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May 5, 2012

swag waiting for the guests.

peonies from the garden.

IMG_0589-4

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all the supplies ready to go.

photos of all our past guests. :)
we miss you girls!!

mike & ikes!!! my favorite….but i am worried there won't be enough.
heh heh

daisies from the front yard.

rearranging a bit in the READ room.

happy yellow quilt in the gray room…with the "new" lamp.
and new polka dot curtains from ikea.
with a gray ruffle on top added by me.

it's all so happy at the craft house.
🙂

the girls arrived right on time.
we are crafting away.
full of yummy YUMMY food.
and a margarita right now….happy cinco de mayo everyone.

craft weekend is so rad.

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admin - Hi Julie. i am pretty sure it was semi gloss paint wall from wal mart a few years ago.

Julie - Hi Meg. Could I trouble you to tell me what type of paint was used on the scrolled mirror on the kitchen wall? My mom had the exact mirror in our childhood home (gold finish) and I inherited this year. Would love to give it a fresh look. Thank you!

Nenkk - Christina Basri – He’s a cutie patootie! Such a lock of hair and the full lips! But I’m beaisd..cause I’m his Nana!! My favourite is the pose with him in a, I think, green knitted slipper?Lailah, once again, great pictures! .helps to have an almost purrrrfect model, my grandson, lol!All the best,Model’s Nana

Heather F. - Meg, you seem to bring happiness rainbows wherever you go. Your life is inspiring. Someday I hope to be able to come to a craft weekend. It looks amazing.

Linda - I am in love with all the color! And ideas for a retreat in the pre pre planning stages! Now off to the paint store! Have a happy day!

Lora Hill - Meg…thank you for loving color – and for sharing those colors with us. I always just “oooohhh” and “ahhhh” whenever I look at your photos. Then, I share them on my Facebook page! : )

Tami C - Your CW is on my wish list!! Looks like a total blast.

jenn stonier - When I saw the pics from your CW posts I said I want to be there… and soon I will… ahhhhh

peta - i love your craft house.
i could jump on a plane and fly all the way over just to sit and have some tea in your craft house – soaking in all that colour (yes, colour with a ‘u’. I’m flying in from Sydney, Australia )

Alyssa - As always…………LOVE! I hope you plan on having these for awhile…someday when I am done having babies then I can come, but I wont be for awhile so you cant be done with these for awhile 🙂 K?

Dani - I am being a copy cat. I bought my FIRST globe at a yard sale this weekend. Can’t wait to put it in my kitchen! I love yours and hope mine look half that cute!!

Jen Brandt - Beautiful photos, Meg. So glad it went well! I love the fact that you have pics up from past craft weekends. Happy Day!

Missy - how do you get to come to a craft weekend? where is this lottery? looks SO deliciously fun!

Yby5 - What a cheery space you have created—lot’s of inspiration and good times! Do you “accept” drop-in’s:)??? I want to come!!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - So jealous of your amaaaaaazing flowers.
From your yard! Lucky!!
Pheeeewwwww. The box made it!
The house looks fabulous as ever.
Good work girls!
I want some Mike & Ikes…

Sarah - *sigh* I’m always in awe of the effort put into Craft Weekend. Love it!

Lorie - So fun! And so much color! I love all of those quilts!!

Colleen - Your house looks so cute and craft weekend sounds wonderful. I am wondering where you purchased the Rise and Shine print? We sing that song every day with prayers since my now 11 year old was 3. His brother is now in the same preschool and loves the song too. Strange, I know, that we sing it at night. But when your 3 year old makes a request like that, you do it. Now it’s just a nice tradition. I would love to hang a picture like that in our home.

Mindy Harris - you are living my dream, friend!

Maureen - Love what you are doing here, with the craft weekends! Wish it was closer (I live in switzerland) to me, but I’m enjoying your posts before and after the weekends, thanks for sharing them!
Maureen x

Kerry - oh maaaannn!! Happiness, colourfulness, gorgeousness, craftiness, stunningness, Megness.
*le sigh*
Enjoy girls! xx

lucky penny love - All those photos and yummy colors make my heart hurt that I can not sign up for a craft weekend this year. They look like sooooo much fun! Maybe next year!

Missi Smith - Oh my! I love these pictures … they make me swoon! Your house is so comfortable and HAPPY! How do you get an invite to the craft weekend?

Suzanne - Love how the lamp turned out, and I like the polkadot curtains with the grey ruffle – so cute! Can’t wait to see the projects.

BKM - We had your margaritas with our lunch yesterday for cinco de mayo! Hubby and I decided we should do that more often on a random Saturday, made the yard work a lot more fun!

Alice Nakles - Hope you girls have loads of fun? I was wondering where you got the “Rise and Sign, give God the Glory” picture, I would love to have that in my house. Thank you!

Terrie G - Love the peonies!!!
Your craft house looks so happy!!
And I could really go for one of your margaritas…
made them a few weeks ago for the in-laws.
HaPpY CrAfTinG!
Did you see the super moon?!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - I vote for a Craft Weekend Alumni weekend! Whatcha think? 🙂

Ali - I can’t wait till I can come to a Craft Weekend! I MUST save up for it! It looks so fun…girl time, craft time, fun food, antique shopping, & sonic = perfection! 🙂
PS How can I get my hands on one of those rainbow notebooks in the swag gifts? I NEED (okay really want a rainbow notebook)!
PSS How long will I stay in the lottery rotation? I wasn’t able to come to the first one I was invited too due to cost and kiddo obligations.
~ Ali

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Holy Gorgeousity!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - I have to tell you how amazing your Craft House looks! You and Kimberlee have done a great job! There should be some sort of HGTV in your futures 😉 Have a great big fun and colorful weekend. You and the girls that are there are so very lucky!

Regina - Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness! I sure hope my name surfaces in that lottery soon…well, as soon as I have my pennies saved, LOL. Looks so happy and fun!

Dawn - My heart melts a little each time I see pics of craft weekends! Maybe one day I’ll get to be there in person! 🙂 It’s kinda like when you are hoping they pick your lottery number !:)

melodee - I love all of your pix! I want to paint and sew right now, haha! I love the embellishments you have added to curtains! wow, your craft weekends look amazing:)

Mary - i am SO jealous right now! that looks absolutely amazing!
you are SO VERY TALENTED and FUN!!!
love it!
🙂

Lori H - Everything looks fantastic! So jealous 🙂

Maria - Have fun! Mojito time here!

Kathy P - the turquoise mirror in the last photo is stunning! Did you paint that yourself? do you remember what is the name of the colour ?

Niki - Ohhh!!!! How happy and fun it all looks!!

Northern Cottage - Everything looks completely gorgeous!! Yum yum yum!!

Cindy - I love alllll these photos!

Becky - I lOvE all of the cOlOr!!!

Southern Gal - Love all the sweet touches in your craft house. Gorgeous.

Courtney Walsh - Looks like an absolute blast! Have fun! 🙂

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long day.

May 3, 2012

i had a great day.
but it was long.
i went for a run/walk….BOO.
it was so hard because i was so tired.
but i'm glad i did it and didn't bail.
i met up with kimberlee to get going on whatever craft weekend.
we made beds, rearranged furniture, hung curtains, folded fabric, ironed bedskirts and she sorted all the swag.
oh we love the swag!!
we both left to go see our kids after school.
i vacuumed the suburban out for craig to take on his golf trip this weekend.
then i had the girls wash it….it was hot today!
annie sprayed the dog with the hose.
then he rolled around over and over on the muddy gravel/dirt road.
so we gave him a bath on the patio.
my kids ate rice and….??? i don't even know what else for dinner because while they ate i washed the patio off with a hose.
i killed fruit flies for almost an hour total with a fly swatter in our bathroom and kitchen.
it was getting to epic proportions.
i went on the attack.
i loathe them.
annie read three books to me while i dozed in and out of sleep on the couch.
i put the three youngest to bed.
then i hot glued fringe on a lampshade.
and now i am blogging while eating cereal.
such an exciting blog post!
aren't you glad you came over here today to read this?!
how about some chicken pictures?
just because posts without pictures are dull and i have nothing more to say about chickens.

ok….i have to pack my clothes and i head over for craft weekend in the morning.
yay!!!

my poor mom….our house is a mess.
and their are fruit fly guts all over the place.
🙂

but i hope she doesn't mind too much while she watches the kids.
i am sure they can distract her enough from the mess with endless games of Sorry and Mexican train.

i thank you mom for coming….and craft weekend thanks you!!

oh and also….the winner for the Make and Takes for Kids book!

Our favorite craft supply right now are "googly eyes" my two yr old loves them!

Posted by: Lennie | May 02, 2012 at 10:28 AM

email me your info Lennie (and great favorite supply too)

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Tracy - LOVE the pictures… You should get a venus fly trap and it will eat all your pesky fruit flies. They are drawn to the plant too…amazing little buggers yet slightly disgusting.

sonya - lilsoak + friends - You can use apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinger and put a cling rap over the ramekin and poke holes so they get trapped. Should solve your fruit flyvissue!

Darci Weinert - HI Meg, i was reading your blog with my daughter (8years old) and she LOVES Talby’s soccer sandals-she just recently made our Under 9 travel team and would love to get a pair! do you remember where you purchased them? thanks darci (and madalyn)

Shannon - I’ve never tried apple cider vinegar but I put a small piece of banana in a bowl and cover with cling wrap. Then poke a few small holes in the cling wrap with the point of a sharp knife. The flies go in but can’t get out and even my worst infestations are gone in a day.

Amy @ Little for a Little While - I was just going to suggest the apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap thing, but looks like i’m not the only one who knows that trick. Try it. It works. For real. You (and your mom) will thank us all later 😉

Krissy - I HATE fruit flies too. yuck!!! Also, Talby’s mismatched socks are the BEST EVER!!!! I wear mine like that every day. haha.

Sara - I learned the apple cider trip while working at a restaurant (gross, I know. but at least we controlled them!). I was addicted to Sorry! as a kid. My family got to the point where I was so obnoxious they wouldn’t play 🙁
Talby looks tall in all your recent posts!
Are you guys counting down to summer yet?

Mary - death to the fruit flies! ugh!
and ya for cute chicken pics!
random posts are the BEST! 🙂
have fun crafting!

Claudia Bennink-krijgsman - Hi, I visit your blog nearly every day from The netherlands where it still is grey and cold.. I live in quite a big city and when I read your day to day stuff it makes me happy… Have a great craft weekend, if I would live in the usa I would visit you 🙂 Enjoy and relax, have fun…..

Tina I - Love your day-in-the-life posts! Keepin’ it real. Hate it when you have a run where your legs feel like lead and your heart just isn’t in it. I always say that running is such good training for life. Sometimes you just have to keep going, and sometimes life, like running, is just plain hard. Keep moving forward, friend. Worth it EVERY time.
We used to make fruit fly traps w/ disposable containers, bananas, saran wrap, etc. The kids use to love seeing how many they could get in their trap. Good luck!

Carrie H - You have probably already got a lot of tips about the fruit flies, but a quick search of Pinterest gave me these three (similar) options. Hope they help!!!
My family loves Mexican Train too!!!
http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/07/frugal-natural-pest-control-fruit-flies-ants-be-gone.html
http://www.funcheaporfree.com/2011/09/youre-welcome-wednesday-tons-of-home.html
http://www.curbly.com/users/chrisjob/posts/8736-how-to-make-the-ultimate-reusable-fruit-fly-trap

Heather S. - Great chicken photos! Love Talby’s headband, too.

Ashley S - Was Talby feeding the chicken… chicken? That’s what it looks like! 🙂

christi - hey meg! i know this weekend will be fun. thanks for keeping it real! i have a mason jar with about 2 inches of apple cider vinegar in it and a funnel that fits the jar. place the funnel, funnel tip down into the jar. the fruit flies fly in and go to a better place (aka not in my house!). good luck!

Sue linse - Megan, I know you love your life in Kansas, but I sure miss you being in des Plaines! Wish we could hang out again.

Suzanne - you have been a busy little bee! can’t wait to see the craft weekend pictures – have fun! crossing my fingers that i get to come visit the craft house sometime!

Tina Jacobsen - Fruit flies…total pain!! I love your post and I love that you are keeping it real!! And those chicken pictures…LOVE…that is my dream to have me some chickens…my husband is scared of my dreams!! 🙂 Have a great Craft Weekend!!
Tina

Andrea - OK…seriously, do the chickens peek at you? I know…I am not a country girl….but would like to be. Have a GREAT craft weekend….I am going to have to sign up for one of those!!! I have never been to Kansas!!!!!

Mary - I am thrilled you posted this! We have fruit flies bad! So many great tips on getting rid of them. Made my day.

Tracy Fisher - Loved your blog today. You are real. And the best thing about it is… it makes those of us other “real” people smile. 🙂 Have fun at Craft Weekend. Tracy

Linda Keaveney - I want a chicken!!!!
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Dani - I hate fruit flies! the vinegar trick works!
I love that you have a normal life just like the rest of us. And, I love that you share it with us!
Enjoy craft weekend.
Oh and any chance you could rig the next giveaway so I can win haha!

Meredith Gibson - I was also going to recommend the apple cider vinegar and a squirt of dish soap. It works great! Just don’t mistake it for juice and drink it. Yuck!

Joanna W - the apple cider vinegar folks are right…it works. however, i put a thin, thin, thin, layer of oil on top…they are still attracted to the vinegar but get stuck in the oil. our traps are caked with them right now.

Seriously Sassy Mama - Sounds like my everyday! I like to say I thrive on being busy, but I end up freezing from being overwhelmed. The fact that you get up off the couch and exercise is what is important! I am a cardiac nurse. I see what inactivity can do to the body. Have a great weekend.

Lauryn - Mexican Train is the best game around. My family loves to play it… er, my adult family. Still waiting for the 4 year old and 6 year old to grow into it. The 6 year old is learning.
A card game you should look into is Dutch Blitz. Amazing fun!!! Fast paced, easy to learn. It’s a blast.

mrs. dunbar - love your random posts like this. and the pics of the chicken- fabulous.

Jenn - Your post wasn’t boring at all. Its life and that’s why I visit. I like to see what other people do in a different part of our country. I agree, blog posts with out pictures are dull. The chickens are pretty. My mom told me about a sure fire way to kill gnats/fruit flies. In a small dish put either sweet wine/white wine with a few drops of dish detergent. Works like a charm! They flock right to it.

Jen D - I never noticed how beautiful chickens were before your pictures.

ann - Check the bug spray section of Walmart…I found these little round apple looking things that are traps for the fruit flies. They worked better than the apple cider traps I made. Good luck!

Laura Phelps - lately, everyday over here as been LONG.
and last night I only fed three out of four kids.
oh well.
my kids are big.
they will survive.

Virginia - Hi Meg,
I’ve never posted a comment, but just wanted to let you know that you are bringing back some serious memories for me. My parents moved us (me and 2 older sisters) to a hobby farm when I was six and it was the perfect place to grow up. We had chickens (including a rooster named Boss Hog), cows (mine was named Flo), pigs (Claire) and many other random creatures. There was a pond to muck about it, a fire pit, and great gravel roads for biking on. You are doing a wonderful thing for your family. Love your rural life posts!

Cindy - I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now but I’ve never commented…I love reading about your family life – you’re so inspirational! Love the farm life you’re living too (I grew up on a farm).
P.S Spray Windex on them and those fruitflies will drop like crazy!

Elizabeth MacLeod - Red wine with a drop of dish liquid but you have to change it often because they are attracted to the alcohol and it evaporates. I hope you have a fun weekend!

sara @ it's good to be queen - the chickens’ feathers are so pretty!!
these kinds of posts are great!

jenn stonier - First off thanks for posting the random but true “real” stuff that sometimes takes place!! Kids eating rice while we get “lost ” in other stuff!

Michelle From Australia - Any post of yours is a great post. That’s all 🙂

Kerstie Pederson - Like your chicken photos and your post. You made me laugh….. fruit flies SUCK!
If you have any old wine lying around they seem like that too.
Have a fun weekend.

Brook @ BeingBrook - Apple cider vinegar! Seriously! I keep a mason jar about 1/4 full of it in our kitchen all summer because fruit flies are terrible where I live. Love the chicken photos!
Can’t wait to see the craft weekend photos!

The Lovely One - Those are the cleanest chickens I’ve ever seen! Great photos!

Linda War Bonnet - No need to swat fruit flies! Put some cider vinegar in a little bowl with a couple of drops of dish washing soap. Apparently they are attracted to the vinegar, but the soap doesn’t allow them to fly back out. Use clear glass so you can have fun counting how many little suckers you catch!

Meredith - Please share about Mexican Train if you have not already! Or link to it? Love the chicken photos! Glad you made it through your long day.

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make and takes

May 2, 2012

i met Marie, the author of Make and Takes for Kids when i was SNAP.

how cool that she turned her blog into a book?!!

today i get to give one away to one of YOU!

you know that i looooove making crafts with my kids.
love it!
love letting them get messy.
love making crafts right alongside them.
love it all.

Make and Takes for Kids offers 50 projects to make with kids centered around holidays or seasons.

The ideas are unique and simple to produce and thoughtfully constructed and designed.

Each craft requires little prep, few supplies and almost everything can be readily found at home or the craft store.

Crafting isn’t just playtime; there’s a purpose to all the gluing, cutting, and coloring!

If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver looking to enhance the time you spend with young children, Make and Takes for Kids makes it easy to have fun crafting with kids.

doesn't it look like a fun book?!!

it would make a great mother's day gift for some mamas in your life!

you can find it on amazon, walmart, barnes and noble and wiley.com

tell me your favorite craft supply in the comments to be entered to win Marie's book!

mine is paint.
watercolor paint.
but i bet you already knew that….

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Nicole - I may be too late for this but my fav at the moment is a coin toss between felt and Martha Stewart’s Stenciling Line!! :o)

Briana - For kids – construction paper!

Cindy Nguyen - GLITTER! AW YEAH!!! 🙂

Kasey - My favorite is also watercolor paints!

Angie Allen - crayons- we love our crayons around here!

Wendy B., NJ - I absolutely love to do papercrafts with my kids!

Stacey - Felt I think

Dawn - Water colors and sharpies!

Laurie - i love adding food coloring to elmers glue with my kindergarten kids at school. They love adding thick red lava to a volcano! so fun!

Kimberly - Mine is oil pastels 🙂

linda - scrapbook paper! thanks for the chance to win!! that book looks awesome!!
🙂 linda

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy) - I really using googly eyes with the kids… and personally, I love felt. 🙂

Chantelle - My favorite is mod podge for sure!!! My kids favorite is paint for both of them.
🙂

Becky - I buy more scrapbook paper than I know what to do with. They’re all just so pretty, I can’t resist!

Kimberly Dial - I love colored pencils & markers … craft paint too! 🙂

cailan - Construction paper. Just a whole world of possibilities : )

Stacey - Looks like a GREAT book! Fun paper is our favorite supply!

TonyaElise - I love ribbon!

Kim Stachowiak - We love any paints, but mostly watercolors. We just graduated to the 24 color sets! : )

Heidi - double-sided tape. works wonder with kids and moms with low patience levels 🙂

deb - glitter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talia - Love me some glitter!

Sara - Glue gun and glitter. The messier the better.

heather - Ribbon…all colors…all textures!

CJ - Cornstarch! I can make just about anything with that stuff!! Edible paint, goop, fizzy stuff!

melissa - toilet paper and paper towel rolls! i’m a sucker for re-purposing. 🙂

Angela - I LOVE new crayons! And beads. And paper. And sequins. And paints. I think I have a problem…

lisa - oh my gosh .. PICK ME PICK ME!!!!! PLEEEASE?!!?!? my favorite craft supply .. right now … is colored pencils. my son just turned 2 so it’s been crayons, stickers, poms, markers. but ooooo pick me!!!!

Melissa Hermon - So hard to choose just one but it would have to be mod podge! I am especially hooked on the glitter modpodge:)

sandi - scrapbook and construction paper

sonya - lilsoak + friends - Probably scissor and paper…..i love cutting shapes out.

Susan - Tape! My girls love tape!

Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - fabric. most definitely fabric. but i really love oil pastels too

Mandi - Love my hot glue gun–would love to use this book with my first grade class!

Cassandra - Oh man that’s tough, right now it’s crayons & watercolors!

Amy - I love Mod Podge. 🙂

Nikol - Mine is paint and glitter – everything looks better with a bit of glitter.

amy cornwell - My favorite craft supply is ModPodge or my sewing machine (if that counts)

Janelle - buttons!

Jill - With out one thought it is PLAY DOH/CLAY any MOLDING fun, sticky gooey COLORFUL medium! BRING! IT! ON!
LOVE!

Julie - would have to be the glue gun!!

amanda c - Hot glue. 🙂

Sylwia - shaving cream and food coloring:)
I love this book, such great ideas!

Wendy - Construction paper!!

Jennifer W. - My favorite is crayons…we have bowls of them on our table ALL the time. I especially LOVE a new box of crayons. 🙂

Tiffany B. - Construction paper! You can use it in so many ways, just LOVE it!

Kameron - Felt and a glue gun and I can be occupied all day!

Angie - My favorite craft supply is markers, especially when they are new.

Kirsten Dehmlow - Oil pastels – children love the intense colors they make.

Linda - Did you know it takes 2 large sized bottles to glitter the train of Nebuchadnezzar’s royal robes for a play? Could not find any material overseas but the school did have massive bottles of glitter. My love affair was complete! I even poured some in paint I used for the entry way. I love glitter!

Sarah @This Farm Family's Life - My glue gun! Love it. I bought two small ones at Joann’s like your kids have and my girls can actually used them by themselves. This looks like a great book.

MegM - Pipe cleaners! I love making twisty creaters with them!

melissa erin - love to see the kiddies create with watercolors. beauty. 🙂

Su@TheIntentionalHome - Oh what a generous giveaway. Googly eyes are one of my favorite…they come in all sizes. And even come in colors now. I have a whole bin of them. . .they would be perfect to add to a watercolor fish or seahorse or turtle!!

GretchenP - glitter!! what a mess but so pretty! 🙂 thanks for the giveaway!

Shaun - gotta love model magic/clay!

Becky@sweetbeehollow - Twine- I use that on almost every project.

Pat - Scrapping supplies – can’t resist!

Shannon - LateLy, I would say fabric. And scrapbook paper gets an honorable mention!

Tonya - Scissors. And I buy way too many paint brushes. Pretty much every craft we do calls for scissors and paint brushes, and I would have them sitting next to me even if the craft didn’t officially require the tools, they’re just so necessary.

Gina f. - Paper, every kind all colors, card stock, patterned paper, tissue paper, epherma, junk mail…….looks like a great book!

Amber Brott - I love Modge Podge! My girls love to pick the scrap book paper to modge podge with. : )

merran tatum - fabric. paper. hot glue. markers. oh, there are too many!!!

M. B. - Crayola crayons

Amy @ Little for a Little While - What a fun book! My girl and I could surely put that to good use! Picking just one favorite craft supply is HARD! But if I have to do it, i’d say crayons. We just love to get lost in drawing and coloring 🙂

Stefanie S. - Anything that the school lounge can supply these days…which is paper, crayons, and pencils!

Katie - I LOVE glitter! So much glitter!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=glquKfXhLFo

Jenn - My favorite is fonts! I love using fun fonts for all different things!

Dawn - Definitely a Tombow tape runner. I use them for so many projects that I should own stock in this company!!

Lisa - Love crafting with our kids – this book looks amazing!
Thanks for introducting me to it.

karen - SPARKLES!!! It makes any craft FABULOUS!

Christy - My glue gun, without a doubt!

lisa - I love oil pastels…just recently discovered them after almost 8 years of crafting with my kids!!

Julie - Felt. Definitely felt!

Brianna - cardstock! i can make some serious crafts with a sturdy supply of cardstock.

Julie Wearmouth - Fabric….in all colors of the rainbow!

kathy dugan - Glitter! It is the best!! Makes everything look pretty!

robyn - fabric 🙂

Beth Ann - I love hot glue!

Raine - Felt. Even the polyester cheap stuff. Love the colors, texture, and versatility.

Linda J. Etherington - My favorite is paper – plain paper, cardstock, wrapping paper, graph paper, construction paper, butcher paper, tissue paper, all colors of paper (solid or designed), I love paper. I have six precious grandchildren and I love to do crafts with them and paper is always involved!

Christie - hot glue gun…cant live without it

Linda R. - I love watercolors too, but i also love seeing what my girls do with their oil pastels. Would love to have that book for the summer!

Jody - Love the Glue Gun!

Michelle - Markers….I am such a sucker for good, quality markers.

Beth - You know, I love them all. But, if I had to choose one, I think ti would be glitter. Wait, maybe polymer clay. Ok, I can’t choose.

Donna - Gotta love Magic Nuudles 🙂

Leah - What a great book! My favorite craft supply is scrapbook paper and stickers.

Janna - Patterned paper:)

Kathi - What an awesome book! My fave craft supply for kids is pipe cleaners, in rainbow colors of course!

Debbie - Googly eyes of all sizes!

Tonya - glue, any kind of glue and lots of it!

Amy Mak - watercolor paint too. Love it. Thank for the giveaway!

Amber - I love glue.. seriously what could we do without it?

Jayne Barbour - Modge Podge!!!

Caitlin - That’s a tough one.. Does fabric count? If not, I’d say paint!

Melissa H - Ah! what a fun book! I love construction paper and markers. So much can be done with those! 🙂

Sonya - Glue dots! This book looks AMAZING! 🙂

Rachel B. - Love me some Mod Podge!

Mindy - I’m a sucker for gems and sequins. Thank goodness I have two littler girls that agree. The more sparkle…the better

Tina Jacobsen - Love my Martha Stewart Punches!

Jolene (Homespun Heritage) - Erasable markers or colored pencils are my fave!

lindsay - well i would say mine is paint.. but i work with one year olds and it can be super messy. I love using things that make art pop, just give it that something extra. We made handprint sunflowers the other day and we glued sunflower seeds in the middle. totally made the project. the moms loved it. since i do an art project 5 times a week, i would love this book!

the whyte house - mod podge is the most used around here….but secretly i still love markers. 🙂 haha.
okay, so i said hi to jess after her bible study today. i broke the poor girl’s stride while she was carrying her 45 lb carseat…but i said “hi”…and blamed it on you. lol.

Laura - Pom pom trim!

Stacy Hyatt Costner - I love markers. You can even make them look like watercolor!

Donna - Oh my, pick just ONE craft supply? It would have to be a canvas. We love to paint them and make lots of creations!

Nicole - As a teacher, my favorite crafts supply is pretty scrapbook paper. You can make so much with it and it’s cheap!

katherine - i love markers and paint!

april - I would have to say glue////my boys can make anythings cool with glue…lol
xoxo

Emily - A hot glue gun works magic 🙂

Meredith G - I LOVE chalk and using egg cartons. Not together, but great craft supplies 🙂

Halley - Watercolor paint, glue sticks and glitter…top 3! This book looks wonderful. Fingers crossed!

Katie g - Construction paper!!

Jenny L - That book looks like so much fun! My kids would love it! My favorite craft supply would probably be colored paper, but paint would be a close second. :0)

Kim - Double sided tape. So much less messy than glue 🙂 Our summer needs that book!

Lindsay - I love washi tape! This book looks fabulous!

Mary - Paint!

Ashley S - Definitely Mod Podge.

Dee D - I’m currently loving brads…so tiny & colorful 🙂

Aby Gittings - Mine is YOUR BLOG!! It’s where I get ALL of my kid craft ideas!!

Tracy - Crayola markers rock my world. I wish there was a “Heavy Metal” font to use as I type this. Crayola ROCKS!!!

Megan Duerksen - We love the stick-on jewels at our house! They make everything look pretty!

Momof2 - So many to choose from…..probably are favorite right now is finger painting outside with this great MN weather!!

Melissa - Love my glue gun! Looks like a fun book.

Melinda - Construction paper! As a nanny I use it daily for crafts with the kids I care for. There are so many different things you can use it for!

Jenny - GLITTER! I love sparkly things. 🙂 Buttons & feathers are a close second.

Rhonda Fendt - I am a fool for cool paper and a nice box of crayons! Thank you

michelle - Glue sticks turn anything you have into a project, so I love them. The book looks great!

Donna - pattern paper – endless possibilities!

Vicki - I love fancy pens and a handful of freshly sharpened pencils. They make me feel crafty. Also – paint. and fabric scraps. ooo! glossy magazines for decopage! and the ever-handy glue stick. I love it all.

shara - we share the same favorite. i love nothing more than sitting with my kiddos and watercolor painting. not too messy and so fun!

Angie G. - My favorite craft supply has to be glue, any kind of glue! There´s no craft without glue!!! Love the book….it sure would come in handy with my kiddos!

Heidi Henderson - Crayola Crayons love them and the smell and paper all kinds.

Juliana Whisman - Mod Podge!!

Stephanie - Looks like a lot of fun! My favorite craft supply is fabric, hands down.

Sara W - Hot glue gun – it fixes anything!

Anna Marie - I really like glitter but I also like Mod Podge and pom poms.

ko. s - Felt felt felt!

Melissa - Fabric! Or paint. And tissue paper. :0)

kim york - Paint…though really we LOVE it all..anything we can craft with ;0)
Kim Y

Tracy H - Love the book! Oh man, just one….well when I do crafts with my kids I love to use pipe cleaners….you can use them for just about anything and can do almost anything with them and the amount of colors they come in is so fun!

Amy Parker - Fabric is my favorite craft supply!

Amanda - My favorite craft supply with the kiddos is dot paint. I have a two and four year old and this makes both happy!

Lisa - Fabric! Vintage and lovely. My girls are totally into felt these days. And buttons. Who can choose just one?!

Linda B - I really love crayons!

Karen Martz - New markers fresh out of a box and playdoh.

holly - Felt and googlie eyes…ooh and feathers, buttons and little slices of tree branches oh and rusty washers from grandpa’s shop and some magnets……should go vacuum now but this got me all sidetracked. i wanna make something….

Julianne Brimner - My recycling tub…. My daughter lives to make treasures by reusing recyclables

jaimie Cahill - hot glue gun

Angela - paper. I love collecting pretty paper, and my 8 year old can make anything with paper.

danett - I love hot glue — work magic on most everything!

Jenni Kuhns - Probably fabric. I love Amy Butler & Heather Bailey to name a few:) Love, Jenni K.

Ashley - GLITTER! Definitely my favorite. 🙂

mrs. dunbar - We love stamps. I think its the combination of colors along with the pounding that my boys just have so much fun with.

Trudy - Seems I can never have enough adhesive. I love the Scotch Adhesive Dot Roller for everything. Birthday posters, school projects, albums, and even the Mission project we just completed. Love it!

Aimee - I have too many favorite supplies to pick just one so I will tell you my five year old artist’s favorite supply. Paper! He gets so excited when I get him more paper. Whether it be colored or just plain white drawing paper. He draws on it, paints on it, cuts it up into little pieces and makes tiny drawings on them, glues pieces together and his favorite thing to do with it is make “books”.

Amy G - Hmmm…for kid’s crafts it would probably be toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls. So many possibilites! 🙂 This looks like a great book!

Seriously Sassy Mama - Glitter hands down!

shea B - I love felt! And my glue gun.

Robin Riley - Construction paper or coffee filters! Lots of possibilities.

colleen from alabama - ooooo, thats easy! E6000!

Kim - Definitely paint! It’s so easy to transform and create with paint.

Carolyn Mackie - Paint! It’s my kids favorite activity!!

Gina - That’s a tough one…probably paint, kids love it:)

Morissa - I love glue sticks!

Jen Brandt - Double stick tape. Love the stuff! Her book looks great!

Michelle - My favorite lately is spray paint…so many things you can transform with it!

sara @ it's good to be queen - hot glue. 100% i NEED this book.

Gretchen - Colored construction paper. It’s my go to for crafts with my three kids.

Jill - My favorite craft supply is definitely yarn. I just love how soft it is!

Chantel - Crayons! I love that we can draw and color with them and that pressure or heat makes the pictures so different!

Janelle - Oh too cute…I do need this as I am NOT a crafter but my kids are constantly asking me for a project to do!
Love markers though…

Emilee - My favorite is scrapbook paper!!!! I have an addiction to scrapbook paper!!!! 🙂

happygirl - Mine would be scrapbooking.

kristiina - I love tissue paper…love that with a little mod podge and the kids make the prettiest things.
Thanks 🙂

Maureen Troop - My boys have recently discovered the joys of crafting with duct tape! They are making the most creative wallets, hats, flip flops! Love it

robin scott - Love, love, any kind of glue.

Alison K - oh my favorite is Mod Podge!!

jamie - markers, markers, markers.

Caroline - Definitely googly eyes! My daughter loves them!:)

Kelly - I love decorative, scrapbooking paper! This books looks great! I have been collecting art project ideas to do with the kiddos since summer is right around the corner!

Erin - Glue gun – oh the things that can be done and fixed with the power of a glue gun!!

rachel - Fine Point Sharpies & Scrapbook Paper, oh how i love thee…And of course watercolors 🙂

amber - hot glue gun…makes every project EASIER:)!

shiela - pretty papers, pretty adhesive tapes, pretty scissors, pretty craft everything!

Erin - For kid crafts, any and every type of crayons…I’m partial to Crayola brand! Great for all ages and you can do so much with them! Favorite these days are Crayola Slick Sticks. A must try! Thanks for the chance to win this fun book!

Katie - GLUE! Can’t craft without it! What a neat book.

Jessica - I am a big fan of handprint art so I would have to say paint….fun giveaway!

Jen Randall - My kids & I LOVE to get messy with paint…any kind! Looks like a wonderful book!!

kelly - i love paper – all colors of cardstock! and i love make and takes the blog….would love to have the book too!

karen peachey - I love water color paint as well! the colors are just so pretty!:)

colleen - It is a toss up paper or paint (acrylic and watercolor.
The book looks great!

Caroline - construction paper…looks super fun!!!

Mindy Harris - hot glue. it’s my main source for all i create!

Meredith - For crafting with my kids paint in the craft supply of choice. I think because they are boys and love to get messy it is always paint.
I am going to have to check the book out. I love crafting

Dani - We love craft at my house too! We call it crazy crafty time. My favorite is Mod Podge, but I don’t let the kids use it much. My kids favorite…. EVERYTHING!!

Southern Gal - Paint!
Looks like a fabulous book. Thanks for the chance.

courtney child - I love to use watercolors and crayons…so many possibilities with each. Love your blog.
thanks, Courtney

Andrea - Paint there is no other like it!

Carrie - We are big fans of patterned (scrapbook) paper here…and a little glitter, too!

Nancy - Right now mine is…STICKERS! I love them because both my three year old and my one year old can do them, they don’t try to eat them, and the possibilities are endless for their creativity.
Love your blog too!

Selflesslovediary.blogspot.com - Just made an awesome craft using Mod Podge! That book is awesome..I may have to get it since I probably won’t win.

julie - mod podge!!! thanks for sharing! i’m an elementary art teacher! this book would be awesome to own!

Nicole - I love brand new, never been used crayons!

laura b - mine fave is acrylic paint….the color choices are endless. Thanks for sharing!

Kelli - Cute! I love colored pencils!

Nicole - Hmmm I would have to say it’s a tie between glue and paint, but I also love pom poms – ok I can’t pick a favorite.

Liesl - Modge podge all the way!!!!

Iris - My favourite would probably have to be all sorts of different kinds of paper. Sooo much you can do with fun paper.

Janelle Shultz - paper, definitely!

jacqui anderson - markers ….. i could color for hours!!

Jessica - Play-doh. Not so much crafty but great for playtime and the creative possibilities are endless.

Maria Bryan - My Favorite craft…what I always walk out with from the trance inducing Michaels in my town is….PAINT and CANVAS…and you can never have too much Hot Glue! 🙂

Gretchen - Scissors. Even though the same elf that eats the socks from my dryer seems to eat scissors as well. 🙂

Johanna - love beads, love making necklaces with my kiddos:)

Lindsay - Scrapbook paper. Oh the possibilities!

Linda@Restyled Home - Mine is glitter, Yeah, baby!!!

Jen - Mine is paint and. Cardboard – so many possibilities!

Adrienne s - Crayons! Love them. They have to be Crayola. I buy a new pack almost everytime I am at Target. My kids think I am crazy.

Karla - I would have to say my glue gun!

Amy - I have a thing for felt. I have a huge stockpile in every color imaginable.

Lennie - Our favorite craft supply right now are “googly eyes” my two yr old loves them!

Danielle - What a cute book! I’d have to say scrapbook paper is my favorite, I love all the pretty different designs.

Tami - I can’t choose just one. Glue, Glitter, Clay, Paper, Vinyl, Paint, we use it all around here. Looks like a great addition to our summer crafting day. Hope I win.

Lori Myers - Paint!!! I love using all kinds of paint! Looks like a great book!

Maureen - I love sparklies and don’t use them nearly enough. Glitter, glitter pens…More lately I have been getting into sewing and have become a fabric hoarder.

Fallon - My fav supply is glitter, everything needs to sparkle!

Megan - empty water bottles….so fun to cut and use!
I am a teacher and could use it with my classroom and at home with my own kids! 🙂

Alyssa - what a great book! My fav is glitter, hands down 🙂

Shelby A. - fabric…so many options!

amy m. - i love googly eyes!

Amy M - Paper! Scrapbook paper!! I love to look at it and I love to feel it!!

Andrea - Crayons or Markers!

Sierra - That book looks amazing. I have two little boys and they both looove to craft! Our favorite craft supplies would have to be a brand new pack of crayons and googly eyes! They’re fun to stick on everything. 🙂

Ashley - sharpie marker!!!

Crystal Swoverland - There are way too many to choose just one! Scrapbook paper and a glue gun have to be at the tippity top of my list though!

Meg - Markers! A brand new pack… I love to doodle

Jennifer in VA - crayons, i love the simplicity and the boldness of the color of crayons….

Cindy McAllister - I Love paper…any and all kinds! This would be a cool book to give my daughter for mother’s day, she loves doing crafts with her 3 year old daughter.

angela - My tabletop laminator is my favorite! I use it for everything….lay it down, and I laminate it!

Kimmie - Love to have fresh, unused crayons or colored pencils!

beth - I was going to say paint, too! 🙂

Janel Sagert - i’m all about the paint!

Sharla - Those flower cookie pops are adorable! My favorite craft supply is probably fun paper or decorative scissors to make pretty edges with

Julia - Construction paper.

Gretchen - I’m a newly appointed CASA (court appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children now in foster care) and recently completed an art therapy workshop to learn how to use craftiness and art when spending time with the child in my case. I had the BEST time with the conte crayons — I used vivid rainbow colors and smeared and smudged with my fingers — and did it in a Mandala (new term for me).
I can’t wait to use the art and crafty techniques I learned with the young girl I have been appointed to advocate for. A book like this will give me more ideas to do with her so that she and I can bond and she can feel comfortable and safe with me. Hopefully I can impact her life in the best possible way, and have a positive effect on a life that’s already been through so much.
Can’t get better than that, right? Art for the good of a child in real need?
Thanks, Meg!

Courtney - Oooh! RIBBON! Extra love for polka dot/striped ribbon, Swoon!

Kimberly - I’ve been having fun with felt lately!

Molly - scrapbook papers and glitter….oh and a brand new box of crayons. 🙂

Anne-Marie P. - Glitter glue…

Lauryn - Pens, markers, any writing utensil with COLOR!!

Allison - I love colored pencils – that’s what I color with while the girls use crayons or markers!

Mary - Acrylic paint! I love it, can’t get enough of it. Thank you for the giveaway! I would love to win Marie’s book!

Jennifer - Oil pastels and watercolors, but I also love some new fabric. 🙂

Danielle - It’s gotta be fabric! Lots and lots of fabric! 🙂

Jennifer - Elmer’s glue. My daughter loves to put piles of it on her art work and then, the best part, can sit for quite sometime peeling all the dried glue off her fingers giving me enough time to clean up the mess left behind!

Sarah - Crayons!… or maybe a glue gun.
Looks like a great book!

Alice H - Glue gun!! My 2 year old loves his scissors! LOL! Thanks for the giveaway.

Tori - Paper….. construction, scrap book and tissue. Almost every craft I do with my kids involves at least one of those!

Jane Frederick - My favorite craft supply is glue sticks. Book looks like it is filled with great ideas!

allison - do i have just pick one? 🙂 CRAYONS! Especially a brand new box!

Sarah H. - Mine is a toss up b/t paint and Mod Podge. I do also love pom poms too though.

Jacci in Ohio - Tempera paint 🙂

Naomi Williams - I love construction paper…and felt…and glitter…and craft paint…oh, it’s too much! I love craft supplies 🙂

Tina B - Glitter! It makes everything shiny and pretty (including my floors)

Jessica - I love so many craft supplies, this is HARD! For kids it is construction paper. You can use it to make so many things. For me, personally, I love chalk pastels.

Jane - My grandchildren and I like to make crafts with different type food. Example: one Thanksgiving we made turkeys out of a cracker,hershey kiss, and candy corn.
I would love to win the book!

Michele U - Glue, you can do anything with glue

Kelly O. - my fave craft supply is felt.. lots of it in bright colours!

Lynn Cole - I love freash crayons and markers! I would love book!!

Mollie D - toddler hands! They make everything from turkeys to fish to crabs!

Kathi Mahoney - It’s a toss up between crayons and googly eyes, everything is more fun with googly eyes!

Toni :O) - I have to say colored pencils…my kids use those all.the.time! If I won this book, I would give it to my daughter’s daycare provider…she would put this book to such great use with her little ones and would love the new ideas. She got my daughter started on the right track and I’ll be forever grateful…what a great gift to show my appreciation!

Katie - I love pretty scrapbook paper and glue guns!

Sheila P. - Construction paper.

Nicole Q. - New Markers … I know it’s simple but I love opening a pack of new markers where every color will be vibrant! The book looks great; I’d love to win it to use the ideas at preschool and home.:))

Amanda O'Connell - My favorite craft supply is glitter glue.

Megan - Markers!

Karen - My favorite is colored pencils! I love seeing my kids’ detailed drawings with colored pencils; we recently scored a big bag with glittery and sparkly colors from the thrift store too! And I LOVE Make and Takes! Been reading her blog forever it seems.

Beth - I would love to have this book! So awesome. I love the paints – all kinds.

Sandy - Couldn’t go on without my Sharpies and glue gun!! Would love to give this book to my daughter, a first year teacher who has learned oh so much this year and is oh so ready to end this first year and move on to her second and prayerfully better year!!! Second graders……enough said!!!

Jody - All the fun variety of scrapbook paper or fabric – it’s a toss up!!

tinycandi - For myself…I love painting…especially oil painting.
But with my kids? My favorite craft supply is probably paper! You can do so much with it and it comes in lots of pretty colors and designs. 🙂

Heather S. - My fave craft supply is food! A craft is so much better if you can eat it when you’re done!

Joy - ohhhh….. I love crayons all day long!

Jennifer - Love my glue gun! Also, nothing beats just a brand new box of Crayola Crayons

Allison - Paint! There’s so much you can do with it. The kids love it!

Julie - Watercolors and oil pastels used together = my favorite
The book looks excellent. Thanks for the opportunity.

Jessica Anne - markers!

Robyn B - Probably my trusty glue gun…..seems most crafts/decor/projects I do lately requires one! What did people do before glue guns? 🙂

Kari C. - My favorite craft supply is my glue gun. I feel like it’s not a complete craft until I get to use my hot glue gun!

Jenn - Just one?! I love ribbon, but paper comes in a close second. That is such a cute book. My girls are big crafters….

Marsha - Glue and construction paper!

FeFe - Looks like a fantastic book! My favorite craft supply is crayons.

Lisa - we love tissue paper!!!! wow! what a great book! thanks for the chance! xx

Renae R - My boys will paint anything that sits still but their favorite thing to use (besides the paint itself) is paper plates. The plain, cheap ones are the best. We haven’t crafted much lately…I think maybe we’ll do that this afternoon!! Thanks for the inspiration Meg!

Stacy M. - My favorite is pipe cleaners. Great looking book!

Wendy - COLORED CHALK! Love the book 🙂

Lora - I love glitter. I worked as a Playschool teacher and the janitor hated the stuff. I had to sneak it…and he still always found out! Also love new pads of construction paper. All those colorful pages just full of possibilities!

Amy - My favorite craft supply for my kids is glue sticks. They are 6 and 4 and they can make projects any time without making a big glue mess.

Kristin - glue – just about any kind. makes for easy projects with my preschooler and i like the hot stuff! 🙂

jill - Our favorite is “mama’s paint” (acrylic craft paints). We use it to transform thrift store finds, make paintings on canvas, etc! That book looks fabulous!

alyssa - wooden beads and pipe cleaners.

Kassondra - I am a sucker for crayons!

Amy G - Oh how fun!!
I would have to say tissue paper!

Kate - Construction paper…
That books looks amazing.

Sara Torbett - What a neat book! My favorite craft supply is my glue gun 🙂 . Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

Lori Austin - This book looks fantastic!
Fluffy pom poms – in tons of colors. So fun!

Sarah - glue gun….

Penny Dorado - Glitter! It’s a mess but I love the stuff. 😉

Carla G - Glue dots! Love ’em!

Lindsey - My favorite craft supply is Kool-Aid playdough…love that stuff! Have to have plenty of flour, salt, and a rainbow of Kool-Aid packets on hand at all times!!

amanda - My favorite craft supply is Mod Podge!!

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piano and blue lilies.

May 1, 2012

my girls had their piano recital last night.

we curled hair…painted toenails….and had annie's favorite dinner….noodles with red sauce. :)

we drove the 10 minutes to the church and i thought "wow they are quiet"
as we turned into town annie said quietly "i am really nervous" and talby said "I know! me too!"
oh….duh.
that's why they were quiet.
i reminded them that the other parents were there to watch their child and they were only really playing for me and dad and Nana. and we certainly didn't care if they messed up on their songs. we recalled the Arthur episode where he thought he'd messed up his entire song and no one else even noticed.

they played a duet first of Yankee Doodle.

then annie was next to play solo.
she couldn't find her page and she seemed about one second from a break down but her teacher hopped up to
help her out.
you may remember annie's first recital experience.
As long as there were no tears i was going to feel it was a success.

they each played their own songs.
they did great!
i know they were SO nervous but they did a really good job.

i know they are glad it's over and they get a month off from practicing now.
Marissa was a wonderful teacher this year!
My girls never complained about piano once….that tells me a lot.

then off to Mcdonalds for recital Mcflurries. :)

craig took the girls home to get them to bed and i came to the craft house waiting for some friends.
i sewed curtains while i waited.
and at 10:45 they finally rolled into town knocking on my door.

the blue lilies were coming through kansas and i begged them to stay overnight with me.
it was much to short.
but at least i sent them on their way with some Drubers donuts in their tummies.
i could have used at least another day to just talk and hang out.
at least.
it's just too short!

are you on their photo schedule?
you should be?!!

wendy + tyler and their absolutely wonderful kiddos travel the entire world taking family photos.
SERIOUSLY.
and they will most likely come somewhere near you.
i mean come on….i am in NoWhere Kansas and they've been here!!!
🙂

they were on their way to a GoPro workshop they are hosting in Washington DC!
i think they may have a spot left if you can make it there!
you should do it.
i have been and i thought it was THE BEST.
i learned so much and it was a total blast!
i went to GoPro in San Diego and a reunion GoPro in Utah. and pics here. and pics here too.

AND they took our pictures in chicago and here in kansas!

how is that for a lot of links?!!!

thank you blue lilies for coming and buying my donut! :)

my hair appointment got rescheduled for today.
i bet i can actually make dinner in the the crock pot.
i am planning on doing yard work this afternoon.
and probably a little more spray painting.

what about you…what are you up to today?

show hide 46 comments

add a comment

Alicia D - this post takes me back to my own piano recital. the girls are SO cute. congrats to them!

Megan Duerksen - I used to babysit Marissa and her brothers when I was in college – she’s such a great girl! Can’t believe she’s old enough to teach piano lessons!

AJ Klaassen - Drubers Daylight Donuts! Whaaat?!?! I had no idea you lived in/around Newton, KS! (fairly new blog reader, so apologies if this has been covered and I’m just out of it…) Much of my family is from Newton and Whitewater and I have such fond memories of going to Druber’s with Grandma and Grandpa when visiting. Can’t wait to get back soon to see Grandpa, family – and of course, get a peanut butter roll from Drubers 🙂 Thanks for such a fun, colorful, craft-filled blog!

Robin Thengvall - Yay for Wendy and Tyler :)…. we just got to see them in Colorado… Tyler was so awesome with our boys… got them to smile and laugh! Loved him! SO excited to see our pics 🙂 Amazing how fun it was taking family pictures!!

Lauryn - Talby is growing up so fast. She is going to be a heart breaker. She is gorgeous.

Amber P. - Love your blog! And Wendy+Tyler’s. And Ashley Ann. I read you all every morning! Got to meet the BlueLilies last year in Dallas and it’s amazing how, in an hour they had me really understanding how to shoot in manual. Wish list: Craft Weekend and GoPro… Someday!
Have a great day!

April R - I am going to stop putting off calling the piano teacher so my kids can get back into their lessons 🙂

Lori Austin - Good job girls! Enjoy your time off. 🙂

Jill - Sunshine here! Oh my! LOVE IT!
My girls use the same line of piano books and just played Yankee Doodle! How funny! I get nervous when I think “recital” too and I don’t have to play!
Have a wonderful day!

Lisa - Honestly Meg, your little girls are precious, and your relationship with them just warms my heart.

Wendy - Meg- you are simply awesome. We enjoyed our TOO short stay with you and look forward to seeing you again. This time- we will put tyler in some craft settings and take pictures. It will be perfect.
We adore you.

Kim G - I am painting a small desk for my kid’s game room. It is yellow, the same yellow that you used on your craft house chairs. When my kids tell me the desk is going to be yellow, I actually correct them and say it is going to be ‘whatever yellow’. Thanks for all your inspiration. I also made dinner in the crockpot and had roasted broccoli {our best bites recipe}

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1433025120 - I love how hard Annie is concentrating!! So cute!!

Kathryn - piano recitals are SO stressfull! (ancient history at our house) So glad it went well for your girls!!

Kathryn - Hey I think I know your girls’ piano teacher . . . a student? . . . I think she dates my son’s look-alike twin Nathan!

stephany - We (me, my 4-1/2 year old, and 2-1/2 year old) hit 5 Goodwills, IKEA for lunch and shopping, and then picked my mother-in-law up at the airport.
We’re finally settling down for bedtime on the west coast.
BTW, found 5 globes at Goodwill today…awesome!
stephany @ home is what you make it

Sara Torbett - Today I shopped for maternity clothes….and for clothes for my 10- month old. We are headed to the beach soon! 🙂 proud of your girls! What a big deal to be so brave!

Emma - I Love Annie’s top! so Pretty.

Gayle Kantor - Meg,
I have been reading your blog for years now, and I love it I check it everyday, and find myself disappointed if you haven’t posted anything. My favorites are pictures of your house. So I was wondering when you are going to post pictures of the inside of the farm house? I love your decorating style and really want to see what you did with the new house. thank you meg
Gayle Kantor ( a faithful reader of your blog)

Jennifer - OK, my months are way off. They were here (Perth) a month ago, not two days ago (is it May already?) Oh well, maybe next time.

Lorie - We have a sweet young girl that teaches my kiddos piano. I love that they enjoy taking lessons!

Jennifer - Oh wow, those photos by Blue Lillies are AMAZING!!! So I looked on the schedule to see if they were coming to my town – Perth, Western Australia. Um, yeah, they are, two days ago!!!!!! I totally missed them. I guess I can take a bit of consolation in the fact that my hubby wasn’t even here the two days they would have been able to take our photos as he’s in Houston this week! Thanks for sharing.

Tracy Fisher - Great blog today. Made me think back to my own recitals. Super nervous. Don’t you wish that sometimes you could show people how afraid you are as adult standing there… trying to give a speech… or show your work… etc. Nope. Suck it up. I’m glad kids get to be nervous.
Anyway, the real reason I am writing is because I have a crockpot recipe for you… my kids favorite potroast. In crockpot, put one chuck roast (yes, the one that is not so lean). Pour one package of dry Lipton Onion Soup mix over top. And then pour 1-2 c. of Coca Cola (no diet. no off brank. must be Coke) on top of all. Cook slow and low for 9 hours. Sooooo delicious! Tracy

Amanda C. - Your children are so beautiful. Love how you explained to them not to be nervous and you don’t care if they make mistakes.
You make me want to get a piano so I can listen to my kids practice…and you make me want more kids. Currently I have 2. Toted them around today and kept them entertained. It has been a wonderful day so far and both are currently sleeping.

tara - i love that you told your girls they were really only playing for you, dad and nana.
i bet it calmed their nerves a little to be reminded of that….
i wish i could remember that most people aren’t as focused on me as i am…. 🙂
it’d make life a whole lot more enjoyable. :))

Karen Gerstenberger - This brought back happy memories of David and Katie’s piano lessons and recitals. David loved playing; Katie spent as much energy trying to make her teacher laugh as she did on her piano practice…and she never learned to read music; she just memorized it. That still surprises me.
You are a real spray-paint guru. Do you have to prep the things you paint with sandpaper, or do you just get in there and spray? I have always hesitated over spray paint because I’m not so big on prep-work. Would you ever post just a tiny little lesson on it?
I’m thrilled that you got to host your photo friends at the craft house. I’ll bet they were delighted to be able to stay in that magical place. It looks like a slice of heaven on earth.
Hugs from here.

Lisa - I hadn’t read about Annie’s first recital so I did. And I cried. You’re such a good mom!

Terrie G - I wish I could have taken piano lessons…your girls are so lucky!
I’d love to muster up the courage to go to a GoPro workshop…not enough confidence in my
picture taking yet. I bet they were great company!
I love living in ‘nowhere Kansas’!!
We ROCK!!
HaPpY TuEsDaY!!

Kerry - aaah go girls! looks like you did great at your recital, and SO worth the McFlurries afterwards 🙂 xx

Sarah Wolfe - Hmmm. We are doing some school, but slacking off bc we always do in the spring… Then we have a practice. And I have to figure out what to make for dinner. And I ordered a paint sample from Canada today because I’m desperate for a really good yellow front door. That’s the excitement around here 🙂

happygirl - Oh, I wish I had a camera. I’d love to go to GroPro. I live near D.C. Btw, your girls are gorgeous. Seriously beautiful. 🙂

Dani - I need pics of my family before my kids are too old! Wish they were in my area.
I always got so nervous before piano recitals! I’m sure they were the best!

Meg's mom - I am going to Macy’s play tonight and celebrate her birthday!

Tina Jacobsen - I love days that include spray paint!!

Lori H - Your girls are so cute. And hooray for Arthur! I referred to that show’s wisdom often when the kids were younger.

Lindsey - Piano recitals used to give me cold sweats when I was young!
Today I work, run errands, go home and be creative! Have a wonderful day!

Jen Brandt - Taught my Spring Into Fitness boot camp class at the park this morning, came back to the office, just had lunch, checking your blog, then need to get my work done! So glad the recital went well. Annie looks taller.

Laura Phelps - I’ve gone to mass, the grocery store, and TJMAX…lunching with Luke now, then off to the bank, haircut for the boys, Communion rehearsal, batting practice, dinner will somehow get made, and religion class planned.
today is Saint Josephs Day…thats GOOD..because it honors all who labor and work with their hands…and with the mundane list of to do’s I have, I need to focus on doing every task with LOVE and praise for God. (not always easy)
sounds like a better day for you today than yesterday…enjoy!

Boring Blogger - Today I am working on listening to my kids more. And folding laundry.
Love Blue Lilly!

BriBedell - Today I will be
Feeding my 7 week old All day long (he’s very chubby)
Getting my 4 1/2 year old on and off the bus
Trying to get my 2 1/2 year old to take a nap
Hoping my husband will wake up soon so I can start laundry & go grocery shopping! (he works 6 pm – 6 am)
Oh and eating at some point 🙂 lol

Seriously Sassy Mama - I just went through one whole role of packing tape, and I am smiling ear to ear. I cannot wait to move! Oh, and most certainly will be running tonight and watching a Ranger game on the tele with my hunka hunka burnin love. lol

Jacci - Your girls are so adorable 🙂
Me? I got the bug today (for whatever reason) to deeeeeeeep clean my living room. Like, I moved the furniture and mopped. And the slipcovers are in the washing machine. It feels so good. Sometimes I just need to feel like I scrubbed the living daylights out of this place.
Thinking the curtains are probably for Lauren’s old room? Looking forward to seeing what you created 🙂

Linda Keaveney - Lovely photo of your girls…they are really darling…
What am I doing today?? hmmmmmmmmm….
So far….I have been to Fitness…grocery store…greenhouse…emptied the dishwasher…made egg salad…yummy…
Have a wonderful day…
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Rachel J - I bet you are so stinking happy to have them stay with you! 🙂 The girls are getting too big! Tell them to stop! Love that they both played a recital and naturally there was a celebration of ice cream afterwards.
Today, I’m up to work, oil change for the subaru, eating a hot dog and maybe a bonfire later with the hubby! Ha! Pretty spectacular no?
Have a great day Megalicious.
Don’t forget, be on the look out for a package later this week 🙂

Suzanne - The girls look like they had a good time at the recital. No tears in sight!! I should have added “get pics by BlueLily” to my 40 by 40 list! I so so so want some pics by them! Hope we get to see what you are spray painting!!

april - awwww they look so cute!!! Perfect girl time! xoxo

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randomness.

April 30, 2012

hello.

how was your weekend?

i had a little time away with the mister but it was very little.
i was Mrs. Duerksen at several work events instead of chillin' together….staring into each other's eyes…whispering i love yous….yada yada yada.

but we were together.
and that's better than apart.

we got some work done on the crafty craft house.

he painted lauren's old room…Behr paint called Ashwood.
loooove it.

i spray painted a bunch of stuff.

and i recovered a lampshade from the thrift store for the gray room.
i painted the base pink.
:)

i signed up for a 10K in june.
yikes!!

i read five more pages in my book….that's why i don't read.
it's so hard to get time that is QUIET enough with no interuptions.
and nothing that is begging to be worked on.
but five pages is better than none.

thanks for all the encouraging comments on friday's post.
i just had so much swirling in my mind that i HAD to get it out.

my lunch today.
it's yummy.
i ran the four mile route today….tried to get out of it. :)
but my friend was waiting and made me come.
ha!
i am so glad she did.
salad makes the run feel worthwhile.

getting ready for the next Whatever Craft Weekend! SO MUCH FUN!!!

swag is coming everyday….like Jenny Doh's book called Hand in Hand.

fabric from Jennifer Pageneilli of Sis Boom! i LOVE her colors!!
isn't that such a pretty pile!

sometimes when waffle and i are home alone….he doesn't hear me coming anymore.

BAD DOG!
oh….what a dork.

i found some very nice things on pinterest this weekend too……

YUMMMMM.

i would love to make this. (i have that lampshade and similar lamp….now i just need the big letter.)

strawberry crumb bars…..i am dying to try these!

i would like to live here…..

this is a tea towel!! it makes me want to paint!

i could go on and on….

but i have more spray paint to do.
hankies to iron.
curtains to hang.
needing a shower.
and we are out of toilet paper and milk at home.

dang it….i just remembered that i forgot to put dinner in the crock pot!!

bummer.

have a GREAT monday today!

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holly - Love that big letter M. i just cut some letters outta the cheapo mdf tv stand my teenager leaned on and demolished. whew it was a workout with my little jigsaw but they turned out cute. Call me a pansey but next time i think i would use regular wood.

Alicia D - im just drooling over all this! so cute.

Tiffany - Love that ashwood color, I’m all about muddy/putty colors. But do tell why u choose the enamel spray paint? I think I noticed that in a photo before. Craft weekends are the best craft invention since blogs, this coming from someone who only gets to see the photos, one day I’ll be there.

Lauryn - Love the room color. Picking the color seems to be the hardest part for me. I’ve been ready to paint my living room for ages but I’m afraid I’ll have paint-choice-remorse!

Jenna@CallHerHappy - i love ashwood. i love waffles. i love that tea towel!

Amy S - Just ran my first mini marathon with my friend. Nice to know someone is there with you. You can do it!

Seriously Sassy Mama - The molding in your home makes me swoon. Oh how I dream of having an old home. Oh well. Too bad I work all weekends. I would love to get crafty!

the whyte house - i was sent a photo of you with mrs frazee from the mister’s work, from the very excited daughter of mrs. frazee. lol. bowling, i think it was? i laughed when she sent it. 🙂

Sara Torbett - I have the same fabric you covered your lampshade with! Love. 🙂 I haven’t been brave enough to do anything with mine yet though-lol. You have me craving dessert and bright colors! CUTE name tags for Craft Weekend too! So much fun!

amy - Love, love, love the lampshade! Do you ever post any “how to’s”? I have a couple lampshades that could use some sprucing up and would love to know how to do it!

Gemma - Waffle is hilarious!!!!
xxx

Gina // C is for Cupcakes Baking Co. - so excited to see glimpse of the next craft weekend… it’s a thrill to be on the waiting list – it’s kind of like being a child in December all over again.
love the new pain! My main rooms in our home are all shades of grey. only the guest/homeschool room, the girls bedrooms and two of the bathrooms are not. i LOVE grey. it’s PERFECT for pops of happy color.
i am about to do the girls’ bedrooms over. while i – and they – LOVE color, the youngest 3 are having a hard time winding down and falling asleep these days, so i am thinking a calming oasis type of redo is the cards for them. 4 girls – 2 rooms – it’s always a challenge to make them pretty, feel spacious, relaxing and like each girl had their voice in them! i’m sure i will be blogging about it…

happygirl - Our dog can’t hear us coming anymore, either. Sad, but sometimes so funny. I’m still so confused. Do you have two houses now? Enjoy those snacks. They look so yummy, but since I can’t run like you do, I can’t eat hardly anything. 🙂

Leah - I’m sighing because my name would have been on one of the Craft Weekend badges. But alas, it wasn’t meant to be this weekend.

Gayle Kantor - meg when will you show inside shots of the new house on the farm?

Lorie - The s’mores look delicious and all of the color in that house…LOVE!

Lea - Since you started out as a blogger and have evolved into a small business owner…has this new challenge been easy? Is running the craft house what you expected it to be? What type of business license is involved with the craft house? Do you advertise outside of your blog? Is the business paperwork time consuming? Just curious as to what all is involved with this new venture. It sounds like a good idea..just wondering how challenging it is and if you find it to work well with your family life. You seem happy so I assume all is good.

Ashlyn - I am into lampshades – so noticed that instantly – and love how it turned out!!
But, of course the peanut butter s’more dealies REALLY caught my eye. I am having the hardest time not eating junk – but naturally it is all I am craving ; (
Good for you with all the running!!!
xo

Erica - I made those strawberry crumb bars. Followed the directions exactly except I forgot the egg. They didn’t need it. They were delicious (and the crust stayed together without the egg.) Next time I want to substitute half rhubarb (and add a little more sugar.)

laura b - That lampshade is fabulous. YOu will have to post a picture when you finish painting the base. Cany anyone send you swag?

Suzanne - I love the lampshade you recovered! The fabric is awesome, and I bet the pink base takes it over the top. The pb s’more things and the strawberry crumb bars look sooo tasty!! Have a great day, Meg!

karen - the big M looks like foam core

Laura Phelps - my head is so all over the place that all of this made so much sense! perfect reading for me today.
a little fabric…a little waffle…a little forgot the dinner…
just my speed.

ko. s - All I can say is WOOT WOOT! What a happy monday post to read! I did a 4 mile loop this morning and the hubs called at lunch and suggested another run together this evening…..sometime I dont like that I “hired” him to be my coach!

Jen Brandt - I couldn’t find Waffle’s head at first! I want to live in that house, too. Love the new color in Lauren’s old room. I’m supposed to be outside doing yard work, but dropped my girls off at the neighbor’s to play, hubby’s not home yet, I have the house to myself, and I’m tired from work today = would much rather sit in my quiet house and see what you’ve been up to! 🙂

Jacci - i love waffle. the end.

Lindi G - Happy Monday to you also!! Looove the color you chose for Lauren’s old room!! Love color with white woodwork!! Are you in pinterest…if not, you so should be!! 🙂 sooo many things to pin and do!! Hope your week is wonderful!! I’m a really longtime follower…just never commented!! 😉

Lisa M. - Oh Meg, I love your blog! I already printed out the recipe for those strawberry crumb bars and plan on making them for dessert on Thursday. They look soooo good! Wish I had your dedication to run. I run. I just do it sporatically. You’re starting to inspire me (after almost 2 months:)!

Rachel J - All I have to say about those recipes is OMG! Especially the smores with peanut butter. And that Waffle! Haha! Don’t even get me started, he’s too adorable! 🙂

Courtney Walsh - So fun. Sent some stuff your way…hope it arrives in time!! LOVE that lampshade, girl!

Dani - Ok I may have to try Peanut Butter Smores (with soybutter due to daughter’s allergies!. Oh those look so yummy. I am planning on doing some spray painting this week. Fun colors for my home! Can’t wait!

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thinking….

April 27, 2012

the winner of the Alexander Creative Family Rules poster is…..

Love this! Thanks for the opportunity!!

Posted by: sharon y. | April 20, 2012 at 02:17 PM

send me your info sharon y. and i will hook you up with Ryan Alexander!

now if you didn't win….go get your own!!

{ poppyandpinecone }

so i said yesterday i was missing pam and dreaming about going back to africa.
it's on my mind everyday.
i feel like…. i am in some kind of pull between what i know is right and what i do anyway….like shopping among many other things.
i know that spending money on "things" that mean nothing is not right.
meaning: it's worthless.
but i like those things….cute clothes….shoes….new jewelry.
but it means NOTHING to God.
and shouldn't i care about what God cares about?
shouldn't i want what HE wants for me?

i know that He does not want my time and thoughts and money to be spent on clothes and nothingness.
even if i do look super cute…i can't take it with me when i die.
going to africa to visit pam doesn't mean i can't go shopping…it's not that.
it means i feel messy in my heart and mind and can't make sense of it yet.
God is the only one who can resolve this issue in me.
and He will keep working on me i am sure of that.

then i got these books….and i'm done for.
i am on chapter ONE of katie's book and i canNOT stop the tears.
the entire time….every word….crying.
have you read this book? after only chapter one i would say YOU SHOULD.
and her blog?
it will wreck you.

and i am scared to read seven.
very scared.

pam and i email each other quite a bit.
her emails are so special to me.
i read them over and over.
once i read them out loud over dinner because she and i were coresponding back and forth right then.
i wanted my family to be amazed at what God is doing through them and for them.

her son wrote a book and it's on kindle!
he is so talented.
we downloaded it on sean's kindle and he loved it!
sean said "that is so cool that jake wrote it AND it's on kindle!"
it inspired him.
it's called The War Horn….you can download it here for $2.99
he's using the funds to help raise money for a trip back to the US to go to a writing camp….awesome.

way to go jake.
i am so proud of you!

and now….on a completely DIFFERENT subject

i am going to take the year off from taking family photos.
i just can't get it all done.
it makes me sad but coming to that decision has been a relief.
there are things i want to do but haven't because the photo season loomed over my head.
thinking "i won't have time once pictures start up again"

i did do one session.
love them.
levi and griffin are just plain cute in every way.
and tickling works for smiles when the chickens were too distratcing behind me.

🙂

thank jess and joel for being my only clients this year.

ha!

i have a lot of you ask about my lens and camera.
i use a Canon 50D and i only own one lens….canon 24-70 f/2.8
so every picture on this blog for two years now has been with that lens.
unless they are my phone pictures.

tom petty was really good.
his voice sounds exactly the same as it ever has…it was pretty incredible.
he was so gracious "thank you so much!" after every song and sounding like he deeply meant it.
it is so crazy to sit at a concert & look at the performer that wrote a song that i have been singing my whole life.
to watch them sing it!?
it's surreal.
i LOVE that about live music.
he didn't play wildflowers though….my most favorite….bummer.
but it was a great show.

and i liked being there with mr. duerksen.
he's my my real most favorite.

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Lauryn - 1. Never allow a love (photography) to become a burden. It sucks the joy out of it, and there are so few things in life (other than family) that bring true joy. Take the time off and enjoy life. Photographing beautiful families will be there next season 🙂
2. Tom Petty is amazing. I saw him a few years back and was blown away by his sound. I loved his show. Seeing him live was awesome. Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

Sara - You were right that reading Katie’s blog will wreck you. I just read two posts and watched the About Katie video. I might just have to sit on my couch and cry for a few minutes. I have never seen such radiance and joy on such a beautiful face. What an extraordinary young woman, so obedient to the Lord. My heart is quickened and cut with conviction.
Thank you for creating a blog worth returning to over and over.

heather loschiavo - i had to read Seven twice because it hit me right where God has been talking to me for the past few years. and i love the way she writes, its like she’s just talking to you.

Jess - So exciting to hear what God is doing in your heart, Megan…even if you are not quite sure what to make of it yet. Keep sharing. And THANK YOU for taking our pictures. You are the best. I love the one you posted and can’t wait to see the rest.

ira lee - we just talked about being idolators in church. shopping, tv, gadgets, anything that takes our focus away from God is an idol!!!!! agreeing with what you said, its not that shopping, or having tv time is wrong, but if the need, addiction, desire to do or buy those things blurs your dedication to the lord, then that is putting those objects or activities above God, which is idolizing! he just laid it out there and it just really clicks!

Alicia @ La Famille - convicting post especially after i just spent a boatload of $$ at ikea this weekend. i struggle with the “how much is ok” and the “how often is ok” questions…it’s hard because i know me and i’m a person that loves to fluff her nest. that requires shopping…so ya. i’m afraid of both of those books. my friend is reading 7 and its got her all convicted…eek! wise decision with the photo break. you are smart to do that. happy monday, ms. meg 🙂

the whyte house - i took the year off from doing photos, too. granted i only have two and a less hectic schedule, but with my husband deploying…well, you really don’t have to give an explanation after saying that, right? 🙂 i like having less to plan around, too. leaves more room for random trips out of town and such.
i see jess every now and then after her bible study(my son is in pre-k at the church)and i tell myself i’m going to say hi to her and then chicken out. not that i really have any reason to say hi, but sometimes people appreciate it…i hope. 🙂

gayle - I am 69 and live a very blessed full life. I have everything I could desire but I don’t desire worldly goods any more. I wear what I have, I don’t follow trends, I give freely and I feel good! You are good and you will do what is right for you. I don’t think God wants us to deprive ourselves when we have worked hard to achieve money and success. It is a constant thought provoking issue. I am having a conflict now, it seems the more Christian people I know are always unhappy, frustrated and in a state on confusion. Can’t we all be more serene?

tammy kay - But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
I needed to read that this morning. Not sure if you did too.
I’m scared to read 7 too. 😉

amy jupin - this is an awesome post–starting with kisses from katie (which i haven’t been able to finish yet because i sob like a newborn baby and can’t get through some parts) and ending with that pic of jess and her adorable fam.
i get each and every part of this post.
i get it.
i am full to the tippy top with these same feelings.
maybe it’s our age…maybe it’s just the point of our lives where we start to realize just how big the world is and how tough parts of it are and how much we desperately want to make it better, and ourselves better in the process.
maybe it’s because we are over the me-me-me-me part of our lives.
and maybe it’s because we know we need to lean on His understanding and not our own.
idk.
…
i love that pic of pam and her family too.
i know you must miss her so much and want to be there in africa too.
did i tell you i worked with a guy that got married last year.
somehow we were talking about africa and he told me that his wife actually went to africa as part of her medical training–in sierra leone!
i just looked at all your pics again so i could spell it right and now i have big fat burning tears in my eyes.
anyway, i just wanted to say, after all this rambling, that i miss you and i understand.
all of it.
i wish, beyond wish really, i pray that one day soon we can sit down and have some coffee and talk.
for hours.
because i think it is exactly what we need.
🙂
xoxoxo.
(and let’s invite kimberlee and laura and chicago jen too!!)

erlfisher - We saw Tom Petty, too! Such a fun concert…and Wildflowers is my favorite as well! If I had known you were going to be there, I would have looked for you – HA!

Jennie - LOVE Katie’s book. She’s from Brentwood, where I live. Pretty amazing what God has done through her!!

Tracy Sheehy - Oh yes I have read both of those book and Seven will also wreck you and kick your tail at the same time!! 🙂

Cindy - I tear up just thinking about Kisses From Katie. I actually got it from the library earlier this year and mentioned it to a friend and she said, “Rats! I was thinking of giving that to you for your birthday.” My response…PLEASE! I can think of nothing I’d like more than my own copy so I can highlight it and write it it, respond to it, take notes in it! I was afraid that when I read it I’d feel so inadequate! How can I compare to giving up everything and moving to Africa? But it completely inspired me…to love like that…right here, right now, even in my own family. Selflessly. As for 7, I’m on the last chapter right now. Can hardly put it down. Another book I want to go through again. More slowly. Truly digest. Change.
As for family photos, so sad (yet happy for you) that you’re taking the year off. Would love to have you capture my family again. But ever so grateful for the photos we got last year!! They are still my favs!! Can’t wait to see all that you’ll do instead! 🙂

Karen F. - Reading 7 right now. Wrecking me. Awesome.
Kisses for Katie has caused me to pray big prayers for our family, especially our daughters. I want to be the kind of parent who says, “I hear God calling us to go to ________. We’re going.” I want to be the kind of parent who hears from her daughter, “God’s calling me to ___________.” and I say, “Let’s go. We’ll get you there.”
Less of me. More of Him. Every single day.

Heidi - FYI. Seven is going to rock your world. Be prepared. It’s good, all good, but be ready. 🙂

Lisa Currie-Gurney - Go for a long walk on your quiet road.
Take a deep breath or two.
Let Him sort through all that is in your head, and on your heart.
Know that you are prayed for friend.
Hugs From My Heart

Julie - Oh my gosh. I bought Kisses for Katie last night in my Kindel. A.MAZ.ING. So inspirational. She is amazing. Thank you for the recommendation. I’m off to tell everyone I know about it.

Su@TheIntentionalHome - I have both of those books on my bookshelf.
I LOVE Kisses From Kate because it is a reminder of what happens when we say yes to God.
It is another reminder that God does not put an age limit on when He starts using you. . or when you can hear His voice. . .or when He gives you a “call on your life” (I read the book aloud to my 3 older kids ages 14, 12, and 11.)
And it is another reminder that God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary Kingdom work. (YES!!! I wonder if that is the pull so many of us feel. . we were made for big, extraordinary work!! And when we are not in the midst of it, we feel unsatisfied).
And 7. . .love Jen Hatmaker. I love her blog post After the Airport. You gotta go to her blog and read After the Airport. . that blog post makes me cry (and laugh) everytime I read it.
Jen Hatmaker recently adopted a 5 year old and a 7 year old from Ethiopia. i too (9 months ago) adopted a 7 year old from Ethiopia.
Her post affirmed me and made me feel not alone. Her post also convicted me. I want to love like she describes in the last few paragraphs of this blog post.
You gotta go read After the Airport by Jen Hatmaker, because even if you have not adopted, we all have many realms of life that can be full of that initial euphoria followed by hard, hard work and times that call for dogged perseverance through many difficulties and challenges.
That post is what made me buy 7 and although I do not like the writing style of the book. . I love the heart. And it made me look around to see where I could live woth less so I could give more.
Oh, what a long comment. . .just got so excited about those 2 books you are reading. May God use them to speak to your heart.
My problem is I read those books and get all excited and moved and inspired and then it wears off and I am back to focusing on decorating my home. Ugh.
Oh, I am excited for you! God has big plans for the Duerksen family. Ya’ll 7 were put together for a reason.

Kelly - I found Katie’s blog awhile back… it wrings your heart out. I follow another blog about making knitting and crocheted squares called Knit A Square and I remember once reading about a little orphaned girl and her wish was just to have someone tuck her in bed at night… I think about almost every night when I tuck my kids in bed. I breaks my heart to think that probably millions of kids go to bed every night with just that one wish… so I’m crocheting squares and wondering what God is calling me to also… but you know, God’s timing is perfect and you will know at exactly the right time (just like me, I’m hoping 😉 what exactly that calling is about… for me, I know that it’s just not quite here yet… Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, Meg. You don’t have a messy heart, I read your blog and I see a very pure heart God-filled woman… I would say you’re just experiencing a calling…

Jacci - Ditto what Laura Phelps said.
I’m reading a book edited by CJ Mahaney called “Worldiness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World”. Here’s an excerpt on the chapter about things – “This may be confounding to you, but it was far easier being a Christian in the poverty of Uganda than in the affluence of the States. Prosperity tempts my laziness; it lulls me away from dependence on the Lord. The affluence draws me toward passivity. It’s a daily battle for dependence upon God versus dependence upon my own strength.”
One of my favorite things about the book is the last chapter, “How to Love the World”. Because it’s not wrong to praise God for our earthly blessings – that our children have food to eat and warm, dry beds. That we have children and a husband at all. That our land isn’t wracked by war. But, we *are* the rich in the world. Every last one of us reading this blog. And we are CALLED to share and to give generously. What does that look like? How do we do that – glorify God in all things, even dressing cute? Good read.
I’ll pray for you (and me) tonight. To not be lulled, but to be alert and vigilant… and generous.

Lorie - The Africa print is gorgeous! And good for you for making a decision for you and your family, even if it meant temporarily giving up something you love. I am sure when you go back to it next year you will be even more passionate about it!

Debby - Got to see Kate at BrookHills in Birmingham earlier this past year when we went to see Mindy. David Platt, the pastor did an interview kind of thing with her. And as she spoke, she would at times look lovingly down in the audience at a couple of her kids that she brought with her and she would wave her fingers at them. You could just see the love she had for them. So cute! And darn, Meg. Jill and I were talking about when the family would all be together for a family shoot. But I totally understand!! Life can be too hectic and we have to decide what is important. Another year, maybe when the little munchkin will be a little older. I LOVE the photo shot of the girls and it hangs in my livingroom. LOVE, LOVE!! I can’t believe we will have 4 granddaughters and 1 grandson. I’m not that old am I???

JD in KC - First – thank you! Thank you for keeping it real. You find a way in every post to make a connection and I so appreciate it! I read your post and want to DO something – read my Bible, take more pictures, call the people I love, hug my kids and husband or just sit on the porch and enjoy God’s creation. Thank you for inspiring and loving and living out loud!

Mama Zen - I would love to see Tom Petty!

tiffany gardner - once again…. i. love. your. blog. me too… to all of that. the last thing you said about pics… even me too. i have an 8, 6 year old and 15 month old. thinking of starting this photo season makes me uneasy. i’m questioning several things and want to know what God is wanting for my life. thanks for reminding me to keep searching. xoxo

Toni :O) - I LOVE that picture of the Macs…sooo adorable…that family just warms my heart to no end. I’m glad you made the decisions you have, your family will appreciate it I’m sure. You actually inspire me to want a simpler life…some days I hate working and hate having such a busy life…never know what the future holds but someday I hope to have that simpler life. Your heart is joyful, cause it bleeds colors onto this blog…we all get that and I know I feel blessed to read what you have to share. Keep smiling and sharing those bright colors!

Lori H - Oh my. Kisses from Katie rocked my world. My comfortable, safe, suburban world. Months later and I still hear her “voice” in my head. I haven’t read Seven and I am a little afraid to, honestly. Katie is amazing! How many high school girls would go down that path? I think about her, and I feel lazy and not-finding-my-purpose. I felt the same way, to some extent, after reading the fiction book, The Poisonwood Bible. One of the main characters has that same dissonance when she comes from living in Africa for years back to the U.S. I love your honest sharing, Meg. I wish I didn’t live so far from you (VA….Kansas).

Suzanne - Oh Meg, I know the messy heart feeling. I have had it for several weeks now. It is so disconcerting and frustrating. You are not alone, sister! I have heard of Katie’s book, but I haven’t read it yet. It is now on my list, along with Heaven is Here. Have a great weekend!

traci - I never comment but the firt part of your blog is the best thing you have written!!! I think about this OFTEN also! How easy for American Christians to go off to Africa for a short time and come back to their pretty life. I share those feelings so often!!

Tina Jacobsen - Oh Meg!! I read Kisses From Katie a few months ago and I don’t think I ever cried so much!! I follow her blog also and wow she is sooooo awesome!! I too have a constant battle of the wants of this world and what God wants of me! Yup..messy heart girl right here!! I want and need to read 7!!
Tina

Jill - Meg, don’t be scared of 7, you will LOVE it. I’ve known Jen for as long as I can remember and she sounds in the book just like she does in real life. It is a safe place…she shares her successes and her failures during each month – which makes her REAL. She shares in such a way that it will make you think and want to take the challenge right along with her, but without the fear of “what if I mess up and don’t do it right” – if you are taking the chance to change your way of thinking like she has done, it will take you amazing places…and you’ll laugh and cry (sometimes at the same time) along the way. Definitely an awesome read. I would also recommend her Interrupted and Ms. Understood. Actually, I’d recommend all of her books, but those are my faves. 🙂 And I LOVE Kisses from Katie…have been following her blog for a few years. I love that girl.

megan@contentedsparrow - reading katie with the kids right now.
and my head and heart are always a mess over the dichotomy over what i want to do and what i do (or don’t do).
joining you in really listening for His leading.
He’s always speaking.
may we have ears to hear
and hearts that trust and obey.

amy cornwell - I’ve followed Katie’s blog for a long time and read her book in January. It’s fantastic. A lot of her blog posts are in the book but it’s neat how they put it together. Definitely makes you think! I haven’t heard of Seven – let us know!

Katie - I am so glad for you, seeing from a distant that God is moving and working and guiding you. I love that you are saying no to one thing for a season and allowing God to doing something different for a season. God is good.
We are selling our house and moving out of state for my husband’s dream job – that is BIG! God is definitely moving…might run into you on the beaches in SW MI cause that is where we will be living!

Terrie G - I so get what you mean by a messy heart…I’m right there with you. I’ve been struggling with it for a little while now. God is slowly allowing me to clean up the mess…but I really wish I was back ‘home’ where I could worship with my girlfriends who ‘get’ me. I miss not having someone I trust to talk to.
Can’t wait to try the book! Been looking for something new to read.
All these pics with one lens…nice work!
It’s my favorite lens too. If you ever want to check out a lens, let me know. I have several different ones! Think I’m taking a photo workshop in ‘N’ town this summer!
And sometimes, you just need to take a break and do what’s right for you & your family.
Good for you! Enjoy whatever endeavor you do next! 🙂

Betsy - Both books… Incredible, prepare to be challenged! 7. Is soooo good!

Sarah @This Farm Family's Life - such a touching post! it’s awesome that you and pam stay in touch and that is so cool for her son! I too am considering taking a year off from taking pictures. It is just too much and I often feel like my family gets put on the back burner. In our little town there is a photographer who has been in business for 30+ years. His wife recently passed away from cancer. I often look to him for advice and he said that he and his wife regret not being present for a lot of things while there kids were little. I don’t want any regrets. Kudos to you for making that decision. I’m sure it’s a huge weight off you shoulders.

Trish - speaking of spending money on things we don’t need. i had told my 6 year old she could take her money and spend it on something she would like at Target. she has a real hard time saving. she just said, “no thanks mom… i shouldn’t be worried about stuff on the world. i should be worried about Heaven. besides i already have jesus!” wow… i have been thinking about that statement for the whole week!

sandi - i asked for her book for christmas… and read it quickly. our seven year old has *always* (you know for like, three years) wanted to be a pediatrician like her aunt brittney. after missions week at school in the fall she came home wanting to be a missionary ~ then she clarified that she would be a doctor who would spend her vacations traveling to other countries to help those in need. as i was reading the book i could so relate to the parents in giving their daughter the freedom to do something so extra-ordinary.

Rachel J - I’ve heard so many things about Kisses From Katie. Life changing things. I’m almost finished with 7, it’s good. Like really good. And I think you will love her candid, wittyness. 🙂
Happy Friday Megalicious! Haha!
Ps. I emailed you for your address, several moons ago. I would like to send you something. A happy package 🙂 Let me know girl!

twitter.com/takingheart - You have me weeping with just a click & looksee of Katie’s blog. Seriously? My day wasn’t supposed to go there… but God has a special way of jilting people like you, who in turn jilt people like me into another world of amazing grace… amazing. Grace.
Thank you. Oh my heart.

Jennifer@beautyinbloom - Oh Meg. Consider me wrecked. I clicked over to Katie’s blog and instantly teared up at her blog header. I am in trouble. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

MommyKnitsJen - Kisses from Katie was the first book I downloaded when I got my Kindle for Christmas. I sat in the debris that is post Christmas and cried at all we had and all that we took for granted. I really started thinking about what we NEEDED and what we just wanted. I think maybe I need to reread it I’ve been on a declutter and simplify rampage lately and I think I need to focus that energy.

happygirl - I booked marked Kate’s blog. I look forward to following her ministry. I have to say, I smiled a little when you said you were too busy to do family portraits. I am CONSTANTLY amazed at how much you do. When do you sleep?

Laura Phelps - This is my CONSTANT pull
and I do mean CONSTANT
want vs need
empty vs full
and really, what is my purpose?
what does God want me to do?
How does He want me to use my talents?
Am I missing something?
how I spend my time and my money has been a HUGE part of what has been on my mind in the last year
it has been a huge test
a test of will…not MY will..but HIS will
a test of self control
discipline
being the person I am created to be
learning not to act on my FEELINGS
doing the right thing
and you are right!
we don’t take ANY THING with us when we die
I remind myself daily to stop worrying about my OUTER APPEARANCE…and focus on the INNER…
MY SOUL
I too want to look cute
I love things
clothes
lattes
iphones
furniture
magazines
but what I want MORE is a clean soul
Oh Meg…you are not in this struggle alone
keep on praying and asking God what you should do
He has all the answers to our BIG questions
then pack your bags and go to Africa…:-)

Lindsey - I found Katie’s blog last week. After reading it and learning her story, I just felt that so much of my life and problems are petty compared to what some people suffer on this earth. Her story is amazing and inspiring. She is my spiritual role-model! What a servant of the Lord! I, too, deeeeeeeply want to go to Africa. It has been in my heart for several years now.

Brianna - I read 7. It’s awesome. And instead of doing everything for a month at a time, I did a version of it doing a week at a time. AND my good friend is visiting Katie from Kisses from Katie RIGHT NOW in Africa. Crazy timing!
Thanks for your thoughts and reminders. You’re great!

Kelly - God is stirring in you! Exciting! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! We can learn so much from each other. It is so good to see into other’s thoughts sometimes. I think it helps us process ours. I have both of those books on my reading list. I’m scared to read both I will admit.
You picked a great family for your one shoot and good for you for picking priorities in how to spend time. It is HARD but one of the biggest ways God can work in us I think. Blessings on you!! Kelly

Dani - I am taking my son to the book store tonight for his b-day. I think I’ll take a look at this book.
Your heart is amazing. God works through you. I am touched each time you write because I see Him. You are an amazing mother, friend, blogger, etc.

Jen - I’m super bummed that I won’t get to see your cute pictures this year but being a photographer myself I completely understand how increadibly time consuming it is. I constantly feel like my passion and my priorities are playing tug of war. Laundry or editing? Uno with the kids or editing? Calling in sick to work to finish editing…Ugh.

seriously sassy mama - For awhile now I have really strived to live a simple life. I am going to add this book to my reading list.

colleen from alabama - I looked at this book today at our church bookstore. I want to read it to my kids this summer. My 12 yr old daughter, who usually rolls her eyes at most of my ideas, said she thought that book would be reaaallly good. Don’t know how my 9 yr old boy will feel. Sometimes i just have to be the mom because they need it! I am praying this book will bring the reality that i know into my children’s hearts. We live in a society that has fed us all the lie that more is always better. Thanks for choosing not to believe the lie. I choose with you. Even when it is painful or seemingly weird. We are living right side up in an upside down world!

Wendi - MY thoughts when reading this…1) I get the debate between having nice things or using $ to help others, but someone like Katie always convinces me to give. 2) YOU don’t need stuff to be cute 🙂 3)God gives us more blessings than we can buy 4) It is so exciting for me to read about what is stirring in your heart and I am looking forward to see what he does.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Hugs to you. You are precious. And I think your heart isn’t messy. In fact, it is quite beautiful to me.

Kristin - Meg, my daughter is reading Kisses for Katie. She’s a HS Sophomore. She texted me from school, crying. She was definitely convicted! We found her blog and after one read of her beautiful thoughts, it’s changed my ways of working, thinking, BEING.
Crap just doesn’t matter.
You don’t know me.
I feel like i know you.
I’ve been reading you for a while.
Hang in there!!!!

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right now.

April 26, 2012

traveling makes me a little off…a little funny.
does it do that to you?

i am tired.
i keep messing up stuff.

like….driving all the way to the grocery store and forgetting the prescription i went for in the first place.
like….trying to go for a run but not even being able to make it a mile!!
like….getting exctied for my hair cut and color and then realizing it was yesterday and i missed it!

i seriously could go on.

here's something a bit more interesting….but not much. :)
kimberlee does these kinds of posts sometimes so i am copying her.

right now i am…..

watching: Mad Men….are you watching? it's kind of weird this season, right? but so awesome too?!! Don Draper is quite handsome in his new happy life….for now. i am waiting for the ax to fall.

drinking: ice coffee….coffee, half & half & ice

wearing: oh gross….my nasty workout clothes from this morning…3 miles but lots of walking!

eating: my easy rice dip and chips but without the chicken

listening: tom petty….because mr. duerksen is taking me to his concert tonight! Woooo!!
i will sing like jerry maguire along with every one else in the arena!

avoiding: cleaning up my messy house for the baby sitter….i am too tired. i don't want to do it. blahhh

wishing: i could EVER just go to bed at a decent time. no one is stopping me…it's ALL my fault.

feeling: off….tired? conflicted? hurt? sad? overwhelmed? probably mostly all from being tired. :)

missing: pam…..chicago jen….ashley…..julie….lorel…shauna.…jeannett….lindsey.…amy... this answer coincides with the feeling one i think.

thankful: for the incubator project….cried my eyes out reading it!!

craving: cheesecake….make this cheesecake….you will thank me.

wondering: about how i will be able to pull off everything i have going on?!! .

praying: for understanding, for patience, for deep unconditional love to grow in me,

needing: time with my man ALONE. (annie took this yesterday)

thinking: about water and well mechanics…there are still 5 days left to reach the adveture project's goal of getting one million people access to clean water!!! …..and i am thinking about taking a nap!

dreaming: about going to africa again….talking all day and night with pam.

loving: this post about the stoves we helped provide in haiti.

ok….the bus is going to pull up in minutes.

i am hopping in the shower and cleaning up this house.
it must be done.

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Kim Barlow - Love the picture of you and Annie and the one of you and the Mr.!
Have an awesome day!
Kim

Nicole G - Love this post! It made me happy reading your thoughts in this post and knowing that I feel many of them too and I’m not alone. Hope you had a great concert date with the hubby! You guys are so cute 😉 And, I love that shirt…I have it..in both the pink stripes and one with khaki stripes!

April R - she totally has your smile 🙂
that’s awesome

Kristin S - Meg, love this post and totally copying at some point this weekend. Maybe Sunday when I slow down.
Diggin’ that shirt!
And I love that you kiss your husband in front of your kids AND pay a sitter and choose time with your husband. Priceless.
As a babysitter since age 11, I never once cared if the house was clean when I arrived. Gave me something to do when the kids were in bed since my mom taught me to always leave a home better and cleaner than I found it. I loved a mountain of dishes in the sink to conquer. Yes, I was THAT babysitter. never wanted to get caught watching TV… like families don’t do that every night.

Laura Phelps - if it makes you feel any better, I did not go anywhere, and I am messing EVERYTHING UP.
Like…I called the school to get a message to Belle…but I called the wrong school.
Like..I sent out e mails to my class reminding them to sign up for next year..then never signed up my own children.
and if you want to see MESS…hop on over here.
It is awful.
There is EASTER BREAD on the counter…it is green and fuzzy…awesome.
but I did not miss my hair appt.
THAT would have made me cry.
I can almost cry just thinking about you missing yours.

Jill - Meg, I don’t know how you do it but even on an “off day” you still are a huge encouragement to me! My 4 kids are wearing me out, Moving to many times has worn be out. Everything seems to just wear me out but you, even if your feeling a bit off, you always seem to be one of the “things” that can make my rainy day feel sunny for a moment or two. <3 Even if I do end up reading the same posting for a few days straight. LOL
I hope you had a blast out with the hubby last night and are rejuvenated!

Cindy - Just clicked over on your link for the rice and cheese, etc. LOOKS GOOD! LOOKS EASY! Two important things for me- good and easy. 🙂 And…adorable picture of you and the Mr. smoochin’. Enjoy that concert!

alyssa - Hey, I was there too! It was soooooo good. We were left of the stage. So surreal seeing Petty in real life. Hope he made your day a little happier! Oh and I guess your hubby too!

Julie - I miss you like whoa. And I’ve been sooooooo emo lately and it bugs. Being a girl is hard. Being a girl with friends in the wrong states is hard. Cheesecake would help. But it would really really help if we all could share it.
Unrelated to cheesecake consumption- you look SKINNYYYYY in that last pic!

celine bag - Enjoy your night out with hubby
celine outle: http://www.celinebag.net
mulberry handbags：http://www.mulberrybagspurse.com

celine bag - i miss you too.www.manoloblahniks.net

shauna - i miss you too.
come over.
and i want deep unconditional love to grow in me too.

ko. s - Whew momma! You are full full full yet somehow embody such grace. You amaze me!

Meaghan - I love that Annie snapped that picture of you two kissing. I don’t remember my parents ever exchanging kisses. Not hard to believe they are divorced now. It’s good to let your kids see just how much you love each other.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Staying up too late is my bane, too.
But at least you run.
Also, DD is happy this season?? Spoiler alert!!!!

Tiffany - Pics today made me smile.

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Enjoy your night out with hubby…lucky you! and I so love your post…you are SOOOO very normal.

laura b - Im loving Mad Men this season. But I love it every season. If I was Peggy I would have lost my mind several seasons ago and screamed at all those men!!! Have a good night and maybe tomorrow everything will fall back into place.

Stacy Hyatt Costner - I hope you have a great time at the concert! I love to listen and sing Tom Petty songs in my car! I went to one of his concerts in the 90’s and it was awesome!

Mindy Harris - i like ‘right now’ posts. i have done them before.
i am also watching madmen and i too think it’s a bit weird this season. i listen to zou bisou bisou song on youtube like every day. i can’t get it out of my system.
i also participated in the incubator project and balled.
happy almost wknd.

happygirl - I think Mad Men is GREAT this season. Didn’t you just LOVE fat Betty? (January Jones is actually pregnant, so they just made her character fat, hilarious) I’m right with you on the earlier bedtime. I have to be at work at 7 tomorrow morning. How will I do it?

seriously sassy mama - I love Tom Petty. I really need to find a babysitter so my man and I can have some time together. After the move! Have a great time!

Lorie - I still haven’t even unpacked from SNAP!! So much to do! But that rice dip looks amazing and I think it might be our dinner! 😡

Jessica - I totally get the feeling “off” after traveling. I’m always am glad to be home but getting back to my routine is hard especially since I am the designated un-packer/laundress. Enjoy the concert, Tom Petty is so awesome live.

Emily - How will you get all done? You will, you just keep chipping away at it. And it happens. Have a wonderful date night!!

ann - Meg, you are so awesome. I can’t believe how much you do and still keep such a good attitude! Hope you get some time with your sweetie. Such cute pictures! Hugs from Chicago, Ann

Tiffany - I love Mad Men, but am still undecided about this season. I miss Betty a little too much!
By the way, I nominated you for a Blog Award on my site, check it out!

Terrie - I’ve never watched Mad Men…I’m ducking because I just know that you threw something at me and said nu-uh!
I’ve done the same thing…looked forward to a cut & color only to realize that I was 24 hours too late! UGH!!
Could you BELIEVE that incubator project?! AWESOME!!
And I’m struggling with some of those same feelings….too often.
And let’s not even discuss the bedtime thing ok? Don’t know why I can’t just shut down and go to bed at a decent time! Oh yeah…we weren’t going to discuss it…
Have fun at the concert tonight!! 🙂

Robyn Farmer - You can do it!

amy cornwell - I’m so glad I’m not the only one that feels “off” when I get home. Although that also makes me sad for you because it’s a horrible feeling. I feel the same way, can’t get out of it. Today was a little better than yesterday, I hope you’re on the upswing as well. Enjoy your night with your man and laugh, kiss and hold hands all night long. Praying for our funks to subside soon! xo

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