it's been a good week. had a great day yesterday with a friend who taught me lots of computer stuff cause she's a jedi in that field.
i enjoyed listening to her children talk….i miss baby talk. she said to one "you're too big for that rocking horse" and he said "no i not…i 'mall" sigh. melts my heart.
i had 6 hours alone in the car of quiet time.
SIX.
that is a good thing. driving by yourself you can think and pray and think….and sing U2 songs REALLY LOUD!
i did all those. and i get to stop for the bathroom when i want and how often i want. and i get to get drinks for just me…no guilt….even a Mcflurry if i want….and i wanted….. i do like driving alone.
my phone was near dead so i couldn't talk to anyone….a blessing in disguise.
and my gps was in the other car so i had to pay attention to where i was going while driving. another gift to me. i could make the trip again easily…but when i use the gps i go on autopilot….don't notice anything.
then i got home….wrapped in a big bear hug from craig…..he said my love story was really good. and i teared up. then read all the comments from yesterday. THANK YOU for reading my story. i felt/feel vulnerable. it's silly. it was soooo long ago. it was a different person. but not. so thank you for liking me yesterday…and still liking me today even after you know more details of me.
(ps…go read all of them in the series…with kleenex…they are each so beautiful)
and i know that John Rambo was spam but it was such a unique and funny spam that i had to keep it. i took out his link so there would not be any whatever readers poisoned by his weirdness….you're welcome. your comments were a riot!
and today…i am exhausted by parenting. it is so dang hard. every day.
some days are amazing and it's the best thing you could imagine and you are so happy it hurts. but many days…. they beat you down.
if it's not the banging on the door when you are trying to go to the bathroom leaving you with not a second to yourself….it's the terrible choices they make when left to their own devices. give them 3 hours of free time….often they choose badly….no matter how well we "parent". and it's very tiring to have to be picking up those pieces….day after day.
and to be yelled at for it by them.
debbie downer returns….waaa-waaaaaaah.
but it is true. somedays this job
WEARS
ME
OUT.
so i will bring it to God again. and again. and He will make it good…in His way…and his time. but i am still tired.
none of these pictures have anything to do with each other. they are strays.
fillers.
and i may have even shared this one already.
i need some more coffee.
ok.
since i was a went all sad and mopey on you….let's end on something funny. "i'm the oldest jonas."
Trysha-I went home for the weekend a couple of weeks ago and I was allllll alone. By the time I made it, my voice was hoarse and my throat was sore from singing along to Lisa Loeb.
Loved your Love Story.
Kelly-I get to ride around now and turn up U2 really really loud now too… it’s a good thing… except when my husband uses my car… not a fan… boy, it’s hard to type when it’s past your bedtime and you’ve had two glassses of wine… see, I spelled glasses wrong 🙂
love your blog.
steph-aw meg… i’ve been gone all weekend and haven’t had time to read up.
it’s SO awesome to read your love story. i can totally understand feeling vulnerable. it’s so hard sometimes to really tell the truth but i think we all love you the more for it. and it gives wings to all of our stories too that we sometimes don’t always want to share. so thank you for that! i love to read how God just works and works and works on that tapestry we call our lives. you couldn’t have seen it back then at 18 but now, in hindsight, you can see everything imperfect thing that God has used to make a beautiful picture. how amazing is His love? wow… mind blowing! hearing other’s stories and other’s struggles in marriage and life and how they’ve overcome is always so uplifting. going through some tough stuff right now with my marriage but knowing that God is always good and faithful. He really is.
soooooo…. your girls weekend sounded like a blast too!!! man, oh man! how i love to dance! would have loved to see some pics of that too!!! hee hee! if only i could dance every weekend… oh yeah, i guess i’d have to be 18 to do that. duh! ok, i’m fine being in my 30’s! but a good dance time is always needed for me too! glad you had a blast!!
xo
Emily-Thanks for sharing your love story. I really needed to read that. Will you and your husband mentor me and mine? We live in WA state, but I bet we could make it work. 🙂 Marriage can be SO. HARD. Thanks for the reminder that God brings beauty from ashes.
Beth-Omgoodness I still love ya even after the love story…it was a romance, maybe not the typical that many have but still it was a beautiful love story that has lasted…so many don’t.
Mine didn’t…same happened to me and then to my daughter, but thankgoodness hers is still going after ten years of hard work and GOD in her life…her faith has kept it going…and they have three beautiful children…so in my eyes true romance is all types!
Love seeing all the stray pics…I would love to hear some tip[s you learned about the computer from your friend.
Also loved reading about your girls weekend and the fun you had with your sister and friend out dancing! Sounded like a fun time…no pics of that?
Happy week! You still rock with your blog!
Kelly-I love that you went to Ashley’s! As soon as I saw that little apron hanging on the wall, I thought, “uh uh, she went to Ashley’s!” very fun. I am glad that you had a good girls’ day over the weekend. Sometimes I’m convinced that parenting just needs to be shared with the extended family (and I’ve only got one!) Have a great week. oh and I was secretly disappointed that today’s post wasn’t titled monday. Kelly
p.s. LOVE the mustache picture.
Brooke-You went to hang out with Ashley Ann….so, so fun!!
I want to go too 🙂
When you had your craft weekend, I was thinking that my friends all hung out without me 🙂 hahaha….maybe I am more a mental friend than a real friend!
I love reading your love story. Let’s be honest….even with a beautiful beginning, EVERY story has lots of UNPRETTY parts. I am so thankful that you are willing to share and be transparent.
Amanda Angert -Your love story was great 🙂 Thank you for sharing! And thanks for sharing all that you do on your blog. Your craft Thursdays have been a huge inspiration to me and I’ve even attempted some of the crafts with my girls. I love that you keep everything real and honest; it’s a lot easier to relate to.
As for being exhausted by parenting……girl, don’t even get me started! I can only imagine what it’s like having 5 children because I have 2 girls (ages 4 and 7) and some days it’s all I can do get through the next 5 minutes without yelling or crying (or both). Yesterday I had my own pity party. I felt unappreciated and invisible. I hate to admit it but it *might* have been a little bit hormone induced (ahem). Anyway, today is another day. Keep being awesome Meg!!!! xo
Katy-hello! i just wanted you to know that i loved your story. i kept meaning to come back and tell you. i also have the sunshine print! 🙂
Jacqui-Hi Meg, just wanted to say thanks for the great craft ideas! check out my blog to see my two wee ones doing one of your craft ideas!!
Tracie-Your story is a wonderful example of how God can redeem our messes. He can use them to refine and grow us! I’m glad you shared your story!
karen -Greetings from Toronto, Canada.
Hey…that’s Ashley Ann’s home! So cool!
My boy used to say ‘mall’ too. L’s and S’s were difficult…Lipstick would be Riptick.
Cool story Meg…love your blog.
jeana-I just read your story. I cried and cried. I have the same story, only I was 17. We have now been married almost 9 years and have 3 boys. I used to feel sorry for myself at times for not having a prom, or super romantic story, but God is showing me the romance in it as I pray daily for him to reveal it to me. You’re right. It is love when our husbands chose to stay and create a family. True love. Thank you.
Georgia-The good thing about your love story is that its ‘real life’ and its lovely to hear how you got together, and how the people you are now became that way. 🙂
Erin -You are an mother and woman of God. I feel so blessed to “know” you.
As far as the parenting goes. I feel you. My motto sometimes: remember… bedtime does eventually come!
Karen -I love this. This stuff really is HARD. I think we are not supposed to say that?
I also think your love story is beautiful.
Emma -Thank you for sharing your love story. So honest…so beautiful and so real…..
Lori -We are in the process of adopting a young sibling group of 4. We have 2 children already. Your honesty is very helpful to me. It gives me a glimpse into the future. Blessed & joyous, hard and tedious. Thank you.
kathy Eller-Parenting is sooo hard and yet we fel guilty to acknowledge it. WHY? I agree whloleheartedly: we contine to bring it to Him and He continues to do something beautiful in his time and I am still tired:)
Heather R. -Six hours alone…how do I do that? Motherhood is the hardest job I’ve ever had. I hope your weekend picks up. 🙂 Need to go read your love story.
Carol S -Meg, I’ll second that parenting is hard! I’ve been thinking about you with a teen now…if you’re like me, comparing their teens to our teens. My son is a junior in hs and texts a freshman girl he met on vacation A LOT, and it’s driving me crazy. We do the best we know how, make touch decisions that are unpopular, and let some things slide. Finding the right balance of them is the tricky part. I’ll pray for you, please pray for me. Wisdom and patience. Love the SNL skits, keep ’em coming!
Heather-Meg. Love your story. Isn’t life ironic. We all arrive in our futures and look back on our pasts and say what if. I am the polar opposite of you, in some ways, in that I spent my entire 20’s partying and traveling and living it up. And, while I don’t regret a second of it I sometimes sit and think that it would have been nice to find my love early, to have had more children and to have been done having them by 35, instead of just starting.
Thanks you so much for your story. For trusting in sharing it. For being you. For warming my cold winter day.
shannon-Meg…I love you! Oh how I wish you were my friend in person to talk to, to get advice from, to point me to the scriptures when I have troubles and questions. I LOVE your blog….I love how you are so open and honest about every day life. I just read your love story and it did make me teary eyed and I can relate with a lot of it. I can relate with how tired the job of being a mom makes you….i can just relate, it’s why I wish you were my friend in person. 🙁 You inspire me to be a better child of God, wife, mother, friend, woman! 😀
Sarah Wolfe-Love your blog. Thanks for telling us your story.
Andrea Boone -Meg!
Your love story was so great because it was very much like mine… it made me look at things kinda different!! I am sad sometimes that I missed all the romance and got babies instead!! I love babies and God new that even then.. So your story rocked in my eyes!
on another note so weird looking at the basketball Pics I see boys from VC that i know!!!
small world.
Tracey @7294cottageway.blogspot -Your random..yet intentional writting is so refreshing! Hey-did you ever get my e-mail?? I sent you an idea…any thoughts?
christine -Oh, I totally loved your love story. And, honestly, it made me admire you all the more. Thank you for being so real and honest. It’s one of the many things that I treasure about reading your blog. I cried reading your story – the love that you have for Craig is so evident, and is just beautiful. I was so encouraged to see how God has worked in your lives. Thank you for sharing it that with us.
I tell ya, Thursday was my day to struggle with this whole motherhood thing. Somedays it’s just really hard. At times I forget that everyone goes through some version of these difficulties, you know? I get filled with doubt and get completely overwhelmed. It’s nice to be reminded that this is part of the journey for everyone.
Jessica Johnson-I loved your story. Redemption. A tangible reminder of God’s love in sending His Son. Through a broken story. Stories we ALL have. Thank you for your transparency and honesty. It is a gift.
Celia-Oh my… I just read your story… and was brought to tears! I loved your honesty and seeing how the Lord blessed your lives and brought you through tough times…. and continues to bless you all. Thank you for sharing with us!!
marci-THANK YOU for saying that it’s hard. this last year being a mom has kicked my trash. it is so nice to hear that i am not alone. i have a 19 yr old and her choices are killing me slowly but i have to let her make them. it is excruciating….seriously. thanks for reminding me that god is there for me. i forget that time and time again. i love that you are so strong in your faith and always remind me to be the same.:D
Lisa -I hear you… on everything! Parenting is so hard. I am always praying that God would stand in the gaps. But Galations 6:9 is a good reminder to me. “Do not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up”. We will see the harvest one day! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the real stuff.
Andrea -You are a beautiful story – all seven of you.
I leave tomorrow for a girls week at the beach. I can do this because my husband is a wonderful man that when I say “I need this” he trusts that I do. So my mom has the kids and off I go.
I wanted to tell you that as I think ahead to sunsets on the beach and grownup drinks and only being responsible for me, I also think of stuff I’ll miss. I add a week without this blog to the list!
Jeannine -Hi Meg!
I’m not sure exactly *how* I stumbled across your blog, but I’m so thankful that I did.
I’ve been a reader for quite some time now, but I rarely comment.
I just wanted to tell you that I love your love story… it’s so honest and real and beautiful.
I’ve been in a funk all day and that definitely put me back into my normally cheery mood.
You constantly inspire me. Thank you for that =)
Jenn -My two very favorite, read them everyday, know and love their kids (even though I don’t really know their kids!), bloggers spent the day together! I saw those pictures and said, “that is so Ashley’s house”! What fun!!!
Bethany {3SonsPlus1}-Amen sister! Parenting has worn me out lately too!
Anyhoo.
Loved your love story. Hiccups, warts and all. We’ve all got them, but I do know what you mean about feeling sad over hearing other people’s stories. I’m so glad God can make our stories beautiful, and yours is beautiful!
The Cottage Chick-I love your story. I love your honesty and how you are real about your emotions. I just had coffee with Jenny from Jenny On The Spot this morning and she and I were chatting about blogs we love. I had just started following you about a month ago, and then she was telling me I needed to read your blog, because you are a Christian and a creative gal like me! So happy to get to know you through your blog I hope we meet some day! Thanks for sharing your heart.
God Bless You
Denise
Jeri-Anne Giesbrecht -Hi Meg,
I am so glad I looked at your blog today. I have had a full day with the kids – which was one of the hardest in the past while. I realized part way through the day that I was not trusting God or bringing all my concerns to HIM. Thank you for your words… to bring all of this to God.
BLessings from the Canadian Girl,
Jeri-Anne
sam-i was feeling just the same way today. and feeling bad about it. thank you for your blog and for your honesty. it really helped a lot!
Jen-Meg, your love story is wonderful! So sweet and real, there is nothing better than real love!! Thank you for sharing it!
Wendy -Meg,
I loved your “love story”. Your take on the whole, “missing out on the proposal” thing is spot on. I had about the same scenario myself to the start of my married life as you. I like to think that many marriages start with those romantic proposals, some make it and and some don’t. Either way, I got the man of my dreams and the children to go with it. Doesn’t matter how I got them, just that they’re mine. 🙂 Keep on blogging!
Heather-Thanks so much for being so real. It encourages and inspires. It takes a brave woman to be real.
Lisa -I check your blog and Ashley Ann’s everyday – that’s so cool that you both are good friends!
Dawn-Meg,
I thought I would tell you how much I love your blog. Your crafts are creative, your humor is hilarious and I love your realness. i read your blog everyday but some days I don’t have time to comment so tonight I thought I would.
Amber Pamper-Looks like Lauren is gonna be a mini-you. 🙂
sandy toe-I love your honesty.thank you.
sandy toe
Tracey Garcia-Oh I so know what you mean. I love my boys so much but there are so many days when they just beat me down and wear me out. Other days I feel completly used up but then one of them will say something funny or say “mom I love you” and somehow I drag myself back up the hill. I teach school and I am with little ones all day, but without a doubt, parenting is THE hardest job EVER!!!
Lisa -Meg – beautiful story. I remember you as a cheerleader in highschool! I was much younger but thought you were (and still are) the coolest. 🙂
Courtney Walsh-I can’t wait to read your love story. 🙂
You should know that around this time every day I start to get jittery. Not with excitement like I should knowing that my kids will be home in twenty minutes, but really nervous that they’re going to instantly start fighting and my mood will be shot for the rest of the night.
And I’m not proud of it, but that first half hour when they get home sets the tone for the rest of the day. And I DREAD that half hour.
I’m exhausted. Loved this post today. I can’t wait to read more about your love story. 🙂
Stephanie-I’m not sure where I found your blog. Not sure how long I’ve been following it. But I read because you have lots of kids. And I have lots of kids. And your life is crazy. And my life is crazy. And because you’re crafty. And I’m crafty. And because we have those things in common, I read your blog. I hadn’t read your love story until just now. And I don’t cry when I read blog posts. Not usually. Because usually there is chaos in the background of my computer time which doesn’t make for a very cryable atmosphere. Just now when I read your story I got a bit teary, which is fairly amazing. The tears came because I saw that we have more in common then I thought. We don’t know each other and we’ll probably never meet. But I feel a bit more connected to you now. And I’m inspired by the life that you’re living. Thanks for that.
Rach-Something no one tells you about before you become a parent is that you will have some days where you just don’t want to be a parent. Just for the day… no more. They tell you it’s hard, but they don’t say how it’s hard because it’s different for everyone. They say you will be tired, but no one tells you just how tired and for how long. I only have a toddler and a baby on the way… you have 5 children, a dog, a husband and a blog career. You can define tired way better than I will ever be able to. 🙂
Tracy Fisher -Your LOVE story made me tear up… and smile. I love your perfect imperfect life. It’s so real. When the rest of the world makes me feel like an inferior wife, mom, daughter, sister, artist, blogger, you name it…. it’s nice to hear real people and real stories. I guess it makes me feel better… so, thanks for sharing.
Sincerely,
not-so-cinderella Tracy Fisher
meaghan-oh my gosh. i just read the love story. thank you for writing and sharing. i L_O_V_E your blog so much!!! love your post today. i’ve read your blog for so long now. are you my friend? hahaha that was creepy 😉
jennifer-Loved your love story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
And being a mommy wears me out too. How can something so great be so exhausting sometimes?
Gale -Oh, thank YOU for being so transparent and for reminding me once again that there are “friends” and “gal pals” out in blogland that DO get it – that have a heart for God in spite of our past and that HE FORGIVES and FORGETS, which we so often cannot do. You bless me every day and I SO enjoy your blog! 🙂
My youngest is now 17 and although I love the freedom that comes with it, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t also miss them being young and needing me more. Never forget that what you’re doing – no matter how frustrating – is SO very important! 🙂 You’re making great little people into great BIG people!!
I need a Jedi…. sigh. I gotta figure out this blogging thing… LOL!!
Have a great weekend 🙂
Karina -I can never watch the videos you post (I can see the advert but not the video), but I love the photos. And the commentary. And the randomness. And, of course, the “realness” – I am a mother of three and often wish for a margarita right after breakfast.
Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com-Meg, I love you! (not in a creepy way, but a friend way). I’m older than you and my kids are older than yours, but I still relate to all of it. Parenting isn’t always easy or fun…alot of the time it’s the opposite. I love your realness (probably not a real word). Keep it up and your love story was the best, because it was real. I’m glad you had 6 hours to yourself. Sometimes we need that recharging time. Thanks for ending with a funny Jonas clip…very cute!
AshleyAnn-You called me a jedi. Pretty sure in this house that is the highest form of a compliment one person can give another.
Thanks for spending the day with me. You reminded me to slow down and pay attention to the little ‘baby talk’. It is so normal here, I forget how quickly it will change. Thank you.
shea -Thank you for this. I only have two kiddos, but they have been beating me up the last week. They’re only 2.5 years and 5.5 months! It’s just been one of those weeks where I’m struggling to come up for air. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone.
I so enjoyed reading your love story too. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
And, I’m super jealous you are friends with Ashley Ann and got to spend the day with her and her babies.
Emily Zimmerman -Meg!!!! I love your story!!! And I love how your husband gave you a big hug and told you your story was really good. SO SWEET!!! Thank you for sharing yourself with us!!! Love it and love how God has just blessed and blessed your life and family. Thank you for letting God use you! You are a blessing to me!
cindy -Meg…so touching and honest! Thanks for sharing your love story. Just shows you can never judge people. Your life seems so great, I just assumed you had that “picture perfect” courtship, wedding, ect.and you guys are some of the lucky ones that things just come easily for. Naive of me I know but I did and not in jealous or petty way. Just happy for you guys. This reminded me that we all have our stories. You are even more real to me and I respect you and your husband even more now because of how you have chosen to live your lives dedicated to God when it wasn’t always so easy. My Dad always tells me a ball has to hit bottom before it can bounce up…sometimes those rock bottom places give us what we need to stop and listen and feel God pointing us in the direction he wants us to go. Has been the case for me anyways. I have been experiencing some hard times the past few years…some self inflicted…some out of my control…some very public and out there for others to see…and some deeply personal. I can’t describe why your blog touches me but I think it has helped me feel like my life has color in it again or that it can if I choose to let it come in my life. It just makes me happy. I know the Lord is in all things…even blogs if we choose to see Him there and listen to promptings for our personal lives. I can’t believe I’m commenting…I’m usually just a lurker. Just felt like I had to today. All I can say is thank you, and just know it’s for so many great reasons!
Jenny B. -Oh, wow, Meg. I was choking up through your whole love story. Amazing.
I haven’t taken a road trip by myself in a long time. To get a milkshake without guilt… (Usually, I’m thinking, “Would it be possible to buy it and drink it in stealth mode so that I don’t have to provide one for everyone else in the car who will inevitably spill it and then cry?)… that would be NICE! And to spend the day at Ashley’s house… nice also! 🙂
ashley jensen-The bathroom thing is crazy! On a daily basis my daughter, dog AND cat come in to visit me. Sometimes my husband happens to be in there too (I will blame that on our closets being in the master bathroom). They can all be ignoring me but the second I need to go pee they are all there. Hello can I not have 20 seconds to myself for that? That would be a no. Maybe I should start locking my bedroom door…
Tanya H-I agree with the parenting comment. We’ve had a LOT of discussions lately with our oldest on making better choices and dealing with the consequences that come with any choice and its hard and he’s only eight!!!!
Loved your story. Love your thoughts. THanks for being willing to share. 🙂
lauren-love this post. the good the bad and the ugly. is this how GOd feels about us sometimes? how he can love us so wildy and completely and yet be like– seriously? i give you three hours and THIS is whaat you do with it?? come on now. 🙂 thanks meg. 🙂
sara @ it's good to be queen-well i agree, parenting is dang hard. and that clip was awesome. and i loved your love story…that’s real stuff right there. i like you!
Lisa-Your story was great. Thank you for sharing that with us! It is amazing what strength we can find when we look beyond ourselves. I just wrote a blog post about that, too – we had a very scary ultrasound and start to this pregnancy (baby #3) and it has taught me so much. Enjoy your weekend and your beautiful family.
Karen H. -Hi Meg
I have days like that with my kids. Some times I think I CAN NOT do THIS for another 15 years!!!! And if one more person living in MY house calls me MEAN!!!! grrrrrr And your love story was so moving and inspirational. You are just lovely, inside and out! Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend. 🙂
Astrid-Love your posts! You always make me smile. 🙂
Heather-Meg, Your honesty is truly a gift. You so often write what many of us feel but are too scared or anxious to say. You have a unique way of making the realities of life a little easier to bare. Life isn’t easy, parenting is certainly not easy but God never said it would be, He did say that he will use all things for good and I regularly see Him make good on that. You are great at putting a smile on my face and reminding me that I am not alone and not to take myself so seriously. Thanks for being so transparent.
Blessings,
Heather
Toni :O) -Meg, what a beautiful love story…sorry I missed it yesterday! I will always, always, always love your blog…it truly makes me happy and smile and that dog of yours is awesome! Your dog makes me appreciate the one I rescued last year even more. Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing your fun and sometimes crazy life with us…so cool to be along for the ride! :O)
Charlotte-thank you for today’s post…your honestly… and linking your love story post from danielle’s blog….i miss baby talk too..♥
hope you have a restful weekend..
xo
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe-parenting IS hard – i hear ya!
from one worn out mama to another waaa -waaaa. 😉
it’s hard not to be a debbie downer when you’re not exactly surrounded by a bunch of pollyanna’s. emotions are contagious – i’ve been working on immunity building ideas ’round my parts these days…i’ll let you know if i have any big revleations in that department.
cheers!
~h
Shivaun -Your love story is beautiful! And you are so right… parenting is exhausting and wonderful and it requires prayer. I think that’s all part of His plan! Blessings to you, lovely soul!
amanda -thanks for sharing all of it!!
Deb -meg, I am reading Grace based parenting right now by Dr. TIm Kimmel, and How to have a new kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman.
I have had them on my bookshelf for years, but it was all in God’s timing that I am reading them now. I also have teens, and know what you are going through. Be Blessed! DEB
Aimee-I gotta tell ya, Meg, yours has quickly become one of my favorite blogs. It is real. I don’t leave here feeling badly about my life because yours is all beauty and smiles. I leave feeling like life is hard and we get through it…and then we smile…until it’s hard again. The good and the bad are all okay and you aren’t afraid to put it out there– or maybe you are and you suck it up and do it anyway. Thank you!
flowerpowermomma-God is using you mightily. Keep sharing your story, encouragement and the real-ness of life.
Parenting is tough. My oldest will be 31 in June. My husband has been pastoring for… ( wait, I gotta do the math) 27 yrs. People often say, “I could never be a pastors wife. It’s gotta be hard.”
Well…my response is..” the hardest thing I do is parenting.”
(In reality both those jobs kind of overlap.)
Life is about people. Keep on loving and correcting. Hang on it’s all worth it and you’re doing a great job. Yes, you really are.
So happy you got a break, that’s a necessity in high stress jobs. I was given a poster in high school, (centuries ago). It had a girl walking through a field by herself. Written in the sky was “sometimes you need to be alone with yourself to put yourself back together again.”
true then, true now.
Cory-1. I LOVED your story. It’s HIS story & that’s what makes it so wonderful.
2. Umm hanging out with you & Ashley Ann..treat! Come on, you both are way to cool to be friends.
3. I love reading your blog & hearing your thoughts on parenting. I only have a little babe & I love reading the unique difference between parenting a baby & older kids.
Cori Barney-you make all my days better. you are so funny! (and real)
Flower Patch Farmgirl-1. I’ve got a mad crush on Alec Baldwin. (Not the one you’re thinking of.)
2. Don’t stop. Don’t stop the titles.
Danielle H. -You went to Ashley Ann’s. Sigh – so jealous!!!! Loved your love story. Love your blog. I love the post you did of your house. Really made me feel like I wasn’t alone in that battle!!!
Staci -Not sure if I commented on your love story or not…I’ve had a sickie at my house allll week….plus, only three days of school in two weeks…this week, sunshiney and beautiful…and he’s sick 🙁 BIG.OLE.BUMMER 🙁 BUT, I don’t want to be ungrateful, I am happy that I wasn’t at work and got a call from the school and then have to cancel patients…blah blah blah….I was just saying allll that because my days have ran together and I canNOT remember if I left a comment…I read that beautiful story of yours….made me very happy to know that two high school sweethearts made it work….makes me a little sad….that I was that couple too (minus the baby) and we just didn’t make it happen 🙁 Ah well….I wouldn’t trade a thing….my hubby is truly my soulmate and perfect for me 🙂 Amazing how God’s love is always there….during the bad and the good 🙂 Happy Weekend!!!
Ana M -I spend part of my days waiting on your posts…
Thank you for one lovely more.
I’m a mom of 4 and many times feel just like you do…
It’s a full time job that never, ever ends…No vacation or even a tiny break..
It is hard but also joyfull and delightful..
Pleeeease, do not skip monday, I’ll be waiting anxiously for your words…
Love
Ana M
jes-i miss baby talk too…..oh no. here comes the baby itch…
haha have a happy happy day :))
happygirl-THANK YOU!!! I’ve been a Debbie Downer on my blog the past few days too. I’m going to have to CHEER UP. Maybe a six hour car ride would help me too. I’m so glad Craig hugged you well. I often wonder about things we’ve left behind and moved on from. Do the still sting? Maybe. I don’t know. LOVE your attitude. LOVE your consistency. LOVE your truth. thanks.
danielle-MEG! your love story makes me cry every time i read it. and let’s be honest i’ve read it a few times cause its on my own blog. by sharing your story you have made HIS story known. you are a beautiful child of the KING and i am so happy you shared! love to you.
Jen Joy-I can relate to every single word of this post. I have four children. It’s crazy hard. I often wonder what I was thinking (usually when I find half a tube of toothpaste squeezed out on the bathroom countertop or an entire can of soda is spilled on the carpet.) And, when it’s good, it’s downright magical. But for today, I’m giving it up to God, too. *sigh*
karen -Thanks so much for your honesty. Your love story is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
angela-I totally agree with you on parenting! I do it Mon – Thurs every week on my own essentially. From breakfast to bed. The minute they are snuggled down, I crash….or read blogs. 🙂
I too loved your love story. My own parents had a similar story (there babe turned out not to be at that time), and almost 36 years later still together and loving each other. On top of it they only knew one another 6 weeks. love. is. incredible.
thank you for being real.
freckled hen-That feeling you get singing in the car really loud is kind of like the same feeling I get reading your blog-inspired and happy. I just read your love post and felt a little weird as it is very similar to mine…including the suprise pregnancy after high school and marriage and five kids really quick. And you’re right on both counts–it is a great life and yeah it wears me out, too!
Thanks for all you share, your pictures are the best!
Lorie S. -Amen to that. Some days you just have to get up…dust yourself off…and start over again(the life of a mom). Good to know that there are others out there that feel the same as I do.
deborah@applesinwonderland-i loved reading your story. life is hardly ever how we had imagined….sometimes, it is even better. i think that is how your story unfolds–even on the hard days. i get that. oh, do i ever. parenting 10 and 16 year old boys will keep a momma humble, that’s for sure. we also have so. much. basketball. 🙂 have a wonderful weekend!!!!
nicole @ deliajude-hearing your love story and all the others reminds us that we are all in this together and that life is messy but God is our Redeemer.
purejoy-mmmm. love it when you keep it real. and use adorable filler. thank you for that.
love your heart. thanks for being open and honest. and road trips are simply the best.
Dana D@BoysMyJoys-Oh, Meg- how could we not still love you?
If anything, it helped me identify with you even more!
It was like reading a chapter of my own story.
It stinks that it’s so hard for us, as people, to completely let go of our sins from years and years ago, yet God has already wiped those records away!
Hope you have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious weekend!
🙂
i have stuff to do today. boring regular stuff….run to the store….run to the post office….laundry…all that glamourous stuff.
but i want to get it all done quickly so i can get back to sewing. there are going to be LOTS of super happy pillows in the shop!!! i am having so much fun up in my craft room.
i bought another 28 yards of pom pom trim this weekend. good times.
happy valentine's. i am making a heart shaped pizza….and that is it. forced holidays make me more mad than anything. if i wanted to i could have spent a hundred dollars on stuff for my kids….that they don't need. instead i will make the pizza….tell them i love them….and we will survive. my kids took the plain old sign and fold valentine's to school. no candy! oh how embarrassing…not. did you see that there is now a whole ISLE of candy that is bagged in counts of 24 for you to buy to make valentines??? people….this is madness.
debbie downer. waaa-waaaaaaaaaaa.
and i will get to enjoy the sports illustrated swim suit magazine always arrives on valentine's day. that's always a fun extra cruel treat to the day….if you want to get me mad… let's talk about THAT! ha.
i think i will watch a romantic comedy while sewing. or actually just a comedy!
and eat chocolate.
and grab a sonic drink….even before happy hour (GASP!) oh yeah….i'm doin' it! don't try to stop me.
it's going to be BEAST!
(especially the part when i get to throw away the magazine…YAY for that)
Sarah-Oh I LOVE YOU! Because I think it’s all madness too! I mean, wasn’t it just Christmas a couple weeks ago??? It sure seems like it! Why do we have to make things so complicated and commercial and icky?
On Valentines Day I laughed at myself because have you ever watched Dan In Real Life? It’s one of my favorite movies. There is a scene where his teenage daughters screams at him, ‘YOU, YOU are a MURDERED of love!!!” That’s what I felt like. When I took my glitter heart (my one Valentines decoration) off the hook above the kitchen sink and pitched it into the garage to be thrown up in the attic, I said, “I am a MURDERER of LOVE!” It felt good.
Sharry-I LOVE YOUR HONESTY! Starting in October and going on through February I am so overwhelmed with holiday overload. I am grateful Easter is late in April. Now there’s a chance I can truly celebrate Easter’s meaning!
Holly-Awesome! Well said Meg! and heart shaped pizzas are a ritual every year here! Completely low-key and they go perfectly with a glass of wine 😉 perfection!
Lindsay-hey meg! just wanted to give you a tip. you can sign up not to get the swimsuit issue and then they will send you an extra issue later in the year at the sports illustrated website. or you can call them. its pretty cool. but if you take pleasure in trashing it, go for it!
Jen-I’m not a big celebrator (is that a word?!) of V Day… so you and me both. Loving the colours in your craft room. x
Elizabeth-I didn’t even make a heart-shaped pizza. We have hot dogs for dinner! Talk about rebelling against the forced holiday. But we are making up class Valentine’s Day parties at school on Friday, the 18th. I’ll get Valentine’s and candy half-price. That’s something to get excited about!
Kit-I am so with you on that terrible magazine. It doesn’t come into our house, but I wish I could hide every copy that I (and my three boys and little girl) have to see in the stores. It is wicked.
Guess I’m a Debby Downer with you!
Katie H-I’ll be honest….
I sent my kid to school with Valentines & candy and he came home with tons of candy….and I’m okay with that! I even got all three of my kids ring pops and little $2 puppies that say, “I wuf you.” I figure it’s no different than stocking stuffers or Easter baskets. Neccessary? No. Fun for the kids? Yes. My kids made me paper Valentines that I love. Also, my husband got me a gift card to the salon for a massage and hair cut. He does this on non-holidays sometimes, too, but I like that there is a holiday just for showing our love for one another–whether it’s through gifts or kind words.
Thanks for your input on V-day. Hope you don’t mind mine 😉
Kristin S-You are a good, honoring wife to pitch that SI!
Kirsten J-I’m with ya sista – DH was bummed today, because he’s been too busy to buy me anything for Valentine’s. NOT a big deal to me. At all. Those Hallmark holidays make me nuts. And get this: I remember being 20something and dumb and buying SI for him for Valentine’s – what was I thinking?!?!!??
kristine-you’re hilarious. i hate the stupid swim suit edition. it doesn’t come to our house fortunately but barf…
hope you had a great day! we are having lasagna that i got from my freezer meal swap and i picked up a little raspberry tart from the bakery at the grocery store for $4.99. DONE!
Tracey Garcia-My kids took sign and fold Valentines with candy—that I bought at Christmas clearance. Sweet tarts and laffy taffy don’t go bad!! And tomorrow, I’m going to Target to scoop up clearance valentine candy! 🙂 Cuz it tastes the same whether I paid full price or not. I did get the kids a couple of small lego things (again on clearance) and then I made yummy cupcakes. And that’s it–I’m not a fan of Valentines really–just another day!
Libbi -what is the link to the shop?
Lisa -My husband asked a few days ago, “We still don’t celebrate Valentines right?” Haha! We also aren’t big on this holiday. And I too sent my kids to school with no candy and the fold and sign valentines. Glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
meg schmidt-Oh wow, this absolutely cracked me up. still laughing actually. hope you have a lovely night. 😉
meg
taniawillis-oh meg….i love you. *sigh* thanks for being a bright spot in my otherwise discouraging day. 🙂
Kelley -Glad I’m not the only Debbie Downer today….
Kelly-Plain old store-bought Valentine’s went to school with my boys today too. My kindergartener just unloaded all his Valentine’s and our treat box is now refilled.
Way to go on the mail interception! I hate that magazine!
Carrie-I always feel so much better when I leave your blog! You make me laugh!
jennibell-Deputy’s Wife, where do you live??? I want to move there!!! Can’t stand the junk the kids bring home from school. . .anyway, love that you “tell it like it is” Meg! Thanks for the laugh and the eye candy at the beginning of the post. I’m not much a fan of commercial holidays but this year my kids were the leaders in the V-day “celebration” — they all came downstairs with cards they hand-made for one another (no prompting from us!) and the boys even found “gifts” in their room to give the girls. . .so sweet. Was glad we had decided to give them BAM gift certificates so we (the parents) weren’t the only ones standing there with nothing to give. I gave the kids $20 to spend at the store and they bought things to make goodie bags for all the neighbors — can’t say “no” to that either. At least they have the right spirit about the holiday!! Have a great day, Meg! I know you show your family daily how much you love them — no wonder you don’t need a holiday!
Heather -I LOVE Debbie Downer, and that was my favorite one!! They recycle that feline AIDS statistic in other skits too, which is hilarious. It’s so great when the actors start cracking up on live tv. That whole Lohan episode was actually really good- there was an Amy Poehler “Amber” skit with her that was really funny, and a funny Harry Potter one too. Maybe she won’t be too bad when she hosts this year?
My hubby and I don’t do the commercial v-day stuff either. Our tradition is to cook a delicious dinner together, and I love it. Tonight we’re making arroz con pollo. Yum! 🙂
Deputy's Wife-Our state recently passed a law that states only certain kinds of treats can be eaten at school. A lot of people are complaining, but I am not. I am sure you well know about the amounts of candy these kids bring home on Valentines day. Not that I don’t like candy, I LOVE it, but not grocery sacks full of it.
The boys did Valentines and I bought pencils for them to pass out. I work at school and kids NEED pencils this time of year! My 1st grader was so depressed about a candy free Valentine party he said to me this morning “What’s next? Chocolate covered broccoli???” Heh. Love that kid.
Robert Goulet -You must not love your kids.
erica -heart pizza here, too – im off to school to play a game with candy hearts and first graders:)
i can’t wait to see the pillows in your shop – i’ve been checking daily!
Staci -Love this post!! We did the same thing….just got cards and I didn’t even attach a pencil or candy to ANY of them!!!! Felt kind of bad….and then I got over it reeeeally fast! I’m making heart shaped pizza tooo tonight!!! Not even gonna make a salad 🙂 Have an awesome day in your craftroom with that Sonic drink 🙂
Nicole Q.-We’re doing Dr. visits at our place today — fun fun and my kids take the fold and sign v-day cards too and THEY LOVE IT!! Happy Love Day! Jason’s gone for his long seminary classes starting tomorrow so I’ve got the romantic comedy line up ready to go for the week. :))
deborah@applesinwonderland-heart-shaped pizza sounds good. we’re doing a bean burrito bar…..because beans beans they’re good for your heart…..(you know the rest). can you tell i live with boys, sheesh?
Toni-Your comment about Sonic cracked me up. I always feel guilty if I order a drink before happy hour. Like its something I should be ashamed of. Haha its a strawberry diet dr. pepper for crying out loud!
Kristin M -Oh my! LOVE the pile of fabrics! I *need* the rainbow striped (or is it zig zag) one! Care to share where you got it?
ashley jensen-Aren’t you a spunky little thing today! I have a friend that is making a heart shaped pizza too. My husband says it is stupid to try and show someone how much love them just one day out of the year, you should do it EVERY DAY! I totally agree.
Keri-We aren’t doing anything either for Valentine’s. One reason is because the hubby is sick with a stomach bug… yuck.
Karen Gerstenberger-I hope you have a happy Valentine’s Day, even thought it’s a holiday mandated by the greeting card industry. =) You can still enjoy it with your loved ones!
Thanks for the Debbie Downer sketch – we all know people like this; that’s why it’s so funny! My fave SNL sketches are the ones like this one when the actors can’t stop laughing (like Chris Farley’s motivational speaker). So much fun!
karen -Happy Valentine’s Day Meg…really looking forward to your Etsy shop.
Meg's mom -Hope you don’t mind that Grandma and Grandpa sent candy for valentines day!
Tracie-We don’t do V day at our house either. I made cupcakes with the kids yesterday because my 85 year old grandma bought them sprinkles and reminded us about 75 times that she wanted a cupcake on Valentine’s Day. I’m having lunch with her and my mom today and taking her a cupcake! My kids also did the fold and sign store cards and had parties at school. Super fun and I don’t do anything besides buy the cards for them.
LeAnne Cotton -Debbie Downer was so funny! Thanks for sharing!
Alisha Gibb-I agree that Valentine’s Day is just a money maker holiday. Everyday should be devoted to showing your loved ones how much they mean to you. We crafted our valentines for school, no candy. My kids will get a crafted valentine minus the sweets and gifts.
Can’t wait to see your pillows! Love, love, love your creations!
Gina-love Debbie! so, so funny. thanks for the laugh!
Cari -LOL!! LOL!! LOL!!!! I am dying laughing!! That is my FAVORITE SNL skit of all time. I can’t not watch it without almost peeing my pants! Hahahahaha!! So funny! As for V-day, I hate the commercialism, but love the day. Woke up early to make heart shaped biscuits and sausgae…have a heart shaped strawberry cake in the oven right now…It’s just fun for me. My girls got a new pair of $5 earrings & a pair of Toms from us. Nothing over the top. Enjoy your ordinary day. I think I’ll watch Debbie one more time… 😉
katie-yes! i love it when other people admit to hating “forced” holidays! i can’t stand being told when to tell people i love them. 🙂 i knew i could count on you, meg!
Ryanne -Word! I totally agree about the forced holiday. I did make my kids heart shaped crayons, and will make heart shaped cookies today. But yesterday at Wally World people were buying lots of valentine STUFF, and I just couldn’t do it. Anyway, I can’t wait to see all of the yummy pillows in your shop. Keep us posted.
Kerri-GO Meg!
I am telling the truth when I say that as a teenager, I saw the Kathy Ireland SI and have never recovered!!
I think homemade Valentines have much more charm!
Jenni-Mine brought cheapo cards to school as well. But they did have candy…because I wanted the leftovers. And heart-shaped pizza is totally in the cards for us too.
And, now that you’ve put it in my head, a cherry limeade might be as well.
jennifer-Oh goody! I’m not the only one that feels this way about today. Way too commercial for my taste.
Have you seen the movie Valentine’s Day though? I loved it! Thought it was hilarious. Enjoy your day!
Dana @ Bungalow'56-my my.
I think someone needs a big o’l valentine smooch.
Craig? craig?
K -You are truly hilarious! Too bad we do not live closer…we’d be great friends! 🙂 I have almost the same day planned…in fact I am sitting next to what we call “laundry mountain” right now!!! Have a great Valentine’s!
gboll -I agree 100%. I am so not into Valentine’s Day. I feel like it is totally out of control and really is about spending money. I can let my husband know I love him any day, why wait till a holiday? Lucky for me he agrees with me and just so happens his birthday is today so we celebrate his birthday. Very low key though because that is the way we like it! 😉
Beth {Embracing Twentysomething}-This. made. my. day. I love your honesty and spunk. Thank you for your thoughts – I lauded out loud. That pizza is perfect and just enough to recognize this hallmark holiday! Happy day. 🙂
Jenny Joy-I am so glad to hear that I’m not the only mother who has resisted the urge to buy a bajillion little heart-ish, Valentine-ish things to for my children. Cripes. We have enough crap around here.
And I’m LOVING your pillows. For real and true. 🙂
Deanna -Oh gosh!! You said BEAST…so it’s not just my kid huh?! And my kids have over 24 kids in their classes….
Tracey @7294cottageway.blogspot -You need your own show..called whatever…I would watch it everyday! You are hilarous…in person too? Ever meet a writter who is so not how they write…I am guessing you are super funny in person too! Hey maybe I will produce the show …well if I had the cnnections…which I don’t, or the money ….which I don’t…but anyway…I would watch it! We make a heart shaped meatloaf covered in ketchup…thats it. Happy….Monday!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang-Happy Monday!! Have a great day and I hope you get lots of sewing time after all the errands!
Lisa -LOL – My 11-year old always says EVERYTHING is going to be beast! Brought a smile to my face this morning! Happy Hearts Day! Lisa
Sarah-Too funny! I’m not that into valentines day but I did wear pink to work… at least I tried… right?
Heather R. -I wish our Walmart carried ball fringe. 🙁
Love the heart shaped pizza idea.
Trish-oh happy fabric… makes me want to sew! we don’t do a whole lot for v-day either. although my sweetie of a hubby bought me a basil plant i’ve been wanting 🙂 we did the same fold and sign valentine… no candy! happy ‘valentime’s’ day that’s how my kids use to say it… i miss it!
Hannah-bahahahahahah! i totally agree! valentine’s day is over-rated! 🙁 i did make my daughter a heart shaped sandwich this morning though…as for the rest of our day…running errands! fun times! 🙂
Flower Patch Farmgirl-Calvin’s party was Friday and this Mom did NOT get the memo about the candy OR the McDonald’s coupons. And his valentines didn’t even FOLD! They were just little, chicken-scratched squares.
Oh, the humanity.
Katy Frame-We aren’t doing much for V-Day either. I made heart shaped cinnamon rolls and pink milk (found the idea here: ), but that is the extent of our festivities! We know we love each other.. We don’t need a commercial holiday to tell us that. 😉
karen -Gotta love Debbie Downer
Hope you have a relaxing Valentine’s Day
Bethany -To give you a Valentine’s laugh…just after the racy Victoria’s Secret ad that aired during the Super Bowl, my 9 yr. old daughter said,”Now why would they put that ad on during a football game?? Men don’t buy girl underwear!” LOL!! I throw the Swimsuit edition away to. Such satisfaction!
Jen-i laughed out loud in my office at work…by myself. hilarious. that debbie downer video is funny forever! thank you for sharing that with us! and SI swimsuit edition? ick. shread that!
Jennifer -I’ve never hated or loved valentines day… it cracks me up how some people absolutely loathe it. Even though the stores act like it, I personally don’t know any Valentine fanatics 🙂 I like it because january and february are long and its a nice excuse to give little treats, flowers, and let the kids party down in the little grades at school.
Your day sounds fantastic! I can’t wait until your shop opens!
sara @ it's good to be queen-can’t wait to see all those pillows! they look so fun and happy! and i guess i am alone here but i love valentines day! also, you can opt out of that dang swimsuit issue by just going online to your account and checking a box to opt out. i am so happy to not see that coming in the mail!
enjoy your day of crafting!
Tiffany -don’t just throw it in the trash, rip it up so too. i’m way too downer for vday huh.
Elissa-this is EXACTLY how i feel about valentine’s day.
Sheryl-I love the addition of Debbie Downer. My husband once used that illustration/noise during a sermon – it was HILARIOUS – but I don’t think the old people got it. 🙂 Have fun sewing!
Gina in Louisville -Love Meg Day!!!!
Bethany {3SonsPlus1}-HA! 🙂
That’s a whole lotta color-me-happy color in that stash…enjoy!
Holly-Our stove is broken so no heart shaped pizza for us, boo. We put out some chocolates for the kids this morning and I threatened them if they did not save at least one for me later. How bad is that!? I forgot to get any cookies or candy for school so I sent the boy with a pack of plain cookies. No pink hearts or anything fancy, but we did get Valentines with pencils!
Nicole-I’m taking myself shopping for valentines day!
Micah-BEFORE Happy Hour?! Gasp! You are a WILD woman!
lol
kristiina -omg, debbie downer….i’m crying i’m laughing so hard. thank you for, yet again, brightening my morning.
(and here here! re not succumbing to the Hallmark Holiday!!)
Melissa-Can I please tell you how many Victoria Secrets swimsuit catalogs I’ve thrown away in the last month??? What a waste of postage…and paper.
Kelly-We had a family date on Friday. It was wonderful and a great way to celebrate for us. My husband took the day off and we ate breakfast together at home, went to the post office and thrift store, dropped off some items at a church for their foster/adoption ministry, ate lunch and dinner out, went to a park to play, drove around and saw new parts of our city, took pictures (my husband getting to try out a new to him lens) and got Italian sorbet. It was a neat day just to spend together, no computers or distractions. Kelly
p.s. absolutely throw away the magazine. gets my blood boiling!!!
Michele Renee-Loved this post. Watched and laughed at the Debbie Downer skit. My youngest in 4th grade didn’t even want to do the Valentine’s so I guess we are officially over that. On the other hand I had to drive all around this weekend getting a rose with the 7th grader to give to a girl and the 9th grader got a card to mail because he is grounded and couldn’t see his crush and so I suggested he get a card and mail it and I had to show him how to address an envelope. And tonight is a double header hockey game for 7th grader. Hubs and I exchanged cards at 6:30 a.m.
Oh and 9th grader gets SI mag and he once pointed out that I check out and make a bigger deal out of that issue than he does.
Catherine -I LOVE the clips you choose to post!! I enjoy them as much as your blog. It totally made my day….I love the skits where they are cracking each other up and trying to stay in character. Thanks for all you do!
Gemma @ Musings of a gem-Happy Valentines Meg!
I love your happy Cushions : ) Looking forward to seeing them !
Gemma xXx
Kimberlee J.-Did you know that one can opt out of the Swim Suit edition? It’s true. We don’t get one and Sports Illustrated comes to our house every week. I’d also love to say that it was my husband who initiated this…how do I love him? Let me count the ways starting with NO SWIM SUIT ISSUE!
Routhie -I never send candy with my girls and I always give them the same gift: special socks. Never too many of those lying around! I don’t boycott the day like my best friend (3 relationships ended on the 14th), but I just use it, like many other days, as an excuse to buy champagne. 🙂 Have a happy day in your own way!
Shayne-So glad I got to wake up to your post this morning. Now THAT was the way to start off Valentine’s Day!
Love your idea of a heart-shaped pizza. I’m not sure what we’ll do for dinner. Husband’s out of town—it may end up being hot dogs, because I would get Mom of the Year for serving those!
We celebrate simply. Starting with a white tablecloth, red fiesta bowls and mugs to serve breakfast.
keely-I love everything about this post. It’s such a “stick it to the man” kind of post…or something. 🙂
villa ibiza-Great post…!!! The way you have written this blog is awesome… Your craft in the beginning of the blog is the best part of this post….I also wish you a great and lovable Valentine’s Day….Amy God bless you…
Hoosier at Heart-Just breathe though it baby girl. I was in a fine mood this morning until I realized it was Valentines day. GRRRRRRRRR.
~Debra-Emma from Malaysia~I understand your frustration. I live in Japan & by the time I get to the shop, everything is sold out as well. I am sorry you haven’t been able to purchase anything. I hope you can soon!
~Debra in Japan
happygirl-We don’t celebrate Valentines Day over at the Happy house either. I made my husband and son’s favorite, spaghetti and meatballs. Get it? Red – spaghetti sauce? So holiday, right? Anyway, I’m with you on this one. Have a wonderful heart day sewing up a storm. Oh yeah, and holidays that you have go to work shouldn’t really count.
Alissa -Glad I’m not the only one who isn’t into spending a whole bunch of money for this “holiday”! I will be making some cute chocolate and strawberry cakeballs with my daughter today and heart shaped pizza also for supper for us. Have a wonderful day!
Liz-Love your blog, can’t wait to see what you put in the shop.
Happy <3 Day!
Shann-Can’t wait to see what you make in your shop! With 28 yards of pom pom trim…it’s gotta be good! And, I am with you…the swimsuit addition needs to be thrown in the trash. Heck, I would even find more satisfaction putting it through the shredder. Hummmmmmm????? Have a great day Miss Meg! 🙂
Tracy-LOL you crack me up, Meg! I love the new pom pom fabric and the bright colors – SOOO CUTE! And we are your normal “boring run of the mill” peeps over here too – my kids have outgrown the Valentine thing – but I didn’t do anything special for them either except make a heart shaped brownie with icing and pink pearl sprinkles and tell them I loved them – they LOVED it! HA! I think simple is always best! So YOU ROCK! 😉 Happy Valentine’s Day, Meg – have a great day! xoxoxo
Emma -Hi Meg, I’ve been following your blog ever since i first stumble upon…more than 2 years ago. I love your blog so much…well i’m addicted to your blog. I love your stack of fabric in this post…how i wish i manage to purchase a few of your pretty, happy colorful pillows for my home. I’m always a bit to late to reach your shop. it was often sold out when i reach there as we are in different time zone i guess. I’m from Malaysia. I wish I live in the same town you are that i can ran to your place to purchase those beautiful pillows!
Pati -Your pillows look soo pretty and colorful! Love you and yaaa for throwing out that stupid magazine!!!! Have a great day:)
heidi -I’ll join in with another “you inspired me” comment- my kids are off school this week so we are doing a craft every day. They are so excited. 🙂 thank you!
we are doing a special steak dinner complete with dollar spot mailboxes full of “love notes” written by each family member. I’m hoping the kids are actually loving with what they say to each other!
Julie -i’m the first to leave a comment today.. yeah me!
we are having heart shaped hamburgers today and that’s it.
my kids also have only the valentine cards to pass out… and they are from the dollar store. score!
i wish i could spend my day crafting, but i actually have to go to school and throw a valentine party with 24 cupcakes and cookies and juice boxes… oh yeah and boxes of chocolate i cannot eat. i don’t mind. the kids love it. but since we are being honest, i would rather be crafting… in your craft room. ha!
i am convinced that the writers for Parenthood have hidden cameras in my home and they are recording everything that goes on and they are making our life into a show.
it simply must be!
it is too real NOT to be the only answer.
i can't even show you a clip because it's too obvious what is so similar.
i promised cinnamon rolls over the weekend….it didn't happen.
i finally decided to make them on sunday night. craig ran to put gas in my car and i asked him to get the whole milk i needed. he came home and sat in the kitchen with me while i was making them. i poured in the first three ingredients. then realized i had no flour. HA.
9 cups is kind of a lot to ask your neighbor for….at 9 PM. :)
i have vacuumed a total of 25 hours over the past two weeks…give or take. my vacuum broke in october. i got another one (eureka smart boss…i just looked around amazon and clicked buy and that was that…i'm not a researcher….) and now i have been vacuuming everything that was neglected for so long.
we have a day off of school today because of ice. my husband said it's totally fine out there on the roads….so that means that it's all for nothing. lame.
but i did get to sleep until 9:00….that rocks. talby and i are cuddled up in our super soft robes. and i made a FULL pot of coffee today and i am gearing up for….shall i say….a loooong day.
they are currently watching Meerkat Manor on Netflix.
elisa had this on her blog. this song is always on our Coldplay/Kings of Leon/Mumford & Sons station we made on Pandora. (HOW did we LIVE before PANDORA!????)
i love it. and now i love it even more that i can picture this adorable little girl singing with her daddy. (i assume)
************************************************************************************************ and lastly…. i am going to pretend i am not sad i am not attending ALT Summit. i just want to be there to see what it's like….and listen…and be invisible….so i could take it all in with CONFIDENCE!
ha.
that is the truth. if i was there i would be so nervous and feel so out of place…..but i want to be there.
someday.
and by the way….lots of you asked me if i felt scared about the blue lily workshop….OF COURSE!! yes. i am always nervous to be somewhere that i feel unqualified. or to be around people i don't know. or to be far away from my family. or or or…..
but if fear is holding you back from blue lily…DON'T LET IT!! if you come to san diego…i will be there with you. there is nothing to fear about me. i promise. i will fill the room with nervous laughter and hold your hand.
Debbie-Hi Meg, I’m over here peaking around your blog. Hi, I’m Debbie. I’ve been here for years actually. No you don’t know me because I’m shy that way. Anyway, I decided to come back to this post and thank you.
Yes, thank you MEG for posting this back in January. Since I love your photos, blog and respect your recommendations…I ended up signing up for this class the very day you posted this and introduced me to blue lily. I’m so impressed with blue lily blog and find them to be such a burst of sunshine and laughter.
Thanks again, I’m so excited and finding it hard to contain my joy. I look forward meeting you too.
Blessings – Debbie
Heidi Jo the Artist-Just got Meerkat Manor for the kids yesterday, they love it! Thanks for writing what’s on your mind, fun to get new ideas for me/the kiddos. 😉
Brooke-Love your new header! And my hubby and I watched this video together and it is so cute!! In fact, I might go watch it again! I love it!
alyssa-my heart goes pitter patter for parenthood. I LOVE that show. It is pretty much the only thing I watch anymore. so good.
Jennie-oh PW. her shredded pork might be the best thing i ever ate. i haven’t made the cinnamon rolls yet, but they are next on my list.
Jen -I agree with the others, I wish you were my friend. 🙂 Love your blog
stacie-i’m a quiet reader of you blog. you are my favorite though!! i don’t ever think i’ll be a professional photographer but i wanted to sign up for the blue lilly weekend just to meet you, and hang with you and learn with you and laugh with you. i love that you are so real. you write straight from your heart … i’m learning to travel from my head to my heart more often.
it’s four to one at my house today. oh my!
nicole i-ok. i don’t really know you but i sure do like you. wait that sounds stalker crazy like but it’s not. you say things i think but don’t say….and you like parenthood, madmen, kids, Jesus, africa and so on.
karen -I made your ‘lunch’ for dinner tonight. My husband and son loved it! Thanks!! I love your recipies!
Renae -I think you feel about PW the way I feel about you! I’ve not been reading for too long but you’re me, I can tell. I don’t know what that says for you unfortunately! 😉 I love me some Parenthood, Pandora (I have a Jack Johnson station), and my 6 year old son and I just made PW’s cinnamon rolls a couple of weekends ago and I hear you. I seriously have been telling everyone I know that my rolls turned out so great…so proud of myself. Thanks for the daily laughs! Hugs, Renae
Emily-I am new to your blog, I have loved being part of your world. I have to say that this crazy post was really funny! I could tell by the end of the blog post you were more than one cup of coffee in…hehe. I hope you had a great day, and your kidos surprised you! BTW, love the red coffee cup! : )
Lisa Currie-Gurney-PARENTHOOD IS MY FAVORITE SHOW. IT IS SOOOOO REAL. I FEEL LIKE SOMEONE OUT THERE GETS IT. LIFE. REAL LIFE.
I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO GO TO THE WORKSHOP. YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH…
HUGS FROM MY HEART.
MGF-love lOVE LOVE THIS SONG. tHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHaRING.
nOT SURE why i was in caps.
Also, parenthood rocks.
elma riedstra -Lov love LOVE the video!!! The little girl is sooo cute. We have no school tomorrow so it is be withthe seven:) have a wonderful day!!!
Kristin S-You want to be friends with PDub like we want to be friends with you.
Seriously, your random posts are my fave.
Leigh-Now I’m totally curious about your Parenthood similarities! I love that show.
Tonya-We LOVE Parenthood too! I love that the show can make you laugh like crazy and bawl your eyes out all in the same episode.
Tara-LOVE parenthood.
my husband and I laughed so hard last night that we nearly cried.
Maria-PW cinnamon rolls are the best! I never have whole milk, but always have skim and half and half. I just fill up the cup almost all the way with skim, then top it off with half and half.works in a pinch if you’re ever stuck. I cannot tell the difference.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang-Hi! I LOVE this video… especially when she kinda yawns at the endish (I think)… A.dor.able.
Hope your snow day was good. 🙂
Margo-Mr. Duerksen was right – the roads were fine. I left town 45 minutes earlier than normal to make sure I had plenty of time to get to Wichita. I got there so early! Lucky for my department I was feeling kind and I stopped at Lamars for donuts and still got to work 30 minutes early! Hope you enjoyed your day at home with the kids!
Jessica J-I love PW and just made her cinnamon bread the other night! So YUM!
If my vacuum broke down it would be 24 hours before we were walking through animal hair ankle deep (we have 4 cats and 2 dogs!) so thank you Dyson for making an amazing animal hair vacuum.
I love your blog and have been a long time lurker — so, Hi! 🙂
Jennifer -ahah! Wish I could feel more sorry for you but I am a teacher and LOVE snow days more than my students do. Now a snow day without my kids….??? that would be insane wonderful. I can’t remember the last time I was in my house alone for even an hour.
I absolutely adore Parenthood. Such a great snow.
andrea -
meg, please consider putting a link for joannes blog, she needs our prayers.
candace-Parenthood – I watched every episode of Season 2 last week on OnDemand. Then, I ordered the first season from Netflix – DVD 1 came today. I just told my husband I haven’t enjoyed t.v. this much in a very long time. Yay for maternity leave time to watch all of it!
If you need more dirt to suck up, you are free to follow that snow/ice and come vacuum my house to your heart’s content!
heather-Love Parenthood.. love cinnamon rolls…need a new vacuum…love that song. perhaps I should move in?
fav part of that video? “one day i’m gonna whistle?” too cute!
Carol S. -super cute video, can’t say I know the band but I definitely know and like the song. Good luck today…it’s almost over. I’m bummed, everyone is having snow days but Chicago!!
kristine-LOVE that video. for as many times as we’ve played that song at our house i’m surprised my daughter can’t sing it herself! we saw edward sharpe and the magnetic zeroes last summer. made me want to be a hippy real bad 🙂
also LOVE those cinnamon rolls. wish i could come over and help you devour them. so craving a sweet now!
Laura Phelps-if you were my neighbor I would TOTALLY give you 9 cups of flour
Nick and I once asked our neighbor for two glasses of WINE
HAHAHAHA
I am laughing remembering this…
we had already had a bottle
but wanted a little more
and we were drunk enough to go and knock on our neighbors door!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA
they gave us a bottle 🙂
I miss you
Alisa -i wish pioneer woman was my friend too…. see, that is the sad thing about blogs… you get so close to people that you’ve never met. i love your thoughts…always refreshing.
melissa-every post. it’s like we were seperated at birth…only you inherited all the style.
my vacuum is currently broken. how does a family of 6 (mine) live without a vacuum??? i guess i need to head over to amazon myslef. i’m not a researcher either…except for on price. i want cheap but, it needs to work!
Amanda-I’m pretty sure I started watching Parenthood because of you – thank you! I love it! But now I’m gonna have a hard time watching it and not SEEING your family in it. HA!
And why on EARTH did they call a snow day today??! Well, I’m glad for my teacher friends, because I remember when I was a teacher and I longed for snow days and we never got them. But seriously, how dumb to call it TODAY and not last week! Go figure.
Hope you survived the day.
RLG-I think Parenthood is the BEST show on tv.
Why isn’t it nominated at the Emmys???
xoxo
angela-you know what i love most about blogland – that it is truly much smaller than it appears – after reading your blog as i ate my lunch today, i called my dad b/c he is a teacher at the high school there, and i just wanted to see if he was really off today (not that i didn’t believe you, but this can all seem a bit surreal) – a lo and behold, he was home! so – because i read your blog – i got to have a wonderful conversation with my dad (i’m in buffalo, ny now and continue to marvel at all the snow days i read about and we just have to keep plodding along because we have things like snow plows here)AND over the course of the conversation i found out that my dad is lauren’s geometry teacher! see – small world!! hope your day was tolerable and know that you brought a smile to another 2 faces today!!
Amanda-Those cinnamon rolls look awesome-maybe I’ll be brave enough to try her recipe now…
I’ve been looking for a new funky robe and I’m all about black w/ white polka dots!! Where did you find that? It’s so cute!!
Try to stay sane today…;)
Kelley-Then there will be two of us nervously laughing as we are surrounded by no one we know next month at this workshop.
I LOVE the closeness between that little girl and her dad while they’re singing and her arm is draped over his or the guitar. Too sweet.
stacie jameson -I’m sitting in ICU with my son Noah and this video put a smile on my face today Thanks its just what I needed.
Kimberly-Fear…yes it does get to us one way or another. I am stepping more boldly out of the shadows and just beginning to comment on your blog and others that I follow. I have been scared to do even that. Scared that nobody will visit my blog. Scared that I don’t have a good enough camera. Scared that it isn’t as full or fancy as other blogs. 2011 is going to be about believing that we all have something authentic to offer…including me! Thanks for always sharing the truth as you see it…it is so comforting and sooo inspiring.
dawn -I pretty much have the same thing to say as Trish (a couple posts ^^^^ up there)… I love your blog, you really do make me smile. And yesterday I was soooo super duper grumpy — so this is a great way to start the day. Thank you. 🙂
amy jupin-parenthood rocks me deeply. and i have to say, i think of you quite often when i see the teenage drama stuff. that is so HARD.
i love that song, home, by the way. everytime i hear it, i STOMP around like a little kid and it feels great! 🙂
we were out of school for the ENTIRE week last week. and monday too for the holiday. i was going crazy. but i made it, i survived. you will too.
Heather R. -We are in Leavenworth…living the snowday dream, too. Love the video you shared. So sweet. Coffee mug, clink.
Janelle -Parenthood is just delightful. Didn’t you just love Craig T. Nelson when they were talking about who wears the pants in the family and then he said how that sounds awful or something like that? Just cracked me up.
Alli-Oh my word…I have the same vacuum as a famous person :-).
Amanda-Parenthood is soooo good! On so many levels. totally afraid to be the parent of teenagers one day.
tinycandi-I would definitely go if I could afford it! I hope you have a great time! I’m jealous! 🙂
annie-i manage to get a little teary-eyed during every episode of Parenthood. Love it, and the music? Perfection!
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe-Oh how I heart PARENTHOOD – such a great show!
Wouldn’t it be great if ALL us bloggers could be real life friends even just for a day? 🙂
Hope your day flies by without too much drama, mama!
Kori-O.M.Gosh. That video is just about the cutest thing I’ve seen!! I love when she comments about herself whistling one day….
Adorable.
Stacia-🙂
I love Parenthood too.
I was just thinking yesterday that I could maybe be okay with the kids growing up a little bit (and sleeping!) and having conversations with them.
Then I watched that episode (a day late) and I am back to “Please stop growing up!” I dread having a situation like Hattie’s w/ my daughter. Just dread it.
I too (like another commenter) wish it was longer every week.
I wish you were friends with PW in real life too. And then I would be friends with you (in a dream world) and you could introduce us. 🙂 🙂 🙂
And MommaH’s comment is awesome!
merlin -Could you do a review of the vacuum? Bag/bagless, effectiveness on dog hair both on the floor and on the furniture, and then the usual stuff, comfort and ease of use blah blah. I NEED something that WORKS, that is not going to bankrupt me with fancy bags, or exhaust me as I drag attachments and heavy equipment around.
OK, that would be much appreciated. Maybe you could persuade the Eureka company to offer up a give away….that is how sad my life is, I would LOVE to win a vacuum 🙂
elisabeth (bovagoods)-LOVE parenthood. i have always wanted to make those cinnamon rolls. they look soooo good. lots of colorful rainbow goodness on my blog the past two days. totally thought of you as i wrote them. 😉 can not wait to hear all about blue lily. so fun!
becky -i was thinking about you & your sweet family while i watched parenthood with my hubby on tuesday… because you’ve said before it’s very REAL. i loved when hattie said “i don’t get why you’re taking my door off – i didn’t do anything wrong” right after she LIED to her parents multiple times.
i looked at the hubbs {MY high school sweetheart} and said, ‘does she NOT realize why they don’t trust her?’
he replied ‘we did the EXACT same thing’.
too bad he’s right. ugh. i hate it when that happens.
Melanie-I love Parenthood. I am so thankful that I have a 16 yr. old BOY and not a girl:)
Candy-Your awesome! I feel like YOU have cameras hidden at my house! We have a snow day today as well, and I have made those cinnamon rolls and done the exact thing, but it was sugar for me, the sugar is pretty important. I too, wish you were my friend!
Heather-You must have a big fan base in Olathe! I came across your blog at The Lettered Cottage a few weeks ago, so I was tickled to see where you live (I grew up in Hutch). Anyway, the video is too cute!
Pamela-Love Mumford and Sons. Love Pandora. Love those cinn. rolls. Enjoy your ice day!
Dana @ Bungalow'56-You have a gift… I feel as though I just sat down and had a chat with a good friend. As does every single person who will comment here today. You have what PW’s got. A je ne said quoi, I’m sure you two would be fast friends. The coolness in the room would be tangible.
I really like MommH too : )
Dana
lauren -You rock.
I wish you were my friend.
Kate -Sometimes Parenthood stresses me out. I get so tense about Hattie and Alex and Adam and the thought of my 6 and 2 year old girls! Eeek! Everytime it is over I say, “I wish it was a bit longer.” It is starting to make my husband insane. 🙂
MommaH-Megan, I just have to tell you right here and now: YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE NERVOUS ABOUT!!! Take it from a woman older than your mother (probably),who always felt out of place and self conscious everywhere, at your age – there is really nothing to be all uptight about. Nobody else has it together either.
I see you young Mothers at church who are 25 – 45 and older, and I think, “I don’t think I was ever that cool when I was that age.”
When I see YOU at church you always look so cute, as do your kids, and even if Annie and Sean are fighting over a chair, and you are exasperated, you are fine. NORMAL.
I see what you create on your blog – with your house, your fabrics and your camera and I am awestruck. You are incredibly talented, and you don’t need to be afraid or back up from anyone!
There. That is my mommy sermon for the day.
You are loved, dear Meg. By people you don’t even know for sure. Be blessed!
Alicia-Hi Meg! Parenthood is also one of my favorites. I am often surprised how many times I get teary-eyed while watching…signs of a great show!
My 12 yr. old is not quite there but I see signs of future sassiness! I hope your day goes smooth and school is back to normal tomorrow…we moms need all the days we can get!
Penny-Love Parenthood. Glad I am not the only one who cries during the show. And I did cry during Alex and Adam’s conversation. It is very real.
shannon-I love pandora too but we hardly listen to it anymore since we have sirius. We are home today because of snow though and probably tomorrow b/c it will probably freeze tonight…not good. I am supposed to go to a concert tomorrow and my momma is flying in from arizona on saturday….not cool. (no pun intended). Anywho…got any craft ideas for our long day at home too for children 4 and under? 😀
Deb Meyers -hey…that is an adorable little girl! On Youtube there is a link to an Alexa T=shirt @ http://www.gonnawhistle.com, apparently to help a college fund.
Teresa-I am not married, nor do I have children but I cry at some point during every single episode of Parenthood. Every single one. This past week it was during Alex and Adam’s conversation. Love that show!
Heather -I am a regular reader, never really a commenter, but I had to say that your last line about the 5 against 1 not being a fair fight was so cute, clever, and hilarious. I so enjoy your attitude and blog.
Casey-I have never seen parenthood but have heard such good things about it. I guess I need to start watching it!
I promised my kids cinnamon rolls too but STILL haven’t made them. I have to clean the kitchen first. Boo.
How adorable and sweet is that video! I loved it!
Toni-I LOVE parenthood!! That show is so realistic. Seriously, Tuesday night is my favorite night of the week!
Amber-You will be amazing at the photo conference. I’m so happy for you
Jodi-Pandora Rocks… enough said… not sure if this guy is on Pandora yet or not, but you must google Jadon Lavick. simply.amazing.
Enjoy your day!! :o)
Karen -Hey Meg~
We are snowed in in Olathe today too; 6 inches and I need to clear a path from the garage to the street to get the trash out.
I laughed out loud at your Parenthood comment! I am with you there on that one. My 18 year old daughter and I watch it together and for the last episode I just kept looking at her and asking “is that what daddy and I sound like”? What about Modern Family; do you watch it? Last nights eposide was hilarious! Thankfully that “situation” hasn’t happened to us, but just the thought of it gives me hives!!!
Enjoy the coffee and your kiddos today!
Alisa-I’m not liking the news that your kids are off due to ice today. My 17year old is traveling from KC to Wichita today on a big tour bus for a thespian conference….eeek! I hate bad weather, especially when someone else is in charge of the driving.
I♥Parenthood too. It does seem a bit too real sometimes when I’m watching it.
I love that video too, watched it this morning on Miz Booshay’s blog and it just made me smile.
Blessings for a happy day~
Alisa
apparently the awesome quote came from the show How I Met Your Mother. i have only seen that show twice so i googled it. here it is.
i want to say that i know OF COURSE it's not easy to just overcome being sad. and i wasn't sad. just feeling BLAH.
it's january. that is what i do.
but i do really like the idea of BEING AWESOME. 🙂 i mean just say it out loud "today i will be awesome" you will feel it. it's helpful. i dare you to try it.
OK. great questions girls…i love to answer questions.
question one: what is your favorite NON-disney movie?
i have a bunch. i will share by category:
suspense – Signs The Fugitive
drama – i can't think of any!!! i am blank.
chick flick – Julie & Julia.
i love so much about this movie. i love the blogging. i love the acting….meryl streep is just….amazing. what i love the most….the love between paul and julia. it's beautiful. "it was julia. it was julia all along" makes me tear up.
i also love...You've Got Mail Sleepless in Seattle
romance – The Holiday The Family Man anything where i get to look at Mr. Clooney
comedy – Parenthood is a CLASSIC. The Money Pit also a CLASSIC. and to me….anything with Vince Vaughn or Will Ferrell…
action – Bourne Identity…Bourne Supremecy….Bourne Ultimatum Mr and Mrs. smith….they are both just so easy on the EYES!!!
question two: what's going on in the dining room?!!
well whenever i take pictures i don't like them much….so i have been waiting. but i am just going to show you. the light is funky until like 20 minutes before sunset and then i'm making dinner. so these are from this morning.
print is from the wheat field….matte is micheal miller fabric.
all my frames are from the thrift shop or antique store….i have been collecting for years. the yellow lamps were silver from a garage sale 10 years ago.
now the red box is across the room and i asked sean to display his lego space shuttle in that space. :) it's perfect size and pretty safe from being knocked over and it's in view instead of in a box.
pool table….from a friend's garage. foos ball table…from a friend. and now a ping pong (dining room) table for $10.
dining room twice a year….game room the other 363 days.
that caricature is of lauren when she was little made at Six Flags. i found it again…i love it. also her octopus art made in first grade.
the chandelier is from the kane county flea market in may of 2010.
bird canvas is from Pier One….in a antique store frame. craig's chairs are from craigslist. now his friends can sit down inbetween turns playing pool. :)
my sister painted this for me for my birthday. SIGH. i told you i love cow paintings…..and this…..i LOVE. also in an identical frame from the antique store.
the paint color on the walls is antique white. the trim is done in Kilz primer first then Ultra Bright Behr semi-gloss paint.
question three: does your hairstyle have a name for me to tell my stylist?
i am pretty sure it's called a wedge haircut….amy please speak up if i am wrong.
question four: where in the world would you like to visit?
i think anywhere tropical is where i would want to spend time with craig…all alone for a long time. this was in google images….don't you just feel GOOD when you look at it? i can practically smell the ocean. mr. duerksen…..are you looking? can you feel it???
but i also really want to see more of Africa. all over Africa. i want to see it…experience it….meet people….open my eyes…help where i can….love who i can…. ALL OF IT.
i want to have africa in my heart forever.
question five: when did you decide to start charging for photography? when people started asking me to take their family pictures. they encouraged me and built up my confidence with compliments and telling their friends about me. i charged a small amount at first so i could get experience and decide if i even enjoyed it as work. when i realized i did then i just went for it. it was scary. and vulnerable. but worth it.
question six: what do you do all day with the kids in school? enjoy a quiet house. i spend a lot of time on the computer….blogging, answering email and reading blogs. i do laundry, i pick up the house (a little), i go to the grocery store (UGH…this is so old to me….i am over it). i workout a few times a week. i edit photos from may – november and then hopefully sew from january – april for my etsy shop. i read my bible study stuff or a book to help me cope for that given day (Crazy Love….Praying the Sriptures for your Children…Love and Logic…5 Love Languages….) i make dinner. if i am tired i take a nap. this next few weeks i will be purging all the closets and rooms of all the JUNK. bags and bags i am sure. i am not a schedule kind of girl. i am the opposite. so i just do what i need to for that day…and what i feel like doing….schedules make me crazy. and i like to go to lunch if my friend asks or run to target in wichita on a whim.
question seven: where do you find inspriation? blogs. blogs are so cool. anything you could want….it's there!
occasionally i go to B&N and get a BIG pile of books and magazines i want to look at…a coffee…and i sit.
but knowing i will sound like an old lady…. it's usually too loud in there. the music is ok but someone is ALWAYS blabbing away on their cell phone. i cannot stand that. and with my ADD brain i can't focus on anything but that person on the phone…driving me crazy. i bring my iPod now and try my very best to tune them out.
question eight: how do you take indoor pictures with out a flash?
i usually shoot in P because years ago Karen Russell said that is what she shoots in (or did at the time). and i change my ISO to a higher number because you need more light in when you're inside. i also change my White Balance to whichever setting we are using….Sun symbol if it's lit well from the windows… or AWB it's just overheard lighting. i honestly do not like my inside photos…but if you do….that is how i get them. i feel i need to learn a LOT about my camera still….every day. indoor pictures are hard for everyone….i think.
our house has lots of big windows so in the day we have good light but i think you were asking about at night?
this is at night. all the lights are on…chandliers and recessed lighting…brightly lit…my ISO was probably 1600…on AWB. did i answer your question?
question nine: what do you use to edit your pictures?
every photo that has been on this blog has been edited in iPhoto or Picnik. i did buy Photoshop but STILL haven't loaded it. who has time for this?!! i need to do it but i just feel overwhelmed and don't want to fail. soon. soon. soon.
question ten: what kind of make-up do you use? in june 2010 my friend Kimberlee took me for a MAC-over. it was fabulous. i was hooked. i love using grown up make-up….i feel pretty (oh so pretty…i feel pretty and witty and…ok i will stop now). i want to do a whole post about it sometime….with video. :) would you like that? but my mascara that was asked about specifically….Maybeline Great Lash. cheapy in the green and pink package. love it. use it everyday. *************************************************************************************************
ok…more questions to be answered tomorrow. THANKS for asking. now i will return to my cleaning binge.
Cliff Spears -Watching “How I Met Your Mother” makes me laugh a lot, due to their approach on making people laugh, especially whenever Barney’s there to entertain. Even his words of wisdom apply in the real world, just like taking negativity away, and being awesome instead. I dunno if this is just me, but every time I suit up and pick between purple ties or my red tie, I always remember him doing his pose, like it was etched in my brain.
Michelle-I have a question and a suggestion:
Question- What was it like for you being a young mom? I had my first child when I was 20 and my biggest challenge was probably connecting to the other moms of kids in his class because they were all at least 15 years older than me. He’s almost 16 and sometimes I still feel a little out of the loop with his friends’ parents. I’ve found everything to be easier this time around (my second child is 6).
Suggestion- You are already obviously a talented photographer, but to take it to the next level, I would really look into the workshops over at clickinmoms.com . I was able to start shooting solely in manual mode (and trust me, that was a miracle!) and they also have Photoshop classes. Their classes run for a month and they have weekly assignments and tons of feedback from the instructor. They’re not cheap, but worth every penny. I’m not affiliated with them at all, but I just could not believe how much I learned from their “Rock Your Camera” class.
Love your blog! We made your snowman ornaments over Christmas vacation and I will treasure those messy little handprints forever.
A -CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME Where your family picture canvas is from, the one on your mantle?
Thanks!
Emily -This is a little off subject but I know Africa has a place in your heart. http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ it is a blog of a woman who is in her early 20 who moved to africa a adopted 14 girls who were abandoned and uncared for. Her jurney speaks of Gods will and it a true testiment to what he can do in times of need. Whenever I need hope I turn to her blog.
dotsie (aka podso)-You know, there is a saying that says something like this, “Once you have drunk from the rivers of Africa you must return to drink again.”
jennibell-My MIL had the pool table in her dining room for YEARS and hated it. . .but we all loved not having to go into the basement to play pool and “be away” from everyone else. It’s since been moved back down and it’s too bad. . .I know the kids don’t play nearly as much now.
I’m always inspired by your house and style. And honesty. I would have a hard time listing the things you do each day when the kids are at school and not feeling guilty about it. I always feel I should be “doing” something — although, yes, I know laundry and grocery shopping and making dinner are important – ha! Maybe I’ll just keep coming to you for counseling 🙂
We don’t have television service and rely on videos for our entertainment — How I Met Your Mother is one of the few series we DO watch — you should take Mel up on her offer to borrow them. . .and thanks, too, for all the movie suggestions from you and other readers — I’m making a list!!! We watched Shrek Ever After yesterday and I was surprised how much I liked it — great family message!!
Mary-Thanks for the insight into your “hectic” and “adventurous” life!
Tara M.-My living room USED to have a pool table, life sized Chewbacha cutout, and a huge American flag on the wall. I like your dining room so much more! I loved Julie and Julia. I need to watch it again!
emily-You are fun. Thanks for being honest and just yourself. You are delightful.
asibtroy-reset my camera and am trying out with the ISO and AWB! THX!
My husband challenged me to do the picture a day thing on my blog this year and I find I’m taking most of the photos in the dark…
Meredith -I’d love to see a list of what blogs you read regularly too! Love this post 🙂
Kari-Fun post! ‘How I Met Your Mother’ is one of my very favorite shows. I love your Dining/Game Room, especially the vintage maps. Very cool thanks for sharing!
Holly-The haircut is called an inverted bob….atleast that’s what my stylist (and bff) calls it. I had that cut for years! I’m growing it out now!
Crystal Paine-Have you ever posted a list of all the blogs you read? I know on some blogs it will show who they are following, but I haven’t been able to find that on yours, maybe because it’s in typepad? Anyway, I’d love to see what blogs you read cause I’m sure I’d love them! This was a great post, would love to see the MAC video, I wear MAC too, my friend & I had the Mac-over done in November, although I’d already been wearing it for a few years, but it was fun! I love your house, and the pictures that you post. You take great pictures & I’d love to see photography tips. I made the snowman handprint ornaments with my kids, those were fun & turned out super cute! My daughter got a purse for Christmas from her grandparents, it says Whatever on it & has little rainbows & other lil’ pics. I thought of you when I saw it! I’ll try to send you a pic of it someday! Do you watch Big Bang Theory? My husband & I love it, it’s my favorite “funny” show!
DaisyDuke -Question 3, Inverted Bob or Pob (Posh Bob)
Devremülk-Nice post. I love it. Waiting your new posts. Thank you…
Dana@Bungalow'56-Hey Megan,
I too only use my iPhoto and Picnik, and while that works fine, sometimes I want to be able to do so much more. Just thought I would let you know there is a free mini e-course for photoshop. I haven’t even bought photoshop yet and will just download the free trial for the course, to see if it’s worth it for me. It starts tomorrow and lasts until the 21st~ I think. I found out about it on a blog where the edits are just beautiful. I asked the blogger how she had learned to use photoshop and she sent me to KimKlassenCafe. I’m really excited to see what she has to offer, and since it’s free I figure I have nothing to lose.
Dana
Jenna -I don’t know if your question about the makeup was rhetorical or not, but yes, I would love it!
Laura-Wow.. it’s crazy how much we have in common!!! But the thing that stood out the most was the “add brain” inside of bookstores. I am very much the same and can not concentrate with all of the people milling about.
And the Bourne movies…. my family has seen each of them at LEAST 10 times. I want to see a face off between Jason Bourne and Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie’s character in the movie “Salt”)
I adore your house even more now that I know you have your dining/living space as a game room. Awesome.
Gemma-I really enjoy these posts!! Loving the dinning room : )
Gemma x
Jen@thecottagenest-Meg, I absolutely *LOVE* what you have done with your dining room. I love not using a room as it is intended but instead using it in a way that works for your family. Bold and inspiring. That’s what you are.
elisa-Holy crap I love that cow painting!!! Will she sell me one??
mandy falgout-wow, love this post. thanks for being you and being real. i just got a friend to try mac makeup and she loves it. i have heaps of it, but don’t wear anything at the moment since moving to phnom penh, cambodia. i sweat so much here it seems like a waste, so i go au natural all the time. kind of liberating. weird. i seriously think we could be twins from different mommas. you and i have many similar tastes, likes and loves of things.
keep rockin’ it!
Steffie -Would love to know where you got the map art above the buffet and the collection of globes? I’m sure you’ll saying something fun like thrift stores or a flea market…. I wish our little island had the same offerings as the mainland, sigh! Have a great weekend Meg!
Miss Tiff -Hi Meg. I’m new here. I read two posts in the past month that linked here and now I’m stuck on u too.
A few things, you are not afraid to use to color. I’m a wimp. 90% of my closet is solids, but I’m turning it up a notch, yo. The spare room is my inspiration.
Fav Movie. I like a few of your choices, but you have to promise to try and watch WAITRESS. It is my new favorite. It’s definitely a chic flic but u will laugh and maybe cry a tear too. My new fav, I watch it whenever I feel blue.
Last thing, Your blog is an awesome read, it has a tone of wit, reality and luv. Best Reality blog award goes to you. Happy New Year!!
angela-Sitting here this Saturday morning in front of my gas logs reminds me of a cold Saturday a year ago when I found your blog. I never took my pj’s off that day. i read EVERY SINGLE entry of yours….and was hooked! I love that Lauren is a normal teenager with trials and an attitude! I love the name Talby. I love that you have a craft day for your kids. I adore your craft room and your big, old house. I love that you went down the slip and slide and even showed us! I love the rainbow cake and the shots of your mudroom and that you show us mountains of laundry. Yours remains one of my favorite *real* blogs! Thanks for sharing! Happy 2011. This is going to be a great year! God bless you and your family!
LouBoo-Hello…I haven’t stopped by for a while (do you ever get that where you end up following so many blogs that it becomes impossible to look at all of them and then I have guilt about unfollowing people to make life simpler – that is sooo not what blogging is all about!). Anyway – reading this reminded me why I like your blog. Utter honesty! And your movie pics – like me you sound like a girl who has a soft spot for the 80s but doesn’t mind when it’s up to date either! Lots of my faves are on your list. Plus I like the description of your day at home. I do the same…and taking a nap – I do that too although I probably would not admit it to everyone! But honestly – what better thing is there than taking a nap in the daytime? That so reminds me of pre-children life. Anyway – I am glad I popped by and had this ‘chat’!! Lou xx
meghan-the globes and canvas are my favs. love your blog. always will. tgif!
Kendra-You could totally have Africa in your heart forever if you adopted….just sayin 🙂 🙂 🙂
Megan-I used to use Picnik also and when I finally got around to using PS it went SO MUCH faster when editing pics. You will wish you would have done way sooner! BTW Kimberlee and friends introduced me to MAC as well…I’ll come video for you guys! 🙂
sara@augustfields-you’re a doll. love your candidness….so refreshing 🙂 cute setup on the dresser!
Kristin S-I think these posts are some of my favorite. When I saw you ask for any questions I was exhausted reading through all the questions. Well done responding/answering.
Very, very fun.
I wonder why we are so intrigued by everyone’s normal lives. It is refreshing to know that we all do laundry. Grocery shop. Normal stuff.
Thanks for sharing!
Rachel / cREaTe-i love it when you do this smorgasbord of question answering. 🙂 so fun & i get new ideas … and reminded of things like that i need to rent julie & julia! forgot that was on my “list”. love your theory on why you have a game room instead of just a dining room. that’s our theory on why we’ve never really had a guest room … and instead do an office or craft studio – with a lil’ futon over on the side [sorry guests]. 🙂
shannon-I LOVE this post! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I also LOVE the collection of cameras….where did they all come from? Yes MAC video would be awesome!
Elizabeth-What program/how did you nake your 35 before 35 list?
Karla -I too have to ask – Kane County, IL?!?!? The county in which I live? And I missed your coming?? Drat.
elma riedstra -Oh I love your dinning room:) Oh I would love your sister to paint me a cow:) Love this post!!
hannah -Please do a makeup video 😀 You’re totally awesome!
And I LOVE your house! Seriously, I want it. Have you seen a tumblr blog called this pretty space? Lots of awesome pictures in your kind of style 😀
Amber -I have really enjoyed reading your blog for a while now and agree with you that blog surfing is fantastic! : ) My husband thinks I am crazy for looking in on people I dont even know, but the blogs I follow, I follow for a reason. I feel that if I actually met any of these people, we would be great friends! Also, just want to say I love the Julia and Julia movie too! Have you listened to My Life In France? It’s a memoir of Julia Childs’ life. Great Book! God Bless you, and keep typing hon, as you are a virtual friend and I love hearing about what you do!
se7en-Ooooh So much to love here… love the window into your life… Come over and visit Cape Town – it’s in Africa after all and we would love to meet you all!!!
Tiffany-Oh.My.Word – that dining room is AWESOME!!! Love it!
I am still reading the archives and perhaps you have covered it – but I would like to know if you are planning on doing a little photography workshop. You take great pics – and I always love to learn new tips and tricks from others.
BTW…in my mind I always hear “whatever” in that “80’s valley girl” style… Do you do that? 😀
Jenny B.-Fun! I had to chuckle when I read this: “craig’s chairs are from craigslist.” Hee-hee. 🙂
Oh, and if you love cow paintings, you should check out the new shop a couple of my friends just opened: Red Hill Gallery in Fayetteville, AR. If you live in/near Wichita, it would only be about a 4-hr. drive (I think). Weekend getaway? Anywho… here is their new blog: http://www.redhillgallery.blogspot.com/
And their individual etsy shops:
Shannon’s: http://www.etsy.com/shop/donkeysandturkeys
and Cari’s: http://www.carihumphry.com/
I love all your photos. I think my favorite thing about your house is that it looks fresh and modern (well, because vintage is the new modern? maybe? yes?). Anyway, it’s “in style,” yet colorful (not all white and neutrals). 🙂
happygirl-Loved this post. LOVED IT! I’m new to blogging and so happy if I have 1/2 an hour to blog. I don’t take pictures, but I’d love to learn. Love the movie Julie and Julia too. LOVE IT! I can watch the movie Mother with Debbie Reynolds and Albert Brooks over and over (my husband HATES it) And, I think I’d love the beach more if I didn’t look so horrible in a bathing suit.
Katie Adams-I love you. Your blog is so fun to read. Check out my recent cow purchase on my blog. I love her, too. Have you named your cow? I think they need names.
Cari -Fun post! I’m sitting in my living room and it opens up to my kitchen and dining room. And compared to what I just saw of your dining room… it is so BLAH!!! Note to self… never let my girls see your house. They’ll totally give you cool mom of the year award. 😉 Oh, and the links for the wheat field and studio mela both route back to studio mela. Just thought you’d like to know! Have a great, blah-free weekend! 🙂
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe-i think that cut is also called an angled bob – i’ve sported one on and off since college and am back with it now-a-days, only with a new color:
take a peek, if you like… http://www.wonderwomanwannabe.com/2011/01/lately.html
your dining room looks great to me!!
and, I’d join you for a movie night anytime – i can’t claim a favorite either – but love all the ones you listed. have you seen ‘the curious case of benjamin button’? that’s one of my favorite dramas.
Nancy from the Chicago 'burbs -Kane County Flea Market? The one in Illinois, 20 minutes from my door? If so, I LOVE that place. I love spending the morning there with my girlfriends. So many great treasures.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints-Love most all of your movies. The firm is a good drama. Salt and Bourne for action. The Holiday, 50 first dates, You’ve Got Mail for romance. I use MAC too and believe it or not Maybeline Great Lash for mascara. It’s creepy how much we have in common. Cute cow;)
Georgia-Thanks for the indoor w/out flash lighting tip!! i didnt think to do that with my Canon. Im practising now indoors! :o)
I would love to see more videos of your family and you doing general ‘Meg’ stuff.
I Love the way you have put together the dining room, its fab.
Also… one place in Africa i would 100% recommend is Egypt, its totally amazing, seriously i was so over whelmed at the amazing places there i wanted to cry. My boyfriend thought i was crazy… we did a cruise down the Nile and i stayed in the cabin and just watched people from the window, swimming, playing and washing in it… it was a moving experience 🙂
xxx
Amanda-ThriceBlessed-I love the posts when you show your house the best! Your dining room looks great! Love all the white, globes, and family photos. Very much my style too!
Beth-love these type post…heck i enjoy all your post
hey i would love to get some tips on makeup and what to do
live in small town with no makeup artist around to share the true aspects of makeup do’s and don’t
crystal beutler-Love all your answers !! We are so kindred spirits. If you come to So. Cal this year, you have to call me!!!!!!!! You do.
Glad to see you got your cow picture. If you haven’t learned photo shop yet I am so impressed that you get such great photographs!!! I rely heavily on photo shop. Go to Lynda.com if you want to learn how to use it. I’ve loved that site. And I’ve loved using the Actions created by the Pioneer Woman. You will understand more about actions when you take the Photo shop tutorials 🙂
I love your house. It’s just way too cool. I need to come shopping in your neck of the woods, and you need to come shopping in mine. We have some junk/antique stores here.
P.S. Let me know when you want to do a giveaway. 🙂
pam-We just discovered How I Met Your Mother….my husband still can’t believe that I love it. We need to start over from the beginning. I’m with you on a tropical location…blue water….someday.
Toni :O) -You are beautiful inside and out…thanks for sharing all the tidbits…your blog is definitely one of my FAVORITES!!! So, here’s my question…what do you love MOST about your hubby? Have a fabulous weekend!!!
Heather-Howdy! Just wanted to pass along a great resource for learning photoshop — because you’re right, who has time?! 🙂 Lynda.com has great video tutorials and in a matter of a few hours, you’ll feel like a pro. You pay a monthly fee but could learn all you really want to in a weekend or two.
love your blog. A regular stop each morning with my coffee:)
Dayna -The haircuts that you featured on this post are usually called an inverted bob. A wedge shares a lot of the same characteristics but if you’re specifically looking for the stacked back and longer sides, you’ll want to ask your stylist for an inverted bob and then have a very specific conversation about lengths and the grade of that stacking because it varies pretty wildly.
sarah -thank you for letting us pick your brain! and YES to the mac video! i loved the video of craft day with the kids…it felt like an insider’s scoop. :]
Kristen @ JLS-How fun to read this post!! Do you ever watch the television show Parenthood, on NBC Tues. It’s great, I recommend tuning in for sure!
shauna reed-you are so generous with yourself meg.
i love the way you displayed your family photo shoot!
i have been trying to figure out how to use a bunch of the ones we had done, this is INSPIRING!
you are awesome!
mel-This was SO fun to read! I love learning about you, we would have fun if we ever met 🙂
How I met your Mother is one of our favorite shows! We own all the seasons on DVD…you can borrow them if you want. Let me know & I can mail them to you 🙂
Have a great weekend, Meg!
Shana-“How I Met Your Mother” just took my top spot for funny TV – beating out The Office & Will and Grace.
I love every character – except Robin, I find her boring.
Barnie is the best – and I’m not talkin’ bout no dinosaur.
Laura -My mom sent me this when I needed a pick me up! I am a mom of 3 little ones all under the age of 3 so I watch this ALOT! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I’d like you to meet your new life coach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg
Sonia-If you haven’t already, you should watch Date Night!! We are going to watch Dinner For Schmucks tonight! I love Steve Carell!!
Do all the cameras on your shelf work?
Trina McNeilly-Fun post. I love the cow painting you’re sister did…..soo cool. I love the Kane County Flea Market. I was just thinking of how I ned to go soon!
x Trina
sandy toe-Great movies…have you seen “while You were Sleeping”…love that movie!
sandy toe
virginia -i love that cow painting!
Ali -Wait! I didn’t get my question in!
I love the name Talby and I wanted to know how you came up with it considering your four other children all have traditional names. (have you answered this question already?)
Amy-I thought of another question:
When you meet someone new and they ask “What do you do for a living?” What is your answer? Stay at home Mom, Photographer, Blogger? Just curious.
Rebecca -Meg, (I sent you an email with this same info…wanted to cover all of my bases to make sure you read this!!!!)LOVE your blog!
When I saw this week’s Walgreen’s ad, I thought of you and your vitamin’s project for Africa. This week, Walgreen’s has kid’s gummy multi-vitamins (Go! brand) on sale. You buy the vitamins for $5 and you get $5 back in Walgreen register rewards…so you’ll get “free” vitamins and you’ll get $5 towards another Walgreen’s purchase. Note that you can buy multiple bottles of vitamins, but you can’t “roll” the coupons to keep on buying “free” vitamins.
Think of all the vitamins you could get for the kids in Africa if you shared this info on your AWESOME blog!!!!!!
Crystal Paine-I take a ton of pictures & my goal this year is to get my photos organized. How do you organize yours? Do you backup everything to an external hard drive? What about ordering prints, do you order prints of all your photos, or just keep them digital?
tara pollard pakosta -1. when are you coming to chicago again?
and how much do you charge for a shoot?!
and can you please please either post some sites that have valentine crafts or give links to any you may have done?! OR do a weekly post soon about valentine crafts?!
planning a party for valentines and you are so INSPIRING!!!!
xoxo
tara
Kirsten J-First: love that movie too – our quote “no touchy! noooo touchy!” with the crossed arms.
Second: I’d love to see a makeup video…and I would have totally thought you used some expensive mascara – I’m kind of lame in the make up department….need a makeover.
Third: Questions…do you have a degree? does that knack for home dec stuff run in your family? you know you should write a book, right?
erin j -That’s my favorite Disney movie too! Hilarious!!
Crystal-Okay, I have a question that’s been on my mind recently. How do you and your family handle the television? I have been seriously considering removing cable and maybe just doing netflix but am not sure. I want my kids to be inspired to make their own entertainment like I was as a child. Just curious…:)
Dawn-Emperor’s Groove is one of the best movies ever! Our family has quotes from that we say all the time!
mel -i’m sure you’ve answered this before, but what lens(es) you use on your camera? i’m practicing, practicing, practicing and thinking about buying a new lens. i would love to start taking family pics one of these days. just trying to settle on a new lens to buy. i have my kit lens and the 50mm. any suggestions?
Katie -Did you paint your fireplace white? If so, how? Do you worry you will regret it someday? My brick fireplace takes up almost a whole wall and I dream about painting it but so far have not worked up the nerve to do it!
Lisa from Paint in My Hair-I would love to hear more about the transition to not having kids at home during the day…next year my youngest two will both start kindergarten (full day) and I am DREADING it…I feel like my “mom years” will be over and it went way too quickly…any advice?
Alisha Gibb-Did you ever finish the quilt you started at your friend’s house? Sewing is my new hobby and I love the fabrics you use and colors you put together!
Sarah Mahan-How did you and Craig meet? Would love to read a post on that love story!
Sarah-What is one food you could eat everyday for the rest of your life and never get sick of?
I thought I’d stick with an easy one in case you are still recovering from the toilet debacle. (I had the same thing happen to me the same day!)
Lori -P.S. Youtube-SNL Jimmy Falon-Barry Gibb talk show skit. Makes me laugh everytime.
Haydee -I love your style and admire you so much. Im wondering if you can share some photography tips. I also have a canon but I don’t use it to it’s full potential. Please share some of favorite lens, settings …. Thanks
Karen -Hi Meg! Love your blog because you are so real. Your post from Mother’s Day last year really got me (I was feeling the same way).
Question: Are you a reader? If so, do you have a favorite author? What about magazines (my guilty pleasure)? Any favorites?
One more thing, a previous commenter asked about fun things to do in Lawrence. Lawrence is fun, but I actually live in Olathe KS, where the school her friend works at is located. I would love to share fun things to do around here if she is interested.
Really, this is the last thing; Meg, come do fun things in Olathe with me sometime!
Lori -If you and your husband had an almost 10 year old son and a 7 1/2 year old daughter that were the most wonderful gifts from God (via His adoption plan) and you had the opportunity to add 4 more kiddos ages 1,2,3 & 6…would you? We’re in the waiting process of this journey right now.
I’ve shown your laundry pile with kids jumping on it to my husband and told him “I want that”. But we are still petrified at the real possiblility of it.
I love your blog and you are always a bright spot in my day when I read it. Even when it’s about vomit:)
I don’t know what possessed me to ask a total stranger that question….I’m not whacky in real life, only online…
Amanda-You mentioned before that you moved from Illinois I believe…(I live in central IL) and was curious what town you were in?
Also, you’d said when you did your kitchen reno that you used the same cabinetry I think? I’ve never run across any photos of your previous house and would love to see a post on that out of curiousity 🙂
Darcie L. -My husband and I love to watch this movie post-fight/reconciliation. Kind of silly, but you can’t help but be in a better mood after resolving with your hubby, then watching this movie. 🙂
kat -yes would love to see what other blogs you read and ask readers to respond with blogs they love!
Angela-So glad you asked this…I’ve been wondering did I miss the dining room reveal? You mentioned working on it a while back, and there were glimpses of it in your Christmas posts….
I love, love your blog. Secretly…I get a little disappointed when I click on it and there isn’t a NEW post. Thank you for sharing and wanting questions!
Amy-When you sew, do you use patterns or more just freestyle? Do you make up your own patterns?
What is your family heritage? I am part Italian and you look a lot like my family members.
How often did you and Craig have dates when you had little ones? And how often do you have them now? We go maybe once every 2 months and it sucks. lol.
LOVE your blog. Thanks for letting us ask questions.
lorel -I would love it if you could post a video of Talby and Annie saying “(gasp) My spinach puffs!”
nic-what are your top five must-visit sites daily? (perhaps you have covered this vital info in a previous post…i’m a little on the newish side here, so i have a bounty of archives to enjoy. happy friday to me!)
love that movie.
ps no touchy.
pps or to save on postage, we’ll just poison him with this.
ppps why does she even HAVE that lever?!
Jennifer VeStrand -How do you exercise at an assistant living facility? Do you pay? I didn’t read other responses so I’m sorry If I’ve missed your answer! But I’ve never thought about that for exercise! 🙂
mary beth-You had no idea we were all so nosy did you? These questions are cracking me up! Sneaking into an assisted living home to use their tread mill is cracking me up even more! I think I will try that and see what happens..oops, nope, better not do that, they might mistake me for a runaway resident! Love reading your blog even when you don’t have anything to say! Keep it up!
Janelle -Yes…how is the Kindle working out for Sean? I was thinking about getting my ten year old one this Christmas as he is a crazy reader but then I wasn’t sure about buying all the books for it, what books are free with it, if he would really like it better than holding a book, etc. Just thinking about Christmas next year!
Also…sorry to be so demanding :}…I would love to see a list of your favorite things…I know you share them all the time but perhaps a list of 10 or so things that you really can’t live without…what makes your life run easier with 5 kiddos?
Thanks Meg 🙂
Angela Miller -Here’s a good one. Tell me what is awesome in Lawrence(KS). A dear friend just took a job as the Student Sustainability Affairs Coordinator @ Johnson Co. Community College and as a transplanted Virginian she needs all the help she can get.
Adrienne S -Why were in an assisted living facitlity using their treadmill?
Jack-Meg, how did you get people to discover and start reading your blog?
DanaD@BoysMyJoys-Since I’m still surrounded by my Christmas stuff that I may or may not ever get taken down, I’m still in a Christmas-y mood.
So, I’m curious about your Christmas!
What we’re the big hits with your children this year?
Did you do gifts that were ‘family gifts’ this year?
Was there a favorite gift that you received?
erica -are you going to answer all of these questions?;) i love your blog – first thing i read every morning (at5am!) when the house is quiet – with my first cup of coffee…keep on writing!:D
Kim-I want to know about your granny square afghan. Did you make it? Where did you get it? Do you know what type of yarn it was made out of? I’m thinking about making one. Your afghan is darling!!
Karen -OK – I have been dying to ask if you have a cleaning lady or other help around the house?
bobbie-I love Emperor’s New Groove, watch out for llamas, they spit.
Why were you in an assisted living facility at noon?
Amanda-ThriceBlessed-Do you shoot fully in manual or AV mode? What is your current camera?
Can’t wait for the answer post w/ everyone’s questions. 🙂
se7en-Hay movies are good… we are sitting with a pile of library books under the table – its shady!!! And right now in Cape Town it is so hot as to be a little mind blowing!!!
Maggie Nunez-I saw your playroom featured on the Lettered Cottage post on RE-Dos and I absolutely loved it. I especially love the vibrant colors and the storybook picture frames.
Question: I am a beginner blogger(I started my blog on 1.1.11) and wanted to know how you spread the word about your blog?
Lisa -I’m wondering why you work out in an assisted living facility? 🙂
Heather -The transition from young couple to young family is in the not-too-distant future for me, and I would love to hear how that went for you as a woman and as a couple, what you learned, etc. How do you still stay yourself and also a wife and then expand hugely to be a mom? I feel like you have a good balance on that, and I would love to hear how that came about.
Karen -Meg,
I have loved your blog ever since I found it a year or two ago via Apartment Therapy. Two things I have totally copied from you are taking the family (our boys are 15 and 12) on a trip to California, including to Monterey Aquarium and the tide pools at Lover’s Point, and making a rainbow cake. Oh, and I just made your spinach artichoke dip for Christmas Eve and everyone went nuts over it.
Anyway, here are my two questions: 1. I never see you post about any stress over homework or school projects — how does all that work out at your house? 2. Same question about video games — do they cause any problems at your house?
If you ever want to bring your family to NYC (or come by yourself), I would be happy to host you all and take you around. Weird, right? 🙂
Laura Phelps-my question…
hmm…
it will all be OK…right?
there
that is my question 🙂
Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode-I so love your blog and think you are awesome. So glad you’re day was better. If I could ask you a question I think I would ask…if you had one day all to yourself, what would you do?
Lisa -Me too on the dining room! I’d also love to see a tour of your favorite flea markets/antique stores, etc. I thought about “being awesome” all day today. It kept me going!
Becky -I thought you werer fabulous yesterday – just sayin’. :o)
I have a few questions! I, too, wanna know if your day is scheduled out (as in a daily routine) or if you go with the flow. It seems that I have to have a schedule just to survive, but I’m having trouble finding my “groove”. Hehe!
Also, what format do you use for your blog? I wanna start one (or two!) sooooo bad, but am completely ignorant to all things computer programming. Since your layout is my fave, I’d love to hear how it works.
I come over here every. single. day. I love everything about your blog.
Whitney R -I would love to see how your dining room turned out! I too live in an older home built in 1930. (In Kansas may I add,lol)
I have crown moulding I have debated on painting a fresh white-I would love to know the paint color you choose for your trim, it’s beautiful!!
Should I do it??
Thanks so much!
Whitney R.
Kat -Oops I meant glad you are having an awesome DAY not name. Doh!
Kat -What is your daily routine?
Do you walk or jog on the treamill? How far and at what speed?
What else do you do for me time?
Favourite meal, dessert, drink, flower, colour?
That is probably more than enough questions for now 🙂
Glad you are having an awesome name.
Btw I am using my treadmill for 30 mins (walking) each night and trying to lose the extra tummy from 4 little cherubs.
Allison-How did you come up with Talby’s name? I love it and have never heard it before. Plus I love to hear about how people named their children.
jodi -what’s your white balance setting at on your camera again? you had emailed me the specifics of your most used settings several years ago and i lost the email when we moved/switched…
Misty -Ahh I love this move too! So funny. And the scary thing is (without being horrible awful and rude) I know someone who looks very similar to Yzma he he. Ahem…
Mindy Harris-I agree about fitness. Wholeheartedly. It’s been my new year’s resolution (as much as I hate those) to workout regularly. I worked out Mon-Wed this week and I was a whole new woman. I have more energy and patience with my kids, and, I feel prettier. This dimply tush needs a love affair with the treadmill.
How is it you get to work out at an assisted living facility? Is it open to the public? (just curious–I have a heart for old people and interned at a nursing home my last semester at KSU).
xoxo
Dana@Bungalow'56-So do you just have to sneak into the assisted living facilities or do you know someone there? Would you believe blogging royalty arrived at my blog house today….and it was really really messy? How do you keep your house tidy? Do the kids do chores and I think they do because I’ve seen a list on the blackboard. I’m more interested in how these are enforced ; ) Do they always get done. Any rewards? Just curious, I need to start creating more routines and I always struggle with how to stay consistent? Any info on this would be hugely helpful.
Dana
sarah -do you journal?
what is your favorite book EVER (besides the Bible)?
and…
what did you want to be when you were growing up? do you still have some crazy dream you’d like to fulfill “when you grow up?”
KTG -I was wondering if you have a daily routine? I’m in a new stay at home mom job. Would like to find time to craft etc but the chores overwhelm me.I ignored a lot of house stuff when I was working full time.
I admire your style and love of your family.Thanks for being a mentor over the internet 🙂
Julie-WHY DO WE EVEN HAVE THAT LEVER????
That’s my favorite part.
We love that movie. Our teenage babysitters love it. Thus the kids get to watch it a lot a lot a lot.
regina -do you have a kindle or a nook or you are one of those people that loves the feel of books?
Sandy -I just finished reading the last (so far) of the comments and want to say that I’m sure Ashley doesn’t mean her comment the way it sounds. WOW, if anyone works its YOU!!! I work 40 hours a week outside the home and I don’t work 1/2 as hard as you do!
Kori-Not quite sure why this feels weird, but here you go:
I googled you one day and something came up about your house being in a magazine. Is this true?
Also, someone asked about you writing about your birth stories, but my curiosity lies with you and Mr. Craig. It seemed like you met young (if I remember correctly you mentioned something about seeing him drive by cheer practice or something when you were 14). As nosy as it seems, I’d love to hear your tale.
‘How we met’ stories are my favorite. 🙂
Anyway, good for you for working out! I need to get off my duff (actually I’m not being lazy per se, just trying to put Christmas away) and get my work-out on!! 😉
Sandy -Mandy Friend’s comment made me remember what I’ve been forgetting to tell you…
I was at my local thrift store (aka Goodwill) a few weeks back and they had a Kansas Jayhawks hooded sweatshirt for $3.29. You know I couldn’t resist buying it because you and your family make the Jayhawks games look SO amazingly fun! I’ve intended to send you a picture of me wearing it, but you don’t really care to see me but you might like to know that your Kansas-Awesomeness is alive and well in Ohio. 🙂
Mel-Any advice/fun ideas for teenagers? ie., attitudes, hormones, grades,friends, etc.? I have two, almost three of them, and WHOA!!
I love seeing the things you do with your family! : ) Thanks for sharing.
Megan -What’s your middle name? I’m a Megan too and I love to hear other “Megans” full names~
jessicakiehn-what does Craig do for a living?! I’ve always wondered..
Ashley -I want to know if you are going to continue to stay at home since your babies are all grown up, or if you might start working? And if so, what would you want to do?
Mary-Beth-Yes! This it totally personal, but would you ever consider writing about your birth stories? I had my first child 6 months ago and had a c-section after being in labor for 30+ hours. I so want to have more children, but I worry about needing another c-section and having to experience a new baby under the cloud of major surgery. I figure since you have a big family you must have some encouragement to share about labor.
sue -I would like to ask you what is your favorite lens that you use on what camera. Thanks.
Carrie -I know this is taking you way back to your early mom years but I want to know how/when/did you find time to be creative when you had little (under four yrs old)? I have things I want to do but can’t find an hour to do them. Also when do you get to sleep through the night regularly as a mom of five? Haha. I only have three and wonder if I’ll ever sleep again. Keep posting!
mandy friend-no questions, but…i was browsing through The Company Store catalog and saw an owl pillow,colorful and random, made me think of you. which is odd since i’ve never met you, but hey, there ya go:)
Cindy in WA -What did Mr. Waffle get for Christmas? 🙂
Jeannette -Glad your day was AWESOME!!!!!! I am curious who gave you the Christmas gift with your name and looked like your blog? Also, what was it? I can’t figure it out, blanket, something to hang on the wall????? I LOVE it though, someone was very thoughtful.
kat-That movie is one of my all-time favorites too. It is soooooooooo hilarious!!! My question is how long have you lived in that awesome house?
Londen-What are your favorite blogs? I love yours!
katie-Was your blog “fame” overnight or gradual?? I mean, did your number of readers climb slowly or did something trigger an abnormal number of visitors all of a sudden?
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe-I’d love to know what blogs you read regularly! 🙂
I know just what you mean about the difference working out makes – I just got back from ZUMBA – SO fun – I think you’d love it!
~h
Kerri-Here is my question: way back when you went to Africa and collected and distributed the vitamins, I have been wondering this ever since…
You know they say that if you don’t take vitamins daily with regularity that you might as well throw them in the garbage.
So I was wondering, are the vitamins just like a healthy treat for the kids, or do the doctors over there think they really do the kids some good?
Either was I think it’s a GREAT idea – I was just wondering…
Suzette -What kind of make up do you wear? (for example, in the picture of you wearing the red flower on Dec. 11) I would love to know of a great mascara that doesn’t give me raccoon eyes!
courtney -hi! i’m wondering what program you use to edit your photos. i know you said you want to learn how to use photoshop…so i’m wondering if you have an easier, more user friendly program! i get sooo overwhelmed trying to figure out photoshop!
Tanya @ Life in 3D-Maybe it was a subliminal reminder from your blog yesterday…
The kiddos went for naps, and I hopped into bed myself…then as quick as I’d snuggled in…I jumped back out and went to the gym instead!
That’s pretty awesome right?
I did get robbed while there which wasn’t so awesome BUT it’s not the part I’m focusing on 🙂
I don’t think I have any questions…but you’re one of my faves for sure. LOVE THE REAL. Love it!
brooke-Yes! Let’s talk about your pictures, from Christmas at your house for example. Clearly you are not using a flash. I think flashes are yucky! What do you have your camera set on, what lens and at that point is every available light source in your house turned on? My no-flash pictures never turn out right. Your pictures are fab-o!!
Christa -So funny, I assume you’re talking about the Wellness Center in H-town? I used to work there! Wonder if we ever ran across each other and didn’t know it? 🙂
Also one of my favorite movies.
Question: Where do you get your inspiration for artistic ideas? For instance, I often get mine from magazines and photos.
Angela-Since all your kids are in school now what do you normally do while they are gone? Do you have a daily routine or just do whatever you feel like doing? Are you enjoying your time alone?
Have you seen Dispicable Me? It’s a super cute movie.
Love your blog, your photos and your style!
Melanie-Maybe some of your mojo will rub off on me:) I need it!
Rae -At what point did you decide to start charging for your photography??
Love your blog!!
Lisa-Where in the world would you like to visit, outside of the states? and why?
AshleyAnn-Treadmills bring back horrible memories from college….if I use one again it is best it be in an assisted living facility…the residents can probably run faster on them than I can.
never seen that movie!
Tania K -Could I get Waffle?
Does your hair do have a specific name? I love, love your hair! Please tell me is thick so I can ask my stylist for a Med-do 🙂
Love your blog 🙂 Love Waffle more!!!!
Tere -I’m dying to see the unveiling of the dining room?
And how about that upstairs attic space.
I love your decorating and David Spade.
Sy, Shaunna & The Boys-Glad you were Awesome today! Isn’t it funny how just saying out loud, “I’m going to be awesome today!” makes things a little easier? I do that more often than not. I wake up, hear the monkey’s stirring out my bedroom door, and tell myself almost on a daily basis, “I’m going to smile and have a good day.” Then I force myself to smile, at which time my husband is usually getting out of the shower and comes in to see me laying in bed with a big smile on my face and wonders what in the world. I also think making your husband blush in the morning due to what he thinks is a potentially awkward moment helps in making your day better. Happy Thursday!
Sy, Shaunna & The Boys-Glad you were Awesome today! Isn’t it funny how just saying out loud, “I’m going to be awesome today!” makes things a little easier? I do that more often than not. I wake up, hear the monkey’s stirring out my bedroom door, and tell myself almost on a daily basis, “I’m going to smile and have a good day.” Then I force myself to smile, at which time my husband is usually getting out of the shower and comes in to see me laying in bed with a big smile on my face and wonders what in the world. I also think making your husband blush in the morning due to what he thinks is a potentially awkward moment helps in making your day better. Happy Thursday!
Russanna-What’s your favorite non-Disney movie? Great job on exercising!
Kori-Oh my. We have SNL on our DVR list and our son caught it. Do you know HOW MANY times I have heard this skit reenacted at random moments by a 13 yo in the last week or so?? Too many! I have tried to not laugh, so as not to encourage more (he also does a mean Stefon), but sometimes resistance is futile. 🙂
And I have to agree with Sara, I read a few blogs daily and yours is the one I save for last so I can take my time and enjoy every word and every picture. And I do. Everyday. Thanks for your inspiration and daily dose of smiles. 😀
sara @ it's good to be queen-you know what i love? your blog. i have a short list of blogs i read and yours is at the top. if i don’t really have time to sit down and read my blogs, i have to have to have to read yours. i always check to see if you updated. 🙂 just thought you should know. have a great weekend!
jenn-Pertaining to your previous post – I saw just the top of the lens mug photo and my heart dropped. I thought you’d spilled coffee in your lens at first glance. That mug makes me nervous. 🙂 I love it!
Kimberlee J.-I don’t have time to add the “I”. Love it. 🙂
Lori -SNL is too late for me so I really appreciate when you share these bits. I love it! :0)
Rebekah-This made me laugh, too. Love it! Especially, the part about the horse not knowing he’s in a movie.
Mary Craig -This cracked us up, too! I can’t see an ad for Secretariat without losing it!!!
Flower Patch Farmgirl-I’m woefully out of the SNL loop! LOVED this. Love Mad Men. Love that cute guy’s Rockport dad. Thanks for the happy!
Heather-shut the door!
i think i might be the last person on the planet that hasn’t watched mad men yet, but i fully plan on using that phrase because i love it. 🙂
have a happy weekend!!
Jill Franklin -*giggles*
pam-Funny….I say “I LOVE it” a lot…so perhaps my all caps makes it worse. :o) Life is GREAT and GRAND!
Lanny Stanard-I LOVE IT… hope you like your Kopy Kat 🙂
Sugar Mama-You ARE a positive person… and I love it! ;o)
Thanks for sharing the video. I don’t watch Madmen, but their diet sounds like mine, minus the cigarettes. Oh, and minus the whiskey. But the coffee and deli sandwiches sounds about right.
annie was talking to me about the days of the week. she said "what comes after saturday? another saturday?" i said "no…each day only happens one time each week" and she said "but the song i gotta feelin' says…friday, saturday, saturday and sunday"
Courtney Walsh-I’ve been under a crazy deadline.
I missed your blog. 🙂
Trina McNeilly-I love you’re blog for posts like this…. all that pattern… yummy food, funny bits, etc. etc. hope you hare having a great wed. xoxoxo
Tracy Fisher -Funny you should mention “rock”… IF you have time, go to my website and look at the “reasons for rocks” entry @ http://www.tfisherart.com. I wish you could be at my party this Friday! I would love to paint you a rainbow rock someday. But maybe you’d rather have a good luck rock… or a rock of faith… or something that is just your own. Or maybe you could use this idea for one of your craft days with your own kids. My kids love to paint rocks! Happy Wednesday… may all of your wishes come true!! Tracy
Lisa -I love that your daughter knows that song!! My kids love to dance and listen to it! Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE cheesecake!
Mary -I’ve been thinking about that cheesecake since the day you posted the recipe. I decided I would indulge myself and make it when I graduated from Graduate school. Well, I graduated in August and didn’t make it until today because I forgot! So, I’m glad you reminded me! And let me say…OH.MY.WORD. that was absolutely delicious! 😀
Thanks for the reminder and tell Pam thanks for the recipe!!!!
Lin -Don’t let the mean and negative people drag you down. I love your blog. Your photos make me feel better when the mean and negative people drag me down. Thanks Meg.
Lisa-Pretty cool post! Want, no…NEED that cheesecake. Yummy!
Tanya @ Life in 3D-Your toes are cute…
DON’t go camping…EVER…
I love all the patterns and the cuppa beside you…
Is that whipped cream on top of that cheesecake..for shiz?? I want it…NOW!
Amber Pamper-Such a cute pic of your bible studying!!! <3
jennifer-Well, the way I see it, you cancelled out the meanie with this cute and positive post. That cheesecake looks divine!!! Love the orange polish.
Nicolle W.-I love your blog. You ALWAYS put a smile on my face. Keep doing what you are doing. You inspire me and so do your photos.
Mean people are just useless. Go away!
Rach-The picture on the couch looks so comfy. Makes me just want to curl up with a good book and a nice hot chocolate and do nothing.
Kelly-I *want* that cheesecake! My toenails are orange too and it’s making me really happy. 🙂 Kelly
Lucylu ~-Hello Meg,
Hey this is so the same on Saturday – Sunday we celebrated Jakes 14th birthday and we had cheesecake made by my mom and since i saw pumpkin in your blog post i would like to tell you we had pumpkin pie too.
*Lucylu*
april@gingerbreadgirlblog -I want some of that cheesecake!!! OOHHH MMMYYY!!!!!
alyssa-“the black-eyed peas are messing with her mind”
got a good chuckle out of that one.
Sara -Hi Meg, hope you are doing ok!!! Sometimes mean people just need a big hug. 🙂 It always throws them for a loop. ha ha. And it helps them snap out of it…
Lindsey-Cheesecake, yum.
Coffee, yum.
Nail color, awesome (do you know the brand/color name?)
All those colors and patterns, fun.
Brooke-WOw, I guess I didn’t realize that I had been reading your blog faithfully for so long….U2 seems so recent. In fact, whenever I think of a concert I want to go to, I think of U2…we were in Rome and they play at this beautiful place here. WE missed it by days….and I was so bummed!!
Hope all is well with you. I had a mean, not positive person experience today too..>BOO!
Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode-Hi Meg, love that you have campfires at home. I totally get what you mean about “almost” makes you want to go camping. I think about camping too and I “almost” want to go until I remember what camping is all about 😉
Courtney-Oh first off your blog makes me HAPPY! I was laughing out loud when I saw that you write in your bible as well. ha My grandmother always shakes her head when I open my bible with scribbles in it. I think it is the generation thing, right!?
Oh and the cheesecake you could send it to me I am not that far away!
*On another note I tried finding information regarding 31 bits and hosting a party, I couldn’t find anything. Will you email me please. Thanks!
Lisa -I’m with Annie…two Saturdays sounds just right to me!
Sarah@Clover Lane-If someone said something mean or negative to you, I will come and beat them up. (Except I probably will not be very good at that since I don’t workout regularly, or even sporadically. But it’s the thought that counts right?)
And you know how I feel about meanies and grouchies and jerkies.
And that pumpkin pie looks so good and that Annie is SO cute. The Black-eyes Peas mess with my mind too, because I swear every week we have two Saturdays around here.
traci in virginia -So glad you posted the SNL skit. I am home alone for a few minutes and it made me laugh out loud! Pretty Cool actually!!!
I made homemade cupcakes last night with homemade chocolate buttercream icing…I did eat the batter out of the bowl!!! So cheers to dessert batter out of a glass! 🙂
(Despite the fact that I am supposed to be counting points for Weight Watchers…oops)
Thanks for adding some happy to my day! No mean and negative here!!!
Kasey-Amen on the mean and negative people. They seem to be everywhere on Facebook lately. What a drag… But nothing that a large piece of cheesecake can’t fix, right? 🙂
Staci -Oh man you are sooo right about negative people!!! STAY AWAY DOWNERS!!!!!!!!! And um, YUM about the cheesecake….you KNOW I have to make that 🙂 My Mom’s birthday is this weekend…I’m thinking it’s perfect timing 🙂 And that Annie, once again….LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!
Dana D@BoysMyJoys-Mean & negative people are exhausting! 🙁
Cheesecake=YUM!
“Like…COOL”
Trish-oh.my.word. that cheesecake looks divine (i like to say divine it makes me feel sophisticated :)) Love your patterns… I am a pattern girl myself!
Just blast some U2 on your iPod and dance barefoot with your orange toes!
Lora-I, too, am sick of negativity! I will be positive, I will be positive, I will look on the bright side! and be thankful for this life we’re living! 🙂
elma riedstra -Yummmy cheesecake!! Negative people ugghh you for sure don’t need them in your life:) Have a wonderful day!!!
Laura Phelps-I LOVE ANNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and I just got the girls polka dotted bedding and thought of you 🙂
and I finally mailed your birthday card yesterday
Cari -You could use a little rock today, huh? I live in Little Rock. LR would welcome you. Ha! That cheesecake. Oh, that cheesecake. Must. Make. It. Now…. 🙂
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints-i love pattern too…we’re cool like that. now why in the world did you have to show that cheesecake?? unbelievable!
Heather R. -Fudge stripe cookie crust…hurt me! I’m going to have to try that one! I’d be confused about the days of the week, too. Ha!
Kimberly-I love your pattern pic 🙂 AND, I love that you took your kids to U2. Will you adopt me and my gaggle? Pretty please?
Kylie -I just wanted to let you know that Target has polka dot cardigans! One is black with white polka dots, and the other a mauve color with white polka dots. I was there on Sunday, and they were on sale for $15. They are the Merona brand.
Tracy-mmmmm that cheesecake makes me want to blow the diet that I just decided to start like a 1/2 hour ago….I could always start after the cheesecake…right?
Mean people stink…I am on a mission to rid my life of mean people…or at least not let them affect me so much.
Hope you have a happy day…eat some cheesecake ; )
julia-Aw, come on, who’s being mean and negative???
I like your socks.
Amber Ferrier -That cheesecake seriously just did something to me…I have to have it now!
Holly-Wow, that post was “Pretty Cool”. I could sure eat me some cheescake
Kat -Oh my kids just love that black eyed peas song atm, so I had to smile at what Annie said.
Mm, cheesecake!!!!!
Hope you find more positive and happy people to surround you than negative and mean ones for the rest of the week.
Peta -Oh how i heart your cake stand. And I could drink up some that batter too. Might just have to make one this week … Have a good day!
Gemma-Hi Meg!
I love your random posts and seeing what you’ve been up to..they’re my favourite!
Yummy Cheese Cake…lovely nails. Seeing that bonfire makes me want to do one this weekend…with s’mores : )
Gemma x
Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry-I could dive right into that cheesecake right now. Seriously.
{That’s how I know I’ve stayed up too late – I start getting hungry again.} And I’d take that cup of coffee, too.
Love the orange. My toes are Halloween purple. 🙂
Trysha - I went home for the weekend a couple of weeks ago and I was allllll alone. By the time I made it, my voice was hoarse and my throat was sore from singing along to Lisa Loeb.
Loved your Love Story.
Kelly - I get to ride around now and turn up U2 really really loud now too… it’s a good thing… except when my husband uses my car… not a fan… boy, it’s hard to type when it’s past your bedtime and you’ve had two glassses of wine… see, I spelled glasses wrong 🙂
love your blog.
steph - aw meg… i’ve been gone all weekend and haven’t had time to read up.
it’s SO awesome to read your love story. i can totally understand feeling vulnerable. it’s so hard sometimes to really tell the truth but i think we all love you the more for it. and it gives wings to all of our stories too that we sometimes don’t always want to share. so thank you for that! i love to read how God just works and works and works on that tapestry we call our lives. you couldn’t have seen it back then at 18 but now, in hindsight, you can see everything imperfect thing that God has used to make a beautiful picture. how amazing is His love? wow… mind blowing! hearing other’s stories and other’s struggles in marriage and life and how they’ve overcome is always so uplifting. going through some tough stuff right now with my marriage but knowing that God is always good and faithful. He really is.
soooooo…. your girls weekend sounded like a blast too!!! man, oh man! how i love to dance! would have loved to see some pics of that too!!! hee hee! if only i could dance every weekend… oh yeah, i guess i’d have to be 18 to do that. duh! ok, i’m fine being in my 30’s! but a good dance time is always needed for me too! glad you had a blast!!
xo
Emily - Thanks for sharing your love story. I really needed to read that. Will you and your husband mentor me and mine? We live in WA state, but I bet we could make it work. 🙂 Marriage can be SO. HARD. Thanks for the reminder that God brings beauty from ashes.
Beth - Omgoodness I still love ya even after the love story…it was a romance, maybe not the typical that many have but still it was a beautiful love story that has lasted…so many don’t.
Mine didn’t…same happened to me and then to my daughter, but thankgoodness hers is still going after ten years of hard work and GOD in her life…her faith has kept it going…and they have three beautiful children…so in my eyes true romance is all types!
Love seeing all the stray pics…I would love to hear some tip[s you learned about the computer from your friend.
Also loved reading about your girls weekend and the fun you had with your sister and friend out dancing! Sounded like a fun time…no pics of that?
Happy week! You still rock with your blog!
Kelly - I love that you went to Ashley’s! As soon as I saw that little apron hanging on the wall, I thought, “uh uh, she went to Ashley’s!” very fun. I am glad that you had a good girls’ day over the weekend. Sometimes I’m convinced that parenting just needs to be shared with the extended family (and I’ve only got one!) Have a great week. oh and I was secretly disappointed that today’s post wasn’t titled monday. Kelly
p.s. LOVE the mustache picture.
Brooke - You went to hang out with Ashley Ann….so, so fun!!
I want to go too 🙂
When you had your craft weekend, I was thinking that my friends all hung out without me 🙂 hahaha….maybe I am more a mental friend than a real friend!
I love reading your love story. Let’s be honest….even with a beautiful beginning, EVERY story has lots of UNPRETTY parts. I am so thankful that you are willing to share and be transparent.
Amanda Angert - Your love story was great 🙂 Thank you for sharing! And thanks for sharing all that you do on your blog. Your craft Thursdays have been a huge inspiration to me and I’ve even attempted some of the crafts with my girls. I love that you keep everything real and honest; it’s a lot easier to relate to.
As for being exhausted by parenting……girl, don’t even get me started! I can only imagine what it’s like having 5 children because I have 2 girls (ages 4 and 7) and some days it’s all I can do get through the next 5 minutes without yelling or crying (or both). Yesterday I had my own pity party. I felt unappreciated and invisible. I hate to admit it but it *might* have been a little bit hormone induced (ahem). Anyway, today is another day. Keep being awesome Meg!!!! xo
Katy - hello! i just wanted you to know that i loved your story. i kept meaning to come back and tell you. i also have the sunshine print! 🙂
Jacqui - Hi Meg, just wanted to say thanks for the great craft ideas! check out my blog to see my two wee ones doing one of your craft ideas!!
Tracie - Your story is a wonderful example of how God can redeem our messes. He can use them to refine and grow us! I’m glad you shared your story!
karen - Greetings from Toronto, Canada.
Hey…that’s Ashley Ann’s home! So cool!
My boy used to say ‘mall’ too. L’s and S’s were difficult…Lipstick would be Riptick.
Cool story Meg…love your blog.
jeana - I just read your story. I cried and cried. I have the same story, only I was 17. We have now been married almost 9 years and have 3 boys. I used to feel sorry for myself at times for not having a prom, or super romantic story, but God is showing me the romance in it as I pray daily for him to reveal it to me. You’re right. It is love when our husbands chose to stay and create a family. True love. Thank you.
Georgia - The good thing about your love story is that its ‘real life’ and its lovely to hear how you got together, and how the people you are now became that way. 🙂
Erin - You are an mother and woman of God. I feel so blessed to “know” you.
As far as the parenting goes. I feel you. My motto sometimes: remember… bedtime does eventually come!
Karen - I love this. This stuff really is HARD. I think we are not supposed to say that?
I also think your love story is beautiful.
Emma - Thank you for sharing your love story. So honest…so beautiful and so real…..
Lori - We are in the process of adopting a young sibling group of 4. We have 2 children already. Your honesty is very helpful to me. It gives me a glimpse into the future. Blessed & joyous, hard and tedious. Thank you.
kathy Eller - Parenting is sooo hard and yet we fel guilty to acknowledge it. WHY? I agree whloleheartedly: we contine to bring it to Him and He continues to do something beautiful in his time and I am still tired:)
Heather R. - Six hours alone…how do I do that? Motherhood is the hardest job I’ve ever had. I hope your weekend picks up. 🙂 Need to go read your love story.
Carol S - Meg, I’ll second that parenting is hard! I’ve been thinking about you with a teen now…if you’re like me, comparing their teens to our teens. My son is a junior in hs and texts a freshman girl he met on vacation A LOT, and it’s driving me crazy. We do the best we know how, make touch decisions that are unpopular, and let some things slide. Finding the right balance of them is the tricky part. I’ll pray for you, please pray for me. Wisdom and patience. Love the SNL skits, keep ’em coming!
Heather - Meg. Love your story. Isn’t life ironic. We all arrive in our futures and look back on our pasts and say what if. I am the polar opposite of you, in some ways, in that I spent my entire 20’s partying and traveling and living it up. And, while I don’t regret a second of it I sometimes sit and think that it would have been nice to find my love early, to have had more children and to have been done having them by 35, instead of just starting.
Thanks you so much for your story. For trusting in sharing it. For being you. For warming my cold winter day.
shannon - Meg…I love you! Oh how I wish you were my friend in person to talk to, to get advice from, to point me to the scriptures when I have troubles and questions. I LOVE your blog….I love how you are so open and honest about every day life. I just read your love story and it did make me teary eyed and I can relate with a lot of it. I can relate with how tired the job of being a mom makes you….i can just relate, it’s why I wish you were my friend in person. 🙁 You inspire me to be a better child of God, wife, mother, friend, woman! 😀
Sarah Wolfe - Love your blog. Thanks for telling us your story.
Andrea Boone - Meg!
Your love story was so great because it was very much like mine… it made me look at things kinda different!! I am sad sometimes that I missed all the romance and got babies instead!! I love babies and God new that even then.. So your story rocked in my eyes!
on another note so weird looking at the basketball Pics I see boys from VC that i know!!!
small world.
Tracey @7294cottageway.blogspot - Your random..yet intentional writting is so refreshing! Hey-did you ever get my e-mail?? I sent you an idea…any thoughts?
christine - Oh, I totally loved your love story. And, honestly, it made me admire you all the more. Thank you for being so real and honest. It’s one of the many things that I treasure about reading your blog. I cried reading your story – the love that you have for Craig is so evident, and is just beautiful. I was so encouraged to see how God has worked in your lives. Thank you for sharing it that with us.
I tell ya, Thursday was my day to struggle with this whole motherhood thing. Somedays it’s just really hard. At times I forget that everyone goes through some version of these difficulties, you know? I get filled with doubt and get completely overwhelmed. It’s nice to be reminded that this is part of the journey for everyone.
Jessica Johnson - I loved your story. Redemption. A tangible reminder of God’s love in sending His Son. Through a broken story. Stories we ALL have. Thank you for your transparency and honesty. It is a gift.
Celia - Oh my… I just read your story… and was brought to tears! I loved your honesty and seeing how the Lord blessed your lives and brought you through tough times…. and continues to bless you all. Thank you for sharing with us!!
marci - THANK YOU for saying that it’s hard. this last year being a mom has kicked my trash. it is so nice to hear that i am not alone. i have a 19 yr old and her choices are killing me slowly but i have to let her make them. it is excruciating….seriously. thanks for reminding me that god is there for me. i forget that time and time again. i love that you are so strong in your faith and always remind me to be the same.:D
Lisa - I hear you… on everything! Parenting is so hard. I am always praying that God would stand in the gaps. But Galations 6:9 is a good reminder to me. “Do not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up”. We will see the harvest one day! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the real stuff.
Andrea - You are a beautiful story – all seven of you.
I leave tomorrow for a girls week at the beach. I can do this because my husband is a wonderful man that when I say “I need this” he trusts that I do. So my mom has the kids and off I go.
I wanted to tell you that as I think ahead to sunsets on the beach and grownup drinks and only being responsible for me, I also think of stuff I’ll miss. I add a week without this blog to the list!
Jeannine - Hi Meg!
I’m not sure exactly *how* I stumbled across your blog, but I’m so thankful that I did.
I’ve been a reader for quite some time now, but I rarely comment.
I just wanted to tell you that I love your love story… it’s so honest and real and beautiful.
I’ve been in a funk all day and that definitely put me back into my normally cheery mood.
You constantly inspire me. Thank you for that =)
Jenn - My two very favorite, read them everyday, know and love their kids (even though I don’t really know their kids!), bloggers spent the day together! I saw those pictures and said, “that is so Ashley’s house”! What fun!!!
Bethany {3SonsPlus1} - Amen sister! Parenting has worn me out lately too!
Anyhoo.
Loved your love story. Hiccups, warts and all. We’ve all got them, but I do know what you mean about feeling sad over hearing other people’s stories. I’m so glad God can make our stories beautiful, and yours is beautiful!
The Cottage Chick - I love your story. I love your honesty and how you are real about your emotions. I just had coffee with Jenny from Jenny On The Spot this morning and she and I were chatting about blogs we love. I had just started following you about a month ago, and then she was telling me I needed to read your blog, because you are a Christian and a creative gal like me! So happy to get to know you through your blog I hope we meet some day! Thanks for sharing your heart.
God Bless You
Denise
Jeri-Anne Giesbrecht - Hi Meg,
I am so glad I looked at your blog today. I have had a full day with the kids – which was one of the hardest in the past while. I realized part way through the day that I was not trusting God or bringing all my concerns to HIM. Thank you for your words… to bring all of this to God.
BLessings from the Canadian Girl,
Jeri-Anne
sam - i was feeling just the same way today. and feeling bad about it. thank you for your blog and for your honesty. it really helped a lot!
elisa - Love you 🙂
Jen - Meg, your love story is wonderful! So sweet and real, there is nothing better than real love!! Thank you for sharing it!
Wendy - Meg,
I loved your “love story”. Your take on the whole, “missing out on the proposal” thing is spot on. I had about the same scenario myself to the start of my married life as you. I like to think that many marriages start with those romantic proposals, some make it and and some don’t. Either way, I got the man of my dreams and the children to go with it. Doesn’t matter how I got them, just that they’re mine. 🙂 Keep on blogging!
Heather - Thanks so much for being so real. It encourages and inspires. It takes a brave woman to be real.
Lisa - I check your blog and Ashley Ann’s everyday – that’s so cool that you both are good friends!
Dawn - Meg,
I thought I would tell you how much I love your blog. Your crafts are creative, your humor is hilarious and I love your realness. i read your blog everyday but some days I don’t have time to comment so tonight I thought I would.
Amber Pamper - Looks like Lauren is gonna be a mini-you. 🙂
sandy toe - I love your honesty.thank you.
sandy toe
Tracey Garcia - Oh I so know what you mean. I love my boys so much but there are so many days when they just beat me down and wear me out. Other days I feel completly used up but then one of them will say something funny or say “mom I love you” and somehow I drag myself back up the hill. I teach school and I am with little ones all day, but without a doubt, parenting is THE hardest job EVER!!!
Lisa - Meg – beautiful story. I remember you as a cheerleader in highschool! I was much younger but thought you were (and still are) the coolest. 🙂
Courtney Walsh - I can’t wait to read your love story. 🙂
You should know that around this time every day I start to get jittery. Not with excitement like I should knowing that my kids will be home in twenty minutes, but really nervous that they’re going to instantly start fighting and my mood will be shot for the rest of the night.
And I’m not proud of it, but that first half hour when they get home sets the tone for the rest of the day. And I DREAD that half hour.
I’m exhausted. Loved this post today. I can’t wait to read more about your love story. 🙂
Stephanie - I’m not sure where I found your blog. Not sure how long I’ve been following it. But I read because you have lots of kids. And I have lots of kids. And your life is crazy. And my life is crazy. And because you’re crafty. And I’m crafty. And because we have those things in common, I read your blog. I hadn’t read your love story until just now. And I don’t cry when I read blog posts. Not usually. Because usually there is chaos in the background of my computer time which doesn’t make for a very cryable atmosphere. Just now when I read your story I got a bit teary, which is fairly amazing. The tears came because I saw that we have more in common then I thought. We don’t know each other and we’ll probably never meet. But I feel a bit more connected to you now. And I’m inspired by the life that you’re living. Thanks for that.
Rach - Something no one tells you about before you become a parent is that you will have some days where you just don’t want to be a parent. Just for the day… no more. They tell you it’s hard, but they don’t say how it’s hard because it’s different for everyone. They say you will be tired, but no one tells you just how tired and for how long. I only have a toddler and a baby on the way… you have 5 children, a dog, a husband and a blog career. You can define tired way better than I will ever be able to. 🙂
Tracy Fisher - Your LOVE story made me tear up… and smile. I love your perfect imperfect life. It’s so real. When the rest of the world makes me feel like an inferior wife, mom, daughter, sister, artist, blogger, you name it…. it’s nice to hear real people and real stories. I guess it makes me feel better… so, thanks for sharing.
Sincerely,
not-so-cinderella Tracy Fisher
meaghan - oh my gosh. i just read the love story. thank you for writing and sharing. i L_O_V_E your blog so much!!! love your post today. i’ve read your blog for so long now. are you my friend? hahaha that was creepy 😉
jennifer - Loved your love story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
And being a mommy wears me out too. How can something so great be so exhausting sometimes?
Gale - Oh, thank YOU for being so transparent and for reminding me once again that there are “friends” and “gal pals” out in blogland that DO get it – that have a heart for God in spite of our past and that HE FORGIVES and FORGETS, which we so often cannot do. You bless me every day and I SO enjoy your blog! 🙂
My youngest is now 17 and although I love the freedom that comes with it, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t also miss them being young and needing me more. Never forget that what you’re doing – no matter how frustrating – is SO very important! 🙂 You’re making great little people into great BIG people!!
I need a Jedi…. sigh. I gotta figure out this blogging thing… LOL!!
Have a great weekend 🙂
Karina - I can never watch the videos you post (I can see the advert but not the video), but I love the photos. And the commentary. And the randomness. And, of course, the “realness” – I am a mother of three and often wish for a margarita right after breakfast.
Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com - Meg, I love you! (not in a creepy way, but a friend way). I’m older than you and my kids are older than yours, but I still relate to all of it. Parenting isn’t always easy or fun…alot of the time it’s the opposite. I love your realness (probably not a real word). Keep it up and your love story was the best, because it was real. I’m glad you had 6 hours to yourself. Sometimes we need that recharging time. Thanks for ending with a funny Jonas clip…very cute!
AshleyAnn - You called me a jedi. Pretty sure in this house that is the highest form of a compliment one person can give another.
Thanks for spending the day with me. You reminded me to slow down and pay attention to the little ‘baby talk’. It is so normal here, I forget how quickly it will change. Thank you.
shea - Thank you for this. I only have two kiddos, but they have been beating me up the last week. They’re only 2.5 years and 5.5 months! It’s just been one of those weeks where I’m struggling to come up for air. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone.
I so enjoyed reading your love story too. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
And, I’m super jealous you are friends with Ashley Ann and got to spend the day with her and her babies.
Emily Zimmerman - Meg!!!! I love your story!!! And I love how your husband gave you a big hug and told you your story was really good. SO SWEET!!! Thank you for sharing yourself with us!!! Love it and love how God has just blessed and blessed your life and family. Thank you for letting God use you! You are a blessing to me!
cindy - Meg…so touching and honest! Thanks for sharing your love story. Just shows you can never judge people. Your life seems so great, I just assumed you had that “picture perfect” courtship, wedding, ect.and you guys are some of the lucky ones that things just come easily for. Naive of me I know but I did and not in jealous or petty way. Just happy for you guys. This reminded me that we all have our stories. You are even more real to me and I respect you and your husband even more now because of how you have chosen to live your lives dedicated to God when it wasn’t always so easy. My Dad always tells me a ball has to hit bottom before it can bounce up…sometimes those rock bottom places give us what we need to stop and listen and feel God pointing us in the direction he wants us to go. Has been the case for me anyways. I have been experiencing some hard times the past few years…some self inflicted…some out of my control…some very public and out there for others to see…and some deeply personal. I can’t describe why your blog touches me but I think it has helped me feel like my life has color in it again or that it can if I choose to let it come in my life. It just makes me happy. I know the Lord is in all things…even blogs if we choose to see Him there and listen to promptings for our personal lives. I can’t believe I’m commenting…I’m usually just a lurker. Just felt like I had to today. All I can say is thank you, and just know it’s for so many great reasons!
Jenny B. - Oh, wow, Meg. I was choking up through your whole love story. Amazing.
I haven’t taken a road trip by myself in a long time. To get a milkshake without guilt… (Usually, I’m thinking, “Would it be possible to buy it and drink it in stealth mode so that I don’t have to provide one for everyone else in the car who will inevitably spill it and then cry?)… that would be NICE! And to spend the day at Ashley’s house… nice also! 🙂
ashley jensen - The bathroom thing is crazy! On a daily basis my daughter, dog AND cat come in to visit me. Sometimes my husband happens to be in there too (I will blame that on our closets being in the master bathroom). They can all be ignoring me but the second I need to go pee they are all there. Hello can I not have 20 seconds to myself for that? That would be a no. Maybe I should start locking my bedroom door…
Tanya H - I agree with the parenting comment. We’ve had a LOT of discussions lately with our oldest on making better choices and dealing with the consequences that come with any choice and its hard and he’s only eight!!!!
Loved your story. Love your thoughts. THanks for being willing to share. 🙂
lauren - love this post. the good the bad and the ugly. is this how GOd feels about us sometimes? how he can love us so wildy and completely and yet be like– seriously? i give you three hours and THIS is whaat you do with it?? come on now. 🙂 thanks meg. 🙂
sara @ it's good to be queen - well i agree, parenting is dang hard. and that clip was awesome. and i loved your love story…that’s real stuff right there. i like you!
Lisa - Your story was great. Thank you for sharing that with us! It is amazing what strength we can find when we look beyond ourselves. I just wrote a blog post about that, too – we had a very scary ultrasound and start to this pregnancy (baby #3) and it has taught me so much. Enjoy your weekend and your beautiful family.
Karen H. - Hi Meg
I have days like that with my kids. Some times I think I CAN NOT do THIS for another 15 years!!!! And if one more person living in MY house calls me MEAN!!!! grrrrrr And your love story was so moving and inspirational. You are just lovely, inside and out! Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend. 🙂
Astrid - Love your posts! You always make me smile. 🙂
Heather - Meg, Your honesty is truly a gift. You so often write what many of us feel but are too scared or anxious to say. You have a unique way of making the realities of life a little easier to bare. Life isn’t easy, parenting is certainly not easy but God never said it would be, He did say that he will use all things for good and I regularly see Him make good on that. You are great at putting a smile on my face and reminding me that I am not alone and not to take myself so seriously. Thanks for being so transparent.
Blessings,
Heather
Toni :O) - Meg, what a beautiful love story…sorry I missed it yesterday! I will always, always, always love your blog…it truly makes me happy and smile and that dog of yours is awesome! Your dog makes me appreciate the one I rescued last year even more. Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing your fun and sometimes crazy life with us…so cool to be along for the ride! :O)
Charlotte - thank you for today’s post…your honestly… and linking your love story post from danielle’s blog….i miss baby talk too..♥
hope you have a restful weekend..
xo
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - parenting IS hard – i hear ya!
from one worn out mama to another waaa -waaaa. 😉
it’s hard not to be a debbie downer when you’re not exactly surrounded by a bunch of pollyanna’s. emotions are contagious – i’ve been working on immunity building ideas ’round my parts these days…i’ll let you know if i have any big revleations in that department.
cheers!
~h
Shivaun - Your love story is beautiful! And you are so right… parenting is exhausting and wonderful and it requires prayer. I think that’s all part of His plan! Blessings to you, lovely soul!
amanda - thanks for sharing all of it!!
Deb - meg, I am reading Grace based parenting right now by Dr. TIm Kimmel, and How to have a new kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman.
I have had them on my bookshelf for years, but it was all in God’s timing that I am reading them now. I also have teens, and know what you are going through. Be Blessed! DEB
Aimee - I gotta tell ya, Meg, yours has quickly become one of my favorite blogs. It is real. I don’t leave here feeling badly about my life because yours is all beauty and smiles. I leave feeling like life is hard and we get through it…and then we smile…until it’s hard again. The good and the bad are all okay and you aren’t afraid to put it out there– or maybe you are and you suck it up and do it anyway. Thank you!
flowerpowermomma - God is using you mightily. Keep sharing your story, encouragement and the real-ness of life.
Parenting is tough. My oldest will be 31 in June. My husband has been pastoring for… ( wait, I gotta do the math) 27 yrs. People often say, “I could never be a pastors wife. It’s gotta be hard.”
Well…my response is..” the hardest thing I do is parenting.”
(In reality both those jobs kind of overlap.)
Life is about people. Keep on loving and correcting. Hang on it’s all worth it and you’re doing a great job. Yes, you really are.
So happy you got a break, that’s a necessity in high stress jobs. I was given a poster in high school, (centuries ago). It had a girl walking through a field by herself. Written in the sky was “sometimes you need to be alone with yourself to put yourself back together again.”
true then, true now.
Cory - 1. I LOVED your story. It’s HIS story & that’s what makes it so wonderful.
2. Umm hanging out with you & Ashley Ann..treat! Come on, you both are way to cool to be friends.
3. I love reading your blog & hearing your thoughts on parenting. I only have a little babe & I love reading the unique difference between parenting a baby & older kids.
Cori Barney - you make all my days better. you are so funny! (and real)
Flower Patch Farmgirl - 1. I’ve got a mad crush on Alec Baldwin. (Not the one you’re thinking of.)
2. Don’t stop. Don’t stop the titles.
Danielle H. - You went to Ashley Ann’s. Sigh – so jealous!!!! Loved your love story. Love your blog. I love the post you did of your house. Really made me feel like I wasn’t alone in that battle!!!
Staci - Not sure if I commented on your love story or not…I’ve had a sickie at my house allll week….plus, only three days of school in two weeks…this week, sunshiney and beautiful…and he’s sick 🙁 BIG.OLE.BUMMER 🙁 BUT, I don’t want to be ungrateful, I am happy that I wasn’t at work and got a call from the school and then have to cancel patients…blah blah blah….I was just saying allll that because my days have ran together and I canNOT remember if I left a comment…I read that beautiful story of yours….made me very happy to know that two high school sweethearts made it work….makes me a little sad….that I was that couple too (minus the baby) and we just didn’t make it happen 🙁 Ah well….I wouldn’t trade a thing….my hubby is truly my soulmate and perfect for me 🙂 Amazing how God’s love is always there….during the bad and the good 🙂 Happy Weekend!!!
Ana M - I spend part of my days waiting on your posts…
Thank you for one lovely more.
I’m a mom of 4 and many times feel just like you do…
It’s a full time job that never, ever ends…No vacation or even a tiny break..
It is hard but also joyfull and delightful..
Pleeeease, do not skip monday, I’ll be waiting anxiously for your words…
Love
Ana M
jes - i miss baby talk too…..oh no. here comes the baby itch…
haha have a happy happy day :))
happygirl - THANK YOU!!! I’ve been a Debbie Downer on my blog the past few days too. I’m going to have to CHEER UP. Maybe a six hour car ride would help me too. I’m so glad Craig hugged you well. I often wonder about things we’ve left behind and moved on from. Do the still sting? Maybe. I don’t know. LOVE your attitude. LOVE your consistency. LOVE your truth. thanks.
danielle - MEG! your love story makes me cry every time i read it. and let’s be honest i’ve read it a few times cause its on my own blog. by sharing your story you have made HIS story known. you are a beautiful child of the KING and i am so happy you shared! love to you.
Jen Joy - I can relate to every single word of this post. I have four children. It’s crazy hard. I often wonder what I was thinking (usually when I find half a tube of toothpaste squeezed out on the bathroom countertop or an entire can of soda is spilled on the carpet.) And, when it’s good, it’s downright magical. But for today, I’m giving it up to God, too. *sigh*
karen - Thanks so much for your honesty. Your love story is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
angela - I totally agree with you on parenting! I do it Mon – Thurs every week on my own essentially. From breakfast to bed. The minute they are snuggled down, I crash….or read blogs. 🙂
I too loved your love story. My own parents had a similar story (there babe turned out not to be at that time), and almost 36 years later still together and loving each other. On top of it they only knew one another 6 weeks. love. is. incredible.
thank you for being real.
freckled hen - That feeling you get singing in the car really loud is kind of like the same feeling I get reading your blog-inspired and happy. I just read your love post and felt a little weird as it is very similar to mine…including the suprise pregnancy after high school and marriage and five kids really quick. And you’re right on both counts–it is a great life and yeah it wears me out, too!
Thanks for all you share, your pictures are the best!
Lorie S. - Amen to that. Some days you just have to get up…dust yourself off…and start over again(the life of a mom). Good to know that there are others out there that feel the same as I do.
deborah@applesinwonderland - i loved reading your story. life is hardly ever how we had imagined….sometimes, it is even better. i think that is how your story unfolds–even on the hard days. i get that. oh, do i ever. parenting 10 and 16 year old boys will keep a momma humble, that’s for sure. we also have so. much. basketball. 🙂 have a wonderful weekend!!!!
nicole @ deliajude - hearing your love story and all the others reminds us that we are all in this together and that life is messy but God is our Redeemer.
purejoy - mmmm. love it when you keep it real. and use adorable filler. thank you for that.
love your heart. thanks for being open and honest. and road trips are simply the best.
Dana D@BoysMyJoys - Oh, Meg- how could we not still love you?
If anything, it helped me identify with you even more!
It was like reading a chapter of my own story.
It stinks that it’s so hard for us, as people, to completely let go of our sins from years and years ago, yet God has already wiped those records away!
Hope you have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious weekend!
🙂