Masthead header

friday.

i am very happy it's friday.

IMG_7572

it's been a good week.
had a great day yesterday with a friend who taught me lots of computer stuff cause she's a jedi in that field.

i enjoyed listening to her children talk….i miss baby talk.
she said to one  "you're too big for that rocking horse" and he said "no i not…i 'mall"  
sigh.
melts my heart.

Ashleyshouse -3 Ashleyshouse -2

i had 6 hours alone in the car of quiet time.

SIX.

that is a good thing.
driving by yourself you can think and pray and think….and sing U2 songs REALLY LOUD!

i did all those.
and i get to stop for the bathroom when i want and how often i want.
and i get to get drinks for just me…no guilt….even a Mcflurry if i want….and i wanted…..
i do like driving alone. 

my phone was near dead so i couldn't talk to anyone….a blessing in disguise.

and my gps was in the other car so i had to pay attention to where i was going while driving.
another gift to me.
i could make the trip again easily…but when i use the gps i go on autopilot….don't notice anything.

then i got home….wrapped in a big bear hug from craig…..he said my love story was really good.
and i teared up.
then read all the comments from yesterday.
THANK YOU for reading my story.
i felt/feel vulnerable.
it's silly.
it was soooo long ago.
it was a different person.
but not.
so thank you for liking me yesterday…and still liking me today even after you know more details of me.

(ps…go read all of them in the series…with kleenex…they are each so beautiful)

and i know that John Rambo was spam but it was such a unique and funny spam that i had to keep it.
i took out his link so there would not be any whatever readers poisoned by his weirdness….you're welcome.
your comments were a riot! 

 

 

and today…i am exhausted by parenting.
it is so dang hard.
every day.

IMG_7129

some days are amazing and it's the best thing you could imagine and you are so happy it hurts.
but many days….
they beat you down.

IMG_7254

if it's not the banging on the door when you are trying to go to the bathroom leaving you with not a second to yourself….it's the terrible choices they make when left to their own devices.
give them 3 hours of free time….often they choose badly….no matter how well we "parent".
and it's very tiring to have to be picking up those pieces….day after day.

and to be yelled at for it by them.

IMG_7249

debbie downer returns….waaa-waaaaaaah.

but it is true.
somedays this job

WEARS

ME 

OUT.

so i will bring it to God again.
and again.
and He will make it good…in His way…and his time.
but i am still tired.

IMG_7234

none of these pictures have anything to do with each other.
they are strays.

fillers.

IMG_7225

and i may have even shared this one already.

i need some more coffee.

IMG_7269

ok.

since i was a went all sad and mopey on you….let's end on something funny.
"i'm the oldest jonas."

 

see you sunday.
or maybe monday.
bye. 

Trysha - I went home for the weekend a couple of weeks ago and I was allllll alone. By the time I made it, my voice was hoarse and my throat was sore from singing along to Lisa Loeb.
Loved your Love Story.

Kelly - I get to ride around now and turn up U2 really really loud now too… it’s a good thing… except when my husband uses my car… not a fan… boy, it’s hard to type when it’s past your bedtime and you’ve had two glassses of wine… see, I spelled glasses wrong 🙂
love your blog.

steph - aw meg… i’ve been gone all weekend and haven’t had time to read up.
it’s SO awesome to read your love story. i can totally understand feeling vulnerable. it’s so hard sometimes to really tell the truth but i think we all love you the more for it. and it gives wings to all of our stories too that we sometimes don’t always want to share. so thank you for that! i love to read how God just works and works and works on that tapestry we call our lives. you couldn’t have seen it back then at 18 but now, in hindsight, you can see everything imperfect thing that God has used to make a beautiful picture. how amazing is His love? wow… mind blowing! hearing other’s stories and other’s struggles in marriage and life and how they’ve overcome is always so uplifting. going through some tough stuff right now with my marriage but knowing that God is always good and faithful. He really is.
soooooo…. your girls weekend sounded like a blast too!!! man, oh man! how i love to dance! would have loved to see some pics of that too!!! hee hee! if only i could dance every weekend… oh yeah, i guess i’d have to be 18 to do that. duh! ok, i’m fine being in my 30’s! but a good dance time is always needed for me too! glad you had a blast!!
xo

Emily - Thanks for sharing your love story. I really needed to read that. Will you and your husband mentor me and mine? We live in WA state, but I bet we could make it work. 🙂 Marriage can be SO. HARD. Thanks for the reminder that God brings beauty from ashes.

Beth - Omgoodness I still love ya even after the love story…it was a romance, maybe not the typical that many have but still it was a beautiful love story that has lasted…so many don’t.
Mine didn’t…same happened to me and then to my daughter, but thankgoodness hers is still going after ten years of hard work and GOD in her life…her faith has kept it going…and they have three beautiful children…so in my eyes true romance is all types!
Love seeing all the stray pics…I would love to hear some tip[s you learned about the computer from your friend.
Also loved reading about your girls weekend and the fun you had with your sister and friend out dancing! Sounded like a fun time…no pics of that?
Happy week! You still rock with your blog!

Kelly - I love that you went to Ashley’s! As soon as I saw that little apron hanging on the wall, I thought, “uh uh, she went to Ashley’s!” very fun. I am glad that you had a good girls’ day over the weekend. Sometimes I’m convinced that parenting just needs to be shared with the extended family (and I’ve only got one!) Have a great week. oh and I was secretly disappointed that today’s post wasn’t titled monday. Kelly
p.s. LOVE the mustache picture.

Brooke - You went to hang out with Ashley Ann….so, so fun!!
I want to go too 🙂
When you had your craft weekend, I was thinking that my friends all hung out without me 🙂 hahaha….maybe I am more a mental friend than a real friend!
I love reading your love story. Let’s be honest….even with a beautiful beginning, EVERY story has lots of UNPRETTY parts. I am so thankful that you are willing to share and be transparent.

Amanda Angert - Your love story was great 🙂 Thank you for sharing! And thanks for sharing all that you do on your blog. Your craft Thursdays have been a huge inspiration to me and I’ve even attempted some of the crafts with my girls. I love that you keep everything real and honest; it’s a lot easier to relate to.
As for being exhausted by parenting……girl, don’t even get me started! I can only imagine what it’s like having 5 children because I have 2 girls (ages 4 and 7) and some days it’s all I can do get through the next 5 minutes without yelling or crying (or both). Yesterday I had my own pity party. I felt unappreciated and invisible. I hate to admit it but it *might* have been a little bit hormone induced (ahem). Anyway, today is another day. Keep being awesome Meg!!!! xo

Katy - hello! i just wanted you to know that i loved your story. i kept meaning to come back and tell you. i also have the sunshine print! 🙂

Jacqui - Hi Meg, just wanted to say thanks for the great craft ideas! check out my blog to see my two wee ones doing one of your craft ideas!!

Tracie - Your story is a wonderful example of how God can redeem our messes. He can use them to refine and grow us! I’m glad you shared your story!

karen - Greetings from Toronto, Canada.
Hey…that’s Ashley Ann’s home! So cool!
My boy used to say ‘mall’ too. L’s and S’s were difficult…Lipstick would be Riptick.
Cool story Meg…love your blog.

jeana - I just read your story. I cried and cried. I have the same story, only I was 17. We have now been married almost 9 years and have 3 boys. I used to feel sorry for myself at times for not having a prom, or super romantic story, but God is showing me the romance in it as I pray daily for him to reveal it to me. You’re right. It is love when our husbands chose to stay and create a family. True love. Thank you.

Georgia - The good thing about your love story is that its ‘real life’ and its lovely to hear how you got together, and how the people you are now became that way. 🙂

Erin - You are an mother and woman of God. I feel so blessed to “know” you.
As far as the parenting goes. I feel you. My motto sometimes: remember… bedtime does eventually come!

Karen - I love this. This stuff really is HARD. I think we are not supposed to say that?
I also think your love story is beautiful.

Emma - Thank you for sharing your love story. So honest…so beautiful and so real…..

Lori - We are in the process of adopting a young sibling group of 4. We have 2 children already. Your honesty is very helpful to me. It gives me a glimpse into the future. Blessed & joyous, hard and tedious. Thank you.

kathy Eller - Parenting is sooo hard and yet we fel guilty to acknowledge it. WHY? I agree whloleheartedly: we contine to bring it to Him and He continues to do something beautiful in his time and I am still tired:)

Heather R. - Six hours alone…how do I do that? Motherhood is the hardest job I’ve ever had. I hope your weekend picks up. 🙂 Need to go read your love story.

Carol S - Meg, I’ll second that parenting is hard! I’ve been thinking about you with a teen now…if you’re like me, comparing their teens to our teens. My son is a junior in hs and texts a freshman girl he met on vacation A LOT, and it’s driving me crazy. We do the best we know how, make touch decisions that are unpopular, and let some things slide. Finding the right balance of them is the tricky part. I’ll pray for you, please pray for me. Wisdom and patience. Love the SNL skits, keep ’em coming!

Heather - Meg. Love your story. Isn’t life ironic. We all arrive in our futures and look back on our pasts and say what if. I am the polar opposite of you, in some ways, in that I spent my entire 20’s partying and traveling and living it up. And, while I don’t regret a second of it I sometimes sit and think that it would have been nice to find my love early, to have had more children and to have been done having them by 35, instead of just starting.
Thanks you so much for your story. For trusting in sharing it. For being you. For warming my cold winter day.

shannon - Meg…I love you! Oh how I wish you were my friend in person to talk to, to get advice from, to point me to the scriptures when I have troubles and questions. I LOVE your blog….I love how you are so open and honest about every day life. I just read your love story and it did make me teary eyed and I can relate with a lot of it. I can relate with how tired the job of being a mom makes you….i can just relate, it’s why I wish you were my friend in person. 🙁 You inspire me to be a better child of God, wife, mother, friend, woman! 😀

Sarah Wolfe - Love your blog. Thanks for telling us your story.

Andrea Boone - Meg!
Your love story was so great because it was very much like mine… it made me look at things kinda different!! I am sad sometimes that I missed all the romance and got babies instead!! I love babies and God new that even then.. So your story rocked in my eyes!
on another note so weird looking at the basketball Pics I see boys from VC that i know!!!
small world.

Tracey @7294cottageway.blogspot - Your random..yet intentional writting is so refreshing! Hey-did you ever get my e-mail?? I sent you an idea…any thoughts?

christine - Oh, I totally loved your love story. And, honestly, it made me admire you all the more. Thank you for being so real and honest. It’s one of the many things that I treasure about reading your blog. I cried reading your story – the love that you have for Craig is so evident, and is just beautiful. I was so encouraged to see how God has worked in your lives. Thank you for sharing it that with us.
I tell ya, Thursday was my day to struggle with this whole motherhood thing. Somedays it’s just really hard. At times I forget that everyone goes through some version of these difficulties, you know? I get filled with doubt and get completely overwhelmed. It’s nice to be reminded that this is part of the journey for everyone.

Jessica Johnson - I loved your story. Redemption. A tangible reminder of God’s love in sending His Son. Through a broken story. Stories we ALL have. Thank you for your transparency and honesty. It is a gift.

Celia - Oh my… I just read your story… and was brought to tears! I loved your honesty and seeing how the Lord blessed your lives and brought you through tough times…. and continues to bless you all. Thank you for sharing with us!!

marci - THANK YOU for saying that it’s hard. this last year being a mom has kicked my trash. it is so nice to hear that i am not alone. i have a 19 yr old and her choices are killing me slowly but i have to let her make them. it is excruciating….seriously. thanks for reminding me that god is there for me. i forget that time and time again. i love that you are so strong in your faith and always remind me to be the same.:D

Lisa - I hear you… on everything! Parenting is so hard. I am always praying that God would stand in the gaps. But Galations 6:9 is a good reminder to me. “Do not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up”. We will see the harvest one day! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the real stuff.

Andrea - You are a beautiful story – all seven of you.
I leave tomorrow for a girls week at the beach. I can do this because my husband is a wonderful man that when I say “I need this” he trusts that I do. So my mom has the kids and off I go.
I wanted to tell you that as I think ahead to sunsets on the beach and grownup drinks and only being responsible for me, I also think of stuff I’ll miss. I add a week without this blog to the list!

Jeannine - Hi Meg!
I’m not sure exactly *how* I stumbled across your blog, but I’m so thankful that I did.
I’ve been a reader for quite some time now, but I rarely comment.
I just wanted to tell you that I love your love story… it’s so honest and real and beautiful.
I’ve been in a funk all day and that definitely put me back into my normally cheery mood.
You constantly inspire me. Thank you for that =)

Jenn - My two very favorite, read them everyday, know and love their kids (even though I don’t really know their kids!), bloggers spent the day together! I saw those pictures and said, “that is so Ashley’s house”! What fun!!!

Bethany {3SonsPlus1} - Amen sister! Parenting has worn me out lately too!
Anyhoo.
Loved your love story. Hiccups, warts and all. We’ve all got them, but I do know what you mean about feeling sad over hearing other people’s stories. I’m so glad God can make our stories beautiful, and yours is beautiful!

The Cottage Chick - I love your story. I love your honesty and how you are real about your emotions. I just had coffee with Jenny from Jenny On The Spot this morning and she and I were chatting about blogs we love. I had just started following you about a month ago, and then she was telling me I needed to read your blog, because you are a Christian and a creative gal like me! So happy to get to know you through your blog I hope we meet some day! Thanks for sharing your heart.
God Bless You
Denise

Jeri-Anne Giesbrecht - Hi Meg,
I am so glad I looked at your blog today. I have had a full day with the kids – which was one of the hardest in the past while. I realized part way through the day that I was not trusting God or bringing all my concerns to HIM. Thank you for your words… to bring all of this to God.
BLessings from the Canadian Girl,
Jeri-Anne

sam - i was feeling just the same way today. and feeling bad about it. thank you for your blog and for your honesty. it really helped a lot!

elisa - Love you 🙂

Jen - Meg, your love story is wonderful! So sweet and real, there is nothing better than real love!! Thank you for sharing it!

Wendy - Meg,
I loved your “love story”. Your take on the whole, “missing out on the proposal” thing is spot on. I had about the same scenario myself to the start of my married life as you. I like to think that many marriages start with those romantic proposals, some make it and and some don’t. Either way, I got the man of my dreams and the children to go with it. Doesn’t matter how I got them, just that they’re mine. 🙂 Keep on blogging!

Heather - Thanks so much for being so real. It encourages and inspires. It takes a brave woman to be real.

Lisa - I check your blog and Ashley Ann’s everyday – that’s so cool that you both are good friends!

Dawn - Meg,
I thought I would tell you how much I love your blog. Your crafts are creative, your humor is hilarious and I love your realness. i read your blog everyday but some days I don’t have time to comment so tonight I thought I would.

Amber Pamper - Looks like Lauren is gonna be a mini-you. 🙂

sandy toe - I love your honesty.thank you.
sandy toe

Tracey Garcia - Oh I so know what you mean. I love my boys so much but there are so many days when they just beat me down and wear me out. Other days I feel completly used up but then one of them will say something funny or say “mom I love you” and somehow I drag myself back up the hill. I teach school and I am with little ones all day, but without a doubt, parenting is THE hardest job EVER!!!

Lisa - Meg – beautiful story. I remember you as a cheerleader in highschool! I was much younger but thought you were (and still are) the coolest. 🙂

Courtney Walsh - I can’t wait to read your love story. 🙂
You should know that around this time every day I start to get jittery. Not with excitement like I should knowing that my kids will be home in twenty minutes, but really nervous that they’re going to instantly start fighting and my mood will be shot for the rest of the night.
And I’m not proud of it, but that first half hour when they get home sets the tone for the rest of the day. And I DREAD that half hour.
I’m exhausted. Loved this post today. I can’t wait to read more about your love story. 🙂

Stephanie - I’m not sure where I found your blog. Not sure how long I’ve been following it. But I read because you have lots of kids. And I have lots of kids. And your life is crazy. And my life is crazy. And because you’re crafty. And I’m crafty. And because we have those things in common, I read your blog. I hadn’t read your love story until just now. And I don’t cry when I read blog posts. Not usually. Because usually there is chaos in the background of my computer time which doesn’t make for a very cryable atmosphere. Just now when I read your story I got a bit teary, which is fairly amazing. The tears came because I saw that we have more in common then I thought. We don’t know each other and we’ll probably never meet. But I feel a bit more connected to you now. And I’m inspired by the life that you’re living. Thanks for that.

Rach - Something no one tells you about before you become a parent is that you will have some days where you just don’t want to be a parent. Just for the day… no more. They tell you it’s hard, but they don’t say how it’s hard because it’s different for everyone. They say you will be tired, but no one tells you just how tired and for how long. I only have a toddler and a baby on the way… you have 5 children, a dog, a husband and a blog career. You can define tired way better than I will ever be able to. 🙂

Tracy Fisher - Your LOVE story made me tear up… and smile. I love your perfect imperfect life. It’s so real. When the rest of the world makes me feel like an inferior wife, mom, daughter, sister, artist, blogger, you name it…. it’s nice to hear real people and real stories. I guess it makes me feel better… so, thanks for sharing.
Sincerely,
not-so-cinderella Tracy Fisher

meaghan - oh my gosh. i just read the love story. thank you for writing and sharing. i L_O_V_E your blog so much!!! love your post today. i’ve read your blog for so long now. are you my friend? hahaha that was creepy 😉

jennifer - Loved your love story. Thank you for sharing it with us.
And being a mommy wears me out too. How can something so great be so exhausting sometimes?

Gale - Oh, thank YOU for being so transparent and for reminding me once again that there are “friends” and “gal pals” out in blogland that DO get it – that have a heart for God in spite of our past and that HE FORGIVES and FORGETS, which we so often cannot do. You bless me every day and I SO enjoy your blog! 🙂
My youngest is now 17 and although I love the freedom that comes with it, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t also miss them being young and needing me more. Never forget that what you’re doing – no matter how frustrating – is SO very important! 🙂 You’re making great little people into great BIG people!!
I need a Jedi…. sigh. I gotta figure out this blogging thing… LOL!!
Have a great weekend 🙂

Karina - I can never watch the videos you post (I can see the advert but not the video), but I love the photos. And the commentary. And the randomness. And, of course, the “realness” – I am a mother of three and often wish for a margarita right after breakfast.

Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com - Meg, I love you! (not in a creepy way, but a friend way). I’m older than you and my kids are older than yours, but I still relate to all of it. Parenting isn’t always easy or fun…alot of the time it’s the opposite. I love your realness (probably not a real word). Keep it up and your love story was the best, because it was real. I’m glad you had 6 hours to yourself. Sometimes we need that recharging time. Thanks for ending with a funny Jonas clip…very cute!

AshleyAnn - You called me a jedi. Pretty sure in this house that is the highest form of a compliment one person can give another.
Thanks for spending the day with me. You reminded me to slow down and pay attention to the little ‘baby talk’. It is so normal here, I forget how quickly it will change. Thank you.

shea - Thank you for this. I only have two kiddos, but they have been beating me up the last week. They’re only 2.5 years and 5.5 months! It’s just been one of those weeks where I’m struggling to come up for air. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone.
I so enjoyed reading your love story too. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
And, I’m super jealous you are friends with Ashley Ann and got to spend the day with her and her babies.

Emily Zimmerman - Meg!!!! I love your story!!! And I love how your husband gave you a big hug and told you your story was really good. SO SWEET!!! Thank you for sharing yourself with us!!! Love it and love how God has just blessed and blessed your life and family. Thank you for letting God use you! You are a blessing to me!

cindy - Meg…so touching and honest! Thanks for sharing your love story. Just shows you can never judge people. Your life seems so great, I just assumed you had that “picture perfect” courtship, wedding, ect.and you guys are some of the lucky ones that things just come easily for. Naive of me I know but I did and not in jealous or petty way. Just happy for you guys. This reminded me that we all have our stories. You are even more real to me and I respect you and your husband even more now because of how you have chosen to live your lives dedicated to God when it wasn’t always so easy. My Dad always tells me a ball has to hit bottom before it can bounce up…sometimes those rock bottom places give us what we need to stop and listen and feel God pointing us in the direction he wants us to go. Has been the case for me anyways. I have been experiencing some hard times the past few years…some self inflicted…some out of my control…some very public and out there for others to see…and some deeply personal. I can’t describe why your blog touches me but I think it has helped me feel like my life has color in it again or that it can if I choose to let it come in my life. It just makes me happy. I know the Lord is in all things…even blogs if we choose to see Him there and listen to promptings for our personal lives. I can’t believe I’m commenting…I’m usually just a lurker. Just felt like I had to today. All I can say is thank you, and just know it’s for so many great reasons!

Jenny B. - Oh, wow, Meg. I was choking up through your whole love story. Amazing.
I haven’t taken a road trip by myself in a long time. To get a milkshake without guilt… (Usually, I’m thinking, “Would it be possible to buy it and drink it in stealth mode so that I don’t have to provide one for everyone else in the car who will inevitably spill it and then cry?)… that would be NICE! And to spend the day at Ashley’s house… nice also! 🙂

ashley jensen - The bathroom thing is crazy! On a daily basis my daughter, dog AND cat come in to visit me. Sometimes my husband happens to be in there too (I will blame that on our closets being in the master bathroom). They can all be ignoring me but the second I need to go pee they are all there. Hello can I not have 20 seconds to myself for that? That would be a no. Maybe I should start locking my bedroom door…

Tanya H - I agree with the parenting comment. We’ve had a LOT of discussions lately with our oldest on making better choices and dealing with the consequences that come with any choice and its hard and he’s only eight!!!!
Loved your story. Love your thoughts. THanks for being willing to share. 🙂

lauren - love this post. the good the bad and the ugly. is this how GOd feels about us sometimes? how he can love us so wildy and completely and yet be like– seriously? i give you three hours and THIS is whaat you do with it?? come on now. 🙂 thanks meg. 🙂

sara @ it's good to be queen - well i agree, parenting is dang hard. and that clip was awesome. and i loved your love story…that’s real stuff right there. i like you!

Lisa - Your story was great. Thank you for sharing that with us! It is amazing what strength we can find when we look beyond ourselves. I just wrote a blog post about that, too – we had a very scary ultrasound and start to this pregnancy (baby #3) and it has taught me so much. Enjoy your weekend and your beautiful family.

Karen H. - Hi Meg
I have days like that with my kids. Some times I think I CAN NOT do THIS for another 15 years!!!! And if one more person living in MY house calls me MEAN!!!! grrrrrr And your love story was so moving and inspirational. You are just lovely, inside and out! Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend. 🙂

Astrid - Love your posts! You always make me smile. 🙂

Heather - Meg, Your honesty is truly a gift. You so often write what many of us feel but are too scared or anxious to say. You have a unique way of making the realities of life a little easier to bare. Life isn’t easy, parenting is certainly not easy but God never said it would be, He did say that he will use all things for good and I regularly see Him make good on that. You are great at putting a smile on my face and reminding me that I am not alone and not to take myself so seriously. Thanks for being so transparent.
Blessings,
Heather

Toni :O) - Meg, what a beautiful love story…sorry I missed it yesterday! I will always, always, always love your blog…it truly makes me happy and smile and that dog of yours is awesome! Your dog makes me appreciate the one I rescued last year even more. Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing your fun and sometimes crazy life with us…so cool to be along for the ride! :O)

Charlotte - thank you for today’s post…your honestly… and linking your love story post from danielle’s blog….i miss baby talk too..♥
hope you have a restful weekend..
xo

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - parenting IS hard – i hear ya!
from one worn out mama to another waaa -waaaa. 😉
it’s hard not to be a debbie downer when you’re not exactly surrounded by a bunch of pollyanna’s. emotions are contagious – i’ve been working on immunity building ideas ’round my parts these days…i’ll let you know if i have any big revleations in that department.
cheers!
~h

Shivaun - Your love story is beautiful! And you are so right… parenting is exhausting and wonderful and it requires prayer. I think that’s all part of His plan! Blessings to you, lovely soul!

amanda - thanks for sharing all of it!!

Deb - meg, I am reading Grace based parenting right now by Dr. TIm Kimmel, and How to have a new kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman.
I have had them on my bookshelf for years, but it was all in God’s timing that I am reading them now. I also have teens, and know what you are going through. Be Blessed! DEB

Aimee - I gotta tell ya, Meg, yours has quickly become one of my favorite blogs. It is real. I don’t leave here feeling badly about my life because yours is all beauty and smiles. I leave feeling like life is hard and we get through it…and then we smile…until it’s hard again. The good and the bad are all okay and you aren’t afraid to put it out there– or maybe you are and you suck it up and do it anyway. Thank you!

flowerpowermomma - God is using you mightily. Keep sharing your story, encouragement and the real-ness of life.
Parenting is tough. My oldest will be 31 in June. My husband has been pastoring for… ( wait, I gotta do the math) 27 yrs. People often say, “I could never be a pastors wife. It’s gotta be hard.”
Well…my response is..” the hardest thing I do is parenting.”
(In reality both those jobs kind of overlap.)
Life is about people. Keep on loving and correcting. Hang on it’s all worth it and you’re doing a great job. Yes, you really are.
So happy you got a break, that’s a necessity in high stress jobs. I was given a poster in high school, (centuries ago). It had a girl walking through a field by herself. Written in the sky was “sometimes you need to be alone with yourself to put yourself back together again.”
true then, true now.

Cory - 1. I LOVED your story. It’s HIS story & that’s what makes it so wonderful.
2. Umm hanging out with you & Ashley Ann..treat! Come on, you both are way to cool to be friends.
3. I love reading your blog & hearing your thoughts on parenting. I only have a little babe & I love reading the unique difference between parenting a baby & older kids.

Cori Barney - you make all my days better. you are so funny! (and real)

Flower Patch Farmgirl - 1. I’ve got a mad crush on Alec Baldwin. (Not the one you’re thinking of.)
2. Don’t stop. Don’t stop the titles.

Danielle H. - You went to Ashley Ann’s. Sigh – so jealous!!!! Loved your love story. Love your blog. I love the post you did of your house. Really made me feel like I wasn’t alone in that battle!!!

Staci - Not sure if I commented on your love story or not…I’ve had a sickie at my house allll week….plus, only three days of school in two weeks…this week, sunshiney and beautiful…and he’s sick 🙁 BIG.OLE.BUMMER 🙁 BUT, I don’t want to be ungrateful, I am happy that I wasn’t at work and got a call from the school and then have to cancel patients…blah blah blah….I was just saying allll that because my days have ran together and I canNOT remember if I left a comment…I read that beautiful story of yours….made me very happy to know that two high school sweethearts made it work….makes me a little sad….that I was that couple too (minus the baby) and we just didn’t make it happen 🙁 Ah well….I wouldn’t trade a thing….my hubby is truly my soulmate and perfect for me 🙂 Amazing how God’s love is always there….during the bad and the good 🙂 Happy Weekend!!!

Ana M - I spend part of my days waiting on your posts…
Thank you for one lovely more.
I’m a mom of 4 and many times feel just like you do…
It’s a full time job that never, ever ends…No vacation or even a tiny break..
It is hard but also joyfull and delightful..
Pleeeease, do not skip monday, I’ll be waiting anxiously for your words…
Love
Ana M

jes - i miss baby talk too…..oh no. here comes the baby itch…
haha have a happy happy day :))

happygirl - THANK YOU!!! I’ve been a Debbie Downer on my blog the past few days too. I’m going to have to CHEER UP. Maybe a six hour car ride would help me too. I’m so glad Craig hugged you well. I often wonder about things we’ve left behind and moved on from. Do the still sting? Maybe. I don’t know. LOVE your attitude. LOVE your consistency. LOVE your truth. thanks.

danielle - MEG! your love story makes me cry every time i read it. and let’s be honest i’ve read it a few times cause its on my own blog. by sharing your story you have made HIS story known. you are a beautiful child of the KING and i am so happy you shared! love to you.

Jen Joy - I can relate to every single word of this post. I have four children. It’s crazy hard. I often wonder what I was thinking (usually when I find half a tube of toothpaste squeezed out on the bathroom countertop or an entire can of soda is spilled on the carpet.) And, when it’s good, it’s downright magical. But for today, I’m giving it up to God, too. *sigh*

karen - Thanks so much for your honesty. Your love story is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

angela - I totally agree with you on parenting! I do it Mon – Thurs every week on my own essentially. From breakfast to bed. The minute they are snuggled down, I crash….or read blogs. 🙂
I too loved your love story. My own parents had a similar story (there babe turned out not to be at that time), and almost 36 years later still together and loving each other. On top of it they only knew one another 6 weeks. love. is. incredible.
thank you for being real.

freckled hen - That feeling you get singing in the car really loud is kind of like the same feeling I get reading your blog-inspired and happy. I just read your love post and felt a little weird as it is very similar to mine…including the suprise pregnancy after high school and marriage and five kids really quick. And you’re right on both counts–it is a great life and yeah it wears me out, too!
Thanks for all you share, your pictures are the best!

Lorie S. - Amen to that. Some days you just have to get up…dust yourself off…and start over again(the life of a mom). Good to know that there are others out there that feel the same as I do.

deborah@applesinwonderland - i loved reading your story. life is hardly ever how we had imagined….sometimes, it is even better. i think that is how your story unfolds–even on the hard days. i get that. oh, do i ever. parenting 10 and 16 year old boys will keep a momma humble, that’s for sure. we also have so. much. basketball. 🙂 have a wonderful weekend!!!!

nicole @ deliajude - hearing your love story and all the others reminds us that we are all in this together and that life is messy but God is our Redeemer.

purejoy - mmmm. love it when you keep it real. and use adorable filler. thank you for that.
love your heart. thanks for being open and honest. and road trips are simply the best.

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - Oh, Meg- how could we not still love you?
If anything, it helped me identify with you even more!
It was like reading a chapter of my own story.
It stinks that it’s so hard for us, as people, to completely let go of our sins from years and years ago, yet God has already wiped those records away!
Hope you have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious weekend!
🙂

Share on FacebookTweet this PostPin Images to PinterestBack to Top