1. I am feeling better physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, than I have in months and I am so, so thankful for it. It’s so crazy to me how all 4 of those things are so closely related. Feeling sick physically coupled with being upset over things, left me mad and frustrated mentally, then started challenging me spiritually. I’ve had to take a step back from a lot of things because of it, including my blog and even instagram. But I just praise the Lord I have had a week of feeling GOOD. And it’s pretty big that I say that, because John Luke was out of town all week, and I expected to have a miserable week, but honestly felt so good. (Going to write a separate post on this soon.) Which leads to number 2…
2. JL is off on the Live Original tour. It’s sad not having him around, but I am proud of him for going out and doing it! He’s home for a few days a week out of the month, so I’m just finding my own little routine, and so far, so good. I’ve had a ton of sleepovers and girl time thats been so good for my soul.
3. We just got a piano and I am still over-the-moon excited about it. I took lessons and played growing up and have been wanting one ever since I moved out of my parents house. I’ve always played by ear and watched YouTube tutorials for songs, but I am determined to learn how to read music well. But I have been having so much fun with it!! I’m currently trying to learn “Dear Theodosia” from Hamilton and if you haven’t heard that song look it up…so beautiful! Any piano learning/reading tips are much appreciated!
4. Pippa turned 2 on Saturday and it was so funny…it was like she knew it was her birthday! She was extra happy, extra sweet, and extra excited. We love her so much it’s ridiculous.
5. Essential oils are the real deal. I’ve been using them for a couple months now and am a firm believer. Thinking of maybe starting an instagram page just for oils and health…what do y’all think about that??
6. I just got the cutest little French press from T.J. Maxx. (We have a stinking good T.J. Maxx here in Lynchburg.) Recently I said flowers would be my love language, but I think my second would be coffee. I don’t drink a ton, but I really look forward to it in the mornings with my quiet time.
7. Speaking of quiet time. I’m reading the book “When I Don’t Desire God” by John Piper and it is crazy good. Everyone should read it. Seriously, order it on Amazon today. John Piper is absolutely brilliant. He is so smart that sometimes I think it’s easy to be intimidated by reading his books because you think “Ahhh I can’t understand this, it’s too over my head!”, but really all you have to do it slow down. I’ve felt that before and realized it was ok to just slow down, re-read things, and really think about it. Plus, I think it’s good to challenge yourself!
8. I forgot to mention JL just got home a few hours ago after being gone this past week. I’m sitting on the couch and he’s playing a video game eating a bag of chocolate chips and I am so happy about it 🙂
9. Church yesterday was super good. Our friend Quincy preached and wow did the Holy Spirit move or what. I was sitting between my best friends and it was just so good.
10. Over fall break we went to New York and got to see Hamilton on Broadway for John Luke’s birthday and I still cannot get over it. Cannot. It was amazingggg.
I’ve honestly got a million thoughts running through my head right now, but I think I’ll collect them and write some new posts soon. Really thankful for you guys who keep up with me on here. I was thinking about this last week and it just means so much to me. I’d love to get to meet some of you guys one day. I truly hope and pray you have such a blessed week and that you thrive in all that you do.
Love,
Mary Kate
(outfit details linked at bottom)
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I love this!
So cute!! Definitely looking into John Piper’s book! I am reading “Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer right now and I really think you’d love it!
Haha you are right because that is actually my favorite book!!
YES to an all oils insta page!!
Woohoo!
i’d love to grab coffee with you sometime:) unfortunately i live in minnesota so that complicates things. we share very similar views on life and i really admire everything you do. Jesus is shining so brightly through you! hope you have a joyful week, friend!
Ahh thanks! 🙂
Can I join the coffee date? It would be so fun if we could gather a group of girls together!
i would love to grab coffee with you sometime:) unfortunately i live in minnesota which complicates things a bit. we share a lot of similar views on life and i love your soul. Jesus is shining so brightly through you. hope you have a joyful week, friend!
Yes!! I love essential oils as well! My favorite is lavender 🙂 I would definitely keep up with your essential oils/health page 🙂
Thanks for all your blog posts…they truly make my day!
Emily
Ooooo lavender is a favorite of mine as well! (wish I could insert all the heart eyes right now)
I love love love your blog. It is always so inspiring to read!
I was wondering what camera and lense you use for your pictures. They are such great quality!
canon 6d with a fixed 50 mm lens, thanks!
Hey Mary Kate,
I go to Liberty. We met at the COAL skit night last spring. Anyway, I know how to read music and would love to assist you in that journey if you would like! My name is Megan Austin and I am from Texas. I know KO very well in case you want to make sure I’m not a sketchy person. Haha. Anyway yeah. Thanks for sharing your life and I hope reading music goes well for you!
Wow thanks so much!! I am going to see how it goes, but if I need help I’ll definitely let you know!! Seriously so kind of you 🙂
MK, you’re always such a ray of sunshine! I love getting to feel your joy through your blog. Thanks for letting us peek into your sweet little life. I hope to be able to meet you one day as well!
practicing every day really does help!! and there are apps you can get to quiz you on notes and their names which make playing piano a lot more bearable if you don’t have to stop to figure out the note every time!
make sure you practice every day, it really does help!! and you can get apps that help you learn notes and their names better, which really makes playing more bearable if you don’t have to stop and figure out the notes as you play!
Love this post! Your entire blog is amazing, so encouraging and refreshing! I adore your outfit, super cute!
I love following your story! It’s so uplifting! Thanks for sharing your Little duck wife life with us!
love love your blog!! thank you for always sharing the good with the bad and being so real..super encouraging!! oh & two hands up for the health page 🙂
I think you should talk about oils and non-toxic living on this page! Your whole vibe focuses a lot on mental health and happy living, and the oils think fits so naturally into that. Do you!
MK, you are a sweet girl filled with joy! Even in our low points, God still shines through someone who really loves Him. And He shines through you! ? You bless so many by sharing your journey. Thx!
Seriously you are so cute!!! I would love if you made a health page!
I saw that you just started using Young Living EO! I am a huge believer! If you want to have some random tips and tricks pop up or a place to go for questions then go follow @oilybuds on instagram!
You’re the sweetest and I always look forward to your blogs! They really make my day so thank you 🙂 I play the piano and one tip I have with learning to read music is to find flash cards with music notes on them. Going through them everyday for even just 5 minutes makes a huge difference!
So happy to read you’ve been feeling better! I know you’re also huge into tea; does coffee give you the same energy and jubilance as green tea does?
Love all of your blog posts! They’re so inspiring! I took piano lessons for 7 years and I pretty much play every day. On a side note: I get headaches a lot and I find that sitting down at the piano really helps! lol
MK i live for your blog posts. i think it would be cool if you made a blog post about what you do when you feel mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually defeated to help you get out of it!!
Please share about oils!! I’m just getting into them myself and would love to see different ideas!
ahhh yes a health/oils page would be so amazing!! you are such an amazing person, and i love how your love for jesus is so evident!! i wish we could be friends haha!!!!
~caroline
You are so down to earth! I love keeping up with your life tips and health tips… so I’m all for a health and oils page! By creating a fun environment on insta where you could share your health tips, it may help others to feel GOOD too! 🙂
Please do the insta story for oils! I have an auto-immune disease, and I am using essential oils to help me feel better daily. I’d love to hear what you use and how you apply!! 🙂 You are such an inspiration!
Hiii 🙂 I’m from South Africa (hehe some of the flowers, like the proteas, in your bouquet come from South Africa), and I really love your blog! Also, about the piano thing — find tutorials on YouTube that have the sheet music AND the notes, so that you learn the sheet music for the song too, but if you get stuck you can still look at the notes being played (TutorialsByHugo is a good channel for that). Also, thank you for being so open and honest and everything with us readers. You’ve really encouraged me a lot when I’ve gone through tough times in my relationship with God, and I can see “hey, I’m not the only one, and she got through it, so so will I.” So yeah hahah, thank you xx
Reading your blog always makes my day. You inspire me so much! You also are glowing!! <3
Hi! I love your posts! I have played piano for fifteen years! I must say it is wonderful when you learn how to read the sheet music! It takes a lot of practice, but it’s totally worth it! You might need to pick up some music theory books to give you the basic understanding!! Also I think you should make an Instagram dedicated to essential oils! I have always wanted to get into them, but never really knew where to begin! Hope you keep doing amazing things!
I would love to hear more about your essential oils! And so cool that yall got to see Hamilton!! I’ve also been itching to take piano lessons 🙂
The essential oil Instagram would be helpful:) I have friends that do it but I would not say I’m experienced haha. I love the smell of peppermint and eucalyptus!
i would literally love to meet you, too bad i love in Florida 🙁 you’re so sweet and this post was so honest. really look up to you! praying that you continue to have a good week full of peace, love, good tasting coffee and pretty flowers 🙂
This post was such a lovely read! French presses are definitely game-changers and I love that you are starting piano back up! Can’t wait for more posts <3!
xo,
Gabrielle
https://gabriellepettit.squarespace.com
Hi there! Essential oils are the real deal. They seriously have helped me overcome so many physical challenges in my life as well as mental challenges. I am working on starting my blog up on health and wellness where I will be talking about dōTERRA essential oils and how they have so positively impacted my life! I am a wellness advocate for them and have loved every second of it so far. I would love to know which oils you find the most effective for you! I love telling clients about success stories to help encourage them that there is hope in whatever they are going through when that final doctor tells them there is nothing wrong with them. While at the same time there is indeed something wrong! I love getting to share oils 🙂 so happy you have found them so helpful !
I LOVE your blog Mary Kate!! Please do an Instagram or blog on health!
also your socks are super cute :))
Rejoicing with you Mary Kate!❤
It’s too bad there isn’t some way for us all to get together! Not only would i love to meet ya MaryKate, but also the beauties who have written above me. Christian girl pals who really love and seek jesus are hard to find it seems! Anyways if you’re ever in Canada let me know 😉
Hope to see you around Pagosa Springs someday! I think our parents have houses in the same neighborhood! How neat!