what are your favorite blogs?
here are a few of my faves in NO particular order:
julie ashley PW shauna kimberlee nic michelle laura *e* tara jasmine kelle wendy
sarah carissa megan jess elizabeth crystal melissa edie jeanne elisa amy
julie heather amy karen aimee jenny kristin courtney heather marylea emily
how is that for a list?!
how long have you lived in that house?
6 years.
we moved here when annie was 2 weeks old.
it was planned for months.
we chose to leave the "city" life (chicago-land area) and move back to small town kansas.
just 25 minutes from where both craig and i grew up.
it was one of the best decisions we ever made for our family.
we haven't regretted it once.
this house was a real project.
our living room.
the playroom/guest room.
our kitchen.
talby and annie's room.
the yard had no grass. the walls were all wallpapered. and it was not pretty.
but craig and i could see the potential and it had GREAT bones.
and we've been working on it ever since.
who gave you the Meg quilt?
my super fabulous friend PAM who took me all the way to africa.
she was so excited to give it to me shouting "IT"S THE NAME OFF YOUR BLOG!!!"
i loved that by making it she got some time to be creative for HER.
that made me as happy as the gift itself…to know that she enjoyed her sewing time while making it.
it's so cool.
pam you are an artist!
how did you find time to be creative when your kids were little?
i just did it.
i had scrapbook stuff out everywhere all the time.
i painted a dresser in the middle of my living room.
i sewed on the dining room table.
i just did it.
i couldn't NOT do it….i have to make stuff.
(this was in 2008 with my scrapbooking girls)
go away with friends for a craft weekend…or have one at your house.
that was so good for my creativity and social needs when i had little ones at home.
find a retreat house near you or a rental and GO!
and sometimes…you don't even need to bring crafts.
when did you get to start sleeping through the night?
we finally got to sleep through the night on a regular basis about 2 years ago.
when annie turned four…everyone else was older and we realized we finally felt rested.
it was a 13 year stretch of rarely sleeping all night.
and we survived.
i think my bed is my favorite spot in my whole house!
i love to sleep….is that bad?
what does that say about me?
what kind of lens do you use….and camera…auto or manual?
i have a Canon 50D with a 24-105 lens.
i also have an 85mm lens but it's hard for me to use. i feel i have to be VERY far away when i use it.
like shouting to the families i am shooting…but it's a good lens.
i am ready for a new lens….if i can save my money long enough!
i had a 50 mm lens but i sold it to lauren when i sold her my Canon Rebel in April.
i used a canon rebel since i started this blog until this past april….it's a great camera!
i shoot in auto focus but will be switching to manual more this year….when i can….i hope.
can you tell us your birth stories?
absolutely!
here we go…..it was 1995…..on a dark and stormy night….
just kidding.
check out these lovely photos….
newborn lauren in the purple hat.
<— 1998 pregnant with scott.
my birth stories are more funny than anything else.
i had epidurals with all my girls and not with my boys.
i chose to have the epidurals because it hurt more than i could handle.
newborn scott.
sean just born.
2000 – 10 days before sean was born. talby just born.
my boys' labors were quick…both 5 hours total.
talby's was long (for me) and lauren and annie were induced….meaning longer HARD contractions.
i had no c-sections or horror stories of 30 hour labors or morning sickness.
i learned how to breath….on my 5th baby.
i never knew i was holding my breath during contractions.
but i was.
i never took a lamaze class….or had help from a lactation consultant…because i thought i knew it all.
and believe me….i did NOT.
chicago jen's mom was my labor and delivery nurse who taught me how to breath. i love her.
we barely made it to the hospital with sean….that was crazy.
craig had to lie down….on the delivery room floor.
it was all just too much…happening too fast…he was light headed…and then BOOM…there was SEAN!
craig and talby.
one of my most favorite photos…
talby liked to be held after her naps….this day we were cuddling on the porch swing…..with baby annie crowding in on our space!
2004 – my friends lisa and chicago jen were at annie's birth…..that was AWESOME!
talby and annie newborn annie.
with scott and with talby i went into the hospital before i was in real labor and came back home.
i wish i would've nursed longer but i had a crazy deep down reaction after a few weeks in with all of them
that i needed some breathing room!
i just couldn't nurse any longer.
i felt smothered.
but it didn't feel that way feeding them a bottle.
the shortest i lasted nursing was 2 weeks and the longest was 6 weeks.
i always wished i was one that could have made it a long time….but i wasn't.
are you going to stay home now that your kids are in school?
i sure hope so.
i have my photography business and this blog and the etsy shop to provide income so YES i will be staying home….if you can even call that staying home….because really….that is a lot of work!
what does craig do for a living?
he is a commercial banker.
and he looks good in a suit.
mmm-hmmm.
do you have any advice on raising teenagers?
pray.
stay consistent.
try not to yell or engage in arguments.
find a close friend to share your feelings, frustrations and fears with…don't hold back.
talking about things you are dealing with out loud makes a HUGE difference in how you feel.
with a trusted friend you can share ideas, get advice or let them show you a new angle of parenting.
it's safe.
that is all i have learned so far…..
was your house in a magazine?
not pictures but linda featured me as a Blogger in Flea Market Style in 2010.
and there was a blurb in Country Living in 2009 called My Country Life
do you have a kindle….do you like to read….what is your favorite book?
we got sean a kindle for christmas but i don't have one.
nor would i want one.
i am not a reader.
i wish i was….
my dad and my sister are crazy about books.
sean, lauren and talby are in love with reading.
i don't have the ability to concentrate that long.
i did read "A Long Way Gone" last year before going to africa and it was fascinating.
and so sad….and traumatic.
i think it was made so much more real because i went to that exact place the next week.
and met boys who would have been that same age.
it was a life changing book to me.
and of course….Crazy Love.
why do you workout in an assisted living facility?
🙂
i live in a small town.
i drive to a different really small town to workout because the gym there is nicer….and less expensive.
you can buy a membership there because it's the only place in that community as far as i know.
i like it because i am the youngest…it's REALLY quiet…and it's almost always nearly empty.
the machines have tv sound with headphones and i can watch will & grace on lifetime and no one cares.
or regis and kelly!
(this is not at my gym…this is a stock photo from google images…and these people look way more active than at my gym 🙂
if you want to feel strong and fast and young….workout at a retirement center!
seriously…it's helpful mentally.
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WOW that was a really long post!
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Debbie - Hi Meg, I’m over here peaking around your blog. Hi, I’m Debbie. I’ve been here for years actually. No you don’t know me because I’m shy that way. Anyway, I decided to come back to this post and thank you.
Yes, thank you MEG for posting this back in January. Since I love your photos, blog and respect your recommendations…I ended up signing up for this class the very day you posted this and introduced me to blue lily. I’m so impressed with blue lily blog and find them to be such a burst of sunshine and laughter.
Thanks again, I’m so excited and finding it hard to contain my joy. I look forward meeting you too.
Blessings – Debbie
Heidi Jo the Artist - Just got Meerkat Manor for the kids yesterday, they love it! Thanks for writing what’s on your mind, fun to get new ideas for me/the kiddos. 😉
Brooke - Love your new header! And my hubby and I watched this video together and it is so cute!! In fact, I might go watch it again! I love it!
alyssa - my heart goes pitter patter for parenthood. I LOVE that show. It is pretty much the only thing I watch anymore. so good.
Jennie - oh PW. her shredded pork might be the best thing i ever ate. i haven’t made the cinnamon rolls yet, but they are next on my list.
Colleen/And Baby Makes Five - Parenthood ROCKS!
And if you’d love a delicious cinnamon roll recipe with a little less work, here’s our favorite (made with the aid of the bread machine): http://andbabymakesfive-colleen.blogspot.com/2008/03/easter-morning-highlights.html
SO. DARN. GOOD.
Jen - I agree with the others, I wish you were my friend. 🙂 Love your blog
stacie - i’m a quiet reader of you blog. you are my favorite though!! i don’t ever think i’ll be a professional photographer but i wanted to sign up for the blue lilly weekend just to meet you, and hang with you and learn with you and laugh with you. i love that you are so real. you write straight from your heart … i’m learning to travel from my head to my heart more often.
it’s four to one at my house today. oh my!
nicole i - ok. i don’t really know you but i sure do like you. wait that sounds stalker crazy like but it’s not. you say things i think but don’t say….and you like parenthood, madmen, kids, Jesus, africa and so on.
karen - I made your ‘lunch’ for dinner tonight. My husband and son loved it! Thanks!! I love your recipies!
Renae - I think you feel about PW the way I feel about you! I’ve not been reading for too long but you’re me, I can tell. I don’t know what that says for you unfortunately! 😉 I love me some Parenthood, Pandora (I have a Jack Johnson station), and my 6 year old son and I just made PW’s cinnamon rolls a couple of weekends ago and I hear you. I seriously have been telling everyone I know that my rolls turned out so great…so proud of myself. Thanks for the daily laughs! Hugs, Renae
Emily - I am new to your blog, I have loved being part of your world. I have to say that this crazy post was really funny! I could tell by the end of the blog post you were more than one cup of coffee in…hehe. I hope you had a great day, and your kidos surprised you! BTW, love the red coffee cup! : )
Lisa Currie-Gurney - PARENTHOOD IS MY FAVORITE SHOW. IT IS SOOOOO REAL. I FEEL LIKE SOMEONE OUT THERE GETS IT. LIFE. REAL LIFE.
I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU TO GO TO THE WORKSHOP. YOU WILL LEARN SO MUCH…
HUGS FROM MY HEART.
MGF - love lOVE LOVE THIS SONG. tHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHaRING.
nOT SURE why i was in caps.
Also, parenthood rocks.
elma riedstra - Lov love LOVE the video!!! The little girl is sooo cute. We have no school tomorrow so it is be withthe seven:) have a wonderful day!!!
Kristin S - You want to be friends with PDub like we want to be friends with you.
Seriously, your random posts are my fave.
Leigh - Now I’m totally curious about your Parenthood similarities! I love that show.
Tonya - We LOVE Parenthood too! I love that the show can make you laugh like crazy and bawl your eyes out all in the same episode.
Tara - LOVE parenthood.
my husband and I laughed so hard last night that we nearly cried.
Maria - PW cinnamon rolls are the best! I never have whole milk, but always have skim and half and half. I just fill up the cup almost all the way with skim, then top it off with half and half.works in a pinch if you’re ever stuck. I cannot tell the difference.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Hi! I LOVE this video… especially when she kinda yawns at the endish (I think)… A.dor.able.
Hope your snow day was good. 🙂
Margo - Mr. Duerksen was right – the roads were fine. I left town 45 minutes earlier than normal to make sure I had plenty of time to get to Wichita. I got there so early! Lucky for my department I was feeling kind and I stopped at Lamars for donuts and still got to work 30 minutes early! Hope you enjoyed your day at home with the kids!
Jessica J - I love PW and just made her cinnamon bread the other night! So YUM!
If my vacuum broke down it would be 24 hours before we were walking through animal hair ankle deep (we have 4 cats and 2 dogs!) so thank you Dyson for making an amazing animal hair vacuum.
I love your blog and have been a long time lurker — so, Hi! 🙂
Jennifer - ahah! Wish I could feel more sorry for you but I am a teacher and LOVE snow days more than my students do. Now a snow day without my kids….??? that would be insane wonderful. I can’t remember the last time I was in my house alone for even an hour.
I absolutely adore Parenthood. Such a great snow.
andrea -
candace - Parenthood – I watched every episode of Season 2 last week on OnDemand. Then, I ordered the first season from Netflix – DVD 1 came today. I just told my husband I haven’t enjoyed t.v. this much in a very long time. Yay for maternity leave time to watch all of it!
If you need more dirt to suck up, you are free to follow that snow/ice and come vacuum my house to your heart’s content!
heather - Love Parenthood.. love cinnamon rolls…need a new vacuum…love that song. perhaps I should move in?
fav part of that video? “one day i’m gonna whistle?” too cute!
Carol S. - super cute video, can’t say I know the band but I definitely know and like the song. Good luck today…it’s almost over. I’m bummed, everyone is having snow days but Chicago!!
kristine - LOVE that video. for as many times as we’ve played that song at our house i’m surprised my daughter can’t sing it herself! we saw edward sharpe and the magnetic zeroes last summer. made me want to be a hippy real bad 🙂
also LOVE those cinnamon rolls. wish i could come over and help you devour them. so craving a sweet now!
Laura Phelps - if you were my neighbor I would TOTALLY give you 9 cups of flour
Nick and I once asked our neighbor for two glasses of WINE
HAHAHAHA
I am laughing remembering this…
we had already had a bottle
but wanted a little more
and we were drunk enough to go and knock on our neighbors door!!!!
HAHAHAHAHA
they gave us a bottle 🙂
I miss you
Alisa - i wish pioneer woman was my friend too…. see, that is the sad thing about blogs… you get so close to people that you’ve never met. i love your thoughts…always refreshing.
Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - love mumford and sons! pandora is the best.
melissa - every post. it’s like we were seperated at birth…only you inherited all the style.
my vacuum is currently broken. how does a family of 6 (mine) live without a vacuum??? i guess i need to head over to amazon myslef. i’m not a researcher either…except for on price. i want cheap but, it needs to work!
Amanda - I’m pretty sure I started watching Parenthood because of you – thank you! I love it! But now I’m gonna have a hard time watching it and not SEEING your family in it. HA!
And why on EARTH did they call a snow day today??! Well, I’m glad for my teacher friends, because I remember when I was a teacher and I longed for snow days and we never got them. But seriously, how dumb to call it TODAY and not last week! Go figure.
Hope you survived the day.
sara @ it's good to be queen - oh i hear you. we are having a snow day here too….sigh….
RLG - I think Parenthood is the BEST show on tv.
Why isn’t it nominated at the Emmys???
xoxo
angela - you know what i love most about blogland – that it is truly much smaller than it appears – after reading your blog as i ate my lunch today, i called my dad b/c he is a teacher at the high school there, and i just wanted to see if he was really off today (not that i didn’t believe you, but this can all seem a bit surreal) – a lo and behold, he was home! so – because i read your blog – i got to have a wonderful conversation with my dad (i’m in buffalo, ny now and continue to marvel at all the snow days i read about and we just have to keep plodding along because we have things like snow plows here)AND over the course of the conversation i found out that my dad is lauren’s geometry teacher! see – small world!! hope your day was tolerable and know that you brought a smile to another 2 faces today!!
Amanda - Those cinnamon rolls look awesome-maybe I’ll be brave enough to try her recipe now…
I’ve been looking for a new funky robe and I’m all about black w/ white polka dots!! Where did you find that? It’s so cute!!
Try to stay sane today…;)
Kelley - Then there will be two of us nervously laughing as we are surrounded by no one we know next month at this workshop.
I LOVE the closeness between that little girl and her dad while they’re singing and her arm is draped over his or the guitar. Too sweet.
stacie jameson - I’m sitting in ICU with my son Noah and this video put a smile on my face today Thanks its just what I needed.
Kimberly - Fear…yes it does get to us one way or another. I am stepping more boldly out of the shadows and just beginning to comment on your blog and others that I follow. I have been scared to do even that. Scared that nobody will visit my blog. Scared that I don’t have a good enough camera. Scared that it isn’t as full or fancy as other blogs. 2011 is going to be about believing that we all have something authentic to offer…including me! Thanks for always sharing the truth as you see it…it is so comforting and sooo inspiring.
Gemma - Love your little random posts : )
elisa - Here it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIt888tpECk
elisa - Did you see them on Ellen yesterday?? She was a-dorable!!
Kirsten P - I couldn’t quite catch all the lyrics on the song by Alexa and Jorge so I googled them. In case some of you didn’t either, here’s the link:
http://www.songlyrics.com/edward-sharpe-the-magnetic-zeros/home-lyrics/
Thanks for posting the video, Meg.
dawn - I pretty much have the same thing to say as Trish (a couple posts ^^^^ up there)… I love your blog, you really do make me smile. And yesterday I was soooo super duper grumpy — so this is a great way to start the day. Thank you. 🙂
amy jupin - parenthood rocks me deeply. and i have to say, i think of you quite often when i see the teenage drama stuff. that is so HARD.
i love that song, home, by the way. everytime i hear it, i STOMP around like a little kid and it feels great! 🙂
we were out of school for the ENTIRE week last week. and monday too for the holiday. i was going crazy. but i made it, i survived. you will too.
Trish - You make me smile. the end.
Heather R. - We are in Leavenworth…living the snowday dream, too. Love the video you shared. So sweet. Coffee mug, clink.
Janelle - Parenthood is just delightful. Didn’t you just love Craig T. Nelson when they were talking about who wears the pants in the family and then he said how that sounds awful or something like that? Just cracked me up.
Alli - Oh my word…I have the same vacuum as a famous person :-).
Amanda - Parenthood is soooo good! On so many levels. totally afraid to be the parent of teenagers one day.
tinycandi - I would definitely go if I could afford it! I hope you have a great time! I’m jealous! 🙂
annie - i manage to get a little teary-eyed during every episode of Parenthood. Love it, and the music? Perfection!
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - Oh how I heart PARENTHOOD – such a great show!
Wouldn’t it be great if ALL us bloggers could be real life friends even just for a day? 🙂
Hope your day flies by without too much drama, mama!
Kori - O.M.Gosh. That video is just about the cutest thing I’ve seen!! I love when she comments about herself whistling one day….
Adorable.
Stacia - 🙂
I love Parenthood too.
I was just thinking yesterday that I could maybe be okay with the kids growing up a little bit (and sleeping!) and having conversations with them.
Then I watched that episode (a day late) and I am back to “Please stop growing up!” I dread having a situation like Hattie’s w/ my daughter. Just dread it.
I too (like another commenter) wish it was longer every week.
I wish you were friends with PW in real life too. And then I would be friends with you (in a dream world) and you could introduce us. 🙂 🙂 🙂
And MommaH’s comment is awesome!
merlin - Could you do a review of the vacuum? Bag/bagless, effectiveness on dog hair both on the floor and on the furniture, and then the usual stuff, comfort and ease of use blah blah. I NEED something that WORKS, that is not going to bankrupt me with fancy bags, or exhaust me as I drag attachments and heavy equipment around.
OK, that would be much appreciated. Maybe you could persuade the Eureka company to offer up a give away….that is how sad my life is, I would LOVE to win a vacuum 🙂
elisabeth (bovagoods) - LOVE parenthood. i have always wanted to make those cinnamon rolls. they look soooo good. lots of colorful rainbow goodness on my blog the past two days. totally thought of you as i wrote them. 😉 can not wait to hear all about blue lily. so fun!
becky - i was thinking about you & your sweet family while i watched parenthood with my hubby on tuesday… because you’ve said before it’s very REAL. i loved when hattie said “i don’t get why you’re taking my door off – i didn’t do anything wrong” right after she LIED to her parents multiple times.
i looked at the hubbs {MY high school sweetheart} and said, ‘does she NOT realize why they don’t trust her?’
he replied ‘we did the EXACT same thing’.
too bad he’s right. ugh. i hate it when that happens.
Melanie - I love Parenthood. I am so thankful that I have a 16 yr. old BOY and not a girl:)
Candy - Your awesome! I feel like YOU have cameras hidden at my house! We have a snow day today as well, and I have made those cinnamon rolls and done the exact thing, but it was sugar for me, the sugar is pretty important. I too, wish you were my friend!
Heather - You must have a big fan base in Olathe! I came across your blog at The Lettered Cottage a few weeks ago, so I was tickled to see where you live (I grew up in Hutch). Anyway, the video is too cute!
Pamela - Love Mumford and Sons. Love Pandora. Love those cinn. rolls. Enjoy your ice day!
Dana @ Bungalow'56 - You have a gift… I feel as though I just sat down and had a chat with a good friend. As does every single person who will comment here today. You have what PW’s got. A je ne said quoi, I’m sure you two would be fast friends. The coolness in the room would be tangible.
I really like MommH too : )
Dana
lauren - You rock.
I wish you were my friend.
Kate - Sometimes Parenthood stresses me out. I get so tense about Hattie and Alex and Adam and the thought of my 6 and 2 year old girls! Eeek! Everytime it is over I say, “I wish it was a bit longer.” It is starting to make my husband insane. 🙂
MommaH - Megan, I just have to tell you right here and now: YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE NERVOUS ABOUT!!! Take it from a woman older than your mother (probably),who always felt out of place and self conscious everywhere, at your age – there is really nothing to be all uptight about. Nobody else has it together either.
I see you young Mothers at church who are 25 – 45 and older, and I think, “I don’t think I was ever that cool when I was that age.”
When I see YOU at church you always look so cute, as do your kids, and even if Annie and Sean are fighting over a chair, and you are exasperated, you are fine. NORMAL.
I see what you create on your blog – with your house, your fabrics and your camera and I am awestruck. You are incredibly talented, and you don’t need to be afraid or back up from anyone!
There. That is my mommy sermon for the day.
You are loved, dear Meg. By people you don’t even know for sure. Be blessed!
Alicia - Hi Meg! Parenthood is also one of my favorites. I am often surprised how many times I get teary-eyed while watching…signs of a great show!
My 12 yr. old is not quite there but I see signs of future sassiness! I hope your day goes smooth and school is back to normal tomorrow…we moms need all the days we can get!
Penny - Love Parenthood. Glad I am not the only one who cries during the show. And I did cry during Alex and Adam’s conversation. It is very real.
shannon - I love pandora too but we hardly listen to it anymore since we have sirius. We are home today because of snow though and probably tomorrow b/c it will probably freeze tonight…not good. I am supposed to go to a concert tomorrow and my momma is flying in from arizona on saturday….not cool. (no pun intended). Anywho…got any craft ideas for our long day at home too for children 4 and under? 😀
Deb Meyers - hey…that is an adorable little girl! On Youtube there is a link to an Alexa T=shirt @ http://www.gonnawhistle.com, apparently to help a college fund.
Teresa - I am not married, nor do I have children but I cry at some point during every single episode of Parenthood. Every single one. This past week it was during Alex and Adam’s conversation. Love that show!
Heather - I am a regular reader, never really a commenter, but I had to say that your last line about the 5 against 1 not being a fair fight was so cute, clever, and hilarious. I so enjoy your attitude and blog.
Casey - I have never seen parenthood but have heard such good things about it. I guess I need to start watching it!
I promised my kids cinnamon rolls too but STILL haven’t made them. I have to clean the kitchen first. Boo.
How adorable and sweet is that video! I loved it!
Toni - I LOVE parenthood!! That show is so realistic. Seriously, Tuesday night is my favorite night of the week!
Amber - You will be amazing at the photo conference. I’m so happy for you
Jodi - Pandora Rocks… enough said… not sure if this guy is on Pandora yet or not, but you must google Jadon Lavick. simply.amazing.
Enjoy your day!! :o)
Karen - Hey Meg~
We are snowed in in Olathe today too; 6 inches and I need to clear a path from the garage to the street to get the trash out.
I laughed out loud at your Parenthood comment! I am with you there on that one. My 18 year old daughter and I watch it together and for the last episode I just kept looking at her and asking “is that what daddy and I sound like”? What about Modern Family; do you watch it? Last nights eposide was hilarious! Thankfully that “situation” hasn’t happened to us, but just the thought of it gives me hives!!!
Enjoy the coffee and your kiddos today!
Traci - i love parenthood.
Alisa - I’m not liking the news that your kids are off due to ice today. My 17year old is traveling from KC to Wichita today on a big tour bus for a thespian conference….eeek! I hate bad weather, especially when someone else is in charge of the driving.
I♥Parenthood too. It does seem a bit too real sometimes when I’m watching it.
I love that video too, watched it this morning on Miz Booshay’s blog and it just made me smile.
Blessings for a happy day~
Alisa
Michelle - GOOD luck with all of the kids today!