How Did You Do It?

I have four kids. I often get asked how I was able to find the time to write and publish a novel. 

Remember, the last two didn't exist during the writing process. 

With two, it was a piece of cake. I'll tell you my trick.

It was summer in Michigan. I had a fenced in back yard to keep the kiddos contained and a comfy re-purposed lawn bench to sit on. 

First, I went to Walmart and bought an old style turtle pool. Remember those? They were magic. I had one myself as a kid. They last more than one summer and they tolerate anything that weather and roughty kids can throw at them.

Second, I put the pool in the back yard and grabbed one of Grandma's old quilts and a few baby toys. I laid the quilt and  toys inside the empty pool.

They played for hours. 

Chloe played Mommy and Caibry just laid there staring at the blue summer sky and waving his crunchy bug toy with the crinkle wings. 

When they got bored of the turtle toys and each other, I grabbed Caibry's Johny-Jump-it, hooked it to the tree branch and set the turtle's lid under his feet.

He bounced well after dark and I pushed on, pouring out my guts on the page until his little head finally dropped and he was sound asleep. 

This picture is not dark because the lighting was bad. It was truly that dark out. This was right before his head plopped. Sleep baby. He was pooped out.

When Caibry was solidly asleep and Chloe had settled onto my lap, I called it a night. I packed up my notebook, the blanket, and my sleeping baby and carried it all inside. 

I did this for a full summer and well into the fall. 

When it was over, I had written a book.

Now, I have to say, I'm not sure this would have worked as well with Nevie and Sadie. They would likely have shimmied out of the turtle, climbed the fence and headed to the mall. 

This is just more proof that God knows exactly what we need and when we need it.