May 8, 2014

"Motherhood Realized" ~ A GIVEAWAY **CLOSED**


RANDOM.ORG SAYS THE WINNER OF THIS GIVEAWAY IS....

 12 Katrina said...
Moving in to a new town not knowing anyone has been really hard to me. We've been here for 8 months now but I still haven't met other moms who I can connect with you know someone who can assure me that what I am going through is normal and that other moms are experiencing this too...this book will be really helpful to boost my confidence as a young mama...

Congrats Katrina! You will be hearing from me shortly!  :)
Thank you all for participating!



~~~~~
I walk into the kitchen, tip toeing over pots and pans left out by the girls, only to crush some cheerios that had fallen to the floor. I glance over the cluttered counter tops and wrinkle my nose at the full sink.

Pushing random items aside I make a hole in the mess just to fill it up again with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches being begged for by children who apparently think they won't survive another minute without them.

The table is covered in multiple appliances and play dough from earlier that day when the kids decided to become master sculptures.

Half the play dough lay in little dried out mounds under the table.

Soon the baby starts fussing and going into the living room, I step over the pile of clothes I still need to fold and pick him up, only to jab my toes into some books left out by the kids.

I couldn't help it. I laughed out loud as I recalled how my neighbor had told me just the other day how she was constantly comparing herself to me and how my house always seemed so clean and put together.

I assured her she must have come over on the two days out of the whole year that the house is clean.

Because right now, disaster is the new clean.

There are different phases and seasons in life. I think I'm in the messy one.
~~~~~

As we go through different periods in life, it can sometimes feel as though we are the only ones struggling.

Everyone else seems so put together while we are being crushed under the weight of our responsibilities. We often put on a happy face for others and answer with an unconvincing, "I'm fine" when asked how we're doing, when inside, all we want to do it cry. We can feel as though we are failing.

It's not always like that, but for the times when it is, it's nice to know we're not alone. And maybe, just maybe, we're doing better than we think we are.


I was contacted by Power of Moms a little while ago, asking if I'd be willing to do a review on their new book.

I was actually super curious about the book because it wasn't your typical, run-of-the-mill parenting book.

This book is actually a culmination of stories, blog posts, and essays written by everyday mothers!

The book has the essays grouped into four categories:
  • Becoming Our Best Selves
  • Getting through the Hard Times
  • Shifting Our Perspectives
  • Savoring the Moments
So whatever stage you are in, whatever you feel you could use a cheering squad for, there are moms out there who have "been there, done that".

And they share their stories, thoughts, ideas, advise, and experiences in this book.



The other thing I found interesting, is that at the end of each essay there is a Question you can ask yourself, and a Challenge that you can complete in relation to that question. So if you are feeling like you can use some direction or an extra helping hand, there you go. 

I have not finished the whole book yet, but what I have read so far has been awesome! And there may be something in there that seems like it was written just for you.

GIVEAWAY

Power of Moms has also graciously offered to giveaway a digital copy of the book to one of you fabulous readers!

YAY!

I'm really excited because I think you will love this book.

TO ENTER:

Simply leave a comment here on this post with your email so you can be contacted if you win! Easy! 

Maybe your comment mentions something you are struggling with as a parent.
Perhaps it is about something you admire in someone.
Or it could be simply that you need a cheering squad right now.
It can even be that you simply love being a mom.

Giveaway will run Thursday, May 8th - Sunday, May 11th! I'll close the giveaway down that evening around 8:30pm MDT and announce the winner. What a perfect Mother's Day gift!

Good luck!

16 super cool people speak:

WoozleMom said...

Commenting. :-)

Rikki-Leigh said...

I love Power of Moms! Looks like something I should read. We've been living with my parents in my brothers old room- all 7 of us, the kids sleep on the floor- for the past 9 months and I just had my monthly melt down yesterday. I'll put it on my "to read" list either way.

Chelsea said...

Thanks for hosting this giveaway. I'm a big fan of "Power of Moms" ... it's always nice to feel like you're not the only one going through the ups/downs of mothering little ones! my email is chelchristensen@gmail.com

Megan Jones said...

I'm scared to death to bring home this little one. Babies don't come with instruction manuals - how will I know what to do? How are we going to pay the bills? How will I be able to tear myself away to return to work? How will we pay for daycare? With all these questions and more rattling around my pregnancy hormone riddled brain, one thought comes to me: she is meant to be here, at this time in our lives, for a specific purpose. But my own cheering section wouldn't hurt!! Because I know there will be times when I want to give up and throw in the towel. To read encouragement from other moms could make the difference between a moment of bawling my eyes out and staring with wonder the precious gift I've been given. ;)

Holly said...

I could always use some encouragement. Thanks for the chance!

Susan Anderson said...

Sounds like a neat book!

=)

Mama Smith said...

MEGAN...Welcome to the world of MOTHERHOOD...Your concerns...have been MOST MOTHERS' concerns...You will have so MANY very sympathetic listening ears...and understanding hearts...Our survival...and STRENGTH...comes from a routine...of bending those knees and petitioning our Heavenly Father...Study the COUNSEL given by the brethren on the raising up your children...There will always be ANSWERS to your questions and HOW to manage your home and motherhood...I PROMISE...This is how I learned HOW TO BE a mother...I did OK...but, I know I could have done alot better...yet, without PRAYER...SCRIPTURE STUDY...and LATTER-DAY counsel from General Conference (mostly) I would have done ALOT WORSE...

Katherine said...

I'm trying to do better at enjoying the moments. Right now I'm making a conscious effort to cuddle and play with my baby right after nursing instead of plopping her down with her toys and going on to other tasks.

Katie said...

I've been trying to remember how I felt as a child and apply the golden rule when dealing with my 3 year old. It gives me a better idea where she's coming from.

Stacy said...

I'm approximately 578 weeks pregnant and we just found out my husband is likely out of a job come Monday morning. So a cheering section? Yes, please.

Megan Jones said...

Oh Mama Smith! I needed to hear those words tonight, more than you'll ever know. I think you did a fabulous job mothering your kids!

Katrina said...

Moving in to a new town not knowing anyone has been really hard to me. We've been here for 8 months now but I still haven't met other moms who I can connect with you know someone who can assure me that what I am going through is normal and that other moms are experiencing this too...this book will be really helpful to boost my confidence as a young mama...

And also just wanna say you're stories always lift me up,thanks for keeping this blog

katrinaestall@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love your blog, I love books about being a mother, and I love my six little ones.

katiereng@yahoo.com

The Momma said...

I love reading about other moms! It reminds me I'm not alone in this crazy yet wonderful ride called motherhood!
kbahr19@gmail.com

Mary Lou said...

Serene....
I'm back!! Did you miss me?! ;)
"Disaster is the new clean"!! Crack. Me. Up!! ;-D
By the way? Congrats to Katrina for winning your giveaway!! ;)
Love you later, Raelyn

Mary Lou said...

PS. Guess what I just learn last Saturday?! I have a nearly five-year old nephew.... Who was born with craniosynostosis!! {I just posted about it on Beautifully Unique!!} ;)

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