Sis, take a breath Encouragement for the woman who's trying to live and love well (but secretly just wants to take a nap)

Author Watson declares that her debut is not a how-to book, it is an act of sisterhood. She shares her Christian faith, life experience, and sage thoughts, speaking with a confident, encouraging, authentic voice to women navigating marriage with children. Marrying 16-year NFL veteran Benjamin Watson meant leaving the corporate ladder to move around the country. Early on, Watson and her husband committed to always being on the same team, building a marriage that would survive their childrearing years. Watson shares the memorable and mundane experiences of motherhood, the joys and messy work of having seven children. She gives sisterly advice for readers to say yes wholeheartedly, while she also supports saying no when called for. And she tells hard truths--about experiencing miscarriages, having "the talk" with her kids, and helping kids understand and oppose racism. Each chapter ends with distilled wisdom and practice in "Your Turn to Take a Breath." In Watson's sisterhood, readers will find valuable help for living out faith and taking in healing breaths.

Watson, who has "seven kids and a pro-athlete husband," shares in her upbeat debut practical advice and biblical guidance on how to get through the day. The author credits her faith with centering her and reminds readers that prayer "isn't a 'one and done' deal," but "an ongoing relationship" with God that requires effort and care. Watson recalls having two miscarriages in four months, advising readers that "pain doesn't necessarily go away... but God can give us a new perspective." Passages from scripture punctuate Watson's advice, such as when she quotes from Romans to urge readers to stay true to themselves and turns to Luke to show the value of prioritizing one's time. Watson also describes giving her children "the Talk" about racism, voicing her anger over the racial injustice that makes the conversation necessary and pointing to the Holy Spirit's ubiquity as a source of comfort. Though Watson sometimes veers toward the formulaic ("Limits are a good thing"), her exuberance and resilience are infectious. Weary souls will appreciate this breath of fresh air. Agent: Rachelle Gardner, Gardner Literary. (May)