The New 1980s American Girl Doll is Super Gnarly (No DUH) and I Want Her For ME

So God Made a Mother is Here! 🎉

Is it wrong to buy an American Girl doll for yourself because you’re 43 years old and you want to re-live your childhood? No? EXCELLENT! Because American Girl just rolled out their “Girl of the Year” and her name is Courtney Moore, and I MUST HAVE HER! Why? Because her heyday is 1986 and she is bringing me back to the carefree days of my 1980s childhood!

I was nine years old in 1986, and after reading the description of Courtney’s backstory, I can effectively say that we would have been sharing broken-heart BFF necklaces, FUR SHURE!

Courtney is a totally tubular chick who loves video games and playing at her local shopping mall arcade. She also looks up to the crew of the space shuttle Challenger (the defining tragedy of my childhood, so this really resonates with me), and lives in a blended family. Plus, her mom is running for mayor of her California hometown.

Also, this American Girl comes with 1980s girl accessories that we ALL had: a mini Caboodle, Lip Smackers lip gloss, and Care Bears pajamas!

You can even buy a Walkman and a Pac Man lunch box and Thermos for her. Take my money, American Girl!! Just TAKE IT. My daughter is too old for your dolls these days, but as for me, I am NOT. I’ve never had one of my own and I think it might be time to change that!

Courtney’s acid wash denim skirt, go-go boots, hot pink tights, and matching scrunchie scream ’80s style in the BEST way!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Official American Girl (@americangirlbrand)

I adore her look, and I also adore that American Girl partnered with my favorite ’80s girl group, the GoGos, to launch Courtney and her story into the world. Talk about girl power! “We Got the Beat” is gonna be in my head all day now, and I am not even mad about it!

RELATED: Growing Up in the ’80s Taught Me All I Need To Know About Friendship

Though Courtney may look like an ’80s “Valley Girl,” she stands out from the crowd because of her avid interest in not just playing video games, but in using the emerging technology to create her own video game with a female superhero as the lead. To connect Courtney’s story with the girls of today, American Girl has also partnered with Girls Who Code, an organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech industries. I could not love this ANY more!

Here’s how we can be heroes, whether we buy a Courtney doll or not: from now through December 31 of this year, American Girl will match our donations to Girls Who Code.

These donations will support GWC’s mission, programs, and outreach to girls, but that’s not all! The funds will also provide four $5,000 scholarships to Girls Who Code members to help them with the pursuit of their education in computer science or a related field. How AMAZING is that?

You guys, I think Courtney is totally rad and I wish I could go back in time and have her be my childhood doll! Will you be grabbing her for your real-life American girl to play with?

RELATED: Dinosaurs is Coming To Disney+ So Get Ready To Relive Your Childhood

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Her View Shop

Jenny Rapson

Jenny Rapson is a follower of Christ, a wife and mom of three from Ohio and a freelance writer and editor. You can find her at her blog, Mommin' It Up, or follow her on Twitter.

We Have a Lot of Pets and It’s the Best

In: Living, Motherhood

Collage of kids with animals, color photo

We are the house with a lot of animals. Yep, that one. Each time I call my mom to delicately mention we are thinking of adopting another pet, I am met with the same disapproving tone, “ANOTHER dog?” Let’s be fair, we are only shopping around for our third. It’s not that crazy, but I get it’s more than most. Oh, and we also have a horse. But hear me out . . . My oldest son has autism and used to be terrified of our dog. She was patient with him, she kept her distance, and she slowly broke...

Keep Reading

Hello 40, I’ve Been Waiting for You

In: Living

Woman wearing 1983 Original shirt, color photo

Recently, a friend gave me a sweatshirt displaying the words “Nineteen 83 Original.” I slipped the soft fabric over my head and pushed my arms through; the cozy sweatshirt fit perfectly. I looked down at the retro print, loudly and proudly displaying the year: ’83. I contemplated whether to wear it out that night. It was comfortable, I liked the way it felt and looked, and it was honest—I was literally wearing my age. Was that okay? Would my mom have ever worn a shirt that so boldly proclaimed her age? My aunts? My grandma? Never ask a woman her...

Keep Reading

When Mom Gets a Migraine Life Must Still Go On

In: Living, Motherhood

Mother has a headache, sitting on the couch with kids running around in blur

I can’t tell the story of paramedics from the angle from which they see things, but I can tell it from the angle of the person looking up at them—the one lying in the medically-equipped vehicle with lights flashing and siren audible. There are some lessons in life we learn by blindside—we are thrust into them. That was me that May day in the ambulance. I had known about migraines; I had decades of first-hand experience with them. I knew vision could be temporarily taken. I have operated countless days with an invisible hammer continuously beating one side of my...

Keep Reading

My Childhood Home Is Forever a Part of Me

In: Grown Children, Living

Mother, father, daughter, older color photo

Of all the places I will roam, home is forever part of me. I can see the bright, orange poppies coming out to grace the springtime hills. I can hear the classic hymns being played on the familiar piano—its notes drifting God’s praise throughout the house. I can smell the fragrant aroma of brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and oats mixing together to make the cookies of my childhood. I can touch your warm embrace—the firm hug that has always communicated that it will all be okay, that God has us held in the palm of his hands. I can taste...

Keep Reading

Our Kids Need to See Us Slow Down Too

In: Living, Motherhood

Friends with feet up around a fire pit, color photo

I have a girlfriend who has a lake house just over an hour away. It’s in a small town that has a local Mexican restaurant with a fun, easy-going staff that feels like they have to be family. There have been times over the last few years that something about that casual, bright restaurant with its rowdy waiters and surprisingly outstanding, cheap food makes me feel so content. The small lake town is not that far from home, but it feels far enough away to be unavailable to my responsibilities and have a tiny piece of that vacation vibe (without...

Keep Reading

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

In: Kids, Living

Growing up a teacher’s daughter has given me a lifetime of appreciation for educators. Of course, it’s true; I may be biased. I’ve been fortunate to have learned and been guided by many outstanding teachers, including my mother and grandmother, who passed those legacy skills onto my daughter, who strongly feels teaching is her calling. But if you’ve had your eyes and ears open in recent years, you, too, probably feel deep gratitude for the angels among us who work in the school system. So, as the school year ends, and on behalf of parents, grandparents, and anyone who loves...

Keep Reading

When the Last Baby Graduates

In: Grown Children, Living, Motherhood

Graduate with parents smiling, cap and gown

We’ve been through this before, so we know the waves of emotions that roll through us. When our kids graduate—be it from preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school, or college—we moms come to terms with one season ending and a new one beginning. RELATED: I Blinked and You Went From Kindergarten to College When it’s your last child who is graduating from college, this can feel like uncharted territory. Yes, we know that we find new rhythms to our relationship from having gone through this with our other child(ren). But we as moms have not yet left the college...

Keep Reading

The Face In the Mirror Has Changed, But It Tells My Story

In: Living, Motherhood

Woman standing in kitchen next to roses, color photo

If I were to do an inventory of my home of 42 years, I would get a grip on what should be thrown out, given away, or kept. The older I become, the more difficult it is for me to make these decisions. I attempted making a list of personal items I would like each of my sons to have (not that they wouldn’t get rid of them after I am gone) and have started thinking about items to bequeath to grandchildren. I believe I know which son would be happy to acquire books, which son would gladly be the...

Keep Reading

I’ll Do Whatever It Takes to Fight for My Mental Health

In: Living

Woman holding white pill in hand, color photo

Trigger warning: self-harm and suicide mentioned Today, I did one of the hardest things I’ve ever done: I started anxiety medication. I’ve struggled with anxiety as far back as I can remember. At age eight and on, I remember having crowd and social anxiety and being forced into situations where I felt so unstable. Church functions, stage freight, crowds of people I didn’t feel safe around. At age 15, I experienced my first panic attack. I remember thinking I was having a heart attack, wondering why I’d be dying from a heart attack so young. It wasn’t until I was...

Keep Reading

I’m Done Teaching and the Goodbye Is Hard

In: Living

Packing up several years’ worth of supplies purchased with my own money, I heave a deep exhale. The room looks so bare now. It’s less colorful and joyful. It’s lost its magic. I kind of feel the same way about myself. After months of contemplation and decision-making, I won’t be unpacking these boxes when school returns in August. I won’t be returning to the classroom at all. Somewhere along the way, I seem to have lost some of that teacher magic that once sparkled so brilliantly. But if I’ve spent so much time making this choice, why am I overcome...

Keep Reading

Dear Husband, I'm Sorry For Not Appreciating You

Marriage

Dear Husband, I'm Sorry For Not Appreciating You

I've Forgotten the Wonder of Being a Child

Child

The New 1980s American Girl Doll is Super Gnarly (No DUH) and I Want Her For ME

Also, this American Girl comes with 1980s girl accessories that we ALL had: a mini Caboodle, Lip Smackers lip gloss, and Care Bears pajamas!

RELATED: Growing Up in the ’80s Taught Me All I Need To Know About Friendship

Here’s how we can be heroes, whether we buy a Courtney doll or not: from now through December 31 of this year, American Girl will match our donations to Girls Who Code.

RELATED: Dinosaurs is Coming To Disney+ So Get Ready To Relive Your Childhood

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

Jenny Rapson

We Have a Lot of Pets and It’s the Best

Hello 40, I’ve Been Waiting for You

When Mom Gets a Migraine Life Must Still Go On

My Childhood Home Is Forever a Part of Me

Our Kids Need to See Us Slow Down Too

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

When the Last Baby Graduates

The Face In the Mirror Has Changed, But It Tells My Story

I’ll Do Whatever It Takes to Fight for My Mental Health

I’m Done Teaching and the Goodbye Is Hard

free email bonus

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids

A National Bestseller!

Order So God Made a Mother

The New 1980s American Girl Doll is Super Gnarly (No DUH) and I Want Her For ME

Also, this American Girl comes with 1980s girl accessories that we ALL had: a mini Caboodle, Lip Smackers lip gloss, and Care Bears pajamas!

Here’s how we can be heroes, whether we buy a Courtney doll or not: from now through December 31 of this year, American Girl will match our donations to Girls Who Code.

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

We Have a Lot of Pets and It’s the Best

Hello 40, I’ve Been Waiting for You

When Mom Gets a Migraine Life Must Still Go On

My Childhood Home Is Forever a Part of Me

Our Kids Need to See Us Slow Down Too

Dear Teachers, Thank You Will Never Be Enough

When the Last Baby Graduates

The Face In the Mirror Has Changed, But It Tells My Story

I’ll Do Whatever It Takes to Fight for My Mental Health

I’m Done Teaching and the Goodbye Is Hard

Previous Post

Next Post

You May Also Like

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids