One Beautiful Dream

By: Jennifer Fulwiler

Narrated by: Jennifer Fulwiler

Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

Pursue your passions, love your family, and say goodbye to guilt - pipe dream or possibility?

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.

©2018 Melanie Shankle and Jennifer Fulwiler (P)2018 Zondervan

I couldn't finish

I bought this after receiving a recommendation. So sad. I got to chapter 30, reluctantly, and stopped when she described how her tyrannical child insisted on Shawn the Sheep at 4-something a.m. How about putting on your parenting hat and saying no?
As a mom of 7 close in age, I get it. I was in it deep. I hung in to this story for as long as I could, I just couldn't take it anymore. Yes, women have interests outside of changing diapers and making meals. I have taken on large roles outside of traditional motherhood, outside of my little homeschool, and you can incorporate those things into your family life. This book made me cringe, not reflect. A better representation of Catholic motherhood and mom's "blue flame" must exist.

I really loved this Book.

I really loved this book. I laughed and I cried. Sometimes I actually laughed until I cried. Her sense of humor really came through in her stories. I really appreciate a sense of humor. I feel like God gifts us with a sense of humor to help get us through some of those tougher times. I met Jennifer Fulwiler at a Conference a year ago. I related to her stories so well. What a blessing it was to meet such a lovely, delightful and gifted author. Jennifer If you read this. Thank you for sharing your story and inspiring me to share mine. Love, Peace and Prayers for you and yours.

great read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Jen is so funny and honest and I so identify with her. Very easy and quick to read.
MarieE.

Loved it!

Made me laugh, cry, dream, and wonder! So relatable to hear the day to day chaos of this wonderfully blessed and hopeful Catholic family!

Hilariously entertaining, relatable, and inspiring

An inspiring story about letting go of our preconceived notions for how our lives will play out and receiving the abundant love, joy, and peace that comes with letting God lead our lives. Jennifer Fulwiler hilariously navigates life as a mother, a mother of 6 no less, and explains how she learned to focus on her strengths, receive help from the people God placed in her life, and unite her family by incorporating them into her career.

I found this book to be positive, inspiring, and very entertaining. A must read for all, especially mothers!

Excellent!

This is one of the best books I have read in my time as a parent. It had a faith aspect, parenting aspect, career aspect, and just generally life. Had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Also helped me to have some moments of clarity in my own life. Thank you for sharing this story.

Loved this book

This book is filled with laughter and tears, relevance and encouragement. A reminder to be grateful for the life you are living.

Great journey of hope!

Couldn't stop listening! I have been traveling a lot recently and I am so glad I had Jennifer's story to listen to. Inspiring!

Inspirational

Loved every word! The book was so encouraging, affirming and informative depending on your place in life. Everyone will gain something out it parents, singles, married, grandparents males, female ...

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.