Masthead header

bookstore

aunt jan…
look what we did today.

Img_7998_2

we went to borders to spend our gift card.

Img_8006_2

Img_8016_2

we had books everywhere.
the salelady was getting so anxious…totally hovering.
we read more and more books.

Img_8008_2

Img_8005_2

Img_8020_2

here’s my pile i never got to touch.
it’s quite different going with the kids…
no coffee.
no chair.
no looking at anything that doesn’t rhyme or pop-up.

Img_7999_2

Img_8032_2

these were the final selections.
sean’s is obviously the Pirate/Diaper book.
annie picked Dora’s Manners. (sounds great to me)
scott picked Stink – it’s a chapter book.
and at the last second talby switched her choice to Flotsam.
it turned out that it has no words!
but the art is amazing….
loved it.

Img_8033_2

thank you again aunt jan.

traci - what a fun day at the bookstore!!! i love the bookstore. i would love to own one. wouldn’t that be fun. i too am sorry you didn’t get to your pile of magazines. i have a thing with magazines and it would have killed me to not get to peek in them. have a great day!

siobhan - Happy New Year to the Duerksen family. When ever I read your “Blog” (which I admit is most days!!)I come away with a smile. I am in awe at how you accomplish so much and inspires me to do more and I only have two boys!!!! My husband enjoys the cooking that results from your recipies as does my 3yr old who enjoys licking the bowl. Anyway, thankyou for sharing your thoughts, inspirations and life, it really is a joy to read them all the way over here in Australia!! Isnt it amazing that technology allows us to do this!! As my 8yr old continually tells me ‘your just from the olden days mum!’

Jan Ashmore - Megan, how lovely you are! I am so honored and touched by today’s blog – such a special way to be thanked.
I love you!!!
Aunt Jan

Jennifer P. - What a wondeful way to thank your aunt. And sorry you didn’t get to your magazine stack–they looked very invitin!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

2008 – woo hoo!

Img_7992_2

when i really think about it…
i am nervous for 2008 because of how challenging 2007 was.
my kids are going to each get older this year
and that means more changes and more challenges!
more frustrations.
i don’t look forward to another year of always thinking
“how do i handle this?”
can i handle this?”
so if i was to say a resolution…
it would be
to be less angry.
figure out the secret to staying neutral in my discipline.
try to be an empathetic (not pathetic) mother.
give more hugs.

that’s all one resolution…not four.
they are a package deal.

but i AM looking forward to creativity that will come of 2008.

Img_6532_2

i don’t know what i will create….
anything creative is good.
i may begin to paint…did i say that? we’ll see.
it fills my heart.

and i look forward to a bathroom for only me and craig.

Img_7996_2

not this one..but just the idea of it…
2008 will bring a sink that is just for me.
a tooth brush holder…just for me.
soap and a brush just for me.
no little kiddies allowed.
it will be a dream come true..
i would start demo tonight if we could.

talby and i finally made the pom pom garland.

Img_7972_4

Img_7970_4

we each made a strand.
she caught on right away.
that’s me wearing the plaid jammies
(because it IS my christmas break uniform)
and it was 4:00 in the afternoon.

Img_7973_4

looks like a pro…
she said quietly “we’re just like 2 moms..sewing together…hee hee”

Img_7975_4

they are kind of funky colors?
i think we are going to hang them in our sunday school classroom.

and one more thing..
this is long isn’t it?
i took lauren and her friend to the mall today.
there were 10 pictures like this on her camera…

Img_0907_2

total goofballs.
and suddenly…she likes pink.
changes her mind after all these years.

we shopped seperately.
and when i went to the register
with my pile of clearance items…
everything was half price of the clearance price!
i felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
i guess i just misundersood the signs.
it was awesome.

Julie K - I’m jealous of your pom pom garland. :o)

Chaos-Jamie - They still sneak in and steal your hairbrush.

Lee Ann - Thanks for the idea of the pom pom garland! My daughter (4) and I made them for our Christmas tree. We loved it!

prairie daze - great resolution…i hear you.
more patience is what i want.

Jennifer P. - Half-price clearance items, piles of ribbon, pom-pom garlands–lots of stuff to make me feel a bit giddy in this post!
Great goals for 2008! I really struggled with the whole discipline neutrality thing too, then we got our ‘repentance bench’. When my kids come to me claiming that ‘he did this’ or ‘he did that’, rather than being the meanie old referee who makes a wrong call–I send them both (in a happy, calm way!) to go sit on the repentance bench. They have to stay there until they can tell me what THEY did wrong–not the other guy. Then they have to apologize to one another, promise to try harder, and HUG! I think they learned the term “I provoked him” really quickly! It has been a total lifesaver in this house, and I picture my dear children when they’re grown fighting over who gets to keep the repentance bench because of all the FOND memories made there!
(We also have something called family court for “airing of grievances”–but this has gone on way too long already, and you didn’t even ASK for any advice. Sorry :).)Happy New Year!

traci - happy new year to you and your family. i hope 2008 is wonderful for you. you have the cutest kids and i am sure 5 is way harder than 2, but they seem like great kids and you are a awesome fun mom. i think 08 will be a breeze for ya. i need to get to the mall for some of those savings. i am not really a shopper, but i would be for half off of half off! have a great day!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

christmas card 2007

here is our christmas card for this year…
in slideshow version.
not as good of quality as in iPhoto…
but still neat.
all these pictures were on the blog
at some point this year i think.
now they are all in one spot.

(grandma…just click on the arrow to play it.)

the song is Amazing Grace by Jars of Clay.

one more day of 2007.

melissa @ the inspired room - A beautiful family. A beautiful song. A beautiful life. A beautiful Christmas card!
Wishes for an abundance of blessings in 2008!
Melissa

Lauren - HAPPY HAPPY FIRST-DAY-OF-2008 TO YOU!
Your Christmas Card ’07 was the BEST! What a way to count your blessings…and I LOVE Jars of Clay! I’m so wishing you guys lived just down the street b/c my kids LOVE looking at the photos of what YOUR kids are doing – they’d have a great time together!
All my best! Take care!!
xoxo

Lee Ann - I LOVE your blog. I was shocked to see your comment on mine. Amazing how we find each other. Your photos are the best. I keep showing them to hubby. I even showed him your lense. He says you just have great lighting in your house….hmmm. Your chicken enchilladas rocked! I had to make them with corn tortillas but they were still yummy!

danelle - I loved this. What a great way to summarize your year. Makes you feel blessed doesn’t it. You have an awesome family!

Jennifer P. - Here I am-first again :)! Those pictures are so beautiful, I felt like hugging my computer! Your children will love you forever for capturing their moments in childhood in such an amazing way!
I have to share one funny quick story. There’s a self-portrait of you with your camera. I had seen it before and was trying to figure out what kind of camera you used. I noticed what looked like a crescent moon on it, so I thought it must be some fancy, Turkish camera I’d never heard of (a medium format, maybe? I thought). I called my husband (the photog guy in our house) to tell me if he could recognize the brand, and–trying to stifle laughter he said “It says CANON dear, it’s backwards–it’s a mirror, CANON, not a Turkish camera! SO, there you go. You and your Canon do a superb job, us and our two lens Pentax dream of being you when we grow up!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

can’t forget this

i don’t want to forget….

craig’s mom asking for annie to sing her program song.
she stood up on a chair in front of us all
she shouted very loud waving her arms
“EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!”
not Away in the Manger.
then she giggled like crazy.
so did we.

Img_7785_2

craig’s mom opening her gift with annie’s help
she says “we got dat! we got dat fo you at da MOLLL!! yeah…da moll”
nodding her head up and down.
she likes to talk about the mall.

Img_7841_2

scott reading the christmas story for all of us on christmas morning.

Img_7869_2

annie being sick for all of christmas.
poor baby.

Img_7930_2

all the christmas art…
different every year.

Img_7644_2

annie knocking over a table in my mom’s kitchen
with a candle, lots of dishes and food on it…
trying to get to her beloved playdoh in the bottom drawer.
we were very lucky that she wasn’t hurt.
wow…it was the loudest sound i have ever heard!
when we were leaving my dad hugged annie and said
“thanks for breaking my dishes”
she said “Wham-pa that was a ass-i-dent!”

Img_7769_2

the beautiful snow that almost ruined christmas.
(those are my mom’s christmas lights shining through the snow.
it was nearly impossible to drive in.
thankful that everyone made it safely.

Img_7892_2

a really lovely time with craig’s dad’s side of the family.
so nice to just sit and talk this year.
i really enjoyed it.
becky’s house looked so pretty.

Img_7905_4

Img_7902_2

fondue at our house…2nd year in a row.
we love hosting parties.
craig’s family has fondue every year…
anything you can dip or fry – they do it.
lots of food…
then games for the rest of the evening.
chad, ross and gary you are too funny.
“terry brown”
“meat lover’s pizza”

Img_7914_2

seeing everyone get excited when they opened their aprons.

Img_7939_2

meeting amy’s friends from college
and getting this beautiful handmade christmas greeting…in chinese.

Img_7821_2

changing our christmas this year.
giving each child only one gift and their stocking…
and seeing how happy they were.
no complaining (lauren tried to be unhappy but couldn’t stay that way.)

hope your christmas was full of funny special memories too.

Lee Ann - Hi Meg,
Would you share some favorite fondue recipes? I’ve had two pots for many years and have never used them! I know, I know….I’m scared to try something and have it be gross. After those killer chicken enchilladas though, I’d trust your taste any day!

Bonnie - Hi Megan! Just got your Christmas letter & photos! Thanks for the update – I can’t believe how big the kids are getting. I love your blog also & I now feel like I’ve been to your house. It’s spectacular! I’m glad to see that you have parlayed your creative talents to the web!
Take care & Happy New Year!!! Tell us when you are in Chicago next.

michelle - Thank you for sharing, I love your blog. My husband and I talked about switching to the 3 present thing also. I like the 1 present idea even better. This year was such a scramble it seemed to take the fun and the focus off of the true meaning of Christmas. We even talked about doing no gifts and going on a trip instead. There will be a change of some sort that’s for sure.
Happy New Year!

meg duerksen - hi girls.
i am responding to your comments here…it seems the easiest.
thanks for the compliments first of all. very much.
we went to one present this year because christmas just seemed to have become a time of greed and entitlement. it was very frustrating my husband and i. and with 5 kids…it just becomes too much “stuff”. and they need nothing.
we almost said no gifts at all. and we may still do that someday.
we told them that we would pick out one thing we knew they’d like. they were shocked at first but had the month to prepare and it went smooth as silk. i was proud of them.
talby kind of believes in santa but we rarely talk about him…and annie is clueless. talby asked me if i got her the hannah montana dolls and i said yes. they believe in santa for such a short time that i just don’t even mess with it…we let them believe if they want. but we dont’ make a point to talk about him.
their stockings had candy…chapstick…a cheap DVD or CD…little toys…make-up…a pack of socks and a pack of underwear. that’s why they were in boxes…the underwear and socks wouldn’t fit in the stockings. and they ALL needed new socks and underwear. 🙂
so thank you for the encouragement.
it is just our small way of trying to bring christmas into perspective…what it’s about…not what we get.
happy new year!
-meg

Julie K - Hi Megan!
I LOVE your christmas idea of one gift and stocking! I do three gifts each because of the gifts from the wise men, but one nice gift each is a great great idea! Your photos of course are beautiful as always. I’m so inspired.

Andrea - loved seeing all the beautiful pictures of your christmas. I really have enjoyed visiting your blog this year and look forward to the same next year. I am glad to hear that your one present thing worked out so well. My husband and I decided that next year we would do something similar. I had seen on another blog (and can’t remember where but thought it was brilliant ) that each child gets something they want, need, something to wear and something to read. Santa brings them one special presents and some fun stocking stuffers and that is it! Would love to hear about your 1 present. Was that from you or santa???? Happy New Year

Dana D - Hi! I recently discovered your blog, and am hooked! Your pictures are beautiful! I also am inspired by your sewing and decorating projects!
We’ve always let our children pick 3 presents, to symbolize gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This year was the first time it didn’t work. Our oldest changed his mind the week before Christmas, and it was just too late to do anything about it. I’ve been telling my husband that maybe we should narrow it down to just one thing. You’ve inspired me! I’d love some ideas on what types of goodies you put in their stockings.
Thanks for sharing!

Jennifer P. - Once again–great pictures, great stories! (I promise I do other things besides sit in front of the computer, even though I’m always first to comment–if I have something to say, I’m gonna say it :)!) The apron recipients were very lucky. SO cute! We do the one gift and stocking thing too, then let the boys draw names amongst themselves so they’re only buying for one brother. Kids really are pretty content if we let them be, huh? Glad you made so many wonderful memories. Thanks again for sharing your photographic talent with all of us!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

christmas memories

what a wonderful christmas.
really really lovely.
lots of snow and lots of family.
happy kids
happy family
lots and lots of laughing.

Img_7867_2

Img_7853_2

“stockings” came in boxes this year.

Img_7857_2

Img_7858_2

is that a smile?!!
IS SHE SMILING???!!!

Img_7824_2

Img_7848_2

“knee high socks!!”
she will only wear knee highs this year.
so she was thrilled about 4 new pairs.

Img_7924_2

hannah montana and friends.

Img_7862_2

heeleys.
shoes with wheels in the heel.
this was what scott wanted.
now…how many days till a broken arm?

Img_7874_2

sean received legos from everyone.
he said at my mom’s
“this is one of the best days of my entire life!”

Img_7929_2

Img_7883_2

i hope you all had a wonderful christmas too.
we all got new jammies…even me.
this is my official christmas break uniform.
messy hair, no make-up and giant coffee cup required.

Shannan - Holy moley. This is from ONE YEAR ago. No wonder I missed it. I didn’t even know you a year ago. 🙂

Shannan - I am digging around here for your ABC crayon craft and stumbled upon 2 or 3 Christmas posts that I somehow missed. Horror! We were probably out-of-town. Anyway, I love that little row of babies with pacies in their mouths. Where did you find them? Ruby would be all over that.
And PS – I’m trying the ABC crayons for Calvin’s non-edible birthday treat for his friends at pre-school. I wanted to give them each a little bag with the letters of their names. Only problem is…I cannot for the life of me get an S, M or N that doesn’t crack! Is there some trick for this? Plan B is going to have to be a bag of random, compliant letters.

traci - fun christmas pictures – thanks for sharing. love the jammies and big coffee mug. you look so comfy!!

Christine - Heeleys seem to be the gift of choice this year. My nephew conned my parents into getting a pair for him. He is so excited. Your Christmas sounds wonderful. Hope you and the fam continue to enjoy the spirit of the season.

amy - Love the sock monkey jammies! 🙂

Jennifer P. - Thanks for dropping by! These are REALLY great Christmas photos–so much fun! The doll ones are the best (not a lot of those around here). I also adore your sock monkey jammies. And yes….my decorations really are all down. My little ones seemed to sense that Christmas was over and all bets were off concerning not un-decorating the tree. I left a few “wintery” feeling things out and I’m making my banner like you did tonight. It’s a “Happy New Year” one. Thanks again for the idea!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

gingerbread man

it started out innocently enough…

Img_7645_2

Img_7653_2

grandma had gingerbread men for the kids to decorate.
great idea grandma!
we made sure there was plenty of frosting.
no one had to wait to create.

Img_7655_2

Img_7654_2

Img_7657_2

mmmm….looks yummy?

Img_7658_2

Gabrielle - I bet they had fun doing them….My Dd made one at her school…which came out pretty cute…but while I was having her take a picture I had her tilt it and the guy fell down and broke his leg and arm…we had to take him to the gingerbread hospital for some surgery…

Mom - Hmmm…I didn’t really have time to notice how they looked! No wonder they were as hard as a rock! I watched Sean trying to eat a big piece = it was pretty funny. Merry Christmas, everyone! I sure had a good time with everyone at my house.

Jennifer P. - My three year old especially loved this post (he’s sitting on my lap right now!). He’s a big marshmallow fan! What a neat idea! Never thought of making them oversized before!
Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top

exciting day

we finally saw santa.
he happened by craig’s office yesterday.
with rudolf and the grinch.

Img_7615_2

this is talby’s face she makes when she is nervous…
always.

Img_7616_2

annie was keeping close eye on that grinch.
but they weren’t afraid.
and there was no crying.
santa misunderstood what talby was asking for.
she said “it’s okay…when he brings me that i will just give it to annie”

Img_7619_2

just as i was about to get the perfect shot…
annie was done.
“see ya”

Img_7621_2

Img_7622_2

upstairs on their way to craig’s office
they saw him again through the glass wall.
knock knock knock
“santa!! santa!!”

Img_7623_2

then some time to play on daddy’s marker board.
and computer.
and mess up all his drawers.
and eat cookies from their christmas party.

Img_7631_2

then we went to the carwash.

Img_7635_2

seriously…this was the highlight of their week!
better than santa?
better than cookies?
these girls know how to party.

Jennifer Peterson - I love the car wash photos as much as the Santa ones!!! I remember well the day my kids went from screaming in terror when I’d go in, to actually laughing and enjoying it. You have a brave daughter to hug a big green hairy monster :0!

prairie daze - i remember so clearly what it was like to sit on santa’s lap…how strange it was in some ways…
i was probably like annie…suddenly all done.
: )

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top