Kim Woodhouse – #TheAuthorMoms

What Becca Left Behind…

Remember that your Woodhouse family loves you…

By now, you all know that Becca and I are VERY close. We’ve spent more than a decade as the best of friends and have SO many memories to share. It’s really quite a joy.

But this last weekend, Jeremy and I were at a couple’s retreat for our church and Becca and Nathan joined us. Yesterday, I got a text from Becca that her pillow had been left behind. (I won’t say who was responsible for the pillow, because there’s no blame here. <cough, cough, Nathan> LOL)

Hubby and I had already left, so I asked her if she wanted me to call about it. Her response? “Just another ‘Becca and Nathan left a piece of themselves behind’ story.”

So I should probably tell y’all the story. And explain the pictures of a cord with labels.

When Becca and I first met, Nathan was deployed. Y’all know that story already. Well, during that deployment, all kinds of crazy stuff happened to the house they were renting. So Becca spent a lot of time with us. (Hopefully some of it was because she wanted to be there not just because life had dealt her yet another disaster, but I’ll let her answer that one.) Every time she left us to go home, she ended up leaving something behind.

Her shoes.

Her keys.

Her laundry.

Her cell phone.

Her purse.

It became quite the inside joke and we would tease her every time she headed toward the door. “Becca do you have your shoes? Your keys? Your phone? Your laundry?”

Years passed and our friendship grew. They were stationed elsewhere and we moved to another town for ministry. She and Nathan came to visit.

When their visit with us was over and they headed out, we went through the obligatory list.

But this time? Nathan left his laptop.

Becca came to visit again by herself and–you guessed it–when she was preparing to leave, we all checked everywhere. Asked the long list of “do you have” – and guess what? She left a charging cord. That’s the cord pictured. So Kayla came up with a great idea that we should “label” it before we sent it back. So we did. Let’s just say, we got a little extra happy with the labels. One said, “yes, Becca, this is your cord” another said, “do you have your laundry?” etc etc etc.

But the story isn’t complete just talking about the cute, inside Woodhouse/Whitham family joke.

You see, every time I get the opportunity to see Becca and Nathan, I’m impressed with how precious they are to us. Not just because they’re now officially family. Not just because our friendship runs deep.

But because Becca (Nathan too) leave(s) behind joy, love, and laughter wherever they go. Every time we’re together, I’m infused with something good/new/refreshing/fun.

So – Becca – you don’t just leave your shoes, laundry, cords, and pillows. You bless all who know you with the beautiful little pieces of your heart that you leave behind.

I cherish that about you.

Until Next Time,

Kimberley

Big and Small Decisions – Part 2

First – we want to wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We are cheering for 2021 big time, aren’t you? Before I continue, I should probably warn you that I’m about to move across the country and I’m in the middle of editing A Deep Divide which releases in October, so my brain is just a little fried. (In other words, be prepared for random thoughts…)

Anyway, Becca and I had a fun conversation when she was here for Thanksgiving about how big and small decisions impact our lives. (If you haven’t read Becca’s post about it – make sure you go back and read it)

To continue with her beautiful train of thought, I wanted to share a little decision that became a huge decision that became life-changing.

Back in 2019 (that sounds like it was a century ago, doesn’t it?) Becca and I had the chance to get together several times for some great writer events. It was amazing that we were both back in the same region of the country again (her hubby is an army Chaplain, and my hubby is a Pastor – so the Lord has often called/moved us all) and we were only a day’s drive away from each other, so Becca invited us to come out and visit around Christmas. I wasn’t sure Jeremy would be able to get away with all the church stuff during the season, so our initial plan was flexible. (And yes, before you even ask, Becca and I *did* have a short conversation about “what if” our kids met again and hit it off… but I’ll come back to that later)

Sooooo… Christmas approached. We were all really excited about the visit. But I had a deadline fast approaching and Kayla and Jeremy both came down with colds. They were pretty miserable for a few days and we were supposed to be leaving very soon to head to Becca and Nathan’s. Our sweet friends had reserved us a great hotel for all of us to stay in and everything. But…I have to admit, I began to doubt. I didn’t want Jeremy and Kayla to be miserable on a trip. I knew Jeremy was exhausted from all he’d had going on. And of course, I was overwhelmed by all I had to do.

I went to talk to Jeremy about this – and laid out all the things I was worried about. “Should we take the trip?”

In my mind, I was thinking that he wouldn’t want to go. Becca and I have pretty much done anything and everything to be able to see one another and hang out, but I didn’t want to be selfish. It had been hard to see Kayla and Jeremy be so miserable with their colds, but at least they were feeling a bit better. But you know how it is when you’re a mom. You worry and fret about everyone and then worry about making the correct choice.

Jeremy though was quick to make the decision. He said, “Let’s go.”

And so we went.

Best. Trip. Ever.

Why? Well, Steven was visiting his parents for Christmas and was still there when we arrived. We had a blast playing games, eating, watching movies, and just hanging out as families that had been good friends for almost a decade.

And wouldn’t you know? A few weeks later, Steven and Kayla started dating.

In July, they were married.

Then in October, we were all on Skype together (Becca, Nathan, me, Jeremy, Steven and Kayla) when our kids shared the glorious news that in June we will get to meet the newest member to the family. (Yay for grandbabies!!!!!)

You see? Because I was worried and didn’t want to be selfish, I almost made a little decision about not going to see our precious friends. Even though Becca and I as authors would love to take credit for orchestrating this amazing romance, we can’t. I need to give credit to my husband. Granted, he didn’t match-make or orchestrate anything. But he said two little words that made it all happen. “Let’s go.”

And in all actuality, it was a bunch of little decisions that became a big decision that became life-changing.

Becca and I planned to get together.
Nathan and Becca made sure we had a place to stay.
Steven flew from NY to WA to see his parents.
Kayla came home from seminary for Christmas break.
The Woodhouses drove from MT to WA to see the Whithams.

The rest–as they say–is history.

Boy… am I ever thankful for our friends and for my husband making that little decision.

LOVE and FAMILY. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?

Friends Don’t Let Friends Research Alone – Part 1

We’ve had so much fun launching The Author Moms that we wanted to make sure you got a front row seat to all that we have going on and all the escapades we’ve had.

For years, Becca and I have been dear friends. We’ve been critique partners. We’ve traveled, gone on book tours, gone to conferences, and researched together.

Earlier this year, I asked Becca if she would go with me on a research trip. You see, I’m thrilled that I have a new series coming out from Bethany House that takes place in 1905 at the beautiful El Tovar Hotel that sits on the rim of the Grand Canyon.

The timing seemed to be perfect. Becca’s daughter was due with her first child (which would be grandbaby #1 – woohoo!) several weeks later – so Becca said she could swing it for a few days so I didn’t have to go by myself.

That, people? Is friendship.

Here we are at the Grand Canyon. Let me tell you, I have what my kids call T-rex arms (they’re short – lol) and so trying to get a shot with both of us AND the massive Grand Canyon in the background was quite a feat. But we did it!

And we didn’t fall in! (I FaceTimed my parents a few times from there since they’d never seen the Grand Canyon… and one time my mom said, “don’t fall in!” – it gave us and several other tourists a good chuckle. One of the guys who heard it said, “You never stop being a mom.” Yep – that is so true. I’m sure I’ll be saying stuff like that to my adult kids for the rest of their lives too.)

Becca is more than just a friend. And she’s more than just family, too. She’s also a brilliant author and so when we were doing research, she knew exactly what I needed. She also came up with incredible questions to ask and ideas for me to pursue. She’s amazing and I’m so glad she walked into that writer’s meeting a decade ago so we could meet.

The research trip was fast and furious, but full of fun and TONS of pictures, notes, questions, and ideas.

Friends don’t let friends research alone.

About to have our first meal at The El Tovar restaurant. This dining room plays a major part in my stories since The Harvey Girls are so integral to the history here.

The Story of the Dress

There’s an amazing story to the gorgeous dress my daughter wore for her wedding. Even more incredible when you think of the pandemic and all the restrictions we’ve had the past few months.

When we knew they were going to get engaged and that a wedding was coming, the world was in the middle of the COVID craziness. Trying to figure out how on earth to find a dress when everything was closed was more than a little daunting. So my husband and I started brainstorming which led to me calling wedding dress shops all over the country. Lots and lots of phone calls.

The answer everywhere was, “we’re closed.” Heartbreaking news for the mother-of-the-bride just trying to find a place for her daughter to be able to find the dress of her dreams to marry the man of her dreams. And let me tell you, my daughter’s pretty low-maintenance. She didn’t have huge dreams or expectations of some crazy-elaborate wedding. She’s always wanted small and intimate. But she was hoping for a special dress. Even if it ended up just being her and her fiance (if because of the pandemic, none of the family could get there), we were fine with that. Because at the end of the day – big wedding or small – it was the vows between Kayla and Steven that mattered.

So of course, my husband and I wanted to give her at least the one wish – the dress. But how? The more we looked, called, searched… the more we realized it was going to take a miracle.

Enter SomethingBlueBride.com

Over a weekend, my husband had been putting his internet searching skills to work. Discovering that it appeared Iowa might actually have stores open, he told me I should start calling around on Monday. If we all had to drive to Iowa to try to find a dress, we would. So of course, on Monday, I did a little search and called this adorable store. The owner answered. (Katie is amazing. AMAZING.)

The pandemic was getting worse, and so restrictions were tightening, but Katie told me that on that very morning, she had launched a new program. It was called – Something Boxed. And we had the awesome opportunity to be her first customers for it.

So the next day, we had a virtual appointment and Katie had dresses set up throughout her store based on my daughter’s likes. After narrowing it down, my daughter received a beautiful box of wedding dresses shipped directly to her (she was in grad school, so she wasn’t even in the same state as me!) When they arrived, we had another virtual appointment and my daughter was able to try on the dresses while Katie gave her expert advice about alterations and such. The perfect dress was found – and oh my word, what a beautiful gown!!! Did you see the pictures? It’s perfect. Without Katie from Something Blue – we wouldn’t have been able to do this and so we are forever grateful. And it’s simply a privilege to know her because she’s one of the sweetest people on the face of the planet!

So I wanted to encourage you all, that even though we are in these crazy times, there are wonderful places like SomethingBlue that are doing outstanding things like SomethingBoxed and going above and beyond to help make dreams come true.

If you know a bride that is in the stages of trying to find her perfect dress – I urge you to steer them to SomethingBlue. I would give them 100 stars if I could. They are PHENOMENAL. You can also find the store on Facebook.

Goin’ to the Chapel…

Well… it’s official. The kids are married. It’s hard to believe that after all the adventures and fun Becca and I have had over the years, we now get to share something as cool as this.

The day of the wedding was absolutely beautiful. The bride was gorgeous. The groom so very handsome. And their faces… wow. What a joy as moms to get to see their love shining through.

Notice I’ve got my hand on Becca’s shoulder. I think we were both trying not to cry and hoping to hold it together. What a precious thing to be able share–our children marrying the love of their lives. It’s something we’ve prayed for our kids since before they were born. God is so good.

Lighting the Mother Candles for the Unity Candle

Some of my personal favorite moments of the day were people’s faces. Seeing my amazing husband’s face as he smiled walking our daughter down the aisle. Watching Steven’s face as he gazed at his bride coming toward him. Our daughter’s face beamed as she couldn’t take her eyes off her groom. Becca and Nathan’s faces as they rejoiced with their son. It was such a day full of JOY. Everywhere I looked.

So join us in celebrating the beginning of #TheAuthorMoms and be prepared for our craziness to come. Because believe me… there will be lots.

Kimberley

Welcome!

We are overjoyed that you have joined us here. Becca and I (Kim) are excited to start this new endeavor.

As a couple of crazy authors who love crafty things, research, writing, and of course… always a good story– who knows where we will go from here?

Our kids are getting married in a few weeks, and I’m sure that we will be updating you as we go. We’d love your prayers for sanity, travel, and for the happy couple!

Be watching for our next blog and make sure you check us out on Instagram- https://instagram.com/theauthormoms

Enjoy the journey!
Kimberley