Masthead header

twenty nine.

January 18, 2013 Filed in adventure project,charity,faith,things i love

Htnewz

i kind of threw everyone for a loop when i just casually mentioned i would be traveling to Haiti next week.
as in… everyone.
my own mother texted me within minutes "WHAT!? WHY don't you tell me these things?"

all day my friends were texting me asking "how did i miss this?"
they didn't.

i think i had mentioned it to three people. 

total.

it was a coping mechanism.
i knew it was coming but i also knew i had a very busy month and needed to get through it one thing at a time.  
so craft weekend january is done and now it is time to think about going to Haiti.

i am nervous deep down.  for my heart to break.  for my world to be rocked again.
but i am not scared.
i am aching in my heart already because once you SEE and KNOW… you see and know.
it doesn't go away.
you can't UNSEE it…. and that is major. 

so here we go.

i am going with Becky Straw and Jody Landers. (they are the two women in the video)

i have not met Becky yet but i am stoked about finally getting to meet face to face.  

Jody was the team leader from the trip to Sierra Leone, Africa a few years back (so sad that it's been years)

there are a few others going along that i will meet there too.

we will be documenting stories and photos of the stove vendors that are part of The Adventure Project.
i am SO excited!!
i don't have any idea even where to begin with the emotions in my heart about it all.
i feel like i cried my way through africa…. it was a lot of crying.
and i hope i can be a little more composed on this trip.

hmmmmm.

pray for me ok?  
that i will have a servant's heart and mind.  
that i will see what God wants me to see… not necessarily with my eyes.  
that i would listen when i need to listen and keep quiet when i should.

and that there will be no speed boats.  (just kidding)

 

i would LOVE to reach my goal of 50 stoves sponsored in the next 7 days.

i would actually truly love to exceed my goal and i would really like your help.

i need 29 more stoves sponsored to reach my goal.

each stove is a $20 donation.

twenty dollars.
that is…. a disney dvd.  a new cardi from target.  ONE earring at anthro.  

twenty dollars can provide so much good!

{{{sigh}}}

 

Give a Stove this Holiday – The Adventure Project Campaign on Vimeo from The Adventure Project on Vimeo.

 

twenty nine more stoves.

 

i am fully aware that a stove won't change the world.

(but... will your cardi?)

i am not trying to "save the world."
i am trying to help where i can and when i can.

the leading cause of death is from breathing smoke while their mothers cook their meal?! 
oy.

lets help to change this.

 

thank you for helping reach my goal of 50 stoves.

if you sponsor THREE stoves your name is put in with all the others who sponsored 3 stoves and we will draw one name to win a trip to Haiti!  
seriously?!
you would get to see it all with your own eyes.
i get to help pick the winner!
wouldn't it be so rad to see that YOU won?!
life changing. 

but one stove is awesome.
it's super amazing.

and so much better than a cardi.

(that says a lot coming from a cardi collector….)

 

SPONSOR A STOVE TODAY.  🙂

 

 

 

add a comment

lola - sounds like an incredible trip. wow.
when you said “unseeing” is not an option, that’s powerful.
be safe.

Shara - Will for sure be praying for you and the team going. Thank you so much for your obedience to the Lord and your call to action for His followers!

ira lee - i just went to haiti in august of 2012 and it was the best experience EVA! i went with a group of friends from church. we flew into port au prince and stayed the whole week in leogone at life waters compound. we worked at an orphanage there and completely fell in love with it all! we had sketchy power, no working bathrooms after day 2, no showers (we did bucket baths just like the locals), drank warm water all day and we so hot sweaty and smelly! but i went with some of my dearest friends, the chemistry between us was so unique and that is exactly why i think the trip was so magical. we were there spreading the word of god, loving on orphans, playing with them, letting them know that they are loved. i wanted to scoop them up and take them home with me. in fact my fiance at the time told me to not sneak a baby into the luggage on the way home! i met a darling couple from here in arkansas, he was a kidney doctor and she a stay at home/home school mom. they were lead to move their family to haiti and open an orphanage there to help with the burden. hope rising childrens home was born and you can check them out at http://www.hrch.org. its amazing!!! i was moved by so much! i am certain that i gained more from the experience than what i gave. my friends are going back, some even twice this year and i cannot join them and that makes me want to cry!!! i will never ever forget it and even to this day, i am moved by how little they have yet how happy they were. that trip has taught me to be thankful, appreciate what i have, love deeply, and want little.

Monique U. (A Half-Baked Notion) - Congrats on your project, Meg, and prayers for you and everyone whose lives you will be privileged to touch!

Laura - Our Compassion child that we’ve sponsored for the last 5 years lives in Haiti and I hope some day to meet him!!!! His name is Frantz, if you see him tell him I said hello 😉

Tonya - So excited for your trip and project. Looks like you’ll meet that goal!

Tesi - So excited to meet you, Meg! (I’ll be heading there too in 2 days.) I feel much the same way you do. Amazing work rallying your blog readers! Love to you.

the.mrs - 171 Stoves so far!!! A-ma-zing!!

Sarah - Prayers for you.
I can’t imagine…. as you said, seeing it can’t be undone, and that is scary.
Glad you are going, and I know so much good will be done because of that.

Kim - My 21 year old daughter & he boyfriend traveled to Haiti last summer to build block houses. They stayed for a week in missionary home in Carrefour. She said that it was the most life changing experience & helped her with her journey to become closer to God. They will be traveling there this summer again to build. She cries every time she talks about her trip there & the sweet children she met. Once you go there you will want to return. I made my donation at Christmas for a stove. Many prayers Meg <3

Angie G. - Hi, Meg! Miss you guys already. How awesome that you´re going to Haiti. You know it´s our neighbor country and we know how tough life is overthere. Here in the Dominican Republic things are hard, but in Haiti is sooo much worst. It so sad. My church goes to Haiti a few times each year to help too. I´ve never gone…. maybe someday I will. I´ll be praying for you… hope you a have a great time getting in touch with God´s heart through this expirience. A big hug from the Dominican Republic!

Kerstie Pederson - Was going to go to Target this am and spent some extra Christmas money……. I just bought a stove instead. Much better use of some “fun money”. Can’t wait to see what you show us.

Routhie - Have fun and good luck with your overflowing emotions. Thanks for posting about this opportunity to help. Much love and safe travels to you and the others.

Ashley - Can I hide in your bag? So excited for you. Seriously, SO STINKIN’ excited for you.

Jamie - Glad I could help… You rock!

Angela A - Oh my! My eyes completely missed you posting you were going to Haiti. I need to read better, quit skimming so much. How wonderful! Praying for you now and for the weeks ahead, even after you get back. My son and I hope to go in a few years.

Kait - I went to Haiti for the first time as a teenager. It changed my entire life. How could I complain about my parents being unfair with my curfew when at least my parents were there, and they had fed me, and given me a roof, and we were a family and things were safe? I went back twice more as a teen, giving up my summer vacations to live and work in orphanages.
That’s why when I met my husband, on our very first date, I told him I wanted to adopt. We have four kids now, none from Haiti because of their rules, but my time spent there has shaped me and my life in ways I can’t even begin to explain.
It will rock your world. It has been eight years since the last time I was there and it still rocks mine. I am so excited to see how God shapes your heart through your visit.

denise@victory rd. - 3 stoves.
the line, “that i will see what God wants me to see… not necessarily with my eyes” … yes!
i thank God that His Spirit WILL cause you to see all he has in mind for you. i pray for His continued glory in you and through you- here on the blog, there in Haiti, and in “whatever” you do in the name of the LORD (Col 3:17).

Denise Kessler - Oh, Meg…you are so right about preparing your heart. Our family has sort of adopted some young Haitian men that I met on a mission trip 2 years ago. I fell in love with the Haitian people, but on my first trip, I could barely eat and I cried for all 9 days. I just could not understand how God would allow me to be born to “this” and them be born to what they have.
I am thankful to say, it changed my life…and I am sure it will change yours as well. I love your heart and especially how you share it with the world!

Sonja - THANK YOU for telling us about the Adventure Project! I just gave my husband a stove for Haiti for his birthday. 🙂
He’s the kind of guy who’ll get excited about this… and I’m still making him a cake.
I’ll remember you in my prayers. Go bring hope and happiness to Haiti!

Monique - My neighbor is an amazing girl. She co-founded the organization Little Footprints Big Steps and has been living in Haiti for the last 2 years since she graduated high school. She runs a safe house for children and she is only 20 years old! I am so overwhelmed when I think of her and I thought you might be interested in checking out the organization.

Regina - Just donated a stove and am glad you gave us this opportunity to do so. Praying for safe travels, great health, and many blessings for the trip ahead!

Heidi Jo the Artist - Praying for you, Becky, Jody, and the others that travel there as well. God’s many blessings to you guys and all those that are doing the work of the Lord. 🙂

Kirsten J - I don’t know if I told you this before….my brother worked at the US Embassy in Abidjan, Ivory Coast for 4 years. And the stories he told absolutely broke my heart. Every time he came home, I loaded him up with stuff for his housekeeper and the street urchins he had taken under his wing, and his armed guards. I’m an empath and I would get so depressed just thinking of it all. And the thing he kept telling me was, there wasn’t enough I could do to change their reality. I needed to take care of my house first, then give to my local charity of choice, and still it was ok to give him stuff for his African friends. But I could only do so much. I still give to various charities but try to distance myself just a little. You are golden. To actually walk the walk is amazing to me. Hugs and prayers for a trip where you may feel uplifted. You will make a difference.

nicole i - just sponsored 3 stoves…wow isn’t God good…your goal has been met and you have 7 more days!

Angela Storm - Check out the song “Albertine” by Brooke Fraser! I immediately thought of it when you wrote, “…you see and know.” A line in the song says, “Now that I have seen, I am responsible. Faith without deeds is dead.” I will definitely be praying for you and your team members and your family, in your absence. God bless, Meg.
And one earring at Anthro…. YES. Very yes.

gina mitchell - I love your writing and your heart.

Jessica H. - I just bought the 90th stove! So excited to see how far beyond the original goal you will reach. Trips like this are life-changing, eye opening, and pull on your heart strings like no other. So do newborn babies…I have one of those :)….but I’m glad I can donate in lieu of getting to experience a trip like yours firsthand. I pray for safe travels and for you to embrace the moments that are molding you as well as those you are helping!

Taryn - So proud of you, friend, for allowing yourself to continue to live in the tension of this broken world! I have no doubt you will not only be a blessing but be blessed as you walk among some of those closest to Jesus’ heart. Will be praying and look forward to hearing about it when you’re back. Love ya!

Jen - What part of Haiti will you be going to? My husband is with a group in Pignon right now. They are helping out at a school and working on buses and vans while they are there. The ladies that went will be putting on a ladies seminar. I can’t wait to hear how his trip went. I wish I could have gone with him. He will be back home on the 27th.

Gina - “you can’t UNSEE it.” Wow! So so true. Prayers for you. 🙂

Judy@Considering the Options - Meg thank you for the prompting! I just donated your 80th stove!!! Way to go! Our family was just dreaming in the car last night about what we would do if we won the $70 million jackpot (we’d have to play to win I guess). I love that everyone wanted to do something for someone else. Then I got to thinking, we can do that on a small scale right now. I don’t have a million dollars to give to a charity the way I would like. But, I do have $20 I can give to buy a stove. I bet it’s like a million dollars to the family that will receive it:)! That makes my heart happy.
Good luck on your adventure – can’t wait to be moved by your account of it all!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - I had to laugh when you said $20 would buy ONE earring at Anthro. So true! 🙂 Praying for you as you prepare(emotionally and in the physical) to go down there. I can hardly wait to get down there in just a few months.

Lisa - So excited for your trip!! It’s been way to long since I’ve been on a mission trip. Love everything you wrote. Once you see and know, you see and know. So true!! Life changing! Praying you get all the stoves and more!

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

new sign.

January 17, 2013 Filed in etsy goodness,just the two of us,things i love

so…. before this post you should listen to this song… Home by Edward Sharp.

maybe open it in another window and litsen to it while you read.

 

ok.

songs is on… ready to go?

 

we moved to this little farm house rental in march.
it's cozy and we love it here.
in case you don't know our back story or forgot…. we moved to be in smaller community, closer to our kids' school and to use the other house for craft weekends.  it was such a big decision but has been nothing less than awesome.

our bedroom at the (now) Craft House was a ridiculously LARGE room.
it made no sense to have a bedroom that big…it was GIANT.
but of course we also got very used to that size of room after 7.5 years.
and now our bedroom is more of normal to smallish size and has also taken some readjusting too.

IMG_0912-1

and it's just fine.

we got our bed when we first moved to the craft house.
and craig has said several times "i can't believe you haven't painted it yet"

someday…. 
but who has time for that? not me right now.
and it's fine how it is. 

IMG_0954-8

we have my grandmother's night stands that she had in her bedroom my whole life.
she always had her rotary dial phone where i have my computer.  :)
the bottom part pulls out to give more space or tucks in if you don't want it.
mine is always out and filled with junk… over flowing onto the floor and all around. 
while's craig's is tucked in with nothing on or around it.

that is such a true picture of US.  

🙂

IMG_0972-12

IMG_0929-2

IMG_0936-4
we have room for one dresser in the corner and we each have a closet.
i decided to hang my jewelry on the wall because there is no other place and because it's pretty.

my jar of heart rocks…such a fun collection over the all the years of motherhood.
my "be intentional" art work was several years ago by Jeanne Oliver.
IMG_0963-9

IMG_0940-5

IMG_0932-3

what got me determined to take care of our room and make it a priority after 9 months of not…
even though it's a rental…
was because of this sign from Between You & Me…. with the lyrics from a song that remind me of our decision to move and take crazy steps to do what we needed for our family.
as we tried to make those big decisions last spring that song was on the radio at all the right times.
and i would smile and know that we were doing the right thing.

all we needed was each other.
no matter where we lived… we were HOME.

so i hung the sign first and then worked around it with pictures of us over the last 21 years.

we have been married for 18 years but dated for three years before we got married.

IMG_0967-10

IMG_0986-1

IMG_0944-1
this print from Studio Mela was the perfect touch.

IMG_0974-1
the butterfly pillows are at target right now.
they needed to live at the farm too. 

IMG_0969-11
pictures from our first prom, our wedding, our favorite vacations, our 10 year anniversary trip and family pictures all hang here.
this is a special wall.

it's sacred ya know?

marriage is a really big deal.
you vow to stay together FOREVER.  
until you die.
so… it really should be honored and cherished and nutured.
surrounding us with reminders of where we came from, who we are and are becoming is one way to do that.

IMG_0975-13

between You & Me has a pretty shop filled with signs you will love!

if you go to her shop and use the code WHATEVER you will get 10% off your purchase in january.

that is awesome!!

tara YOU are awesome.

so… go look it over and find the sign that would spark some creativity in your home.

yay for discounts!

yay for rockin' hot marriages!

yay for teeny farm house bedrooms!

 

🙂

 

add a comment

lindsie - Can you please te me what the name is of the green paint in your room…I love it…lindsielou@charter.net

Su@TheIntentionalHome - can’t wait to check out the song. . .my hubby and my song. . the song we danced to at our wedding is You’re My Home by Billy Joel. . .same thought that wherever he is and we are together is home. . .I wrote a post titled 10 Quotes to Inspire You to Create a Home You Love. . reminds me of this post cause #10 is the Billy Joel song. # 9 is a Be Intentional piece of art I made. . .thought you might like to check out the other quotes: http://www.susoutter.com/2012/03/10-quotes-to-inspire-you-to-create-home.html

misty - Loved every word of this blog post. It made me teary eyed, in a good way. I love to hear about peoples love stories & love to hear about GOOD marriages and hear others talk about marriage being sacred. AMEN.
Your room is so pretty. I just loved every single picture. Thanks you for posting this.

Brooke - Love your cozy little room…and your fun wall!! Love that you cherish your marriage. Life is hard sometimes…you have to turn to your husband. Love your art. Super cute.

April R - /\ Ditto katy

Heidi Jo the Artist - Perfect song for this post and for every family! And congrats for staying strong in your marriage through 18+ years! I love to know couples that are still married and have stuck to their vows. Sadly, my husband and I have known so many that haven’t… Love all the pillows and pretty quilt on your bed too, and of course the jewelry displayed on the wall is the bomb. 🙂

Rach - I’m with Craig… I’m surprised you haven’t painted it either. Gorgeous wall. I have one like that too that I treasure and yes, marriage is sacred. I always try to put it first.

Tonya - Love the post….and the quilt on the bed 🙂

Jen - We just decided to take a leap of faith and move to be closer to my husband’s family. We have had a terribly difficult year due to some things that happened between the neighbor boys and our daughters. I have been back & forth on if this is the right decision…my husband built this house we live in and this is HOME. I so needed to read this post today. I will be purchasing that same sign you have in your bedroom. I think it’s a must have for our next HOME. Thank you for the inspiration, Meg!

Corey Bugni - I love this post and the ideas! thanks Meg! I am also crying because I love the butterfly pillows and Target doesn’t seem to carry the same ones anymore. If you have a link to where they are, I would love it!! Have a great weekend.
Corey

Alisha - I LOVE IT!!! You’ve just inspired me. We live in an OLD farmhouse rental as well and our room is just like yours. VERY small and quaint, but just enough. I haven’t done ANYTHING with it because, well, I just didn’t know WHAT to do with it, but I love your ideas of the pictures of the two of you. …and your jewelry knobs. It’s great!

Jenn - THAT SONG… One of my favorites. It played during our dear friend’s funeral slide show last year and every time I hear it I get this crazy mix of joy and sadness at the same time. But definitely more joy for a life well lived with the ones we love!! Very cool print. I love all the photos around it!

Michelle - LOVE. the song, the artwork, the story…everything.
I met my future husband when I was 11 (he was and still is my brother’s best friend), we started dating when I was 15, and we got married when I was 18. Here we are now 18+ years later, and I am still thankful that I get to spend everyday of my life with this man. Thanks for the reminder. It’s inspiring to read of others who have “rockin’ hot marriages.” And you’ve inspired me to finally print out and display some of our favorite pics together, create my own “love” wall.

Dani - I needed this today. My husband and I are making a huge decision about our marriage right now. I don’t want to give up 15 years of marriage and your post just showed me that!
Thank you, MEG!!!

Shelly - Love.Love.Love this post!!! It’s beautiful, inspirational, heart-warming, and sooooo full of love. Thank you! And, I couldn’t help but notice your “Not A Fan” book. Kyle is my preacher. That sermon series was AWESOME!!!! The book is AWESOME!! Kyle is a very special, God-filled human being!!

Tracy Fisher - you said exactly how i feel today. loved your words. and by the way, you and craig have the same side table characteristics and greg and i have… his has a clock and a remote… mine has my life on a bedside table. made me giggle. have a great day. -tracy

katie - what a great idea…i’m inspired to do the same!

Mickie Lara - LOVE everything about this post. The emphasis on family, marriage (and you are always good to remind me about that… we are 21 years too) and home. I tend to get a little too hung up on the house part of the home but you are so right. It is really just wherever we are. Love it!

Jen - Yea for rockin’ hot marriages is right!

Penny - Whenever I refer to something on this blog, I will say to my family, “You know Meg, who has Waffle…” Ha!

Lori Austin - Your bedroom is perfectly perfect.
Love your grandmother’s side table.
This space just seems so happy. 🙂

Amanda Brown - This post is inspirational because I just started working on an art collage for our bedroom! Being married is the BEST, even in difficult times…

Kim Barlow - I know this blog is not about curse words but..girl…you kick a**. XO

Penny - We have been married 29 years and we have lived in small apartments, a mobile home, a very tiny house with three children and then a bigger house. Every single place we lived I made it our home. No matter if we were renting, buying or what. It was our home. And I will tell you I have been happy at every single place we have lived. Now of course I dreamed of our own home when we were renting. I dreamed of a house when we were in that moblie home. But I was happy every place we lived. Now that we have a larger home with lots of space our girls are growing up and moving on. Isn’t that the way life is! Some of the happiest memories I have are the days with our three little girls in our tiny little rental!

Angela A - Oh Meg, the room is beautiful. The decor is so you, the colors are awesome together,and it is such an awesome tribute to your marriage. Thank you for inspiring us to celebrate our own marriages! This year is our 15th anniversary, and we dated for 7 years before that. Our room is sort of us–but you’ve given me some ideas on something to do to honor this special anniversary.

Tiffany - “yay for rockin’ hot marriages!”… You’re too cute! I’m so glad you are both blessed with eachother. Thanks for the reminder about putting marriage first. With two little ones and full time jobs I need reminders often since there are so many other things to do. My hubby and I need to go on more dates.
It was fun seeing a snapshot of your home now. Darling. 🙂

happygirl - I always wondered how the Craft House came to be. I love your wall of memories. I’ve been married 30 years. I agree with the forever of marriage. 🙂

Angie - I totally now want my jewelry displayed on the wall!

lauren - i already knew you were a woman after my own heart…then i saw the ragamuffin gospel on your book pile…amen. i was about to tell my daughter something i read or saw on your blog the other day and i started to say, “my friend….i mean…on this blog i read…” you have a gift for drawing people in and then you give good, real stuff for them see. i may never meet you but i’m sure you’re a great friend.

stephany @ home is what you make it - I listen to this song over and over on repeat. Did it today while running errands with my little girl.
My cousin and his new wife had this song playing as the song after their wedding ceremony on the shores of a lake in Northern Idaho. My favorite uncle, who owns the house and officiated the ceremony, danced up the stairs with my aunt and had tears in his eyes.
Anyway, great song, great memories, great post.
Thanks for sharing!

melodee - wow! your room is great! love all of the details and your always so nice and crisp photos….and your necklace collection…to die for!

Carol S. - Super sweet post. We hit 25 in April. And made a major move this year (from Chicago of all places!) This hits home. Thanks Meg.

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Hmmmm…I sort of love this post… ALOT:) I’m a big fan of investing in marriage. So often the kids come along and we focus solely on them, kind of neglecting our spouse. But when the kids grow and leave its back to just the two of you. I want to cherish my hubby more then than I did on our wedding day. Marriage is so hard and yet one of the best gifts God ever created. Your room is a tribute to that. Thanks for reminding us all:)

katy - favorite. post. ever.
love the music as a background.
love. love. love.

Jacci in Ohio - YYYAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂
I am SO thrilled you posted photos of the farmhouse! It is PERFECT. So perfectly you! Different… in such a different home… but so you. And that is why I *love* it. And I love your sign. And your voice for marriage.
God has made you rad, rad, rad.

Charly - I smiled throughout the entire song! I now want my hubby to come home so we can dance to it in the living room with a three year old and two dogs running Around us! AND, your bedroom looks great!

Mary - i love how you went with what you had and just made it so, so, so special.
sometimes i just feel like i have to wait until the walls are painted…or the bedding is just right, but NOW is the time to cherish.
now is the time to celebrate.
you’re so good at celebrating the NOW, meg.
i adore that about you.
and i LOVE taras work.
on my list. for sure.
now i want to spruce up our room!
xo

Kerstie Pederson - Yay for you too! 😉 I love your blog!!!!

Aimee - I love, love, love this post. And it’s all so do-able and accessible. Very inspiring.

Mary Jo - I love the butterfly pillows!

Shara - Thanks so much for sharing Meg!! You’ve totally inspired me(along with countless others~) to do something like this. The walls in my bedroom are begging me!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - i love that you have reminders of how precious marriage is. the butterflies had me at hello and that artwork is awesome! love tara. very sweet. wondering about the rest of the room. a past christmas present comes to mind;)

tonya - love this post…and the song! i keep our bedroom free of pictures of the kids…just pictures of me and my man!

tara - marriage is a REALLY big deal.
It is sacred. It if FOREVER.
I love the wall of you and your man, and I love that the sign is a reminder of something God has done in the life of your family with the move to the farm house.
you’re awesome. thanks for hanging one of our signs in your home!

Marsha Kern - I love your room and your style, it is perfect! We live in the country too and we love it!

Kristin S - I absolutely love your room! The wall is perfect. I love that you have that prom photo on there. Good reminders of God’s faithfulness.
And now I’m considering simple row of hooks for my necklaces! I forget what I have and end up wearing the same things over and over.
Beautiful, Meg.

Kristina Abel - So funny that you have that sign. My girlfriend and I made wood signs and that’s what I’m putting on mine and hanging in my living room. Thanks for sharing you colorful and cozy room. 🙂

shelby - I need a chenille bedspread like that! My grandma always had them on the twin beds I slept in at her house!

Bopha - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L64c5vT3NBw Please tell me you have watched this! This is where I first heard the song and fell in love. This rendition melts my heart. Love your “love” inspired room-that’s the way a bedroom should look!

Lisa - Hi Meg
I usually don’t comment on your blog because you get SOO many, and I’m not always sure you even see them all, but today I want to.
This post has inspired me. Why is it that once you have kids all the photos are just about kids and family (please understand I adore my kids!!!). My husband and I have bee married for almost 28 years and I still feel sometimes like we are the 17 year olds when we first started dating. I WANT A SPECIAL LOVE WALL like you, and so I shall now have one ;). Thank you!!

Kerry - oh meg…… i’ve read the post 3 times with the song playing in the background. feeling really emotional right now – what a beautiful post. this is JUST what I needed right now. Thank you so much xxx

ann - Meg your room is so adorable, cozy, and full of your personality! Love it all. You are right, marriage is a sacred thing to be honored and treasured. Great post! Hugs from Chicagoland, Ann

Abbie Swartzentruber - Ok Meg, you got me hooked on the butterfly pillows – but I can’t find them anywhere at target.com??? I am gonna have to go searching for them – your room turned out cozy and sweet:)!!

mary - your room is beautiful…you have that decorating gene, that can pull together any place and make it visually pleasing.

ali moll - I love this post Meg! And I love the room! The pics and sign are the perfect finishing touch. You have such a knack for decorating – I LOVE YOUR STYLE! Have a fabulous day! Hugs!

beki - you’re awesome 🙂

jennt - i LOVE you room! It is so vibrant and happy but also so cozy
I am always stumped with what to do with our bedroom…..

lisa - So sweet! Love it. And I love your rocks. I have a jar from my girls, too. I wrote about it here if you’re interested. 🙂 Funny how something as basic as a rock can be so special!
http://thebrighterside-lisa.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-rocks.html

Lennie Jackson - You make me want to redo our bedroom! Great post….I LOVE the prom pic!!!!

danielle - This made me want to stop what I am doing and go make an art wall in my bedroom of my husband and I! Totally doing this! I keep a big landscape above our bed taken on our first getaway from the boys but I would love this also! Beautiful room!

ranee - loved this post and that wall is beautiful! you have inspired me to start a “love wall” of my own!

Juli - Awesome. Yes, that bed begs to be deep teal. 😉

Angela - Thank you for choosing to declare the truth – marriage is precious and WORTH IT. I have only been married for 2.5 years, but I am thankful for the examples that God has surrounded me with – people I know (My parents and my in-laws have been married for 30 years, my grandparents for 54 this April.) and people I don’t (YOU!). 🙂 Have a beautiful Thursday, Meg!

Amber - Yay for rockin’ hot marriages indeed. I’m all inspired to put up pictures of me and my hubby all over the place.

sam - Love this post. We celebrated our 25th anniversary last year and have had seven different homes in that time. I recently repainted our bedroom and, for the first time in 25 years, am working on making it more of OUR room. I plan to make a similar sign with our marriage vows on it and have been scouring our photo boxes for pictures of us over the past 27 years to do something very similar. So fun!

tiffany gardner - once again… you never fail to encourage. i am so glad that i found your blog a couple of years ago. you truly are a part of my days. my friend who doesn’t know me.
i thank God for you.

Meredith - Seeing your collection of photos of you and your husband makes my heart happy. I should do this in my bedroom too. Also, those butterfly pillows are amazing. I NEED those in my life.

Regina - I love, love, LOVE this post! It speaks my life in every word. We have lived in a rental and in a city that I’m not too crazy about for the past two years. We still have our house in another state (where I would MUCH rather live), but because my husband had a wonderful career opportunity HERE, that is where we are…ALL of us. There was much discussion about only him moving here and commuting back and forth (so that the kiddos could stay in their schools and near friends), but that just felt like we would be “divorced”…NOT an option! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this timely post….a wonderful reminder of WHY we live here, it just wouldn’t be the same without the whole family under one roof…outdated rental or not. Hugs and success to you, Meg!

Dana @ Bungalow'56 - Such wonderful sentiments here Megan. A wonderful post.
Dana

Susan - Thank you for sharing! I have a heart rock collection too! Most of mine came from around the cabin where we stay each year in Colorado.

Shannon - Love those butterfly pillows! You made the perfect space for you and your hubby including family photos and fun signs. As always love all the fun colors you use in your decorating 🙂

Janet C - Love this post, made even better listening to your special song.

Gina - LOVE!! Such a special collection hanging on the wall but the sentiment even better. 🙂

wendi - I love how God uses unexpected things to nail the point he is making. Today He used you.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I LOVE this! We have never really put much into our bedroom — even here in this new house. It’s always the last priority and I have grown sick of it!
I love that you have your history right there on the wall.
I wish we could double date. You remind me of us. If that makes sense. Marriage is ebb and flow, but HE is my home.
(Also? You’re reading Ragamuffin?????????????? Put it on the list. Or actually, start reading so we can put it on the list.)
🙂

elma - Love this post to!!!
I love her shop to and have the family rules sign and one Christmas one!!

Lisa M. - Loved this post. Thanks for sharing such a personal part of yourself.

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

let’s do this.

January 15, 2013 Filed in adventure project,charity,faith,things i love

it's been three years since the earthquake in Haiti.
and then this year 70% of the crops in the South of Haiti were ruined by Hurricane Sandy.
it has been extremely hard for Haiti.

through The Adventure Project we continue to be able to help.
we have been able to provide funds to make the charcoal efficient stoves afforable to the poor.

for just $20 you can help in Haiti!  

you can help families cook food in a more afforable way (less charcoal) and improve the toxic smoke in the air and protect the environment all by buying a stove. 

i love when there are EASY ways to help.

The Adventure Project is doing something pretty cool right now… sponsor 3 stoves and you can win a trip to Haiti.

so…. ready to enter the coolest contest you have ever seen?!

how amazing it will be to get to see the stoves first hand, meet the women, see the children… it's awesome?!

GO DONATE 

purchase three stoves and you will be entered to win.

it's so cool!  

what an eye opening, life changing, A M A Z I N G experience it will be!!

but also….you don't have to want to go to Haiti to help…. just providing a stove is super cool on it's own.

it's OKAY to be an awesome do-er of good with no intentions of world travel.

i just love that we get to give in a way that i know makes a difference!

 

and guess what….

i am going to be there in Haiti on January 26th to help draw the name of the winner.

i am traveling with The Adventure Project to Haiti!

i can't wait to share with you ALL that i can.  
i am so thrilled to learn all that i can about the stoves, the people, the needs and ways to help.

i really REALLY hope we pick YOUR name.

 

let's do this! 

 

 

 

 

add a comment

mollie's mom - I am so excited for you…. I left my heart in Haiti after an amazing mission trip to Port-au-Prince ( actually I was there in April before the “big” earthquake – we experienced a “small” earthquake during our trip that we now know was a “warning quake”!!) It will be a life changing trip – the people of Haiti are incredible. I cannot wait to see your pictures and hear about your trip. I wish I were going with 🙂 You will be amazed by the faithfullness of the people and the beauty they create from nothing in the midst of poverty. I have friends living and working there, we have a school we help support there and their art hangs in my home and I think about them every day when I look at it. I am sooooo excited for you – there isn’t anywhere quite like Haiti!! I blogged about it here- http://madebymolliesmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/not-crafty-post-im-afraid.html- check out those precious faces and prepare to fall in love with the children of Haiti – it’s impossible not to!!! Marcie

Jamie - I am heading to Haiti Feb 26th! I’ve never been and I am so excited to go! Would love to hear more about what you are going to be doing there! 🙂

gretchen - Exciting! Great project. My husband just got back a week ago from Haiti thru our churches mission trip. It was awesome for him. Over 20 in the group went and helped at an orphanage. The biggest help they need is clothes for all the kids. And, adopting or supporting a child at an orphanage with monthly costs. There were 80 kids at the orphanage he visited and 20 plus babies were dropped off when he was there. It’s definitely an eye opener. Hope your trip is wonderful!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - We just got our assignment for our next missions trip this summer(Dominican Republic) and Im so excited! Theres nothing like getting right into the midst of the people, seeing how they live, what they go through,etc… Its very humbling and makes you realize how blessed we are. Have a wonderful(& fruitful!) trip. 🙂

Lisa - I have gone to Haiti twice! So excited for you to go! Can’t wait to hear all about it. 🙂

Lorel - amazing! you put so much good in the world Megan!

Tiffany - WOW Meg! You are going to be there?! I’m so excited for you! This is just the kind of experience I’ve been wanting to have lately. Pat and I talk about taking a tropical trip somewhere, but when there are people in this world who need our help, all I can think about is traveling somewhere where we can help. I can’t wait to hear about your experience and see your pictures. What a wonderful opportunity for you!
PS- I love how you use your site to reach out to more people to help… God sure is using you in many wonderful ways! 🙂

Kate - Are you serious?! That is amazing! Happy dance for you!

Jacci in Ohio - Oh, Megan. Haiti? Haiti?! 🙂
Haiti has my heart in so many ways. Haiti is going to get under your skin in such a beautiful way… I know it. You know it’s the poorest country in the WORLD, right? That it has the most malnourished children in the Western Hemisphere? This is, beyond doubt, one of the neediest places on earth. And, yet, everyone who goes says there is such strength… such joy.
I am so thrilled for you to go. To hear your stories. To watch the Lord use you.
Amen & Amen!!!
(talking to hubby – then sponsoring some stoves!)

Tere - Such great news, I am so excited for you. You are such a brave and amazing woman, such an inspiration! Can’t wait to hear all about it. xoxo tere

chantelle - wow! only one comment so far?!?! I’m so inspired that you are going to haiti! i don’t know your family situation; but from what i can tell, you are an entrepreneurial momma who is really passionate about helping others and you use your creativity to fund your passions… thanks for inspiring me nearly each day for the past three years. kite a fe sa! (let’s do this!)

Melissa @jonahbonah - So very cool, Meg! I would LOVE to go to Haiti!!!!

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

it’s a good monday.

January 14, 2013 Filed in craft weekend,friends,pretty,things i love

IMG_20130114_124639

i slept until noon today.
i did get up from 6:45 to 7:30 to see my kids off to school but then straight back to bed.
sleep is a good thing.

craft weekend was pretty excellent this past weekend.

lindsey and joy came as helpers and were nothing less than amazing at that job.

we did not plan our wardrobe… we just happened to all match perfectly!

IMG_20130111_203441

wendy came too!!  (blurry picture is better than no picture? maybe 😉

she took a bajillion photos for us doing all the things we do at Craft Weekend and i got to spend time with her which was super happy for me.  

i hope you loved being here as much as i loved having you here wendy!
maybe you should ditch your world tour and just come to craft weekend every month???
there will be cinnamon rolls…. 

i know you are tempted.

 

kimberlee pampered us all with food that tastes so much better than anything i could ever make.

IMG_20130112_181952

and our crafty guests were awesome.
so kind.
so happy.
so lovely.
such a treat to have them and get to create alongside them.

IMG_0628-1
tulips are so cheerful in the freezing cold of january.
 
IMG_0785-2
we made a really cool painting!!

IMG_0899-3

and these were the treasures i brought home from the antique store on saturday.
a quilt…some vintage trims… salt shakers for holding tiny craft supplies…sugar shakers for twine…and a pencil sharpener for the craft house because we are always looking for pencils!

i can't wait to share about the actual weekend.
and tell you about our awesome sponsors we had this month.
it was just a really great time.

now… i guess i have to go run off the cheesecake & cinnamon rolls i stuffed myself with this weekend.
or at least i should go.
but… i would have to get out of my jammies.
and it is 25 degrees out.

we'll see what happens….

 

happy monday to you! 

 

add a comment

Heidi Jo the Artist - Love the craft weekend posts! 🙂

Kate - AAGH! You saw Wendy?! Guess what, guess what?! I am finally going to Go Pro this weekend – I am beyond nervous and my stomach is insane! I soooooo wish you were gonna be there.

Corinne - Meg – YOUR BOOTS!!!! Where did you get your boots!!! They are super amazingly cute and a must have, please share!!

Ashley - Those paintings are so fun…looks like you guys had a really great weekend!!

Gale - CW was the best weekend ever – would go again in a minute! It was the happiest place on earth – sorry Mickey! 🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Eeeeeeeeek!
(Loving those paintings!)
PS – is it a requirement to do one’s hair for craft weekend attendance?

Crystal - One of these days I AM gonna go to craft weekend. Looks like SO much fun! Hey, I just started selling Scentsy and am trying to get my business up and running. I’m giving away a warmer on my blog. No entries yet so there are very good odds you could win! 🙂

Tiffany - I’m so glad you had such a nice weekend! No doubt every one of those ladies had the time of their life! Do you know the song by Mandisa called “Good Morning”? Your blog post title made me think of that. I love that song. 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnmWwudeqfM

Sara - I love your outfit with the gray boots. WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE FABULOUS BOOTS? I live in Michigan, so you don’t need to worry about me wearing them the same time as you do. 🙂

Jenny B. - Oh, how I love those paintings!! I just bought some canvasses (sp?) on a whim at Hobby Lobby. I had no idea what I wanted to paint on them… now I do! Would love a tutorial when you get a chance! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Linda - I love your post. They always make me so happy! Thanks the craft week end sounds AMAZING!!! Maybe someday I’ll get there!

elma - OH I just LOVE seeing pictures of craft weekend. The more pictures the better!!! I wish I could go but I am sooo not crafty~~:(

Stephanie Talty - Thanks for sharing the sneek peek into Craft Weekend-the pictures look amazing and the canvas paintings look like eye candy!! Can’t wait to see more!!!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Cant wait to hear all about it:)

Jill - I love EVERY photo! WONDERFUL and what FUN.
NOW. let’s get SERIOUS about you fabulous gray boots! I! LOVE! THEM!

Heather Simnitt - Glad you had such a great weekend! They look so fun!

Georgia - Awwww it looks like so much fun. I want to put myself on the list, but i cant afford to fly from the UK. 🙁 maybe one day. x

Tonya - Looks like such a great weekend!

Courtney Walsh - Sleeping till noon just became my #1 goal for 2013!!
Looks like an amazing time. 🙂
(Sorry for the previous deleted post…I was logged in on my work email!) 🙂

Melissa - So fun! Love your craft weekends. I so need to talk my mom aunt and cousins into trying to sign up. We would have a blast and don’t live far from you.

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

hey there…

January 10, 2013 Filed in pretty

i started writing this last night…..

 

i am eating a bowl of cocoa pebbles in bed at 12:30.

i just packed for Craft Weekend…ironed my shirts…filled my bags.

i am ready to get this party started again! 
we took a long-ish break over the holidays.
i miss kimberlee!

annie had appointments today about her arm so we did that all morning.
then i ran to hobby lobby for CW supplies and other errands.

i took a sweatshirt back to american eagle for sean that was too small.
i spent 15 minutes deciding which one… picked… paid and left… only to discover when i got home that i bought THE SAME SIZE I WAS RETURNING!!! 

so lame.

sometimes i am such a ding dong.

the cashier's look makes so much sense now when i said "it's too small." and then bought the same size.
i wish she'd spoken up.

i made lettuce wraps for only myself for dinner.
and ate them standing over the pan on the stove.

i did yoga from a dvd i got at the grocery store.
🙂
as soon as it started i thought "what was i thinking? i didn't even read the box?!"
it was fine.
a lot of breathing… i liked it actually.
i feel all stretched.
misson accomplished.

i registered for the half marathon in april.
paid real money.
scaaaaaary.
i figured it would help motivate me.

————————————————————————————————————————————-

and then i fell asleep.

 

now i am here with kimberlee.
we are getting everything ready…catching up on life and setting up.

IMG_0561-1
 
IMG_0564-2
how is that for a random laundry basket?
the ninja….awesome.  
rainbow knives…. gift from my mom for christmas.
and my favie boots ever.

IMG_0568-4
 
IMG_0569-5

IMG_0572-6

IMG_0577-7
 
IMG_0591-8
swag is ready to be sorted out… love our sponsors!

IMG_0595-9
i have about 24 hours to make this space pretty.
with all of this….
IMG_0601-10

so i have to quit writing and get busy.
it is time to crank up the music and WORK!

 

add a comment

Alana - It’s a 31 bag – I was able to send this one to Meg and a few other treats for one of her previous Craft Weekends. Let me know if you’d like more information.

Heidi Jo the Artist - Love the prep photos too. And the rainbow knife set, loooove!

kathy - Love that you have a Thirty One bag!! I sell Thirty one! Great great Christian company.

Brittany - LOVE LOVE LOVE those cute little bird coat hooks!! Where did you find it? (“put a bird on it!” – Portlandia) 😉

Stephanie - I adore the “Live Simply” sign from the swag photo. Can you please tell me where it is from? I searched for a similar one on etsy but couldn’t find it. Thank so much and I hope you had a fantastic craft weekend! -Stephanie J.

doveboat - I just love all of your photography and can’t wait to see the new haul that you all grab at the antique hop this time!

Victoria - Love all your happy colors! Those knives are awesome.
I am so sorry about your Grandmother’s passing. So happy that you have such sweet memories.

Lisa Perry - Can’t wait to see what it looks like when you’re done!

Katey Deasy - Have a great time!!!! I love that you are on Instagram so I almost feel like I’m there at craft weekend.

Kris Saia - When I read your posts, I’m always curious about your craft house! Did you live there for a while? Aren’t I nosy? 🙂

karen peachey - I am in need of a set of colorful mugs!! Can you tell me where yours are from? Target has some on sale this week, that look close..

Gina - Great pictures!! Would love to be at CW someday!!

Sallie - my name is on the list! someday…..love watching the pictures both before and after and following your blog! love how women continue to connect with each other and how you use the talents and things God has blessed you with, Meg and Kimberlee! Have a blessed weekend!

Mary Jo - I love how colorful everything is! And I want that large colorful bag…

Lennie Jackson - I LOVE that polka dot shirt hanging with the black sweater! You have to share where you go it!!!!

Jill - Have a great weekend. I miss you girls!!

Ileana - Who sells it?

Lorraine R. - You make everything so colorfully happy <3 I love it!!!! I would LOVE to come to a CW - it really looks like a crafters heaven and/or haven, whichever!! haha Can't wait to see pics of the weekend!!!!
Oh and I love that Live Simply sign!!! It's my word/phrase for the year!!!!

Su@TheIntentionalHome - Fiesta Ware. . . I am wondering how sharp the knives are. . do you like them, Meg? Good qualiry?

pattykaplan1@me.com - I am sorry to hear aut your Granmother but your post was so lovely about her. It made me think about life and relationships and time, what is important, what’s not. and little things that are big things….special things. Thank you for inspiring us with your blog!

Susannah - Awww… I hope someday to be able to go to craft weekend. Another blogger I read just said she was going this weekend. I’m sure you will all have an amazing time!

Tiffany - *sigh* I miss CW, the food, the fun, and all of the amazing women there. It seems strange to say I miss you and the other women since we only spent a few short days together, but it’s true. 🙁 Those ladies are in for such a treat!

Jennifer - Target has a block set of rainbow-colored knives and I think of you every time I walk past it! I’m glad to see you have one (yours looks even nicer).

Jen T. - Isn’t that large utility tote one of the best things ever? I have one (black and white polka dots aka “Happy Dots”) and use it All. The. Time.

Tonya - i can’t wait until my name is drawn for Craft Weekend.
I want to go in such a big bad way.

Talia - I love following your blog and all your craftiness. 🙂
I’m looking to get into sewing, how do you know what is a good machine to purchase or start out with? I want something that will last me for a while.
thanks for the help.

Ashley E - Aghh craft weekend!!! Sooooo wishing I was there with y’all again. Had such a great time! 🙂

Siobhan - Target!

Emily - I LOVE the polka dot shirt; where did you get it from??

Alicia @ La Famille - how exciting!! have so much fun!!!!!
ps: i ran that omaha marathon that you signed up for. not my best time or anything…but such a good feeling to do it. gooood luck!!

tinaehb3 - craft weekends always look like sooooo much fun !!! 🙂

Stephanie Talty - I can only imagine the experience Craft Weekend must be because each time the pictures leading up to it and then the recap pictures are amazing!!!

CathyC - I so miss this!! Have a great weekend!!!!!

happygirl - I don’t know where you get all your energy. You are AMAZING!

amy jupin - oh my goodness, how i miss you.
and i’m so so sorry to hear about your grandma.
she looked like such a lovely lady.
why aren’t there ladies anymore?
real LADIES, you know what i mean?
my grandmom was very much a lady too.
anyways, give kimberlee a hug from me.
i just know y’all are going to have a blast this weekend.
xo.

Juliane at Modern Mural - Loving that outfit! It looks like you’re having a blast. All the colors, all the possibilities for crafts and artworks for the wall and for that amazing space: so great!

lauren - seeing your pics makes me smile a different smile now that i’ve been there in person….it’s a smile of knowing that the pictures truly don’t do the EXPERIENCE and the fellowship with such great PEOPLE justice – and that 12+ more ladies are about to have their minds (and hearts) blown wide open!
ENJOY THIS WEEKEND sweet meg & kimberlee!
and….THANK YOU….once again, for sharing your gifts with all of us 🙂
take care!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - in my mind craft weekend stopped with our group;) it should have anyway. how can it go on without us there….waaaaaaa!

Jen - Love your blog Meg! I want the wall color you have in the craft house entry way (olive green). Do you happen to know what it’s called?
Have a great craft weekend!

Melissa - My mom aunt cousins and I so need to come to a craft weekend!

Leadia Jarvis - I want to come back. Need a helper?
Looks like you are geared up for a good time.
I gave up dairy and grains a long time ago, but Cocoa Pebbles and Capt’n Crunch were my late night vices 🙂

tiffany gardner - one day…
and hey… you will be running through my neighborhood for that marathon! my kids run in the kids marathon every year. I will be cheering you and my brother on for the race. Yay for you!!!!!!!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - I think I drooled the first time I saw that mint dotted shirt in the store. But then when the only size left they has was XS I wanted to cry.
And as for the Ninja? Yet more tears. It was on my Christmas list this year. But I’m still using a blender that’s cracked to make our daily smoothies in.
Oh well. Life is good-even without polka dots and Ninjas:)
Have an awesome time this weekend! (I saw that Lindsey’s coming…’bout time!:))

Kathie M. - so much fun!! 😀 Love it! I always love seeing your craft weekends and wish I could do something like that here in Washington!! 😀 It would be amazing! Can’t wait to see the pictures after this weekend!

Shannon - All these pictures are so happy! Have fun this weekend and looking forward to hearing all about it 🙂

Ko. S - Soooooo awesome! Have a wonderful time with those luck ladies!!!

catie - what a great post! which half marathon are you running in? i’m doing the prarie fire half in may (i did the fall one, first one ever!), but i didn’t know there was one in april!! i’m also going to do the see jane run half in september and possibly the fall prarie fire? not sure yet. and if i can run a half marathon, you sure can girlie!

beki - Ah, so fun!! I wish I was there 🙂

Gale - I looked and this and realized I’ll be there in about 24 hours!! I’m so excited to have been chosen – and terrified at the same time.. LOL And since I still have no idea what I’ll wear, I’m glad I got to see your clothes – and now I still don’t know what to pack! Good thing I have tomorrow off to get ready and go shopping!! 🙂 I wish everyone could come – but I guess doing it every weekend might get kinda old for ya’ll! So excited!!!!

Aby Gittings - Oh my. I sooooo wanna come to Craft Weekend. Sigh.

Seriously Sassy Mama - Still completely in love with your home. Love the yellow boots.

Dina - I want to live there…surrounded by colors…I could be your housekeeper…I live in Wichita…it could work ;-)…visit my kids on the weekends…hmmmm…. 😉

Mollie @Sprinkles of Life - I love that teal and polka dot shirt! Pretty!

Kristin S - I am itching to get that polka dot shirt from Target. I wish it would go on sale.

Regina - Saving every darn penny in hopes that my name is drawn again this year. Hate that I couldn’t make it in November. Happiest 2013 to you and your family, Meg. Wishing you health, happiness,and all that you hope for this year! Thanks again for sharing your life with us! Cheers!

jenny - everything looks so fun! Wish I was there.
Have a great time! 🙂

Shari - I have to know who makes that knife set? I WANT IT!!! 🙂

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

my sweet grandma.

January 8, 2013 Filed in special

yesterday i spent the day with my family remembering my grandmother.

she passed away on january 1st.

IMG_20130107_185116

her service was lovely…the scripture, the songs, the memories that were shared… i loved it.

my parents and sister made a slide show of photos of her life that was so fun to see.

she had 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

IMG_20130108_084644

she was always kind & cheerful.   she was quiet and reserved.  

she always looked put together… make-up on, hair done, jewelry and pretty clothes… always.

even her jammies were fancy.

her skin was so soft.
she always sent me birthday cards that had were girly and had glitter on them.
she never forgot.
 
we will forever joke about her saying "it's a new recipe…i don't know if it's any good"
she baked a lot.

her laugh was a snort so we loved to get her laughing as much as possible.

 

IMG_20130107_140734
almost all of the family was there to celebrate her life.
i loved seeing my cousins again.
it's kind of a strange thing to be the grown ups now.
we spent all those christmases together as kids and now we are the ages our parents were then!
i love them all so much.
funerals and weddings remind of us those who made us who we are…the beginnings.
family ties run deep.
i didn't want the day to end and have to say goodbye to them again. 
IMG_20130108_084457
annie made a little shrine of her own when we came home.
she placed her flowers from the service in a jar & scotch taped grandma's picture to it for her bedside table.
we tried to talk very openly about the service, the casket, the family, the tears.
who knows what they will remember from that day but i think it will be posititve. 
i loved my grandma.
i will miss her always being with our family.
she was there…sitting on the couch while the kids ran all around her.
sitting at the dining room table while meals were prepared around her.
i will miss her there with coffee in the mornings at my moms.
she didn't say much ("well meg…what's new with you?")
we were often afraid that waffle would knock her down.
i knew that she loved me.
and that i was important to her.
that means the world to me.
she made sure we were okay, taken care of, thought of and worried about.  
she was kind and loving and proud of all of my cousins and me.
i am so grateful to have had her in my life this long.

 

add a comment

Sharri - Hi Meg: Just catching up with your blog. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here on your site. I am so sorry to read of your grandmother’s passing. What a lovely post you wrote about her. I love reading about your craft weekends. I am a so-so crafter but a good helper, should you need someone to assist, please let me know.

Christina - She sounds like such a wonderful person…what a treasure to have that family time too. Praying for your family. May you all know peace.

Heidi Jo the Artist - Sorry for your loss Meg. Lots of love to you and your family!

Becca - I’m very sorry for your loss. Becca

Karen Gerstenberger - Meg, I’m so sorry for your loss. What a sweet face your grandma had – so gentle and gracious-looking. Those family ties are a blessing, especially when you can share special memories at such a time. It’s so comforting.
God bless you and each member of your family with peace, comfort and loving memories of your grandma.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I have always loved your grandma and the way that you love her. This is a beautiful tribute. All of those little memories add up to so much heartfelt lifetime love. Thanks for sharing her with us and I’m so sorry for your loss.

Nanette - Your grandma was beautiful! I’m sorry for your family’s loss. We lost my grandfather this December at the great age of 94. He would often text and email me and he put himself out there on Facebook! He and my 8 year old were “penpals” via email. I miss having our weekly calls – he was sometimes my only adult conversation for the day! But his burial was more of a remembrance of happy things and I think it will be a great lesson for my younger boys as they get older. It sounds like that is the way your grandma was celebrated…glad you have so many happy thoughts to keep close.

Carrie - Your lovely words and emotion made me cry. I am so sorry for your loss. Your granmother sounds just lovely!
My nanaw passed in August and she was my last living grandparent. It’s hard to believe I am no longer a grandkid, my parents are no longer the kids. Her passing bumped us all up in the line. I miss her, she always had practical, logical advice that when she gave it you always thought “Now WHY didn’t I think of that?!” she was google to all of us.
Glad to hear you talk openly with the kids. My fam was never good about openly dealing with emotions, it’s always good to hear when parents are.

Dana - Sorry for your loss Meg. So much of what you are saying sounds just like my Meme. She is still with us, but has end stage Alzheimer’s. She was always put together and always sent cards.

Leah - So very sorry for your loss, Meg.

Tracy Fisher - Im so sorry to hear. what an amazing lady. i miss that generation… when a lady was a lady. pearls and all. i said a little prayer for your grandma… and your family. – tracy

Mindy - So very sorry for your loss. I was blessed to have grown up with both grandma’s and three great grandma’s nearby. They all had such influence on my life. I still am fortunate enough to have one living grandma and treasure her. I feel your loss as I had a very close relationship to one I lost and miss to this day. I can only hope if I have the change to be a grandma one day that I can do half of what she did for me for my own grandchildren..

Amy - That was beautifuly written! I cried. Makes me miss my Grandmother even more. Oh how she loved me, my sister and my cousins. Prayed for us daily. There’s something about a Grandmother’s love.
Amy

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Im sorry that she’s no longer around Meg. It does sound like she lived a wonderful, loving life though. And you are blessed to have known & loved her.
I never knew any of my grandmothers. My mom’s mom found out she had cancer and her only wish was to live long enough to get to see me. She told everyone that my mom was pregnant with a baby girl(which no one believed bc my mom had been the last girl, 38 years prior). Well, her wish was never granted. She was buried the day before I was born.
Some day I will get to meet her. What a sweet reunion that will be.:)
Prayers for all of you today.

Leadia Jarvis - Losing a grandma leaves the biggest hole 🙁 I’m so sorry you lost her, but I’m pretty sure she left a lot of herself behind in you.

jennyonthespot - Oh friend. Sending much love. What sweet words and lovely rememberings of your sweet grandma. You have honored her delightfully. xoxox

Georgia - Sorry to hear this sad news. Just be happy and remember all the good times you had…. they make up for the sadness xx

Katherine @ Grass Stains - Meg, I’m so sorry for your loss … my relationship with my only living grandparent (my paternal grandmother) sounds so similar to yours. My grandmother is 95 and still lives alone, although she does have part-time care because her arthritis is acting up. But I admire her and love her so much! You guys are in my thoughts.

Lisa - I’m so sorry about your precious Grandma! What a blessing to have such a wonderful grandma! I am glad you had such a great day celebrating her life and have all those sweet memories!

Patti - My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Those sweet memories you have of her will be treasured always I’m sure.

Jen - What a true gift she left her family with. A gift of love. I am truly sorry for your loss.

Amy - What a beautiful tribute, Meg. She sounds amazing. I’m so sorry for your loss.

ann - Meg, thank you for sharing with us your Grandma. She seems like a very sweet lady. I love that you wrote, “a celebration of her life” because the older I am the more I believe that, as opposed to a “funeral”. I agree on the “now that we are the age our parents were”. I am forty something and lost my grandma over 2 years ago….hard to believe its been 2 years. We too were very close. I remember the last time I sat with her, with my hubby and kids, it was outside, she was in her wheelchair, it was Labor Day and there was a slight breeze blowing, and a touch of sun upon us(Illinois) and she would talk a moment, close her eyes, take deep breaths, all the while I held her hand and talked about our time together, making bread, family picnics on Sundays, her home, family. I knew in my heart she was close to the end and even though her faith was strong, I squeezed her hand because she was telling me she didnt want to leave us. I would have sat there for hours if you let me, and my hubby let me stay as long as I wanted. It is a day I will never forget. I gave the euology and though it was hard, I was totally honored. I have a bowl of her broaches, her bread pan, bread recipie (made for the holidays) a few pieces of her china (everyday dishes – in fact I found the same bowl at an estate sale in Michigan and bought it – though I keep the price on the bottom so I know which is which) and relive pictures of memories of her with the kids. That was so sweet of Annie to make a little shrine, its here way of remembering her. My Hannah has a frame of her and grandma on her dresser. You probably feel the same, happy to have been a part of her life, and keep her memory alive with your kids, especially the younger ones. It is nice to have such a wonderful memory of her with you and to continue her legacy with your family. She will never be forgotten. One day at Craft Weekend we can share share stories and blessings of our Grandma’s. Until then, thinking of you as you move on keeping her memories alive.

Jessica - sorry for your loss, Meg. ((hugs))

Andrea T - So sorry for you and your family’s loss.

Michelle Bostinelos - I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.

Kirsten J - I’m so sorry for your loss – what a beautiful woman she was! And that is a fantastic legacy. You’re very lucky to have had her so long. I lost one grandma when I was 4, but my other grandma lived into her 90’s – they are such a treasure!

Audrey - She sounds like a wonderful woman. Grandmas are the best kind of people, so sorry for your loss

Holly - Grandmas are so precious. They will be with us always in our hearts.

kay morrison - sweet meg, BIG hugs to you. i am joyful over a life so beautiful and now living it with Jesus and so sorry for your heart missing her here. love you.

Jolie - I am so sorry for your loss Meg. Grandmothers are special people – I’m so heartened you got the opportunity to ceebrate her life with so much of your extended family.

Lori Austin - Losing a grandma is so hard. I miss mine dearly. Sounds like you had a wonderful service to honor her life. Prayers.

Whitney - SO sorry for your family’s loss. Hope you find comfort in all the happy memories, she sounded wonderful! My great grandmother died on 1/1 (in ’97)… despite how sad it was, it always made me happy that she got to ring in one more year. Glad your grandma got to see another one as well.

Tiffany - She sounds like a wonderful woman. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Tina I - So sorry, Meg. What a blessing to have had her in your life….my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Andrea - Meg…I am so sorry. How lovely to know that you have such a special angel looking out for you.

Jenn B - You’re Grandma looks sweet! What a wonderful post about the celebration of life and who she was. I am sorry for your family’s loss. Grandmothers are a precious gift from God. One day you will see her again.

Cindy - I’m sorry for your loss, Megan. I’m positive she is so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and is looking down with lots of smiles and love. My condolences to you and your family.

Carrie - I am so sorry for your loss. The Friday before Christmas we lost my husband’s grandfather. The day after Christmas we had his service. It was simple and very reserved. He was simple and very reserved, it was perfect. He was more then ready to go home and everyone knew it but it has still been hard. My 5 year old loved him so much and it is so hard to explain to a 5 year old that a person has lived a long life and it is time to go. For them, that brings no comfort. So she has her moments, but as most little kids, it is a second here of a spoken sadness and millions of seconds of off the wall happiness.
He was a good man, never spoke a bad word, never drank and raised a daughter ( my husband’s mom) who does the same.

stacie - hugs to you and prayers for your whole family at this time.
may her soul be in that peaceful, awesome, eternal place we strive for.
much love, stacie

cheryl @ a pretty cool life. - So sorry, Meg. xoxo

Valerie @ Chateau a la mode - So sorry for your loss Meg. I can tell she was very special to you and you will always be able to have a special place in your heart for the special grandmother you had. What a blessing!

Lori Bowring Michaud - What a lovely tribute to your grandmother, Meg. Just lovely. I will tell you that the kids will remember enough about the day to get them through what they need to get through. My children were young when their great-grandfather died; he was a very large part of their lives (they were 3.5, 6.5, 7.5 and 9). We wanted them to come to the wake for a bit to understand, then the funeral. No one wanted us to, they were afraid it would “scar” them. It was sad, but lovely, and therapeutic for them. They didn’t “fear” anything. I think it helped to prepare them, in a way, for a huge loss 10 years later, the loss of our oldest child T.J.

Inna - I’m so sorry for your loss.

susan - A beautiful tribute to your grandma. I treasured the many years with mine.
May you and yours always remember those wonderful times.

Heather R. - Bless her. I’m glad you have to love she put in your heart.

Jennifer - So sorry for your loss Megan. I lost my grandmother in 2011-she was beautiful and very much a lady like yours. It sounds like you have wonderful memories of her for you and your children. Treasure them. <3

Amy - So sorry for your loss…but how blessed you were to have her, love and prayers your way:)

Kristin S - What a gift that you had a living grandmother and you have teenagers! My last blood grandparent passed away 19 years ago and I’m 41.
This is a beautiful tribute to her.

Jacci in Ohio - Oh, I’m sorry, Megan. It was beautiful post. Very honoring and loving to her, I think. (hug)

kelly johnson - She sounded wonderful.
I love that her funeral program said “Service of Remembrance and Resurrection”. AMEN! Praise to Jesus for His promise to resurrect the earthly bodies of His people.

karen - my condolences to you and your family

Wendy - I am vey sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was an awesome Grandma … may her memory always bring a smile to your face.

Kris Saia - Lovely. What you said rings so true to me. When I get to Heaven, my Grandma Elsie is going to be in my top ten list of people to look for! 🙂

Heather - I’m sorry for your loss, your words have moved me to tears. What a beautiful rememberance!

Kim Barlow - What a sweet post. I hope my grandkids write that exact same thing about me when I pass. Hold your sweet memories close they will make your heart smile and your soul warm on days when grief comes to call. So sorry sweet lady. May God Bless you and your family! XO

Tracy - I’m so sorry, Meg. Grandmas are very special people! She was a beautiful woman.

Lindsey - Oh Meg, so sorry that she passed. Maybe she will meet my grandma in Heaven. She passed in August. Your description of your grandma is almost identical to how I would describe my sweet grandmother – special ladies indeed! Thanks for sharing such a great tribute.

Cheryl E. - Meg – So sorry for your loss. Grandma’s are one of a kind and you sure had a special one.
Sending prayers and thoughts your way…….

Christy - So sorry for your loss, sounds like she was a great lady

Gale - So very sorry that she’s not physically with you any longer, but I remember both my grandma’s almost every day – all those memories never leave and the older you are, the more you appreciate it. I know she was super proud of you 🙂 Hugs!

Tammy - So sorry for your loss, what a blessing to have her with you for so many years. Such a beautiful tribute, sending prayers of comfort for you and your family.

tiffany gardner - She sounds like an amazing woman!

Molly - SO very sorry for your family’s loss. Your grandmother sounds like the perfect grandmother. Sending you some peace in the days ahead.

jenny - so sorry, but it IS good to remember.
“God gave us memories so that we may have roses in December.”
This has been one of my favorite quotes for years now.
blessings to you. 🙂

Tracey - Oh, I share your pain. My Granny just passed on December 18th. It is a sad time. Prayers for you and yours.

Kate - Oh Meg. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs.

Julie - I am so sorry for you and your family. You are so lucky to have had her in your life for so many years. There is nothing in the world like family – just as you said – and it is just the way it should be. I LOVED my grandma too and even though she has been gone for 20 years, I still have the BEST feelings about her and miss her! Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

christy - My condolences. What a beautiful tribute and what great memories you will have. I lost my own grandmother just a few months ago.

Mary - sorry for your loss, meg.
reminds me of how short our lives truly are.
xoxo

chrissi - your grandmother was just lovely. how nice that your children grew with her in their lives. what a joy for you to know that as you celebrate her life.

happygirl - I am sorry for your loss. She is so beautiful. I know you will treasure your memories of her.

Gina - I’m sorry Meg. I love your memories of your grandma. It made me wonder what will be said of me one day. 🙂 I’ve already cried this morning over another’s loss of her grandfather. I guess it’s just part of the life cycle…a reminder that we are not promised tomorrow and to live fully now. 🙂

Laura - What a blessing to have her in your life for so many years! My sympathies to your family.

Alice H - this makes me cry. I don’t like thinking about my grandparents being gone one day. My mamaw and papaw mean so much to me. What a beautiful tribute you wrote for her.

Tiffany - Meg, I love seeing family at funerals too and we all say we wish that we got together more often, especially to celebrate the good times! Your tribute was sweet and leaves with hope, hope to make and leave fond memories for my family and friends as well. To make sure they FEEL the love with something as simple as a glittery birthday card 🙂 Thinking of you and your family.

Kelly Henderson - I am so very sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful tribute you just gave your grandmother…so beautiful xo.

jenny - When I saw your pic on instagram, I had a feeling you’d been at a funeral-all the dark colors I guess. Praying for you as you grieve. I lost my sweet grandfather last March and feel so blessed to have had him for 33 years yet that’s what also makes it so hard because you have all those wonderful memories. Big hugs.

Kerry Wiebe - Megs we spent New Year’s Eve together and I never knew that your Grandma was sick. You are amazing! I’m so sorry for your loss and I know how important a Grandma is in one’s life. I’m so thankful that you have those memories.

Carrie - BIG Hugs Meg.

Kelly - I am so sorry for your loss but thankful you have the hope of knowing you’ll see her again. I’m extremely close to my Gram (even named my youngest, Graham, after her) and know the day is coming when this will be my story.

Miranda - Sorry for your loss. My grandma passed away on Jan. 1st also. Not the best start to the year but shes in the best place she could be 🙂

angela - What sweet words.
I pray that my grandchildren will one day say *I KNOW she loved me.*
When I saw you with your cousins I was reminded that *cousins are some of our very first friends.* We share a lifetime of family memories with them. So glad that even though the circumstances weren’t the best, you got to spend time with them.

Tania K - She sounds like one amazing lady! Sending you and your family a whole bunch of hugs.

Whitney - I’m sorry for your loss, Megan. I was so incredibly blessed to have both sets of grandparents fairly near me when I was growing up, and I cherished both of my grandmothers. I’m glad you were able to have such wonderful times with her and enjoy those memories.

elma - So sorry for your loss. What wonderful memories of such a wonderful grandma. I pray the Lord gives you and your family all you need in the days and weeks to come.

Jen - What a sweet tribute to your beautiful grandma. I am sorry for your loss, Meg.

Caroline - SO sorry for your loss. I’m glad you have so many wonderful and sweet memories of her. Sending you lots of love and hugs!

Caroline - SO sorry for your loss. I’m glad you have so many wonderful and sweet memories of her. Sending you lots of love and hugs!

Jodi Sunderland - SO sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to her. I’m sure she loves it.

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

instagrammers.

January 6, 2013 Filed in instagrammy

instagrams from the past week or so….

IMG_20121227_125449
annie got her cast off.

IMG_20121227_142035
we celebrated with a milkshake…of course.

IMG_20121228_110734
i made pumpkin donuts with my new donut pan.  
i will share a recipe blog post soon.

IMG_20121231_132234
my friend gave me this big jar of bath salts for christmas… SCORE!

IMG_20130101_094305
coffee.
one of my favorites of everyday.

IMG_20130101_095735
working with her right hand again… not easy.

IMG_20130101_114724
we went swimming on new year's day.
i stayed in the hot tub.

IMG_20130101_144316
i started this book that santa got for lauren.
and i laughed so hard on every page.
it was an awesome book… i was a huge fan before and now i think she is absolutely A W E S O M E!!
i read the entire thing in 24 hours.
i have NEVER ever ever done that with any book in my life.

IMG_20130103_075513
frosty frost at sunrise means it's time to go running.
unfortunately.

IMG_20130103_093321
i made it out three times this week…but i had to go alone each time.
i am training for a half marathon in april so i have to go even when it's 20 degrees.
boo.
i can only smile when i am done.

IMG_20130103_122423
annie started physical therapy.
it was not too bad.

IMG_20130103_170456
kansas is so darn pretty.

IMG_20130104_104651
i hate when i do this.
i really hate when i am between towns when this happens.
i made it…barely i am sure.

IMG_20130104_131234
this was our dinner on friday.
oh how i love this meal!!  

IMG_20130105_183002
spent our saturday evening at sean's basketball tournament.
he's the red blur in the middle.  :)
i like this life we have of cheering on our kids most weekends.
i never thought i would.
but i do.

 

you can follow me on instagram…  i am meg duerksen over there too.

 

********************************************

ok….winners for the mpix day planners:

Laurie said…

I would love this! I can't wait to see the day when my son can be completely off ALL of his medications and the dreaded ketogenic diet. It may be this year! I'd love to be able to count down and keep having hope for all that 2013 will bring and a calendar like this would help me keep it all straight! www.ourjourneywithdoose.blogspot.com

——————————————————————————————–
Eleanor said…

I dont have any particular MAJOR event planned this year. BUT I do need to get organized! My MAJOR goal for the year is to meal plan better and to organize my "to do" list better. I fail miserably when I try to do it on my phone and I end up with scrap paper lists of things to do all over the place. This planner would be so awesome for me!

——————————————————————————————–
Annie said…

Oh my gosh, these planners are adorable! I can't wait to write in PEN the day we finally plan our family vacation…it's been a long time coming!!

EMAIL ME WITH YOUR DETAILS GIRLS!! i am excited for you.

 

add a comment

Heidi Jo the Artist - Love Instagram! I do better at it, than blogging. You can follow me, the crazy blue-haired chica @ HeidiJotheArtist 😉

student - Hello,
Are you interested in a link exchange with http://www.studentloanshelp.info ?
the site is fitting in 3 words description student loans help
Looking forward for your response . Thanks.

Jolie - Meg I kept thinking about you overnight and what an inspiration you’ve been documenting your journey to becoming a runner…I just wanted to let you know!

Eleanor - ah! THIS IS THE FIRST THING I HAVE EVER WON IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! DUDE! I enter into things like this online like, EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!! I love your blog! you are amazing!

ginny - So are you staying with Instagram with their new rules? I’m thinking I’m going to be deleting my account. I will miss it!

Susannah - Congrats on the running! I can’t even get out when it’s 70 degrees out. 🙂

jenny - So impressed that you are running outside in the cold, and at the coldest part of the day!
I have been a big baby and have moved my walking/running inside to the treadmill!

Adrienne s - Does the chicken shred or stay intact? I tried doing a salsa crokpot chicken thing and it shredded and my kids wouldnt eat it.
This looks so good though! Love my crockpot.

Angie - YEA!! Laurie’s my BFF!! Congratulations!

becky - ack – i read tina’s book out loud to my husband when we were on our cross country trip this weekend. i was choking on laughter – all the way through…especially the part where her mom handed her the menstruation kit – both the mother and daughter part…classic. sigh. so good, now i have to go read it again.
speaking of pee-your-pants laughing…i know, i was the only that mention pee…but pitch perfect – BRILLIANCE, in the same vein of crazy tina-ism humor. and watch it with a group. sooo funny. especially from a grown woman watching it with her teen sisters (we have two generations of kids in our family)…silliness.
happy new year.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - i’ll have to read that book. i kinda adore her already, so hmmmm…may put me over the top;) you are a rock star in my book for running outside and in that cold weather. that’s tough stuff. i couldn’t do it i know that for sure.

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Hooray for Annie! Any reports on how her arm healed over this time?

Jen - Glad that Annie got her cast off. Yes, Kansas is beautiful. And a big YOU GO GIRL for getting your run on!!!

Kate - I’m glad you made it to the gas station! Proud of you for getting your run on even when it is crazy cold – you go girl!

Mac - Happy New Year to you and your family ! Your happy,colourful, creative and down to earth blog has cheered me up over the last two years as I read it while drinking my morning coffee and and taking a big breath after getting my four busy children to school down here in Australia. We are enjoying a very warm,carefree summer now. Hope you make it down here one day. Take care.

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top