Friday, December 2, 2011

Birthday Bash Day 5 with Special Guest Julie Lessman!


Well, all good things must always come to end, but at least we're going out with a bang!  You're gonna love *everything* about today's post with my very special guest, Julie Lessman, so why don't we just get right to it, k?  :o)

***

What’s one of the most memorable gifts you ever received for your birthday?

Well, I can’t remember if it was my birthday or Mother’s Day, but my wonderful artist husband gave me something so unique and beautiful, that I will treasure it always. He’d just built us a beautiful media room in our basement, a work of art really, because the man is incredibly creative and handy, and it had these multi-colored pillows on our leather sectional couch. Would you believe he took a picture of one of those pillows and designed three different versions in the same colors, then superimposed them on canvas frames as a wall grouping?

“It’s beautiful, babe,” I said, amazed once again at his mind-boggling creativity. “Look closer,” he said, and I squinted a bit, suddenly seeing our entire life before my eyes. Yes, you guessed it—this incredible man actually super-imposed pictures of each of us—me, my son, daughter and himself—over the multicolored canvases to create living artwork that captured US (I hope it shows in the pix I took)!! WOW!! Let me tell you—I teared up on the spot and threw myself into his arms, giving him the biggest, most grateful kiss I could!  What can I say—MasterCard has nothing on him—he’s “priceless.”



Awww, Julie, I love those pictures!  You've got a keeper of a husband!

Do you have any special memories of the year you turned 30?

Oh, honey, at my age, do you really think I can remember back that far??? 

Mmm... let me see (straining brain here)... not, 30 so much, but I will NEVER forget age 32! Why, you ask? Well, you see, I was an infertility patient who was desperately trying to have a baby. It was a very traumatic time for me with LOTS of tears, but as with everything when God is involved, He turned it around to be one of the greatest lessons of my life on the power of praise. Anyone who would like to read about it in my article entitled “Clean Heart, Dirty Diapers,” can do so on the Hannah’s Prayer Ministry (an infertility blog) website called HELD at http://hannahsprayerblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/clean-heart-dirty-diapers.html, but keep in mind that I no longer monitor the comments.

Anyway, the day I found out I was finally pregnant is emblazoned in my memory! I was helping my neighbor paint her bedroom and needed to call the doctor for the results of the pregnancy test, but I didn’t want her to know. So I ran home to call privately (this was WAY before I owned a cell phone), and when that nurse told me the rabbit died (smile), I’m telling you right then and there, I just about did too!! I had had SO many months of disappointment after disappoint with infertility drugs, sonograms, charting my temps and my poor hubby in boxers, that I literally gasped and yes, started sobbing like a baby myself! Let me tell you, it was sheer murder trying to act calm and nonchalant in front of my neighbor after that, but I managed because I wanted Keith to be the first person I told, and I wanted to do it in person when he got home that night!!

Wow, what a story, Julie!  I can see you now...trying to act "calm and nonchalant!"

If you could only give one book to me for my birthday (not including your own), what book would I find underneath the wrapping paper?

Mmmm...well, since this is the Southern Sassy Things blog, I’m guessing you already have a copy of Gone With the Wind, so that rules that out! ;) So … I would probably give you a copy of Prayers That Avail Much by Germaine Copeland because after the Bible, that book has impacted my life more than any other. Mind you, all it is is a compilation of prayers for any possible need you can imagine—from depression or fear, to buying a home or wayward kids, etc. The prayers are simply Scriptures strung together in a heartfelt and poignant petition for whatever trial you are undergoing, BUT … they are SO powerful because think about it—it’s 100% Word of God put into a prayer! I bet I have given at least 20 of these books to various people over the years, it’s that good!

Yes, I do have a copy of GWTW (that ashamedly, I haven't read yet), but that prayer book sounds like one I might like to have someday.  It reminds me a great deal of a similar book, Daily Light by Anne Graham Lotz.  It's more of a devotional with a series of scriptures to read each morning and evening, and they all flow together in the greatest way.  I've given a couple as gifts, too.

And the most important question of all... What’s your favorite flavor of birthday cake? :o)

LOL!! Yes, indeed, a MOST important question!! White cake tops the list, followed by red velvet—lure me with either of those two, and I’ll follow you anywhere! :)

Who says we can't have both today?!  White cake is oh-so-yummy, and while I'm personally not a fan of the red velvet, I'm sure we have a reader or two that is.  :o)  (Oh, and I can never think of red velvet cake without thinking of Steel Magnolias, either!)

***

Y'all, I'm so sorry that this week has come to an end!  I hope that each and every one of you has had as great of a time as I have, and in just a couple more days, a few of you will be the big winners!

Now, for today's "present," we've got something a little different...a reader's choice, so to speak.  If you sign up for today's giveaway, you have your choice of receiving any of the following:

Any one of Julie's books, including her newest release, A Heart Revealed,


OR

a writer's critique and the detailed handout from my and Ruth Axtell Morren's ACFW Workshop, A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss.

To enter today's giveaway, simply fill out the form below to be entered. We're getting close to the end of the week, and that means you've only got 3 DAYS to enter Julie's contest! All contests are open until Sunday, December 4th, and winner will be announced Monday, December 5th. US addresses only, please.



And if you've missed any of the other posts this week, get your entries in while you have the chance!

Click here for Vickie McDonough's interview and giveaway.
Click here for a post chock full of book giveaways!
Click here for Ginger Garrent's interview and giveaway.
Click here for Lori Copeland's interview and giveaway.

Once again, thank you all SO MUCH for spending this week with me!  I appreciate all the wonderful comments more than you possibly know, and I feel like I have made some new friends this week, too.  :o)  Y'all don't be strangers now, ya hear?  And when it's your birthday, I hope you'll consider inviting me to your par-tay...I'll bring the cake!

38 comments:

  1. Oh WOW Christy you do know how to go out with a bang! JULIE LESSMAN!!! Woo hoo! First off, I can't believe you have not read GWTW Christy! You must you must you must! Julie, Oh my goodness! What a man you have! I love the art work! How creative, and how special! (Ack! every sentence ends with an exclamation!). What a wonderful story of your process to have a child, and great that you were able to keep the news to share with your hubby first! Great interview ladies! Thanks so much Christy for the fun this week! I hope that your celebration week has been just as fun for you!

    Julie @ My Only Vice

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful, special gift your husband gave you. If I remember, he's into graphic art for his work? It's unique gifts like this one that really make a gift special! Kudos for your husband!!! And I can imagine that kiss!

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. love the pictures... what an amazing gift! My mother-in-law always made a red velvet cake for my hubby's birthday every year! (and his birthday is Dec 26!)... loved this interview! I am so thankful that God brought us together and thanking God today that we both have awesome husbands!! Jo

    ReplyDelete
  4. No party is complete without JULIE LESSMAN. :-))

    Seriously, great interview, I love to discover little different bits about this lady everywhere she goes.

    I love that mural, Julie. It fits and you and Keith so perfectly! I love how your eyes glow when you talk about him. :))

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTY!

    ReplyDelete
  5. JULIE!!! My fellow GWTW sister-freak!!! I'm with you -- CHRISTY, READ THE BOOK, GIRL -- it won a Pulitzer Prize for literature, for pity's sake!!

    And, JULIE -- NEVER, and I repeat, NEVER, EVER -- apologize for using too many exclamation points, do you hear??? It's a sign of extreme passion ... or extreme caffeine overload, one of the two. Not necessarily a bad thing, you know!!!

    THANK YOU for reading my infertility story, my friend, because it was one of the most special lessons God ever taught me, so I appreciate you taking the time to read it.

    Good luck in the contest, Jules, and may all your "vices" be book related! ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  6. LINDA, YES, my hubby is an award-winning graphic artist/designer who designs my website, bookmarks, posters, newsletters, etc. He is an AMAZING man, and I pinch myself every single day, no joke, because I can hardly believe God gave him to me. The Bible says God doesn't show favoritism, but I don't know about that -- I've got a wonderful guy like my hubby and he has ... well, me! I tell him all the time that apparently God likes me a LOT more than He likes him ... ;)

    Thanks for coming, my friend -- ALWAYS love to see your name pop up. Good luck in the contest, Linda!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  7. JO!!! Oh, no, POOR TODD -- a birthday the day after Christmas -- talk about anti-climatic!!! But at least you can get all the shopping done in one fell swoop, right??

    Oh, drool ... red velvet!!! My daughter made red velvet cake balls coated with white chocolate bark, and talk about SINFUL!! We've got about twenty of them in the fridge right now for a Christmas get-together tomorrow, and it ain't easy ignoring them, trust me ... :|

    Love, love, LOVE Kelsey's pix, my friend -- she is SUCH a beauty and she does really look like Sandra Bullock, truly!

    Thanks for coming by -- it ALWAYS makes me smile when I see your name, sweetie-pie!! :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Okay....now I feel like the biggest Southern slacker that ever lived for not reading GWTW!! Does it count that I've seen the movie probably 100 times, and that I own the deluxe, supreme-o, ultra-cool, collector's edition???? A girl's gotta get brownie points some place, ya know what I mean?! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh wow what a talented and creative hubby you have Julie, those pics are awesome!

    I guess we have some work to do our mission must be to persuade Christy to read GWTW by her next birthday! LOL!

    Happy Birthday girl!!!

    XOXO~ Renee C.

    ReplyDelete
  10. CASE ... my "eyes glow" when I talk about him??? Truly??? You would know since you've seen us together AND the wonderful artwork present he gave me!! Still can't believe I've been blessed enough to meet you, and with you living all the way in Oregon, no less. A true miracle!!

    As far as the "eye glowing" goes, I attribute that TOTALLY to application of God's precepts in my marriage because NOTHING lights a fire under a marriage like God in the middle -- NOTHING!!!

    Thanks for coming by, Case, and if you win, we'll come up with something else for you since you already have all my books, a critique (it's coming, I promise!) AND a handout! ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  11. Okay, CHRISTY ... I'll cut you some slack since you have seen the movie 100 times and have the deluxe edition, but TRUE GWTW freaks read the book, too, so chop, chop, girl!!


    HEY, RENEE -- yeah, he's got creativity in spades, that's for sure! And, YES, it appears we DO have our work cut out for Miss Sassy if we are going to get her to read ONLY THE GREATEST ROMANCE OF ALL TIME!!! Of course, I could be slightly prejudice in that assessment, but who cares???

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  12. Christy, we will cut you a little slack for watching the movie, but truthfully it is NOTHING compared to the book. Of course Clark Gable is easy on the eyes and a true heart-throb so when you read the book you can totally picture him. Notice I say WHEN you read the book. Because I think you are going to get enough flack from your confession of having never read the book that you will have to go out and get it and read it post haste!
    Julie, I can't blame the exclamations on caffeine since I haven't had any today...I don't drink coffee or tea and only have a soda now and then. BUT, I eat my weight in chocolate(and that's a lot!)! ha! The exclamations must be in response to my squealing when I read your interview and saw that I have another chance to win your book!!!

    Julie @ My Only Vice

    ReplyDelete
  13. I was watching an online message and was thrilled when the pastor held up an original copy of Gone with the Wind! he told the story how when they bought a house, the owners asked them if they wanted anything and he spotted this original book! He talked about how this book is now worth more than it was when it was published...loved hearing GWTW mentioned in a sermon to describe how valuable we are to God!! isn't that too cute?
    your red velvet cake balls sound delicious! I made some cake balls for Charlene's son graduation party last year... they are alot of work, but look and taste yummy!
    Abs made a double batch of cut out cookies last night...and I didn't have one little tiny bite! she is quite the baker! thankfully she took them to school today to decorate!
    loved your Journal Jot! and what a great reminder to LOVE and slow down this season... such a confirmation to me - I'm in a small drama for church and that's exactly what the topic is... LOVE... even when it's tough!

    Jo

    ReplyDelete
  14. I Read A Hope Undaunted and look forward to reading more of the series. I have read Gone With The Wind several times and watched the movie even more times. lol Just love that book. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us Julie. Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fabulous interview, ladies!! And again, happy, happy birthday week, Christy!! :D

    ~Borders Girl/Amber

    ReplyDelete
  16. What an ending, Love Julie Lessman and her books, wow dont remember hearing that story of that wonderful husband's art before, it is fantastic. your cake preferences are pretty good too, I have a step son that loves the red velvet one. I like them all...
    GWTW is one of my fav books, have seen movie several times, I think it is greatest story of its time.
    Paula O

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy Birthday Christy, it was a wonderful week of celebration! Wonderful party :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for cutting me some slack, gals...sounds like I need to start my New Year's Resolution list now (!) and put "read Gone With the Wind" in the first slot! :o)

    Thanks, also, for the continued birthday wishes! I have been blessed beyond measure from everyone's comments, and when all you gals have a birthday party of your own, I hope you'll send me an invite!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yes Happy Birthday Christy...Loved this interview with Julie. I can just picture her as she found out she was pregnant!! Wonderful and in God's Timing!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. JULIE SAID: "Clark Gable is easy on the eyes." Oh, yes, that he is, but even more than that, there's an aura about him that almost gives him the soul of Rhett Butler -- that confident, masculine, dangerous image that draws women like flies. Or at least this woman!! :)

    LOL ... you "eat your weight in chocolate"??? Then I'm hoping you're a slip of a thing, girl, who can get away with that because if I did it, I would be in BIG trouble ... and I do mean "big"!!

    Here's to a win, Jules!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  21. JO ... GREAT STORY about the original copy of Gone with the Wind!! Very cool!! And I am SO PROUD of you saying no to the cookies. I've had to do that A LOT with Amy baking so much lately, so I totally relate! :(

    SO glad the JJ spoke to you today. Let's face it, we're twins separated at birth give or take thirty years, so it makes sense that we'd think the same way. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hey, AMBER, thanks, sweetie!! I love how all you gals support each other, and then I love how you all support me too, so YAY!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey, FAYE, I totally agree -- AWESOME week of fun, Christy -- thank you for allowing me to be a part of it. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  24. MISSKALLIE, NO!!!!!!! You haven't won AHR yet??? Gosh, we just have to do something about that, girl, so check out the website calendar because I only have a few more giveaways left, and I want YOUR name to be among the winners, capiche? Good luck, sweetie.

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  25. PAULA O!!! Thank you, sweetie, and anybody who loves GWTW is a true friend of mine, girl, so thanks for coming by to leave a comment. Hopefully it will net you a win, okay?

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  26. YAY, CHRISTY ... FIRST SLOT IN 2012???? I am SOOO proud of you!! Now ... you just have to LIKE it, okay???

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks, MAUREEN -- it definitely was a special moment. And you can "picture" me??? Yeah, definitely a few pounds lighter and WAY younger!! :)

    Good luck in the contest, sweetie. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Julie,

    What a wonderful guy your husband is. Those pictures are beautiful!

    Thought of you last weekend because "Gone with the Wind" was on TV and I subjected my 15 year old son to it!! He lasted longer than I thought he would since he hates OLD movies (that includes things from the 1990's!)

    I also went through the infertility thing and found out I was pregnant when I was 32! (Turning 30 was not pretty!)

    Can't wait for Marcy & Patrick's story one day and of course the new series!

    Take care!

    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  29. Happy blog birthday and congrats! Great interview with a great lady. How can anyone not love Julie? I feel the same way about my hubby of 24 years. Fabulous graphic. Man, what an amazing husband to gift you like that. Wow, talk about loving. I had my first child at 31. Of course I only married about six week before I turned 30 though lol! When I read GWtW in high school I had just moved to SC from MI and they put me in the medium level class (they tracked people). The teacher did not believe I read it. Was she freaked out when she asked me about it and I could answer all her Q's.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Julie...Another wonderful posting...I LOVE the pictures that your husband created :)

    Christy..Happy Blog Birthday...wishing you many, many more :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Happy Blogiversary Christy! I really enjoyed the interview!! I tell you, it's never a dull moment with Julie!! And I love how I learn a little bit more about this AWESOME lady everywhere she goes!! Love you, Julie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm sorry, I mispoke!! :::blushing::: It looks like I should have said Happy BIRTHDAY!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  33. SUE, YES!!! I watched GWTW while it was on last week, and had a ball!! CanNOT believe you subjected your son to it, though -- that is true punishment to a lot of the young people today, ESPECIALLY a boy!! But it sure shows endurance on his part ... and love for his Mom!

    I do remember you telling me your infertility story, which once again is a total testimony to God's faithfulness, so YAY, God!!

    As always, THANK YOU for your strong support, Sue, and ESPECIALLY your precious friendship!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  34. CARRIE!!! We have quite a few things in common, girl -- both reading GWTW at a very young age (I knew I liked you!!), both blessed with wonderful husbands AND both got married late (me 28) and had kiddos late (me 32). Uh, but I definitely do NOT have the smarts you have in the counseling and psychology field, which I sure could have used in dealing with the likes of Charity O'Connor ... :)

    Thanks for coming by, my friend -- you are a true blessing to me!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks, KAREN -- I'm pretty tickled with the pictures my hubby gave me too. I'll tell you what, praying for a godly spouse like I did for all those years SURE pays off like a slot machine, doesn't it???

    Thanks for coming by, my friend -- I always know I can count on you to put a smile on my face.

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  36. MICHELLE SAID: "it's never a dull moment with Julie!!"

    LOL ... unfortunately, my husband says the say thing, only he shakes his head when he says it ... ;)

    Soooo good to see you here, Michelle!! Thanks for the e-mail update -- I like to keep on top of what's going on in your life, as you know. Here's hoping your holidays are the best ones yet, my friend.

    Hugs and more hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would love to read A Heart Revealed!
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hey, LANE HILL, soooo glad you made it over here, girl!! Good luck in the contest!! :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments!! They make me happier than cold sweet tea on a hot summer day! :o)