Getting Excited Again!

So, today I went through my handwritten notes I wrote when I was talking on the phone to Michelle. And I typed them. Yes, perfectionist at work! Actually, I typed them so I could remember everything she said. My writing was so "hodge-podge," and I needed to organize it. So, I did. I became excited again as I read through what she told me! The possibility my book could be on bookshelves sometime this year really just makes me want to cry. I have wanted this for so long, but there have been times I have been discouraged and quit dreaming. Fortunately, I think I'm back to dreaming again, but knowing these dreams really could come true. And after being on the book-launch for Jill Savage's "No More Perfect Moms," and sharing my dreams with the launch team, Jill said she'd be happy to give me some counsel, too. What a blessing that is! So, I would certainly say it's been a good week here for me. I know that not all weeks will be like this, but for now, I'm basking in the excitement and encouragement I've received. It's been good for my soul, for sure.

"No More Perfect Moms" Book Review

I finished the book! As with any ending, it was sad and exhilarating at the same time. I would certainly recommend buying this book when you can. If you purchase from February 4th - 9th, there will be a great promotion going on!

I have placed my review for the book on three sites, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Christian Book. Here it is:


"As a mom of five boys, I’m always looking for resources on raising kids. I love to read, and I have all kinds of books on kids and marriage. Even though they are wonderful, what I really need is something to help me, personally, as a woman.

Jill Savage’s new book, “No More Perfect Moms – Learning to Love Your Real Life” is just the “medicine” for mothers who feel that they “have to be” perfect and might be discouraged when they aren’t. Jill is a mother, herself, so she has experience, and that even makes the ideas in this book more authentic and beneficial to the reader. She encourages the reader to step away from trying to be perfect, and step towards being real. She addresses many subjects where we tend to expect perfectionism; our bodies, marriages, kids, homes, homemaking, and everyday life.

This is an awesome book! It reminded me that, in expecting perfection from myself, I also expected it from other people (my family included), and that places expectations on others they just cannot live up to. Savage ties it all together with a chapter about our perfect God, and a great appendix on “Where to Find Help When Feeling…”

I would certainly recommend this book to any and every woman. I think it’s great to read alone, and it would also be excellent as part of a book club, or Bible study group. It’s helped me look at things differently, and has been very inspiring and positive."

Being on the launch team, I was given an autographed copy of the book, and it's so awesome that Jill took the time to sign them all, to personalize them for each of us. Even though I read the book online, I still plan on sitting down with the hard copy in my hands and reading it again.  

Jill Savage is the real deal! I would encourage you to go over to her website at: http://www.hearts-at-home.org. You will find encouragement!

I'm Not Perfect

If you haven't seen my previous posts, I have been blessed to be a part the launch team for Jill Savage's new book, "No More Perfect Moms."

In reading the book, and being on the launch team, something unexpected has happened: I'm finding I'm not alone in my mom-wife-journey. And that has been so wonderful. I have met some of the neatest women I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. We are on this journey together, and that is really very comforting, even if we only "know" each other by blogging and facebook.

When I was married to my first husband, who was violent and abused me, I learned to put on a happy face. I didn't disclose to anyone what was really going on behind closed doors. I am sure that my friends and family knew violence was happening, but I never talked about it. I did, however, try to act like everything was fine... all the time. Even through the tears, bruises, bodily and emotional harm... and crushed spirit. I said and tried to act like all was still fine, and everything was going great!

I learned that when I started facing the truth, my life began to unravel. I didn't understand that it had to unravel in order for God to repair the damage that had been done for so long.

Even after getting married again to a great guy, and turning back to Jesus, I took all of my baggage into that relationship. Jim hauled some in, too, and we were a mess. For our first 2-1/2 years of being together, our friends didn't know if we were together, or split up each time we saw them. I couldn't figure out why we just couldn't make it work.

It was because I had unrealistic expectations. And so did he.

We've come a long way in almost 22 years. But we still succumb to unrealistic expectations.

You see, one of my struggles is placing unrealistic expectations on myself. In doing so, I also place those expectations on other people, too, especially to those who are closest to me. When they don't live up to them, I am sorely disappointed and wonder if it's something I have done, didn't do, should have done, etc. Being a mom, it's probably natural to expect that I am responsible for everything my kids do, or don't do. But I'm finding, albeit gradually, that my kids have wills of their own. They might decide to make mistakes that I wish they wouldn't. As much as we can "control" them when they are young, as they get older, they may not do things the way we wish they would.

Ouch.

I made so many mistakes in my young adult life, and I have prayed all these years that my boys would listen to me, heed my warnings, and not feel that they have to make the same mistakes. I have found that isn't the way things are in the "real" world. I was hardheaded and made some stupid decisions, so why would I expect they wouldn't be the same?

I am the first to admit I have a long way to go. And I'm grateful for my family who quickly forgives when I'm not perfect. I just need to work on forgiving myself, too.

A New Endeavor - "No More Perfect Moms" by Jill Savage

So, I have been subscribing to Jill Savage's blog, www.hearts-at-home.org. I knew she was writing a new book called "No More Perfect Moms," and I was totally interested in it. You see, I sometimes lean towards being a perfectionist. Fortunately, I married a man who is the opposite, and over our almost 22 years together, I have become more like him, as he has become more like me. But where being a mother is concerned, it's tough.

If we are honest, all of us mothers wish we were perfect. We wish we had a hot dinner on the table every night, all of the laundry was totally done all the time, our house smelled like chocolate chip cookies everyday, and there were no fights... or yelling. But that isn't reality!

Back to my story... After writing a response to one of Jill's blog posts, she asked if they could use it for the website, and I was very honored. Then, I found out they were choosing a launch team for the book, "No More Perfect Moms," and I really wanted to do it. I filled out the application, and I was chosen! Talk about a blessing!

Those of us on the launch team have the opportunity to read it now, and let me tell you, it's fantastic. It has made me look at myself in a different way so far, and I'm only half-way finished with it!

If you find yourself trying to be perfect, wishing you were perfect, or trying to make things perfect, I would suggest reading this book when it comes out in bookstores. You can find out lots of information on Jill's website, again, www.hearts-at-home.org. There you can sign up for the e-newsletter, find out about the No More Perfect Moms 2013 National Conference, and get great encouragement for your life.

I'll be writing about my experience with reading this book, so stay tuned!