I've learned...

I've learned to savor the moment...Last night as I sat on a pillow, (some parents were on blankets), on the hard school cafeteria floor, I was nearly overcome with emotion. Thank goodness the one year old was crawling all over me and pulling things out of her backpack, so I was distracted from the burning feeling in the back of my throat.

Anyway the six year old was in the first grade performance that sang the praises of our great nation. As her class did a spectacular rendition of God Bless the USA, I became so emotional watching her wave her little red, white and blue streamers and singing her heart out. I was proud of her, and proud of our country, it was just so overwhelming. I would not trade that moment for anything.


I've also learned that while trying to teach my children (and others, through this book) to have faith, I have learned to have more and to also be trusting of that faith(in God). You see we won't always be able to understand everything in life or even understand peoples actions, but if we let our lights shine and try to be the best person we can be, that's all that matters. Yes we will continue to make mistakes, but strive to do your best in every arena.


Everybody is so busy with the distractions of life, which causes us to take people and things for granted. So just for today, challenge yourself to appreciate something or someone...the feeling you get out of it is priceless.



http://flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/sets/72157608716313371/show/with/3009094952/

More about last week...

I also forgot to mention that my friends at UPS stopped by the house about three times last week, well actually three days in a row. First, the shoes that I order from Zappos.com came a day and a half later. A day and a half, plus they have free shipping. You can't beat it! I am impressed.


Then the boxes carrying my new posters, business cards, and post cards for the book came. That is when I felt official. I felt like I had arrived. Where? Wherever it is that real writer's go. I plan to frame and hang one of the posters here in the house, as a reminder that dreams(and goals) are attainable. It's funny when my husband asked, "Where ya gonna hang your poster?" I was secretly glad that he was thinking the same thing, so that way I knew I wasn't just being full of myself. HEE! HEE!

So the posters and the website combined had me on cloud nine all week long. To make it even better, my six year old is very proud of her mommy. That alone is worth all that has happened with this journey. Before I forget to mention it; her last soccer game was Saturday. Before we left home we gave her the normal pep talk. "Have fun! Play hard." Well she took the play hard to the extreme.

My little star scored three goals and hustled pretty much the whole time she played. We had a family friend with us, and she was truly impressed. In fact, the whole team played well. They only lost one game the whole season.

It was a great week.

Week in review!

Okay, it is 12:04 a.m. and I am wide awake. How bad it is gonna hurt in the morning when the alarm clock goes off, or when the one year old starts to call my name in that sing-songy voice around 2:45 a.m. like clockwork. If her dad goes in there(he does 2-3 nights a week) she sometimes will lay back down, if I go in there she already has her arms out so she can come to our bed. Sometimes a snuggle and cuddle is cool, that is until a foot sticks you in the rib. For the life of me I can't understand why she has to sleep sideways.

Anyway this past week has been about as blessed as they come. Each day it was something new and wonderful. Barack Obama has become president. No more excuses! Lift him up in prayer every chance you get. My marketing representative surprised me by nonchalantly mentioning(in email form) that she posted my book online at the Publisher's website. Uh hello this is big. Now although I am sure she will say she is just doing her job, I will disagree and say she made my dream manifest right before my eyes. Thanks A.S.

Then the well wishes just started pouring in. I know I was following my dream all along by writing this book, but I didn't realize the fact that everybody doesn't automatically do the same. Now I know I mentioned this several posts ago, but never ever give up on your dream no matter what it is. Encourage yourself when no one else will. Throw out every excuse! Cast out negative influences. Just don't give up.

Take out a tablet in your spare time and start with the sentence "I started dreaming again today..." and see where that takes you.

Vote!

Did you vote today? You should have. It's your right. If you didn't, log off and get to the polls now.

Marketing

It's Sunday morning and the house is quiet. My husband is at the store, the 6 year old is in the game room playing with Sparkles( the purple dress up poodle) and a pair of fairy wings, while the one year old is fast asleep. Her temperature keeps spiking up so some of us have had very little sleep. However in my waken state I have had plenty of time to brainstorm and plan the pre-release party.

I have narrowed down a date, a short program, and perks for the attendees, I just have to pinpoint the location, which I hope to have completed by tomorrow evening. Wow! This is all a lot to take in. In the past few days I have ordered copies of the book, posters, book marks, and business cards. I actually have my own marketing representative, makes me feel special. I am also trying to prep Chef Boudreaux, so for those of you who haven't had his food yet, you will be in for a treat.

The book itself will be released during the second week of February, however I will have copies in a few weeks, so if you are anxious or just want to have your copies for the holiday season, just let me know. You will also be able to order directly from the publishers website.

Thank you all for following this journey with me. Stay tuned because the best is yet to come.

Proof

This morning I woke up, said a prayer on the way to the shower and then bumbled around in the bathroom for another 10 minutes. I helped the 6 year old get dressed and left her in the loving care of her father as I dashed out the door to an appointment.

Then, the party got started. I turned up the volume on my praise and worship CD that I made, yes I burned it on my laptop(WRONG!!!), forgive me. But the point is, after my appointment was done, I went to the post office to mail THE FINAL PROOF OF THE MANUSCRIPT. I AM GOING TO PRINT!!!! I sang, I praised, (carefully) lifting my hands while I was driving, I was in the zone.

Whenever I speak of singing and praising, my sister-in-law, who shall remain nameless, finds this a little humorous, because I don't sing well and tend to be a little reserved with my public praise. She has a way of asking, "Were you praising, Urs?" It's actually her way of teasing because she has witnessed my transformation. I usually sing in the car, in the shower, to the 19 month old, etc. However, lately I haven't cared who hears me, because when you reach a certain point and the blessings start to flow, it doesn't matter who is listening or how it sounds. It's genuine.

Yes I know that trials may still arise, but it is how you deal with them that counts. And just like the song says "an incredible God deserves incredible praise.

Phillipians 4:12 (amplified bible)
12I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.
13I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [g]infuses inner strength into me; I am [h]self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

Cover it up

We are on the move. On Friday, I received the options for the book's cover. Wow! For those of you who have been following along, judge for yourself. Has it been a long time since my initial announcement?
I have actually done a pretty good job of being patient. I know some of you had to pick up your mouths off the ground for that one, but I have. (I am learning).

Well just a few more months until completion. Don't worry I will keep every one informed as to when the launch party and book signing will be.

Micah's Baby Brother

So the name of the book is called Micah's Baby Brother, just in case you missed it in earlier postings. It is a wonderful little story that I am very proud of. Nevertheless, the Lord has blessed us with two beautiful little girls, so there is a bit of irony in that title.

This guy right here, the one with the kool aid smile, is my husband. The little bundle he is holding is my 3day old nephew, Isaiah or "Ike" is the new nick name given to him from Pa Pa.

You see, he had to evacuate from Victoria (20 minutes from Port Lavaca) only hours after being released from the hospital, due to the threat of Hurricane Ike striking the Texas Coast.

Back to the smile, now my husband loves and adores our two little girls, but there is something about the way he gets all excited with the idea of a son(0), a nephew(5), a God son(2). He is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to them. He plays with them and entertains them. It is wonderful to watch his interactions with them.

Anyway, as I mentioned he loves his daughters, and he is very good with them, but I can only imagine the adventures he would have with a son.

I like your smile...

Okay! Every since I have been a little girl, I recall my Dad making jokes about how I love to be in front of a camera. Perhaps there may be some truth to this, but it is not due to vanity or anything, I just believe it's one way to leave your mark on the world. With all of this being said, let me move on to my point.

If my dad is right, then I should never have any problems getting my picture taken. Right? Wrong! I went to a wonderful studio, Bella Amadis, to get some head shots taken for my book. The photographer was awesome, very patient, very personable, I could go on all day. Well she asked me for one thing that I could not deliver... a serious smile.

I could smirk, I could giggle, I could beam brightly, but I just could not simply smile. I am so Godly proud of this accomplishment that I am ready to shout it from the roof tops. The first few months of this process were extremely slow, but everything is on the move now. Thank you, Lord.

So the photographer, just continued to work with me. She was kind and made what had the potential to turn into a very tense and uncomfortable situation, turn out to be a nice photo shoot. Ultimately we both agreed that the good ole "say cheese" is one of my best assets.

So next time in doubt, just S M I L E!

(Thank you for such a fun day, B.F.M.)

What A Blessing!

I have been blessed with the kindest, most thoughtful person as my illustrator. When we first began our interactions with each other I was terribly under the weather with some strange bug I picked up at Disney World, and "She" made a point to check in on my health with each exchange that we shared before she got down to business.

This is just another positive experience that I have encountered along this journey. God is truly putting the right people in the right places, just when they are needed the most. I am truly thankful for this experience. So this blog entry is dedicated to you, MP, your kindness has meant so much and your images are awesome. :-)