I just published my first book!!!!

 So, I know I have been MIA for a couple months but, I promise, there's been good reason.

For the past 6 months I have been writing a novel. Yep, that's right, a novel.  Makes me excited just saying it :)

I started wondering if I would ever really finish.  At first I just worked on it my spare time, but as I became closer to finishing it, I scheduled time between all of the running around we do.

And then, started the real headache.

Edits. And then,

Formatting.

But, I got through it and yesterday I published my very first novel, The Crimson Bond, on amazon.

And guess what??!!

Out of the millions and millions of books on amazon as I am writing this.... It is in the top 300 overall Bestselling on Amazon.

And # 7 on the Bestselling paranormal romance on Amazon!!!

WHAT??!!

I'm blown away at the success in it's very first days. It's beat out some novels by my favorite authors, multimillion dollar authors. I just can't believe it!!

Until midnight tonite I am running a free promotion to hopefully push it further up the bestseller charts, though if it never makes it any higher, I am beyond pleased.

So, if you love paranormal romance novels like me, download it today and leave an honest review. It has climbed the charts so quickly that some of the other books around it have been published for months have tons of reviews, and so far, since it's only been a day, I don't have any yet.

But would love some honest feedback.

Here is a picture of the cover...

 

And you can get it here.

 

Also, I have an author blog that you can visit and join here.

 

Thank you so much for your support. It means so much to me!! :)

 

XOXO,

 

Erika

 

Fall pics~ Decision time!

Last week I had some updated pictures of the girl's made by a friend from high school who does photography. She did an amazing job the last time she took pictures for us and this time she even surpassed herself in her amazingness. I am so, so pleased with her work. We lucked out in that the weather was perfect, cool and sunny, and even better...all three girls cooperated wonderfully. Now I have the daunting task of picking which ones to get and which ones to use for Christmas cards!:)

Someone help me decide pleasssse!

 

I'd like to do one large canvas of the three of them. Which one do you like?

 

I have been SO bad...

I have been SO bad..... I haven't blogged in forever and ever.

But in my defense.... we have been very busy since our return from Key West.

The usual...work, work, cheer, cheer, and added to the mix Hailey auditioned and was casted in a role in the Tar River Players production of A Christmas Carol. So in addition to school, tumbling, cheer... we add rehearsals to the mix.

I'm getting a little off subject here, but just this morning I was thinking about Hailey and her over achieverness (I'm aware that's not a word, but I'm known to make up descriptive words every now and then).

Just the other day she brought her report card home....straight A's yet again. She has never had a 'B' on a report card before. I kinda dread it for her if, and probably when, she ever does. She takes everything so seriously. She is the only 5th grader I know that stays up the night before tests studying until 10pm...because she wants to. Sometimes I'm going to bed and peak in at her. She's sitting at her desk studying away like a high schooler or college student would.

She flies on a senior level competitive cheer squad... and takes it very seriously.  Practices at home all the time, and then at the gym with her team for several hours a week.

And then she comes to me and begs to audition for a role in a local perfoming group's Christmas performance. And after she makes a very good case for why she should be allowed to audition, a great experience and all that... I relent, thinking it's only a couple of months and then it's done...if  she even gets a role.

I secretly doubted she would.

They had two nights of auditions and the night she went it was packed with people trying out. She went in and grabbed a script and came back out to the car where I was waiting with Bella and Kat. She ran through the lines a couple of times and, I have to admit, I was impressed.

And then I started to worry....uh oh....she might just get a role in this.

And two days later, when the cast list was emailed out.....she did. So we are juggling that right now too.

And while I love that my child is so driven in life ( her pediatrician assured me she would be based on her head strong nature as a baby...haha), I realize that, with this child, I will have to moderate how much she takes on. I have assurred her that after this production runs in December....it's cheer and school only for her!

On another note, Mary Kathryn has started a cheer team at the same gym and loves it. I love seeing her little personality develop. While she is a hard worker, she is also more laid back than Hailey...so far.

And Bella is still Bella....fun loving, high spirited, head strong (uh oh), and sweet as can be.

Now....for what I promised a month ago.....pictures from Key West. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Show & Tell Monday

Today I'm linking up with From Mrs to Mama for a Show & Tell Monday. It's all about Fall! How could I resist???



1. Tell us what you are looking forward to this fall?

As soon as I put up my fall wreath and light my pumpkin spice candle.....It's officially fall!






2. Show us your fall style.







3. Tell us your favorite things to do in the fall. If you have children, activities to do with the kids?
We usually manage to do most of the things on this bucket list....



I love dressing up my three girls for trick or treating! Love this costume!



4. Show us your favorite fall beverage.

Anyone who knows me even a little bit knows that this is my fav thing ever!!




5. Tell us, how you will be participating in halloween this year. Plans? Costume ideas?


I am considering having a halloween party for the girls this year....maybe.

Coming Soon! ~ Post on our Key West trip!!!

Somebody decided to RAIN on my parade!

So...Guess who's trying to rain on our parade???

This big meanie below.....

 

Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to make landfall in Key West on Sunday evening through Monday am as a category 1 or 2 hurricane. And our flight was supposed to arrive at Miami international airport at 8am on Monday morning---- right smack in the middle of Isaacs temper tantrum. The big ole meanie had me wanting to throw a temper tantrum of my own.....

 

 

And it's maybe possible that I did get a little grumpy when my carefully laid out plans went washing down the drain..... But after many calls to American airlines, Casa Marina, and bookit.com and a really healthy dose of persistance on my sister's part, we finally had all 4 of our tickets on all 4 flights and both resort rooms rearranged so that we could go a day later....thereby missing the storm. I'm just praying there is no flooding or damage there!

 

Now the excitement and anticipation is back and, hey, now I have an extra day to pack and get the girl's stuff together for when we're gone. And of course to soak up an extra day of sugar & spice & everything nice in the form of 3 sweet girls!

 

This is what I hope to be looking at in a few days.....

 

 

 

Here's to hoping and praying that the next post I do is filled with pics from Key West!!:)

 

Bella's 2 year Update!

I think I have started every one of these posts the same way, but each time I do one of these-- I really can't believe my baby is 2 years old!

I love that I have kept up with these update posts and reading back over them starting with my pregnancy with her, brings tears to my eyes.

If I thought year one flew by....

Then that was nothing compared to year 2..... (Warning- picture overload!)

Okay, I could seriously sit here and upload pictures all day but I am going to make myself stop now and share the pics from her actual birthday. The one on the left is Bella eating her birthday breakfast. What else? Pancakes with candles. And then homemade strawberry cake with a #2 candle. Of course.

And now to the update part....

Weight~ 25 pounds

Height~ Umm... I'll have to get back on this. Somebody threw away the papertowel I had this written on from the MD's office. Not naming any names or anything:)

Feedings~ Can I even call it this anymore? Bella eats 3 meals a day and a morning and afternoon snack.

Favorite Breakfast- Eggs, turkey bacon, and toast

Favorite Lunch- Macoroni and Cheese

Favorite Dinner- She really eats anything we eat but she really likes spaghetti, chicken, corn on the cob and green beans.

Snacks- She Love, love, LOVES pumpkin and banana organic baby food packets and gerber disney princess baby food packets as long as there's a princess on front.

Sleep~ Year 2 has been great on this front. Bella takes one 2-3 hour nap about midday and goes down easily at night between 7:30-8pm and wakes around 7:30am. No complaints here!

Play~ This child is the epitomy of Girlie. She loves to play dress up, barbies, dolls, coloring, dancing, singing, "reading" books and of course anything her sisters are doing is top on her list. But her absolute favorite thing is to play building blocks.

Development~

Copies others, especially adults and older children

Gets excited when with other children

Shows independence

Shows defiant behavior (check! And looks you in the eye the whole time!)

Plays with other children

oints to things or pictures when they are named

Knows names of familiar people and body parts

Says sentences with 2 to 4 words

Follows simple instructions

Repeats words overheard in conversation

Points to things in a book

Finds things even when hidden under two or three covers

Begins to sort shapes and colors

Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books

Plays simple make-believe games

Builds towers of 4 or more blocks

Might use one hand more than the other

Follows two-step instructions such as “Pick up your shoes and put them in the closet.”

Names items in a picture book such as a cat, bird, or dog

Stands on tiptoe

Kicks a ball

Begins to run

Climbs onto and down from furniture without help

Walks up and down stairs holding on

Throws ball overhand

Makes or copies straight lines and circles

And we have just switched over to pullups. So far I have done absolutely no training. I'm a firm believer that taking it slow is much more progressive than rushing the process. Trust me. I've done this a time or two. But already she has used the potty in our bathroom a couple of times all on her own. She just went in there with Mary Kathryn and copied her. Plan- Let her set her own pace with guidance when needed.

Favorite things to do~ Play building blocks!, singing, dancing, hiding (especially in cabinets), playing with her sisters, coloring, watching Mickey Mouse and The Grinch movie (she is obsessed with this movie but hides during the scary parts). Personally, after watching this movie, I think she favors cindy lou who:) And one of her favorite things to do is play in her sisters' bedrooms. She loves going in their rooms and pulling out their toys. She has a ball but makes a mess. Neither of her sisters like this very much....But of course they get taken in by her cuteness and let her play in there anyway:) We are working on learning to pick our toys up but it's a work in progress.

Personality~ Anyone who knows Bella knows she is very outgoing. She will sing and dance for anyone who will take the time to watch. In fact, sometimes we turn the tv off and watch Bella instead. It's way more entertaining I promise!

We love watching our Bella grow and can't wait to see what the next year has in store for her!