Giving Thanks for 2014

New Year's Eve.
It's here already.
Where did the time go??

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm kind of sorry to see the year come to an end.  But rather than being sad about it, I'm thankful.  Thankful for all of the amazing, kind-of amazing and even some not-so-amazing things that happened this year.

1.  We bought our first home!  Yes, this goes in the amazing category.  I originally saw the model home on Mother's Day 2013 and fell in love with it.  It was way out of our league at the time and we never thought we'd be able to buy a brand new home.  But deep down I just knew...this was my home.  We closed on it in April 2014 and every day that we're here, I'm amazed.

2.  I'm being published by Sourcebooks!  You know when you just know that something is right?  That when you meet someone you can just tell that you are destined to work with them?  Well, that happened to me this year.  I'm so excited to be a part of the Sourcebooks family and I'm looking forward to my first book coming out with them.  They've been awesome to work with so far and I'm so thankful for my team there!

3.  My boys.  I have two sons.  They're awesome.  They're also eight years apart.  One is still at home with us while our older son lives three hours away.  We don't get to see him nearly as much as I'd like but when he's home for a weekend, I just can't stop smiling.  They've both had a good year.  Older boy (we'll call him Buddy - as in the Elf) just accepted his dream job.  He's starting at the bottom but has the potential to just fly with this.  He's happy and that makes mom happy.  :)  Younger boy (we'll call him Gamer - because, well...he's a gamer!) got accepted into a video game art and design academy that he worked very hard toward.  I'm just so proud of them both!

4.  Safe travels.  I have traveled more in 2014 than I have in twenty years!!  I'm not adventurous, I don't like crowds and flying makes me nervous.  But I did it and I'm going to be doing a lot more of it!

5.  Readers and Fans.  LOVE.  YOU.  ALL.  I have some amazing readers and fans and I have loved getting to know so many of you.  Please keep reading and supporting the books and hanging out on the Facebook page.  You guys really make me smile!

6.  Health.  We've been pretty healthy this year.  Enough said.  :)

7.  Our puppy.  Well, she's not a puppy anymore but she doesn't seem to know that yet.  She's a sweet pug and her name is Maylene and she exhausts me on a daily basis.  No one warned me that pugs were such a needy breed!!  But I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world.  I mean...look at that face!!!

8.  Paint.  Yes, paint.  I cannot believe how the color on the wall can make or break my overall mood.  Everything in the new house was "builder's white" when we moved in.  It was all fine and well until my wonderful husband started to paint.  He has transformed our room into this tranquil retreat.  I refuse to bring my work in there.  It's my place to go and relax.  Then he painted my office this fabulous teal green that you really can't appreciate from the picture but trust me...it's awesome.

9.  Realizing that there are things I can't change and things that I can.  I had a lot of revelations this year and have learned to let a lot of things go.  There are things that I am willing to fight for and things that I've learned that aren't worth the fight.  I'm no longer afraid to stand up for myself and let someone know when they hurt me.  Long may that last.

10.  My husband.  Love this man more and more every day.  He is my hero, my Knight in Shining Armor and I couldn't possibly do what I do without him.  I've been thankful for him for 25 years (married for 23, together in total for 25 years) and I will forever be thankful for him.

What has you thankful?  What did 2014 bring that you are thankful for?

This is a first...

You know, for the first time in like...ever....I'm a little bit sorry to see the year come to an end.  For so long we (my husband and I) were plagued with bad luck and just rotten circumstances that we were more than happy to see the year end.  But this year?  2014 was pretty darn good for us.  This is the year we bought our first home.  We got our first dog.  I got an agent and a publishing deal.  He finally got a brand new truck.  So really, life's been good to us and we are feeling incredibly blessed.

That's not to say that it's all about material things.  We are blessed in a hundred other ways too.  We've been married for 23 years and I think our relationship is the best it's ever been.  Our sons are both doing what they love - one in his career and the other in school.  They're happy, they're healthy and while none of it is exciting, I'm more than happy with the quiet and the norm.

So am I looking forward to 2015?  I think so.  I'm not going to lie to you, I'm a little nervous about it.  The new year is going to bring about some pretty big changes - I'll be traveling a lot for book promotions and because of work and school, my sweet husband won't be there to cheer me on and be my rock.  I have some awesome friends and my sweet mom who are willing to step up and assist me and help me at all of these events.  It's scary and exciting and just a little intimidating.

I know it's inevitable - the year is going to end whether I want it to or not and the new one is right there waiting to begin along with unknown opportunities.

Does the prospect of the new year fill you with excitement?  Dread?  Is there something you're really looking forward to in 2015?  Do tell!

The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!

Over on my Facebook page I have an amazing giveaway going on now through December 24th.  If you haven't had a chance to stop by and check it out, head over there now!  Click HERE to access the entry form! 

Moonlight in Winter Park Trailer

What Gives You Joy?

So I'm sitting at my desk this morning and trying to get my thoughts straight and find myself staring out into space.  Do you ever do that?  Normally there are about three different books going on in my head that I'm trying to keep track off but being that we're a week away from Christmas, that adds another layer of thinking.

Driving. Me. Crazy.

The house needs to be cleaned.  The dog needs to be groomed.  And don't even get me started on the amount of laundry waiting to be folded!  And what do I want to do?  Read.  Yes, believe it or not, even though I spend a large portion of my day writing, I still like to curl up on the couch with a good book and read.

I'm a firm believer that you need to make time to do the things that give you joy - no matter what it is.  Reading makes me happy, so I try and make a little time each day to do that.  Music gives me joy.  My iPod is LOADED with 80's music (and I'm proud of it!) and I listen to that a little each day.

But mostly, my family gives me joy.  Don't get me wrong, they also give me grief, heartburn and aggravation, but primarily being with them gives me joy.  My oldest son lives three hours away and he is my perpetual Christmas elf.  I miss him this time of year.  He'll be here for Christmas but the house is quiet without him here as we prepare for the holiday.  

What brings you joy?  Do you make time for it?