the story behind the book...

I wanted to tell you a little bit about how my children’s book actually came into “real life”. 2 years ago in November, I decided to start a blog. I battled with this for a couple of months because I knew that starting a blog would mean being very real with my struggles and emotions...

Kaz and I had been going through infertility for almost 2 years when I started the blog...I, at the time, felt like no one understood what we were going through..None of our friends had really had this struggle, and to be honest, I had a hard time finding books, etc that dealt with infertility. I felt the Lord calling me to start a blog, but just not any blog, a blog that was real. Where I didn’t hold back...I feel like I have done that for the most part...

Since starting this blog, I’ve had hundreds of people tell me I needed to write a book. After hearing each comment or email, I just laughed because I’m horrible in grammar and English...I can’t spell, and I write exactly as I talk. In my opinion, that’s not exactly book material:) BUT, the seed was planted...Writing a book was always in the back of my mind, but I hadn’t been called to do that..It definitely excited me, but again there wasn’t a calling.

Last Easter, was completely different than Kaz and I planned. The beginning of April, we felt the Lord calling us to pray a very bold prayer. We had been in the adoption process at that point for almost a year and a half...We had been placed with a birthmom who was due to have a little boy in June 2011, but that relationship ended after she decided to keep the baby in Feb 2011. We were heartbroken, and it seemed like we were starting the whole process over. We felt the Lord calling us to pray the prayer that we would have a baby in our arms by Easter. We had almost a month of praying that prayer before Easter. I truly, honestly believed we would have a baby by Easter. I bought 2 Easter outfits[boy and girl]...I just kept trusting that the Lord was going to do this. He had called us to pray this bold prayer. About 2 weeks before Easter, I was up in DC visiting my sister n law. I got the dreaded phone call from Kaz that he had to fly out to Colorado to work on a project and could be there for 2-3 months! My heart sank...I knew that the Lord wouldn’t give us a baby with Kaz being half way across the US! We had been through this whole process together, and I knew that we would be together to share in the blessing of when the Lord blessed us with a child. For a day or two, I was sad, but just kept trusting that the Lord had a plan. That same week, we actually decided that I would spend a week with Kaz in Colorado...it was actually the week of Easter. We had such a good time and it was probably one of my favorite trips ever! While Kaz was at work during the day, I saw a lot of movies! I LOVE going to the movies, and there happened to be a theater right behind our hotel. I saw all different ones...There had been 1 movie I had been wanting to see...Arthur. I have no idea why I wanted to see this movie, but none the less, I went to see it! I walked away SO INSPIRED to write a book! I knew walking out of that theater that I was going to write a book..I just didn’t know what it would be about! Before going back to the hotel, I decided to swing by Target and pick up a pen and notepad. Not only was I going to write a book, but I was going to illustrate it too! WOW, OH WOW! Somethings just aren’t meant to be done:) I wrote a story and started on some drawings...Kaz encouraged me that “professional illustrators” would be the best option for drawings! HaHa! He was exactly right! While I knew I was being called to write a book, the true story wasn’t there. When I got home, I did a ton of reserach on book publishers. I wrote another story about adoption, but it wasn’t personal...We didn’t have our child yet so it was only what I imagined it would be like...I kept the story tucked away, and went on with my everyday life. In June 2011, we welcomed our daughter, Annie Rice, into our lives. A week after bringing her home, I felt the Lord saying to me, “Scratch your whole story, and write down what I’m saying...” I did. I sent the story to Kaz and he said he loved it! I didn’t waste anytime. I submitted the story to Tate Publishing on August 1st. I really, truly, believed that they would want to publish my book, but after 3 weeks went by of not hearing anything, I started doubting. I submitted the book to one other “editor” and just kept praying. The beginning of September, I got the amazing news that Tate wanted to publish my book! I was floored! The rest, has been truly amazing! I have seen the Lord open so many doors through this book, and I am excited to see how He uses it! I got to see the first full proof of the book yesterday[illustrations and everything] and it looks AMAZING! It's more than I could have ever imagined...I'm beginning to see this as a recurring pattern in my life! 

I can't wait to share more of this story and book with you! I have created a facebook page for the book, You Are So Special, Little One. Please "like" the page to learn more about updates and the release of this book:)

Eph 3:20...Now to HIM, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine...