HappyGoStuckey

Things I learned in April

April 30, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 10 Comments

Wait a minute. April is OVER? I just cannot believe it. I feel as though it just began and I was in the midst of getting our house ready for Master’s Week and preparing to go on vacation. But we did, it happened and it is over.

So I’m doing something new here today. Linking up with one of my absolute favorite writers, Emily Freeman over at Chatting at the Sky. I had the privilege of hearing Emily speak at Allume last year and she was fantastic. She hosts a fun link-up each month based on the things we learned during that month, and as there are always random things I mean to tell you– this is something I want to join in on. So here goes.

1. I learned that every bit of the 6+ months I spent planning our Disney World Vacation was 100% worth it. There were definitely unexpected things that arose, (like random, brief, stomach illnesses for both kiddos while we were there! Yikes!) but because we were blessed to be able to go for a full week, we were able to just relax, take it all in stride and not push ourselves. I am so very grateful for the time away which our family thoroughly enjoyed and desperately needed. Also, there is no substitute for watching your kiddos experience “The Magic!”

This picture isn't the greatest, but the memory is! — Lucy watching the opening show at the Magic Kingdom

2. I was reminded of the Power of 10 Minutes. Years ago, when I was pregnant with our first — a close friend relayed a very important piece of advice from her own mother. “Never underestimate the power of 10 minutes.” Basically, no matter how overwhelmed and tired you are, when you look around you at a million different tasks which seem insurmountable together, take one– just one at a time and set a timer for 10 minutes. Most things can be either finished or certainly begun well in ten minutes. I used this tactic when I felt sick as a pregnant mom, when I had a newborn, when I had another newborn and a toddler, and just about every other stage of life. It is such a simple but valuable tool. Karen Stott came up with the #10minuterefresh concept on instagram and I have used the principle several times this week to really make a dent in my to-do list without becoming overwhelmed at ALL it contained. Here’s one example of when I used 10 minutes to tidy up the girl’s play room. It can get a little out of hand and they can keep it cleaned up so much easier when it’s picked up well once a week. Simple concept, I know but so refreshing! Search the #10minuterefresh hashtag on instagram to see some inspiring before/after shots and it will have you setting your own 10 minute timer!

3. I learned that there is always, always, always room for another amazing book on motherhood. Lisa-Jo Baker released this beautiful book, Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected about Being a Mom in April and it. is. simply amazing! I have been crying way too often whilst reading it– just because it is touching on parts of being a mom that I have never been able to voice. It is such a blessing and I can just about guarantee you will enjoy reading it. (affiliate link) It is real and honest and beautiful.

Read it with chocolate and tissues.

4. This one may come as a surprise to some of you… but I sorta kinda like to …Spin. I started just before April began and it was without a doubt the hardest thing I had ever done– exercise wise. Even when I became a lot more serious about being active last summer, and we walked the hills of our neighborhood 5 days a week, I was frustrated with the results I was not really seeing — and so my workout buddy and I decided to try a spinning class. (It was my idea, and even though she had done it before– she didn’t discourage me with how crazy hard it was and how I was going to want to die 12 minutes in. Good friend that she is.) So we’ve been going for a little over a month now and I LIKE it. I don’t like it in the same way I like shopping for shoes while drinking Iced Coffee… but I like it. I love the music– I find that the music makes all the difference for me and I find myself humming the songs during the day ( I know. I’m a total weirdo.) Spinning was definitely something that has intimidated me for years. Something I never wanted to try because I didn’t want to fail. But, the class is full of supportive people and the instructor is amazing. So, there you go. A little humble admission of my new crazy spin fascination. If fascination can also mean– I do it because I know it’s good for me and I refuse to give up on it. But let’s be clear. It’s not what you would call, “easy” yet. Ha!

This was me, my first day of spin class. Clearly, I was nervous about it because I arrived slightly... early. — This was me, my first day of spin class. Clearly, I was nervous about it because I arrived slightly… early.

What did YOU learn in April???

Unforgettable: (in)RL

April 28, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 5 Comments

I’ll be honest. At first I agreed to be a hostess more for me than for them. I so crave community. I notice when it’s been too many days without it. And often, the best way to have community, is to open YOUR door and invite them in.

The last 3 years have been full of amazing, deep community for me. These women, these local, beautiful faces that cause me to light up when I see their names on my phone’s screen. However, just before we moved here, I knew exactly NONE of them. In fact, when we first arrived, the only people I knew shared my last name and a Penske Moving truck. But that has long since changed.

And though a few of the faces have moved away and new ones have come, they all feel like family. The kind you pray with, cry with, let yourself laugh loud like a psychotic donkey with.

Still, there is always room for one more.

And so I signed up to have these women in my house, praying they could come and leave filled with the energy of encouragement.

At some point during the night, we were discussing one of the segments of video and there began an impromptu sharing of “what I felt like when I was new here…”

And it was as expected. Each one, felt the same. Lost. Alone. Wanting to run and hide. Coming once or twice and then wanting nothing more than to run scared.

Each one, had to PUSH themselves to come again.

As one sweet friend began to share, everybody listened– for most of us came after she did.

And as I looked into her eyes and listened, she said it. The phrase my heart has cried out so many times but never voiced.

“I just felt so forgettable. I just knew if I left, no one would remember me…”

And I wanted to weep. Right then and there. First, because on the night I first came, she was one of the first mamas I met. I shared a teensy bit of my story and she was sitting across from me, listening with her whole heart which certainly didn’t make me feel forgettable. Instead, I felt…. wanted. Second, the tears threatened to fall because sometimes I still feel that way. Way too ordinary for anyone to remember.

Forgettable. Even when I KNOW BETTER. One little bit of rejection and the vision and desire to take my gifts and use them for Him is clouded by a thousand untrue thoughts.

BUT GOD.

We worship a God who does not forget us. He is El Roi. The God Who Sees. He SEES you. Today, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing– He sees. He does not forget who we are or where we are. He knows my name. He knows yours. And He gives us the breathtaking gift of community. When we open our hearts and our homes and let them come in, something amazing happens.

In deep community with one another, we have the opportunity to share, to love and to give the grace that has been given to us.

We are not meant to be alone. We are not meant to allow ourselves to become invisible. We were created to know and to be known. It is in community that we can truly love one another and glorify God as a body of believers. We cannot be the body if we are separate, disjointed parts scattered throughout the church. We have to SHARE life together. To do life together goes beyond an occasional potluck or playdate. It brings us together under the commonality of “Me too!” and allows us to look deeper into the hearts of one another. It’s dangerous. It risky. It requires vulnerability. But if we count the cost, we find it’s worth it.

Linking up with the other (in)RL hostesses over here

Friends. (FMF)

April 25, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 6 Comments

They aren’t quite at the age yet where they are whispering secrets and I’m the interloper. No, I get brought into the conversation quite frequently– to bust up disagreements.

They squabble a lot. Lucy, an only child for three years still doesn’t get why someone, let alone a sister, would just walk up and take something she is currently enjoying.

At first she would just sit there, bewildered. Now she has learned to hold her own a little bit.

And Abby, well.. she is of the mindset that she is in charge. She even announced that to me in Target yesterday. “I in charge. Mommy. I in charge.”

Ha.

But though they are both so small and still just starting to come into their personalities– I can look ahead.

Not because I had a sister. I was blessed with four older brothers– leaving me well taken care of but with only the dog, Sally, and my mom on my side of the camp.

Sisters or not, I know what a hilarious gift siblings are.

There are few things I love more than sitting around my parents HUGE table and laughing so hard at whatever one of my adult brothers have just said.

There’s a bond there that cannot be easily explained– and it isn’t just because we all happened to be born into the same house on Almond Ave in that neighborhood with the slightly eccentric cat lady and cranky Mr. Gum. Or was it Jum? I don’t know. I just remember the stories of him yelling from his front porch whenever my brothers would run for the bus. Flannel shirts, little dungarees and half a piece of over-toasted cheese toast hanging out of their mouths. He would yell not-so-nice things and they would secretly plot how they would ride their bikes through the very corner of his yard– just to instigate a little fun.

The stories are always funny, no matter how many times we tell them.

And it goes beyond photo albums of grainy polaroids of us all huddled around the tree on Christmas morning.

God gave my parents the gift of five kids, all stair-stepped and born into a life of beautiful chaos. The beauty was in spite of and because of the chaos. There was always something funny going on and even the ordinary days were pretty fun. But perhaps their reward for listening to our heightened level of noise all those years is seeing us know, laughing and just having each other to enjoy.

Because– now we are all grown up and we still love each other.

I would contest, we love each other more. We are friends now. And that is perhaps one of the best things about having more than one child.

Being able to “look ahead” for them.

To see the other side of these, “she took my doll and pulled my hair!!!!!!” to the days of friendship. The days of calling just to say hi and the days of meaningful encouragement.

Maybe that’s one of the greatest joys of being a parent.

Seeing your babies become friends.

Yesterday I saw it in my rear view mirror. Giggles and laughter and holding hands and silly jokes (which only makes sense to them.)

And I can look ahead and see them around my table one day… beyond the days of note-enough-crayons-to-go-around. Abby will probably still thinks she’s in charge. But Lucy can handle it. And though they will always be sisters–I hope they will choose to be friends.

“Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it abides.” Psalm 119:89-90

Linking up with the Five Minute Friday crowd today! Happy Friday!

Disney Trip Part 2

April 23, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment

Day 3- Animal Kingdom

Tuesday night when both the girls got sick, I was so worried that we were about to have a real stomach bug on our hands and was tempted to cancel our reservations and plans for the next morning. We decided to wait and see how they felt and they both woke up chatty and feeling fine. We rushed to get ready and drove into Animal Kingdom (to save a little time,) and made it just in time for our 8:45 reservation at the Tusker House Character Breakfast. This was a FUN meal with Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Daisy all in Safari gear! This, combined with the amazing breakfast buffet menu made it an easy choice for us. The food was delicious and the girls continued to perk up after the yummy Mickey Waffles, Bacon and Fruit. Lance and I sampled some of the more exotic things of course, but just between you and me– it’s really hard to beat a Mickey Waffle! Everything was delicious and there were a few dishes from South Africa which Lance pointed out to me and I was able to try. YUM! The fresh fruit and passion fruit juice were some of my favorites.

At our Breakfast at the Tusker House Restaurant– the girls were slightly freaked out by the masks behind us! Ha Ha!

The Tree of Life-- so big and so beautiful! Amazing that it is man-made. — The Tree of Life– so big and so beautiful! Amazing that it is man-made.

Our Tiger claws! I'm sure they have everyone do this-- but I think the result is hilarious! — Our Tiger claws! I’m sure they have everyone do this– but I think the result is hilarious!

Meeting Safari Minnie and Mickey! Two things– 1. Abby’s face! 2. I’m surprised there is room for everyone in the picture because, well, the hugeness of my hair. I don’t want to talk about it. But oh the humidity. 🙂

Now a few pictures I captured on my phone:

Goofy-- or as Abby calls him, "Gooty!" — Goofy– or as Abby calls him, “Gooty!”

Lucy was so enamored with Daisy. She loved her eyelashes.

Mickey Mouse– the star of the show for us!

This park is completely different from the others. It’s definitely “zoo-like” in certain ways but with a Disney spin. You can tell it’s a Disney park because everything is so clean and so well done. We were wanting to keep things easy for the girls to avoid pushing them too hard after the night before’s events so we did a few things here and there. Also, for some crazy reason– the Animal Kingdom seemed to be crawling with people that day. After breakfast, we rode the train out to Rafiki’s planet watch and visited the petting zoo, (the girls loved brushing the goats!) Then we saw Mickey & Minnie, visited the Tree of Life, went to Kilimanjaro Safaris in time for our FP+ (so fun!) then we briefly visited guest services since one of us lost our Magic Bands, (I’m hearing this happening here and there– maybe Disney is working on an improvement to them– it’s still very new.) We then grabbed a few snacks before going to the Finding Nemo Show. The Finding Nemo Show was really a great highlight and end to our short day at Animal Kingdom. I know there was much more to do, and we planned to do more but being flexible allowed the girls to rest a bit, enjoy themselves and not get sick again! YAY!

Walking through the beautiful lush trails.

A quick break to play some fun musical instruments

On the Kilimanjaro Safari-- must get a FP+ for this one! — On the Kilimanjaro Safari– must get a FP+ for this one!

Such a perfect and messy end to the Animal Kingdom-- a Mickey Ice Cream bar! — Such a perfect and messy end to the Animal Kingdom– a Mickey Ice Cream bar!

Our recap of the highlights! — A quick recap of the highlights from instagram!

After a nice little rest time back at the hotel, we changed and headed to the Wilderness Lodge for Dinner at the Whispering Canyon Cafe. The Whispering Canyon Cafe has a build-your-own platter option which we tried (hello, Disney dining plan!) and it allowed us to sample several different BBQ-style meats. Our favorite was actually a citrus-crusted white fish they brought out. We had fish several times while at Disney and each time, it was outstanding!

Blurry photo but, Lucy took park in the stick horse races with the other kids-- so fun to watch! — Blurry photo but, Lucy took part in the stick horse races with the other kids– so fun to watch!

Just walking around the Wilderness Lodge and enjoying the excellent theming was exciting in and of itself. We both agreed that one day this would be one where we would enjoy staying. I would highly recommend the Whispering Canyon Cafe both for service and fun! The staff had all kinds of fun antics and the night was full of shenanigans and laughter! Although, I’d also like to mention that our server was very tuned into our family and when we had a few extra needs for our littles, she was happy and quick to oblige! That’s the Disney way though.

After dinner, we headed back to our resort for a good night’s rest as we were planning Thursday to be another Magic Kingdom day with Extra Magic Hours and tons of fun! Come back again and I’ll share the fun pictures. Thank you for joining me so far on this trip recap, because nothing soothes the pain of NOT being in Disney like re-living the memories!

See you Real Soon! (Yes, I couldn’t help myself. I had to say it.)

French Potato Salad

April 19, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment

This is the BEST Herbed Potato Salad. This is not your ordinary Mayonnaise-based Southern Potato Salad. There is absolutely no mayo, but instead a Julia-Child-esque Herbed Vinaigrette. It is absolutely delicious and can be served warm, cold or even at room temperature (best!) This is our absolute favorite side dish for a BBQ or summer fare. Enjoy!

French Potato Salad

Author: Cynthia Stuckey

This Herbed Potato Salad is best served warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

1 pound small white potatoes
1 pound small red potatoes
2 tablespoons dry white wine (you can use cooking wine or more chicken stock if you choose.)
2 tablespoons chicken stock
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt (you may use less, I always do.)
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup minced scallions
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill (You may substitute 1 tsp. dried dill)
2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chiffonade of fresh basil leaves

Method

Drop the white and red potatoes into a large pot of boiling, salted water and cook for 20-30 minutes, until they are just cooked through.
Drain in a colander and place a kitchen towel over the potatoes to allow them to steam for 10 minutes.
As soon as you can handle them, cut in half (quarters if the potatoes are larger) and place in a medium bowl.
Toss gently with the wine and chicken stock. Allow the liquids to soak into the warm potatoes before proceeding.
Combine the vinegar, mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion.
Add the vinaigrette to the potatoes.
Add the scallion, dill, parsley, basil, salt to taste (the original recipe says to add the remaining 1 2/ tsp. but I always find that to be a bit much,) and ½ teaspoon pepper and toss.
Serve warm, room temperature or chilled.

**Recipe slightly adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten**

Glue. (FMF)

April 18, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 19 Comments

I’m supposed to be something of a type of glue in this family.

Hold everybody together. Keep everyone in clean clothes that somewhat match. Keep the fridge full and the laundry baskets empty. More importantly, keep the hearts full of encouraging words. Words that speak love and truth and grace.

But sometimes.

I can be a bit weary. Can’t you? It can get to be a lot. Especially the last couple of days when we’re all just a bit overtired from vacation travels, only to come home to one of us contracting a 2nd stomach bug in ten days. I hate it when my littles are sick. But vomit? That’s just a low blow. I hate to watch my usually bouncy, sing-song slightly bohemian dancer girl lay on the couch for two days straight.

And it’s in those beyond tired moments that I know it to be true. Those words of TRUTH from THE LIVING WORD.

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deut. 31:6

I was barely six when my mom sat on the side of my bed and told my anxious, over-thinking heart those words. I remember her voice like it was this past Tuesday.

“Honey– Jesus says, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ And He will not. (Deut. 31:6)

And He did not. Not one time.

Not once did He leave my side. Not then at the age of six when I tried to over-analyze what should have been simple childlike faith.

Not that time in college when I was truly heartbroken and alone for the very first time.

Not that night in an Operating Room when the Doctor raced to extract our baby girl.

Not for one sleepless night. Not on one rainy afternoon. Not once when we prayed for direction and did not see a clear path. Not even when the path suddenly became even more clouded and rocky.

Not once has He left us.

He is the GLUE that holds us all together. Without Him we would be lost. Floundering. Wandering aimlessly without the slightest hope.

And when we feel in need of being patched up and held together, He holds us in His capable, ever faithful hands.

And HE will not let us go.

Honored to link up with Lisa Jo and Five Minute Friday Crew!

Disney Vacation (Picture Heavy!)

April 17, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

We had an amazing trip to Walt Disney World last week and though there is NO place like home, I am SO thankful for all the photographs we have, they help me relive all the little moments and enjoy it all over again. If planning a Disney trip is as much fun as going before you go, looking at the photos after is as much fun as being there! Since we were there for 6 whole nights, and I have so much I want to share, I’m going to spread it out over a post here and there for several weeks. Spread around the Disney love.

We decided in advance to purchase the Disney Memory Maker Photo Pass to have all the Photographer-captured photos for one set price. I’ll discuss our reasons, things I learned and if I thought it was worth it soon, but that’s one of the reason we have so many different pictures. All the other photos were taken on my phone. My real camera has been a bit wonky lately.

Ok let’s jump right in!

DAY 1- Travel Day and Magic Kingdom

The obligatory, "We're HERE!!!" photo. — The obligatory, “We’re HERE!!!” photo.

Because we did not arrive until lunch time, we made this a slightly easier day. We ate lunch after checking in at our Resort and then used our Fastpasses for a Parade viewing spot (Great option if you have multiple days at Magic Kingdom,) meeting Rapunzel and Snow White and then for Peter Pan.

The NEW Festival of Fantasy Parade at the Magic Kingdom is FANTASTIC!

The new (ish) Dumbo ride is so fun. Now it is doubled (less wait time!) and there is a built in play area for the kids while you wait your turn to ride!

And of course the Carousel is a family favorite. We always ride this more than any other ride. I'm sure I'll be a little sad when it isn't their favorite anymore. — And of course the Carousel is a family favorite. We always ride this more than any other ride. I’m sure I’ll be a little sad when it isn’t their favorite anymore.

Meeting Snow White. She was so sweet to the girls and they really remembered that about her. She was a "good" Snow White. — Meeting Snow White. She was so sweet to the girls and they really remembered that about her. She was a “good” Snow White.

wd006wdw201409761677188 — I guess maybe Abby was getting a bit tired, huh?

Rapunzel was the first Princess they met all week and because she noticed Abby’s shoes– Abby made it a point to show each and every princess after that her shoes. So funny!

When it was dinner time, we hopped the Monorail and rode over to the Contemporary for Dinner. We opted for good food over a character meal for this first night, and we were not disappointed at THE WAVE restaurant. The food was delicious and we had a neat special experience here. When we arrived, they chose Lucy as the “Farmer of the Day.” She was allowed to pick three fruits or vegetables from a little wagon and then the head chef prepared something special using those ingredients. He brought the specials to our table just as an extra treat and explained each one to them. It was really neat. She chose Strawberries, Mixed Berries and an Apple. He prepared little Smoothie shooters and a plate of Apple Slices, Peanut Butter, Crackers and Vanilla Bean Powder. Funny, he made two of her favorite foods! This was a neat first night dinner and a relaxing experience for everyone.

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to get a jump on our rest so we could arrive back at the Magic Kingdom bright and early the next morning!

***Day 2- Magic Kingdom***

We got up super early and made it to the Magic Kingdom just in time for the opening show. This was the first time any of us had ever seen it and it REALLY puts your day off to a Magical start! Usually 15-20 minutes before the Park opens, the opening show begins. You don’t want to miss this if you haven’t seen it.

She was completely enthralled and so was Abby. They both just smiled, mouths agape and waved the entire time. Great start to a great day!

We went straight to Enchanted Tales with Belle before there was a line so we could change our Fastpass to something else (Great thing about the new system– easy to make adjustments on your phone!) Enchanted Tales with Belle is a FUN interactive story experience. Children get picked/ volunteer to play a part in the story and then they get to be right up close to Belle. Lucy played Chip. So appropriate.

Waiting to go in Maurice's Cottage for Enchanted Tales with Belle — Waiting to go in Maurice’s Cottage for Enchanted Tales with Belle. This is as much fun as the actual attraction– seeing all the neat theming.

Mad Hatter's Tea Cups — Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups

Meeting Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit

When it was time for lunch, we had a fast pass for Be Our Guest Restaurant (quick service at lunch) I believe they are still in the testing stages of doing FP+ for lunch but since we were resort guests, we were able to get one. Which is good– because the line was ridiculous! The theming was exquisite. The food was delicious and I wish I could have taken better pictures, it was of course pretty dark in there. Definitely worth the trip.

As we headed back for rest time, we saw this little Kitty Cat walking down Main Street!

Unfortunately, that is where the pictures AND the fun ended that day. The girls rested and then both got sick before we could come back for more fun. One at dinner and then the other that night. The next day they were both fine so it may have just been the excitement or something they ate.

Well, Thank you for hanging out with us today and looking at photos! Come back soon for more Disney Fun!!!

Things I learned in April

Unforgettable: (in)RL

Friends. (FMF)

Disney Trip Part 2

French Potato Salad

Glue. (FMF)

Disney Vacation (Picture Heavy!)

Miss Something?

Privacy Policy