It's official!

Maybe Walt Disney had it right, "it's fun to do the impossible."  Now I may not be building a franchise or world of my own, but for me getting a book published seemed pretty impossible not too terribly long ago.  I was that geeky little kid who sat in the back of the classroom and sped through her work so that I could pull out my latest book and escape the classroom and enter a world or intrigue, or fantasy, or another country.  I always dreamed one day I would have a story of my own to share with others.  Who would think this could actually happen? 
If nothing else this process has taught me more than I could have ever imagined.  I have learned patience.  This process has taken almost a year and has hit numerous speed bumps and yet it is happening!  I have also learned that there is nothing a ton of prayer and good backup can solve.  Every step of the process has been bathed in prayer.  My friends have been behind me every step of the way, celebrating the victories and reminding me to stay strong in the trials.  However, can I just go ahead and say that nothing can prepare you for the moment you come home from a dreadful day of work and finding a box from your publisher on your doorstep.  Talk about taking my breath away!
Inside the box was my dreams breaking through the night and finding their way into the light! My name in print! A story I am passionate about and one a cannot wait to share. 
In the process of a year the story has changed a bit for me.  What started out as a story reminding my kids they are important and chosen has also taken another tone.  A young lady that went to school with some of them committed suicide after being bullied.  Bullying has become a MAJOR issue especially with the middle schoolers.  While bullying is wrong, it saddens me that these kids believe the horrible things they are told.  This story reminds them God loves them and they are made by a saviour who loves them. 
So, in conclusion, never give up on your dreams.  With God anything is possible.  If Disney can be trusted "if you can dream it, you can do it."  If this is the case, this adventure has only but begun for me.  My dreams get much bigger from here.  Wait for it, world here I come!

One Step Closer

Oh my goodness! Any obstacle you could imagine I assure you I have had to overcome in the completion of this book, from illustration fun, to misplaced paperwork, to simple misunderstandings.  It is crazy how difficult this process has been and how many gray hairs I am sure you can now find on my 25 year old head! However, it has been completly worth it.  Today I got the first reassurance that this is what I have dreamed of.  I received my cover! There it was in my email begging to be opened and shared with the world.  The first thing I noticed was my name in print right next to my dear Abby I have come to love over the last year! 
I appreciate all the support and patience that you have all shown in this process and know I couldn't have gotten this far without you all!  I am so anxious to have you all read it and love Abby like I do.  So for those who have been with me from the start of this crazy adventure and for those who are just stumbling across this new chapter of my life, here is a peek at the front cover of No Ordinary Princess!

Also, it's not to late to enter the No Ordinary Princess contest, details are listed in the previous post.  The bracelets are in and they are AWESOME, just putting that out there.  As always be sure to check out my website for other updates and to see all the Extraordinary Princesses in our lives!