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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

DotMom- Part Two and a Book Giveaway!!!

October 2, 2013 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

If you missed my first post on DotMom 2013 in Chattanooga, TN– find it HERE. 

A group of seven of us left Thursday night, drove to Calhoun, GA and spent the night. We all piled (quite comfortably!) into two hotel rooms and got a good bit of rest as we didn’t have to leave nearly as early the next morning. Breakfast in the Hotel and then we were off to Chattanooga by 10:30AM.

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My Breakfast of Champions. Hey, this may not look glamorous (or on 2nd thought, appetizing.) to you but I ate this partially hardened, heat lamp warmed cinnamon roll BY MYSELF. I drank this slightly weak but still hot and delicious cup of coffee, leisurely– while taking an inordinate amount of time getting ready. I changed my outfit several times, just because I could! I love my children (so much) but less than 18 hours into this weekend, and I was already on my way to being refreshed!

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Here’s our group of seven amazing ladies! Oh, and notice our bags?! Those are Jute Freeset bags which Lifeway, (in)courage and Freeset provided for all conference attendees. More about Freeset later, but I was so happy to have something made by them!!!

Friday was a whirlwind of main sessions and break out sessions.

I was able to hear Angela Thomas speak on the topic,  52 Things Kids Need From a Mom and it was so encouraging! She has written a book by the same title, and I would love to add it to my list. Very practical, heartfelt suggestions. I was initially afraid I was about to hear a list of 52 MORE things I was not doing for my kids, but that was not at all her aim! She was so gracious and having been both a single mom of four children, and now a married mom of four teenagers, she was able to minister to every single person there.

Next we heard Jen Hatmaker speak on “Parenting the Kids We Have, Not the Kids We Were.” Again, it was not at all what I was expecting, but it truly challenged me in some large areas. But that’s kinda her thing. If you have ever listened to Jen and NOT been challenged.. you must have been sound asleep. 🙂

Later that night, we attended a “Late Night DotMom Bash” I say that loosely, because it began at 8:30 PM. Ha! Late night! But honestly, we were tired and ready to go by 9:30PM because that’s what happens with a room full of tired mamas!

Before we got too tired though, I was able to meet TWO of my very favorites, Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson— or Big Mama and Boo Mama! Though they have both blogged for years and have been the emcees of DotMom for awhile, they both recently published their first books! Both are amazing, both will make you both laugh and cry! Melanie‘s book, Sparkly Green Earrings was one book I would love to give to every single mother I know. If you haven’t read it, it’s a pretty light read and I’m sure you will appreciate her wit and spirit in writing. Sophie’s book, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet is also hil-ar-ious. I’m pretty sure half of the stories in there about her “Southern” family either have happened in mine or they will before too long.

So can I just say something about both of these amazing ladies? After traveling from hours away, getting up heaven knows how early, and then being “ON” all day long– how they stood there so graciously and made every person feel welcome and appreciated is amazing to me. They were kind. They were generous with themselves. They were both exactly how I pictured they would be.

Oh, and because I was a tad star struck I got my picture with each of them! Oh, yes I did!!!!

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Myself and Melanie Shankle, aka Big Mama

( Can we talk about how great she looks at 9:00PM at night?!  And that girl has got some fashion sense! Classy!!!)

And yes, I had to buy another copy of her book to have her sign it. Love!

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And Here I am with the sweet (and adorable!!) Sophie Hudson aka Boo Mama

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Now, because I had a copy of her book at home– I decided to get one signed for ONE of you!

Just sharing the Love!!!

So, without further ado– let’s do a GIVEAWAY!!!! And one of you can win this book which she signed for you!

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Rules: Leave a Comment for an entry!

If you follow, or you become a follower, leave a SECOND comment stating that.

Giveaway will go through two weeks from today, October 16th!!!!

The Unexpected Ministry of a Four-Year Old
Lift Up Your Eyes

Comments

  1. Lindsay Bence says

    October 2, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    Sounds like you had a great time.

    Reply
  2. Kasey Ferrell says

    October 2, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    It sounds like you had an amazing time. What a blessing to hear and meet those women. Love your blog!

    Reply
  3. Chloe says

    October 3, 2013 at 12:38 am

    It looks like you had a TON of fun missy! Awesome giveaway girl. Add me in. As a follower too! Xx

    Reply
  4. Kristy Benedict says

    October 3, 2013 at 12:42 am

    I loved every single second of our girls weekend! Thank you for all you did to put it together for us! I am so happy I signed up to follow your blog. Now I get an email every time you update it! 🙂 I am so blessed to call you my friend!

    Reply
  5. Kasey says

    October 3, 2013 at 1:13 am

    First of all I have been wanting to read Boo Mama’s book so I would love it! Second, I love that the comment before mine is written by another Kasey spelled like me! So rare! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Kasey says

    October 3, 2013 at 1:14 am

    And third, I follow your blog!

    Reply
  7. Amber Medford says

    October 3, 2013 at 1:45 am

    Oh how I wish I could have been there too! Looks like you had fun.

    Reply
  8. Amber Medford says

    October 3, 2013 at 1:46 am

    Oh and I follow your blog

    Reply
  9. Courtney Sexton says

    October 3, 2013 at 11:51 am

    I’m so glad you had a wonderful time!

    Reply
  10. Courtney Sexton says

    October 3, 2013 at 11:51 am

    And i have long been a follower of your lovely blog 🙂

    Reply
  11. Alexis says

    October 3, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Girl, I love reading your blog everyday! Of course I’m already a follower

    Reply
  12. Caitlin L. says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    I’m glad you were able to go and have such good fellowship and enjoy your time away, especially before a storm hits. And girl, I’d love to win a copy of her book! I’ve been needing a new book on parenting!

    Reply
  13. Caitlin L. says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    And I’m following!

    Reply
  14. Ashleigh Chafton says

    October 4, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    I always enjoy reading your posts and would love to read this book 🙂

    Reply
  15. Ashleigh Chafton says

    October 4, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    I am now an official follower.

    Reply
  16. Jenn Key says

    October 4, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    I know two of Angela Thomas’ kids– and they are equally as awesome as she is. She is beyond down to earth and so are her kids! And I’m currently doing the Bible study ‘7’ by Jen Hatmaker– she can make you laugh until you cry and then next paragraph cry until you laugh! What an amazing conference!!

    Reply
  17. Jenn Key says

    October 4, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    And I’ve been following your blog since you left Wake Forest!! I’ve got to keep up with the amazing roommate who taught me so much about how to cook delicious food– including one of our favorites in the crock pot rotation, taco soup!!

    Reply
  18. Leah says

    October 9, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    Looks like a good book!

    Reply
  19. Leah says

    October 9, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    I am a follower of your blog.

    Reply
  20. Linda Baker says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    So thankful you ladies were able to get away for a time of renewal and refreshment, with amazing teaching!

    Reply
  21. Linda Baker says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    I’m a follower for sure!

    Reply
  22. Sarah Wilson says

    October 16, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    It sounds like your group had a ton of fun and gained a lot of insight! All mamas’ need a group of spiritual sisters and a chance to get away to refuel their own spirits!

    Reply
  23. ardysangel says

    October 16, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    Also following

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. About | Happy Go Stuckey says:
    October 9, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    […] One Week to enter the book giveaway if you have not already!  […]

    Reply
  2. Wednesday Miscellany | Happy Go Stuckey says:
    October 16, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    […] Because of the recent turn of crazy events this week, I’m postponing drawing the winner for the book giveaway until Monday– so if you haven’t yet entered, go here and do so:  https://happygostuckey.com/2013/10/02/dotmom-part-two-and-a-book-giveaway/ […]

    Reply

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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.

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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!}🤞🏻😂😬
I’m leaning increasingly more into the analog th I’m leaning increasingly more into the analog these days.

It started with the Sourdough and a dozen different kinds of jam last year.
I suddenly find great calm in activities that stand in direction opposition to hurry, the textbook definition of ✨work in progress.✨ And really, if you could see the other side of this piece, you would believe me. 🙃

Thank you to @thebarmyfox for making embroidery so accessible!
@thenester says, “It doesn’t have to be perfec @thenester says, “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful,” and I believe that the weeknight meal equivalent is, “Just because it’s easy— doesn’t make it a second-tier supper!”

Thank you, Spaghetti with Meat sauce for being both a ministry to mom AND a crowd pleaser. Especially on a dreary January-ish day. It is ✨quite alright✨ to make something we’ve made a million times just because we know it makes the people happy.🍝
I saw a magazine cover this week advertising the h I saw a magazine cover this week advertising the headline, “Ditch Gratitude!” 

This is my “No thanks,” face.
My grateful face.
My you-can’t-make-me-face.
Because no matter how long the list of things we still don’t know, I know I need gratitude like water.

Questions remain. Uncertainties abound. Reasons for concern greet us with each January dawn.

Hope remains and so do questions. The two have never been enemies, but cozy next door neighbors.
I’ll keep my gratitude, thank you.
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