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twelve

November 14, 2013

talby this is talby at her 3rd birthday. we even got the huge Dora helium balloon.
annie was 9 days old for this party and we moved to Kansas the week after her birthday.

talby requested the yummy cake from sam’s club.
i was super happy to do that. (saves time on busy birthdays) i picked up the star picks at target.
but i added the glitter.
and i glittered the candles too… which you can tell when it’s close up but not enough to matter.
martha would care.
i do not… i just wanted some glitter for the GOLDEN day.

fyi…a golden birthday is when you birth date matches your age…it’s a made up thing… just makes it fun when it happens.
so she turned twelve on the twelfth.
and then sean turns 14 on the 14th next year (in 2014!!)
we missed everyone else’s in our family.

for talby’s Golden Birthday i thought it would be fun to get her a “Golden Gift”.
basically i just wandered through stores and picked out anything i could find that was GOLD.

gold chocolate coins … gloves … a necklace & earrings … party decorations … thank you cards …
gold pencils … gold sharpie … gold pens & stickers from the $1 Spot at target … gold nail polish …
gold polka dot shirt … sparkley sunglasses … glitter spray for your hair …. a gold pouch
all in a gold gift box covered in glitter!!!

oh my goodness it was so fun to put together!

the other gifts she got from us or other people in her life included Taylor Swift perfume, clothes, Keds (like taylor Swift wears) diary of a wimpy kid book, two other books and some money. (someone asked me to post that) sean and annie each made talby a comic – hilarious as always.

just before bedtime and before lauren went back to school and just before the KU game started we attempted a selfie shot in the nearly dark living room.
man…. i sure wish it had been good quality.
this was a great shot.
if only we had had some light. oh well. we got this. it’s better than nothing.
even spanky made it in the picture.

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Jenn - Love it! Especially all the gold gifts! Great idea.

meg duerksen - ummmm…. that is an old copy of Fix it and Forget It. a crockpot cookbook 🙂

Tiffany - It’s so good to see your family all together! Happy special birthday to Talby!

meredith - I love how you ran with the golden birthday! The things you (both) picked out are awesome! So much fun! Happy birthday to Talby! Love the photo comparison too. More of those would be cool. 🙂

Jennie - Those are the days… Can you believe it that time has past so quickly?

Soon she will be going to college…

Birthdays are a bittersweet moment. We’re glad and we’re sad. A little bit.

God bless your family.

Jennie

On a side note-
I can’t believe Dora the explorer is actually that old!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Calvin is nosing his way through your post. “That’s cool!” “Who is that?” “Are those chocolate coins??!”

🙂

I love your family photo and I want a slice of that CAAAAAAKE!

Melissa G. - Meg, you are such a fun Mom!!!! 🙂

Angela - My golden birthday (25th) was back in May – I would like a re-do as no one *cough* my husband *cough* thought to put gold glitter on my cake or buy me gold candles. Dangit! Happy birthday, Talby!

Jen - What a great idea…love the gold theme!

Barbara (WA) - What a fabulous idea for a Golden Birthday (which I knew nothing about when raising my boys, darn)!! Pinning it now for grandchildren reference, heh.

Jessica - Is Lauren reading “The Known World”????

Linda - You really are awesome. And have the most wonderful ideas. Golden birthday that is such a fabulous idea!

Lisa - Happy birthday to Talby – she is growing into a beautiful young lady! 🙂

Molly - Oh so fun! Happy Birthday to Miss Talby!! Great picture of the whole fam! I bet she enjoyed having her big sister home. Hope college life is going well for Lauren. My hubs works division I athletics and i know this can be a tough time of year for college kids. 🙂

Suzanne - Thank you for sharing Talby’s Golden Birthday!
Best Wishes for many more, Talby!!!

Tiffany - Oh what a goober, it was her 12th Birthday! Still didn’t know that was Golden, but I like it.

Amanda - Small Home Big Start - What a great idea for a golden birthday!

Tiffany - Oh Momma, u outdid yourself. What a sweet gift. (I didn’t know 13 was a golden year, did u make that up? ). I hope she loves that her Big Sis made it home for her bday, all of it warms my heart this Friday morning. P.S. I have a suggestion for another book she might like, Wreck this Journal. Maybe for Christmas? it would be great for the two girls to do together. I’m pumped to do it with my 6 year old, but I have a few years yet 🙂 Happy Friday!

Laura - “if only we had some light”……..

TRUST ME my friend…that picture shines a light brighter than you know!!!!

I have pictures of Belle and Talby together..they are LITTLE.
Wouldn’t it be fun to get them together NOW??
Big kids, glitter wearing, Taylor Swift loving, making their own cupcakes, pre teen girls……
sigh….

miss you
and love to Talby
she has the same birthday as my dog 🙂

Laura O - Love that gold polka dot shirt! So cute! I wonder if it comes in my size…..haha! Happy birthday Talby!

Heather G - (Ugh, WAS, not is. I hate when I make editing errors in comments!)

Heather G - Happy Birthday, Talby!

Confession: I am 31 and I love all of her gifts! That shirt is so adorable, and when I was growing up I thought spray hair glitter is THE JAM. (it pretty much still is.) You’re such a great mom, Meg! 🙂

angie - happy 12th birthday to talby… i hope her day was super! the golden gift is so thoughtful… and her at 3 with her dora cake… so sweet! my oldest turns 12 in January… i can’t even believe it…

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i can’t think of a title.

November 11, 2013

this sky last week.
it was SO unreal… looked like a painting.

those clouds went on and on and on.
for as far you could see… tiny puffy clouds.
i pulled over on a dirt road to take this shot.

waffle is a big baby.
if i would let him up into my lap he would try it.

kitten squeezes and loves happen every where.
even on the trampoline.

finally get some more running in.
like once a week.
but i am making my way back.
scenes like this make it much easier to be out there running. 🙂
we scheduled a race again in december (4 miles) just to get out there and not be too tempted to give up.
i am looking forward to it. (and the starbucks afterwards)

i spent the weekend with these lovely ladies…and twelve more awesome girls too.
we finished out 2013 Craft Weekends.
number twenty. i never dreamed it would be this much fun.
so crazy wonderful!!!
we had perfect weather… great projects and super creative women to hang out with.
always such a fabulous time. i will write all about it by next week.
and now…
i get 10 weeks off.

i feel very energized by that statement.
there are so many things i have been wanting to do but just haven’t had the energy for.
my mind has been focused on craft weekends and being a mom and wife.
there wasn’t much more room for anything else that took thinking or planning.
but now i am pumped for the stuff i want to make… lists to check off…. projects i want to start.
i feel ready to get crafty…. for ME and not for work. projects i want to make that are not test runs for CW.
just M A K E stuff for the fun of it.
artsy people need that ya know?
a time to refresh.
i am sure all kinds of people need that… it just looks different for all of us.

so we started right away on a project…. the third floor.
that junk that is up there has been bugging me forever!
craig went through it all with me and carried loads down the three flights and out to the curb.
he made my day.
i found his college basketball uniform while sorting… and of course i put it on and kept it on the entire time we cleaned.

and now that third floor is cleared of all junk.
ready for some ideas that i can dream up.
ahhhhhh….. feels so good!!!
what will the third floor become?! i think i know!
wait and see.

talby has a birthday on tuesday… her GOLDEN birthday.
she turns 12 on the 12th. she turns 12 on 11-12-13.
isn’t that fun?
she is going to have a great day.
i am going to make sure of it. 🙂

she baked and decorated all these cupcakes to bring to school.
she is really awesome.
and man is she funny!
she is hilarious.

i am so glad we get to have her in our family.

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kerry - Toooo much excitement in one post!

those clouds… those cupcakes… that jenny on the spot!

so so lovely. happy birthday talby darling! xx

Kirsten J - Happy birthday Talby! All day today I kept telling people it was a special day….what a cool date for your golden birthday 🙂

Alicia @ La Famille - Kinda teasing us hardcore with the third floor thing there….

Also its my dad’s birthday today and I thought 11-12-13 was so cool!

Karen Gerstenberger - Happy Birthday to your lovely Talby! I’m so glad you mentioned the golden birthday; it’s our David’s golden birthday this month, too – he’ll be 21 on the 21st. My husband said, “Does anyone even think about that anymore?,” and I said, “Yes!” So glad that you do this, too.

Kat - You should frame that pic of the sky and fields, it is amazing.
The sky looks gorgeous and those colours, sigh.
I hope Talby has a good b’day. I saw on facebook where Waffle ate the cupcakes, oops! 🙂

Sara - You look fabulous Meg! I like your hair longer 🙂 Your third floor space looks dreamy….can’t wait to hear what you have in mind. And-I’m so happy for you that you get a break! I love creating to my heart’s content……it is just so satisfying. Enjoy your much deserved break! 🙂 (I use that term loosely…mama’s and wives are always working) 🙂

Jenn - Those leaves! Ah! What a wouldn’t give to have leaves like that. So beautiful! Looks like all good times. Enjoy your break. Can’t wait to see the third floor, maybe in person.

sara @ it's good to be queen - i love these kinds of posts. sweet and lovely. 🙂

CathyC - Oh my gosh! When my group was there we were all dying to know what you would do with that third floor space! Can’t wait to see what it will be.

Tracy - What a fun date for a birthday!! Happy Birthday, Talby!!

Is that the 3rd floor of the craft house or the farmhouse? I can’t wait to see what you do 🙂

Have a great week!

kim - that first pic might be my most favorite ever! 🙂
i think you should make it a canvas, too!

mindy - Can’t wait to see what you come up with for that 3rd floor space. You are just so creative! Love all your pictures, as always.

Jaime ♥ Raising up Rubies - the third floor suspense is killing me.

Chris - Happy birthday to your Talby! I agree with Kelly- it’s cool that your kids can take homemade treats. We can only bring prepackaged stuff which is no fun.

I can’t wait to see what you do with the 3rd floor. We checked it out (since you said we could) it has so much potential!!

Marsha Kern - Happy Birthday to Talby! Do you guys still like living in the country? Will you ever move back to town or will it stay the country? Marsha

kelly - So cool that you guys can take home made treats to school.. That is a thing of the past around here…. Her Cupcakes are awesome and so is she…

Samantha - Happy Birthday Talby! I wish we can take homemade cupcakes to school but they have to be store bought to even be allowed on campus 🙁

Tiffany - I love birthdays and cupcakes, Happy 12th Birthday Talby!!!

Christy - Happy Birthday Talby! I hope it is a good one. The last year of being a preteen!! And Meg, I can’t wait to see what you are going to do with the 3rd floor. A blank slate…so exciting!

Betsy - Hey!! My son turns 12 today too 🙂 A special day indeed!!!

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are you sydney’s hero?

November 10, 2013

this is sydney. she is the niece of my friend Amanda. she has leukemia. she is fighting for her life.
she needs a bone marrow donor.

did you know it is super easy to register as a bone marrow donor? I had no idea either.
it takes about five minutes and all you do is swab the inside of your cheek…that’s it! if you can’t find a bone marrow drive near you, you can actually order a kit online (for free) and swab yourself at home.
And if you love a good party, invite your friends or co-workers to join the registry along with you and host a swab party!

!cid_E159759D-FB8B-40E0-806B-9D40510E7C1C
she is precious. just look at that face! i keep looking into her eyes… thinking about her mom and dad.
cancer SUCKS!
if you are like me you always wish there was something you could do to help.
Well, this time there is! And the great thing is not only could you possibly be helping Sydney but also others who are fighting blood cancer.

DKMS Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei
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The flier is for our local drive in Newton that is happening next weekend, but there are lots of ways everyone can get involved:

LOCALS…

If you are between the ages of 18-55, meet the health criteria, and live in the Newton or Wichita areas mark your calendars! There are two drives going on around here which makes it so easy for you…all you have to do is show up. Remember…it only takes about 5 minutes.

Newton:
Saturday, November 16
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Koerner Heights Church
320 N Meridian Street, Newton, KS

Wichita:
Tuesday, November 19
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Asbury Church
2801 W 15th Street, Wichita, KS

NON-LOCALS…

You can still help! Did you know you can order a kit that will be sent to your home, swab yourself and send it in? Or…that you can host a swab party and invite friends and coworkers to get on the registry along with you?

To order your kit and register online go to Delete Blood Cancer. Under Quick Links click Become a Donor/Register Online. This will take you through the process to order your swab kit. In the personal data section there is a drop down menu that asks where you heard about Delete Blood Cancer and you can choose “Sydney Balzer” so that everyone can be linked in order to see how many people were added in honor of Sydney!

COLLEGE STUDENTS…

YOU ARE NEEDED!! College students, ages 19-25 have the BEST marrow for transplants…they have the lowest rate of their marrow being rejected next to siblings! So, if you are a college student would you consider registering online by ordering a swab kit or hosting a swab party on your campus? Go to Delete Blood Cancer for more information.

WILL YOU CONSIDER DOING THIS SOON??

Right now Sydney has two possible matches from the donor list and neither one of them can be located. Friends and family are spreading the word and hosting drives in order to get as many new names on the list as possible. The plan is for her doctors to run a new report sometime after Thanksgiving when all of these drives are over. Would you consider ordering your swab kit or hosting a swab party before then too? We’d love to get as many new names on the registry as possible and we are praying that one of them would be Sydney’s match! You can join us in praying for Sydney too!

If you order a swab kit or host a swab party I’m sure Sydney’s family would love to know…so leave a comment! And if you have any questions you can leave a comment or visit the Delete Blood Cancer site. You can find a few more facts about bone marrow donation and what happens if you are selected as a match below for those who are wondering.

To learn more about Sydney’s story watch this local news segment and follow the Team Sydney Facebook page.

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tracy fisher - tears and prayers. blessings to you all. -tracy

Karen Gerstenberger - Meg, I am so sorry to see this news, but grateful that you told all of your readers about the Bone Marrow Registry. There is a group called “Be A Hero, Become A Donor” (BAHBAD) that was founded by a woman in CA named Gina. They have a facebook page, so if anyone wants to learn about organizing a donor drive, Gina and BAHBAD can help.
I also want to mention that here in Seattle, there is a clinical trial open for relapsed leukemia using T-Cell therapy (at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, which Katie’s endowment supports). The first patient went into remission in about 9 days, and the second patient is about to receive treatment. If Sydney’s family wants to investigate this, they can look up the Jensen Lab or the Ben Towne Center at http://www.seattlechildrens.org. God bless Sydney and her family!
– Karen Gerstenberger (author of “Because of Katie”)
karenlboren at yahoo dot com.

Tiffany - I was scared even to read this post. This is hard hard hard. I will order the kit for sure.

Elizabeth Cannata - Cancer can bite me! I had cancer when I was 16 years old. I had Hodgkin’s Lynphoma and it took some of the best months and years of my teenage life. But what I gained in return was priceless. I learned not to sweat the small stuff and to enjoy every second of every day. I didn’t know that college students are one of the best populations to use for marrow. GUESS WHAT?? I WORK AT A COLLEGE!!! Guess who is going to have a bone marrow drive at my college? Yep, me!! I will hold this bone marrow drive in Syndey’s honor. Never ever give up hope sweet girl. You can and will win this fight!!!

April R - Praying she finds her match…let us know? Thanks very much Meg

Leah bell - Hey Sydney I donated bone marrow to my then eight year old second cousin 19 years ago. He is going along great all these years later living a wonderful life. Miracles do happen. Stay strong your donor will appear! Sending lots of love and best wishes from Australia

Tanya - Prayers for sweet Sydney. Thanks for sharing this Meg.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Yes to this!
So glad you shared this.
Cory and I got on the registry a couple years ago when they started talking about C needing a transplant in the future. I had no idea it was so simple.
Praying she finds her donor!

Amanda - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU a million times Megan!!! I know there may not be tons of locals that can come out to the drives…but even 5 more could mean all the difference in the world to Sydney, or even be someone else’s match!! Thank you for taking the time to post this for us! You’re the best!

Beth - Unfortunately, I can’t register due to being Type 1 Diabetic, but I will spread the word and the story. Hopefully, She will be match ASAP! Definitely praying for her (and all others like her).

Emily - Hey there!
I am so glad that I was able to read your post today. I just finished signing up to be a donor and I can’t wait to find out what I can do to help! I am a college student and I am SO excited to hear that my age is the best age to donate bone marrow. I can’t wait to see what happens.
Thanks so much for sharing this. Prayers will be sent daily for sweet Sydney.
Emily

Lori - I am already on the registry (joined when my best friend’s son was needing a BMT)but I will most certainly pray for this sweet girl. Thanks for bringing attention to the fact that more donors are needed on the registry.

Tracie M. - My brother needed a donor in the mid-90’s and no one in our family was a match. At that time, my then-fiance, now husband, heard about a marrow drive and we went and registered. My brother was matched and although he passed away, I hoped that someday I would have the chance to be matched and donate. I got a call in 2009 and went through several months of testing and was matched to a 54 year old woman.

There was a lot of medical mystery in our family, with multiple family members dying and no doctor could pinpoint why. As the doctors at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) tested me to figure out if I could donate marrow, they decided there was too much risk to let me donate, BUT they had me speak to a doctor who had discovered a brand new genetic mutation. Another few months passed with more testing on other living family members and we had our medical mystery solved.

God is amazing and His timing is perfect. REGISTER. You just never know if you’ll get that call to help. The registry desperately needs minorities on the list, especially Asian men and women!

Jen - Yes, cancer does suck! My daughter, Katy, and her classmates were just on our local news this week because they are making Rainbow Loom bracelets to raise money to support a fellow 3rd grade boy at their school who is battling Leukemia. He is in an isolation room at a children’s hospital and I know he, too, is having bone marrow issues. I hate this. I pray to God for Gabe and will now also pray for Sydney.

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Fall is the BEST!

November 6, 2013

we headed out for a walk in the woods this past weekend to enjoy all the colors.
when we were walking craig said “who needs camping? one hour in the woods is perfect for us”
SO TRUE!
also the kids ran way ahead so we had a (very) mini date holding hands out on the trail.
i like that.
talby sean feet craig tree
there is a quote for pinterest that i am pretty i made up and claim all the rights to.

fall my favorite time of year.
and as always… it’s changing quickly.
the leaves are blowing away and all the colors are fading.

scott’s football season ended last night.
the others have started their basketball season practicing already.
and at the duerksen house we welcome that whole heartedly.
bring on the basketball baby!

we have one more birthday next week so i have to go get some shopping done.
it gets so much trickier as they get older… toys were so much easier.
i am constantly second guessing myself.
“i don’t know if she will like this or not.”
“if i like this does that mean she will NOT like this?”
“is this too grown up?”
“is this too babyish?”
“why do they have to play the music SO LOUD in here?!”

ha!

i am out of here.
i think starbucks is calling my name first though.

(isn’t it always…..)

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Kat - Your pictures are stunning. I love them all, especially the beautiful colours.
I love autumn too, it’s one of my favourites also.

sara @ it's good to be queen - totally agree. i would rather go hiking for a few hours and then come home to our warm, cozy house. 🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Your stripes + stripes = Like, totally awesome.

melissa@joyineveryseason - Love it all, the fall, the photos, the family walk and the pinterest quote!

Emily - I totally agree–toys were SO much easier…and cheaper! Now they want expensive jeans and electronics 😉 Such pretty photos! Oh, yeah…EMAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristin - Your photos are stunning. I wish I had your eye for composition!

Nicole Oberle - Dude…Kansas has amazing colors this year!! I’m in a photography group and most of them live in KS (I’m in Texas) and the colors are CRAZY!!
Beautiful!! Love your blog:)

Alicia @ La Famille - Love fall…but its always gone too soon. Happy birthday shopping!

Laura H - I feel like I was right there! Gorgeous pictures! I LOVE that Waffle went with!

Pamela - I love that Waffle was included in the picture of everyone’s feet! So cute.

Mindy - Such beauty in the woods – and Fall is one of my favorite times. We lives just a few minutes away from state forest land and it is like being in a different world. Lovely pictures – you capture God’s handiwork beautifully!

Leslie - LOVE Fall too – we are finally having a real one in CA this year – but first thing that I said (out loud!) when I checked your blog today is “Waffle Rocks!!” 🙂

Alice H - I feel the same way about presents and loud music and BRIGHT lights. Haha!

meredith feisel - I love that Mr. Fluffers? came with! Too cute! Great photos as always. I liked Lisa’s comment too. Not sure how you would work it into a post but good question. Thanks again for always keeping us entertained!

Sara - Pics were beautiful! I loved reading your comments about shopping for your kids- so dead on for me! Enjoy!

Christy - Beautiful! LOVE the photos. What a fabulous place to go and soak it all in!

Lisa - These pictures are breathtaking! I would love for you to share tips that you have figured out that help with family/homework/chores time while multiple kids are in sports/practices. For the first time this fall, we had 3 out of our 4 kids in sports. Man, its rough. I never know when to have dinner and when to even make dinner. And we always seem rushed in the evenings to get homework done etc. If you are ever up for sharing some tips I’d love to hear it! All our friends are a few years behind us so we are totally winging it! haha!

KirstenP - Thanks for sharing your fall walk with all of us. Totally love all the colors – reds are especially brilliant. I love the stream – I always think a walk is more special if there is a stream, or creek, or lake, or great lake. Fun to see Mr Fluffers!

CC - I have been enjoyed your site for quite a while now and I have never left a comment before. Because you mentioned Starbucks I just wanted to be sure to let you know that Groupon just posted a great $5 for $10 deal. Enjoy!

I have no affiliation with Starbucks, but I do love their products and I know that you seem to as well.

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N i n e

November 5, 2013

birthdaygirl3
annie turned nine on sunday.
a bit shocking that she is that old.
i can’t believe my baby is nine!
birthdaygirl2 she wanted to go to Build-A-Bear for her birthday party.
she made a bunny and named him Mr. Fluffers.
we went for ice cream before, Chili’s afterwards and Krispy Kreme after that!
it was like a food tour party with a build-a-bear side stop.
annie is full of energy.
everyone says that every where we go.
but she also loves to give hugs and kisses, is very funny, is super smart and loves her sister talby fiercely.
of course she loves all of her family but her love for talby is different.
it is one of my favorite things to watch.
annie is a real joy in our family.
and growing up way too fast… so tall and wearing the biggest size of kids shoes now. birthdaygirl4
i am almost positive that on my ninth birthday i had a cake shaped like a roller skate.
it was so cool.

can you remember your favorite cake? or favorite party?
i know that this one will rank way up there for annie.
she has been dreaming of build-a-bear for YEARS!

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Carly Winborne - The first post I read on your blog was Annie’s fourth birthday and the photos were of her carrying a balloon bouquet down the street. (I’m not crazy and stalkerish, i just was taken with the perfection in that photo.) How in the world has five years passed? I know you feel the same way…

Loni - Wow! Happy birthday Annie! I have been reading your blog for a long time. Seems like yesterday she was 5. Happens too fast! Glad she wanted a stuffed animal!

gale - My favorite cake was 8 years old – it had a Barbie doll look-a-like in the middle of the cake and the skirt was the cake all decorated with frosting. Loved loved LOVED that cake. My Mom made all our cakes from scratch and we thought she was a rock star (and still do even though she doesn’t make many cakes now!) My birthday is 3 days before Christmas but I always had a birthday cake – although parties were harder because school was on a break and kids were gone. Best party ever was a roller skating party where I learned to skate backwards… and a kid in my class gave me a gerbil as a present. Yep, my Mom was thrilled about that. Now as a mom, I wonder why she even let me keep it!! 🙂

kris saia - Always enjoy your photos — your girls have JOY in their faces!

Lisa - The food tour was a great birthday wish! And her bunny is awfully cute. I really like her cake – how pretty – wonder what flavor of cake was under that yummy decoration?

Nanette - Wow! I have been reading your blog for a while…I can’t believe she is 9! I love her expression with the shoes…Happy Birthday! I have been making my boys cakes for their birthdays and I am always amazed by how much they love them! (Even when I feel like they are a failure, their little faces just light up!) Your cake looks awesome by the way…

mommyjulia - I’m pretty sure I remember when Annie turned 5? On the blog? Wow. I can’t believe she’s 9! Happy Birthday to Annie, love those pigtails!

Stephanie - Happy birthday cute little Annie! She was born the same year as my baby boy. I can’t believe he is almost 10! It sticks in my heart when I realize how close he is to shaving and being muscled. He is still cute and cuddly, but manhood is coming around the corner. Enjoy your little girl!

Leah - Didn’t you start this blog when she was 2?! Wow, time flies!

Heather - Happy Birthday Annie! My oldest will be nine in less than 2 months. Where does the time go?! My favorite cake was a Holly Hobbie cake that my mom made me when I was about 6. But my husband orders me fabulous decorated cakes every year on my birthday and they are pretty good too. 🙂

denise@victory rd. - so sweet.

happy happy 9th to your darling girl.

she sounds like my josie, who also loves her older sister “fiercely.” if i could oprah winfrey give THAT away as one of my favorite things to every mama i know i would. 🙂

se7en - Oh Annie, nine!!! How did that happen so fast!!! Wishing you the best birthday and a year full of fun!!!

Tiffany - Oh My, the cheeks on that one, too sweet. What do you do when ur baby is 9 – aaaack! Bittersweet, I am sure. Happy Birthday Annie!!

Pamela Gordon - I lost your blog for a while when you switched domains but found you again. 🙂 I remember when Annie turned 6. She’s such a sweet and pretty little girl and growing up fast. My favourite cake was one my aunt made us each year. It was angel food cake with lemon cream frosting and sprinkles on it. 😉 Yummy. Blessings, Pamela

Julie - Happy 9th birthday Annie.
My most memorable cake was when I turned 5 – it was shaped like a rabbit’s head with the big ears. My other special cake memory was when my then boyfriend (now husband) organised a surprise birthday dinner for me with friends and family at a favourite cafe and they brought out a cake he had made for me.
Thanks for making me remember those occasions

Angie - I just had to read this twice because I didn’t believe that Annie is nine! I guess I’ve been a reader for about five years now and I remember when you were taking her to preschool! Looks like it was a fun day!

Angela - Ironically, I never remember my own birthday cakes, but I vividly remember my brother’s 4th birthday party/cake. He wanted… a PICKLE cake! What?! So my mom made him a vanilla cake died green, green frosting, and sweet baby pickles around the top. So. Nasty. 🙂 But he loved it!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Hi Meg, Your Annie is s cutie pie and I can tell she has lots of energy just from your photos. It’s funny how much you can tell just from photos isn’t it? Happy birthday to your baby. They really do grow up sooooo fast don’t they? Makes me sad sometimes and sometimes it’s so much fun watching them grow up and become young adults. Hope that Lauren is doing well in college 😉

Charly - Is it weird that I want to go to Build a Bear for my birthday? How fun! I always loved getting the McDonald’s birthday cakes. Do you remember those?

Christy - Happy birthday Annie! She is such a doll.

Gina - Nine!! No way! I’ve been reading your blog for years and just can’t believe it! :/ What a fun day for her! Her cake is so cute! 🙂 She seems like such a sweetheart! 😀

Janelle - Hey Meg…if you happen to have a chance (and want to!) I’d (and I’m sure everyone else) would love to know what Annie got for her b-day (in addition to the cool shoes) and what gifts you have in mind for Christmas. I’d love to hear your thoughts on technology too…We all need help 😉

Laura O - My sister turned 17 on sunday and we went to Chili’s too!

Rae - Any chance you’d share how to take the photo of Annie blowing out the candles? Everytime I try that photo, I get a blurry result?

Eryn - Sadly, I don’t remember many of my cakes. However, I’ve never really been a “cake” person so that may be why that was an insignificant memory to me. 😉 All my teenage years I had a chocolate cream pie with candles in it. Definitely a “pie” person! 🙂 I do have many favorite parties though. I think I had my party at the local roller rink like 3 years in a row! Haha!

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31Bits AND glitter?!

November 4, 2013

31Bits is one of my favorite jewelry companies.
i wear it almost every single day.
It is beautiful jewelry but it has a more beautiful purpose and mission.
Everything at 31Bits is made by women in Uganda.
the Mission Statement at 31 is:

Using fashion and design to empower people to rise above poverty.

they are changing lives!
how perfect to use fashion to help! Fashion for Good… it is brilliant!

they have a new holiday line that launches today… and it’s covered in glitter!
it is sooooo great!!!

31Bits Values:

31Bits Business Model:

i am in love with this new set of gold glittered jewelry.
i have already worn it several times.
i am not waiting till the holidays… it goes with everything!

and i KNOW there are lots of people on my christmas gift giving list that would love some 31Bits!
you know some people too don’t you?

🙂

Click over to 31Bits.com to see the new line and do some shopping!

AND use the code BITSLOVESMEG to get $10 off your purchase of $50 or more.
offer good through november 11.

woo-hoo!!

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Tiffany - Oh, these are SO pretty! One of the things I love about you is how you use this blog space to help others! You are a blessing to many.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I had no idea about the glitter bits! Love them.

Jenna - Thank you for this amazing offer Meg! I have a Christmas list for 31 Bits and love this discount. Thank you for being such an inspirational woman and spreading the love!

Leslie - I just placed my first order – thanks for the promo code!

Kelly - Oh those are so pretty!

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i like this.

November 2, 2013

fall1 fall2 fall3 fall4 fall5 fall6
halloween always seems a little crazy don’t ya think?
but at the end of the day it always feels like it was fun…. right?
we painted our pumpkins instead of carving because of time.
and i like doing it 1000 times more that way anyway.

my trick-or-treaters got bunches of candy and were completely exhausted at bedtime.
perfect!

fall is so beautiful here in kansas.
i never feel like i appreciate it enough.
i try but how can we really grasp it all? it is GORGEOUS all around us!
and changing literally by the minute.
i was reminded again that fall is my favorite season.

we are headed for a hike in the woods today to soak it up while we can.

happy saturday!

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Rach - I cannot wait for a little true Fall next weekend! Yay!

Erin Shannon Thibodeau - As a mom who has lived through this (26 and 22 year old)… Separate the ideas….Pumkins either early October or after dh fact..Haloween

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I like your people.

Amy K. - I was all set to rue the day I ever thought of making my kids’ costumes until my oldest said, “I’m so glad you’re the kind of mom who spends time making exactly the costume we want instead of making us choose something at the store.” Well played, kid, well played!

tara - i love those painted pumkins.

we didn’t paint or carve this year.
but, we did have 4 other families over and we had a big pot of chili with all the fixins’ and then we all walked the neighborhood together for trick or treating…so much fun.

enjoy that hike! fall is my favorite, too! for sure!!!

happy weekend.

Kristin S - I know I might look ridiculous, but I wish they made Annie’s leggings/tights in grown-up size. I love them!