Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Margaret's Excellent Adventure-- LA Style, Part 2

Thanks to YOU, and these very sweet people-- Coke and Dick Clark Productions execs-- We were able to go from this:

To THIS!


And my personal fave: But we still had ANOTHER night of adventure ahead of us-- The AMA's themselves!

The afternoon of the show was pouring rain, with flood warnings even, because apparently we like to bring the gray cloud of doom with us wherever we go. The pictures you are about to see were taken in our hotel hallway, before we got soaked to the undies walking to the Nokia Theater sans umbrellas.

Margaret had an adorable navy dress bought for her by her friend K's mom. I wore the black dress I wore to my friend Cynthia's wedding 5 years ago, and Tim wore a snazzy borrowed suit with a new tie.







Despite the rain and cold, we rallied for our stint of celebrity-watching on the red carpet (Joe Jonas! Other people! Those little girls from Ellen who like to rap Nicki Minaj tunes! Lots of skintight, butt-skimming dresses!) and we had a fabulous time.

We had great seats at the concert, even though you couldn't see us on tv. Margaret and I waved pink glowsticks, singing along to the songs we knew. We watched with amusement and alarm as Jennifer Lopez shed more and more clothing. "Naked except for strategically placed bedazzles" is how Margaret and I described it later. Tim and I subtly wept during "Good Life." By the time the Hoff started shaking it in smiley face boxers, we were truly having a blast and were sorry to see it end.


The entire trip was a wonderful respite during a time of intense sadness. We laughed, told stories, and ordered room service sandwiches. We snuggled in beds made by someone else, watching "UP" on our tv while the rest of LA partied. We marveled at how uncrowded LA seemed compared to Northern Virginia. We saw an amazing awards show, got to gawk at some really c-razy outfits, and were able to gratefully accept the kindness shown us by so many people.

And the final kindness? This photo taken by Erin, who has been pulling for Margaret since day one, even having set up the JBLiftMargaret FB page.



The day of the AMA's Erin flew into LAX with her family for Thanksgiving break. She took this picture while driving down the highway toward the city. While Tim, Margaret, and I were people-watching, shivering, and heading into the show, look what was going on right over our heads:

62 comments:

DawnGes said...

Somewhere over the rainbow...

Beautiful--rainbow, beautiful--people, beautiful--God!

Anonymous said...

Anna, you look beeeeeaaauuutiful!!! I LOVE your dress! I'm so happy you had a great time!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

You all look fabulous! like you'd fit right in with the celebrity crowd :)

Kate said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kate said...

Of course there was a rainbow - Jack wouldn't let you go without him! You all look amazing. I'm so glad that you had fun.

Stimey said...

I am so glad to read these words. I'm so glad you all had so much fun. Love you.

Leah C said...

Beautiful...just beautiful! Hugs and prayers:)

Anonymous said...

Love how pretty and snazzy you all look! This story made me so happy and I reveled in joy the whole day I knew you were in Los Angeles. I look forward to reading your blog more than any other. Your words bring healing to my soul!! I love you dear sister in Christ Anna!

Anonymous said...

Seriously, I LOVE you, Anna!

Lisa said...

Loved the pictures-you all looked glamorous. It is heartwarming to read about the fun and joy you had that day...you deserve happiness.

And the rainbow above the theater?? Absolutely priceless...

Meredith Self said...

Buds!

Yay rainbow, respite, red carpet, and room service!

Yay peeps taking care of each other!

Even Yay for butt caps, bedazzles and boxers that smile.

May life deliver beauty and joy across your steps as you go....

Katherine said...

Wow. I honestly got the chills when I saw the rainbow picture. That's so wonderful. I loved hearing about the trip and I am so glad that you all had some moments of levity.

The Bipolar Diva said...

how wonderful! your pictures are beautiful!

Kelly said...

Again....it is so nice to see all of you smile :)

the mama bird diaries said...

Beautiful rainbow! Always thinking of you all. xo

Anonymous said...

keep smiling! we love you!

Anonymous said...

Seems like he was there just watching over you.

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

Yay, Yay, Yay!!! I've been waiting to hear how the AMA's went! Sounds like so much fun! Margaret is a mini me of you! And most importantly, girl, you looked amazing!

Anonymous said...

You guys looked like you had a great time and so pretty (incl Tim:) in your fancy clothes. I'm sure Jack was rocking along with you all. My daughter is a HUGE Beiber fan so I know how special this would have been for Margaret which she so deserved.
Know that your posts are helping people move from fear to love.
Always thinking of you Anna...

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

God is good!

Julie said...

I just can't believe it. Jack is always with you. If anything, this has made me a believer.

KatBouska said...

I get goosebumps EVERY time I visit. That rainbow? Amazing.

Unknown said...

As usual my eyes and heart are filled with tears at the joyous BITTERSWEET moment you had. And may I just say, what a gorgeous family. I know, I know - it's an incomplete thought but still.

I laughed when you said "Other people!" because that's who most of them would be to me. But it sounded like much-needed rainbow in the midst of your storm.

Lynn from For Love or Funny said...

Anna! This is so amazing!!!! All three of you looked terrific, and those pictures with Justin Bieber are so cute!! WOW!!!

Karen said...

God is sooo good! I love that He covered you with another sign/promise of His love with a rainbow in CA...even when you couldn't see the rainbow, He blessed us all in learning of this afterwards! Praying for another sign today that will feel like another hug from God!

MaryBeth said...

You all looked wonderful! So glad there was a happy rainbow for a while.

Still smiling for Margaret!

mariann said...

Wonderful photos! You all did NoVa proud! Good to know that we have worse traffic - LOL! ....and the rainbow -- again, no words!

Much love - Your family is in my family's hearts and always in our prayers and thoughts.

Going to decorate the front of our house in blue....just blue - lights, bows, etc -for Christmas...for Jack...for your family! (((hugs))) Mariann Alicea

Anonymous said...

thanks for sharing the pics...you were all clearly present in that moment and happy. wonderful to see. rememeber the lyrics form the band perry's song?
"Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors Oh, and life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no Ain't even gray..."
love and hugs to you and your beautiful family.

luv2run said...

All of you looked amazing! Such a beautiful family........ALL FOUR OF YOU!!!!!!

luv2run

Lianne said...

This is the first time I have posted, though have been quietly following your journey all fall - holding you and your family up to God every day. I pray that the happy moments keep coming - it seems from all you have shared of your amazing boy that Jack would definitely have been thrilled for you all. Blessings.

ella said...

some random thoughts as I read this post:

Those people in the first picture are angels. I want to hug them! A million thank yous to each one.

You, my dear, are GORGEOUS. That dress! So glad to see a smile on your face.

I don't think I ever noticed just how much Jack looked like Tim. Wow.

Beiber will forever be a-ok in my book.

I was in LA for the Oscars (long story) and was surprised at how sleepy the town was. All the chaos and excitement was limited to the couple blocks surrounding the Kodak Theatre.

That rainbow. What a gift.

Anonymous said...

What fun! And seriously--you guys looked red-carpet ready. Simply stellar. Anna--if I may--that teeny waist and those "girls" --wowza!

So happy for you about this. Thanks for the recap. Hugs to Margaret and Tim and to the good people who made took such outstanding care of you.

love,
jbhat

Anonymous said...

you, Tim and Anna all look fabulous! You are such a beautiful woman - inside and out.. Glad you had a great time! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Anna, you are a HOT MOMMA!!!!! You look stunning in that dress! 42? Are you sure you didn't mean 32??? Your whole family is beautiful and I'm sure the glow from Jack's angel wings is only lighting his beauty more :) I don't know you, but I feel certain I'll think of you and your Jack everyday until I fly up to see him myself :)

OSMA said...

Thank you for sharing your AMA night. You all are real life red carpet material in my book, such a seriously beautiful family. I think JB (with hair gel) looks like your Jack too. That rainbow takes my breath away because your readers are right, your handsome angel was lighting your path from above. Such other worldly love.

Kristin said...

These pictures make me so sad, because you all look so beautiful and happy--and so incredibly undeserving of what has happened to you. My heart breaks to imagine the hurt and loss behind those smiles. It's scary to live in a world where such profound loss and grief is possible, and where it is handed out so indiscriminately. But I guess that is the challenge of this life — to open our eyes and hearts to all the sadness and hurt and to keep living and loving anyway. I hope it helps to know that you aren't carrying this heartbreak alone. So many of us are walking alongside you.

Anne said...

How cool is that.A rainbow.What a wonderful adventure.What a blessing for you all.Keeping you all in our prayers.

TheLab said...

WOW. You and Tim, BOTH DROP DEAD GORGEOUS! Margaret? PERFECT! That beautiful dress! That hair! Her sweet smile! And the rainbow... God has made us so many promises. I so badly wish one of them was that we would understand everything that happens. But I am glad He promised that all of his children would meet again, and that He LOVES us. No matter what, He has plans. I love what your friend said above: "I feel certain I'll think of you and your Jack everyday until I fly up to see him myself :)" Me too.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Thanks for sharing the rest of the story, Anna. I loved hearing it. Though you may have to give me the blow by blow again next week!

Anonymous said...

My heart sings for the smiles you were able to make and cries for the tears your eyes shed.
I am so happy for your daughter!
So glad this was able to be pulled off!
You all look beautiful!

Clare said...

This whole post made me so happy. You all look great. The rainbow took my breath away (again)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous!!!!!

Aimee said...

Oh my.... Beautiful family!! Gorgeous gals and handsome man all decked out!! So happy to hear you all had a blast, despite some tearful moments. It's what Jack is hoping for.... Peace, Love & Happiness ALWAYS. That rainbow breath taking and sure depicts a lot. :)

Alexandra said...

Oh, how wonderful.

Suzy said...

Was not expecting the rainbow at all. You get me every time. I love you!

Mrs. E said...

Chills! I imagine Jack loving every moment of Margaret's meeting with JB. In spite of everything you've been through-- you all look wonderful!

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

You looked just like a "celebrity Family"!!
I am over-joyed to read of the good works of other's. Thank you for sharing this with us.
And that rainbow? Took my breath away.....
xo, misha

Michelle Hughes said...

I don't know how to whistle in type, but you look incredible in that dress. I am so very happy that this was a little break, a little getaway for you guys.
xo

katydidnot said...

“Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break.” Shakespeare.

Your courage is remarkable. To both grieve and celebrate.

A remarkable woman and a remarkable mother.

Love to you and your family.

IrishEyes said...

You are very sweet to comment in your blog about the rainbow picture I sent you and the FB page created. It is my pleasure to help let you know anyway possible how many people care! The FB friends who followed our hope to get her to meet Justin are from people all around the world. Your story continues to touch so many....and so many love and wish many more rainbows for you! Love, Erin

Kristin said...

Thank you for updating us on the event. I marvel at your strength and the love you have for each other during this difficult time. You are being such excellent parents - both to your daughter and to the memory of your son. I'm so glad you had this exciting trip!

julia said...

Jack made it happen. Thanks for sharing the experience that you made us a part of from its inception. Just amazing.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I was staying strong and loving each moment of your adventure. You all looked fabulous, definitely LA style all the way. When I got to the final picture I just broke into the crocodile tears seeing the rainbow and the gift that could only come from someone special in Heaven. ((HUGS))

Pam Rawlinson said...

So very happy that Margaret was able to go to LA and meet Justin! A fantastic memory forever and ever...

Orangies Attic said...

I have just spent my entire afternoon reading your blog... my heart breaks for you but I am also so inspired by you and your beautiful family. So very happy your sweet girl got to meet the Beiber! Your kids remind me so much of my own... sweet, smart, handsome big brother and vivacious, full of life and love little sister who adore each other. I will continue to follow you and pray for all you...

Pseudo said...

Well, this made my week.

Michelle DeRusha said...

Another sign from Him for sure.

I pray every morning that He continues to give you new signs of hope every day.

Mama Mary said...

I love when such beauty can come from such darkness. My heart will be singing Justin Bieber songs for a long time, and the image of that rainbow will stay with me forever.

prenni5 said...

You all look red carpet GORGEOUS!!! Such a striking family! I am so glad God gave you this small reprieve of joy. You deserved it beyond words!!!
xoxo
Annie P.

Jules said...

What a delightful gift from the heavens. I LOVE these pictures. I love the LOVE!

xo
Jules

KG said...

Anna,

I have just finished reading through your archives and am just floored by you. I have laughed and cried at your stories and my heart is just broken at your loss of Jack. I have learned through experience that God is loving and trustworthy, and know in my heart that He is good, but still struggle with the question "Why God???" when reading your story.

After reading this post at work on Tuesday I was riding the metro home and saw the most beautiful rainbow right next to the Washington monument. It was the most glorious I had ever seen. Luckily someone else thought to take a photo and post it online - here is a link:

http://storify.com/capitalweather/heavenly-wonders-rainbows-sunsets-and-venus-and-mo

Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers.

-Karen

Anonymous said...

Anna, Tú y tu hija estais para que os follen a las dos juntas.

:)