Search Results for: round up

Belong. (FMF)

July 10, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 10 Comments

Last year around about this time I was given the best birthday gift ever. The gift of… a space that was all mine in which to write, and perhaps even better— the gift of support.

On the morning of my 31st birthday, my sweet husband presented me with a newly purchased domain name complete with the new logo we played around with— I was giddy. I was breathless. I was.. terrified.

Because it had become real. And I knew that this was just one more bit of gentle nudging from God to “do it.” To write more. To write for HIM. To write and so give of myself.

Three months later, I packed up my Soft, Brown Target riding boots and way too many cardigans and I went to the Allume conference. I knew He was nudging me to go there, too.

I went with many thoughts. Many concerns. Many general wonderings. One over-arching concern— “will I even belong with all these REAL writers?”

20 minutes in and I was still kind of a nervous wreck. I was working one of the registration tables— because really, what better way to jump into an unknown situation but by hiding behind the table that gives out the awesome swag bag, right?!

I saw lots of women. Many looked familiar. Some did not. Many I even read on a regular basis— but they all seemed to know each other. They all seemed to belong, and for one fleeting moment I considered maybe I shouldn’t be here…

But somewhere between that first cup of Just-Love Coffee and five minutes into the first keynote, I took a moment to look outside my paralyzing tentativeness and just look around.

And I saw so much. From those catching up with online connections that now had beautiful, real life faces to those shifting their stuff around and nervously hoping someone would want to make a connection with them. (Nervous Shifter, party of One right here.)

But in my momentary alone-ness, I saw what we all need to know so desperately.
The only reason any of us can “belong” is because we belong to Him.

The good news? Yes, I did make connections. Many whom have been chief encouragers in this writing space over this last year.

But the really great news… that one small step of STEPPING OUT into a world I wanted to belong in, found me face to face with a God who took that time to confirm what He had been growing in my heart for a long time.

I came with a passion and a desire to write. But I left with a community. A belonging. A brand-new understanding of what living out art as worship means—

And the GIFT of being known- both by my creative Creator

and REAL writers who are such because they are REAL people.

Writing this lovingly for my Five Minute Friday crew — We are at Crystal’s place this week!! Love her! I also to encourage you to join some of us at Allume this year! I’m also going to Declare in just about a month! Anybody want to save me a seat and cup of coffee??

Happy Monday!

June 30, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment

We had a great, mostly relaxing (there was one small incident at the Cracker Barrel with a certain two-year old we all know and love.) weekend around these parts. We made The Nester’s homemade pizza crust for dinner on Friday night and can I just say– It was delicious. It’s made with a portion of whole wheat flour, which I love and the texture is just so good. We have been making homemade pizza for years but something about her crust… I am going to go ahead and say it’s my favorite. Not too chewy, Not too crunchy. Just perfect. Try it, you might love it! The nester’s whole philosophy is “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” and WOW. The world needs a little more of that. I need a little more of that in my own life for sure. Our pizza crust was definitely a little… less than perfect but it tasted fantastic.

****

Something that did happen this weekend– and to say I’m ecstatic would be an understatement. But Charlie’s Mama -aka- Courtney had her baby!!! Only a couple days after her due date she went into labor and he was born this weekend, healthy and handsome! I share that for those of you who read my post last week, And so we wait. It turns out, he didn’t keep us waiting too long after all. So, my entire friday was spent staring at my phone. From the time I woke up to one of my absolute favorite kinds of texts–

4:06AM– “We are being checked into the hospital! Contractions are 3-5 minutes apart!”

To later that afternoon–

“Charlie is HERE!!!”

My emotions were ALL over the place. But aren’t new babies just the best? I can NOT wait to be able to meet him in person– hopefully very very soon! And to hug my dear friend’s neck who is now a beautiful Mama!

So yeah, that was definitely the HIGHLIGHT of our weekend. *****

On Saturday, Lucy had her 5th swim lesson. I was concerned about my very cautious child and what she would do when told to get in the water without her puddle jumper on– but she’s done really well. The last few days she has been a little fearful when going and I can tell she’s trying so hard to be brave. We were able to have a little chat about what her VBS verse from 2 weeks ago really means (Phil. 4:13) and I got a little shot of her showing me her “brave” face.

Mostly brave with a good bit of uncertainty. Ha! She is so my child.

Well, Happy Monday! Make it a good one!

Release. (FMF)

June 19, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 11 Comments

I have this little 2 year old. She has shining blue eyes and a little bob that bounces into ringlets in the back.

She loves cheese sticks and blueberries… and drinking out of a cup that is not her own.

She loves life. She’s passionate. She’s the one with a belly-laugh that she cannot control if you tickle her underarms.

But when you want (or need) something she has… she’s not having it. Her sweet little hands go 100% white-knuckled if you try to get her to relinquish something she wants. She holds on with all her might. She gets down on the ground and hides whatever it is in both her arms and shakes her head fiercely. You might say she has a little stubborn streak. Some days the streak is broad like paint on the side of a barn.

After parenting her older sister, I am often completely bewildered at how to handle Stuckey Girl #2. I often find myself taking time outs and praying for something, anything, a little shred of wisdom at how to encourage her passion for life without her wholehearted disobedience. But I find myself falling even more in love with being her mother with every mini-meltdown. Because she is me.

I hold on to my dreams. I tight-fistedly grasp for my ideals of what my future holds. I get down on the floor of my heart and (gulp.) sometimes refuse to step out in complete freeing obedience. I choose fear and the mental fetal position and sleepless nights wrought with stress over the future that I just. cannot. fathom.

But God is gracious. And when I release those things I THINK I MUST hold on to– He gives the gift of His will and His best, played out in a way I never could orchestrate.

His story for me is the only story I ever want. The only story I ever want to tell. His plans are higher. He is El-Roi. The God who sees. And HE SEES ME in my smallness. In my fear. And He LOVES me enough to NOT let me wallow. He loves me enough not to leave me on the floor with arms wrapped tightly around fear, insecurity, anxiety. And I will choose to release whatever I’m holding on to every day if I have to.

For it is with EMPTY hands that we are OPEN and AVAILABLE and ready to be used.

Linking up for Five Minute Friday!

A little bit of Happy for your Wednesday

June 18, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment

HI. Happy Wednesday! We are mid-way through a week filled with VBS and a bunch of other wonderful, busy events and we. are. tired. around these parts. So much so that even my 5 yr. old has been willingly taking a nap every afternoon where she usually is totally against the idea.

For some strange reason, I’ve not been sleeping all that great lately– which is completely odd for me. I’m nothing if not a great sleeper. Even when I’ve been 9 months pregnant, or in the throes of a kidney stone (that one time) I CAN SLEEP for sure. But lately I’ve been Princess Toss-N-Turn so last night… Lance gave me a melatonin about 30 minutes before bed… and let me just say. Thank goodness for the person who first discovered it. I slept like a rock!

As exciting as my sleep patterns are— heres’ a few things to bring a little HAPPY to your Wednesday!

THIS song and video that Lance showed me. It’s actually done by a couple at our church and it is so pretty and peaceful, I just wanted to share the love!
[vimeo 50759457 w=500 h=281]

Number 2. Do you listen to Podcasts?

I love how they are giving me a courtesy smile but their eyes are glued to the screen! Ha!

I have only just recently discovered how fun and beneficial they can be– for the longest time I pictured them as a drier version of public broadcasting. Not true at all! There are hundreds of interesting topics and many great bloggers are beginning to take up podcasting– so the options are endless.

And let me just say– IF you find yourself in the car on a long trip with kiddos– listening to podcasts with earbuds is a GREAT escape from the 3,634th showing of FROZEN. I’ll definitely share more on this topic later, and share a few of my favorite podcasters but here is one from Tsh Oxenreider’s Podcast- the Art of Simple. In episode, #67– Tsh talks with Joshua Becker– on “Freedom from Stuff.” Joshua Becker writes the blog, Becoming Minimalist and his approach is so refreshing in a world of “All-or-Nothing” Simple Living. I enjoyed it so much we cleaned a bunch of toys out of the girl’s playroom and I’ve a plan to take on the rest of the house. So, do yourself a favor– subscribe to Tsh’s podcast through the podcast app on your phone or listen HERE.

And then finally– I just wanted to leave you with a little quote from Emily P. Freeman, from her book– A Million Little Ways.

“What makes us come alive goes deeper than what we choose to do in our professions and our free time. What makes us come alive is LIFE, and this life is Jesus. Painting, cooking, parenting, calculating, and conversation all have the potential to hold within them a mystery and an expression of our life in Christ.” (Freeman, A Million Little Ways, pg. 30)

If you have not read this book– I HIGHLY recommend it as un uplifting place to start when wondering what you should be “doing” and what you’re passionate about. This book taught me so much about using every little thing I do to bring pleasure and glory to God. In it I found a beautiful freedom to discover those things about myself that God created in me. And, it’s just a lovely read! Find it here on amazon- A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live

*(**Amazon Links are affiliate links. Thanks for clicking!)*

These Moments of Grace

June 15, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 4 Comments

On the day you asked me that breathless question with shining eyes and a blue velvet box, I needed no time to think.

And on the day (Five years and 20 days ago to be exact-) you sat near my head, us both wearing paper shower caps and holding our breath as the Doctor pulled her out and up and she, pink faced and protesting like a kitten– miffed at her eviction from her warm nest, made parents out of a crazy in love couple– I knew I was glad I said yes.

Yes to you. Yes to our life. Yes to babies after only a year. Yes to forever.

And when we staggered with cups in front of the coffee pot, after precious little sleep– I was thankful to be leaning on you.

When I went back to work and you stayed home with a 9 week old bundle– to be a Daddy and look for work– I cried. Because I wasn’t there. But also so grateful you were.

When there was a miscarriage of hope before we even got used to the idea of being a family of four– you let me grieve. You loved our little family with outstretched arms and helped me see the hope that we would grow again some day soon.

When we packed up our whole life and moved two states away, we were all anxious to peek round the corner and see the beauty that was to be in the next chapter of our life together.

Transitions. We had many and you led us all to trust, and to wait.

Then the joy and the surprise and the beautiful wait came again… and another operating room. More paper shower caps for you and for me and another sweet baby girl, blessed with your cheek bones and silly- wonderful sense of humor.

You held both these babies so tenderly, both fresh to new life and still blinking at the light of it all. And you hold them now, and me- with the gracious, gentle love we have come to rest in, and sometimes take for granted.

They run, squealing from each corner of the house, when you come in each day. They trust you. They rest in you. They want to make you proud. And you listen. And you dance. And you play. You teach them what life more abundantly looks like.

And they are learning. Yes, learning how to ride a bike. Learning how to not scream in terror at every fly in their vicinity. Learning how to control their emotions and act with kindness toward one another. Learning what a family is. Learning God’s grace. His patience and love.

They are learning Love.

They know how precious they are to you. And so do I.

And all these moments, all these moments add up to many years and the years fly right by. We mark the years in birthday candles and anniversaries and “oh they need new shoes again.” And it all adds up to more joy than I ever thought possible.

It adds up to millions of moments of grace. There have been many defining moments of grace. Moments I never saw coming, or some that I might have. Moments that cause me to stop right in my tracks to Praise HIM for giving us each other. For giving us this life together. For giving us all you.

We are blessed with you as the leader and shepherd of our family. You as my husband. You as their daddy.

Today is Father’s Day. But YOU are OUR gift.

Messenger (FMF)

June 12, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 9 Comments

Seven days without a reliable computer and internet connection and I feel less like a competent messenger than when I started this little mini-vacation a week ago.

I could tell you all the funny things that have happened, things like the scary (and possibly dangerous) pedicure during which I was subjected to an entire Jackie Chan movie at top volume. It was many things, but relaxing was not among them.

I could tell you how therapeutic it is to pick blueberries at 8:00AM in your parent’s backyard and then watch your mom make them into the same purple-studded muffins she made for you as a child, and then to watch your children devour them in the same way you did.

I could share the way my heart swelled to watch my flower-girl-five-year-old dance with her daddy at our sweet cousin’s wedding– and then how it broke a little knowing the same two would be dancing at her own wedding in less than 2 short decades.

I could tell you how I laughed until my very ribs felt about to crack in a Target parking lot with one best friend who fills my heart with pure, unadulterated joy. And also, how I then cried real tears as I drove away from another beautiful, lifelong best friend, knowing she would be holding her firstborn son next time I saw her.

But being as I only have five (ish) minutes I should cut to the chase.

I left home with a bag of books I needed and wanted to read and a short list of blog posts to write in my head- none of that happened. I left home with a loose agenda of what the week would hold and though most of it morphed into something different altogether, I return home tomorrow having been filled up, spilled out, hugged tight, loved well, listened long, and with a full heart.

God is good and His ways are not our own. Thank goodness for that. He knows what we need. He knows how He will use us to love, minister and care for those around us.

I hope my agenda dies a slow death each and every time He has a bigger plan for me to simply be a messenger of His love and GRACE.

Linking up with Five Minute Friday at Lisa Jo Baker’s!

5 Things I learned in May

June 2, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 5 Comments

1. Way back in August, I learned that when your child finally goes to school, be it Preschool or Kindergarten or whatever, it’s tough. But this month, I learned that when they finish said year it is way harder. We started praying for Lucy’s teacher last spring when we registered her for Pre-K and we could not have been more blessed by the precious woman He provided. God did exceedingly abundantly above ALL that we asked or thought we wanted for her first year of school when he blessed her with such an amazing teacher, class and school.

HOWEVER, I was still a ridiculous wreck on her last day. Especially when we were driving up to car-line, and she said… “Mommy! Wait. Stick with me. I have a plan. Turn Here!” (directing me into the parking lot where parents park to walk their children in.) So I asked if she wanted me to walk with her and she said, “I NEED you to walk with me. I just need a little more time with you.” Sniff. Sob. Sad. As in, I wanted to climb into a ball and cry while I looked through every single one of her baby pictures. BUT. I put on my brave mommy face and we survived. Those of you who have kids who are capable of taking their own baths and stuff probably think I’m a nut. I’m willing to agree with you. But this is still how I feel about my children growing at such a breakneck pace:

2. Okay. I think I might have discovered a hidden fear of turtles. I’ve never known this to be an issue– until the other day. Both our girls are slightly very possibly extremely squeamish. They squeal every time we are outside when they see a fly, a dragonfly, a moth,–anything in the bug category. Heaven help us all when a bee flies by. Total pandemonium. Complete wailing and gnashing of teeth until the bee (or bug or fly or gnat) flies away and they are “safe.” Seriously, I don’t know where this came from. Except maybe I might a little. I’m not really afraid of bugs… but I can’t help but jump when they catch me off guard. Isn’t that normal??? Back to the turtles. My dear husband is on a never-ending quest to gently “toughen them up” a little– which makes good sense, because right now– let’s face it– they could not make it in the real world. Or even a Children’s Museum. So the other night the girls and I were inside, they were having dessert at the table and I was cleaning up from dinner. Lance comes in from outside with a LIVE TURTLE wrapped in a bath towel, (because it was muddy.) His aim, was to show me first, and have us all have this fun learning experience around our new reptilian friend. EXCEPT THAT HE DIDN’T WARN ME FIRST. So I’m cleaning the counters, hear the front door open and turn around and there he is. With a towel and ALL I CAN SEE IS THIS SLIMY SCALEY NECK POKING OUT FROM THE SHELL AT ME. I Jumped sky high. Literally, I ended up on the other side of the counter putting quick and considerable distance between myself and that thing. So naturally, that caused the girls to FLIP OUT. Even Abby’s hands were shaking like a leaf as she yelled, “GET IT OUTTTTTTT!!!!” So basically, I had an undiscovered fear of reptiles in shells… and it totally scarred my children for life. Lance, meanwhile was laughing so hard he couldn’t breathe because of the surprising way I was so startled. oops. Lesson lost on that one.

3. I learned afresh in May how much I wish I could be in two places at once. I love our home. I love where we live. I love that we aren’t as far from family as we used to be when we lived in Wake Forest. But, sometimes the distance still seems very far. One of my very best friends is about to give birth to her first baby within the next few weeks and there is nothing I want more than to just have to race across town to sit in a hospital waiting room while she labors. I would love nothing more than to be in the same town when that sweet baby boy enters this world. She and her husband are forever friends of ours. They were there the night Lucy was born, and even though all they saw was the waiting room, they sat with another sweet couple and waited, prayed and waited some more until Lance came out and told them “She was here!!!” Maybe I could figure out the whole Harry Potter-Apparition thing in the next couple weeks. It would be helpful for sure.

4. I learned that a plastic baby pool in the front yard is still as much fun as it was when “we” were little. On Memorial Day, we set up a little plastic pool from Wal-mart and a fun sprinkler and the girls had SO much fun. You would have thought we took them to a giant water park. Lance and I sat on our porch and watched them splash to their heart’s content and relished in the simple joy of it all.

5. I was reminded of the importance of making your home exactly WHERE you want to be with HOWEVER you can. I am one who loves to travel. I love the getaway, the different restaurants, the fun places– but I LOVE to come home. And I always like to “bring home” my favorite parts of a vacation. When we visited Disney last month, I was consistently amazed by how beautiful and magical everything ALWAYS was. Part of that reason, was lights. Lights everywhere– and the minute the sun went down, Disney became a completely different place because of all the lights. So, during May, we hung little white cafe lights (when I say, ‘we’ I mean my sweet husband lovingly spent a couple hours on a ladder.) on the ceiling of our front porch, creating an amazing atmosphere. It is now one of my top “happy places” in the world. So if it’s lights for you, go ahead. Hang them up! If it’s flowers, plant them! Whatever makes your home more of a haven from everything out there– create it! We purchased our lights from Target, but there are similar ones on Amazon here: 25 Foot Globe Patio String Lights – Set of 25 G40 Clear Bulbs with White Cord And for fun, our finished product– come join me for a glass of Tea sometime!