Ashlee Gadd - The Magic of Motherhood: The Good Stuff, the Hard Stuff, and Everything In Between

PRAISE FOR THE MAGIC OF MOTHERHOOD

The Magic of Motherhood is not a parenting book; it is a partnering book. With beautiful prose and poetic hearts, Ashlee and her team come alongside every aching, weary, stretch-marked mother to whisper: Youre not alone in this. Were here too. Its kind of hard, isnt it? Its kind of magical, isnt it? Both siren song and battle cry, this soulful collection of essays is a life-giving gift to mothers everywhere.

ERIN LOECHNER, writer at DesignForMankind.com and author of Chasing Slow

Becoming a mother changed the very core of my identity. It flipped me upside down, and sometimes it felt like new motherhood smacked me across the face. This book would have been so comforting, just to know I wasnt alone in the transformation. I hadnt lost myself but instead was finding my footing in a whole new landscape. These bite-sized essays are a gracious gift to moms. If youre looking for a perfect pick-me-up for a tired momma, The Magic of Motherhood sure fits the bill.

HAYLEY MORGAN, co-author of USA Today bestselling book Wild and Free

There is no one experience of motherhood, and there is no one right way to be a mother. This truth can terrify you in the beginning, but eventually it becomes a relief. The Magic of Motherhood is one of those exhales of relief for mothers who are ready to embrace freedom. Like any good story, motherhood has the potential to transform usthis book will give you a collective of sisters for your own journey of transformation. These stories of mothering are equal parts laughter and tears, truth and grace, gritty and hopeful. In these writers vulnerable words, you will find permission to fully own and to be transformed by your own story of motherhood.

SARAH BESSEY, author of Jesus Feminist and Out of Sorts

The Magic of Motherhood is a long, warm hug from sistersdripping with the beauty of belonging and acceptance, drawing us into the indescribable calling God has put on our lives. Readers will discover so many different, beautiful, incredible ways God walks us through the journey of motherhood. Though we often feel broken, incapable, or doubtful of our abilities to do the most important job on earth, these writers remind us of how whole, equipped, and abundantly capable He made us as mothers traveling unique paths. What refreshment to my mama-soul. Pour a warm cup of tea, and cuddle up in your favorite blanket. The Magic of Motherhood is not to be missed.

EMILY LEY, author of Grace, Not Perfection and creator of the Simplified Planner

Theres nothing better than when a group of moms decide to get honest with each other, to let down the facades that they know what theyre doing and instead allow others in on their doubts, questions, fears, and unanswered prayers. The Magic ofMotherhood is this kind of honest gathering in book form. Through candid, poignant essays, this book pulls back the curtain of picture-perfect mothering and puts words to our raw feelings. A beautiful compilation of trusted voices articulates what we know our mama hearts are feeling but often dont know how to express. These sudden friends remind us of the beauty mothering brings to our lives, no matter how big the mess.

ALEXANDRA KUYKENDALL, author of Loving My Actual Life and The Artists Daughter and cohost of The Open Door Sisterhood podcast and retreat

The Magic of Motherhood is a breath of fresh air for every mom who needs to be reminded that our journeys overlap in unexpected and yet predictable ways. When you need to regain a sense of equilibrium, this is the book that will bring you back to life.

MANDY ARIOTO, president and CEO of MOPS International

Motherhood is truly one of the best yet hardest jobs ever created. You are a personal assistant, a chef, a cheerleader, a therapist, and a chauffeur all rolled into one person. And there are days when the whole thing can feel like a giant pyramid scheme you were talked into by well-meaning friends who just wanted you to never sleep again. Thats why I love the essays in The Magic of Motherhood. As we walk the road of motherhood, I think the questions on our minds are Am I doing this right? and Does everyone feel this way sometimes? As you turn the pages of this book, youll realize the answer to both of these questions is YES. You will laugh and cry and alternately want to hug your kids a little tighterand then send them off to play so you can read a few more pages!

MELANIE SHANKLE, New York Times bestselling author of Sparkly Green Earrings

I laughed and cried through this entire book. Mothering is the most difficult adventure Ive ever been on and one of the most rewarding ones as well. This book is full of stories that could have been written by every mother I know. You see, although mothering can feel lonely at times, this book is proof that we are all in this together. Us mamas need to stick together, and this book is proof that we all have the same issues, struggles, and love in us as everyone else.

JAMIE IVEY, author and host of The Happy Hour podcast

Moms dont want one more thing to do. We need more reminders that all those things we do matter. This book is that reminder. Let yourself sink into it, preferably while sinking into a bath (even if it does resemble the inside of a ToysRUs), and let these stories do their workreminding you that what you do matters, every exhausting, seemingly invisible, and unbelievably hard and beautiful moment.

LISA-JO BAKER, author of Surprised by Motherhood and community manager for (in)courage

ZONDERVAN

The Magic of Motherhood

Copyright 2017 by Ashlee Gadd

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Interior photography credits: Ashlee Gadd and NTima Preusser. Used with permission. Artwork on courtesy of Patti Murphy. Used with permission.

ePub Edition March 2017: ISBN 978-0-3100-8461-7

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with Creative Trust Literary Group, LLC, 210 Jamestown Park, Suite 200, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027, www.creativetrust.com.

Interior design: Lori Lynch

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CONTENTS

O n May 7, 2012, a nurse placed a fresh seven-pound baby on my chest, and a wave fell over my body like fog cascading down a mountain. In that moment, we were all alone, even though there were six other people in the room.