what are your favorite blogs?
here are a few of my faves in NO particular order:
julie ashley PW shauna kimberlee nic michelle laura *e* tara jasmine kelle wendy
sarah carissa megan jess elizabeth crystal melissa edie jeanne elisa amy
julie heather amy karen aimee jenny kristin courtney heather marylea emily
how is that for a list?!
how long have you lived in that house?
6 years.
we moved here when annie was 2 weeks old.
it was planned for months.
we chose to leave the "city" life (chicago-land area) and move back to small town kansas.
just 25 minutes from where both craig and i grew up.
it was one of the best decisions we ever made for our family.
we haven't regretted it once.
this house was a real project.
our living room.
the playroom/guest room.
our kitchen.
talby and annie's room.
the yard had no grass. the walls were all wallpapered. and it was not pretty.
but craig and i could see the potential and it had GREAT bones.
and we've been working on it ever since.
who gave you the Meg quilt?
my super fabulous friend PAM who took me all the way to africa.
she was so excited to give it to me shouting "IT"S THE NAME OFF YOUR BLOG!!!"
i loved that by making it she got some time to be creative for HER.
that made me as happy as the gift itself…to know that she enjoyed her sewing time while making it.
it's so cool.
pam you are an artist!
how did you find time to be creative when your kids were little?
i just did it.
i had scrapbook stuff out everywhere all the time.
i painted a dresser in the middle of my living room.
i sewed on the dining room table.
i just did it.
i couldn't NOT do it….i have to make stuff.
(this was in 2008 with my scrapbooking girls)
go away with friends for a craft weekend…or have one at your house.
that was so good for my creativity and social needs when i had little ones at home.
find a retreat house near you or a rental and GO!
and sometimes…you don't even need to bring crafts.
when did you get to start sleeping through the night?
we finally got to sleep through the night on a regular basis about 2 years ago.
when annie turned four…everyone else was older and we realized we finally felt rested.
it was a 13 year stretch of rarely sleeping all night.
and we survived.
i think my bed is my favorite spot in my whole house!
i love to sleep….is that bad?
what does that say about me?
what kind of lens do you use….and camera…auto or manual?
i have a Canon 50D with a 24-105 lens.
i also have an 85mm lens but it's hard for me to use. i feel i have to be VERY far away when i use it.
like shouting to the families i am shooting…but it's a good lens.
i am ready for a new lens….if i can save my money long enough!
i had a 50 mm lens but i sold it to lauren when i sold her my Canon Rebel in April.
i used a canon rebel since i started this blog until this past april….it's a great camera!
i shoot in auto focus but will be switching to manual more this year….when i can….i hope.
can you tell us your birth stories?
absolutely!
here we go…..it was 1995…..on a dark and stormy night….
just kidding.
check out these lovely photos….
newborn lauren in the purple hat.
<— 1998 pregnant with scott.
my birth stories are more funny than anything else.
i had epidurals with all my girls and not with my boys.
i chose to have the epidurals because it hurt more than i could handle.
newborn scott.
sean just born.
2000 – 10 days before sean was born. talby just born.
my boys' labors were quick…both 5 hours total.
talby's was long (for me) and lauren and annie were induced….meaning longer HARD contractions.
i had no c-sections or horror stories of 30 hour labors or morning sickness.
i learned how to breath….on my 5th baby.
i never knew i was holding my breath during contractions.
but i was.
i never took a lamaze class….or had help from a lactation consultant…because i thought i knew it all.
and believe me….i did NOT.
chicago jen's mom was my labor and delivery nurse who taught me how to breath. i love her.
we barely made it to the hospital with sean….that was crazy.
craig had to lie down….on the delivery room floor.
it was all just too much…happening too fast…he was light headed…and then BOOM…there was SEAN!
craig and talby.
one of my most favorite photos…
talby liked to be held after her naps….this day we were cuddling on the porch swing…..with baby annie crowding in on our space!
2004 – my friends lisa and chicago jen were at annie's birth…..that was AWESOME!
talby and annie newborn annie.
with scott and with talby i went into the hospital before i was in real labor and came back home.
i wish i would've nursed longer but i had a crazy deep down reaction after a few weeks in with all of them
that i needed some breathing room!
i just couldn't nurse any longer.
i felt smothered.
but it didn't feel that way feeding them a bottle.
the shortest i lasted nursing was 2 weeks and the longest was 6 weeks.
i always wished i was one that could have made it a long time….but i wasn't.
are you going to stay home now that your kids are in school?
i sure hope so.
i have my photography business and this blog and the etsy shop to provide income so YES i will be staying home….if you can even call that staying home….because really….that is a lot of work!
what does craig do for a living?
he is a commercial banker.
and he looks good in a suit.
mmm-hmmm.
do you have any advice on raising teenagers?
pray.
stay consistent.
try not to yell or engage in arguments.
find a close friend to share your feelings, frustrations and fears with…don't hold back.
talking about things you are dealing with out loud makes a HUGE difference in how you feel.
with a trusted friend you can share ideas, get advice or let them show you a new angle of parenting.
it's safe.
that is all i have learned so far…..
was your house in a magazine?
not pictures but linda featured me as a Blogger in Flea Market Style in 2010.
and there was a blurb in Country Living in 2009 called My Country Life
do you have a kindle….do you like to read….what is your favorite book?
we got sean a kindle for christmas but i don't have one.
nor would i want one.
i am not a reader.
i wish i was….
my dad and my sister are crazy about books.
sean, lauren and talby are in love with reading.
i don't have the ability to concentrate that long.
i did read "A Long Way Gone" last year before going to africa and it was fascinating.
and so sad….and traumatic.
i think it was made so much more real because i went to that exact place the next week.
and met boys who would have been that same age.
it was a life changing book to me.
and of course….Crazy Love.
why do you workout in an assisted living facility?
🙂
i live in a small town.
i drive to a different really small town to workout because the gym there is nicer….and less expensive.
you can buy a membership there because it's the only place in that community as far as i know.
i like it because i am the youngest…it's REALLY quiet…and it's almost always nearly empty.
the machines have tv sound with headphones and i can watch will & grace on lifetime and no one cares.
or regis and kelly!
(this is not at my gym…this is a stock photo from google images…and these people look way more active than at my gym 🙂
if you want to feel strong and fast and young….workout at a retirement center!
seriously…it's helpful mentally.
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WOW that was a really long post!
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Cathy Newman - These are super whack Meg, and you’re so freakin’ CUTE! When I was a kid, I was not afraid of everything! And like any other kiddo, I also loved summer because that was the only time I got to swim nonstop! Oh, you’ve gotta miss the old times. =)
Bree - I dont know if they really whistle or not..
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65685932/whistle-necklace?ref=sr_gallery_7&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=whistle+necklace&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
Jessica Johnson - talby looks like your sis to me! yes? no? am i crazy? and i wish scrunchies never ever left. ever.
Ali - Fun pics! 🙂
My kids are getting worn out with our late nights, fun times, and lack of sleep! I’ve noticed a little more whiny voices this week too! Hang in there and give your self a little extra rest! That’s my plan (extra sleep for Mom) for the next two weeks!
We have a lot going on Music camp, tutoring, ballet camp, etc this week and next. I can’t wait for the ‘no driving’ them around weeks that will follow!
~ Ali
steph - sweet!
is it just me or does your early 90’s style look not as bad b/c it’s in black and white?
ha!
i bet if it was in COLOR, it’d be even more wild.
i can probably picture that your clothes are magenta and hunter green and some neon thrown in.
good times! 😉
ok, is it just me… or does your lauren totally look like your sister in that first picture?!
it’s kinda striking, if you ask me.
crazy!
great pics!
thanks for sharing!
you were a cutie… and i agree with the others, a good mix of talby and annie!
Melissa - Love these old photos.
Kimberly Dial - Thanks for sharing these … black & white photos prompt me to think of my childhood days of long ago … I wore those sponge rollers to bed many a Saturday night before Easter!
Kimberly Dial - Thanks for sharing these … black & white photos prompt me to think of my childhood days of long ago … I wore those sponge rollers to bed many a Saturday night before Easter!
x♥x♥, gina - i remember pink sponge rollers!! We had ours put in to wet hair and had to sleep in them over night – painful!!
What great memories to have and –
It’s easy to see where you got your inspiration and talent from!!!
Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Those are some fun/funny pictures. My fave is the one where you’re flipped in the pool and the girls behind you look scared to death…heehee.
Lisa - I have one of those whistle necklaces from my childhood!!
julia - I love the black and whites..especially the pool one. Don’t get your kids the necklaces, you’ll regret it..Too bad none of your kids look like you 🙁
Kat - I had the same permed and teased hair! Eeek!
Love the pics!
Tonya - The pic of the flip in the pool looks just like your Annie!
Linda - I used to have pink sponge rollers in my hair the night before Easter too! Such great photos you have.
Amy Slavik - What great pics and memories! You can’t go wrong with black and whites! I was a thumb sucker too….for 12 years!!! Yikes. And I didn’t even need braces! How’s that for a miracle?! Thanks for sharing!
pam - YOU are the one who taught Lucy that wide-mouth smile. I KNEW IT! 🙂
You look exactly the same in the face. Wow. It’s like just your hair has changed.
Like totally. 🙂
amy jupin - oh, i almost forgot.
thanks again for posting about davis boy.
i appreciate it more than words can say.
love ya!
amy jupin - oh man.
this post made me cringe and laugh out loud.
especially with the pink foam rollers, the brass clip, your scrunchie and permed hair and express shirt.
i was obsessed with forenza and outback red and esprit.
oh my goodness…do you remember those m.c. hammer pants?
i had a pair and wore them to thanksgiving dinner at my aunt’s house!
but really? a big black snake? really?
that’s when i cringed.
YUCK!!!!!
i’m so totally glad you hate them now.
you know, so we can be friends and all.
that’s if you forgive me for the mc hammer pants.
🙂
Staci - Ohhhh myyyy 🙂 Takes me back too 🙂 That shirt must’ve been THE shirt to have…had one in several colors and I too wore my hair in a scunci with a ponytail on the side…I think my hair was even bigger than your’s if that makes you feel better 🙂 YOu are so fortunate to have these pics to remind you 🙂 Thanks for taking me back 🙂
Secret Mom Thoughts - Love the B & W photos. I have similar photos with the Express shirt and clip.
This Farm Family's Life - Love the flash back photos!
sarah - annie’s resemblance to you here is unreal! so darling!
Terri Upton - Meg, those are the funniest pictures. You remind me so much of myself. I was a thumb sucker tooo. For far to long. HaHa.
Jenni Cummings - Wow- if you hadn’t been in that first picture I would have sworn it was Macy! I had no idea how much she looks like Lorel!
Aimee - We ALL had hair like that in the late 80’s/early 90’s. It was an epidemic. Sigh…
Maya Dammand - Nice black and whites! Thanks for sharing with us almost each and every day!!
Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - Whistle necklaces, silk Express shirts and thumb sucking…all beloved parts of my growing up years too. Snakes? not so much:)
Loved the flashbacks!
Chantelle - You were and are so adorably beautiful! 🙂 Great pics!
whitneybens@yahoo.com - You used to live in Neodesha? I’m from Thayer…right north of that! Do you know where that is?
Laura Phelps - I had the whistle necklace…and a roller skate necklace…and a scunci….
Leah - First of all, you look just like Talby and Annie! What great shots. And secondly, when and how did you stop sucking your thumb? My daughter is a thumb sucker too and I have no idea where to begin! Did any of your kids suck their thumbs?
patti - Great shots! So wonderful that your dad captured your childhood on film!
Tracy - OH MY GOODNESS – I LOVE the pictures but can NOT believe you held a REAL LIVE SNAKE – I would have passed out! ACK! I agree with the others – you look SO much (or they look like you) of Annie and Talby when you were young. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ashlyn@Pinecone - I loved shopping at Express – I really loved Esprit too…do remember that? Of course I had the braces and perm too…plus for me some ugly glasses.
Your dad took some great pictures! My family only took about 3 rolls of film for our (me, and my brother and sister) childhood. I don’t even think my poor brother has more than a couple of baby pictures of himself.
Pamela Gordon - Oh, I love those pictures! Thanks for sharing and making us smile. Your Annie sure looks like you did!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - You look like such a great combination of Annie and Talby!
Denissa - So, so fun..felt like I was looking back at my old pictures! Had the brass clips, perm, scrunchies, electric blankets at grandma’s! 🙂
Kim - i had a dog named toto, too! but he had four legs.
Simply Lanny - I see where Annie gets it from 🙂
Southern Gal - How priceless are those pictures to you now? Love it. My grandfather used to take Polaroid pictures in B&W all the time. He gave me all mine a few years before he died. I love the memories associated with them all.
Tam - I love that your Dad captured your childhood on film 🙂 I hope my children appreciate me doing it for them when they are older. Photos are so much fun to look at and reminisce. Thanks for sharing.
beth - Ah, the bangs. I had those, too 🙂 And I’m the same way–I used to be WAY more outgoing when I was a kid, now that I’m a mom I am a chicken! Don’t know how that happened.
Debby Graber - Gosh, Megan, you haven’t changed!! I can see where you got your photography skills from! My mom’s dad used to take pictures and develop them in a dark room in the cellar back in the ’20’s.
Dawn - Great photos. I love looking back at old photos that is why I am so into taking pictures and saving those memories.
Lacey - The snake picture killed it for me! Love the other pictures though. Seriously how is no one mentioning the snake!? The fact that it is black makes it even more creepy! Did I mention I have an irrational fear of snakes 😉
Sarah - You sure can see Annie in a lot of those pictures of you. I love looking through old pictures. Too fun!
Sandy - I love the pictures. It always amazes me how people always look the same, just older and with different hair and clothes.
Were the whistle necklaces in case you got lost? I remember a Barney episode where they went camping and the girl that was lost kept blowing her whistle so she could be found. 🙂
Holly - those are great!
happygirl - I love old hair styles. SO MUCH FUN to look at old pics. Believe me, it gets much easier when you get much older. 🙂
Beth - Those photos are so cool. I was just telling my kids about taking a photography class in college where we used film (gasp!), and learned to develop them in a dark room with chemicals. They were kind of amazed and thought it sounded cool. I wonder if it will disappear completely of if people will keep doing that? It’s actually a pretty magical process, seeing the photos appear in the chemical baths (can’t remember the correct name :). And, you were such an 80’s girl, weren’t you? With the side pony tail and scrunchies?? I took a group of Girl Scouts to Mexico in 1989 and I joked that one girl had her hair in pictures that the rest of her wasn’t in (the years of big bangs and lots of hairspray!). I also had a very curly perm during those years and my girls’ look at pictures and say “really mom? What were you thinking?” and I tell them it was very IN at the time!
Sharla - Great pics! I love that one in the pool with the flip.
Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Heehee..had to giggle at the side ponytail. We’ve all had the dodgy hair!
Lela Pohlmann - I taught yearbook years ago and we developed our film and made all of our pictures for the book. There is just something about waiting for that picture to hit the developer and watching the image apperception. It truly is a lost art!
alicia @ la famille - oh my! the scrunchies, silk shirts…i laughed out loud! 🙂 you’re dad is a great photographer, just like you! oh, and there’s tons of whistle necklaces on etsy 😉
Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - ha! I had the exact same shirt from express. 🙂 i loved mine so freaking much, it was a deep forest green. i think i even bought a second one that was pink.
how fun to have these pictures though, i was the third child…which means in my home they aren’t many pictures of me since they couldn’t afford the film by then! 🙂