You Can Stay Home With Your Kids By Erin Odom


Do you long to stay home with you children, but you or your husband say, "there's no way"?

I've been home 14 years. This was never my desire. My father always instilled in me, you work for what you get, and to do your best. I felt nothing best about coming home. I felt I'd live in poverty by failing to bring home a steady income. You see, after being a pregnant teen, age 19, and marring my high school sweet heart. We had less then $800 between the two of us. We knew hard times. I knew what it felt like for us to bust our tails providing for the family God created for us; house note, car note, insurance, groceries, childcare, etc. Then I battled liver cancer. The battle in it's self was hard enough. The bills created was even worse. We didn't once receive financial help from anyone on those medical bills. In the middle of my survival, I became pregnant, without maternity coverage. We did this to cut down our premium - no more kids since cancer, right. The Lord said watch, and I had a baby. We paid for the doctor, hospital and delivery bills. When this child was 9 months old, I was sitting at my work desk when I heard the Lord loud and clear, "go home". I gave my two week notice the next day. Hardest words I did ever spoken to my respected boss. I'll never forget the look on his face. Nor will I forget the day I walked out that back door for the last time. Nor will I forget the transformation in my marriage. Nor the healing I gained emotional from battling cancer by writing a book about it. If I'd never said yes, my marriage could've been by the waste side and I could've ended up in a mental hospital due to not healing emotionally. Because the Lord had me preoccupied nurturing my family, my marriage and my mental/physical health, I didn't miss the income. The gain He provided was more then just about money. And I wouldn't be where I am today. I would've never become an author. I would've never become an artist. Two things, if you look back in my old journals, I wanted all along. The Lord knew. In my obedience He created space to heal and help me create income alongside my husband.

My question to you is, what's He calling you home for?

You too can do it. He will provide.

I am reading, "You Can Stay Home With Your Kids" by my friend Erin Odom. The Lord is using Erin for the work of His Kingdom and this excites me. It's a great resource tool for any family no matter who's bringing in income.

You can pre-order a copy on Amazon https://amzn.to/2DRlzLc.

It has practical bite-sized action steps to curb spending, eat well on a budget, shop secondhand and sales, hunt houses and vehicles, diy household products, and create more income.

It's currently the #1 new release on Amazon for Budgeting & Money Management books!

If you preorder before April 10 Then visit youcanstayhomewithyourkids.com to receive pre-order bonus gifts, including an ⭐️EBOOK, MOTHERHOOD ART PRINT, 2-WEEK ALDI MEAL PLAN, BATH BOMBS & FUDGE!⭐️  I pray no matter your journey the Lord provides healing, understanding, a peace of mind and gives you strength to get up and do something. #youweremadetoshine

Second too the number one reason (money), people don't chose to stay home home is they struggle to find their self worth, value in life, purpose-meaning they seek it from the outside world. They depend on the world, things, material possession, clothes etc to fill them up. Many of theses people are even believers in Christ. I know this because although I walked through coming home successfully and God provided, I missed the outside world. He showed me how to replace that with Him. I depended on the outside world to make me feel accomplished, valued, needed, beautiful, etc. A nice devotion to help you walk through this working or not working is my friend Katie's devotion, Heavenly Minded Mom. I mentioned it the other day. Get your copy here https://amzn.to/2pC4Qas

If I had a copy for every mom out their I'd give you these two books as a pair. And tell you to spend some time with Jesus and watch your spiritual life grow with ways to put food on your table.

#spiritualgrowth

#nextstep #heavenlymindedmom
#publishing #katiebennett @abingdonpressbooks #erinodom #youcanstayhomewithyourkids @zondervan #whyherbook #shm #homeschool #sahm #launchteam #curbspending #eatwellonabudget, #shopsecondhand #sales #househunting #vehicles #diy #clickmagazine #mom_hub #connectingmoms

#motherhoodunplugged #liveauthentically #unitinmotherhood #maternity #firstmom #southernraised #migisboutique #artistlife #authorlife #Godsgrace #familygoals #marriagematters #bookdate #reading #easter #mothersday #sidehustle #swoonworty #homelife #spring #minimalism #homemaking #motherhood #momwithcameras #youcan #ihadcancer #cancersurvivor #medicalbills  #pregnantteen #highschoolsweetheart


Read GoodReads Book Reviews of You Can Stay Home with Your Kids


This is an email from the author, Erin Odom, herself today answering questions she receiving so far about, "You Can Stay Home with Your Kids".

1. How is this book different from More Than Just Making It
Great question! More Than Just Making It released in the fall of 2017 with the same publisher. It's a 240-page paperback book that is part spiritual memoir and part practical how-to on overcoming financial frustration. 
You Can Stay Home With Your Kids would make a perfect companion guide or follow-up to More Than Just Making It. It's a 200-ish page hardcover book with beautifully-designed, glossy pages. It takes the information from More Than Just Making It plus more and breaks things down into easily-digestible, bite-sized chunks with action steps.

My hopes are that More Than Just Making It will leave readers with an encouraged heart and a head spinning with ideas. You Can Stay Home With Your Kids can make those ideas a reality. 
You Can Stay Home With Your Kids fits into the gift book category. It truly would make a wonderful gift for any mom friend or relative in your life.
2. Is the book just for stay-at-home moms? 
I've been getting this question a lot! Some people have written saying they are empty nesters or not moms yet, and they enjoyed More Than Just Making It and want to read this one too. 
The truth is that You Can Stay Home With Your Kids is truly a book that anyone can glean from--and I'm not just saying that.

In fact, early readers have said the exact same thing over and over.

The book is 100+ money-saving (and some money-making) tips divided into 8 categories that most everyone encounters--Curbing Spending, Eating Well on a Budget, DIY Household Products, Entertain Your Family Without Spending a Fortune, Shopping Secondhand and Sales, Provide for Healthcare Needs, Hunt Houses and Vehicles, and Create More Income. 
do address the mom who wants to stay at home (or continue doing so) throughout the book since that is what my publisher wanted to title it. 
But to answer the question? No, it's not just for stay-at-home moms!
3. The title alone offends me! Seriously, do you think everyone should stay at home with their kids?! 

I was afraid of that--but please don't judge the entire book by it's title!

The book's title came from a blog post I wrote in 2012 called "Staying at Home With Your Kids When You Can Barely Afford It."

In fact, that was my publisher's first idea for the title of this book. They changed it because they felt like "barely afford it" might offend some people. We do live in an easily-offended world, so I get it!

Early in the book, I state that I support all moms--no matter if they are stay-at-home moms, work-outside-the-home moms, or choose to do some kind of hybrid to support their families.

I also state in the book that I am a work-at-home mom now--that gets to stay at home with her kids because I work from home. 
Part of the "Create More Income" chapter addresses that sometimes we have to change our mindsets of what staying at home with your kids means. For some people, like for my family, it might mean that we do bring in full-time incomes--but we have figured out a way to do it without leaving home (which has allowed us more time to spend with our kids). 
4. When do the pre-order bonuses expire? 

You have until tomorrow night at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10 to grab the pre-order bonuses! ACK! So, act soon!
motionmailapp.com
Believe me, you're going to want to have these bonuses! They are:
  • The Woven Heart - my e-book on motherhood 
  • 2-Week ALDI meal plan 
  • Motherhood Art Print shipped for FREE from my publisher! 
  • Bath Bombs & Fudge from Free Reign Farm (does require shipping) 
You will have until Monday, May 14 to actually download or redeem your bonuses.

5. How do I redeem the bonuses? 
1-Buy the book at your bookstore of choice (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Christianbook.com, etc.).

2-Save the order #.

3-Go to http://www.youcanstayhomewithyourkids.com and fill out the form that is embedded directly on the site.

4-You should get an email with all bonus info. almost immediately after you fill out this form. If you do not get an email, please email me and let me know!

6. Do I have to pay shipping on the bonuses? 
All digital bonuses do not require shipping, and the art print will be mailed from my publisher with free shipping.

The two bonuses from Free Reign Farm--the bath bombs and the fudge--do require that you pay shipping. You do not have to redeem these if shipping costs are a concern. 
7. Will you be offering any sales on the book? I just can't afford it! 

I understand, and I wish I could just give the book away and still support my family! The truth is, my publisher is the one who determines the price and any sales. With this, your guess is as good as mine.

But when they do run a sale, I will be sure to let you know! I have also signed up for Barnes and Noble's e-newsletter so I can find out about coupon codes to share with you all!
8. How long does the Mega Giveaway last? Do I still have time to enter? 

Yes! You have until April 17 to enter the giveaway! Enter here


You can watch a video I created on Youtube by clicking HERE.


Erin's book is for all families, work from home or work away from home, we all technically stay home with our kids. We end our days at home with them don't we? Regardless what we do all day. Our homes are our hiding places, safe place of healing and hope. We all need tips to create more income and saving money, right!?

LOOK for Erin on the 700 Club tomorrow for her book release day! 

See what other bloggers are saying about Erin's book:

(click their individual names, this will take you straight to their post)





















Heavenly Minded Mom by Katie Bennett


READING: I am currently reading, Heavenly Minded Mom by @embracingasimplerlife - Katie Bennett, a 90 day devotion on my iPad. 

Are you a mom looking for encouragement to live all in for Jesus? Are you feeling trapped in things of this world? I recommend this devotion as a tool for your spiritual growth, no matter the season. It will help you see your life in the scope of eternity. It will help you remove the blinders, changing your perspective to focus on storing your treasures in heaven. You will be a new mom, a new momma in Christ, a newly grown spiritual mom. #spiritualgrowth 
#nextstep #heavenlymindedmom 

This devotion releases April 3rd. You can visit http://heavenlymindedmom.com to review pre-order bonuses and see suggested places to buy. Amazon is on there, https://amzn.to/2pC4Qas. Order and go back to claim those bonuses. How do I know all of this!? Because I am on the launch team, actually serving as the launch manager. 

Side note: A true God story how that happened (thank you @thehumbledhomemaker ). I am trusting God through the process because I think He's really up to something big. Such as; hiring me out for other launches or to write a book about launching a book. Please be in prayer for me on this, that I'll being able to discern the direction He's calling me. You know what!? Enough of that go order Katie's devotion book! I am not just saying this, but you'll truly be blessed. I've sat in week after week listening to the moms, just like you, on this launch. They are blown away by what the Lord is doing as they participate in reading of the devotion. I will say through the years I've sensed moms looking to me for wisdom like covered in this devotion. I know these things. My gift is not relaying but I can tell you Katie is gifted! Go check it out! 

#booklaunch #booklaunchmanager #getpublished #bookmarketing #cheerforauthors #WritingTip  #BookMarket #BookMarketing #PromoTip #SelfPublishing #SelfPub #Publishing #AskAgent #AskAuthor #AskEditor #EBooks #wordcount #writterlife #amwritting #publishing #katiebennett @abingdonpressbooks #erinodom #youcanstayhomewithyourkids @zondervan #whyherbook #shm #homeschool #affiliatelink

*artwork by Ashley Murphy

How To Become Confident


Heading Out to Make Deliveries: This girl here, as a child, wouldn't walk to the counter to even ask for ketchup. As I grew older, matured through life experiences, I slowly overcame the fear of stepping up all by realizing where my true confidence comes from. Although, I still have waves of not wanting to walk in front of others, speak in front of crowds, be the center spot, etc. It's a great reminder why I need my Jesus daily dose. Thankfully with the Lord by my side earlier this week, I walked in @southernraised39042 like a boss! The owner, Ashley Purvis, graciously met me from behind the counter. She is as precious as they come. Finally, after communication only through messages, we were happy to meet in person. My one big "why" I am thankful for technology. I know it has its perks of disadvantages but the advantages of communication outweighs them in my case. Do you struggle to show up? Are you afraid of walking up to the counter? As a follower of Christ, I've learned there is a different source of our confidence. It is not obtained from the consistency of our experiences or the development of our gifts, talents, or abilities. Nor does it come from the strength of our personalities or our track records of success. Likewise, it is not diminished or damaged by inconsistency, failure, suffering, dysfunction, or wavering nature of life. Our confidence is anchored in God. Our circumstances don’t affect God; he affects our circumstances. He is our proactive, loving heavenly Father, who not only has a plan for our lives, but also has the resources to make happen everything He intends. When we realize our confidence comes from Him we are resilient, we persevere, and endure. This kind of confidence is what the Bible calls faith. The condition and strength of our faith is a reflection of our view of God. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” Hebrews 11:6 So I am happy to share, it was all God who brought Ashley and I together. His intend was to network our lives together all for His good. Please visit her store today, like her Instagram page- @southernraised39042, find them on Facebook- Southern Raised, and tell your friends they now sell artwork by Ashley Murphy. I am confident you will be glad you did!!! 

What Does It Look Like To Be Kind In Christ


KIND: who is the kindness person in your life? Do you like the color yellow? Have you purchased your Valentine's happy for the special person in your life? Are you kind? Kind in Christ? Anyone can be kind. Like really they can. Are they kind in Christ?

What does it look like to be kind in Christ?
Before anyone asked, the kindness of God appear through the life of Jesus Christ. This is the best illustration of kindness we'll ever know. God saw hurt, brokenness and despair. He saw people with no hope of breaking free from pain and suffering. So with no logic deserving reason he sent his Son to the rescue. No one deserved his kindness. But thankfully, God didn't treat us like we deserved. Kindness in Christ is doing for others when least deserved-the ability to recognize the needs of others and take steps to meet those needs. Kindness is understanding. It's compassion. When we're kind, others get to experience warmth, and whether they realize it or not they're experiencing some of God's character.

How can you approach kindness moving forward?
1. Ask God to help you recognize his incredible kindness more and more.
2. Ask God to make you more sensitive to the needs of others.
3. Ask God to help you find practical ways to show grace to your enemies

We must remind ourselves true kindness is impossible unless God does work in our hearts. So, no need to feel intimidated because you haven't been kind or you could've been kinder. We must remind ourself unkindness is not of the Lord. And I don't know bout you but I don't want any part of not being of the Lord. He wants us to show up fresh every single day. Walk with Him. Seek His will for our life. And His richness will overflow into the lives of those around us in kindness!!! I am serious. Try. Hit reboot if necessary. Kindness ...to take a fresh breath and to let God renew your attitude and spirit. Ephesians 4:23 (VOICE)

...because there was a time when we, too, were foolish, rebellious, and deceived—we were slaves to sensual cravings and pleasures; and we spent our lives being spiteful, envious, hated by many, and hating one another. But then something happened: God our Savior and His overpowering love and kindness for humankind entered our world; He came to save us. It’s not that we earned it by doing good works or righteous deeds; He came because He is merciful. He brought us out of our old ways of living to a new beginning through the washing of regeneration; and He made us completely new through the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:3-5 (VOICE)

#getyourstoday #christlikecharacterhearts#valentinesday #migisboutique #shoplocal 

How To Photograph My Artwork


photographing • while • photographing 

sunday afternoon prep work for the week
how was your sunday question mark