i miss the sounds.
i miss the sand.
i miss my friends.
i miss smell…the wind…the colors….the sunsets.
i miss my beach.
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jess….ANYTIME. [url=”http://www.wholesalejerseysleague.com/nba-jerseys?zenid=5078963f2a1df93f92cc8e3f31f6777f”]nfl jerseys league[/url] Did you notice that Waffle is actually LAUGHING in the picture with the baby?? Too cute! love that cutie Levi! So fun when blogs “collide”. Great high chair!! Kelly Those are some sweet baby cheeks! Love it! I could eat him up! I love all those rolls. love annie’s tan lines. classic! Cute! Cute! Cute! Seriously, what a sweet, mushy, chunka baby. How did you keep from kissing him long enough to hold the camera? Squeeze, kiss, run cheek against hair, smell…repeat. Oh my! I’m so jealous you got to spend a day with Levi! Lucky you! Wish we were closer so we could see that precious boy more often! Hope your family is all doing well! Love keeping up with you on your blog. What a darling baby! Love those cute little chubby feet!! I can see how your family loves him and why! looks like another baby would fit right in 😉 Levi is scrumptious!! laughing at the “can we” eyes. 🙂 ha ha love it. and levi is a little heartbreaker!!!!! Hi Meg! I am new to your blog but LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Found out about it through Matthew Meads Flea Market Issue (he is local to us in NH and I adore him)…I am a mom of 4 ranging in age 13-2 and we are going to be stealing some of your ideas for our very old, but charming New Englander. had no idea you and Jess are friends, so when I popped over to read your post, I was like “its Levi Mac!” 🙂 Too funny. He is stinkin’ adorable. Cutie patootie! Levi is adorable! I miss babies in my house! Levi is sooo cute! I’m hoping he and Miss Mercy meet up at KSU in the future! 🙂 Hey when did Annie get tattoo’s ? hugs! What a cutie! I love Annie’s little outfit. I want another one, too (conspiratorial smile). Levi looks so happy with your family. Must make his mama feel good to have so many to love on him. xoxo I want a baby Levi too. He’s just too precious. Oh wow, is he adorable! Thanks for sharing that, it put a big smile on my face. 🙂 awwww!! oooooooohhhhhhh, I want a baby too. But I already have 4. And I’m divorced. And I’m 44. Odds aren’t in my favor 🙂 WELL, maybe we should get our boxing gloves out and we’ll just have to have a little match for the next time Levi’s fam can’t watch him!! Haha, just kidding! Looks like he got lots of love at your house! OMG that baby is adorable. Great pics!! I keep up with her blog since I heard about Cora…I continue to read her blog because Levi is SO DARN CUTE! My youngest is almost 9, but he was chunk-syle, like Levi….I just want to grab that baby and eat his chubby legs, you guys are so lucky to get to have him around 🙂 How FUN! too cute for words. The “make a baby” chant had me cracking up! so adorable. i think waffles likes babies too. your dorky dog smiles all the time. He’s a doll and I loved the little baby you drew for Annie. I haven’t held a baby in so long. There seriously is a chemical reaction that happens when you smell them in and feel their soft chubby skin. I’m almost getting my fix just reading your post. Loved it! Levi is so cute! I have enjoyed seeing him grow over the last few months on Jess’ blog. Your kids look adorable playing with him. I think it’s hilarious that Waffle always seems to be smiling when he has his picture taken. Love all of it! So sweet!! We had some good friends that used to live in the area when our eldest was just a baby. – Their kids are older and they absolutely loved to have him come over so they could fawn over him. Even though my sweetie is now 5, our friends will still refer to him as ‘baby’ Owen because that’s just how they remember him. 🙂 I saw that baby drawing and thought “Dang, she is talented. She draws just like her mom used to…” HA! Glad you clarified. i love that dof of yours!!! he is sso stinkin cute!! so is mr. levi,,,, he is so squishy!!! Oh my goodness. This baby is so cute…. I think we’ll start trying for #2….. hahahaha! Adorable! I. Love. That. Dog. what kind of dog is waffle? love him! the hubs and i have been discussing adding another dog so our sweet Jazz can have a friend. He is very cute! It’s not me who needs a baby fix every-now-and-then ~ my kids do! They want another sibling and they’re not going to get one, so yes, they need a baby fix every now and then. Mr. Levi would do just fine ~ he seems so cute and content!!! Sweet baby! that wicker high chair is amazing!!!!!! is it antique??? he is a really cute baby and it looks like he won EVERYONE over.. I saw the pic of Levi and thought Jess had posted some more Levi pics. Isn’t he A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E??? And then I realised Levi was on your website and not on The Macs. Lovely to see him and it looks like you ALL had a wonderful time. So cute and very squeezable!!! Waffle looks like he’s smiling for the camera 🙂 PPS How old is Levi? He is so cute my ovaries hurt! Levi is so cute! My kids love babysitting their little cousins… it’s nice to have litlle ones around the house… BUT it’s also nice to hand them back tired and over stimulated 😉 Megan, i am thinking of going back to no sugar again. i am so happy that there is a drink i love at starbucks that is under $3. we have XM radio in the surburban. so…..do you have any questions for me? Well, I’ve got a few questions for you…. Love your blog! I saved your kitchen before and after photos for inspiration for my own remodel. Love the wood floors, dark counter tops and white cabinets. My question is how much did your kitchen remodel cost. A ballpark figure would be fine :-)! Love your blog!! I come here every day 🙂 We were actually in MI the same time you were, only at different parts of the state. We were in southern MI visiting family & then went to Mackinac Island for a couple days. So I have a question ~ just wondering where you live. I mean, not your address or anything! But I thought you said Kansas one time maybe? Your street looks like such a family oriented fun place to be…esp after those block party pics you showed. I miss that. I want that again. We’ve been looking into different states we might want to move to. Just wondering if I should look into your neck of the woods! I love your blog and am wondering if you have ever had it printed into book form? I write one for our family and am thinking about having a book made for each year that I’ve posted. My question is where did you stay on your Michigan vacation? My husband would love to go to Michigan. I want to thank you for the margarita recipe too! I’ve made it for my friends and they all love it! I love your blog and read it everyday. I love seeing a photo of your nightstand, with books, and just STUFF on it! I just cleaned mine out yesterday – it was full of books and foil (?) and “Your Baby’s First Year” (she’s two now) and even some noodles, journals, a set of coasters and scraps of paper. I thought, “You should clean this out. Your nightstand could look nice and pretty and neat, and not have so much junk in it.” So I cleaned out the drawers and moved all the junk to my bed in order to put it away, then it got moved to the floor, where it still sits. I love your blog – even though I fear that you are a Jayhawk fan! 🙂 Do you ever visit St. Louis? If you are ever in the area a few girls I know that read this blog would love to meet up with you! You crack me up! I think your figure is great, especially for having birthed 5 babies-and if you love Hostess anything, GO FOR IT! Yummy!!!!!! I love your picture of all the books by your bedside. I am a book lover too. hi meg. thanks for your happy posts. they always cheer me up. i love michael buble too! i listen to pandora all the time – i bet you would enjoy joss stone – give it a try 🙂 whoa…can’t believe i missed this post yesterday. I love that your bedside table looks just like mine. Tower of books and lip balm are crucial. I have a question . . . how do you have such a strong faith? I grew up with no religion and my husband grew up in Catholic schools. We have been attending a non-demoninational church here since October and I LOVE it. I am learning so much about the bible. wondering what is your tried & true and one of your favorite Dinner recipes? O and where did you get that beautiful red bowl?? Love your blog…you inspire me to be more of what I am? Hi Meg, Ok do you and your hubby ever fight? You seem very in love and I love that! Thanks have fun with the millions of questions you have to answer! Hi Meg, Hello Meg! Do you have a quirky habit? I have some that most would think is *crazy*. just wondering!! And what’s your favorite book of the bible, mine is Esther. Have a great day!! Can I ask two questions? What camera lens are you using these days? And where did you get the awesome granny square afghan you have in your family room? Your blog is my favorite- hands down. I love these random posts that you do. Isn’t it weird to enjoy learning so much about someone you’ve never met?? I like knowing the details. My nightstand looks just like yours. I’m in the middle of 4 books right now. Can’t remember the last time I read any of them. I really need to get back to reading. love your bedside book stack Ok I will ask a question? I also have 5 kids and am expecting my 6th in less than 2 months. My oldest is 7. Do you Ever feel overwhelmed and you just don’t know where to start or finish? You seem to have it all put together and your kids are always so happy. I NEED to hear you say that you get overwhelmed, PLEASE~! The laundry , the cooking, the grocery shopping, the working, the crafting? Lately I have spent a lot of my time in tears because I just don’t know how I am going to be able to do it with a baby. I try to stay organized but there is a constant tornado of children messing it all up. So, please let me know if I am alone here and perhaps should start signing my kids up for therapy or is there anyone else out there like me? I LOVE your blog and feel like I know you. You inspire me daily. I always want to ask you questions. I really wish I could sit and have margaritas with you or coffee 🙂 Anyway, right now I’m curious … what cameras do you use? Do you use your phone as your point + shoot? I’m struggling because I want to keep things simple. I forget my big camera on outings sometimes so my iPhone just has to do … that camera just isn’t as good. I’d love your advice on this issue! Meg I am just happy to read everything you right! you are a woman after my own heart… and I am already in my 35th year and have decided on 35 things before I turn 36 and head/hurtle towards 40!! ewwwwww. thanks for being so honest, I want to know are you coming to visit Australia……???? we are really nice/fun/relaxed etc and I would find the room to squeeze you all in, I am not crazy/stalkerish/or weird…. just a normal mum…. now I am not convinced that saying that makes anyone believe you hahahahah its late and I am tired I have to say ciao before I get silly, take care can you show us pictures of some of your favorite parts of your home. i heart your house and your style. 🙂 I don’t have a question Meg… just wanted to say great post and wonderful pics. I loved the picture of all of the heart shaped rocks! My mom has always made a point to try to find one whenever we travel. I’m driving home from a solo Colorado trip tomorrow with 3 heart shaped rocks I found to surprise her with! Makes me ready to go home. 🙂 I still remember the pastel rainbow tennis shoes I got when I was a kid in the 80’s. Oh, how I loved those shoes! LOVE.LOVE.LOVE your blog!! I have lots of questions: You seem to be very upbeat. 🙂 Are you shy or quiet in person? Were you ever shy? Hi Meg You have obviously lost weight and are really looking fit – are you just running to stay in shape or do you do the gym thing too? I have done the no sugar off and on for the last 9 years – when I start to dream about sweets I go back on:) God love ya for going off it again! Woah Meg, that is a lot of questions for you!! I hope you are feeling chatty 😉 Where, oh where, did you get your red EAT letters in your kitchen? I swear if you made them and sold them you would make a fortune!! You rock, sister! I love your blog! I don’t know quite how I stumbled on to it, but it is awesome. I check daily for updates – you are very inspiring and I know I’d want to be friends in real life with you. Meg~you’re beautiful because you love life, plus I think you have GORGEOUS coloring that my pasty white skin would kill for. My question: do you take time each day for prayer/scripture/spiritual time, how do you make time to feed your spirit and relationship with God with 5 kids? I just found your blog and I must say….I love it! Thanks for sharing your days! Hi, Meg! Yes, I have a question 🙂 Is your last name pronounced DERKsen or DOO-erk-sen or another way? i thought of 3 … •1. how do you plan your days? what’s your method for keeping your day productive [with or without kids]? i’m horrible with time management. •2. how did you & chicago jenny meet? 🙂 •3. what’s the farthest place you’ve been, where someone recognized you from “whatever”? 🙂 I’m going to say ditto to I love your blog SOOOOOOO much! Really? 24 days til school starts? That is not really what I wanted to hear 🙂 That means I have less days than that! Yikes. Our summer bucket list has way more things left on it. I was thinking it was a great big fail, but I looked over at it and 9 things are checked off. That’s not so bad. But really? 24 days? I think Waffle deserves his own blog. What do you think? I have lots of questions! I have noticed that you don’t talk very much about your kids and school. Most stay at home moms I know love to help in their kids classrooms. I see that sometimes you help in Annie’s but seldom the older kids. Is there a reason for this? and do you plan on helping more in your other kids classrooms now that you have a whole day to yourself? Love your blog!! also the best blog in the world!!! Just wondering if you collect anything??? Did you finish the room you were painting?? meg….love you love you love you.. Hi Megan, Love your blog, your positive attitude and creativity. I work with foster parents and I have referred some of them to your site to see the craft projects that you do with your kids. I love all the colour in your life! Do you have an e-mail that we can write to you at or does everything have to be publically posted? I hope to get a blog up and running but so far haven’t found the time, in the mean time I am photo journalling my every day. Thanks for the inspiration! Heidi. 1. Honest to goodness, I thought to myself, “How can she possibly look so lovely whilst hurtling down a slip-n-slide?” Honestly. Truly. michael bulbe i love his music and him also you’re talken cupcakes yummy (michael) (: can i just tell you that sometimes you get me through the day. thanks for being so real about being a mom and that it isn’t always easy. sometimes we just need to know that we are not alone in all this! this has to be in my top 5 of favorite blogs. i should make a list of top ten, laminate it and carry it in my wallet. lolol I love your blog and pictures! I do have a question for you. It’s a two parter, hope I’m not being greedy. 🙂 Hey girl! I’ve got a question…what’s the best gift you’ve ever given Craig?!?!? Ok, don’t answer this, i already know. The subject just came up this weekend with some other friends and it made me think of you!!!:) Oh how i could use a little dinner and girl conversation with you and the other Mrs. Jost. Think of you often! Thought the video was AWESOME!:) Way to be a “cool” mom! Love ya! I can’t stop thinking about #20 on your summer list: family pictures in a sunflower field. Where is there such a field and when do they BLOOM? Meg, I love your blog and visit every day. I’m 28 and a new stay-at-home mom to my first baby, 5 week old WIlliam. I want to make a craft/art project that will capture all his sweet babyness (I know that’s not a word, but it should be) but isn’t cheesy. What do you suggest? I’m scrapbooking and picture-taking like a madwoman out of fear that someday I won’t remember all the details (his little curled toes when he sleeps, the shape of his profile when I’m feeding him). Question 1 – I would love to know where you bought Annie’s rainbow shoes. My baby girl also starts Kindergarten this fall (sniff, sniff) and they sound right up her alley! Hi Meg – BTW – Love, Love, love your blog! Hello! I was wondering where you get you decor inspiration (I’m sure lots of places, but what are your favorites) Which Clooney movie is your favorite? Or were you a bigger ER fan? Oops I forgot to ask a question….What do you like most about blogging? What do you like the least? Is there something we don’t know about you that would surprise your readers? I should probably stop at three. Megan, My question is where do you come up with ideas for decorating? Any specific websites? Also, do you ever sleep? You seem to be always doing SOMETHING but with four kids of my own by the time they go to bed I just want to go to bed! as usual, lovely photos and massive comments. you rock. Hugs from Seattle! You’re inspiring. My friends and I love your blog and would probably try to meet you too (like a post above said) if we were closer. I adore you Meg! We live fairly close to each other and run in almost close circles. We have never met, however, I am certain, If I saw you in public I would shy away in awe of your celebrityness{um, yeah that is a word} I was so excited about your no-sugar diet – that was the same time I started mine – I am still pretty good at almost 6 months (with some cheating) or I call REWARDING 😉 What would be your last meal, death-row style? Do you have rules regarding modesty of clothing for Lauren? I have noticed she wears shirts under tube tops, etc. I think how she puts things together looks VERY good, btw! Hee, hee Meg, did you ever get a lot of questions! I won’t ask you anything but I wished i could hear more about how the book, “Crazy Love” affected you. We read it last year, and it’s something that I still think about everyday in application for my life (i remember you posted it in a give-away or something). I love hearing how the Holy Spirit worked in others’ hearts through that book… It’s amazing how a book can make you feel both passionate/joyful and lonely for it to be a reality at the same time. I totally have my pandora radio on Michael Buble station too! 🙂 I would like to know what camera you use and what is yout favorite lens? Hi Meg! I love the rocks! No question but have to say this… I laughed out loud reading the titles of your books…because in all that seriousness, inbetween “struggles” and “ungodly things” I see an IKEA catalog. And that’s why you are awesome. Before I ask my questions, I want to thank you for a few things. First, the pictures of Annie made me realize I was being way too tough on my daughter over her clothing choices. Before, I would not hesitate to make her change her clothes if she did not match or wasn’t what I considered “appropriate” for whatever we were doing that day. But now, because of you, I have let go of the expectation that she should dress exactly the way I want her to, and as long as she has on clean clothes and doesn’t try to wear flip flops to school when it is snowing, she gets to make her own fashion decisions. This has been a HUGE blessing to both me AND my daughter. What is your go to lens for shooting pictures? What lens would you want to add next to your camera supplies? Hi Meg, Did you decide to use Photoshop or Photoshop elements? Which one did you chose? Have you had a chance to try it out? If so, I heard the learning curve is steep. What do you think? Thanks, Sally When you read Michael Buble really quick do you ever think it says “Bubble”? I do. First of all….GIRL..you look GREAT! I’ve had one baby (he’s 22 months) and wish I could look as good as you! You are rocking that mom suit, for sure!! Hi Meg! I’m Edie from Georgia, 29, married to the only boy I’ve ever dated, and mom to a 2 year old and 6 month old. Do you have any suggestions for daily devotional/bible study type books for moms? I’ve been reading your blog for several months, and I always look forward to new posts! oooooh, I’d like to know what’s in your camera bag, too! I love you and your blog too. Like a lot of people on here, I wish we could know each other in real life. 🙂 My question is: how much time do you spend on your personal appearance? I only have 3 little ones…but it seems like I am always wishing I looked as cute as other moms – like you! I want to know more of you love story…basically all of it! Meg..can you tell me what size are the pillows you make? Do you get your material and pom pom fringe online? Where do you get your pillow inserts? Also- can you show us a picture of what you did in your dining room? I love your blog!! Hey! we loved running into you at target as well…possibly we could go together when school starts minus kids?! Could we dream that big? 🙂 Please be sure to tell Annie that Ellakate calls her ice cream notebook the “annie notebook” I think i should have bought 12 more 🙂 I love your “random” photos posts. And I think you look great in your mom suit and like you are having so much fun in the slip ‘n slide post! I have a mom suit, too, but I still look like I am 8 mos preggers in it. 😉 My hubby says I should go off the diving board and not care what I look like, and your video has inspired me to do so. It’s about having FUN and not worrying how we look (although like I said, you look very cute in yours!). Thanks for the reminder. Love your blog – I read it everyday, rarely comment. I have one simple question – where did you live before Kansas? Did I read in the Chicago area somewhere? We live in the western suburbs – just wondering. And did you have a nice, old house like you do now? Or was it more cookie cutter? meg, do you talk with an accent since you live in kansas? Hey, me again (Leigh). I asked you about teen-agers. I meant to also ask you about wether Lauren knows you were a pregnant teenager? How did you explain it to her? How do you discuss sex with a teen-ager? I realize these are really personal questions and I DO NOT want to violate Lauren’s privacy (or yours)at all, so I understand if you need to tread lightly or steer clear of these issues. I’m just curious and scared! Thanks for always keeping it real. Hi Meg! I was wanting to know if you are planning on running any more races? I just committed to run the 10 mile turkey trot and the longest race I’ve done is 2 miles (though I’ve run longer distances than that!). I’m scared to death!!! I find myself bored to death with my play list lately…what music do you run to? What’s in your camera bag…what brand of camera do you own…what lenses do you use??? love this post. i have a question! i love your photography. have you taken classes? or are you a self-taught talent? do you edit your pictures? what are some of your favorite effects/edits? I just adore your blog, I truly do! Want to know another reason to love the iced coffee? If by chance you have a leisurely afternoon to spend at your local (ha!) starbucks, you can get a refill of iced coffee for only 50¢. Or you can drink it crazy fast and get one. Either way… yay for iced coffee and spending less money there. Is the “Praying the Scriptures for Your Children” any good? are you going to answer the questions? 🙂 I too love your blog 🙂 I admit though, sometimes I only look at the photos. (the best part) lovey love love that last line. you are hysterical! rainbow shoes! perfect. My daughter would love them, too. Do you use a photo editing software package? I like your logic about a $3 coffee instead of spending $5. And I know my husband would not see the logic in it, just like Craig. My hubby’s response would be “there you go again, spending money to save money”! My question is random, for sure, but was happy that you asked that today! Do you have a recipe for your rainbow cake?? Or is it just yellow/white cake with food coloring? I have not looked back through, but I wanted to make it for my kids! Also, Thank you for writing about things that I can totally relate to…you get to do all the things I hope to one day! When I quit my corporate job, I want to follow my dreams like, become a “real” photographer, buy/sell primitive antiques and do fun things with my kids! Thanks for the continued postings of what we all consider “normal”! LOVE you, Meg. Tell me how to get Claire to go #2 in the potty. She has roughly a month to nail this otherwise preschool is off her things-to-do list! LOL She pees fine, what’s with the reluctance to poop??? xoxo What will you do now that all your kids will be going off to school? My 11 year old daughter has spent the ENTIRE morning cleaning her room. Voluntarily. As in swiffering and sweeping out the floor of her closet. Then she asked if she could vacuum the downstairs. Do you think she was switched at birth? Also, where does one find rainbow shoes? We’re going back to school shopping with Grandma Thursday and they sound adorable! My question is where do you get your photos printed, I know that you posted it once, but I can’t find it. Thank you and I love your blog, cause you make feel normal 🙂 I saw a Love & Logic book on your nightstand! I love that series and have found it has given me back so much patience that I thought was gone forever. Are you finding the teen L&L very helpful? I think I like your blog because you seem very real. You share the good, bad and ugly! It makes me feel more normal! I want to know how you handle chores in your house? And how you discipline? Consequences etc. I feel like sometimes I get stuck trying to figure out what good consequences are for the daily repetive issues. Like forgetting to do chores, or eating in their rooms etc. I’ve got 4 kids and am always looking for new ideas! 🙂 (I can’t remember if you’ve ever talked about these things) I just love your colors on your blog and also the books you are reading…found you on my lunch break blog hopping around… I have a question! You said you got a new camera. What did you get? I’ve been dying to know… ****Questions!!!*** blessings..lol Meg, you make me laugh. And cry with you at times. Like all these other commenters, I feel like I know you. Two questions, when do you think you will go back to Africa? and if you had to take someone dinner (they are sick, or just had surgery, or a baby…) what do you take? Hi Meg! Have you ever had a blog reader randomly show up at your door and want to meet you? If I lived close to you I think I would. Because I like you that much. But not in a creepy, stalker way. But just because I want to meet you in real life and be able to say that I met Meg Duerksen. And I would probably ask to see your awesome house and take my own photos and then do a “behind the scenes” post on my blog. Kinda like MTV Cribs! Bahahahah……. I love your blog. It’s a fun place to land each day! 🙂 I know you take a lot of pictures and was wondering how you organize them all? Do you digitally organize them or print them off each month and put them into a photo album? Just curious as I love to take photos too but stop short of any organizing technique. Hi Meg- Hi Meg, I gave up sugar for lent. And I liked how I felt off of it. But I can’t seem to get a grip on it and do it in moderation. Yesterday I gave it up again. I’m not sure for how long. Hi Meg! I love following your blog. You inspire me to find time to be more creative- I love it! I am a friend of Amy Jones’ from high school and was lucky enough to stumble upon your blog and have been hooked ever since. I have to admit I copy some of your ideas- I love them! Thanks for sharing your life with us. Keep up the great work! You are so funny. I love the random pics. Ok – I agree w/ Leigh… any ‘ten’ ager adivce is welcome. Sweet Baby J and I are entering uncharted territory and I can feel myself wavering all over the place. This is a randon question…We are heading to my parents house in a week…and they live close to Chicago and I was wondering where you were when you saw the filming of Transformers 3? My son is beyond obessed with them and would love to go up there for a day and check it out! You can email me at lnreed95@gmail.com!! I have a question… What’s it like to have a teen-ager? They are a mystery to me, and, honestly it scares me to think that one day there will be two under my roof. It kinda breaks my heart. I’m really interested in Lauren and what makes her tick and her relationship with you and Craig. What does she do for fun? Who are her friends? Does she have any idea what she will be doing in the next 5 years. Any advice? Thoughts? (I hope I don’t sound creepy — I”m just wondering about teen-agers in general.) Thanks! xoxoxoxxo Oh man oh man do I wish I could kick the sugar habit!!!! Sooooo hard!!!!!!! And I just love this post!! I think I love anything you talk about!!! I’ll have to think up a question…but right now, I gotta go get kid #1 from golf camp!!!!!!!!!!! Hi Meg, I’m wondering how your dining room turned out? I’d love to see pics. Your blog makes parenting seem fun. I am a mother of four, and today I am wondering if that is an illusion, a camera trick or what? decorating: you are adorable and look fabulous for having 5 kids!!! What kind of camera do you use? Love your blog. Also, I have three of the same books as are in your stack! I must be cool like you!! 🙂 Hmmm…I cannot remember how I stumbled onto your blog, but I am sure glad I did 🙂 I love your photos, your honesty, and your COLOR. Color is my battery. I enjoyed your Chicago pictures and told my husband – see, there is hope! She’s traveling with FIVE kids and we only have THREE! We just need to wait until they are older 😉 I’m looking forward to your Michigan pictures – my family is from there – although we moved to California when I was five – but I hear it’s gorgeous. Oh, so my questions: How did you meet your husband? How old are your kiddos? What is your favorite color? Favorite food? Favorite blog? laughed outloud at the last two lines of today’s post. you are a funny gal. so very funny. i think we would be friends in real life. I still wish you would do a photography info post. I’d love to know your “take” on photography, your lenses, how you edit, etc. Just a little info. I love all of your photos, always! Please share any info you are willing to share…..thank you! Love your blog! How do you make it work parenting Lauren and then all the little ones? My sister is trying to parent two teenage girls and a three year old…It’s tough! Can I pretend you’re my friend?! (hello…psycho!) 🙂 And thanks for introducing me to Piece of Cake (another great friend o’ mine) Let me just say that many of us out “here” really rely on you ladies to tell it to us straight and make us feel less crazy than we do. (or maybe that’s just me?!) It’s great to know you’re (I’m) not the “only one” dealing with this life stuff. Question: how do you feel about putting it all out there? And how is your house so clean!! Thanks pal…. (wink, wink) Are you reading all those books at the same time!? That’s what my nightstand looks like but they are mostly books I’ve read that I’m skimming back for my favorite parts…. favorite book of all time? I’m going camping in September and I need some ideas 🙂 Hi! I don’t have a question, but wanted to say that I love following your blog! I can’t even remember how I found it a couple of weeks ago… one link… led to another link… to another link. I really enjoyed looking through your house renovation… my husband and I are in the process of renovating a 75 yr. old home now and hopefully I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pandora. Music fills my house this summer, so much better than Spongebob and that Phenius dude. I love your random posts with random pictures and random insights into your life. I too love the Michael Buble pandora station – it always puts me in a good mood! Hi Meg! I don’t have a question, just a compliment for you. You are one of the most “real” people that I am lucky enough to “virtually” know through reading your blog. You have no pretenses and you love your God and your family. I remember what it is like to have kids running underfoot that can sometimes make you crazy, and 10 minutes later can make you thank God for them. It’s a whirlwind ride of a lifetime, but you are enjoying all the special times, good and bad. Thanks for sharing with us. Thanks for all the time you spend on your blog. I DO have a very random question for you. I’m in the middle of trying to add color… LOTS of color to my house. Do you have a “theme” so to speak when you decorate? Do you stick with a color palette? Or are you random and just hope it all works? Meg- I love your Blog SOOOOOOO much! You inspire me every day!!! I can’t wait to read your posts!!!! I’ve never made PW’s Blueberry Crumble, is it good? Her chicken spaghetti recipe is probably my favorite, although there are so many chicken spaghetti recipes! dave bought two tarps at costco and a bottle of tear-free baby shampoo.
i was sore the next day. I love everything about this post. Such a good idea for fun! Meg, you are so much fun! We just love you for it. You are soooo AWESOME!!! Thanks for showing us!!!! I love, love, LOVE when bloggers post videos… it’s like seeing their photos come to life. Almost surreal, almost as if you guys are suddenly more real then I always thought you were. Anyways, looks like tons of fun. I think I might put this on my list to do this summer.. hm. that is the COOLEST thing ever. i wanna do it!!! YOU. ARE. AMAZING! I wanted to email you the other day, to show you some rainbow soap I came across on etsy or something, but my mac wouldn’t let me because I use gmail, and when I click on the e-mail me link on your blog, my comp wanted to use it’s email program. It was frustrating. 🙂 these are mom suits???? I have three very similar to yours. why didn’t anyone tell me??? Great post! Not enough pictures of Dave though. Lol about the pic of you! Oh-so-awesome! I love that everyone participated – your still shot video is such a hoot with the added soundtrack! What a good sport you are! thats fun!!!! Love the video! You are such a fun mom! Sorry. . .meant Craig. . . The video was so much fun. But really, your picture of Dave was the BEST. . .what great memories. The baby shampoo is a great idea.We have something in common.We get Migraines.Not sure if thats good or not!!!!! Love it! I’m so crabby in the middle of the night – with a headache and all the kids somehow piled in MY bed – but your post made me laugh. Thanks! You’re such a champ, Meg. I love your candor and authenticity. I love that you write about being crabby one day and then bounce back with this happy snapshot of your vacation on the next. I have four children that are 5 and under, so I’m well acquainted with “so crabby,” but I know your joy of being of mama, too. So glad to “know” you and your family through your blog. I loved seeing the pics. We made a slip n’ slide last year, and the boys loved it. We bought one this year because youngest son was having some friends over for his bday, it lasted 1 day…geez! THAT looks like some serious FUN!!I will have to remember this grand $6 idea. LOVE this! You are so real, so fun!! Thanks! xo You GO Girl! I’m proud of ya! I would of had the gutts to do it! There is nothing more fun than a real live smile… I wanted to go outside and make one myself to see if I could have that much fun.. LOVED it.. Thanks for the grin. Wow! Annie made that look easy, hooray for the Moms for going for it! Oh sooo great!! My kids made their own slip-n-slide on 4th of July, but I didn’t do it…lol, you are brave sista!!!! Fun to watch the video, I have a smile on my face now 🙂 ha! ha! ha!! That was too cute and so funny! Thanks for sharing! wooow GREAT idea! You rock!!! Your kids will love looking back on that day and see you having such fun. Very creative! I LOVE IT!!!!! It looks like you all had a great time !!! Sooooo fun !!! … ^__^ Why is it that your slip and slide ends like this and my family slip and slide adventure ends with a 9 hour trip to the ER for a hubby with a dislocated shoulder?…Whatever! My first thoughts were…will she? Will she show the pictures of her going down the slippy slide? No she won’t. SHE WHAT? She posts a photo collage video? You rocked that so hard. Awesome. That was awesome Meg! Loved that you did it too!! love your lil’ video. 🙂 love that the camera was on that setting & you had that many photos! HILARE! and the kids! i’m dying laughing at the thought of all that. 🙂 Great fun! That looks like a wonderful time…must tell my sister about it for her kids and the hill in her backyard! so fuN! Meg… what a great post and a wonderful idea for the slip and slide. If only we had “hills” here! lol… more = my. Sorry, I’m tired, been teaching VBS all morning! What an awesome idea! And your video is too because you are such a good sport to share it. So funny, you know how to make me laugh out loud at my computer almost every day! Slip ‘n Slides were way more fun before we had boobs, weren’t they? My best friend & I “bought one for our kids” (that’s more story, stickin’ to it) when they were toddlers. We were SO sore the next day! I’m sure it didn’t help that we were still nursing! How fun was that!!!? Thanks for sharing! You are a great Mom and make me smile!!! I am a widow with two kids and I try to make sure my kids are having fun! Your blog is so helpul for that! Thanks so much for all you share! I loved this! Love the homemade slide. Love that Lauren said no pics….so typical. That’s what I like. You all are so typical. Love your family! Can you do that? Can you love a family you don’t know? I think looking at the videos makes that crabby face smile. And I am so quick to delete pictures of me. But then think, that’s who I am and that’s who my kids will remember in years to come. Love the idea, must look for hill 🙂 LOVE it!!!!!!!!! You guys have gotta be the coolest family in the history… of well, EVER! I love it! What a super fun day! (We’ve gotta try it!!!!!) We have also done this! FUN!!!….way to go for posting pics of yourself slipin’ & slidin’! You guys are too funny. the picture of your husband coming down the slide is priceless…you need to frame it. this looks like a BLAST. i dream about times like these with my kids someday. (right now i only have 1 little guy… but i dream about a house full like you.) great pics! and great idea for a cheap slip and slide. 🙂 Ha ha. Awesome. SO fun! L to the O to the V to the E…the super size slip and slide. AWESOME!!! You in the Batman pose on it. AWESOMER!!! Okay. SO much to say. The slip ‘n slide is awesome! My kids (and the neighbor kids) just watched your video and now they are outside plotting where we should put OUR giant slip ‘n slide. 😉 SO fun!!! Those are the types of slip-n-slides my dad made us as kids, but we never took it to the shampoo level of awesomeness. 🙂 Money SO well spent!! OH MY GOSH! HOW HYSTERICALLY HAPPY I WAS TO GET YOUR COMMENT ON MY BLOG!!! I HAVE BEEN A HUGE FAN FOR SO LONG – LOVE THE PICS OF YOUR LIFE! WE HAVE TWO GOLDENDOODLES SO ALWAYS SHOW THE KIDS PICS OF WAFFLE. YES, I LOVE KASEY AND WE HAVE BECOME FRIENDS BECAUSE OF BLOGGING – HOW AWESOME IS THAT? US MIDWEST GIRLS MUST STICK TOGETHER, YA KNOW! SO….THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE VISIT, YOU MUST STOP BY AGAIN…NICE TO ‘MEET’ YA! So fabulous!! What an awesome way to spend an afternoon – thanks for the idea! Love you and your mom suit, that was awesome!! Who knew 2 tarps and some shampoo could be so much fun? Love Scott’s “I’m awesome” at the end of his ride. Thanks for sharing. Gosh it looks like it was a lot of fun! very cute! loved seeing this in the morning! glad to see a happy face on you! I absolutely love this idea. How smart. The regular slip-n-slides are way to short anyway. Yours works well, but it looks like you have a little bit of a down slope. I bet it would be great for innertubing down in the snow too. Awesome idea. I’m heading to Home Depot. This is so awesome, how fun! I think everyone got more than a dollar right? Great idea and love the price tag! You are such a good sport . . . i think that’s one thing that makes you a great momma!!! that video is happy. 🙂 You make me laugh! Your blog and my coffee are the best two things of my morning:-) That is awesome! My parents have a huge hill at their house and we were trying to convince them to let us do this on their hill. So far it’s a no go but maybe if I show them this they’ll change their minds. Awesome….that is all I can say…AWESOME! What a blast! You guys are such fun parents! And your swimsuit is a CUTE mom suit! I LOVE it, that’s awesome! I absolutely loved your post. What makes it so fun is your participation. It’s nice to see you in it once in a while! I love the yelling “Dollar, dollar! You’ve got a buck!” You guys are so much fun. Your kids are going to have the best memories and stories to tell later on! love the idea – even better that everyone can have a blast in their own backyard without spending a fortune – great memories! Oh that looks like some good ole’ fashioned fun. You are so cute slidin’ down the tarp..4 seconds just wasn’t enough. I wanted to hear you talk:) you rock!!!!! how could you not go down that great slip-n slide!!!!! Those are such good pictures Meg! It looks like you had such a good time with your best friends up here in Michigan. I remember doing a slip-in-slide a few years ago. You are right…it is a bit harder for us moms. 🙂 Your swim suit is really cute by the way! Have a good Monday! 🙂 Looks like you all had a great time. We had friends that had a gigantic piece of rubber that you make inner tubes from, and they did the same thing. They put it down, kept the sprinkler running over it, and baby shampooed, and baby oiled it up, and the kids had a Blast!! It is so hot here too. 100’s w/ the heat index everyday. What a way to stay cool, and I bet you were sore. Have a great week. Jackie When you look up “good sport” in the dictionary, there’s a picture of you! 😉 looks like fun, now to find a hill…. Great idea!! I bet your fronts were really sore after all that though. Meg should read… so much fun…. I should proof read my comments 🙂 That looks like so much. That looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing the video of you! haha i love your video! its brilliant. The music made me crack up. You look lovely Meg, wouldnt even know you have had 5 kids! how fun!! Oh, how fun! We have had some good times on giant homemade slip and slides as well…baby shampoo is a MUCH better idea than baby oil like we used! Looks like you guys had a blast! 4 seconds?! Hilarious!!! 🙂
the thought of basketball tournments for two days the fruit flies that have taken over my kitchen….super crabby. more coffee. some chocolate. i will be fine. tune in monday for happy meg
I hope you feel better now. I have been on vacation and am visiting my blog friends. I know that I am way behind but sending you hugs. oh and p.s. THIS IS A BIG *HUG* we all need it sometimes…well me, OFTEN! just wanted you to know I think you are awesome crabby Meg..and real..and awesome (did i say that already?) and a great mother and keep up the great work. I need your inspiration weekly…. I totally know what you mean! Men don’t have all these…hormones. At least that’s what I’m blaming my crabbiness on today! I read your posts nearly every day.The heat can get to you if your not used to it.I live in the desert and treat the heat with caution.on the other hand I can plan a bbq a month in advance knowing that it will not rain. I have a sneaky suspicion that we are living the same life! Thanks for making me smile. Not because you’re crabby, but because it reminded me how we are all unique creations of God, but we all share common emotions. Can so relate to your post. Isn’t summer great! I look forward to it and I dread it all year. If you get this far, it is okay to be crabby. Everyone is telling you that. It makes me love ya even more that you are so real and honest and not trying to put on a show for us out here in blogland. Even your crabby post brings joy to us. So, just know it doesn’t matter, like good friends, we are here for the long haul. Happy this week! I’m with you on the crabby. Heat + humidity are miserable. I hope you had a better weekend! I would add peanut butter to the chocolate and coffee list…but you know, thats just me with the hershey bar and peanut butter jar today when I too, was feeling CRABBY….then I’m just going to feel more crabby when I step on the scale tomorrow. OH WELL! this post is why i love your blog. Some days are just like that! Hope the chocolate and coffee help. I think sensitivity often has a undeserved bad reputation. Maybe one reason that might be is because it makes others feel uncomfortable for being jerks. oh Meg! I am so feeling ya! We have one week of Summer vacation left and I think I am honestly ready for the school year to start! As for those darn flies I can’t stand them! Megan, my daughter says.. I look like you in crabby mode sometimes. this is why we love you… love you Meg!!!! it’s good to know that feeling is not just me Sorry you are crabby…if you don’t have it already, put on the David Crowder Band’s song wow 65 people building you up. you hardly need encouragement from me. Awww…see that’s what we’re all here for. You keep us entertained here and there (or, gosh, daily) and if you’re feeling crabby, come and vent a bit and we’ll lift you up. And tell you about the vinegar in the little dishes (you can leave a pretty big hole in the middle of the plastic wrap- I hate to see them prancing around the top). We never get hot weather here in Seattle, but lately – whew! and I just said to my husband, “I never have fruit flies! and the bread molded in 2 days! and the tomatoes already are rotting – how do people in the South do it?!?!?!” Hang in there, and I’ll be expecting Happy Megan tomorrow 🙂 That’s why we all love you, you keep it real!! OK, I’m sure people have given you fruitfly advice by now but mine doesn’t involve rotting fruit on your counter and it works like a charm. Used it just two weeks ago. Jar, water 1/3 full, squirt of dish liquid, splash of vinegar. Plastic wrap on top, rubberband around the neck of jar, two small holes far apart so the buggers can get in but not out. The vinegar attracts them, the dish soap kills them. Took 24 hours and my house was bug-free. Hi Megan Oh all of that does/would make me crabby for sure and all at once no doubt. And I so wish I could be more manly in that kind of sense. I hate being so sensative too and over thinking everything. Chocolate and coffee ALWAYS help. Makes me feel better about the fruit flies…we got back to Wichita after 2 weeks in Colorado and fruitflies and overtaken my kitchen! YUCK! I hope you are in a better mood soon! I think whoever offended you should get a special gift…a visit from your fighting kids. A nice LOOOOOOONG visit! ;D I love that you are so open and honest! Sounds like you need my “happy plate” – my co-worker took a paper plate and cut eye holes and drew a very nice, very happy face on it, added hair and put it on a stick – they call it Happy Margo and it is for me to use on days like the one you are having today! Aw I’m sorry, I have been crabby this whole week – and most of my reasons were the same as yours. Hope you wake up feeling renewed tomorrow! meg, you are absolutely my favorite blogger. Ditto over here to all of it!!! I vote for year round school:) Aww hugs to you Meg and your crabby face, lol. you are so not alone in this–i promise you i was just about to post something very similar on my blog! too many kids in the house, too much mess, stepping on cracker and pretzel crumbs, tripping over stuffed animals, too hot to do anything! We all have those days/weeks… we’d be lying if we said we didn’t! They’ll be back at school soon and then you’ll be missing them… and when it’s winter, you’ll wish it was summer again…. heat, fruit flies and all 🙂 It’s winter here and I wish I could go swimming! OH, HONEY…this week has had some crabby moments for me, too. Well, let’s see Miss Meg: vacations are a LOT of work for mom, as are photo shoots for the family, you did both. Then, you had a glorious relaxing time in Michigan (so glad you liked it here!) and then you drive home, and BOOM!!! Back to reality and all the WORK WORK WORK that mom gets to do once vacation is over! Soon school shopping begins, too right? So you’re allowed this crabby time, in my book! I like you any way you happen to be, crabby or not! Oh my! I have those days, but I’m not so sure I’d be brave enough to take a pic of myself. I don’t look as cute as you do on crabby days! Hope tomorrow is better. 🙂 I think the kids need to go back to school. Then all will be right with the delicate balance that keeps us sane. This was also the week that the kids became irritable and bored and irritating! And I am sensitive too. Don’t let stuff get you too down. 🙁 We love you because you’re so real. And we like to know that you have bad days too. Because it helps us relate to you even better. Hoping for happy days tomorrow 😀 I love the comment from your sister and I love the sweet crabby pic! It only endears you to me even more. I know what would cure it but I’m gonna have to drive all the way to Kansas to bring it to you. And I don’t think mocha cake travels that well. Thinking of you dear! hope you feel better soon. From the comments you can see you have a strong support group of mom’s who *get you*. I am also one who gets the struggles of motherhood. But I am one of the mothers looking forward to the return of school. I’m a better mom when I get a break. I enjoy reading your happy & crabby posts. It’s why i read it. thanks for keeping it real. (as my 17 yr would say while bumping his chest.) 🙂 That cracked me up (but I still feel bad that you’re feeling so crabby). I HATE it when everything piles up and works against me!! And you’re so right about the man thing. They move on so easily! Thank you so much for posting about your crabbiness. I’m having a “why did God make me so SERIOUS!?” kind of day. I keep trying to refocus and have. some. dang. fun. but stuff keeps getting in the way. And its tickin’ me off! I completely understand. I was developing a real downer of a mood last week after returning from a weekend away. Mine got better after I spent two hours clogging (dancing) with my clogging buddies! I can’t help with much, but here’s a link to what I do at my own house to completely and totally wipe out fruit flies in a harmless manner: http://frugalliving.about.com/od/doityourself/qt/Rid_Fruit_Flies.htm I know it’s been said, but you gotta do the fruit fly trick! My mum always told me if your feeling low, moody, angry what ever… just go with it. Dont fight the mood, just let it pass. 🙂 OH MY…I laugh about the ice cream bars before breakfast…we have had that here. Aren’t you glad we didn’t come now? Then the cousins could also be fighting over littlest pet shops and my little ponies and who is bothering who and who started it. Hugs to you sis. hope your day gets better I had the same crabby face but mine included lots of pimples and the rediculus dark spot on my forhead from when I had my son 2 years ago…can they do anything for that? Oh well…I totally hear on the fruit flies…no matter how much bleach I dump down the drain they always come back a week later…YUK!!!! I think its ok to complain sometimes…especially when you have a blog universe who feels the same way….;) Fist time commenting…sorry but had to laugh as I could have written this! The fruit flies, the kids fighting, the 2 yr old sneaking downstairs while I’m in bed dragging popcycles out of the freezer and leaving it open and them melting all over the kitchen…..sigh. I am there with ya and the 100degree heat! Very crabby! Tip for the fruit flies…get a small ramekin or bowl. Add some apple coder vinegar and squeeze in some dish soap. Before u know it u will have hundreds of dead little bodies floating in the mixture. We live next to a peach orchard and it works like a charm! Good luck! Add ants all over the counter and we are twins! It reminds me of that poster I’ve been seeing all over blogland that says Throw the kids in the pool and next time go to MI for 10 days. 7 with family and then you and Chicago Jen stay for 3 days alone. 🙂 meg….i have days like that and my kids are gone but i do have two new kittens “Regis” and Kelly” cute (: they are. no food to eat i say we eat out or call it in(: Blessings, Oh Meg, you made me smile. Oh sweet Meg… I completely relate. I’ll be sending you a virtual nap and some chocolate. Head up. Fruit flies suck – we used those sticky paper rolls you hang from the ceiling (or where ever) and they worked really well. The flies were gone in just two days. Good luck! Oh I can relate. Sometimes things are just really sucky. Isn’t it great that they get better? Hoping your sucky times get better soon. we all get crabby sometimes……it’s ok! here’s an internet hug for you all the way from Virginia! ~~HUG~~ Thanks for keeping it real! Laundry is bad any day of the week but after vacation it’s SO bad! Grocery shopping after vacation is awful too. I had to make 3 trips to get stuff. Glad it’s not just me. And the hurt feelings thing, glad that’s not just me, too. I get it! I was just walking around the house telling my kids why I was so crabby and several of your things were mine also! I hear ya! Here’s another fruit fly trick- put a half cup or so of apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Add a squeeze of dish soap. Set out near where they’re congregating- gets them every time! I’m sure the poor girl in the McD’s drivethru thought the same thing about me!!! (too many storms, no electric half the time and a town’s botched water system…plus drivethru at 8 am makes Me Crabby!!!) And, just to make you feel better….I found my boys eating ice cream sandwiches at 7:30 am yesterday:) Nice to know I don’t have the only sneaky kids on the planet! You crack me up! Hang in there and know that we can all relate and we love you because of this… thanks for being normal! I know that when I’m super crabby, magic margaritas sometimes helps. 😉 It’s the back to reality shock (plus laundry) after a week of vacation. So sorry. It does suck and justify the crabiness in you. At least you didn’t get a dead rabbit on your front porch!Once Amy gets back we can get a girls night out organized. So sorry Girl 🙁 Hate that come-home-from-vacation blue phase 🙁 Makes it hard to deal with reality ;( And this heat—well, it just plain sucks here in OK too!!!! If it helps, I haven’t even been on vacation and I was so crabby to my kids for asking me for ANYTHING last week 🙁 I know that you’ll feel better very soon (in four weeks when kids go back to school!) maybe you should make some margaritas tonight 😉 In Richmond Va where I live it has been the hottest summer on record. today marks the 18th day over 100 degrees… not in a row but since summer. That’s not factoring in the heat index so I guess it is like Hattes here. Thank goodness for a/c and icees. Totally can relate to the going shopping and nothing to eat syndrome… happens to us all the time. Keeping it real sister! i love it as we all have these days! I am a fairly new reader and I love your blog. Thanks Sarah Oh, Meg! I’m so sorry you are feeling crabby. You have every right to vent. I hope your day turns happy. Just be glad you don’t have a “Man Cold”, sweetie. wow…thought I was the only one…I think I mentally checked off just about everything that list and then some…summer is almost over for us here…just a couple weeks to go…hang in there! Oh how I can relate! I can’t help with much, but I can offer advice about the fruit flies. Oh, how I can relate to the hot, sticky, humid weather and the kids inside fighting! Stay cool! this is why I love your blog-you are real…hugs. i can relate to this whole postright about now. Sorry you are crabby! I am dying to know if the fun was a “vuvezela”??? THIS is why i read your blog, Meg. now i’m off to go about my business and fantasize that we are friends. 🙂 seriously, the fruits flies. i know, right? where in the world do they come from? and i {heart} your crabby face and i so understand your life. Keep Calm & Carry On! I know what you mean about being too sensitive… I do it to. I soooo wish I could change it. Chin up + mainlining coffee works for me. Happier days ahead Miss Meg. You’re awesome. Awesome Awesome Awesome, and it’s ok to be crabby when you’re so awesome!
[url=”http://www.wholesalejerseysleague.com”]cheap nfl jerseys[/url] This is my first time reading your blog. I was introduced via Farmgirl Paints. I am amazed at this small world! I lived in Junction City/Manhattan/Ft.Riley,Kansas for 10ish years and my Dad’s family is all in Michigan near Grand Rapids! Where about in MI were ya’ll? Fun times. Love the Loma! We almost went there last week, while we were on “OUR” beach!! But we never had a rain day!! so fun! absolutely love the pic of talby’s bite marks in the peach. 🙂 very clever. Love it! Simple FUN! I’ve picked peaches in south Texas in June. It was excruciatingly HOT and sticky. Anything outdoors in South Texas after May until October is pretty much HOT and sticky! haha! So jealous on the fruit picking. When my parents lived in Portland we would go picking all the time with my mom. Such good memories!! Meg, that looks so fun! Ok, if I promise to put the kids to bed next year, I can come, right?! LOVE that first pic of the girls. and really? Fluff & Suds – genius name for a store! Awwwww 🙂 Cliffhanger…I’ll tune in tomorrow to find out what it is!!!!! love how lauren has the cell in her hand even in the family picture! hahaha…. reminds me of my brothers (i have 2 teenage brothers that live with my husband, baby and i). we will go on family vacay’s and the cell phones are always present…. even at the campfire! great pics. looks like you all are having a blast. 🙂 Looks like fun! We live in Northern MI and I was surprised to see you vacationing here 🙂 I was wondering if you are renting a house?! We were thinking about renting one for next summer in the UP (a real adventure and an extra long drive for you)but maybe St. Joe would be good to! Hope you are having a relaxing time in MI, sometimes you forget how beautiful a place is when you already live there! Love the kids crafts…keep ’em coming! mmm, the peaches look yummy, and I can’t wait to see what Dave brought! Love the picture of the kids on the bench. So “Doin’ their own thing”. You are a really good photographer. Scott and Annie are adorable together! a lot of fun stuff going on there!! We love to pick fruit and then make it into the yummiest jam ever!-Meg hi! Good ol’ fashioned fun:) I love small towns. We saw that movie last weekend. Pretty cute. I love Lauren’s comeback. I can’t believe I’ve become one of those texting crazy people. Weird! what a great time and cannot beat those movie prices. Love your blog!! Where exactly did you go? I am with Dana. You are making me want to try Michigan next year 🙂 Nothing beats good, clean, CHEAP, fun! DOnt you love having a teenager! Our oldest just turned 13 and I am hoping we still have a couple of years before we have to force family fun on her,lol! 50 cent soda and popcorn!!! I didn’t think that was possible other than at home. WOW. I love Michigan. I love lauren’s sandals from the orchard pics! Hi – this looks great – love the low-level easy stuff that keeps most of the family happy! I especially like the shot of them walking away in amongst the peach trees. Lucky you to have the climate! This post reminds me of my American friend from Indiana…not sure why…just simple pleasures I guess. Lou x It really is the simple things that make a holiday great!! You’ve captured some great moments! Megan, on vacation….you can do whatever you want. Looks wonderful! Don’t you love those friends that are like family?! It is great just to BE with them not necessarily have to DO, DO, DO!!! Glad you got a break! can we join you next summer? Megan, Sounds simply devine.. Sounds great! We are kinda just being lazy at home while my hubby is off! sounds dreamy! lucky kids 🙂 just as it should be…vacay at it’s finest! The beach is my favourite place to be, i feel so relaxed and peaceful there. I could just sit there all day and soak up the Smells, sounds, etc Looks and sound blissful! What a neat way to journal a page out of vacation! Will have to try that sometime 🙂 Funny how 3:55 pm can be one of the most stressful times of the day when one is not on vacation, but when that vacation flag is waving it’s certainly one of the best! Just read more and now see that you were near St. Joseph…which is the exact town I patterned my “Sweethaven” after! I cannot believe what a small world. Isn’t it beautiful there?? 🙂 Meg, the beach in Michigan and a fictional cottage town based on a real place are the setting for my novel for Guideposts. I see you found the same charm there that I did when I visited. It’s so calm and quiet and empty. I loved it. I hope you are recharging! 🙂 your vacation sounds PERFECT!!!! sounds like fun – look at it this way: the stairs help you “earn” those margaritas! 🙂 It sounds great Meg! It is nice just to relax when on holiday rather than having a schedule and trying to cram every little bit in every day. Sounds like a perfect vacation to me! I am jealous! I think we are going to try for a road trip with the kids during spring break……maybe St Louis then Chicago…..or the other way around! Sounds PERFECT!!!!! Meg, that sounds amazing. So happy for you! All the lounging makes me sleepy, looks like it was a very relaxing vacation! You really captured the peacefulness in your photos. |
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Mrs. - I am DYING to know where you went in MI…I SUMMER in MI (yes, summer is a verb in my family). We have absolutely the tiniest cottage in Bay View, MI. You would love it. Whole summer of education, religion, recreation, and arts. You should come next year. Honestly, eight weeks to revive you for the rest of the crazy year.
Lisa B - Love your blog….love your pictures!! Where is that sweet yellow frilly bathing suit from…must have one for my daughter!!
Chicago Jen - I remember how Dave was always making the fires and Craig was always posing for the pictures. ha ha!
amy d - i hear ya!!
love the rainbow umbrella and annie’s yellow suit!
jen - Craig in a swimsuit=NICE.
purejoy - love this post. i’d miss it too. looks like you had a blast. my favorite picture was craig the crane. ha!
lovely colors. i could hear the waves and the laughter and the wood crackling. thanks for bringing me along. and yes… WHAT BEACH??
Traci - oh, i hear ya girl. i miss it too. i keep trying to figure out a way to go back – soon. everything about the beach speaks to me. i need to live there. someday.
Laura Phelps - I miss it too
and I want Annie’s yellow ruffle suit
sweet…..
Stefanie - I love the fire pit! Looks like you guys had an awesome time. We finally live near beaches, now that we’re only 25 minutes from Seattle, WA and its been one FUN summer!
Debbie S. - Florida always seems like “the place to go for a beach vacation” but your pictures and stories prove that Michigan is equally as wonderful….less crowded..just as beautiful..what could be better? I envy your long trip…this year our vacation consisted of 8 different weekend trips for baseball/soccer tournaments. Yuck, but I’m getting good at navigating our way through KC and Memphis 🙂
Catherine - Love this – miss these midwest beaches, too. And hoping/assuming that y’all will see Troy and Tara this weekend, and imagining what a lovely post – convergence of blog-worlds – that will be.
Lisa - oh, it’s no wonder, such great pictures! And, I hear ya, just got back from Lake Tahoe, CA, and so enjoyed the lake beach!
Casey - Totally agree! We just returned from 2 weeks in La Jolla and I still credit you with our tide pool discoveries. It was lovely!
Mindy Harris - i loved your photo sequence/video of you going down the plastic tarp. you’re too cute.
i have odd, sometimes funny post-pregnancy dreams, and last night you were in one..i can’t remember what we were doing, but we were best friends and you asked lots of good questions.
whatever that means? ha.
Lynn - Love the karate kid pose – classic. 🙂
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=561477258 - I love that umbrella! The beach is my favorite place ever. The sounds are my favorite part about it.
Jess Mead - Oh your pictures make me want to pack up and go this weekend! It looks soo relaxing!!
Annie - Michigan beaches are beautiful! As a Michigander I’m glad you got the opportunity to visit!
Genn - Well shoot, you just made me miss your beach!
Great pictures! I love that one of your daughter in her polka dot swimsuit as the sun is setting! So beautiful. And I just bought my oldest that same swimsuit. Man do I love Target.
And the yellow ruffly suit… so so so cute.
Happy Thursday:)
lindalou - headed for the beach next week at this time going to california to housesit): i know its a sad job but since amy and craig can’t jim and i can(: great pictures of the beach and your family. blessings. lindalou
Kelly - where in michigan was this?? We are looking to rent a house next summer and wonder if you could recommend where you stayed??
beth - I love all your pictures! Love the fact you built a fire on the beach…how neat…I have seen it in the movies but just never done this but I am going to get hubby to make me one cause we leave for a smll weekend at the beach next week.
Jessie - I forgot to mention that there is a chalkboard globe…
http://cactuscreekdaily.com/love-it/jimt-idea-globes
hope you love it!
Jessie - LOVE your Happy Things…you have to check out the globes I found here… http://cactuscreekdaily.com/love-it/jimt-idea-globes Love this blog too! Must be a globey kinda day!
Trish - You can come stay with us 🙂 We don’t live right on Lake Michigan, but we have biked or roller bladed there before 🙂
Where did you get Annie’s swimsuit? the yellow one… adorable!
Aimee - Omg I LOVE the Karate Kid stance. lol!
Meredith - I LOVE Annie’s little yellow swimsuit. So adorable. I wish they made that in my size! Your pictures are beautiful, as always. Is it just me, or do your friends (husband and wife) look JUST ALIKE? Crazy!
Janine - Beautiful pictures. Is that lake Michigan? Seriously looks like it could be the ocean. You know, you remind me of how fortunate I am to be able to go to the beach on a moments notice and yet I take it for granted and still don’t go often enough. One of the perks of living on Long Island. I’ve been to the Sound, but not the ocean this summer and that has been bugging me. The jellyfish are probably out in force now and then you can’t go swimming in the ocean. It takes me less than an hour to get there and I really should just make the time and go. The Hamptons are calling my name after seeing these pics!
Kacey - Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live on or by the beach? That is my dream, too…
Esther - I’m so very sad for you today…I live at the beach in California but the weather has not been exactly warm at all,lots of clouds and cold, very weird summer. What beach were you that allowed you to make fires right on the sand?? you cannot do that here in CA. Have a great rest of the summer 🙂
patti - we went for a weekend trip to the beach for my birthday last weekend and i miss it too. it was so beautiful. i’m a beach kind of girl. i think i’ll need to retire to a beach town.
Jacqui - I miss it too and i wasn’t even there! i want so bad to go to the beach, take a week off and lay in the sand …. maybe one day soon!
Susan - What beach is this? Not a Cali beach yeah? If it was there would be a ton of people and no place to move around. I love the trees and the tall grass in the background. Beautiful.
Heather Richter - I miss our beach…Siesta Key in Sarasota. It is so white and the sand feels like flour.
Love Talby’s pic of her writing her name in the sand.
Love the little yellow frilly bathing suit…sweet.
Love the couple’s pics(we don’t take enough of those).
Love that you had a great time, with great friends.
~Heather R.
tara pollard pakosta - dear meg,
out of all the blogs i read, and there are lots,
yours is my all time top fave! i can always count on your for showing such fun, wonderful pictures, posting just what i need to hear, posting real life thoughts that i can relate to and not just the warm fuzzy things everyone posts. you are so real to me and i just want to put your blog into a book and sit and read it. seriously, it’s magic! this post is BEAUTIFUL!!! makes me want to get to the beach too!
xoxoxox
tara
Tracy - Well I am heading there tonight so I will take it all in for you too – okay?! :o) Pictures are awesome as always. I know I will have tons of pictures to show but they will never be as beautiful as the ones you take. Big hugs! :o)
Melanie - I love the beach too:) Your photos are beautiful.
Marina - Oh, how I miss it too! Can’t wait for summer to be back! People always think here in Brazil we have summer all year long, but it’s just not true!
Here’s a website I thought you may like! Beautiful fabrics!
http://cloud9fabrics.com/home.htm
Marina
http://doceconfissao.wordpress.com/
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh I would too. Looks like an amazing time!
Suzette - Me too. These photos made me yearn for a beach day.
j - I have the beach. I miss “normal” places.
Melissa - Got to love that KU cap!!
Rock Chalk!
elma - Love the pictures!!! You guys are all soooo cute!! I love that beach to:)
Niki - You look REALLY happy in that last photo! Thanks for sharing your fun!
Kimberlee J. - Me, too. Nearly every day of my life. Sigh.
Michelle - Australia - I’m the third Australian to comment on your pics. Maybe we should start up a ‘We Love Meg’ Aussie fan club?
It’s winter here in Australia but I live in Brisbane which is on the same latitude as Tampa, FL. So we can swim about 9 months of the year. And yes, we LOVE the beach too!
Great pics and great post – as always!
Kat - Gorgeous pics as always.
You inspired me to get out and take lots of pics outside with my kids today.
We are lucky enough to live by the beach in Tasmania, Australia.
Even in winter, it is still a lovely place to be.
You guys look so relaxed and happy and I must say you and Craig are such a good looking couple.
Holly - I think I miss it too! 😉
Vicki Esh - I just came back from spending a weekend in Michigan. I grew up on Lake Huron and even though I’ve been gone for 15 years, it’s still home to me. Thanks for capturing the beauty of Michigan. There’s no place like it!
Mallory - Now that beach has oil in thanks to a wonderful company in Kalmazoo…. I absolutely love the pictures your post… p.s. any new good recipes?
nora - I miss the s’mores. I wasn’t even there! Stove-top s’mores just aren’t the same, ya know?
Great pictures!
jennibell - Beautiful pictures. Beautiful memories. So glad for you that you were able to do this this summer and you were renewed for another year. There is nothing like spending time with family and best friends 🙂
Julie - Your photos make me miss the beach! One of the reasons we chose to go to Alabama in a year ~ two hours from the ocean!! After being “landlocked” for nine years, we can hardly wait to just pile into the van, spend the day at the beach, and head home. I’m definitely envying (in a good way!) your vacation!!!
Dana@Bungalow'56 - Megan,
I loved the little yellow bathing suit. That is as cute as it can get. For some reason I was noticing clothes instead of the beach. It’s a survival mechanism (no beaches near us.) I also loved your green Tee. Where is it from? Plus the necklace you are wearing with it is perfect. Pictures…as always, wonderful.
Dana
Nikki - I miss the beach too 🙁
Alicia - I just love your photos! You make me want to go to the beach (even if it is still winter here in Sydney!) & take heaps of photos. Like that photo of the brightly coloured umbrella- so simple, but looks so good in a photo!