Today I’m doing something a little different. I’d like to welcome author and speaker, Jill Savage. Jill’s recent book Real Moms…Real Jesus, just released and though I don’t know Jill personally, I am excited to see what her book is all about. If this book sounds like something that would interest you, leave a comment on this post and I’ll enter you to win a copy!

During the month of March, Jill is being featured on a host of different blogs to promote her book and I wanted to help out my friends at Hearts at Home and join the tour. They took some time to ask Jill about her real mom moments.

Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia–the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms…Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade.

Tell us about your newest book Real Moms…Real Jesus.

This is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don’t often think about the fact that he was a human being and he lived the full human experience: pain, hunger, fatigue, frustration, betrayal, disappointment. He experienced it all!

There’s one verse in the Bible about Jesus that simply says “large crowds followed him everywhere he went.” Well, isn’t that the life of a mom? Large crowds follow her to the bathroom. They follow her to the kitchen. To the grocery store. She’s in high demand! And when Jesus lived on this earth, He was in high demand, too.

Why did you want to write this book?

Most of us long for a friend who understands. Yes, we need girlfriends who understand what our life is like. But we also need to understand that we have a friend who understand in Jesus. Too many of us think of God as being distant and unable to relate to our daily struggles. But nothing could be further from the truth! He understands and he wants us to build our friendship with Him. He wants to not only be our Savior, but also our Friend.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?

I hope readers will gain a new perspective about their relationship with Jesus. I also hope to weave God’s truth into the daily life of a mom.

What unique elements will the reader find in Real Moms…Real Jesus?

Each chapter looks at some character trait in Jesus’ life that can help us in our life as a mom. In between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into our real, messy, busy lives.

There are also questions at the end of the chapter for further consideration and suggested Bible reading in the book of Matthew. If the reader chooses to pursue the suggested reading, she will have read the book of Matthew completely by the end of the book! There is also a leader’s guide in the back of the book so it can be used in a group setting.

This is a Hearts at Home Book. What is Hearts at Home?

Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages mom through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!

Any closing thoughts?

I am very excited about this book! I believe that if a mom can strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ, she will feel more equipped to be the mom she wants to be. I’m also offering an online book discussion on my blog beginning Tuesday, April 7. If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe to my blog here.

You can purchase your own copy of Real Moms…Real Jesus by clicking here. Or enter to win a free copy by leaving a comment with a way to contact you. And be sure to check out Hearts at Home, their conferences for moms, and all their online resources here.

**Edited: The giveaway has been awarded to Sandy Toes! The book will be sent to you soon, Miss Sandy!**

As it turns out, soon is a relative term. Thanks for caring about my new blog design. I’ve loved reading the comments and emails from you who have been waiting with me. I’m glad you all are excited too. We have to wait a little longer, as my fabulously talented, hard-working blog designer is not quite ready. I can’t wait to tell y’all about her.

In other news, this weekend I’m having 22 high school senior girls to my house. All night. No, my house isn’t big enough for that. Yes, it was my idea. No, I haven’t lost my ever-lovin’ mind. This sleepover is a product of a project I’ve been working on with Kendra (you know, the beautiful and talented cook from My First Kitchen?) I look forward to telling you more about it.

How about something I can tell you now?
BlissDom is next week in Nashville. If you haven’t heard, it is a blogging conference hosted by the online magazine Blissfully Domestic. I can’t wait to meet some of my favorite bloggers in real life. Last BlissDom was a blast, as seen here. I’ll be sure to tell you about this years conference later.

Until then, I’m off to stock the bathrooms with toilet paper. I’m having lots of company tomorrow. And if you are reading this and going to BlissDom, say so in the comments if you’d like.

The new design is in the works and the big reveal is close at hand. And when I say close I mean close. I will wait to post more lazy photography tips after the change. So be sure to check back soon-like. In the meantime, click on the image below to check out one of my new favorite blogs:

Kelly is a new find for me and I am enjoying everything she writes. Even more, she is a fantastic photographer so I get doubly inspired when I visit. You can peek in on her photo blog as well.

Once you start to look at her awesome photos, you may not be able stop. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Now come back soon and see if my blog looks different. See you then.

Winter descended overnight and is still shedding her evidence all over town. As we prepare to witness the peaceful exchange of power in our country, the snow is a reminder of a greater truth. There is One who longs to bless, to blanket our days with peace and promises.
Even in the midst of war and conflict and opposing sides, there is hope. And between the snow and the Inauguration, I have 2 perfect excuses to avoid any productive activity and watch TV in my pjs.

The polls are finally open! I have discovered that you can vote once every 24 hours for the blog of your choice. But if you’re reading this, I really hope you choose Chatting at the Sky. Once. Every 24 hours. Vote HERE. You are awesome.