Fairy-tale Romance

As a romance writer, its unbelievably refreshing to be able to step away from my computer and all the stories lurking in my head and get a taste of true romance in reality.

For our 5 year wedding anniversary, Hubby indeed swept me off my feet and into a fairytale. Man, I know how to pick 'em, huh? =)

He had everything planned this year and refused to tell me anything. All I knew was that I was to be at my parents house, dropping off Audrey, and ready to go, dressed fancy, by 6:00.

Well, he picked me up all right - in a stretch HUMMER! That's right. A giant white stretch hummer pulled up in my parent's driveway. The driver wished me a happy anniversary as we slid in, and were whisked away. (I have a pic of the outside my mom took, of us getting in, but will have to load later as its on her camara)

On the way to Superior Steakhouse, Hubby surprised me with my first gift - a diamond anniversary ring. We're going to sauter it to my wedding band. So touching! And beautiful! What I love even more about this ring is it has a story. An accomplice of his found the ring in an antique shop out of town and bought it for a super reasonable price. Then our local jeweler took it apart, cleaned the diamonds, and put them into a new white gold band. As an author, I can't stop wondering who wore those diamonds before me and what their story is!! That'll keep me up for a few nights =)

We ate dinner at the steakhouse, which was amazing, and I ordered the blueberry turnover with ice cream for dessert. The waitor brought it out, and look what they did - as well as gave it to me free!

Then we went to a super fancy hotel by the river and stayed on the 22nd floor. Gorgeous suite and view. But I had one more surprise waiting for me in the hotel room. To show his support for my writing and for my new venture into being a stay at home/work at home mom, my hubby got me a brand new laptop. A beautiful, steel gray, Gateway with a webcam, 15.5 inch screen and all the bells and whistles I could ever use. He said it wasn't so much an anniversary present because he was going to do that anyway but it seemed like good timing! I would agree! =)

View from our room

The next morning we slept in and ate breakfast at a favorite local diner. It was the perfect anniversary weekend, and I can't stop bragging about my generous, sweet, thoughtful hubby.

For his gift, I had bought an unfinished wooden box at Hobby Lobby (5 years is the "wooden" anniversary) and filled it with little mementos of things to represent our relationship. Scooby Doo stickers to represent our first date (the movies 7 years ago!), a wooden cut out of a sand pail/bucket to represent our beach honeymoon, etc. Little fun things. Then I got him a gift card to Home Depot to put toward tools, so he can "build us more memories" and a jigsaw tool =) Now that he has a workshop in our barn, he wants to start woodworking and making things for Little Miss.

So that completes my fairy tale romance! 5 years of marriage...and they lived happily ever after.

Happy Anniversary to me!

Today is our official anniversary - 5 years - and I've been told some of the details of what to expect. I have a bag packed, and I know we staying somewhere tonight -- just still no idea where. I'm supposed to be ready at 6, dressed fancy, for a nice dinner out - still no idea where! But I'm sure we'll have fun no matter what Hubby has cooked up. Figuratively or literally! lol

More good news is I'm getting my hair trimmed and high-lighted later today, which always makes me feel good. Gotta be fresh for anniversary pics! The best part though is my hubby has no idea my roots are bad and could care less even if he did notice. Now that's love =P

Details to come! I won't be blogging tomorrow as I'll be somewhere, I'm assuming away from my computer. But I'll give you all the fun info this weekend or Monday! Have a great Thursday and weekend =)

Just for mommies...

I feel this is a must-read for every Mommy...whether they be young or old, scared or confident, new or veterans...one kid, three kids, ten kids...this is for every Mommy, everywhere! =)

In the everyday stretch and squeeze of motherhood, Tricia Goyer often feels smooshed by the demands of life. In Blue Like Play Dough, she shares her unlikely journey from rebellious, pregnant teen to busy wife and mom with big dreams of her own. As her story unfolds, Tricia realizes that God has more in store for her than she has ever imagined possible.

Sure, life is messy and beset by doubts. But God keeps showing up in the most unlikely places–in a bowl of carrot soup, the umpteenth reading of Goodnight Moon, a woe-is me teen drama, or play dough in the hands of a child.

In Tricia’s transparent account, you’ll find understanding, laughter, and strength for your own story. And in the daily push and pull, you’ll learn to recognize the loving hands of God at work in your life… and know He has something beautiful in mind.

So many exciting things are happening with this book! Besides the blog tour, Tricia is also launching the Get One, Give One Campaign!

For every copy of Blue Like Play Dough purchased, she’ll donate a copy of My Life Unscripted or Generation NeXt Parenting to a pregnancy, teen or family support ministry (while supplies last).

All you have to do is buy a copy of Blue Like Play Dough on Christianbook, on Amazon, or at your local bookstore, and then go to Tricia's Go-Go page and fill out the form.

Read an excerpt: http://triciagoyer.com/cmsdocuments/Blue_Like_Play_Dough_Prologue_CH_1.pdf

Watch a video and read the endorsements HERE!

Here is the link to purchase the book yourself (or buy two to give one to a Mommy in need!): http://triciagoyer.com/store.html

Blog tour schedule! See who else is reviewing this novel! http://www.litfusegroup.com/latest/what-is-new/87-blue-like-play-dough-blog-tour

Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana.

WIPs

Okay, fellow writer buds. Spill it. What are you working on right now? What's your current Work In Progress? Let's encourage each other in the journey!

I'm concocting a new three book series proposal set on the beach that I will be submitting to my editor within the next several weeks, hopefully. I've never pitched a series before. Any advice from those who go before me? =)

Are you working on a suspense, historical, romance? Are you plotting or writing or researching or banging your head against your desk in despair? Are the words flowing, or are you stalling and searching for more Diet Coke and chocolate?

Love is in the air...

This week, my husband and I will celebrate our five year wedding anniversary! Pretty exciting, considering how I'm just now 25 and he's 24! We started young! =)

What a milestone. In 5 years times, we've learned and grown so much. We've owned two homes, the current home with 3 acres of land, had a daughter who is now almost 13 months old, have gone through and survived job changes, career changes, broken ankles, pregnancy, changing churches, making friends, losing friends. We've gone on several beach vacations and a cruise to Mexico. My writing career has developed and taken off while we've been married, and I must say I have the most supportive, excited husband in that regard. He's determined to retire early and drive my tour bus. haha!

So happy early anniversary, Hubby!

Here's a pic right after he proposed in New Orleans, aboard the Steamboat Natchez! Look how young we are =)

Here's an official engagement photo

And a pic from our honeymoon in Gulf Shores

Here's me trying on my wedding dress at our one year anniversary - still fits! =)

It did every year after except the year right before I was pregnant - it zipped, but barely! Then the next year I just had Little Miss weeks before, so I knew better than to even look at the dress! We'll see how this year goes =)

PS - He's planning some sort of anniversary surprise, and refuses to give me the details. I do know an overnight bag is required, so if I go MIA toward the end of the week, well, you'll know why! =)