Book Giveaway: A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family
OK, here’s your chance to be one of the first people to own a copy of my book. A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family shares the story of the growth of our family, as well as the hints and tricks I’ve learned over the years that help me stay sane as a mother of many. I’d never claim to have all the answers, but having a large family has forced me to become more efficient.
Some ideas in the book are tailored specifically for larger families, but many ideas in every chapter could work for any busy family, large or small. As an added point of interest, some of my very favorite blogger-mommas have graciously shared their wisdom for this book, including Shannon (4 kids) from Rocks in My Dryer, Carrien (3 kids) from She Laughs at the Days, Jane (7 kids) from Building the Ark, and Jenni (12 kids) from One Thing.
I will be giving away one copy of this book every week for the next 4 weeks. To be entered in this week’s giveaway, simply mention the giveaway in a post on your own blog and link to this blog post by Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, I’ll randomly choose one commenter as the winner of the book. Here’s a cool thing: in future drawings, those of you who have already written a blog post about the book will be able to enter the next drawing by simply commenting on that post.
That means if you mention the book on your blog this week, you’ll have four chances to win. Do it next week, and you’ll get three chances to win…and so on, until all four books have been given away. I’d be very grateful for a mention on your blog at any point in time, but mentioning it soon will give you the very best chance of winning a book.
International readers are welcome to enter the drawing. And if you don’t have a blog, don’t worry. Simply visit the sample pages of this book on Amazon , and click on ‘Surprise Me’ at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar. Clicking that link will take you to a random page from the book. Select one sentence from that page and type it into a comment on this post. And that’s it- you’re entered.
Good luck to everyone!!
What if you’re squelching Olympic-level talent?
They envision mountains of laundry big enough to fill the Grand Canyon.
Now *that’s* a lot of laundry!
‘Appliances now hum with blessed purpose’.
I LOVE this sentence! Thanks so much for the chance to win.
If mom is being run ragged by kids’ schedules, then something needs to change.
Congrats on the book – had a look at it on Amazon and it looks wonderful.
I can’t *wait* to read this book!!!
“If you have a real veggie-hater, try gardening.”
Sounds like a great book!
I can’t wait to have a copy of your book! We are currently a family of 6 and are in the process of adopting 2 more from Ethiopia. I’m definitely looking for ideas! I’ll go post about your post on my blog and ad the link now!
I’ve enjoyed your blog for many months and I thank you for all of the help you have been to larger families and those adopting from Ethiopia. What a blessing!
“There’ll be time for questions (respectful ones) later.”
Mary, you’re right… the cover is cute, cute, cute!! I have a feeling this book is going to be very successfull for you!!
Can’t wait to read all of it!
I posted an entry about your book. I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations!
Here is my link – http://heartchild-am.blogspot.com/2009/03/owlhaven-giveaway.html
“My son, though willing to assemble the pie, felt that pie primping was too much for him.” (A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family, p. 6)
Doesn’t this just say it all? Guys are forever not wanting to be too girlie when they’re teenagers. I love how when they become daddies, however, that it is totally ok to play Pretty Princess with their little girls (my own husband likes to clip the earrings onto his nose, and my daughter finds this absolutely hilarious).
“This person loves books, charts, and pictures.”
I would love to read this book! My kiddos are soon doubling to 4 and I have to admit, I’m a little bit scared. I love reading, learning, and growing from your blog. Thanks!
My post is up!
http://thewhitefamilynews.blogspot.com/2009/03/feeling-bit-insane.html
“Never have I loved my husband more than I did on that day when he understood the dream in my heart and made it come true.”
Aww! I’ve already pre-ordered a copy for my cousin and his wife (3 bio, 2 bio siblings from Ethiopa, and 2 older bio siblings from Ethiopia on the way – court date March 25!), but they live too far away to borrow their copy to read myself! Congratulations on the accomplishment!
I remember when you were first getting started with this project! How exciting to see it in print!
I’ve got your link up on my blog already! Congratulations!
http://wingerteam.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-giveaway.html
Here is my post about it. I can’t wait to read your book!
“Do you have to be a saint?” Looking forward to hearing your answer!!
I know we only met briefly but I am as proud for you as if my best friend had written this book. What an accomplishment for you! And I look forward to winning a copy thankyouverymuch!
Some people will come right out and call you crazy!
“To John, my high school sweetheart, the love of my life, my biggest fan. With you by my side, no dream is too daring.”
Awww. I can’t wait to read the rest!
Relatives often need time to get used to the idea.
“what looks like freedom is really bondage.”
ooh, I hope I win. I love to read…I have 3 kids now, but hopefully more eventually:)
“When we’d first gotten married, we honestly thought it would be a great thing for us both to be working parents.” p24
I can’t wait to read it!
“When you’re shopping for living room furniture, look for durable fabric, and don’t skip the stain guard.”
The excerpts from the book on Amazon are great. I love the way that you write!
A 3 year old will spend ten minutes buttering his own toast if you let him.
[...] Posted on March 4, 2009 by bethsmiles I’m going to mention my good friend Mary’s new book that’s been published about raising large families although I’m pretty sure I [...]
You are officially linked~
http://beth100wordsorless.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/marys-book/
Pick me! Pick me!!
Hi Mary,
I have no website so I went to Amazon. I’m getting an error message when I click on “surprise me”. You might want to check it out. I hope I can still enter the drawing! I have had your book in my wish list on Amazon for a while now! I’m looking forward to reading it! Congrats!
“Not only is it possible to raise a large family without going broke or crazy, it can also be a deeply joyous, satisfying adventure.”
I have a feeling this one sentence may sum up the entire book! I look forward to reading it and thanks much for the chance to win
.
“Overscheduled kids miss out on the chance to play dress up with their sisters and rassle with their brothers.” – from pg. 58.
I couldn’t agree more, though, in our house full of all boys they dress up like Daniel Boone, John Wayne, or Davy Crockett and then rassle.
- Cathy
I sit thinking of tomorrows Thanksgiving plans.
Yay! I love the cover!
“The pies were made this afternoon by my teenaged son”
I LOVE the sound of that
I look forward to when my children can be in the kitchen more! YUM!
Looks like a great book Mary.
Cheers, Wilm in NZ
I wrote up a post on my private blog, so some people will see that. I’m so excited about your book!
“Yard sales are also great sources, especially for readers with younger children.”
Yay! it’s finally done. Good work. I can’t wait to read it.
I linked to youhere.
I couldn’t be more thrilled for you Mary! Congrats!
I blogged about it.
I was taken to the table of contents – so
“Is a Disney Vacation a Childhood Essential?”
Isn’t that the million dollar questions!?! With the ‘best Disney deals’ happening right now, and sooo many of our friends, and our childrens friends heading there for holidays – I have recently pondered this question myself!
Would love to win a copy of your book!! Of course if I don’t I am sure I will be ordering one! We recently added 2 more children from Ethiopia to our family – we are relatively small family, considering…just 6 of us
But some days it feels really large!
I posted about this! http://memgirl.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-giveaway.html
Thank you for the chance!
I definitely posted!
http://booksnboys.blogspot.com/2009/03/sane-womans-guide-to-raising-large.html
“I do iron the occasional badly lying collar”.
I just linked up to you!
“After all, I swore as a teenager I’d never have more than four.” I love that sentence! That’s what I used to think in college. We did end up having 4 bio kids, but we’ve now adopted twice and we continue to do medically fragile foster care on top of that. So today we have seven blessings at home. Can’t wait to read the book, Mary!
Now and then they look up from their books and listen to the more exciting bits of the story my husband is reading. (p.6)
That’s why reading as a family is so great! And it goes both ways–the littles listen to the bigger kids’ readalouds too!
I love the cover and it looks really interesting. I actually like the whole picture you paint for the beginning of the book, so peaceful and content……I hope my family gets there too! Blog post at:
http://inthethickofit.blogspot.com/2009/03/tryin-to-win-free-book.html
I love your stash in the back of the van during the sports season. I wish I had known that three years ago. I learned through trial and error. Baseball is starting up so I have to get started on my box of items.
To avoid overscheduling ourselves, my husband and I allow our kids one individual activity per year.
Yay! I am so excited!
I mentioned your book give awy in my blog! I am hoping to win!!!! I can not wait to read this book!!!
Forgot to link the post… http://frugalfinds.blogspot.com/2009/03/thursdays-stuff.html
“I have a mental image of a patient mother. She never has to beat back frustration.”
Sounds like a great book!
Mary, You are a goddess amongst the rest of us! I have posted about the book!!! If I don’t make the giveaway, I will buy the thing outright….I have 6 of my own kids plus live with another 2, so I feel your pain/frustration/euphoria/peace/joy having a large family. It’s never dull.
http://caliphoenix.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/yes-it-is-possible/
I cannot wait to read this book!!!! Fingers crossed that I’ll win a giveaway.
I blogged about it at my blog. Here’s the link:
http://ramblinamblins.wordpress.com/2009/03/05/marys-book-is-ready/