More Baby Stuff

I'm writing this shortly after reading the final blog post by Andrea at Punk Rock Mommy. It was my first time to read Andrea's blog, an online journal of her battle with breast cancer, and I am moved to tears. Her final words are beautiful, moving, and a good reminder of what's important in life. My heart rejoices with her as she is in the presence of her Maker, yet at the same time breaks for those she left behind. I look forward to meeting her one of these days when I also enter heaven. For now, I will grieve with and pray for her family.

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On a significantly lighter note, my doctor appointment this past week went, once again, very well. Since I had an emergency C-Section with Little Bit, I wanted to schedule this one. Little Bit's entry into this world was exhausting. My water broke at midnight, and after several hours of epidurals and pushing, Dr. P strongly suggested a C-section because she wasn't coming out. She was finally born at 11:42 am the next morning. Not pleasant. Tiny Bit, unless she comes sooner, is due no later than September 14th. However, she is now scheduled for her first appearance bright and early on September 9th. That means that, as of this writing, she is only 9 WEEKS AWAY. OH. MY. GOODNESS. (Panic has officially set in.) Dr. P didn't want me to go past the 14th (40 weeks), so we had to schedule it during the week prior (39 weeks). My only request was "NOT on September 11th!!!" I just couldn't saddle her with that birthday, so September 9th it is. I go back again in two more weeks, when we'll do one more sonogram. Little Bit is very excited about that, so she's going with us for this appointment.

So here I am at 31-ish weeks:

Baby News

I had hoped to have a belly picture to post last week after my doctor appointment, but as so often occurs, life gets in the way and it didn't happen. I am on the every-two-week plan now--THE HOME STRETCH!!!--and go in again this Thursday (or today, by the time most of you read this), so I will once again attempt to post a picture at that time. My last appointment went very well, and God used it to encourage me in a rather shallow area of my life.

Before I tell you how good God was to me last week, I need to give you a tidbit of information about my pregnancies. I have been pregnant only two times in my life. Both times happened shortly after I had slimmed down somewhat. Prior to Little Bit, I had lost 15 pounds; before Tiny Bit, I had gone down two sizes. I figured God could've used better timing and let me enjoy my slightly more svelte self a while longer, but ultimately who am I to tell Him what to do? So with both pregnancies I have tried to not focus on that, but rather be grateful for the privilege of getting to be a mommy. I haven't been so good at it this time around.

Last week I had been feeling somewhat akin to the Goodyear blimp, and not the scaled-down toy version, either. I kept expecting them to call and ask me to fill in for the blimp at the next major sporting event. Every time I went into my closet I got discouraged as I looked longingly at my non-pregnant clothes, aching to be able to wear them again. Some of my most favorite warm-weather pieces were ones I really didn't get to wear much, since I bought them last fall right before I found out I was pregnant. Add a tub-full of guilt on top of that desire to not be rotund--I wasn't being grateful for this precious gift--and I felt awful. In case I haven't mentioned it before, I went through 5-1/2 years of infertility before I was blessed with Little Bit. If I was still going through that battle with infertility today and someone had said to me what I was currently thinking, that she was more worried about not getting back into her non-pregnant clothes rather than rejoicing in the fact that she was getting to be a mommy, I would have clocked her upside the head with a baseball bat for being so ungrateful. It was a no-win situation, and I was absolutely pathetic. A couple of times hormones took over and I just started bawling. Poor HOFFER didn't really know what to do, and frankly, there wasn't much to do but let me vent.

When I go see my doctor, the first thing that happens when I get called in for my appointment is the dreaded weigh-in. I mentioned to the nurse on one occasion that I didn't want to know my weight, so she told me to close my eyes. On subsequent appointments I have just stood on THE BEAST with my back to it. (HA! Tell me how much I weigh, will ya???? I'll show you!!!) Last week's appointment was no exception. I outsmarted THE BEAST yet again and stood with my back to it, ignoring its evil declaration.

While I outsmarted THE BEAST, apparently no one told Dr. P that I didn't want to know my weight. And technically, he didn't tell me how much I weigh. What he did was listen to Tiny Bit's heartbeat, measured my belly, and looked over the information on my chart. Our brief conversation went something like this:

Dr. P: "Looks like you're doing great. You measured the right size, baby's heartbeat is strong, and you've only gained 10 pounds, so you're doing great."

Me: "I'm sorry...what did you say? Did you really say 10 POUNDS?"

Dr. P: "Yes, only 10 pounds. I think we talked about..."


I stopped listening at that point, because it was really all I wanted and needed to hear. ONLY TEN POUNDS!!! Then I tuned in again as he said "You should be back to your regular size in no time."


I could hear the angelic chorus singing "Aaaahhhh!!!!"


Call me shallow, but this was SO INCREDIBLY ENCOURAGING to me!!! With Little Bit I gained about 40-50 pounds...blew right past the 200 mark. I ballooned to the size of a hot air balloon, which for someone who has been relatively petite for most of my life, is very bad! But I didn't care because I was so VERY excited just to actually be pregnant. I have been a bit more careful this time around. I eat at Sonic only 2-3 times a week instead of every day. (I wish I were joking!) I honestly believe it is the vitamins I'm taking...it's the main difference between this pregnancy and my first one (other that not having a daily dose of foot-long Coney, large tater tots and a Route 44 Coca-Cola with extra ice). The cool thing is they are not prenatal vitamins...they are the same vitamins I've been taking on a daily basis for about five years. So I continue to take these vitamins (in addition to my prenatals) and am continuing to do well. The only concern was that, in spite of taking an iron supplement every day, I was still anemic. So I have been given a stronger supplement, and that seems to be working well.

I wish I weren't so shallow. But I think I will look at it in a more positive way: I'm grateful that I have a healthier pregnancy than my first one, and that I'll be back to my old self much sooner than the first time around.

I'm Officially A Fan

I must confess that, while I haven't used AOL in years, I love AOL's main page. There's always something there that peaks my curiosity enough to check out the picture or first paragraph of an article. Sometimes it's worth looking into, sometimes not. But look what I found there today! Definitely worth checking out!!! I believe the entire article would be found at USA Today, but this I found--via AOL's main page--at http://www.oceanup.com/oceanup/2008/06/kevin-jonas-sr.html.

I am typically a big fan of Disney movies, but generally not too hip to their TV shows or Disney radio. With the radio especially, I feel like I'm being constantly yelled at. And no, it's not a pregnancy thing either. :-) Age-related...perhaps. It does sound like something my mother would say. Anyway, what little I've heard from the Jonas Brothers has been good, so I already liked them. This article just made me an official fan. It's nice to be able to tell Little Bit that the music she so wants to listen to is something I can endorse. I love that God always finds ways to put His children in places of influence in some of the most spiritually desolate places...like Hollywood! Check it out!

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June 24, 2008

Kevin Jonas Sr. "We Didn't Give The Boys Purity Rings As A Pledge Of Perfection."



















The Jonas Brothers wear purity rings as symbols of their commitment to remain virgins until marriage. Their ordained minister father, Kevin Sr., strives to make time for the family to worship and give thanks for their blessings.

He revealed to USA Today: 'The boys made a decision when they turned 12 years old to put those rings on their fingers. We didn't give them these rings as a pledge of perfection, but as a reminder of values. Our hope is that they'll always know that there's a good, right way to treat the opposite sex.'

Joe added, 'Even songs we write today, if you really listen to the lyrics, it can be about love songs, but it's also about our relationship with God. It's simple. We're Christian guys in a rock 'n' roll band.'

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ROCK ON, GUYS!!!

Pleasant Words

The question was raised recently, once again by astute blogger Shauna at The Coffee Stop, as to how to share something personal on one's blog knowing that one will have to ultimately face lurkers. Here's what she said:

"There is a reason I haven't been blogging as frequently, and hopefully I'll feel confident enough to share it here soon. Quick question: how do you get personal on your own blog, knowing you will come face to face with some of the lurkers?"

It's something I've often wondered myself. How do you blog about something difficult you've been facing without sharing something lousy about another person? Any suggestions? I'm listening! I haven't been blogging for long, but my basic rule of thumb, for life as well as blogging, is that if I don't have something nice to say then I should keep my mouth shut (something The HOFFER has been asking me to do for quite some time--LOL!!!). While I've learned over the years that unkind words or gossip usually come back to bite me in the butt if I don't keep quiet, that doesn't necessarily mean I follow that little nugget of great advice with any regularity. Words can be used to build up and bring joy, or they can be used to destroy and hurt. Once spoken, they can't be taken back. In print--letter, email, note, BLOG--it's even worse, because it's written out for all to see and read again and again. Here's what the Bible says about what we say and how it affects others in James 3:3-12 (I'm using The Message translation):

"A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!

It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!

My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?"

Yikes. That IS scary!

I had originally planned on this post being about a few pet peeves I have, but reading those verses has caused me to change my mind. Pet peeves are negatives. So perhaps another time when I really need to vent...perhaps. Since words can be used for good instead of evil, positive instead of negative, I would like to share some pleasant words written about my Beloved (a.k.a. The HOFFER), as well as one more Bible verse. It's from one of my favorite books, Proverbs (New International Version, this time!).

Proverbs 16:24: Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.


Boy, did we find out just how true THAT is!!! Check out these pleasant words that someone wrote recently about The HOFFER! And yes, his name really is Cash. This was posted in a BMX chat room that he has been a part of for several years. (OldschoolBMX and Vintage, as referenced in this post, are both chat rooms focusing on BMX racing, mostly past but also present.)


"If anyone knows Cash, they’re a better person. What can I say but THANK YOU!

There are very few people on this earth that I look up to and admire. My dad was one. A good Christian man when he passed just after his 56th birthday. My pastor is another for instance. He brings the word of God to his flock every week in and week out. He’s genuine, not judgmental. He loves Jesus and he loves people. Then there's Cash. Cash is another person that I really admire. He is a genuine person and really loves people. When I first started back into this BMX thing, I thought it was kind of silly to be racing BMX into my late 30’s. However, with my involvement in OldschoolBMX and later Vintage, I found out that Cash was racing and that to me told me that it was alright to do so also. As time went on, I found Cash to be a warm and caring man. Never have I heard a discouraging word come from his mouth. He always has something positive to say and you can see Christ working through him. I consider myself fortunate to have met Mr. Matthews and to have him call me friend is truly an honor that I cherish.

Cash, I love you like a brother. If there’s anything you or Katy need, please don’t hesitate to let me know. I pray for you, your wife, your daughter, and the one in the womb. Cash, you are doing God’s will. Keep up the good fight!

Thank you!

Your friend, Mike"


Oh my goodness. How would you like it if someone said something like this about you? I was weeping openly after I read this. But what's important is this: our friend Mike hit the nail right on the head. The HOFFER is EXACTLY what Mike said: encouraging, always has something positive to say...pleasant words indeed. I am truly blessed to have him be such a major part of my life.

Happy 17th Anniversary and Happy Father's Day, Sweetheart! I love you.

I'm Speechless (And The Countdown Has Begun!)

If you look at the length of this post, you will probably think, "This woman obviously does not know the meaning of the word 'speechless'." I will explain that part later. But as you can see by the ticker at the top of my page, as of today, I have 100 days till my due date. THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN!!! WOO HOO!!! As for an early delivery, that is only wishful thinking. My family has a history of delivering big babies and delivering them late. I'm not complaining about the big...that means my baby is healthy. I'm just whining about the late. Fortunately for me, Dr. P. said that we wouldn't go past the due date given my age. What a great doctor!!! ;-)

I wish I were one of those women who enjoys being pregnant, but I'm not. My sister and my niece both absolutely love it. My sister cracked her best jokes when she was pregnant, and given that she has 5 kids, she has come up with enough material to last a career for any comedian. Me? Not so much. I hate being uncomfortable, I hate being hot (which is a constant here in Texas), I can't function without adequate sleep, I hate having to think about food 24/7, I hate having to pay ridiculous prices for and wear maternity clothes...blah, blah, blah, whine, whine, whine. Those of you who have been pregnant before know the drill. That being said, I am nonetheless so very blessed to have been given this great gift. I love the end result and know that going through all the stuff I don't enjoy is so very worth every minute of it. Little Bit is solid proof of that. So I try to keep my whining to myself and not complain...no one wants to be around a whiner. I don't know how successful I've been at that...I'll have to check with The HOFFER. God bless him...he is on the receiving end of most of those whines. What a saint.

I slept pretty late this morning. My allergies are giving me fits and I'm taking all the medicine I'm allowed to take, as well as what works for me. Claritin and Nasacort work pretty well but sometimes need some extra help. If I weren't pregnant, I would have two or three days of Sudafed 12-Hour to get dried up and be done with it. Alas, it's one of those pregnancy draw-backs that I can't take Sudafed, so my head feels like it's the size of a watermelon and my nose the size of a large naval orange. I can take Benedryl, but it gives me weird dreams that keep me up all night. My allergies are usually at their worst at night because (those with weak constitutions or are reading this during a meal may not want to read this next part) all that yucky drainage settles in my throat and chest since I'm lying down. So sleep is once again eluding me, hence not getting up till after 10:00 this morning. Let me tell you...I needed it!

Once I did wake up and get going, I ran out to grab breakfast for everyone because I am out of eggs. Must have protein first thing in the morning, and LOTS OF IT. After I got back with a bag full of breakfast tacos and started to sit down to eat with Little Bit and The HOFFER, there was a knock on my front door. We ran to see who it was, and we were pleasantly surprised to see our Mail Delivery-Babe with a big box for us. My Blog Buddy Shauna from The Coffee Stop sent me a bottomless box of baby goodies! I was speechless. So to brag on my Canadian buddy's incredible generosity, allow me to share the bounty with you. Little Bit will be serving today as our resident Vanna White.




Here is Little Bit giving Shauna the "I LOVE YOU" sign for the Littlest Pet Shop puppy/kitty (we're not exactly sure, but Little Bit doesn't care at all!) sent just for her! It's also a virtual pet that can be registered and played with online. Right up her alley!!! Her exact response was "I'M GOING TO SLEEP WITH THIS FOR ALL ETERNITY!!!"





Here she is showing off one of the baby gifts. It clips onto the car seat cover and the two little noisemakers hang down for the baby to grab. VERY cool!!!



And then came THE CLOTHES, which if you have ever shopped for baby girl clothes...OM MY GOODNESS. THEY ARE IRRESISTIBLY SWEET!!!! The first picture is a package of onesies...something there are NEVER enough of for a new baby. The second picture is of a package of long-sleeved nighties. Of course they're pink and girly!!! Love them!!!

Oh, just a side note: Little Bit and I went to register earlier this week. She didn't understand that we were REGISTERING ONLY, NOT BUYING. While I filled out some paperwork, she grabbed a cart and came back a few minutes later with about 15 outfits, nearly all of them some form of pink. When Little Bit was born, all but about two or three of her outfits were pink. I LOVED IT!!! Okay, back to the bounty:



FOOTIE-JAMMIES!!!!






Another onesie...the second picture has a close-up of the front. Hard to believe that Little Bit was once this size!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!





HEY! How did Chester the Wonder Dog sneak in here????





A smelly-good for Mommy and Baby...





More clothes. Isn't she going to be such a sassy girl??? Check out the detail on the jeans!





And of course, Little Bit modeling the outfit!





One more of the Wonder Dog. Silly boy.


So Little Bit has spent one day of her summer vacation playing with her new online pet, and I don't mind. It has given me the opportunity to brag about a sweet and generous friend whom I have never met in person, but hope to do so one day! Shauna, thank you again for your wonderful gift. The HOFFER and I were in tears as Little Bit kept bringing more and more stuff out of the box! I am so privileged to know you, if only as an online buddy. You rock!

Modern Day Version of "Who's On First?"

Okay, THIS was just TOO FUNNY not to share with the masses, and I don't like to send out mass emails, so thank goodness I have a blog. If you've never heard Abbott and Costello's classic comedy routine "Who's On First?", click here to watch a YouTube video of this famous performance. It never stops being funny. Watch it before you read any further. This will be much funnier if you do.

So here is the email sent to me from a friend:

If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's on First?" might have turned out something like this:


COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT


ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store, Can I help you?


COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.

ABBOTT: Your computer?

COSTELLO: I don't own a computer...I want to buy one.

ABBOTT: Mac?

COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.

ABBOTT: What about Windows?

COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?

ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?

COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?

ABBOTT: Wallpaper.

COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.

ABBOTT: Software for Windows?

COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses, and run my business. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?

ABBOTT: I just did.

COSTELLO: You just did what?

ABBOTT: Recommend something.

COSTELLO: You recommended something?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: For my office?

ABBOTT: Yes.

COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?

ABBOTT: Office.

COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!

ABBOTT: I recommended Office with Windows.

COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?

ABBOTT: Word.

COSTELLO: What word?

ABBOTT: Word in Office.

COSTELLO: The only word in office IS office.

ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.

COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?

ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W".

COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'W' if you don't start with some straight answers! What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?

ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.

COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?

ABBOTT: Money.

COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?

ABBOTT: Yes, at no extra charge.

COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?

ABBOTT: One copy.

COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?

ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.

COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?

ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

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A few days later...

ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store, can I help you?

COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?

ABBOTT: Click on START...

Is This A Meme?

I'm still fairly new to blogging, so some of the lingo still escapes me. I think I get the idea of a meme, but I still don't know where the term came from. All I can figure is it's a "thing" all about me, me, me. Am I close?

My friend Jenster emailed this to me months ago (how embarrassing!), and while it looked like a lot of fun, I just didn't think I had the time to complete it myself. And frankly, I probably still don't. But I'm going to anyway. Dishes can wait a little longer. (Bathroom breaks, however...) So here we go:

1. Do you like blue cheese? DEFINITELY!!!

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Heroin, no; cigar, yes
3. Do you own a gun? Yes. Guess I should learn to use it.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Cherry, if I could drink carbonated drinks.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointment? No

6. What do you think of hot dogs? A GIFT FROM GOD!!! Ball park dogs & Nathan's are THE BEST!!!!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life (A Christmas Story comes in a very close second)

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Milk

9. Can you do push ups? I can do push up...singular, not plural. After one, I'm done!

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My Roman coin earrings

12. Favorite hobby? Reading a good romance novel.
14. Do you have A.D.D.? Not officially...!!! Wait, I'm sorry...did you say something?

15. What's one trait you dislike about yourself? Only one? INCREDIBLY disorganized.

16. Middle name? Katherine

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. 1. I should probably be doing something a bit more productive right now; 2. Did my timer go off yet? 3. I wonder if Wonder Dog pee'd on the carpet again.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday. Grilled cheese sandwich, a SuperSonic cheeseburger-no tomatoes, and a Root Beer float. No, it was NOT all mine!!!
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Milk, water, iced tea.
20. Current worry? Is my baby going to be okay? (No, there's no indication that something's wrong...just a general concern!!!)

21. Current hate right now? THE HEAT...THIS OPPRESSIVE HEAT! AND IT'S STILL ONLY MAY!!!

22. Favorite place to be? Cape Cod, Massachusetts in June
23. How did you bring in the New Year? Very quietly at home watching the ball drop. Such a sissy.

24. Where would you like to go? Cape Cod; Pennsylvania; Hawaii; San Diego
25. Name three people who will complete this: me, Jenster...uh...oh wait, she already did. Uh...me...uh...I'm stumped.

26. Do you own slippers? BIG FLUFFY PINK ONES WITH A HUGE FLOWER ON THE TOP!

27. What shirt are you wearing? maternity tank top under sweatshirt (basic pajamas!)

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I've never tried...sounds slippery.

29. Can you whistle? So well and so loud my daughter's friends think I'm cool. Come to think of it, hubby's friends are impressed too.

30. Favorite color? Pink

31. Would you be a pirate? No. Remember? I'm a sissy.

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? None

33. Favorite girl's name? Audrey

34. Favorite boy's name? Hmmm...that's a toughie

35. What's in your pocket right now? No pockets.

36. Last thing that made you laugh? My husband!!!

37. Best bed sheets as a child? I don't remember.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? I jammed my pinky on my right hand and couldn't write for a couple of weeks. As I said before, I'm such a sissy.

39. Do you love where you live? Like a lot...not quite love.

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Way too many...three

41. Who is your loudest friend? Pam when she's watching a University of Texas or Dallas Cowboys' football game

42. How many dogs do you have? Only one, but he thinks he's human

43. Does someone have a crush on you? Yes, I think so.

45. What is your favorite book(s)? Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers; The Measure of a Lady, by Deeanne Gist; Sharlene MacLaren's Little Hickman Creek Series; the first three books in Dee Henderson's O'Malley series (Danger in the Shadows, The Negotiator, & The Guardian); Tamera Alexander's Fountain Creek Chronicles (can you tell I like a good series???); Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion Series.

46. What is your favorite candy? Reese's Easter Eggs; they are far superior to any other Reese's product, but they're only out at Easter. The PB cups are an excellent substitute!!!

47. Favorite Sports Team? Texas Rangers...even though they are permanently ensconced in the cellar.

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Amazing Grace

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Hey, this is a family blog!!!

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Can't someone else let the dog out?


Awfully selfish of me, I know. So there you go...more information about me than you really wanted to know. If you decide to answer these very probing questions on your blog, let me know! Back to the dishes!

Prayers for Steven Curtis Chapman and Family

In case you hadn't heard, here's the AP news story:


Daughter of Gospel Star hit, killed by car

Published - May 21 2008 10:12PM CDT | AP

By JOE EDWARDS - Associated Press Writer

The 5-year-old daughter of contemporary Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.

The girl, Maria, was hit in a driveway on the family residence Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

McPherson said no charges are expected.

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Update:

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made here.

To see a video of Maria Sue Chapman or to offer condolences, click here.

These links are also available at the Shaohannah's Hope website.

Little Hickman Creek Series, Or Tagged Again!

Last Friday I was tagged by my buddy Shauna over at The Coffee Stop to share about a favorite but rather lesser-known book. (If you haven't visited Shauna's blog before, it's time well spent. She has three of the funniest boys you'll ever find!) From Shauna's post last Friday:

"Patti Abbot launched this great idea. Here's her original explanation:

This is the first of what I optimistically hope will become Friday recommendations of books we love but might have forgotten over the years. I have asked several people to help me by also remembering a favorite book. Their blog sites are listed below. I also asked each of them to tag someone to recommend a book for next Friday. I'm worried great books of the recent past are sliding out of print and out of our consciousness. Not the first-tier classics we all can name, but the books that come next."

So in keeping with Friday book recommendations (yes, I know I'm posting a bit early!), I am taking some liberties with this and recommending not just one book, but a 3-book series by Sharlene MacLaren. It's her Little Hickman Creek Series, and consists of three of my all-time favorite historical romances. I'm including the synopsis from each book.

When I started this blog last year, one of my first posts was about my favorite authors. Sharlene MacLaren, who is on that list, is a new-ish author with whom I have absolutely fallen in love! Every book of hers that I have read has been one that I've read at least twice, if not more. Each book is better than the one before. And not only are her books wonderful, Shar herself is such a fun gal that you will absolutely love her. She's been so generous with me with email notes that I feel like I've known her for years. Check her out at her blog or her website. You will enjoy getting to know her better. Till then, let me encourage you--STRONGLY encourage you!!!--to read her Little Hickman Creek series.

The first book in Shar's Little Hickman Creek Series is "Loving Liza Jane":




A Divine Leading: When Liza Jane Merriwether rode into the town of Little Hickman Creek, her first thought was, "Oh Lord, what have I done?" Kentucky was much different than what she was used to back East, but she knew God had led her here for a reason. Will she discover His plan for her life?

The Handsome Widower: Soon, the petite schoolteacher is beloved by all...including Benjamin Broughton, a handsome widower struggling to raise two young children. Will he overlook the perfect wife that God has practically dropped in his lap for a mail-order bride?

A Destined Love: Liza Jane's teaching contract implicitly states that she is to have "no improper contact with the opposite sex." Will she discover that with God, all things are possible?


Sounds good, doesn't it???? I can assure it, IT WAS!!!

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The second book in the series is "Sarah, My Beloved".

A Divine Mix-up: A beautiful redhead has traveled from Boston to Kentucky by stagecoach to be a mail order bride. But when Sarah Woodward arrives in Little Hickman Creek, she is greeted by her prospective husband, who tells her he has fallen in love with another woman. Disappointed but determined, Sarah refuses to leave until she finds out the reason why God led her here.

A Hardened Heart: A tall, dark and ruggedly handsome man, Rocky Callahan meets the fiery Sarah. He has tragically lost his wife, his only child, and his sister. Faced with raising his sister's two children alone, he suggests a "marriage in name only" to Sarah.

Healing the Past: Will Rocky let go of the pain in his past and trust God's plan for his life? Will Sarah leave him for a past beau, who has followed her to Kentucky to bring her home? Or will Sarah and Rocky find true love from the hand of the ultimate Matchmaker?


I love a good "marriage of convenience" story...and this one is JUST THAT!!! A REALLY GOOD ONE!!!

*************************************************************************************

The third and final book in the series, just recently released and what I think to be Shar's best work to date, is "Courting Emma":




A Divine Plan: Twenty-eight-year-old Emma Browning has built a barricade around her heart to survive the pain of growing up with her alcoholic father, Ezra. As she runs Emma's Boardinghouse, she plays host to an array of unkempt, earthy characters while trying to maintain a protective emotional distance from people. No one has succeeded in getting to know the beautiful yet steely edged proprietress. That is, not until Little Hickman Creek's handsome new pastor, Jonathan Atkins, takes up residence in the boardinghouse and begins to dismantle her carefully controlled world...

A Struggle to Forgive: Clinging desperately to her stubborn ways and unable to forgive her father, Emma begins receiving letters from a mysterious sender who somehow knows about her and has secret information about Ezra's past. Amidst all this, she is surprised--and unsettled--by the attentions of both Jonathan and Billy, the smooth-talking traveling showman.

A Miraculous Love: When the town of Little Hickman Creek is stunned by an unexpected turn of events, will Emma risk removing her protective shell to accept the love of God--and the love of a man?


As good as the other two are, this one is without a doubt my favorite. Well worth the wait!!!

************************************************************************************

I love a good book, but even more I love a good series. A series gives me another book to anticipate. I also love when characters from one book show up in subsequent books. It's like visiting with old friends whom I haven't seen in a while. (Yes, I know I need to get out more!!!) Shar's "Little Hickman Creek" series has all those things, and then some. You can read these book summaries and probably guess how each book will end, but I can promise you that NONE of Shar's books are predictable. Her writing has quality and depth, and she tells a wonderful love story with a happily-ever-after ending that always leaves you sighing and wanting more. Check her out! You will be so glad you did!

And finally, to finish off my Friday book recommendation, I now tag Deb over at The Daily B. I noticed you have "Loving Liza Jane" on your Shelfari list, Deb! So next Friday is yours!!!

Mystery Revealed

First I will start with my most recent belly pic. Here I am:




Not whale status yet, although that will come about soon enough. Here I am at 19 weeks, 4 days, and everything is progressing beautifully and as it should be progressing. Today I had my monthly check-up AND my 5-month sonogram. This is the time when the sonogram tech checks to see that the baby's development is correct: fingers, toes, bone structure, vital organs, etc. (if there is any etc.). This is also when parents find out if they are having a boy or girl.

First let me say that everything looked great. All the vital organs were developing as they should, 10 fingers, 10 toes, the spine looked perfect...everything was normal and as it should be. So for that we say THANK YOU, LORD! Your handiwork is amazing!

Next we found out what we are having. If you recall, I was absolutely certain we were having a boy. (For that post, click here.) The HOFFER, however, was convinced it was a girl. Little Bit didn't really know but really hoped for a girl. She was being told by friends and classmates that little brothers were Satan's direct attack on big sisters and were to be avoided at all costs. Either way, whether boy or girl, it didn't matter to me. I was just grateful for the privilege of being a mommy again.

I went in for my appointment this morning all alone. The HOFFER had a regrettable scheduling conflict that really couldn't be avoided, so it was just me. I was actually okay with that...as long as he's there when the baby arrives!!!! I walked in with a VCR tape and an envelope for keeping the news a secret till we could get together as a family. As I said before, the appointment went very well...all is normal, and normal is good. My sonogram tech took a picture of the baby's privates, made sure it said either boy or girl, slipped it in the envelope, and sealed it.

After I came home, I let Chester the Wonderdog out for a bathroom break, then brought him back in so the two of us could take a nap together. I was running on about 4 hours of sleep and was really ready for some rest. Ten minutes into our nap Wonderdog let me know in no uncertain terms that he needed to go back outside for another potty break. I reluctantly got up and took him back outside. After all, it beat having pee or poop on my bed. Unfortunately for me, a short section of our fence is missing and in the process of being repaired, so he ran to one of his favorite places to potty: our next-door neighbor's yard. As if that weren't bad enough, he hasn't mastered the art of coming when called and COMPLETELY ignored my desperate pleas to come back to our yard. Right as he squats for a poop break, my neighbor walks out of her back door. Oh, how embarrassing!!!! I cringe. "I am so sorry! I will clean this up...I PROMISE!" She told me that she was only coming out because she saw me and wanted to find out what we were having. (She really is a sweet neighbor.) I explained the situation, that I didn't know and that results were in a sealed envelope, but that I would be glad to let her peek inside. (I felt a bit obligated since Wonderdog had soiled her lovely lawn!) So I cleaned up the poop while she checked the envelope. She made one comment that made me think it was a girl, then said something else that made me think boy. She was nice enough to keep the secret.

We went to dinner with some close family friends to share our big news. After ordering our meal, we handed the envelope to Little Bit to let her reveal the Big Secret. It took her a minute to figure the picture, but then finally found the answer to our question:

"GIRL!"

Her name is Sarah Grace.

Baby News...Again

As you can see from my counter at the top of my blog, I'm at 19 weeks, and all is well. Nothing much new so far. My last appointment (that I CLEARLY neglected to blog about!) went smoothly...heard the baby's heartbeat, which is WAY COOL!!! This week I go and find out if we're having a boy or a girl, and I promise to post a belly shot before the end of the week. I am rather rotund these days!

A funny story about the sonogram scheduling: The HOFFER was leaving his office last week and was half-way out the door when he stopped to check with his lovely assistant (who will now be referred to as the Lovely Assistant) about his upcoming appointments. An older woman was on her way past him to the dentist's office next door when he asked his Lovely Assistant, "When is our sex-thing scheduled?" It was at that point that The HOFFER realized someone had overheard his question. The Lovely Assistant just laughed as he sped out the door and ran right into the elevator to be alone with his humiliation.

Okay, so that's all I have for now. I'll have more after Thursday!

My Own Personal Presidential Candidate

I never really considered myself First Lady material. After all, I'm waaaaaay too casual to dress in a suit every day. If I was First Lady, jeans and flip-flops would be the new business suit, and I see that going over about as well as a pregnant polevaulter! Additionally, I'm not terribly interested in politics. I get way too irritated and angry because some of the people in office say and do some of the stupidest, most ignorant things ever imagined and there's not one thing I can do about any of it, except to cast my vote to get them out of office. But The HOFFER has made a post on his blog that, pretty much, gives his candidacy speech. I don't know exactly how serious he is about all this, but there are his thoughts on how this great nation of ours should be run in black and white. It's okay to disagree...I'm not going to refuse to speak with someone just because we don't believe the same way. (If we all believed the exact same thing, one of us wouldn't be necessary.) So go over and read what The HOFFER has to say about being President of the United States of America. Little Bit will love you forever if you vote for him...she's already making plans to move to D.C., remodel the White House and call it the Rainbow House. I don't know how I would feel about it all...guess I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. :-)

I AM STUNNED

Are you an American Idol devotee? Did you see Thursday night's show? If you did, are you as shocked as I am? I am absolutely REELING! What is up with this???? What is going on???

Last season, after their Idol Gives Back show, they decided that every contestant was safe that week, but that two contestants would be eliminated the following week. This year, they decided to not do it again that way, and who was eliminated? Michael Johns.

What is up with this??? This just goes to show that ANYONE, regardless of how amazingly talented they are, can be kicked off the show! I was absolutely certain beyond any shadow of a doubt that Michael would end up one of the final two contestants (with David Cook as the other). Did you SEE his performance of Bohemian Rapsody during Hollywood Week? Did you SEE him sing Light My Fire better than Jim Morrison ever thought of singing it? Have you ever heard ANYONE else even ATTEMPT to sing ANYTHING by Queen and do it justice? Michael Johns not only did We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions justice, HE KICKED IT IN THE (fill in the blank)!!!! This is so weird. So much so that I think Idol has something up its proverbial sleeve. I won't be terribly surprised if they somehow manage to bring him back next week. If they don't, well, they're just morons. I am certain that, whether or not he's really off the show or Idol's just messing with us, Michael Johns will come out with a CD some time over the next year. And I will be standing in line to buy it. Rock on, Michael!!!

Another Video--This One's REALLY GOOD!!!

I had hoped to do more posting over the weekend, but we had a friend in from Wisconsin as well as a shin-dig in his honor, and I am still pretty much a worn out cookie. So for your listening and viewing pleasure, and until I get back to posting more stuff, here is a video of our friend Jessica. She is a senior in high school and is performing here at her school's version of American Idol. Not only is she lovely inside and out, she has a beautiful voice. As if that's not cool enough, she also races BMX with us and is rated #3 in the nation. She's the whole package. I think you'll enjoy hearing her sing, even with Grandma's cell phone going off in the middle of her song!

More stuff--baby, Chester and otherwise--to come soon. Oh, before I pass you on to the video, I have to tell you about what The Hoffer did today. He left for Augusta, Georgia this afternoon. Those of you who are golf fans have a pretty good idea of what I'm about to tell you: YES HE'S GOING TO THE MASTERS!!!! Tuesday only, but WHO CARES???? If you're not a golf/sports fan, The Masters is the most prestigious PGA tournament of the year, as well as the most sought-after and difficult ticket to get in ALL of sports. I can assure you he will be driving up Magnolia Lane in tears Tuesday morning. I'll be in tears with him. He made a short post about it on his blog, so check out Cash Flows when you get a minute.

One final thing: if you are in the mood for some good romance, check out the blog site for Christian romance writer Kristy Dykes. I must embarrassingly confess I have never read Kristy's books, but after reading her blog about her and her husband, WHO NEEDS TO???? (No offense, Kristy!!! I promise to read your books, but are they half as romantic as you and Milton???) These two are the sweetest couple I have ever seen. Kristy was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, and you should read some of the posts her husband Milton has written. Even before her diagnosis, these two are just sick in love with each other. I have been lurking around her blog for a good while, posting only on occasion, but since her diagnosis all I can do is watch and pray. Their absolute devotion to each other is a beautiful thing to see. Please check it out, and keep them on your prayer list.

Alright, without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, performing Misty, I give you the lovely and talented Jessica.

Roadrunner Users, Beware!

This really isn't what I wanted to post after a nice long Easter weekend, but I felt it important to pass the word along. I received the following email yesterday (thankfully in my junk mail box) and after some follow-up with Roadrunner, found it to be a false email. Check this out:


"Dear valued customer,

We are currently performing maintenance for our
Digital Webmail Customers. We intend upgrading
our Digital Webmail Security Server for better online
services.

In order to ensure you do not experience service
interruption, Please you must reply to this email
immediately and enter your password here (********)
and Check out your new  features and enhancements with
your new and improved roadrunner account,to enable
us upgrade your Account for better online services
please reply to this email.

Thank You for Using RoadRunner. "


The first thing that clued me in that something strange was afoot
at the Circle K (a "Bill & Ted" reference, in case you're wondering)
is the fact that they asked for my password.  The next thing that
caused me concern was the way it was written.  I'm a grammar/
spelling nut so the capitalizations in the middle of a sentence
--one big, long, run-on sentence at that!!!-- as well as "to enable
us upgrade" said to me that this was probably not sent out by
Roadrunner.

I called and spoke with Mike with Roadrunner Tech Support
about the email, and it struck him as odd that the email
service was referred to as "digital webmail".  Email is indeed
digital, but it's never referred to as such.  He also reminded
me that Roadrunner will NEVER ask for my password.
Finally, he asked about some things in the email header
(which, being a techno moron, took me a minute to find),
and we found that even though this was "sent" from
"support@roadrunner.com", the reply-to email address
was a Yahoo address.  So I copied and pasted the email
and sent it to the abuse centers at both Roadrunner and
Yahoo.  I have not heard back from Yahoo, but here is
what Roadrunner had to say:

"This message did not originate from RoadRunner
and is actively being dealt with by the Security
team. Please do not provide your account
information to these sites. If you have, contact
your local office to reset your account information. 
 
For additional general security information, please
visit Help and Member Services, Security and Abuse Help. 
 
RoadRunner also has a security software package
available called CA Internet Security Suite, which
\contains an Antivirus, Firewall with pop-up blocker,
Anti-Spam, and Anti-Spyware. This can be accessed
on the RoadRunner homepage, by selecting the RR
Benefits link on the menu at the left-hand side.
You can then follow the steps for downloading and
installing the software. 
 
Note: If your credit card information is
compromised while using the Internet, contact
your credit card company immediately. Each
company has specific policies regarding online
theft and fraud. Please contact them directly
for more information. 
 
 
Thank you for taking the time to contact
Road Runner. 
 
- Road Runner Abuse [CL]"


So there you have it, sports fans.  If you have Roadrunner and
get this email (or one similar), don't answer it.  Get in touch
with the abuse center (security@rr.com) so they can put a
stop to the deviants who do this kind of thing.

**************************************************

On a lighter note, I just finished book #3 from Sharlene MacLaren's
Little Hickman Creek series.  FABULOUS!!!!!!  It was so good it
inspired me to write a little bit of poetry for Shar.  I will share
it with you now:

An Ode for Shar
(with apologies to Clement C. Moore)

'Twas the weekend of Easter
And all through our home,
Only our cat stirred,
Being left all alone
(but in the good care of a neighbor!).

We had packed our car full
And headed four hours south
To Port Aransas, Texas
To hook something with a large mouth.

Our friends Dan and Cheryl
Had come in from Big D.
We fished, we sunned,
And we laughed heartily.

Upon our return,
On my porch what I saw
Was a package delivered
And meant just for MOI!

OH GOODIE! I thought
As I picked up the box.
It’s the books that I ordered,
And all were in stock!

With scissors I carefully
Cut open the tape.
I slowly opened the box,
My mouth all agape.

A light from inside
Of the box did glow.
Angels from heaven sang “AAAHHHH!”
As they looked on below.

IT’S THE BOOK I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!
I thought with delight.
“Courting Emma”, its name,
And I started that night.

A few days and interruptions later
I finished with a sigh.
Another happy ending!
Oh my my my my!!!!

She’s done it again,
I thought about Shar.
Yet another fabulous story,
Her best one so far.

And at the end another teaser!
“Hannah Grace” is its title.
A very busy author,
Hardly ever idle.

But another long wait?
2009????
Back to “Emma”, I guess,
It was, after all, SO DIVINE! 

I plan to give more details about the whole Little Hickman
series later, but if you get the chance to read these books, jump
at it!!! Sharlene gets better and better with each book she writes.
Great romance and ALWAYS a happy ending!

More soon! Hope you all are doing well.

Early Easter Greetings

Hi everyone! This has been a really busy week, and I can't wait to tell you about helping out with the Seder Feast my daughter's third grade class (actually, the entire grade) participated in. It was beautiful. Alas, I must leave you all behind for a few days--and EVEN CHESTER!!! WAAAAAH!!!--to head down to the Texas coast to spend Easter with a high school buddy of mine. So here's my wishes for a blessed Easter for you all. As we say when Christmas comes around, remember that Jesus is the Reason for the season. Seems to fit with Easter as well. :-)

New Baby Picture

Thanks, everyone, for indulging me in my continuous baby conversation. I hope to give you a bit of a break soon and talk about some books I've been reading since Christmas, but first I have to show you a new baby picture.







Isn't he an absolute LOVE?????

The HOFFER and Little Bit have been begging to get a dog for months, but I have had some pretty strong reservations. First, I'm allergic to dogs; on a scale of 1-4, I'm a 3. It's usually a delayed reaction, but nevertheless, I am allergic to dogs. Second, most of the dogs we have previously owned weren't a good match for me. Bunker was awesome...he was an older white lab that was just about as sweet as they come. Sandy was a jealous mixed-breed that was so strong, had she been human, could've played in the NFL. She was always butting in between us and Bunker, and poor Bunker rarely got any attention. Eddie was a hoot. He was a toy fox terrier with a personality that wouldn't quit. He was so fast and spastic that he could out-run Emmitt Smith. (Not that Emmitt Smith is spastic...just fast.) But he was a bit much for me. Buddy was a stray that ate everything--and I mean EVERYTHING--in our garage. The other dogs didn't like him, so we didn't keep him long. All that to say that dogs and I haven't had the greatest history. I'm actually a cat person, but The HOFFER is SEVERELY allergic to cats, so no cats. And finally, with the baby coming in September, I had to figure out the right time to get a dog.

That was when The HOFFER found Arthur.

He's a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. He's hypoallergenic, doesn't shed much, is very low-key, very sweet, and will be no bigger than about 12 pounds. How perfect can a dog get???? Arthur is the name the breeder gave him, but we are probably going to change that.

So we went to pick him up today, and he has made himself right at home in our laps and our hearts. I knew God would bring us just the right dog. Didn't He do a fabulous job???

HOLY COW, I'M PREGNANT!!!

You might be wondering, at this point, exactly where I've been these past 12ish weeks. Yes, I know I'm pregnant. I was the first one to know and spread the big news. And yet, in spite of the fact that I took four pregnancy tests, have seen two sonograms, have all the symptoms, and am quickly outgrowing my normal clothes, there was still something a little surreal about me being pregnant. There was just something that didn't click for me, and for The HOFFER as well. I don't know that I can explain it any other way, or explain why we felt that way, but we did.

All that changed yesterday.

We went in for a nuchal translucency screening yesterday, which is medical-speak for some genetic testing. This particular test is a sonogram that checks for the possibility of Downs Syndrome. There is a tiny little sac of fluid right behind the baby's neck. It should measure no more than 1-2 mm; 3 or higher doesn't guarantee the baby has DS, but it is cause for concern. Conversely, a normal measurement isn't a guarantee either, but is a good sign.

We got a good sign.

As a matter of fact, we got more than just a good measurement (1mm), we saw our baby again, but this time, however, we got action!

When I was pregnant with Little Bit, we went for a sonogram at about 5 months to find out gender and whatever else they check for at that time. She was so funny...lying back, hands behind her head, ankles crossed, just chillin'. I am not kidding. She still hangs out that way. Baby Bit, on the other hand, well, let's just say I expect to get pretty skinny chasing after this little one. He (and that's a generic he...he's not developed enough at this stage to find out gender) was wiggling, squirming, playing, kicking his feet up over his head...and that's what did it. He became very real and very alive to us at that point. That is when we realized that we are really going to have a baby. That so ROCKS!!!

The HOFFER said that he would imagine his mother is probably laughing her tail off up in heaven right now, knowing that he's probably going to get exactly what he dished out to her. My worry is that I don't think I did anything to deserve THAT!!!! We'll just have to wait and see how this Baby Bit turns out.

Maybe I'll get a baseball player after all.

I Think It's A...

I have been asked if I'm going to find out the sex of my child. I can't believe this is even a question, but some people don't want to know. Some people want that "IT'S A BOY!" or "IT'S A GIRL!" moment. I've known others that have found out what but keep the name a secret so there will still be some element of surprise. Okay, that's fine. NUTS, in my opinion, but fine. I don't need surprises. I want certainty. I want to know what it is so I can concentrate on how to decorate, what kind of clothes to buy, and what kind of names to focus on. It's so easy to find girl names that we love. but good boy names, for some reason, are hard for us to find. We're still looking. For a girl we like Sarah Grace. The HOFFER loves the name Grace, probably because we have been given so very much of it; and Sarah, because Sarah in the Bible was 90 when she had her first child. And I thought I was old.

A side note, speaking of being an older mom: one of the boys in Little Bit's class told me recently that I am past child-bearing years. (His mom is an ER doctor, so I guess he should know.) Isn't that a hoot, especially coming from a 3rd grader????

I am happy with whatever God has decided to give us. It is a blessing beyond my wildest dreams. But I think this one will be a boy. Based on my family's reproductive history, this one is surely going to be a boy. Check this out:

Grandmother: girl first, boy second
Mom: girl first, boy second
Sister: girl first, boy second
Niece: girl first, boy second
Me: girl first, ? second

Are you seeing a pattern here? Here's more:

Mom: 7 kids; girl, 3 boys, girl, boy, girl
Sister: 5 kids; girl, 3 boys, girl

I'm thinking this one will be a boy. We find out for sure in April.

TAG! You're It!!!

I took a peek this morning at one of Michelle Sutton's recent posts. If you don't know who Michelle is, she is the Edgy Inspirational Author, and she writes and reviews a lot--A LOT!!!!-of Christian fiction. If you don't believe me when I say "A LOT!!!", take a look at her "What I'm Reading..." list. I don't know how she does it.

Anyhoo, the particular post I read was from last week--February 23rd, to be exact--and it sounded so fun I'm going to start the tag here. Here's how it works (although I'm changing it up just a bit):

1. Grab the book you are currently reading and turn to p. 123
2. Go to the 5th sentence
3. Post the next 3 sentences
4. Tell the name of the book and author
5. Tag 5 others

Michelle's tag said to grab the nearest book, but I want to know what you're currently reading whether it's nearby or not.

Okay, here's mine:

"I'm afraid I must, Miss Coleson." Katie firmly withdrew her hand from Blanche's grasp.


"You must call me Blanche." She took one step backward.


Catching Katie, by Robin Lee Hatcher


Well, I must say that I was hoping for something a little different than that. Maybe I should've gone to p. 124. Taken out of context, this sounds as if something fishy is going on between these two ladies! I've read the book before, so I assure you Robin, who is one of my absolute favorite authors, has not written anything inappropriate!!! This book, in fact, is one of the reasons I love Robin. It's quite dreamy.

Alrighty then! So I am tagging Jenster, Becky, Deb, Shauna, and Angela! Tag, ladies, you are IT!