One Beautiful Dream

The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both

By: Jennifer Fulwiler, Melanie Shankle - introduction

Narrated by: Jennifer Fulwiler

Is it possible to pursue your passions, love your family, and not feel guilty about wanting to do both? One Beautiful Dream is your invitation to the unexpected joy of saying yes to the life you long to live.

Work and family, individuality and motherhood, the creative life and family life—women are told constantly that they can’t have it all. One Beautiful Dream is the deeply personal, often humorous tale of what happened when one woman dared to believe that you can have it all—if you’re willing to reimagine what having it all looks like.

Jennifer Fulwiler is the last person you might expect to be the mother of six young children. First of all, she’s an introvert only child, self-described workaholic, and former atheist who never intended to have a family. Oh, and Jennifer has a blood-clotting disorder exacerbated by pregnancy that has threatened her life on more than one occasion.

One Beautiful Dream is the story of what happens when one woman embarks on the wild experiment of chasing her dreams with multiple kids in diapers. It’s the tale of learning that opening your life to others means that everything will get noisy and chaotic, but that it is in this mess that you’ll find real joy.

Jennifer’s quest takes her in search of wisdom from a cast of colorful characters, including her Ivy-League-educated husband, her Texan mother-in-law who crushes wasps with her fist while arguing with wrong number calls about politics, and a best friend who’s never afraid to tell it like it is. Through it all, Jennifer moves toward the realization that the life you need is not the life you would have originally chosen for yourself. And maybe, just maybe, it’s better that way.

Hilarious, highly relatable, and brutally honest, Jennifer’s story will spark clarity and comfort to your own tug-of-war between all that is good and beautiful about family life and the incredible sacrifice it entails. Parenthood, personal ambitions, family planning, and faith—it’s complicated. Let this book be your invitation to the unexpected, yet beautiful dream of saying yes to them all, with God’s help.

Absolute pleasure to listen to one Beautiful Dream

Thank you Jennifer. You inspire me. May God pour out his Blessing on you and your beautiful family.

Excellent story telling

Loved hearing the author’s voice as part of this story. I felt like I was with her the whole time. Such a treat. Incredible book and story.

A mother lives out the parable of the talents

A work of great integrity. Jennifer proves it's possible to embrace the culture of life and develop one's God-given gifts.

Absolutely Based!

Jen, once again, you hit home for me! You are an awesome writer and narrator! I am psyched to meet you next week on your comedy tour!

Joel Adams

Exactly What I needed

My boss recommended this to me, and I TRULY LOVED it!!!! Thank you for reminding me to keep myself open to possibilities and listen to God!!!