Kathi Lipp is Coming to MY HOUSE

Date posted: April 27, 2011

Get this: Kathi Lipp, yes, the real Kathi Lipp, author of “The Husband Project” and like a trillion other amazing books is on a plane right now, headed for good ‘ole Austin Texas to stay at my house.

I’m a little bit starstruck. She’s pretty much the most famous person I’ve ever met. And she’s an amazing author. And the best marketer ever. And she has cool hair and clothes and jewelry. And, to top it all off, she’s really really nice. And I get to spend two whole days with her.

The bad news is that my to-do list is still really long and instead of checking things off, I’m sitting on the couch blogging. I had meant to spend the day cleaning and organizing (she’s writing a book called “The Get Organized Project“… sheesh… talk about pressure!) and cooking (another book of hers is “The What’s For Dinner Solution“. Sheesh again), but honestly, I’m not up to it. I’m feeling a bit too pregnant. So, instead, I left the dirty dishes in the sink and am not going to stress. Kathi won’t notice. Or if she does, she won’t say anything. Remember, I told you she’s nice?

Maternity Lingerie: Yay or Nay?

Date posted: April 21, 2011

Okay, so this is probably the most random thing I’ve ever posted about… but, since I mention it in my book and at least four women have asked me about it, I figured why not.

Here’s the deal: Back when I worked for Nick, one of the publicists I worked with sent me a big ‘ole box full of maternity lingerie (from Cake Lingerie, if you must know). Yes, they make it. And, yes, I have several pieces to prove it.

Anyway, the stuff is gorgeous. Silky and sweet and pretty and… well, everything lingerie should be. And, before I was pregnant, I loved it. I thought my husband would, too.

But here’s the thing: Now that I AM pregnant, I’m finding it more hilarious than sexy. I mean, really, what’s more hilarious than a big ‘ole belly sticking out from a pink flowery baby doll? I’m having a hard time getting past that…

So, anyway, tell me what you think? Is maternity lingerie a DO or a DON’T. Tell me in the comments…

P.S. That is NOT me in the photo… I wish.

I Went to Bed with Gum in my Mouth, and Now There’s Gum in My Hair…

Date posted: April 18, 2011

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Okay, not really. But, it has been a terrible, no-good, horrible, very bad day, so it wouldn’t surprise me.

My son is sick(ish) which means he’s feeling bad enough to be cranky and whiny but not bad enough to sit and snuggle with me. So, instead, he’s vacillating between running around and playing and crying because he doesn’t feel well enough to run around and play. Poor baby.

My daughter feels fine, but she misses her playmate.

I couldn’t find a pair of maternity jeans that fit me this morning. Really. I need to have this baby soon or I’m going to run out of clothes. Even my hubby’s sweats feel tight.

My husband has to work late.

It’s 95 degrees out, so when I sent the kids out to play, they got all red-faced and had to come in ten minutes later. Now they’re stuck inside. This does not bode well for summer.

I got my first negative review on my book. Okay, so it wasn’t terrible, but the blogger didn’t agree with the principles in my book (namely that I gave birth in a hospital) and felt like I was touting my opinions too heavily. I really tried hard when writing my book to throw my personal preferences aside and look at all aspects of pregnancy and give equal information on all options so this review really stung. Probably not something to cry over– nobody is going to write the perfect book for everyone– but I did.
(*note* Since like 10 people have asked… I am NOT upset about any of the reviews on Amazon… those are all nice and I appreciate everyone’s perspective….even those who don’t 100% agree with me. I’m upset about a blog review (one that I’m NOT going to show you) that calls me “selfish” and “unchristian” and “totally obnoxious”. Yes, it’s that bad.)

But, as my son just reminded me: “Mommy, some days are like this. Even in Australia”

Meals for New Parents…And a Favorite Recipe.

Date posted: April 14, 2011

I’m cheating today. I have nothing to write… but I’m giving you a cool link anyway…

I spoke at a MOPS group the other day about genuine friendship and part of our discussion was about taking initiative to take the first step and reach out to friends. One way to do that? Bring them food! I make it a point to sign up for as many of my friend’s Care Calendar’s as possible… even if it means picking up Papa Murphy’s and taking it to their house.

BUT, today, I found this cool slideshow on Yahoo Shine about the best meals for new parents… and it made me so excited! A whole bunch of new ideas… so I don’t end up bringing the same old, same old to my friends. Of course, I’m sure y’all have a lot to add. One of these days, I’m going to compile all of these recipes into a fun doc of my own.

In the meantime, my personal favorite go-to Care Calendar recipe:

Eggplant, Polenta and Spinach Bake

(*note: I know this sounds too healthy but I swear it’s delish… even my hubby who HATES veggies downs this stuff…)

1 lb. ground turkey or chicken sausage
1 large eggplant
1 large zucchini
1 bag pre-washed spinach
1 cup fresh spinach
1 jar spaghetti sauce
2 cups cornmeal or polenta
1/2 cup Parmesan
2 cups low-fat mozzerella

1. Brown sausage. Cube eggplant and zucchini and add to pan with sausage. Cook 10 mins until tender. Wilt in spinach and basil. Add Spaghetti sauce. Stir well and set aside.
2. In large saucepan, heat 4 cups of water to a boil. SLOWLY add cornmeal, whisking frequently. Bring back to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan.
3. Carefully spread cornmeal mixture onto the bottom of a 9X13 pan.
4. Cover polenta with sausage mixture.
5. Cover with mozzerella
6. Have your friend bake for 45 mins at 350.
Question for you: What’s your go-to meal for new parents?

The Big Announcement

Date posted: April 12, 2011

My daughter hates sleeping alone. Hence, the reason that she ventures down the dark staircase every night and tries to wriggle her way between Cameron and me. Or, she finds her way into her brother’s bed and we find her snuggled up to him in the morning. My husband– in an attempt to get her to stay in her bed–told her last week that she can’t sleep with anyone else until she’s married. So, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised when she announced at dinner last night:

“Daddy, I asked Matthew (a little boy in her class) to marry me so that he can start sleeping with me.”

My husband almost choked on his food.

I pray that Matthew’s parents– his dad happens to be the pastor at a big church in town– didn’t hear a similar story.

How Do You Support a Friend When They Are Royally Screwing Up?

Date posted: April 6, 2011

I love my girlfriends– they’re wonderful and supportive and funny and pretty much the coolest people I know. And I pray that I can be a wonderful and supportive friend to them as well. But right now, I’m having a hard time figuring out how to do that when one of my friends is royally screwing up.

Megan (not her real name) has been married for 11 years and has two precious children. I don’t know her husband very well, but he’s always seemed like a great guy. And, while I know they’ve had their ups and downs in marriage (what marriage doesn’t?), she’s always seemed happy.

Until two weeks ago. When she moved out and moved in with another guy.

I’m still shocked. She called me up non-nonchalantly and asked about my kids and my family and my pregnancy and then she dropped the bomb: “Oh, by the way, I don’t love my husband anymore. The love is gone. And I don’t really like being a mom anymore. So, I left. I’m now living with this guy Matt that I met at work. He’s so funny and wonderful and everything I’ve been missing in a relationship…”

*stunned silence*

Then: “Erin, aren’t you happy for me?!”

I didn’t know what to say. Of course I want her to be happy but my heart breaks for her husband. Her kids. And the last thing I want to do is condone what she’s doing. I obviously don’t know what happened in her marriage or her life to make this happen, but by telling her I’m happy, I tell her I think it’s okay.

Part of me wants to call up her husband and see if he needs help with the kids or meals or something…after all, he was the one that was abandoned. But she would KILL me. And part of me wants to just stay away from her until she comes to her senses. And part of me wants to take her out to coffee and ask her why.

Any advice?

What People Are Saying About My Books

Date posted: April 5, 2011

BLOG REVIEWS & MENTIONS

Robin O’Bryant at Robin’s Chicks
Jennifer Faulk at JenFaulk.com
Gretta Johns at The Johns Family
Wendy Paine Miller at Thoughts That Move
Jan Cline at What’s Your Dream
Aimee Salter at Seeking the Write Life
Isabelle Lussier at Canadian Ladybug Reviews
Marla Taviano at MarlaTaviano.com
Joanne Kraft at One So Blessed
Susan DiMickele at A Working Mother’s Daily Rant
Jenny Sulpizio at Jennysulpizio.com
Marina at Energizer Bunny’s Mommy Reports
Rachelle Gardner at CBA Rants & Ramblings
April E. at ElCloud Homeschool: Busy Minds, Busy Hands, Busy Feet
Cafe Lily Book Reviews
Megan at A Prisoner of Hope
Margaret at Creative Madness Mama
Joyful Mother
Martha at Our Family Adventures
Hilary at Our Homeschool Studio
Laura at Day by Day in Our World
The Mama Kenz Studio
Troy at Schuconnected
Warren Baldwin at Family Fountain
Radiant Lit
Alisa Dusan at Enjoy Real Food
Michelle at Halvorsen Tales
Jessica at A Parent in Silver Spring
Shellie at Saving With Shellie
Jamie at Jamie’s Precious Peas
Jennifer at Quiverfull Family
Rachel at Second Time Around

Endorsements

Here’s what people are saying about “The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby”

I loved reading Erin MacPherson’s The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby. It’s chock full of sassy humor, practical tips and godly wisdom to navigate through the pregnancy maze with truth and grace. I wished I could have given it to my daughter last year while she puked every day with morning sickness and struggled to respond kindly to her friends who swore she was so big she must be having twins. Even now, she can’t wait to read it. –Leslie Vernick

With a touch of humor and spiritual encouragement, Erin guides women through every phase of the pregnancy experience. She’s funny; she’s thorough; and she’s knowledgeable. But it’s her breezy and sassy girlfriend style that will put every first-time, pregnant mom-to-be completely at ease about what to expect, from conception to delivery–and beyond. She even includes the dads-to-be throughout, especially in her tongue-in-cheek chapter on “The Christian Daddy’s Guide.” -Rebecca Barlow Jordan, Speaker and Author of Day-votions™ for Mothers

MacPherson’s writing is tender, blunt, and hilarious. She obviously reads the minds of expectant mothers! The Christian Mama’s Guide is full of practical advice, humor, and spiritual insight. MacPherson squarely tackles the questions that everyone is afraid to ask –especially Christians – ranging from sex, intimacy, exercise, and alcohol. The Christian Mama’s Guide is decisive yet not dogmatic. MacPherson provides a much-needed voice for today’s expectant mother who longs to follow God in a fast-paced and complex world — a mother who is savvy, excited, and often scared to death! She comforts expectant mothers with the voice of a “big sister” that has gone before them. I wish this book existed 10 years ago when I was expecting my first born. While there is no lack of information for expectant mothers, there is clearly a lack of spiritual mentoring — MacPherson takes an important step to bridge the mentoring gap for expectant mothers. — Susan DiMickele, author of Chasing Superwoman

Erin MacPherson brings wit and humor to the usual pregnancy woes. I found myself laughing over and over, and wishing I’d had this book to guide me through my pregnancies. Through it all, Erin points expectant mama’s to God and his involvement in each step of having a baby. –Jody Hedlund– author of “The Preacher’s Bride”

“The Christian Mama’s Guide is the resource I wish I had when my kids were born. It’s like being able to have your mom, your best friend, and that nice nurse from the hospital (you know, the one who told you to sleep,) with you all the time. With tons of practical advice, been-there-done-that knowhow and an extra helping of grace, this book is now my go-to baby shower gift.” Kathi Lipp – Author of The Husband Project

Author Erin MacPherson has done a masterful job at distilling the entire pregnancy experience into an accurate, complete, and entertaining work. I wholeheartedly applaud her effort, and I predict that her book will have a huge impact on the women who read it.– Dr. Patrick Pevoto, OB/GYN

Reviews for “The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby”

Date posted: April 4, 2011

Here’s what people are saying about… “The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby”

With a touch of humor and spiritual encouragement, Erin guides women through every phase of the pregnancy experience. She’s funny; she’s thorough; and she’s knowledgeable. But it’s her breezy and sassy girlfriend style that will put every first-time, pregnant mom-to-be completely at ease about what to expect, from conception to delivery–and beyond. She even includes the dads-to-be throughout, especially in her tongue-in-cheek chapter on “The Christian Daddy’s Guide.” –Rebecca Barlow Jordan, Speaker and Author of Day-votions™ for Mothers

Kathi Lipp – Author of The Husband Project

BLOG REVIEWS & MENTIONS

Robin O’Bryant at Robin’s Chicks
Jennifer Faulk at JenFaulk.com
Gretta Johns at The Johns Family
Wendy Paine Miller at Thoughts That Move
Jan Cline at What’s Your Dream
Aimee Salter at Seeking the Write Life
Isabelle Lussier at Canadian Ladybug Reviews
Marla Taviano at MarlaTaviano.com
Joanne Kraft at One So Blessed
Susan DiMickele at A Working Mother’s Daily Rant
Jenny Sulpizio at Jennysulpizio.com
Marina at Energizer Bunny’s Mommy Reports
Rachelle Gardner at CBA Rants & Ramblings
April E. at ElCloud Homeschool: Busy Minds, Busy Hands, Busy Feet
Cafe Lily Book Reviews
Megan at A Prisoner of Hope
Margaret at Creative Madness
Joyful Mother
Martha at Our Family Adventures
Laura at Day by Day in Our World
The Mama Kenz Studio
Troy at Schuconnected
Warren Baldwin at Family Fountain
Radiant Lit
Alisa Dusan at Enjoy Real Food
Michelle at Halvorsen Tales
Jessica at A Parent in Silver Spring
Shellie at Saving With Shellie
Jamie at Jamie’s Precious Peas
Five Star Book Reviews at Five Star Book Reviews and More
Jennifer at Quiverfull Family
Rachel at Second Time Around
Mommy Moment
Tara at The Young Mommy Life
Erin at A Review and a Giveaway
Rachel from Following in my shoes
Alyice at The Dabbling Mum Speaks
Michelle at Mommies Playground
Little Yaya’s Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Aspiring Mama
Noelle at Jumpin’ Beans

Book Release Slideshow

I’m getting so exciting to hear about people getting their copies of my book! When your copy arrives (or if you see it in a bookstore!), snap a picture of your sighting and email it to me at erin@christianmamasguide.com and I’ll add you to the slideshow!