by Rebeca Seitz
Mari felt Emmy lean against her leg and looked down. Emmy’s eyes were huge saucers looking up at her. Please, God.
John hung up and walked over to her. His green eyes shined as he gently touched her shoulder. “She’s fine. Our little girl is fine.”
Mari’s breath whooshed out of her and she fell into his chest. “Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.” She murmured into the softness of his shirt, righting herself as her world righted itself. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Where is she?”
“She’s with a family in a little village about five miles from the orphanage. We can go and pick her up as soon as we want. All the papers are in order—they were in order before the fire —but the agency didn’t get word until the fire had broken out.” Words tumbled from John’s lips like water to a thirsty woman. She was alive! “Then they didn’t want to tell us everything was final in case Andrea wasn’t okay.” He raked his hand through his hair. “But she is! She’s fine!”
“So Andrea’s not in Heaven with Jesus?” Emmy’s little voice cut through the haze of Mari’s brain and Mari turned to her. She knelt down and took Emmy’s face in her hands.
“No, baby. Andrea is not in Heaven with Jesus. She’s just fine and we’re going to bring her home.”
“When?”
Mari laughed. “As soon as we can get on a plane!”
Emmy hopped up and down. “YAY! My baby sister is coming!” She bounced around the living room. “My baby sister is coming!” Everyone laughed at her exuberance.
Jane leaned forward. “You’re going to be a family of four!”
“That’s right! Because, right now, we’re three.” She pointed to John and Mari. “Daddy is one. Mommy is two. And I make three. But Andrea makes four. So now we have enough for teams!”
Mari grinned. No time like the present. “Well, we might have to talk about that a little bit, Emmy.”
Emmy stopped bouncing and all eyes turned to Mari.
Mac stopped rocking. “Sister, you got somethin’ you ain’t sharin’?” Her wise old eyes bore into Mari.
“I’m not keeping secrets, Mac. I just found out this morning.” She looked at John. “What do you think about a family of five?”
John’s whoop was loud enough to wake the dogs. They started barking as the clock struck the hour and the cat began to meow. The Sisters came over and hugged her, patting her tummy and talking about baby names and due dates. Emmy came over and added her voice to the mix.
“So, am I going to have two baby sisters?”
Mari chuckled. “Bambina, we can’t be sure yet. We know you have one baby sister in Andrea. But this baby might be a brother. We won’t know for a long time.”
Emmy crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah, well, I’ll just talk to Jesus about that. We don’t want brothers here.” She turned and marched down the hallway to her room, but turned back as she got to her doorway. “I’ll teach Andrea to pray, too. Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll make sure we get two baby sisters.” She went in her room and shut the door as all the adults laughed.
Lydia’s thoughts were a whirlwind as they pulled out of Mari and John’s driveway. In one day, they’d faced death and won— twice. She had a headache from trying to take it all in.
“Hey, do you think your mom would mind keeping the twins a bit longer?” she asked Dale. A nap would probably knock this headache right out.
He shrugged. “You know she loves having them. I’m sure she won’t care.”
The silence stretched out and Lydia wondered again about the growing chasm between them. Watching Mari and John lean on each other had made her long for the days when she reached out to Dale and with he certainty that his arms would encircle her.
“You have some reason for not wanting to pick them up?” he asked. “Something maybe covered in orange feathers?”
She turned to stare at him. Was he actually expressing interest in her?
“Watch out!”
She jerked her attention back to the road and swerved to miss a pedestrian.
“Sorry, sorry. I think I misunderstood you.”
Dale leaned over and laid a hand on her knee. “No you didn’t.”
The Kroger was just up ahead. Perfect parking lot for a discussion. She whipped into the lot and threw the car into Park.
“So now you want me to wear orange feathers?”
He sighed. “Lydia, I’ve always wanted you to wear orange feathers. You just took me by surprise is all.”
“Mmm hmm. And right in the middle of a game. What rotten timing on my part, right?” He wasn’t getting off the hook that easily.
“Well, yeah, it was rotten timing.”
“Dale!”
“It was, Lydia! Seriously, what if I came in your scrapping room while you were in the middle of one of your layout thingamadoos and told you to stop, that I wanted you to pay attention to me. What would you do?”
She thought about it for a second. Okay, he had a point.
But still.
“I’d ask you to wait a minute and then come see what it is you wanted.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Oh, please. We both know you’d finish that and start something else and forget I ever came in the room.”
Sometimes being known wasn’t a great thing. “Maybe.”
He looked at her.
“Probably.” She smiled. “But, Dale, I really don’t think I spend as much time scrapping as you do in front of the TV.”
“I think you do, Lydia.”
“Then I guess we’re at an impasse.”
He shook his head again. “I don’t think so. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I know you’ve been trying to get my attention and,” he leaned forward and ran his hand along her thigh, “I appreciate the effort. But I may have finally figured out an answer to our problem.”
“What problem is that?” Because if he had finally figured out that she was sick of sports being more important to him than her, then there was hope here.
“The problem of our own personal interests being more important than our interest in each other.”
Sheesh. Just when she thought she had him pegged, he came out with something like that and reminded her why she’d ever became his wife in the first place.
“You really think my scrapbooking is more important to me than you?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes. And I’m willing to admit that sometimes I’ve let the TV be more important than you.”
“Wow, that’s a pretty big admission.”
“Well, seeing the heavy stuff Mari and John are dealing with kind of put things in perspective for me and I started thinking about all the time I spend on TV and you spend on scrapping.”
She shook her head. “I just don’t see it, Dale. I mean, yeah, I scrap with the Sisters a lot. But I don’t think I spend as much time scrapping as you do watching that crazy television.”
“Okay, then let’s do this. For the next month, we’ll chart how much time you spend scrapping and how much time I spend watching TV.” He held out his hands. “Maybe I’m wrong. But I think this will help us figure it out and I think that, if we can agree to spend equal amounts of time on our personal hobbies, then maybe we can get past this, I don’t know, thing between us.”
She looked at her husband sitting there, asking her to step out and cross the divide between them. At least he knew there was a problem and was brave enough to acknowledge it. It was way more than she ever expected him to do and reminded her of the days he sent her flowers and balloons all the time. When he was still chasing after her heart.
His hand rubbed her leg again and a little frisson of zing went through her. “Okay, Dale. I’m in.”
He grinned. “Really? Does this mean I get to see the orange feathers again?”
She laughed and swatted his arm. “I think they’re off at the town dump by now. But there’s more where they came from.”
He held his chest and threw his head back. “Be still my beating heart.”
She c
huckled with him, grateful that the tension in their marriage was beginning to ease. It wouldn’t be easy—and she might even have to cut back on her scrapping time for a while —but their zing wasn’t lost.
He stopped laughing and looked at her. “I love you, Lydia Whitehaven.”
She put her hand in his and squeezed. “I love you, too.”
We'd love to hear from you about your experience with this book. Please go to www.thomasnelson.com/letusknow for a quick and easy way to give us your feedback.
Love to read? Get excerpts from new books sent to you by email. Join Shelf Life, Thomas Nelson's FREE online book club. Go to www.thomasnelson.com/shelflife.
acknowledgments
Thank you to. . .
My dedicated mother, Linda DeBoard, who spent hours on her knees in prayer, securing protection for me as I walked life’s difficult path. You were right, Mom. I’m a writer.
My gifted daddy, who worked his tail off to make sure we had food on the table and put his own dreams aside to ensure we could go after ours. I’m so proud of you, Dr. DeBoard.
My beautiful sister, Christie Ricketts, and my talented brother, Herman DeBoard. Each of you has spurred me on to greater creativity. Thank you to your families as well for providing fodder for my fiction.
My amazing husband, Charles, who shows me support and unconditional love every day. I don’t deserve the love you give, and I’m so grateful you love me enough to ignore that.
Grace and Jim, who called with encouragement just as I was ready to throw the laptop against the wall. Everyone should be blessed with such wonderful in-laws.
My best friend, Mari, for letting me use her baby and family names. I miss you, sister.
My girls, Danielle and Deonne, for the hours of scrapping in Nashville.
Ami McConnell, a lady who has more talent in her pinkie than I’ll ever hope to have. Thank you for knowing what God made you to be and serving in that capacity. You’ve changed my life.
Beth Jusino, agent extraordinaire. Your grace and patience with me are a godsend.
Karen Ball, without whom this story would never have been told. You have a gift, my friend.
Allen Arnold, for showing me it’s okay to be a fiction freak.
The staff of Glass Road PR. I know you guys have worked hard behind the scenes so that I could write this book. I’m grateful to have you on board.
Finally, my astounding heavenly Father. I’m so unworthy to be a part of Your plan for this world. Your faithfulness humbles me; Your love sustains me. Your mercies truly are new every day. Thank You.
reading group guide
1. On her wedding day, Jane’s best friend, Lydia, tries to talk her out of marrying Bill because she believes he is a cheater. Was Lydia right in speaking so forcefully—or do you think she should have kept quiet? What would you have done in that situation?
2. When Jane discovers her husband’s on-line affair, she leaves him immediately. If she had stayed in the marriage and insisted on their seeing a counselor, would that have saved the marriage? Why or why not?
3. Lydia also has marital problems. What are they? What do you think of Lydia’s attempt to solve one of their problems through sexy lingerie and cutting off the cable TV? What should she do to improve their relationship?
4. Jane and her scrapbooking friends discuss the importance of learning and speaking a person’s “love language.” Which of the five love languages did Jane use to communicate her feelings for Jake? What is your preferred love language? What is your significant other’s?
5. When Jane’s ex-husband begs her to come back to him, she has to choose between a man who offers a marriage based on friendship and one based on romantic love. Which is more important when choosing a mate? Why? Can a good marriage be built on either alone?
6. With which of the characters do you most identify? Why?
7. Jane considers throwing away her wedding scrapbook, but instead decides to add some new photos and a poem. What does this signify about Jane’s ability to deal with her past rather than bury it?
8. A major theme of Prints Charming is the friendship of women. What do Jane and her Sisters, Ink. friends offer one another that they don’t find anywhere else in their lives? What ideas did this book elicit in you about the possibilities of a similar group?
tips & tricks
Provided by Veronica Hugger, president and cofounder of The National Scrapbooking Association
MANAGE YOUR MEMORIES: Use the FRAME method to manage your digital photos:
• Filter your pictures
• Reorganize by marking your favorites
• Archive pictures two times with two methods in two locations
• Make a print using archival materials
• Ensure backups are safe with an annual checkup
• For details, visit www.gotdigitalpictures.com.
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER: Use the Rule of Thirds in photo-taking and scrapbook layouts. Simply divide your frame or page into thirds both horizontally and vertically and place your main subject in one of the four points where the lines intersect.
Use the Visual Triangle Rule, too, when composing your scrapbook page. Place embellishments and accents in relationship to your photos to create a visual triangle.
(I got some of this info from http://www.digicamhelp.com/ learn/shoot-pro/rule.php and http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/ Scrapbook_Basics/Layout_Design/189.php)
LET THE KIDS CLICK!: Strap your digital camera on your children and allow them to take plenty of pictures with their perspective. Send them on an “assignment” to capture specific shots. Help them select their favorites and share the printing process with them. Set some activity time aside to scrap their images in albums they can share with their friends. Theme ideas include “All About Me,” “In My Backyard,” “My Favorites,” etc.
EASY ENHANCEMENT: Paper tearing is a simple technique that can add interest to any scrapbook page. Paper has a grain, and it’s easier to tear paper with the grain. To find the grain in a sheet of paper, hold it flat in the open palms of both hands. Bring your palms together to bow the paper into a “U” shape, and notice how the paper “gives.” Turn the sheet 45 degrees and bow the paper in the same manner. The position with the least resistance indicates the grain. To tear, hold the paper in each hand and between your thumb and forefingers. Pull your dominant hand towards you to tear. Practice on scrap paper.
SCRAP FOR SUCCESS: Start a scrapbooking project with the end in mind. Beginner projects may include a mini-album or a pre-designed page kit. Create an album around a specific event or theme, like a recent vacation, and use a smaller format like an 8x8” album. One 4x6” can fill up a page, making it fast and easy to complete.
AVOID NIT-PICKING! GO FOR THE ENSEMBLE!: Manufacturers create beautiful and tempting products, so let their designs work for you. Stick within a specific product line. Select papers and accents within that line. The coordinating colors, embellishments, and papers take the guessing—and time—out of selecting the right “outfit” for your page. Think of it as Geranimals for scrapbooking!
TIME-SAVING TIPS: When you buy patterned paper by the sheet, also pick up one or two or the coordinating solid sheets. Buy double-sided papers; there’s usually a coordinating design on the back that matches perfectly. After creating a page, make cards until all the scraps are used up. You’ll have fewer scraps to manage and extra cards on hand!
SERVICE WITH A SMILE!: Your local scrapbooking store (or LSS) offers hands-on customer service and education, plus all the supplies to get you started. In addition to classes and product selection, most local retailers host retreats, crops, make-and-takes and many other fun activities to enhance your scrapbooking experience. To find an LSS near you, use the Store Locator on the NSA web site at www.nsa.gs.
Use the following sample pages
by Stacy Julian to capture
happy memories and celebrate
the people you love!
cousins
WHA
T YOU’LL NEED:
• Seven to nine snapshots of family or friends
• Two sheets of cardstock in medium tone (this is your background)
• One sheet brightly colored cardstock (for your main photo mat and subtitle block)
• Medium- and small-sized letter stickers (white really pops!)
• A jumbo square punch
• Scraps of cardstock for punching squares
• A jumbo flower paper punch
• One black journaling pen (.03 point)
• Buttons for the middle of the flowers
ASSEMBLY TIPS:
Don’t be afraid to trim your photos just a bit. This way you can fit more onto a page. Line up several pictures along the bottom of a layout, but always select one photo to emphasize and draw attention to it with color and accents. A square punches are versatile tools that you’ll use over and over again. Punch squares of cardstock scraps to create a fun title right down the center of your page!
the halloween scene
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
• Eight holiday snapshots trimmed to approx. 31.2” x 31.2”
• Two full sheets of patterned cardstock from a line of coordinated products
• Two sheets of white cardstock (for photo mats)
• Two other pattern papers cut into four thin strips
• An additional pattern paper cut into a title block
• Assorted chipboard accents and letters
• One black journaling pen (1.2 point for the title)
• One black journaling pen (.03 point)
• Assorted medium sized brads
ASSEMBLY TIPS:
This page pattern works great for almost any holiday. Try purchasing a themed kit of several products designed to go together. Don’t line things up too much—just have fun!