Normal

I can't even begin to put 2013 into words.

I'm not sure why that is, because technically, nothing crazy happened. It wasn't the year I got married. I didn't birth any babies. No cross-country trips. No first contract.

But it was such a good year. I feel like maybe, just maybe, 2013 was the year I grew up. If you read my last post, you'll kind of see what I mean there.

As today ends and darkness falls in a few hours, bringing with it a new year, a new start, fresh calendar pages to fill, I'm excited.

Because maybe 2014 will be an extraordinary year.

Or maybe it'll just be normal.

And either is okay with me.

Note To Self: Being a Grownup

When does it finally hit you? The fact that you're a "grown-up" now (although according to Gilmore Girls, "grown-ups" don't use the word "grown-ups"). The fact that you're really, truly an adult.

Not old, mind you, despite my sister's accusations yesterday that I shop at a store that's too "old" for her. (And seriously, is Loft too old for anyone???) If she's reading this--please note, my darling sister, that in four years you'll be the age I am now. Every. Single. Year. So be careful. =)

Back to my subject. Seriously, when does grown-up-hood feel real?

I know I'm an adult. I have a toddler playing in one room and a baby sleeping down the hall. Wait. That's not right. My mind is stuck in last year, apparently. I have a preschooler playing in one room and a toddler sleeping down the hall.

Time sneaks by quickly, whether you're watching for it or not.

I was about to go outside today to watch my son play when he got distracted and ran off to his room to play with trains. My mind had already started working on this subject, fueled by too many rainy, contemplative days lately, and by the smell of the coffee I just brewed.

I keep thinking about what it means to be a grown up. Here's the best I've got so far.


Being a grown up means:

1. Realizing that if anyone in your house is sick, YOU are the one who has the clean it and sanitize it from top to bottom. Sad truth? There is no cleaning fairy. Unless you can hire one. In which case, hire one for me too, okay?

2. It's understanding that the life you kept waiting for, hoping it would "start" soon, has already started. And listen to this, friends, because I know we are all in different places in life. IT HAS STARTED NOW. It has started if you're married. If you're single. If you have kids or not. If you have the job you want or not. THIS is life, right here, right now, this moment that you're wondering what to do with. The moment you may be wishing away. Being a grown-up is realizing this is true and doing something with it.

3. If you have a bad attitude, you need to adjust it yourself. Parents were handy for this when we lived with them. Now it's up to you. And Jesus. And coffee.

4. That if you get behind in something, you have to clean up your mess. This goes for dirty dishes, laundry, or anything else more or less serious. I'm not talking about not letting people help you. If someone offers to bail you out in any of these situations, TAKE the offer. But if not, don't whine about it. Just clean it up. You're an adult now. Being messy isn't cute for an adult like it is for a kid.

5. Wanting friends just as much as you did in high school. That feeling of being a new kid in a room full of people when you need a seat at a social gathering will never go away. Unless you're an extrovert or a perpetual popular kid, and if you are then...I have nothing to say to you. ;) Just kidding. We can still be friends. =)

6. It means taking your relationship with Jesus seriously, for yourself and others. For you, because it matters. For others, because they're watching. And they don't know your heart--your actions are how they'll determine how much this matters to you. As a mom, sometimes this encourages me and I think I'm doing it right. Sometimes it scares me to pieces and I want to fix it.

7. Focusing on someone other than yourself. Invest in relationships. Pray for other people.

8. Taking care of yourself. There's a lot of glory in playing the martyr and running yourself ragged while caring for others. Moms are bad about this. But seriously? It's selfish to think of yourself so highly that you think you don't need this. You do. Don't go out and spend money you don't have on a pedicure or a week at the spa but do SOMETHING to take care of yourself. Have some coffee. Take a nap. Watch a movie. Rest. Relax. Be still and know that HE is God. (Which means being still and knowing that HE is in control. Read: YOU are not in control. Me neither. Letting that sink in...)

9. Means realizing that all the grown-ups you've looked up to for your entire life probably didn't "feel" like adults for a lot of that time either. This includes your parents. Weird, huh?

10. I feel like I don't have a #10 yet. So I think that's #10. Realize there are things you don't know. There are things you're still learning. Be okay with that. Keep learning them.

Anything to add?

I'm off to drink more coffee, play with some trains, and keep pondering. Or maybe stop pondering. That may be enough for one day. =)

Roosevelt Lied.

Wasn't it Roosevelt who said "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"?

Yeah, you know what?

He lied.

I realized that tonight, or probably more accurately, God showed me tonight that. It. Is. A. Lie.

Why would we fear fear?  God says in the Bible that "perfect love casts out fear" and I don't see any specifications there that tells us fearing anything (even fear) is okay.

I get it, probably this was just a nice sounding line for a speech and I'm reading too much into it. But it's been quoted so many times I feel like it's stuck in my brain and maybe it's stuck in yours too.

But God doesn't want us to fear. Perfect love, HIS perfect love "casts out fear."

All of it. Whatever you're afraid of.

Including fear itself.

Dorky Confession of the Day

I love the trees on the edges of this blog so much (um, they ARE showing up on everyone else's screen, right? Before I gush and look like even MORE of a dork?) that I keep coming here just to look at it...

I think even though it's simple compared to others (Would the person who designed the Pioneer Woman's website like to do one for me, pro bono...? I'll pay you in peanut brittle, the one candy I can make...) I like it. It makes me happy.

So do these things:

1. My kids.

2. Seeing old friends. (Not that we're old...)

3. Drinking coffee.

4. Being outside.

5. Shopping.

And I get to do all of them today!

Assuming I go dry my hair now so I can leave the house...

What's everyone else up to today?

I'm Cured!

Okay, so I totally figured out what was causing my lack of desire to blog. Are you ready? It's my learning style.

I'm a kinesthetic learner. I learn by doing and my environment really affects me. Back in the old days (haha, a few years ago...) when I was teaching, I had to have my classroom set up and decorated before I could even think about lesson plans. Backwards? Maybe to some people. But to me, it made sense.

Enter this blog.

And technology.

Ahhhh, technology.

I'm a relatively creative person. I mean, I'm a writer, okay? Isn't creativity pretty much required? But I've never been good at designing blogs or making them pretty. My Xanga (haha, remember THOSE?) colors never matched as well as anyone elses. Sure, I've thought about overhauling this blog. I even tried once, to make it reflect my personality better. Or what I was writing. Or something.

And I didn't like it. It looked like someone who doesn't get how to make a blog was doing it. (The shock.)

So tonight on a writer's group I'm part of on facebook, someone else had posted a lot of questions and comments about how to make her blog better. And what can I say? I got inspired.

So here it is, my new(est) blog layout. What do you think?

Sadly, that's all the insight I have for tonight. I have some kind of serious thoughts brewing on a bunch of faith/life related issues. Community. Discipleship. Rest.

Deep stuff. Too deep for almost midnight, so stay tuned, okay?

I Love Being Wrong!

Haha, okay, that's about 1000% un-true. But I was wrong about my book's release date and THAT I am happy to be wrong about.

Treasure Point Secrets (yes, we have an official title!) will be out in MAY. Not June. MAY. Ahhhhh!

I'm lacking focus lately, which is why I haven't been blogging much these days. I am on Scribble Chicks every Friday, and have been having a fabulous time with that. Come visit there!

I'm hoping to work out some kind of blogging schedule. But I'm also hoping to have a menu schedule and tonight for dinner so far I've had...nothing. So you see how good I am at that. =)

Yeah...About That

So this writing thing is full of learning experiences right?

Haha. Yeah.

Turns out my title isn't final yet, so I'm saving that news until I'm sure it IS final. But...drumroll please...

It's set to release (whatever it's called!) in June of 2014. So it's becoming more and more real! Honestly I feel like people keep expecting me to be frustrated that it's taking a little longer than planned, but you know what? Publishing is just like the rest of life. Sometimes it doesn't go as expected. But there's nothing you can do, so you may as well just go with it. That's what I'm doing here. And surprisingly, just knowing it is. really. happening. is making the wait for this one worth it, to me.

I'm hoping it's worth it to you too and that when my thus-far-nameless-book does come out that you'll read it!

So I was thinking this morning about blogging, and my pathetic lack thereof, and I think I'm going to do it like I did my meal plan the other night. I think I'm going to give every day that I plan to blog a different "theme" if you will. Different compartments of my life. I still need to talk about my kids, okay? I'm a mom; it's my perogative. If you don't want to hear about how adorable they are, how much they teach me, then...uh...don't read this? (Wait! I didn't mean it! Come back and read it anyway!). But at the same time I want to spend more focused time talking about my writing too, just because I like sharing with you.

It seems like what I'm learning in different areas of life is my unofficial focus here. Which I guess it okay, right?

Just smile and nod, okay?

Anyway, ideas for things you'd like to read about? My super-interesting meal planning brainstorm? My favorite way to plot a novel? The weird quirks that have to be just right before I can write anything?

Off to drink my coffee before it gets cold again. I've already reheated it twice...busy morning. =)

Of course, this is my second pot...Haha.

Coming Soon!

Lots of exciting changes. =)

At least, they're exciting to me.

I'm playing around with the format of the blog, trying to add pictures and become moderately website literate. Wish me luck with that.

For right now I have to go. I'm in the middle of edits for my first Love Inspired Suspense novel, which has BOTH a tentative name and release date now. I'll share those with you once I get some work done for the day. ;)

Thanks for reading and being on this journey with me!

Learning So Much

It's amazing how much I've been learning lately. I love my life as a stay-at-home-mom, but seriously, who would have guessed there was this much to learn among laundry to fold, hungry kids, and the never-ending (okay, it ends sometimes) soundtrack of Thomas the train movies in the background?

I'm learning that consistency is important.

I'm learning that GRACE is an essential part of every relationship.

I'm learning that people have different dreams, some people are looking for a dream, and that dreams change.

I'm learning to love where I am in life (figuratively and literally).

I'm learning how much God cares about every detail in our life. Important or silly.

I'm learning the difference between 'need' and 'want.'

I'm learning what a privilege it is to have been given two boys to raise into godly men.

I'm learning that writing is something I enjoy more the longer I do it. Who can say that about their job?

I'm learning that regular exercise really is worth it. But that being healthy doesn't have to mean swearing off ice cream for good.

I'm learning that having coffee twice a day increases my productivity level times a billion.

I'm learning that stress does nothing but rob you of moments in life you won't get back.

I'm learning that there's a balance between routine and flexibility that needs to be found.

I'm leaning when to make myself be productive and when to relax on the couch with a book.


What are you learning these days?

Also, I posted some writing quotes on Scribblechicks today, so hop on over there if you need writing encouragement. =)

Incredible Story--Victim of Grace

Robin Jones Gunn has taken her story and the stories of women in the Bible and woven them together in Victim of Grace, a book that gently reminds all of us that God lavishes His grace on us, whether we see it at the time, whether we ask for it, whether we deserve it, or not. It's a beautifully written, honest account of the hard parts in life, the parts so many of us try to keep to ourselves, to brush over and pretend they don't hurt us. Or the parts we use to define us, giving everyone around us too much detail about our struggles, allowing them to define as. As Robin shares her story with us, gently, heart-to-heart, like it was done over a cup of tea, she strikes a perfect balance between the two and is honest without making the struggles the focus of the story. Because the struggles, of course, are not the part we're supposed to focus on.

The element that is supposed to capture our attention is grace. God's grace that rises in our lives like sunshine rising out of the fog, illuminating the grey mist into something beautiful.

This book is part Bible study, part devotional, part auto-biography. I can't think of a woman I know who couldn't benefit from some part of this book. Infused with the Truth of Scripture, and written by a woman whose God-given artistry with words always leaves me a little speechless, this book is a story women need to hear.

Trying to Tell me Something...?

So on my Facebook today, I've seen 3 posts from people linking up to different blogs and articles about the Sabbath and the importance of rest.

Um, coincidence?

My favorite was this one , written my a friend of mine. I'm pretty sure I need to change things in response to it, really in response to the Scriptures it references. But I have no idea how.

How do you rest?

Hands Free

Have y'all heard about the Hands Free Mama?

Look up her blog (I would link to it here, but, um, I'm sleepy) if you're a mom. I read a few posts tonight and LOVED it. Maybe I'll even recover from my list-making habits?

Thoughts about Teachers...

I haven't said anything because it almost feels like tragedy, especially when it's widespread, especially when it's as heartbreaking as some of those our country has experienced lately, shouldn't be spoken of other than to say "we're sorry."

I don't like it when people use tragedies for agendas. And I hope and pray this doesn't come across that way. I'm completely agenda-less here. But I want people to realize something.

Teachers care about their students.

A few months ago, a teacher died for her students, literally laid down her life so that they could live, the very thing Jesus tells us is the greatest love anyone can have, in the Sandy Hook shootings. I cried when I saw her picture. I cried because she was so young. Because she did the right thing.

Because I could so easily have been in her shoes.

Anyone who has been a teacher has probably been forced, at one point or another, to consider the 'what-ifs'. To think through all of the unthinkable threats that could face their students and to wonder, to plan, what they would do. And for all of the mistrust of teachers these days, all of the assumptions that they're 'in it for the money' (haha!), almost every teacher I've ever met I believe eventually came to the same conclusion.

Teachers are responsible for their students. Sure, on paper, maybe their contract says they're responsible for the students' learning. But in their hearts, they feel responsible for their safety. For their lives. When I became a teacher, I knew that whatever happened, my number one goal was going to be to keep my students safe. And I'm not heroic by nature. It's just the way I knew it would have to be.

This Moore, Oklahoma tornado has brought more brave teachers to the forefront of public attention. And I believe they ARE heroes. For sure.

But you know what? I'm not surprised.

The idea that a teacher would lay her body on top of her students and pray that they'd be spared from the fury of an F-5 tornado? It seems completely natural. You know why?

Teachers. Love. Their. Students.

Let's honor these teachers for the heroes they are. Let's tell them thank you, let them know that we're watching and that they did the right thing. But as a nation, could we take this to heart? Maybe see that for each of these teachers who does have the occasion to prove that they'd lay down their lives for their students, there are hundreds--thousands more who (thankfully) will never be given the opportunity to prove such a thing, but who feel it in their hearts? Parents, can you know that almost every teacher your child has truly does care about him and they make the decisions they make in the classroom because it's what's best for your child? Can you acknowledge that we're on the same team?

Teachers everywhere--thank you. Thanks for your love, that covers a multitude of talking without permission, not-turned-in homework, episodes of plagiarism, and misbehavior. Thanks for caring about the people these kids are.

Teachers in Oklahoma--thank you. Your love for these kids has shown them and has shown a nation what love really is. I pray for you in your recovery from this tornado, and thank you for the testament you are to a whole profession of people whose immense love for kids sometimes goes unnoticed.

Progress!

Y'all, do you ever feel like you just can't quiiiite get it together? Like if you just had one more thing, one more organizational tool, one more calendar, one more hand, one more sip of coffee, you could be one of those people who doesn't constantly look like you're about to lose it?

Okay, yeah, maybe it's just me.

So I've been working a lot on priorities lately. Here are some of the things I've been working on this week.

1. Time with God. I know I want this to be a bigger part of my life, not out of obligation, but because I really do want to be walking with Him.

2. Time with my boys. The little ones and the big handsome one. Because they're my family. And time with my other family, like my parents and sister too. And friends. Basically, relationships are important.

3. Writing. It's my dream, and it really is coming true, so how could I not invest in it?

4. Housework. And not just making sure I can check off an impressive list of what I get done in a day (although, haha, you wouldn't be all that impressed...). What I'm working on here is doing things AS. I. GO. and putting things away RIGHT AWAY and taking care of little jobs immediately so they don't pile up.

So far for the day I'm doing pretty good! But #3 is calling, so this is short. I just wanted to pop in and say hi since I never wrote that post I promised (time is flying so fast!!!!) and I miss talking to y'all!

Hopefully more soon!

Happy Friday!

Visit me today at Scribble Chicks!

And for y'all who just came from there and popped over here to see if there were any new posts--I'll have one up for you tomorrow! =)

Happy May 1st!

So my family members and I have a habit of texting or calling each other every time it's a new month and being the first to say "Happy (Whatever-month-it-is) First!"

My sister got me today. I got a Happy May 1st text this morning, before I'd even have coffee. Watch out, Sissy. June is mine. ;)

I'm excited that it's May because that means summer's coming and I'm excited because it means Talon, the next book in Ronie Kendig's A Breed Apart Series, is officially out today!

Seriously, y'all. If you like romantic suspense and you haven't discovered this author yet, you're completely missing out.

Aspen Courtland, the heroine of the book, is someone readers of the first book in the series have already met. To be honest, while I liked her fine in Book 1, I was surprised my how much I utterly adored her character in this book. She's got depth, spunk, plenty of temper, and a romantic heart. What's not the like there? Seeing her spar (verbally and physically) with the hero was great and I loved the chemistry between the two of them. Sparks were practically flying off the pages of the book, I'm telling you.

The suspense in this book is excellent. The pacing is just right and I never felt like the more romantic scenes were rushed, but there was plenty of rapid machine gun fire and plenty of explosions to keep my heart pounding and keep me reading way (too) late into the night. The plot was complex and kept me guessing and trying to figure out how everything tied together.

Ronie Kendig, who I just started reading a couple of years ago when I read Digitalis (book 2 in an incredible series--read book 1 first!), is quickly becoming one of my top five favorite Christian fiction authors of all time. I loved her first series, and the main thought it my mind when I finished Talon a couple days ago was that she just keeps getting better.

The only bad news? I have to wait until next year for Book 3. But it'll be worth it. Check this one out, you'll be glad you did--even if it keeps you awake half the night like it did for me. =)








***I forgot that I'm supposed to tell you I received a complimentary copy of this book. I wasn't, however, required to post a review at all, and would never tell you a book was awesome if it wasn't. This one was. Trust me.***

A Beautiful Day!

It's gorgeous here today. If you live in the middle of the country, or wherever the severe weather is today, I'm sorry for you, really, but I'm SO glad it's not here. We had enough icky days a few weeks ago and I'm 100% in favor of the sun shining like it is today.

The only problem is that it's hard to get things done!

Here's what I'm pondering doing during naptime.

1. Laundry. The never-quite-conquered beast that lives in piles all over my house. Maybe it's really the laundry's house and it's just letting me live here...scary thought.

2. Write. Always good. But I already did this earlier. So, technically, it would be good, but probably there are other things that should be a higher priority today.

3. Laundry.

4. Read. Because if writing is my 'job', then reading is like research, so I'm really working, right?

5. Lay in the sun. Except it's not good for your skin and I'm getting old enough to care about such things (traumatizing thought of the day...)

6. Laundry.

I'm seeing a common theme appearing over and over in my list. I'm thinking it's going to be laundry.

Tune in later this week for a post that may pertain to your life at all. Today, blogger was my list-maker to help me get OFF this computer and DO something.

Thanks y'all. You may now return to your regularly scheduled internet surfing. Or go do your own laundry. Whichever. ;)

So Glad for Sunday

This is written after Easter. I got caught up in the day, in celebrating the fact that Jesus really IS alive, that I forgot to post.

I also forgot to dye eggs. And hide eggs.

But you know what? I love all that stuff. But this year, it was about staying focused.

It was about driving to the Easter Sunrise service at my little church, two kids miraculously in the car before 6:40am, and watching the sunrise. It was about watching the day dawn and thinking to myself that 2,000 years ago, creation awoke the same way, with the Resurrection having just become a reality.

As I drove, I wondered how God viewed that morning. Did He rub His hands in silent anticipation as He saw the disciples awake, still depressed and confused about their Rabbi's death? Did He smile and say "Just wait...Wait and see..."?

I don't know. But I know He was eager for people to see, to understand, how He was writing Redemption's story as Jesus conquered death and defeated Satan for all time.

Did you hear that? For. All. Time.

The Resurrection is real. Jesus is alive.

How does that change you?

We Weren't Worth It

Today is Good Friday.

Such an odd, but appropriate name for this day, the one that marks 2,000 years since the Son of God was brutally beaten and executed for no crime he'd ever committed. He was falsely accused, several legal proceedings were done incorrectly in an attempt by the religious and political leaders of the day to silence Him by putting Him to death as soon as possible.

This is the God who holds the world together, down to the smallest molecule. He was doing so while He was accused. While He was beaten. While He was mocked.

He could have stopped it at any time, but He didn't. Because He was obedient to the plan God has, because He loved you.

2,000 years ago Jesus hung between two thieves who were being punished for their sins. But He hadn't done anything worthy of punishment. YOU had.

If today doesn't move you, if you don't care, if you don't believe it has any significance, I'm pleading with you, please read the story. If you disagree still, if you find you 'can't' believe (though believe me, friend, if you WANT to believe, God will give you the faith you need), then that's fine. But I'm asking you to try. Mark, chapters 15 and 16, detail the story I think you should read again. Don't come at it with any preconceived notions, okay? Just read it. Think about it. 

And realize how little sense it makes.

My husband was preaching the other day on a parable (a story that has a lesson) that Jesus told. In it, the owner of a vineyard was trying to collect the profits and he kept sending servants and they kept getting beaten or killed. Finally, he sent his son, the only one he had.

And they killed him too.

I admit it. I got a little irritated (are pastor's wives even allowed to be irritated in church?) as I thought about this story. Seriously? The man sent random servants and they were killed. Yet he sent his son? To collect something of such little value as a portion of the profits of a vineyard? That wasn't worth the life of his son, not at all. As I sat there in my seat, thinking of how little sense it made, I felt like I'd been slapped.

God, the one who created the universe, sent His only son for us. Because He loves us and wants us back. Because He knew that the wrong we had done could only be atoned for by Jesus, a perfect sacrifice, dying in our place.

Logically speaking, we weren't worth it.

But God's logic isn't like ours. And to Him, we were more than worth it. 

If you're already a Christian, soak this in this Easter weekend. Remind yourself how unworthy you are of His grace, and of the fact that you've received it anyway.

If you're not a Christian, know this. I believe that Jesus' death provides a way of salvation for anyone who wants it. All mankind who acknowledge that He is the only way to Heaven. BUT I think if God had known that YOU were the only one who would accept that gift, the only reason for which His beloved Son would die? I believe He would have given Him for you anyway.

Wow.

Think about that this weekend. Let your mind try to wrap itself around the incomprehensible love of God. More to come Sunday.

Why I'm Not Boycotting Starbucks

And believe it or not, it has nothing to do with the fact that I love the taste of their coffee.

There are three things that are bothering me about this latest hate-on-Starbucks campaign. Here they are.

First, I don’t see what boycotting Starbucks is accomplishing. Yes, they’re pretty pro-gay marriage. I’m not. And if you’re a boycotter, I’m guessing you’re not either.  Let me make sure you understand where I’m coming from to start with.  I believe in marriage as I believe God defined it in the beginning. One man and one woman. I support that with my whole heart and will support that in public forums as it seems appropriate to do so. BUT if you’re a boycotting Christian, is this stance really the one you want a lost world to notice you making? Because the message they’re receiving is not that you care about your convictions. The message they see is that this issue is so above-all-else-important to you that you hate those who disagree with you. You want their businesses to suffer for the fact that they disagree.

And while I don’t think it’s what you mean, people who agree with Starbucks’ stance may think you hate them to. And that you think God hates them.

You don’t. At least, I hope not. He certainly doesn’t. So why would you risk sending that message?

Second, what is refusing to drink their coffee accomplishing? You’re trying to lessen their profits, right? It’s a “we’ll show them!” mentality. How is that appropriate as a Christian?

If you genuinely have a conviction against giving them your money when they support causes you disagree with, that’s fine. But please, be consistent and boycott Every. Single. Company. whose values are not in line with yours. Research them all. If you want to do that, by all means. That’s truly your choice and if that’s what you need to do, feel free. But don’t tell me it’s not okay to drink Starbucks and then turn around and support another company who’s less public in the causes they support that you disagree with, but that supports them nonetheless.

Third, as far as I can tell, the not-so-cutesy little photos going around facebook telling you to stop going to Starbucks are nothing more than gossip. Did you research that photo before you shared it? Or did you just think about the 85 likes you were going to get from fellow Starbucks-hating friends and not bother to fact check? According to my research, the CEO of Starbucks said something in the context of a meeting that made perfect sense. Someone pointed out that revenue dropped when they supported gay marriage. The CEO said if you don’t like it, feel free to invest somewhere else.

End of story. Anti-climactic, right? Nowhere did he say that if you’re anti-gay marriage, he doesn’t want your business. Isn’t that what the picture you’re sharing says? Turns out maybe that picture is a bit of self-righteous “telephone-telephone” gone wrong.

Think before you jump on the next bandwagon. That’s all I’m asking. Think, and pray.

Not Forgotten!

I haven't forgotten part two of my list.

Honest.

I haven't.

But my eyelids are sticking to my eyes and I feel like that's a bad sign, so I'm going to get offline and go to sleep. Hopefully more tomorrow...?

Learning List

Hey y'all! I have another post up at Scribble Chicks today--check it out! =)

Also, I wanted to jump on here and say that I've been learning a ton lately. Because this is one of those times I'm pretty sure I would completely ramble if I tried to explain them all in detail, I'll go for a list and maybe explain more later.

Besides, I have a french press full of coffee next to me that says I'm actually supposed to be working on my next novel, NOT blogging. But the blog called to me. So what can you do?

Things I'm Learning:

1. If you want friends, you have to be one. That takes effort. Especially if you're an introvert. (Have you seen all the introvert comics going around facebook? yeah...)

2. If you take the time to invest in people and really listen to them and care about them, they like that and will be your friend. Yes. This is lots like number 1. I'm learning this a lot.

3. It really IS true that we all have 24 hours and choose what to do with them. My house isn't as clean as I'd like, BUT it's cleaner consistently than it has been since forever and that's because I finally decided it matters to me. You have time. Make sure you're doing what matters to you in that time.

4. Style is personal. And you can just get a FEELING something is awesome and it will be stylish because you like it. Trust what you love. I bought some amazing-beyond-all-reason boots yesterday. The kind where I'm planning my outfit for the next time I go out around what I can wear with those boots.

5. Time with God doesn't have to be long for it to be meaningful. Talk to Him as you, as you live life. And spend time reading your Bible too, or long amounts of time praying alone if you can and want to. But don't set time limits.


There are more. Look for part 2 sometime this weekend. As for now, I really have to go back to my work in progress or my coffee (aka 'writing juice') will get cold. I'm not sure if there's possible symbolism there or not, but who wants to take that chance?

If you want more, remember to check out the other blog post for today!

Books.

I love them. Books, that is.

This week I've been rekindling my love for reading. Not that it had un-kindled per se, but I confess...it had just gotten too easy to turn the TV on. And a loud TV is not conducive to reading.

So the other day when hubby commented that I don't seem to be reading as much lately, I decided I had to fix that.

This week I re-read The Princess by Lori Wick. Old, but good. I'm currently reading Key Witness by Christy Barritt. I'm planning to review that one when I'm done, so stay tuned!

In news about my books (okay, manuscripts, technically, since nothing's in book form YET...) I'm working on my next romantic suspense story that I plan to submit to Love Inspired, who is publishing my first romantic suspense later this year. This one is set in Alaska and I'm loving writing it. Not just because I love the setting. These characters are cracking me up too. I love the chemistry between them and the fact that it's not just all romance-lovey, but there's some teasing thrown in there.

My hubby and I worry about couples who are just gushy and never make fun of each other. Let's face it. When you know and love someone that much, there's lots to make fun of. Nicely. In love.

I have no backup for this, other than the fact that it works for us. So there you go. Take it or leave it. This isn't a marriage blog. ;)

Anyway, I'm loving the new story I'm writing and I'm really enjoying using Scrivener, an awesome writing program you can check out a free trial of at literatureandlatte.com

Totally not paid to say that by the way. Though I wish when my trial expired they'd give me a free copy of Scrivener. ;) At $45, it's worth it, though.

Speaking of other blogs. What are you favorites to read?

Exciting News!

The lovely ladies at Scribble Chicks have invited me to join them! I'll be chiming in on Fridays with things I've learned (so far) about writing. I'd love for you to join me there and check out the posts on the other days too--it's a blog I've loved to read for a while so I have a feeling you'd love it too.

Stuff on my Mind

I've been working on a lot in my mind lately. Actual that statement is truer than I realized. Even as I was typing it I'm thinking to myself that I HAVE been working on a lot in my mind. Stories that I want to submit. How I should best be potty training my two year old. Whether I should watch Gilmore Girls during naptime or do laundry.

Important stuff.

But not as important as what else I've had on my mind lately.

Here's my question. How does your faith change your life? (Actually, let me have a couple more questions) To what degree is there separation between what's 'spiritual' and what isn't?

I've been trying to make my whole life more...whole. Not separating vacuuming and prayer time. Turns out they go very well together.

But especially in my friendships, I'm not sure where the line is. Are we supposed to have friends that we talk about our relationships with God with and friends that we don't, ever? I don't think so. I think we're supposed to talk about things like that will all of our friends.

Here's my next question. How do you make that natural? I know our conversations are an overflow of our hearts, so deepening our own relationships with Christ is first. But if you have a friend you haven't had these talks with and you want to, how do you go about doing that?

Maybe you're asking these questions too. I wish I could answer them for you and help you. Instead I'll just keep working through this in my mind. Feel free to chime in with help. I'll let you know if I figure it out.

Thanks for listening.

PS. Exciting blog news coming Friday!

New Look

I'm thinking after however many years of having this same background, it's time for something new. So look for a new background coming...sometime this week.

The problem is (well, this isn't really a problem, it's actually a HUGE dream come true and exciting news all rolled into one!) I have a book contract! And since this is the only website I have, anyone who reads those 'Dear Reader' letters in the back of the book and decides to visit my site will land here. Which is great. And awesome. And I'm looking forward to it.

But for some reason I feel like girly purple with bows on the background doesn't exactly say "I write romantic suspense."

At the same time...is there a blogger background that says that? Besides, you know, like crime scene tape?

(As I pause and decide that's not such a terrible idea...)

I'm starting to ramble, here, so I'll spare you. All of this to say two things.

1. I need a new look. On my blog. Although if my hair would hurry up and grow out so I could try new things with it too, that would be okay with me.

2. I seriously am blogging more this year. That's 3 posts in January, folks. Three. Count 'em.

2a. If you leave me some comments, I'll blog more... ;)

2b. Okay. Back to rambling. More later this week...

The Trouble With Cowboys Review

            Anytime I’m in the mood for a romance, Denise Hunter is one of my first picks. Her characters always have unbelievable chemistry between them, as well as believable obstacles keeping them apart, and The Trouble with Cowboys, the third in the Big Sky Romance series, is no exception. The book follows Annie Wilkerson and Dylan Taylor, both of whom readers of either of the first two books in the series will recognize. Annie has a problem—to attract more readers, she needs to change the column she writes for extra money into an advice column for lovelorn readers. The only problem is that she knows nothing about love or romance. Dylan needs help with his ailing horse and Annie is the best horse trainer there is so they decide that Annie will help him with his horse in exchange for help with her column.

            Dylan is attracted to Annie but she rebuffs him at every turn. Though she hates to admit it, she’s attracted to him as well, but a cowboy is the last kind of man she’d willingly fall in love with. Dylan works throughout the story to prove to her that her assumptions about all cowboys aren’t necessarily true and acts gallantly in several situations where a lesser man might have done otherwise.

            I enjoyed the pacing of this book and the fact that Hunter is such a master at getting the characters close and on the brink of love and then pulling them back again with some obstacle. I had already read the second book in this series, but I haven’t read the first and I’m planning to go out and buy that one whenever I get the chance. Denise Hunter has proven at this point that she’s capable of writing excellent romance after excellent romance, and she’s becoming one of those authors whose next book I’ll anticipate and probably buy soon after it releases.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review.

Bad Blogger!

So I've been a delinquant blogger. It's true.

Can this be one of my New Years resolutions? Blogging more?

One of my resolutions is to get more organized. Perhaps if that had worked last year I would have been organized enough to make an actual list of goals on January 1st to help guide me in the new year. As it is, I count it impressive that my house is finally less cluttered (having a baby does crazy things to your housekeeping skills. As in, takes them away.) and I'm just planning to go throughout the whole year calling anything I come up with that I should be doing a 'belated' New Years resolution.

That works, right?

Anyway, I'm up to my ears in writing deadlines. Off to meet some of those and then we'll talk some more later this week. Honest.

I hope you had a great Christmas!