Karen Kingsbury's Baxter Family Reunion

I'm a fan of Karen Kingsbury, a Christian fiction writer, and so are many of my friends.  I get her monthly newsletter via email and when I heard she was coming to Bloomington for her first-ever "Baxter Family Reunion", I knew me and "the girls" had to go!  Since it was so reasonable and so close to home, I thought we could get a hotel and make a day/night of it.  I talked with 5 friends, but only 2 of them were able to go--Bobbie and Kathryn.  I can always count on those 2 to go with me to have some fun!!! : )  So we got our tickets and my hubby booked us a hotel for a little of nothing, and off we went.  We left on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Martinsville around 3:00.  We checked into our hotel and lounged around for awhile before we decided to do a little shopping.  Off we went to Goody's, Goodwill and Catos.  After finding some good bargains we headed back to the hotel so we could get ready for the "Baxter Family Reunion Red Carpet Book Party" at Indiana University.  First of all, let me explain that the Baxter Family is a fictitious family that Karen created for a series of her books, like 14 to be exact.  The first in the series is Redemption (with 5 books), then on to the Firstborn Series (with 5 books) and last but not least, the Sunrise (with 4 books) series.  It is about a couple named John & Elizabeth Baxter who have 5 lovely children who have gone through the joys and sadness of this "little thing" called -- LIFE!  Anyways, it is an AWESOME series and I would encourage you to read them or any of her books for that matter.  This event was ok in my opinion, but I was kind of disappointed with it!  It was really "talked up" I felt, and I left there  disappointed.  I wouldn't really know any pointers to give her on this (to improve it I mean), but I just felt a little let down.  Being a "Red Carpet" event, I guess I pictured her in a beautiful, evening gown surrounded by her characters in tuxedos and gowns and flowers and bright lights and...you get the point.  The next day they had a "Baxter Family Picnic" planned that I also felt was disappointing, ugh!  It was like 90+ degrees and outside with not much to do or at least we didn't find much to do, so... We decided to get back in the cool van and do the "driving tour" which included 10 locations that were talked about, over and over in the books.  We enjoyed that, it was fun to see the places that she selected to coincide with fictitious places in her books.  The BEST thing about the whole event, in my opinion, was...she gave away 700 tickets to a private viewing of her new movie that is coming out, "Like Dandelion Dust".  It was based on her 2007 book, the first book of hers that I ever read and really felt connected to.  I realize I have never went through the exact same things the characters did in this book, but as a mother and the things I was going through in my life at that time, fit so well together!  I bawled like a baby some nights while reading this book, it really hit home and I am so very thankful to know I/we are not the only ones that have struggles and battles that we go through in life!  The movie was really great and I'd recommend it to anyone!!!  It was really neat to know that all 700 viewers that were there, were Karen Kingsbury fans and that we were the ONLY ones permitted to be there for that event, yee haw!!!  So needless to say, that was the best part of the whole event I feel.  As far as the fun us girls had...you'll never know, HA! HA!  Thanks Kathryn and Bobbie for going, I had a GREAT time and will never forget the fun we had, you are the BEST!!!

Since none of us had ever been downtown Bloomington, we didn't really know where we were going.  We had printed a map, but still were watching the street signs like hawks to make sure we were headed in the right direction. When we were almost there, we finally realized that all along the way, there were these yellow signs (that we didn't bother to read) that actually guided us right to the door, LOL! 

Indiana University Auditorium

Kathryn, me and Bobbie -- some of my best friends!!!

"Dayne Matthews" was the emcee for the event, he is one of the main characters in these series

Karen Kingsbury

This was the Indianapolis Children's Youth Theater performing a piece of

"You're A Good Man Charlie Brown", just like in the books.

"Bailey and Connor Flannigan" were some of the main characters in her books and were always trying out for parts in the Children's Youth Theater.  Here they showed us a piece from one of their performances. 

This was actually her real-life daughter and son.

Us Girls : )

Ms. Bobbie

Ms. Kathryn

Me

The Driving Tour Begins---

Indiana University--#1 site of "many scenes throughout the Baxter Family history.  Luke Baxter attended school here.  This was the site of many big meetings between Luke and Ashley.  Also, this is where Bailey, Cody and Andi attend classes.  Recently Bailey and Andi appeared in a play at the Indiana University Auditorium." 

Bloomington Hospital--#2 site of "where Dr. John Baxter works and the location where Brooke Baxter West, and her husband Peter, do rounds for their respective patients.  It is also the location where Landon Blake was in intensive care during the days before he and Ashley fell in love."

Casablanca Cafe--#3 "site of many quite, intimate conversations between Ashley and Landon, and Bailey and Cody and other Baxter family characters.  This small restaurant is near the Indiana University campus and located near the famous Bloomington Towne Square."

Starbucks--#4 site "This is the coffee house where Ashley and Landon met a number of times."

Soma Coffeehouse & Juice Bar--#5 "This coffeehouse is located on the famous Bloomington Towne Square, more quaint than a Starbucks, and is the location where John and Elizabeth would meet to discuss serious matters, and where Ashley and Landon;  Bailey and Cody, and other major Baxter characters would meet for quite, intimate moments of conversation."

Bloomington Fire Department --#6 site "This is where Landon Blake works.  Many scenes have taken place at the fire station.  Drop in and thank the guys there for serving-and see if you can find someone who might just be Landon Blake!"

Village Deli -- #7 site "This is the place where John Baxter and his friend, Elaine, would stop for lunch after a day at the Farmer's Market.  Other key Baxter characters enjoyed this friendly eatery, located neat campus and near the famous Bloomington Towne Square."

Crisis Pregnancy Center -- #8 site "You won't find the name Sarah's House out front.  But we know the truth.  This is the crisis pregnancy center started by Ashley and Brooke Baxter after Ashley lost her baby to anencephaly.  This crisis pregnancy center is the setting for many scenes in the Baxter Family books."

Wandering Turtle Art Gallery & Gifts -- #9 site "This is one of several quaint galleries where Ashley Baxter Blake's paintings have been sold from time to time.  This gallery is located on the famous Bloomington Towne Square near the college campus.  There are several art galleries located around Towne Square where Ashley has sold her paintings.  Do some window shopping and see if you can find Ashley's favorite gallery!"

Meadowood Retirement Community -- #10 site "You won't see the sign, "Sunset Hills Adult Care Home" out front of this assisted living facility.  But this is the place where Ashley worked with Alzheimer's patients, the place where she found her heart again and rediscovered her faith.  Please drive by, and if you have time - call ahead and stop in to spend a few minutes with a patient who might need a friendly face."