1. i listened to an entire justin bieber song in the car today alone. because i like it and my kids don't. they are on the "justin bieber is lame" bandwagon. annie is on the fence. she says yells "GUYS! it's OKAY if you like justin bieber….it's OKAY! i don't but it's not bad if you do"
(she may have heard it many times from me…maybe….but it's true! it IS ok)
even if you are 35. it's just catchy.
2. please enjoy this video that makes my heart nearly burst with so many feelings. so proud of her…. so sad to lose my baby officially….the last one to learn to read. so happy that she can do this…. so proud to be her mom.
3. yesterday i went antiquing with kimberlee. look what i found.
awesome green suitcase with fabulous wear and tear…..
but wait….there's more. inside it had ROLLER SKATES!
i lived in skates growing up. i wore out our neighbor's driveway on my roller skates wearing my gray sweater with colorful stars. i was going to win the grand champion roller skater….something i made up in my head….but i was going to win.
they are even my size.
for reals!!!!!
i see some shoe lace pom poms and knee high socks in my future……
Sarah-Baby, baby, baby, OH.
I love that song.
I told my daughter I was going to be a Justin poster and put it in my room.
She said, “That is wrong on so many different levels.”
Dani-I found a pair of skates last summer at a yard sale. They were my sons size. I got them home and realized they fit me too! I skated all over our house and my kids loved it as much as I did!
ROLLER SKATING ROCKS! just saying.
Kim Barlow -Smiling…totally smiling…
Courtney -Obsessed with that green suitcase and those roller skates were a little sign from God! Small story about kismet, fate, whathaveyou…My husband rode a unicycle as a kid, he is 50 now and last week on the way home from a birthday party we saw a lady riding a unicycle. Odd, huh? We drove to the only bike shop in town, which was closed, but the owner was still there, he opened the door and sold my husband a 24″ unicycle…it was meant to be…gave me goosebumps when I watched him wobble down the drive on it the first time! God at work!
amy S -Love the vintage skates and suitcase! I was a skater girl growing up too! Loved Tootie on Facts of Life because all she did was skate. I wanted to go to that school so I could skate around the halls like she did. I feel your pain on your baby growing up. My 7th child and baby is about to be fully potty trained and I am sad about that! I know, weird but I can’t help it. No more going to the baby section at the stores to buy supplies. I have been going there since 1995.
cathy-I remember the days when the boys started to read in English they already read Hebrew but it was not the same I wish I had a video recorder then. Nice rollerblades good luck on the roller derby.
Jen-Loved hearing your lovely voice! It’s not what I imagined, but not sure what that actually was 🙂
Annie is just wonderful. Great book choice 🙂
Alicia-As a soon-to-be primary (elementary) school teacher (I graduate in June), I’m so glad to see you
1. Reading with Annie!
and
2. Not just giving her the word, but asking her “What rhymes with ____?”
That is the best way to teach your child to read! Making them think about the context of the words and the story- as opposed to jthe old “sound it out” philosophy.
You are such a good mum! This little video just warmed my heart! I think you should post more videos of your kiddos on here… so sweet.
krys-That is serendipity. Love the case, love the skates. Wonderful blog you have here. I am glad I stumbled and rumbled into it. Happy Weekend.
roller derby champion of 1989-maybe when we get together to drink that wine you were talking about…we could hit the roller derby.
I’ve been known to wear some short shorts with my knee highs.
Terrie Galle-BriNg …briNg your skates…stupid new laptop small keyboard
Terrie Galle-Brig your skates on over to Hutch tomorrow! We are headed to the skating rink to celebrate my nephew’s 9th birthday! This will bring back some good old memories!!! 🙂
Holly-Brian just came home a couple of weeks ago with a book that he could read and he was so stinking proud! He is my baby. He does love Justin Beiber, but the other kids think he is just okay. Love going antiquing with a good friend!
Biz-Loved listening to Annie’s read!
So adorable.
I used the book Old Hat New Hat a Berenstain Bears book to teach my brother to read.
Rhyming books make it a little easier 😉
Biz
Heather R. -Go, Annie, Go! I just flashed back on my skates. Blue pom poms bell in the middle of them. Rainbow on the side, with knee highs. So COOL!!! I love your find. 🙂
Ali-Bless her little reading self! It’s such a massive step – the beginning of the whole world opening up to her and she is doing so well.
My skates were blue and red and oh how much I loved them. I took my boys to the rink near my parents place and blew them away with my skills. Nice to know that even boring old Mum still has some surprises up her sleeve!
Lorie-How awesome! Don’t worry, I’m 36, and on the fence about Justin too. The kids at the elem. school where I work are all bout the Bieber Fever!
I’m meeting my best friend who lives 3 hours away at an antique mall this weekend. Maybe I’ll find my own roller skating suitcase too! My parents took my sister and I to a roller rink every Sunday after church. It was GREAT!
Jaimie-OOOOOOH, Love!!! I’m in love with the suitcase! What a perfect color! And what a score with the skates! You go!
Holly Cox-Those skates and that case are ABSOLUTELY awesome! Love it!
Lisa -Love that you were listening to Justin Bieber by yourself! And I LOVE old suitcases and I LOVED skating up into my adult years. Wish I still had my skates. Lost them at some point. I am also so close to my youngest of 4 being out of diapers. That one I am looking forward too! 🙂 Annie sounds so sweet reading. Love those moments!
Jennifer O'Steen -that video is so cute! i love watching little kids learn how to read 🙂 i totally wish we had antique stores like yours around here.. a girl can dream
Rach-And you are going to be so awesome skating around your neighborhood!!!
Janie Fox -Dang girl, I will fight you for those skates and that case!
betsy-Listening to Annie read warms my heart. As a 4th grade teacher, I rarely get to see or hear this sounding-out-every-syllable-reading-and-then-being-confused-by-words-like-of-and-know.
She did SUCH a great job!
Tell her that I say,
she’s on her way,
keep reading every day,
and soon it will be May!
karen -Really nice video…couldn’t help but smile.
Annie sounds so grown up…i wouldn’t have thought! And this may sound weird…but i love your voice! We need to see more of you on a video. Craft Thursday Video Tutorial!!
Elizabeth-I bought a Justin bieber song on iTunes today. And I LOVE Annie! So proud of her!
Ashley -she is so precious! I love her little voice! Kind of bittersweet, huh? how cool that you videoed it! I am so doing that when my girl starts reading…sniff!
Kristin S-1. You’ll treasure that video of Annie forever!
2. Love the toe shot.
3. Fun to hear your voice. For reals.
4. Video brought back memories of when I taught 2nd grade. The days the late bloomers learned to read were my absolute favorite.
5. You pushing her hair behind her ear is a total mom move. My mom still does it! “I want to see your face” she says.
6. A few weeks ago Bieber annoyed me. Now I’m a closet fan. Is that creepy?
Amy Lynne-Congrats on your new reader! That is such a special thing to learn to do in this life!
Kelly-Oh my! It was so fun to listen to Annie read and you talk to her. So sweet. I loved the way she looked around the page hoping to see “a-s-k” somewhere else on that page to remind her. Lovely! Kelly
Krista -It was so nice to hear your voices, they were totally different than the ones I hear in my head when I read your blog! Go Annie! She’s awesome!
I downloaded JB on my ipod… but I say it’s for my girls. Like you said, the tunes are catchy!
Jenny B. -Oh, how fun!!! Congrats to Annie on learning how to read! Oh, and you should check out Cathy Zielske’s blog. She was a champion figure roller skater back in the day. 🙂 Cathy Zielske: Glory Days
Heather-Oh yes, you have to have the pom-poms! This may be completely gross, but I still remember how the inside of my roller skate case smelled, like leather, paste and old socks. My skates had lavender wheels, the case was lavendar to match and there was always a tube of (nasty) grape-flavored lip gloss inside.
Jessica Johnson-sweet, little reading girl. and love the biebs. but it’s a secret, too.
Southern Gal-Actually it’s “I’ve GOT a brand new pair…”
That was bugging me when I read it back. Sorry.
Southern Gal-Oh, the pom-poms! I had a few different colors that my mom and I made for mine. I would change them out as my mood changed! Loved seeing your find. I’ll show my age and tell you I started out in the adjustable skates you wore over your shoes and had a key to change the size…you know, “I have a brand new pair of roller skates, you’ve got a brand new key.”
Sandy -I love listening to Annie read. I miss those days. “K – now”…words like that can drive a young reader crazy but she never got frustrated. Way to go, big girl!!
Alisa -I love how she looks around the page at the picture to figure the words out that she gets stumped on. My girls both did that (I’m sure it is universal) as they were learning to read. I am a third grade teacher, so watching this happen just warms my heart. Oh, and we have those same bed sheets…. just in case you wanted to know that.
Heather-Oh how I miss my skates. I rocked those skates and the pink fuzzy dice I had on them.
Shayne-Great job Annie! May your life be filled to the brim with books you love.
Love the roller skates—and the fact that they are your size is just perfect!
georgia-Meg if them skates are your size you totally need to take them for a test ride! Obviously don’t go hurting yourself, but go do it, it will be so much fun!!
I love the video of annie so cute! You have a really soothing voice 🙂
Have you thought of doing a video where we all ask questions, you pick the best ones and answer them by video? Would be fun 🙂 xx
crystal beutler-I am so jealous of that green suitcase and the SKATES!!!! Do you know how much I loved skating as a kid. I had the metal kind you attached to your shoe with a skate key. So cool, and yet so lame. They always fell off.
Let go to the roller rink next time we meet up. 🙂 Just kidding. I would probably kill myself.
Your little daughter melted my heart. So cute.
candace-As a kindergarten teacher, Annie totally trumped this post in my opinion. And I LOVE how she didn’t even flinch when you tucked her hair behind her ear. Good choice for independent reading too.
Kari-Very cute! Roller skates were a huge part of my childhood as well … the roller rink which had a forest scene in CARPET on one of the walls … like a giant latch hook rug. What a big day for Annie (and you!) Can I ask how you edit your videos? I have tried a few different methods but then I can’t upload them to blogger.
P.S. Is it weird that I was shocked when I heard your voice? All this time I was “hearing” your voice in my head, but then realized I’d never actually heard it until today. Oh blogland, how you tease me. 🙂
Tina -Oh Meg! Now I KNOW for sure that we were meant to be friends! Seriously….I was a “three times a week” at the rollerskating rink girl with my best friend Kathleen. We’d beg for rides there all the time and did all kinds of chores to earn money to go skating. Boy did we have fun. But I thought it was cool to purchase the boys black speed skates and so that’s what I sported all around Skateworld rink in Vandalia, OH. I purchased them used from another regular skater, and even though they were about 2 sizes too big I’d wear really thick socks. My husband and I both became roller bladers, but I still have those black speed skates tucked away in a box somewhere in my basement. I think I’ll go look for them! 🙂
sara's art house-LOVE the suitcase! Love the roller skates!!! I lived in roller skates too…we would go to my friend’s basement and skate for hours. Good memories!
Jill -I check your blog while I am at work. I have never commented before (besides telling you to host a craft weekend) 🙂 But I just have to tell you that I started watching the video of Annie and here I am crying. At work.
My first baby is only one year old. I’ve never taught a child to read, but I so look forward to reaching these milestones. Thank you so much for sharing!
Courtney Walsh-I listen to Laurie Berkner by myself in the car. Which one of us needs to be more embarrassed? lol
LOVE the roller skates!! How fun are those? And the suitcase is awesome. I’ve been thinking about cool suitcases…but I gotta say, I love that you didn’t go for brown and boring! The color is awesome!
PS. Annie = adorable.
Nichole-I love how when she’s reading, if there’s a word she can’t pronounce, she’ll look at the other words on the page to find something that looks similar! She’s so smart!
shauna reed-she is precious. her hair. her toes. her sounding out. your voices. you are a sweet momma.
a SWEET MOMMA with rollerskates in a green case…
Ali @ HuYoung Heaven-Love the color of that suitcase! And the roller skates are awesome. I never got into rollerblading, but roller skating….that I can do.
Mindy Harris-antiquing with a friend sounds like the perfect day. love those skates/suitcase. great color.
Jessica-Oh my goodness! The memories of skating in our basement & driveway! I forgot all about that! Thanks for the reminder!
jennifer-I may or may not listen to Justin while alone in the car. Just don’t tell my teenage sons. I’m pretty sure they would disown me.
Shann-Do you remember how to “Shoot The Duck?” Oh…what fun and wonderful memories. Thanks for taking me back today. 🙂
tara-i heard justin bieber for the first time this weekend at a college womens retreat…..they couldn’t believe that i hadn’t heard his music.
so, when the music came on, i said, “who’s this girl singing?” to which they replied, “GIRL!!!! IT’S JUSTIN BIEBER!!!!!”
it was catchy and i did like it…but what in the world will happen when his voice changes?
love the great find….lived in roller skates, too, growing up…..used to “slow skate” every saturday night at the toccoa skating rink. no joke. i think i feel a family night coming on……
Shannon-Please take a picture of yourself wearing these, it would be great 🙂
Sarah-Love listening to little ones learn to read! So exciting for your baby. Ps she’ll always be your baby (Im the youngest in my family and love it when my mom says I’m her baby)
Amy G -That is AWESOME thanks for the smile!!!
Pamela Gordon-Love the suitcase and the surprise roller skates inside! I roller skated as a kid on the really old fashioned kind that fastened on your shoes and had a key to adjust them! I rolled along the paved sidewalks on them. We live in a rural area and in the 70’s there was a roller rink down the road that used to be a pig barn. They rented the ‘modern’ ones as in your pictures. It was a lot of fun! And guess what?? Justin Beiber is Canadian like me. 😀 I don’t listen to him but his songs are catchy tunes. Have a great weekend!
Laura Phelps-and I anxiously await the video of YOU roller skating!
sarah -i’m imagining you hopping onto a train for an adventure, your stylish, vintage suitcase tossed casually over your shoulder. darling.
Courtney Henson-Love your roller skates! I once found old ice skates in an old case with socks! I fondly remember roller skating in circles around my garage as a kid! And going to the roller skating rink for parties and even for school field trips. They always had the most awesome sticker machines there….good to fill your sticker books up with!
Leah-Okay, first of all, LOVE the suitcase and rollerskates. What a find! Second, congrats on such a milestone with Annie! I know how I feel when I see Sophie learn something brand new that I take for granted that I already know. What an exciting moment for you! And third (going with your blog title today), we recently made birdhouses with kids. Here is the post if you need a Craft Thursday idea: http://leahsthoughts.com/2011/03/03/lets-make-a-birdhouse/
Hannah-awesome find!! the old roller skates like that TRUMP roller blades….can you skate backwards??? love love love the color of that suitcase! 🙂
Erica-Ok, I think you are the coolest. Reading your blog and seeing all of the COLOR that you post about makes me so happy. Today I thought I’d leave a message because as I was flipping through my Pottery Barn Kids catalog I saw this room and thought, Pottery Barn has been getting inspiration from Meg’s Blog! Just look: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/romply/romplycga/ In their catalog it looks even more like you with a globe on top of the bookshelf and it shows more of the room.
Erin Ward-I can’t believe the skates were your size and everything! Crazy! I totally love the case.
And don’t feel bad. I’ve been known to enjoy a JB song now and again. 🙂
Kimberlee J.-Let’s rent out the roller rink…maybe Amy knows someone. 🙂
Tam-Annie reading is adorable! oh I miss my boys reading like that. My youngest loves Justin Beiber, it’s music I can car dance to, too. Amazing find with the skates and green suitcase. I’m antique’ing/thrifting tomorrow…I hope to find good stuff!
happygirl-Oh BOY!!! The saddest day in my town was when they closed the roller rink. And I remember taking roller skating lessons when I was in 3rd grade. My mom made me wear a dress. It buttoned all the way up the front. I fell. ALL the buttons came undone. Humiliated. Seriously. Still feel the shame. Ha ha. Btw, rent the movie Whip It. Quite entertaining.
Amber-lil bit obsessed w/green (that exact shade!) and that suitcase is AWESOME!
cathieb-where’s the love button for this?
:o)
so awesome – can’t what to see you in action ;o)
Michelle-MEG! You seriously have to post a video of the roller skating action. I’m guessing you’ve still got it in you to be the grand champion roller skater. No doubt. And you could skate to Justin Bieber. Just throwing it out there.
Heidi -My dad just recently found his mom’s old skates in a VERY vintage old suitcase and gave them to my daughter (who is 9) and they FIT! I remember wearing those exact same skates when I was younger (not 9!). Love the fact that they have been passed along and will continue their journey. 🙂 They look just like the ones in your picture, except I think their wheels are orange.
Annie is a doll. We have a split household on Justin too- but I do notice everyone singing along in the car. 😉
Maeva -Annie sounds so grown up!
julia-Dear M. Please join my roller derby team. No pushing is allowed. Yours. J.
Carrie -Please let us see a video of you roller skating.
We had a roller rink near us that all of the kids would go to on Friday nights. It was called Starlite Triple T (funny) and I think I spent every Friday night from 5th through 8th grade there. It was so much fun. Now, at 34, I am pretty sure I would be terrified to roller skate.
PS – It’s totally ok to like Justin Beiber.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
none of these pictures have anything to do with each other. they are strays.
fillers.
and i may have even shared this one already.
i need some more coffee.
ok.
since i was a went all sad and mopey on you….let's end on something funny. "i'm the oldest jonas."
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!
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!
🙂
so let's just say that the craft day post is going to be another day because i may have been taking a hot bath. and i may have had company in that bath…making it a romantic hot bath. and it was nice. i was relaxed. there may have been candles….since it was romantic.
and then suddenly from the dark side of my (locked) door i hear BANG BANG BANG!!!!
romance dead.
i wish i could say that was the first time romance has been interrupted with knocking on the door. it's not. it's more like the norm around here.
i get out of the hot romantic bath and get a robe and crack open my door.
you know what it's going to be don't you?
"Sorry mom…i couldn't make it to the bathroom."
vomit. everywhere.
and as if the floor wasn't enough….this child threw up on the entire pile of clean towels.
romance is not just dead…it's now buried.
like forever.
me: "oh man!!" child: "i don't want to look." me: "well i don't want to clean it up either!" (just whining…not actually expecting the child to clean it..) child" "where's dad?"
me: deer in the headlights. blink blink
me: "he doesn't want to clean it up either!" child: "but he's the dad!"
i like that thinking.
there is nothing romantic about cleaning up throw up in just your robe with mascara running down your face.
and no clean towels.
nothing.
but i am not saying this actually happened…. just a hypothetical reason why i don't have a craft day post ready for you.
She Loves LIfe-Oh that is so hilarious and so sad all in the same moment it could be a Seinfeld episode!
Lisa Currie-Gurney-Ohhhhhhhh I feel for you Meg!!! If I lived closer, I’d be over to help.
Hugs from Maine
Lauren -Meg, I really needed a laugh this morning. Thank you so much! I am impressed by a few things… that you even had a romantic moment (our kids are still babies, so we crash with them) and that you thought so quickly on your toes on how to answer the ‘where’s dad’ question. Very impressed. Sick kids and their cleanup are no fun…. Good luck!!
stephanie caldwell-oh my goodness!! my friend naomi sent me a link to your blog today. to the post ‘i want you to know’ about how your life is not “perfect”. i loved it.
But this post…this post is the reason I will start reading your blog. this is so honest and real. and funny.
i hope your little one is feeling better soon.
Katy -i love this! I so enjoy your honesty. You are such a great story teller too!! I want to have a family someday and this shows me I need to cherish the no kids stage while it lasts 🙂
Staci -Oh my!! This may be my most favorite post yet!!! Sorry about the vomit though 🙁
Elise-I love your humor about the situation. hypothetically, that is.
Beth -OMGosh, first a chuckle from me and then a Oh my I am sorry about the barf moment.
Great post but sorry the kid got sick…hope it was just a one time puke and she is feeling better.
deb meyers -blink blink.
you are SO funny. Hope reading your own story makes it all better : ) thanks for the early morning laugh!
deb meyers
the whyte house-just laughed entirely way too loud. thank you for that!! i always fear the “where’s dad?” question in those hypothetical instances. 🙂 lol.
Griswold Fun-So, so funny (and honest)! i read this out loud to my husband since i was laughing!
Bess -Been there, done that. Nothing imaginary, unfortunately! Very romantic moment…knock on the door. “What is it baby?… Response, “I just threw up”. Crack the door, sure enough. Scrambled eggs and chocolate milk dripping off of him and onto the floor not to mention almost everywhere else. You talk about mood altering. It took hours to clean up. Good for me…my kids throw up like a pro. No crying here.
Lisa-Cracking up over here, sorry, but you have to see the humor in it, right??
Ellie Arsenault-and ps….sorry your romance was ruined…nothing like vomit to spoil the mood. yuck.
Ellie Arsenault-Well…I hope you don’t think this is weird but I spent a little time every day for the last few weeks going through all your blog posts…And I’m SO sad that I finished them tonigh…because you’re just like me in 10 years!
Reading through the posts has reaffirmed my desire to have 4 kids, once I get married next year.
I was thrilled to see that some people really do love colours and rainbows as much as me!
Your photographs have me taking more photos of everyday life…and blogging about them too!
And those stuffed shells??? I made them last night, and ate almost 1/6 pan….in one sitting, on my own! to DIE for.
So I just wanted to say….hi 🙂 and thanks for blogging….I feel inspired again because of you!
Brooke-Whether this happened or not ;)you made me laugh out loud! Vomit = no fun!
heather-Oh my word! Crying I’m laughing so hard!
SO SORRY!!!
Megan -HILARIOUS!! So been there!
amy jupin-1. i’m very jealous that you can find time for romance.
2. ohh, poor kid.
3. yucko.
4. that’s right, he’s the dad! vomit=dad job. i agree!
5. hahahahahahahaaaaa this is a funny story! so glad you posted it.
Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com-Real life is so NOT like the movies when it comes to romance, but I love this story, I’m sure we can all relate. That’s why we love you so much. Thanks for making me smile.
Tanya @ Life in 3D-I’ve really been pondering adding to our family lately…questioning …Do I want a third??…You may have just cured me. :oD
Cari -This is about as real as you can get. Such is life. Love it! (The realness, not the vomit or the interrupted romance.) 🙂
Courtney Walsh-bwwwhahahha. I am totally NOT laughing AT you…just NEAR you!!
lol
romance has been killed more than once ’round these parts too!! But omgosh, that’s funny stuff.
Elizabeth@BlueClearSky-Hypothetically, tears are streaming from laughter here. Oh, the poor people! Thanks for making tonight’s chores not seem so bothersome.
Courtney McIlwain -Thanks so much for sharing. I really needed a laugh today. I can totally feel your pain. Kids, what are you going to do with them?
Grace-Thank you for being transparent and real. It makes us love you all the more. 🙂
shauna reed-This is a GREAT post. You are priceless.
linda -you are hilarious. that story was too much! loved the reaction to where is dad? sorry about the barf…and the towels…and the laundry…and the no action!
🙂 linda
Diana-I don’t know whether to plug my ears and say “too much info!” or gag thinking about the other…
♥
Lisa -THANK YOU for sharing this! That happens in our house all the time! (interruptions not vomit) Hypothetically of course! 😉
Joyce-really hypothetically not giggling ( much)
oh my that sounds like our house!
Georgia-Hahaha that cracked me up…specially your ‘ deer in head lights’ blink blink … 😀
Tanya H-I may or may not be laughing myself sick becuase every. single. time we attempt any extra romance in the same building as our children, someone pukes. I’ve never felt clever about it the next day. 🙂 Thanks!
Sara-awesome story. only because it didn’t happen to me!
Kerri-And there you have it – REAL LIFE!!
Yours in shared laundry,
Kerri 🙂
kat-Totally laughing and gagging here. This momma does not do vomit very well, I gag my head off and tears stream down my face, it’s just awful. Ugh, sorry your romantic bath was interrupted. 🙁 And sorry your child is sick, that is even worse.
Ashley -Oh man! What a way to have to answer the bathroom door. I had to chuckle, though. I have been in similar hypothetical situations. They have built in radar, I tell you. We keep a small trash can near the bed for tissues amd just the occasion, all the time now. I hope everyone else stays well and little bit gets well fast.
Suzette -Oh, I feel for you!!! Hope today is better!
Teri-In our house, dad cleans up the vomit. Or, I will be adding to it.
Although the romance was interrupted, at least there was romance. Sorry about the extra laundry. That is the worse thing ever.
Nicole Q.-Oh man — hope you can get a raincheck on that hypothetical hot bath! :))
alaina -LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! Totally made my day!!! Maybe tonight will be better! 😉
Shauna-In the voice of Oliver….”eeeeeeeewww”
Thats terrible! I hope you get that hypothetical romantic bath back!
Anna Marie-One of your best posts EVER! Hahahaha! Thanks for the (hypothetical) laugh. I needed it. I am home alone with that nasty stuff. Not only am I dealing with pregnancy puking I am also dealing with “flu” puking. Yuck!
krystall -love it…my day never seems quite so bad after I read your posts and laugh.
“where’s DAD” yeah right!!!!
Trina McNeilly-You deserve some retail therapy for that one…
so sorry for a couple of reason!
xo
Jill-awww…been there done that…maybe.
Okay, last week.
Alicia-I am so sorry, we all have those moments but I sure appreciate the laugh this morning. I hope it doesn’t happen again anytime soon. I am also getting ready for next week’s start of Christmas break…I love the idea of crafting days…will follow your lead!
Happy Day!
Niki-OHHH my! That cracks me up! Ahhh, the joy of motherhood.
steph-ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
you are KILLING me!!!!
i love it! romance dies… it’s buried. awesome!
(well, not awesome that you got no romance, but an awesomely funny story)
we’ve had the pukies here the past few days and i can def sympathize.
good luck… and WASH YOUR HANDS LOTS!!!!
i’m the only one in the family that hasn’t gotten sick yet. i’m diligent with my hand washing!!
Sugar Mama-If this actually DID happen, then I’m sorry. But I have to admit I laughed… only because I’ve been there. Well, not in the romantic tub because we don’t have that kind of tub (bummer) but I’ve had a kid vomit in the middle of romance (blushing).
Hope today is a better day!
amber-atleast you got in a little romantic time…..better than nothing:)
Nichole -HahaHAAAAaaaaaa! I never post, but I needed to tell you that despite the ruined romance of your hypothetical situation, you have an uncanny way of making it the FUNNIEST THING I’VE READ IN AWHILE!!! I mean, a big hold-my-belly laugh! That aside, here’s wishing more uninterrupted romantic hypothetical situations come your way… with more clean towels on hand… just in case. 😉
Sandy -Sorry to hear about the hypothetical situation. Thanks for the chuckles though.
I hope Child feels better soon!
Shivaun -“blink blink”… SO funny!!! Thanks for the laugh!!!!
Carla -Oh I sooooooo hear ya. My youngest is nine months old, we only have two, and yet they have killed the romance stone dead in this house and dance on its grave every night. And they also killed Romance’s friend called “Time for mommy to shower or brush her hair or do ANYTHING”. How you managed to get five of them, I have no idea lol. Bath sounds lovely though, we have a tiny bath, its just not worth it. This post just cheered me right up 🙂
Sarah-I’m so sorry in your moment of disgusting disappointment I am finding myself laughing. Bummer about the vomit and double bummer about the interrupted bath.
tasha roe-oh man! that bites.
Look at the upside to the vomit – it could have been in the carpet. you can’t throw that in the wash. ewwww.
in my house I am “The Wolf” when it comes to bodily fluids. it sucks. good luck with the vomit.
alamama-good thing it was all hypothetical…;). i feel for you.
deborah@applesinwonderland-now i know why they put those couples in the bathtubs for the cialis commercials. i’ve never come across the one with the vomit, though. vomit isn’t sexy….even with candles. aw….poor hypothetical you:(
tiffboren70@gmail.com-I love this post!! So funny…where’s dad?? This is great! Hope they are feeling better!!
Kathryn -whether this is hypothetical or not . . .
my son says the flu is going around the campus in your town.
He woke up yesterday to the sounds of someone ‘having the flu’ in the bathroom and left IMMEDIATELY to study in the library.
No shower, no brushed teeth – just got OUT of there.
(I would have been right behind him!)
sara @ it's good to be queen-throw up ruins everything!! aaah!! so not fun for the mama. so much work.
and also, you are a good wife. 🙂
Carol S -Well, I guess that’s one good thing about my kids growing up…a lot less vomit around here! Hardly any (knocked on wood floor right now). But oldest has bad sore throat and MAJOR test week as junior in high school this week…DR yesterday, no strep, come back next week if still feeling bad and check for mono…oh joy! Partner baths NOWHERE on my to do list. Go Meg!
Jeni -oh NO!! i was getting so excited for you!! vomit is awful. i think i would just throw away anything and everything that the vomit touched. well, maybe not the kid. i hope and pray the vomit bug doesn’t family member jump!
Talia -Oh, you poor thing! As if the interruption wasn’t bad enough, but to clean up after a sick child? Ugh…
Hope the little one is feeling better soon.
Hugs…
Tonya-Oh no!!! I believe you just won for worst interruption…EVER!!! Hope your kiddo feels better and it doesn’t make it ways through your home!
Jill-oh. my. goodness. that sounds horrible! thank goodness we can all laugh about it today with you! 🙂 i’m sure anything that happens to me with my kids today won’t trump your evening. i hope your kid is feeling better today and that no one else gets sick!
Penny-I pray for you that the ick doesn’t work it’s way through your household! Sorry you had the interruption. I love how the child asked, “where’s dad.” LOL You have a very good attitude lady!
jodi @ back40life-oh girl – I was so loving the reason for the interruption in scheduled blog posts until vomit entered the scene…hope it won’t spread and that it’s over soon! thinking of you today!
Kat -I love the way you can see the humour in even the “ugh” moments.
Such is life with kids eh?
I hope you get that romantic bath with clean towels soon!!
Ps I hope the crafts does not in any way involve vomit or towels 😉
Pps I am so impressed that you can even find time to be romantic with 5 kids! I am struggling with 4!
Gemma-Oh no!! Sounds like something from a film!! Really looking forward to your crafts : )
Gemma x
joana-But in the end we laugh!! I know I did! I just love the way you make it so real!
Have a nice day!!!
betsy-Ha! Thanks for the laugh.
No, I’m not laughing AT you … I’m laughing WITH you.
What’s that? You’re not laughing?
Well then, I’m sorry that your fabulous evening was interrupted. That’s no fun! You deserve evenings like that! Make sure to reschedule it in the very near future 🙂
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang-Oh my goodness. Poor thing. (teeny tiny little giggle).
Praying for you and sweet sick kiddo, hypothetically of course.
Jenni Carlisle-Bummer. Praying for your hypothetically sick kiddo..yeah know just in case he or she is actually sick.
chasity-oh….so sad.
when you are ready to try again~
i have a wonderful and EASY recipe for
lavender bath salts and vanilla sugar scrub.
ahhh…..
{{maybe sometime when the kids are off to school}}
🙂
Ali Richardson-OH NO! That’s NO fun at all! Actually, I have a barf-phobia so this post makes my heart race. Sorry your bath was interupted by the ultimate ICK. I guess with 5 kids it’s not so rare, huh?
and mama is going a little crazy. just as i was getting used to the alone time…here they are again. till monday. so crazy.
i tried really hard to be calm, nice and not crabby.
i will try harder today.
while i let them watch 3 hours of morning tv….i took a bath. and dreamt of all the things i would get from the pottery barn catalog if they called me up and said i could have whatever i wanted for free. here are my top four:
of course the furniture is beautiful but i am not ready to dream about that right now.
i spray painted.
annie made herself a pb&j. she asked for my help but i was taking the picture. i said "i know you can do it….show me"
she didn't like hearing that.
sean made mac-n-cheese for himself and talby and annie.
take one. take two. (not sure what that big knot at the top is…)
waffle is so stinky. i thought my pumpkin was rotten….but it was the dog too close to me. i think he needs a bath today.
i paid my kids to pick up the walnuts in the yard. that's what those are….they are like big golf balls all over the yard. "broken ankle any minute" is what i always think. and they are messy and gross. they got a whole trash can full. hundreds.
i paid them in ice cream. 🙂 they were thrilled.
mmmm…..mcflurries.
then we ate them at the park. which meant that dinner was not made. but fresh air was so good for my mood. what a difference!
what a bunch of goofballs i have around here.
i WILL be more patient today. i WILL leave the computer closed. i WILL look them in the eyes. i WILL read, play and interact. i WILL hug and laugh and engage. i WILL.
keylogger Mac-Walnuts are crazy!!! I would never have know what was in those weird green blobs. How in the world do you even get them out.
new balance-We cannot always build the future for our youth , but we can build our youth for the future .
natalie k -loved your post. there was lots i loved, but the tippy top of my list is how real you are. thanks for being genuine and admitting the funky stuff. you’re the tops, meg!
karen -i have those walnuts too!! and hundreds of squirrels to go with them! Love the chandelier!
Dana@Strawberrytart!-I love this post. Love the things from Pottery Barn, but I am so loving your purse! Love love love!
Prettynicelife.wordpress.com-You’re my hero — but I think you live in a time vortex where the days are longer! 🙂 I wish I had the energy or initiative to take on all your projects (not to mention manage to photograph my days!).
Now I’ll go play with my daughter without the TV — she’d thank you if she could.
amy tibbs-Your final words spoke to me today…home with a sick little one and it is really easy to sit on the computer and let her watch the tube, but I am going to engage and involve. In 20 minutes, I swear.
Also, FINALLY found the ruffle cardigans at my Target. Con: Couldn’t find them the past two weeks because I have been with the kids and unable to look at clothes. Pro: took so long to find it that it was on clearance. Whoo!
Julie-Walnuts are crazy!!! I would never have know what was in those weird green blobs. How in the world do you even get them out.
God’s creativity is amazing and funny sometimes.
valerie @ chateau a la mode-I am amazed at how good you look when you spray paint. I must change my clothes, not because I want to, but because I’m a mess. Last time I got my haircut…my hairstylist asked what I’d been painting because I had paint all down the side of my hair and I didn’t even know it…heehee.
Fun post!
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints-oh girl i just love ya. you are so real and honest. i mantra those things to myself all the time. love that you paid them in ice cream. love that you took a bath while they watched tv and you dreamed of pottery barn. that chandie was gorgeous. at the end of next week i’ll have my girls all day again too. funny how you get sooo used to all the me time and it takes a bit to switch back.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang-1st of all, I see a Dunder Mifflin coffee cup ~ rock on!
2ndly, your makeup looks awesome!
Thank you for the encouragement… me too.
amy jupin-i hear ya about engaging with the kiddos…john is away all week and i feel like i’m in survival mode. cook, clean up, wash, clean up, etc. i am definitely not engaging much. and we are all suffering! i must change that!
i am drooling over the same things from pb. they slay me with all that gorgeous mercury glass and those new chandys!!
you look beautiful by the way. love the yellow polkadots headband and your new comfy boots!!
Nichole-I’ve been wondering: What kind of spray paint do you use?
Georgia-Mc Flurries are Yummmmmmmy!!!
My grandparents have Walnut tree’s in there garden in France! – i always tell them they should bag them up as Xmas gifts for people, in a nice bag/box with some ribbon tied round, would be really nuice touch i think 🙂
Also, why are you spray painting in your new clothes?! i would be so worried i would ruin them, you look like a very stylish mama i think! 🙂
xxx
kristy-This made me laugh. I think we’re leading parallel lives. And thoughts.
THIS POST improved my mood. Thank you.
Kacey-I love your “life as Meg” posts. It’s so fun to sit here and take a peek into your colorful life.
Krista -You are so brave to spray paint with such nice clothes and boots on! I am so messy when I do projects! I just got that PB catalog yesterday, drool-worthy for sure! I can’t believe your kids are off school already. Good Luck!
Natalia Simmons-OH man, can I relate! I only have two and I feel it. I love the blog!!
Dana Banana -Our kids are off here tomorrow and I am already thinking to myself…”What am I going to do with them?” Hope your LONG weekend goes by quickly and quietly!
virginia -nice skinny jeans! and i love your headband. too cute
Christa -haha that’s funny! Our parents used to pay us to pick up walnuts, too! Although we only got 50 cents per 5-gallon bucket. I think I would have LOVED ice cream a lot more. 🙂
tara pollard pakosta -and take lots of pictures of your days, that always makes it go by happier!!!! love this post!
tara
Juli -Ack! You are spray painting in GOOD clothes!
Waffles feet…oh.my.word. I don’t care how smelly…seriously adorable.
Walnuts cleared up, see? There ARE perks to having the kids home!
Laura Phelps-It is all so hard, isn’t it?
if I help you around the house, will you pay me in margaritas?
Melanie-You look adorable and I love the pictures:)
Leslie Blair -do you ever come to kansas city to do family photo shoots or maybe even Lawrence?
Janine -All I could think was – she was spray painting in her good clothes and new boots! I put on the rattiest pajamas and socks to spray paint and paint in. I don’t care what the neighbors think! Great pictures!
shauna-super good picture of you!
don’t you just wonder how you did it all summer?
i mean by next summer you will probably be ready again, but now?
in OCtober?
I LOVE being with my kids. really. but all of them all day?
it’s headspinning.
and i only have three 🙂
i think mine may be too coughy for school today.
i WILL use your list.
Heather R. -Oh…And Donna’s comment is RIGHT…You need a book published!!! Lots of pics. 🙂
Heather R. -I need to pep talk myself. Your makeup is looking fab lately…FYI. Happy Fall!
Rebekah-We have two walnut trees in our yard and I know EXACTLY what you mean about the broken ankle. When my daughter was smaller she couldn’t even walk around the yard in the fall without tripping continually over walnuts. Do you ever use them? I feel dumb buying nuts at the store at $3/lb when my backyard is paved with them, but it’s such a pain to actually get to the nut. I keep thinking that if I were more industrious I would be using them instead of just feeding all the squirrels in a 2-block radius.
Suzanne -Meg, you even look adorable spray painting. Are those your new boots? They are so cute!
tasha roe-I am all about bribing my kids too! A little positive reinforcement. 😉
A bath sounds dreamy right now.
Whatcha’ spray painting? I am addicted to it. If someone stopped by unexpected they would probably think I’m huffing in my basement. lol
Suzette-love this Meg! Especially the list at the end~
Anna Marie-Sometimes the Conservation Department wants those walnuts (not sure what for). One year they paid my younger siblings for them. Not a ton of money but to the kids it was. You might want to check them out.
donna-I am telling you – you need to write a book ~ just about daily stuff! We are ALL so taken with your blog and your everyday ordinary stuff. You have a way with words and you help motivate me! Get on that book! Oh – lots of pictures in the book please.
katie-love that i’m not the only one who spray paints in whatever clothes i have on (instead of changing into paint clothes). i loved this post.
Gemma-You look so cute!
Enjoy your time with them : )
Gemma x
amy nicholl -I need to know where you got your red handbag!!! I love it!
jennifer-My kids are off all next week. And we’re moving in the middle of the week. Good times!
I love your sweater and can’t wait to see the finished pictures of whatever that is that you are painting. You will definitely need to share what color it is. And your Dunder Mifflin mug made me laugh!
`Kelly-My kids have today & tomorrow off too. This time it’s for P/T conferences.(we do year-round school so it’s already time for these!) Last week they had Thursday & Friday off for a state-wide inservice thing. Last week I let them just be. No plans, no real structure. It was fun but made me crazy. Today there’s a plan. Enjoy the time with your kids!
Dana@Bungalow'56-All I kept thinking while reading the post was… wow she sure wears nice clothes to spray paint. I tried to shake it but it just kept niggling at me. If you’ve got the grumpies because of the monthly’s my sister who gets them bad just called me yesterday and swears by a new concoction she’s on. 1600 mg of calcium in 400 mg increments (thats all your body can absorb at a time) and an extract, which I forget the name of. I’ll add it on later today. If its not because of this, then I guess the McFlurry would be a good place to start. How can you not be in a good mood with one of those in your hands?
Dana
Julia-About the kids being off from school-as my husband says -what now?
About your Pottery Barn shopping… It sounds like your doing my kind of shopping – your not looking at the furniture because you’re being “realistic”. Go crazy! Play pretend with the furniture!
carols -oops, meant to say lamp shades from Target and it was a cheap way for a fresh look.
carols -Well since your computer is closed you won’t see this till Friday, but…fun picures, and that is either a really good angle of you or you have lost weight! Maybe both. Funny, if that is a lazy day at your house, you should see it around here. I just got new drum shades in a sort of light textured beige fabric (don’t know what it is) for existing lamps this week and it feels fresher. Enjoy having the kids and the gorgeous fall weather, you’re an amazing mom.
Sara @ It's Good to be Queen-love your pottery barn pics, i’d pick those too. i especially love that mercury glass lamp paired with the burlap shade. so so pretty. hope you have a great day with your kids today!
Kirsten P -Our local school got new playground equipment after a year long renovation. It looks exactly like the equipment at your park – except ours is royal blue and bright yellow. Do you also have shredded tires on the ground? (In case anyone is interested the equipment is called Evos Playsystem by landscape structures.)
Amy Lynne-Good luck! I hope you all have a good day.
MichelleLKent-We all have days like that….At the end of the day they know that Mum loves them..here’s hoping to abetter day tomorrow…
Susan -You have boots on while spray painting.I wish Vegas was cold enough for boots but i am still in shorts.I check your blog every night before i go to bed.Night Night !!
Nikki-Why are they off of school?
I love your top 4 from pottery barn… just beautiful.
at our school they start kindergarten half days for the first 9 weeks. then they go full day the rest of the year. i guess it's to ease into it….easier adjustment for everyone. i love it.
annie has had me walk her to her classroom everyday. none of my other kids wanted that. ever. so of course i did that today too. i think i would've been sad if she didn't want me there today.
soon she'll go in with her brother and sister but for a while i will still walk her in. it gives me motivation to get out of my pajamas now before we leave for school.
this picture sums it up. double hand grasp on mommy. she said all morning "my stomach hurts" and she wanted lots of extra help getting dressed. she was so nervous for her day.
THIS is annie's look that means she is nervous. i LOVE that i captured it.
and then she was ready for me to go. thank goodness. i couldn't have handled any crying….without crying myself. so glad she was brave.
very strange feeling to be all alone so early in the day. i am fine with time alone.
it's not that i MISS my kids when they are at school….i don't. i know that they are safe and happy and that they will be home again soon. what i am feeling is that annie is my last baby and now she is a big kid at school. and i am 35. so i am old and alone.
just kidding. i mean….i AM old and alone….but it's not a bad thing.
a new chapter of my grown up life begins. i can only go to MOPS meetings as a mentor mom from now on. (i haven't been to MOPS for 6 years but i remember thinking with five kids i could be in MOPS forever) i have no excuse for a messy house anymore. (except for those five kids again) i have no excuse not to exercise. i have no excuse for dinner not being ready. i have no excuse to have a MOUNTAIN of laundry like i do right now. i have no excuse to not be reading my bible and spending real time with God.
those are my areas to focus on in this new grown up life i have been given starting today. whether i asked for it or not.
with that….i am out the door for a long run. i am going to blast my music and cry if i want to. but i don't think i will. i think this grown up life is going to be pretty good.
ps….i went dancing this weekend. it was one of the best nights i have had all year.
Trina McNeilly-Change is always different, exciting and scary but it will be good….so very good.
Rebecca-yes, i have no excuse either (although my kindergartener is only in school every-other day)… i really need to get back into my routine. especially reading my Bible. thanks for the reminder… i really need to be accountable for this. good luck with your new-found quiet freedom. enjoy it.
kristin-this made my heart skip. i know that face too. my protective-preschool-teacher feelings just came up. i know she is fine too.
and i have felt like i am on vacation every day. : )
Sue -My son’s are grown and in their 30’s but today reading your blog I almost cried remembering the fist day of kindergarten and then again the first day of Jr. High. That was the hardest for me. I remember both of my son’s did NOT want me at the school and made me go back to the car and leave because they could see I was going to cry. They were men to me that day and really it was harder letting them go to Jr. High than Kindergarten. I only had two but you have 5 what a blessing that is.
Now that you have time, my advice as an old woman, is relish that time with God and everything else will fall into place. Blessings, Sue
shauna-i love her nervous face…good job momma.
there is just something about that little sweetheart!
on her last day of preschool, i had only read your blog once or twice and i fell in LOVE with her!(i think cause she reminds me of my ella)I wrote you a LONG comment, and then it somehow got erased(grrrrrr) and i got all discouraged about commenting…
i got over it 😉 thanks for sharing with us…
Julie-Grown up life is complicated. Sometimes I really crave it and look forward to it, but then other times it makes me sad. You are a running/ laundry/ cooking/ cleaning superstar though!!! Bring it! Yay for cute, brave Annie.
Nikki-All my kids are at school this year…my house is still messy, I still have a mountain of washing and I don’t exercise… I think I spend too much time shopping, having coffee out with friends and way too much time on the computer… oh well… and now you’re telling me that next year when I turn 35 I’m considered old… oh well 😉
BTW, I love Annie’s nervous face…. too cute.
I’m off to clean my messy house before the husband and kids come home and realise I’ve been lounging around all day.
Sandra K -So please do a post on the night of dancing…!
amy jupin-i don’t know why, exactly, but this post made me tear up meg!
i think it was the pic of annie’s death grip on your hand or maybe seeing her with her hands over her eyes.
so much emotion in those little pictures.
gheez, there i go again.
i think i need some chocolate. (or a martini, or maybe a chocolate martini??)
🙂
april@gingerbreadgirl -Im LOving your new blog title pic!!!
crystal beutler-I haven’t had kids at home for years now. I STILL have mountains of laundry, I don’t exercise like I should, dinner is never on time, the house still isn’t clean. I’m doing something wrong. 🙂 That, or I’m busier now that I was before kids went to school all day. Go figure. I’m worried about what’s going to happen when they leave home for good.
The Lady of the House-LOVE the header girl – you’re so creative! & Your baby girl is so darn cute! I just about bawled when I saw that picture of her with her hands over her face… I have 2 boys (so far) 3 and almost 1 – I’m nervous about this step, I’m glad it’s not here yet! 🙂
The Lady of the House
aimee-if that face in the hands isn’t the cutest picture ever! and you are not in the least bit old!
Kat -I love this post Meg!
Makes me want to smile and cry all at the same time.
I am already struggling with the fact that I am not pregnant and having another baby like I normally am.
Trying to decide whether to stop at 4 kids or stretch myself to the limit and have #5…
Annie is so gorgeous. I love how you captured the moment, esp the hand holding and her nervous face. Bless!
Yay you for your positive attitude, for being sentimental and for going out dancing.
Can you do a post about the dancing? Sounds fun and I need more fun!
Dineen-My grown up life starts next year when my youngest heads off to 1st grade. Thankfully, we only do 1/2 day kindergarten here. I LOVE having her home with me in the mornings! I’m really sad just thinking about next year. But if you can do it…then maybe I can too.
beth-Grown up life…I just joined the grown up life again…my three kids are 12 years apart so I know how you feel…I can say I will not have anymore babies so I am all grown up for good and I haven’t hit 50 yet…soon though..hehehe
Enjoy your time!
Oh yeah I borrowed on of your pumpkin pics as my backdrop on my puter at work…hope that is alright, it brightens my day…all your pics but only nature ones I will use. If not ok please let me know and I will not do it again. I never share any pics of course.
se7en-Oh Isn’t Annie a darling… You are both so brave!!!
Julia-You are not old. 40 is old. So old. And sad. Old and sad. Hopefully you’ll handle it as well as I am.
Julie K.-I’m so jealous! Just being honest here … I feel like a grown-up trapped in a mama’s body. You know I love the little people but I would love to have all day to focus on all that must get done and be fresh for them when they come home!! Enjoy!!! 🙂
karen -awww..that was a touching post.
You are so lucky to have five ‘grown’ up kids and be 35 years YOUNG!!
I am 32 years old with a 3 year old and a 4 month old. They are my heart.
sandy toe-I started that grown up life this year too. But, I didn’t know I couldn’t have a messy house anymore???
sandy toe
Georgia-Hey, just think how many extra photo shoots you can fit in!!! 😉
emily -ook. there are some 35 year olds who are just getting married, or beginning to have babies- you’re not old. stop saying that. you’re just in a new phase of life.
Tamsen Fussell -Just want you to know that I am a mama in Montana with 4 kids all about the same ages as yours. I, too, have the teenage daughter…and the sweet kindergartener- with 2 others thrown in the middle for good measure! I totally can relate to sending your baby off. And to having a whole day to yourself. And to feeling old- ha! Thank you so much for your blog- making me laugh, and cry, and not feel so bad about my own mountain of laundry…:) -Tamsen
jodi -first of all, meg–you are not old. OLD PEOPLE DO NOT GO OUT DANCING! ha good for you.
secondly, we moved back to the northeast last year and i became a mentor at the mops i started 18 years ago.. s u r r e a l
being “old” rocks (and i am much older than you)
Karen Lehmann-i LIKE that “easing” into the school year. Your school system has it right!
Catriona -“i have no excuse to not be reading my bible and spending real time with God.” Start with this and the rest will take care of itself – you know it!
Enjoy your week – soon it will be the weekend and everyone will be around. x
PS 35 is NOT old!!!
Deanna-Aww..Annie in full time school! Just remind yourself that summer is only 8 months away and then they will ALL be home! 😉
And come check out my give-away if you get a chance- http://www.deannablogs.blogspot.com
Cari -The pictured you captured of her holding your hand brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful. (I guess I am officially no longer a “lurker”.) 😉
Laura-I am going to go with “the best is yet to come”
we are young
YOU are YOUNGER
have I mentioned I love you?
and I love Annie
that face
so glad I got to see it in person
xoxoxo
Karen -Grown up life is good! (just different)
Ashley-I literally teared up looking at the pics of you dropping Annie off. Of her holding your hand so tight. My daughter is only 11 months old, and it will be a while before I have to send her to school, but I teach and leave her every morning….so I feel your pain. 🙁
But I bet it feels great to know that you’ll have some time to focus on other things while the kiddos are at school!:)
Courtney Walsh-I have to be honest and say I love that you were honest in saying you don’t miss your kids when they’re at school. I really don’t either. I love my time with our youngest and I know that once he’s gone, I’ll love my alone time too. I feel kinda rotten saying that, but I think it’s a good thing that I like to be alone sometimes.
🙂 Makes our time together that much sweeter! Hope the run was wonderful, Meg!!
Andi German -I’m so glad you went dancing! Not been dancing for ages … but I did dance today – in the kitchen to an old tape I found that’s 20 years old!!! I had my own little rave. Have been lurking for a while – decided to comment. Love your blog.
Andi
purejoy-if i can embrace my empty nest and grownupness, you can embrace yours. what a thrill to be embarking on something oh-so-new!!
Karen Gerstenberger-I think you are right. So why is it, though I didn’t cry when my kids went to school for a full day, that this post makes me want to cry?
God bless you and your family. I have faith that He will lead you every step of the way, as you listen for Him – double-hand-grasp, like Annie’s.
deb meyers -i’ll never forget when the realization dawned on me — after a few weeks of whining “I am home all day, why can’t I get everything done?!” that the time I actually had at home ALONE was only 4 hours. But I had been telling myself it was ‘all day’ (which means, what, 12 hours?) but it wasn’t 12 hours. Does that make sense?
deb meyers
patti-i’m learning to grasp my grown-up life too…but I’m 41 and still have a 3 year old. guess it took me a little longer to grow up. 🙂
Jill J -You are braver than me. When my baby went all day a few weeks ago, I balled my eyes out. I am old and alone and I don’t know if I like it. Maybe I would feel better if I went dancing too?! 🙂
Maria-love it. Enjoy your new life…
and that laundry pile?
still there for me.
but I’ve only been in my new life since mid-August…so, barely getting over my ‘last-child-out-the-door-time-to-go-back-to-bed-nap’
starbucks helps.
Elissa-i wish our kindergarten did this. we are 1/2 days all year and my K boy is totally ready for a full day. he says K is easier than preschool! oh well… it is what it is. enjoy being having a grown up life! i’m looking forward to it 🙂
i haven’t been dancing in a DOG’s age.
Megan-Yea you! My youngest started K last year and it was quite an adjustment for me. I felt like I had to do that ‘no excuses’ list you wrote about perfectly everyday. This year I am trying not to take it so seriously. Like this morning…I drank my coffee and watched a movie on the couch – just because. {And I’m not going to feel guilty about it.} Here’s to a great new start for you and hoping you get some mornings on the couch! 🙂
Dana@Bungalow'56-Megan,
I love this stage. My youngest is seven. Wonderful snots. Used to love dancing…. so where do “Old” moms go to dance? Just curious.
Dana
Tiffany Ruda-I reeeeaally can’t even begin to wrap my head around that stage of mommy-hood, but it’s awesome to hear about your new season. I hope you enjoy every moment! PS, love your blog.
Routhie -Your bravery is her bravery. I never tire of watching my girls change and grow. Have fun with your new grown up life! xx
Krista -Love the double-hand grasp, that Annie is such a sweetie. I think you’ll both be loving this new life! Kindergarten is such a blast!
Cassie-oh my goodness. that nervous look is exactly like ayla’s nervous look!
enjoy your long run! (is that possible??)
🙂
melissa-I am starting to get a little taste of grown up life with the girls in preschool 2 days a week and I am loving it so far!
Enjoy, it sounds good to me!
Melanie-I like my grown up life too:) I think that you will do just fine. You will see though that the time goes by so fast! Enjoy your day.
Lora-Love this post. I’ve seen that nervous pose before too. My baby is 10 and I still miss him being home with me everyday… sometimes, but most of the time I love my home alone time.
Gemma-Like I said before…soon this will become your ‘norm’ and you’ll rarely look back! Until then just keep on keeping on : )
Gemma x
Trish-It’s your party and you can cry if you want to! or not 🙂
friday was annie's last day of afternoon kindergarten.
our morning times together will be over. she is a big girl now. i will miss her at home with me. and having one more kid to get ready in the morning will be crazy.
we spent our last day at the nursery picking out some fun pumpkins.
Logan -I’m behind on my reading after being out of town all week last week with a sick mother. I LOVE the pumpkin pictures. Good job with the photography.
crystal beutler-I lovvvvvvvvve these pics. There’s just something about big orange pumpkins that makes me melancholy. I need to get myself to a pumpkin patch.
Four Flights-beautiful pictures. I like the one with warts all over it 🙂
So do they do afternoon for a period of time, and then switch to mornings? Interesting…
Heather R. -I blinked…they grew. hugs.
Mindy Harris-Annie has a frosty! My guilty pleasure.
carols -Awww…a new chapter is going to start. I like the comment that each stage brings wonderful memories. (though, some of these teen adventures I could do without). It’s all part of the big plan. Annie is a happy kid, and I know you have a lot to do with that Meg. Keep doing it!!
Kelle -Love. I miss a good cool fall. And, I always have to laugh at the “warty” pumpkins.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints-I know it’s sad. A new chapter starting. But trust me you will love it. Gorgeous pumpkin pics. I learn so much from you. I need to zoom in alot more to take better pics.
Melanie-Now you will have the whole day to yourself. Enjoy it. It will fly by.
Sarah@Clover Lane-Happy Belated Birthday and great pumpkin pics. You will keep busy all day, I know you will. That’s the best rememedy I think, for scraping yourself off the floor…at least that’s my plan.
Diana-No way! We were there picking out some cute pumpkins today, too! My fave are the Turks Turban. And a couple beautiful mauve mums. So pretty.
I will refrain from telling you how fast time will now fly. Nope, not gonna go there. You didn’t hear it from me. 😛 LOL!
Heather-Freaky pumpkins! I’m going to miss Annie at home with you, too! I love watching her grow :o) she’s so cute! I hope you’ll still take lots of pictures of her – you know, doing homework and things ;o).
Flower Patch Farmgirl-“What did I miss here? Why is she done already with afternoon kindergarten?” she wondered aloud.
Nikki-So sad… my little Ezra started full time school this year and I’ve been lost all year 🙁
The pumpkin sign is very cute.
Sandra K -I was wondering why she’s done with afternoon kindergarten, too..is she switching to morning kindergarten or an all day program? Is this something your school does to ease the transition?
Grace-I used to get upset when my daughter was a baby—not wanting her to get any bigger, because I thought she was so perfect then.
And then she grew. And continues to grow. And while I tear up remembering different milestones, I can’t imagine not knowing who she is now.
What a wonderful gift, to live in every moment and see the people that God is creating our children to be.
Glad you were able to have that one-on-one morning time with Annie. She seems like a special girl. 🙂
jen-IS she going into full day kindergarten? Do they ease them into it by starting them at half day? Interesting. I think it’s for the kids AND their parents. :o)
Tara-what a wonderful time! i love how you captured all those textures!! just wanted to let you know that today i used one of your Thursday crafts with a group of girls from a slum in my city in the Southern Hemisphere. Thanks for the idea….I keep checking back for more. 🙂 http://www.missionurban.org/blog/2010/10/02/crafts-with-the-girls/
amber-great shots! did you make her shirt? it is darling
Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com-Awww…that post tugs at my heartstrings. My youngest had her last day of afternoon kindergarten nine (?) years ago and you know sometimes it still makes me sad, but I will tell you that each new chapter brings with it new, wonderful memories. I love your positive attitutde.
AshleyAnn-Well it was a good attempt at a happy post with all those beautiful pictures…but it made me sad…for both of you. But then happy for both of you too. Awesome job at making the most of that day!
ali-It’s hard – but nice to have a great day together to remember! And those pumpkins were awesome.
Christina-What a fun day together. I love her shirt!
Changes are hard…but good for us, no? I don’t like them at all, but, as you say, life goes on. 🙂 They have to grow…but so do I! haha I bet she’ll be full of stories for you each day.
Sharla-dadadadada life goes on (love the pumpkin pics and now I’m going to be singing all day – thanks!)
julia-Some pumpkins are truly terrifying.
I’m going to be boo-hoo-ing big time next year.
Dana D@BoysMyJoys-Such a fun day together!
I bet Annie is so excited!
And after a few days, you’ll probably enjoy it a lot too!
You are right, life does go on… such a positive way to think of it!
linda lou -beautiful fall colors what beauty you have found in your photos …………blessings, lindalou
Susan-I love the pumpkins, the colors and the nursery. I can’t wait to get in the full swing of Fall. I’m putting up my Fall decorations today while enjoying our apple cider and pumpkin spice cookies.
I thought I was going to be an emotional wreck when my youngest started school full time, now I just find myself giddy with the thought of the things that I can do without having to leave in an hour to go pick someone up. Is that selfish?
Art Cant Hurt-the names of the pumpkins in the photo made me smile!
special memories you’re making. life moves forward whether
we want to push the pause button to enjoy it longer or not.
take care! xoxo
just when i reach the end of my rope….my patience is gone….i am acting a little crazy…a lot angry… God uses people in my life to encourage and uplift me. i posted that funny video and 30 minutes later the mail came. there were three gifts in my mail box. out of the blue. from kind women….giving to give. and i don't know any of them in real life.
thank you ladies for lifting me up when i was feeling very down. i love each one so much! i felt so special. did that change my mood though? you would think so but unfortunately….no. i spent my evening griping at everyone….complaining….avoiding my family… and them avoiding me for fear of my reaction. craig even tried to cheer me up with a milkshake…it worked for a few minutes. then i took a hot bath and did some reading. and look what God gave me to read: "We all want to be good examples for our kids – but how often do we stop and consider what it really entails?In addition to changing diapers and running carpools, and helping with science problems, godly women are supposed to be wise, resourceful, hospitable, encouraging, diligent, creative , generous, faithful, watchful, vigorous, strong and cheerful – and that's just for starters! If you think I am making this up, take a look at Proverbs 31. Reading this passage used to discourage me. I'd start by checking off the verses I had "covered" – things like sewing curtains and dust ruffles, or keeping my lamp burning late in the night as I made endless "To Do lists. But no matter how hard I tried, I never got much farther than that. I was always, as my friend Kenzie likes to put it, "the Proverbs 32 woman". But that's where Jesus comes in. By myself I will never measure up. No matter how hard I try to do everything "right," there will always be times when I let my children down. Unlike the Proverbs 31 mother, I will probably never know what it feels like to have my kids get out of bed in the morning and call me "blessed!" But I have learned that the less I rely on my own abilities and the more I rely on Christ – and the more I let my children see me depending on him for wisdom, guidance, and strength – the more I will be able to set an example that's worth following. Instead of saying "Look at me," I'll be able to say "Look at Jesus." (pg. 190 of Praying the Scriptures for your Children) good stuff. God is so good. He is the only true happiness and hope and way out from those dark places.
i think i will be fine for tuesday. ———————————————————————————————————————————– side note: it's 12:44 AM….my entire house has been asleep for an hour. i am typing in the dark in my bed. annie just appeared at my bedside….with her sleepy bed head and only her my little pony undies on… hugged my arm tight and then walked back out of the room. i love being a mama. ———————————————————————————————————————————– side side note: do i sound like a psycho? one post saying i want to do so many things the last three days of summer…. the next post saying i am going crazy like a hormonal wolf man with bleeped out swear words…. then talking about how much i love and need jesus and love my kids???? i think i do sound a little bit off. it's the adjustments….they are coming this week whether i am ready or not. my baby will be gone….my mornings start so early….and my washing machine is still broken…etc. etc. etc. i hope to be back to my normal self soon.
Melissa-Thanks for your post. I have been struggling with these same feelings. I have not been the wife or mom God has called me to be lately. My oldest started kindergarten and I am adjusting to a new stage of life. I love the Proverbs 32 women- that’s so me! Hang in there- I hope your week has gotten better.
deb meyers -your struggle encourages me in mine. I wish I was brave enough to repost the crazy wolfman on my FB, but I’m not. that’ why God brings me your blog!
deb meyers
Kelly-Megan, thanks for being real. Being a mom is hard and I’m only four months in but thank you also for sharing the sweet things like annie coming in that make it so great. God has not given us more than we can bear! Kelly
Lori -Meg,
Thank you for being so open, honest and REAL! Your post reminded me that I am not alone in my own struggles as a mother and a wife. You have encouraged me tonight. Thank you.
Suzanne -thanks for the honesty Meg. You are not alone (see above!) or any different from most moms. Oh how I wish we would all be so honest in real life. Remember that this life is not all there is too, Meg. I take comfort in that a LOT. My children are all grown, but my unsaved husband is an alcoholic, so I struggle with loving him one minute and hating him the next AND I am supposed to be a Christian who overcomes it all. I feel like I am going crazy at times until I get my eyes off myself and onto Jesus.
Sending love your way…be encouraged that you are not alone in this struggle.
Lori -Oh we ALL have those days…How lucky and loved are you to receive 3 random gifts on the same day? 🙂 Will you email or post where the 2 came from? I’m guessing these ladies have Etsy shops…?
Jonelle -You are not psycho!!! I think every mother has felt these feelings, and it’s a shame we don’t share this more often with each other. Instead, we all go along feeling like we are alone and slowly losing our minds. Thank you for your vulnerability and honesty in talking about your feelings and struggles. Our pastor has been talking a lot about this lately – about exposing ourselves and not living with a facade that everything’s “fine.” As Christians, we struggle and make mistakes, but the great thing is we have a God who continues to love us and grant us His mercy. This is our testimony to others – not that we are perfect but that we are saved.
karen -your side notes made me laugh!!
For some reason I read them in a whispered voice?!?!
Kate-I’m quite sure we have all been there. I have yet to meet a woman or a mom who hasn’t. As women we are loving and passionate and creative and smart. We aren’t perfect. That’s God’s thing. And it’s important to let our kids see that we can be wonderful and still have bad days. Hope your day is better.
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang-Sweetest Meg, hang in there. All I can say is that I am so thankful for your honesty. I am so glad I am not alone.
patti-oh, you are so loved! i’ve been a huge fan of michelle’s artwork for years. her stuff is so amazing. i love the little wooden blocks. what a lovely day for you – revel in it!
Juli -If you’re crazy, I am far more so! Personally, I think you sound much more like a frazzled Mom than a psycho.
Melissa-oh how i love to read your blog. you are so real!
laurenjean-This makes me feel normal. I want so many different things all the time. one second I am envying Michell Duggar and her 19 kids, the next I am wondering if I will make it to nap time without locking myself in the closet and crying.
You’re real.
I like that.
Darcie L. -As a 30-year old child, 🙂 I am now realizing how wonderful my parents are, and what a great job they did. So, maybe your kids will come back to you in 10-15 years, spend the night in your home for Christmas or some other holiday, and then rise and call you “blessed.” I know I am recognizing that in my mom now more than ever. I just didn’t see it back then. 🙂
Emily B.-Not to say to that your struggle with swerving levels of motivation and conviction please me (I’m sorry to hear of your difficulty)… but I am blessed to know I am not alone in feeling similarly. Your vulnerability and honesty about the ups, downs and in-betweens helps me realize more and more that we are all in the same boat. This makes me want to grow in authenticity. Because if I try to cover up my struggles and weaknesses and look like I have it all together, than my friends, family and I will feel more alone/isolated in struggles. I think that’s just what the enemy wants, for us to be alone (with our doubts and lies) in our troubles.
Whoa, you hit a nerve, huh?! 🙂
Courtney Walsh-Having a pretty rough day here…took my kids to their first day at their new school in a new state and there were lots of tears. Broke my heart. Thank you for this reminder.
Sweet gifts from sweet women. 🙂 Your reminder that you are loved…
Sara @ It's Good to be Queen-i. hear. you. oh man girl, i have been straight up psychotic lately. i don’t think my boys or my husband knows what the heck to do with me. seriously, i’m like a maniac. i keep praying that getting back into a routine will help…but i so need some alone time with Jesus i think . you don’t sound psychotic at all, by the way. you sound so normal, so thanks. misery does love company. 😉
rosemarie -meg you are so real and many women feel like you..moms don’t think their kids are listening to them and it’s all just a waste of time and energy(trying to be mom), but kids are listening and when their mothers are not around and they do the right thing, and when they grow up and turn into adults we are proud of them. we taught them well…
doe -Could you please share who gave you those painted signs/pictures? Love them!
Holly-Meg your post was just what I needed to read. I had a night like yours last night.
amandadod-This made me smile because your post sounded like most all of us feel. Being a mom is such a blessing and such a burden. But we aren’t expected to do it alone – God is big and He walks beside us … usually doing the heavy lifting. 🙂
kat-I hope you are feeling better today. From one frazzled mama to another, I know how you feel. Thanks for the encouragement and lifting me up. Hope today is wonderful for you! (Otherwise, just get yourself a hat…) Just kidding, seriously though, I hope today is a better day, my friend!
Gevay -Oh by the way Martha Peace has a book called Damsels in Distress about how to handle the emotions that all women have in a God honoring way.
Gevay -Meg this post strikes a cord with me. In our humanness we are never going to cut it. I often feel like you do, all over the place. I get angry then think “How does that look to my kids?” or “How am I reflecting Jesus?”. I think that excerpt you put in your post is right on. Less us and more of Him! Gevay
evan-my world feels very much the same right now: end of summer… approaching school routine again… not really sure how it will all go… trying to finish up a HUGE project and can’t because i’m literally sick. with something that feels like the flu.
thank God for Jesus, grace, mercy & husbands, right?
this too shall pass…
blu -as mamas we are a little crazy sometimes but as so many of the comments suggest and as mine will suggest also, you are not alone. keep being honest and we’ll keep responding and encouraging you and one another. our hope is in Him and as long as we know that, then there is joy waiting for us in the morning 🙂 be blessed Meg!
Tanya H-Nope you sound completely normal.
Having righteous desires to enjoy our children and spend time with them and build memories with them, but then still being human and feeling overwhelmed and being TIRED of the fighting and really needing a break. And then catching yourself and finding yourself right where you need to be.
Or maybe that’s me….that’s my week too. and I have seven more days for my oldest to go back to school and 14 for my younger one.
Christy -This is perfect timing for me. I just scolded my son last night because his glasses were missing & then I found them, high on a shelf to where only I would have put them. 🙁 What a reality check.
nicky-this is just what i needed to read this morning. thank you so much. my husband left for business and being by myself for 4 days creates so much anxiety in me. our 2 year old daughter has special needs and uncontrolled seizures so needless to say there are moments in every day when i am simply scared. and not having him near makes it even harder. sometimes i feel like i can’t do this but having encouraging words and reminders like you posted help more than you can imagine.
Flower Patch Farmgirl-Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’m making Your/Craig’s bbq meatballs for Calvin’s First Day of School dinner tonight. Why should that make you feel better? I have no idea. But I hope it does. But just in case it still doesn’t, I’m also making homemade mashed potatoes and PEAS (C’s fave) and Ginger Peach cake that is actually more of a pie-ish sort of thing.
miss r-Not crazy at all. In fact, it is comforting to know that I’m not the only one with what feels like schizophrenia at times. It always happens when I’m relying on my own understanding and abilities instead of His.
Trina McNeilly-well than i am a crazy hormonal wolf woman too. Sometimes it is just so refreshing to know you are not the only one floating around in crazy mom land. Wanting to be a good mom and a proverbs 31 woman and failing miserably at it and then waking up to start it all over again. I love that excerpt though. How true that we won’t be perfect but trying again, asking God for help and relying on HIM because we will never be good enough is the right example. Love it. And love your blog and your total realness!
Hope today is just briliant! xoxoxoxoox
Trina
ps-having a fun giveaway ….stop by!
Kathy T -Thank you. I thought it was just me. Even a diet busting ice cream cone and drive by myself couldn’t lift my horrible mood. On top of that, I know I’m letting my kids down by being so crabby. But like everything else in life, we’ll all endure. Tomorrow is another day. With any luck, it will be a better one. Or at least less crabby! 🙂
Taylor-Ann-Part fo the mom definition is crazy…and if not, it should be. We all have our moments and yours was yesterday and mine today. :o)
Hope your Tuesday is better than yesterday.
God is Awesome and works is wonderful ways!
Shannon-Meg,
I do not know you in real life. I love to follow you on your blog because you are such an inspiration to me. You are so brutally honest about life, being a wife, being a mother and just by being a woman that so many of us try to acknowledge. Or at least I try not to myself. I desire so much to be that Proverbs 31 woman myself and fall short by miles each and every day. I love the exerpt you wrote today…I may need to get that book and read it myself because it was very uplifting. I want to say thank you for continuing to have your blog and being honest with cyber world so that we all can see too that we are not the only women out there feeling the way you do much of the time and that you are someone most of us can relate to!
Lora-God IS good and thank goodness for that because us moms get a little crazy at times. Thanks for always speaking the truth …
Charity-Nope, not crazy at all, just real. I totally relate, and while I hate those times when I’m the crazy, angry, mom, I think they help push me in the right direction. They’re like a signal that something’s gotta give, or change, or be adjusted, you know?
Stacia -You’re amazing. Hope today goes better 🙂
Amanda-Thanks for the laugh! That video was a riot and I howled with laughter while watching. (while my husband said what? I didn’t get it…) LOL-yes, I made him watch him again.
With the school year approaching I find myself wavering between each of those moods minute by minute thruout the day-I feel totally psycho too. Missing them already and guilty for wishing them away-feeling selfish- but needing some alone time as well so badly I can taste it. You are not alone.
Lee Ann -I think you sound just like the rest of us! 🙂 That’s why I love checking your blog first thing in the morning.
Love that people blessed you right when you needed it. And that painting of Michelle’s…..sometimes I think that’s how we women are. The colors are cheerful, but the face is a little “off”. Hmmmm….
Love the quote about Proverb’s 31. It’s all Jesus!!!!
tara pollard pakosta-That’s women for ya!
full of emotion, thinking from one
thing to the next! no worries, you are NOT alone in this!
xoxoxoxox
tara
Deputy's Wife-Your side notes is what keeps it real. We are all in there with you honey.
Thank you for posting what you read, I needed that today. Really. May I ask what you were reading? I think I would like to read some more.
Christine Ishmael-Grab a girlfriend and go see “Eat, Pray, Love” with Julia Roberts AND grab the book to read…it changed my attitude and gave me a “big girl pill” at the same time…I’ve been a much nicer mom/wife this week because of the message…hopefully it will last…love ya Meg and your not crazy girl, we all feel these things…I wish my brain would slow down sometimes and just shut off…but I better be careful what I wish for! ha ha
Tracey Garcia-You don’t sound crazy at all! I have those days too. My kids go back to school on Monday and I am so not ready and blue about it. Especially since my baby is starting kindergarten and I will be going back to preschool (to teach) without him.
And the Annie hug—doesn’t that make it better? I know when one of my kids gives an unexpected hug, kiss or I love you it can soothe my heart. Except when I am totally aggravated and they say “mom?” and I respond when with a frutrated “WHAT!!?” and they say “I love you”—-then I feel like that horrible mother who deserves to be locked up—but don’t we all have those moments? Maybe that is God tapping us on the shoulder and showing us what really matters. 🙂
charity palmer-thanks for sharing and being so real on your blog! It’s helpful to a future mama to see the “real” side of things that can so often be left out. Proverbs 3:5-6…that says it all 🙂
Andrea-Thank you so mch for posting this and for being so real. I love that you’re vulnerable and allow your readers to go along on the journey with you. I feel the exact same way! Some days I’m teary because summer is over, then the next minute I’m frustrated with my kids and can’t wait to have a little more space during the day! I have thought the same thing with my blog…that I must sound like I have split personalities sometimes. The reality is, that it’s the journey that allows us the ups and downs. It’s the ebb and flow of our human-fleshy side and the spiritual-loving Jesus side. I pray, like many moms do (I think!), that the Jesus side wins over more than the fleshy side and rest in the fact that God has more grace for us than we give ourselves. You seem like a great (and really fun!) mom! Keep up the good work 😉
jill-Are you pms-ing like me????? I.FEEL.EXACTLY.THE.SAME.WAY! My gas tank is empty, as they say. This too shall pass…
xo~Jill
Susan-Meg, thanks for sharing. I struggle with being a Proverbs 31 woman as well as the fruits of the spirit. I was once told if I couldn’t identify all of the fruits of the spirit in my life that maybe I didn’t really have Jesus in my heart! That messed with me for a long time but I’m learning that it is a process just like you are. I told my daughter last week while I was so busy getting ready for vacation and preparing the house for remodel that is taking place while we are gone that I was ready to take her to the nearest fire station and leave her! She’s 10 and the light of my life and the closest thing to Jesus with skin in my life but sometimes…It’s just being overwhelmed. I only have the 1 daughter and you must be 5 times as overwhelmed as I am. Thanks for sharing your very normal life and helping the rest of us feel like we are not alone!
Lora-You had the same evening as me last night! Sigh…….thanks for sharing.
Susan -Hi Meg!
I have been reading your blog(obsessively) for a long time! I first loved you for your beautiful house, but continued to read because of your honesty, your eye for beauty and your “momness.” I enjoy you. Thank you for encouraging me! (I still love, love your beautiful house!)
Denise-sunday was my melt down. I was so hard on everyone and said some pretty harsh words. then sure enough, joyce meyer talked about our words yesterday and how powerful they are. let’s just say I was deeply convicted. thankfully, i am forgiven.
Emily-I appreciate your blog so much… it’s real… it’s how I feel so often and it’s nice to know I’m not alone… thanks for bringing inspiration, family love, the love for GOD and so much more to my life!
Samantha Lee -Crazy or not, this post inspired me.
Laura-the washing machine is STILL BROKEN???????????????????????????? I was there when it got fixed!!!!!!
laura-that gospel truth is exactly what you (&me!) need. so glad you heard it in that book & were encouraged!
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe-I can relate – that’s exactly why I started my blog.
The Proverbs 31 woman (I refer to her as wonder woman) is who I WANT to be, but I know I’ll never fully be at all times in every circumstance. I can only pursue that model (by HIS Grace) knowing I need to rely on His strength every step of the way and be satisfied with being who he created individual me to be.
So glad you were blessed today – God does know, thank goodness for that.
Your side notes gave me a giggle – We’re all in a perpetual state of prThat mogress and our minds are so feeble, aren’t they? That’s exactly why I’ve been dwelling on Romans 12:2 for some time now…
Angie -Meg,
I don’t know you, but I love your blog..I just want to encourage you that you are not alone and you don’t sound psycho! I can relate to everything you wrote. My kids started school last Wed and yesterday we had Epic Homework Battle #1 that involved a highly disrespectful teenager and a worn out mom who wondered “why am I doing this anyway?” I felt like such a failure! But, later, there were apologies and everything turned out OK. God is good…all the time and He loves us (and our kids) with an everlasting love. Thanks for your honesty.
Kimberlee J.-I needed this badly this morning. Yesterday late was a wreck for me too. Here’s to the One who can improve any situation when we recognize Him in it. Love you.
Jennifer-Megan,
You don’t sound like a crazy woman, you sound like a REAL woman. Thanks for keeping it real. You’re always a breath of fresh air! And I am so thankful to know I am not the only one jumping from the optimistic and fun to do lists to feeling grumpy, etc. THNAK YOU for being vulnerable! YOu’re a blessing to me. Praying for you today.
Lori -Meg, thanks for being honest and sharing your life, the ups and downs too. You aren’t crazy, rather you are normal. My son doesn’t start school until 9/7, but we take my daughter to college for her first year a week from today…so I am up and down, between YES YES YES and NOOOOOOOO. A bittersweet time that includes lots of nostalgia for sweet hugs from my kids. Hugs!
Amy Lynne-Sounds like life! There are ups and downs, great days and days we wish for a “do over” button! It’s all the pieces that make us appreciate what we have even when we have to take a deep breath and pray for peace in our hearts to make the situation better! I’ve been taking a lot of those breaths lately, but I think it’s the time of year that has everyone a little squirrel-ly! Good luck sweetie, things will settle down and you will have better days!
Tara-just beautiful.
such truth.
such realness.
it’s a beautiful moment when any of us recognize that we can’t do it but He can.
his strength is made perfect in our weakness.
thanks for sharing your moment of seeing His bigness/your smallness.
Vicki Esh-I just discovered your blog recently (how did I not know about you until now??). I am in love with your blog because you’re so honest. . .Thanks for keepin’ it real!
Katy Stone-This was encouraging to read. Thanks for being so real. Praying now that Christ will restore you as you sleep and you will wake up refreshed in His spirit!
Tracy-Awww… sending big big hugs your way my friend that today is a much better day for you. No matter how hard of a good mom, friend, sister, wife we all try to be – there are just those days that get to us and break us down. I think you are a fantastic mom and can’t imagine you ever getting angry – LOL On the flip side – I think it was SO SWEET that Annie came and gave you an “arm” hug – she must have known you really needed it and God sent her to bless you at that very moment. :o) I hope that today is a much better day for you and I look forward to seeing the new back to school photos of your beautiful family. xoxoxo
edie-Yes! Christ lived a perfect sinless life in our place.
We trust in His perfect obedience completely because we will never measure up.
And we learn to live in repentance, before God and our little ‘neighbors’.
Redemption is beautiful.
And so are you.
lots of love,
edie
Julie-Meg, I think so many of us can relate to this and I think it really comes down to expectations. We, as mothers, expect so much of ourselves (especially ourselves), our kids, our husbands, and we really do want our lives to be picture-perfect even though we know they aren’t and never will be; not that there’s anything wrong with expectations, even very high expectations. Expectations are good ~ they give us something to live UP to. But sometimes we have to bring them down to our real life experience. I’ve learned to expect from Christ and He (alone) lives up to those expectations ~ He never fails. Thanks for sharing the devotional ~ very good, very encouraging. Hope you are feeling better soon! 🙂
Christina-Meg, I think this post is just perfect. I struggle so. I struggle with being a Christian and having depression and OCD. How does it work? Why isn’t Jesus enough? But really, do I even give him a chance to be? Those are such powerful words that you shared. I love that…Proverbs 32 woman. How that rings true! ha I can lie in bed feeling so angry and resentful because my littlest one won’t let me sleep and get so furious and hateful in my head that I don’t even go to church. My husband is on staff! Talk about not setting the right examples. I don’t really know what I’m trying to say. Thanks for sharing your honest days.
Dana @ Bungalow'56-Megan,
Well I think you are writing about the stuff many of us feel. But unlike you, we gloss over it, afraid to write about our crazy days for fear that maybe…we might sound crazy. I am writing this comment to you at 2:40 am instead of sleeping. Take some time for yourself, eat some chocolate, and tomorrow will be a much better day.
Dana
Angela-I really relate to your side-side note. It’s to hard for me to be all things to everyone………..sometimes I’m resentful, then I feel guilty. Being a mother is a wonderful blessing but darn it’s hard sometimes.
My kids started school last week and I do miss them but I really miss not having to get up at 5am so everyone gets fed and to school on time.
I just have to remind myself I’m human and sometimes I will fail but it’s ok.
I hope the rest of your week goes well! I’ll keep you in my prayers.
salt lake insurance - It’s not wrong to do the things that you want.
Sarah - Baby, baby, baby, OH.
I love that song.
I told my daughter I was going to be a Justin poster and put it in my room.
She said, “That is wrong on so many different levels.”
Dani - I found a pair of skates last summer at a yard sale. They were my sons size. I got them home and realized they fit me too! I skated all over our house and my kids loved it as much as I did!
ROLLER SKATING ROCKS! just saying.
Kim Barlow - Smiling…totally smiling…
Courtney - Obsessed with that green suitcase and those roller skates were a little sign from God! Small story about kismet, fate, whathaveyou…My husband rode a unicycle as a kid, he is 50 now and last week on the way home from a birthday party we saw a lady riding a unicycle. Odd, huh? We drove to the only bike shop in town, which was closed, but the owner was still there, he opened the door and sold my husband a 24″ unicycle…it was meant to be…gave me goosebumps when I watched him wobble down the drive on it the first time! God at work!
amy S - Love the vintage skates and suitcase! I was a skater girl growing up too! Loved Tootie on Facts of Life because all she did was skate. I wanted to go to that school so I could skate around the halls like she did. I feel your pain on your baby growing up. My 7th child and baby is about to be fully potty trained and I am sad about that! I know, weird but I can’t help it. No more going to the baby section at the stores to buy supplies. I have been going there since 1995.
cathy - I remember the days when the boys started to read in English they already read Hebrew but it was not the same I wish I had a video recorder then. Nice rollerblades good luck on the roller derby.
Jen - Loved hearing your lovely voice! It’s not what I imagined, but not sure what that actually was 🙂
Annie is just wonderful. Great book choice 🙂
Alicia - As a soon-to-be primary (elementary) school teacher (I graduate in June), I’m so glad to see you
1. Reading with Annie!
and
2. Not just giving her the word, but asking her “What rhymes with ____?”
That is the best way to teach your child to read! Making them think about the context of the words and the story- as opposed to jthe old “sound it out” philosophy.
You are such a good mum! This little video just warmed my heart! I think you should post more videos of your kiddos on here… so sweet.
krys - That is serendipity. Love the case, love the skates. Wonderful blog you have here. I am glad I stumbled and rumbled into it. Happy Weekend.
roller derby champion of 1989 - maybe when we get together to drink that wine you were talking about…we could hit the roller derby.
I’ve been known to wear some short shorts with my knee highs.
Terrie Galle - BriNg …briNg your skates…stupid new laptop small keyboard
Terrie Galle - Brig your skates on over to Hutch tomorrow! We are headed to the skating rink to celebrate my nephew’s 9th birthday! This will bring back some good old memories!!! 🙂
Holly - Brian just came home a couple of weeks ago with a book that he could read and he was so stinking proud! He is my baby. He does love Justin Beiber, but the other kids think he is just okay. Love going antiquing with a good friend!
Biz - Loved listening to Annie’s read!
So adorable.
I used the book Old Hat New Hat a Berenstain Bears book to teach my brother to read.
Rhyming books make it a little easier 😉
Biz
angela - Mentioned you on my blog post today.
Heather R. - Go, Annie, Go! I just flashed back on my skates. Blue pom poms bell in the middle of them. Rainbow on the side, with knee highs. So COOL!!! I love your find. 🙂
Ali - Bless her little reading self! It’s such a massive step – the beginning of the whole world opening up to her and she is doing so well.
My skates were blue and red and oh how much I loved them. I took my boys to the rink near my parents place and blew them away with my skills. Nice to know that even boring old Mum still has some surprises up her sleeve!
Lorie - How awesome! Don’t worry, I’m 36, and on the fence about Justin too. The kids at the elem. school where I work are all bout the Bieber Fever!
I’m meeting my best friend who lives 3 hours away at an antique mall this weekend. Maybe I’ll find my own roller skating suitcase too! My parents took my sister and I to a roller rink every Sunday after church. It was GREAT!
Jaimie - OOOOOOH, Love!!! I’m in love with the suitcase! What a perfect color! And what a score with the skates! You go!
Holly Cox - Those skates and that case are ABSOLUTELY awesome! Love it!
Lisa - Love that you were listening to Justin Bieber by yourself! And I LOVE old suitcases and I LOVED skating up into my adult years. Wish I still had my skates. Lost them at some point. I am also so close to my youngest of 4 being out of diapers. That one I am looking forward too! 🙂 Annie sounds so sweet reading. Love those moments!
Staci - I sooooooooooo wanted those pom pom thingies too!!!!!! Sweeeeeeeeeet Annie 😉
Suzanne - annie is the sweetest.
Jennifer O'Steen - that video is so cute! i love watching little kids learn how to read 🙂 i totally wish we had antique stores like yours around here.. a girl can dream
Rach - And you are going to be so awesome skating around your neighborhood!!!
Janie Fox - Dang girl, I will fight you for those skates and that case!
betsy - Listening to Annie read warms my heart. As a 4th grade teacher, I rarely get to see or hear this sounding-out-every-syllable-reading-and-then-being-confused-by-words-like-of-and-know.
She did SUCH a great job!
Tell her that I say,
she’s on her way,
keep reading every day,
and soon it will be May!
karen - Really nice video…couldn’t help but smile.
Annie sounds so grown up…i wouldn’t have thought! And this may sound weird…but i love your voice! We need to see more of you on a video. Craft Thursday Video Tutorial!!
Elizabeth - I bought a Justin bieber song on iTunes today. And I LOVE Annie! So proud of her!
Ashley - she is so precious! I love her little voice! Kind of bittersweet, huh? how cool that you videoed it! I am so doing that when my girl starts reading…sniff!
Kristin S - 1. You’ll treasure that video of Annie forever!
2. Love the toe shot.
3. Fun to hear your voice. For reals.
4. Video brought back memories of when I taught 2nd grade. The days the late bloomers learned to read were my absolute favorite.
5. You pushing her hair behind her ear is a total mom move. My mom still does it! “I want to see your face” she says.
6. A few weeks ago Bieber annoyed me. Now I’m a closet fan. Is that creepy?
Amy Lynne - Congrats on your new reader! That is such a special thing to learn to do in this life!
Kelly - Oh my! It was so fun to listen to Annie read and you talk to her. So sweet. I loved the way she looked around the page hoping to see “a-s-k” somewhere else on that page to remind her. Lovely! Kelly
Krista - It was so nice to hear your voices, they were totally different than the ones I hear in my head when I read your blog! Go Annie! She’s awesome!
I downloaded JB on my ipod… but I say it’s for my girls. Like you said, the tunes are catchy!
Jenny B. - Oh, how fun!!! Congrats to Annie on learning how to read! Oh, and you should check out Cathy Zielske’s blog. She was a champion figure roller skater back in the day. 🙂 Cathy Zielske: Glory Days
Heather - Oh yes, you have to have the pom-poms! This may be completely gross, but I still remember how the inside of my roller skate case smelled, like leather, paste and old socks. My skates had lavender wheels, the case was lavendar to match and there was always a tube of (nasty) grape-flavored lip gloss inside.
Jessica Johnson - sweet, little reading girl. and love the biebs. but it’s a secret, too.
Southern Gal - Actually it’s “I’ve GOT a brand new pair…”
That was bugging me when I read it back. Sorry.
Southern Gal - Oh, the pom-poms! I had a few different colors that my mom and I made for mine. I would change them out as my mood changed! Loved seeing your find. I’ll show my age and tell you I started out in the adjustable skates you wore over your shoes and had a key to change the size…you know, “I have a brand new pair of roller skates, you’ve got a brand new key.”
Sandy - I love listening to Annie read. I miss those days. “K – now”…words like that can drive a young reader crazy but she never got frustrated. Way to go, big girl!!
Alisa - I love how she looks around the page at the picture to figure the words out that she gets stumped on. My girls both did that (I’m sure it is universal) as they were learning to read. I am a third grade teacher, so watching this happen just warms my heart. Oh, and we have those same bed sheets…. just in case you wanted to know that.
Heather - Oh how I miss my skates. I rocked those skates and the pink fuzzy dice I had on them.
Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - Oh, that sweet girl sounding out her words. Love it!!
{and the green suitcase? SCORE.}
Shayne - Great job Annie! May your life be filled to the brim with books you love.
Love the roller skates—and the fact that they are your size is just perfect!
georgia - Meg if them skates are your size you totally need to take them for a test ride! Obviously don’t go hurting yourself, but go do it, it will be so much fun!!
I love the video of annie so cute! You have a really soothing voice 🙂
Have you thought of doing a video where we all ask questions, you pick the best ones and answer them by video? Would be fun 🙂 xx
crystal beutler - I am so jealous of that green suitcase and the SKATES!!!! Do you know how much I loved skating as a kid. I had the metal kind you attached to your shoe with a skate key. So cool, and yet so lame. They always fell off.
Let go to the roller rink next time we meet up. 🙂 Just kidding. I would probably kill myself.
Your little daughter melted my heart. So cute.
candace - As a kindergarten teacher, Annie totally trumped this post in my opinion. And I LOVE how she didn’t even flinch when you tucked her hair behind her ear. Good choice for independent reading too.
Kari - Very cute! Roller skates were a huge part of my childhood as well … the roller rink which had a forest scene in CARPET on one of the walls … like a giant latch hook rug. What a big day for Annie (and you!) Can I ask how you edit your videos? I have tried a few different methods but then I can’t upload them to blogger.
P.S. Is it weird that I was shocked when I heard your voice? All this time I was “hearing” your voice in my head, but then realized I’d never actually heard it until today. Oh blogland, how you tease me. 🙂
Tina - Oh Meg! Now I KNOW for sure that we were meant to be friends! Seriously….I was a “three times a week” at the rollerskating rink girl with my best friend Kathleen. We’d beg for rides there all the time and did all kinds of chores to earn money to go skating. Boy did we have fun. But I thought it was cool to purchase the boys black speed skates and so that’s what I sported all around Skateworld rink in Vandalia, OH. I purchased them used from another regular skater, and even though they were about 2 sizes too big I’d wear really thick socks. My husband and I both became roller bladers, but I still have those black speed skates tucked away in a box somewhere in my basement. I think I’ll go look for them! 🙂
sara's art house - LOVE the suitcase! Love the roller skates!!! I lived in roller skates too…we would go to my friend’s basement and skate for hours. Good memories!
Jill - I check your blog while I am at work. I have never commented before (besides telling you to host a craft weekend) 🙂 But I just have to tell you that I started watching the video of Annie and here I am crying. At work.
My first baby is only one year old. I’ve never taught a child to read, but I so look forward to reaching these milestones. Thank you so much for sharing!
Courtney Walsh - I listen to Laurie Berkner by myself in the car. Which one of us needs to be more embarrassed? lol
LOVE the roller skates!! How fun are those? And the suitcase is awesome. I’ve been thinking about cool suitcases…but I gotta say, I love that you didn’t go for brown and boring! The color is awesome!
PS. Annie = adorable.
Nichole - I love how when she’s reading, if there’s a word she can’t pronounce, she’ll look at the other words on the page to find something that looks similar! She’s so smart!
shauna reed - she is precious. her hair. her toes. her sounding out. your voices. you are a sweet momma.
a SWEET MOMMA with rollerskates in a green case…
Ali @ HuYoung Heaven - Love the color of that suitcase! And the roller skates are awesome. I never got into rollerblading, but roller skating….that I can do.
Mindy Harris - antiquing with a friend sounds like the perfect day. love those skates/suitcase. great color.
Jessica - Oh my goodness! The memories of skating in our basement & driveway! I forgot all about that! Thanks for the reminder!
jennifer - I may or may not listen to Justin while alone in the car. Just don’t tell my teenage sons. I’m pretty sure they would disown me.
Shann - Do you remember how to “Shoot The Duck?” Oh…what fun and wonderful memories. Thanks for taking me back today. 🙂
tara - i heard justin bieber for the first time this weekend at a college womens retreat…..they couldn’t believe that i hadn’t heard his music.
so, when the music came on, i said, “who’s this girl singing?” to which they replied, “GIRL!!!! IT’S JUSTIN BIEBER!!!!!”
it was catchy and i did like it…but what in the world will happen when his voice changes?
love the great find….lived in roller skates, too, growing up…..used to “slow skate” every saturday night at the toccoa skating rink. no joke. i think i feel a family night coming on……
Shannon - Please take a picture of yourself wearing these, it would be great 🙂
Sarah - Love listening to little ones learn to read! So exciting for your baby. Ps she’ll always be your baby (Im the youngest in my family and love it when my mom says I’m her baby)
Amy G - That is AWESOME thanks for the smile!!!
Pamela Gordon - Love the suitcase and the surprise roller skates inside! I roller skated as a kid on the really old fashioned kind that fastened on your shoes and had a key to adjust them! I rolled along the paved sidewalks on them. We live in a rural area and in the 70’s there was a roller rink down the road that used to be a pig barn. They rented the ‘modern’ ones as in your pictures. It was a lot of fun! And guess what?? Justin Beiber is Canadian like me. 😀 I don’t listen to him but his songs are catchy tunes. Have a great weekend!
Laura Phelps - and I anxiously await the video of YOU roller skating!
sarah - i’m imagining you hopping onto a train for an adventure, your stylish, vintage suitcase tossed casually over your shoulder. darling.
Courtney Henson - Love your roller skates! I once found old ice skates in an old case with socks! I fondly remember roller skating in circles around my garage as a kid! And going to the roller skating rink for parties and even for school field trips. They always had the most awesome sticker machines there….good to fill your sticker books up with!
Leah - Okay, first of all, LOVE the suitcase and rollerskates. What a find! Second, congrats on such a milestone with Annie! I know how I feel when I see Sophie learn something brand new that I take for granted that I already know. What an exciting moment for you! And third (going with your blog title today), we recently made birdhouses with kids. Here is the post if you need a Craft Thursday idea: http://leahsthoughts.com/2011/03/03/lets-make-a-birdhouse/
Hannah - awesome find!! the old roller skates like that TRUMP roller blades….can you skate backwards??? love love love the color of that suitcase! 🙂
Erica - Ok, I think you are the coolest. Reading your blog and seeing all of the COLOR that you post about makes me so happy. Today I thought I’d leave a message because as I was flipping through my Pottery Barn Kids catalog I saw this room and thought, Pottery Barn has been getting inspiration from Meg’s Blog! Just look: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/room/rom/romply/romplycga/ In their catalog it looks even more like you with a globe on top of the bookshelf and it shows more of the room.
Erin Ward - I can’t believe the skates were your size and everything! Crazy! I totally love the case.
And don’t feel bad. I’ve been known to enjoy a JB song now and again. 🙂
Kimberlee J. - Let’s rent out the roller rink…maybe Amy knows someone. 🙂
Tam - Annie reading is adorable! oh I miss my boys reading like that. My youngest loves Justin Beiber, it’s music I can car dance to, too. Amazing find with the skates and green suitcase. I’m antique’ing/thrifting tomorrow…I hope to find good stuff!
happygirl - Oh BOY!!! The saddest day in my town was when they closed the roller rink. And I remember taking roller skating lessons when I was in 3rd grade. My mom made me wear a dress. It buttoned all the way up the front. I fell. ALL the buttons came undone. Humiliated. Seriously. Still feel the shame. Ha ha. Btw, rent the movie Whip It. Quite entertaining.
Amber - lil bit obsessed w/green (that exact shade!) and that suitcase is AWESOME!
cathieb - where’s the love button for this?
:o)
so awesome – can’t what to see you in action ;o)
Michelle - MEG! You seriously have to post a video of the roller skating action. I’m guessing you’ve still got it in you to be the grand champion roller skater. No doubt. And you could skate to Justin Bieber. Just throwing it out there.
Heidi - My dad just recently found his mom’s old skates in a VERY vintage old suitcase and gave them to my daughter (who is 9) and they FIT! I remember wearing those exact same skates when I was younger (not 9!). Love the fact that they have been passed along and will continue their journey. 🙂 They look just like the ones in your picture, except I think their wheels are orange.
Annie is a doll. We have a split household on Justin too- but I do notice everyone singing along in the car. 😉
Maeva - Annie sounds so grown up!
julia - Dear M. Please join my roller derby team. No pushing is allowed. Yours. J.
sara @ it's good to be queen - annie is so adorable!!
Carrie - Please let us see a video of you roller skating.
We had a roller rink near us that all of the kids would go to on Friday nights. It was called Starlite Triple T (funny) and I think I spent every Friday night from 5th through 8th grade there. It was so much fun. Now, at 34, I am pretty sure I would be terrified to roller skate.
PS – It’s totally ok to like Justin Beiber.