Christene Houston's Blog: Christenehouston.com, page 9

First Day of School

Summer has come to an end here in Vegas. We’ve been slowly easing back into the routine of the school year. By slowly I mean we haven’t practiced at all. This morning will be our first time driving to the new school with the new drop off routines. (Wish me luck!) We’ve got pencils, protractors and fresh boxes of crayons. Everyone’s in their uniforms and they look so SHARP!! Lunches are packed, backpacks ready, hair done cute and they’re off. I think my littlest was more than a little disturbed that his preparations did not warrant him a place in school as well. He even has his backpack ready, poor thing. Thank goodness Preschool begins in a week and he will get some learning time too.

Hope your first day was grand! If you need some fun ideas, check out my School Pinterest board. It’s just chock full of the cutest things for making this new school year fun! Here’s just a couple I like:

Fun lunchbox notes and then this great lunch planner – can you tell we have issues with lunches? But I’m on it this year!

Click on my Pinterest link to find these great printables and links. I just love when creative people share their talents! Go check ‘em out!

Weekend Inspiration

If my husband were writing this, he’d be shouting AMEN! to this statement. I promise the house looks clean more than it looks robbed, but there are days. And they are really the best creative days, when I let everyone do their own thing, throwing out PB&J sandwiches and slicing apples in between great spurts of writing and blogging. Thankfully, I have a honey who loves a clean home, but understands the realities of living with four busy kids and a wife who writes books. I’m blessed.

What Did YOU Read?

During the summer I’ve been reading like crazy. Part of my reading frenzy was inspired by my regency writing and I deemed it “research” to comb through delightful books by Sarah M. Eden and others. I joined up with the Summer Book Trek sponsored by New LDS Fiction and had a BLAST I tell you! For one thing, both my hard copy and e-books were snapped up by prize winners which give me all kinds of happy feelings. Plus I read some great books during that month, over a dozen, and got a PILE of free books to show for it on my nightstand.

I’ve been waiting for a certain book with anxious anticipation. This kind of sad-sighing-is-it-September-yet? kind of feeling whenever I reach for something to read.  What book could inspire this note of longing? You guessed it: Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson.

Have you preordered?  (And while you’re there, don’t forget to order a copy of A Heart So Broken before you check out. You won’t be sorry!)

Are you in Salt Lake City, UT and able to go to her Launch Party on September 10th? If you are I have a secret feeling of envy. Just a tiny one, I assure you, which I will quickly overcome in the name of maturity. You can dress up, though I don’t own anything 1820-ish AND, you can get your book signed. *Sigh*. I may not be able to attend, but I’m lobbying for her to come to Vegas again.

In the meantime I’ve been wondering…what have you been reading this summer?

Summer Break

The other day I got a message from Facebook, one of those forlorn notes dropped in my inbox that said something like,

“We haven’t heard from you lately…”

It dripped with quiet wondering…

Does she even like me anymore?

Is it something I said?

Are we…breaking up???

The next day a dear writing friend messaged me, “Haven’t seen you around lately…” It was so sweet I wanted to hug her through my phone for checking in on me because, let’s be honest, I’ve totally pushed away the business of writing for the entire month of August…maybe a little bit of July and reveled in the delightful chaos of having four children at home for the summer.

See you only get summer for so long. There’s swimming, splash parks, chores, cleaning (ha ha! They LOVED this one!) and visiting to be done. It can’t wait because even now we’ve been back to school shopping and new uniforms are already folded neatly in a box waiting to be worn to school in just a handful of days. Freedom is slowly edging out of the room and the routine of daily education with its own lovely charms is sauntering in, trying not to look like too much work.

Sprinkled on top is the delight of being pregnant again and feeling the desperate need to sleep when my youngest is napping instead of writing as I’ve done in the past. With that you have a nice little holding pattern.

Well, don’t be too concerned, sweet friends. This break from business has been the most refreshing of pauses. I’m feeling that delightful itch to write again, to keep up and to share the excitement buzzing inside of me. I love LIVING life because it winds itself into something magical in your dreams and makes your imagination worth teasing. Stay tuned for more to come!

Weekend Inspiration

Summer is winding down here in Vegas. We’re busy getting into trouble = keeping cool and getting wet as often as possible. If you’re looking for a fun getaway before the reality of life falls on your shoulders again, check out a copy of A Heart So Broken and forget about sleeping. When you’re up to no good, you don’t really need sleep, do you?

Summer Book Trek

Last night I stayed up late reading one of my faves. It had been one of those tiring days – good but tiring. And by 7:30pm I was in my pajamas, dozing on the couch. I “went to bed” and fully intended to go straight to sleep, giving in to waves of exhaustion. And then it happened. I opened this book because I needed a little pick me up. Let’s just say I didn’t get to bed as early as planned, but it was SO worth it! Sometimes a great read is just what you need. Am I right? Well, if you agree, come follow along with the Summer Book Trek!

There are some great books up for grabs (my book may be one of them, hint, hint!) and there is nothing wrong with making a goal to read.

Here’s my list for The Summer Book Trek {July 2013}:

You’ve seen this on Christenehouston.com before? Really? Sorry, I’m just a huge fan and could reread this gem again and again.

by Elana Johnson

by fellow Vegas author, Lindsey Leavitt

by James Dashner

by fave Shannon Hale

by Sarah M. Eden

 

Come join in the fun! Start your own Book Trek for July 2013.

Weekend Inspiration

Feeling so blessed that I have just the right man for me.

Last Day of School

We’re partying over here again – It’s the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! Woohoo!! See you all soon!

Anniversary

Est. 2000

Today, thirteen years ago, I married a young hunky guy with green eyes and dark hair. His eyes are still green, though his hair is just touched with gray now. I think it makes him more handsome. We’re celebrating coming so far, and shooting for the moon. Hope you all enjoy your Monday too!

Weekend Inspiration

Changing the world today. Stay tuned…