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.
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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.