I’ll admit it… I’ve been a fan of Sarah Mae, since she was blogging at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee. I’ve long-since admired her writing style, honesty and openness. That’s why I was so excited to read her book, Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe. Add to that, Sally Clarkston as the co-author and you get a very, very stoked Bree.

“Desperate is for those who love their children to the depths of their souls but who have also curled up under their covers, fighting back tears, and begging God for help. It’s for those who have ever wondered what happened to all their ideals for what having children would be like. For those who have ever felt like all the “experts” have clearly never had a child like theirs. For those who have prayed for a mentor. For those who ever felt lost and alone in motherhood.”

Here are my thoughts on Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe – in bullets:

• As the mom of an extremely rambunctious little boy, I can definitely relate to the feeling of desperation. However, the book was really for mamas of littles – not the 6-year-old I have.
• Even though I’m a bit farther along in my motherhood journey than the target audience for Desperate, I still found parts of the book extremely useful.
• I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone with kiddos 4-years-old and under.
• I loved that at the end of every chapter, there was a QR code you could scan and it took you to a video specific to that chapter.
• Having Sally Clarkston as the “seasoned” mama providing support to “newbie” mama Sarah Mae? Brilliant.
• While this book was excellent to read on my own, it would be wonderful for a book club. It’s so chocked full of relatable stories, that there will be tons to discuss.

In closing, Desperate was a very well-written book. I recommend it to all moms of littles.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure: affiliate links used.

To me, the goal of every Christian should be to live like Jesus. In the book, Everything, author Mary DeMuth writes about exactly what it takes to grow in Christ and become like Him.

I have to warn you, while DeMuth claims that she didn’t intend for the book to read as a condemnation or sermon – it kind of does. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t really enjoy it. I really, really did. I’ve been a fan of hers, for a while now, and I was really excited to read (and review) Everything.

Book Description

But it was just enough to bring her to a place of surrender, piece by precious piece. In that surrender, she found the freedom of giving everything to God. And through Scripture, community, and the work of the Holy Spirit, she gives it all over again, every day.

In this gentle and challenging book, DeMuth describes the process and the nuances that shape us to be more like Christ. Her words are clear, vulnerable, and thought provoking, and every chapter is infused with Scripture.

Most of all, DeMuth provides personal and practical evidence that there is no greater pursuit than Christ. We must surrender everything, but it does not compare to the Everything He is, the Everything He gives.

Here’s my review – in bullets:

• The book is very well structured. The way she broke it into three sections makes for a very easy read.
• I really like how DeMuth takes her readers from the head (what we think about God), to the heart (how we feel about God), then to the hands (how we’re going to live out truth).
• As someone who is still a “baby” in my faith, Everything was very challenging, thought-provoking and educational. I can imagine that it would make some “hardcore Christians” stop and question their faith.

In a nutshell, I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely recommend it.

I’ll leave you with this quote from DeMuth’s website, “…we must surrender everything, but it does not compare to the Everything He is, the Everything He gives.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The hubs and I are always looking for ways to:

1. Save money.
2. Live more frugally.
3. Be smart about our money in general.
4. Teach the kid to do all the above.

That’s why I was excited to have the opportunity to review The MoneySmart Family System: Teach Financial Independence to Children of Every Age by Steve and Annette Economides.

From the publisher…

The MoneySmart Family System will show you how to teach your children to manage money and have a good attitude while they’re learning to earn, budget, and spend wisely.

Learn how to:

• Get the kids out the door for school with less stress.
• End the battle over clothing—forever
• Teach your children to be grateful and generous.
• Inspire your kids to help with chores as a member of a winning team.
• Prepare your kids for their first paying job.
• Help your kids pay for their own auto insurance, and even pay cash for their own cars.
• Employ strategies for debt-free college educations.
• Truly help your adult children when they want to move back home.
• Be prepared to deal with your adult children when they ask for bailouts.

With clear steps for children of every age, The MoneySmart Family System proves that it’s never too early, too late, or too hard to start learning financial responsibility.

I learned so much from this book. Not only did each chapter break down each topic, but it gave you multiple ideas and solutions.

This book is a wonderful guide that will help you get a better handle on your family’s finances. It also teaches you how to raise children who are financially smart and responsible.

The hubs and I will definitely be putting some of these strategies in to practice!

Here’s an awesome video of the authors, Steve and Annette Economides, talking about The MoneySmart Family System.

Find out more about Steve and Annette Economides on their website, America’s Cheapest Family.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”