whatever

Jen - Just found you 2day through Urban Grace. Great Blog! I just have to say I am the worlds biggest “Coco Latte machine” Fan. I am on my 4th. I guess I’m kind of a Barrista. Enjoy!
I LOVE WAFFLE! 2 2 cute!
Looking forward to more
Jen
Albuquerque

Michie - Oh, I have to get some candles that my daughter can use with her playdough to make birthday cakes! She’d LOVE that. Thanks for the beautiful photo inspiration!

Leigh Ann Harris - Hey….I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and have loved looking at all of your beautiful pictures! Your house is gorgeous!! Just wanted to comment and let you know how happy I am for you about the washer. I have one like that and I love it…and mine is white too! Also, I have that hot chocolate maker. My mom gave it to me a couple of years ago for Christmas and I just recently started using it. We now live in northern Indiana (used to live in the south) and so warm drinks are such a treat! It also came with a recipe book with a ton of different recipes for yummy warm drinks….so I think it is a great buy if you can find one. Have a great weekend! Leigh Ann

Shannan - Congrats on the new addition! I am so deathly afraid of new technology that I am simply bewildered by front-loading washing machines. They look pretty darned high-tech. But it’s beautiful, as all new appliances are! And good for you for having a thrifty husband. I have one, too, and he’s saved us lots of money over the years.
PS- Love the pretend birthday cake! We just got done painting. I painted flowers and Calvin painted many abstracts and one Mona Lisa. 🙂

danyele - love the playdough cupcake! so much fun…and if someone could please send a laundry fairy to my house to get the laundry room floor cleared up, that would be fab!

Donna - I have 6 children and I just got the same washer, it is a life saver!! We lived in England for 3 years and I had a very small washer that was in a cabinet in the kitchen………the dryer was part of the same machine, so after the wash cycle was complete it would go to the dry cycle. It took about 2 1/2 hours to do one load…………and a full load would be like 4 bath towels………that is NO JOKE….

Katrine Judd - I have a hot chocolate maker. I love it! But I love hot chocolate.

carly - i haven’t even finished reading this post, but had to leave a comment on the line from Father of the Bride! my favorite movie of all time and one of the best lines in the show. love love love that it applies to your washing machine. isn’t it the truth?
back to the post to finish reading what i skipped over…

elisa - You look hot as a Simpsons chick and I too love that show and still watch it, even with my 5 year old. I know, BAD. But not as bad as Family Guy, which I also like 🙂
We finally got snow but it’s so freakin’ cold that nobody wants to go out- I can see where the hot chocolate machine would come in handy.
And (sigh) I too wanted the colorful washer, but ended up with boring white. But hey, it is so seriously cool and looks and sounds like a space ship. Almost makes laundry fun. Almost.
Oh and then I did get a red Kitchen Aid mixer, slightly less expensive than the big red washer.

Jessica - Our washing machine is dead too…so sad. We are on the hunt for a new one. It is hard to live without a washing machine and I only have one kid! :o) I loved the Father of the Bride quote. That is my all time favorite movie. Today would be a good day to watch it. The pictures that you posted of Ike yesterday are precious. You did such a good job!

traci - i loved it when i got my new washer and dryer. it’s pretty bad when we get excited over appliances. that hot chocolate maker looks neat. perfect for a day like today. very cold here – no school because it’s so cold.

gina - I’m glad you survived the days without a washer. The new one looks fabulous! You are such a good FUN mom–play-doh everywhere!

Brooke - we received a cocoamotion for christmas this year and already that little machine has been put to use! i LOVE hot chocolate and this way is so quick and easy…i definitely recommend getting one!!

Melanie - Megan,
I have the hot chocolate machine and I want to give it to you. I haven’t used it in a couple of years and I want you to have it:) (if you don’t mind it being used. I think I used it twice) Email me.

Aubrey - Our snow is melting and I can finally see the grass again. And I’m happy about it because I wish I lived where I could wear flip-flips all year.
When we bought a new washer, I wanted red too. Do they realize they’d sell more if they made them the same price? Which makes me wonder if avocado and mustard yellow appliances cost more once upon a time. Obviously not, or we would have seen fewer.
That baby Ike is so scrumptious.

traci - I just KNEW you would get a pretty new front loader!!!!! HOW COOL!!!!!!!!!! Looks like a good day at your house.
I have to say, I never did like the simpsons…yuck..lol

Jamie Sampson - happy new year.

anne - happiest new year!
xo

cecilia löfholm - This new years we decided to stay home (we have a little son that just turned one). So we spent it in our pyjamases, eating american pancakes, toasting in soda. And then, when the fireworks started, our son woke up, and the three of us sat on our bed, looking out the window on all the beautiful fireworks. It was nice to be home, just us.
Have a wonderful 2009!
Cissi from sweden

shelley - Happy New Year! I have been inspired by your beautiful colors and crafts. We are moving this year and I can’t wait to use some of your ideas to make our new house a home. From one mom of 5 to another 🙂

Katie - Happy New Year! Hope this one is the best!

Jennifer - Happy, Happy New Year!
Have a super good time on your trip!
Smiles,
Jen

curlywurlygurly - happy 2009 to you! i found your blog through ‘stumble upon’ earlier in the week and have been enjoying a peek into your midwestern life with your big family–it’s the antithesis of my life and that’s what makes it so captivating! 🙂 love all your pictures–and i can’t believe you have so much laundry!

lee ann - 55 comments on the last post?! I’d better get my word in on this one before there’s so many 🙂
I think I was asleep on the couch before 10 last night. Lame I know. I would just rather sleep than wait for a ball to drop. Hope your night was all that you wanted it to be. Did you get that bath?
I have no advice for the ungrateful one. Mine are not there yet. I will tell you that it makes me pray even harder. Not just this situation, but all the situations parents of teens go through. It sends me to my knees. As someone posted about a mentor…..I really pray hard that God will place people in my girls’ lives that they will listen too when they’re sure that I’m stupid. Keep praying!
Looking forward to another year of reading your blog!

MGF - I was sound asleep when that ball dropped. Cuz my kiddos are always up at 6am, no matter what. Sleep is more important than ringing in the New Year these days.

Liz - It’s been great getting to know you through your blog. A very Happy New Year to you and yours.

Lorilee - I look forward to following your blog in 2009! We are at home with our 13 and 23 year old. No he is not a partier either! We ate Pizza and played UNO. Now we are watching the 2nd in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Have a Blessed New Year!
Lorilee

Beth - I have really enjoyed reading your blog this year! I love our house..you have a great family… great ideas. Thanks! Oh- and you keep it real…I really love that.
Beth

Amanda - Boy, and have I enjoyed getting to know you! I really like that black and white polka dot wrapping paper BTW. And the one gift rule. And all the smiles.
I hae a feeling I might stay up to watch the ball drop, but its always so anti-climatic for me in my bed, with a snoozing baby next to me (usually). I dont sit and reflect on my year. I just scna the crowd for drunk people making fools of themselves. Cause I have *never* done that before.
Seriously.
Many blessings and heres to a great 2009 for us all!
Amanda

Jane - Meg,
I’ve just found your blog and though there are lots of comments and it’s already near next Christmas, thought I might contribute.
I love the idea of one present. I also think the idea of getting your kids to give a gift to each sibling would help take the focus away from whether or not they’re happy with their one gift from mum & dad onto seeing others open gifts they’ve picked out themselves.
I also agree with the comments above about needing to build into your family life special dates for your kids. Each kid over a certain age could go on a date with mum/dad each month, maybe alternating who chooses the activity. It could be going to see a movie, going out for dinner, shopping, going for a nature walk, going out for hot chocolate or icecream when the younger ones have to go to bed etc. Also having worked for many years at my church with teenagers, I have realised that not every kid has a great relationship with their parents throughout their life, but they do definately need someone that they can talk to about their hopes, fears, frustrations etc. I would suggest that you look into the idea of a mentor or youth leader who can be this person for Lauren – she looks like such a wonderfully amazing girl who has so much potential, who is perhaps a little frustrated at times by her younger siblings and embarrased by her parents (though that’s partly your job so don’t worry!) and needs to know that you understand her needs are different to her siblings at times (there’ll also be times when she needs to ‘suck it up princess’ and get in and enjoy time with her family!)
A few people mentioned about writing about your frustrations on your blog – I would avoid that if possible, at risk of inflaming the situation. Though, if you hadn’t you would have been unable to get feedback from so many people! However you as a parent do also need a place to vent as you’re human and get frustrated just as much as kids do. And I realise that you don’t just vent about your oldest on here but each of your kids in turn, so it is fair! I think if she gets upset about the public nature of this blog then you can explain why you needed to write it and perhaps ask her opinion of how else you could have managed the situation.
From your blog it seems as though you are a very real mum, who seeks to raise her kids to be godly, funloving, joyful and individuals – thanks for giving us this insight into your family life!
Jane

Rori - I know this message is in response to an outdated post, but I just discovered your blog (via AT) and was reading through the archives. At twenty years old I am just beginning to apologize to my mom for all my brattiness during my teen years. I think that when we are young we don’t realize that our parents have emotions just like us, that they can be sensitive and have their feelings hurt, too. I can’t imagine how many times I must have made my mom feel so small by saying that something she did for me was “stupid” or not up to my perfect, selfish standards. I don’t think we realize how exceptionally hard our parents try to give us not only what we need, but what we want. I hope that your daughter will soon realize that material things aren’t important, but the love and memories your family share are, and that she tries to let you know how much she loves and appreciates you. I work as a dance instructor and when I see my teenage students being snippy with their moms or complaining about them in class I always try to impart this sentiment to them, so that maybe they change their ways and start their apologies even earlier than I did. God bless.

Carla - We give each child 3 presents…the same number of gifts Jesus got at birth.

Rebecca - Hey, Meg-girl…I love, love, love, the one gift-per-kiddo technique; makes the gifts that much more precious.
I am inclined to agree with one of the earlier commentators, though–I really don’t think it’s helpful to write about your very personal distress with your oldest on your very public blog. A blocked entry? Sure, approached with caution, but not a public entry. I remember my mom talking about my ‘tude in front of me and a bunch of other women at church, and I can’t even tell you how badly that hurt–and it didn’t help my snarkiness as a teenager, either.
You’re trying (and succeeding, really!) your darndest to be a good mom; that is so beautiful to see, but from what I know, hurts like these are best discussed in private.
That said, I am praying for you–being a mom is no cakewalk–and to raise a large family requires its own special grace–may God smile on your New Year, Meg…

Patti - Hi there! I just “Stumbledupon” your blog and have spent the last hour or so ignoring laundry to check out all the great crafts, photos, etc on your blog. I am totally inspired, so for that, I thank you! Keep up the great work! I will definitely be returning.

Maggie - hello! i found your blog through ohdeedoh; i absolutely love your style and your photographs.
i’m newly married and we don’t have kids yet, so we don’t really have traditions for Christmas and gift-giving. however we went the frugal route this year and got a lovely older dog off of craigslist for free! that was the only present we got for each other. i have five siblings and we draw names to keep costs down. i think it’s important to not go crazy spending money for Christmas. i’m thinking we might actually postpone gift-giving until Epiphany when we have kids.
and regarding your last question (which may have been rhetorical):
“what would you do if someone was very upset about their gift?”
well. frankly, i wouldn’t post about it on my very public blog. if i was your child that would really bother me. other than that, i have no advice. like i said, i have no kids.

Erin - I just found this post (something hinky with my feeds, sorry…) and I want to pat you on the back. No one ever promised us that doing the right thing would made us happy all the time. You are molding your daughter into the woman you know she can be, even as she is being influenced by the conspicuous consumption of the world around her. We teach most by example, so I’d keep it up and not feel too guilty…

Heidi Jo the Artist - I have never heard of 1 gift per child at Christmas and one gift for the entire family. They are both great ideas, I especially would like to start doing one gift for the entire family! I will probably still give more than one gift to my children for Christmas for now though, because I do get some second hand items. My sister always would give a few things for the person she was giving a gift to, that way if they didn’t like one thing they probably would like another, so that’s what I’ve always done too and sometimes it seems like the person likes the one thing you threw in at the last minute. I do save on wrapping paper though, setting everything unwrapped in front of the Christmas tree is a tradition I’m doing with my children that my parents did with us. Then they wake up and it is all a surprise to them, even though they aren’t unwrapping gifts. Saves money, this mama time, and helps the environment a bit. I wrapped all of my extended family’s gifts with newspaper/ads this year and beautifully yarns, ribbons, and tags. Everyone knows I’ve become a bit of green freak, so I don’t think they mind, either that or they’ve just gotten used to me and my “frugalish/greenish” ways…my mom even commented that one of the ads really did look like wrapping paper.
As for the one that didn’t like their gift from you guys. I would say it is a gift. A gift is something that someone picks out for you from the heart. It is the thought that counts, as the saying goes. I’d say, you can always save up and buy what you want for yourself. I think especially if this is a teenager that it is only a phase and they will grow out of it. I appreciate my mom so much now, and I know I was a pain when I was a teenager. I know someone suggested in a comment…one on one time with the teenager and maybe that would help them to know that you aren’t out to get them and you really did pick out that gift with your heart. I think people sometimes expect too much with gifts and forget that it is a gift. Our society makes us want and expect so much, it is really sad that people don’t really just value being together as a family. People forget that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”! My children are still young…son is 5 ½ and daughter is 1 ½ , but I am trying to teach my son that a gift comes from the heart, the best gifts I receive from him are hugs and I love you’s. I think I will start having him make a gift for his sister and dad for Christmas’. Because we love handmade gifts a lot in our family. He already makes some handmade gifts for extended family and friends too. I tell my son that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus birth, he loves helping celebrate Jesus birthday. What kid doesn’t want to celebrate another birthday!?
I know when we were kids we always gave our parents handmade gifts we made in school and they loved them. Also, we always gave our siblings joke gifts along with a real gift, but the joke gifts are still talked about to this day and the real gifts are long forgotten. Actually we have given a certain t-shirt to my dad a handful of times as a joke because it a t-shirt he would never wear. Hmm, I think I’m going to have to ask my mom where that t-shirt is for next Christmas!
I also read a comment here about doing things as a family for the 12 days of Christmas, I really love this idea and think we might start something similar and let our 5 ½ year old pick out at least one activity to do.
Also, my extended family used to not be a “huggy” family, but now everyone knows that they will get a hug for me, even my brothers that are not touchy feely people. Once a friend told me that you just never know when you are going to see a person for the last time. So she taught me how important hugs were. How right she was. I love you’s come after the hugs, especially to my parents that are getting up there in age. But you just never know what age a person will be when they die and everyone doesn’t realize that sometimes until it is too late.
Oh my how this comment has become a book….maybe I should write a post on my blog about some of this! Hope that you are having a good day and may this New Year bring your family even closer. God Bless you and your family! Happy New Year!
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com
http://swirlsofcreativity.blogspot.com

Sherri - Kaysville Momma - This is a great idea — the one gift thing. We only gave our kids 5-6 gifts and then honey and I got 3.
I am jealous of your camera lens!!!
I used to love the tv show “7th Heaven” in there Christmas shows they always drew names and they had it rigged so the mom & dad had each other — then the rules for the gift giving — it had to be something you found, something, you made or something that was yours but you wanted to give it to your sibling.

MJ - I enjoy your sweet blog so much. You have such a sweet and optimistic spirit. Thanks.
I think that sibling gifts are a very special part of Christmas. Their gifts don’t have to be expensive, but it is priceless for children to focus on giving to others. As sibs show one another many un-kindnesses, there is something healing about giving. My kids’ happiest and fondest Christmas memories are of receiving the perfect gift from a brother or sister — and the givers were even happier to have chosen the just-right gift!
I have 8 brothers and sisters and we always exchanged our gifts on Christmas Eve (so as not to have our gifts upstaged by Santa). We started with the youngest, who gave out all of her gifts. She distributed and we opened and thanked and ooh-ed and aah-ed. Then we moved on up until the oldest gave hers. We have continued that tradition with our kids (only 4 here). The littlest ones are always the most excited to shop and wrap and keep secrets and GIVE!
My sisters and brothers (and in-laws) and I continued with individual gifts each year until only recently, when we switched to alternate years. We decided long ago to skip birthday and anniversary gifts and spend only on Christmas. It’s a lot of work, but I think that it’s a good example for our kids to see. Siblings have the longest-lived of all human relationships; they are one another’s anchors to the past and memories for the future.

meredith - I applaud the one present decision. Each year I am determined not to over-consume and each year, I feel like I have failed miserably in positioning my family to focus on the true meaning of the season. I will definitely follow in your courageous footsteps.
As for the lack of graciousness of a certain person….sometimes the wisest thing you can do is draw a graceful veil over the whole episode. Is there a mentor (other than yourself) with whom she is impressed and could perhaps edify your and Craig’s position in her life? They say it takes a village to raise a child – maybe there’s a “village elder” you can call upon. Hang in there with the comforting knowledge that time plus grace is the greatest teacher. Happy New Year!

Nichole - When I was growing up, I was an only child, so I didn’t have an issue with having to buy gifts for siblings. For my parents, my mom would take me out one day with $5 to buy a gift for dad, then dad would take me another day with $5 for a gift for mom, and that seemed to work out fine! For other family, my mom and I would work together in making cookies and treats. Friends would just get handmade cards.
I remember one year my best friend Rebekah and I were in middle school, and since we were both lacking in cash flow, we decided to give each other joke gifts. I unstuffed an old teddy bear and filled it back up with old (CLEAN) socks, and little toys and candies from the dollar store. She gave me an old phone book of the town we grew up in, with some pages collaged with random things she felt represented our friendship. It was REALLY fun, inexpensive and easy for us! Considering we only had a small allowance and bikes!
As for the ungreatful one, if it is who I think it is, I’m sure it’s just a phase. Being 23, I CLEARLY remember being in middle school/high school, and feeling a certain pressure to fit in and be ahead of the pack (in terms of fashion and other items). It took me untill I was 18, when I got my first job and my own car, to realize and appreciate just how hard it is to give the people you care about everything they want. Even now I’m struggling with that. Mom wants a new car, I want to give it to her. But my dreams don’t match up with my pay.
Give her time. Maybe talk one-on-one with her, and express that when she’s not there for family outtings and her unappreciation for simple things really hurts you. And maybe that you really would like to start having monthly dates with her, just her, because she’s special to you. And that you understand what she’s going through, you were her age once, too!!! 🙂

Tracy - Hi Meg! Thanks for sharing your Christmas day with us along with the days leading up to it. I hope you and your family have a Very Happy New Year! Hugs, Trac~ :o)

Denise - I think we are doing the one gift this coming year. I have 4 kids~5,7,13 and 14. I mentioned it to all of them.. my little ones were great with the idea… my 13 and 14 year olds… OMG.. total devastation!! My question, do you set a price limit on the one gift? BTW… your house is absolutely beautiful… I wish we had houses that pretty in Florida!

Kelly Boettcher - We do 4 gifts for each kid (we only have 2).
Something they want
Something they need (usually clothes)
Something to play with
Something to read
Plus Santa brings 1 gift and fills the stockings (this year the stockings held flashcards, a new toothbrush, a DVD and a Barbie. Plus some M&Ms and a candy cane.
In the past they have gotten WAY too much (especially after adding gifts from other family members) this year was not too bad.. but still too much.
Sorry about the ungrateful child. I remember one year my little sister was really mean after opening a gift (dresses.. I do not remember how old she was. Middle School I think). Now she is so embarrassed. My ungrateful moment was at my Bday and not Christmas, and I feel so bad about it now.

lisa - Meg, I also have five children. My oldest is a girl and always removed herself from us as we did family things and lots of times didn’t want to be around her younger brothers and sister. I think alot of it is the age and her own personality.I will say that as they get older the things that might make them happy do tend to be spendier. Think about the cost of a doll or a toy guitar compared to something a teen ager would like. We have never been the parents that got them their own lap tap, tv or big cell phone. We do ask for christmas lists (include things of all price range and I’ve been known to tell them keep it REAL)and as the kids have gotten older they will ask for a gift card because they will put it with maybe another gift card or birthday money and get that Ipod. This year my oldest daughter wanted a Old Navy gift card because she just found out she is expecting and soon will be buying maternity clothes. She has found the true meaning (as have the other kids) that its about family,our friends and those special things that we do together (going to
Christmas mass together) Our youngest is thirteen and he received something from my father that he had bought when he was a youngster. He was ready to give it to Sam thinking he was old enough to take care of it. The thing is the other kids received a gift card along with several little things but not Sam.It was mainly this gift with a bag of M&Ms. He wasn’t rude, just very quiet. When we got home I talked to him how this was a very special thing that Grandpa had done , he really came around and was even showing it off to a friend. (It’s an old World War 1 bayonet in it’s cover)
I do hope this helps. It does get better .

kasey - Do you know what my hubby did with the kids this year? He gave them each $5 and they went to Goodwill (ours is a really nice one) and they each got to pick out little presents for each other.
My oldest (7) found a cute babydoll for the middle child (6) and so on….
Then they came home and went into their rooms to wrap up the gifts to each other.
they had so much fun doing that. (they did alot of digging thru bins though)

Katie - I must admit I was one of those kids. Watching videos of christmas past is just embarrassing. Apparently my parents had enough outta all four of us because they decided to start a new tradition – we feed the homeless on Christmas morning. We wake up – make chili or PB&J sandwiches or whatever and pile in the van (pajamas and all) and ask street wanderers if they are hungry. By the time we are done handing all the food out – we kids had an ounce or two more perspective about the whole Christmas gift thing. That was twelve years ago…and I have cried with gratefulness at every gift since.
And while I am sharing – all my siblings did gifts for each other that were free too. One year it was a song. One year it was a piece of art. Or baked good. My mom chose the theme for that year & we drew names. I would love to hear what you decide for next year…
Hope you have a Happy New Year!

Blanca - We did three gifts for each child. I asked my husband that we not give each other anything but he still got me something. Which I will be using pretty soon. My one child (hormonal teenager) said I don’t want three gifts I just want one but that one thing was a $400 phone. I don’t thinks so missy! Needless to say she was somewhat unhappy too. She will just have to get over it. We are also big on pjs everyone got one or two.

a thorn among roses - i asked for that lens…but alas, i got a fab new speedlite flash! great pics…and ur stockings are making me blush! i’m def thinking of stealing the idea…is that okay??

Shannan - Thanks for sharing your fun day! I remember being unappreciative for things my mom and dad gave me/did for me and it sort of breaks my heart a little bit now. I’m sure we all go through it and most of us eventually really regret it.
We do a pretty minimal Christmas, though with a 2 year old and a 3 year old, it’s easy. They are happy with anything! We got them a joint gift (a kids Bible)and then 3 or 4 other gifts each, totaling around $50. And stocking filled mostly with things from the Target dollar bins. It’s so funny to see what they actually latch onto after it’s all said and done. My 3 year old has mostly played with the $2 matchbox car that was in his stocking and my 2 year old mostly just wants to play with whatever her brother has at the moment. 🙂

Heidi - Aw, love seeing your Christmas morning, looks tres fun!
I’m a little jealous of your new lens, as it’s at the top of my lens wish list, but I’m happy for you that you have one.
We kept consumption wayyyyy down this year. We had to. But you know, it made for a MUCH simpler Christmas for me, and the kids (having been pre-warned months in advance) were very grateful for what they did get. They still thought they got more than the expected.
Hubby and I weren’t going to exchange gifts, strictly for financial reasons, but we both surprised each other with gifts that were sweet and yet not too expensive. It was lovely!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!

crystal - I have three girls and I would love to scale back on the gifts but feel guilty if I do because they don’t get much through out the year except on their birthdays. Definitely something for me to work on this year. But anyway the two younger ones have “santa shop” at their school so I give each of them $20 and they are to only buy for the people in our house (dad, mom, sister #1 and sister #2) so they can spend up to $5 for each person. The oldest doesn’t have that at her school so the same rules apply only I take her to the nearest dollar store. They all love it and love to see the persons reaction when they open their gift. Granted the stuff isn’t the best quality from either place but it’s fun to see how the girls perceive us and each other with what gift they give.

Melanie - Meg,
I have to say that with an only child, we probably do to much. It is much easier with one child. Caden got a laptop & a 19in. tv. He also got clothes because he has grown a lot since school started. He is 14 1/2 and he hasn’t hit that ‘teen’ thing. I think some of that (if not all) is because he is a boy. He is a pleasure. We have been blessed and can give more than we use to when he was younger. I am sorry that there is such a problem with the attitude. You don’t know whether to ignore it or punish it. You have to not let ONE person ruin everything for everyone else. I do love the idea of the family gift (which was great & expensive) and then one gift per child. It is always fun to get stuff in a stocking and you can make it fun.
Glad you like your lenses. I have that one and it is hard for me to get things in focus. I guess I need lots of practice with it:) Happy Holidays. You’re doing a great job. Chin up!

Jenn Thomas - It is so hard when they expect so much – over the last five years I have experienced a child being disappointed over their gifts. It wasn’t enough, the best, top of the line or whatever. I have chosen to ignore it instead of letting it spoil my happpiness on that day. For us at first it was feeling that you had to compete with the other parent – but we soon scrapped that out of our lives. I love the idea of one big gift – I told Russ that next year lets just do stockings and take a family trip somewhere and that would be their present (I don’t think that would even be enough). I can do with less – but it is hard to talk Russ into that. He seems to think they need lots of presents to open. They are now at the age I don’t think that really matters anymore. I have a new idea for next year. One of my coworkers told me that her niece gives each of their children 3 gifts – just like baby Jesus received 3 – one from each of the wisemen. I have one year to work on Russ for doing that next year. I am tired of being stressed out whether they will like their gifts or not. It really takes the joy out of Christmas.

sara's art house - Love the nativity set. And your stockings are adorable!
Our kids go to the dollar store and buy each other (and us) gifts. They enjoy wrapping them the most (LOTS of scotch tape 🙂

Arlene McComas - Our children are older so we could approach Christmas a little differently this year. I blogged about it (Dec 27th post).
It was just so amazing. We loved it. I did do a 24 day countdown for the Grands so they would know Grandma was thinking of them each day. Simple things, mostly something that could be shared at dinner time as December is so busy. For example, one was jingle bells for each family member to wear around their neck as they all sang Jingle Bells. I plan to do something like that next year on the first of December with perhaps a family game, or good book they can read together. But we will definitely be giving the gift of memorization for Christmas again. It was a relieve for our young struggling families to be able to give to one another without going to the store.
Oh, and about disappointed ones, I think you have already figured it out…one day…one day. Sometimes disappointment has many lessons hidden in disguise.

Holly - I fill the stockings and place them on the floor in front of the fireplace or have put them on the seat of the couch. Mine also would fall off the mantle.
I also have 5 kids. We draw names around Thanksgiving. We started with it being a gift around $10 but this year my 9 year old spent over $20 and everyone else had to up their price also. They use their own money(sometimes requiring extra chores done really quickly!) It is amazing to see how important the shopping and picking of a gift is- it is a REALLY big deal to them! We try to keep it a secret who we have but usually within a month most are known. That is all just part of the fun- the slow finding out and trying to pick up on clues as someone misspeaks. I told my son I had him the whole time this year- and I did- but no one guessed b/c I teased with it. My 9 year old bought his brother a watch and every day the alarm went off- that added to a lot of fun this year!
We have tried to cut back but still spent over $140 a piece on them. It adds up so quickly with 5. I am so sorry about the one not happy.So curious to know what it was. (I’m nosy like that) My 12 year old had to have a North Face jacket. Certain style and color- HAD TO HAVE. We searched and found it on sale for $90. A week before Christmas we were in target and she found a white hoodie and wanted it. Could do without the NorthFace. (Strangling her) I told her to wait until Cmas and she was crying, crying in the car home, went to room mad.

amy j. - I noticed that you all were gone fairly early on Christmas Day. Were you jealous that I got to stay at home in my pajamas all day? 🙂 Tell Talby that she and Sophie have matching pajamas!

PamperingBeki - Oh Oh, I got a new lens too! A 105mm? I have no idea what that means. I really need to learn these things.
I have some goodies for you. Let me know if you want me to drop them off sometime or get together for a crumbly muffin or something. 😉

Sharla - Okay, I love the minimalist idea, but I would have to talk my husband into it 🙂 The one question I have is – does Santa bring them gifts too? Thanks for sharing your Christmas!

jesse Peak - How exciting to get a new lens. I have been looking at the 85mm lens like Ashley @ Ashley Ann Photography has. The one that blurs the background out and focuses on the subject.
I love the new jammies idea.
A friend of mine gives 3 gifts, one to represent each of the wise men. I loved that idea. So we did that. Since the kids are all little we are able to smaller gifts. But I do like the idea of one gift and then doing stockings!
Happy New Year!

Dana D @ BoysMyJoys - I’m thinking about having our children give presents to each other next year, too. I found some really neat ideas on Design Mom for homemade presents. However, I only have 2 children, so it may be a little easier for them to do homemade- than it would with 5 children. We usually do the 3 gift thing, but I want to get them to the point of only 1 thing they really want. I think it’s an important step towards teaching them what Christmas is all about, and that it’s not about what you’re receiving.
Can’t wait to see what sewing goodies you were hard at work on…

Lorilee - OOOH a new lens! I want a zoom lens! The drawback(besides the cost)heh heh, is the size and weight!
Oh, I’m sorry about the unhappy teen! Teens are soooo difficult.
I love the snowflake garland! Did you make it or buy it-where?
Blessings,
Lorilee

vicki - I have two daughters that are little which is VERY easy to please, a 20.00 dollar toy and they are in heaven…usually the box and paper are more fun to play with than the actual gift. What I DO have a problem with is the fact that they are the only grand children, nieces and great grand children on BOTH sides of the family. The amount of stuff they got is embarassing, I don’t know where to put it all, we have duplicates of several toys now. I don’t know how to teach my kids to be greatful when they receive enough items for a dozen children. And I don’t know how to make the family members understand what they are doing to us!!
With a big family, that must be a challenge. I think it is a gift to allow your children the experience of giving, to have them save their own allowance, or work hard to make something for a sibling. That way they get to experience the same joy you do as a parent when you give gifts.
Oh, and the teenager. Wow, I have two daughters, I am really nervous of those years. I would only say be strong and carry on…. and PLEASE let me know how it works out!!! I need all the tips I can get!
And I LOVE the black and white polka dot paper!

Kate Eschbach - So… I would LOVE to take credit for this… but I can’t… my daughter and her third grade friends took their stuffed animals to school to trade with each other for presents for their siblings…. so here is how i find out.
Mom: Julia, what is that bag of stuffed animals for?
Julia: Oh, I’m taking them to school… is that ok?
Mom: Sure. Why?
Julia: Oh, we are trading each other for presents for our brothers and sisters.
Mom: Wow! Need any help?
Julia: Nope, we have it under control.
Mom: Ok.
Amazing. And I was busy being selfish. Ha!

Kelly - Ohhh! Those little people bring back such memories! I always loved that old lady with the white hair and yellow dress! So much fun! Kelly

Sherri - Kaysville Momma - What a great blog — I love your photos!!!

Sherri - Kaysville Momma - You have such great photos!!! Looks like lots of fun!!

carissa - absolutely LOVED all the pics… very neat seeing the family!
the freakin laundry… i have been MAKING myself tackle it FULL FORCE since yesterday… the socks alone are making me nuts! my mother-in-law is still here and i want sooooo badly to really CLEAN… but i don’t want to be rude… “uh excuse me while i vacuum”… i want a clean house!
BIG hugs to you & a really happy New Year… wow… 09 is HERE!

Staci - Alllll the work…it’s most worth it though!!! Looks like it was so much fun! Glad you can get a little rest 🙂

Rachel - What great memories and family time you had. Looks like everyone had a blast.
Have a wonderful New Year; I wish you and your family all the best in 2009 and years to come!

jerusalem - amazing & beautiful. Glad tidings of great joy indeed!

Jenn Thomas - It seemed every time I looked down the street there was a different car parked in your driveway. Glad you had a great time. It was nice to see a picture of your sister’s husband. Great looking family!

Shannon - Hi! I love checking in on your blog. I have a random question. Where can I find those cool people toys that the kids have on their fingers, in picture #6???? I love them, especially the cowboy ones. 🙂

Sheila at Dodging Raindrops - I love, love, love the Merry Christmas banner. Where did you get it or did you make it? Thanks!
p.s. I’m not sure how I found your blog but I love it.

Brooke - Amanda you took the words right out of my mouth…
Meg – I LOVE your nativity…it is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen…I love how simple it is…
Your treat gift photos!! I now have so many great ideas for next year!!
My dad and step-mom received one of my favorites though…a friend brought over a dust pan full of sweet treats with a poem attached about the busyness of the holidays and in a rush to get her treats to her she dropped all the goodies on the floor and didn’t think her dear friend would mind if she just swept them off the floor and still gave them to her…it was too cute!!

tausha - Meg-
I love to come to your blog. You are truly spot on with your descriptions of your life and all the fun that comes with it.
I love the pics of the family.
I send out valentines cards. For the exact purpose that life is too crazy in December and plus-it’s a really fun little treat to get in the mail. February is so blah-so a little card is always fun. Of course my pics will not come even close to how fabulous yours are-but I must have something to aspire to.
Have fun with the family and the crazy schedule.
I have just given up to the fact that my house will be a mess until the heathens go back to school.
oh well-a clean house is highly overrated!
Have a great weak!

Staci - Our Christmas Eve Mass was so good…talked about how very thankful that Mary said yes and can you just imagine how she felt…travelling so far…on a donkey…then, have The King Baby…and this little boy just wants to bang on a drum for him and smelly animals and sheep baaing????!!! Oh, man…I’m so glad I wasn’t Mary…but I’m so glad she was obedient 🙂 We need to be reminded of that more often 🙂 Thanks!

carissa - company here too… soooo great… but truly a different schedule! 🙂
ENJOY this time… your home is FULL of HIS spirit & LOVE!
love to you & your family!

Jerms - So glad to see I wasn’t the only one with Whatever withdrawals!!! Love the pics! Glad you are having a great Christmas! Can’t wait to see all the new pics!

Rachel - Amen to that!
Your pictures are beautiful as always!

sandy - love your array of photos … happy new year!

Lorilee - Merry Christmas, Meg,
I love your Christmas card display! They cookies look yummy-love the jars!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Trina - Love your pictures… love how you displayed your christmas cards!
And I’m so glad to all of the above too! The other day I was thinking, really thinking about giving birth in a barn full of animals…can you imagine? Talk about having a good attitude….
Glad you had a good Christmas!
xx Trina

Dana D @ BoysMyJoys - I was in ‘whatever’ withdrawals! So glad to see that all is well and that you’ve had a wonderful Christmas!

crystal - Yay meg! Love the pics…good to see you again…hope you continue to enjoy the season.

Christian - I just happened to stumble onto your blog yesterday. I have now read all the way back to May 23, 2008. I needed some quiet time to my self while my in laws were here and it worked like magic!
Your family is beautiful! Your house is amazing! And I am in love with Waffle!! Oh and your photography is definitely something I would pay for.
The only problem is, your blog has made me depressed. It has made me feel like my own family life is boring, dull, empty and lifeless. I really feel terrible about my life right now after seeing all of the happiness in every single one of your posts.
We also live in KS. We live in Olathe which is right next to Overland Park where Deanna Rose Farmstead is. And we are huge Jayhawk fans as well!
Anyway…Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. I hope 2009 is filled with great things for you and your family. I am definitely envious! Maybe I will try to add some “color” to my family this year.

princess lasertron - oh yaay! cari kraft is my next-door neighbor in nebraska!

Rachel - Oh boy; the joys of raising kids.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas; all the best to you.

Lorilee - Hi Meg,
Sorry the dinner didn’t go well. I completely understand how things don’t always go OUR way with kids! I am so glad that I am not the only one flying by the seat of my pants!!!
Blessed Christmas,
Lorilee

Amber - There’s always those little (and big) last minute things to do. Good luck completing your projects. Enjoy this time with your family even if you do have to send some of them away for attitude adjustments. That comment brought back memories of my family growing up. I remember fights over Martinelli’s (there might not be enough) and siblings running away from home in the middle of dinner…it’s all part of the joys of family. Making memories, right? Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

Tracy - Hey Meg – sorry to hear about the spoiled dinner – I had that at Thanksgiving with my husband and daughter and son and that made for a very frustrating “Thankful” day, so I understand completely! On another note, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Annie’s face in the first picture. I saw that and just cracked up at her innocence and happiness that she puts off with that gorgeous smile and how I’m sure she lights up a room like she does the photos. Every time I see that smile I just want to sqeeze her (HUG)the cuteness out of her! HA! The fabric is beautiful and I can’t wait to see what you do with it as well. I hope you and your family have a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas holiday and Happy New Year. Big Hugs to all, Trac~ :o)

a thorn among roses - family meals at the holidays can be especially difficult for some reason…and i am in fabric heaven looking at the possibilities of that fine fabric! can’t wait to see the pics! merry christmas to you and yours!

Pattie - For the last few years our “family meals” have consisted of all three of mine texting underneath the table. Candlelight, china and texting. With daughter in college now they also include raunchy jokes and language thanks to the all boys school they so enjoy. Can’t count the number of times I’ve gotten up, slammed my napkin down and left the table. I guess I put myself in timeout!
We are actually able to enjoy the family table most of the time now but, darned if I don’t miss the spills, yucks toward the menu and all that. Go figure!
Your family photos are beautiful and I imagine they are even more special to you with the teenager showing such tolerance for the family, ha!
Hope your family has a wonderful Christmas and you get to relax in your jammies all day just like last year!!!!!

Melanie - Do we have to guess the two that were sent away for the attitude adjustments:)? I had fixed a nice meal a few weeks ago and I thought that I would light the candles,have my two boys (husband & son), and it would be nice. Well, having a 14 year old that is a picky eater and a husband that loves to pick with said son, it didn’t go so well. I was like you, just about to have a breakdown. I just said yall have ruined my nice idea and I blew all the candles out and they apologized. It was too late then girlfriend:) Merry Christmas. Enjoy your holiday and save a breakdown for after Christmas. That is my plan:)

cjs - smiling…you all look like
SIBLINGS.
yes. that is right. all seven of you.
great pics.
meg rocks.

Tracy - I am also wondering what kind of dog you have. Such a cute family.

Jill - Your family is beautiful, but I have a crush on Waffle. :o) What kind of dog is he? Merry Christmas to all!

Brooke Masters - Merry Christmas Meg!! I love your family photos!!! I don’t know what part of Kansas you live in, but my family and I did a 2000 mile trek from Alabama to Utah to surprise my dad for a Christmas visit and we briefly drove through Kansas City, KS and I loved it!! The weather will be too bad to head back that way so we will be traveling through the Southern part this weekend, but it was definitely one of the more eye appealing states to travel through!

Jhoni - Great photos and what a beautiful family!! (I really must figure out how to use the timer on my camera.) Merry Christmas to you!

Ashley - What a beautiful family!
Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad from Colombia!!

Anna - HI!
I ran into your blog a few months ago and have checked in on occasion. You have a beautiful family, and I am so impressed with ya’lls group photo. I have a family of 3 (with a 1 1/2 year old), and we have quite a time trying to get our family photos taken. I need to invest in a tripod!
Have a merry Christmas!

traci - HOLY MOLY….HOW did you get Lauren to not just smile but she was actually clowning for the camera???? I almost got teary eyed! The pics just kept getting better and better…LOVE THEM. I dont know how you got them to all coooperate but you must have bribed well..lol

Liz - Your photographs are, as always, fabulous. Sending you and your family merry Christmas wishes from England.

Becca - awesome pictures. Love the goofy ones the most. Hope you have a very merry christmas.

jennifer - So fun! I love the one of the three girls. Adorable. And your oldest is gorgeous.
And by the way, I found sprinkles at Michaels. Go figure!
Oh and the laundry room floor post made me laugh out loud. I can so relate! And it was funny because just that day my middle son said about his younger brothers bedroom floor after he cleaned his room, “You can see the floor of his room Mom. I didn’t think he had one!” Kids are just too funny!
Merry Christmas!

stljoie - Your family is just beautiful…and even the dog posed!?!

Aby - They are all so beautiful! I love all of the pictures!! What a great family. Can I come live with you?

MGF - Fun…
How many shots did you have to take it get it right? Probably only a few.
Glad to see your oldest. She is very beautiful.

meaghan easterhaus - these are sooooo great! i adore the goofy pics!

carissa - and with a tripod… you go girl!
REALLY great! so happy Waffle was there too…!
i need to try the tripod thing… mine always end up being the girlies!
very pretty… the “goofy” shots are way fun too!

anne - what a gorgeous and fun family!
🙂 merriest little christmas to you and yours!
♥

sara's art house - Love them all!

jesse Peak - You have a truly adorable family! Merry Christmas!

Tami - Cute family pics!This is ours:
http://talkingwithtami.wordpress.com/

Lee Ann - I’m all about the New Year’s card! And what great shots. They look like you were having fun….even Lauren! So nice of you to have those photos to cherish.

sarah - You have SUCH a beautiful family.
I love the third one with just the kids….I love all of them, but I was drawn to this one for some reason..

Christy - Glad to know I am not alone! I still haven’t done mine, and I only have 1 kid (well & 2 dogs), not 5 to wrangle.
Love all the shots, even the goofy ones at the end. The last family shot & the last one with all of the kids, those are my favs of the groups, although they are all great! Would be great for a gallery wall.

crystal - looks like you got some wonderful shots!!! And is it just me or did Lauren maybe,almost enjoy herself? 🙂 hope your week is good neighbor!!!