So this has been one of the best Christmases ever (did my title give that away?). We have seen so many friends and family that we wouldn’t otherwise see for many months. It is so refreshing to be back in the states during the holidays. It just feels….right. Watching the kid with his cousins at Christmas has been incredibly entertaining. I’m convinced that watching your child on Christmas morning is way more fun than being a child on Christmas morning.
Now, let me just say that if I were to leave from here tomorrow with nothing but my kiddo and my suitcase, I would be content. I don’t need anything, but my family always has this way of spoiling the snot out of me when I’m home. And being that this is the first time in four years that I was, well, this is what happens:
Yes, $200 worth of shipping back to our home from Christmas this year. We are beyond blessed, I know.
In addition to these my husband managed to completely catch me completely off guard and get me something very unique. Now, let me first explain that he is the absolute hardest person to buy for in the universe. We’ve been together fourteen years and I have only managed to truly surprise him a couple of times, one of those being a personalized bobble head got made to look like him (in pure Dwight from The Office fashion, of course). He is very picky and winds up always guessing what his gifts are. I, however, am the polar opposite. I’d be happy with a cup of coffee. He always manages to get me something I won’t expect, and he definitely did that this year.
After three hours of unwrapping (surprisingly, two and three year olds take a ridiculous amount of time unwrapping), we all began cleaning up. I was throwing away paper and organizing the gifts when the hubs slipped me a little envelope. And inside was this:
Now, all the writers out there know exactly what this is. If you don’t know, allow me to explain. SCBWI stands for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, which I am a member of as of this past year. Every year they have a Winter Conference that includes many famous children’s book authors and illustrators. About a month back I mentioned on FaceBook that I’d love to be able to go one day. ONE DAY. The hubs is very sneaky!
Anyway, the keynotes this year include Lois Lowry, R.L.Stine, Jules Feiffer, Sara Zarr, and Linds Sue Park. There will also be many agents and editors there to give helpful advice to aspiring authors. And you know one of the best parts? It’s in NYC!
I literally couldn’t speak for about an hour after opening it. I was in shock. So if you’re going, let me know!
Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas!
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What a sweet hubby you have, Ariel! And I hope you tell us every single detail of the conference when you go – I'm so jealous and excited for you 🙂 Glad you had a merry Christmas. Happy New Year!
Oh, you know I will! Thanks, Julie!