a dream.

I kept thinking that all weekend, surely this is a dream.
This really can't be happening.
I can't really be here.

But I was.
I did it.
(a month ago ;)

I got on a plane (after a crazy, run-through-the-airport-please-Lord-don't-let-me-miss-my-flight-experience) and flew somewhere I'd never been before with a sweet friend (and her friend whom I met for the first time on the plane) to meet and spend the weekend with 14 other ladies I had never met before. I wasn't nervous until we touched down in Kansas. I distinctly remember being in the bathroom and thinking, "Oh my goodness I'm actually going to meet Meg&Kimberlee in real life. Like really soon."


We met some of the other ladies in the baggage claim, all of us nervous and sort of awkward, but also, very much in the same boat as far as the I-can't-believe-we're-here thing, and the whole, "so how did you explain to your family and friends where you were going". Because believe me, we all left confused, concerned unbelievers back home. {cough cough Mama2 cough cough}

Then Taryn (Kimberlee's special helper for the weekend) arrived to pick us up and take us to the Craft House. It was easy to identify her. She was wearing her ruffle apron. :) The giggling and giddiness kicked into hyper drive.

Pulling up to the house was crazy surreal. Seeing pictures of it on the internet and then just being there? So so strange. Meg&Kimberlee were outside waiting to greet us, and greeting those that had driven there. Hugging abounded. Which is good. I'm a hugger. Even while nervous.

A few weeks prior to going there was a group email sent out with a questionnaire for us all to fill out and then reply to everybody. Which was so helpful in making everyone feel more comfortable and acquainted before actually meeting in real life. Two of the girls especially, Stephanie and her BF Daina (aka the Canadians) connected with me and my friend Kellie (that I went with) on instagram and we felt like kindred spirits already. (Come to find out, Stephanie and my BF Davi were already blog friends. SMALL WORLD!)

Walking into the house, working our way upstairs, exploring each room, being assigned my favorite room, doing my best to not freak out over every little thing, trying to take it all in without feeling overwhelmed. It was all so much. Just So. Much.

Down in the kitchen, dinner was being prepared. Meg doesn't lie when she brags about Kimberlee's cooking. It was all so good. Just ridiculously good food.

Praying over our meal, everyone chatting and sharing and eating good food. It was such a perfect way to start the weekend.

Yes we made ruffle aprons.
Yes we went to the Bearly Making It Antique Store and the Barn, both owned and run by Oggie. That man is something else. Such a great character, and a lot of really great funny stories involve him. He's the best.
Yes there was a sonic run.
Yes, we crafted until the week hours of the morning both nights.
Yes, it really is as awesome as everything you've heard.

I really expected the antiquing to be the highlight. Because I love a good deal and I love junking.

But really, Saturday night was my favorite. By then everyone was comfortable with each other. We had a whole list of crafts and supplies laid out for us to do and each one was a completely different medium which was really something I enjoyed. In this season of my life I so rarely feel like I can accomplish one craft from start to finish and Saturday night I completed several, with the space to move from project to project and back again. It was just so satisfying. About 12:30 I hit a wall. All the excitement and crafting and adventures caught up to my pregnant self and I thought, I need to call it a night and go to bed. But it was too good. Too much fun. And I knew once I went to bed the weekend would be over. I pushed through (and drank another cup of coffee out of a rainbow mug)  ;) and kept going. Doing more. Making more. Eating more. Creating and talking and laughing. I finally called it a night at 2, but plenty of them were up until 3. Crazy fun.

And just like that it was over. One last breakfast in that perfect sun filled kitchen. One more delicious breakfast from Kimberlee. Trying to squeeze every bit of swag and antiquing scores into our suitcases. Leaving behind that sunny room with the yellow striped floor. Ruffle apron pictures. Being in front of the camera for a head-shot (shutter) Saying good bye to people you don't want to leave behind.

It really was a dream.
One I'm so glad came true.

It was such a pleasure to meet Shannon in real life. 

And her retelling of what was occurring in the picture below is not to be missed. 

I laughed out loud {at her pain}. Sorry Shannon, I love you!! 

 Oh crafting supplies. Be still my heart.

The swag was aahhmmaazzaaaingggg. Seriously. seriously. 

You can see the full list of sponsors on Meg's blog.

I'll admit it. I had thought, how good can this "Pam's Cheesecake" be? 

I'm not a huge cheesecake fan, but everybody raves and raves. 

Uh yeah. It's ridiculously amazing. 

So light and not too sweet....just so so good. 

We woke up to discover the "second closet door" in our room was actually the entrance to the stairway to the unfinished, amazingly empty and slightly creepy in it's abandoned state- third floor.  

I made Steph go with me. In case of boogie men. Or scary bugs.

Safely back down stairs, Kimberlee was up icing up cinnamon rolls. Swoon. 

YUM!

Then it was off to the antique store and the barn. 

Kellie told me to pose with her umbrella. 

Then the wind picked up and broke it. 

Ooops.

 20, almost 21 weeks :)

I didn't find much, but LOVED this metal train I scored for Ben. 

Meg&Shannon demonstrating the nights crafting line-up.

Bundt of sin. New cake confirmed. Chocolate overload. 

At 2 am I finally called it a night. 

As I climbed the stairs I just couldn't get over the joy I felt with that room 

full of women crafting their hearts out. Such a great view.

Meg takes her documenting job very seriously. 

Like, climb on a table with a tripod seriously. 

Love her.

Daina,you should know better then to take silly selfies on my camera. ;)