40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood

Coloring is all the rage and I must admit that I enjoy that stress-relieving activity!  I have toyed with Bible journaling and find it all to be quite a fun pastime.  So Sarah Humphrey's 40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood is a tool I am finding myself devouring.  The layout is so simple - a devotion for 40 days with a coloring page opposite it.  For me, it's perfect - I am not a doodler or artist so I love having it all created for me and all I need to do is add color and make it my own.  It is a fabulous idea and one that lets me be creative in my time with God.  The devotions are also great reminders to me- and sometimes challenging - which is ok too....we need that sometimes!  This will be my go-to gift for my girlfriends - it's wonderful!

I love what the publisher's website says:
40 Days to a Joyful Motherhood: Devotions and Coloring Book to Nourish Mom (Abingdon Press, August 2016)

Nourishment for a mother's soul through 40 days of devotion and . . . doodling!

Wouldn't it be marvelous if mothering came with a concrete set of instructions---an easy recipe we could follow? Instead, motherhood challenges women to find their faith, their true selves, and their family through daily doses of trial and error. It is a brilliant and healing time of life that is full of joy, pain, and beauty with a small side of crisis (and humor). What mothers do not know, they learn. And through this lifelong process of learning, they nurture and care for the most precious gifts on earth: children. In a modern society where moms often have a full and busy plate, these 10 minute daily devotions focus on six key topics of motherhood:

-Self-acceptance

-Self-care

-Reconciling with grief, hope and expectations

-Generosity

-Presence

-Forgiveness

In addition to the devotions, these beautiful pages are adorned with handmade illustrations to help you refresh from long days or even occasional sleepless nights. So, grab your colors and a little quiet time for yourself while doodling at the kitchen table. You will be grateful you did!

Visit the author's website to learn more.  OR visit the blog site to see other reviews. 
*I was sent a review copy by the publisher for an honest review on my blog.

The 10 Myths of Teen Dating

When your kids reach the dating ages, it can be scary!  I am always looking for books that can help guide me as a parent as our kids enter these years.  Daniel and Jacquelyn Anderson's book, The 10 Myths of Teen Dating: Truths Your Daughter Needs to Know to Date Smart, Avoid Disaster, and Protect Her Future is JUST THAT BOOK!

Daniel Anderson and his daughter, Jacquelyn, have co-authored a guidebook for parents as their daughters (and sons) enter the dating world.  I did add sons on there - as I think much of the information would be relevant for boys - but it is very much geared to daughters.  The book is easy to read and well laid-out.  I thought it was a fast read but also one I will go back to over and over as my daughter gets closer.  You can learn more by visiting their website.

Daniel Anderson is a former college All-American basketball player, an expert educator, and a father of two grown daughters and a son. As a veteran high school teacher in the public school system, Daniel was troubled by how his students approached dating and relationships. He and his daughter, Jacquelyn Anderson---a twenty something and also a high school teacher---decided to address this need by equipping parents with The 10 Myths of Teen Dating, their first book together. Daniel and Jacquelyn both make their home in Portland, Oregon.

*I was sent a copy of this book for an honest review on my blog.  You can read other blogger's reviews HERE.