Love Rebel: Reclaiming Motherhood

I'm very excited to announce that Love Rebel: Reclaiming Motherhood has finished its editing phase! We're now onto publishing and will be at a bookstore near you. So far, we've received some pretty amazing reviews from professional editors, mothers and publishers.

The cover!

With four other Catholic moms who also blog, Love Rebel chronicles the strength of motherhood in a society that doesn't necessarily accept motherhood as a career. Love Rebel looks at motherhood as a vocation, and I feel completely honoured to be part of this book.

Oddly, when I was first invited to contribute to the book at the encouragement of my friend Bonnie Way, I had no idea what I'd write about! As a first-time mom, I felt inadequate to the wisdom and experience that the other contributors had. Most of them have large families whereas mine is just starting. Now, just a little over a year later, I realize that wisdom and experience is just as valuable when having a first child in comparison to having your ninth (Melanie Jean Juneau's)! 

The births and loss of children are chronicled in Love Rebel. Both are cases that I can relate to on some degree. We lost our first child at 7 weeks, nine months before we found out that our little Rachel was conceived. The devastation that came with having a miscarriage was difficult emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Especially in a society that does not openly discuss it.  In Love Rebel, I applaud Anna Eastland's willingness to share her difficult story as part of her healing process, as well as mine. 

I have yet to meet the other three women who contributed to the book, perhaps someday if our paths should cross. I feel like I should be the one telling them "thank you for sharing your stories, you've confirmed that the ordinary task of being a mother is truly an extraordinary one!" At the same time, I also feel like I should give myself a small pat on the back for sharing my fears and possible inadequacies as a hard of hearing mother.

As a vocation, I have always felt the calling to be a mother. It is interesting that as I read through each article, I feel the same way as they do about motherhood. Suffice to say, I also felt a little bit contrary at the same time, as I also desire to have a career in the professional workplace. Perhaps someday I'll be able to reconcile the two if the opportunity should ever present itself. Only God will be able to direct me in the right path, and right now, all I'm doing is following His directions.

You can find the blogposts of the other authors too, in case you're looking for inspiration or practical advice.

Anna Eastland - Just East of Crazyland

Monique LeBlanc - The Last Time Change

Bonnie Way - The Koala Mom

Melanie Jean Juneau - Joy of Nine