so i got lots of texts yesterday and emails asking "what's going on??!"
i guess i was making people nervous or being dramatic?
or keep it to myself too often that when i explode people get nervous?
i think people were worried.
it's all ok…it's just HARD….and i wish it wasn't so hard most of the time.
but i got it all out in writing here yesterday and felt so much better almost immediately.
God gave me another day to try again.
thankful for that.
we made chocolate chip cookies. (best recipe ever)
a double batch.
and it was like yummy therapy. :)
then i took the four youngest who were off of school to a movie.
and freddys for dinner.
it was good to get out of the house.
still liking this book a lot.
i am about halfway through….it is very interesting writing…i am so curious to see where it leads.
i had a happy box on my porch.
it's about time i got on board with this company.
what has taken me so long….seriously?
i am a convert.
love them and want to get some more already.
good thing we gave waffle that bath…..
watching talby play volleyball this past weekend made me realize how very tall and grown up she is getting!
right before my eyes.
and she was the only one with out knee pads… #parentfail
speaking of growing up… holy cows.
i don't get the hair but i understand the need to make your choices and have a "style" you like.
i am not sure what that is…but he does and so i am not making a big deal.
he looks good in black and red though.
i am a sucker for good marketing that is visually awesome.
and this is.
old navy you have great designers.
i want every color.
(except purple…no thank you)
this morning i printed out my pdf files from CLEAN MAMA and i am ready to get organized.
i love that she has the jobs written out already.
that was a huge for me.
i get so overwhelmed with chores and cleaning and keeping up at my house.
so becky has all kinds of ways to help me get organized and doing it such a cute and colorful way!!!
thank you Clean Mama for getting my life together!
okie dokie….
i am off to get my hair did.
and go to the bank
and the walmart.
and high school volleyball games tonight.
thank you for the hundreds of encouraging "you are not alone" comments and emails and texts.
THANK YOU.
i felt lifted up in prayer and in friendship.
i felt heard.
i can be open and honest here and not be attacked.
i am so grateful for that.
and my husband teased me about the mama grizzly. :)
but it's TRUE!!!
Erin - Just finished Donald Miller’s book. Thanks for the recommendation!!
Kelly Henderson - Thanks for the heads up, girlfriend! 🙂
wesandruthb@gmail.com - Meg,
Love you for being you.
You are real
and that’s why
other blogs come and go with me-but you…
you feel like my friend from Kansas.
Aren’t we grateful our children
will remember our faith, when
the time comes they need their Savior?
Because we all do.
Loves, Ruth
Jessica R - If you’re quick and get to the ball you don’t need knee pads! That was my motto in volleyball ;). I want to see what Toms you picked. I’ll definitely be heading to Old Navy soon – super cute!
julie - Rock Star jeans go on sale tomorrow for $19. For reals. Treat yo’self. To a lot of them.
Happy jeans are cheaper than therapy.
mich - I love this blog so hard. I only have two, and their 5 and 3, so I can’t imagine all the craziness that comes with FIVE, the oldest being in high school. Nuts. Cut yourself some slack, girl.
And I notice that you mention wanting babies a lot on here. 🙂 I get it. I think we might be done at two kiddos, but something I’ve been considering down the road is fostering. Who knows? Maybe that would be a good fit for you guys? You seem to have so much love and fun to share, and those tiny ones in foster care could really use it. Just a thought…
christi - so glad you are having a better day!
if you haven’t already … go now and get the rockstar skinnies! they are AWESOME. no, more than awesome. like infinity awesome! some of the best fitting, most flattering and incredibly comfortable pants i’ve bought in a while. at a whopping 35 bucks! score on sale for $30 right now! the dark purple are fantastic … the green delicious … mustard so totally fall … red/orange energizing. size up. size up. size up. i always have to size down in ON but def. size up in these bad boys. they are ROCKSTARS! can you tell i love them?!
Andrea - Some days – and I read your blog every single day – I leave it feeling envious of you – your skill, your home (the way you make it a home), your craft weekends. Then I remind myself “comparison is the thief of happiness.”
I tell you that to tell you this: Even more inspiring than your home and your craft weekends is the way you honestly parent, the way you honestly share, the way you honestly keep working at your relationship with God.
Thank you so much Meg, I just love you.
Leah - I’m in awe at this Clean Mama stuff! I just want to buy all of her stuff. So before I do, which packets of hers did you get? Thinking about the 2013 starter kit. I’m one of those odd organizing freaks, so the more tools I have, the better!
Anne - You are SO not alone in the “parenting struggles” department! While I felt sad for you, and could totally relate to what a crummy day you had had, it was quite refreshing that you just put it all out there. I love your blog! I love your honesty and the fact that you just typed it out! You are the {real} deal, Meg! Totally legit. No faking from you that everything is all hearts and flowers and rainbows all of the time. Parenting is HARD work! What a blessing to be able to communicate, and make new friendships, and touch so many lives via the Internet. You keep typing, and posting your fabulous photos, and I’ll keep reading! Oh yeah, pull my name for Craft Weekend, and I’ll come to that, too! I’d totally die!!!
Tracy Fisher - I just have one thing to say…. I get it, sister!!! Happy Tuesday. -Tracy
Jennifer - Ok, so maybe no knee pads, but definitely Talby has the most awesome shoes!
I didn’t write yesterday b/c I didn’t know what to say….except I have moments like those…monthly. Times where I want to scream at my girls, “YOU BETTER START APPRECIATING EACH OTHER!” We wanted siblings because of all the love and joy they bring to each others’ lives. So start enriching already dammit! And the days when nobody listens? Or storms out of the room? Or stomps up the steps? Hello 10 and 12 year olds with attitude.
Anyway. The bad times pass, but they are not fun when you are in the throes. Most definitely you are not alone, and I’d be willing to be you handle it a lot better than I do.
<3
Kristin S - Oh, and, now I want those cords in kelly green. I worked at The Gap in college and we had colored cords and denim! That was 1991. It all comes back….
Kristin S - Meg, I’ll say it again, your post was so refreshing! I don’t go to your blog because it is all cherries and rainbows (well, rainbows, yes…) but because you are real and normal and honest and love Jesus.
I linked to your post yesterday at the bottom of a difficult post I had just written before seeing yours. http://kristinwithani.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/weary/ Many readers clicked on that link and I know were blessed by your gut-level honesty.
His mercies are new every morning. Praise the Lord!!!
Valerie @ Chateau Ala Mode - Hi sweet Meg, just caught up on your last two posts…please don’t get too overwhelmed with being a mom, although I totally get it. I hope you realize that being a good mom means we get overwhelmed and we get frustrated and we feel like we’re not enough, yada, yada. A good mom does feel like that…alot because you care and you want so desperately to raise kids that love the Lord, and love you and love their family. You want them to succeed in the world and in their life. Check all of that out…that’s alot that we have to do and think about. I’ve said many times that I really don’t know how I would get through raising kids if I didn’t have God to lean on. If I didn’t have prayer and His word I would have to be heavily medicated to do this job. It’s a heavy load to do by yourself. Glad you’re feeling better today. Chocolate chip cookies help 😉 but so does a big God.
P.S. My son went through the wild hair stage at about that age. We let him do his thing and it lasted about a year and after that he’s kept it short ever since. Sometimes I think letting them do their thing (within reason) is the answer.
Sending you a big hug!
Valerie
Lisa M. - Glad to hear it’s a better day. I sent a little prayer up for ya yesterday 🙂
I thought I made the best ever chocolate chip cookies!! Now I’m going to have to try your recipe. I didn’t see butter listed in the ingredients. Hmm…
Flower Patch Farmgirl - 1. Talby is RIPPED!
2. I always experience the same sort of thing when I let the ugly out. It freaks people the heck out. And I’m always like, why? I’m having a bad day. It happens!
3. But I think you’re right, some of us keep it in and then it takes people off guard.
4. Why do those tight cropped cords look so cute on other people but I feel like a dork in ’em?
5. This is quickly turning the corner to Part II of my rambly comment from yesterday…
Becky-Clean Mama - It’s a new day! Thanks for the feature – you are too sweet 🙂
Kimberly Dial - So glad you are feeling better. Chocolate chip cookies & a trip to the beauty shop … two awesome ideas!
Sarah - I completely understand where you’re coming from with the hair. I let our 6 year old get a real mohawk this summer and even painted it for him every morning after I spiked it up. It made him happy, it was what he needed after our big move so I went with it. And I’m so glad you’re feeling better! We really do all have those days.
northern cottage - what a gift that we get to start all over again each day…each sunshiney – fresh – wonderful day. add coffee to make it even better! xo
Corny - Kids, I raised 4 and they can embarrass you sometimes, BUT as long as they don’t steal, and are drug free they are going to be just like there parents. Just fine!
Beth - It’s good to see that you’re feeling better 🙂
I am cringing at that volleyball picture though… #7 has her fingers interlocked. No, no, noooo…. my old volleyball coaches’ voices are playing in my head. haha.
Btw, those cookies look DELICIOUS! We’re going to make some on Thursday to take to our local police and fire stations… we’ve been talking about it for months. Might have to use your recipe!
Brooke - Those jeans…don’t even go there…at least I couldn’t. They are not like the target version. They are made for talby size girls with no hips. Not that I’m bitter… At least they have great marketing! I think you are doing a great job walking through this honestly….and knowing that all parents walk through the journey of not knowing if you are doing things right. You’re doing a great job. Clinging to your husband and the Lord and just hoping (praying) that you are not screwing anyone up and that everyone will choose wise things SOMEDAY….
And thanks a lot…saw your insta chocolate chip cookies and had to make my own. Thanks for making me LESS likely to fit into any colored jeans anytime soon.
happygirl - You are bouncing back. I’m glad. 🙂
Jocelyn Pascall - Glad you are having a better day. Hang in there…
angela - So glad His mercies are new every morning.
I’m with you on the color purple.
Love me a cookie.
What a great mom to let him rock his own hairstyle. I failed in that dept.
You is kind. You is smart. You is important.
And I love your heart.
Linda@Restyled Home - Hah! I love that you hate purple, too!
I love that you are real and don’t hide the not so nice bits of life.
We all have them!
seriously sassy mama - I need a pair of Toms. I never wear socks and am always wearing either converse or loafers. The would be a nice addition. Love all the colors to organize with. Reminds me I need to update my planner.
Heather S. - You had a “poo” day and then the next day you made cookies, took the kids to a movie, and then hit Freddy’s? You really know how to bounce back! LOL 🙂
sara @ it's good to be queen - i like you. you’re good people. 🙂
p.s. the new rockstar jeans from old navy are awesome. have you bought a pair? not too low rise…not too high. perfect.
Alisha - So glad you’re having a better day! I’m always amazed at how the promise and arrival of a new days gives a whole new perspective to what seems dark and impossible at times. Bless you for sharing.
Kate - You are LOVED. Not judged. Just loved.
Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - I always feel better after I dump out my brain in my journal and cookies sure do help make it better too!! So glad today’s a better day — hugs!
stephany - isn’t it great that a new day always gives a “do over”!
being a momma is hard work…we do the best we can.
have a great day!
Regina - YAY! Glad you were able to “turn that frown upside down”, lol! 🙂 Here’s to many more great days ahead!
elma - Life is hard and you are awesome!!!