The Process

Hello, Everyone!

~ He knows what is on the next page. We don't have to know. We just need to trust and turn the page. ~

In June 2010, I had just left a job as a barista; was

business law homework 

English PP presentation notes

celebrating my younger sister's high school graduation; was celebrating my mother's recent book publication; and was taking summer classes at NGTC. Needless to say, my life has never been tame. My summer classes that quarter (yes, this was before NGTC moved to semesters) were business law, english, and marketing. I had no idea what kind of job I wanted to end up with or what industry I was headed, but I loved learning from these classes and instructors. I completed my homework assignments with the idea that I would manage a bakery with my younger sister who was about to begin college as a Culinary Arts major. It was toward the end of this summer quarter when an opportunity to sell and promote products became crystal clear.  I started Purple Butterfly Pages seven years ago to sell and promote the book my mother had written and was recently published at the time. I switched gears from guessing I would work as a manager in my sister's bakery to being in the book sales industry.

Purple Butterfly Publications 

is a business aiming to publish quality novels that we believe in and know that readers will benefit from in a positive way. We strive to help produce and promote literature that inspires, comforts, and entertains.

A brief summary of Purple Butterfly Pages before I began publishing division: Purple Butterfly Publications in September 2013. My company scheduled book signings, festival appearances, and speaking engagements for PBP's featured author, Stephanie Townsend Ayers, my mother. Since I started publishing, the work has been different. Because I published an ebook, Their Inheritance, the work I do in sales & marketing is different than face-to-face sales. This required me to switch to mostly online work.

While the author works on writing and bringing an encouraging read to life, I work on the potential marketing plan. The book market changes frequently. Once the author is finished writing, it takes a move to the editing department. The editing process includes editing of grammar, story flow, and overall story coherence. Once the editing is complete, it is the creative department's turn! The book's formatting steps include setting the margins, putting the paragraph separator symbols in place, the credits page, the copyright page, the contents page (if included). The cover art is also part of the creativity process. The placement of the ISBN number is also part of the book cover creation.


Boom! The book is edited, formatted, and looks great then it is published and ready to sell. I work all departments of my publishing company. The different processes can be time consuming, but unquestionably rewarding.
Now you have an idea of what I do in my corner of book world. 

***questions, comments, and shares are all welcome***

Believe.

Caitlin,

Proprietor & Publisher

Butterfly Journey

Hello, Everybody!

As I was on the way home from running errands today, a song came on from the shuffle of my handpicked playlist. The song was "Butterfly" sung by Tracy Lawrence. 

"Butterfly" lyrics

"Butterfly" lyrics

Inspired by all things butterfly, I was reminded of the butterfly journey that I am a part of. I am in the middle of editing PBP's next publishing project. Right now the story is exactly that. It is a story. It is my job to turn it into a book. A book that many can enjoy and draw inspiration and encouragement from. The story is currently in caterpillar form and with editing, proofreading, formatting, designing, and marketing, it is becoming a butterfly in the book world.

Subscribe to this blog, The Purple Butterfly Purpose, and be the first to know about book updates straight from the publisher's desk...a.k.a my desk. ;)

Believe.

Caitlin A.

Summer Reading Update

Hello, Everybody!

An update from my corner of the book world about the adult summer reading program at my local library:

The Adult Summer Reading Program has come to an end at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library. My personal goal was to read more books this summer than I read last summer. Last summer I read one book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Proud to say that I found time to read three books during May 21-July 15, 2016. Personal goal achieved! I read Angels Don't Die: My Father's Gift of Faith written by Patti Davis. I listened to Phil Robertson's Happy, Happy, Happy! book on CD. I also read an autobiography by Esther Williams with Digby Diehl, The Million Dollar Mermaid. All were great reads. I found them inspiring and enlightening each in their own way.

As I mentioned in previous posts, Purple Butterfly Pages was happy to support the first Adult Summer Reading Program to be held at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library! I added a free download of my first publishing project, Their Inheritance ebook written by author Stephanie Townsend Ayers, to the grand prize winner's gift basket. The winner will be announced later this week! I would love to know what books you have read so far this summer! Let me know in the comments. :)

Myself(L), Sarah (C), and Faith(R)

I'd also like to take this post to say a big thank-you to a recent former librarian at TSCPL who invited me to be part of the new adult summer reading program, Sarah Edmonds! We have been friends for several years. She was a librarian for a few years. Sarah and her husband recently moved out of state with his amazing new job opportunity. She is missed at the library, but her work and encouragement continues!

NEW Project Announcement:

Finally, I have begun the first step of the editing process for my next publication*. The working title is 'Through the Storms' . Look for more details about the publishing process in the upcoming blog posts. Sneak peeks are available on our Instagram page: @pbpublications !

Until next time, BELIEVE!

Caitlin

*I am the publisher, not the author.

Celebrating 6 Years @ PBP!

 Hello, Everyone!

This June makes six years since I started Purple Butterfly Pages. I realize the huge blessing it is to be able to be a young American woman and have my own business. Thankful for the individuals who fought for my rights as a human, as a woman, and as an American. 

The gift of every day is not guaranteed. I am continuously determined to use my abilities in whatever way God needs to use me to impact readers', fans', and supporters' lives. A big thank you to all of you for reading a story written by Stephanie Townsend Ayers and thank her for continuing to write (yes, more stories are coming). 


I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some photos from 2010 through 2016!

 "We delight in the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." -Maya Angelou

Alexandra: A Williams Family Journey was the first book I sold as an independent book seller in 2010.

Second book for sale at Purple Butterfly Pages and first publication for Purple Butterfly Publications: Their Inheritance

Featured author, Stepanie Townsend Ayers....a.k.a. mom 

PBP owner circa 2012, second year in business selling books and in college!

My first public speaking event at the Rotary Club meeting for Habersham County, GA
I'l never forget it! Thanks to one of my college instructors at the time, Mrs. King, who invited me to share the journey of
Purple Butterfly Pages.

Proprietor of Purple Butterfly Pages
& Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications circa fall of 2015

Custom PBP sign hung at a book signing event in 2010

PBP sign displayed as a proud sponsor in the 2016 Currahee Cornhole Challenge presented by
the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce!

Thankful to be a part of such an open-minded and welcoming 

Chamber of Commerce in my community! I have been a member for a few years, now. This summer, I was asked to be a part of the adult summer reading program at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library. Of course I could not refuse to be a part of this exciting library event! I added a free download of Their Inheritance ebook in the prize winning baskets!

Grand prize basket for the 2016 adult summer reading program
at the Toccoa-Stephens Public Library

Thanks for scrolling through memory lane with me. I am grateful for everyone who has been a part of my journey at Purple Butterfly Pages and Publications. 

Believe.- Caitlin

Toccoa Tuesday: The Depot

Hello, Everybody!

How about that Super Bowl 50 game?! An incredible defensive game was played. Congratulations to both NFL teams for making it to the "big game". Congrats to the Denver Broncos for earning the Super Bowl 50 Championship title! Now, I await Opening Day. :) OK, that is my sports talk for this Toccoa Tuesday. I know you want to hear about Toccoa, the spot on the globe where I live.

Yes, Toccoa, Georgia is where I work my corner of the book world. My sales and customer service representative experience did not begin with Purple Butterfly Pages. It began a few years earlier when my uncle from England opened a British antiques store in downtown Toccoa. I was in my mid-teens and selling antiques from England when the opportunity came for me to volunteer with the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce. I did not realize the impact that the opportunity would have on my life.

The Depot: home to Stephens County Chamber of Commerce
Welcome Center, Currahee Military Museum, and Amtrak Station

Once or twice a week, I would be dropped off at the old Train Depot which had recently been remodeled to house the Chamber of Commerce, the Welcome Center, and the Historical Society and Currahee Military Museum, and Amtrak Station. I learned to professionally answer the telephones, send emails, interact with visitors and Chamber members as well as restocking rack cards. Looking back, I believe the biggest task I did as an intern, was learn.


A few years later, when I was a college student and a new small business owner as an independent book seller, I would attend an occasional Chamber of Commerce event. The current staff at the time was the same that I had interned with as a teen. I eventually became a proud member of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce!

Last week, I met with current TSC Chamber of Commerce President, Julie Paysen, at the Depot and I was honored when she asked me to be an ambassador for my Chamber of Commerce. I excitedly accepted the enjoyable and challenging volunteer position! Happy to be part of the team at Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.

So, encourage your family members, your friends, and your classmates to seize opportunity! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be an intern when I was a teenager! Learn more about the historic Depot. :)

Believe.

Caitlin

Proprietor & Publisher

'Their Inheritance' Thursday

Hello, Everybody!

Today, I am introducing  you to a big part of my book world: Their Inheritance. Many of you may already know about and have read my first ebook publication, Their Inheritance, but I am going to be [SPOTLIGHTING]  the ebook even more right here! Starting today, and every Thursday, I will be focusing on a different topic found in Their Inheritance. Download your copy from PBP, and we can discuss the different topics together!

First Synopsis

It is the winter of 1889. Seventeen-year-old James and sixteen-year-old Alexandra Williams have lost both their parents to illness. James and Alexandra are left to raise their two younger siblings while mourning and trying to manage the family farm. 
Through trials and triumphs, the children face their inheritance with the values their parents taught them and their personal faith.

I can't wait to feature more about Their Inheritance here every Thursday! Thanks for reading and being a part of my book world.

Believe.

Caitlin
Purple Butterfly Pages

'Tis the Season

Hello, Everybody!

Sprinkle and kiss embellished sugar cookies

I am taking a few minutes break from baking Christmas cookies right now. My sister and I are hosting a Christmas cookie exchange party this evening. The punch ingredients are awaiting their mixing and the bourbon chicken is marinating! I want to take this "baking break" to reflect on the Christmas celebrations.

Embrace Your Pace

Are you are finding yourself bogged down with Christmas parties, responsibilities, gift-giving pressures, or time management stress that the month of December can bring? I am not selling you Vitameatavegemin (I'll leave that to Lucy),  but I do understand there are end of the year goals to meet, LOTS of people to visit before the year runs out, and have a cheery smile on your face all at at the same time. We can all get carried away with the tide of busyness during Christmas time. Then, there are those friends of ours who have nobody to visit with or to celebrate the wonderful Gift that we celebrate with. Whether you are the person finding themselves way too busy to keep up with life or if you are the person wanting a busier life, EMBRACE where you are and how fast life is moving quickly or slowly around you. 

Be grateful for the busy schedule. Each responsibility and event is serving a purpose in your life. Be grateful for the slow pace that you are living life. Spend your time really being there for those who are around you.

Never Too Old 

It is so important to not forget the magic of Christmas! There is the magic of Santa, the elves, the snowy days {so, maybe not much snow around this year, but in general ;) }. I am talking about the MOST important magical part of Christmas that I celebrate: Jesus' birth. The newborn who would save the world from eternal agony. The history of this baby is incredible. Find a Bible and read Luke 2:1-21, the story of Jesus' birth, and tell me it is not magical! I just want to remind you that nobody is too old to believe in magic, especially the spiritual kind!

A Christmas wish for you!

My Christmas wish for you all reading this:

Enjoy your Christmas whatever your circumstances. Create moments. Embrace those moments. Count every tiny blessing. Be a blessing to someone else. Don't forget to believe in the magic that surrounds you. May the peace that Jesus' birth brings film your hearts!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!

Believe.

Caitlin

Proprietor & Publisherwww.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Thankfulness

Hello, Everybody!

Thank you for reading my blog. Last week seemed to be a dark week in the world. I appreciate you all taking time to read my thoughts there. As I begin to blog more frequently than once a month, the topics will be changing. However, I aim to continue to keep my blog professionally oriented with a touch of personal. As I sit here with my younger siblings about to watch 'Home Alone', I want to share what I am up to in this week of gratefulness. :)

Their Inheritance's Thanksgiving

As the Williams children prepared for their first Thanksgiving holiday since their parents' death, the children tried to make their Thanksgiving the same as it was celebrated when their parents were alive.    James, Alexandra, Christine, and Lee spent Thanksgiving with their friends, the Unruhs. 

Excerpts
 from Purple Butterfly Publications' ebook, Their Inheritan

   

My Thanksgiving

I usually spend the week of Thanksgiving in the mountains with my family. We eat too much, catch up on naps and our visiting relatives' lives, and we start watching our favorite Christmas movies. The Thanksgiving Day meal changes every year. The 2015 Thanksgiving Day meal will consists of stewed chicken; Sweet Potato Fluff (my great-grandmother's recipe) which is an annual Thanksgiving Day staple; green beans (not in the casserole form); and homemade baked corn bread. Can you say yummy?! After we eat, we nap or watch a movie before getting ready to go to A to Z Auctions' annual Thanksgiving Day Auction. For the past few years, A to Z Auctions has held an auction on Thanksgiving night in Hiawassee, Georgia. This auction is different from their other auctions as they auction off more toys and Christmas gift options than they do at the regular auctions. They also start the night off with a large empty toy box sitting against one wall. Throughout the night, bidders can buy the toys and put them in the toy box. The toy box contents are distributed where they are needed throughout the local communities. I love how every Thanksgiving auction the toy box ends up overflowing! The community and bidders really come together and remind each other of what Christmas is all about: the gift of love! The auction lasts pretty late, and I skip on the Black Friday shopping the next day. I do support small business Saturday! I encourage you to do the same. 

Small Business Saturday

Make it fun! Take the Small Business Saturday to get out and explore your town as if you were a visiting tourist. Go into shops that you don't shop in very often. Show your support for the small businesses in America. Whether it is your small town or big city, take fun family or solo photos in the stores and when you share your photos online, tag the stores! Business owners love to see who is enjoying their place of business. If you shop small with PBPages and download Their Inheritance, tag us! @PBPages or #TheirInheritance #PBP #ShopSmall

Thanks!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope you all have a fun, pleasant, and blessed Thanksgiving! Whether you are spending the holiday with family; friends; yourself; or with strangers, I pray you find something to be thankful for. 

I am grateful for you all reading this blog, being a patron of Purple Butterfly Pages, and for the supporters of Purple Butterfly Publications. I am blessed with a job that I enjoy everyday!

***Leave a comment below and share your Thanksgiving week traditions and your Thanksgiving holiday plans for this year! :)

#ThePurpleButterflyPurpose

Filling the Gap

Hello, everyone!

If you are like me, you are kind of scooting out of a summer schedule and getting into a better routine for the next season of the year. As summer drifts away, I wanted to blog about the gap between the generation of students and their parents and grandparents and how Their Inheritance can help bridge that gap.

Students,

I hope you all are settling into your new school routines and adjusting well to your new schedules. Whether you are in middle school; high school; college; or grad school, starting the next chapter tends to pull you away from your priorities and focus away from your family and onto your future in the work force. Don't forget to make time for your parents!

Parents,

as your student or students head off to a new school, keep in mind that they know that you are still at home and that wherever you are will always be "home". Find new ways to connect with your "student". For instance, reading.

Grandparents,

students may be spending more time with their friends or at their after school jobs and less time with you. This does not mean that your grandchild loves you any less. Maybe you can join in on the reading with your child and your grandchild!

The Gap

When different generations read Their Inheritance it opens up a channel of communication within the generation gaps of your family. In Their Inheritance we see the impact Charles and Grace Williams had on their children, James, Alexandra, Christine, and Lee. The elder members of the community helped the Williams children in the wake of their parents' death. The Williams teens, James and Alexandra, had to step up and fulfill their parents' responsibilities.

God was with them all, every generation, through everything they went through. Nobody was alone.

Remember that as you go into this new season and school year!

Fill in the generation gap by reading the same book. Of course, I suggest Their Inheritance ebook! While reading Their Inheritance you see each generation and their struggles and how they all help each other with those struggles. So, here is to a great school year to all generations involved in the success of each student in our lives.

Fill that gap!

Caitlin Ayers, Proprietor & Publisher
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Mrs. Dianne Lawson

Hello Everyone!

I had a different post drafted out for July. However, I learned of the passing of a friend this week. I want to share about someone who inspired me as a friend and business woman. 

I'd like to this time to share about a woman who supported and inspired me when I started Purple Butterfly Pages, Mrs. Dianne Lawson.

I met Mrs. Dianne in 2007 when my family opened a British antique store in downtown Toccoa, GA. Mrs. Dianne owned Dream Giver's Art Gallery which was located a few stores down from ours. I was fifteen-years-old at the time and I loved browsing through her store and admiring the different art forms from the local artists. Mrs. Dianne would usually have a background story to tell me about the artists.

A couple of years later, when I needed to interview local entrepreneurs for a college assignment, Mrs. Dianne was happy to help and graciously answered my questions. Her advice to me was to always listen to my customers' needs. When I started PBPages at the beginning of school, she was excited for me and so supportive! Even after the British antique store closed and Dream Giver's Art Gallery relocated to another location in Toccoa, I still visited with her there. Mrs. Dianne kept a beautiful shop with a warm atmosphere! My parents gave me a beautiful sterling silver cross necklace from Dream Giver's Art Gallery as a gift when I graduated college. Mrs. Dianne would always ask about my family if they were not shopping with me and she would always want to know the latest with my business. She was a huge supporter of shopping local and supported many small businesses as well as mine.

Late last year, 2014, Mrs. Dianne closed Dream Giver's Art Gallery due to an illness. Other than a couple of emails, I haven't kept in touch since then. Mrs. Dianne has passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2015. Mrs. Dianne could have chosen to ignore the teenagers who came into her store several years ago. Instead, she chose to listen to them, encourage them, and share her knowledge with them. I am so glad she gave me her time. I will miss our chats and cherish her advice. She was one of a kind.

     Rest in peace, Mrs. Dianne.

Caitlin Ayers,Proprietor & Publisher

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Proud to Join the Fight Against Child Abuse

Hello everyone!
As I announced on the Purple Butterfly Pages Facebook page, I am happy to be a sponsor for the 4th Annual Power House for Kids Race! It is a harsh reality that child abuse even exists, but it does. When I was thirteen-years-old, my parents were foster parents to many children under the ages of five-years-old. During my time as a foster sister, I saw several abused children come into our foster home. The sad faces and broken souls were in need of love and healing. That is why I am proud to be a sponsor for the Power House's annual race for the second year. I will also be running in the 5k race this year! I often think of those children and wonder who they are now, ten years later. Those sweet souls and the thousands like them are my motivation for race day!

Power House for Kids

The Power House for Kids is a non-profit organization who makes a huge impact in the lives of the abused children and teens in the communities around them. The following is an excerpt from The Power House's website:

From our environment to the services we offer, our focus is on the child and his/her non-offending caregiver(s).  FAITH's Power House is able to offer a "kid-focused" coordinated team response to allegations of abuse by bringing together agencies and professionals involved in the investigation and intervention system.  The multidisciplinary approach means that FAITH's Power House brings Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services, Medical Professionals, Forensic Interviewers, Mental Health Professionals and Advocates into one location, reducing the need for children and families to navigate a sometimes difficult and confusing system.

Power House for Kids also provides child abuse prevention classes such as Darkness 2 Light in its community to ensure that all citizens are informed and can recognize and react responsibly to reality of child sexual abuse.The sacrifices that each team member of the Power House for Kids makes on a daily basis, is phenomenal. They all do an incredible job to make an impact on the lives of America's future! Learn more about the Power House for Kids here.

Your Turn!

Please take a few minutes to learn more about what YOU can do to help prevent chid abuse. Be educated and informed. Find child abuse prevention programs in your local area and get involved in the fight against child abuse! Your support for child advocacy centers is a helping hand in the prevention of and fight against child abuse. Every little bit counts ESPECIALLY in the lives of children, America's future. If you would like to join me on race day, you can register for the race at active.com! Any encouragement and support for the Power House for Kids is much appreciated!

Believe.
Caitlin Ayers, Proprietor & Publisher

Purple Butterfly PagesPurple butterfly Publications

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Behind the Blog - March 2015

Hello, Everyone!

First off, my apologies for not getting a blog out in February. I did not make it a priority. So sorry! Secondly, I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day whether single or spoken for. :) I spent this year's day of love with some lovely little ladies whom I share a last name with!

Family Valentine's Day Party 2015

Now, down to business.

You will find this blog post a little different from the others. Hope you don't mind! I wanted to open up a little bit about myself and let you all know who is behind the blog and why I added blogging to my "must do" list at work. You can read a bit about how I got to be an independent book seller and publisher on my business' website; and here, I am going to add to that information!

The woman behind the blog...

...I do not want to sit here and blog about my childhood, and preteen and teen years, although I was blessed with earlier years worth writing about. Instead, I'll start with more recent years'  randomness. I have a dog, Merry, a three-year-old chihuahua. She is my best friend beside my sisters! I might Instagram her a bit much. Maybe. On top of being a furry mum, I spend a lot of time with younger siblings and three nephews (the youngest was born last month!). I guess you could say I am pretty much a family-oriented person. I'm an encourager! Hopefully it shows in my blog posts. I love helping people get through tough stuff. I think that if you believe you can than you will. I also enjoy being involved in what is going on in my community. As is mentioned on my website bio, I am a Chamber of Commerce member (probably one of the youngest in my county, but I love it!). I am lucky to be able to learn from the business owners in my community. Besides being a publisher, I like to sew. Momma taught me to sew when I was ten and I eventually learned to sew full dresses. I got out of the habit during teen years and college. This year, I challenged myself to make birthday gifts for my siblings (those of them who like handmade stuff that is) this year! So far, I've done a t-shirt pillow and a child's bathrobe. I am about to make myself a bathrobe because I liked my little sister's so much! Who knows, I might make an Easter dress as well. Last year, I became a part of my parents' auction company! I was raised going to auctions. I love the different atmospheres and the differences in each auction house. You never know what will be on the auction block next! Quick plug: if you are looking for a great deal on estate auction or collectible items or looking for a specific item, let me know in an email: rememberwhenestateauctions@yahoo.com! I am fortunate to get to spend after school time with my special needs younger brother, and helping him reach life goals that he sets. Well, there are a few random things about me. Oh, and when I was a kid, I never dreamed of being an online book publisher. 

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications

On a social level,

you will find me using media that is not really social, Twitter, tweeting about my favorite sports teams. In baseball it is the Atlanta Braves, who have my sports-loving heart. I go to a game at least once a year with my Dad and sisters and/or brothers whoever is able to go. Sporting events are always fun! Like a lot of other women in their early twenties, I also love football. I enjoy college and pro with my teams being the Georgia Buldawgs and East Carolina Pirates, and I'm fan of the Atlanta Falcons. Don't boo me too hard for being a Falcons' fan. With Coach Quinn, we are going to be big this year. I also will tweet all kinds of music and song related stuff; devotionals; and really random things that nobody probably cares about. I will tweet on anyways! 

Why do I blog you ask?

I started blogging over a year ago. I felt it necessary to let buyers, readers, and others know who they were buying from or communicating with. You can tell a lot about someone's blog! I also wanted a way to connect with other publishers, book readers, bloggers, and professionals in general. So, I started blogging about different topics that have something to do with my publishing world somehow. So, that's me and why I started blogging!

I'd love to know why you read blogs. Leave a comment anywhere! Let me know any other topics you would like to read about in my blog! Until next time, you can find me on Twitter: @PBPages or @GaPeach291! :)

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher

Purple Butterfly Publications

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Christmas Celebration: Parade Memories

Hello everybody!

December has proved to be a diligent week so far. Earlier this month, I excitedly announced that my business was going to have a float in my town's parade! A lot of thought, creativity, and preparation has gone into the making of the Christmas parade float.

The Toccoa Christmas Parade has been an event that my family attends each year and we always talked about participating, but we never did. My sister owns a baking/catering business, Dazzling Sweet Treats. My parents have recently started an estate auction company, Remember When Estate Auctions LLC. This fall, an email describing the 2014 parade information and application was sent out to all local Chamber of Commerce members. After reading through the rules and information, I determined that this year was the year for us to be a bigger part of our town's Christmas festivities; and not just as local citizens celebrating Christmas, but as local businesses who want to share a special Christmas message.

This year's parade theme is 'Christmas Miracle'. There are many miracle's surrounding Christ's birth. My first thought after reading the theme info, was a child's first Christmas with their forever family! Foster care and adoption is very familiar to me and my family. My parents were house parents at a children's home in the early '90s and my family served as a foster home for many babies and young children in the early 2000s. A few of those young children and babies became my brothers and sisters! Not my "adopted siblings" but my siblings. Christmas has always been a special festive time to me, but one Christmas I will never forget: when a little red headed seven-year-old foster child spent her first Christmas with her soon-to-be forever family. I had met "Red" when she spent Thanksgiving with my family one year. No other home was open for her to spend the holiday with. At seven-years-old she had been through many foster homes already and was legally waiting to be adopted. With prayer and love, my family decided that "Red" was supposed to be a part of our family. So, she spent Christmas holiday with us instead of her current foster family. Her reaction to Christmas Eve and Christmas morning were unforgettable. She had so many questions and had no idea what it was like to feel such love. The next summer, she officially became my younger sister! It is nothing short of a miracle when God puts a family into the life of a broken child; or a child into the life of a loving family. So, there is a doubtless personal meaning for our float theme choice!

“There are no unwanted children, just unfound families.”
The National Adoption Center

I presented my idea of our float theme to be centered around a child's first Christmas with their forever family. We did a bit of brainstorming to tie it to the parade's theme. We discovered that there was an adoption story right int the middle of the Christmas Story. Joseph took Jesus to raise, and love and care for even though the Child was not biologically his. I encourage you to listen to "Raise Him Up" sung by Randy Travis. This is the PERFECT song for our float's theme! I will be posting photos from the parade later this month in the "recap" blog.

I also encourage you to be accepting, loving, and understanding of any adoption miracles happening in your life!

Make it a peaceful and joyful December.

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications

**Visit downtown Toccoa Georgia on Saturday, December 6th. The parade starts at 4PM. Come early to visit the local shops and even some brand new businesses; and share in the celebration of the Christ's birth!**

Happy One-Year Bookiversary!

Hello Everyone!

Today marks one year since I became a publisher and published Their Inheritance by author Stephanie Townsend Ayers. Happy one-year bookiversary to my featured author!

My biggest hope for this project has been for this ebook to encourage it's readers to never give up hope and to continue trusting in the Lord no matter what their inheritance. May Their Inheritance continue blessing those who read it! You can find it at Purple Butterfly Publications today.

I am looking forward to the many other "projects" that I will be publishing in the future. More on that at a later date! ;)
You can help ME celebrate this one-year bookiversary by leaving YOUR book review here and leave congratulatory remarks for the Mother-of-ten, and Author: Stephanie Townsend Ayers on our Facebook or Twitter!!

Thank you all for what has been a great first year for Their Inheritance!

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
www.PurpleButterflyPublications.com

Let the Kid Write!

Hey everybody!

I was inspired to write this month's blog by a special little girl who loves to write short stories. So, this one is for the young kids with big minds; but first, here is one of my first writing experiences:

As soon as I learned how to write in school, I was given a small notebook to write my thoughts of the day. I remember my notebook had a picture of a furry dog on the front. Writing for a few minutes a day (or longer if we had more to write down) became an assignment in school. Another checkmark for the pros' side of being a homeschool kid, haha. I remember looking at the white page with tiny horizontal black lines and thinking that I could write anything! There would be no correct or incorrect answer. I could write whatever I wanted to! A couple of years ago, I found that old notebook and noticed that I mostly wrote down a few lines describing the weather of the day. Occasionally, I jotted down a rhyme or two and maybe a short story about my then two-year-old chihuahua every once in a while. Not always as creative or proper in my writing as some of my siblings; but hey, I was writing. Now I am a book publisher. Who knew?!

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." - Lady Bird Johnson

 We never know what incredible stories lie within children's imaginations, yet wouldn't we like to know? Encourage the kid(s) in your life to write it down! Imagine how that kid will feel after they have written a poem or story no matter how short or how long. Now, picture their face as they await your comments as you read their work.

I would love to help you encourage the kid(s) in your life write it down! Let's have some fun! Send me a photo of the writings (the child does not need to be in the photo) from the children in your life using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or email me here: caitlin@purplebutterflypages.com. I will share** the photo on random Wednesdays as part of "Write It Down Wednesday"! All followers, friends, and fans of Purple Butterfly Pages will be able to leave some likes and comments for the possible future author in your life! Use the hashtag: #WriteItDown on any social media and email subject line. If you would like, you can include your future author's name; however, I suggest using a pen name instead of the child's real name for privacy purposes.

#WriteItDown

Encourage the kid(s) in your life to have fun writing it down!

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher

Purple Butterfly Publications

**By sending your photo to Purple Butterfly Publications, you are giving us permission to share it on our social media accounts mentioned ONLY. The photos of the writings will only be shared to our Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram ONLY. Thank you!**