Post-Valentine's Day, and Moving Forward...

We had a lovely family Valentine's Day yesterday! It was great to share this day with my lovies, who are the foundation of my heart, and who make me feel like I have a home wherever I am. My darling husband Mike (the love of my life), our adorable children Carson Reyburn (3-1/2) and McKenna Rain (7 months) were the best Valentine's gift I could ever ask for. Just a simple day of playing in the house and taking a nice walk in the sunshine, eyeing the Olympics, doing some home projects and counting our blessings make the day a joy. To top it off, Mike decided to make me dinner: blue cheese crusted fillet Mignon, prosciutto and fresh Parmesan wrapped asparagus drizzled with olive oil, garlic mashed potatoes and a crusty baguette, complimented with a delicious bottle of Malbec and we had ourselves a lovely Valentine's feast after the kiddies went to bed. I really do count my blessings every single day, no matter what is going on, because I have the husband, the children, the FAMILY and the home I've always dreamed of having. Who could want more than that.

And I am thrilled to be continuing on my writing career journey. I'm making lots of major, steady progress towards my first complete novel/memoir centered around Old Hollywood memories and stars... I am so excited about this project that I can just never find enough time around my top priority job (being a mommy) to work on this book. Yet I am finding myself getting closer to the completion of the First Draft every week. I expect to have Draft 1 completed before summertime, and if all goes well my subject/partner on this project and I will be searching for or have landed a major agent by the beginning of this coming holiday season. This force of hope and excitement will drive me to completion...

Happy Holidays and a Very Happy 2010!

I hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating this magical, beautiful season. As I wrap up 2009 and begin to prepare and look ahead to 2010, I remember all the amazing things that happened in my life this year. My husband and I were blessed with our new, adopted baby girl, McKenna Rain. She has been a joy in our hearts since joining our family on 7-13 and her big brother Carson Reyburn (3) loves his baby sis. The same day that McKenna came home from the hospital to live with her family (7-21) was the day my first children's book "Corinna the Christmas Elf" was released. I've been extremely busy with baby, toddler, husband and finding every spare moment to work on my latest novel/memoir as well as attending book signing and reading events. My book signings have been fun, eventful and interesting. I am extremely pleased at the reception of my first children's book and excited about future projects. Some of my favorite events include a few different Borders stores, Sierra Madre Books, Eat.Play.Grow. in Long Beach, Averyboo Arts in Long Beach and Roy Robbins Gifts in Long Beach. I continue to feel extremely blessed in my life, as well as motivated and challenged with my writing projects. I 2010 brings us all happiness, health, success at our endeavors, new creative ideas and lots of time with our loved ones. Cheers!