And Everything In Between - the Hard Stuff

The essays in this book have been so restorative to me. Each one offers its own piece of wisdom, comfort, and solidarity that can only come from another woman in the "trenches" of motherhood. I've loved the sense of community I've gotten from reading the Coffee + Crumbs blog, but the book is distilled and full of wisdom and grace. Meant to be read in those fleeting naptime moments or school pick up lanes, these essays are like taking a deep breath of fresh air. After reading the first few essays, blogging about them, and quoting them incessantly to friends I ordered 2 more copies to send as gifts. This book, Bordeaux butt paste, and a fridge full of cold brew coffee is pretty much all that's required to survive motherhood. Needless to say, it will be my go-to present for baby showers, emergency moms' nights out, and "just because" moments for all of my friends. Love!!

In this gorgeous book, I've found a diverse range of strong, beautiful voices that resonate with some of my experiences and call forth deep compassion for things I haven't experienced. These are essays I will return to again and again. Reading them makes me grateful for a sense of solidarity with other moms, and inspires me to look at my struggles through another lens. If it takes a village to raise a child, this book is a portable village that is cheering all of us on! Be kind to yourself and get a copy.

I started following the Coffee + Crumbs blog at its beginning, and I was thrilled to discover the writing team was creating a book of essays. This book is filled with inspiring stories for mothers of all ages and stages. As a new mom, I appreciate all the wisdom and "me too" moments that this book provides. And not only are the words and stories beautiful, but the physical book itself is GORGEOUS - stunning pictures, quotable entries, high paper quality, embossing, and an adorable ribbon page marker (I am a nerd for the finer details of print media!). It would make a great baby shower or Mother's Day gift, and it is a book that I will always treasure as a reminder of my first years of motherhood.

Some of the stories are sweet, some are funny, and some made me sad. This book made me say, “YESSSSS, this!!!” and “Oh no.” I even teared up a bit with its complete honesty and hope. Though I couldn’t relate to every single situation, I definitely understood where those moms were coming from. This book is also a wonderful resource for uplifting one-liners and meme-worthy quotes. Things like “Score keeping has no place in your marriage” needed to be said, even after my 19 years of marriage. I loved the chapter titles, too. You’ve got to read something when it’s titled “In Defense of Mom Jeans,” you know? The Magic of Motherhood would make a lovely gift for a first-time mom, but seasoned moms can definitely appreciate its wisdom. Like me, some moms don’t figure out how hard motherhood is until they’ve been in it for a little while! I received this book from the Tommy Mommy program. Opinions shared are mine.

This book, The Magic of Motherhood, by Ashlee Gadd is so perfectly titled. Magic is so elusive and uncertain, just like Motherhood. It is enthralling, can be exhausting (especially when trying to figure it out), and wholly engaging – mind, body, and spirit. The essays in this book address each of these key components that make us up as women and mothers. I love that it is a collection of essays from a variety of diverse women. This also mirrors motherhood, when done at its best, in community with other women. I have found that it takes a village to raise children and having a book written by a village of women providing a variety of perspectives and experiences is a breath of fresh air. This is a wonderful book, and would make a fabulous Mother’s Day gift. It is such a gift to mom’s to so openly discuss “the good stuff, the hard stuff, and everything in between.”

While playing at the park today I was again struck with how much is provided to my children by the others in our lives. My boys are so different, in personality, in physical stature, and in ability. Those differences make me a wonderful Mom in many moments; but also fall short in others. Those opportunities, where I fall short, are the perfect space for our village to step in and meet their needs, teach from their perspectives, or provide adventure that speaks to these little ones souls so uniquely. I love that this book was an eye opener and heart widener for THIS Momma.

33 separate essays in 230 pages that are printed in a beautifully bound book – with periodic images that are perfectly placed and quotes in lovely handwritten script just make for a beautiful treat whether for yourself or a gift for another mom in your life. I keep this book on an end table and periodically pick it up for a moment of encouragement, a few minutes of reprieve and mutual understanding. Whether it was the essay talking about the “seasons” of childhood, the linear nature of life and enjoying the moments or the reminder that asking for help enhances who we are grows us as women and moms there is a chapter for all moms out there. The writing is relatable and Ashlee Gadd of Coffee + Crumbs did a phenomenal job compiling this book and thankfully so many of the authors and women of faith I admire agree – many gave the book wonderful words of praise right inside the front cover. Snag this book for a Mom in your life (or yourself) and you won’t regret it and she will thank you.

On “asking for help” by Lesley Miller “a beautiful, nature, give and take happens when we humbly let down our guard and help each other.” She goes on to say that “as I began recognizing my own needs, a very special thing happened: I also started noticing others’ needs in a way I hadn’t before. The more I’ve said yes to help, the better I’ve become at offering it to others.”

I’ve seen this fact become so true in my own life and I’m so grateful for the ways the “magic of motherhood” has changed me. It has grown me in ways I never could have anticipated and will forever be grateful for. It gave me a community of moms, women so diverse, who help me grow and help me raise my on children as I do theirs. Motherhood gave me a clearer picture of God’s love for me, like nothing in my life ever has or could. It transformed my marriage, my decision making, my priorities and for the most part left nothing in tact – except that at my core I am still the same determined, independent, confident woman God created and my parents raised me to be.

N’tima Preusser says, “I once was too small to contain all of the love that filled me.” I love her exploration of our physical bodies as women. Ladies there really is a chapter here that will touch you right where you are. Whether it’s the chapter written directly for your heart right now, another chapter that causes you to call a friend and share the story you believe could impact her heart, or yet another that will resonate in your heart and mind for months or years and come back to your consciousness just when you need the nuggets. This book is a gem! Grab a copy for yourself or a Mom in your life who could use a kindred spirit, word of encouragement, or a wee blessing in this challenging thing we call Motherhood.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thanks so much for Booklook Bloggers!

The Magic of Motherhood is a compilation of essays by the team at the collaborative mothering blog, Coffee + Crumbs. I've clicked over to this website a few times and I like the honest, chatty style. The authors do a good job of normalizing motherhood and reminding women that this is a tough road without much instruction. And that's part of the magic.

Most of these essays focus on the little years. A few touch on the shift to mothering tweens, but most of the contributors are in the infant to early elementary school years. They are messy and emerging from sleep deprivation and close enough to the newborn years to not romanticize their sweetness.

Some essays were heartbreaking, of loss and infertility and navigating diagnoses. Others were funny and filled with wry observations of life with crazy small humans. My favorites were the ones in which I found myself nodding along. The one in which a stroller careened down a hill toward the river, babies strapped in, mom racing behind. I've never experienced this exact story but that feeling of, WHAT have I just done?! has definitely defined more days than I'd like to admit. Or the essay that reminded me that my husband and I really are in this together, even when we feel like ships passing in the night.

I think, as moms (both new and seasoned) we need to remember that there are more me too moments than we realize as this collection reminds me that I'm not alone and that I'm doing a pretty good job.

**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.**

This book was sent to my from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a longtime follower of the blog Coffee + Crumbs so I was excited to have the opportunity to read their new book, The Magic of Motherhood. Similar to the blog, this book is a collaboration of stories written by moms in the trenches.

The book did not disappoint.

I have been reading it daily and loving it. The book has me laughing and crying and many times just shaking my head saying “Yes!” If you are looking for a fun read about the many ups and downs of motherhood this book is great for that. The chapters are short and actually have great stopping points so it is easy to read in those short breaks we have throughout the day.

The Magic of Motherhood is a great book for moms who have littles around the house. It is funny and uplifting and will have you hooked from the moment you start.

And of course a few of the quotes from my commonplace journal:

Moms always use that word – season – when they talk about their children… But that word feels wrong because seasons are circular, and childhood is a line. When this tree is sitting under has dropped all of it’s leaves, it’ll shiver for a few months, and then it’ll sprout new ones. It gets to start over. If we didn’t savor the warmer months enough, we can take solace in the fact that we’ll get another chance – but when my son has sat on my lap for the last time, that’ll be it, it won’t come around again.
I guess childhood only looks like a straight line when you’re close to it, but when you pull back far enough, you see that it’s cyclical too. The leaves falling from the tree are beautiful, but they’re not the tree. Each new season and year brings it’s own beauty.
The emotional aspect of motherhood is pretty simple in this stage. Because even on our worst days, nobody forgives like a three year old.
And yet these scars on my body also serve as a not-so-beautiful reminder of my own humanity, evidence that I am made of flesh – flawed, imperfect, and breakable. When I put that into perspecitve, it makes my Creator’s love for me that much greater.

The Magic of Motherhood by Ashley Gadd explores all of the emotions of motherhood. The book contains essays from a multitude of women who have all experienced motherhood in different ways, such as through adoption. The book also explores many topics that are often swept under the rug of women's conversations, such as miscarriage, infertility and body image.

What I liked the most about this book was the conversational tone. Each woman told her story differently, but you felt like you were having coffee with her and chatting rather than being preached at. Each woman's perspective brought a new way of thinking about an issue.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

This collection of essays from the authors of the Coffee + Crumbs blog incorporates humor, storytelling, and honesty to validate the experience of motherhood. The book not only connects you to other moms, but feels like a little luxury with thick pages, softly artistic pictures, plus it even smells nice!

The essay format of the book is perfect for its audience: busy moms. The variety of authors enables the book to cover many different topics related to motherhood: infertility, adoption, medical diagnosis, body image, and more. “Asking For Help” by Lesley Miller, “Mommy has Two Arms” by Anna Jordan, and “The Pacific” by N’tima Preusser were particular favorites of mine. Overall, the writing is honest and well-crafted. (Just a note that the book does incorporate faith/religion to an extent but if that isn’t your cup of tea, it’s not overpowering.)

In general, these essays are a reminder that there is beauty, meaning, and purpose in your role as a mother, whatever that looks like. It’s also friendly encouragement to moms: your voice and experience are unique, and your story deserves to be told. Writing about day-to-day aspects of mothering can be valuable and a way to document moments both joyful and tough, before they slip away.

I absolutely recommend this book for any mom in your life!

Reviewed from copy received by the publisher (thank you!)

I already loved the Coffee + Crumbs blog so it didn't surprise me at all to love The Magic of Motherhood. Almost every essay spoke to me in some way or another. The stories I don't directly relate to teach me something about empathy or educate me about situations that differ from my own.
The bottom line is that this book is great and has something to offer to everyone.
*I received a free copy of this book from BookLookBloggers in exchange for a review. The review is my own opinion

Truly, everything about this book is magical.

It was given as a gift to me as I entered my new journey of motherhood and I loved (and needed) everything it gave. It was so wonderful to read and know that other moms felt & dealt with the same things I was. Each story is beautifully written in such a compelling way. I kept finding myself nodding along, laughing, crying, and ultimately FEELING as I read this. I can't even pick a story because each one is so compelling & necessary.

I also loved how every single detail about this book was clearly made with moms in mind. The short stories are perfect to read in the little breaks of time that we have. They aren't separated into topics because life doesn't neatly organize our needs or feelings. It's a durable hardback book without a book jacket, so it actually stays a beautiful book while you throw it in your diaper bag, put the bottle on top of it, or whatever else may happen in the day. It comes with a bookmark attached so you don't have to search/keep up with one or remember your place. And it has beautiful photos with the perfect quotes in the perfect fonts throughout the book to make for a great Instagram photo or to just make you get that point you needed!

Truly everything about this book is so well thought out and just a comfort for anyone on this journey of motherhood. It's a great reminder that it's your own adventure but there's beauty in knowing & having others to share it with you.

I love love love The Magic of Motherhood! Each chapter has me shaking my head yes because each and every one of these tales of motherhood I relate with. The encouragement within these pages is very similar to what you would expect from your best girlfriends. I've laughed, I've cried, I've grieved throughout each chapter. Motherhood is quiet the ride so when you can read a book filled with honest stories that you could have told yourself, you know it's a great read.

I've been a longtime reader of their blog, Coffee + Crumbs, and this book is their best work transferred from the internet to the page. I particularly resonated with the words and writing styles of contributors April Hoss, Ashlee Gadd, and N'tima Preusser. This book is neither self-help book nor how-to, rather a glimpse into the raw, real day to day beautiful mess of motherhood. These writers have put their vulnerability on the line, exposed their parenting flaws, admitting that despite the perfect instagram lives everyone seems to uphold, no mom is perfect. In reading, I appreciated their candor in admiting shortcomings and errors in judgment, while simultaneously celebrating their children's milestones, toasting small victories, and genuinely reveling in the miracle that is motherhood. A must-read support system and should to lean on for those who might also feel guilty, imperfect, or lacking. A worthy read.

Reading this book was such an encouragement. It was like sitting down with a good friend, with a cup of coffee, sharing life. The good, the bad and the ugly of life. And knowing that we could share without feeling shame. Knowing that we would be encouraged in a biblical worldview of God does everything good and children are precious - without having to have a Bible study. Just sit and share life.

I have been so excited for this book! I recommend their blog to every mom I meet and will now be giving this beautiful collection of essays at every baby shower I go to. Thank you for your words and honesty and for bringing community to motherhood! Moms and moms to be everywhere - you will LOVE this book.

Reading this book is like sitting down for coffee and having deep conversations with some of your closest friends in your living room. This collection of essays will you have you enthusiastically nodding your head in agreement and crying tears of relief as you learn that other moms have gone through the exact same things you are and that you are absolutely not alone in the thoughts and feelings you have as you encounter whatever season of motherhood you are in. The authors are honest and vulnerable as they share their life experiences from their personal perspectives. Each essay is extremely well-written and brings you into the heart and mind of the writer. An amazing book that can be reread time and time again, as well as gifted to other moms who need to know that we're all in this thing called Motherhood together.

This book is amazing! Each essay is so well written. The range of emotions in the essays are all so unique - sweet, sad, funny, insightful...
This would be a great gift for moms, as busy moms can read 1 essay in a small time frame, and come back when they have another few minutes of rare free time! Every mother will identify with different essays, which makes it so universal for all. I highly recommend this book.

I started reading the Coffee + Crumbs at the very beginning and I was thrilled when I heard the ladies behind the blog were working on a book! “The Magic of Motherhood” contains some of the best essays from the blog as well as new stories, each of which offers wisdom, encouragement, comfort, and understanding. The writers are genuine, authentic, vulnerable, and likeable – I felt like I was sitting around the coffee table with a group of friends, sharing stories, as I read this book! Read with a box of Kleenex and a journal handy! I bought a copy for myself, then another six for my sisters and best friends! The perfect gift for any mom, or mom-to-be!

Love, love, love, absolutely love this book. Motherhood is hard and every mother knows that. These short little excerpts and words of encouragement were just what I needed when I was having a tough time balancing and enjoying motherhood. Highly recommend this book.

This is the perfect gift for any mother. Motherhood can be very isolating and polarizing, but this book brings mothers together by finding common threads that bind us all. The stories are beautifully written and remind you of the beautiful gift that we are given, even in the toughest phases of this difficult job. They can be read over and over again and are often the perfect pep talk to get you through a tough day. Amazing writing aside, the book itself is just so pretty and inviting and would look great on any bookshelf!

This is a beautiful collection of stories from young moms that are a true encouragement to all of us mama's. It's the perfect baby shower gift! Also a gift for any young mom on this journey of motherhood. - Josephine

This book was just wonderful. It made me laugh and cry and everything in between. It is about motherhood, but not some unrealistic image of motherhood. The book was real and beautiful. It is hard cover with a ribbon bookmark attached and would make a wonderful gift for just about any mother, but especially the mothers doing to everyday raising on kids right now. I highly recommend it and is my favorite read so far this year.

I would highly recommend this book for any mom out there! This would make an amazing gift for new moms or as a mother's day present. The essays are honest and vulnerable and made me feel not so alone is this crazy motherhood. It has made me laugh and cry and I cannot put it down. Each story is beautifully written and shares a different perspective on parenthood, the hard, fun and beautiful and wanting to find more time to read and enjoy each one of these.

Mamas, you need this book. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It will be what you reach for when the day was just too much and you need to be reminded that the magic is indeed still there. And if nothing else it will most certainly make you stand up and shout, "Hallelujah, pass the coffee!"

I purchased this from a different source, but this book is incredible. This website and the lovely ladies behind this book, are worth every ounce of your time to sit down and read a page or two at time (and if you can get more in, bravo!) Its humbling to know we are not alone. Must get, Must read, and keep it on your coffee table or beside your bed - you'll be glad you did.

I just read The Magic of Motherhood and I honestly cannot recommend it enough. It's a collection of short personal stories written by moms (the writers of the Coffee + Crumbs blog). It is SO GOOD. So honest, real, and encouraging. Motherhood can be so isolating - this book is a reminder you're not alone.

LOVING this book. Reading these stories from other moms has made me laugh, cry, and feel like I'm not alone in this journey of motherhood. And the book itself is just beautiful. Definitely a must-buy for moms everywhere!