Happy Halloween!

Talk about kodak moments. So glad I caught this! I just love Halloween! It has always been one of my favorite holidays. If I had lots of money, or any sort of sewing skills at all, I would dress up every year. I did dress up every year until Kalianna was born. Then any funds and creativity went into creating her costume. And now with Magdalyn too, I spend my time dressing up the two of them instead. I'm totally okay with it though. They look far cuter than I would! Thursday started out our Halloween festivities with trick-or-treating at Matt's work. Kalianna was super excited to wear her pretty Tinkerbell dress and she was very excited that her little sister was a fairy too. She wanted Mommy to put on a fairy costume too. Maybe next time. She also loved that I put a little bit of sparkly makeup on her eyes and cheeks and she got to wear some lip gloss. She was thrilled to get to wear Mommy's makeup! I love that Kalianna really understood Halloween this year and she was really excited about it. Last year she was excited about the candy, but this year she loved everything about Halloween! And I loved watching her get excited.

This morning I made some jack-o-lantern pancakes for breakfast. We put in orange food coloring and I was out of chocolate chips so we opened a couple bags of M&Ms from her treat bowl to make their faces. Kalianna thought they were the coolest thing ever, and she ate every bite. We had a lot of fun making them together. I did the same thing last year, but this year Kalianna was far more excited because she actually knew what a jack-o-lantern was.

Then in the afternoon, while Magdalyn was napping, we carved her pumpkin. I was afraid she would be totally grossed out by the pumpkin guts, but not my girl! She thought it was pretty cool to pull out all the goo and throw it away. I love my brave girl! Then I asked her if she wanted a happy pumpkin or a scary pumpkin. She immediately replied with "Scary!" then she growled. So I googled Jack Skelington and improvised from a picture online. I think he turned out pretty cute! I mean scary. Kalianna was super excited about carving her pumpkin. She loved every minute of it!

Tonight was my ward's annual trunk-or-treat. We've never actually made it before, but this year we were going to be home. And this year Kalianna was actually excited to go. So I got both girls in their costumes and braved it on my own. We had a ball! But my arm was completely dead after holding Maggie for 2 hours! Kalianna loved seeing all the kids in their costumes, and saying trick-or-treat, and of course getting candy. Magdalyn did fantastic! She was happy as could be while we walked around and visited all the cars. This was a super fun Halloween! I love that Kalianna is starting to really get holidays and I look forward to Magdalyn joining in next year.

Time

This is something I felt like I never had enough of. As I'm sure many of you can relate to. With Matt doing both school and work to take care of our family, we rarely see him. He usually gets home in time to see his girls for maybe an hour a day. Then once they are in bed, he disappears to the basement for homework. He works super hard so that I can stay home with our girls, which I am super grateful for! That being said, most of the other responsibilities fall to me. I take care of the girls from the time they get up around 8:00am until they are both asleep at 9:30pm. I got rid of Kalianna's naptime (she rarely slept anyway) and now she sleeps better at night and no longer has accidents. Between her no longer napping and Matt's work schedule, I have no time to myself until after 10:00pm. It gets exhausting sometimes! On top of taking care of the girls, I take care of all the household chores and any shopping and other errands that need to be done. I also try and write whenever I can. Trying to keep up with everything by myself was really wearing me out! Then I had the opportunity to watch General Conference.

The General Relief Society meeting had a big impact on me. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk! His 5 forget-me-nots really made me stop and think. I was trying to do way too much and this left me feeling stressed instead of happy. I needed to be more patient with myself and realize I didn't have to be super woman. I didn't need to be doing so much. Some of the ways I was spending my time weren't as important as I thought they were. I needed to prioritize. President Uchtdorf got me thinking and then when Elder Andersen spoke in the Saturday afternoon session, he reiterated everything I needed to hear. My absolute favorite part was when he said, "Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps . It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for." That last line really hit home for me. Motherhood is what God gave you time for.

Now I don't want you to think that I was neglecting my kids in any way. But I was trying to be a mother and a writer at the same time. After conference I decided as much as I love writing, and as much as I want to work on my next book, and especially as much as my fans want me to finish my next book, it is nowhere near as important as my two beautiful little girls. I have always put my girls before my writing physically, but sometimes I wasn't with them mentally. Waiting for my next opportunity to sit at my desk, or working through a scene in my mind while playing with them. I am definitely not going to stop writing, but I realized I have my whole life to write. My daughter's lives, on the other hand, are zooming by and how much would I regret it if I missed even a second? So I stopped getting on my computer during the day. I took away that distraction and put 100% of my focus back where it needed to be. And you know what? A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. The stress of trying to be everything was gone. And instead I can just be the one thing that is most important: A mom. I will continue to write when I find the time, but I don't need to be a successful author right now. The characters in my books will wait. Kalianna and Magdalyn won't. The characters won't age while I am away. My daughters will.

Interview with author Dana Taylor

I'm very excited this week to introduce you to Dana Taylor. Dana writes uplifting stories filled with inspiration and humor. Born and raised in California, she graduated from the University of Redlands. She has been published in various magazines, including the Ladies Home Journal. She hosted the Internet radio program Definitely Dana! at HealthyLife.net. and won various contests with the Romance Writers of America, including Best First Book from the Desert Quill Awards. Her published works include ROYAL REBEL, AIN’T LOVE GRAND?, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, and DEVIL MOON: A MYSTIC ROMANCE. Her non-fiction book is EVER-FLOWING STREAMS OF HEALING ENERGY. Visit her blogsite Supernal Living with Dana Taylor at http://definitelydana.wordpress.com/. She is a founding member of the on-line community SupernalFriends.com and can be reached at SupernalFriends@yahoo.com

Patty’s Angels from HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Prologue Snippet:

Description: Los Angeles, 1960. California is a state of growing contrasts. The suburbs and downtown are only minutes, yet worlds, apart. One little girl changes lives and brings people together, with the help of her celestial best friends.

Setting: A dingy apartment building

The set-up: A down-on-her-luck actress, Geri, encounters a little girl and her mother passing out Christmas bags in the hallway.

The little girl turned and smiled. Geri grabbed the doorjamb to keep from falling at the sight. The child’s blond hair fluffed around her small head like a halo. Her pinafore dress reminded Geri of the dolls in toy store windows. Light seemed to shine from the small body, like Barbara Stanwyck’s sparkly dress in Ball of Fire.

The girl waved, repeating, “Mewwy Chwistmas!”

The mother stood up, turned around and smiled also. Geri shook her head at the sight of this Lee Remick wannabe, dressed in a full skirt, wearing gloves, toting Christmas bags and towing the angelic daughter beside her. What was she thinking coming to a stink hole like this? What a do-gooding idiot. Geri looked down at the tempting bag at her feet. Well, she wasn’t one to turn down free food. She pounced on it.

The woman took a tentative step toward her. “Hello, I’m…”

Geri clutched the bag to her bosom and slammed the door.

She leaned against the dingy wood, reached into the bag, and sank her teeth into the perfect mini loaf of gingerbread. Mmm. Lee sure could bake.

Who were these people? Geri picked up the envelope and opened the holiday card.

Merry Christmas from All Saint’s United Brethren Church. Crayon stars and a childishly scribbled name—Patty--embellished the inside.

Her name was Patty.

1. Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself?

“Fun” facts?? Like I have 11 toes or something?

a. Frank Sinatra’s album “Songs for Swinging Lovers” was my favorite record when I was 3 years old. I played it obsessively. It is still my favorite.

b. I was voted “Most Likely to Suceed” in high school. I am still trying to get there.

c. My only athletic ability is a fair game of ping-pong.

2. How long have you been a writer or known that was something you wanted to do?

I sold my first magazine article to The Ladies Home Journal in 1979. (You do the math!)

3. Tell me about your current project?

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS features three inspirational, heartwarming short stories. I thought in this dismal economy, people might like some hope for the holidays.

4. Where do you receive your inspiration or ideas for your books?

I think ideas are floating out in some ethereal plane. It’s like going on a mental treasure hunt. Stories often start out as dreams.

5. Why did you choose to self-publish? Or go with the publisher you are with?

I was published by Echelon Press in 2004 with “Ain’t Love Grand?.” I sold a few thousand copies and got some good reviews. Ultimately, I saw that small presses couldn’t get into the brick-and-mortar stores. So I waited, feeling I could find my place in ebook publishing. It’s an astonishing opportunity. My books sell somewhere in the world daily. Amazing!

6. How often do you write?

Sadly, not often enough. It’s all about marketing right now. This summer I divided my time between morning marketing and afternoon writing. I spun out “Patty’s Angels” for the holiday book. I loved it. I hope to dive into a new book in January.

7. Tell us about some of your future projects?

My adventures with my Supernal Friends (see SupernalFriends.com) will undoubtedly influence my future works. I am witnessing some amazing women with gifts of healing. I believe I will be the person to tell their stories.

8. What are some of your favorite books?

“Tattoos on the Heart” by Father Gregory Boyle is my favorite book. He beautifully chronicles what’s important in life after spending three decades working in the barrios of LA. I like books with a mystical touch—“Peace Like A River” by Leif Enger. I also enjoy the whimsical books of Sarah Addison Allen.

9. If you could co-write a book with another author, who would it be?

That’s a hard question! Living or dead? It would be fun to work with Shirley McClain and meet all the fascinating people she knows.

10. Do you have any advice for others who dream of being an author?

Have at least 8 editorial runs and don’t rush to publish.

Magdalyn 6 Months

My sweet little baby just gets cuter every day, doesn't she? I love that she has such an easy smile! She is so happy and sweet! Today was Magdalyn's 6 month check-up. She is now 26.3 inches tall which is the 73% and she weighs 15 lbs 12 oz which is the 45%. She just keeps climbing up the charts. It's so fun to watch her get bigger, and see the relationship develop between her and Kalianna. They are so cute together!

Magdalyn doesn't really care much for sitting up. She can sort of sit up on her own, but whenever I try and make her sit, she shoots her legs out, arches her back, and tries to stand. She would much rather be standing up! You can tell she is just raring to go. She wants to run around with her sister so badly!

She tried baby food for the first time last week. She has been eating it really well, but she always looks at me funny after the first bite, like she isn't quite sure what's happening. Magdalyn is rolling over like crazy. It's just a matter of time before she figures out crawling. She is so strong! It wouldn't surprise me if she started crawling early.

She loves to make noises and talk to anyone who will listen. She has discovered the dogs and loves it when they pay attention to her. Even though she does love the dogs, Kalianna can bring a smile to her face and make her laugh like no one else can. Kalianna loves to lay in the crib next to her whenever Maggie is playing with her mobile. Then they just lay there and talk to each other and Kalianna will sing for her. It's so sweet!

A Word Problem

Two girls share a room. One is six months old, the other is two years old. The two year old is prone to night terrors, while the six month old is a very light sleeper.What do you do when the two year old has night terrors and begins screaming in the middle of the night?

Do you remove the two year old, thrashing and kicking, to try and somehow console in hopes that the six month old will remain asleep? While still running the risk of the two year old waking up and peeing on both herself and you? And take into consideration, you have limited time to get her out the door before the six month old wakes up and joins in the screaming.

Or do you remove the six month old from the room, running the risk of her waking up when you grab her and then try and remove her from the room quickly enough that she doesn't wake up from the screaming anyway and have to be fed to go back to sleep? While still running the risk that the two year old will throw herself out of bed and wake up, peeing on herself and the floor and have to be cleaned up.

I never was very good at math.

Interview with author Mike Cooley

Mike is a computer geek working at the headquarters of a large national retailer. He was born in Washington State, went to college in New Mexico, and is now living with one wife and one son in Minnesota. As well as writing fiction, Mike is musician and mountain biker.

Mike’s epic fantasy novel The Crystal Warrior is the story of Larissya, who discovers that her life and destiny is tied to an ancient legend involving six magical crystals. With help from her friends she has to try to save her World from the evil ones known as The Triad. Full of swords, magic, and incredible creatures, The Crystal Warrior is an action-packed page-turner about good and evil, darkness and light, hope and salvation.

1. Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself?

I’m left-handed (despite public schooling), play guitar, and some people call me ‘Z’.

2. How long have you been a writer or known that was something you wanted to do?

In a way I’ve always been writing: short stories, poetry, lyrics, and so on. I only recently finished my first novel. I got hooked on writing in school since I was a voracious reader and didn’t want to take speech class, so I took creative writing instead.

3. Tell me about your current project?

Which one? (I’m terrible at single-tasking). I am currently working on the sequel to The Crystal Warrior. It’s called Crystal Origin, and goes off in exciting new directions. I’m also working on Before The Revolution – 13 Days In Egypt, which is about a trip I took to Egypt in 2010 (non-fiction).

I’m also working on Fade Away, which is a Lovecraftian Horror story.

4. Where do you receive your inspiration or ideas for your books?

Thin air. I never have a shortage of ideas. Just time to write them down.

5. Why did you choose to self-publish? Or go with the publisher you are with?

I wrote a short piece explaining all that. It’s called Traditional Publishing Is My Bitch. It’s free. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Publishing-inflammatory-remarks-ebook/dp/B005HFQ2JG/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

6. How often do you write?

I try to write every day, but I rarely do (except for blog posting and social media). Because of my work schedule it’s more like three times a week for an hour or two each time.

7. Tell us about some of your future projects?

I covered most of them above. I am always interrupting myself and starting more projects. It’s all I can do to limit my projects to two or three at a time.

8. What are some of your favorite books?

I have so many favorite books! To mention just a few: Lord of Light by Zelazny, Meet Me At Infinity by James Tiptree Jr., Dangerous Visions edited by Harlan Ellison (short story anthology), The Man In The High Castle by Phillip K. Dick.

9. If you could co-write a book with another author, who would it be?

James Tiptree Jr. Love her. But she’s dead. She can be my ghost writer.

10. Do you have any advice for others who dream of being an author?

I’m full of it! Here’s a blog post I did about it. It’s called Judgement Is The Mind Killer:

http://mikecooleyfiction.dyndns.org/?p=67

Mike's blog: http://mikecooleyfiction.com

To purchase Mike's book: http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Warrior-Legend-Crystals-ebook/dp/B004RPZRMK/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_4

One Year Mark

Next week will hit the one year mark since "The Princess Sisters" was first published! It has been an exciting journey so far! A little frustrating at times, but overall it has really been a lot of fun. I have learned so much, met so many amazing people, and have become a better writer for it. In honor of my book's anniversary, I am knocking the price of my eBook way down. You can now get it for your Kindle, Nook, or other eReader for only $.99! It will be on sale for the entire month of October, so let everyone know. And thanks to everyone for their support this last year! I could not have done it without you!

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Sisters-ebook/dp/B005D5J3I2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1317664120&sr=8-2

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-princess-sisters-stacy-lynn-carroll/1026238410?ean=2940013162587&itm=2&usri=the%2bprincess%2bsisters

Sony, Ipad, etc: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/79054