whatever

SNAP...a small recap.

i took no photos of people.
it's probably a nervous thing....right?
all the pictures in this post are of things i saw this weekend and have nothing to do with my words because that is the only option here!

well... as almost all nerve wracking, fear of the unknown situations are....everything was fine.
like all of YOU knew it would be.
it was me who was doubting. 

 
i really don't like being the new girl.
the one that no one knows....or in this case the one who knows no one else.
i was walking into a weird and new experience for me.
but it was GREAT!
everyone was SUPER nice and kind and friendly.


 (side note:  dont you think this couch could not be more perfect for the craft house????)


i had FUN roommates.
we laughed the entire time.
it was such wonderful girl time for me.
lindsey, jeannett and maggie were even better than i hoped.  

the entire conference was done so well.
we were entertained....spoiled....and taught.
i was so impressed with all of it.
i looooved the Queen Bee Market! 
it was my first time to get to see so many of these handmade products that i love online....in person!







my session was with jeannett and ethan and moderated by amy.
i felt like it was just right.
i spoke from my heart.  
and as always....i cried.
only in the beginning.
it was a relief to be actually speaking the words i had been going over in my head for weeks...months.
to get them OUT and not have to worry about messing up any more.



speaking them out loud brought my passion alive again.
fanned the flame.
getting to share what is deep in my heart felt awesome...like it was stuck inside and then released!

God sent so many women to give me words of encouragement all weekend.
they were all so kind and gushingly sweet.
it was humbling.
they made me feel so good all day long.

i got to meet blogger friends in real life...
mique, kami,  tauwni, jess, andrea, heather, alissa, patty and kim to name a few.

the sponsors were generous!
our swag bags were extreme.
this was about a quarter of the loot...seriously...they rocked it.



so....my thoughts on what i got out of the conference.

1. it was a wonderful break from the everyday of mommyhood.

2. meeting bloggers is awesome.

3. speaking makes me nervous and yet i really LOVE doing it.

4. girlfriends are such good medicine.

5. i was reminded again of what i am in this corner of the internet....and i like it.
    i first realized it first when i was in Atlanta for the coca-cola social media conference surrounded by big
    bloggers filled with business mindsets and big goals and plans for their blogs.
    at the end of the day....i just want to glorify God.
    in my words, in my photos, in my home, in my relationships and definitely on my blog....every day.
    and that is a work in progress.
    it's a journey.
    i still mess up a lot.  
    i still react poorly sometimes often....i am normal.
    but i am here in to serve God with JOY and do my best every day to let His Light shine through me.

i loved SNAP.
it was awesome to be asked to be a part of it!
they know how to throw a party!

hey....how about if YOU were at SNAP and you took your picture with me....send it to me!
i have no photos of you or me.
it will make a great post.  :)
pleeeease.

thanks!

 

my version of WIWW

Lindsey at the The Pleated Poppy has done What I Wore Wednesday for....ever.
i don't know how long.
and i have NEVER participated.
because i just don't dress that cute on a daily basis.  
maybe twice a week i dress nicer than my workout clothes/sweats.

and of those two days...i never take pictures.

so i thought....since i am all packed and ready for SNAP....nerves are much less anxious....thanks for praying.
i thought i would show my version of WIWW.
:)

suitcase style.


OUTFIT #1

 cardigan - Forever 21
tank -  Matilda Jane
capris - Kohls
jewelry  - Crystal B


OUTFIT #2

 dress - Old Navy
cardigan - JCPenney
jewelry - Kohls
flower - Made4Adoption

 

OUTFIT #3

striped top - Forever 21
denim jacket - Old Navy
white pants - Old Navy
Jewelry CATO

 

OUTFIT #4

coral top - Maurices
denim jacket - Old Navy
pants - Dress Barn (moo) 
jewelry - Francescas
flower - Julie at Joys Hope 

here is all of it with shoes.  :)
leopard flats - target, red wedges - Payless, sandals - Maurices, sparkle sequin converse - Target

it's kind of like fashion plates.  
did you love fashion plates like i did?
i used to make outfit after outfit....and color them in with colored pencil.
 i think i still have some.
i have never had my girls play with them???
what have i done to them?!
deprived.
i hope i can find them.
they need fashion plates in their life.


 

this is why i don't do WIWW.
it would be 5 photos of this....with different colored tanks.
i have a weeks worth of those capris.
i wear the jacket over and over.

 nice hair.

i will be leaving this "outfit" at home. 

and guess who i am rooming with at SNAP?
lindsey.
maybe she will school me on how to pull off WIWW.
i clearly need a lesson.

also rooming with Jeannett and Maggie.
 i think it's going to be loads of fun.
they can teach me about instagram and business-y things.
talk about a powerhouse room at the Spring Hill Suites!
boom.
how did i get in there???
i can't wait.
i am getting very excited today. 

although i am feeling SO guilty about leaving.
i am going to be gone for mr. duerksen's birthday.
the first time in....over 20 years!!!
that is huge.
i am a jerk.
ugh.
it's really bothered me.
he says it means nothing and he doesn't care.
"it's just like any other saturday"
but to me it is a BIG deal...like i am tearing up just thinking about it!
i want to celebrate him on his big day.
i want to be there.
my kids are going to have to step up. 
they better be good and make it nice!

the guilt.

alright....i am off to run (treadmill...wind is too much today)
and then finish up all the last minute things like...new spanx...and travel size hairspray.
and People Magazine.

 

tornado alley

we are ok.
there were tornados in kansas this weekend....LOTS of tornados....but not at my house.
this was one about 8 or 10 miles away.
craig and scott saw this one on the video driving home from scotts game. (which i was not at because i was in the basement!)

they did not make this video...it was just someone driving in a severe weather watch...that seemed surprised that there was a tornado!  whatevs. 

crazy.

that's kansas though.
every year.

i was in the basement with my other kids...telling them it was fine....relax....it's going to be fine.
my little girls worry.
A LOT.
i try to just be very calm and hope for the best.
we were watching HOP and i didn't mention the sirens.
then Scott came running in and yelled "I SAW THE TORNADO!"  and they were done for....
they ended up sleeping in my bed.

thanks for ALL the emails asking if we were okay....so sweet.

i am so thankful that EVERYONE is ok.  

 

now...the winner for LuciusART's wood block City Print.

NYC is my favorite city in the US, so I would want that- but I live in Joplin, MO and I would love that too! Maybe I need two...

Posted by: Carrie | April 12, 2012 at 03:41 PM

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email me Carrie and i will hook you up with Kevin!!

thanks for entering everyone!!!

 

 

i am trying SO hard not to be nervous about the SNAP conference this week.
lots of prayer here.

i am going to be spending extra amounts of time with God the next few days getting a clear vision of what HE wants me to share in my session.  
i am on a panel with Jeannett and Ethan about "Using Your Blog for Good."

i know, i know, I KNOW that God is able to take away these fears and nervousness.
He can and He will.
because HE brought me to this....God gets all the glory....i have to share that.

so....here's the deal.
if YOU are going to SNAP and YOU see me...PLEASE say  hello.
i think i will know 3 people that i have met in real life.
out of 300+ people that makes me feel extra nervous.
it's hard to leave your kids, husband and home and go some place NEW with lots of people.
at least it is for me.

so i promise to wear a big friendly smile and fill your ear with lots of chit chat if you promise to say Hello.
ok?

:)

AND WHAT WILL I WEAR?!!!
so many decisions. 

i did get some new shoes....maybe too many shoes.

 
i WISH Payless Shoes would be sponsoring me...but they are not.....BUT THEY SHOULD!

i just always seem to find great shoes there all the time.
i did a little online BOGO shopping.
just for me.


i think the glitter flats are my favorite.
but it's a hard choice.
the red wedges are REALLY cute and comfy and come in several colors.
even yellow.
and i LOVE the little yellow flower sandals too.
shoes sure do make me happy.
i am a dork. 

 

ok....have a great monday!

i just got back from a run and i feel like today is going to be a good one.
THE SUN IS SHINING!
woo-hoo!

thank you God for that.

 

 

girls day

i brought my two littlest girls up to my parents for a short visit.
there was no school and it looked like it might rain again and after that LONG rainy spring break we just had i was done with that...so we packed up and left.

and today we had a girls day.

:)

breakfast at Wheatfields.
biggest french toast i have ever seen.
 


wheatfields has tiles all over in beautiful colors made into a mural...so so pretty!
 


trying on glasses.



pretty dress for mommy that did come home with me.


rainboots that i REALLY wanted to come home with me.....badly....the zig zag ones.
but they stayed.



i tried to convince my girls to pick these earrings and they went with milk and cookies earrings instead.



a little shopping at Gap...40% off shirts and leggings!!
score.



visited my MOST favorite fabric shop!!! 
sarah's fabrics has an unbelievible selection of all the beautiful fabrics you want to see in real life...not just online.
camera fabric?!  
adorable.





lunch was Sylas & Maddy's...local ice cream shop.





ice cream for lunch is perfectly acceptable for girls day.




pretties at urban outfitters....also loved their rugs.
did not love getting asked "can i help you with something SIR?"
excuse me?
what?
never happened to me before....we had quite a laugh about it all evening.
so many comebacks i could've had. 

my mom and i stopped by to see my grandmas.
one was doing great and one wasn't feeling too well.
my girls were quite entertained by the fish tank at the home.





home to my moms....my sister showed up with her girls....we sent the kids off to play and had grown up girls time.
my mom found this wine in south dakota...home of sturgis.....oh my.



yummy dinner and off to the park till it was dark.



so much better than stuck at the farm in the rain.

yep.

i hope you have a beautiful Easter weekend.
we'll probably dye eggs today.
then i will head back to the rest of my family today so we can have easter together.
with a starbucks midway home...there is ONE starbucks exactly middle of the road between me and my moms house.
we frequent it...every time.

happy easter.

HE IS RISEN.

remember this video?

i still love it.

sunday's coming.

 

2 AM

there is a reason i don't go to bed early.
i hate to be woken up.

but today...i put in a full 12 hours of not sitting down or stopping.
i went for a five mile run.
that is the longest i have ever gone.
i got the house ready to move into...it's ready...every floor mopped, walls washed, bathrooms bleached.
and i got new toilet seats because it just has to happen whenever we move into a house.
you do that too right?
even if they are fine (which they usually aren't) it's just gross...in my opinion.

i came home and we had chicken tacos....aren't crockpots one of the best inventions EVER?!

then craig took the little girls to his moms and i texted at 8:30 "i'm going to bed" 
that is unheard of.
i never go to bed before 11.
ever.

and three wake ups later...
that is why i don't go to bed early.
once i wake up i have a really hard time going back to sleep.
so...here i sit at 2 AM with a bowl of cereal and browsing the web for shower curtains.  
Do you know that for every one decent looking shower curtain there are at least 247 really ugly ones??

it's true.

so....in a few hours we move to the farmhouse.

i know from all your comments that you are sad that you won't see this house much on the blog anymore.
but you know that's not true.
it will be here for craft weekends and other fun stuff.
don't cry. :)
and i think the farm house has lots of great photos, projects and love to come.
in fact...i KNOW it does.

what i have figured out from all of this and from everyone's comments...

1. craig and i are not afraid of change.
2. we love our home but we don't want to love anything so much that we cannot leave it.
3. we love the small town upbringing we were blessed to have and want it for our family too.
4. we love our family....and that family can bond and love and grow stronger anywhere...not just this house.
5. we are very content and at peace with this choice.

and that all feels so good.

it's just a house.  
this one or the farm or anywhere....it's just "stuff"
it's a project....the bathrooms...the kitchen....the painting....they are beautiful!
but when it's done i just turn my head and say "what's next?"  
i know not everyone feels that way about their home and that is fine too...we can be different. 

will i miss my kitchen?  my big bathroom? my tall windows?  
of course!!!  i am human. 

but i am choosing in this new season of my life to focus on letting God show me the goodness of my life even without a granite countertop.  :)

i am choosing Phillipians 4:8  "whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy; think about these things"

five kids and two houses and two full remodels later...we are tired.

the farm house gives us a mandatory break from remodeling.
we get to use our time to enjoy other things....like...i don't even know what yet?!!

and that is exciting to me.

ok...i am rambling because i am sleepy and wide awake.

bottom line:  it's all good baby.
there is nothing fishy....nothing i'm not sharing....nothing wrong...we are just moving to a farm.  
it's A.G.

 
(i ran the same route as i did yesterday and this time had my nike+ in my iPod and yesterday's run was actually 4.5 miles!  SWEET!  i will take it.  5 miles today, 4.5 yesterday....90.5 to go.  YAY for Rockin' the Bod in MARCH!) 

 

time to try to sleep again.
i have a BIG day.
and i saw there are cinnamon rolls AND donuts on my counter....hmmm.
oh my.

 

umm...i have no title.

first things first....ARE YOU CAUGHT UP ON PARENTHOOD?
i am so crazy for this show!!!

i am caught up and i was SHOCKED to see that next week is the season finalle?
when did this tv schedule become the norm?

since when is it acceptable to be finished for the YEAR in FEBRUARY???
it is not.
i need my shows sept - may.
just like the school year. 
it's just not cool.

but wow....LOOOOOVE the show.

and adam braverman is still smokin' hot to me.

-----UPDATE!  ------------------------------------
this photo was just sent to me & needs it's rightful place on my post in which i declare the hotness of adam braverman.....



umm....yeah.


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i have had so many people email me about The Color Run.

i am totally psyched about it.
you KNOW i want to take part in that!!
i have a wedding to go to that day....i am really hoping i can figure out a way to do both.
it's not like i am IN the wedding.
if my cleavage is bright blue for a week like last time it's ok because who cares?!!


THIS IS MY POST from utah when i had a color war with my photographer friends....one of the best days of my life.

it is going to be F U N!!!

go sign up in your city!

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march is coming up.
and march needs to look out.
because i am declaring MARCH the month where i ROCK my body.
it's going to be amazing. (can you tell i am talking myself into it??)
i have 6 days to prep myself....i like deadlines, accountability (kind of) and results.

it involves more running.
and sugar.
and vegetables.
and water.
and sleep. 

you get the picture....

want to ROCK out your body in March with me?

you'll need a good sports bra....
and cute shoes.

those are my main requirements.  HA!

i will come up with my plan and fill you in....don't get too excited...im not that great of a planner.

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

go sign up for the giveaway from Spunky Fluff in the post just under this one. 

 

happy thursday.