One of the things that I have been trying to work on in my life lately is intent. I tend to be a fly by the seat of my pants kind of person. I just let things happen as they happen. I don’t think this is always a bad thing but I felt like there were times when it was bringing me down. Things that I wanted to happen weren’t happening because I wasn’t making them happen. This was especially true when it came to being a mother.
One day several months ago I was browsing the clearance section of a local book store and came across this book.
I had been reading Shawni’s blog for awhile and really enjoyed it. I also knew that Linda Eyre had written many other parenting books even though I hadn’t read any of them. I glanced at it and figured since it was only $5 I’d bring it home with me. I am so glad I did. I love it.
There is a whole section of the book titled “Have an Organized Offense...before serious defense becomes necessary.” I love thinking of intent as offense. Since I grew up in a home where sports were a regular part of our life, this just makes things so much clearer. I played soccer growing up. I was the goalie which meant I was the last line of defense. If I didn’t stop the ball, it was too late. I don’t want to get to the point with my children, my family or my life in general where we are at the goalie. There’s one last chance to save things. I’d much rather be playing with the forwards and not let the ball get past the midfielders. There are so many more options when you’re on offense. Many more mistakes that can be made when there are several people behind you to back you up. If the goalie makes a mistake, it’s over. I am so grateful for the fresh perspective on intentional living.
One of my favorite ideas from this section of the book is what they call the Five Facet Review. Once a month husband and wife sit down and discuss how each child is doing in five different areas, physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. There have been several times when I have noticed something that is wrong with one of my boys but it isn’t a big deal so I don’t really worry about it. But when the same thing is still happening weeks or months later I realize that something needs to be done. With a regular review you would discuss these issues with your spouse regularly and most likely get things taken care of in a timely manner. Usually the sooner problems are resolved the better. I also like this idea because often times my husband has solutions to problems that I never would have thought of.
The Five Facet Review stuff is only 3 pages of one section of this book. There is so much more to love about it. Not only is this book full of great inspiration and ideas but it was obviously written for mothers. It is broken down into small sections so there are plenty of places to stop if you get interrupted after 2 minutes of reading. That doesn’t mean you can’t, and won’t, finish it in one sitting.
Since I loved the book so much I decided that I wanted to share it with others. I went back to the bookstore and bought the last two copies they had. So I’m going to give away not one, but two copies of A Mother’s Book of Secrets. Even if you aren’t a mother there is something in this book that you can benefit from. It would also make a great baby shower gift. I wish I would have know this stuff when I was pregnant with my first baby.
To enter, leave a comment below. You can also enter a second time by spreading the giveaway throughout the interweb. Blog it, tweet it, facebook it, etc. then leave me another comment telling me what you did. Although you are welcome to share the love as many ways as you want, you can only enter the giveaway twice. Anyone with more than two comments will be disqualified. The giveaway ends Sept 22 at midnight Mountain Time. Get your entries in before then. A winner will be posted on the 23st.
If you don’t win and still want to read the book you can get it here. (It is still listed at $4.99 so I’d jump on this if you’re thinking about it. It has restocked at Deseret Book for $20 so who knows how long the $5 price will last.) It is now listed as out of stock at the $5 price but is still available here.
bubbasbabbles.com 
I want to enter to win my very own. It’s easy to think you are a good parent before your kids start walking and talking and having their own opinions. Now I could sure use some help!
Thanks for doing this! I love Shawni’s blog and I would love to get a copy of her book!
Sounds like a great resource! I can use all the motherly help available! Good writing, Heather!
Sounds like I am 45 years too late! I would like to start over, but feel like we did as good as we could….besides if I win the book Heather would have to store it for me in her basement!! love to all! Motherhood (Parenthood) is so important and so random at times, thank goodness for the gospel of Jesus Christ to give us guidance.
Um, that deadline just happens to be my birthday, so I think I deserve one of the books! I need as much help as I can get!!!
This sounds great–thanks!
I’d like to enter to win this (:
Also shared this giveaway on Twitter (:
As a FTM I would love to learn some “Mothering Secrets”
I am a mother of 4 and would take/love any advice and secrets from other moms that I can get!
I shared this on my facebook page!
This looks amazing!
I would love to read this book, I am going to be a new mom in about 7 weeks, I need all the advice I can get!
petchk79@gmail.com
I shared this giveaway on facebook!
petchk79@gmail.com
I would love a chance to win this book!
I tweeted.
I would love to win a copy of this book. 🙂
Shared about this giveaway on Facebook.
I want to win! So excited!
I would love this book. Seagull is out of stock, so hopefully I win! 🙂
Would love this bbok! And could certainly use it! 🙂
I also love Shawni’s blog! This would be such a wonderful book to have – thank you for the chance to win a copy. We mothers really have to help each other out, don’t we? 🙂
I would love to win! always in need of mothering advice!
I read Shawni’s blog too and would LOVE a copy of this book.
I posted on FB about this giveaway.
I would love to win a copy of this book!!
I would love to win a copy. 🙂
I have been wanting this book but it is always out of stock! You were so lucky to find 3 copies!
I love to read Shawni’s blog. She has such great ideas!
I really love Shawni’s blog too, and this book sounds so good! 🙂
I am a mother of 5, although sometimes it feels like many more, and I would love to have this book as a resource. i love Shawni’s blog and I’ve read some of the books her parents have written and have loved them.
I’ve been following Shawni too and would love to win her book. Thanks!
Looks like a great book. I really look up to those women
I would so love this book!! I am a new mommy to 6 months old Baby Isley. I think daily about the things i need to do to raise her to be a good, loving and compassionate person. I know it begins with me and that seems overwhelming some days. I need to be a good example to her. I envy Shauni and her Mom so much!
I posted on facebook about your blog.
I’ve been wanting this book for so long! I’ll see if I’m lucky today 😉
I would love to win!!
I’d LOVE to read her book! My sisters and I have been reading her blog for a long time now and gain so much from her ideas and insight.
Thank you to for the giveaway!
What a great book to read. I read Shawni’s blog and enjoy all the advise and tips she shares.
I adore the Eyres and would LOVE to have a copy of this booik.
Thank you for the chance to win, I LOVE the Eyres!! Such wonderful women and mothers.
I, too, follow Shawni’s blog and would love to win this.
I love Shawni’s blog, too!
Oh!! I have wanted this book for a while! I’d love a copy! Pick me Pick me! 🙂 Thanks for doing this!
I’ve recently discovered Shawni’s blog and her mothering style is inspirational.
My friend just found out she is pregnant with her first…I would love to give her a copy of this book!!
I would love this; just starting into parenthood.
I loved the book, I had to borrow it though and would love my own copy.
This book looks really inspirational would love to have it.
Would love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway. I am Aldo trying to be more intentional.
I have been following Shawni’s blog as well and she has such great advice! I would love this book 🙂
I’d love to read a book about that… Sounds intriguing.
What a great giveaway! I linked here from Shawni’s blog and love her views on parenting. Thanks for the opportunity.
I have been wanting to read this book for quite a while and would love to have it.
I love Shawni’s blog and would love to have the book! Thanks for the chance.
ooh! is it too late? I’d love a copy! Thanks for blogging about it!
Wow…got to enter this one in time. I am so excited to be able to win this book. If I don’t win…I am going to buy it. Just had my third child and I could use some help. Don’t know when I will find time to read, though. 🙂 Post the winner early! Crossing my fingers!!
Dumb…today is the 23rd already! Guess I am on my way to buy it! Thanks anyway!!
This is a great giveaway. Sucks I found out about it late.