Her small hands peel back the covers to see if my eyes are open. Gently, I feel her fingers against my cheek as she loudly whispers, “Time to wake up mommy!”
I smile {with my eyes closed} and roll over. It will take more than her sweetness to convince this tired mama to get out of bed. Hours of driving, sitting on wood bleachers, shouting and cheering for her big brother’s basketball games at a tournament the day before… has worn me out!
I tell Aster it’s still dark and that she needs to go back to sleep. Disappointed yet determined, she walks her little self over to the window, feels her way along the curtains to find the plastic wand so she can pull them back and show me it is NOT still dark.
Not only is it NOT dark, it is time for breakfast and she knows just what we can eat!
“Look Mommy!” She says, as she points her finger to the parking lot. “Wake up and eat popcorn. Seeeeeeeee. There’s a popcorn tree. When you shake it, popcorn falls off!”
Ahhh. Motherhood. It doesn’t come with much sleep, but it does come with popcorn trees! And so many other surprises.
Aster is one of God’s biggest surprises so far in this motherhood journey of mine. Only He could know how much I needed this girl of mine.
God birthed Aster in our hearts and brought her into our family four years ago, just as our boys crested the waves of teenage manhood. Obviously I needed a little more adventure, a lot more carpooling and a huge dose of unconditional love.
And God made sure I got it! All wrapped up in pink bows, giggles, snuggles, sleepless nights, developmental delays, sweet kisses, celebrations, questions, fears, happy tears, laughter and memories. So.many.memories.
Today I have a surprise just for you! Im giving away five copies of my new favorite book for the heart of moms, and those who mother in other capacities: “Surprised by Motherhood“ written by my friend Lisa-Jo Baker. I’m reading it now and it’s so much more than a book; it’s dessert and friendship for my soul! Today, Lisa-Jo’s publisher has offered to give away 5 copies to five of you!! But first {this}! For days when you wonder if what you do matters, when it feels like the same thing stuck on repeat 365 days a year! Let this be your reminder: you are braver than you know because you mother!
Whether you are a mother, have a mother, or have mothered in other capacities and felt inadequate for the job… this is a needed reminder that there is nothing ordinary about being a mother.
Enter to WIN: Simply click “Share Your Thoughts” below and do just that, or share your biggest “surprised by motherhood” moment or memory. We’ll randomly choose five winners and announce them here next week.
My little boy just turned 5 and talks as if he is 25, he is always surprising me with some of the words he says. My most recent surprise-he was reaching up to the counter to get his cup, I walked over beside him to make sure he could reach it. He turned and looked at me and said, ‘I don’t need any assistance’. I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard!
My biggest surprise was the discovery of my third pregnancy when my second was just 8 months old. Now I am blessed with 3 sweet little boys.
I love being a mommy…I love that God entrusted me with 4 beautiful blessings. One (of many because there are so many) of my most happy moments was when I was given a son after two daughters…wow what a difference. I am learning that there is only go and sleep…he eats more that I can ever keep up with, he makes me laugh and smile…He tries to act all tuff but deep inside he is a sensitive little man. Oh how I try to be a good mommy to all of them. Sending one to college this year just about sent me over the edge…but oh how she has grown too! Would not trade any of them for anything in the world. I love reading your post and they always seem so timely. Have a blessed afternoon!
Smiles & Blessings,
Robin 🙂
I struggle every day parenting 4 children as a single mother. But I know that I would not want to miss a single day without my babies in my life. I miss them greatly when they are away from me visiting with their Nana and big brother.
Renee – sorry – I just realized I spelled Aster wrong – I am so sorry.
thanks
I remember when our daughter was handed to us for the first time and asking where is the manual? HaHa!!
God, was the manual because from day 1 you have to hold that little miracle up to Him to give you the help to guide you through their little thoughts. That was 32 years ago and another daughter born and now 8 grandchildren. We have truly been blessed.
Good luck to everyone on getting a copy of the book.
Renee – love Asher’s response to the tree – looking like popcorn – make sure that is recorded somewhere for her later down the road. We love your family – all of them. Hope your mom is doing well.
There is a lot of surprised by motherhood moments, but I’ll share one of the latest. Two days ago, after a long and hard day, I said to my 5year old son:
‘Sorry I shouted at you today’
I he replied:
‘Sorry I was naughty today..’ and he gave me a big hug!
I really didn’t expect that and it was beautiful!!
Nadia
Blessed with 4 daughters….Jacqueline lives in California , is a brilliant researcher in neuroscience…Lindsey is an awesome mom with a 2yr old (we just lost her husband to Lupus), Kelly is a very loving, kind and fun girl in her first year of college, going to be a RN like me, and Jessie has just moved back home with me after living with Dad for 9 Years. So thankful for my daughters, 26, 25, 18, and 17 years old. I should have had more faith in God while they were younger, many times of worry, that I would be a good mom. Now I leave those worries at the foot of the cross. Would love. A copy of the book..
I would love to read this book because I could use a little “dessert”..My mom passed away in November and this will be my first Mother’s Day without her and I am wrestling with challenges of mothering 4 “adult” children (19 & 22 yr old boys & 26 & 28 yr old girls) Sometimes I feel like the last time I felt competent was when they were toddlers!
I’m not a mother yet, but stories like this make me excited for the future.
I would love to give a copy of this book to my cousin. She and her husband is getting ready to bring home their fist adopted child.
Motherhood .. What a blessing, mostly sleepless & selfless but the joys are like no other and truly priceless. Priceless that we a chosen & entrusted to care, nurture, encourage, teach, discipline, direct and LOVE little people of our own
and at times others. Little people that will one day impact this world with Gods love.. Motherhood is filled of many surprises .. Good and sometimes not too good but I wouldn’t trade them for anything! Thank you
Good morning, I’m Mindy and I have 4 daughters who are the light of my life! My oldest daughter is almost 23, she has been married for almost 3 years and has a daughter herself that is 6 months old. She is a delight! My second daughter is TaNisha, almost 20. She is still looking for her path in life and I continue to pray that she will follow Jesus. Santanna is 14 and just made the high school cheer team!!! And last, but not least, is my Toani(toni). She is 3, and is the most beautiful little girl ever! She has been diagnosed with Epilepsy. She also has low muscle tone and speech delays. Our days have many struggles, I wake up every morning to spend time with The Lord, other wise I would not Make it through the day. I Love your emails, they give me encouragement and peace, Knowing I’m not the only mom with struggles! Thank you for always helping!
I would love a copy of the book 🙂
God bless
I really just can’t believe how well I can function without sleeping for years! I was a good 8-10 hour sleeper before kids 🙂
That regardless of how much my kids don’t listen, that parenting is so hard and draining, that you care for others way more than you thought possible, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Motherhood is the bee’s knees! 🙂
Motherhood is so full of surprises. I had three girls never dreaming I would have anymore and do to some changes in my life I ended up remarrying and six years after my last daughter I had a son. He is now a Pastor and has just had their first little girl. Thank you God for surprising me with a fourth child.
One of the biggest surprises of motherhood for me is my three children showing unconditional love to me, even when I have some tired, frazzled, not so great mommy moments. They definitely show me God’s love and compassion in the sweetest ways.
All I can say, that I have not been blessed with this soft a disposition, when my children have woken me up early, when I could have slept longer….but God has been faithful and given me the grace when I failed my children and was tougher on them, then I probably should have.
We grow up with our own Bagage and then we have children….as much as we love them, it’s not always easy and you can get very frustrated and discouraged at their attitudes sometimes…..yet: I owe my spiritual growth and my close walk with Christ to these challenges and thus to my children and all the other people that represented challenges in my life.
God has been faithful and changed my mind and I am growing more and more into this gentle mother that I probably should have been all along – but my heart needed healing first.
God has done it and is doing it – so I would love to read the book…..and learn about another mom’s journey of grace and patience – and maybe receive a bit more healing along the way.
God bless you ❤️
I am a mother of 3 grown children. There were many surprises over the years, but at this stage in my life, I think the experience of being a grandmother to two little girls (22 months and 3 weeks!) is the biggest surprise! I never thought I could experience the deep and fierce love I have for my children again. However, the first time I held my granddaughter, that love came flooding back. It is almost better than being a parent-I can love them more confidently and freely without all the doubt and questions (am I doing everything right?) that comes with parenthood. And another huge blessing is watching my grown son be a father. It has brought out a tender and nurturing side of him that I had not seen before. God is so good!
My biggest has to be how much they inspire me and make me come alive.
My biggest surprise of motherhood was that sometimes there is a lot of worry and pain which caused me to turn to The Lord. When our middle daughter was four years old, she was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphoblastice leukemia) her white cell count was 142,000 where is should have been in the 20,000 range. When trying to do a bone aspiration her bone marrow was so thick and it was difficult to extract. She was extremely fatigued and often times in pain. The doctors pulled her chemotherapy proto col out of a hat, which was called The New York Protocol.” It was so very aggressive and even doing that and cranial radiation, the prognosis was a 20% chane of survival for a two year period. I made many trips to Primary Cildren’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah-some were late at night because her immune system was so low the she would spike fevers of 104 degrees, I remember crying while I was driving her, pleading to God that if he were going to take her, to just do it and take her out of her pain! She looked like the little girl on the copper tone ads before diagnosis; such a blonde haired, blue eyed beauty. By God’s Mercy and Grace, she beat the odds! After seven years in remission we were told that her chances of ever getting this again was one in three hundred and fifty thousand. The doctors told us that because of the aggressiveness of the chemo she probably would not be able to have children. Imagine our surprise when she told us she was pregnant and gave birth to sweet little Otto this past November! He is a beautiful, healthy baby boy who has the sweetest disposition! We are so very blessed and give praise and glory to our Lord and Saviour for this little miracle! Such a surprise for this mother and grandmother and, again, giving me the assurity that He truly had us in the palm of his hands! god always gave me the assurity that Lexy would survive, but to bless us with this sweet little grandson was one of the best gifts we were given!
For the last several years God has been whispering to my heart that He wants me to be an earthly mother to one of His children. Only recently am I allowing this calling to really sink in. I would LOVE to be a Mom but at the same time I feel totally unqualified. My husband and I are taking the prospects of parenthood slowly. We know there is brokenness between us that God wants to mend first so we can welcome our child into a safe and happy home. In the meantime, I believe God is preparing both of our hearts and shaping our characters for this next phase in our journey together. Renee, thanks for sharing this resource. It looks like an awesome book.
I was surprised by the crazy beautiful roller coaster ride in the everyday life of motherhood. How tiny arms hugging my neck can make all those negative thoughts disappear in an instant. 🙂
I can’t really say that my children were unexpected. God blessed me with the gift of a dream when I was around 9 years old and showed me my children. I anxiously awaited each one. =)
Motherhood is surprising in the way my children amaze me everyday. Literally!
Bridgette, my oldest, surprises and amazes me everyday after so many years of doctors telling us that she would have to live with these “special needs” like her allergies that used to get so bad that she’d land herself in the hospital for several days at a time. Or telling us her seizures are now a new constant in her life… even though, she’s now been seizure free for 1 year.
Kaeden, my son. Wow! He is so smart and comprehends so quickly, I rarely have to repeat myself when teaching him something new. However…. I repeat myself 20 times to brush his teeth or clean his room. Those 2 seem to be impossible for him to learn without mommy. LOL.
Elizabeth, my lil baby. We almost didn’t think we were going to have her since I had had a miscarriage a few years prior, which we thought was our 3rd child from the dream. Then… SURPRISE!!! One more!!! =) I love how smart she is at two years old in comprehending spiritual stories and prayers already. When she prays, she whispers and tells me that she’s telling God a secret or a story. Easter Sunday, after Sunday School, I pick her up from the nursery. “Baby,” I ask. “What did you learn today?”
With HUGE blue eyes, she says, “Momma!!! Jesus? Him was on the cross, but Him got down-did and then Him go u there momma!” she exclaims pointing up. “Oh really? He got off the cross and went to heaven?”
Hand on that hip and a serious look and tone, “No Momma! Him got down and go up in a cloud!” LOL! I love it. She’s so smart and so cute. =)
Renee… I’m not writing to try to get into the drawing {though that book sounds inspired and amazing.} I clicked on your name after reading your comment on the (in)courage piece, and your words are balm for my weary soul. I can’t even quite place it. You just feel safe. And authentic. And like someone I need for guidance right now. I just look at your picture, read your story, and tears spring to my eyes. So, I’ll be stopping by quite a bit. 🙂
I have been so blessed and so thankful to have happened on your blog. I love your thoughts and wriitng and your wriitng has inspired and encouraged me. Thank you.
I am a mom of 6 biological children and two step children and it sure has been challenging and exhausting. But being a mom was always my dream and God has truly blessed me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The things that surprised me the most about motherhood were how you can love them so very much from that first flutter in the womb even before you ever see them, and how it can be the most difficult job yet the most rewarding. Thanks for sharing your story of Aster and the popcorn tree. Moments like that are truly priceless.
The surprises, for me, are like Aster’s popcorn tree; it’s those funny little things they say and do, having the opportunity to see life or the world thru their innocent little perspectives.
My “surprised by motherhood” moment holds a bit of guilt on my part.
When my now-nearly-13 year old daughter was about 4 or 5, she had a voice that was similar to what I would guess would be Minnie Mouse on helium, especially when she was excited.
One morning, I was exhausted, and it seemed that every 2 minutes, I would hear her yell, “MOM!” This would be followed by her asking for something or other.
After about the 10th time, my frazzled nerves snapped…I yelled, “WHAT!!???”
She looked at me, her sweet brown eyes meeting mine, and said in her sweetest voice, “I love you, Mommy.”
I gave her the biggest hug, and slunk my 1 inch tall self back to my room for a nap…
A Mom is so much more than SHE will ever know. We take them for granted but can’t do without them. They are more important than we or they will ever know
Motherhood always surprises me because things in our family life always changes. I think the most surprising thing that has happened tome as a Mother is when I finally let my daughter go her own way. I made a decision to let her make her own mistakes, go her own way and pray for God’s will in her life. Although I still worry sometimes I realize she is a grown-up now and I love her and I let God .
I miss the days of small kids and their love of daily life. Now I have young adults trying to find their way in the world. I still melt when they bless me with a hug and say I love you mommy.
I’m surprised at the confidence God has in us! Three boys under three (one and then 16 months later, twins!) has been a whirl wind. Motherhood is nothing what I expected, but I have learned so much and it is quite a journey, but I am so thankful for God’s direction and for His GRACE
Today I was just thinking how I used to be able to go shopping and do things by myself, but now I have two little ones and I enjoy them more than any thing. Yes there are moments where I want to pull my hair out, but I know I am blessed beyond belief.
My dear sweet friend Leanne would love this book. My friend and her husband took up an adventure 9 years ago when they decided to adopt. With no children of their own came the first sweet baby boy followed by only a few months later a request for another sweet baby boy. They are raising these precious boys in God’s unconditional love. God was calling the two of them this past year to foster and a few months of questions on exactly what that meant to them God blessed them with a 5 day old precious baby boy to love and care for in hopes that the young mother and boyfriend could get back on the right track. Jeremiah is almost 8 months and God had a plan for him and them as well. This precious boy has brought so much love, joy and the sense of God’s humorous ways into their household. Thanks for a chance to share something with someone who never imagined being a mother and the joy that adoption and fostering has brought her. Somedays we all need a simple reminder of God’s Greater LOVE for us all, HIS CHILDREN!
My sweet three and a half year old girl had a day of diarrhea and amongst all the fun and challenges of that during potty training season we had a Little Mermaid marathon. At one point I hear “No Ariel don’t do it! NO Don’t do it! Uggghhh…Ariel never listens to her father.” Made me smile for sure. So much joy we get as moms even on our hard days. Gotta love it! Thank.you for gentle reminders.
One of my biggest surprises was when our 5 year old son came down to dinner one night and started quoting parables word for word from Scripture. He had given our children the Bible tape to listen to when they went to bed. He quoted over 10 parables. He is our middle child and “challenged” in many ways. He turned 26 this year and is getting married the end of May!
I guess my biggest surprise of motherhood was that I could love someone so much who was so different from me. My son is a very quiet introvert, while I am a boisterous extrovert. Not until he was born did I even reach out to quiet people. He has taught me to appreciate different personalities better than anyone before him could. I love him, motherhood and the transformation he has helped me with.
Being a mom is the best thing that has happened to me I had 4 surprises (none of them planned) I have a son who is 12 a daughter who would be 9 ( she died in my 38 th week of pregnancy) while I was pregnant my ex had a daughter who I now help raise and she is 8 and I have a daughter who is 2. They all are very precious to me and even though it’s not how I planned it it all is so worth it.
The biggest surprises for me was first how my heart could grow with love as we added a second child to our family and secondly, how much love I would feel watching my firstborn fall in love with his baby sister. These are things just reading about could never prepare me for.
Wonderful post, Renee!
Not only am I a mother of 4 ( 1 deceased), and a grandmother of 7, I am also called Mom by many of the young men and women in My neighborhood. It is such a blessing to show love, God’s love, to all of these gifts of God.
I am so happy that God created me female, a mother, grandmother, and most assuredly His child. I can honestly say that Motherhood is the best profession one can have.
Ahh, the surprises of motherhood. My most recent surprise was exactly one year ago today when I found out I was pregnant at the age of 38. I had been off of birth control for over 7 years and thought it just wasn’t God’s plan for us to have another. I have grown children and never thought I would be starting all over again. It’s ok though. We know we are blessed beyond words.
How sweet! What a beautiful story and a really precious daughter.
I never had a little girl, just twin boys. I had two miscarriages, so I had to give up the idea of ever having a daughter. But, I do remember on certain little girl that was so very dear to my heart. This was before I even had children of my own. My husband and I lived in Ft.Stewart, Georgia. We took some of the neighborhood children to church each week.
The little girl that lived across the street from us would go with us quite often, in fact she went with us on Sunday night. She was not always cleaned up, she had lost her front teeth, and hair was not always combed, but I loved her so much. I will never forget the time she fell asleep in my husband’s arms in church. On the way home, she said she was hunger, so we stopped and got her a cheeseburger from McDonald’s. Later, I noticed hundreds of beer cans around her house and I just wanted to cry, because I did not know what kind of conditions her home life might be like. I still pray for her sometimes. It breaks my heart when I think of the little girl that is so sweet and I just pray God has protected her over the years.
Children are from the Lord and so innocent. They need our love and comfort.
I thought I would share with you something I wrote when my boys were small:
Do other mother’s struggle as I do, Lord
Is their day filled with little voices that call “Mama”
every few minutes during the day?
Is Winnie the Pooh, Barney and cartoons apart of their day?
And do other mother’s see those little faces light up when
they are so anxious to share something they made at school?
Do they share in things like reading, playing games and prayer at night?
Do they enjoy warm, wonderful hugs that make their morning so bright, even while they are half-asleep?
God bless my children in a special way,
Those little eyes that watch everything I do,
Help them keep their eyes on You.
Those little hands and arms,
Help them not to push or shove
But help them reach out to others in love.
Those little hearts that are so very tender,
Help them be filled with Your Holy Word.
Those little feet that like to run and play,
Help them to follow You everyday.
Those little children, I love so dearly
Hold them tight
Keep them from Satan with all your might.
And when I make mistakes,
I raise my voice or I am unkind,
Take me too, Lord in Your arms
Give me the strength to be more like You.
Help me to do no harm, but give You the glory
How do other mother’s do it, Lord
Not without You
Help me raise my children for You.~joyce
Wow!! I think I was surprised at how difficult it could be sometimes raising 3 children and how relieved I felt when I realized that most mothers were going through and feeling the same things that I was. Never realized just how hard the teenager/young adult years would be. Sometimes so overwhelming and just feeling helpless. It is so hard learning to let go. But Proverbs 31 has been a Godsend during those difficult and trying times.
Also when my daughter was in a serious car accident, I was surprised at the strength and peace and love and comfort that God graced me with during such a difficult time. He knows just what we need and when we need it. Thank you God for always being here for me. And thank you Renee for this giveaway and all the wonderful ways you use your God given talent to serve God by serving us.
Your stories bring a smile to my face as I remember my two children growing up. The time goes by so fast. It’s hard for me to believe that my children are grown. I love being a mom and am blessed to be a grandma. I drop everything when given a chance to spend time with my grandson. I can’t get enough of his hugs, smiles, giggles and funny sayings. A book like this would have been helpful when my children were small and I can’t wait to share this book with my daughter.
My babies are now adults and searching for their path in life. Unfortunately we are going through a very rough time right now , they are not speaking to me. Watching this video reminded me of the ecial moments I shared with them when they were little. God is in charge and will guide them and protect them.
My fiancé and I just lost his 9-year-old son, Nicholas, in a fatal car crash that also took the life of his friend and attorney earlier this month. John was injured but has physically recovered. While Nick, who had been without a mother for 4 years (his mom died), was not of my body, he was and will always be of my heart. I never got to hold him but I know we will meet in heaven and he always kissed my picture before he went to bed. This has been hard on John and I both but I have the sense that God will bring us to a child who needs us in the future, much as you and your husband have done, Renee. We are not young but we have resources and when we have healed we will ask God to help us and give us His guidance and wisdom and great love for another child or children. Thanks be to God in all things.
I have been wanting to get this book since seeing it previewed by Lysa. My type A personality could use this book–the reminders of Gods grace and not needing to be “perfect.”
I was surprised the first time I realized my children with “special needs” – their needs are grace to me – somehow their additional needs are exactly what I need to love Jesus more. And God knew that I needed them, and that they needed me – exactly me, with all my faults and messiness. 🙂
Renee , I so enjoyed your writing . God knows how to bless us in unique and special ways.
From the time I was a young girl my dreams were to be a mom and a wife.
God had other plans for me . As a single gal I had a hysterectomy at the age of 41. The night before my surgery I was watching a reality program about critically ill babies. God spoke to my heart . He said , ” Mia I am sparing you this. ” I might say I assisted friends in the riasing of th eir children and they are now adults whom I am very proud of as they serve the LORD.
For several years my babies were my birds. I raised cockitiels, parakeets and one small parrot. I hand fed many of the babies. At age 50 , my job at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. came to an end with the relocation to NC. . God sent me home to be my Mom’s care giver and to make peace with my past. In 2008 , Mom went home to be with the LORD in June. In August that year I met the man of my dreams online . We met and became engaged in October and married in December -the Sunday before Christmas. When I at the age of 56 said I do to my Joe I became a step mom to 4 men and grandmother to 4 grand children. In October we will be welcoming #5 who is a special miracle. Mom and Dad are not married and have gone thru some rough spots. The dad called his father to ask him his view on abortion. As we are Christians you know how he answered. I was near by praying a sI heard what they were discussing. Two days later, Joe called Joey back to see what was going on. When they were having that first conversation , mom and dad were in the parking lot of the abortion clinic. They realaized they couldn’t go thru with this . Afterall the mom did not believe in abortion. Today I bought a special journal. Its yellow and on the cover is a verse from the Bible —Every good gift …is from above. James 1 :17 ! This journal is being written with special messages to be given to this little one when he/she is old enough to understand that they are a precious miracle. Oh my other kids are 4 kitties and 3 dogs !