Wanderling!!

Amazon is being dumb and won't let me post a review of my sister's new novel. Its like Amazon thinks I am bias or something...  which I might be, a little.  ;-)

My youngest sister was the winner of a writing contest and became a published author at the age of 16 years old. She ended up with a trilogy of books: The Journey to the Homeland series.

College life, married life, and her master program all kept her busy but she never completely stopped writing. She still had stories left that she wanted to tell and now we are getting to read them.

I had the pleasure of being a beta-reader of her new novel and I am excited to share it with you all! Here is the review I posted to Goodreads:

Wanderling by Hannah Stahlhut - My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really really enjoyed this clever adventure story. The characters drew me in and I loved watching each character grow and deepen throughout their journey. And the fantasy world that Hannah has created is magical! The landscape and the people who live there are so engaging.
I think this is a great YA book for anyone who loved Hunger Games or Game of Thrones. I am so looking forward to seeing what else is in store for these characters that I have come to love! And I am going to say right now that I am "Team Tobin"!! ;-)  View all my reviews


If you are interested in purchasing Wanderling you can find it on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback. Also, feel free to follow Hannah through her writing journey on Twitter, Facebook, and her website. Stay tuned! Wanderling is just the first in a series! There will be more adventures to come!

Love Your Local Library

In honor of National Library Week I wanted to share about how we use our local libraries.

Here are links to our most used library resources:
PLAC card - our Public Library Access Card allows us to get a library card at any library in the state. There is a fee for this card but since we homeschool I feel that it helps me have to buy less books and is very worthwhile.

Hoopla - Borrow free video, music, and audiobooks with your library card.
Enjoy on your PC, tablet, or phone. This was particularly helpful when we had a road trip last fall. We loaded several great audiobooks onto my husband's smart phone and we listened to a couple of classics on our long drive.

Evergreen - Is an open source integrated library system that includes more than a hundred libraries in Indiana. It has been a great resource to me in the past school year since we started using it. I can go on the website and search for books, videos, etc related to the topic that we are studying in school and it will allow me to put a hold on books from any library in the system and they will bring them to my local library and then notify me when the books are ready.

Throughout the school year local libraries often have programs on a variety of topics and subjects for all ages. Library summer reading programs are a great way to encourage kids to keep reading through the summer months.

It has been our experience that most library staff is very helpful and Nate has gotten pretty comfortable asking the librarians to help him find this or that. At times I have gotten great suggestions on new books for Nate to read. Different series of books that I hadn't heard of that are similar to ones he has already read.



Simple Homeschool shares how she used their local library early in their homeschooling years.

At Your Library featured an article sharing 60 Ways to Use Your Library Card.

Our Journey Westward has a printable scavenger hunt to help your kids get to know your local library.


How do you use your local library?

No More Perfect Kids Book Review

When the opportunity to preview and review Jill Savage's new book No More Perfect Kids I was eager to get on board. I have read some of Jill's other books and other Hearts at Home books and they have all been very helpful and relate-able.

But I must confess, when I started to read it I struggled a little bit. Because our kids are so unique (I mean, not many people can truly relate to having a six year old and a three year old who cannot walk or talk), sometimes I feel like I'm outside of any scenarios that are mentioned in most books. Sometimes in life I feel like I'm an outsider because I'm a special needs mom. I don't know what it was exactly about the book, but I was resistant at the beginning. I even commented on the No More Perfect Kids facebook launch group page that I was struggling and Jill Savage asked if there was a specific fear that was holding me back.

I didn't know what to say to that. I had to think about it for awhile. I couldn't really put it into words. Eventually I emailed Jill with my reply:

Jill,

I commented a couple weeks ago on the NMPK launch page that I was struggling with starting the book because of my two special needs kids.  You asked if I had a specific fear that was holding me back.  I didn't know how to answer that. But I have been thinking about it and I think the hardest part for me is I really do not know what to expect with these kids (they are currently 6yr and 3yr and both are about 10-12mos developmentally).  We have no definitive diagnosis, no one will give us any idea of what they will be capable of or not. I don't know what goals to have for them because I don't know what they can do.  Sometimes all I want is for them to be able to walk and talk.  I want to hear "I love you mommy".  And frankly, I don't know if I ever will.
 
I wasn't actually expecting a response but was pleasantly surprised to get one later that same day from Jill herself.

Wani,
I'm so glad you took time to think about the question.  I'm sure not knowing what to expect is huge.  Sometimes the unknown is harder than the known...

Keep focusing on what you DO know.  Your children need love. They need limits. And they need you to be their cheerleader in life.  Regardless of what they are capable of...they need those things without a doubt.

Hang in there, girlfriend!

Jill

I am thankful for Jill's words of encouragement to me. I am partway through the book and I am so glad that I continued reading. There is much wisdom to be gleaned from this book.  The combination of Jill's real life stories and Kathy Koch's expertise really provide a great guide for reprogramming our minds to stop criticizing and embrace our imperfect children (and ourselves) just the way God made them. And there are so many helpful tips of ways that we can move forward loving and encouraging them to be themselves along the way.

Just like my kids (or anyone for that matter), I am a work in progress. God is still shaping and molding me. Thanks goodness I know He's not done yet!

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.
-- Joyce Maynard

)

Bonus Week is March 13-23--Pick up a copy of the book that week and get over $100 in free bonuses including ebooks, printables and audio workshops!

Breaking Habits

This year I am focusing on being intentional in my life and part of that includes working hard to break some old habits and creating new healthier ones.  Crystal at MoneySavingMom's new book Say Goodbye to Survival Mode is inspiring to make changes to help me break out of the huge rut I'm in.  I have gotten to where its typical for me to stay up too late, sleep too late and then have a frantic morning scrambling to get my two special needs kids out the door for school and then I'm exhausted from that and barely have the energy to homeschool Nate and everything else that my day holds... that is not how I want to start every day!

I know need to take things one at a time and in baby steps, otherwise I'll get overwhelmed and give up.  So, I am choosing to change one habit a week.  Last week I worked on getting up when my alarm went off instead of hitting the snooze a couple of times. I was pretty proud of myself.  The only day I didn't do it was a 2hr delay.  ;-)  But of course, skipping the snooze button is only the beginning.

Here are some habits I'll be working on over the next few weeks:

limiting my computer time - starting with not getting on facebook until after the kids get on the bus and working up to not getting on the computer at all until after Nate's school is done

starting my day with spending time in the Word - I can hardly remember the last time I was consistently in God's word.  Sad to say. 

going to bed earlier - this one is a real challenge because my hubby is a night owl

reading more instead of watching tv - when I get a little chunk of time to myself I often default to Netflix and just veg out on mindless shows, leaving stacks of books that I genuinely do want to read untouched.

meal planning from the pantry - I often plan meals with little regard to what we already have on hand, and I want to use it before we lose it!  ;-)

kicking my Goodwill habit - I am a sucker for a good deal and I am ashamed to say that I have been guilty of buying things that we don't need just because it was so cheap.  Its contributed greatly to the amount of clutter we've accumulated and its a waste of money.  I will still shop at Goodwill but I am going to be limiting my purchases to things that we actually, currently NEED. 


I'm sure I'll be coming up with more things to work on but these alone will keep me busy for awhile!  I'm joining in the linky at MoneySavingMom.  Do you have any goals you're working on or habits you're breaking/making right now?

The Fault In Our Stars

My sweet new cousin-in-law and I are nerds.  In the best way.  ;-)  We both read young adult fiction.  And technically, we're not young adults anymore... just regular adults.  Anyway, we read The Fault in Our Stars by Indianapolis' own John Green. (Which is soon to be released as a movie!) Its about two teens battling cancer and the struggles they face.  Its deeply moving and takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotions as you read it.  I am eager to see it come to life in the movie.

**added the trailer that was just released!!  AH!!  Can't wait to see it!

One cool thing about the book is that throughout John mentions locations around the Indianapolis area.  We were inspired by this fan's The Fault in Our Stars Photo Tour and decided to take one of our own. So we spent an afternoon going around town to different spots that were in the book!

Castleton Square Mall Food Court - super exciting start.  ;-)

We had a late lunch at the wonderful Three Sister's Cafe.  I mean, what is a girls day out without some really great food?  ;-)  Plus it was another Diner, Drive-in & Dive place!

The ruins at Holliday Park

The Funky Bones sculpture at the IMA's 100 Acres


We had such a fun day getting to know the city and each other better.  I am looking forward to many more outings together in the future!  And I'm pretty sure we're going to see the movie together.  ;-)

Saying Goodbye to Survival Mode

Calling the super busy,
the stressed out, the overtired.

You know you're made for a more fulfilling life. With this book, you’ll know where to start.
You wake up tired. Your to-do list is too long. The commitments—and the laundry—are piling up, but your energy keeps dwindling. You feel like you're simply making it through the days, not living or enjoying any part of them.

- See more at: http://moneysavingmom.com/survival-mode/#sthash.qK9nlASE.dpuf

You know you're made for a more fulfilling life. With this book, you’ll know where to start.
You wake up tired. Your to-do list is too long. The commitments—and the laundry—are piling up, but your energy keeps dwindling. You feel like you're simply making it through the days, not living or enjoying any part of them.
- See more at: http://moneysavingmom.com/survival-mode/#sthash.qK9nlASE.dpuf

 I don't know if I always convey how tired I am on a daily basis.  I usually feel like each day is just something I have to get through to get to the next one.  It sounds terrible to say it but its the truth.  I love my family, but I often feel like I've lost my way and don't know how to get a real functional routine in place that works for everyone in our house.  I feel like every day is a cycle of diapers and dishes, cooking and coping...  with no end in sight.  I'm just getting by.

Crystal Paine of MoneySavingMom has put her own journey into words to encourage other struggling moms to say goodbye to survival mode and say hello to loving their life! To jump start her readers she is offering a 7 day challenge leading up to the release of the book.

While the principles in the book will inspire you to make slow and steady changes that will result in a big transformation over time, the Say Goodbye to Survival Mode 7-Day Challenge is designed to give you strategies you can implement immediately for instant breathing room. Each day I am going to share content that I hope will help you shift your mindset, build momentum, and ultimately set you up to win. So let’s jump in!  
To be honest, I signed up for this course before the holidays and I just didn't take the time to get into it.  Life is always crazier than usual around the holidays.  Right?  So,  now that all the holidays are over, the snow days are past us (I hope!), I am ready to get some normalcy.  Not continue the chaos that has been our "normal" but to take steps toward making our life more enjoyable for us all.  I am ready to tackle the Say Goodbye to Survival Mode 7 Day Challenge!  
 

Calling the super busy,
the stressed out, the overtired.

You know you're made for a more fulfilling life. With this book, you’ll know where to start.
You wake up tired. Your to-do list is too long. The commitments—and the laundry—are piling up, but your energy keeps dwindling. You feel like you're simply making it through the days, not living or enjoying any part of them.

- See more at: http://moneysavingmom.com/survival-mode/#sthash.qK9nlASE.dpuf

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  (Lam 3:22-23)

I've preordered my copy of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode on Amazon.  In the mean time, I am going to dive into the 7 Day Challenge!

Michael J. Fox is back!

Always Looking Up - The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist book by Michael J. Fox - There are many words to describe Michael J. Fox: Actor. Husband. Father. Activist. But readers of Always Looking Up will soon add another to the list: Optimist. Michael writes about the hard-won perspective that helped him see challenges as opportunities. Instead of building walls around himself, he developed a personal policy of engagement and discovery: an emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual outlook that has served him throughout his struggle with Parkinson's disease. Michael's exit from a very demanding, very public arena offered him the time-and the inspiration-to open up new doors leading to unexpected places. One door even led him to the center of his own family, the greatest destination of all.
The last ten years, which is really the stuff of this book, began with such a loss: my retirement from Spin City. I found myself struggling with a strange new dynamic: the shifting of public and private personas. I had been Mike the actor, then Mike the actor with PD. Now was I just Mike with PD Parkinson's had consumed my career and, in a sense, had become my career. But where did all of this leave Me? I had to build a new life when I was already pretty happy with the old one..
Always Looking Up is a memoir of this last decade, told through the critical themes of Michael's life: work, politics, faith, and family. The book is a journey of self-discovery and reinvention, and a testament to the consolations that protect him from the ravages of Parkinson's.
With the humor and wit that captivated fans of his first book, Lucky Man, Michael describes how he became a happier, more satisfied person by recognizing the gifts of everyday life.

Being part of a family that deals with disability every day I am eager to see how it is portrayed in Michael's new tv show.  I hope that they rise to the occasion and show the realness that we all long for in tv.  Not the "reality tv" real... but the genuine, heart of the matter real that is so rare in the media.  I want to see their struggles and their triumphs.  I hope we get to see his faults and his ability to rise above those faults to be a good husband and father.  

NBC's The Michael J Fox Show




A couple of other shows I am looking forward to seeing resume this fall are:

Parenthood - My hubs and I watch this show together and frankly...  I want to be a Braverman!  ;-)  But really, it is an awesome show that is full of relate-able characters and relevant storylines.  We appreciate the delicate way they have sensitively touched on serious issues like Max's Asbergers, infertility/adoption Kristina's cancer, and PTSD in military personel.  Eager to see whats in store for the Braverman clan this year!

Once Upon A Time - This is our girls night show.  My girlfriend and my sister usually watch this together, though there has been talk of my brother joining us too since he caught up on the first two seasons over the summer.  Its fun to see fairy tales come to life in a little more of a grown up way.  And seeing all the intricate connections between fairy tale characters is typical of the writers who created Lost.  Excited to see what new characters we get to meet this season!



What shows are you looking forward to this fall season?

Well Planned Day Giveaway

Well, whether we like it or not we have to give some thought to what the fall semester will hold for our family's home school.  I have been working on getting a plan together for Nate's upcoming third grade year.

We have used Heart of Dakota since Nate started pre-K.  It is a great choice for beginner homeschool families because it has every day preplanned for you so there is not a lot of lesson planning, which can be very intimidating at first.

But we felt it was time for a change for us.  So the new school year's daily routine will look a little differently than last year's.  I am planning on using Singapore Math 3a&b (its what we have been using since be started homeschooling and we have really liked it), All About Spelling (heard great things from other families and we're going to try it out for the first time this year), and Nate will also be doing Easy Peasy All In One Homeschool for the rest of his subjects (science, English, history, bible & music). I've blogged about Easy Peasy before when sharing free homeschool resources.  It is a curriculum using nearly all free online resources from one homeschool mom.  I think Nate will really enjoy having school on the computer and I will like having most of the planning already done for me.  ;-)

Every family is different and each child is as well.  What works for one homeschool family may not be the best choice for another.  Its good to have a plan but its also a good idea to be flexible and be willing to make changes to your plan if you need to.  Curriculum Choice has a good post on How to Make an Overall Plan for The Year.  The Clutter-Free Classroom posted tips for planning short and long term goals.

Since I'm doing some mixing & matching with our curriculum this year its not all laid out for me in a teacher's guide as it has in the past.  I am going to have to be more diligent about planning and managing our school days.  A great way to organize your lesson planning and family schedule is with the Well Planned Day homeschool family planner.

Organize your busy days all in one place with this beautifully-designed planner. The Well-Planned Day is a family homeschool organizer, designed especially for moms. This effective, yet easy-to-use format will ensure that each day at your home is smooth and profitable.

I am new to Well Planned Day myself but I found this post from a fellow homeschool mom on how she uses her WPD planner to be very helpful.  She goes through and shows you exactly how she uses the planner to schedule and record family activities and homeschool information effectively and keep their schedule and school organized. I am looking forward to using it for our family's upcoming school year!

The flexibility of The Well-Planned Day is one of its greatest assets. - See more at: http://hedua.com/blog/how-i-use-the-well-planned-day-planner/#sthash.EDWWQWNw.dpuf

Now for the fun part!!  One lucky Wani's World reader will win their own Well Planned Day family homeschool planner.  Check out the Rafflecopter below to enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



This is a sponsored giveaway that includes affiliate links.   But all opinions are my own.  Thanks!  ;-)

Wani's Summer Reading List...

I am a fiction reader at heart.  I love the excitement and frankly, the break from reality that I get when I read a good work of fiction.  When it comes to non-fiction I am notorious for not finishing books.  Its terrible, I know!  Its not that I don't like them.  I guess they just don't hold my attention as well as fiction does.  But I am working on it!  So I thought I would share with you all some of the books that I am either already working on or hope to read later in the summer.

No More Perfect Moms by Jill Savage - already started it... months ago.  Its good I just keep losing it.  ;-)  Hoping to finish it off soon!

Different Dream Parenting by Jolene Philo - haven't started it yet but have heard good things about it.  I have a feeling that my heart needs to hear what this book has to say.

the good girl's guide to great sex by Sheila Gregoire - um, yeah... this one I'll probably flip through and read bits and pieces.  I follow Sheila's blog and she is great!

Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst - started it um, a year ago-ish... I know I need to finish it!  its hard not to focus on food when you've made a huge change (going gluten-free) recently.  Still, I know there are some great truths to be found in this book that could help me reign in my emotional eating and such. 

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp - have heard a lot of good things about this book both from friends and fellow bloggers.  I started it a couple of days ago and sobbed through the first chapter - both for the loss described by Ann in the book and for loss in my own life...  not a book to begin while pms-ing.  Just sayin'. 

Warrior (Dragons of Starlight series) by Bryan Davis - yes, this is young adult fiction.  So what.  The first book was good and I'm halfway through this one.  There are two more that I know of after this one but I'm not sure how committed I am.  I'll see after I'm done with this one.

Mirror Mirror Off the Wall by Kjersten Guyst - This is about one woman's year without mirrors.  I am interested to find out what she learned from her experiment.

Reached (Matched Trilogy book 3) by Ally Condie - loved the first two and am excited to read the conclusion of the series.

Misc Gluten Free Cookbooks (I've finding new stuff online and at the library all the time!)

Ebooks on the Kindle

I am a sucker for freebies so I have tons of books on the Kindle, more than I'll ever get around to reading... but here are a couple that I really do want to read soon.

Speechless: Finding God in My Son's Autism by Sandra Peoples - one mom's journey... I know this one will hit home with me. 


Teaching Kids to Clean by Dana White - tips for teaching your kids how to clean... what mom doesn't need this book?  Nate is taking on more responsibilities lately so this will be great!


So...  that is what I'm tackling this summer...  what are you going to be reading on the beach?  ;-)

The Story of God Book - Giveaway!

We don't have cable so I have not been able to watch the Bible mini-series that is currently on the History Channel but I read online that over 68 MILLION have viewed #TheBible in 15 days making it the #1 cable series of the year!
 A STORY OF GOD AND ALL OF US is a sweeping narrative that dramatizes some of the most important events and characters in the Bible. The young reader's edition of the novel contains abridged action-packed versions of the Bible's most fascinating stories, featuring Moses, David, Daniel, John the Baptist and Jesus.

This edition includes an exclusive introduction by author Roma Downey and a photo insert including images from the companion epic TV miniseries "The Bible."

I am excited to be giving away a copy of A Story of God and All of Us Young Readers Edition.  Enter today to win!  Giveaway will be open through Easter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BYOU Magazine for Girls Review

I was given the opportunity to review BYOU "Be Your Own You" Magazine recently.  Here is what they say that they are about:
BYOU “Be Your Own You” Magazine for girls ages 8+ helps build self-esteem in fun and empowering ways with features on positive celebrity role models, stories about real girls making a difference, tips, advice, games, crafts, contests, jokes, and much more.
Founded and published by Debra Gano, who is a national self-esteem expert, best-selling author, and former professional model & actress (as well as a mom to her 10-year-old daughter!) believes ALL girls deserves to have healthy self esteem.

When I originally flipped through the magazine I was a little disappointed.  At first glance it looks a lot like any other teen girl magazine, a poster of the picture perfect cover girl, beauty and makeup tips, plenty of ads for Disney shows, etc.

But when I actually sat down and read some of the featured articles I found pieces on entrepreneurial ideas and tips, girls who are making a difference in their communities, wintertime crafts and others.  There were some really interesting and empowering articles that I thought were great additions to the magazine.

If you want to check it our for yourself here are the BYOU links:

Website: www.byoumagazine.com

Facebook.com/BYOUmagazine

Twitter @BYOUmagazine

Books to Movies for Kids

I've been an avid reader since childhood.  I love the way a good book brings characters to life and draws me in to whatever new adventure is developing.  I had many favorites growing up.  I remember loving the Babysitter's Club, Little House on the Prairie books, Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, Jane Eyre, Little Women and many more.  I had always hoped that my children would love to read as much as I do.  Even now I still enjoy some YA once in awhile (Twilight, Hunger Games, Divergent, Matched and Beautiful Creatures)... don't judge.  ;-)

For the most part Nate loves to read and I don't often have a hard time getting him to do so but he also can get sucked into tv/video games/etc.  So sometimes I need to encourage him to get back into reading.  One thing I like to do once in awhile is have him read a book that has been turned into a movie.  Sometimes I'll show Nate the trailer for the movie beforehand to get his interest perked up.  Then the reward after reading the book is a movie night. We like to discuss the differences between the book and the movie. One of the things I like about doing this is that it gets Nate to branch out from the books he typically reads and gets him to try books/genres that he might normally have overlooked.

Here are a few of our faves:

Indian in the Cupboard

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Stuart Little

Charlotte's Web

Bridge to Terabithia

Harry Potter

The Chronicles of Narnia

There really are tons more out there.  Here is a list of great kids books on the big screen.  Let me know what books/movies you and your family love!


“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

“But, how do you know if an ending is truly good for the characters unless you've traveled with them through every page?”
― Shannon Hale, Midnight in Austenland 

Guest Post by Kristin Hill Taylor

I am excited to have a guest poster on the blog today.  Her name is Kristin and we met on facebook via the No More Perfect Moms launch team group.  She was gracious to have me guest post on her blog a couple days ago and I'm happy to have her here now.  So looking forward to getting to know her and learn from one another! 


Our heater had to be replaced so everything from that closet was piled elsewhere in the basement. I had moved my 3-year-old boy to his new room, which prompted purging of one hallway closet and his old closet, rearranging his new closet which is so large it’s really still a family closet, and sorting through clothes that don’t fit my growing boy anymore. That all created separate piles to consign and give away.

There were crumbs from various past meals still lingering under the table, which had some sticky spots leftover from my boy’s fingerprints from choosing not to use his fork. Recyclables filled one side of my sink while dirty dishes awaited my attention in the other. Really, why do I put off unloading the dishwasher when it takes about seven total minutes?

Both my kids had various pairs of shoes and socks scattered like a trail through the living room. A basket of cleaned and folded clothes sat near our bedroom door and plenty of dirty clothes waited for their turn in the washing machine.

I had forgotten to thaw something for dinner. It’s nice having meals already prepared in the freezer, but, um, they don’t cook themselves. My family wanted butter for their rolls, but I had used the last of it the day before and I wasn’t going to the grocery store for one condiment.

The new-to-me minivan had a flashing light on the dashboard that was telling me a sophisticated tire pressure monitoring system needed attention. Thankfully, my tires were fully aired up. Yes, I checked, even after my husband told they were fine. And more than a week after my dentist put a crown on one of my back teeth I was having sporadic but intense pain.

While observing this and trying not to think about how I just didn’t feel great, I said to my husband, “This house will never been clean again.”

Without hesitation, he said, “That’s alright.”

Then I realized he didn’t reassure me cleanliness and organization that meet my often-too-high standards would happen. But he did reassure me that my worth as a wife and mom wasn’t found in my housekeeping habits.

The crumbs will get swept. The piles will be organized and given and stored. Our heater is fixed and those dishes have been unloaded so others could be loaded. The laundry is a never-ending cycle, but, hey, I love these people who need to be clothed.

I had thought Jill Savage wrote “No More Perfect Moms” for me. But I soon realized I’m not alone in needing to be reminded to let go. Her words have echoed what God had already been speaking into my heart.

“We can’t be perfect parents, but we can act in partnership with a perfect God. There is peace, hope, and expectancy in that statement.” {From “No More Perfect Moms” by Jill Savage}

While embracing imperfection, I’m seeing how God perfects me through the ordinary moments that don’t go like I see them with my no-good perfectionist ways. We won’t be perfect in this lifetime, but we are being refined and matured and strengthened and made into versions of ourselves that reflect the creator of the universe.

Seems like a perfect partnership to me.

 

Kristin Hill Taylor lives in Murray, Ky., with her husband, Greg, and two kids – 5-year-old Cate and 3-year-old Ben. She can often be found trying to beat her husband in Words with Friends, playing games of Settlers of Catan with her best friends, watching “Parenthood” or “Bones,” listening to her daughter’s stories, reminding her son to be careful, or texting her friends. She believes in taking road trips, living in community, and keeping her camera and iPhone close. You can keep up with her at www.kristinhilltaylor.com or follow on her Twitter.

 

No More Perfect Moms Bonuses!

Ladies... I have been told that there are some awesome bonus gifts that you will get if you order No More Perfect Moms during release week (Feb 4-9).  You can order online or in a store to qualify.  Here is a rundown of the great gifts you'll get for being one of the first to own this powerful book:

6 Sixty Minute Audio Workshops (MP3 format) from Hearts at Home

• Desperate for Wisdom - Dr. Juli Slattery
• How to Fight for Your Marriage - Dr. Juli Slattery
• It is Well with Your Soul - Jennifer Rothschild
• Multiple Intelligences - Dr. Kathy Koch
• Ten Stress Strategies Every Mom Needs - Jill Savage
• The God Who Sees You - Tammy Maltby

4 Printables from Hearts at Home

• 10 Stress Strategies Every Mom Needs
• “Love Is”—I Corinthians 13 for Parents
• Mom Rules
• How to Fight Fair In Marriage

3 Free E-book’s (including PDF, Kindle, iPad, and Nook editions!) from Moody Publishers

• Live Free by Kendra Smiley
• Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larsen
• Real Moms Real Jesus by Jill Savage

1 Contest Entry

You will be entered in a drawing to win hotel accommodations and two Hearts at Home Mom Conference registrations for you and a friend at a conference of your choice! (If unable to attend a conference, a Hearts at Home Conference To-Go will be substituted for the winner and a friend.)

I don't know about you but I am excited to get my hands on those resources!  Motherhood is a hard job and we need all the help we can get!