Team Us: Marriage Together

Though not anything "new" or "mind blowing" in the terms of marriage books, I did enjoy it. The author wrote a fun how-to for newly weds and not so newly weds. With the occasional insight from her husband on a situation, you see both sides of it and you get to see how it affected him too.

Weaving in humor and insights Ashliegh shows how two people, raised completely different, can come together, and become one.

It's a great start if you've never read any relationship books because it's light and she uses several "pop culture" examples for better understanding. Overall I'd give it 4 out of 5.

I received this book from the publisher is exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a personal, hands-on book of experiences gained that help a marriage survive and thrive. We live during a time when many people are not even willing to work through the small differences, let alone major ones, so I really like the team emphasis. There is a conversational tone that gives one the impression of chatting with a friend. Comments included as blurbs from Ashleigh's husband, Ted, carry on that impression. You've had those times with friends when a spouse adds another POV or clarity. Most added a humorous touch and I enjoyed reading Ted's thoughts.

While this isn't a book suitable for me, I have no hesitation about passing it along to my recently married granddaughter. It is important to realize from the beginning of a marriage that you and your spouse are a new team who must work together. From the silly things like television preferences to major issues of moving and loss, it is important to understand that compromise and even caring more about bring joy to your spouse can turn around frustrations and build a solid foundation.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Propeller, through FlyBy Promotions for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I so agree with this from the back cover: When a couple promises "I do," they agree to more than just a shared last name, a joint bank account, and no more dateless nights. This husband and wife duo forms a new team. "Life together" becomes their mantra. Nothing can come between them. At least, that's the plan.

This is what so many newlyweds haven't taken time to consider. Ashleigh shares in TEAM US how marriage couples should communicate, have a regular date night, say I LOVE YOU often and have a deep commitment to having a strong marriage. I liked how they stressed to exercise grace on a daily basis.. This is a nice reminder that to make a marriage work - YOU have to work at it, it won't just happen... A book that will open your eyes and help you learn from others mistakes. I thought it was an inspiring and oh so honest book. So join in and join up with TEAM US...

I was gifted this book by FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network for my honest opinion which I have given.

When a couple promises ‟I do," they agree to more than just a shared last name, a joint bank account, and no more dateless nights. This husband and wife duo forms a new team. ‟Life together" becomes their mantra. Nothing can come between them. At least, that's the plan.

But then real life sets in. With it come disappointments and frustrations. If the couple isn't intentional in their day-to-day interactions, that once enthusiastic ‟we" can slowly revert to ‟you" and ‟me." Before long, the couple's left wondering what happened to their team spirit.

Team Us: Marriage Together offers couples practical ways to cultivate and strengthen unity in their marriages. Ashleigh Slater shares from her own marriage as she presents couples with realistic ideas on how to foster cooperation, deepen commitment, and exercise grace on a daily basis.(1)

Ashleigh, with dry witty asides by her husband, Ted, tells the whole truth about marriage - the struggle we all face day to day as we try to function with this "new being" in our household. We endeavor to subdue our "me-ness" to be an "us," yet we forever find ourselves facing the truth that we've become self-centered yet again. It takes real effort to put the marriage ahead of our own needs - to consider the marriage more important than what we feel we need at that point in time. We learn to pick our battles - and let the small stuff go.

As Ashleigh so engagingly explains, we need to practice grace and forgiveness on a daily basis. Practicing grace - the concept of doing rather than receiving grace - affected me deeply. So many times I've let me take over and forgotten the "us." I've held onto grudges instead of offering grace and forgiveness. And yet the times when I've followed Ashleigh's advice, our marriage has grown and strengthened.

Ashleigh and Ted Slater are a delightful young couple I had the pleasure of interviewing during ICRS (International Christian Retail Show). Such a young couple writing a marriage "how to" book intrigued me. They related that they wanted to be viewed more as mentors and friends than as "experts." Ashleigh told me that she learns from stories and wanted to share stories from their marriage that could help others perhaps a couple of years younger to not make some of the same mistakes that they had made - to be able to give practical ideas rather than untried theories.

Ashleigh and Ted have been married for 11 ½ -years and have four girls. Ted relates in the book and told me that he had been engaged twice before he met Ashleigh. Because he felt himself a walking disaster with relationships, they did not hold hands until they were engaged and did not so much as kiss until the minister said, "You may kiss the bride." Ashleigh says this make her feel like Ted respected her so much more. Ted is 12 years older than Ashleigh - one of her friends told her this (she was only 23 when they were married), but Ted had to have one of his friends ask her in front of him to find out her age - asking her himself seemed to him a bad move - they both chuckle about that.

Ashleigh got her start writing music reviews - her mom was very supportive and sent one of her reviews in when Ashleigh was 16 - and it was published. Ted says she brought 1000s of CDs to their marriage. They both studied communication in college and grad school and know that the ability to communicate is of paramount importance in marriage. They both view life as a narrative empowered by the grace of God. Ted says he is the "wild card" and Ashleigh has told him in return that he's not allowed to have a mid-life crisis - that she is that crisis. More chuckles from both of them ensued.

I am 31 years married and learned some new things and new tips from Team Us. Regardless of how long you've been married, or if you're planning on being married, you'll enjoy reading Team Us: Marriage Together.

I was given a copy of this book by Moody Publishers for my unbiased review.

So often young couples are warned that marriage is "hard work." I remember feeling a little daunted by the prospect, at 31, when my husband and I tied the knot. But along with the work comes so many amazing benefits: the love and support of another person, the funny misunderstandings and lifelong memories, the meaningful talks about hopes and dreams. In Team Us: Marriage Together, author Ashleigh Slater paints a balanced picture of the joys and challenges of marriage. Instead of viewing the less appealing parts of marriage (such as conflict and loss) as cons, Slater encourages couples to embrace all aspects of marriage as an adventure to become the incredible team God designed you and your spouse to be. Refreshingly candid with insightful side notes from the author's husband, Ted, Team Us is an encouraging read that should be required reading for young married couples!