Jamie Martin of the blogs Steady Mom and Simple Homeschool has been a blessing to me over the past year – both through her words of encouragement and being a long time reader here at The Creative Mama.
She has just released her first book, Steady Days - A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood and I was thrilled and honored to receive my copy before it’s debut. The book came to me at just the right time, I was in need of a major overhaul in our own family, and Steady Days renewed my passion to be just the parent I had set out to be.
I loved
… the ease of read; Jamie has written such a wonderful and precise book for moms searching for organization, direction, and intentional joy in their families.
I appreciated
… reading how she puts into practice all of the fabulous information shared in Steady Days. The sample worksheets and documents have been so helpful.
I was encouraged
… by Jamie’s own special traditions she and her family enjoy such as the Blessing Boxes and Steady Thought Cards – I am always on the lookout for ways to enjoy, inspire, and remember. Looking forward to putting these into practice!
Win a copy!
Jamie has generously offered one signed copy of Steady Days to a lucky reader of The Creative Mama. You have three chances to win.
1. Comment letting us know the one thing about motherhood that has surprised you the most.
2. Twitter about this fabulous giveaway, being sure to reference @thecreativemama.
3. Facebook linking directly to the Steady Days giveaway.
Come back to let us know in separate comments for each entry. Giveaway ends this Friday, February 26 at 10pm PST.
{ 100 comments… read them below or add one }
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One thing that was a giant surprise…was that I couldn\’t do it all. This didn\’t hit me till I started homeschool with my oldest. There has always been tough times, but I think I haven\’t figured out that good balance of teaching her school & taking care of the other littlies while trying to figure out when I can clean the house & still have dinner on the table by the time Dad gets home. THAT was a huge surprise..I can\’t do it all. or maybe I just haven\’t figured out a way to do it.
I was surprised by how 24/7 this job is. My daughter is 15 months and each time she gets sick, we have another week of sleepless nights. Up with her at night doesn\’t mean I get to call in sick to \"work\" the next day, because she can\’t be left to fend for herself while I sleep in =) She\’s so worth it, though! It helps that she\’s the cutest little girl I\’ve ever seen and I\’m her favorite =)
Little did I know that the moment my child entered the world, I would throw myself in front of a moving vehicle if I had to. The intensity of love for my little ones is unlike any other.
The constant changes – nothing ever stays the same and you never realize how good you have it until the next phase has started.
I’m surprised every day that motherhood is trully the best job on the whole planet!
I was surprised at the intensity of love I felt and how difficult parenting really is. Everyone has an opinion, an idea and really you have to do what is best for you and your family! Wish I could link to this on Facebook but I gave it up for Lent!
I am most surprised at how funny their stories are. My daughter says the most mixed up things and they crack me up. People always look at me to translate and I just shrug my shoulders. She likes to tell 10 stories at once. My nonverbal son tells his own kinds of stories and they crack me up to.
The thing I find most suprising about motherhood is the incredible strength of love that I have felt for each of my children from the moment of birth. I thought I loved them when I was pregnant, but the moment they were born that love intensified to a level I can’t even explain. But I am suprised daily at how difficult it is to manage everyday life with 2 children. It proves to me even more how amazing my mom was for raising 6 children and always maintaining a wonderful sense of family on top of the daily tasks facing all stay at home mommies!
Oh, I could use some steadiness… I would love to read this book, and winning it would be doubly awesome! The thing that has surprised me the most is seeing how MUCH I have to work on! Having children has been a horrible horrible mirror for me, showing me my own life and my many “problem areas.”
This is so timely for me. With an almost 2 year old and a 6 month old, I have been seriously struggling the past few weeks. I feel like my life needs more order and I often don’t feel like I’m doing well at my ‘job.’ I guess what has surprised me the most about motherhood is that my ability to multi-task has been taken to a whole different level. And I’ve of course learned not to judge other mothers (like I did pre-baby!) This resource is an answer to my desperate prayers of late!
I’m surprised at how alone I have often felt.
I shouted out on Facebook! Thank you!
I was surprised how I could go from being annoyed by my kids in one minute to smiling with joy over them the next. What a roller coaster ride! But I must say there are more joyful moments than the other.
This looks like a great book… I’m always looking for ways to be more intentional in my parenting. Something that surprised me the most about motherhood? That this girly-girl of a mom ended up with three boys… and wouldn’t change it for the world! Their wild and crazy ways are developing my character every day! :)
I\’m surprised by the ways that my children love each other. \"attack hugs\" kisses and being sweet to each other without being prompted make me feel like something is being done right around here (especially helpful when they are running around hitting each other screaming ;) ).
I am surprised at my need for alone time and at the fact that I still feel like a stay-at-home-mom even though I work 40 hours a week and have for over six months. I am amazed at how often I feel the need to go out alone, but spend most of my time missing my two year old daughter.
That I could love someone so much my heart aches…
What has most suprised me about motherhood, is how much I would learn about myself, reflected in the eyes of my little one.
The one thing that has surprised me the most about motherhood is how much that little girl loves me back. She can\’t tell me yet with her words yet but when she gives me a hug or wants me to read her a book, I know that she loves. Motherhood is such a blessing!
This book sounds very interesting to me. The thing that surprises me the most about raising children is the constant reminder of who God is and how great of a need I have for Him and HIS guidance. I\’m so thankful to have a heavenly father that loves me enough to be patient and give me just what I need to train my children each day.
I didn’t expect the abundance of mom guilt- am I doing enough? too much? etc. etc.!
I want to sacrifice over and over. Financially, time, heart and soul. I want to give her my soul, my experience and the love of God and all His creations. I always knew I would love her more than anything, but I truly ache for her growth, life and legacy. My surprise, my miracle.
I was surprised by how deeply I could love and how everything in life becomes new again when you have young children discovering every little thing. You really see everything with fresh eyes again.
At first I was always ready to get out of the house and get little breaks, but now that my kids are getting a little older, I\’m surprised by how much I just enjoy relaxing and being home with them. Don\’t get me wrong, we still get a little stir crazy when there is a lot of bad weather, but I really just love being at home now.
One thing that surprised me? How can I pick just one?
Figured out that I’m really not superwoman, and that some things just won’t get done.
No matter how exhausted you think you are, there’s always another level that you will be at tomorrow.
There is nothing like the love you feel for your children. They make you want to laugh, cry (happy tears), and squeeze them forever. It’s incredibly powerful and overwelming.
It’s been tweeted @amandagray825
And now Facebooked
Wow, that book (and her blog!) looks great! I am already a new fan!
I guess the most surprising thing about motherhood has been how complex and complicated it is — in terms of juggling responsibilities, accepting lifestyle changes, navigating my sense of self and the roles of each of us in the family, relationship issues and connection with my partner and just figuring out what kind of person and parent I really want to be (and putting that into action). Its hard! But so rewarding, too.
What surprised me…how much I need the structure as much as my kids! And how much my own relationship with my mom really blossomed! thanks for the chance!
Amy in CA
The biggest surprise is that my kids are so different… after the first one, I thought that I kind of had a hold on this thing, but then the 2nd turned out so different and responds so differently to everything… its like having to relearn everything…. but its so, so worth it.
figuring out I cannot do it all was a big surprise to me – motherhood is just so complex and there are so many facets to my life there is no way one person can do it all – and it is constantly a work in progress – but I love it, and I am so blessed to be a mother
I did a shout out on facebook!
What surprised me… all that I was missing out on. Being a mom is amazing.
I am not a mother yet but just found out yesterday that I will be one in less than 9 months! I think this book sounds amazing and I would love to have it to prepare and to reference in the future.
What surprised me the most about motherhood (just had my second) was and is how much further I can push myself when it comes to my kids. Back aching from standing and rocking a fussy baby – push though the burn. 3 hours of sleep- push through the day being as pleasant as possible. Smile and try to make the day happy even when I feel like crying- suck it up and keeping smiling!
My biggest surprise about motherhood is that even though my kids are fully grown, married, and independent, they still have lots of times where they want and need their mama. And I’m always glad to oblige :)
I was surprised and still am, about how wonderful and rewarding being a mother is and how difficult it is as well!
Sounds like an interesting read!
sorry didn’t read the instructions.
My biggest surprise was the amount of love I didn’t realize I had. Until I had my kids.
I’ve been surprised at how much my heart aches when my little guy is sick and how scared I’ve been at times, but also with how rewarding being a mom is!
I tweeted this contest from my @creativestash account and referenced @thecreativemama! Thanks for the offer!
I was caught off guard by the tremendous amount of love between me and my children and how instant it is. I am surprised however by how much I realized I wanted to do things differently then my parents. I love them dearly and have always felt they were wonderful parents but, it wasn’t until I became a mother that I realized how much stronger of a relationship I hope to develop with my own children with a little more effort, encouragement and loving guidance.
The biggest surprise I’ve found in motherhood was the drastic degree of selfless sacrifice that would have to be made without even thinking twice about it. It’s a replenishing source of extreme joy, exhaustion, strength, and learning all wrapped up in one.
I was surprised to discover that all my “before kids” solutions didn’t always work…and to my horror, I wasn’t the perfect mom I had hoped to be. But I love my children with all my heart and I’m still workin’ to be the best mom I can.
One thing..
How MUCH it changed me. I realized things about myself that I never knew. Thank you for the chance!
As every teenager does, I pictured myself as the \’cool\’ mom. The mom who everyone loved to be around, who was always understanding, reasonable, and supportive. I\’m not! Not at all! I am quick to overreact at everything, typically not rational, and extremely overprotective. I think I need a motherhood overhaul:o)
I think I’ve been most surprised by how often I seem to “channel” my mother even though I swore I’d be nothing like her!
When our son was born, my world made a polar shift. Having recently lost my beloved father prior to becoming pregnant, I was still going through my grief process – as was my husband. But the day I met our boy, two and a half years ago, we were both introduced to a joy neither of us expected, nor knew existed. Becoming parents is a true honor and has made us appreciate life, the innocence of childhood and the beauty of the word – FAMILY.
We recently had another little boy to our family. It has been amazing to feel so much love for another human being. Each boy has many characteristics of each other, but yet so different at the same time. The time just seems to fly by so much more quicker now that I live in the life of 2 children.
Added a link to Facebook!
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