Today is a happy day. It’s my third birthday. Or at least that’s what I am calling it because it marks the third time I’ve been given the gift of life. Let me explain a little.
I was born in the month of April.
My second birthday … on July 31st is the date of my first kidney transplant. I happily and humbly celebrated this day for almost twenty years. Nearly two decades that I was given because someone else… someone that I never met… made the choice to become an organ donor. It’s a day that I will continue to honor in their memory.
And I’m grateful to celebrate my third birthday for the first time today… June 14th … and it could not be any more special to me. Last year I needed to have another transplant and this time my mom gave me the gift of life… again. A year ago today we were both in surgery. One of my mom’s kidneys was removed and transplanted in me. Her love and complete unselfishness has given me another chance. My mom is amazing and I’m so thankful for her. I hope we celebrate this date for many years to come.
With that, I just want to say or shout – Yay and Happy 3rd Birthday…to me. My mom and I will be celebrating and of course we’ll be eating a big slice of this cake today. That’s what birthdays are for, right.
I love you mom!
And thank you guys too for being here. You and this blog are responsible for some of the best years of my life. I hope this little spot on the internet brings you happiness from time to time. As much happiness as you all have brought me with your kind words and support through it all.
Love,
Me and my mom’s kidney
Mother’s love is neverending. I am so happy for you!!
June 14th, 2011 was a wonderful day for you –
June 14th, 2011 was an horrible day for me: my mom went to heaven <3
But from today on, I know that June 14th has also "life" in it and I'll keep it in mind next year and will think of you, too.
All the best and thank you for sharing your life.
Where would we be without our mums huh? Your letter bought tears of joy and tears of sadness. The joy is for you and for your life ahead of you. The sadness is I lost both my parents not that long ago, and I miss them so much.
Happy happy happy birthday XXX
happy3rd birthday!!
Happy Third Birthday!!! This blog makes me happy too! Love it and wish you and your mom well!
Awesome!! I shared your story with Taylor’s Gift, a great organization promoting organ donation in the memory of their daughter.
Happy 3rd Birthday to you Bakerella. Your blog is a sweet inspriation to all of us. I want to thank your mom and all mom’s out there for the unconditional love they give to their children.Yay Happy Birthday to you. Hugs Paulette
Congrats! You are so special and talented. God bless you always!
Happy, Happy, Happy birthday from Italy! Felicissimo compleanno, ti auguro di festeggiare per tantissimi anni assieme alla tua meravigliosa mamma! La tua storia mi commuove ogni volta, siete davvero due persone speciali!
Big hugs,and kisses( grandi abbracci e baci),
Annalisa from Sardinia Italy
Happy Birthday!
You know what it is all about and have spent your years bringing us happiness! Thank you! May you always stay sweet and very very positive!
A huge celebration is definitely in order for both of you!!! Enjoy!!!!!!
Congratulations!. What a fine thing you have used your life for.. making everything sweet! There is nothing like the thought of having things taken away to motivate you ! Once again congratulations and happy birthday
Happy Birthday! I’d wish you many more to come, but you already have 3 seperate birthdays each year! :) Your Mum is amazing, but then again, aren’t they all? I was born with malformed kidneys myself, and if I hadn’t spent weeks lying my butt off when I was 5 in order to get out of going to bed, things would’ve got a lot worse and I would’ve needed a transplant. And my Mum made sure the entire world knows who would give her that life saving gift. :) Your Mum is lucky to have someone like you, and vice versa. And we’re pretty darn lucky as well. Happy Birthday!
Happy third birthday Angie! So happy for you!!! What a great day to celebrate, and what a beautiful cake to eat! The ruffles are gorgeous!!!! :)
What a beautiful reason to celebrate. Talk about a love story … your mom is pretty darned special and so are you. What a happy day it is! Here’s to many, many more.
happy birthday!!!
moms are just amazing
Happy 3rd Birthday!!!! I’m so glad you are around!
wow i can’t believe it’s been a year………………………happy bithday to you and your mum ……….and i hope you enjoyed that slice (or 2) of that yummy looking cake !!!!!
your blog puts a smile on my face every time i visit it……….now come visit melbourne australia….i have a spare room for you lol
What better reason to celebrate your life than with a delicious cake??? One of the many reasons I love to bake; there’s ALWAYS something worth celebrating!
Happy Birthday!!!
Very lucky, happy birthday bakerella.
Happy 3rd birthday to you! :)
Happy Birthday Angie!!! SO glad you were born again and again and again! You have made us all so happy!!! Hope you have many more!!
What a beautiful cake to celebrate with your mom! Continued health and happiness to you both!
Happy Another Birthday! You look a lot like your mom in that picture. : )
I wish you and your Mother happiness always. Thank-YOU for sharing the talents and creativity that God gave you with all of us!
You are such a strong person and so talented…thank you so much for sharing it and inspiring me to try something new! Happy birthday hope you have many more to come!!!!
You are such a strong person with wonderful talents and thank you so much for sharing it with all of us and inspiring me to try something new! Happy birthday I hope you have so many more to share with us!!!!!!
really?! wow time sure flies by quickly!
congratulations and many blessing to you and you whole family.
gladly expecting many more to come :D
Happy Birthday again and again! A mother’s love never ends!
whew, almost shed a tear on this one. happy birthday to you!
happy third birthday its very tough being in surgery and you going through all of that is so amazing that you are healthy you are my inspiration
Happy 3rd Birthday Angie! Love from Canada!
Happy 3rd Birthday!!! We are thrilled that you are here to inspire us daily. Congratulations! and lets make it another 50 or so!
Happy third Birthday.
You and your mum are so inspirational.
By the way, eat all the cake and enjoy it. It looks awesome.
Aimee from Australia.
Happy third Birstday.
Wel done, you mum and you are truly inspirational.
By the way, the cake looks awesome. Be sure to enjoy it today.
Awesome.
Thank you for sharing your story! Happy birthday!
Happy 3rd Birthday! Your blog makes me happy. So glad you’re feeling better.
Happy 3rd Birthday! You are truly special. God gave you this gift and obviously wants you to share it :) Reading your blog brings so much joy to my life…it’s litterally my bedtime routine. I lay in my bed, open my Kindle and there’s your blog. I can go to sleep peacefully after reading it :P I know…I’m an odd one lol
Happy Kidney Birthday!! I’ll have my 9th year transplant anniversary in August since my sister gave me a kidney!! Family and organ donors are SUCH a blessing!!! Congratulations on good health :)
Rebekah
Happy 3rd Birthday! Wishing you and your Mom the best as you celebrate this special day.
Happy 3rd Birthday!
Happy Birthday to you, and on Flag Day! Perfect cake with the banner flags on it too. I think it is great that you mention this as it also brings out the need for people to consider organ donations..It is not an easy discussion to have, but when you see the gift of life first hand, it may make it easier…Yah for your mom!! Your blog and art make me very happy to visit and learn from you and your smile is infectious!
Amazing! Happy 3rd birthday!
Happy Birthday to a special lady who makes many of my days sweet with all the things you share.
Congrats to you both for coming through it so wonderfully. Give her a big hug from all of us!
Happy third birthday! Love to you and your mom! <3
Yay!! Happy 3rd Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday and may you celebrate 100 more.
YAY is right!
The world is a MUCH sweeter place because of you, your mom and your mom’s wonderful kidney!
Happy Birthday, Angie :)
You are both very blessed – happy 3rd birthday!
HaPpY 3Rd BiRthDaY!
My mom and I just celebrated her “9th” birthday.. this time it was my kidney in her! Glad you are doing well.
Happy Birthday!!
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story! And for sharing your talents with the world! I so enjoy reading your blog!
Happy first third birthday! My second second birthday will be on July 5th. I got a call from my transplant coordinator on 4th of July. I call it “My” independence day. i had a kidney and pancreas transplant.
Happy, happy birthday!
All the best to you and “Happy 3rd Birthday”! It’s a pleasure to stop by here and see your cheerful and imaginative creations.
I must say that your post made me a lil bit teary eyed ;) Wishing you a fabulous, fun filled 3rd Birthday! You have given us all so much pleasure with your baking creativity, I just wanted to say Thanks!
Happy 3rd Birthday Wishes!!! ..to you and your Mom! So happy all is going great! Still lovin’ your awesome blog. p.s. love the pretty cake. :o)
Yay! Happy 3rd!
Yay for organs that can be shared and yay for you and this blog that DOES bring lots of happiness!
p.s. nice looking cake, did you make it?
Happy 3rd Birthday! What an awesome post!! I think of you often and know how blessed you are for having Sandy as your mom! Enjoy your celebration! Sending lots of love and hugs to you and your mom! Love ya!
Wishing you and your family all the best and many years of happiness! Happy 3rd Birthday!!!
You and my daughter share the same day… she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on this day last year….we had no idea what was wrong when she got sick and took her to an urgent care that couldn’t figure it out and told us to take her home and “watch her”, if she didn’t show any improvement take her in to her doctor – who was out til Tuesday (06/14/11). By the time we got my daughter into her doctor she was almost comatose and had to be carried in. I prayed that God would give us something that we could deal with and not have it be something fatal… on 06/14/11 God gave us T1 Diabetes, but he gifted us our daughter back.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! So happy to hear that you and your mom are doing well. Enjoy the beautiful cake!!
You are such a happy lady! I’m glad that we still are able to enjoy your adorable blogs! Thanks for being so inspiring!!
Any excuse for cake will do. But a 3rd birthday, to celebrate having another shot at life, with a little piece of your Momma with you forevers – heck, I say that calls for 2 slices! Enjoy.
Happy birthday! What a great way to celebrate and honor the people who love you! Thank you for sharing.
Happy birthday, sweet Angie! Lots of love for you all – you, your mom and your/her kidney!!!
Happy 3rd Birthday! You are such and inspiration!
So beautiful! Enjoy your celebration! Happy birthday!! Here’s to many more wonderfully sweet years :)
A very happy birthday indeed!
We have spent today celebrating my daughters 1st birthday and I know as a Mummy I would be the first to help her in any way possible… we raise a glass to you and your Mom. Thank you for all your inspiration! x
Yay, happy 3rd birthday. Your mom trully is the best.
Wish you nothing but the best!
I got tears! (Darn Breastfeeding hormones) Congratulations and happy third ‘birthday’! x
PS – Your mother is stunning in that old photo! :)
Wonderfull gift and a beautifull cake!
Happy 3rd Birthday from Poland :D
Happy birthday! What an amazing reason to celebrate (and cute cake too!)
Happy 3rd Birthday! I adore the ruffle cake. Will you be posting instructions on how to duplicate it? LOVE IT!
Happy Birthday! And I think I speak for the masses out there that are so happy you’re here with us to celebrate this great day!!
Happy 3rd girlie! I loved meeting you last year in SF and hearing your story. Your mom was just so sweet. I love that your mom will always be a part of you. Wishing you a special day. Go get a pedicure or put your feet up! ;) PS. What a lovely cake. XO
happy 3rd birthday to you!! enjoy the cake and celebration with your wonderful mom! :)
Happy 3rd birthday! The cake is beautiful but nothing could be as sweet as the sentiment and the love you and your mom share. Congratulations and may the future be amazingly bright for you and your mom.
Happy 3d birthday! Beautiful story and wonderful mom…
Happy Birthday and all the best to YOU and your mum. You are so inspiring! Thanks for your great blog.
Best wishes & Hugs from Munich
Happy Re-Birthday to you, your mum and your kidney :)
Love that you have such a love for life! Happy Birthday to you and your mom’s kidney! :)
What a great story! I hope you and your mom have a great day! P.S. I love the ribbon frosting on your cake. I have not even attempted to try that yet because it looks so intimidating.
Happy 3rd Birthday Bakerella!! We are glad to have you to sweeten our lives!!!
Wonderful Angie! Such a wonderful story between you and your mom. …..the cake simply fabulous! Miss you girl!!
Great post-Happy Kidney day! I am glad you are doing well. Last year was crazy!
I wish you and your mom a wonderful day of celebration! xoxoxoxo
You bring smiles and happiness to so many. Happy 3rd birthday and hugs for your Momma.
Happy 3rd birthday and congratulations! Glad you’ve been doing well. I love your site so much!
Happy Kidney-versary! I am a family member of someone very close to me who is awaiting her second liver transplant. She was recieved her first transplant 6 yrs ago, at age 25. Now she is married and has a little 2 yr old daughter. She has been waiting for quite a while for her 2nd donor. I am on the list to be a potential organ donor, and pray, not only for you and your mom today, but also for everyone to consider the gift of life. Congratulations to you on this special day!
Happy 3rd Birthday! Waiting for my 2nd kidney transplant now..first one lasted 18 yrs from my father! I know how incredible a gift it is!! Enjoy your special day!
Happy 3rd birthday to you, all the way from Portugal! You bring us happiness here too and I’ve already started on cake balls. As soon as I have enough time to breathe this summer I intend to make my nearly 3-year-old son as many cake pops as his heart mau desire! Thank you and your mom for giving us all so much!
Reading this brought a tear to my eye. This is one of the many reasons why I am an organ donor. Happy Birthday!
Happy third birthday! What a wonderful way to celebrate life!!!!
awwwww – beautiful cake for a beautiful 3rd birthday! moms are the best!
Just looking at that cake makes me happy! Cake is definately the perfect way to celebrate life and love.
Happy 3rd Birthday from Finland! <3
Absolutely L-O-V-E the cake, Stunning color!
How wonderful :) Happy 3 and many more.
Yes, you have much to celebrate!!! You do bring so much sweetness to the world!! Gorgeous cake and I’m so glad you are doing so well!
My best friend Jen just celebrated the 4 year Transplantiversary of her THIRD kidney transplant on Tuesday this week!
A big celebration of life for the both of you!! May your blessings continue.
Happy Birthday Bakerella!! I agree with Silvia, you are indeed an angel!! Isn’t the internet amazing, bringing people together, sharing our stories-inspiring and giving strength to each other even when we are in different parts of the world.
Greetings and much love from Cyprus in the meditterranean sea. I’ve been following your blog daily for two months now and wish you all the best for you and your mom.
Happiest of birthdays to you. You and your mom are truly inspirations to all of us readers.
Congrads! So glad you are doing well!
Happy Birthday indeed!!! LOVING your cake too!
Happy birthday number three! A friend of mine is going to be having a kidney transplant this coming fall, his mom is the donor. I’ll hopefully be making some of your kidney cake pops to help out the cause!
Truely unbelievable! Happy birthday to you!!
Happy Birthday! And LOVE the cake :)
so glad that kidney is still giving! go, mom!
Awesome that is great! My mom is also a recipient of a kidney donor! She will be celebrating 28 years this coming November 1! :)
Happy Happy Birthday to you! and your beautiful new kidney ;-)
I personally am very grateful for your health! Many many more!! xoxo
such a sweet story! and i loooove the cake!
Happy 3rd Birthday! May you have many years to celebrate with your Mom. :)
Proof Positive that there is NOTHING like a Mother’s Love!
So glad you are here to celebrate and share all your wonderful talents with those of us who aren’t so talented in that area! Have a BIG piece of that cake!
Happy kidneyversary! Wishing you and your kidney many many many lovely years together.
Stephanie – double lung transplant recipient in 2001 & 2003.
Happy happy birthday! I get so excited when I get to read about your sweet adventures in the kitchen every week!
That ribbon cake is gorgeous!! I wish I had those piping skills…
Happy 3rd Birthday! So glad we could all celebrate with you! And I love the color of the cake! I made a pink princess ruffle cake for my daughter’s 7th birthday…they are just so elegant!
Happy 3rd! and many many many more!!!!
Happy happy birthday! I am so glad you are alive. You make the world a better place.
Happy birthday and what a joyous thing to celebrate!!
A very happy third birthday to you!!!! Have a joyous celebration with your mom.
Happy Birthday from Poland! :)
You are an inspiration! My little one has PKD and he will likely need a transplant one day, so seeing that you do so well with yours give me hope!
Yay! Congratulations!!! Hope you have an amazing birthday! also we share one, I was born on July 31st… :D
Happy Birthday! Hope you have an amazing day w/ your mom!!
Wow, this story brought tears to my eyes. Happy 3rd Birthday!!!
Happy 3rd Kidney birthday to you!!! God bless your mother for her gift. My brother too has a transplanted kidney.
bendiciones, wow! usted es increible!
happy 3rd birthday to you and your mom’s kidney! enjoy your cake and you time with your mommy!
What a beautiful story! I am proud to share this (my biological birthday) with you! All the best to you and your amazing Mother! XOXO
What a wonderful reason to celebrate! And as a donor myself, it’s good to know that there are some folks out there that really appreciate their second (or even third!) blessing :))) Here’s to many, many more sweet years for you!!!
Happy Transplant-versary!!! Eat the WHOLE CAKE!! xoxo!!
As a Mom who was privileged to give her daughter a kidney six years ago, let me tell you that it was your Mom’s great pleasure to do that for you. There’s nothing more rewarding than to be able to be a part of your child’s healing.
Blessings and long health to both of you.
yaaaaay!! Have a beautiful day :)
Love the picture of you and your mom. Love the gorgeous cake. Love that the world is a sweeter place because of YOU!
WOW! HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY! I’m soo glad you got a second chance at life, you’ve honestly been such an inspiration to me. (:
Such a happy moment! congrats!
Omg this made me tear up to know there’s so many good hearted people out there. Happy birthday and thank you for all you do! You’re definitely an angel :)
So many hugs and well wishes sent your way, happy birthday indeed!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Sending lots of hugs and well wishes your way!
This chokes me up, Angie. Hugs to you and your dear sweet mom! Tell her I say hi and all the best to you. Congrats!!!
I am very happy for you and very thankful for your blog!! you rock!
Thank you for the year’s of positive happy thoughts. You’ll never know how much joy you’ve brought to your many fans. We revel in your success, and anxiously await news of your new adventures!
Awww that is the sweetest thing ever! And look at that adorable picture! You both look so happy, and you bring so much happiness into other people’s lives! I can’t even believe a few years ago we lived in a cake-pop-less world and today Cake Pops are everywhere! Plus, great job on the ruffle cake!
Happy Birthday!! Beautiful cake. You continue to be an inspiration to all of us.
Thank you!!!
Hoera!! ( that’s dutch for hurray) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! What a special day :)
Enjoy that big! piece of cake and you do have to tell how you made that cake because it looks GORGEOUS!!! xxxxx
HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY, BAKERELLA!!
;D ;D ;D
Happy 3rd birthday, Bakerella! Many, many happy returns. Your blog is soooo much more than a lovely site about delicious treats. I love reading it! I’m thrilled that you and your mom are doing well. You both are beautiful people!
Happy 3rd Birthday and what a special one it is! Eat a BIG piece of cake and enjoy it!
Happy birthday! I LOVE reading about you and your many adventures. Thank you for sharing your talent, your joy and your hardships with us. We are all praying and rooting for you and your wonderful mom every step of the way. Keep entertaining and inspiring us for a long, long time!!
Happy birthday!!! You´re an example of courage and love!
HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!!!!
Happy 3rd Birthday!! I’m happy that you and your mom are doing well. I received the gift of life from my sister 5 years ago on 2/27. God Bless!
A Very big day to celebrate!! Happy Birthday!!
A young man in our congregation just gave his kidney to his sister last week. They’re both home and doing well, and I’m sure they’re looking forward to next year when they can celebrate their birthday, too!
Happy day!
What a cool story! Happy Birthday! :)
Wow, I can’t believe a year has gone by so quickly. Congrats on that successful transplant and that you’re still going strong, you and your mom are absolute inspirations!
What a great post. Happy birthday!
I love your story! happy b-day!
GREAT reason to celebrate! Happy 3rd Birthday!!
This is so sweet!
Congratulations! It certainly is a day worth celebrating!
Happy 3rd Birthday to you! :)
You have such a wonderful story Bakerella. Happy third 1st birthday and here’s to many more to come!
Happy B-day! :D!
Happy third birthday!!!
Moms are the best allways ;)
Happy birthday!! So glad you’re feeling well, and hope today is the best day ever!
And thank you for all the wonderful, and inspiring ideas. This spot on the internet is certainly one of my favorites.
hooray! Happy birthday to you! The world is a little brighter with you and your blog (and your mom!) in it.
happy third birthday! thank you for sharing all these desserts! you are such an inspiration! have a great time celebrating with your mother!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have a wonderful day and remember diets don’t count on birthdays and holidays!
a very happy 3rd birthday…we love you much!!! and we love our moms too……….
Yay indeed!!!! Happy Birthday Bakerella!!! <3 We love you! And your Mom! Moms are the best!
Happy Day my dear bakerella! congrats to you and your beatiful mom, thank you so much for sharing all your desserts, God bless you…regards from Mexico… Feliz día!
Happy Birthday!
Your mom looks exactly the same.
(I met her at one of your book signings)
Happy Kidney Transplant Anniversarry. No, wait, that sounds wrong. Much better the way you said it. Congrats to you and your mom. :)
Happy Birthday! So happy you get to celebrate this special day! <3
Such a nice story!! Happy third life birthday!
Moms are great!! So glad you and your mom are better!
Happy birthday! :)
Your blog brings me a lot of joy.
I think it’s safe to say that your mom would do ANYTHING for you…I know I would do the same for my kids. Happy birthday to you!!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Bakerella, Happy Birthday to you! Tthank you for sharing your personal journey with us, you are truly an inspiration! God bless you and your mom. Now, let’s have cake :)
Signed, a two year birthday celebrater and cancer survivor!
Yahoo!!! Happy day, happy day!!! THANK YOU for all your wonderful posts and creative goodness and give your mama a hug from all of us too!
Wow, you’re amazing!
Such positive vibes! HAPPY BDAY to you and enjoy the fabolous cake!
Happy birthday to you and your kidney! Have a wonderful time celebrating with your mother.
So happy that you are doing well! Happy, healthy birthday!
wow, it’s hard to believe it’s been a year since your surgery!! i’m so glad both of you are doing well. have super fun today! that cake looks amazing, btw – what flavor is it?
Happy 3rd birthday…thank you for sharing a lovely story.
We’re happy to help you and your mom celebrate!!!
Happy 3rd Birthday!!!! As a mother myself I understand the need to want to protect your child no matter the cost. I’ve heard before that the have a child of your own is to have your heart walk among strangers. Your mother is truly an amazing person! And from following your blog for some time now I believe you are amazing as well. You and your mother are truly blessed. May God continue to watch over you. Thanks for continuing to share your story and awareness of donating organs.
I love this story. Happy birthday!! :)
happy birthday!! it’s clear to everyone who visits your blog that you strive to live life beautifully, with as much joy as possible and try your best to spread that joy. your blog is always a bright and happy place. i wish you a bright and happy day!
Happy Birthday!! Such a good reason to celebrate. Enjoy your day. God Bless:)
Happy 3rd “birth’day. So glad that you have been fortunate enough in life to be granted those! Thank-you for all the fun ideas you bring to share & for the chance at making my own memories from those ideas!!
Happy third birthday!
Indeed a very good reason to celebrate and to to celebrate the years to come.
It doesn’t seem like a year already since you were posting about your mom and you! Hope you have a great day! And enjoy the cake!
That is certainly a reason to celebrate!!! Happy BIRTHDAY!!
Very happy 3rd birthday to you! I hope your story inspires others to sign up to be organ donors and potentially give the gift of life to someone in need. Loveee the aqua cake!!
happy birthday!!!!! I know that I would do anything for my child, and that is what your mom did, how wonderful!