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new year!!

2017 in photos.
🙂

Kimberly Dial - So awesome! It’s January 19 & I’m just now watching this. Happy 2018 Meg to you & your family. May it be the best year ever!

Deb - Wonderful 2017 and enjoy your 2018!!

Lori - P.S. What song did you use for this video? Thanks!

Lori - I loved this so much that I watched it twice! Watching your life and family through happy, rainbow photos has been a joy for years! 🌈 Happy New Year, Meg!

amy jupin - the one thing i love soooooo much about your blog, your fam, your video, is that you always inspire me to pick up my camera and look for the GOOD. it’s everywhere, in every situation, in everything. thank you for reminding me again. i love you megan duerksen!

Amy - How lovely, that’s a lucky baby to be with such a wonderful family.
Much love xx

meg duerksen - Melissa – we are foster parents for that sweet baby. 🙂

Melissa Ann - I noticed a cute baby in the pics. Congratulations on becoming a grandma!

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GIFT GUIDE FOR THE LADIES

20 oz Stainless Steel Tumbler with Lid
in 14 different colors

Rainbow Glass Windchime

Starbucks Gift Card is always a treat to me

Hollywood Fashion Tape
this is the best… i use it allllllll the time to keep my button up shirts from gapping open at my chest
or to keep a sweater in place or even fix a hem quickly.

Desk Donut Pin Holder


Fitbit Charge 2 – Heartrate + Fitness Wristband
High Waisted Leggings
these are MY FAVORITE leggings!!

Funny Oven Mits

Tasty Lastest & Greatest Cookbook
I love this website and all their videos of simple meals!


Fluted Bowls 

Striped Thermal Onesie PajamasFred Spit Shine Dusting Mitt
if you have to clean… you might as well look at
something adorable while you do!

88 Matte Eye Shadow Palette
i saw this while out shopping today and reeeeeeally wished
i had purchased it!
it’s so pretty!

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

The DryBar Guide to Good Hair For All

Chevron Textured Fleece Hooded Bathrobe

Sharpie Marker Set2020 Planners

Phone Case Wallet

Soft & Comfy Shirt with Pockets
Red & White 3 Piece Set Bowls


Rainbow Knife Set 
this is what i have at the Craft House and i love it so much!

Keurig Coffee Maker
i love my keurig! all the heart eyes for my keurig!
(and bonus – lowest price I’ve ever seen on this machine!)

Rainbow Polka Dot Cereal Bowls
i MAY have ordered these for the Craft House…. how could i not?!


Essie Nail Polish
as much as I wish it weren’t true… the $9 nail polish really does last longer than the $3 polish.


Winter Infiniti Loop Scarf

Embroidered Mexican Peasant Blouse
this may not make it by christmas but i love these tops so much that i HAD to add the m to the list!

Katie Daisy 2020 Poster Wall Art Calendar
everything Katie makes is absolutely dreamy!
Rainbow Whisk Set 
Kisses from Katie               Daring to Hope                 Of Mess and Moxie                Falling Free
Church of the Small Things                     Gracelaced                          Unseen                        Dance Stand Run
None Like Him                   For the Love                 All the Pretty Things                  Braving the Wilderness
Fierce Hearted              The Turquoise Table             Never Unfriended           Becoming Mom StrongTattoos on the Heart            Barking to the Choir              Sing a New Song                100 Days to Brave

Lori - Love the cozy shirt and I may have to try those leggings!

Beth - Thank you, Meg. Your gift guides have been the best! I’m so excited to give some of these things. Merry Christmas!

Danielle H. - I always love your lists!! I agree about the Essie nail polish! I buy it at TJ Maxx for $3.99! They always seem to have some & good colors, too!

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gift guide for dudes

Beardaments Beard Ornaments
Heating & Cooling Car Seat Cover
One of my favorite features of our car is our heated seats for the winter and air conditioned seats in the summer but not every car has that…
Now you can!

Golf Ball Mug


Putter Cup Mug

Suzy Kusy Beer Mitten 
Beer Glove Keeps Your Drink Cold and Your Hand Warm



Complete Car Care Kit


Beard Trimming Kit
the apron/cape suctions to the mirror to keep the mess all in one spot for easy clean up!


Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum
great for small projects like vacuuming the car!


ATOMIC TRIMMER Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer
how funny is this?!

Star Trek Goodies  –  Sunshade for car   –   Air Freshner   –   Socks  –   T-shirt   –  Mug  –  Spock Ears

Sound Bar
we have these set up on our tvs at our house… mr. duerksen loves the sound.
he’s given them as gifts as well so it’s definitely a good guy gift!

Leather & Canvas Messenger Bag

Amazon Echo
The Amazon Echo has been used everyday at our house for over two years.
EVERY SINGLE DAY!
we love it – we have several and they’re programmed to work together – we even one one outside!

Work Gloves


Team Logo Baseball Caps – adustable fit

Hi-Resolution Digital Photo Frame with Motion Sensor
this would be a GREAT gift!
It has photo & video playback, turns on when you enter the room and off when you leave, plays your photos instantly and comes with a remote, clock calendar and stereo speakers

Basketball Hoop Mug


Leaf Claws

Portable Stainless Steel BBQ Grilling Basket

Electric Digital Smoker
we have this smoker and its been fun (and yummy!) for mr. duerksen to learn lots about bbq and smoking meats!

Meat Claws
Easily lift, handle, shred and cut meats
WE USE THESE ALL THE TIME!!
this could be one of my favorite tools in the kitchen!


Mini LED Video Projector Home Theater
we have this in our “theater room” (aka: the basement) and we also bring it outside for movies against the back of house.


Heat Sensitive Color Changing Mug

Caffinated Shaving Cream & After Shave

Lightweight Sleeping Pad – great for camping

Magnetic Stud Finder


Yeti Rambler Travel Cup
these are THE BEST travel cups!  Your coffee stays piping hot for hours!!!

Zero Gravity Chair
these are really comfortable for lounging outside and easy enough to bring with you to events as well.

Dewalt Drill
this is the drill we have at our house and it’s been such a GREAT purchase!
Magnetic Phone Mount for Dashboard
these are wonderful!
we have these in our cars and they have made dealing with maps & music & calls in the car so much better!

Pajama Pants

Circular Saw Pizza Wheel
the perfect pizza cutter for manly men… ha ha ha.


Funny Desk Sign

Presidential Socks
my husband loves all things history so these could be a big hit for him!Ring Security Camera with 2-Way talk and Siren
Audible Membership
access to the world’s largest library!


Movie Theater Gift Card

Lisa - Those pajama bottoms are 20% off. Thank you, Meg and Amazon!

Danielle - Thanks for saving my butt – a few of these are just perfect for my husband! We’re taking a trip instead of gifts, but we are doing stockings, and they kind of slipped my mind…So here I am shopping for 6 kids and a husband quick!

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GIFT GUIDE FOR TEEN/TWEEN BOYS

 Tailgate Knit Beanies with Beards


Shark Squeeze Popper
Double Parachute Hammock for Camping
Snarky Hat
Space Gun KeyRing

Mini Version of Simon


Gravity Maze 
Falling marble logic gameTriceraTaco Holder

R2D2 Mug 


Dwight Schrute mug
Bears vs. Babies Board Game


Ping Pong on the Go!
play ping pong anywhere on any table.

Lego Figure Led Lites

Star Wars Mad Libs

Light Saber Thumb Wrestling Force Wars

Star Wars Origami book


642 Things to Draw
we have this book – it is FULL of drawing prompts that are fun to complete.

Lego Marker Set

Darth Vader and Family Coloring Book
soooooo funny!!!

Flickin’ Chicken – the game of Chicken throwing InsanityWorld’s Smallest Vacuum Cleaner

Bacon Scented Mustache
OMG.
it’s even extra manly…. HA!

Brick Building Mug

Portable Pizza PouchFish Sandals
i mean… who DOESN’T need these???

Funny Side Up Egg Mold

Big Book of Boy Stuff

IllumiBowl Toilet Motion Sensored Night LightBeats Solo 3 Wireless Headphones
personally… i think these are ridiculous ($$$) but 99% of teenagers STRONGLY disagree with me.
they love them!!!
so you can decide for yourself.


Portable Bluetooth Speaker
take your music with your anywhere you go!
and for staying home…
Amazon Echo Dot
we are BIG fans of the Amazon Echo at our house!
Alexa is our bff.


Pressure Sensitive Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers
you have to stand on it to get it to turn off – BRILLIANT!!!

Balaclava Windproof Winter Mask

GoPro Hero 5
GoPro is basically the coolest camera out there… perfect for teens!
🙂

Head Strap Camera Mount for GoPro

Random Illustrated Facts: a Collection of Curious, Weird, and Totally Not Boring Things to Know

Every Man Jack Body Wash 

Flexible Thumb Smartphone Stand Holder

Portable Phone Charger
because teenagers’ phones always seem to be at 1%…

NCAA Anthem Sport Socks
65 different tems and each only $10!

Upper Body Workout Bar



Xbox One with Sports Bundle
i wasn’t going to put this on the list because of the cost but Sean said it wouldn’t be a proper Boys list with out it.
ha ha ha


Xbox Charging Block

Gaming Headset for PS4, PC & Xbox One

Funny T-Shirt


Rapid Mac & Cheese CookerSatr Wars Goodies – Air Freshner   –   Portable Phone Charger   –   Sunshade 
Sheet Set  –  Darth Vader Passenger Decal  –  Chewbacca Seat Belt Cover

Jen B. - Meg, I want to thank you for your gift idea lists. From your lists I purchased a tacosaurus for our taco-obsessed 13-year-old daughter for Christmas and it was her FAV gift, I have Easter basket ideas, and will order a Suzy Koozie Beer Mitten for my husband for next year. THANK YOU! Great ideas!

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GIFT GUIDE FOR TWEEN/TEEN GIRLS


Soft Stretch Cable Knit Beanie

Rainbow Colored Playing Cards


Ice Cream Cone Lamp
battery operated light – 9″x 4″ (ish)
i already ordered one!
🙂


PopSockets – Expanding Stand and Phone Grip

String of Christmas Lights Phone Charging Cable
SO CUTE!!!


Portable Phone Charger
it seems that every kid is needing to charge their phone all the time…

Selfie Stick
these make getting group shots so much fun!

Rainbow Phone Case
it is for the iphone 7 but in case you didn’t already know… the 7 and 8 are the exact same size!


Cozy Slipper Socks
i loved the colors of these…. and ordered them too!

Bath Bomb Gift Set

Mascara

Nail Polish


Beauty Blending Makeup Sponges

Eyebrow Kit with Stencil
eyebrows are a big deal to teens these days…

Turbie Twist Hair Towel 2 Pack
these are soooo great!
they stay on your head easily and keep the laundry down a bit with less big towels too!

Waterproof Facial Cleansing Brush
these really do help get a deep clean for fresh faces.
we love ours!

.

Lip Smacker Lip Balm Collection
these are THE CUTEST!!! Annie has them and they are truly adorable!

 Unicorn Snot Glitter body gel

Striped Pajama Set

Comfy Cozy Robe

Happy Feet Slippers
there are over 50 different animal slippers to choose from!
FIFTY!!!


Rainbow Bag 
this is the absolute cutest little bag in the whole world!!!

Color Me Cat                                                    Color Me Dog                                              Color Me Wild 
these are neat Color-by-Number Artbooks that look pixelated and cool!

.

Star Wars Felt
how cute are these little tiny felt star wars people???

Star Wars Crochet Kit and Even More Star Wars Crochet
i mean… how adorable is this???


Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine
i have been telling you for years how much i love this machine!
it’s great for beginners AND old pros… it’s solid and steady… very easy to use!
And i saw that today it’s on sale for only $100!!!

World’s Smallest Poloroid Camera Keychain


Exploding Kittens
this was a new & fun game we played this year!
annie gave it her seal of approval.

Watch Ya Mouth

Table Topics
Questions to start great conversationsDevoted                                                           Adored                                                           Graceful
You’re God’s Girl                                                    Whatever is Lovely                                            For Girls Like You
You’re Worth It                                                 Made to Make a Difference                                        Girl Defined
Beautiful Word Coloring Bible – teal                  Beautiful Word Bible – Hardcover              Beautiful Word Coloring Bible – pink

Ice Cream Cone Pens

Big Book of Girl Stuff

Clip-in Hair Colorful Extensions

Makeup & Toiletry Bag
red & pink is my favorite combo so i loved this one!


Maybelline Eyeshadow Palettes

Rejuvenating Facial Wipes
these are great to keep in their gym bags so they can wipe that sweat off right away after practice or a game.

3 Minute Miracle 
i know that this isn’t very fancy BUT this stuff is truly amazing on your hair!
it’s the perfect stocking stuffer!
Wet Brush Pro
everyone looooooves the Wet Brush for detangling all types of hair

Conair Infiniti Pro Curling Wand


Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer
This is the hair dryer I use and I love it – powerful and quick!

Makeup Organizer

 Makeup Brush Set
in rainbow colors of course!!!

Boho Braids
a book with 40 modern free spirited hairstyles

Phone case and Wallet – all in one!

Unicorn Fur Seat Belt Cover


Chunky Knit Cardigan Sweater

Master Chef Junior Cookbook for Young Cooks


Ceramic Letter Dish 

Unicorn Squeeze Popper

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera

Instax Camera Strap

Handi Squirrels, Unicorns, Cats and more!
these would make super funny stocking stuffers.

Unicorn Mug 
this makes hot cocoa magical  🙂

Pencil Case for 120 Colored Pencils


120 Colored Pencils to fill up that cool carrying case

Ryan Gosling Coloring Book

Cat Bonnet
🙂

Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottles


Colorful Hand Knit Hats 

 

Ronda Opipery - I have purchased so many things from this list. They were all hits as gifts. May have purchased a couple for myself as well. 🙂 Thank you!!

Iris Brown - I don’t know why I laughed out loud for the cat bonnet gift. I want a cat just so I can use it.

Erin Hughes - Awesome list! Thanks for sharing!

Christy - This is the BEST list! Thank you!! Please say you’ll add a list for tween/teen boys tomorrow! 🙏

Erin - Best list ever! Just ordered 4 of the charger packs!!

Jen - Just ordered the braid book! Great gift idea that I wouldn’t have thought of myself. My daughter is going to love it!

Heidi DeGroot - This is amazing!! Thanks so much.

Makila - I love this list soo much. Thank you!!!!!!!

Kristi - Ummm…I think I need that Ryan Gosling coloring book for myself!! 🙂

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Volleyball 2017

what a great season talby had this year!
we truly enjoyed watching these girls play together every game.
they played hard but also got along so well!
watching teammates encourage each other and enjoy their time together is such a joy.


they won several of their tournaments during the season.
they won substate and went all the way to the semi finals at state taking home 3rd place in 3A.


volleyball is talby’s favorite sport and i love watching her do what she loves.
she’s competetive and works hard.
i really enjoy when all my kids are together supporting each other.
we are all so proud of talby!
we’re bummed the season is over and already looking forward to next year!


Pam Weaver is a wonderful photographer in town.
she does family photography but she also takes photos at the high school sporting events.
i am so grateful because it lets me watch the game and not have to think about pictures.
she is a blessing to so many parents here in Hesston.
if you are in the kansas area… definitely check out Pam’s website for any photography needs you have!

Marcia (OrganisingQueen) - I just popped on to say that pic of Talby about to hit the ball is amazing and should be framed 🙂

Jo - Wow great photography! she captured the emotions and the action.

Brady W. - Dang! Your girl can get some air!! That is such a blessing to have a photographer take care of the pictures so you can just watch and be in the moment. Volleyball is so fun to watch! Congrats, Talby!

Kelly - Congrats girls! So fun to see these pics! Kelly

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things i am loving…


Salon Perfect –  Stick To Your Guns
this is my current favorite nail polish color!
i do currently have this color on my nails but this lady’s nails look so much better than mine.
i found this at wal-mart – $4.


these cookies made me super happy.
and i ate A LOT of them!



have you seen some of katie daisy’s new work?
painting in her fabulous style on top of beautiful photos!!
she makes EVERYTHING beautiful!



I saw this a few months ago in the theater and just wathed it again at home last night.
such a good movie!!
two thumbs up!


this advertisement for this tee came across my IG feed and i LOVE it!!
it was from The Pink Lily.
this isn’t an ad on my part… and i have no idea about this shop but this shirt is perfect!
i am ready for all the christmas music and cookies and movies!!!


Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese
i made this recipe for our church potluck today – SO EASY!!!
i doubled it even and there wasn’t a single bite left to bring home.
i love my crock pot!!!



i think i found my halloween costume…. HA HA HA!

 


i have new Mini Scrap Bunting in my shop in FALL COLORS!!!
this was so fun to put together!
go check it out!

Heather - Just got my bunting in the mail this week and I ADORE the size of the squares and the length of it!! I hope you make some more for Christmas in this bigger size! Have a bunch of places I want to stick it! Thanks!

Iris Brown - I love all these suggestions. Especially the mac & cheese recipe!!!!! 🙂

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