I recently had the great blessing of winning a book that I really, really wanted to read. You see, the book was written by someone I "know" (by knowing I mean: I read her blog every day and comment lots in the hopes that she'll like me *smile) and based on my "knowing" her I was certain her book would be chalk full of wisdom and handy tips for mothering.Mary Ostyn of Owlhaven has recently released her new book, "A Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family." And fyi - you sure don't need to have a large family to benefit by reading her book. It is g-o-o-d!
Here's the review I submitted to amazon.com:
Mary has written the guide of a lifetime! If you (like me) are struggling in any area of family life - from chores to discipline, from organizing to laundry - "A Sane Woman's Guide..." will have something for you.
Mary's no-nonsense, concise approach to offering up all the tips and tidbits from her years of experience managing a family of 12 is a quick and easy read. But do NOT mistake it to be your typical quick and easy read; this book is chalk full of information!
I set this book down encouraged that it really is possible to raise my family of seven (five little monkeys) AND keep my house organized and tidy AND not break the bank doing it all. If you are considering purchasing this book, let me tell you this - it will be worth every penny!
If you would like your very own, brand new (read: you're not getting my copy, I'm keeping it!), hot off the presses copy of Mary's book, leave me a comment! Not just any comment, though - tell me what you really hope to get for Mother's Day.
On a side note, I would be remiss if I didn't mention my best advice for getting the gift you want from your spouse for any occasion. So don't forget to stop by tomorrow; my WFMW post is all about getting the gift you really want.
You don't need to be a blogger to enter, just make sure you leave me an email address so I can let you know if you've won.
Here, I'll go first. What I really want for Mother's Day is the gift of total relaxation - 90 minute full body hot stone massage. Mmmmmmm...
* The fine print... No purchase necessary. You must leave a comment in order to be entered. If you would like to post about this giveaway, linking BOTH to this post right here AND to Mary's book (or her blog), your name will be entered FIVE times (plus another entry for your comment). Entries will close at noon (MST) on Friday, May 8th. Winner will be announced on Saturday, May 9th at 9am (MST). International entries will be accepted.
Hmmm...what do I want for mother's day? Haha! I am not that picky and I don't want more "stuff" but to wake up missing those pesky 20 pounds would be great! That, or plants. I would really enjoy a blueberry bush and a row of strawberries!
ReplyDeleteTyler I just posted about this exact thing....what I want for Mother's Day! I found another ladies blog and she wrote my sentiments exactly!!! I would tell you my answer, but she does it so much better. Check out my latest post!
ReplyDeleteAm I allowed to wish for selfish and unlikely things for Mother's Day? Because I'd really like my husband to be healed, just for one day, so that he could get out of bed and take the children somewhere so I could sleep in.
ReplyDeleteFor Mother's Day, I have asked for a day free from the kitchen. No meal planning, no cooking, no serving, no clean-up...just eating whatever my sweet dh and dc come up with!
ReplyDeleteI think what I would tell my family if they asked about what I want for Mother's day is either dirt or peace. The dirt would go out into my flower beds and extend to a place for a small vegetable garden, but the peace is even more coveted. I have three children who have recently gotten to a stage of being irritated by the others taking in breaths of air each day, so I long for the peace and quiet that comes from children getting along with one another, loving each other as Christ commanded.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've set this up, and I hope whoever wins the book will be blessed.
Hmmm... for Mother's Day I'd like a date night with my husband....
ReplyDeleteWhat I would really like is for my house to sell! But since that's not something my family can magically make happen, I'd settle for a hot bath and time to myself to read!
ReplyDeletei hope to get a kiss from my very, very pregnant wife when i give her a coupon for a foot massage while i take our 3 year old to the park for the day. :)
ReplyDeletewhooops, skinnyboybbq@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteDH just asked me and I said "I don't know, maybe a pregnancy massage?" Honestly, I have a hard time coming up with stuff for me!
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I can't say I would really be disappointed if my husband or children just gave me sweet cards. But, I would also really like for someone to make me breakfast!
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely love having a day to myself to just relax, pray and read my bible without interruption. But since that is unlikely with 3 kids running around, I would love to go to the waterslides at Collicutt with the whole family and have a day of fun (without kids fighting with each other). Afterall, God and my three kids have given me the wonderful title of mother, would it not be selfish to celebrate my day without them.
ReplyDeleteFor mother's day I am hoping to get a new purse...the handles on mine are cracking and fraying all at the same time. I think the outlook is good, because hubby asked to take some money out of the bank, went to the nearest town with multiple stores, and fessed up that he had to go to 4 stores to find something he liked for me. I'm hoping that means purse! I'd love to read this book, too...but since I dropped the purse hint on hubby I figured I shouldn't confuse him with more options!
ReplyDeleteI would love to have every speck of laundry done for Sunday morning. That is a tall order, because our washing machine died last week and we can't have a working washing machine until next week. This wish will involve two weeks worth of laundry done at the laundromat. But, I would really like to have our home looking nice and not have to see baskets and baskets of dirty clothes calling out to me to catch them up.
ReplyDeletemy husband graduates from grad school this weekend -- what i'd REALLY like is a job for him, but that's probably asking a little much this week. i'd settle for some quality time with our families, who will all be here for the festivities.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I have to say I laughed when I read your post about "knowing" Mary. You at least leave a comment, you have a blog where she can read about your life. I'm just a stalker!! My family just shakes their heads sadly when I say "Mary, this" or "Mary's family that"
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think what I want most in the world for Mother's Day is what my 12 year old special needs son so eloquently put "mommy, for mother's day I'm going to get you 2 ethiopian kids" So, I wait prayerfully and not-so-patiently!
Happy Mother's Day!
Oh, and my email is: yesfive@verizon.net
For Mothers Day, I would like a baby girl :) Well, not born yet..born on or around October 21. It brings tears to my eyes even at the thought.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I hope you get your hot stone massage...you deserve it girl!!
I am hoping for rose bushes and red bougainvillea PLUS a gorgeous bouquet and a new pair of earrings. Lest you think I'm terribly greedy, where we live none of these things are very expensive.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a copy of this book for Mother's Day... actually, we don't celebrate Mother's Day but the best present I've received was coming home to a clean house, well behaved children and dinner cooking :-)
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a few hours completely to myself. And then a date with my husband. It won't happen because we don't know anyone where we live that could babysit. But it's a nice thought. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go for a hike as a family this weekend.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... what I'd really like for Mother's Day? I would like a new, modest swimsuit OR some medicinal herbs.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting this book, so I guess that would be good too. ;-)
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, not sure what I want for mother's day, maybe just lots of outdoors time with non-whining kids.
Simple eh? ^^
Karen
I would love some alone time, or a chance to organize some areas of the house without the little ones.
ReplyDeleteFor Mother's Day, I would love a grill - my hubby likes to cookout and I wouldn't have to decide what is for dinner. :-)
ReplyDeleteI would also REALLY like my house to sell... if I can't have that then a yellow jade ring with a sunflower stamped on it that I saw in a catalog...or Mary's book ;)
ReplyDeleteFor Mother's Day, I just want my husband to not work and enjoy my son and myself.
ReplyDeletedmformanatcomcastdotnet
I would love to get either a gift certificate to a spa for a massage or a gift certificate to a local maid service for a one-time cleaning!!
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that for the four years i have been a mother, this will be the FIRST one my husband will NOT have to work! That will be a delightful gift that would go nicely with a full nights sleep and a few extra hours in the morning, not interrupted!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, I saw your blog name on Lysa's blog today and it caught my eye. Then I visited your blog and saw your other verse from Ephesians, and I knew your heart beat for the same things as mine does!
ReplyDeleteI taught a Bible study this past year for young women, most young mothers, here in Charlotte, and our foundational verse was from Titus 3.
I am thankful to have found your blog and will visit often!
Blessings to you,
Wendy
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to get a manicure and/or a massage for mother's day.
ReplyDeleteFor Mother's Day I would just love for my family to work together to get our new Square Foot Garden planted!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I'd like a time warp to accomplish all the things I've left for another day, a camera like Mary's and a Zojirushi bread machine. Two pounder please. And Marys book would be great!
ReplyDeleteFor Mother's Day this year I would love for my kids to actually go to sleep when I put them to bed.
ReplyDeletePlease, God, please.
I just checked Mary's book out from the library today, but would LOVE my own copy!
I have to think about MYSELF?! Okay...for Mother's Day I would like some supplies to add to our grocery stockpile. I would really like it if they did not have to come out of my grocery/household/homeschool budget, so I could spend a bit extra on piano books. I've been wanting a duet book to play with my children. OH, and I would love one of my hubby's AMAZING cheesecakes and homemade pizza. Yum! Oh, and a concert--I would really like him to sing and play for all of us. He's an amazing musician. And who doesn't love those sweet homemade cards!!! Okay, enough about ME! Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have a whole day, all to myself, to clean and organize and declutter the house! It would actually take more than a day to accomplish all I want to, but it would be a GOOD start! To have enough energy to clean would be nice, too...
ReplyDeleteI wish I could spend Mother's Day with my own mother. But since that is impossible, I want a day off from kitchen duty!
ReplyDeleteI want to soak in the excitement of my 5 kids as they give me the things they have been planning. I want to see their lit up eyes and smiles as they bring me tea in the morning. I want to stand in church and hold their warm little hands. And...finally I want to eat the yummy cupcakes they have promised me.
ReplyDeleteBecky
What I want for Mother's Day. Hmmm...a chore-less day? A day where hubby and the kids are home? (and not because they are sick, either. Been there, done that!) Either of these is fine with me!
ReplyDeleteFor Mother's Day I would like for my mother to be healed (she has just been diagnosed with terminal cancer). Watching my mom waste away in front of my eyes is a horrible thing & watching her watch all of the grandchildren play(4 are my children,6 are my siblings)with a such a longing almost breaks my heart. This is sooo hard.
ReplyDeleteI would love not having to cook, some time with a good book, and cuddling with my girls!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh... it occurred to me at 3:49 this morning.... I would love to sleep through the night - just once! haha! This princess is getting tattered!!
ReplyDeleteHeather P
I would REALLY love uninterrupted sleep. How about a day without kids bickering at each other or whining? Seems my 9yo annoys my 13yo and my 3yo all of a sudden thinks whining is ok.
ReplyDeleteUmmm, I really would just like my husband to remember mother's day, and to understand that celebrations like that are important to me. Even if he doesn't though, I'm going to enjoy the time with my own mother, who will be just arrived from overseas.
ReplyDeleteI just want a few bars of yummy home made soap.....and a few hours to play in the dirt, er.....my garden!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway...and I hope you get your massage!
xox
*~Michelle~*
For Mother's Day I would like to only be pregnant for a couple more weeks with these two little girls I'm carrying. Just long enough for them to have good lungs...I really need to set them down for a moment!
ReplyDeleteanother day to spend with my mom thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletefor mother's day,
ReplyDeletei would love a
day with my family.
nothing special, just
lots of hugs and love!
happy mother's day!
<3,
karri
I hope to have a day to relax on Mother's Day. A day to sleep in and kick back.
ReplyDeleteKimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com
I already recieved my Mother's Day gift - flowers for my garden. I showed my husband an ad for the flowers I wanted and when I came home from work that day I had them. My son is too young to actually get the flowers so I was proud of my husband for following through.
ReplyDeleteI am really hoping for a mothers ring for Mother's Day this year. My husband and I usually dont exchange gifts for any holidays. This year though I am hoping for my ring for a specific reason. I just gave birth to our last child 8weeks ago. I also have a 5 year old daughter and a son who would have just turned 19 this year. He passed away at the age of 16 in 2006. Since I know that I am done having children, I would really love to have my Mothers ring.
ReplyDeleteOkay here it goes...I would love to have my mother be present for my youngest son's baptism which happens to be on Mother's Day -- see my mom lives about 6 hours from me and she is not in the best of health so it is hard for her to travel. I can't think of one thing I would rather have more :)
ReplyDeleteI think I gifted myself when I scheduled my son's baptism on Mother's Day!
We always spend mother's day at my mom's celebrating with a gathering of family. It has been that way for nearly 10 years now. So, mother's day is special that way, but it doesn't leave a lot of room for it to just be about my motherhood with my babies...
ReplyDeleteI am not sure that it matters, it was just something that I was realizing today.
would love a chance to win, sounds like a book I NEED, I found you through WFMW andlook forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteourfamily@frontiernet.net
I want stepping stone forms so that I can make stepping stones for the garden with my kids. I have given up hinting and just told my husband outright. I thank you for the chance to win this book that is already on my to read list.
ReplyDeletegrillem at hotmail dot com
I was hoping for a certain necklace and my husband surprised me with it early :) I'm hoping for a good cup of coffee, a nice day at church, dinner out and a nice, long nap.
ReplyDeleteI would love to sleep late and have a nice day with my kids.
ReplyDeleteI would love to receive a phone call from my oldest son letting me know that he is giving his wife a relaxing time by taking care of their children for the day; my daughter to make me a card with her gifted calligraphy skill of a poem; my young son to prepare "breakfast in bed" with my hubby (they do this every year and I love it); to cuddle with my baby - all day. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing the give-a-way. It is exactly the book I would love to have.
Have a blessed day!
this looks great- I have a secret- I am getting what I want for MD but cannot tell you what it is...and it won't behere till the end of the month but I am getting something awesome.. other than that lots of hugs
ReplyDeleteI think truly I'd be thrilled with the garden getting tilled, the chicken coop door repaired, the shower drain cleared, or maybe a few other things on my rapidly-growing to-do list (that I can't do with my rapidly-growing belly!)!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this chance!