Hello to all you patient and generous Femina readers! I am assuming that you are all bustling around with flour on your nose and struggling to find room in the fridge for one more thing, knocking the extra boxes of butter out on your toes as you do so. Good for you! I am about to start that part of Thanksgiving myself, but before then I just wanted to pop in and say, “Guess what is being released on Black Friday?!” A book – by me!
I don’t think I need to tell you that I don’t always have things together. This book, lest you be fooled by the Martha Stewart cover, does not pretend I do. This book is not about a hoax, that life with kids is the smoothest thing since boxed pudding. I don’t do that well. It is about loving the little years: loving the mess, loving the fussy days, mortifying the flesh through blanket forts. Love, not in an ethereal emotional way, but in a very real, sacrificial, and laughing way.
The day after Thanksgiving my book will be released (coincidentally on my 30th birthday), and then two days after that, the twins turn three! So, how are we celebrating all this excitement? What can we possibly be doing to prepare? Well, we are doing what we always do: getting behind on the laundry!
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My sweet hubby stopped by Canon yesterday afternoon and bought me a copy. And I have to say I LOVED it! My only complaint it that I couldn’t put it down once I started. I finished it in one setting, and yes, I did stay up until 11:00 p.m. to do so:o)!
I was so very encouraged and convicted, thank you!
It arrived day before yesterday, I finished by bedtime and have already ordered 7 more! Just what moms “in the trenches” need – something completely down-to-earth and to the point that can be snatched in little bits between craziness. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this and share your great advice. It’s a wonderful accomplishment.
Many congratulations and happy thoughts to you, Rachel!
Such a wonderful heritage you are paving for your sweet family – books, forts, happy memories, hard work, and lots of clean (eventually) laundry!
I am rejoicing with you in the beautiful way the Lord is blessing you, and blessing others through you!
I have already read it too! Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Rachel!
Thanks for your book Rachel – my copy arrived today. My boys are nearly-14 and nearly-12 but your wisdom is exactly what I need to hear! Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!
I absolutely love this book. It was just what you described and just what I needed! Sometimes it is not another formula for parenting that you need. Sometimes you need a book just like this. Thanks Rachel!
I am so glad to see someone else’s laundry room looking so disheveled!
I already read it too!!! I’m on my second time through and it’s so good. Convicting, encouraging…standard Wilson fare, no? I was incredibly benefitted by the part on disciplining one kid for the accumulated chaos of lots of kids. Ow. Thank you!!!!
I can’t wait to read the book. Happy 30th birthday to you and happy 3rd birthday to the twins.
Happy Birthday to you and the kiddos! My copy came a few days ago and, though I haven’t had time to finish it yet, it has already been very edifying and encouraging. Thanks for the wise insight and the funny stories that are helping me to remember how much I dearly love these little years. 🙂
Happy Birthday all around. I just recieved the copy I bought for Christmas for a dear friend. They will be bringing the newest editions, a 1 yr old and a 6 month yr old, home from overseas in January. I will definately print this post off and slip it inside. Thank you.
Happy Birthday, and thanks for such a great book! You really helped me put things in perspective and I loved all the imagery you use with your kids. I also appreciated the chapter on “heavy branches”–you encouraged me to go ahead and do the crazy things, like start a Shakespeare Reading Challenge (shakespearereadingchallenge.blogspot.com) and some fun knitting projects as well.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
I wish my laundry came with that sweet little face!
may you have a most blessed and joyful birthday! congratulations!
You know I loved it Rach! Way to go and Happy(early)Birthday
I’m enjoying my copy too. Reading and rereading, getting more each time. Hope you have a lovely birthday and a great time celebrating the twins 3rd.
I am looking forward to reading your book, too. I always love to read your posts. Your joy in your family is so clear in your writing, and it’s a great encouragement!
I already received mine and have finished it. It was a great read and I plan to read it again before putting it on the shelf!
Thank you for the practical advice. It has already been so helpful.
I was bragging on Canon the other day for having shipped my order just an hour and forty minutes after I placed it. Now I’ve managed to read the book before I’ve even received it.
I arrived at my friends’ house at about 3:30 yesterday. We were going to his sister’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. I saw Rachel’s book on an end table and snagged it to look at in the car. I settled into the back seat, flipped through the book, and paused somewhat randomly at the chapter called “Cranksters and Thanksters.” As I started reading the first paragraph, which happened to be on the topic of fussing in the car, the 8- and 10-year-olds clambered in next to me and commenced with, “You always sit in the middle!” I laughed and read a page or two of the chapter to them till they started laughing, too.
Thanks, Rachel, for this delightful little volume. And happy birthday!
When is it released in the UK? From the comments this book looks like just what I need, but can’t find it on amazon.co.uk I could get it on my husbands kindle, but I still like to hold paper!
Really looking forward to reading this through! I previewed some of it, somewhere around these here interwebs. Hooray for it’s release! And happy birthday and Thanksgiving!
Rachel! Can’t wait to read it, hoping the hubby might pick up on the (not so subtle) Christmas hint I threw his way. In similar shoes as you now with 5 kids, ages 6 and under. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you (I think we both only had 1 then), when we last visited Moscow with the “bellevue” group. Anyway, blessings on your family, and can’t wait to read some of the fruit of your hands!
Katy –
the publisher will ship it internationally, so you can get it here.
http://www.canonpress.org/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=431&idcategory=.
Sarah-
you made me laugh! If only that was my laundry room instead of my dining room table!
I love this book and will be giving it as a gift to “moms of many” after the births of their next babies. The part about your husband walking the “dream baby” had me laughing OUT LOUD. That is so hilarious!
Rachel, I’ve been slowly devouring your book (although like many others, I could have easily read it in one sitting!) and confess last night I was supposed to go to bed early since I caught a cold, but stayed up later to finish a chapter.
When I got to the part about the twins and Luke sleepwalking I was laughing so hard the tears were pouring down my face, and my husband had to come in to check on me because he thought I was asleep and was having a nightmare. Once I read him the story, he was laughing hard, too.
So thanks for the wit and wisdom and sharing your battles in the trenches with us who are gearing up for those trenches!
Happy birthday to you.. I just turned 30 in October and my daughter turned 3 two days later too. The book looks wonderful.
Aaaaaahhhh! I was discouraged last night after many a bedtime difficulty with my four little boys. Your book had been on my nightstand, so following all the chaos, I picked it up & read the whole thing in one sitting!!!! Your book pushed the “reset” button on my heart and perspective. The Lord used it to bring refreshment, conviction, & encouragement. These gifts came to me, in Gods kind providence just when I needed them! My pastor husband was out late, but instead of being overwhelmed 😉 when he finally arrived home, I was blessed & thankful. We are long time readers & recommenders of your parents’ writings & now have been blessed by your writing as well! THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finished it this morning! It’s a great book! Thank you for taking the time to write it and to share with us so much and with such humor and grace! God bless! 🙂
I received your book for Christmas and had it read in short order–loved it! I was particularly convicted by the bit on cooking with the kiddos. We made Gingerbread cookies yesterday as a result, and the kiddos’ joy was definitely worth the mess. Thank you!