Book is up!

Okay, so I have been adding, editing and updating my book today, and although I am still a minimum of 8000 words, I know I am closer to my goal!

So, for all of you who want to know a bit about it... I have given you a brief snipit of my novel... not yet titled, but I am looking for some idea's...

Kaitlyn left her hometown twelve years ago to get away from all those she loved and what would, in the end, hurt them all. She had a past that would kill her and she hated the one savior that brought all those she loved, miracles, yet turned his back on her. She had to decide between her heart or her father. So, chosing her father, she packed up her bags and headed to New York. Faith was something she didn't have, and didn't ever want.

Mark was left behind in the gazebo by the woman who stole his heart. He was young when love hit him, but he still loved her after the twelve years they were apart. Now, she was coming back into town and he had to proove to her two things... Heavenly Father loved her, and he loved her no matter what darkness loomed in her shadows.

Hope you enjoy it... you will just have to wait for the rest of it! Say a prayer that it gets published!

Watch out Stephenie Meyer... Edward isn't going to be the IT guy much longer... although, I would like Robert Pattinson to play the role of Mark and Ashley Greene as Kaitlyn.

Prologue

Kate punched in the pin on the gate keypad. As the looming gates slowly drew open, she arranged her books next to her. Impatient to wait any longer for the gates to completely open, she inched forward till just her car was able to squeeze in. She passed the guard shack, and waved to Ross as she drove by. She made her way up the curvy steeped road.
The road was the private driveway that leads to the McKenzie main house. The McKenzie estate was about 40 acres total that held the main house, a guest house, housekeeping quarters, basketball and tennis courts, pool, a small pond, and of course, her childhood playground, A grand gazebo. The lands were full of tall trees and lush mountains capes.
Kate made her way through the wooded grounds that were snuggled deep inside Laurel Canyon. Laurel Canyon was where Hollywood elite had homes and even retreats. It was only an hour so out of Los Angeles, where they can live in the country, but still have all the amenities of living in LA. Laurel Canyon back in the bygone era was the place for Hollywood elite would escape for the weekend. Black and White movie stars that graced the screen would check into lodges up here or even built huge mansions, which the McKenzie estate, was once.
The McKenzie estate was once a home to a crime boss. He ran several speakeasies in Los Angeles, and had several running in his home. He eventually fled to Chicago, his hometown, where he was arrested for several bank robberies and dodging federal agents for bootlegging. The grounds were filled with hidden passageways, long dark tunnels that lead underground. There were several tunnels that lead from the main house to guest houses, the boat house, the carriage house and a small bungalow on the outskirts of the property. The McKenzie’s believed it was the place where they gathered to discuss business, or a job they were working on. That bungalow was off limits to everyone, due to its debilitated state.
Kate pulled up to the large house and parked on the side of it, where the kitchen was. Kate always went in through the kitchen. It was something she and her father had always done. They didn’t have to knock or ring a bell. They simply, walked in. This time would be the same.
She bounced into the kitchen and Jillian sitting at the breakfast table, reading a book.
“Hi, Katie!” She said glancing up. She closed her book and stood up to greet Kate with a hug. “How you’ve been?”
“I’m fine.” Kate smiled at her. “Is my dad and Papa Bear home yet?” Kate had called Mr. McKenzie Papa Bear since she was born, and even as a teenager, the endearment stuck.
“They just called and said they are leaving the office. Are you hungry?” Jillian asked.
“No.” Kate smiled. “I ate after practice. Is Mark home?”
“Of course.” Jillian said. “He’ll be right down. He just got home from practice. They are going to be great tonight. You look so adorable in your uniform!”
“Thanks!” Kate said glancing down at her cheer uniform. The white outfit with a blue and gold V across the chest and arms, represented her team, and the embroidered “C” represented her position on the team. “Varsity Cheer already had practice earlier, and the cheers are all set to win tonight! ”
“Those guys need them!” Jillian smiled.
“That’s what I’m here for.” Kate said.
“Katie!” Mark walked into the kitchen in dress slacks, a white shirt and tie, with his hair in wet spikes. “Did you just get here?”
“Yep.” She said to him giving him a hug. He looked so handsome in his suit. Coach had the Varsity team dress in suits to be intimidating to the rival teams. It must have worked, because they were in the finals and the guys were one win away from taking home the Championship trophy.
Mark had always been in her life. He was eighteen now, and she was sixteen. He had always been her best friend and although she felt something more between them, she could never act upon it, because with her father working for McKenzie Enterprises, he could lose his job if anything wrong were to happen. So, Kate settled on him being a brother. He was going off to college anyways, and would have never had any feelings for a little soft more.
“You girls looked good out there!” Mark said grabbing the orange juice from the fridge and taking a swig directly from the bottle. Kate glanced over to Jillian, knowing if she were to see him, she would scold him. Kate loved to be the lookout for when Mark acts up. Jillian was closing her book. Kate immediately kicked Mark in the shin from behind the counter, and he immediately dropped the juice out his mother’s site.
He gave her one of his charming grins.
She melted inside. Wow, he truly was gorgeous.
“Well,” Mark said, “We have a few minutes. Want to go for a walk so I can warm up the muscles?”
"Sure.” She said. They headed out the back door.
“So, what was your grade in Mr. Bonner’s class?” Mark asked her.
“I got a B.” She answered. “He wanted me to dissect the frog, and there was no way, that was going to happen.”
“Why didn’t you tell him that it was against your religion? I did.” Mark said to her.
“You are bad!” She laughed. “I couldn’t lie like that. You’re a Christian, so it may be in truth to you, but not to me. I just thought it was disgusting, and refused to hack open an innocent frog. What if he was my prince?”
Mark laughed, “Then you need to set your sites a bit higher.”
They walked down the path through the rose garden, and up the steps of the white gazebo. Kate sat down on the bench that faced the view of the pond and boat house.
“I’ve been thinking.” Mark said to her.
“About what?” Kate asked him still looking at the pond ripples.
“I was thinking, after tonight, I will have some free time. Do you want to do something?”
“Sure.” Kate smiled. “Like what?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe going to Lake Havasu or something?” Mark said to her. “Mom and Dad want to bring the boat soon.”
"That sounds like fun.” Kate said to him.
“Maybe we can take in a few movies too.” He said to her.
“Sure.” Kate smiled. She faced him. “No horror flicks though. I don’t care if they are PG-13, it will still scare me!”
“You were always squeamish.” Mark said to her.
“Yep.” Kate said. “I think it’s a girl thing. Sorry.” She laughed.
“I was actually, thinking, that maybe we can go to the movies as boyfriend and girlfriend.” Mark said to her in a whisper.
He had just come out and said it to her. He was leading up to it, but it didn’t come out as suave as he thought it would.
“What?” Kate asked him.
"I want to be more than your best friend.” He said to her. “I care too much about you.”
Kate didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t let this happen. Her father loved his job. That’s when she decided, that her life was going to take a different direction, and it was going to have be without Mark McKenzie in it.
“I’m sorry Mark. No. I don’t care about you that way.” She lied. “I don’t it’s a good idea for us to hang out anymore. Good bye, Mark.” She ran back to her car, and left. She didn’t want to go to the game and see him. She wanted to be away. She drove back home, told her dad that she wasn’t feeling well, and was going to stay home for the evening. Her father would know that it wasn’t in character of her to miss a game, knew she must feel bad, so didn’t press on for her to go.
She missed the game that night.
The Varsity Team lost the game.
She lost her best friend.

Sealing OVERHAUL!

Well, as we wrote up our guest list today, well... it comes down to the fact that we know just too many people!! It started out as 100 people but then a few people here, a few people there... and now... we are at 300 people!!! 150 Invites!! GULP!
So, what we have decided to do, is still invite everyone, but hopefulyy (fingers crossed) that 2/3's of the people can't come! That is our only solution! We love everyone equally and just can't invite one person and not the other, and of course, the counts include their children... some of which don't eat HUMAN food yet!
So, to come down on the budget, I sadly, have to say goodbye to the beautiful gown I wanted, and say hello to ebay dress auction! Sigh... and I am going to have to make not only my cloak (which is still a MUST for me), I have to make the girls their white gowns, because they are being sealed to us at the same time, and I have to make little throws that tie around their gowns, to give them the whole red and white look!
Today I also checked out Walmart.com vs costco.com for photo invites... and I think I may just go with white invites and add something Christmas'y to them... not entirely sure yet. The only photo card that could fit all the information of the invite is white,... so that means I have to get creative!
OH... and instead of making this about just Chris and I, we have opted to have the invites read, "THE GOODRUM FAMILY" instead of "Christopher and Kellie Goodrum".
But the tree's will still be sparkling up the place, and it will still be a fantastic event!!
Now, is the time to see just how good a planner I am,... after all, a good planner can make an event look like a million dollars, when all you used, is a hundred dollars... :)

Oh... and I thought, for a special treat for all of you followers, I would post a snipit of the book I'm writing... in a few days! I finished the first round, and now have to still add the 10, 000 words and more religion to it... I've targeted a religious romance book editing firm, and have to be within their guidelines. I want to write a romance novel that you don't feel like you're reading porn... blegh. So, come back and see the first snipit!!!!

Love and Blessings!

Hate being Sick

So, why is it, that when you have a full day planned of things to do, you get sick? I just don't understand that!

You know, when you hear about someone losing a baby, they say that you either draw closer to your spouse, or pull further away. Many people I have heard, have broken up, seperated and even divorced. However, that is not our case.

Chris and I have grown so much closer this past year, and in these recent two months, we have become newlyweds again. It seems that maybe one of Jayden's purposes was to bring Chris and I closer together. We have fought, yes! We have cried, YES! However, through all of our ups and downs, we have become closer to each other.

So, we decided to get sealed in the Oakland temple. We are shooting for a December sealing, complete with vow renewal and reception. The event is going to be low key (meaning, low budget) but its going to be awesome.

White Christmas is our theme. I tried on wedding gowns yesterday, and have found the one for me. It comes with a detachable train, so I can have fun, and not have my butt three times as big as it already is, due to the busteling (how do you spell that?) The dress has the sleeves so its Mormon Standard, but its just perfect. Simple, Elegant, and just pretty. Since we are not going all out, and since my budget doesnt allow me the luxury to purchase the dress, I have decided to rent the gown. Yep... RENT the gown! If a man can rent a tux, why can't I rent a dress... right?

Also, in keeping with the White Christmas Theme, I also found a cape to go with my gown... yes, a white cape with fur! So, White Chrismas! However, after seeing the cost of the cape, I think I will opt to make one. I have to buy the pattern anyways, to make a red cape for Halloween... I'm going as a Volturi member... since Julie is going as Bella, and Grace is going as Victoria! And of course, Chris is my Edward... but I think he will be better suited as Laurent!

I also went and saw Julie and Julia last night... A FANTASTIC movie! Love of husband and wife, achieveing goals and cooking... all complete a great movie, right! Definatly, a must see!

Well, the Benadryl has kicked in, so I am off to lay on my bed. Looks like Soup and Goldfish are on the menu today! Mmm... now to send Chris out to get some Split Pea soup... my favorite with a dollop of sour cream!

Love and Blessings...

I'm a blogger

Okay, after many requests for blogging, I have now decided that its my time to take time out of my busy, hectic week, and sit down for a few minutes and write down my weeks adventures. So, here you go.

This week was productive! We had an excellent adventure (without Bill and Ted) to the Temple. I wanted some photographs of the kids and the temple. I knew that Saturday we were taking photos but the temple had a special meaning to me.

We also decided on a December Sealing. We want to renew our vows, and this just seemed the most opportune time to do this. After two months of coping, grieving, and just trying to rise above the heavy dark clouds that linger over us, we decided that this was our hardest battle to date, and while most families tend to part ways, when they lose a child, we pulled together. I had a new profound love for Christopher that reached beyond my vows that I took seven years ago.

The church has brought us closer as well, and now, we feel is the time to get sealed for time and all eternity. I figure, if I can put up with his temper, his embarrassing jokes, and his quick (often times getting him into trouble) wit, I can deal with it for all eternity. But lets not forget that puts up with me wanting to rearrange furniture at every opportunity, declutterize the house (meaning his stuff eventually landed in a tiny corner in the kitchen and in the garage) and of course, my need to have the house SPOTLESS!

So, we decided on a White Christmas theme for the reception. Bing Crosby and the red and white frocks... nothing says Christmas than that!! Of course, that means christmas tree's surrounded everywhere, and if I could afford it, I would have a snow blowing machine in the parking lot just to give it the special touch (thats the planner in me), but budget wise... I may have to bring out my snow cone machine and settle on a bowl of it!

Well, our photo shoot went GREAT and man, we have the best pictures ever...EVER! Ben Ashby Photography is the up and coming Photographer to the stars! He will be making a cameo in this years Issue of Goodrum Letters from Home. So, be on the look out! He's an awesome guy, great attitude, and works fantastic with kids... also can be a bit authoritive with those fiesty kids... luckly, Officer Ashby didn't have to threaten Jail Time on Conner!!

Well, the pics are posted, and I hope you enjoy them. There is a lot, but we just love all of them, and had to narrow down the 600 to 70! LOL.

Also, a shout out to my family in Canada, OC and Texas... Miss ya guys!