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 }
How consuming motherhood is! Not just of your time, but your heart and mind as well. That caught me off-guard.
I am really looking forward to reading this book!
I am surprised by the amount of times you must repeat yourself! First to little ones who need constant reminders and then to older ones who need the constant reminder to listen to the reminders!
The one thing that surprises me every day with being a mom is how much I can stretch my limits (physically and mentally). I never thought it could be possible….
I would realy like to read the book. Hope I win!!!!!!!
I would LOVE to have this book. I am in such an unproductive mothering rut right now, I cannot even express it in words. I am so frustrated with myself. Just last night, I was railing to my husband about my “failures.” I think this book might just be the shot in the arm I need.
There are two things that have surprised me most about motherhood:
First, I am constantly amazed about the capacity of my heart to love. Every time I think my heart is so full of love that it might burst, a little more room, and a little more love, appears. I love that!
Second, I am astonished at the amount of grief and frustration that love can invoke. As much as I love my children, and love being their mother, it is the most taxing endeavor I have ever undertaken. I am constantly worried that I am failing them.
Wonderful, yet frightening, this realm of motherhood. Who knew??
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/heatherowens?ref=profile .
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I am surprised by how hard being a mom is. I love it, I love my kid, but boy, is it tough sometimes! Excited to read Jamie’s book!
I would love this book. I\’ve been surprised at how different it is than I though.
the thing that surprises me the most is just how much love fills my heart every single day.
One thing that caught me by suprise was how much \’adjusting\’ and tweaking we\’d have to do within our daily routines with the different ages and stages. It seemed like just when we \’hit our flow\’ it was time for another transition.
I tweeted! ;)
http://twitter.com/WWwannabe
One thing that amazes me is the feeling of loss of control. This aspect has been set spinning in several corners of my life since being blessed with our two little ones. Example, one of my cherubs says something unkind, this in turn sends my heart sailing, what do I do…. complete feeling of loss of control. Paper work/bills/correspondences have also consistently been spinning out of control since motherhood. I love my life, but would LOVE help in the loss of control arena! P.S. Love your blog :)
Hi.I guess the one thing that surprises me is how sometimes I look in the mirror & I see my mom (this can sometimes be scary ;) )or my mom will call when I’m out & my daughter will talk to her & then my daughter tells me that everything my mom says about school,life,etc is exactly what I tell her. :) You really do mimic your own parents when you parent your own child whether people realize it or not.While I have learned from my parents mistakes,I see that I do parent my kids the way they parented me. :) I also know that I can truly love more than one kid but just in different ways. :) I would love to win this book…my kids are getting older & I do plan to have more & I can be honest & say that I still do need help…as your kids grow older,it doesn’t get easier….more stress b/c of worrying about their future.
Intentional? Professional? I need it! Thank you!
What a great book!
The one thing that surprises me abt motherhood is my capacity to love. I’ve never imagined how I’d grit my teeth through all the breastfeeding difficulties & sleepless nights & still find wonder at that small little fellow cradled in my arms!
Everyday is a learning experience. Things I thought I knew I have found I don’t. I would love to have this book as a tool on my journey.
I posted this on FB
What surprised me most about motherhood? The incredible love and joy it would bring to my life. I had no idea my son would open such waves of emotion and happiness for me. I waited until 30 to have a child, not feeling ready through my 20′s. Now I realize that I was probably ready all along, just scared. Steady Days looks like an incredible book.
i was (am) surprised how quickly and miraculously my heart expanded with unconditional love when i had each of my children. what a miracle!
I would love to win this book. My husband is currently travelling for work in Peru and so being a \"single-mom\" has been challenging to say the least! I think what surprised me the most about motherhood was not how hard it is… but how much harder it is when your child\’s actions are working against yours (whether intentionally or just because he\’s 6 I don\’t know!). For example, it\’s hard enough to take three kids to the stock show, but then, as EVERYONE is exiting the building, said child hides behind a curtain… UGH! Help give me some intention to this journey! :)
Thanks, Candice
Sounds like a great book! One thing that surprised me about motherhood was the somtimes overwhelming feeling of responsibility for another human beings life.
There\’s 2 things that really surprised me
1) How much love I have for each of my children. When the 1st one comes you think you couldn\’t love anyone as much as you love that child. Then the 2nd, 3rd & 4th come and you love each just as much.
2) Sleep is a thing of the past hahhaa. I keep thinking ONE DAY I\’ll get some sleep, but I\’m still waiting.
Thanks for the great giveaway. I love checking this site! SO many fabulous things here :)
i am surprised by how seriously time consuming it is… (should i be suprised? i shouldve known going into this) but it is totally very time consuming. i LOVE every moment, but it’s constant go go go!!!
I think the thing that surprises me the most about motherhood is that there truly, truly is never a break. Even though they’re not always physically present, they never fail to present incredible challenges and issues that must be dealt with on a daily basis. I am really interested in reading Steady Days and would love to win!
Everyone says your life will change but nothing prepares for the change in relationships, your house, and yourself. It took me nearly 2 years to finally start feeling like myself again. This book sounds exactly like what I need. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
Just tweeted this!
A surprise about motherhood? Hmm… how hard it is to do the everyday stuff day after day after day. The cooking, the laundry, the dishes … my mom made it look so easy and I have no idea how she kept it up so consistently. I don\’t remember her EVER having piles of clean but unfolded laundry, yet for me, I do a little happy dance on the rare weeks when I actually do NOT have those piles sitting around for at least several days. LOL And don\’t even get me started about the dishes…
Posted on Facebook…
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1462765321
And tweeted, too! @kmrutten
Angie, thank you for this feature! I just ordered three copies: one for myself, and one for each of my sisters as well.
I will add that the most surprising thing I’ve found about becoming a mother is that you actually have to parent each child a little differently, and that it’s okay to do this. Our children are not identical, after all! However before my second came along, I always said I’d treat them just the same: not let her sleep in our bed every night because he didn’t, etc. It’s funny how you can have certain opinions on how to be a good parent before you ever become a mother; yet when actually in that position, your old theories and opinions go straight out the window. ;) How freeing!
Thanks for the chance to win this great book!
The thing that has surprised me most about motherhood is how it has changed how I see the world. I am more tolerant, patient, loving, compassionate, and understanding of things, big and small, since becoming a mother. The \"small stuff\’ doesn\’t seem as important and the big stuff seems managable because of the love you have with your new family. Being a mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me, and it\’s the best thing I\’ve ever done.
what has surprised me the most? Just how deep my reserves are – and when I think I can’t go on, somehow I can. It almost always has to do with that bottomless well of love – as long as I remember to access it, I can get through anything.
I’m amazed by every bit of motherhood – the amount of love I have for my children, the patience I didn’t know I had in me, the sometimes terror of being completely responsible for these two little lives, the way it has impacted relationships with others in my life, the physical demands, the humorous musings of an almost 3-year old, the pride I feel when they accomplish new milestones…
With a hubby deployed twice in the past year, I am surprised at how difficult it is to be mom and dad to a toddler. To teach him the world when some days I hardly want to get out of bed myself. To find inspiration in the everyday, to put laundry on the backburner and make the park a priority. Most importantly I’m surprised at how much love you can feel for this little person and how your life becomes theirs.
Thank you for this giveaway! This book looks great!
I have been surprised that my heart has been able to grow with the birth of each child. I could almost feel the stretching of my heart!!
I’m not going to lie…I was really surprised at how hard it is. But for all the emotional and physical drain, becoming a mother is the best choice I’ve ever made. I adore it.
I was most surprised by how solitary it is being a stay-at-home mom. It can feel pretty lonely sometimes. I really have to be intentional about getting out of the house and spending time with other people.
Motherhood surprises me in how much I love it. I didn’t know I had it in me and now I have 2 beautiful girls who are amazing blessings to me and my husband.
Just posted on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/magaparsec?ref=nf
I have been most surprised about the unconditional love you can have for another human being.
What a great giveaway! I am surprised that just when I feel I have nothing more to give on any particular give, there is always more in reserve.
i am always surprised at how much it can hurt to have your kids away from you. you know you need breaks but to have them somewhere else without you- that is tough for me some days. but i do love that they go to school too 8-)
I was most surprised with the anxiety that comes with motherhood. The 1,000 times I went into his room to be sure he was breathing, the way I cannot sleep if they aren’t feeling well or if we are out of town and they are not in the same building. I know its kooky, but the anxiety caught me off guard!
Oh how I could use this book right now!
opps-forgot to answer the question-see how forgetful being a Mommy makes you. Surprised how neurotic I was the first one, so worried about child #1 adjusting when baby #2 came, and now how calm I am with the ability to savor it all with baby #3!
I finally have a copy of this amazing book. But I would love to win a copy for my sister. She is a new mommy.
What surprises me everyday are the expressions of love that come from my kids. They will kiss me on the check and whisper in my ear”I love you mommy” . It get’s me every time. I’m someones mommy and I love them so much.
I am surprised at how much I am linked physically to my child.
This sounds like a fantastic book! I think I was most surprised at how becoming a mother felt like a part of me had been filled up that I didn’t even know was empty. It made the transition to motherhood seem so natural, even though I was so overwhelmed by all the changes.
The most surprising thing is how fast it changes…while I’ll always be my kid’s mom, as they get ready to leave the ‘nest’ , we have all changed….grown. They obviously don’t need me in the same ways as they used to. I am surprised at how sad that makes me…..well, not really surprised….I”ve always been a mush!