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.