And the winner is: #113 – Morgan at The Beck House.
Congrats, girl!
Email me with your address and I’ll send it your way!
I have been meaning to share a book with y’all for several weeks now, but I just keep forgetting to get around to it. And since today has already shown itself to be a particularly difficult parenting day, I was reminded about ”
Loving the Little Years
Do you remember last month when I shared the story of Oliver using the word “hate” when we were at my sister’s house one evening? (It’s a pretty entertaining read if you haven’t read it.) She whispered some wise advice in my ear as we left her house that night and on the car ride home I explained to Oliver what she said – words are tools and some of them are like big kitchen knives – you have to be big enough to use them.
A couple of days after I shared that story here, I was at my sister’s house again (so fun to live so nearby!). She told me that she’d actually read that analogy (and many other great mothering insights) in a book called “Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches” by Rachel Jankovic and that she’d like to offer her spare copy to me to give away to one of my readers.
Aren’t big sisters friendly?
Now, since my quiet time is quickly getting away from me, I won’t linger much longer. I just wanted to share this great book with you (it’s only $9.60 on Amazon right now – $6.00 for the Kindle version) and give one away as well.
If you’d like to enter to win the copy from my sister, just leave a comment (any comment) in the comments section. I’ll pick a winner tonight after my run.
Love to you all on this lovely Thursday morning! And encouraging you all to love these little years, however frustrating and exhausting they may be. (*ahem* preaching to myself right now…)
Remember: the days are long, but the years are short.
Blessings, friends.
>probs will buy it anyway. taking a stab at a freebie first. (with a knife that is lie the word "hate?")
>ohhh i NEED this!!
>I came over to leave a comment, in general but cool you are having a book giveaway!
anyway I love the way your sister view on the word hate. that really is a great way of saying it, we tell my daughter all the time that some words are for adults but that seems like a better way to put it. We dont hide words in our house because we want her to understand some are just not for her and that is great!
>I'm with keight- I've heard about it from 3 people in the last week now, so I definitely want to read it. But free is always my favorite price! Thanks for offering it up.
>"…the days are long, but the years are short."
Such a timely reminder on a difficult day!
Maybe I'll win this copy…if not…will certainly snag a Kindle copy. Seems some good advice comes from within! :)
>thank you for this offer today. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and need to remember this when my girls exhaust me tonight.
>After this morning, I think I need it too :)
>Sounds like a great read! Sisters are a blessing, thanks to yours for the giveaway! :)
>I borrowed in from the library – read it cover to cover – then had to return it :( If I don't win, I think I'll buy my own!
>Sounds like a very helpful book, thanks for the chance to win it!
>Sounds like a great read, wish I had a big sis!
>Sounds like a great book that I need to keep with me at all times with a 14 year old and a 1 year old!!!
~Brandy Grisham~
Grishamfam@yahoo.com
>Would love this as my 13 month old tests me more and more!
>This book would be great for my SIL who is currently expecting #3 (all 3 and under).
>I would love this!
>I would love to read this book, sounds great!
Denise
>Sounds like a book I need to read!! Thanks for the chance!
>We have been living, as a friend put it, from "consequence to consequence" lately. So any help/reminders/pointers from another mom in lovely book format would be welcome. :) Thanks to Rebecca!
>Seems like this would be a great reminder for ALL parents!
>sounds like a book i could use with 3 under 3! although i have never won anything on anyones blog i figured i would at least attempt before buying it. thanks to your sister for sharing her insight with us
>Definitely sounds like a great read and a book I need to invest some time in. Will probably snag it from Amazon if not from this giveaway. Love your blog!
>Hoping for a free book to be in my future, although I'm sure I'll buy it anyways. Your sister's advice about words was really great and I know it will be something we start talking about around our house.
>I'm a new mom and would love to read this book. If I don't win, I definitely plan on buying it! Thanks for sharing :)
>This is the second time I have heard this book recommended. I would love to read it!
>I MUST read this book. With a 2.5 year old and a baby coming in 3 months, I know I'll NEED this advice. Thanks for the recommendation, if I don't win, I'm buying it immediately.
>Sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing!
>i'll see if the library has it – sounds good.
>I definitely need this book!
>Thanks for the suggestion, I'm in need of a book to read at the pool this summer. Your last statement reminded me of what I posted on FB recently, that my little ones take forever to do things, so I'm counting the minutes as the years pass me by. A reminder to stay in the moment is always helpful.
>I'm going to need this soon enough!
>Oh, I think I need this. I fear both my boys are fighting either a summer cold or are teething, and I have had a few moments today when all I could do is pray, "Help me, Father."
>This book certainly looks intriguing! Thanks for sharing about it.
>This looks like a great book! :)
>I would love to read this book! I'm a nanny to 3, 5 and under, and even being an "unofficial" mommy is certainly un-glamorous…
>Sounds like a good one!
>This sounds like a great book! Besides parenting my own child, I am a teacher and I'm sure there's a good bit of useful information in there!
>Could definitely use this book! Raising a 2.5 year old little girl has its challenges!
>Sounds good!! Can't wait to read it if I win it!
>Sheesh. It must be the day; my little one screamed through his nap this morning! Thanks for the perspective and tell your sister thanks for the gift.
>I have a VERY verbal almost-3-year-old and we're already in the throes of "words you can't use". Your story really helped! Can't wait to see what else the book has to suggest! :)
>I would love to read that book!
>As the Mama of a 3 year old and 9 month old, I would love to have a copy of this book!
>sounds like a book I could use :)
>I would love this.
>Oh my….my son is only 5 months old and already "finding his voice" (aka–screaming at the top of his lungs with an angry face but no tears which lets me know it's just a tantrum).
I love reading your posts about your babies and have already leared a few things :)
>Always looking for helpful parenting books.
>Would love a copy, motthering is the hardest thing i have EVER done!
>i'm sure i could use this, with a little one on the way in aug:)
>Can't wait to read this! It's just what the doctor ordered after a long week. Thanks for sharing.
>I totally need to read this book. My sixteen month old has started the trying to stick her finger down her throat when she is mad phase. Which is the craziest thing I have ever seen and makes me feel like the worst parent ever.
>My church recommended this book. I'd love to read it!!
>Sounds like a great book and I could use that with my 18 month old!!! Love "the days are long but the years are short", SO very true!!!
>Would LOVE this!!
>i am doing my blog check today – i think your recommendation on this book is very timely for me right now as this morning as i was in tears while nursing my 4 week old after being up last night every 2 hours (sleep deprivation causes me tears :) and desperately praying for patience and more patience and guidance to help me help my 3.5 year old understand the new transition of "big brother" and how challenging it is to be patient…
>Yay!!! Would love this book!
>This sounds like a book I definitely need to read! I have a 3-yr-old and a 10-month-old, and times can definitely be frustrating, but overall they are WONDERFUL :)
>i would love to read this book! the little years are such a challenge for both the kids and mommies!!! what a gift!!! but i do love that i can stay home with my two young boys!!
>The book sounds interesting. I'd love to read it. I'm currently reading "A Three Dog Life" by Abigail Thomas (it's good too!)
>Sounds good. Would love to read it.
Donna
>Sounds like a great book!!
>I was wondering what your sister told you when I read that post. I would LOVE this book! Thanks for sharing. :)
>I so could use this book right now – it's hard to feel the love when your youngest is in the "dumping" stage. I keep wondering if I'll miss the many-times-spilled water, the vacuum being pushed down the stairs, the books/CDs/Legos/crayons etc. being emptied out. I know I'll miss being able to snuggle a little body that fits in my arms and language that is quickly turning into discernible English. But the dumping? I'm not so sure. :)
>Jealous of your run! I am fighting with a stress fracture. Lots of swimming and biking for me! First Triathlon on Saturday.
>With 4 kids 5 and under, I NEED this book! =)
>that sounds like an interesting read!
>That sounds wonderful! I only have one little…an almost 2yo boy. We are quickly approaching the time when discipline is so important and yet so difficult to navigate!
>I so need this book today! Thanks for the great giveaway!
>I've already put this one on next year's reading list :) And by the way, my blog is http://www.longdaysshortyears.wordpress.com
:)
>sounds like a great book. I have a 13 month old who I know one day will turn around and no longer be my tiny little princess. I also wish I had a sister. They sound great.
>I am in the trenches and would love a life preserver… thanks for the post..
>This has been on my Amazon wish list for a while, I would love to win–thanks for the chance!
>Oh would love to win this! I'm a new mommy to an almost one year old baby boy and have had my year rocked, both good and bad this year! Thankfully God keeps whispering in my ear "such is a season as this, you will make it through." Amen! :)
>Definitely jumping on Amazon to grab it if I don't win… Oh my I need this book!
>As the stay at home mother of 2, one 8 and one 2, I find myself knee deep in the trenches. I find the day to day stress to be overwhelming at times. I think this would be a great read!
Thanks for the chance to win!
>This sounds amazing! I sorta wish I had a kindle!
>This would be a very timely read for me right now.
>yes please! we dove head first into the little years and miss 4 1/2 of them with our son! I would love to soak up as much goodness from what we have left as possible!
>This sounds like a book I could use right about now. Thanks for the opportunity!
>Thank your sister for me and if I may suggest another great book that is new: Give Them Grace by Ellyse Fitzpatrick
Carol from cschneider12@comcast.net
>would absolutely love this. I'd give it to my sister. We were just having a conversation this afternoon about how difficult parenting is. She has a 21 month old little boy who is wearing her out. She feels exasperated and quite frankly discouraged. I was trying to encourage her and remind her that the Lord is abundantly gracious and merciful to us even in our mess ups. Please pick me.
hannah dot skeeters at gmail dot com
>I would love this!! Just found out I'm pregnant so I need all the help books possible.
>I think I will need this to help me raise my twin boys expected to arrive this September!!!
>Sounds like something I could use on those days when I am watching the clock for my husband to get home :)
>Would love to have this!
>I could definitely use this right now. I'm a stay-at-home mom to my very loving and bright 3yo princess that seems to believe she's now grown and can do EV-ERY-THING! :) I adore her and it's been a struggle lately to explain to her some "simple" things like that she can't use some words but others can and what exactly constitutes as an emergency or shrieking help. haha. Good times! :) I think if I don't win I should still buy a copy!
Brandi – BHuckabee0821 @ yahoo dot com
>I'll have to check this out and see if it's something my moms group would be interested in!
>Yes please! I would love to read this. I am sitting here, discouraged by the behaviors I am seeing, and praying about where God would have me go next to glean wisdom!
>Sounds like a good book; I will definitely be looking for it at the library if I don't win!
>I tell myself that I will really miss this time when all three of my kids are older, but somedays are REALLY long! Ha! I would love to win, but will prob get it anyway if I don't win!
Christine Benson
>Ohhh…just returned from a weekend away with my kiddos including a 9 hour drive home! I need this book!!!!
>here's my comment. :) Have a good run.
>With 3 kids under 4 I think this book sounds perfect for me!
>Would love to win this book!
>Sounds like a must-read!
>Sounds like a great book… I've already used a version of the words are tools analogy. I told my son that some words (like holy) are treasures and need to be kept special for when we are speaking about God. He really understood and has taken that to heart. Thanks for sharing.
>Mothering is challenging to say the least! Isn't that a nice way to say the kids are driving me crazy…lol
>That books sounds like exactly what I need!! I find myself getting so flustered and annoyed at them sometimes and then feel so horrible for feeling that way :-/ I feel like this book could really help!
>I could totally use this! My son will be 5 in October & we're struggling with some "attitude" issues.
>I have a 7 month old and would love this book!
>Hey Raechel! This is the first time I have commented on one of your posts…I just started reading your blog this past spring and I want to thank you for allowing the Lord to speak through you to connect with your readers. Your words are truly encouraging and comforting. :) I have 2 little girls- Quinlin, age 2 and Tatum, 7 months. I came across your blog right around the time we found out Tatum had a craniofacial disorder and would need surgery on her skull. So, reading about your experiences with all your beautiful children brought me so much encouragement through a time that was very scary for my husband and I. I just wanted to say, thanks. Tatum has recovered very well and is a happy little kiddo who is now sporting a pink helmet. :) Oh, and…I started sewing this year…your gardening skills sound like my sewing skills…but I am not giving up! I think I have finally perfected the "bib" :) Sounds pretty pathetic but I stand a little taller when Tatum wears the bibs I make!
>Would love this book! And so would my big sister who has 6 kiddos of her own and watches her 4 nieces and nephews during week too!
>Thanks for sharing! I definitely want to check the book out. Our little one was up most of last night, so today has been tough. I kept repeating all day, "The days are long but the years are short!" and enjoyed the day to bits anyway. So I chuckled when I saw the same quote on your blog! :)
>would love this book to prepare myself as my little girl grows up! :)
>I so needed this tonight- thank you for the reminder!
>Sounds like a great read! So sweet of your sister to offer a copy :)
>Always love reading your blog – it inspires me! Thanks for the chance at winning the book – it sounds great. :) Hope you enjoyed your run.
>I would love to read this book!
>I often think that these years of raising two little boys will yield for me both the best and worst memories of my life…
>Sounds like a book I need most days!
>I'm with keight in that I will probably buy it for my nook, but might try my hand at a freebie. I'm in the middle of the terrible 3 trenches as we speak.
>I could use a pep talk please!
>This appears to be exactly a book I need to read as I deal with an amazing yet sometimes difficult 2.5 year old who is getting a baby sister in just a few short weeks!
>This is a book that I really need to read right now. My girls are 3 and 1 and although I love them dearly, they are just so trying right now. Some encouragement and advice would be so helpful.
It's interesting that you decided to post this today. My mom passed away exactly 10 years ago today and all day I've been thinking about what advice she would have given me to help me raise my daughters to the best of my ability. Maybe this is one of those little God moments where He gently nudges me towards something I need (like wise words in a book). I'll definitely pick this up for myself even if I don't win a free copy.
>Ahhh, I needed to read your post today. It is so true that the days are long, but the years are short.
Tomorrow is a new fresh day! Can't wait.
Thanks for a great give-away. Must check out this book.
:) Anne
>I love analogies, this would be perfect for our family!