It's Been A Long Time, But...

Hello my lovely readers! It has been ages since my last post and I apologize for that. Graduate school and teaching has taken up so much of my time. I am now on winter break and I am hoping to catch up on some well needed rest and lots of writing. 

Yes, I am still working on book three. It is still taking me some time to finish it up. Please don't hate me!

But, I do have some very exciting and joyful news to share with you all. I am ENGAGED! YAY! I'm so blessed to get to marry the love of my life and my best friend, Michael! (please see engagement photos below) On July 31st, Michael took me to a romantic dinner then brought me home where my roommate and her camera (thanks Kinsey), a picture frame of photos of us, and a banner (that he made! so crafty!) reading, "Will you marry me?" were awaiting us. It was so sweet and beautiful! I am so excited to also say that we are getting married June 5th of next year. While this news does not have anything specific to do with writing and my books, I still wanted to share this great news with you all! :) 




Thank you all for your support, love, and patience as I continue working on book three! Until next time! 

So I've decided to move to Vire, France...

Okay, just kidding. But I am loving life in Vire. Vire is the cutest little, French town that I have ever been to and I have seen quite a few cute, French towns. I came Monday morning with my professor, Dr. Elliott, to research a famous 18th century French writer, Madame Le Prince de Beaumont. She is most famous for her many, many books and pamphlets that focused on educating women. She also wrote a number of novels, one including the famous Beauty and the Beast. Here in Vire at the local library, they house her personal, actual, real, over 300 year old letters. That I touch. With my (properly gloved) hands. Reading, cataloging, and attempting to translate her personal letters has been overwhelming, but so incredibly cool. Reading her personal letters and manuscript notes is definitely hard work (these letters are hundreds of years old and are hard to read - plus they're in French), but unlike any experience I have had thus far. 

And did I mention how cute Vire is? It's a small town in the region of Normandy where it mostly rains (yet it has been sunny for us the past few days), but has the friendliest people. The food here is amazing. So much goat cheese. On all the things. I love it. 

It has also been a great experience to venture out of Strasbourg and into a smaller and more quaint town. I can definitely tell I am a small, French town kind of girl. Now while I've had a blast in Vire, I can't wait to begin my next adventure in Paris on Thursday. Tomorrow is my last day in Vire (don't remind me) and my last day doing my research on Beaumont's letters. Prayers for safe travels Thursday will be much appreciated. 

Bonne Nuit! 

Oh hey beautiful, French country side. NBD. 

Being a College Student/President of a Sorority/Published Author/This Title has too many slashes...

Before I begin this post, I would like to apologize for my lack of posts this past week. After the blogger book fair, life got a little hectic as I moved back to my college apartment. Speaking of being a college student, I come back to the purpose of this post.

I'm often asked what it is like to be a college student double major/president of my sorority/published author? It's tiring just saying it. While is sounds odd, even to me, I am blessed to be able to live this life. But that doesn't mean it doesn't come with its own set of challenges.

I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I'd actually publish while still in college. It has always been a dream and goal of mine, but I don't think I really thought it would come to pass. But that's just how awesome my God is - He knows the desires of my heart and heaps blessings on me that I don't deserve. And that's the only way I know I can live this life and wear all the hats that I do, through Jesus Christ and the strength He gives me. 

But like I said, it's not always easy being a double major and published author. I almost feel like I can't talk about my books in classes for fear of being judged. YES, JUDGED. I don't want other students looking at me differently and I especially don't want my professors judging me one way or another - whether it is positive or negative. However, it is hard to hide something as big as this. And it's not that I want to hide it. I'm very proud of my books, but I also want to be treated just like any other student and I want the other students to treat me the same way. 

So it's a difficult balance I try to keep. But so far it has been doable. But now I have the added blessing of being president of my sorority. I am absolutely thrilled and honored to step into this role ( DOVE LOVE), but I obviously still have some fear that makes me question myself. 

But that's when the Lord tells me again and again that He would never give me anything I couldn't handle. And it's true. I can do it all, not by my own strength, but by the strength Christ has equipped me with. 

So as I go into this new semester with new goals and dreams, I am reminded that Christ holds my destiny, both in class and in my career, and that trusting Him is the first step. My advice to any one who is also feeling the same way as I am in whatever situation is to take a deep breath, take the chance, and remember that regret is worse than fear or failure.

Meet My Precious Baby, Darcy and Yes, I named her after Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.

So, I totally have a great excuse as to why my blog posts have been delayed this week. I recently adopted the most precious little baby chihuahua girl, named Darcy! She is about 1 year to 1 and a half years old. I adopted her from the CSRA Chihuahua Humaine Society here in Augusta, GA. Please go check them out on Facebook HERE and like their page. They are such wonderful people who love these babies so much and make sure they go to good homes. I am blessed to have been able to adopt my precious baby from such fabulous people!

Now, on to Darcy. I have always wanted a dog and have always wanted to name her Darcy after one of my favorite characters, Austen's Elizabeth Darcy. Don't hate. She is just an itty bitty little baby and I AM IN LOVE!!!

Insert several photos of the precious babe. 

I LITERALLY CAN'T EVEN HANDLE HOW ADORABLE SHE IS FOR REAL I CAN'T I'M DONE NO

Ahem, anyways... I wanted to introduce my little Darcy to all of you and let you know that along with being an author, I am also a doggie mommy! I will keep you all updated with pictures and mentions of how baby girl is doing. Right now, we are doing very well and she is adjusting well to her new home and her new mommy. Don't even be surprised if a little chihuahua named Darcy gets mentioned in my next book. Like legit. It might happen.