Terri Camp has done it again! I don't know how either, with eight children and a conference schedule that would make any author turn green! In my opinion, this is her best work ever! I have thumbed through many a homeschool book, and Terri has written a number of them. She's ot a gift for reaching the heart of mamas on a REAL level. That is what Terri is - REAL.

Although homeschool books are great, a how-to book on marriage is better. How can you home educate your children when your marriage is in shambles? Don't get me wrong; I have met a number of super moms who have had tremendous struggles in their marriages (husbands leaving, cheating, etc.) who have still come through with flying colors. However, that is not the norm. We moms need to know our husbands are right there rooting for us, participating in the homeschooling, and taking the load off in general! But do we tend to expect too much? Do we often feel they should read our minds? Terri exposes the goofiness that we as women tend to resort to when it comes to placing undue expectations on our husbands.

This book was a joy to review because Terri is a friend of mine. Our staff here at the magazine is very partial to her - she's fun! Terri and I have kept the midnight oils burning on several nights (or mornings - 1 a.m. and beyond!) while chatting about being moms, homeschool, spaghetti, writing, marriage, spaghetti, conferences, magazine publication, spaghetti - you name it. She's funny. I don't have time to chat and chat with people, but Terri's different. I'll talk with her ANYTIME. She's an encouragement - but beyond that, a comedian. Encouragement is highly needed in the homeschool community, but stuffiness is not. Terri is one of the most highly sought after speakers today, filling the need for encouragement with a hilarious twist. I adore her!

I refer to this book as "The Eve Book" when talking with Terri. It's easier to say and remember. I recommend it to every homeschool mom (and non-homeschool mom!) alive!

If It Weren't For Eve I'd Be A Perfect Wife is going to bring you down to earth and to your knees before your Father. Using humor, Terri gets us to take a look at where the problem may really be - ME (us as women!). She is real enough to share her struggles and even her past. She has a testimony that will make your toes curl. I got emotional just reading (and I don't cry easily!) and realizing what God can accomplish in a life. She opens up the doors to her home wide as she reveals her struggles, pain, and difficulties (and success!!) in being a wife and mama. I don't know too many authors who get as real as she does! Terri figures that if it helps even one, it's worth it. But I'll tell you what - it's not helping just one. Terri is the kind of speaker that packs out halls. The people come because they know they are in for a shot of realness - no fake nonsense here.

"The Eve Book" is by far my favorite marriage book. I have often mentally referred back to certain chapters when my life is upside down with stress or I am in hypersensitive mode with Paul. Terri calls it like it is but uses humor to do so. Instead of feeling weighed down, you feel ready to face your marriage with a new attitude (a right one!).

Here are some of the chapters covered: Who's in charge Here, Anyway? Communicating in Babel, Magnifying Moments, Perfect Love, and Daily Perform My Vows. Her sub-chapters cover things perfect for MY life like "white knuckle moments," "freedom from fear," "selfishness," "change being painful," "postpartum reds," "challenging two year olds," "moms losing it," and my personal favorite, "pivotal moments" (love it when I have those!).

"Eve" is good for newlywed ladies. Even a thorough section on night time etiquette is offered here in a humorous, yet thought-provoking, manner. We Christians don't talk much about that, and SHOULD not in a graphic or revealing nature. But Terri addresses it with a perfect balance; it'll make you think twice next time you are too tired for your husband. Again, Terri is REAL. She poured her very heart and soul into this book and it comes through strongly as you read. I have to do a lot of reviews. I have to read a lot of books. Trudge through a lot of books is often times the ase. If I am not interested in the book, it's hard to review it. I knew I needed to review this book for Terri. After all, she is my friend, colleague, and sister in Christ. I knew it needed to be done. The funny thing is, once I finally bit the bullet and picked it up, I could not put it down. I read it straight through in two days (taking breaks only to deal with kids, sleep and eat!). "The Eve Book" will take you down reality lane -a place we should all visit from time to time. It's good, good, good! TOS™ Magazine says, "Readers, go get the "Eve" book - it might play a key role in saving your marriage!"
-- Product Review by: Gena Suarez, Publisher, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

And here's anothe review!

If It Weren't For Eve I'd be A Perfect Wife
I'm Going to be the Greatest Mom Ever! Even if it Kills Me!!!

A clean house, perfectly behaved children, and a loving, devoted husband is a modern day fairy tale that most women dream of living! As much as I strive for this perfection, I ALWAYS fall short. Over the years, I have read countless books and devotionals by women who write that they have achieved this dream. Each book leaves me feeling glum. I have grown skeptical of authors who claim to have it all, so it was a treat to read Terri Camp's books I'm Going to be the Greatest Mom Ever! Even if it Kills Me!!!, and If it Weren't for Eve I'd be a Perfect Wife. Mrs. Camp is funny, warm, open about her shortcomings, and informative. Her imperfection makes her writing real to me. Both books feature mother-sized chapters (you can read them before you fall asleep, not fall asleep reading them). Both books are divided into sections containing a few chapters each. As the homeschooling mother of eight, Mrs. Camp has lived a full life, and can write from experience on topics such as Communicating in Babel, Perfect Love, and Mommy Moments. A word of caution is in order to mothers who like to share books with their older daughters, Mrs. Camp deals with the painful subject of being raped and getting pregnant before marriage in her book If it Weren't for Eve. Both of these subjects are dealt with in a sensitive manner, but you need to be aware of this before you buy this for a young lady. To learn more about Terri Camp, visit her web site at www.ignitethefire.com, and while there you can listen to her weekly web radio broadcast and purchase her books.
-- Product Review by: Tina Rice, The Old Schoolhouse

Here's another!

I'm Going to be the Greatest Mom Ever! Even if it Kills Me!!!
Ignite the Fire!

Terri Camp is the fresh, funny, philosophical voice of home schooling mothers. I have had a chance to meet her in person, hear her speak, and read her books. I am an unabashed fan of this lively, inspiring mother of eight children.

Her book, Ignite the Fire, is based on her approach to home schooling called The Fire Philosophy - Freedom is Real Education. She wants her children to catch the fire for learning, as voiced by William Butler Yeats who said, "Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire." She helps us articulate our vision for home education: That we ignite the fires in our children so they will learn, retain, and enjoy learning. The next part of her book is dedicated to SPARKS - Sparks Promote an Attitude that Releases Kinetic Studies. She defines a SPARK as a plan, idea, or project that promotes in your children a desire to study! What follows is a treasure trove of ideas, projects, and processes using household items to make learning fun and meaningful for your children. She shares her FIRE approach to literature and specifically highlights a few books that have been special to her family. Whatever your approach or method, this book can help to put some spark back into your program.

I'm Going to Be the Greatest Mom Ever - Even if it Kills Me! took me through the joys and tribulations of motherhood with Terri's loving, humorous perspective. She shares stories about her children, cleaning, habits, passions, and fun. Woven through each chapter is her overarching devotion to the Lord and His daily outpouring of grace in her life. If you can read only one "Mom" book this year, make this the book. You will laugh. You may cry. You will definitely be touched and heartened as you reflect on your own journey of motherhood.
--Product Review by: Christine Field, Lead Product Reviewer, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Here's another!

I'm Going to Be the Greatest Mom Ever
Ignite the Fire!

Ignite the Fire - what a curious name for a book about homeschooling, or is it? As the author, Terri Camp, states, "fire" in the Bible always speaks of purification. New life springs forth from old growth. Fire is a necessary component of fertilization. It is one of God's methods for bringing about renewal; therefore, we need to be especially aware of the "God" or fire element in our homeschooling choices. For most of us, homeschooling is not merely an educational choice, rather we want it to have far greater implications than that. It is in the purer sense, a "spiritual" choice. It is "spiritual warfare."

Ignite the Fire is more than a book with ideas to generate educational fertility. It is a philosophy of teaching that overrides and engulfs all other philosophies and styles. Mrs. Camp is speaking to the sacrifices called forth in us as parents to truly educate our children, and to equip them to be a part of the body of Christ. Ignite the Fire addresses the issue of fitting into that body as a working, learning, and participating individual to carry out God's plan. Since each member of the body must fulfill his or her God given place, education cannot be a one size fits all deal. Nor can it be left totally to the mind of the child. The parent must be seeking God, praying, and lovingly guiding the child through the process in order to Ignite the Fire.

Mrs. Camp quotes Duet. 6: 5-9 where God is instructing Israel in their personal walk with Him, alongside of the plan for passing the "flame" onto their children. I think the Amplified Bible so aptly illustrates this principle, "And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be (first) in your own minds and hearts; (then) you shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the minds and hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up." She cautions us due to the very spiritual nature of homeschooling not to become lazy or weary in educating our children.

If you seek to allow God to purify yourself and thus, guide your child into not only a burning passion for learning, but a passion for the things of God, Ignite the Fire will give you the spark you need. After reading the book, take the time to really reflect on Mrs. Camp's words and allow God to Ignite the Fire for Him in you as well. Revival in education, and revival in America begins with one individual at a time. Let's allow it to begin in us and in our children as well!