Book Review

When I first became a mom, every day felt like just trying to make it through the day (who am I kidding, it's STILL like that some days). Once the kids started to get a little older and started remembering things we had done or requesting certain activities, it kind of dawned on me that having a plan would probably be a good idea! If you've been thinking, "I need to start some family traditions" or found yourself looking up baby stats that you never thought in a million years you would forget, then this book is for you!

Mary Larmoyeux is the author of "Help For Busy Moms: Purposeful Living to Simplify Life". Mary is a dear friend of ours from Little Rock, and she's one of those people that everyone deserves to know. She is sincere and loving, and her words of encouragement and creativity come through the pages easily. It feels like you're sitting down having a conversation with a caring friend whose wisdom you long for. Scripture is everywhere in this book!

I don't want to give too much away because you need to buy the book for yourself! However, some of my favorite parts are:

1. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter PLUS a chart at the back of the book. After answering the discussion questions, Mary suggests placing one thought (something you need to start doing or stop doing) from each chapter in the chart. I think this is brilliant! How handy to have a quick snapshot of the top 15 ideas that stuck out to you.

2. Memory Makers-Mary lists tons of things you can do with your children that "make memories", including making rainbow toast (my kids would love this), and then she stresses the importance of journaling. No, we're not going to remember what cute thing our child was saying at age 2 1/2. Write it down and don't worry about trying to remember. You can go back and read it when the kids are grown! Mary opens up her own journal and welcomes us into her world of thoughts. So many times I feel like I have to write a whole page, but Mary shows that just 2 sentences is all I need to remember a special moment. She lists a host of journaling ideas, so you don't have to come up with them all on your own!

3. Chapter 5: 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life-How's that for a cool list? And they're broken into time management, meals & kitchen, clothes, housework, school tips, communication tips, entertaining kids, and misc. Here's #98 to give you an example: "Once a year burn a CD with favorite family pictures and put in a the safety deposit box."

My overall feeling of this book was energy. It motivated me to start connecting with my kids and giving them memories that they can carry with them and pass down to their own children one day. You can buy the book pretty much anywhere, but here are the links to Amazon and Target!