So, I've started my next book. And by started, I mean that I've nearly completed all the formatting and body text.
BUT the illustrations haven't even been started.
I'm sitting here looking at my sketch book, trying to pump myself up to get started and... nothing.
Instead, I'm here just tapping away at the keyboard and would like to tell you a little about my upcoming book, "Our Little House on the Great Big Hill." Once again, this is a book for beginning readers, and will be a part of the Rural Road Tales series. This story is about valuing your home, no matter what it looks like. It may be old, it may need some fixing, but as long as it's full of love that's what makes it home.
A little background for you on the inspiration for this particular story:
My husband, sons, and I live in a small single-wide mobile home that was built in 1994. It's nothing pretty to look at by any means, but it's livable. My husband and I started our family at age 19 and have worked VERY hard to get to where we are today. We've been saving money to move for a very long time, and are finally at a point in our lives where this may soon be a possibility.
The eldest, who is nearly eight, heard us talking about buying a new home. A nice home, with lots of room for the kids, and with good insulation, and walls and doors that don't need repaired. Upon hearing this, he was distressed.
'But, why, Mommy? Why do you want to leave our home?' he begged.
'Well, it's an old house, honey. It's too small, and was cheaply built. It always needs fixing.'
'But this is OUR home. I don't want to live in a NEW home, I love this one!'
This conversation got me to thinking: Why am I looking at all the negatives about this home?
It's too small. Yes, but it's less house to clean.
It's always needing something fixed. Yes, but it's paid off, and we can usually afford it.
It's not pretty. No, but it serves us well. It keeps us dry and safe.
I was so pent up with frustration over the unsatisfactory aspects of our little home that I was forgetting to be thankful for it. So many people live without, and I should be grateful for the small things we do have.
We don't have all the pretty things in life. The house isn't always clean-- with three boys (husband included) and two dogs-- it is VERY much lived in. It's never ready for guests and it will never be featured in a home magazine.
But what we do have is each other. We have love. We have values. We try to raise our boys to be gentlemen when they grow up. We try our best to instill a work ethic in our sons. We have shelter. We have the fortune of living a semi-comfortable life, by winning the mere cosmic lottery of having been born into American middle class. We're not rich, but we're not poor anymore either.
There are so many positives. Yet, I was so focused on the insignificant negatives that I failed to remember that.
And THAT is what this book is about. Balancing the good and bad, and remembering that being grateful and placing love first is what really matters.
With that all said, I really hope that you stay tuned. Hopefully, I'll work myself up to getting these illustrations started! Until then, keep checking back for more updates.
Remember! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, GoodReads, and Amazon. Check out my 'Links' post for all the info!
Always keep adventuring!
-Rachel
BUT the illustrations haven't even been started.
I'm sitting here looking at my sketch book, trying to pump myself up to get started and... nothing.
Instead, I'm here just tapping away at the keyboard and would like to tell you a little about my upcoming book, "Our Little House on the Great Big Hill." Once again, this is a book for beginning readers, and will be a part of the Rural Road Tales series. This story is about valuing your home, no matter what it looks like. It may be old, it may need some fixing, but as long as it's full of love that's what makes it home.
A little background for you on the inspiration for this particular story:
My husband, sons, and I live in a small single-wide mobile home that was built in 1994. It's nothing pretty to look at by any means, but it's livable. My husband and I started our family at age 19 and have worked VERY hard to get to where we are today. We've been saving money to move for a very long time, and are finally at a point in our lives where this may soon be a possibility.
The eldest, who is nearly eight, heard us talking about buying a new home. A nice home, with lots of room for the kids, and with good insulation, and walls and doors that don't need repaired. Upon hearing this, he was distressed.
'But, why, Mommy? Why do you want to leave our home?' he begged.
'Well, it's an old house, honey. It's too small, and was cheaply built. It always needs fixing.'
'But this is OUR home. I don't want to live in a NEW home, I love this one!'
This conversation got me to thinking: Why am I looking at all the negatives about this home?
It's too small. Yes, but it's less house to clean.
It's always needing something fixed. Yes, but it's paid off, and we can usually afford it.
It's not pretty. No, but it serves us well. It keeps us dry and safe.
I was so pent up with frustration over the unsatisfactory aspects of our little home that I was forgetting to be thankful for it. So many people live without, and I should be grateful for the small things we do have.
We don't have all the pretty things in life. The house isn't always clean-- with three boys (husband included) and two dogs-- it is VERY much lived in. It's never ready for guests and it will never be featured in a home magazine.
But what we do have is each other. We have love. We have values. We try to raise our boys to be gentlemen when they grow up. We try our best to instill a work ethic in our sons. We have shelter. We have the fortune of living a semi-comfortable life, by winning the mere cosmic lottery of having been born into American middle class. We're not rich, but we're not poor anymore either.
There are so many positives. Yet, I was so focused on the insignificant negatives that I failed to remember that.
And THAT is what this book is about. Balancing the good and bad, and remembering that being grateful and placing love first is what really matters.
With that all said, I really hope that you stay tuned. Hopefully, I'll work myself up to getting these illustrations started! Until then, keep checking back for more updates.
Remember! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, GoodReads, and Amazon. Check out my 'Links' post for all the info!
Always keep adventuring!
-Rachel
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