It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy December, friend! I truly love the Christmas season - the traditions, memories, reflections, time with family, twinkling lights... all things that make my heart go pitter patter. It's also a jam-packed season fraught with busy schedules and never ending to-do lists. Let's take a pause from all the things that need to be done, just for a few minutes, and cozy up on the porch together. It's gotten pretty chilly here in PA, but I've got extra blankets 😉

Speaking of traditions

As I hinted above, I loooove the seasonal traditions of Christmas. Over the years, I've added more and more little traditions until December is basically one big nostalgia fest. When my oldest daughter (who is now 17) was only 3 or 4, I hated that it felt like the holiday season was all about anticipation for one single day, so I started a "Christmas bucket list" that we cross off all month long. A lot of the things added to the list was stuff we probably would have done anyway, but the difference was we were being intentional about it now and these fun memories weren't going to get lost in the hustle and bustle. I have one rule for our Christmas bucket list - it's okay if we don't cross everything off. It's meant to bring joy to the season, not added stress!

While unboxing our Christmas decorations this year, I found a printed out version of our very first bucket list, complete with drawings from a preschooler. It was so fun to read and remember that first year!

I would love hear about one of your favorite Christmas traditions! It can be something you did as a kids, as you've gotten older, something you do with your own kids... shoot me an email and tell me all about it!

Fun writing update!

I am SO excited to be typing these next words...

I HAVE FINISHED MY FIRST DRAFT *cue confetti*

You guys, I don't know what it was about this book, but this first draft kicked my butt. When I started loosely plotting it in September of twenty-twenty FOUR, I really thought I'd be drafting this bad boy within a few months. I was SO excited to dive in and could visualize so much of the story in my head that I just knew writing the first draft was going to be a breeze.

Ha. Ha. Ha.

Turns out it was the exact opposite. Honestly, I did it to myself. I wanted the challenge of writing a contemporary marriage of convenience, and as if that wasn't hard enough, I decided to make them enemies to lovers, too 🤦‍♀️(side note: I love reading the enemies to lovers trope. Writing it? Not so much)

There have been so many brainstorming sessions, tears shed, prayers prayed, doubts, breakthroughs, and praises during this particular drafting period. But praise God for pulling me through (He was probably dragging me at a few points) because now I have a messy and flawed but COMPLETED first draft. I actually cried when I wrote "THE END." I've never done that before, but there was such a huge sense of relief and accomplishment, and I really, really love the way this story ties together in the end. Truly, God gets alllll the glory 🙌

The question I usually hear after telling someone I've completed a first draft is, "When can I buy it?" or some variation. Or, if it's someone who has been observing me on this journey for a while, they'll ask if I'm going to send it to editors at publishing houses. And the answer to both is... not yet. As I said before, this is just the first draft and it is a mess. I usually have pretty clean drafts, but I already know of some plot things that need to be tightened, scenes to add or cut, descriptions to add.... basically, I've still got a lot of work ahead of me. BUT the good news is, I love love love this part. I've said before that I only draft so I can edit. This process like I'm taking a diamond in the rough and slowly chiseling and polishing away, until I have a shiny jewel ready to send out.

So while this is just the first step in a multi-step process, it's a BIG one, and for me, the hardest. I have a fun tradition (told you I like them) to celebrate crossing this milestone - I buy expensive ice cream that only I'M allowed to eat. I bought some last night and ate some of it and yummmmm.... This accomplishment tastes VERY sweet 🍨😋

It's really important to celebrate your accomplishments, you guys. Especially if it involves ice cream!

Giveaway Winner!!

In case you've forgotten, last month I promised to do a giveaway of my book club's last read, Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St Amant. So without further ado, the winner is....

Kelly at bo....gs@gmail.com!! 🎉🎉🎉

Congrats, Kelly!! Reply to this email with your address so I can get you your next favorite Christmas read 🎄🎅❄️

What I'm reading

I've actually been slacking on my reading lately (because I was spending my spare time writing!) and sadly don't have a new read to share this month. HOWEVER... I do have more free books to share with you all! Click on the links below to check out tons of free stories. They should all be either Christian or clean reads ❤️

Thank you so much for taking a break from your busy schedules to spend it with me, my friends. I am so incredibly grateful for each and every one of you. I pray that you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with joy, peace, and hope.

Until next time,