My book has a name + Ollie photos = happy Monday!

Can we play “Indulge Melissa” for just a few minutes as I share two happy thoughts?
  • My book has a title! It’s officially official as of last week that my debut novel, releasing next fall from Bethany House, is titled Made to Last. Hooray! 

  • I got to visit Ollie over the weekend. If you’re new here, you need to know my nephew Ollie is pretty much my favorite topic of conversation. Anytime I visit him, I turn all hey-let-me-pull-out-my-wallet-and-show-you-8000-photos…virtually. Ollie was born a couple years ago with multiple heart defects and Down syndrome. Many surgeries later, he’s doing incredibly well…and he just got glasses! Photo time (see, told you!):
Aww, auntie love!


Eating pineapple. Mm…and aren’t those glasses adorable?
Picking out a pumpkin.


Pretty sure every other kid out on a walk on Friday was jealous of Ollie’s style.


Sisters. Obviously. Question: does my hand look huge in this photo? Answer: Yes.

Sitting on a really, really old tractor…which makes me get all Iowa-patriotic and stuff. 🙂
A skeleton. In a Pooh costume. I’m so confused!!!


Those are my happy Monday thoughts! How about you? Any happy thoughts to start the week?

p.s. I’ve got a post at the ACFW blog today. You can check it out here.  

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    Comments 26

    1. NOTHING cuter than a kid in a pumpkin field! I’m super happy that mine was born in October, so every fall we have an excuse to do another set of pictures. It doesn’t hurt that her red hair looks awesome with fall stuff!

      And congratulations on the book title. I can only assume that it’s just about as hard to come up with (and as critical to success) a book title as it is a newspaper headline. Can’t wait to read your stuff!

    2. Seriously. I love Ollie’s style and those blue glasses. You know I love his smile! And no, your hand doesn’t look huge, your purse balances it out;) Glad you had a great weekend, Melissa!

    3. Oh my gosh! He’s so cute! Love those pics.

      Love the title for your story, too! I’m working on finding the right one for my current WIP, and it’s been a challenge. It will be a happy day when the right one comes along 🙂

      1. Yeah, titles are hard…and definitely not my forte. I mentioned in a comment above that I can’t take any credit for this one. It was my editor’s idea and I loved it immediately. I’d been calling the book by a different title originally, but I didn’t come up with that title either. Apparently I’m a title moocher. 🙂

    4. That skeleton is freaking me out!! And your pics of Ollie are adorable!! And wow, you and your sisters look a lot alike!!

      My happy thoughts for the week…my friend is visiting. My puppy is sitting outside actually being quiet right now. And I’m pretty sure we’re getting donuts for breakfast.

      Yep. Happy Monday!

      1. I know, it freaked me out too! A normal skeleton, not very scary. But for some reason, stick it in a Pooh costume and I get all sorts of confused-slash-terrified. 🙂

        Yay for donuts. And friends visiting. And quiet puppies…and the fact that I get to hang out with you in less than two weeks!

    5. Thrilled for your title–excited to read the book. I love the picture of you and Ollie in the pumpkin patch. I teared up when I listened to Amy coaching him to eat the pineapple. And you and Amy could be twins. Love the photo of you with your sisters too.

    6. Love the title of your book! Awesome!

      Also enjoyed the pictures. I just love Ollie. His smile lit my heart up today. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

      Melissa, you have the skilled hands of a writer.

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