Where to begin??

I haven't updated my blog in far too long... so I figured I better do it. I have had an amazing time recently, and would love to share it with you.

I have been on a fantastic ride of surreal, awe-inspiring, and satisfying joy lately, with the increasing buzz about my book! I have been honored to be included in a few book signing events recently, as well as attending a book club's discussion of my book. Now that was scary going into it, because I wasn't sure what the discussion would lead to. Would someone think my book was too honest, or two closely inspecting my life or my past? I guess when it comes right down to it, I wasn't sure how people would judge me, after reading where my life journey had taken me along the way. I was pleasantly surprised that it was only with the most loving and supportive embraces that my book, my story, was discussed. It was determined that I was a typical young adult, and I was able to share how my normal insecurities led me away from the path God had waiting for me, and led me instead down my self-created meandering journey of fumblings... while all the while knowing (although mostly not consciously) that God was waiting to set my course right, and turn me into a better direction for my future.

I have maintained all along that my goal for writing my story has not been to become some rich, famous author (although a little plumping of the family budget would be a nice bonus), but rather my goal has remained this: to take the experiences of my past, use them to share hope for others who may be struggling, and to use my life as an example of how God's unfailing love can and will be there when we're ready to embrace Him.

I do hope that my words, my thoughts, my soul, can help someone, somewhere, somehow. Maybe it has already, and I'm just not aware of it. But regardless, I praise God for the opportunities I have been afforded, to meet new friends, share His Glorious love, and let my light of joy shine brightly.

Thank you to anyone and everyone that has walked along this life journey with me (during the good, the bad, the ugly, and the phenomenal), and may you all find a joy so robust that you shout it from the rooftops! God Bless, and have a terrific Autumn (or winter, as the temps here in North Dakota are already that cool).

Living Life with GUSTO!!!

This is exactly how excited I am on this day!!! This photo was part of a "photo shoot" (it's so fun to say that... but it was REALLY out of my comfort zone to be the target of the camera lens, that why I just went crazy and laughed the whole time). In an effort to get some pix for my upcoming website and the back of my book, I hired a brilliant guy to take some photos... was SUCH a fun time!
My joy is overflowing, because today is the day that I get a large shipment of books... MY book... my PUBLISHED book... from my publisher, delivered by UPS... in a few hours (can't tell I'm excited, can you?). Below is the cover (many of you have seen this already, but wanted to share here in case you haven't), and it's available for purchase through the publisher's website (search by author name... Karyn Gall Hippen), or available from me. If you want an advance copy, just send me the retail price of $14.99, plus a couple bucks for shipping, and tell me where to send your copy (or copies, hehe).

My nationwide release date is set for December 1st... at which time it will be available through amazon.com, other online bookstores, as well as in retail bookstores all over (hopefully). I thank you in advance for your interest, your support, and your encouragement. I couldn't have accomplished this amazing dream, if it were not for the love and support of family and friends, but above all, it's God that has gotten me to where I am today... a strong woman!! I hope you all "Live Life with GUSTO", and embrace the journey. It's not about how hard we have it, or showing our badges of courage to prove our survivability... it's about celebrating the grace of God, and the merciful love with which He gets us through our struggles along the way. To GOD be the Glory!!!

Blessings to all my friends and family... I love you all more than words can ever capture. I am the luckiest woman on earth!

Fun at the Lake

Noah doesn't always look so serious... see, he really DOES smile a lot!! And look at all those pearly whites!!
Noah and Devin (Noah's cousin) were so funny in the cabin... they were running back and forth into PaPa's bedroom, and it was hard to snap a picture of them giggling... at least Devin stopped for a split second for my camera request.

Bouncing on the trampoline was fun with Grandma Karen... too bad it wasn't warmer that weekend so we could have seen them bouncing on it in the water at the lake. Oh well, it was fun this way too.

This isn't MEANT to be a riding toy, I don't think, but it was fun to watch the boys play together. They're still a little young for REALLY playing together, but we can see it'll be a great friendship into the future!

Ben got a dirt bike with all the paper-boy money he saved all summer, and the little boys wanted to sit on it too. You can see that Devin was MUCH more impressed with Ben's new set of wheels, than Noah was... I'm sure he was just thinking "oh great, now Ben won't play with me anymore".

As PaPa was doing a remodel project on the lake cabin, the boys were peaking inside to see what they could see. It was so cute to see them watching inside like that. Fun times always happen at the Hippen Cabin.

Summer fun!!

We treated our family to a pool this year... it's still small and not something I can resume my laps in, but it's fun, nonetheless. Matt even spent some time playing with Noah in it this summer.
We've been enjoying our patio and have eaten outside a few times this season... Noah LOVES the freedom of eating outside and being able to run around between bites of supper.

Ben and Noah are probably the biggest fans of the pool. Ben is really shining as a big brother... he volunteers to play with Noah anytime the weather's warm enough to hang out in the pool. True buds for sure!

Graduation

It was hard not to be able to share these memories sooner (my computer was not cooperative), but I'm thrilled to be able to share these special times now. Matt's graduation was amazing... don't get me wrong, it's not like I didn't know he would graduate, it was never a doubt. But seeing him in the sea of classmates, with his honors ribbon draped around his neck, and wearing his cap proudly, AND hearing him sing in the choir, was more than my emotions could hold back.
I sobbed and sobbed... (I NEVER cry, by the way), and was overwhelmed with pride, love, and joy for my son.

Seeing the three boys together like this was a fantastic moment! God is good... my richest blessings were captured in this photo... my heart rejoiced that day (and still is)!

Hair cut and Home Improvements!

Where did my baby go? He's such a big boy now, with is grown up haircut! Time certainly doesn't stand still, that's for sure.
Noah's curls are history for now. I tried giving him a haircut (he's gotten haircuts twice before from me), and he just wouldn't sit still, so the chances of getting it cut evenly were pretty slim, so the clippers had to come into play. But he keeps rubbing his head and thinks it's funny, so no harm done!

Hair or no hair, Noah's a CLIMBER for sure... especially because he spied the remote control (or Ben's cell phone) in the recliner in this picture. ha. I'm surprised he didn't grab his little kid chair and take it over to the recliner, and climb up on that to get to his destination. Or... maybe he did, and that's why I dropped the camera to grab whatever he was after before he got to it.

Yep, sure enough, it was the remote he was after. You can see the satisfaction written all over his face once he got what he was going for.

This is what Ben calls "watching Noah". We were building a deck this weekend, and the sun was glorious!! The warmth must have simply melted Benny, as he SURELY had no clue what Noah was up to, just inches away from him. Of course, I was right there with the camera, so really I had it all under control. ha. But it was pretty funny!

Noah helped Ed pick up once the deck construction was all done for the day. He really loved running around up there. It's going to be a fabulous summer outside for us.

Noah even wanted to find out how a palm sander worked. I had already unplugged the extension cord from the wall, so no danger lurked for my curious little guy. It's so much fun to see him explore, walk around the yard, and just grow up in the wonder of it all. To watch the learning take place first hand is truly a blessing. God is so good!!!

Bathtime Smiles

Noah LOVES bath time, in case you couldn't tell. He loves to "eat" the bubbles, and it's funny to see how the bubble mustache will appear each time he sticks his face in the water.
As I shampoo his hair, I like to see how sudsy I can get it, and he just giggles and giggles! Until I have to rinse it out, that is (that requires water being dumped on his head, and that interrupts his playtime. ha.

It's never very hard to get my little man to pose for the camera... he's smiles and grins 99% of the time!

And then the effects of the warm bath overtake him, and he soon falls fast asleep on daddy's shoulder. 'Night, 'night Noah! We love you!!!