would you like to see how we decorated our tree this year?
come on over to my other blog and read all about it.
Category Archives: Uncategorizedfrom the money raised last year…. Water For Christmas well in Gbeivonwea, Liberia. from charity: water (special donors) on Vimeo.
happy thanksgiving. we have SO MUCH to be thankful for. Beautiful and well said. I’d like to send something too- That’s beautiful! MEG!!! I still need your address to send along a craft. π you are so right….:) Cold chills. How can I help? You’re going to let us know when we can start shopping on that etsy shop, right? I’m ready to buy for Africa! SO awesome! Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for being an inspiration π Hey- I was listening to a podcast the other day and learned about these. I know you love giving clean water to Africa and these things are amazing! I think my husband and I are going to donate several this Christmas season. http://www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw Meg, are you still accepting handmade things for the Etsy shop? I loved your craft!! I am so going to try that… As with every thing on your blog, I LOVE this idea. My little boys (well okay, probably all my kids) would love these! Neat idea! Hey Meg, just noticed you said you never use capitals. I’ve been noticing lately with work emails to my closer coworkers, I’ve been dropping using capitals more and more lately. Could it be from reading your blog, lol? Barely noticed until you mentioned it. I think it’s easy to read, and sooooo much easier to type. that’s it for capitals for now. I LOVE this idea. Will definitely have to try!! Meg – I have such a girl crush on you , you have the best imagination ever! I am sooooo excited! I made some today while my little artist was at school. The only silicone pan I had happened to be a snowflake. They turned out so beautifully! I am going to put them in his Christmas stocking. He’s going to love them. Thanks! I eagerly went to Edie’s blog but was dissapointed to read that I am a “begger “.I am not.Because I follow Megs blog doesn’t mean that I always have to agree with people faiths and views,I still read with enthusiasm what Meg had to say and will continue to follow her great ideas.Just dissapointed in Edie strong religious views about other people she knows nothing about. can’t wait to check it out! π Caught up on your blog this morning. You know, I am NOT a dog person, but i want your dog. lol π He’s adorable!! Hi Meg! What a fantastic idea! After reading your guest post I went and ordered the ice cube trays, I can’t wait to try it out! I seriously read through your entire blog. So thankful for you! Thank you for writing this blog, showing all your awesome crafts, photos and recipes. :o) Looks like a craft even I can do! Thanks for another great idea and I’ll be going (back) over to Edie’s to see what else I might be able to do in time for Christmas. Thanks Meg! those crayons are adorable. i am typing in all lower case in to show you my solidarity. woot woot!! SO glad for this post (well, the one over there) i was looking at my boys’ crayon box thinking it’s time to do that ‘melty crayon thing meg does’ yesterday and now i don’t even have to go find the post =D super love your blog. π yay for blogging with edie! and i always love those alphabet crayons! i am finally starting my collection of broken ones because i have a three year old who always snaps a few before she can start coloring! π I made your alphabet crayons a year or so ago and the all the kids loved them. I love this idea!! Very colourful : ) The alphabet crayons are an excellent idea! You look adorable in the picture on edie’s blog by the way. π ~Peggy in TN Itβs infrequently found to find something using the web that may be as enjoyable and also attractive mainly because anything you include the following. Your current web site is without question magnificent, your own illustrations are good, and even whatβs significantly more, you receive basis which might be about the things youβre dealing with. Youβre definitely one within the million, congratulations! Sie lassen den Fehler zu. Es ich kann beweisen. Schreiben Sie mir in PM. Hi fellas, if you want to bet on ufc read here:: [url=http://betonufc.info]how to bet on ufc Interesting for)) ff She is darling! The ones you chose were my favorite. π We love Gap so much! We just reached Silver status on their credit card. . .I dont think I should be proud of that. They have the best jeans for my 6 year old and my 4 year old. My turn! My turn! what an adorable post. Love that waffle was in one of Annies photos π what an adorable post. Love that waffle was in one of Annies photos π I tweeted about your lovely giveaway at http://twitter.com/HollyCBS I tweeted about your lovely giveaway at http://twitter.com/HollyCBS When did you start running ads? With 5 kids of our own, our youngest is 6 and still has handmedowns over new. It would be a real treat to win! So adorable!! i couldn’t get the terms and conditions to work? can people outside the US enter? I did! π they are ALL cute on miss annie! Isn’t there a GAP model calling going on? You should send in these pictures! Woohoo!! GAP!! I better win:)….. I like how you do your giveaways not on your main page of your blog. The way you set up your blog is cool. Kelly Such awesome pictures!!! She is so photogenic. Cutest kid ever!!! She should be a GAP model! we rocked it. craig doesn't work on columbus day. i went running. so we did take out. we got some groceries. it was a lovely seven hours alone. i have no pictures for you.
Sometimes it is just nice to be in the same house together without all the noise. I kept checking the mail. Forgot it was a holiday. My kids were at school all day and have Thurs-Fri. off. So weird. And different from Illinois. My husband and I spent some time together alone on Saturday ~ it was wonderful. I can totally relate to your post!! Just having a few hours can totally recharge your batteries!! Sounds like a wonderful day π Lovely!!! 7 hours of bliss : ) My favorite thing is that you say,”We rocked it.” It sounds perfect to me. Love it. magical. yea! I got to spend the day alone with my hubby too…wonderful!! so glad ya’ll enjoyed it! i am guessing your kiddos have school on Columbus Day? I wish our’s did – only because Columbus didnt discover America. oh well….. Good for you and having 7 hours to yourself. Hope you recharged your batteries! I saw this post on my blogroll and blame it on the brussels sprouts, I don’t know, but I first read it as: “Columbus Day. Whatever.” And I thought to myself, now who could have something against Columbus Day??? a sign of a perfect time-not a chance to take out the camera!! Being along together…sometimes it’s enough just to be doing “Whatever” π Don’t worry about the pics, we’ll use our imagination. Sounds like your kids weren’t off from school today…lucky. π so glad to hear you had a great day! relaxing with your man, nothing better! π sounds perfect! it has been brought to my attention that i was misunderstood in the vitamin emails i sent out. this is what i sent to every single one of the 400+ people who asked to help donate vitamins. π vitamins…….
please send your package as soon as possible to:
Jody Landers
****************.
*****************, CO ******
thank you for helping!!
OR…if you'd like to paypal money for jody to purchase the vitamins for you….she is at ******************* in paypal.
she is doing this for many people who did not want to pay for shipping.
it is completely up to you. THANKS!
Matthew 25:34-40 (The Message)34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, 37-40"Then they are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was meβyou did it to me.'
-meg
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every single email had the smiley face and the word vitamins at the top. let's refocus and use our energies for GOOD. i am SO SORRY for the misunderstanding. thank you for being willing to help. THANK YOU for sending the vitamins. Im a big fan here, i always love reading your articles. Hey I just LOVE LOVE YOUR BLOG… I am amazed how folks get so easily offended at times….but onto more important things.. Don’t let Satan distract you!!! He will attack fiercely when he sees good being spread. Know that your faithful readers are lifting you up and carrying you. . .and calling evil what it is. . .and I boldly ask, in Jesus Christ’s name, that evil not attack you through this social medium and that you continue to be Jesus’ hands and feet here in Blogland. Amen. huh? for real? Hi Meg! LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. My good pal & sweet girl Carin over at cjsramblings directed me to you, as we have become quite good friends and email each other on the trial and beautiful tribulations of her raising 3 girls, and I raising 3 boys. Both alone. Sort of. Ex husbands who only worry about the twit on their arm, while we, the mother, the woman, the friend, the healer, the laundry do-er, lunch packer; but most importantly worry about our babies hearts most of all. She is such a love. oh, i thought for sure you were being incredibly rude and mocking me because of my poor spelling. for reals? boo! Oh, that’s such a sad misunderstanding! I can also say that you’ve kindly responded personally to several silly questions from me, and I can’t imagine you being sarcastic about spelling. I just don’t see it??? how can someone take offense?? I must be real slow…because I just got it now. I can see where someone might take offense – but I hope they realize it was not intentional and that everyone got the same email. Thank you Megan for allowing God to use your blog to reach those who feel prompted to help. Have a happy day! You’re the best Meg! Thank you for sending out 400+ emails for this! That in itself is a great ministry. haha, I would have just felt lucky to have a ‘personal’ email (since I knew you were copying and pasting based on the overwhelming number of responses) I took the email the way you meant for it to be, a “Hey, thanks for helping… here’s the info you need.” Thanks for doing this, Meg! π π π thanks for helping Meg! Our vitamins are on their way :)! Thanks for inspiring us. Oh for crying out loud … why do we get our panties in a bunch??? LOL I never even noticed it … I saw the smiley face as a quick way for you thank us for latching on to this idea. THANK YOU for getting this project out there. I never think of anything creative but love being able to be a part of something. I am completely baffled by your post. I truly don’t understand what was offensive. I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure it out (a waste of time no doubt). Obviously, whoever it is, is not a follower of your blog, or they would know the truth. Hang tight Meg..you got lots of support from your blog world! We love you!! And you’re in good company, Jesus was misunderstood too – and He was perfect! *HUGS* See, I meant “painting” instead of “painted”, DUH…… I couldn’t get this out of my mind while I’m painted my front porch so, I came back to see if I was one of the ones who misspelled the word, and yeah, that’s me, so what? My heart is in it for the children not my pride. I love your heart Meg, and keep on keeping on! And so, Life Beats On…..Your Awesome! Your faithful blog-followers know your heart and what was intended. As you can see by all the comments, no one else took your π to mean anything else but pure happiness and enthusiasm for a great cause! Sorry to hear some people were upset – I took the π as a celebration symbol. What? Someone really got their feelings hurt? Seriously it’s about the KIDS not YOU, people! π Oh my – didn’t even think twice about it – I thought you were just happy about our interest in sending vitamins – thanks again for organizing – we are picking up vitamins today! I’m sorry that you even had to clarify this in a blog post! I had no idea what you were talking about though! Haha…thanks for organizing this and for reminding me to send my money to Jody!! Love your blog! I didn’t notice anything, or care….I think it’s SO FABULOUS that you would take time out of your busy life to do this project!!! My vitamins are in the mail, priority, and should arrive in Colorado tomorrow!!! So happy to do such a small thing that can help!!! Thank You!!! Judy I’m wondering if October 1st is too late to send out the vitamins. We have zero $ until then and I really want to participate! Thanks! π no clue of the issue, you’re cool. Missed checking in a couple days, and am listening to your music from yesterday’s link…ironic….”this is where the healing begins”. It’s always something. Be happy, you are so solid. Leaders get guff. You’re cool. Meg, you are a wonderful person. I really enjoy your blog. Everyday you inspire me!! lame. not you π I think that what you guys are doing to help is AMAZING! I didn’t read into the email at all. I sent my $$ via paypal! Thanks Again I was so confused by this post… then it dawned on me that someone got their feelings hurt. Silly world! I did paypal -a first for me! Now I know how , so lookout Visa bill!! haha wow. Now I am seriously confused about how to spell “vitamins”. It doesn’t help that there is a vitamin shop near us that spells it slightly differently. Seriously?!?! haha! i went back and checked mine too! meg your awesome just saying:) π two flush. Some people!!! grrr i don’t think I would have ever noticed if I was the recipient. *lol* C’est la vie. Goodness..the fact you even had to write this post…you are a nicer person than I! Wow… a little ridiculous if you ask me (whoever “misunderstood” you). However, I sent my vitamins today! So happy I can help in my small way (didn’t send 20 bottles but I hope every little bit makes a huge difference). I love what you’re doing! oh geez, how petty. i’m sorry someone discouraged you like this. boo! I wish I could give you a big hug sweetie!! God knows your heart! π well, that’s just petty! I love my current level of brain function…I still don’t get how there could be a misunderstanding….so happy about that…sucks when others “issues” mar such a cool thing. Thank you so much for sharing the opportunity….we’re struggling to keep 45 employees paid BUT I knew I needed to do a little…..my life is SO GOOD and EASY compared to those kids. Still blown away by an egg and a vitamin a week…glory I’m spoiled HeHe must say made me go back to my email to see if I misspelled vitamins π Don’t stress over it..You are fantastic! For real? I agree with the person that said “No good deed goes unpunished”. I enjoyed the smiley face, at face value (ha ha). Please don’t let these nitpickers get you down. For real? I agree with the person that said “No good deed goes unpunished”. I enjoyed the smiley face, at face value (ha ha). Please don’t let these nitpickers get you down. mean people suck. I would have never thought that! Oh dear. “No good deed goes unpunished.” Don’t think another thing about it – I’m shure gladd I diddn’t missipell vitaminds. Meg if you give me the Paypal address I will send her some money. Don’t worry, Meg, I didn’t think you were making fun of anyone. Enjoy the first beautiful weekend of fall! π What a gracious response to your misunderstanders. Draw a line and try not to think about it anymore. Bon weekend! oh mercy. it does seem that when you’re obeying God, misunderstandings seem to pop up. that stinks! sorry, that is frustrating. Whoa…poor girl. I hate stuff that gets out of hand. It’s just the way Satan tries to steal joy. Yay for you for pushing through! And btw…thanks for doing this. It felt so good sending those off to kids who so desperately NEED. Haha well I totally missed all that may have happened, but my vitamins have been sent to the address provided. Hope they made it! I have no idea what this all means but I’m glad I donated money. i tried to email you and the email would not go through can you send me the info? thanks technology can gum up the gears of communication, but then again so can You’re a sweetheart! Sometimes I hate all the π emoticons because of how easily they can be misread! how anyone could think that you were being rude is beyond me. my box of 20 bottles is schedule to be delivered to jody tomorrow. Oh dear. Isn’t it the worst to be misunderstood? Makes my stomach churn. Press on – awesome project! I’m confused about the vitamin comments. I sent mine yesterday with many prayers. hi girls. i haven't emailed any of you back yet with the address yet. i am in california. in julie's super fun house…eating yum-o food and getting ready for photo sessions. when i get home to kansas i will respond to all the awesome emails! i think together we are all a powerful force! love you all for wanting to help. bye. Hello, I found your blog in a new directory of blogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, Your blog looks good. Have a nice day. http://www.vipthenorthfaceoutlet.com [url=”http://www.wholesalejerseysleague.com”]NFL Football Jerseys[/url] You must address five important issues if you want the recognition you offer to be viewed as motivating. `;- i like the way you blogged about this topic which is of course very interesting ~.~ I’m like you write something, really very good I like,thatβs a sign of a good blog post Hey, your post truly helps, now i encounter the same troubles, and i have no idea on how to solve the issue. Thank god I search Bing and discovered your post; it helps me get rid of my trouble. Thanks once again one thing, can i paste your entry on my site? i will add the source and credit to your site. regards! Through your depth of writing, I seem to see the you on eagles from, Wolf LongHangHuBu sang the gigantic; Seem to see the you holding up RuChuan large, write all the articles of the wisdom of expression; Imitate the saw you press sword four attend to, point gallant spirit of jiangshan!!!!! The building Lord, is you let me deeply understand the “someone outside the person, day outside have day” profoundly this sentence. Thank you! At see this son through after, I did not reply immediately, because I fear I vulgar reply will be profaned the rare posts. Online But I still think, because the reply if not in so wonderful post leave own net behind, that I also not the death last!!!!! In such a wonderful post to leave own net behind is a matter of the what pride! Thank your for display me so fantastic notion as part of your blog. I am really gree with you. Your viewpoint is amazing. In our lives, there’s nothing can beat us. More speculatively, it could make long-distance space travel more feasible by slowing down ageing and reducing the consumption of oxygen and food. Hi! Could you email me the address for the vitamins? Thanks! Hey Meg, ok, i’ve been patient enough. Yes, we will send some!! Your readers could request free vitamins using this link… Think of all the money they’d all save! π My family thinks that I make the best meatballs after using Meg’s recipe. We love them. You should do a cookbook. Just made the crescent chicken, and tomorrow am making the ham and half & half recipe. we loved the meatballs. Where are you in KS? I am in the KC suburbs. now you’re going to have to go to the East Coast…to make things even. Ooh, haven’t done a quilt in years. Sounds like you’re having a blast. Enjoy. have fun! where are you in California? That is where I am!! Hope you are having fun! ahhh! have you ever sewn a quilt before. we love california! Kelly YAAA hope you are having fun!!! The weather is perfect right now!!! That sounds like a fun time. I’ll be right over…from DC! have a fun time Meg! |
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Taryn - Oh my….i’ve got to stop reading these!:) Just refer back to my comment on your other post (Attention please). I think my comment was like the 200th:). Hang in there!
Laura - How is putting up ads on your blog any different from inviting people into your home for Pampered Chef, BeautiControl, Creative Memories, Premier Jewelry, Scentsy, Mary Kay (the list goes on and on)? Blog guests enjoy the ambiance just like the party goers. Compensation to the hostess (blogger) should not be seen as a negative so much as a necessary in order to host in the first place. If you don’t want to be asked to purchase from the catalog, don’t show up and eat the food.
There’s a certain ick factor, centering around self-promotion and being compensated for services, that doesn’t seem to exist as much for more tangible things.
You are providing a service, whether or not you’ve classified it as such. You are an entertainment blog writer. You write autobiographical nonfiction about your life in a soft copy format. That doesn’t make what you do less ‘real’ and thus less deserving of compensation.
You seem to be someone with integrity, from what I’ve gathered blog-stalking you for almost two years. You seem to be clear about your priorities, so I think that any ad stuff you do will be presented with the same level of integrity we’ve seen so far. Don’t shill for something you don’t believe in, and you’ll be good to go.
Kelley - I love your blog! Props to you for creatively providing for your family.
Becky - I love your blog. Tons of “mom” sayings are going through my head… like, “You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit!” And, “If you want it to be different, then YOU go(make a blog).” And, “Money doesn’t grow on trees!” People can tell you what they want your blog to be, but your blog reflects you life (so well!) So how can people be telling you how to blog, without telling you how to live your life?! Blessings on how real, loving, and transparent you are.
Julie - I need to ask santa for a couple dozen more hockey masks…
Sorry for the drama. Sorry that you have to defend yourself. On your blog. That you write.
This made me think of a post Kristen wrote a while back, dealing with the same sort of quandary…
http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2010/07/elephant-on-sidebar.html
I like you. Ads or no ads.
Australian blog stalker - I’ve been a blog stalker for a long time and think I probably represent an average reader – I’ll keep reading even with the blog monetized, so long as sponsored (or similar) posts are clearly labelled as such (BTW, was there a mistake in the wording of the Sara Lee post – cos it said you were going to an ad-free site, but then it was a sponsored post??). One of the biggest selling points about your blog, Meg, is that you post ORIGINAL CONTENT, EVERY DAY. If I can make a suggestion: if you want the blog to remain popular, most readers are fairly loyal and will stay with you, even with your blog monetized, so long as you continue to provide new photos and new blog posts each day. This is key. And if the blog is monetized, I’m hoping the finances are there to enable you to achieve this on most days. I get what you’re saying, that your youngest may not be so willing to pose any longer! And that you have less free time to actually do the projects that can then be photographed and turned into blog content, but hopefully the extra income can be used to drive new content (eg. paying you for the time it takes to produce an original post, or paying for materials required to make something etc).
It’s always a rocky road when you monetize your blog. Don’t sweat the small number of readers who leave. Most stay if you maintain a good quality blog. And your good stuff is truly you and your family. I remember a little while back, Lauren hadn’t appeared in photos for a long time and then there she was one day, smiling. I actually cried! And I don’t even know you and your family.
Hoping this is helpful. If you feel it’s more mean than constructive, feel free to delete. But just wanted you to know that the core of your blog is what people love and they’ll keep reading if you keep it up.
Lori - Meg, you write about “whatever” you want to write about and its all right with me. I just like YOU so I am game for what you want to talk about. I look forward to your growing and changing as you get used to not having little kids any more. That’s where I have been for a while, and it takes some getting used to! But it is so positive too, as you learn to follow some of your interests without feeling MOMMY GUILT! I don’t think of your Sara Lee or Gap posts as strictly adverts…I actually love a good recommendation to save me the trial and error. As long as you believe in the product, I don’t care if you recommend it! I realize not everyone feels this way, but I just wanted to throw my support in…I love your blog and wish that I lived close enough to you to be friends and hire you to take photos of my family!
Patti - THANK YOU for giving to Olga- you are amazing!!! Just wanted to drop in and tell you that personally:) Love, Patti
saj - this is sad. i agree with susan above. i don’t want to read a sara lee advertisement marked as an ad-free blog post.
Amanda Ferguson - Meg, Is this link your new blog location, or is it only for certain blog posts?
I didn’t really understand the reason for the other one is all π
Love your blog!
Susan - ad-free?
Meg, I really miss your old blogging days when you just blogged about your family. It seems that lately those types of honest, fun posts are few and far between, and the rest of the posts are about people’s shops on etsy, Sara Lee, or the Gap. I still love your blog, but I really hate that it’s gotten so commercial and “My Charming Kids”-esque.
ky - Meg, I love, love, love your messy house post! I didn’t leave a comment there cos I didn’t want to be the 258th person. Do you really read all the comments??? Anyway, it was priceless and probably my most favourite post ever! I’m so glad you had the guts to be real and make all us other Mum’s feel normal. I only have 2 kids and a small house, but I still struggle with keeping it tidy…every single day! Love the furniture in all the kids’ rooms too! Yes I noticed it behind all the clothes.
Really enjoyed your thanksgiving trip post too! Great photos and I love the fun you all have. There IS something to be said for big families.
Hope you have a great day!