• Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
    • Together at the Table
    • Food and Such
      • Beverages
      • Bread
      • Breakfast
      • Main Dishes
      • Vegetables & Sides
      • Soups
      • Desserts
  • Writing
    • On Family
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect
    • For You
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Dear Charlie’s Mama, (or “How We’re All a Little Surprised by Motherhood”)

April 1, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 9 Comments

Dear Charlie’s Mama,

You and I have shared many things. A 482- mile relocation to a little town in North Carolina. Late night test-prep over coffee and chocolate. When we became friends we were giggly high school girls who snickered in a bus seat at “inside jokes.” Now we are women and wives. And in a few short months, you will add the title, Mama, to your repertoire. You are so suited to this.

You may not always remember that, but I hope you do.

There will be days not too far away when you rock back and forth next to a crib, hold your breath and lay a burrito-like swaddled little boy down. You tuck him in tight and slowly back out of the room– wincing if he makes one little noise that might signal his waking– and thus bringing you back in for round two (or round 17 for that matter.) You will undoubtedly look at him and he will take your very breath away. There is no substitute for the awestruck wonder that takes hold in your heart when you look into that little face and you see it. The mirror like image of yourself and the one you love, staring right back at you in fresh-from-heaven newness of life.

There may be wee hours of the morning when it’s all a little much. The sheer and ultimate exhaustion. The just falling asleep to wake up a short time later. At one point or another, you will realize that it’s always you he wants. Always. And while that’s a wonderfully amazing thing, it’s tough. Sometimes it’s all a little tough. You may feel it best to stay in the house until he’s potty-trained. Don’t do it. You will run out of Paper Towels and Coffee eventually anyway.  (You must NOT let yourself run out of coffee.) And, each and every time you brave the outside world with that new little person, you’ll get better at it. And when he has a meltdown in the middle of the toothbrush aisle at Target, just know– you are doing it ALL right. There is nothing you can do to do it better and you are EXACTLY the mom for this job. 

There are countless books, blogs, articles and forums on Mothering. Choose wisely, but be familiar with the art of throwing the book back on the shelf and trusting yourself as the expert on Charlie. Mother’s Intuition, or whatever you call it, you are the only mother in the world who can rightfully know what HE needs.

And when you really don’t know what to do, or when you wonder if you’re doing it right, or how you ended up here, I have a little piece of advice for you. Pray. And then,

Go in your kitchen. Turn on the music and Dance. Together. All three of you. Just dance and play and laugh.

And as you dance, remember that life is full of surprises. And Motherhood is full of even more surprises. You might be surprised how hard it is. You might be surprised at how easy it is. You might be surprised as how fast you can wear your regular pants again (Call me, I will celebrate with you.) You might be surprised at how often you find yourself singing over him, just as God’s Word says HE sings over us. You might just be surprised at the renewed love you feel for your Heavenly Father as you look into the face of your own, firstborn son. Some surprises will be frustrating and will produce hot, wet tears of confusion over why “he just won’t sleep… or eat.”  You’ll be surprised how in about five minutes, you are packing his lunch for his first day of Kindergarten– that surprise will bring with it a huge lump in your throat. Some surprises will bring you to your knees in gratefulness. Stay there an extra minute and know that as much of a gift that Charlie is to you, you two amazing parents are a gift to him. Every new season will bring new surprises, new challenges and plenty of need to trust the One who gave him to you. 

And know that nothing can possibly prepare you for the fact that, in the first five minutes you lock eyes with him, your world will be forever and surprisingly wonderfully changed. I would tell you to take a mental photograph in that moment, but there is absolutely no way you will ever forget it for the rest of your days.

Love,

That crazy friend of yours who can’t wait to hold your baby and love him as you love mine!

*****

ThatIsMine_Poster_web

I’ve been wanting to write on this subject ever since beginning to read, Lisa Jo Baker’s BRAND NEW (Released TODAY!!) book, Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected about Being a Mom

Here’s the beautiful and inspiring trailer– I dare you not to reach for the tissues!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whahbpRd18w]

Lisa Jo’s book is probably the BEST book on Motherhood I’ve read in a long time. Surprised by Motherhood is a beautiful telling of her honest journey to and through Motherhood. It has become my newest book to give to Mamas. Whether a new Mom with a beautiful round expectant tummy, or grandma who has been mothering for 40 years, this book will touch your heart and remind you of the sacred everydayness that is Mothering.

AND, because I LOVE the book, I LOVE her and I LOVE all of you– I have a copy to give away!!!  Just comment here for a chance to win by random entry. Giveaway will go for two weeks. I will choose a winner on April 15th– which also happens to be Tax Day– because, frankly Motherhood can be taxing but it’s always worth it!

Buy your copy of Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected about Being a Mom TODAY! (affiliate link)

 

**This post was written for a Kindred-Spirit-Close-friend-family-member of mine– She’s about to embark into the brave new world of Motherhood and I cannot wait to share in her joy!

Small & Mighty (FMF)
Writer. (Five Minute Friday)

Comments

  1. Alexis says

    April 1, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    Oh Cindy, your words are so beautiful. Every post I read makes me laugh and some make me cry!

    Reply
  2. Courtney Sexton says

    April 1, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    I cried. My heart stopped at the title… And then I exhaled again with tears at the thought of the 3 of us dancing in the kitchen together. I cannot wait to meet my little one. And I feel so unbelievably blessed to enter this new chapter with you by my side. I will cherish this letter. I love you, a Friend.

    Reply
  3. Paula says

    April 1, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    Seriously love this. Sometimes throwing the book back on the shelf – or in the trash – is the best thing you can do. What works for one doesn’t work for all!

    Reply
  4. Krista says

    April 1, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    So beautiful.

    “You’ll be surprised how in about five minutes, you are packing his lunch for his first day of Kindergarten– that surprise will bring with it a huge lump in your throat.” <== this is right where I am. My little baby will be starting kindergarten in the fall and it bring tears to my eyes just thinking of it.

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      April 1, 2014 at 7:13 pm

      Me too, Krista!!! My oldest baby is also starting Kindergarten this year! For sure the tears will fall!
      Thank you for visiting!

      Reply
  5. rachelinraleigh says

    April 2, 2014 at 1:15 am

    i about cried reading this, as I sat, in my robe, sunshine streaming in through the play room windows, illuminating happy faces, a mess of toys, and my unbrushed hair. i do LOVE being a momma… and i so appreciate this post, friend.

    Reply
  6. Leah says

    April 4, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    What a sweet tribute to a sweet friend!

    Reply
  7. Elaine says

    April 4, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    What a sweet gift it is to be a momma….and what special words and advice you gave to your dear friend.

    Reply
  8. Ambie Keen says

    April 14, 2014 at 12:49 am

    Well said Cindy!

    Giveaway or not, it sounds as though I will be checking out this book sooner rather than later!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe and receive a Free copy of “Simmer: Six soup recipes and the Stories that Inspired Them.”

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

Instagram

happygostuckey

Throwing it back but not way back: remember last y Throwing it back but not way back: remember last year when we *discovered* the whipped, frothy, goodness of Dalgona Coffee?

I made it again today for the express purpose of seeing if it would still work with less sugar and I rather like my lightened up version!

(Tip: in my opinion, it makes enough for two— especially because I use instant espresso— so it’s pretty strong! Not warm where you are yet?  Tap the little flag to save this post for later.)

✨Whipped Coffee✨ 
2 TBS. instant espresso
2 TBS. cold water
1 TBS. maple syrup or simple syrup
1-2 glasses of ice and milk

Whip/ Beat the espresso, syrup, and water with an electric beater, immersion blender, or hand-held milk frother until frothy and light in color. Scoop over the milk and ice and enjoy!
🪡Do I seamstressed to you?🪡 Really though, 🪡Do I seamstressed to you?🪡 

Really though, after completing my first embroidery project, I feel like it might just be the cheapest, prettiest, stress relief out there. I am officially a believer in relaxing this way. And PS, if I can do it, you can.

Thank you, @thebarmyfox for bringing this lovely art into my life!
Joy is the courage of people who don’t have all Joy is the courage of people who don’t have all the answers, yet.

While you sit in a season of waiting,
the calendar can often be a cruel companion, reminding you that days go by, weeks, months— with what feels like very little change in the right direction.

Perhaps you can easily assent to: 
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

but you strain to see just how it will be when: “...a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)

Wherever you and I are today— whether we wander, wait, stand firmly planted, or some pressed together combination of all three — we can take heart.

We are not alone.
And this will not be wasted.
What seems to be an unending blank space, an indefinite pause, is a space for new things.

Long before all is made right, and whether or not it all is tied up neatly with a perfectly crafted bow— we can know this:

We do not have to know the outcome to be faithful today.

✨Joy is not disregard for reality as much as it is obstinacy against despair.✨
Hi 👋🏻 I’m Cynthia and I’m a bit weary. T Hi 👋🏻 I’m Cynthia and I’m a bit weary. There. I said it. These days I’m gravitating to the true & the beautiful as rest for my weary self... and I wonder if you are too.

So much so, that I’m starting a new little offering, it’s called “The Feast: Wonder for the Weary” and the first issue goes out this weekend. It’s a bit more personal (okay this first one is WAY more personal. 🤭) It will be a little bit of everything, all with the goal of offering REST to both the feasters & foragers alike. If you’re already a subscriber— no need to do anything, if not— click through my bio to “keep in touch” and join the feast.✨
We are a people of both lament and praise. We hol We are a people of both lament and praise.

We hold questions without answers— yet we hold them in hands already full of good things.

We hold our daily bread, our daily gifts, and we hold the daily closeness of the God Who Sees.

The God who is no stranger to our lament, and Who Is the reason for our every hope.
He does not grow weary of our asking. Of our need to be told again, He will. 

You friend, are not invisible.
You are seen and cared for by the God who does all things well. (Even when they feel anything but.)
Married love ambition: making the kids roll their Married love ambition: making the kids roll their eyes at our “gushy-ness” as often as possible. 

President & CEO of the Lance Stuckey Fan Club— in every season, but especially on days like today.
Rainy day Mocha date, courtesy of our own toasty k Rainy day Mocha date, courtesy of our own toasty kitchen.😍🌧📚

On this chilly Saturday, we spent entirely too long browsing for books at our library and then all came home to a fire, mochas, and cocoa, respectively. Of all the things we do not know at this very moment, we know the gifts abound, and are worth counting.

PS, if you haven’t spread whipped cream on a foil-lined baking sheet to freeze, and then cut out cute shapes with cookie cutters to top your coffee or hot cocoa, may I suggest you get thee on that at once.
“If God sends us on strong paths, we are provide “If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.” — Corrie Ten Boom

✨File under, things to save in a fire.✨

The prayer journal pictured here contains six months of the hard & the sweet.
Six months of prayers asked & answered for ourselves and for others.
Six months of seeing through prayer, not how it changed our circumstances necessarily but how it changed us.

I always appreciate a record like this— being able to clearly see the paths we are led down, rocky though they may be? Priceless.

The ways God has come near us & drawn us to Himself again and again are written on these pages and I’ll treasure it forever.

Also pictured: Psalms Illuminated Scripture Journal. Highly recommend. Thank you always, @allifarnell
“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it th “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

While scrolling through my photos today, my heart was heavy to realize how far back “before” was.

Before masks and distancing, before loss, before other, more personal bits of hard. Multitudinous change, neither all bad nor all good.

With our free time, we’ve introduced our girls to Tolkien, Bilbo, Frodo, and especially Samwise the Brave. They are officially hooked and we are delighted to watch them discover another world where evil doesn’t win, and the courage of the small matters much. {they close their eyes at the Orcs and we haven’t had a nightmare yet!}🤞🏻😂😬
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Categories

Featured Posts

On Waiting & Moving

(And a Recipe for Italian Tortellini Soup) Later this month, our family will celebrate the 10th … [ Read More ]

Five Good Things

Hi. How are you, really? If you're anything like me-- you have moments of complete gratefulness for … [ Read More ]

Winter Favorites

(and why it matters to pay attention to the little things.) "For you are the sunshine-maker in … [ Read More ]

Loving Lately in November

"...all creation's revealing his majesty. We're invited to join with all nature in manifold witness … [ Read More ]

Feasting & Foraging (free for the weekend!) 🍊🌿

I wrote a book, called Feasting & Foraging, and I would like to tell you why. About a year … [ Read More ]

Miss Something?

Please be kind and give proper credit if you share! © Cynthia M. Stuckey. For personal use only, not to be copied, distributed, altered or sold.

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy may be found HERE.

Want each post to magically appear in your email box?

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Cynthia@happygostuckey.com
xo Cynthia
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Table
  • Writing
  • Happy Designs
  • Connect

© 2021 · Pretty Creative WordPress Theme by, Pretty Darn Cute Design