Author: Big Mama

An excerpt about bangs

Last spring we filmed various people reading excerpts from Church of the Small Things for me to share leading up to its official release on October 3. There was a time that I regularly posted videos of Caroline, but those days are long gone now that she’s a teenager and not really interested in being on any kind of social media unless it’s her own. However, she agreed to read an excerpt from the book and I am probably biased but I think she’s the cutest.

I’m ignoring the fact that she already looks significantly older than this even though this was filmed just four months ago.

Bangs. I know they work for some people but we are not those people. Remember when Reese Witherspoon won the Best Actress Oscar for playing June Carter Cash in Ring of Fire? There are some people who would feel that is her greatest accomplishment, yet I believe these bangs are significantly harder to achieve.

I carried this photo around for years in the mistaken belief I could achieve this. Never mind that I look nothing like Reese Witherspoon in any way, shape or form. Oh, and I also don’t have a team of stylists to fix my bangs every day.

Anyway, you can read another excerpt from the book here about my grandparents that was featured on Country Living this week.

There are still some signed, first edition copies available for pre-order at Barnes & Noble and they are currently 30% off which makes them just $16.07. You can order one here. Once they are gone, they are gone forever so if you want a signed copy for yourself or to give as gifts, this is your chance.

And you can find the book trailer and all other buying options here.

If you pre-order, don’t forget to go enter your order number here to get all your pre-order bonuses, which include downloadable prints by Heather Gauthier, the amazing cover artist, five of my family recipes, the first three chapters of the book and the first video session of the Church of the Small things Bible study.

Thank you for pre-ordering and for accepting me even though I suffer from bangs insufficiency. I’ll see you back here tomorrow for Fashion Friday.
Playing catch up

Y’all.

It’s been so long since I’ve just written a normal update on life that I believe I have forgotten how. But I feel like so much has been going on that I can’t even remember everything I wanted to make sure I remembered. So here’s the short version of what I’ve been up to:

Slowly losing my mind.

Thank you for listening.

I realized this morning that this is our fourth week of school. I mean we’re getting progress reports sent out this week which means we are in full on school mode even though I feel like my brain is still trying to wrap around the routine and schedule of it all. Just yesterday I felt genuinely surprised when I had to get up and figure out what to pack in Caroline’s lunch, like it was a whole new thing instead of something I’ve been doing for the last three weeks.

But it has been non-stop around here. When you start the first week of school with a solar eclipse and end it with a devastating hurricane and then follow all that up by driving to Dallas for a soccer tournament during a gas shortage on Labor Day Weekend with a child who starts running a fever, it leaves you feeling a little bit like IM’MA NEED A MINUTE.

And then last night was Back to School night where parents walk their child’s schedule and meet their teachers. It was the first time I’d ever actually been inside the high school with the exception of the auditorium and I had no idea where I was going or what I was doing. I thought P was going to know it all since he actually attended the exact same high school thirty years ago, but apparently his memory is either bad or they’ve moved some things around. For instance, we ended up in the Rocketry department trying to find the cafeteria. The thing about having a high schooler is I am totally relying on Caroline to be a self-manager. I trust that she is doing what she needs to do to keep her grades up and make corrections on tests and all those things because she has proven to be responsible for these things in the past and tends to stress about her grades more than I do, but sitting in those classrooms last night must have awakened some latent post-high school stress in me because I dreamed all night about oversleeping for exams or getting lost on the way to Biology or forgetting Geometry theorems. Which is interesting considering I never really learned any Geometry theorems to begin with.

All that to say, the schedule has been crazy. Between soccer and school and having a book coming out in less than a month, I’m in need of a vacation or a nap or a nerve pill or some combination of all three.

Here are a few pics just so I can look back and remember what was happening in this span of three weeks that I barely remember.

This was during the Labor Day tournament in Dallas. Her team made it to the semi-finals which was actually exciting because Dallas tournaments are usually the toughest competition we face. Like I said, Caroline was sick all weekend long but wanted to play anyway, so her coach put her in for limited amounts of time during each game. And I was glad she was able to contribute something because when we arrived in Dallas late Friday night and she had fever, I had my doubts that she’d even get out of bed. I made her get in the shower and in her pajamas so she could go straight to sleep and she hugged me and said, “I can’t believe I’m sick and we’re here in Dallas and staying in this really terrible hotel room.” And she wasn’t wrong about any of that.

But we made the most of it and had a good time with maybe the exception of the Aggies losing to UCLA. On the upside, I have now experienced an emotional reset when it comes to this football season and am prepared for whatever comes our way…you know…like nearly losing to Nicholls State.

Then all of last week was basically a blur as I tried to play catch up on some projects and collected things for Hurricane Harvey relief. At one point my guest room was at least three layers deep in bins of clothes, boxes of diapers, towels, linens and hygiene products and I have to say that as awful as all of this has been and will continue to be for people, I have been so encouraged to see the way everyone has pitched in to help each other. It’s made even the most cynical part of me believe that most of us are always looking for ways to help.

Even Mabel.

She has found solace in writing haikus as she is wont to do.

Water rises deep
Yet humanity prevails
What time is dinner?

Okay, so maybe she lacks a little introspection.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well. Let’s continue to pray for those in Texas and Florida who have been so affected by Harvey and Irma and continue to find ways to help them rebuild their lives. My web designer, Cathy, has put together a raffle with some great prizes and all proceeds go directly to benefit Hurricane victims. You can find out more here. And Bayou City Fellowship in Houston is also a great place to find resources on how to help or donate.

Have a great Tuesday.
The Big Boo Cast, Episode 81

We realized at some point in this podcast that we have been doing this for ten years and yet this is only our 81st episode. It makes me think that we’re doing it wrong. Or maybe we’re doing it right. I don’t know. I just know that this time of year it’s almost impossible for us to get our schedules to align so that we can record. But it happened today. And we talked about the hurricanes, Taylor Swift’s new song, mascara, granola and work out pants.

We’d love for you to subscribe on iTunes, and we’d be honored if you’d leave us a review.

You can click here to listen. Or here. You can even listen right here on the blog.

You can also listen on Stitcher.

And if you’re on the Facebook, well, we are, too.

Here’s where you can get more info on the stuff / products / places we mention:

– Lincee Ray from I Hate Green Beans

– The Happy Hour Live with Jamie Ivey

– Bayou City Fellowship Church (for Hurricane Harvey relief)

– Texas A&M vs. UCLA (the 2nd lowest football point of Melanie’s life)

– Meghan Markle in Vanity Fair

– Princess Kate expecting her third baby

– Sophie still likes booties (especially these)

– Lucy Perfect Core Capri Leggings (Sophie says: I found mine at TJ Maxx)

– Teddie Organics Rosehip Oil (aka Shankle Oil)

– It CC Cream Sample Size

– Skinceuticals Sunscreen

– Zella Capri Workout Leggings

– GAP Sculpt Compression Leggings

– L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise

– Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner (Melanie enjoys this product)

– Purely Elizabeth granola

– Early Bird granola

– “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift

– “Pop Culture Current Events” on The Popcast with Knox and Jamie

– “You Look So Good in Love” by George Strait

*****

– Melanie’s new book – Church of the Small Things

– Sophie’s new journaling devotional – All in All

– Melanie on Twitter and Instagram

– Sophie on Twitter and Instagram
Fashion Friday: Edition the end of a short week

I don’t know when it will feel normal to talk about normal things because we haven’t even quit reeling from Hurricane Harvey and now Hurricane Irma is about to hit Florida. And so Fashion Friday feels a little silly, but I also think I’ve always used this space to give us all a little bit of a break from all the harsh realities of life so I’m going ahead with Fashion Friday today. But don’t forget that you can find my post here of all the ways to help people recovering from Hurricane Harvey and stay tuned for ways to help after Hurricane Irma. Let’s continue to pray for the people of Texas and for those in the path of Irma.

Here are some cute things I found this week:

1. hailey crepe dress

Most of the reviews say this runs a little big so keep that in mind. It is also 36 inches long, so it will be a little longer than it looks on the model. I love the simple cut and it comes in tons of colors. It’s $46.

2. knit tunic

I never really like myself in pink, yet I am drawn to pink sweaters. This also comes in beige and black.

3. blouson top

Now this top I am all for. Love the sleeves, the length and the cut. It also comes in white.

4. zella let’s explore hoodie

We are three weeks into the school year and I’ve remembered again that I spend 98% of my days wearing nothing but workout clothes. And, thus, it makes sense for me to invest in cute workout clothes as opposed to nicer things and pink sweaters I’m never going to wear.

5. ribbed cardigan

I really like this cardigan. The cut, the color, the length. I’m here for all of it.

6. veena beaded caftan

How gorgeous is this? Anthropologie has an extra 25% off sale items right now and this is on sale for $99.95. I love this.

7. a new day bell sleeve dress

Target has a new brand called A New Day and this is one of the dresses from that collection. I tried it on in the store the other day and was prepared for it to fit weird, but it’s actually much cuter on than it is in the picture. I think it would be so great for holiday parties and that kind of thing and you can’t beat the price.

8. a new day utility top

This is also A New Day. I have a top similar to this that I bought at Target years ago and I still wear it all the time. It’s perfect to wear with jeans. It’s $17.99 and comes in several colors.

9. kírie beaded earrings

I love these beaded earrings from Ikat Elephant. They’d make good Christmas gifts and are $18.50.

10. preston tunic

I love a good stripe and I love a good tunic so it makes sense that I would like this striped tunic. Plus the back is really cute.

That’s it for today.

Have a good Friday.
All the things

I’m just going to apologize in advance because this post is basically going to be a truckload of information about all the things I was supposed to share over the last few weeks but forgot to share because of Hurricane Harvey and trying to get back into our back to school routine and spending all of Labor Day weekend at a soccer tournament in Dallas. I’ll be back to report on all of those things in more detail, including how I went through the five stages of Aggie football season grief in the span of just one game this past Sunday night, but for now please check out everything below in case there is something that might interest you. Or click away to read more about Duchess Kate expecting her third child. Whatever works for you.

Oh, and if you want to read an original piece I wrote to my college freshman self, you can click here to read this article that was published on Popsugar.

Here are some other things I need to share:

1. God Bless Texas t-shirt

This beauty is back in stock for pre-orders, but supplies are limited and this will be the last time we offer them for sale so once they are gone, they are gone forever. They are $28 and 100% off all net proceeds go directly to Hurricane Harvey relief. Mandy at Milk and Honey tees is making them and my dear friend, August Joffe, designed them.

2. Christian Books Win a Phone Call from Me contest

This is an actual contest. People who know me in real life may not feel that a phone call from me counts as much of a prize, but if you feel differently then here’s your chance to win a phone call from me to your small group Bible study.

This also feels like a good time to mention that Church of the Small Things has an entirely separate Bible study DVD and curriculum, which is a first for me. It’s a six-week study and it comes out on October 17th. It’s also called Church of The Small Things, but the cover is a little bit different.

It’s discounted for pre-order right now here on Amazon and here at Christian Books.

You don’t have to purchase the Bible study or even being doing this Bible study to win the phone call, but I figured I’d just mention that it existed while we were on the subject of Bible study groups.

Also, someone asked on Facebook yesterday if we could talk about whatever we want and I think you know my answer to that is OF COURSE WE CAN.

3. Book signings and speaking events:

Here’s a list of all the places I will either be speaking or signing books or both in the next few months. I would love to see you if you are near any of these things.

9/9/17 – Jamie Ivey’s Happy Hour Live in Austin

9/30/17 – Gordon College Homecoming Weekend – Boston, Massachusetts

10/5/17 – Book signing at Barnes & Noble San Pedro – 321 NW Loop 410 San Antonio 7:00pm

10/6/17 – Book signing at Royer’s Pie Haven in Round Top, Texas during Antique Week 12-2:00 p.m.

10/7/17 – Book signing at Texas A&M at the Memorial Student Center bookstore 12:00-2:00 p.m.

10/10/17 – Book signing at Barnes & Noble 7700 West Northwest Highway, Dallas 7:00pm

10/28/17 – Book signing at Blue Willow Bookstore in Houston, TX 11:00 am

11/30/17 – Houston First Baptist Christmas event with Sophie Hudson

1/25/18 – Austin Ridge Church Ladies’ Night

4. Church of the Small Things signed first-edition copies

There are still some of these left, but they are dwindling fast. You can get it now for $16.92 and qualify for all these pre-order bonuses.

5. Books other people have written that you might be interested in:

Mom Set Free by Jeannie Cunnion

I don’t read many books on parenting these days, but I love this one by Jeannie. She writes like you’re just sitting across the table having coffee together and is so encouraging when she assures us that we don’t have to be perfect moms.

She Is Yours by Jonathan and Wynter Pitts

If you have a daughter or daughters, you will love this book. I think one of the things that surprised me most was realizing Caroline is so different from me even though we are both girls. Jonathan and Wynter have four beautiful daughters and so they totally get what it means to trust God to make them into the women He created them to be.

Come and Eat by Bri McKoy

Bri is like a ray of sunshine everywhere she goes and is so warm and welcoming, which is why it was no surprise that I loved this book. It’s all about the importance of hospitality and how real conversation and life happens around the table.

Finish by Jon Acuff

This is a little different from my normal recommendations, but it’s all about finishing what you start. There is a Couch to 5K app that has withered and died on my phone that proves I often have this problem.

Thank you for getting to the end of all this if, in fact, you made it this far. Hope you are all doing well and I’ll be back in a day or so with an actual update of life in general. I know you can hardly wait.
Fashion Friday: Edition Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

I went to high school in Beaumont, Texas and it’s surreal to me to see that little corner of Southeast Texas all over the national news right now. They don’t even have running water at this point. And so I really can’t post about cute tops or shoes today, but I did find a few fashion-related items that are donating all or at least a portion of their proceeds to Hurricane Harvey relief.

Also, I partnered with Milk and Honey Tees and my friend, August, who designed this shirt.

We are donating 100% of the net proceeds to Hurricane Harvey relief funds and when I posted it on Instagram, y’all sold us out of the first run in less than two hours but we’ve already raised a little over $4,000 which could make me cry. (We are splitting the proceeds between Convoy of Hope, Bayou City Fellowship, The Texas Diaper Bank, and the Houston Independent School District) Of course it hasn’t taken much to make me cry this week so there’s that. Anyway, we are going to put these back up for another limited run sometime next week but had to catch our breath to make sure we get them out in a timely manner.

In the meantime, here are some other things:

1. Paris Texas Co Come Hell or High Water t-shirt

These are $29 and 100% of profits go to Hurricane Harvey relief funds.

2. Magnolia Market Texas Forever t-shirt

These are $26 and 100% of the proceeds until September 30 will be donated to Hurricane Harvey relief funds

3. Junk Gypsy We Are Texas T-shirt

This is $25 and 100% of proceeds go to Hurricane Harvey relief funds.

4. Turquoise Door Boutique Texas Strong t-shirt

These are $25 and 100% of the proceeds go to Hurricane Harvey relief funds. And it comes in other colors. I just happen to like maroon. Sales for this are pre-orders and end on Saturday.

5. #Houstonstrong T-shirt

This comes in several color options and a tank top. It’s $21 and 100% of profits go to Hurricane Harvey relief.

6. Texans together hat

These are $40 with 50% of the proceeds going to Hurricane Harvey relief funds. Email Emily at [email protected] to order.

Other ways to donate money to help:

1. You can request help, offer help, or donate to the Bayou City Fellowship Hurricane Harvey Outreach. This is my friend Amanda’s church and I know without a doubt that they will be good stewards of any money given and make sure that 100% goes straight to help victims.

2. AirBnB is coordinating free housing for those who need a place to stay. You can find a place to stay or offer a place here.

3. JJ Watt of the Houston Texans has started a Houston Flood Relief Fund. You can donate here.

4. You can donate through Samaritan’s Purse here.

5. The South Texas Blood & Tissue center needs blood donations, especially O negative and O positive blood. If you’re in San Antonio or the New Braunfels area, go to their website or call 210-731-5590 to schedule an appointment to donate blood.

6. The Texas Diaper Bank could use monetary donations and also actual diapers, for both babies and adults to help out families displaced by the hurricane. You can donate here.

7. Donate to a local food bank: San Antonio Food Bank
Corpus Christi Food Bank
Houston Food Bank
Southeast Texas Food Bank

8. Convoy of Hope is taking donations here.

9. Disaster Assistance to apply for assistance online if you are in immediate need and are in one of the disaster areas.

10. #BTHO Harvey Aggie Hurricane Harvey Relief

If you happen to know of any other reliable charities or ways to help, please feel free to leave them in the comments. I’d encourage everyone to check the legitimacy of various organizations through Charity Navigator.