asked me if I was waiting for my breakdown. After thinking about it, I replied “No”, because although I will have rough days I know that I’m going to get through this and my good days will outweigh my bad days by pounds.

The next time you find yourself really down, remember this young girl who went against all odds when she said, “I’m going to go to college”.

Goodbye to one year, Hello to another

2009-12-31T08:08:00.001-07:00

In just a few days we will be saying goodbye to the year 2009 and saying hello to 2010. I would like to take this time to speak from my heart, to give thanks and to wish you all a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year. In my heart I believe that 2010 is going to be an amazing year for pregnancy and infant loss families.

Through loss I have been so blessed to so many families. When I put my story on the Internet I never expected the support I’ve received. The sole purpose was to keep my family up to date, but in the end I made a whole new family. If you have suffered this loss, walked in these shoes, you know how important you are to my recovery as I am to yours. Thank you all, for being so kind to welcome me into your loss experience. I hope that I have blessed you or will bless you in the future. I also hope that my mission has brought the understanding that if you’ve suffered pregnancy or infant loss you are STRONG. You have made it through something that most consider unimaginable, the next time you are asked how many children you have, remember to say “I Have My Very Own Angel(s)”

Walking into 2010, My Very Own Angel has a lot going on. The 345 Teddy Bear Project will be going to another hospital in Oklahoma City in January. May is a very special month for me, this May we will be celebrating Vayden’s 1st yr in Heaven and I am currently putting together, 23 Days of May Giveaways.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year, put God first and never forget your very own angel(s).

God bless you,
Stephanie

A very Merry Christmas for all the angels

2009-12-26T07:24:00.010-07:00

Christmas, a holiday that many angel parents dread, it's a time where your heart and your head speak to you at the same time. While your heart says "I know I'm going to be ok, and my angel is in a better place" your head is saying "I should be sad today, or I am sad but I will force on a smile to get through the one day that I once loved, Christmas" Your heart is the voice of God, and your head is the voice of Satan we must remember that although Satan's voice may be louder, he is speaking lies.

This was my first Christmas after my loss and I had many reasons to listen to my heart above my head this year. Vayden had gifts under the tree, this Christmas he received a place to rest his ashes, notes from dear friends and family, and $$$ to go towards My Very Own Angel. Those donations will allow MVOA to continue to donate Teddy Bears, send out carrying to term comfort packs and host blog and facebook giveaways. -Thank you

My mother who has been a top supporter of My Very Own Angel also was so kind to donate an additional item to be used in the carrying to term comfort packs. Now along with dark chocolate the mommy will receive a small lotion and body wash pack for her comfort. (will post pics of the new CTT packs soon) Thank you Sharon aka mom

On December 23,2009 Vayden's 7th Heavenly month marker, I went to OU Physicians MFM Prenatal Diagnostic Center to accept a donation for My Very Own Angel. Instead of the office staff doing their regular holiday gift exchange, they pooled together donations for MVOA. I am so humbled and honored that they would think of me and Vayden during this holiday season, and that they believed enough in my ministry to support it. - Thank you so much to the staff

This is Dr. K, he was my MFM specialist and the 1st person to read me the bad news, most wonder why the sight of this man doesn't make me shiver, but the truth is I respect this man so much. I know in my heart that he did everything medically possible for Vayden, he was also an amazing supporter of carrying to term in fact he was the first person to tell me "you can do it".
- Thank you Dr. K

This is Camille, she assisted Dr. K through most of my prenatal intervention, she was great about returning phone calls or emails in a timely manner, she also helped Dr. K safely stick me with about 9 needles. - Thank you Camille

This is Cathy, she helped put this donation together but more than anything she was an angel on earth. She knew how to calm a person down by cracking a joke, singing a song, or just letting you know that it will be ok. She told me that Vayden would be a very special patient and she was right. - Thank you Cathy

Here is a group of some of the nurses at OU Physicians MFM Prenatal Diagnostic Center, they are amazing and supportive. My journey of carrying to term wouldn't have been the same without the support of this medical team. - Thank you

This Christmas was great for me and my family, Vayden has an amazing Christmas in Heaven and on earth. With the support that My Very Own Angel has the 345 Teddy Bear Project will continue to offer comfort to many more families suffering infant loss. No woman should leave L&D empty handed.

4 Ways to Have A "Humbug" Christmas

2009-12-21T18:00:00.002-07:00

I absolutely love my pastor he can always share a message with me, that I can redirect and share with grieving families.

Christmas is coming and I've seen many who would skip Christmas and wait until next year. The holiday season is a time of joy and happiness, it's a time to reflect on a year and prepare for the new one coming. The holiday season is a time for FAMILY, so when people in the family aren't there that should be there, the holiday season can be very hard. It is easy to say forget Christmas, I'm going to skip it this year, or Bah Humbug. The reality is that Christmas is something that will be around every year and skipping it can be a lot harder than accepting and remembering what Christmas is truly about Christ.

Here are 4 ways to have a humbug Christmas, if you following these 4 steps you will surely have a horrible Christmas this year and every year to come.

1.) Let circumstances determine your attitude.
- You have to learn to go with the flow. Don't go to your in laws house of your Christmas party with the mind set that you will be happy or fine as long as......
For example: I will have a great time "If" no one asks me how many children I have. It's one of the most common small talk questions for people, and being asked that question should not determine your attitude. Look at it this way, if someone asks you how many children do you have? you have the perfect opportunity to honor your angel.

2.) Wallow in worry.
- Worrying will take away the quality of life. It will consume you and the blessings in life will pass you by, you will be too busy worrying about everything. Don't worry about "it" happening again. Don't worry about the babysitter who is taking care of your living children. A little worry is okay, but to wallow in it will cause you to lose the joy in your life.

3.) Stay away from church.
- Think about how you felt when you missed church for a while and finally went back. Such a peaceful feeling and the people there made you feel like you were never gone. Church gives you a weekly attitude boost, it's very rare for someone to go to church and leave angry. Going to church will remind you that God is still in control.

4.) Hold onto the belief that "Things" will make you happy.
- The best way to put this as pastor says " We buy things we don't need, with money with don't have, to empress people we don't like" Things will only keep you happy for a short time until the next best thing comes around, that you must have.

So follow those 4 steps and you will most definitely have a humbug Christmas. However I hope none of you do.

I want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and point out one thing. Christmas in Heaven must be the best thing, because it is Jesus birthday, our babies are lucky, and although they are greatly missed, they are also very well taken care of.

Merry Christmas

Stephanie Stewart

Slow Down & Get More Rest

2009-12-14T18:05:00.005-07:00

At church on Sunday, my pastor decided to go off his normal series sermon and speak on something that was on his heart. The Power of Living, ever since my loss I can literally turn any message, song or quote into how it pertains to me and my loss.

The message was that we need to slow down, if you’re in a hurry to do anything you will lose your joy and you will not be able to hear the voice of God, so “be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. We were not created to constantly move and rush, yet in today’s world, relax, slow down, rest; even vacation is not in the vocabulary of many. Pastor Ron gave us 3 steps to achieve greater rest, I am going to share these steps with you and how I have personally used them in connection with grief and loss.

Step 1 – Avoid procrastination – If you say you want to do something, and then do it. In the days following my loss I set 3 simple goals for myself to assist in my healing, I needed to shower every day, drink water and eat, and give thanks to God. If I only did those 3 things at least I stuck to the goal; however those 3 simple things allowed me to do continue to do normal life duties. Had I not set those goals I may have entered into a dark place and it would have been difficult to navigate out.

Step 2 – Dump the Junk – After a loss your life, your family, and your way of thinking change. As you adjust to your new normal other things will need to change. Navigating through loss is only as good as the support that is around you, I had an amazing support network and I credit them to helping me to be where I am today. However I had to dump some junk, some friends that didn’t understand, some ways of living and ways of thinking, which were only hurting me and not helping me through my journey. Although I lost, I also gained and I have surrounded myself with positive people, a stronger faith, and a more optimistic way of thinking despite my loss.

Step 3 – Learn to accept Gods timing – We all have a time, everyone has a time to live and a time to die. I believe that life starts in the womb so even if your baby was born sleeping he/she was alive. It was Gods timing to allow me to have Vayden for 35 weeks in the womb and 3hr and 45 min in my arms, although that time is short in comparison to my life, it is what God chose for Vayden and I can accept that. Because in just 35 weeks and 3hrs and 45min I was able to learn so much about myself, Vayden, God, my faith, my family, my friends, bereaved parents, and life. The only reason I have grown from my loss is because I accepted Gods timing.

I hope you all remind yourselves often to slow down, listen to the voice of God and utilize these 3 steps to achieve greater rest.

God Bless

Holiday Promotion

2009-12-04T13:18:00.006-07:00

Starting Monday December 7th thru Monday December 21st - My Very Own Angel will be hosting a Promotional Giveaway. Visit the online angel store and purchase any item(s) between the above dates and I will send you a photo frame angel ornament with that order.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, although the holidays are rough, utilize the fact that you may be around family and joyful people.

MVOA t-shirts and teddy bears are perfect gifts to ask for or to give to another mother who is grieving the loss of her very own angel during Christmas time.

(One ornament per order)

You Just Never Know

2009-11-24T21:38:00.004-07:00

A few days ago my mom called me to tell me about her hectic and hard day. It all started when she took a chance at taking my dads truck to work. This truck has a mind of it's own but has been nice for the most part. She arrived to work 20 minutes late and had mountains of paper work to tackle. After waiting in the drive through for 15 minutes only to find that they gave her the wrong order she thought "how can this day get any worse". While driving home the truck with a mind of it's own decided that it wanted to break down, while on the side of the road and sunset coming soon, my mom called for a tow. They quoted her 15-20 minutes of course they took almost 50 minutes. On the ride home the young tow truck driver and my my mom were causally making small talk, he went on to ask about kids because she mentioned how my brother and I attended high school in the city, that conversation lead him to ask about grand kids and my mom jumped to tell him I Have My Very Own Grand~Angel. He offered his condolences and asked what happened, my mom shared Vayden's story and was just finishing up telling him about my mission, as they pulled up to the house. Before my mom got out of the tow truck, he asked for a business card, because his brothers wife lost a baby a year ago and still wasn't doing good with the loss.

Never pass up the opportunity to tell someone you have your very own angel if the question comes up, you just never know who you could possibly help by sharing your story first.

- God Bless
Happy Thanksgiving

Pay it forward - Winner

2009-11-21T07:21:00.006-07:00

I would like to thank all of you wonderful generous hearted ladies who entered in the pay it forward giveaway. The Pay it Forward Giveaway is my best giveaway yet. It shows the humbled hearts that you ladies have, how you unselfishly think of others even when both houses are burning down, you still help your neighbor. Thank you

Teresa a NILMDTS photographer is who I selected to pick the winner, I chose her because she gave me the idea. In an earlier giveaway for an MVOA shirt she submitted herself but for an angel mom. I thought what an amazing kind thing to do, she could have said "I don't have an angel, this giveaway isn't for me" instead she thought of someone else.

Teresa selected Lisa A light at the end of the tunnel . Lisa nominated Tarah and this is what she wrote

I would like to nominate someone who I first "met" when we lost our baby James. Her name is Tarah and she has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. She contacted me about a care package she wanted to send after learning about our loss. After corresponding with her she learned that we were in a tight spot getting a headstone for our angel. Through her efforts she raised over $800 to help us purchase James' headstone. Tarah is truly an angel on earth. But she has her own story. She struggles with infertility and has lost 3 babies of her own. Due to a balanced translocation she has a hard time conceiving and staying pregnant. Tarah deserves so much more than I could ever give her but I would like to acknowledge her huge giving heart.

Congratulations Tarah would you please email me at myveryownangel@gmail.com so that I can get your address and size for a multiple loss shirt.

Also Lisa would you also please email me with your size and address's, so that I can send you an MVOA shirt for being humbled to the point that you could nominate someone else for something you wanted.

When you bless someone you will also be blessed

Pay It Forward - Giveaway

2009-11-18T08:26:00.004-07:00

Now days with the Internet and all these social networking sites, we are able to seek support from people we would have never met aside from our heartbreaking similarity, we all have our very own angels. In my journey I’ve met some of the best, kind hearted, caring and understanding people. I’ve received more keepsake gifts from women who know me no more than the blog I keep; every card says the same comforting words “I understand”

I’m going to pay it forward by starting this chain I hope you follow along. I’m going to purchase one (1) t-shirt for a mother, whose story has touched my heart in a way words can’t express.

I’m also going to purchase 1 “I Have My Very Own Angel”, or “I Have My Very Own Angels” white or black (any size) for one of you ladies to pay it forward to a mother who you have met only by the connection of pregnancy and infant loss and someone………… (Select one)

- Who inspired you?
- Whose story has just touched your heart?
- Who you don’t know but think should have a shirt, to move towards progressive healing
Tell me briefly why you want to pay forward a shirt to them

*I know there are so many stories and so many women who have inspired or touched our hearts, but please only select one person for this giveaway. You are more than welcome to start your own pay it forward chain by visiting our angel store at http://myveryownangel.org/Angel-Store.php

Also while we’re talking about giving and paying things forward, with the holidays coming don’t forget to give a gift to your very own angel that keeps on giving. Make a donation to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, String Of Pearls, Sufficient Grace Ministries, Fetal Hope Foundation, March of Dimes, etc, or make small donations to foundations like MVOA’s 345 Teddy Bear Project. Honor your angels by keeping these non profits and not for profit organizations running for future families on this journey.

I’m going to pay forward a shirt to Christy Pearson http://pearsons6.blogspot.com/ I just started following her blog so I don’t know her well, but I know that this shirt would provide her great comfort through this tough time.

THIS GIVEAWAY WILL END ON FRIDAY 11/20 AT 3:30pm (CST) – The winner will be selected by one of my dear supporters that doesn’t have her very own angel, but she holds them all the time.

Good luck

*Anyone can enter*

Avoiding Cabin Fever

2009-11-17T08:35:00.003-07:00

With Fall and Winter coming in many of us live in places where it's too cold to go outside, and with flu season, swine flu and RSV, many of us would rather not go out if we don't need to. Staying in the house can get you wrapped up in grief, the rainy cold days can fix your mind to think you'll never see the sunlight. Cabin Fever is coming, but how do we avoid it???

Tell me how you avoid cabin fever or how you plan to avoid it????

I got a little cabin fever over this last week, but I dread going out in the cold, so I stayed inside and....

Read my Bible - the book of Job always humbles my sad days

Play with Vashon since he's suffering too, it's too cold to go to the park

I started working out for 30-45 min a day, just pop in a little hip hop music and dance my extra weight away.

I wear my MVOA tshirt some nights to sleep in. I don't know why, it just makes me feel extra close to my angel.

I plan my dream vacation. :)

So what things do you do to avoid cabin fever depression when the sun doesn't shine for days???

What's New With My Very Own Angel

2009-11-12T21:11:00.014-07:00

I would like to announce the My Very Own Angel ~ Carrying To Term Comfort Packs~

These special packages are small, but truly from my heart. They are offered for free, to women that make the brave choice to carry out a fatal pregnancy. Please see the Carrying To Term Comfort Packs page on my website, for more information. Please let any mothers you currently know that are carrying to term about this.

My Very Own Angel now has shirts for mommies who have 2 or more angels " I Have My Very Own Angels"

These shirts come in White and Black Only

Because so many have asked we finally selling the MVOA angel bears. However these are personalized and wear a letter initial dog tag for your very own angel

Now even those who don't have their very own angel, can support the mission of My Very Own Angel, with an MVOA supporter t-shirt. These shirts are unisex, so both men and women can wear them and spread the word and support the cause.

Front of shirt

Back of shirt

* All proceeds from the support t-shirts go directly to The 345 Teddy Bear Project and The MVOA Carrying to Term Comfort Packs

Check out our online Angel Store to get your shirts and bears. Email me at myveryownangel@gmail.com if you have any questions.

God has blessed me with this mission, to help and give back. I am currently preparing for my next teddy bear donation drop off and I look forward to everything that will come in the future.

Week 12 of The Secret

2009-10-19T18:33:00.002-06:00

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

When our babies are taken from us too early, it sure can seem like the whole world is against us. We wonder why us?, why now? We say I did everything right, I wanted this baby, I prayed for their health. Yet the world still went against what we wanted.

What is Faith? Faith is trusting that everything will work out no matter what. Faith is knowing that we all will see our babies again. Faith is trusting that the world was in fact on our side when our babies were picked to be angels.

Losing our babies is by far the worst thing, it's not fair, it hurts like hell, and it's real. The reason why all this happened, we will never truly know, but you were not picked to be a mommy of an angel to turn your back on the world.

If you've lost faith since the loss of your child, it's time to find it again. If you never had it before and you need something to lean on, faith is an awesome crutch. Sufficient Grace is an awesome place to start, not only will you get amazing lessons in faith, but you will find amazing tools in healthy grieving the loss of your baby with Kelly. The added bonus Kelly has her very own angels and she's proud to say it.

I hope that this week by week digest of The Secret was as fun for you as it was for me. You can always go back to the lines in this poem and if you fall, get back up, dust yourself off and keeping climbing up that mountain. By the time you reach the top you will be reunited with your very own angel(s)

God Bless

Giveaway Winner!!!!!!!!

2009-10-16T19:45:00.004-06:00

An amazing random act of kindness, I thought Dana from The Midnight Orange was amazing for donating the Never, Ever Let Go sculpture to the MVOA blog giveaway. While reading through your amazing responses it dawned on me that I have a special connection to all of your ladies and all of your angels. Some of you lost before me and you lit the light for me and my journey through loss and some of you are amazing followers of the light I’ve lit for you. I couldn’t pick a winner, so I asked Dana to please help me. She knows none of you ladies and only came in contact with me 2 weeks ago, I thought it would be fair that way.

Dana said each of you deserved to win and she is graciously donating one (1) sculpture to everyone who entered in this giveaway on blogger. She is busy working on them so please allow time but you will all get one that you noted was your favorite or one that she felt suited you based upon the photos on your blogs.

I want you to know that Dana is indeed a walking angel, and I found her website for a reason. I need you mothers to support this artist and this wonderful giving woman. She gets the feelings that we only wish others would understand. She is hope for us, that those not effected personally by pregnancy and infant loss, can understand what we are going through.

I need you ladies to do 3 things for me before accepting this prize.

Thank Dana by posting a thank you comment here on my blog

Also please create a post on your blog letting everyone know how awesome she is
as a person and an artist. Here web link is www.themidnightorange.com

Please send me your names and addresses to myveryownangel@gmail.com

I want every angel mommy to have at least one of her sculptures, not just because they are so beautiful, but because of who they came from, a person who read into our stories, she stepped into our pain, channeled that into a God given talent and she is humble enough to bless so many with empty arms and aching hearts. Please share her info with everyone you know.

* If you did not enter into this giveaway, please still take a moment and visit The Midnight Orange, amazing, breathtaking work.

God Bless

October 15th

2009-10-15T14:31:00.003-06:00

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. This day was set aside for us to remember all the angels gone too soon. Please remember to light a candle at 7pm (all time zones) to create a wave of life in memory of our very own angels.

The Never Let Go giveaway is still going on until 10/16. I will be having another giveaway which is going to start on Monday or Tuesday.

I will be thinking of all of you and all of your angels tonight.

God Bless

Week 11 of The Secret

2009-10-13T08:21:00.004-06:00

I'm sorry I missed the post yesterday I was having one of those days and just need to take some time off, I'm better now and climbing back up that mountain. Will you join me?

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

Did you ever blame yourself for what happened to your angel? Did you ever second guess something you did while you were pregnant? maybe it's something very small like sleeping on the right side instead of the left side, but did you ever wonder was it you? I've made it very clear that I believe I did everything right in my pregnancy with Vayden, but being told his condition was a fluke in development was hard to accept at first. I wanted someone or something to blame for this. I recall second guessing myself at times, wondering if the spicy nachos I ate every single day for 8 weeks caused this.

When I would share his fetal condition to strangers, some would boldly ask if I was taking my prenatals or getting enough water, rest, or eating the right foods. When I would tell them it's a rare fluke in development they would give me this eye as if they were saying "well you must have done something wrong, my babies are healthy" Some were very sympathetic and understanding, I believe they've either walked this road of loss of they knew someone who did.

When Vayden died, I told myself that I will not allow myself to ever fall into thinking that I'm to blame, I know I researched hard enough, I prayed strong enough and I loved/love him with every piece of my heart. I did nothing wrong and no one can tell me otherwise, so I share his story with everyone and anyone, because I DID NOTHING WRONG!!!, therefore I have nothing to be ashamed of.

The 345 Teddy Bear Project speaks entirely to this line, every teddy bear has Vayden's blog URL on it and every bear is to encourage woman to share their story just as I've shared mine. Because we did nothing wrong.

See you next week : To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Blog Giveaway!!!!

2009-10-09T20:16:00.005-06:00

I've been holding small giveaways on MVOA's facebook page, so if you're on facebook please be sure to follow MVOA, but I have been holding onto the special items to giveaway for blog followers only. Dana is an original artist & her work is one of a kind, while searching for an item to giveaway I came across The Midnight Orange I couldn't take my eyes off of this particular piece. I didn't even know the title of the piece but I knew what it was saying, before I read about it. I contacted Dana and expressed to her how much I loved her work and what I was planning to do with my order, she contacted me about 10 min later and told me she would be honored to donate this item to My Very Own Angel for this giveaway. Dana is not a mother to an angel, but she has figured out our pain by reading many stories of mothers who do suffer child loss. I am forever grateful for your kind heart and donation Dana.

This piece is called " Never ever, let go" it's both beautiful and heartbreaking as a mother holds onto her baby that is already an angel. It hit a very soft spot on my heart the moment I saw it. Scroll down for giveaway rules:

To enter this giveaway you must 1st be a follower of this blog, then you must leave a comment about your never let go moment, and how this small statue made you feel when you first looked at it. You can gain an additional entry point by visiting The Midnight Orange
and telling me which hand sculpted statue is your personal favorite.

This Giveaway ends October 16, 2009 at 5pm (CDT) ~ Good Luck

* Also if you have an MVOA t-shirt and you're not camera shy, please email me a photo of you wearing your MVOA t-shirt to myveryownangel@gmail.com - Thank you

Fight for Wyatt

2009-10-09T19:47:00.003-06:00

What can you do in 2 minutes????

live, die, be born, eat, sleep, wake up, go to bed, smile, cry, run, hide, watch a commercial, type an answer, log in, log out, dial a number wait for the voice mail to pick up and leave a short message....etc. YOU CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING IN 2 MINUTES.

However in the state of TN, 2 minutes is not enough to be considered born alive, despite the health you were born into. Wyatt was born June 1, 2009 and lived for 2 minutes, but the state of TN, is not recognizing those amazing 2 minutes of life and they have considered him still born. Please help Danielle fight for Wyatt, this brave mother carried to term despite his fatal diagnosis she said
"Those 2 minutes will probably be the most precious 120 seconds of my life. If I had chosen to terminate the pregnancy, I would have robbed Wyatt of his life and I would have robbed the world of all the beauty my 4 pound 0.6 ounce little boy brought with him." http://myveryownangel.org/Why-I-Carried-To-Term.php

Suppot Danielle and by clicking on the button on this post and visit her blog Letting Go and Letting God

Week 10 of The Secret

2009-10-05T17:03:00.003-06:00

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

I often wish to be the type of person that lets little or nothing affect them. I worry about Vashon all the time, I can get angry or upset over the smallest things depending on my day. I'm a fearful driver because of my accidents in the past.

When I read this line last week it immediately reminded me of the armor of God. The belt of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness, the shoes of Peace, the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. So I began to pray this armour over my body every morning, it actually works I'm not completely free of these negative characteristics but I do start everyday with the knowledge that whatever is thrown at me, my armor will block it.

See you next week: To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

Week 9 of The Secret

2009-09-28T17:00:00.002-06:00

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

This one is by far the hardest I have come across in this pathway to becoming a better person. It's also one of the most important to achieve. I have to convict myself often for criticizing someone for their choices or actions. The sad part is I do not criticize those who I don't know, I only do it to the people that I know, because I feel they can do better. This is something that I constantly and will continue to work on, because it's not right and as the old saying goes, "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all"

Because this line is a little harder for me than the others I'm going to do a test on myself also. I'm going to think before I speak, I'm going to avoid confrontation as best as I can, and when I get that itch to say something mean, I'm going to take the high road and remind myself that if I'm criticizing a person, I'm doing something to them that I wouldn't want done to me.

No excuses this time, and it's true the hardest thing to do, is to do nothing at all.

See you next week: To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

Week 8 of The Secret

2009-09-21T15:16:00.002-06:00

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet

Think about being at Sam's Club, and you have two people giving out samples. One of the employee's has a cheerful smile on their face while the other looks like they just may have spit in your food. Just their demeanor can make that sample less appealing to you. The best phone conversation I've had was with a customer service rep at Sprint. We got our cell phone bill and it's was about $200.00 over normal price. My husband got on the phone and spit fire at the representative then hung up in his face. We were both upset about the bill but I called back because I wanted to get more info on the charges so I called the rep back. I began by apologizing for my husbands behavior but the rep was clearly already upset and I could tell by the tone of his voice. He was giving my attitude I should have given it right back to him, but I didn't I continued to talk to him with a calm voice as we went through each charge on the bill. By mid conversation his voice perked up and he began laughing and joking with me. At the end of our 15 min conversation I was able to find out that the charges on our bill were valid, but he was able to extend a huge credit that we were eligible for but never realized it. I try to remind myself of this story when I want to walk around in public with a "kill the world look on my face".

Morale of the story, being kind pays off. Next time you see a new baby or a pregnant woman in a store, give her smile. It's easier to do that, than continue your shopping being jealous of them.

See you next week: To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

Week 7 of The Secret

2009-09-14T12:54:00.002-06:00

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the great achievements of the future

First I'd like to thank all who follow The Secret breakdown, whether you do it on your blog or not. I have enjoyed testing myself to become a better person.

This weeks line was hard for me, I rarely dwell in the mistakes of the past, if I make a mistake, I make it right and I move on from it. From all the mistakes I've made there is one that I often still think about. I suppose because the situation finally hit home for me.
Back when I was newly pregnant with Vayden, my dear friend Sheena suffered an ectopic pregnancy loss. She didn't even know she was pregnant until she found out she was going to lose her baby. She and her husband had been TTC for months. When I heard the news I sobbed on my couch, I was pregnant and wanted to be pregnant just as bad as she did. I was even a lil upset with God, if any of you know Sheena, she not only wanted another child, she truly deserved another child. Amazing mother!!!!

Because she knew that I was pregnant and we were supposed to be "belly buddies" I thought it would be too hard for her to be around me, I didn't even call her. I sent her a msg on myspace telling her how sorry I was for her loss. When I found out about Vayden's condition, Sheena was the 1st out of my friends that I called. I cried and screamed on the phone with her, she cried with me, she talked to me for about 2 hrs as I repeated myself over and over again. She was there for me every step of the way through my journey of carrying to term. She even spoke at Vayden's memorial services. Sheena thank you for treating me, better than I treated you.

My most regretted mistake was that I wasn't there for her during her loss like she was for me. I will never again assume that a woman doesn't want or need support after her loss. I will lend my ear and offer my shoulder, and I will now be able to say " I understand"

See you next week: To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet

MVOA in the media

2009-09-11T00:16:00.004-06:00

I filmed a segment for the local news in Oklahoma City a few weeks ago, to share a lil of Vayden's story and info on My Very Own Angel. I wanted to share that feed with all my wonderful amazing followers. Click this link to view the video http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?C=116601&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4118072&flvUri=&thirdpartymrssurl=

If you are having trouble with the link you can also go to www.news9.com find the Making a Difference, my segment is titles Very Own Angel Bears

Also if you type Very Own Angel Bears into google search engine it will be #1.

The Secret Week 6

2009-09-07T19:10:00.003-06:00

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

I doubt any of us wake up every morning praying for our success and failure for everyone around us. This is not what this line is trying to say. I know that we mothers of angels would never wish this pain, this loss, or this heartache on any woman. However I think we all at one point may have been guilty of seeing another pregnant woman or a brand new baby and not wishing our pain on them, but wondering what makes them so different? why does she get to buy diapers and wipes for the baby she is carrying and why am I buying a casket or an urn? Although we don't wish sickness or anything bad on them, are we really enthusiastic about their success? Did we stop to think there may be a story behind that woman with the newborn or the woman shopping for her new baby? Is it possible that she could have walked the same painful journey before getting to the place she is now?

What about when others success hits close to home? When our friends, or family calls you with the exciting news of being pregnant? That's a hard thing to take it, here you just loss your baby and your sister in law is having a healthy set of twins, you love her, but you wonder "how on earth am I going to help plan her baby shower?"
This line isn't about you not being happy for these women and these healthy babies. I think we all agree that no woman should feel this pain, this line is about truly being just as enthusiastic when it comes to others as YOU would want them to be when you share your positive news. It is to remind you that everyone has great moments in their lives as well as bad moments. It's to give us a humbling line of hope that says, "Life's whether is bad right now, but I will see the summer months again, winters can be long, but they are never forever"

How did this line effect me? I recall finding out that a very close friend of mine was pregnant with her 3rd child, it was surprising news because for a moment I thought out of all the girls in our group she and I were content where we were with kids and we would be the only two not TTC. I was not supposed to find out the way I did or how I did, it was a total shock. As much as I was happy for her, I remember going into the bathroom to break down and cry. I don't know if I was upset that she didn't tell me, I don't know if I was upset that she was pregnant, I don't know if it was just because my hormones were still out of wack. All I know is that I was not as enthusiastic about her pregnancy as I should have been. I will always feel bad about that.

See you next week To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the great achievements of the future

Week 5 of The Secret

2009-08-31T22:01:00.003-06:00

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best

To think only the best – the loss of a child in my opinion is the worst thing that any woman should have to go through; it is the rock of all rock bottoms. What is under bottom?? Nothing! You can’t go down when you’re already down, so think only the best, that you will see your angel again, and start climbing that mountain. One day you will be there, at the top holding your angel again, and yes the climb is hard but come on, isn’t it worth the blood, sweat and tears?

To work only for the best – I know that many of us grow stronger in our faith after we suffer a loss. Yet there are some women who may not be quite sure what it is they are truly working for. I’ve spoken to some people who don’t know why, they just say “I figure everybody said lean on God so that’s what I’m trying to do” I’ve spoken to some women who say “I’m only doing this so God wont punish me again”, and I have also spoken to some women who cursed God and want nothing to do with him. When I come across those very few I ask them “what are you working or reaching for?” most have no reply.

What am I working for? I want to see my son again, I know where he is and I know what I need to do to get there. I’m jealous of the place where he is right now; it’s so much better than the world I live in. If my faith was shaky before it’s surely steady now, because although 3 hrs and 45 min were great, eternity would be amazing.

To expect only the best – Many of us get that thought about TTC again, and as we think more and more about it, we are plagued with those negative evil thoughts “ what if it happens again?” We need to stop allowing those wicked distractions get to us, we need to TTC as if we never knew loss happened, we need to expect that our next pregnancy will be the BEST pregnancy and will result in a healthy happy baby, that has a glimmer in his or her eyes that reminds you of your very own angel.

See you next week: To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

Week 4 of The Secret & The 345 Teddy Bear Project

2009-08-24T17:58:00.015-06:00

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true

It sure can be hard to look at the sunny side of everything when you’ve just lost your baby, right? It’s hard to find the good in that, growing up although I wasn’t really exposed to death, I had it in my mind that your cards were dealt for you before you were even born and when and how you die is supposed to be in some kind of a way. I was content to believe that except in cases of babies and children, I thought it’s just not right there is no reason why two rival gangs should accidentally kill a 4 yr old playing in his own yard.
Sunday my pastor spoke about faith and the armor of God. He said that if you won’t put on the full armor of God at least take your shield of faith, which is from head to toe. At least take your shield of faith he said, why? Because with faith you can do all things
I question this line now, was I right are the cards already dealt for everyone, even babies and children? Consider this, the mother who brought the Amber Alert to our attention lost her daughter in one of those, it’s not fair, not right and how can there be a sunny side to her loss, but….she did create something that has saved the lives of many children. The mothers who stood together and created MADD suffered the same unfair loss, yet they created something that saves many lives. I think that they had faith and were able to look at the sunny side of their loss and make their optimism come true, and make a change; they will never save every life but just to save one, is one less tragic loss. So did they lose their children in the horrible way, so that change could be made???
I have seen the sunny side of Vayden’s passing, I still would rather trade my leg to have him back, but in his short life 3 hrs and 45 min he has done more than some 80 yr old people have done.

Next week To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best

The 345 Teddy Bear Project

Now someone may argue,"some people have faith; others have good deeds" But I say "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds?" "I will show you my faith by my good deeds" James 2:18

Today I dropped of the 1st donation of The 345 Teddy Bear Project to OU Children’s Hospital, in OKC, OK. It was a wonderful experience to bless them with such a generous donation, I was able to go and visit with some of the staff that took such great care of me and Vayden. They kept telling me they were so happy to see that I was doing so well, and that I was able to see the sunny side of our situation and give back. I was invited to share my story at their nurses training class when they have their lesson on bereavement, to teach the new nurses how to work with the patients to ensure they have the best stay despite such a tragic loss. They have about 9 to 10 deaths a month, which broke my heart because I wish that number were less. Those teddy bears should last them about a yr. They wrote an article on My Very Own Angel for their news letter and took pics so I will share those when I get them.

7.5” teddy bears standard color light brown and medium brown
Each bear wears a hand placed angel charm necklace that offers a delicate reminder of your very own angel
Each bear wears a hand placed teddy bear tag with a short message that reads “We are sorry for your loss, please accept this teddy bear as a delicate reminder of your very own angel, Vayden’s Mommy & Daddy”

SALE!!!!!!!! SALE !!!!!! MVOA SALE!!!!!! SALE!!!!!!

2009-08-21T18:58:00.003-06:00

SALE!!!!!!! SALE!!!!!!! SALE!!!!!!! SALE!!!!!!! SALE!!!!!!! SALE!!!!!!! SALE!!!!!!!

Sunday August 23, 2009 marks Vayden being gone for 3 heavenly months. In those 3 months he has inspired me to do so much and give back in so many ways.

On Monday Aug 24th I will be at OU Children’s Hospital to donate the 1st set of teddy bears for The 345 Teddy Bear Project. I am excited beyond words.

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day and since it’s coming so soon, I want to have a SALE so that you mommies of angels can get your “I Have My Very Own Angel” t-shirt at a cheaper price.

As an added promotion every order placed between 8/21 and 9/3 with this Promo Code will also receive a MVOA PAIL awareness pin. – PROMO CODE – MVOA82093
(remember to put this code in the comment box while placing order)

DID YOU KNOW????? We donate 20% from total quarterly sales divided between 3 of my favorite NPO's - NILMDTS, String of Pearls, and Sufficient Grace Women’s Ministries.
Even more of a reason to support MVOA, you will also be supporting 3 wonderful NPO’s that share the same goal, in providing comfort to families who walk this journey.

Old design shirt clearance – I placed a new order for shirts and made some minor changes to the design, The NEW design the text is a lot easier to read as I was finding there were issues with the “M” running into the logo. I still have a few of the old design shirts and I’m selling them on clearance for $13.50 on the store page you will see one shirt (white) with the old design Clearance Items will be typed above the photo, I will keep track of inventory daily as they sell. In the size bar you will find the various colors and sizes that are available. Note those are the only sizes and colors I have in the old design.

*I’m trying out XS size shirts, I’ve had a few request that some of your lil girls wanted one also. I only order a small amount in each size, so please email me if you’re thinking about ordering an xs shirt and I will let you know what I have availible and how to purchase.
myveryownangel@gmail.com

Visit our Angel Store
Website http://www.myveryownangel.org/

Walking With You - Every Angel Counts

2009-08-21T01:44:00.004-06:00

Walking With You was created by Kelly of Sufficient Grace Ministries to help support those who have lost a child. Together we share our stories, helpful information, scriptures, encouraging words, prayer requests, and more. To join in on Walking with You please visit Kelly's blog.

I felt it would be good to put this post on both of my blogs.

This week, Kelly is sharing some commonly asked questions and answers about grieving the loss of a child. The rest of us may blog about a similar topic or share what is on our hearts this week.

This week my heart has been dealing with the way people consider loss. As many of you know I am not at all shy to tell someone I Have My Very Own Angel, I find that many peoples initial thought is “oh she had a miscarriage that is so sad” as I talk more about Vayden they are lead to ask more questions about his passing. When they find out I carried to term, met held my live child and then said goodbye, their eyes begin to tear up, they no longer have anything to say because I’m sorry in their hearts is just not enough. It upsets me that people can think of loss so shallow, like you only deserve credit if it was a late term loss. Like the story is only heartbreaking if your child was once alive in your arms, does it matter?? When a woman suffers a loss of a child at any age she grieves, she hurts the same and some women that suffer miscarriage or still birth feel cheated which is a harder more haunting feeling. Why don’t they deserve the tears and the hugs that I get? Why don’t people recognize that loss as a true heartbreaking loss? Why do they have to pay for a funeral but get no birth certificate?

I think every angel counts and every loss has a story behind it. Don’t discredit a woman’s grief because she lost her pregnancy at 8 weeks, she could have been trying for 4 yrs and those 8 weeks were something she was blessed to have.

Every Angel Counts

Week 3 of The Secret

2009-08-17T15:01:00.003-06:00

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

I am for the most part a good friend, as many of you I have been stabbed in the back and betrayed by some of my closest friends. This line makes me think of how it was when I was in high school, having that intense need to have more friends than I can count. As I got older it became clearer that happiness was not in the amount of friends I kept, but in the quality of those friendships. Within this year I have gained and let go of many friends, but I can honestly say that as of today I am satisfied with the company I keep. Last week when I went over this line, I thought this was going to be an easy one, I wouldn't have to completely watch myself to complete this then it dawned on me that I did have some work to do.

When I lost friends, most walked away from me but I also pushed some of them away. Mommies of angels can all agree that we speak a different language, when someone speaks your language you tend to talk with them more. I'm at a fragile time in my grief where I want to talk about Vayden every single day. When I'm sad, the 1st ladies to be called are my friends that have angels, when I'm having trouble potty training my 2 yr old I still contact my friends that have angels, I use them for everything including my grief. I was always quick to leave them encouraging comments or notes on face book or ask them how they were doing, but forgot to check on those friends that try desperately to understand my grief.
I forgot to share my sad and happy stories with the people who I ran to for help in the past, those who speak my second language (the normal life) I was not making them feel like there was something worthwhile in them. Last week when I noticed it I starting checking up on those friends by just leaving quick notes to say ' Thinking of You" I will continue to keep the healthy balance between the friends that speak my new language (the new normal after loss) and those who I pray will never understand what we're talking about, but be gracious enough to care.

See you next Monday for line 4 which is:

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

- Stephanie

1st Blog Giveaway !!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-10T21:49:00.013-06:00

First Blog giveaway - 8/13/2009

Winner!!!!! - Mary - http://missinglukas.blogspot.com/

I’ve gained 25 followers only after two weeks of launching, not too bad, thank you. As promised I will be hosting blog giveaways and now that I’ve hit 25 I will start with my 1st. It’s going to be a small one, hoping we can bring in more wonderful mommies of angels; this is my 1st time so please bear with me, lol.
This giveaway is going to last 24 hrs and the prize is…… a candy pink My Very Own Angel t-shirt and a My Very Own Angel, PAIL awareness pin. Shirt available in sizes (M, L, or XL) I’m not singling out moms of boys angels, so don’t think because it’s pink you can’t rock it. I personally have one shirt of each color including a candy pink one. This giveaway based on total entries.

(sorry the pic of the shirt doesn't give it much justice)

The more entries you get the higher your chances to win

1 entry point - for being a current blog follower that means all followers that have followed since yesterday get an entry for being a current follower – just leave a comment

2 entry points – for blogging about this giveaway on your blog – be sure to leave a comment so I can visit your blog and follow if I’m not yet following.

3 entry points – for recruiting other mommies of angels to follow the MVOA blog (for every recruit you will receive 3 points), you must direct them to follow the blog, and leave a comment stating what blog they came over from. (2 points for the new follower)

The winner will be selected based upon total entries and a random generator to break the ties.

Good Luck and remember to always be proud to say “I Have My Very Own Angel”

*Entries for this giveaway close on August 14th , 2009 @ 845 am pacific standard time

Week 2 of The Secret

2009-08-10T16:11:00.001-06:00

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

Last week was terribly hard for me. I am currently in a war with the devil and only at a perfect time for me to need to speak health, happiness, and prosperity to everyone. As it is I was able and still can speak all of these things to friends and strangers. I recall on Wednesday while at the dentist getting a tooth filled, the dentist came into my room gleaming with happiness, I asked him why he was so cheery and he told me that he just found out that he is about to be a grandfather to a baby boy and told me his soon to be name while putting his u/s photo on the screen. I was ironically wearing my MVOA t-shirt and at a moment where I could have been bitter or speak negativity I congratulated him and said your daughter is going to love having a boy, I have two boys myself. That was a moment in which I honored my son, and paid caution to the situation by not going into deep detail considering he never asked me how many children I have or if I had any at all. I cannot think of any other situation, in which I practiced this attitude, I’m sure I didn’t tell anyone to die, or wish them to be covered with mountains of failure. As I work this week on line three I will also try to incorporate more of line one and two into my daily attitude.

Next Monday line 3 which is:

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

Week 1 of The Secret

2009-08-03T16:44:00.003-06:00

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

What is peace of mind? To have solid peace of mind one must not use outside influences to cope with the stresses in their life. Drugs, alcohol, sleeping pills, and other things we use to soften the blow that can have adverse outcomes to our health and all over peace of mind. This line basically says that we should commit to being so strong, that those things that we become so dependent on are no longer needed to have peace of mind. This starts with you and ends with you, the best people to go on a diet are the people that are not going on a diet. It is the people that are making a change in their eating and exercise habits that succeed; therefore unlike just going on a diet, they are able to have good health, a suitable figure and peace of mind.
What are you using at the moment to cope with the many stresses in your life? Understand that the scale is huge and you may not notice that you were doing anything wrong because it’s not drugs, sex, or alcohol. If you hold any guilt or worry to something then your peace of mind is disturbed.

How did I apply this?

I noticed about two weeks ago, that my peace of mind was in fact being disturbed by something I felt literally addicted to. I often tried to make excuses for my actions and force myself to believe that what I was doing wasn’t wrong, when the reality is what I was doing wasn’t wrong, how I was doing it was. My negative influence was My Very Own Angel, don’t get me wrong what I am doing is a wonderful thing, it will help many many families, however I worked myself to the bare bone and beyond. My hormones were still a bit out of place and I believed my body wanted to be as tired as it would have been had I had a newborn and a toddler. So I stayed up late into the night, on the computer working on the website and other My Very Own Angel products. For almost 2 months I would go to bed about 2 hrs before my husband would wake up to go to work. I would speak to no one unless it was business related and, I rarely went anywhere with my friends when invited. Although I looked at Vayden’s photos everyday and I faced the fact that he had passed, I used depriving myself of sleep and a social life as a way of being even. My baby became My Very Own Angel and when I went away for a weekend I was depressed and sad that I wasn’t sitting at my computer. I tried many times to justify my doings, but the few people who knew what was going on knew something was wrong, I did not have peace of mind.

When I noticed it, I wrote a schedule for myself. I committed to not working on Sundays and I give only a certain amount of hours on weekdays to work on or promote MVOA. But I must complete a few things before I can find peace of mind while sitting at the computer every day. I must wake up and read a page in my bible, I must work out for 30-45 min, I must do my daily household chores, I must devote 2-3 hrs with my son during the day, doing activities, I must attend to him when he needs me, I must have dinner ready or almost ready when my husband gets home. I must sit down with my husband and watch at least one of his crazy shows with him. I must continue movie night with my family. I must visit with friends at least 2 times a week, and/or communicate with them via phone, face book, etc.
When I do all of those things I sit down at my computer which is usually at night, I work and I am so strong that I let nothing disturb my peace of mind, because I have no guilt.
Now you see how although My Very Own Angel is very positive I was using it to cope and although healthy in a way, un healthy in many other ways. So I ask you again, what are you using to cope with the many stresses in life?

See you next Monday when we go through line 2 which is:

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

Stephanie

I Promise Myself

2009-07-31T19:23:00.003-06:00

I Promise Myself....by Christian D. Larson

To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature I meet.

To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

The first time I saw this was in my parent’s bathroom. It hangs so perfectly behind the door so that when you’re doing your business and have nothing else to look at you read this.

It applies to the entire mankind; every living person on earth should make strong efforts to live under these standards. What I like most about it is that regardless of what your religious beliefs are The Secret can be used. So there are no more excuses to why you're so un happy. I’ve spoken to many women who have suffered a loss and they say “I wish I had your faith in God, then maybe this wouldn’t hurt so bad.” The truth is Vayden’s loss hurts very bad; my faith in God allows me to find the blessings in his passing.
The Secret, by Christian D. Larson, is something that I try to read every day when I wake up in the morning. I try to take it line by line and every day, apply one line in my daily living. I admit I often fail, in the path to become a better person, at times I let evil get the best of me. I admit this to you because that is the 1st step to change, and with all that has been going on lately, don’t we all agree it is time?

When a child dies we can lose faith and joy, we lose hope for anything to ever be good again, we also can very easily slip into a rage of anger, jealousy and envy for those who don’t suffer the ultimate pain of losing a child. Our outlook changes and we can fall into a very dark place. Grief is filled with dark rooms; everyone who suffers a loss very close to them takes a tour of that room. When the loss is of a child the room is much darker, navigating out of that room is about the hardest thing you can go through, but staying in that dark room is very damaging to your well being.

For the next twelve weeks I will take The Secret, line by line and summary each line in my walk to become a better person, I will go over what the line means to me and how I applied it in my week. I hope that you will follow along with me and every week post on your blog a line from The Secret and how you’ve applied that line in your life that week. By the end of the 12 weeks’ I hope to notice the better person I’ve become along with bringing better people into my life. Come along on the journey with me, and let’s put The Secret to the test

See you on Monday for the 1st post.

Also My Very Own Angel would love to start hosting blog giveaways for mommies and families of angels, but we need more followers, so tell your friends that have their very own angels to follow us on blogger.

Why am I doing this??

2009-07-26T11:53:00.006-06:00

Many people asked me why I started My Very Own Angel? They asked how the idea came to me? and How was I able to get so much done in such a short amount of time?

For those of you that do not know me, I am Vayden's mother and you can read his blog Through My Mothers Eye's at http://vaydenjamesstewart.blogspot.com/. It is a story of my journey through carrying to term and after the loss of my 2nd son. I never dreamed or imagined to write a blog, never dreamed that it's topic would be on pregnancy and infant loss. I still remember the morning of January 21, 2009 when my world came crashing down on me. When my true test of strength and faith actually started. I called myself a Christian before then, I loved the Lord and gave thanks when I remembered to, but I was not a real Christian before that day, because my relationship with God was not strong, in fact before that day my relationships with everyone in my life was not strong. I remember after finding out about Vayden I asked a friend with me to phone my husband then directly after phone my brother Terron and tell him to pray and let the family know to start praying. I phoned him 1st because I knew out of anyone in my family his relationship with God was the best. Then I cried and I cried wondering how bad of a person could I have been to deserve this? Something we must all have done once or twice.

By the time I got home I was determined to not let the devil win in this battle and began to pray for a healing, but I only prayed for what I wanted and I never thanked God for what he has given. I search daily for signs that he was hard at work HEALING my baby, not realizing that God had been hard at work my entire life.

One day in prayer I started off giving thanks, thanking him for my life, for my family, for everything including Vayden healthy or sick. One week later I was told that Vayden's kidneys had failed. I was crushed, I was angry with God, but I had not lost my faithfulness to him and that anger only lasted a few days until I finally realized that God heard our prayers all along. We prayed for a total and complete healing, but never specified how, meaning on earth or in heaven.
I told only two people the God let me know that Vayden was going to die but in fact be born alive. There were so many people that wanted me to keep praying, I didn't want them to think I gave up hope. I didn't give up hope or lose my faith, I just trusted in what God told me.

Vayden was born alive and we were blessed with a wonderful 3 hrs and 45 min, we rejoiced God and praised him for that miracle. Vayden went to heaven and received a total and complete healing dealing with no LUTO/PUV and we gave thanks to God for that. We never question or spoke anger about Vayden's passing. We knew that God as promised was still hard at work.

Only two weeks after Vayden's passing, I kept having these ideas come in and out of my head, strong ideas that would make me think about them all day. I was given a new idea everyday sometimes two or three a day. I began to write them down so I wouldn't forget, and the number 345 kept coming up and I kept thinking how Vayden was as cuddly as a teddy bear and BAM!!! The 345 Teddy Bear Project was created. Then the name was My Very Own Angel was created in a conversation where I was asked how many children I have? I shared this information with my mother and we began working hard at creating MVOA the ideas continued through out the creation and they continue even now. Where do I think these ideas are coming from??? Only from two people God and my baby boy Vayden.

So, Why am I doing this?? To honor God, my son and to help many many other families, because the bible says "All things work together for good, to those that love God" Romans 8:28 and it's very, very true. I continued to praise God in times of good and in time of bad and he showed me the truth and reason behind the life and death of my son.

How did I do this so fast?? My mother and I worked hard daily on this project, my body still felt that I was supposed to have a newborn and a 2 yr old, so I stayed up late at night like I had a new born with colic, but MVOA is far from complete, there are so many more ideas so stick with us while we bless others from our blessing..........Vayden James Stewart.

Website Launch

2009-07-24T13:52:00.004-06:00

Today is a wonderful day. Today I launched the website I've been working on day and night everyday and every night, for weeks. It so happens to fall on the day after my sweet angels 2 month heavenly marker. I tried so hard to get it launched yesterday but I was very busy. I miss him dearly. Today is also a great day because I placed the 1st order for my 345 Teddy Bear Project, I should be getting the teddy bears soon and then I will be a busy bee attaching the necklaces on them, and getting them ready to be donated. I am so excited!!!!!!

I got to try out my very special MVOA t-shirt today at play group and it was a success. When one of the moms whom I had not known asked who the shirt was for, I got to briefly tell her about Vayden. I was able to honor him and make it known that I had more than just one child. It was amazing.

Don't forget to check out the website http://myveryownangel.org/

Stephanie