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whatever craft weekend

Well, hello.

It’s been awhile. I decided that I would start blogging again this week…but we will see if that actually happens. No promises but I will do my best. I have lots to share…the summer flew by mostly undocumented here…but there was just not enough time to sit down at my computer and write it out. My boys aren’t big fans of me sitting at the computer. If I do, they usually run circles around me or break out into a full WWF wrestling match. That usually doesn’t end well. And truthfully spending time with them is more important and more fun anyway. But I’ve missed writing here…so let’s start with the weekend happenings.

On Friday morning I drove the boys to Papa and Bammy’s. I asked Levi if he was excited to spend the weekend there and he was grinning from ear to ear as he shouted, “Yes!”. I don’t think he was planning on missing me much.

After dropping the boys off I grabbed my bags and headed to the craft house for the weekend. I got to be one of the helpers for Whatever Craft Weekend which is such a fun job anyway…but I think what I was looking forward to most was meeting Heather who was a helper too. We’ve gotten to know each other through blogs and emails and the Joyful Life Library she helped me set up for Cora’s birthday…so fun for a blog friend to become a real life friend. This was right after we picked up the craft weekend girls from the airport in the fifteen passenger van. We were celebrating that we actually made it!

If you haven’t heard of Whatever Craft Weekend you need to check it out. Megan and Kimberlee are wonderful. They create such a fun atmosphere for women to come relax and spend the weekend being creative! It is super fun. Kimberlee makes the best food and Megan plans the best crafts for you to do. And the craft house is amazing!

This was on Friday night. The first project is making ruffle aprons. Some of the girls had never sewn before and they did such a great job! The aprons always turn out so cute…each one is different.

Saturday we drove out to Marion to the antique store and barn. We even ate lunch at the barn. So fun. The girls found some great treasures!

This was my big find at the antique store. Did you have one of these as a kid? I remember playing with those cute animals all the time. I bought this for Griffin’s birthday…which is this week…how can he be two already? I can’t wait for him to open it!

We went back to the craft house and crafted into the early morning. I stayed up way too late. I only made one craft that night because I was too busy doing things like cooking bacon…but mostly I was too busy talking and laughing and eating cheesecake. Those fabric buttons are going to be a bracelet and necklace. Now I just need to find the time to finish putting it together. Just as a side note…that tile is my favorite.

Sunday morning we ate breakfast together and then there were giveaways. It is so fun to see all these handmade items in real life that I’ve drooled over on Etsy. Everyone goes how with some serious swag. You can’t see this print very well in this blurry picture but it is from Katy’s shop and is one of my favorites.

And then we said goodbye. It was so fun to hang out with Megan and Kimberlee. And I loved meeting Heather and Jaime and Becky and all the other girls who were there. Sweet, sweet girls!

Isn’t it awesome how God takes the hard, broken things in our lives and allows us to use the comfort He has given us to encourage one another…and even bind us together?! I am so thankful for this girl. Heather has the most amazing heart and it was encouraging to hear her share what God has done in her life since losing her precious son, Samuel. A testimony to His great faithfulness for sure! If you haven’t read her blog you should. So encouraging and she has the best home tours too.

This was the empty van when I arrived back at the craft house after dropping the girls off at the airport. The good news was that no one got car sick and I didn’t hit anything with the van. The bad news was that goodbyes stink. I did find out that I can drive a fifteen passenger van though…fifteen kids here I come. Haha.

I got back home Sunday afternoon and everyone was sleeping. I laid down too and about five minutes later I heard Griffin crying in his room. He decided that he didn’t want to nap…so no nap for mama either. We hung out and watched Thomas the Train together instead. It was a great weekend…a much needed break after a busy week of mostly being on my own while Joel was harvesting. I am always so thankful to come home and squeeze my babies though.

Thank you Lord for an encouraged heart, a break from the normal routine, new friends, yummy food, creativity, rest and my sweet family to come home to.

Now it’s time for a new week!

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  • Kalyn - So can you do a tutorial on how to makes those super cute aprons? I would love to make those for my sisters for a Christmas gift!ReplyCancel

  • becky - all y’all have found special places in my heart. i hope to see you again. you are a precious real life friend now. i wish we could have spent more time chatting. but the crafting & shopping & eating was good too. prayers for your week headed your way! thank you for serving all of us this weekend. it was a HUGE blessing. xoxo.ReplyCancel

  • meg duerksen - thanks for being a great help…and a great friend. i love getting to spend time with you!ReplyCancel

  • Kimberlee Jost - Jess, I love it when you come to help.
    Let’s make it more than once okay?
    Unless you’re serious about the 15 kids…then maybe we’re going to have to go to every other year.
    🙂ReplyCancel

  • Siobhan - Lucky lucky girl! Looks like you had so much fun, that’s a dream of mine to go, maybe one day:) just a note though… If you have 15 kids in your fifteen passenger van, who will drive;)))ReplyCancel

  • Elaine - Those aprons are adorable! I just got a sewing machine and I think this would make a good project.ReplyCancel

  • Mary Ann - Glad you had a fun time with crafting…and glad it was just a busy life and nothing else that kept you from blogging. My sisters and nieces (and a few friends) quilt once a month. It has been such a joy and a challenge (for me since I’m not crafter or don’t sew well). Last month I had to miss but the group decided to take a trip to New York. I can’t wait to go there next month!! My niece also holds a scrapbook over-nighter once or twice a year. Same thing…sisters, nieces, and friends get together to scrap, sew, visit, eat, or do whatever we like. Friends and family have come to mean so much to me since losing my husband and both parents. I love my kids but having women friends and sisters means the world to me. It gives us time to bond, to love each other, to help each other, to rely on each other, to laugh, pray, hope, and dream. It is a reminder for me why God put us in families and in groups so that we would not have to be alone. Glad you had a fun time with your “girls” and enjoyed being back with your cute family too.ReplyCancel

  • EricaG - Hey! I’m trying to make a blog come-back, too! It is hard with precious little ones close by. I love your craft weekends, and I so wish that I could manage something like it of my own.ReplyCancel

  • Kristen Perreault - Jess, I love your heart and perspective on life, it is so refreshing and encouraging! I have three boys, two of which are very similar in age to yours (01-27-2010 and 11-17-2011) so I love reading about the happenings in your home! I am so glad you enjoyed your weekend away and hope you have a blessed week!ReplyCancel

  • Karine - Jess, hi!! I’m so glad to read your first post in real time, haha! I’ll explain: I found your blog because of Levi’s first birthday party as I googled for ideas for my boy’s 3rd one. I’m another life that was touched by yours and Cora’s. About 2 months ago I started reading your blog from the beggining, from the very first post. I finished reading the whole story about last week and was really anxious to see what you’d come up with next. I had to leave a comment now, in real time, and I’m so happy to do it! I emailed you some time ago telling my story, as I was learning from yours on the blog… My relationship with the Lord became special because of the messages I got from here, Jess. Please don’t stop sharing the lessons, happiness, hard times, questions and answers you find on your way! They surely are going to be VERY IMPORTANT for someone who – can I say “by accident”? – stops by this blog. Just like they were and are to me. Thank you for letting your heart show others the love God has for us, no matter where we are and what we are facing in life. May He bless you and your beautiful family always.
    Hope to see these boys grow strong in the Lord, because even though I don’t know any of you personally, from the huge distance that separates us (I’m from Brazil), I love you all. 🙂
    Please don’t stop sharing!
    I’m very glad to leave this message.ReplyCancel