Last time on My Journey to Publication, I shared how I began to research for my book and then how plans changed when the twins were born premature.

After taking a few months of my own version of “maternity leave” I knew it was time to put thoughts on paper.  Or computer.  Whatever.  As October 2010 approached, I got all sorts of nervous.  I didn’t feel ready to write a book.  I had barely looked at my research notes that were taken six months ago and I was still processing being a new mom, the twins’ prematurity, and the shame I felt from delivering them so early.  I was in babyland and had a jumble of daily emotions.

I tried to talk myself out of writing – for now.  I told myself that the holidays were right around the corner and it was going to be so busy with two new infants.  While that was true, my soul still needed an outlet.  A place to be open and document my pain, guilt, frustration, and joy.  There were so many gaps in between the NICU blog posts….I wanted to expand on the details of that trial and really tell a comprehensive story about letting go of fears and holding on to the truth.

Still having my Type-A personality, I told myself that organization was not procrastination (even though it was a bit for me at the time).  I began to organize the blog posts chronologically and I inserted all of the tags (fear, joy, etc.) into categories in an Excel spreadsheet.  Basically, my whole blog had been converted into a spreadsheet or time table by the end of it, color-coded and all.  Once I finished that, I knew I had nothing left to do but start writing.

I remember the first words of Chapter One coming to me so beautifully.  Soon, my brain began to spit out information that it had hidden for years and my fingers could barely catch up.  The first chapter was literally twenty pages long when I finished.  Even then, I felt like some of the details still need explanation as I continued on into Chapter Two.  As I wrote our NICU experience, I paralleled the story to truths that I had learned growing up.  I brought back childhood memories and tender moments shared with Raleigh as we learned about love; even stories of friendships turned sour….the book had my life spilled across the pages.

Soon, I got into a writing rhythm.  I think my goal was to finish two chapters a month and to be completely finished by June.  Some days, the writing came naturally and other days it was hard as old pains were stirred up.  The NICU experience was still fresh and it was difficult sometimes to live life in the present as I wrote about my fears of the girls not surviving.  I didn’t like writing the hard stuff and re-living the pain, but it was therapeutic in a lot of ways.  I think that is why I was SO THANKFUL during the twins’ first year of life.  I knew I had been given two precious gifts and daily I was reminded of those gifts as I wrote.

All during this time, I was looking at different writing conferences to attend.  I desperately wanted to go but I kept stalling.  They were so expensive and I didn’t know if I was really ready to present my work in public.  I hadn’t even told my parents about my little project so how did I think I would be brave enough to tell a perfect stranger?  Around April, I found She Speaks.  It looked perfect – speaking, writing, critique groups, meetings with real editors and literary agents (who are these people?) – it had it all.  Problem was, it was booked solid.  I was sad that I missed the deadline so I put my name on the waiting list.

Next time, I’ll share what happens when She Speaks made room for me to attend my very first writing conference.  It gets a little crazy!!!!

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

Join this community of truth-seekers and sign up to receive our FREE e-book, God’s Love for Me.  Fill out the “Sign Up for Blog Followers” on the right side of the page.  Your day just might shine a little brighter.

So, I’ve told y’all how the girls are all over the place now, right?  Well, we have finally found a solution to tame their energy.  Bounce houses.  Yep, it’s true.  Some of our friends had bounce houses at their birthday parties the past two weekends and the girls HAD A BALL.  Then, they took nice, wonderfully long naps.  It is a win-win for all!

If you live in Montgomery, you’ve got to try out the Big Green Bus.  It is a company that converts school buses to portable gymnastics studios.  They have slides, trampolines, climbing blocks, balance beams, and even a zipline.  Our girls had so much fun that we actually signed them up for a gymnastic class from this company.

Another friend, who was turning four, had her party at Pump It Up.  Y’all, the place was perfect for children with a sugar rush.  I wasn’t sure if the girls would really be able to particpate but I was dead wrong.  They got right up in there with the big kids.  Check them out going down this very tall slide:

They also loved just running around in the bounce house.  A & M got some help from dad with their slam dunks too:

After the kids finished bouncing, everyone was ushered into a room to open gifts and eat cake.  We were so proud of how well-behaved the twins were.  They sat on their little bench with four year olds and acted so grown up as they drank their juice and ate their slices of birthday cake.

I think I see a birthday party here in the next couple of years!

Question: What have you found that helps with your child’s energy?

Have a great weekend everyone

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

Hello sisters!

I am going to be so honest with y’all right now…I have not had a chance to read all of Chapter six yet.  This week has just gotten ahead of me so I’m playing a bit of catch-up.  I’ve gotten about half-way through it and have really enjoyed her personal story that she shares about Mike.  I heard Renee speak about this at She Speaks this past summer.  We all had jaws dropped as she told us her story and felt her pain of self-doubt and not feeling quite good enough.

I really related to one paragraph that she wrote on page 107.  She says, “Do you ever feel like someone is telling you that you can’t measure up?  That something is wrong with you?  It’s because sometimes that is what is happening.  Sadly, we often believe Satan’s lies and live like they are true.  Rarely do we stop to ask, “Who is saying these things?  Who is causing me to doubt myself?  Is it me?  Is there something from my past that led me to believe this?  Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?

I also love the chart that she displayed after that.  She passed out a chart similar to this at the conference and I look at it whenever I am at my desk feeling like I’m not a good enough writer or nobody is ever going to ask me to come speak at their event.  It helps me to keep my confidence in Christ and to read scripture about his love for me brings me comfort when I begin to doubt my calling in life.

Below is Renee’s word of the week.  She is doing a giveaway on her blog if you want to join in.  Continue to read chapter six and seven and we will meet back here next week.

Our word for the week: CHOSEN
Download in a PDF or in MSWord. Be sure to print it and post it everywhere so you can remember YOU ARE a CHOSEN child of God!!

God’s WORD for us this week:
“You are a chosen [woman], a royal priesthood, a holy [daughter], a [woman] belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of HIM who has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9, NIV

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

That’s French for “Let the good times roll,” in case you didn’t know, and is heard often during Mardi Gras. Something you may not know about me is that I have some pretty thick Cajun roots. A name like mine doesn’t come from Alabama, but from having a dad born and raised in New Orleans.

My aunt and uncle in New Orleans take Mardi Gras very seriously.

It should come as no surprise, then, that I’ve had my fair share of exposure to Mardi Gras. I grew up visiting New Orleans regularly, taking it all in as a kid, and later drinking it all in as a college student (as is tradition, no?).  Because I had so many friends who were Methodists or Presbyterians, I always enjoyed giving things up for Lent afterward and going to Ash Wednesday services. More than anything, though, I simply enjoyed the tradition and the ritual. But like many people, I had no idea WHY I was doing these things.

And once I truly understood, it made so much sense and has come to be something I take very seriously.

{Skip this part if you’re totally caught up on the ins and outs of the Lent Season}

Mardi Gras is part of the Carnival Season, which basically is an excuse to get all the partying and fun out before we enter into the Lenten Season. (I’d love to know just how quickly this went from “Let’s overindulge a bit” to “You know what? I’m gonna go out there in the street and flash people!” Hey – no judgement here.) Regardless, the idea of the festival is to indulge, ending on Fat Tuesday (which literally translates to Mardi Gras), with Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday. In essence, the 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting and resisting temptation by Satan in preparation for his public ministry. So beginning on Ash Wednesday, 40 days before we celebrate Easter, we prepare ourselves by participating in a time of reflection, repentance, fasting, and prayer.  You may have noted that often people choose to “give something up” for Lent. As a kid, I would always give up easy things. I’d boast “Oh, I’ve had no trouble giving up Coke for a month!” “Pizza? No big deal!”

Obviously I missed the point, as so many of us do.

But I’ll never forget being challenged to give up something real, something that I’d really notice. You see, the point is that you are supposed to go without. Like most fasting periods, you are meant to miss that something, and in the times when you suffer a bit, you reflect and pray, bringing yourself closer to God. Lemme tell ya – if you want a quick reminder to start your morning in prayer, give up your Snooze button. THAT will make you suffer.

So in this Lenten Season, I charge you to join me in truly taking advantage of the season. Reflect and repent. Pray and prepare. And participate with your whole family. Take the opportunity to teach your kids about Jesus, so that they understand. Find the things that are your time wastes, the things that do nothing but fill your mind with crud, and fill that time with God. Work on your character, and find those things that eat into your heart. Perhaps ask yourself – What am I putting in my heart these days that I don’t want to see in the overflow of my words and actions?

Luke 6:45: A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Fill your heart with good things, my friends.

Like… music from Caleb. I was privileged to hear them perform this song at my church a few weeks ago, and I think it’s definitely poignant now, as we wait on God.

Caleb – We Will Wait

Interested in learning more? Here are some great ideas for making the most of Lent: http://rachelheldevans.com/40-ideas-for-lent-2012

And an easy explanation for the kiddos: http://www.imby.net/easter/kids.html

Happy Mardi Gras, yall. Let those good times roll!

Happy President’s Day!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Monday.  I just got a new pair of tennis shoes…super exciting since the ones I have been wearing for the past four years no longer have tread!  Thanks Mom

Anywho, I wanted to announce the winner of the Dayspring Giveaway.  The winner is………..Kimberly Erb!  You will receive an e-mail with a $20 coupon code to use with your purchase of any Dayspring product.

Thank you Dayspring and (In)courage for sponsoring our giveaway!

Also, THANK YOU to everyone that has already downloaded our free e-book, God’s Love for Me.  I hope the stories have brought you comfort, inspiration, and a reminder of just how extravagant God’s love is.  The book is still available to download, just click the “Sign-Up for Blog Followers” on the right side of the page to get started.

Thanks again y’all!

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

“Initially, your vision will exceed your competency.”

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

Happy Friday everyone!

I don’t mean to brag, but I am so proud of my husband.  His design skills amaze me daily.  The boy is so talented and has such a great imagination.  I actually enjoy his opinion when it comes to colors because he has such a designer eye.  I think it is so cool that he can use the fundamental design process from being an architect and apply that knowledge to our nothing2something shop.  Last night, we were working on a birthday card for a friend and even though I was tired from a long day, I enjoyed the collaboration of designing a card with him.

So, today I thought I’d share some of the fun things that are on our shop.  First, is the Tweet Bird party package.  We made this for our sweet friends for their daughter’s first birthday.  The package includes invitations, thank you cards, 2″ party circles that can be used for cupcake toppers or favor tags, and these super sweet mini-gable gift boxes perfect for party favors!

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Another design that we did recently for a friend’s baby shower is the Nautical Boy party package.  This includes the invitation, 2″ party circles, thank you cards, and gift enclosure cards.  What is great about this package is that it can be used for a baby shower or birthday party and you can order the items individually if you wanted.  I love the classic look of the sailboat, don’t you?

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I also love these Polka Dot thank you cards.  I have given these as baby shower gifts and the moms-to-be always have a fit when they see it.

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Finally, I wanted y’all to check out this Modern Honey thank you card.  I am so in love with the grey and yellow color combo.  It is big right now (I’ve seen it in Pottery Barn kids and tons of fabric).  This would be great for the ultra-hip baby and mom.

Pin It

Head on over to our shop to check out these products and more.

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

P.S.: Did y’all know that Raleigh also designed the cover of our FREE e-book, God’s Love for Me?  Click on the “Sign-Up for Blog Followers” to download your FREE copy today.  It just might make your weekend shine a little brighter.

With a new calendar year, I always get a little sentimental.  It’s because I know that in four months, our girls will be turning another year older.  We hear everyone say it but it’s so true…”Where does the time go?”

Life with twin toddlers has been so different from their first year.  The girls are active and explore everything. While this is positive development, I must admit that it can be exhausting some days.  I find myself muttering words under my breath like “stay positive” or “give thanks” when I really want to be saying, “STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Stay STILL!!!!!”   I read in this month’s Parent’s Magazine that parents should exercise meditation in these moments of craziness.  Meditate on the little people who you created and the miracle that they are growing like weeds.  But, as I find the twins using my Bobbi Brown eyeliner brush as a stirring utensil for “dog food soup” (dog food mixed in the water bowl), I must admit that it is hard to take a deep breath and tell myself that this is all part of parenthood.

Maralee & Adeline playing with my make-up

Maralee dumped my shimmery eyeshadow on herself five minutes before school

Both of the grandmothers came to Montgomery to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the girls.  When the twins went down for a nap, Ganny and Gabby got to work.  They had made my bed, washed clothes, mopped floors, ironed the twins’ outfits, and scrubbed my stove top to an impeccable whiteness.  While I appreciated these gestures of love tremendously, I knew that the clean house wouldn’t last.  Milk would soon be spilled, clothes will be stained, and toys will be scattered.  That’s the thing that drives me crazy some days…I know all of that work will have to be repeated: again, and again, and again.  The house never remains clean.

Adeline loves my sewing desk

Adeline

Maralee

It helps to stay busy and get out of the house.  Between school, Kindermusik, story-time, church, and dance class, the girls have a very active schedule.  While I love going to these places, some days it is exhausting just to get out of the door.  I never give myself enough time to get them dressed, make myself look decent, and make sure I’ve got the necessities: snacks, drinks, diapers, and wipes.  I find myself carrying a big purse these days instead of a diaper bag…it is easier just to throw it all in there and go.  I have been so thankful that public meltdowns have stayed minimal but I am constantly having to be stern about holding my hand as we walk from the car to our destination.

Adeline loves crayons

Playing with our friend Tucker

I think the thing that makes toddler-hood so different from baby years is their new-found independence.  As babies, they were completely dependent on me for everything but now they are trying to do things on their own.  I love that they can eat, walk, and say some words.  But, they can’t do all of this completely independently.  They still demand for me to give them their drinks.  They say no as I put them in the stroller instead of letting them roam free in the grocery store.  They huff and puff when they can’t say what they feel.  I see two little girls that desperately want to be big girls but they need more time.

Getting their toenails painted 

I wanted to share these things today because I want you to know that I don’t have it all together.  I struggle daily with motherhood and the tiring challenges it brings.  Some days I can barely make it until Raleigh gets home.  I want to sit on the floor and cry just like them.  I wish for a magic fairy to come and keep my house clean.  I pray for energy just to make it from one hour to the next.  Daily, I fail with my words, temper, and anxiety.

I just felt like some of you might need to hear that today.

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

Join this community of truth-seekers and sign up to receive our FREE e-book, God’s Love for Me.  Fill out the “Sign Up for Blog Followers” on the right side of the page.  Your day just might shine a little brighter.

It is hard to believe that we are almost at the half-way point of our journey to living life confidently in Christ. How did y’all like chapter five?

I really liked how she said on page 85 that “shadows are created all around us when something blocks light.” Renee went on to explain that when we focus on our own insecurities we were blocking the light of God’s truth in our hearts. That had so much significance to me. It seems as though the times I am most doubtful are the times that I am focusing on my own weaknesses and comparing myself with others wishing I could be or have what they had.

What are some triggers that cause you to doubt yourself?

Renee tells us that the best way to step out of the shadow and into the darkness is to turn. “Turning toward God, so we can listen to what He says about who we are and what we can do.” (pg. 93)

Our word for the week: LIGHT (You can download it in a PDF or download in MSWord). Please print it and post it everywhere as you allow His word to light your path this week.

His WORD for us this week: “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12, NLT

Go ahead and begin chapter six and we will meet back here next Wednesday to discuss it.

Didn’t get a chance to download your free copy of God’s Love for Me yesterday?  Follow these simple instructions and you will be on your way to receiving a “sweet” gift:

1. Fill out the form on the right side of our blog called, “Sign up for Blog Followers”

2. Once you have completed that form, a confirm subscription e-mail will pop up in your mailbox. This is for us to make sure you aren’t spam. Please follow the directions and click confirm.

3. This will lead you to a page where you can download the e-book.

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I am tickled pink this year for Valentine’s Day. It gives me great joy to finally give you a gift made with such love. Nineteen lovely bloggers have contributed their own stories about what God’s love means in their lives and we have tied all of these stories together with such a pretty little bow. So without further adieu I give you:

(May I please say Ba-Ba-Ba-Bammmmmmmmm here? I really want to.)

Ba-Ba-Ba-Bammmmmmmmmmmmm:

So, here are the steps to get your FREE copy of God’s Love for Me:

1. Fill out the form on the right side of our blog called, “Sign up for Blog Followers”

2. Once you have completed that form, a confirm subscription e-mail will pop up in your mailbox. This is for us to make sure you aren’t spam. Please follow the directions and click confirm.

3. This will lead you to a page where you can download the e-book.

It is literally as easy as 1-2-3. The book can be viewed on any digital reading device and can be saved as a PDF on your computer. Please, instead of sending a copy to your friends, will you send them to our website instead to fill out the form? This will help us track how many downloads the book receives. If you have already signed up for the newsletter before today, a copy is already being sent your way. Thank you!

Remember that anyone who signs up to receive the e-book qualifies for our $20 giveaway from Dayspring. You have until Sunday to sign up to enter the giveaway drawing. Winner will be announced bright and early on Monday morning, February 20th! Here are some items that I think you will love from Dayspring:

Free book.

$20 Dayspring Giveaway.

Two great gifts that remind us about God’s love on the

“love-liest” day of the year.

Go get your copy today! Sign-up for the newsletter and it will be sent your way!

Till next time, let your light shine!

Blessings, christen

PS: I want to say a special thank you to all of the contributors and my husband for designing the look of this book. Thank you for your dedication to this project. May it be a blessing to all that read it!!!!!

Join this community of truth-seekers by signing up to receive e-mails every now and then that just might make your day shine a little brighter.

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