Checkpoint 2

I'm so psyched. I just emailed my editor with my manuscript two days early! I didn't think I'd get it done before mid-September, but I miscalculated the number of chapters I had (if by miscalculated you meant 'mistook the 3 in "Chapter 23" to be an 8') so I didn't need as much time as I thought I would. But coming down to the condo definitely sped up the process. It's not like I don't have to make meals, or do laundry (diaper laundry, anyway), or take care of the kids, but for some reason I find more time here to work.

So the next step is to start working on the marketing pack for book #4--and actually start writing book #4. FINALLY.

Did you get it?

So it's been a week, and through the mighty powers of newsletter tracking, I can tell that some of you still haven't read your August issue of "Life in the Balance" yet. It's totally cool with me if you just haven't had the chance, or if you changed your mind and deleted it on sight, but I wanted to mention it in case it went to your spam without you knowing it. And if you haven't signed up for it yet and want to see what you're getting into when you register for it, then click here to read the latest issue.

Mental illness and the church

A fellow writer and blogger, Julie Fidler, is currently working on a book about mental illness and the Christian church and needs a little help:

I'm writing a book about mental illness & the Church - what the Church has done right, what they've done wrong, what mental illness is, what it isn't, and how they need to improve in reaching out to the sick.

I'm looking to interview people with mental illness (depression and/or everything else!) who have stories to tell about their experiences with church and other Christians, both good and bad.

If you fit that description and would be willing to talk with her, you can contact her at julie.fidler@live.com. She also posted about this on her blog. She's pretty open about this on her blog, so I think it's okay for me to tell you that Julie herself has bi-polar, so you won't be talking to someone who is only working from a theory standpoint--she's been there, done that. Knowing that might make it easier for folks to contact her; you know she will relate to you in a way most of us never can. Good luck, Julie!

five years

Today is Dan's and my fifth wedding anniversary. We agreed no presents, but he got me one anyway, the goof--a silver linked-heart necklace that Penny has not once tried to grab while nursing, long may it last. Like it?


We're in Ventura for the weekend, and right now we're watching the Angels (yay!) versus the Yankees (boo!) but my friend's husband is pitching for the Yankees (yay!) so its kinda hard not to cheer for him. He's doing really well, too (yay for him, boo for the Angels). Since we've gotten rid of cable we've never had the chance to see him pitch, so it's been a treat to see him on TV.

Thought I had wedding photos on this computer, but I guess not. I'll post one when we get back from Ventura...

Deep thought of the week

Mothers are proof that evolution did not bring us to where we are today. If it had, then by now we would have four arms, eyes in the back of our heads, and the ability to function on three hours of sleep.

Toddler Spirituality, Part 2

Yesterday I took the girls to the RSM lake to meet up with some friends. While we were there we ran into a woman I was in a small group with back before Abby was born. After she left, Abby said, "Who that?"

"That was Miss Lori. Mommy knew her before you were born."

"Oh. I was with Jesus before I was born."

*boggle* "Um...really?"

"Yeah. Penny Jane was, too."

"PJ lived with Jesus too?"

"Yeah."

"Before she was born?"

"Yeah. He's gone now."

"Jesus is gone? Like, he's up in heaven?"

"Yeah."

We've never said anything to her about her living with Jesus before being born. I have no idea where she came up with the idea. Unless...