YOU GUYS!!!
On Tuesday next week (that’s FOUR SLEEPS FROM NOW) my book comes out!
You guys, my people, my safe place – can you just come over here and pet my head for a second and tell me it’s gonna be OK and maybe come eat some of Zoe’s leftover birthday cake because apparently not everyone in this household has sophisticated chocolate mousse taste and would have preferred the frosting out of a can, cake from the grocery store freezer version instead.
But back to my BOOK COMING OUT IN FOUR SLEEPS.
{Did you know you can read the first three chapters for freeeee over here.}
Have you ordered it yet? Because here’s the thing – apparently that stuff matters.
Apparently we need to tell Amazon, “Yo Amazon, this little, total newbie, you’ve-never-heard-of-her-before author has a book we’re actually gonna buy.”
We need to let Amazon know that we’re all in and that they should stock up so that it doesn’t run low on stock and so that all the mamas in the whole wide world can be reminded that they are NOT in this crazy circus alone.
That they are brave and beautiful and that their stories are fantastic and that motherhood is NEVER EVER GRADED. That motherhood is not a competition to see who’s baby weighs more or walks first or sleeps through the night or gets into the right college.
Motherhood is the holy, grueling work of being refined by the fire of sleep deprivation and fear and courage and catching yet another round of the stomach bug and still showing up for that recital. Motherhood is a wild free fall into more gut-punch love and worry, discovery and the desire to give up and yet you keep on keeping on than anything every invented.
We need to let Amazon know that we moms – we’re coming for that book – because there are too many of our sisters that need to be reminded that they ARE NOT FAILING.
There are too many of our sisters who need to be reminded that they are mighty because they mother.
There are too many of our sisters who need to know that they are not forgotten, they are not lost, they are not overlooked – but that instead Jesus looks deep into their wash and rinse and repeat routine and says – THAT IS MINE. That is holy and good and I name it beautiful and necessary.
Too many women who’ve spent too many years thinking they’re invisible and that to do important work you need a passport and a plane ticket.
Enough, I say, Enough. Now’s our chance to sing a new song from the rooftops – our chance to wildly ululate the battle cry of the millions who are raising the next generation at the cost of their sanity, their privacy, their figure, their ability to do anything alone, ever.
This is our time and this is our story and you are my people and I wrote every word of this FOR You. It’s my love letter to your late nights and early mornings, to your courage that flutters behind you like that tattered super hero cape you don’t even see.
To your five minutes of brave writing that’s kept me brave and writing for nearly four years now.
So if you haven’t already – won’t you order a copy today?
Order two copies – one for you and your sister who’s pregnant for the first time or expecting her sixth.
Five copies – one for you and every woman in your circle of friends who’ve been on this nursing, rocking, loving, weeping, celebrating journey for the last five years.
Ten copies – one for every mom in your MOPS group who has ever helped fold the laundry, brought over a meal, held the baby, picked up your kids from soccer, washed the potty training sheets and never once ever made you feel less than or not enough because you don’t think you have enough on the days you’re fresh out of everything.
Twenty copies – one for every woman in your family who has ached her way into being a mother, who has done the hard work of making sense of being a daughter. Who has struggled to find words to navigate her way into relationship with her own mother, who wants to build bridges with her daughter.
Fifty copies – one for every woman in your church for Mother’s Day. All those faces that come on Sundays after fighting the good fight to get kids into good clothes and attitudes and arrives weary and wishing she could have a donut and a cup of coffee to herself. But will likely get paged by the nursery or the teen room because parenting has no finish line. We just keep running. Hard. Even on the days we can only walk or shuffle forward.
A hundred copies – so that you have extras for every baby shower, every first birthday, every graduation party, every wedding shower – to spread the delicious aroma of HOPE. That we are not in this alone and that we will grow into the deep love that is waiting for us. The love that says – I see you and I know you and I love you just the same. Just the way you are.
This never-giving-up, always-chasing love that isn’t afraid of all the resentment a teenage girl can pack into two clenched fists and a pony tail flip.
This lavish love that loves us first. Not for our all-caught-up on the laundry days.
This love that teaches us how to love “because he loved us first.”
This love that is so much like a mother’s.
I’ve spent years thinking of you as I wrote this book – did you know that?
Late at night, rocking Zoe in the old yellow chair with the stained cushions – I’ve though of you – you wildly courageous women.
This book is for you and for me and for each and every mom that we encounter –whether she mothers her own children or the kids of other mothers; whether she’s given birth by adoption or C-Section or push and pant and pull of birth. Whether she mothers others with her words online or her house around the block.
This book is for every woman who mothers others. Every woman who logs long hours in minivans with no idea how remarkable she is.
Help me tell her?
Help me shout it from the rooftops?
I love you.
I thank you.
I love living this story with you.
And I’ve got 100 book plates I personally signed with my son’s black sharpie so that if you want to give this as a special Mother’s Day gift – just click here to find out how to get one mailed to you once you’ve ordered the book.
And the word for Five Minute Friday today? It’s MIGHTY because you are.
Holding you hand, patting your back, encouraging you to just keep breathing ;) I just preordered my copy, sweet friend. Love you so.
Kris – we’ve been journeying together a long time haven’t we? So grateful for your friendship in this space, truly. You are a gift.
Nearly 4 years now, my friend. Time flies when your sharing words, chasing God-sized dreams and learning to live in community :) love you forever, Lisa-Jo. So honored to know you!
Oh, sweet you. If only you really knew how very much your words minister on a daily basis. Your book is going to be a soothing balm to so many weary souls. I’m so, so excited for you and if I could, I’d totally send you a truck load of chocolate right now (minus a bite for myself because it has been that kind of day). I don’t say it lightly when I say that I love your heart so much and it has been such a privilege to journey with you in a small way this past month. Enjoy these next moments – God is so pleased with you!
Man, kind words ARE like honey (or cake as the case may be). So grateful to be on this road with you guys. So grateful we get to do it together!
I’m thinking this will be my go-to shower gift now. Right along with the baby blanket I usually crochet! Can’t wait to get my copy so I can finish reading it. Thanks for including us, Lisa-Jo!
Holly!!! Thank YOU for being the kind of friends who make a girl brave. For reals, you have no idea. Faithful amazing five minute Friday women. I can’t say it enough!
I ordered mine through Barnes and Noble and it arrived a couple of days ago. It was a gift for my daughter who is expecting her first child but as soon as she is done with it I intend to read it too.
Oh I love hearing that so much. The thought of being able to be there at the beginning with new moms and moms who are so far ahead of me on the journey. Just amazing.
I love you. And I’m reaching across to grab your hand, squeezing it tight, and sending you on to champion this beautiful message to the mamas of the world. God has written His message through you and I can not wait for the world to meet it. I just know they will be changed because you dared to say yes, and I am praying BIG and BOLD things for this magnificent book. HUGE things beyond what you could have dreamed. Giving thanks for you tonight, and so profoundly blessed to call you friend. xoxo
Thank you for being right there to catch and love on this baby so early, Jacque, just thank you.
Oh Lisa-Jo, you are brave, so brave! Brave, and inspiring, and unbelievably encouraging to so many of us women on the same journey of motherhood. I am so so thankful for this community that has been created because of one brave voice that chose to speak out and form words to the thoughts and feelings that we would so often much rather hide than shout from the rooftops. You had better believe that your sisters have your back…it’s the least we can do! And confession time – I haven’t ordered my copy yet…but I sure will be after my husband to get a copy for myself tomorrow! (I’m pretty sure I can convince him if I get one copy for me and one for my pregnant friend as a shower gift…hee hee) ♥ you! (PS: Thanks for sharing the cake…I was looking for something sweet tonight) ;)
Lisa-Jo, be ever grounded as you soar, be ever confident as you humbly ask, stay hipster and honest, and be assured of this…we are with you. We have needed your word, your love and life lived outloud.
To the overflow of your home and heart that this book is to the world, thank you. Carry on, friend! Knees to the ground for you, and yes, just a click or two away from Amazon.
(As usual… can I just say Amen and What she said?)
You know, as my own (nearly) grown girlie snuggled with me and literally took my hand and made me pet her last night… my heart just spread wide open because really – who among us doesn’t want that loving gentle touch, easing the stress and brushing the worry away, leaving only the trace of love lingering behind?
He’s got this… and we’ve got you, friend! (Now where is that cake you speak of?)
I am so looking forward to this book! My copy is wending its way across the mighty Atlantic ocean to me. In these last few days may God fill you with LOTS of peace and joy!
I have a feeling this might be my new favourite book for new mums…
Since I can’t fly across the country to squeeze your hand or rub the tension out of your neck, instead I just pre-ordered your book on Amazon so you know that I am with you and for you in this crazy share-what-your-God-story journey!
Best. Neck rub. Ever. :) Seriously though, it means more than you can know! A thousand thanks
I’ve began to look forward to Fridays more thanks to you. Thanks for giving us space to write and minister to others as they minister to us! So here’s my entry:
Go: 9:40am Kenyan time
It’s been a week of learning and testing. And through it all I have discovered one thing: God has been kicked out of His spot as my number 1. How easy it is to do that! To let people and things (but especially people) take His place as Lord and Master of our lives. When we let their opinions shape how we view life, and their words shape how we view our days. But God calls us to look past the people and things that crowd our lives and look up; to Him. To His throne and more importantly, into His eyes full of love for us; love that looks past our weaknesses and faults; past our harsh words and careless actions. Love that looks into our hearts and sees us as we are meant to be, not as we are. Look up and have hope because He is MIGHTY! All else fails but His word never fails. He is God alone, God Almighty. His love never fails, but neither does His judgement. And one day, someday soon, we shall stand before Him and give an account of our lives. So today I encourage you to look up; past the worries and cares and the noise of the world. Look up to the Lord who holds you in His hands.
Stop: 9:45am Kenyan time
Have a lovely weekend ladies!
I wish I was over there on Kenyan time too :)
Felista, thank you for pointing my heart and mind to the Almighty One. How important, how crucial for us to look UP, to lift our eyes, to look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Author and Finisher, Alpha and Omega. He’s got this. HE alone is might to save. Thanks for your confession and the reminder. Write on!
Ordered my book! I’ve been meaning to pre-order for some time. Thanks for your bravery and honesty, Lisa-Jo! Thanks for writing and sharing with all of us. It. Makes. A. Difference. It most definitely does to me! Thanking God for you today :)
I preordered forever and a day ago but missed the whole thing about the nameplates, so I emailed that in this morning.
I can’t wait to get my copy and start shouting it’s praises from the rooftops. You’re an amazing source of encouragement and I’m blessed to have found your blog just in time for kiddo #2 to arrive. I need your messages of joy on the mundane, of love in the irritation. Of the lovely mess of motherhood.
Shared a post of yours about kids not going to sleep with my husband, who has been quite irritated with the 5/10 treks our oldest daughter makes to our room after “bedtime”. As I nurse the little one, he’s been putting the eldest daughter back in her room with threats of spankings. Now it’s “honey, you keep coming in here. What’s wrong?”
Even dads need you.
Oh man, that is the goods to hear. Yes, kiddos need those dads big time. Love love love.
Go Lisa-Jo, GO! WOOT! Spreading the word! :)
Girl!! Love you so. Thank you for modeling brave.
I just ordered mine! Your voice has blessed me over and over, Lisa-Jo. Thank you for writing this book.
I pre-ordered your book through Christian Book Distributors and can’t wait to read it! I love the book cover, it’s so inviting!
I had already pre-ordered my copy but just added the 2 for new moms that I was already planning to get. How can amazon not know that everyone needs your book?
Melissa! You’ve got me grinning so so big over here. Thank you friend!! Thank you for reaching out tangibly to other mamas – that is so so makes-my-day kind of wonderful!
My copies are ordered, and I can’t wait to get my hands on them. Keeping one; giving one. Because that’s the way I roll.
Sending a thousand hugs and high fives to you, Lisa-Jo. It’s going to be a great launch!!!
Purchased via Amazon about a month ago- eagerly awaiting it’s delivery!!! I am so excited to read it; your writing brings more encouragement concerning motherhood than anything else (besides the Bible(: that I have ever read. Thank you! So thankful for your talent and heart!!!
I’m thinking this might be a great mother’s day gift for my mom and maternal grandma. How beautiful that my “first” mother’s day, there will be three generations of moms in one place! I’m so happy. Looking forward to sharing this precious book to the women who have spoken most in my life.
Oh and this is so going to be my go-to shower gift. It’s easier than my previous go-to which was encouraging notes. This will take less time and say what I want to say, only way better and more eloquent and wrapped in a breathtaking cover.
Here we come, Amazon! ;)
Oh I got chills – three generations of brave mothering in one place. Yes that’s something worth celebrating!!! And I LOVE thinking about all those new mamas getting a gift of encouragement rather than a list of to-dos – let’s do this thing and spread grace like wild fire!
Lisa Jo,
Awaiting my copy in the mail and ready to loving affix the signature sticker on it! So excited for you! Can’t wait to read it!
Deb Weaver
Whoo hoooo!
‘Tis good stuff. Look forward to reading more.
Just ordered. And I’m not even a mom. :-P Or married for that matter…. But I’m looking forward to reading your story!
It’s Day 8 of vacation, traveling to see family after just seeing family while with our family. I’m fuzzy-headed from black licorice (traveling requirement), the end of a chocolate chip cookie cake I ate 7 am., and bacon & eggs cooked by our lovely Irish in-law family before we left their vacation home. The radio is blaring a bit, and the kids in the back are getting restless. We head from Florida to Tennessee, then back to Ohio WHERE IT SNOWED this week in March, Spring Break for so many. We have been drenched, soaked, sprinkled, doused and refreshed with FAMILY this week, and it is a mighty and powerful force in our lives. My husband’s extended family — second generation Irish reared by parents who at 17 each crossed the angry, seemingly endless seas to find a new way in America. They are a hospitable, loving, cheek-kissing, deep hugging, fierce, real bunch of mighty people. My children are learning the mighty power of family on this rained-out cold vacation. And it’s so worth it. May they be mighty in their homes one day.
P.S. I’m new to Five-Minute Friday, have no blog, but have been encouraged to, and just ordered your book. I posted above for Five-Minute Friday and am trying to figure out who I’m supposed to encourage. I’ll pick someone.
Welcome Wendy!!! Feel free to just encourage anyone on the link up or anyone above you in the comments who left their writing as a comment as well. Thanks for jumping in!
Hi, so excited, God blessed me with the funds to order this today! I can’t wait until my copy arrives in the mail. This is my Easter present to myself. Thanks for writing it!
I’m so excited about Surprised By Motherhood. I want to share it with all my fellow mom’s. I remember how alone I felt after my second child was born, and how I desperately wanted to feel normal. I believe this book will be a big hug to let all the mom’s know that yes, they are normal, they are loved, and they matter.
So excited for you this next week!
Congrats Lisa-Jo! I’m not a mother, but maaybe my arm is twisted anyway…:)
If you’re a daughter – then it’s for you :)
Ordered two more books via Amazon just now- one for an (in)RL giveaway and one to give away to a friend. Would love to have a million dollars…so I could buy a house, buy my husband a Jeep, pay for our kids college, adopt another child, helps others adopt, and then buy every mom I know one of your books. It was such a breath of fresh air that I needed and I know so many mamas who need its message too; thank you!
Just ordered a copy! I need your truth and your words. I’m nearly 24 weeks with my first, and still not really, truly wanting to be here. All the reminders in the world that God’s plans are better than my husband’s and mine still need time to sink in. :)
http://stillmagnolias.blogspot.com/2014/03/five-minute-friday-mighty.html
I entered it. It said it was linked. It was not there.
Lisa Jo, I love your thoughts as always. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know that your book is going to do great. What a blessing it will be for mothers everywhere.
At this moment I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming
over again to read more news.