I've been thinking about this decade thing. At first, I saw all the accomplishment lists, and thought "I haven't done that much."

But in 2009, I was still with my first agent. We still had a book on sub, and I was writing a book that would never go anywhere.

In 2019, I've been with my second (perfect-fit-for-me) agent for 7 years (!).

In 2009, I was still dreaming of publication.

In 2019, I have FOUR books published, two YA and two middle grades, with St. Martin's and Random House Children's. Some of those have sold more than 10,000 copies. They're in hundreds of libraries. I've done more than 50 events, all over the country. I am SO amazed by all of this. Honestly, it is still miraculous to hear from a reader, to meet kids at a school visit who know my characters, to see my words in a bookstore.

In 2009, I’d been married for 13 years, and had a precocious 7 year old.

In 2019, we’ve been married for almost a quarter of a century. Our daughter will be 18 in 2 months. She’s already been accepted to two colleges, and we’re waiting on several more. She won the Montana State Poetry Out Loud championship this year, started her own mental health awareness club, is a 4.0 student, and wants to become a clinical psychologist. I couldn’t have dreamed any of that. She makes me so proud every day.

I’ve been promoted at work. I’ve been part of a choir. I’ve joined the Symphony board. I’ve traveled to England, France, the Netherlands, Prince Edward Island.

Yeah, it’s kind of a lot when you look at it that way. Life is good. Thanks for sharing the adventure with me.