My 29th birthday

Last Sunday (the 16th), I celebrated my 29th birthday. I'm now officially in the last year of my twenties. *gulp* It's actually not bothering me as much as it has other years. I'm feeling hopeful, like great things are right around the corner. I'm determined to make 29 EPIC - the best year ever.

As we do every year, Mum threw a small party here at home. My brother couldn't come, but my sister-in-law and nephews did. We spent the afternoon playing, eating, taking pictures, and watching movies. It was a lot of fun. I think I can say without reservation that it was one of the best birthdays I've had in a really long time - not only because I got to spend it with my family, but because I got the best news ever just after midnight: my second novel, THE GAME CHANGER, made it onto a bestseller list! It broke into the top 100 books in the Women's Fiction category on Amazon, and stayed there all day. It was incredibly exciting, and it felt like validation for all the hard work I've done all year. I've busted my ass this entire year - had no social life, barely saw anyone or left the house - and getting that recognition felt like my reward. I'm just hoping and praying sales stay as high as they are. *crosses fingers*

Also, late that night, I checked my email and found out I'd won a Kindle, which was super awesome! I have a Kobo, but having a Kindle would be incredible because there are so many ebooks that are only available on Kindle. Plus now I can share my ereaders with my mum, which I'm not really able to do now. 

So you see...epic start to an epic year. I have so many things I want to accomplish this year, and I'm sure I'll talk about them all, just not tonight. ;-)

Mmm, Dairy Queen ice cream cake!

Me and my babies <3

Amanda, me, and the boys

Nana (Mum) and Logan

The birthday princess! This was one of the gifts Amanda and the boys gave me - I love Paris (I have a small collection of Eiffel Tower knick-knacks I got in Paris when I was 17, plus a few things friends have gotten me over the years), so Amanda found this print and there's a switch on the side that you can flip to make little lights appear on the Tower...soooo cool

    

Family news!

I know I've done a terrible job at keeping this blog up-to-date, and I know that nearly every time I post I say I'll try to do better and then I don't, but...well, I'm going to try now! *crosses fingers* I had good intentions for updating in November, but the month was crazy hectic, between publishing my second novel, participating in NaNoWriMo, watching Logan, being sick, and about a million other things.

So...today I'm back and I have some news: my family is growing again! My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their third child in June. I'm going to be an aunt again! We're all really hoping for a girl this time - even Noah, who's ten. It's funny, because my brother was ten when I was born, and he really wanted a baby sister. What little boy wants a sister? Well, my brother did and he got his wish, and I was his special little buddy from day one. I think it would be so cool if now, all these years later, history repeated itself and Noah got a baby sister at the age of ten. 

My sister-in-law is just a little over 14 weeks, so it'll be another few weeks before we find out the sex, but we already have names chosen for both a boy and a girl just in case. I got to go to an ultrasound with her a couple weeks ago and see the baby. It was so cool! I went to an appointment of Logan's and heard his heartbeat, but this was the first time I got to see an ultrasound. 

Look at my tiny little human!

So that's my big news. I'm sure there will be lots more baby-related updates in the coming months.