funny.
love that dress!
Category Archives: randomso i was feeling way tired this morning. i am megan ranney. the other treasure tucked into in my yearbook…. then i found all these random pics today that made me stop and smile.
how do they change so quick?! did you know that tomorrow is the 71st anniversary of the Wizard of Oz? [url=”http://www.jerseys-cheap-nfl.com/nfl-hats?zenid=e2d49f5fb1a79760876f30a2dc657886″]cheap wholesale jerseys[/url] Audrey Hett was a counselor of mine at some camp! (can’t remember if it was church camp or Tabor camp) I loved your picture of the Kansas Safety Poster Contest winners. Believe it or not, I won the Kansas Statewide Safety Poster Contest when I was 11! I think it was 1986. I shook hands with the governor and Bob Dole was the Senator. He gave me part of the tour of the State Capitol in Topeka. Wish I’d kept my poster, too. I remember the title was “Make ’em Click”, talking about seatbelts. Fun memories for a little small town Kansas girl! I don’t know what it was exactly, so many things, but I LOVE this post. And the picture of you and Craig is awesome. Look what you made me do! I just hate it when I neglect to visit. You tug at my heart, all these emotions, flashbacks and photos. the picture of you and craig…the black and white..it made me cry how cool is that postcard?! And the poster contest cracked me up….dont light matches around haybarns! What a walk down memory lane you had today. We all need those every now and then, Love the photos!! Especially the one of you and Craig – Lovely! I’m pretty much convinced you are the cutest family in Kansas! I have been thinking the same thing about my wee ones, who are 2 years old, and 3 months. My baby girl, Story, already looks so different from her newborn self. She’s got some mad buddha rolls now! Hehe. DUDE(ette) – SERIOUSLY – I don’t know which is funnier, the giant Margarita picture or the kitten strangling one – I’m still laughing… I’m with everyone above! I think it’s Iron Man!!! Haha! How cool! The piglet your husband is holding is SMILING!!!!!! holy cow that yearbook picture of you is TOTALLY Talby! it looks just like her! My kids are watching The Wizard of Oz right now! Amazing pictures. You have a beautiful family. OMG your son looks so incredibly pissed in the family photo! It’s still a good one, and yes, the one when they were all so little. Wow. I love pictures. ahhh…and my dear sweet grandma–was a dorothy. i’m livin’ random. it’s either that or the self-diagnoses adult-onset ADHD. Oh look…a strangled kitty. poor sweet kitty. lovin’ your photography. oh my gosh, the kittie getting strangled – perfect! priceless! gorgeous! margarita picture=awesome. you rock. I think it’s Robert Downey Jr. Makes sense as he was friends with Keifer Sutherland… i’m giggling at these. especially annie choking the kitten and you and that margarita. let’s just say, i can relate to every single one. in a weird, almost eerie, way. thanks for the laugh today! LOVE the picture of you and Craig! Simply gorgeous! Oh I love that picture of all the kids too! Boy do they grow up so fast….you were a cutie also. Belated Congratulations on the poster contest! Not surprising since you are still such a talented and creative artist. I still say Talby looks like you (as a child) more than any of your other kids. They are all adorable though. Amazing how much Annie now looks like Talby in the old family photo. cute pictures!!! oh, meg, your posts are the best. thanks for sharing. Loved these random photos. Annie and the kitten is so great. The expression on both their faces!! I think it’s Robert Downey, jr’s autography with Keifer’s. They were in the movie “1969” and it came out around that time. How could you forget RDJ?? lol So my oldest daughter, Tyah is pretty artistic……do you know how many times i have thought of you when i look at her drawings!?!?!? I was always so amazed at your artistic abilities and always remember you winning the poster contests!!!! I DO NOT remember being a part of this little contest and have always wondered where Tyah gets her artistic gifts. There are many days that i think shipping her to your house for a couple of weeks would do her creative spirit a WORLD of good! It seems like we could use a few boys around this house of girls….wanna swap a few for awhile!?!?!:) Love ya!:) I feel the same. Sometimes I just want time to stop…so I can stay in my perfect little bubble forever. Looks like you had fun going down memory lane. I know what you mean about them growing up so fast. I just finished bawling my eyes out after taking my son back to college. Where did the time go???? It’s a sad day for this mama 🙁 THIS IS THE TRUTH my brother burned down our neighbors horse barn because he was playing with matches in the hay with their daughter. BARELY ESCAPED ALIVE (no horses died either) . To bad we didn’t have a copy of that prize winning poster! Annie + Cat = hi·lar·i·ous!!! Oh toto! Sweet little 3 legged doggie. Good night I look like a total cheeseball!!!! Robert Downey Jr!!! Sweet! You and Taryn made the paper…poster girls. 🙂 Great photos! The last photo in the background–your daughter has great shooting form! Death Grip on Kitty… The black and white one of you and Craig… so stunning. Have a great day! I bet they were filming 1969 together – it came out in 1988 and parts were filmed in Savannah. That’s cool. I love RDJr. Seriously love. I’m a HUGE Wizard of Oz fan, so I must correct you. The anniversary was August 12…eeek. I’m sorry to be such a know it all. I’ll celebrate again tomorrow so you are not alone. Megan–I remember that autograph hanging in your room! And that’s hilarious if that’s Robert Downey Jr and you had no idea–Nice surprise!!! I have 3 sons and 1 daughter and I think this is the year that I can talk them into the Wizard of Oz for Halloween! Love the B&W one of you & Craig. Also love the one of your kids at the beach. Scott has a mohawk and Annie is so tiny! Awesome pics! Lovin’ your random…we think alike! 🙂 and the Wizard of Oz…one of our all-time favorites!!! (even more so after we lived in Kansas!) you are the best Meg:) The margarita pic and the kitty pic had me grinning. Boy, that would be cool if it were Robt Downey Jr, huh? Haha, don’t light matches near chicken coops either! My dad who grew up in SW Kansas burned down the chicken coop (population 5,000…survivors = 2) when he was a kid because he was burning weeds nearby, and a spark blew and ignited that fine dust in the air and burnt the place to a crisp REALLY quickly. Robert Downey Jr. That’s my guess. Robert Downey Jr.!!!!!!!! that baby pig is so cute! and lauren always looks so composed! 😉 That’s Robert Downey Jr.’s autograph!!! Oh, the cat killer one just slays me!! why is it that kids always hold kittens by the throat? So much cuteness. 🙂 I LOVE the photo of you and Craig. LOVE it. Love, LOve, LOVE IT!!! Do you miss your long hair???? Just wondering…was tempted to cut mine off today….but I can’t part with my ponytail 🙁 Oh man 😉 I LOVE LOVE LOVE WIZARD OF OZ!!!!!! SO much so, that I named my Aga, Ruby, after the ruby slippers 😉 I can’t wait to see how you are celebrating!!!!!!! We had rain today too…and it was soooo nice after these 107 temps ;( Oh yea, and my Dad got a Tom Cruise autograph when he was filming some movie here in OK….my friends all thought it was super cool….I however, was weird, and have never been a huge Tom Cruise fan 🙂 Have nooooooo idea where that thing is now;) Loved looking at your old pics though 🙂 our washer broke on monday (again). the little girls thought it was very neat. That was fun.. Nifty 🙂 glad you have clean clothes…or had. Sorry about having to go to the laundry mat. I haven’t been in over 23 years. At least you got some work done. I always get a kick out of my kids thinking something as mundane as going to a laundromat is fun. But, it’s really about doing things that are different. OH and i love the self-portraits! you look adorable and they’re really great pics!! at least you make the best of it! what a great experience for the girls to see that AND get a pinch of help. AND THEN get some alone time!! today i laid out on our rooftop (not the roof! ha ha!) and my friend texted me saying, “how are you out there? it’s SOOOO HOT!” and i was like, “i will do anything for a little peace and quiet.” i couldn’t even read my book b/c i couldn’t keep my eyes open. i napped and it was lovely. and fortunately i’m not FRIED! ha ha AND when i came back downstairs, sweet natalie had fallen asleep. so hubby is watching tv and i get to check email/blogs! WOO HOO!!! I hit the laundromat at the campgrounds at the beach where we were vacationing- here: http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-199.html Some of my best afternoons or dateless Friday nights were spent in Laundromats. Happily we have a washer and dryer in the house now, but I still remember those days back when it was just me and my bag of clothes and a good book. Sometimes it’s nice to revisit the old days. 🙂 I had to go to the laundromat after our last hurricane. I couldn’t believe how expensive it was. The good thing about going is you can have a bunch of machines going at once and get out of there quicker. this post is so great. i remember a friend laughing about that exact same dilemna – at the laundromat years ago – whether to leave the baby alone in the car or alone inside. it actually sounds pretty nice to have 4 loads completely done in 2 hours, whilest editing photos and singing at the top of your lungs (what mom gets to do that anymore!? and it’s soooo fun!) maybe this broken washer thing is a blessing in disguise. 😉 Love it! I’m majorly dorky too and would take pics all day at the laundromat too. 🙂 Thanks for making me smile today! Your entry today reminded me of this quote from St. Elmo’s Fire: “Fluff and fold, buddy. Soon as I make it really big, I’m going fluff and fold.” It’s funny the things that pop into my head sometimes. But there are so many good quotes from that movie. Enjoyed the pics! Add this to the next time you answer questions: Only you could make the laundromat CUTE! lol We always went w/ my mom as kids and I remember it always being fun. I went a few times when my husband and I were first married and it was sweet to go together, now I think I’d just buy a new washer or dryer before attempting to take my kids! our dryer started fritzing out yesterday. Is that a word? fritzing? But it took four cycles to get one load dry. I might be visiting a laundromat this weekend, or just let the dogs wear our clothes around the yard since we don’t have a clothesline. I hope laundromats still smell the same LOVE that you took pix of this! That is great news, Meg! Same thing has happened to me this summer. Three times the washer leaked out onto the floor, before we said enough. Bought a used one on craigslist that I love even more than my original washer. Plus my trips to the laundromat with the 4 and 2 year old were not quite as fun, but we did go to the DQ for ice cream and play hide and seek in the laundromat. Good luck with your washer repairs and/or new washer hunt. so happy about the list!!! At least it’s done! I’ve never done the laundry mat thing……yet. 🙂 As for no t.v. I find music is good when they’re bored. Turn it up and dance, or if they are palying I’ll put on some softer Hymns. Just seems to make things more peaceful. somebody most likely said this already, but it does get easier for them to find things to do the more used to no-TV they get. It’s like a drug, the more they watch, the more they want it, and it takes some “rehab” time to get the last of it through their veins so they don’t crave it anymore. We spent 3 weeks camping in July, and on my birthday, my big treat was to take the laundry to the laundromat and have a whole hour or so of peace, all to myself. :o) Sounds silly, but it was lovely! I have never been to a laundromat in my life! I have had my washer break, overflow etc! Oh, washer just sang its END song. Time to head out to the clothesline! Love the pics of the girls helping load the machines! Does this mean you’ll be getting a fancy new washer? UGH, can’t imagine how much laundry you had to bring with you, but at least you had some peace and quiet to dry & fold with Tom! I’m dorky like that too. Almost every post I do has a picture of me in it;) I like going to blogs where I see who is writing to me. Makes it more real…so snap away:) With all of the quarters you used on washing 7 peoples worth of clothing, couldn’t you just buy a new washing machine?! Haha, just kiddin’! I get jealous of those families on Extreme Home Makeover that get 2 sets of washers and driers in their laundry room. This post humors me because I had to use a laundromat last years to wash our (apparently ginormous – because it wouldn’t fit in any washing machine) bedspread. I didn’t really like it and the clientel waiting around was questionable. It made me really appreciate my washer and dryer being at home! You make even going to a laundromat fun 🙂 Especially the last pictures, when you are alll alone 🙂 I reeeeally need some time alone if I am jealous of you getting to go to the laundromat 🙂 heeeeheeee!!!! Glad your kiddoes didn’t miss the tv!!! You are way more courageous than I !!!!! Today, we are off to White Water Bay…..uggggh 🙁 Nothin like a big hole of chlorine pee for the kids to swim in 🙂 Can you tell how much I love it?!!! BUT, I do love my kids, so therefore, I will go 🙂 So that’s at least today they won’t be on the Wii 🙂 this winter, while our new tile was being installed in our kitchen and laundry room, I too, found myself without a washer and dryer. for 2 weeks! ack… we trekked to our local laundromat as well and my kids loved it too. Mama Sue~I am from TX as well & grew up doing our laundry at the washateria. Now we live in Japan & it is called a laundry mat on base. Even though we have a washer & dryer that are free, I much prefer doing laundry at the laundry mat. I actually just got home from doing 12 loads. But all of our laundry for the week is done in 2 hours & I am free for a bit. I love that! Somedays I wish I could walk into my basement and see a bank of washer and dryers. Yes, I do think of that. How wonderful it would be to have all the laundry done in two hours, right in your own home! I have a king sized PB quilt on our bed that I wash at the laundromat…in TX they are often called washateria…really! The one nearest my home is gross so I don’t like to take my daughter. It sure is nice to get it done quickly though. I remember going with my mom when I was a kid sometimes if it was too cold or wet to hang our clothes outside! You and Mr. Hodge could do a wonderful duet. I’ve seen him break out a Free Fallin like no other. Ask him! I have never been to a laundromat, but your pictures make it look nice…not nicest enough to try out, but maybe nice enough for me not have a breakdown at the thought if my washer breaks. I have a confession to make! I LOVE the laundromat…EVEN BETTER when I am there alone! I have a washer and dryer at my house but like you when my dryer broke in the middle of the winter I would go there to dry. I would go alone and have my BF stay with the boyZ..AHHH PEACE just me and the fresh smelling laundry….all laundry done in a matter of hours felt so rewarding!!! I would usually go on a Sunday night at 8pm…..WONDERFUL! I know I am weird! FUN POST! This is great. I had to go to the laudramat the other day too…in Paris. Check out my post on the Laverie Libre Service :). I secretly fantasize about going to the laundromat…the thought of getting all my laundry done in just a couple hours is almost unbearable 😉 we use to go to the laundromat when I was little..not all the time, but occasionally, for some reason. I’ve never had to go to a laundromat, but I’ve always imagined it would take half or less the time that it takes at home! Huge washers and dryers that fit like 2 loads worth, plus you can do as many loads as you need to at once! Not to mention folding in an uninterrupted envioronment ;). we had to go to the laundromat about a year ago when our washing machine was broken. Brian really liked getting the laundry done in 2 hours, but we had to get up early on saturday morning to do it. I didn’t like that part so much! You know when you love someones blog when you WANT to carry on reading about them doing laundry lol! How is it that you make laundry look like fun? Some great pics taken too. Glad to hear the children are getting used to the no computer/tv thing. Just last week i did a 7 day challenge to be tech free. i thought i would die, but infact it was really good. I felt significantly less wound up. Hope you kids do too. I remember going to the laundry mat as a kid and thinking it was the coolest!! They had a bubble gum machine and a pool table and cartoons on the wall mounted TV. i am thinking of going back to no sugar again. i am so happy that there is a drink i love at starbucks that is under $3. we have XM radio in the surburban. so…..do you have any questions for me? Well, I’ve got a few questions for you…. Love your blog! I saved your kitchen before and after photos for inspiration for my own remodel. Love the wood floors, dark counter tops and white cabinets. My question is how much did your kitchen remodel cost. A ballpark figure would be fine :-)! Love your blog!! I come here every day 🙂 We were actually in MI the same time you were, only at different parts of the state. We were in southern MI visiting family & then went to Mackinac Island for a couple days. So I have a question ~ just wondering where you live. I mean, not your address or anything! But I thought you said Kansas one time maybe? Your street looks like such a family oriented fun place to be…esp after those block party pics you showed. I miss that. I want that again. We’ve been looking into different states we might want to move to. Just wondering if I should look into your neck of the woods! I love your blog and am wondering if you have ever had it printed into book form? I write one for our family and am thinking about having a book made for each year that I’ve posted. My question is where did you stay on your Michigan vacation? My husband would love to go to Michigan. I want to thank you for the margarita recipe too! I’ve made it for my friends and they all love it! I love your blog and read it everyday. I love seeing a photo of your nightstand, with books, and just STUFF on it! I just cleaned mine out yesterday – it was full of books and foil (?) and “Your Baby’s First Year” (she’s two now) and even some noodles, journals, a set of coasters and scraps of paper. I thought, “You should clean this out. Your nightstand could look nice and pretty and neat, and not have so much junk in it.” So I cleaned out the drawers and moved all the junk to my bed in order to put it away, then it got moved to the floor, where it still sits. I love your blog – even though I fear that you are a Jayhawk fan! 🙂 Do you ever visit St. Louis? If you are ever in the area a few girls I know that read this blog would love to meet up with you! You crack me up! I think your figure is great, especially for having birthed 5 babies-and if you love Hostess anything, GO FOR IT! Yummy!!!!!! I love your picture of all the books by your bedside. I am a book lover too. hi meg. thanks for your happy posts. they always cheer me up. i love michael buble too! i listen to pandora all the time – i bet you would enjoy joss stone – give it a try 🙂 whoa…can’t believe i missed this post yesterday. I love that your bedside table looks just like mine. Tower of books and lip balm are crucial. I have a question . . . how do you have such a strong faith? I grew up with no religion and my husband grew up in Catholic schools. We have been attending a non-demoninational church here since October and I LOVE it. I am learning so much about the bible. wondering what is your tried & true and one of your favorite Dinner recipes? O and where did you get that beautiful red bowl?? Love your blog…you inspire me to be more of what I am? Hi Meg, Ok do you and your hubby ever fight? You seem very in love and I love that! Thanks have fun with the millions of questions you have to answer! Hi Meg, Hello Meg! Do you have a quirky habit? I have some that most would think is *crazy*. just wondering!! And what’s your favorite book of the bible, mine is Esther. Have a great day!! Can I ask two questions? What camera lens are you using these days? And where did you get the awesome granny square afghan you have in your family room? Your blog is my favorite- hands down. I love these random posts that you do. Isn’t it weird to enjoy learning so much about someone you’ve never met?? I like knowing the details. My nightstand looks just like yours. I’m in the middle of 4 books right now. Can’t remember the last time I read any of them. I really need to get back to reading. love your bedside book stack Ok I will ask a question? I also have 5 kids and am expecting my 6th in less than 2 months. My oldest is 7. Do you Ever feel overwhelmed and you just don’t know where to start or finish? You seem to have it all put together and your kids are always so happy. I NEED to hear you say that you get overwhelmed, PLEASE~! The laundry , the cooking, the grocery shopping, the working, the crafting? Lately I have spent a lot of my time in tears because I just don’t know how I am going to be able to do it with a baby. I try to stay organized but there is a constant tornado of children messing it all up. So, please let me know if I am alone here and perhaps should start signing my kids up for therapy or is there anyone else out there like me? I LOVE your blog and feel like I know you. You inspire me daily. I always want to ask you questions. I really wish I could sit and have margaritas with you or coffee 🙂 Anyway, right now I’m curious … what cameras do you use? Do you use your phone as your point + shoot? I’m struggling because I want to keep things simple. I forget my big camera on outings sometimes so my iPhone just has to do … that camera just isn’t as good. I’d love your advice on this issue! Meg I am just happy to read everything you right! you are a woman after my own heart… and I am already in my 35th year and have decided on 35 things before I turn 36 and head/hurtle towards 40!! ewwwwww. thanks for being so honest, I want to know are you coming to visit Australia……???? we are really nice/fun/relaxed etc and I would find the room to squeeze you all in, I am not crazy/stalkerish/or weird…. just a normal mum…. now I am not convinced that saying that makes anyone believe you hahahahah its late and I am tired I have to say ciao before I get silly, take care can you show us pictures of some of your favorite parts of your home. i heart your house and your style. 🙂 I don’t have a question Meg… just wanted to say great post and wonderful pics. I loved the picture of all of the heart shaped rocks! My mom has always made a point to try to find one whenever we travel. I’m driving home from a solo Colorado trip tomorrow with 3 heart shaped rocks I found to surprise her with! Makes me ready to go home. 🙂 I still remember the pastel rainbow tennis shoes I got when I was a kid in the 80’s. Oh, how I loved those shoes! LOVE.LOVE.LOVE your blog!! I have lots of questions: You seem to be very upbeat. 🙂 Are you shy or quiet in person? Were you ever shy? Hi Meg You have obviously lost weight and are really looking fit – are you just running to stay in shape or do you do the gym thing too? I have done the no sugar off and on for the last 9 years – when I start to dream about sweets I go back on:) God love ya for going off it again! Woah Meg, that is a lot of questions for you!! I hope you are feeling chatty 😉 Where, oh where, did you get your red EAT letters in your kitchen? I swear if you made them and sold them you would make a fortune!! You rock, sister! I love your blog! I don’t know quite how I stumbled on to it, but it is awesome. I check daily for updates – you are very inspiring and I know I’d want to be friends in real life with you. Meg~you’re beautiful because you love life, plus I think you have GORGEOUS coloring that my pasty white skin would kill for. My question: do you take time each day for prayer/scripture/spiritual time, how do you make time to feed your spirit and relationship with God with 5 kids? I just found your blog and I must say….I love it! Thanks for sharing your days! Hi, Meg! Yes, I have a question 🙂 Is your last name pronounced DERKsen or DOO-erk-sen or another way? i thought of 3 … •1. how do you plan your days? what’s your method for keeping your day productive [with or without kids]? i’m horrible with time management. •2. how did you & chicago jenny meet? 🙂 •3. what’s the farthest place you’ve been, where someone recognized you from “whatever”? 🙂 I’m going to say ditto to I love your blog SOOOOOOO much! Really? 24 days til school starts? That is not really what I wanted to hear 🙂 That means I have less days than that! Yikes. Our summer bucket list has way more things left on it. I was thinking it was a great big fail, but I looked over at it and 9 things are checked off. That’s not so bad. But really? 24 days? I think Waffle deserves his own blog. What do you think? I have lots of questions! I have noticed that you don’t talk very much about your kids and school. Most stay at home moms I know love to help in their kids classrooms. I see that sometimes you help in Annie’s but seldom the older kids. Is there a reason for this? and do you plan on helping more in your other kids classrooms now that you have a whole day to yourself? Love your blog!! also the best blog in the world!!! Just wondering if you collect anything??? Did you finish the room you were painting?? meg….love you love you love you.. Hi Megan, Love your blog, your positive attitude and creativity. I work with foster parents and I have referred some of them to your site to see the craft projects that you do with your kids. I love all the colour in your life! Do you have an e-mail that we can write to you at or does everything have to be publically posted? I hope to get a blog up and running but so far haven’t found the time, in the mean time I am photo journalling my every day. Thanks for the inspiration! Heidi. 1. Honest to goodness, I thought to myself, “How can she possibly look so lovely whilst hurtling down a slip-n-slide?” Honestly. Truly. michael bulbe i love his music and him also you’re talken cupcakes yummy (michael) (: can i just tell you that sometimes you get me through the day. thanks for being so real about being a mom and that it isn’t always easy. sometimes we just need to know that we are not alone in all this! this has to be in my top 5 of favorite blogs. i should make a list of top ten, laminate it and carry it in my wallet. lolol I love your blog and pictures! I do have a question for you. It’s a two parter, hope I’m not being greedy. 🙂 Hey girl! I’ve got a question…what’s the best gift you’ve ever given Craig?!?!? Ok, don’t answer this, i already know. The subject just came up this weekend with some other friends and it made me think of you!!!:) Oh how i could use a little dinner and girl conversation with you and the other Mrs. Jost. Think of you often! Thought the video was AWESOME!:) Way to be a “cool” mom! Love ya! I can’t stop thinking about #20 on your summer list: family pictures in a sunflower field. Where is there such a field and when do they BLOOM? Meg, I love your blog and visit every day. I’m 28 and a new stay-at-home mom to my first baby, 5 week old WIlliam. I want to make a craft/art project that will capture all his sweet babyness (I know that’s not a word, but it should be) but isn’t cheesy. What do you suggest? I’m scrapbooking and picture-taking like a madwoman out of fear that someday I won’t remember all the details (his little curled toes when he sleeps, the shape of his profile when I’m feeding him). Question 1 – I would love to know where you bought Annie’s rainbow shoes. My baby girl also starts Kindergarten this fall (sniff, sniff) and they sound right up her alley! Hi Meg – BTW – Love, Love, love your blog! Hello! I was wondering where you get you decor inspiration (I’m sure lots of places, but what are your favorites) Which Clooney movie is your favorite? Or were you a bigger ER fan? Oops I forgot to ask a question….What do you like most about blogging? What do you like the least? Is there something we don’t know about you that would surprise your readers? I should probably stop at three. Megan, My question is where do you come up with ideas for decorating? Any specific websites? Also, do you ever sleep? You seem to be always doing SOMETHING but with four kids of my own by the time they go to bed I just want to go to bed! as usual, lovely photos and massive comments. you rock. Hugs from Seattle! You’re inspiring. My friends and I love your blog and would probably try to meet you too (like a post above said) if we were closer. I adore you Meg! We live fairly close to each other and run in almost close circles. We have never met, however, I am certain, If I saw you in public I would shy away in awe of your celebrityness{um, yeah that is a word} I was so excited about your no-sugar diet – that was the same time I started mine – I am still pretty good at almost 6 months (with some cheating) or I call REWARDING 😉 What would be your last meal, death-row style? Do you have rules regarding modesty of clothing for Lauren? I have noticed she wears shirts under tube tops, etc. I think how she puts things together looks VERY good, btw! Hee, hee Meg, did you ever get a lot of questions! I won’t ask you anything but I wished i could hear more about how the book, “Crazy Love” affected you. We read it last year, and it’s something that I still think about everyday in application for my life (i remember you posted it in a give-away or something). I love hearing how the Holy Spirit worked in others’ hearts through that book… It’s amazing how a book can make you feel both passionate/joyful and lonely for it to be a reality at the same time. I totally have my pandora radio on Michael Buble station too! 🙂 I would like to know what camera you use and what is yout favorite lens? Hi Meg! I love the rocks! No question but have to say this… I laughed out loud reading the titles of your books…because in all that seriousness, inbetween “struggles” and “ungodly things” I see an IKEA catalog. And that’s why you are awesome. Before I ask my questions, I want to thank you for a few things. First, the pictures of Annie made me realize I was being way too tough on my daughter over her clothing choices. Before, I would not hesitate to make her change her clothes if she did not match or wasn’t what I considered “appropriate” for whatever we were doing that day. But now, because of you, I have let go of the expectation that she should dress exactly the way I want her to, and as long as she has on clean clothes and doesn’t try to wear flip flops to school when it is snowing, she gets to make her own fashion decisions. This has been a HUGE blessing to both me AND my daughter. What is your go to lens for shooting pictures? What lens would you want to add next to your camera supplies? Hi Meg, Did you decide to use Photoshop or Photoshop elements? Which one did you chose? Have you had a chance to try it out? If so, I heard the learning curve is steep. What do you think? Thanks, Sally When you read Michael Buble really quick do you ever think it says “Bubble”? I do. First of all….GIRL..you look GREAT! I’ve had one baby (he’s 22 months) and wish I could look as good as you! You are rocking that mom suit, for sure!! Hi Meg! I’m Edie from Georgia, 29, married to the only boy I’ve ever dated, and mom to a 2 year old and 6 month old. Do you have any suggestions for daily devotional/bible study type books for moms? I’ve been reading your blog for several months, and I always look forward to new posts! oooooh, I’d like to know what’s in your camera bag, too! I love you and your blog too. Like a lot of people on here, I wish we could know each other in real life. 🙂 My question is: how much time do you spend on your personal appearance? I only have 3 little ones…but it seems like I am always wishing I looked as cute as other moms – like you! I want to know more of you love story…basically all of it! Meg..can you tell me what size are the pillows you make? Do you get your material and pom pom fringe online? Where do you get your pillow inserts? Also- can you show us a picture of what you did in your dining room? I love your blog!! Hey! we loved running into you at target as well…possibly we could go together when school starts minus kids?! Could we dream that big? 🙂 Please be sure to tell Annie that Ellakate calls her ice cream notebook the “annie notebook” I think i should have bought 12 more 🙂 I love your “random” photos posts. And I think you look great in your mom suit and like you are having so much fun in the slip ‘n slide post! I have a mom suit, too, but I still look like I am 8 mos preggers in it. 😉 My hubby says I should go off the diving board and not care what I look like, and your video has inspired me to do so. It’s about having FUN and not worrying how we look (although like I said, you look very cute in yours!). Thanks for the reminder. Love your blog – I read it everyday, rarely comment. I have one simple question – where did you live before Kansas? Did I read in the Chicago area somewhere? We live in the western suburbs – just wondering. And did you have a nice, old house like you do now? Or was it more cookie cutter? meg, do you talk with an accent since you live in kansas? Hey, me again (Leigh). I asked you about teen-agers. I meant to also ask you about wether Lauren knows you were a pregnant teenager? How did you explain it to her? How do you discuss sex with a teen-ager? I realize these are really personal questions and I DO NOT want to violate Lauren’s privacy (or yours)at all, so I understand if you need to tread lightly or steer clear of these issues. I’m just curious and scared! Thanks for always keeping it real. Hi Meg! I was wanting to know if you are planning on running any more races? I just committed to run the 10 mile turkey trot and the longest race I’ve done is 2 miles (though I’ve run longer distances than that!). I’m scared to death!!! I find myself bored to death with my play list lately…what music do you run to? What’s in your camera bag…what brand of camera do you own…what lenses do you use??? love this post. i have a question! i love your photography. have you taken classes? or are you a self-taught talent? do you edit your pictures? what are some of your favorite effects/edits? I just adore your blog, I truly do! Want to know another reason to love the iced coffee? If by chance you have a leisurely afternoon to spend at your local (ha!) starbucks, you can get a refill of iced coffee for only 50¢. Or you can drink it crazy fast and get one. Either way… yay for iced coffee and spending less money there. Is the “Praying the Scriptures for Your Children” any good? are you going to answer the questions? 🙂 I too love your blog 🙂 I admit though, sometimes I only look at the photos. (the best part) lovey love love that last line. you are hysterical! rainbow shoes! perfect. My daughter would love them, too. Do you use a photo editing software package? I like your logic about a $3 coffee instead of spending $5. And I know my husband would not see the logic in it, just like Craig. My hubby’s response would be “there you go again, spending money to save money”! My question is random, for sure, but was happy that you asked that today! Do you have a recipe for your rainbow cake?? Or is it just yellow/white cake with food coloring? I have not looked back through, but I wanted to make it for my kids! Also, Thank you for writing about things that I can totally relate to…you get to do all the things I hope to one day! When I quit my corporate job, I want to follow my dreams like, become a “real” photographer, buy/sell primitive antiques and do fun things with my kids! Thanks for the continued postings of what we all consider “normal”! LOVE you, Meg. Tell me how to get Claire to go #2 in the potty. She has roughly a month to nail this otherwise preschool is off her things-to-do list! LOL She pees fine, what’s with the reluctance to poop??? xoxo What will you do now that all your kids will be going off to school? My 11 year old daughter has spent the ENTIRE morning cleaning her room. Voluntarily. As in swiffering and sweeping out the floor of her closet. Then she asked if she could vacuum the downstairs. Do you think she was switched at birth? Also, where does one find rainbow shoes? We’re going back to school shopping with Grandma Thursday and they sound adorable! My question is where do you get your photos printed, I know that you posted it once, but I can’t find it. Thank you and I love your blog, cause you make feel normal 🙂 I saw a Love & Logic book on your nightstand! I love that series and have found it has given me back so much patience that I thought was gone forever. Are you finding the teen L&L very helpful? I think I like your blog because you seem very real. You share the good, bad and ugly! It makes me feel more normal! I want to know how you handle chores in your house? And how you discipline? Consequences etc. I feel like sometimes I get stuck trying to figure out what good consequences are for the daily repetive issues. Like forgetting to do chores, or eating in their rooms etc. I’ve got 4 kids and am always looking for new ideas! 🙂 (I can’t remember if you’ve ever talked about these things) I just love your colors on your blog and also the books you are reading…found you on my lunch break blog hopping around… I have a question! You said you got a new camera. What did you get? I’ve been dying to know… ****Questions!!!*** blessings..lol Meg, you make me laugh. And cry with you at times. Like all these other commenters, I feel like I know you. Two questions, when do you think you will go back to Africa? and if you had to take someone dinner (they are sick, or just had surgery, or a baby…) what do you take? Hi Meg! Have you ever had a blog reader randomly show up at your door and want to meet you? If I lived close to you I think I would. Because I like you that much. But not in a creepy, stalker way. But just because I want to meet you in real life and be able to say that I met Meg Duerksen. And I would probably ask to see your awesome house and take my own photos and then do a “behind the scenes” post on my blog. Kinda like MTV Cribs! Bahahahah……. I love your blog. It’s a fun place to land each day! 🙂 I know you take a lot of pictures and was wondering how you organize them all? Do you digitally organize them or print them off each month and put them into a photo album? Just curious as I love to take photos too but stop short of any organizing technique. Hi Meg- Hi Meg, I gave up sugar for lent. And I liked how I felt off of it. But I can’t seem to get a grip on it and do it in moderation. Yesterday I gave it up again. I’m not sure for how long. Hi Meg! I love following your blog. You inspire me to find time to be more creative- I love it! I am a friend of Amy Jones’ from high school and was lucky enough to stumble upon your blog and have been hooked ever since. I have to admit I copy some of your ideas- I love them! Thanks for sharing your life with us. Keep up the great work! You are so funny. I love the random pics. Ok – I agree w/ Leigh… any ‘ten’ ager adivce is welcome. Sweet Baby J and I are entering uncharted territory and I can feel myself wavering all over the place. This is a randon question…We are heading to my parents house in a week…and they live close to Chicago and I was wondering where you were when you saw the filming of Transformers 3? My son is beyond obessed with them and would love to go up there for a day and check it out! You can email me at lnreed95@gmail.com!! I have a question… What’s it like to have a teen-ager? They are a mystery to me, and, honestly it scares me to think that one day there will be two under my roof. It kinda breaks my heart. I’m really interested in Lauren and what makes her tick and her relationship with you and Craig. What does she do for fun? Who are her friends? Does she have any idea what she will be doing in the next 5 years. Any advice? Thoughts? (I hope I don’t sound creepy — I”m just wondering about teen-agers in general.) Thanks! xoxoxoxxo Oh man oh man do I wish I could kick the sugar habit!!!! Sooooo hard!!!!!!! And I just love this post!! I think I love anything you talk about!!! I’ll have to think up a question…but right now, I gotta go get kid #1 from golf camp!!!!!!!!!!! Hi Meg, I’m wondering how your dining room turned out? I’d love to see pics. Your blog makes parenting seem fun. I am a mother of four, and today I am wondering if that is an illusion, a camera trick or what? decorating: you are adorable and look fabulous for having 5 kids!!! What kind of camera do you use? Love your blog. Also, I have three of the same books as are in your stack! I must be cool like you!! 🙂 Hmmm…I cannot remember how I stumbled onto your blog, but I am sure glad I did 🙂 I love your photos, your honesty, and your COLOR. Color is my battery. I enjoyed your Chicago pictures and told my husband – see, there is hope! She’s traveling with FIVE kids and we only have THREE! We just need to wait until they are older 😉 I’m looking forward to your Michigan pictures – my family is from there – although we moved to California when I was five – but I hear it’s gorgeous. Oh, so my questions: How did you meet your husband? How old are your kiddos? What is your favorite color? Favorite food? Favorite blog? laughed outloud at the last two lines of today’s post. you are a funny gal. so very funny. i think we would be friends in real life. I still wish you would do a photography info post. I’d love to know your “take” on photography, your lenses, how you edit, etc. Just a little info. I love all of your photos, always! Please share any info you are willing to share…..thank you! Love your blog! How do you make it work parenting Lauren and then all the little ones? My sister is trying to parent two teenage girls and a three year old…It’s tough! Can I pretend you’re my friend?! (hello…psycho!) 🙂 And thanks for introducing me to Piece of Cake (another great friend o’ mine) Let me just say that many of us out “here” really rely on you ladies to tell it to us straight and make us feel less crazy than we do. (or maybe that’s just me?!) It’s great to know you’re (I’m) not the “only one” dealing with this life stuff. Question: how do you feel about putting it all out there? And how is your house so clean!! Thanks pal…. (wink, wink) Are you reading all those books at the same time!? That’s what my nightstand looks like but they are mostly books I’ve read that I’m skimming back for my favorite parts…. favorite book of all time? I’m going camping in September and I need some ideas 🙂 Hi! I don’t have a question, but wanted to say that I love following your blog! I can’t even remember how I found it a couple of weeks ago… one link… led to another link… to another link. I really enjoyed looking through your house renovation… my husband and I are in the process of renovating a 75 yr. old home now and hopefully I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pandora. Music fills my house this summer, so much better than Spongebob and that Phenius dude. I love your random posts with random pictures and random insights into your life. I too love the Michael Buble pandora station – it always puts me in a good mood! Hi Meg! I don’t have a question, just a compliment for you. You are one of the most “real” people that I am lucky enough to “virtually” know through reading your blog. You have no pretenses and you love your God and your family. I remember what it is like to have kids running underfoot that can sometimes make you crazy, and 10 minutes later can make you thank God for them. It’s a whirlwind ride of a lifetime, but you are enjoying all the special times, good and bad. Thanks for sharing with us. Thanks for all the time you spend on your blog. I DO have a very random question for you. I’m in the middle of trying to add color… LOTS of color to my house. Do you have a “theme” so to speak when you decorate? Do you stick with a color palette? Or are you random and just hope it all works? Meg- I love your Blog SOOOOOOO much! You inspire me every day!!! I can’t wait to read your posts!!!! I’ve never made PW’s Blueberry Crumble, is it good? Her chicken spaghetti recipe is probably my favorite, although there are so many chicken spaghetti recipes! quite possibly….
who came up with that idea?! [url=”http://www.nfljerseysleague.com/specials”]cheap nfl jerseys[/url] i’ll take the cheers puzzle That has to be the least topical puzzle I have ever seen in my entire life… you’re hilarious! You and I have common interests! You are my part of the story! How have I forgotten about the awesomeness of puzzles?! That Cheers puzzle is SO up my alley! Ha! Awesome observations. who in the world would buy a vintage cheers puzzle?! hilarious. now i’m curious what THE weirdest puzzle ever made was. i feel a contest coming on. 🙂 that is hysterical! I dont care for puzzles but my family loves them! Hahaha – good post. With puzzles like that, we wonder why our children have nightmares? Cheers before Woody? Not really Cheers. Now that is weird… Those are great! Hello early Christmas shopping! 😛 I had my first kiss watching reruns of Cheers with a British guy. That puzzle makes me laugh- a lot. The first puzzle was obviously created to drive parents crazy when their kids beg for it. This is a similar reaction to things such as Barney related toys for the younger children and anything from Hot Topic for the older kids. I think I could create better puzzles. One for the young and the old;) You are TOO funny! But, you say what we all think! Love that about you! (I’ll bet your daughter HATES that about you!) 🙂 You are right the first one is quite ugly!! lol, takes me back. to me it’s not even about the picture because once the puzzle is together, we ceremoniously destroy the entire thing. 🙂
I love the Bill Cosby commercial! My sister in law and I were just discussing why they don’t sell pudding pops anymore! what a great series of shots! Where did you buy your sign? I love it! Very random! lol Btw, what kind of camera do you use? We have a lame, old “point and shoot” and then a monstrous SLR that bums me out to think about carrying all day (to capture my life on camera). My large 6 mos. old son is enough to lug. I love your blog! I love how you photograph your life. I read your blog as frequently as I read my friends & families’ blogs. And I crack up at every post. I love your sense of humor. Thanks for diligently posting. You inspire me. 🙂 such fun summer photos Meg. those pudding pops look SO YUMMY! i’m going to have to put my youngest on those right away. (since we’re finally having some good weather up here in the NW!) Fun! Meg, I have always thought that you are a great photographer and have always loved your photos, but I have to tell you, you have gotten even better! I guess I better get practicing! i want your dog. Super fun! Love the last pic…it is fun to be silly! I love, love, love that sign. I have sign envy. funny, funny, funny! I have the same dress that Talby is wearing in the photo where she’s making ice pops! (Yes, I’m small enough to fit into little girls’ clothes!) Random rocks…especially when captured to share! Waffle… he makes me want a dog! (shhh! don’t tell my kids!) Adore that pic of Annie & the sunglasses. rainbow pudding pops. such a good idea! what fun. yummy beads, yummy ice pops, and yummy fabulous material.. I love the picture of the kids’ flip flops checking on the parade. I’m inspired to start looking for more abstract photo opps. And pudding pops sounds delicious! Love how you capture the feeling of summer in your pictures. O how I love random every now and then!!!!!:) We did the pudding pops too. I agree a bit much. Bill Cosby…. Would you tell me where the sign is from. It is too die for! Oh mah gawd!!!!!!!!!!! Love the picture of Waffle in his specs… too cute! Those pudding pops look divine! Love your random;-) So, you’ve left us in suspense? Which shirt did Lauren choose? Always such colourful pictures. You choose colour, the pudding pops, the sign. It is a wonderfully colourful characteristic. I want that fabric bundle!!! that sign than sign–i ddiiiieeeee! it is so great! yum to the pops! “enjoy the little things in life for one day you’ll look back and realize those were the big things” WOW WOW WOW. your photos are amazing. I kept looking at that first one, love how you captured the summer sky. you have a gift. I LOVE LOVE your new heather bailey fabric. I’m trying to figure out a reason why I need some 🙂 I LOVE the first picture of your sweet kids silhouetted. Even though it’s not your whole family or all your kids, I would frame it. Super cute. Hope you have a wonderful week!! Random but funny pics! Lovely 😀 Really fun pictures. random is rad! That is it. sometimes the “random” posts are my favorite! I was thinking about those pudding pops last night. I am thinking I may take the kids for snow cones instead today and maybe swimming! Especially like the one of the kids waiting for the softball game to be over…made me think of last week when we “met” and just about every sporting event we drag our “youngers” to :)) I’m thinking that waffle and Roscoe were separated at birth… I feel like a big dork now for sending you that package! Note to self: Meg has 5 billion readers that also go to Micheals and think of her when they see cute stuff with ‘whatever’ written on it! You are stocked for a while girl! so funny because i just made those same pops, found them on “a little bit funky” and thought as i made them that i should send you the link.
it was a good day. thank you for the donations yesterday to Word Made Flesh. What a GREAT post!!! These types of pictures will be so great for your kids to look through someday. They remind of me of little mental pics/memories I have of growing up. 🙂 Love your blog. I love your posts like this! What a neat way to document your day. Will have to try that sometime 🙂 I love this post. A day in pictures. Thanks, I may *need* to copy this one! oooh-la-la! A typical mommy day…. I am inspired every time I visit your blog – which is nearly every day! Your family has an energy, zest for life and love of creativity that I just adore. I wish we could move in with you. Love the random shots.. Dying to here more about the chandy! Is that for the dining room ? I just adore your everyday pix! love your Tuesday.. I making it my 4th of July mission to figure out how to make those Sangria Swirls. I’ll let you know when I’ve got the recipe perfected. Hobby Lobby is my favorite place in the world. It’s my de-stress place. I just go to walk up and down the aisles and feel inspired. Lovely day!! Gorgeous day, Meg. Happy, happy children….especially lovely photo of Scott (?) unpacking dishwasher – surely such an act of obedience and generosity is worthy of framing? These photos just cry out to me that the little things are life really are the most precious. Meredy xo. OMG we have that huge strbucks mug!! So gorgeous. I loved this post! Fun day! My day was awesome today, because I made a rainbow cake using your tutorial for one of my good friends – it’s her birthday, but she’s going through a divorce and doesn’t have one of her daughters with her, and she’s really depressed. I kidnapped her other daughter for the day and we made the cake for her – I iced it white and the kids and I didn’t tell her it was a rainbow cake. When she cut into it, she was SO happy – she said it was the best cake she’s ever gotten, even better than the Helly Kitty cake she got in 2nd grade. So THANK YOU for helping me make someone’s day! 🙂 Looks like the perfect day ~ though you were quite busy 🙂 The photography is BEAUTIFUL. you are able to capture the magic in every moment. so basically, you didn’t do anything??? It WAS a good day. Amazing how yours resemble mine! You did all of that in one day? I’m tired:) First of all, I’m so jealous that you have a Hobby Lobby close by. LOVE your necklace Meg! How do you get used to taking photos everywhere (the gas station, Hobby Lobby, etc.). I am so shy about it with my big camera! If you could write about it, I’d really like that! once again you’ve made my smile… love your pic’s ! love me some waffle ;)… Wow what a full day! Loving these photos. Esp the coloured fingernails. So Meg do you have a ‘swagger wagon’? ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-N3F1FhW4 )LOL I’m so jealous of your clay store! I did this in school and want my Maggie to experience it but no place in the whole Nashville area! Can you believe that!?! Only places to paint “already made” pieces. Looks like a wonderful day! Love this post. it looks like a full day but fun- I love how you highlite what some may view as the ordinary. You demonstrate how each moment is a gift. Love that. Woah – that was a Day. i love that picture of annie on the desk….inspired to capture the simple, candid moments…. i spy….star wars sheets, patriotic fingernails, a chore I need to get done, and a margarita sangria swirl. and a smart dog laying on the cold tile to beat the heat. 🙂 it certianly does look like a good day! I love “day in the life” photo series, I feel a little bit more motivated to go start my laundry. Wow, looks like a good and busy day! I have that same chandelier, and I painted mine white too…now it’s been “crystalized” and hanging in my bathroom. That is one busy day! Is Clayworks in Newton? What an awesome place! FYI….My son LOVED the peanut butter pie recipe I made last week….I am now making it again!! Hes a picky eater..so its practically a miracle that he thinks im awesome now for making it..lols…love the pics..my son has the same star wars bed set…gotta love pottery barn….even though I may go broke…lols!!! Looks like an AMAZING day! Beautiful photos. Beautiful cause.
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Mandy Allbritton - I love your blog – can’t remember how I came about it?! But I have the same running shoes. I love the Brooks Ravenna! And your choice of other shoes are awesome!
The colors in you photos are amazing. I love reading your sweet blog-
Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - wow, you’re shoes are so orderly. mine are in a huge pile that i have to dig through on my closet floor. i’m beginning to not believe you when you say you are not clean. just sayin’. . .
j - you lock your make up? I don’t know if you watch Real Housewives of DC (or admit to it!). Um, I don’t, I was just flipping channels one night, anyway, a girl on there has a lock on her closet to keep her 20 yr old out. I couldn’t believe it but then mine isn’t old enough for that to be a problem.
jennifer - Too Funny!
Lorilee - I could only walk in one of those pairs of shoes!
Blessings,
Lorilee
heather - agreed…that’s a lot of heels! i have a closet of flip flops and then the oddball running shoes & heels! 🙂
in the hush of the moon - love the shoes… new here, visiting from farmgirl paints… i am an artist and love your work, your colors, your photos, your faith… i might stick around for awhile, friend.
Juli - Sesame Street song…were we all just that dumb back then because that is such a no-brainer, even for my 2 yr old. How could we have possibly found that entertaining?!
Tracy - ohhh I have shoe envy….love the shoes (from what I can see) they look so cute and fun! My fav kind.
kristine - *er, they hurt my feet just looking at THEM not ME! too late to be typing i guess…going to bed (unusual since it’s ONLY 10pm). hope you’re having a great holiday weekend!
kristine - cute shoes. you’re def rockin the heels! they hurt my feet just looking at me. but since i switched to wedges this season, i’m much more comfortable. you asked, right?! that was a long song for figuring out which one was not like the others…funny 🙂
Jen - You have some sassy shoes, girlfriend!
Love the retro video clips this week!
bobbie - that is the exact opposite of my closet. Twenty pairs of sneakers with one pair of heels.
Dineen - You are just too funny with your You Tube videos!! I remember this song! Thanks for making me laugh the past two days. I really, really needed it! : )
jeanne - What is wrong with that dress???:-)
Lisa - Are those all your heels??? 🙂 I’m impressed if they are cause my shoes would look the opposite. Lots of flats and tennis shoes with 1 pair of heels! I’m not very fun in that way!
Holly - lol…too funny
Julie - Yeah, not like the others, but you need the one to look great in the others! 🙂
chasity - cute.
anna. - I sing that all the time and crack myself up! Love it!
Gabi - Hi Meg,
I just found your blog, love it.
Great picture 🙂
Janie Fox - I wore a rust dress almost exactly like that when I worked at a local chicken restaurant during high school summers..It was our uniform.Yikes!! Hated that job and that dress!!
Kimberlee J. - Which one of these is doin’ it’s own thing????
GREAT pic!
linda@limein the coconut - Hmmmmm. Give me another minute…I’ll figure it out……