Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy [Paperback]

Kimberley Woodhouse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 18, 2009

Thanks to being featured on the hit TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the Woodhouse family of Colorado Springs is known across the country. Their poignant, heart-touching story of having a child with a rare medical disorder, which led to a mountain of hospital bills and the loss of their home—and their need for a home that would be safe for daughter Kayla—has put them in the public spotlight and kept them there. The theme that carries through Welcome Home is James 1:2-4. We’re all a work in progress, and it can be “Pure Joy” to be a parent. But, how does joy evolve out of a potentially devastating reality? Kimberley’s candid stories of both failures and successes, and the ultimate resource—the Bible, will point readers in the right direction for establishing JOY in their homes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

We all love stories of miracles. . . . But what about stories . . . where the healing doesn’t take place instantly but God shows up day after day? We don’t always get the miracles we pray for, but we can have God’s strength and wisdom to triumph one day at a time. (Kay Arthur, best-selling author, cofounder of Precept Ministries International )

From the Back Cover

Overwhelming trials . . . met with overcoming joy
Kayla Woodhouse is not your typical twelve-year-old. Due to a rare medical disorder, she feels no pain, doesn’t sweat, and needs protective cooling gear just to go outside. With her restrictive lifestyle; countless hospitalizations, including brain surgery; and the resulting mountain of hospital bills, what’s a family to do?
How the Woodhouse family has faced seemingly impossible challenges is a story that has captured the hearts of America. Millions of people have experienced glimpses of their lives on Discovery’s Mystery ER, The Montel Williams Show, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Now Kayla’s mom, Kimberley, takes readers behind the cameras to reveal their family’s journey as never before told. From medical sleuthing to cross-country moves, from freak fires to battles with insurance companies, Welcome Home proves that truth really is stranger than fiction. This candid life story reveals both success and failure and demonstrates how, even during tough circumstances, you can shift your life from heartbreak to extreme joy.
Peek inside the Woodhouse family’s life (and their famous house) with a 16-page photo insert.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (August 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589975731
• ISBN-13: 978-1589975736
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she's shared at more than 600 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family's story have garnered national media attention for many years, but most recently her family was chosen for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, and Discovery Health channel's Mystery ER. Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy, releases from Tyndale House Publishers September first. In addition to her non-fiction, she also writes romantic suspense and children's books. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children in their truly "extreme" home. kimberleywoodhouse.com
Find Kim on twitter and facebook:
twitter.com/kimwoodhouse
author fan page Kimberley Woodhouse

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Housewarming Redefined, September 29, 2009

By 

Chandra Lynn "Chandra Lynn" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy (Paperback)

Every now and then I come across a book that touches my heart. As I read such a book, I find myself laughing and crying as if I am part of the story. Kim Woodhouse's book is that kind of book. I knew a good bit about the story of this family before I opened the book. However, nothing prepared me for the faith and joy woven into every page of this book. This family has suffered a vast array of trials and tribulations, but I never found myself feeling pity for them. While I felt like they certainly deserved a break, I witnessed a family that truly grew stronger in their faith and love for each other through trials. The Woodhouse family has learned to 'count it all joy' whether they are in good times or bad. As a long time fan of the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I was moved by the story of the Woodhouse family getting their home. It also inspired me to know that the staff of the show is as sincere and dedicated as they appear on TV. This book is a must read for everyone. Buy it now, read it tomorrow. You'll not be disappointed. Then, the next time you find yourself in a difficult situation you may decide to 'count it all joy' as the Woodhouse family does.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read" book that will change your life!, October 15, 2010

By 

Lynn McCallum (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy (Paperback)

Imagine for a moment that your child has been diagnosed with a rare medical disorder. She doesn't sweat, feels no pain, and needs to wear protective clothing just to go outside. With her restrictive lifestyle, countless medical bills and hospitalizations, including brain surgery, how is a family to cope? (adapted from back cover.) What would you think? How would you feel? Such was the situation with Kayla Woodhouse and her family.
"How the Woodhouse family has faced seemingly impossible challenges is a story that has captured the hearts of America. Millions...have experienced glimpses of their lives on Discovery's Mystery ER, the Montel Williams Show, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
In her book, Kayla's mother,Kimberley,tells Kayla's story, which is indeed the story of the entire family, including Kayla's Dad, Jeremy, and older brother, Josh. It is the story of one family's triumph over seemingly tragic circumstances, and how they experience extreme joy in the midst of one trial after another. Kim writes candidly about the struggles, fears, emotions of everyday life. She takes us behind the scenes, as it were, to give us a picture of life as her family experiences it. You will laugh, and you will be moved to tears as you read this heart-wrenching and heart-warming story.

Kim has included many photos of the family as well as of their now-famous "extreme" home. Yes, overwhelming trials are met with overcoming JOY. The story of the Woodhouse family will both challenge and bless you. Thanks, Kim, for sharing your heart, as well as your joy! In the midst of the raw realities of human life, you have shown us that God so graciously gives what we are needing to live one day at a time.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Woodhouse Family: Walking a Mile in Their Shoes, October 7, 2009

By 

Janice A. Thompson "booksbyjanice" (The Woodlands TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Welcome Home: Our Family's Journey to Extreme Joy (Paperback)

If I could figure out a way to give this book TEN stars, I would do so. I guess five will have to do.

Let me start by saying I thought I knew Kim. I've "known" her through American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) for years. I've "known" her as the recipient of my thoughts, love and prayers. I've "known" her from watching her story unfold on Extreme Home Makeover (and on Mystery Diagnosis on the Health Channel). I've "known" her as a mom who came to my local writing group to share the story of her daughter's rare health disorder and their struggles and victories. But I have to be honest. Until reading this book, I did not know Kim Woodhouse at all.

To know someone, you have to walk with him/her, hand-in-hand, through life's ups and downs. Now that I've read this book, I feel that I have. I've cried with Kim as she received the difficult diagnoses for her children. I've traveled with her from state to state, house to house, looking for a "cool" place to stay. I've hoped, dreamed, wished and cared. . .about all of the things she hoped, dreamed, wished and cared about. Most of all, I've been given a rare glimpse into her spirit, where the real story lies. My faith has been increased as a result of reading this book. In fact, I can't wait to buy another copy to give to a loved one who's going through a trial so that her faith can be increased, too.

Instead of going on and on and on about this book (which I could do), I will simply say, "If you're going through a difficult time and need a resurgence of hope. . .read this book." It will be the shot in the arm you've been needing. For in this book you will find the one true answer, the source of hope.

Oh, and one more thing. I've come away from the book with a new appreciation for James 1:2: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." I've been marching around my house with those words on my lips. May they forever remain!