Search Results for: round up

Addition and Subtraction— Making Adjustments to Create Space. (Drowning in the Mess of Yes, part 2)

May 25, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

Last week, we looked at our need for margin and rest and the problem with a packed to the very edge schedule. When we first look at Scripture in Genesis 1, we see the example God gives of us of both working and resting well.

Even with the Father’s first lesson in rest— it is often difficult to come by. Very few people, regardless of life stage— find themselves without the need for MORE TIME. Last week, we finished with a challenge to ask God to take our schedules and mold them into His will for us. Let’s take a closer look at a few practical and spiritual principles for that mindset.

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:1-3

Friends? As women, we have a real propensity to feel the need to do everything.
To do it all. To be all things to all people. We often feel that if we aren’t constantly, poured out, used up and coming up empty at the end of the day, we feel guilty. As though we aren’t living a life that is sacrificial.

But here’s the thing.

Our days can be FULL of things that we put there and not those things that God has put there. As we seek to serve our families and our jobs, every little thing we do MUST be committed to God. Everything must be checked with Him. He weighs our hearts. He knows our motives.

For a long time, I was someone who said yes far more than I said no. I have had a real problem in the past allowing myself to be held hostage to the GOOD things that I thought I should be doing; not even necessarily things God has asked me to do, but things I thought others thought I should be doing. In some cases they even were things that other people thought I should be doing, but not things that God put upon my heart to be involved in.

We make a lot of dangerous assumptions when we think that because we can do something, we should always be the one to do it. God gives us gifts for a reason, and they should not be wasted. But not every season is for every thing. It is good that our lives ebb and flow through seasons of involvement. If we are checking with Him before we give an automatic yes to someone, we will find that He may very often be saying no. And that no, when it comes from a God who protects and plans for us? It’s liberating! There is FREEDOM when God Dictates my schedule. There is exhaustion and anxiety when we live under a regime of trying to keep up.

Five questions to ask as we consider what needs to be subtracted:
1. What is causing a deficit in my life? What is forcing a shortage of time and energy?
2. What is keeping me from having the needed whitespace around my day?
3. What is draining me mentally, emotionally, spiritually?
4. In what areas do I need more firm boundaries?
5. And one that I believe is most important, What is my greatest area of contribution? Carefully consider this last one when picking something new up.

Five questions to ask to consider what needs to be infused into our lives for proper balance:
1. Am I getting enough rest?
2. Alternatively, am I sleeping too much? How could I utilize that extra time?
3. Do I need to delegate more responsibilities?
4. Can I make a few choices of convenience once in a while to maximize my time and better serve my family?
5. What are a few daily rhythms I can adopt to promote rest?

Friends, I know this is such a battle. The issue of time and how to spend it wisely is so very elusive to many of us. But because we know that it matters to God, it must also matter to us.

The following quote from Emily P. Freeman is one that I love and think on often—

“Saying yes to rest means saying no to good things. But taking regular time off is not a punishment or a dare or a rule. It’s a gift. It’s taking a day to open your hands toward heaven and acknowledging that you don’t make the world go around.” Emily P. Freeman

I am excited to be sharing these words over at the WOW Weekly Moment this week. Hope to see you back next week for the third and final segment of Drowning in the Mess of Yes.

What I Learned in April

April 28, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 22 Comments

Well, hello there last few days of April! Hooray for taxes being done and the end of the school year just around the corner– Here are a few random and fun things I learned this month– ending with a little” what I’m into” list. Thanks for stopping by!

1. I learned several Creative Basics. If you visit me here or on Instagram you may have noticed I have been a little “graphic happy” this month. Well, during the month of April, I took the coolest daily course on building and making social media art! Most of what you saw me posting was my homework– although because we were on vacation in April, I had to play catch up quite a bit. This 30-day challenge with Crystal Stine was totally amazing and 100% helpful. By the way, if you haven’t met Crystal Stine– hop on over here to visit her lovely space. She writes encouragement with sincerity and candor and I always enjoy her words. AND, big news– over here you can order the kindle book, Creative Basics: 30 Days to Awesome Social Media Art. If you are a blogger who would love to learn a few savvy tools for your graphics toolbox, I wholeheartedly recommend grabbing this book. The raddest thing is, (yes I just said raddest) since the challenges are broken up over 30 days, this is completely doable on a busy schedule. Thank you so much, Crystal for sharing some of your super-duper smartypants knowledge with us!

2. I realized I have become Lorelai Gilmore. No, I have not literally become the fast-talking, coffee-consuming mom with fabulous hair. I’ve been re-watching Gilmore Girls (again, for about the 17th time in my life) and I SO enjoy the clever banter in that small fictitious town more than I ever have. Except now, instead of feeling that I identify with Rory, (the daughter, for those of you who have not had the pleasure) all of a sudden, I’m watching the show from Lorelai’s perspective. Now instead of being all excited when Rory finally meets Jess, I’m thinking… “Just you wait, missy… here come’s trouble.” If you have never watched Gilmore Girls and you have any sort of affinity for small towns, witty dialogue or any type of caffeine– you should really check it out. I cannot guarantee that your husband will be on board though. It’s not really a “guy” show. But there is backwards-baseball cap wearing moody-broody Luke– and who doesn’t love him?

3. The Michael Hyatt 20 minute nap. Y’all. I have never been a mid-day napper and if I ever did take a nap, I felt awful for the remainder of the day. Well. As it turns out, I was doing it all wrong. Last month I heard several people mention how they take a 20 minute conscious rest time/ nap every afternoon. Michael Hyatt wrote this article on the how’s and why’s of a proper power nap, and this month I finally tried it for myself following all the protocols set forth in the article. I really did have the most marked burst of energy for the rest of the day/ evening. AND, here’s the kicker– I didn’t even fall asleep completely. (Even if you work in an office, try eating your lunch in half the time and then closing your eyes for the other half.)

4. I learned my personality type. Well, sort of. I finally took the Myers-Briggs type test, and much to my surprise (and I’ll be honest– dismay) I was given the ENFJ type. E. As in “Extrovert.” I used to really believe I was an extrovert but in the last couple of years I feel as though I have swung the other way– as in I NEED quiet, alone time every day to recharge. (see #3) I love people but I also love being alone. My E/I numbers were only 2 points apart so I took another test, and I scored right down the middle in every single category. Basically, I either have a random, multiple personality- personality type, OR I don’t know.

What I’m Reading: Nobody’s Cuter than You, Bittersweet, and Anne of Avonlea (Apparently this month I’m all about feel-good books!)

What I’m into: This weather. It’s gorgeous and crisp and sunny and I want to make all the salads in the world and cook everything on the grill from now until September.

What I’m watching: Madame Secretary, Person of Interest, Castle (have you heard of this one? A friend introduced us to it and it’s such a fun show about a crime novel writer (Him) and a Cop (Her) and how they solve crimes together.)

What I’m wearing: Flip Flops, Sandals, white jeans and this shirt from my 2nd StitchFix box which is the perfect light, airy top to welcome Spring. I am so happy I tried Stitchfix again this month, my box was much better AND I had a little referral credit to spend, so fun. If you’re thinking about trying them, let me know what you think!

Linking up with Emily at Chatting at the Sky for Let’s Share What We Learned in April.

Several compensated links present for Amazon and Stitchfix. This only means that these companies thank me for sharing their products with you. Please know I would never link out to anything I wouldn’t whole heartedly recommend to you and have already tried myself.

To the mom who hopes to survive today.

April 20, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

Dear Mom who has nothing on her mind today but keeping everyone alive,

There are seasons in life when the To-Do list is doable and the fridge stays full. The forms get turned in on time and the kids stay relatively happy, in their right minds and in clean clothes.

But,

There are also seasons in our lives where there is only one thing on the list. One thing for today, one thing for tomorrow– Survival.

And that is ok. We have all been where you are today.

Rocking a newborn while resisting the urge to shush a toddler who hops excitedly around you both.

Feeling accomplished just because you brushed your teeth and made one side of the bed.

Changing sheets in the middle of the night, to change them again in two hours– or two minutes.

Graciously accepting an offer of takeout and knowing you haven’t even the strength to cook a frozen pizza.

Sitting collasped in a chair, watching your guy graciously help with the laundry and fighting the guilt with gratefulness. So much gratefulness.

Snuggled up with stair- stepped tiny humans all around you, heart and lap full to overflowing– for another episode of Daniel Tiger.

Feeding a little bundle of swaddled softness, with only baby noises and the 3am glow of Gilmore Girls to keep your heavy eyelids cracked open.

Standing in the kitchen with first babe strapped to your back, wondering if you even have enough hands for the 2nd babe growing in your belly. ( spoiler alert, you do have enough hands and there will be enough of you to go around when the time comes.)

Looking out as the sun sinks low and the street lights come on, feeling the pull of those dark baby blues on your little life as mom. Whether it’s your first or fifth rodeo, can I remind you? It gets better, I promise and you are not alone.

Watching pants get too short for skinny little growing legs and wishing you hadn’t wished the time away.

Hoping everyone will sleep just a little longer tonight and that we all make it through tomorrow as well.

One day at a time, sweet overwhelmed Mama. One day at a time is ALL you have. Don’t try to conquer the world today, do what you do best and be their mom in whatever capacity you can. Give yourself the grace to cue up the netflix, take a deep breath and smile– you’re living the dream.

Growth in the Quiet Places, (or why I only need one shoe.)

March 10, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 16 Comments

Confession time: I am a terrible gardener.

That is not to say I don’t love plants and flowers– because I do. I love the idea of having produce and flowers at my fingertips year round– and I love a little trip to Lowe’s garden center as much as anyone… but that is usually as far as it goes. I forget my plants. I neglect to water them. I love them and take photos of them to plaster on Instagram like any mother earth would– and then I completely forget they even exist.

It’s Lorelai Gilmore and Skippy the Hamster all over again.

Until the plants die, and then I’m crushed and I curse the Georgia clay and the beautiful shade-producing trees in our backyard and then my sweet husband reminds me that they lived a half life of being dehydrated most of the time. Oops.

So this year I purposed to be different, starting with the hydrangeas in our front yard. So much so that I pinned thoughts on taking care of them. Quickly learning I needed to “winterize” them by pruning before the buds came in, I marched outside armed with my pruning shears and big fat plans to get them ready for spring. (Spoiler alert, hydrangeas have to be pruned way before winter is nearly over, so if you’re reaching for your own pruning shears– I have to break it to you– we both missed the boat this year.)

As I approached my brown, spindly dead-looking hydrangeas, I was completely startled to see them bearing new buds. In a yard full of dry, dormant plants, and without any help from me– they were pushing forward to the next thing. These tiny buds of spring were startling to me and I thought about them for several days. Even now, they remind me that not only is Spring coming– and we can’t stop it even if we try.

New growth comes after these seasons of quiet, of rest, of space where it seems nothing is happening for crying out loud.

And though I know I need rest, I want specific rest. I want rest in my way, in the manner and form that I think I need it. So often I think of rest as something I willingly choose and enjoy with a good book or a pedicure.

But sometimes rest is exactly the opposite of desirable.

Sometimes rest is that which puts us in a place that feels ten steps back.

Two weeks ago, I had the amazing honor of speaking to a group of women on the topic of rest, margin and whitespace. I told them something along the lines of, “Beware of not allowing yourself to rest– God knows you need it, and He just might give it to you.”

And then. Two days later I sat in an Orthopedist’s office as he gave me this:

Stress Fracture. Hello, six week boot. I am not pleased to meet you.

And I pitched a royal fit. Not in his office because well, I have some decorum.

But after, and I’m somewhat ashamed to say that every day since then I’ve asked the question with all the whine of a petulant child, “REALLY? Why now?”

Clearly, I don’t mind slowing down on my terms. Every afternoon around 2:30 I slow down with coffee and words. Each night around 10PM I slow down with Wild Orange Oil and a fluffy pillow. But slow down in such a way that makes me miss my favorite form of exercise for six weeks and leaves me hobbling eight steps behind my children like a frustrated female version of Downton Abbey’s John Bates? No, thank you.

Le Sigh. But there is a purpose to this “rest time” and as much as I come into it kicking and screaming, I certainly do not wish to waste it.

If the budding Hydrangeas have taught me nothing else… I know that the quiet should not be underestimated– for growth is happening under the surface.

And that things happen when we embrace the rest. Embrace the empty-spaces. Embrace the time where it appears nothing is happening.

And even though this lesson is one I have been learning way back when it was still last year,

I am choosing again, anew, to respect the process and soak it all in.

What process are you soaking in today? Would love your thoughts. <3

Dear Blue House, or– A Tale of Unrequited House Love.

February 23, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

Dear Blue House,

I first saw your picture as an attachment in an email that Lance sent me at work.

Tiny little photos on a real estate web page were enough to grab my attention. Grey Cape Cod with a long white porch running the length of the house, (Okay YES. we painted you blue within two months– so what?!) The Brady bunch style kitchen and the brown octagonal tile did nothing, nothing to dissuade me from what I saw in that porch. Big cups of coffee in rocking chairs. Reading picture books to a lap full of kids on the porch swing. Long mosquito-less (Yes, I was delusional,) summer suppers under white lights. Those iconic southern moments were all I saw. I looked straight past your retro wet-bar which graced the living room with all the early 80’s panache of MacGyver himself. Those large picture windows flanking the fireplace and shuttling in bright rays of sun caused my temporary blindness and I’m so glad. I saw nothing but everything I’d ever wanted in a house.

You have kept us warm, (most of the time) dry, (most of the time) and cool, (except that one time last spring and later that same summer and then that one time the year before that— and actually you’re not really so great in the HVAC department now that I’m thinking about it… so maybe you could look into that…just a suggestion…) Never the less, we have celebrated several Christmases here with roaring fires and even snow once or twice, and I’m sure somewhere out in the yard are a few shards of plastic egg from Easters past. You have been the backdrop of our little life here and we mark the years on the calendar and in the slowly chipping paint on the front porch.But LOOK, we have to talk. You seem to have underestimated this family. Yeah, sure you may have gotten the raw end of the deal with two married kids who had only ever been apartment dwellers and weren’t always 100% certain how to light a pilot light. But we know that now. We can light pilot lights like a boss. True, we might have made a few mistakes along the way here and there. We probably should have done that whole kitchen cabinet thing differently, but we learned from it. (I’ll tell ya what we learned, never ever again– that’s what.) Maybe every single time we tried to install anything, it took multiple Lowe’s trips and heaps of patience.

But you’ve been our training ground for home ownership. And we’re getting better at this whole, taking care of a late 70’s fixer upper. Because make no mistake about it, we ARE fixing you up, little by little, so perhaps you could, um- get on board, like NOW.

There have been times that you’ve been a little* more than we bargained for with your drafty, beautiful, single-pane windows and monkey grass galore. I have long since stopped watching HGTV altogether because it just makes me irritable. Nothing ever takes 30 minutes. Except for Fixer-Upper. We still like Fixer-Upper. Love Joanna and Chip. She could whip you into shape in no time flat.

How about you ease up a little bit and not rebel every year at this time, when we start little projects. It’s really not very nice of you when we are just trying to make you pretty– and less problematic.

You should know that we have a little running joke about you, Blue House. We refer to you as that slightly odd, cantankerous family member— You know the one- Uncle Harold. Uncle Harold is always negative and doesn’t like change. He wears thick glasses and brown wool pants pulled clean up to his rib cage even in late july— AND he is always asking for money at family gatherings. That’s you, Blue House, you’re Uncle Harold. Everything is always more complicated when you’re involved, but we love you anyway —so we keep inviting you to Sunday Dinner and painting your walls, little by little.

Remember when we whitewashed the brick? That wasn’t so bad was it?

So how about this— we promise to keep loving you even when you don’t love us back. Because if we can help it, you are stuck with us.

And we wouldn’t have it any other way.

P.S. Your dining room paint looks so great! However, don’t get too attached to that old brass chandelier that blows light bulbs every third Sunday. We’re coming for it next.

Hugs and Paint Brushes (only the good kind, I promise,)– Your People

**Uncle Harold is a fictitious character. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Abby’s Sheriff Callie Birthday Party

February 19, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 4 Comments

Our little Abby turned three last week and we celebrated Sheriff Callie- style! For the uninformed, Sheriff Callie’s Wild West is a new show on Disney Junior featuring the town of Nice and Friendly Corners and its fearless leader, a calico kitty named Sheriff Callie. Callie has a deputy named Peck, (Woodpecker) and a sidekick named Toby, who happens to be a Cactus who loves to eat popcorn. (Oh yes, it’s every bit as cute as it sounds.) The little town is full of animal characters with fun personalities and each show teaches a sweet simple lesson.

Sheriff Callie’s Wild West is hands down, Abby’s favorite show, so naturally she chose that as her theme months ago. At the time, I was a little concerned as there wasn’t really a Sheriff Callie section at the party store–( remember the Aristocats Party we had last year? Same story. ) But this was the MOST fun I have had with a birthday party for the girls. The western theme was easy to do and bonus– I was able to use so many things we already had–which is a big thing for me. I rarely ever buy big things to decorate for a birthday party, but instead go “shopping” around my house. I found a fun printable party pack on Etsy and that with just a couple trips to Hobby Lobby– and we had ourselves a fun little hoedown. And yes, I am enjoying using all of the western colloquialisms. 😉

I started the party prep by purchasing this printable party package through Birthday Buzzin Prints on Etsy. They were fabulous to work with and I received the printable files within 24 hours. I then sent the pieces I needed to Staples for printing. The banner, pictured below was a bit pricey to print as every letter was a separate sheet on cardstock, but I love the way it turned out! I cut out each letter and then strung the letters with thick jute rope.

The party pack also came with the adorable cupcake toppers, trail mix favor bag toppers, a Wild West sign, menu cards and then a few more things we did not need. It was so fun having everything coordinate. The month before the party, we spotted the Callie, Peck and Toby stuffed characters at Target and snatched them up right then for Abby’s birthday gift. She was thrilled to have them, and I was thrilled to use them to decorate! They have been a cute addition to our house and they are made really well. I enjoy using stuffed animals to help decorate and carry the theme along when we already have them!

callie collage 3 — Tobias P. Cactus is my favorite. He’s so cute!

When everyone arrived, we directed them to a small table with Sheriff’s Badges and Bandanas. I was surprised that even the little ones enjoyed wearing them, but they did!

Because Abby’s birthday is in a very cold month, we often have the challenge of where to hold her party. This year, our dining room happened to be mostly empty (since we are getting a new table– hooray!) So I pulled a flowered quilt out of the closet and the kiddos sat on that to eat. It worked out great, and just had to be shaken out after the party. And the quilt looked really cute with the theme. I think I might just do that again in the future! Also, we borrowed a few beautiful stick horses that my friend Beka made and we intended on having races outside, but since it was so cold- the children just galloped them around our house, which was cute too.

For the food we served:

Uncle Bun’s Hot Dogs with Fixings

Prairie Pepper Chili (Not spicy)

Toby’s Popcorn (in a hat!)

Farmer Stinky’s Pasta Salad

Farmer Stinky’s Fresh Berries

Apple Sauce Pouches

Ella Cowbell’s Cactus Juice (Capri Suns)

Sheriff Callie’s Cupcakes with cupcake toppers from Etsy.

*We also had a “Watering Hole” set up in the kitchen for the adults with Water in a Beverage Dispenser, Tea and Lemonade with, Blue Mason Jars of course– because what else?

Source List:

Chicken Wire Cupcake Stand– we had this already but I believe it came from TJ Maxx.

Cow Print Tablecloth, Pink & Blue Bandanas, Mini Hay Bales, Burlap- Hobby Lobby

Silver Sheriff’s Badges-Amazon

Small Galvanized Buckets- Ikea, Similar.

Pink Plates and Small Sheriff Callie Characters- Target

Sheriff Callie Party Printables- banner, cupcake toppers, menu cards and signs- Etsy

Other Resources- Disney Junior Printable Callie Coloring Sheets

We had a wonderful time celebrating our little Abby. As much fun as I had planning and hosting, I think she enjoyed it more– which is exactly the point!

Our birthday girl. My mom made Abby a sweet little Sheriff Callie shirt and a cutie brown felt vest– but she didn’t stay still long enough for a good picture!

**Any amazon links are affiliate links. All links are for your convenience and help support this site. Thank you for sharing with proper credit.

Finding My #FringeHours

February 13, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 5 Comments

I remember being nine years old and being simply beside myself on school library day. I wondered what new books would be available. I’m sure I pondered my selection all through math class– A new Boxcar Children book? Or Spunky’s Diary again? I loved library day. Not to mention when the scholastic book fair came around annually. Don’t even. That announcement made my little 3rd grade heart beat wildly just like a little Kathleen Kelly.

If there is one thing in our house that we have an abundance of– it is books. When we first moved in here, the massive floor to ceiling bookshelf on one side of the living room immediately called our name. Which is good, since it’s gargantuan and no beast or man alive could lift it. Never the less, these two bibliophiles quickly packed its shelves with all our treasures.

Still today, the love continues. Last year however, I realized I was always stacking books and never finishing them. Do you find yourself doing that with anything you know you really enjoy? Having all the tools necessary but never really doing it? What is it for you? Crafting? Photo Book Making? Running? Cooking?

It is really easy to slip into the season of “putting off.” That season where you don’t do those things you know you enjoy– the thing that feeds your soul and gives you rest. Life is very busy no matter what stage we are in, and it’s tempting to just stack up those books or virtual albums of photos or running shoes and plan to have more time later.

But later could be now if we could find those pockets of time, those little bits of minutes where things can happen.

This year I have read five books so far. WOW. That is huge for me, and I don’t say that to show how much time I have– because well, I don’t really. I may stay at home with my girls, but I find that the days and weeks fill up rather quickly no matter what we have planned. We have small group commitments, ministry opportunities at church, I take a spin class three mornings a week at 6am, I review books, I do part-time book editing and virtual assistant work, and I maintain my own blog and spend a good bit of time writing for future projects. And those are just the personal commitments. I also love the time I can spend with our family and friends. All of those things are important to me and so they all have a bit of priority involved. It is easy to let anything I do “for me” slip. The problem with that tends to be that I am prone to be worn out, stretched thin and unable to have much overflow for everyone else if I don’t take time to refresh.

One of the biggest game changers for me has been reading The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You by Jessica Turner. Jessica’s blog, The Mom Creative was one the very first I began reading more than five years ago and even then I was amazed at “all that she did.” This book does not tell you what you should be doing with your time, but it gives you valuable principles that allow you to decide for yourself. The Fringe Hours is an encouraging and exciting look at the time we already have and it directs us to choose those things that matter and invest in them with our time.

The Fringe Hours so assisted me in making time for myself that I was able to locate pockets of “lost” time in which I could read and write. If you keep glancing over at a pile of something you really hope you “get to” soon– I would encourage you to grab this book! It comes out in just a few days and if you pre-order The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You on Amazon, it could show up on your doorstep then!

Happy #FringeHours, Friend!!! I’m linking up with Jessica Turner today in celebration of her book’s release and Fringe Friday!

**Amazon links are affiliate links.

Addition and Subtraction— Making Adjustments to Create Space. (Drowning in the Mess of Yes, part 2)

What I Learned in April

Several compensated links present for Amazon and Stitchfix. This only means that these companies thank me for sharing their products with you. Please know I would never link out to anything I wouldn’t whole heartedly recommend to you and have already tried myself.

To the mom who hopes to survive today.

Growth in the Quiet Places, (or why I only need one shoe.)

Dear Blue House, or– A Tale of Unrequited House Love.

**Uncle Harold is a fictitious character. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Abby’s Sheriff Callie Birthday Party

Finding My #FringeHours

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Search Results for: round up

**Several compensated links present for Amazon and Stitchfix. This only means that these companies thank me for sharing their products with you. Please know I would never link out to anything I wouldn’t whole heartedly recommend to you and have already tried myself.**

**Uncle Harold is a fictitious character. Any resemblance to any persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.

happygostuckey

Miss Something?

Privacy Policy

Several compensated links present for Amazon and Stitchfix. This only means that these companies thank me for sharing their products with you. Please know I would never link out to anything I wouldn’t whole heartedly recommend to you and have already tried myself.