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let me update you.

December 17, 2013

first update: #32in44

on dec 7 my friend and i ran in the Jingle Bell 4 mile run for the third year.
it was 3* degrees.
you read that correctly… THREE degrees.
but we had been planning on it and preparing for it and honestly… it was no big deal at all.
she brought hand warmers for inside our gloves (which eventually i even took out because i was too warm)
we each had on three pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, four shirt layers, and everything but our eyes covered.
i ran the entire way and it was the best Jingle Bell Run i have done yet.
11 minute pace… for me that is great!
Di slows way down for me and i greatly appreciate that.
and then we went to the spa for the rest of the day. jingle
but then the next day i got really sick (i claim they are unrelated) and was out for many days.
so there is no way i will make my #32in44 BUT that is ok and i will still keep trying hard.
and you should too if you can.
we will feel so much better about everything if we keep exercising and eating well… right?

i think so.

————————————————————————————————————————————

second update: christmasy stuff.

still no more decorating has happened.
and it is 100% ok.
i am setting up a craft table after this blog post for when the girls get home from school today.
it will be such a nice surprise.

as far as christmas shopping goes… i feel like i have a good handle on it all.
the buying is all done.
it is an odd feeling… but a good one.
AND i have some REEEEEEALLLY good gifts that i am so stinking excited to give.

each of the kids got their own time shopping with me or with dad to pick out their gifts for their siblings.
one on one time is always different and nice.
momdate
annie bought herself a cake pop maker this weekend during our sibling shopping time.
she was beyond excited, carrying it around the store dreaming up all the cake pops she would create and talking non stop. cakepop
i think it was a good choice!
many cake pops are in our future!

we went to check out christmas lights this past weekend also.

this picture is awful but i don’t ever want to forget sean having a full on laugh attack when we got out of the car.
he could not stop.
he was crying he laughed so hard.
it was hysterical.
donut
looking at christmas lights always goes best with donuts.
it’s a fact.

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Nanette - WOW!!! So inspired that you did that run in 3 degrees!!! I need to start running – I always seem to have an excuse not to start – but you are an inspiration. You have weather, kids, pets and lots of jobs and you make it happen. Way to go!!!

Sydney - I also want to mention the display on Stratford that is synced with music. Wichita has some great lights! My kids LOVE to go several times each year.

Gail - Brr, I ran that frigid run too.even though it was cold, it was fun.

gale - So glad you are having a relaxing and peaceful season – isn’t it great to simplify? 🙂 Okay, I did really enjoy the Craft House “Christmases past” pics – cuz we all know you can rock it if you want to – but sometimes, it’s fun to just rest and enjoy the easier version…and this seems to be that year for lots of us!

Love the pics of your kids enjoying the season – and Annie? Precious!

Merry Christmas, Megan! 🙂 Thanks for letting me be part of your year at WCW – it is one of my BEST memories of 2013!!

Tanya - I don’t know if I’ll ever get over how cute Annie is. Truly 🙂

Laura H - Oh Meg! I just love your posts! I check EVERY single day to see if you wrote something new. Your family is lovely! I love the pink scarf you are wearing! With the button! How very chic! Do tell us where you got it!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! xo

Lisa - Just last night I laughed so hard I cried! Hadn’t done that in way too long! Wish I could rent the craft house… Such a good deal you are offering!

Michelle - Awww you were Christmas light looking just up the street from me 🙂 I hope you knew about the house on Lawrence Ln off 13th!

Jenn - Your posts always make me smile….thank you!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - How fun! I love looking at lights, and laughing so hard I cry. I dearly love to laugh!

Kristin S - Sean and Annie’s laughing faces are identical! Captured moments for sure.

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living vicariously…

December 12, 2013

so we have a tree up.
and the kids decorated it.
and… nothing else.

please tell me that with a few of you i am not alone.
some years you just can’t get that knock-it-out-of-the-park decorating done.
i want to.
but i want to do a million other things too so for now… in this rental house… it’s going on the back burner.
so other more important things can take my physical and emotional energy.
like crafts… we are doing those.
and if you are a crafty person you know that making crafts with kids take ENERGY.

so i was looking at lovely homes on pinterest and found some beauty to live vicariously through their decorating this year.
i also decided it is THE LIGHT that i am drawn in by, not necessarily the colors.
LOTS of natural light is a really big deal to me.

i was really loving this Christmas home tour at cuckoo4design .
i am usually all color and pattern but this one was so lovely!
there is still color and pattern it’s just not IN YOUR FACE.
she looks like a lot of fun!

how cool is that christmas tree?!!!
i LOVE it… i think she said she dressed up the ikea version.
but i haven’t been in an ikea for MONTHS and won’t get to for another many months so i don’t think it’s in my future to be picking one up.
it is so neat!

and that previous post led me over to this one at Finding Home.
the colors!
i think i need a white tree in my life.
i actually saw one a month ago at the thrift store and i left it there.
there is truly no excuse for it.
it is one of those things i will remember forever.
i have lists of things like that which i regret forever not grabbing when i could… the white tree will be one for the record books.

i always love ashley’s style at The Handmade Home.
a yarn covered hula hoop? awesome.

and then i found Candice’s home featured on Design Mom…
G O R G E O U S.

i love the black.
is black the new white?

then these were all in the top faves too…

pretty1
source and source pretty2
source and source pretty3
source and source pretty4
source and source pretty5
source and source

and then i went to look back at my past posts… and i missed living in the Craft House big time.
well, i do and i don’t.
i really think i miss having the energy and time to do these kinds of things.
it will come back.
i hope it comes back…. my mojo i mean.
either way we can all look at the way i decorated a few years ago and smile.
(and think to ourselves “wow she was really on her game… a few years ago…” ha ha ha)

i almost feel inspired to get decorating now.
but… i need a shower.
and i left my phone at the craft house last night when i went there to wrap presents.
and my kitchen looks like it exploded.
so i wil just read this post again and call it good.

but next year….
christmas 2014.
look out!
it’s going to be like buddy the elf the night before santa came to gimbels.
yes.
that good.
ha ha ha..

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tara - i went super simple this year, and it felt so good and clean….
my mojo has been lost temporarily, too.
all of my kids went to school this year, and it’s JUST NOW hitting me how much of an adjustment it has truly been for me.

you’d think i would have had more energy, but it was the opposite. i completely shut down. for real.

you’re a fun mom…you’re doing a great job….your mojo will come back for certain things, if it’s supposed to. sometimes we lose our mojo in areas because we’re suppose to. 🙂

Lynda Anderson - So inspiring. I love the bulbs in the glass containers. It’s 12/20 and I have lights only on 3/4 of my tree … still have a Halloween table runner in the entry way and haven’t finished shopping! Thank you for this blog and the relaxation and enjoyment it gives me! Merry Christmas!!

Debi - so this year i just let my 16yo daughter and some VISITORS, traveling basketball team girls…not even people I know!, decorate our tree and living room. I am just soooo tired. At least the shopping is done. It doesn’t feel like me at all and the same old tired decorations… but they had fun and … did I mention the shopping is done?

alicia @ la famille - I saw Shanon’s comment about rental houses being mojo suckers…so stinking true. This is my third Christmas in a row in this townhouse we’re renting and it is sooo hard for me. I look at Pinterest and blogs and its almost painful how much I miss that…I feel like I can’t be ME right now. Its hard. I want 2014 to be my Buddy the Elf year too, but I said that last year and never would have thought I’d be right here in the same place this year. Am I depressing you yet? 🙂 I just hope I get my mojo back someday….

tasha roe - I’m so glad you posted this!! SERIOUSLY THRILLED!! I put the old tree up and let the kids have at it and that’s it. I’m usually the one with the house decked out to the hills before thanksgiving. Too many big things going on and i don’t have the energy, and quite frankly it will be covered in drywall dust before it gets put away.
sigh…… Love the pictures and inspiration!
thanks for making me feel normal. 🙂

Jenny Wenzel - I am glad I am the only one who hasn’t had the energy or drive to go all out this year! I keep seeing all these lovely pics of houses all done up looking clean and perfect…kind of gets me down…this was good for me to read!

Jennifer Dawn - Oh thank goodness! I am not the only one. We have a tree. That’s it. LOL! I think I will live vicariously through your post too. Last year I went overboard decorating as early as October. Yes, that’s right…October! My dad had just passed away and I needed something happy and cheerful. I think I was overcompensating. A year later…I just kinda have a case of the bah humbugs. I keep threatening to get the rest of the Christmas stuff out, but like you…there are other things that have come first.

Gretchen P - our tree has been up for 2 weeks, and it just got decorated yesterday. Other than that, we have nothing else done. I don’t even have my son’s stocking out. I’m glad he is almost 14, and knows the true reason for Christmas, so it is not a big deal.

Talia - Thank you for such an honest post! I didn’t put up the tree this year as we won’t be home for Christmas. The rest of the house is decorated but very simply. I just can’t come home to a tree.

flowerpowermomma - relax and enjoy your simpler holiday season. everyone. Christmas is a time for love.

Patty - I know how you feel! I felt that frazzled every year, tree up at the last minute, lots of knick – knackie stuff to put up, all of it with no intention.

Then my daughter went to her first year of college and it was worse because we did so much of it together ; (

Well for her sophomore year, I declared that by the end of Thanksgiving weekend when she went back to school, the tree had to be up, decorated and we had to be done with decorating or we would have to resort to the dreaded fake tree. The Christmas season has been so much better, less rushed, with more creative time together.

Some years the mojo is just not there…. that’s okay. Just go with it and it’ll be better next year ; )

Ali - I am in love with the gumball machine print in your shop. I neeeed it. I also totally think you should add a print of it filled with your vintage ornaments. I would totally buy that too. I love your style!!!

andrea - I also agree about the natural light. That is probably why i love older homes – more and bigger windows. This is also why i love your pictures from the craft house – all the light. (And your great decorating of course!)

andrea - You make me laugh! Yesterday my 11yo daughter said “Momma you do know that Christmas is just the Wednesday after this? And we don’t even have a tree?!?” Ha. I just took the pumpkins off the front porch three days ago. My husband & i just purchased most of our Christmas gifts Friday night online. Still have stocking stuffers to get & take the kids to get theirs for each other. And haven’t baked the first cookie. Sigh. I need to stop writing this down; now i am feeling overwhelmed.

chris - Oh Meg you’re not alone , I have nothing but my porch decorated for Christmas at all as I started a complete family room reno at the beginning of December just a completely new coffered ceiling and ripped out the carpet and installed new detailed pine flooring, no big deal Christmas will wait…what was I thinking. I should put up a tree somewhere shouldn’t I, Tuesday I will that’s my goal anyway.
Glad I found your blog again.
Chris

Linda - You are not alone. No tree up yet. But I am loving my family! We actually ate together every night this week. Busy teens you know. The adult kids are gone. Our new normal. I can’t wait for next year either. It’s our turn for Christmas!!

Heather - I found this on Pinterest & I think you’ll need to make this rainbow scarf with your girlies! It’s all finger knitting so it’s pretty easy! 🙂

http://diy-projectss.blogspot.com/2013/12/diy-finger-knitted-scarf.html

Linda - I passed up a silver tree once. Always regretted it. It was just a time in my life when I didn’t have another $20 Your home a few years ago is what has inspired my decor. I loved all the jars of Christmas balls. So beautiful and reflective of the light. Which here in the Northwest we need that! SO that’s all I do anymore. lights, christmas balls and a simple nativity. We focus on traditions and family experiences! Merry Christmas!!!

Kristi - I am so with you this year. I just got a little decorating done, only because I had people coming over. I also let my 4 year old single-handedly decorate the tree. (Until her father got home and helped her get the top branches.) I still have a list of things I need to make and then another that I would like to sit down and do with my daughters. Those are top on my to do list right now. I love the inspiration photos that you posted. The ones of yours too! Some of those are on my pin board as well. And I think that there is nothing wrong with living vicariously and letting someone else do the work at times. That way we can focus on the important things, like taking naps! :o)

Jennifer Cole - Meg – I love your honesty and I love this post. Yes, the pictures of the other houses are pretty – but not as pretty as the craft house decorations. The craft house is one of the cutest places I have ever been – even without Christmas. I don’t think your kids will remember if the rent house was perfect or not, but they will remember the time spent with you. And they will appreciate the reasons you moved your life to the rent house. Seasons. We all have seasons. And Buddy was pretty much psycho. Merry Christmas!

Cindy - Spend time with your kids, do fun things. That is what they will remember not how the house was decorated. They grow up & leave home too quickly, then you’ll have more time to decorate. Plus, you will have a lot less “”stuff” to pack up & put away in January!!! Wishing you & your family a Christ filled Merry Christmas!!!
Cindy

Mommyjulia - Those first few pics are lovely. But my faves are yours! I completely understand not having a lot of decorating done this year. I’m super sicko, pregnant with twins & am not going to do nearly as much this year. But you’re right, there’s always next year (though next year I will have 4, 4 & under to contend with!) Merry Christmas! Love seeing you craft with your girls 🙂

Mindy - Love so many of these pictures – especially the top two. I know a lot of people who have scaled back this year in decor.

Jenn - I hear ya! Just tapped out. Next year, next year will be epic! I think that’s the first time I’ve ever used that word…hah!

Bethany - My tree and an outdoor garden flag were the only Christmas decorations at my house until a few days ago. I had been so busy it just hadn’t gotten done. I’m hosting a holiday craft sale at my house today and tomorrow so I kind of HAD to get some decorating done. Still, I have kept it simple and not spent a lot of time or effort on it and it still looks nice. But whatever I get done, it will have to be good enough because I still have some Christmas shopping to do and a few gifts to sew. 🙂

Beth Ann - My Christmas Decorating mojo is missing this year as well! We moved into a new house and I haven’t even finished decorating it so the thought of putting ‘temporary’ decorations up is just too much for me this year. we have a tree, and some bulbs in bowls and a few trees outside decorated with lights, but that is as far as I have gotten or I am going to worry about. I am *TRYING* really hard to just enjoy the season, but it takes effort for me. I always get so grouchy with all of my ‘To-Do’ lists while my husband and children skip around merrily, completely oblivious to all the effort that I am putting in to create the “magic of the season”. Perfect gifts for teachers, co-workers, friends, family, bus drivers, bosses on stop of snacks & treats for company and friends and parties. Perfect wrapping of gifts, decorating, plate of cookies for Santa. The dang Elf on the Shelf. I am trying not wish the days away and enjoy the magic moments that happen each days with the kiddos. So this year my hands are in the air and anything goes. My father in law arrives tonight from DC and I am not even going to worry about the fact that there are legos all over the floor, dirty floors, clean laundry on the couch waiting to be folded. I am just going to go with it…..

Lisa - People who have the time, energy, money, talent and creativity to decorate so beautifully amaze me! All of these homes are gorgeous. I didn’t have one gift bought until yesterday. I’m right there with you. Feeling so behind, tired and not able to do all I would want. But! I am trying to create some fun family time. Movie nights watching our favorite Christmas movies. Hot chocolate after school. Talking about Jesus… I think each year is different and that’s ok. It’s hard when you feel like you’ve lost your mojo though! Merry Christmas!

Kelly - Every time I pile some of my shiny brites in a container and set it somewhere I think of you. 🙂 Kelly

Kristen Kerwin - Meg – to the woman whom I MOST ADORE AND ADMIRE on the inter webs…regardless of what your mantle looks like this year. You are beautiful because God made you extra shiny. Your home is amazing because it’s a gorgeous reflection of your heart, and your family. Your family is the bomb, because you follow God and you are real and you don’t need to make things extra shiny because you are fabulous exactly the way you are. Life and decorating and crafts (I agree! Exhausting! My 4 blessings just can’t seem to keep the glitter glue on the project! ARGH!) come and go in seasons…but you will remain you, and that is a wonderful person to be. You inspire me and my family (my girls love to see all of the pictures you post – thank you for sharing!), and I am blessed to read your blog…it really adds joy to my days, and I know it’s not easy…so thank you. Merry Christmas, sis…and I will pray for you as I pray for me to embrace the beautiful chaos!!!! 🙂

Angela - Meg, I found one of those ikea trees on ebay so no need to go to the store. 🙂

I always look at all your December posts, I am always so inspired by them. I actually just looked at them yesterday! lol And yes I always think, holy cow, she has 5 kids and did all that!

Tiffany - You are cracking me up.
“either way we can all look at the way i decorated a few years ago and smile. (and think to ourselves “wow she was really on her game… a few years ago…” ha ha ha)” – priceless. Let’s raise our glass and toast to Meg’s Buddy Elf Style Christmas in 2014, Cheers!

the.mrs - Feel better, dear! I don’t even have a tree up. Or ONE SINGLE decoration this year! We just bought our first house, so we have been ridiculously busy with that bad boy. We WILL get one up.. tomorrow.. or the next day… haha. My kids asked if they would still get presents if we didn’t put a tree up! *tear

Cassie - Last Christmas my husband had just finished his last round of chemo and was in remission. I had no energy to decorate, but we were very happy. This year I still don’t want to drag the tubs up from the basement. I have one lovely lighted decoration out and am ok with that. More importantly, I got the Christmas spirit back. I had been majorly bah-humbug this year until last Sunday. We sang Little Drummer Boy at church and “I have no gifts to bring” struck me….what do I have to bring? Immediately I knew…..a better attitude to honor His birth. It’s made all the difference. I don’t feel guilty about not decorating, and I still have time if I want to decorate. Have a Merry Christmas! You have a beautiful home(s) and family and are a blessing to us, your readers!

beth larson - W-O-W those are amazing photos Meg….great decorating and great photography! thanks for sharing~

Katie - Just wanted to say we can’t do it all. This year with having my 5th bundle of joy I chose 3 – 4 things to focus on during this season. When I am tempted to do more I go back and look at my initial list. That has been helpful.

Julia@Cuckoo4Design - Thanks for the shout out! There’s so much inspiration in your post loved seeing all the other photos!

Shannon - Ha. That’s supposed to be super simply, not supper simple.

Shannon - We went supper simply this year too. We had a new roof put on the house yesterday and our family leaves for two weeks in Rwanda on Christmas Day. So this year many of the things I usually do were left undone. One strand of lights around our front door, that was done because of pressure from the kids. No real tree; just our little artificial one and it has about 10 ornaments on it. Two were given to us this year and the rest the kids and I made from paper. I did put up our stocking and hung some ornaments from our lights. It’s amazing how simple it is but how much I still really enjoy it. So much so I’m thinking of purging one both of Christmas stuff at the beginning of the year. I know I’ll be even more motivated after we come back from our trip. I also LOVE seeing Ashley on here. We went to college together and she is as amazing as she sounds on her blog.

Jen - Two thoughts: One: ENJOY this season! Someday when the “Craft House” has run its course and the kids are older, you’ll be so happy for the time you spent doing crafts and helping other ladies to do the same. After all, every “stage” has its pros and cons!

Two: stay away from Pinterest, especially if you’re already feeling inadequate! 🙂 I find I really have to be careful about my blog/pinterest time. It can lead to such discontentment. And I know that’s MY problem-not the fault of the “inter webs”.

Hope you can relax and enjoy this season. After all, Christmas isn’t about the glitter and lights. Jesus came without any of that–and HE saved the world! 🙂 Merry Christmas, Meg!

amy jupin - i feel like this with my whole LIFE.
seriously.
where the crap is my mojo??
it’s like i WANT to do ALL the things but i DON”T want to do ANY of the things!
i think your mojo and my mojo are off in hawaii or somewhere together having a pina colada!
send help.

Gina - I am in the same boat as you, so here I go to read your post again :).

Amy K. - You are ahead of me!! Our tree is up, no lights, no decorations. Last year we left it all till the last minute, and then it was still all fun & new on Christmas. Hopefully it’ll work that way this year too! ha!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Rental houses = Mojo suckers.
The BDR darn well killed mine.

Yours is just snoozing, that’s all. It’ll be back.

You NEED to do a rainbow striped tree next year like the picture!
And I’m loving the colorful Christmas tour and Ashley’s stuff.

jen - as always, beautiful.

i also have not been in the decorating spirit. looking at everyone else’s beautiful decorated houses makes me smile and wish i had a crafty bone in my body.

jen - I am so there with you!! tonight i was going to finish decorating and now it’s dinner time, then kids baths, then pick up husband….so…maybe tomorrow night. i just feel like there is so much crap everywhere all the time! anyways i am with you – let’s make a pact to knock it out of the park in 2014 – i’m in!!

Jennifer - No need to feel bad, Meg. I haven’t put up any Christmas decorations this year (besides a 3 foot tree the kids have taken to decorating). That’s what you get when you agree to move the week of Christmas!
And, don’t you just love Ashley’s (Handmade Home)designs?! She is as fabulous in person as she is on her blog. She’d make an awesome Craft Weekend special guest!

christina - Meg, I’m with ya! tree is up and decorated, but the boxes are still out!! and have been out for 3 days now. gotta get on that!

Beth - I’m so thankful for this post. I’ve been feeling so guilty that I’m not more into the whole decorating thing this year. We still don’t have a tree and I don’t think we will be sending out cards for the first time ever. It’s nice to know I’m not alone! Great inspirational pics though! 🙂

Iris - Oh how I love light and beautiful Christmas decorations, but sometimes we can’t do it all and we have to prioritize. For me, this year, that means taking time to really get into the true meaning of this season, crafting with my preschooler (STRESS), doing family activities, watching Christmas movies and just being. That’s it. The tree is up and so are the advent candles, but the rest is packed away. This is the year of a simpler Chistmas and I am loving the memories we are making. Sometimes memories trump the perfectly put together Christmas. Love your honesty.

Kimberly - THANK YOU for not being perfect and for sharing that with us! My house is very simply decorated for Christmas and definitely does not even compare to all the beautiful homes on Pinterest and the blogosphere. But, I have babies at home– they keep me up day & night. They are more important than decorating at this life stage. Think I’ll go take my nap now!

Tracey - oh, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I don’t feel like I have my mojo this year at all. Yesterday I finally took my Halloween wreath off the front door and put up a Christmas one. (Yes, I did say Halloween). I’ve been looking at all those lovely pics too and it makes me want all those beautifully decorated rooms. And I want a white tree too!!! Did you see this one on Pinterest? http://www.pinterest.com/pin/160088961727827180/ It is from Treetopia and I have been stalking it!
Oh! And it is 2:30 p.m. here and I am just now headed to the shower! 🙂

Alisa - Oh Meg, my decorations are not what they were a few years ago either. Most are still in the basement. Since I am in Germany, we don’t even have a tree yet – that comes late here – but they are always real & smell fantastic.. Two weeks ago my family was in a very lucky car accident, which could have easily killed my husband and my 2 kids 12 & 9. I am still shaking about it and so glad they are ok – car is gone, but who cares. Christmas means family. Some years we go all out, some not….

Julie - I love the look of a house beautifully decorated for Christmas, but reality strikes when you don’t have a gorgeous mantlepice to decorate, and the rooms in your house aren’t large and spacious. I also find that living in New Zealand and having a summer Christmas, the traditional decorations, wreaths etc don’t suit our lifestyle. Yes we have the tree – full of decoration with stories and meaning to us, I have made a scrappy fabric wreath and I try to gave fresh flowers. It is hard to decorate the outside with lights, when it is not dark until 9pm, by which time you are getting ready for bed so don’t really see them. It is still nice to drool over other people’s decorating and as you said experience it vicariously.

Sabrina - Ah yes! I remember your Christmas house from a few years ago! So inspiring! I’ve had good decorating years and not so good. Last year I spent most of December in the hospital on bed rest waiting for my baby to be born. He came 6 weeks early and we spent Christmas in the NICU… so no decorating that year. This year I have a one year old and a 2.5 year old, and I have energy to only do the basic decorating… maybe next year I’ll decorate more! ha ha we’ll see! 🙂 Merry Christmas!

Jessica R - I agree with you — it’s the natural light! Lots of natural light is a big deal to me too and those pictures look all the better because of their light!

I’m not going all out with Christmas decorating this year either. I think it’s because Christmas comes so soon after Thanksgiving this year; I kind of feel like it’s not worth the effort to put everything up only to take it down 4 weeks later…The tree is up and the mantle is decorated and that’s about it!

Nan - I’ve done nothing. Barely bought a gift. I’m also freaking out because it’s our 25th wedding anniversary on the 23rd and I don’t have any idea for a gift for my husband. New flat-screen tv?! Nothing says love like electronics, right?! Sometimes it’s a little too easy to whip out that plastic and try to make the holiday a happy one. I just don’t have the motivation this year. Bah humbug! Send Buddy the Elf my way, please 😉

Sarah D. - I’m living vicariously this year, too. Like you, our tree is up and decorated and that is as much as is done around here. And it will most likely remain that way for this year while the rest of my Cmas decorations stay in their tubs in my basement.

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Fall is the BEST!

November 6, 2013

we headed out for a walk in the woods this past weekend to enjoy all the colors.
when we were walking craig said “who needs camping? one hour in the woods is perfect for us”
SO TRUE!
also the kids ran way ahead so we had a (very) mini date holding hands out on the trail.
i like that.
talby sean feet craig tree
there is a quote for pinterest that i am pretty i made up and claim all the rights to.

fall my favorite time of year.
and as always… it’s changing quickly.
the leaves are blowing away and all the colors are fading.

scott’s football season ended last night.
the others have started their basketball season practicing already.
and at the duerksen house we welcome that whole heartedly.
bring on the basketball baby!

we have one more birthday next week so i have to go get some shopping done.
it gets so much trickier as they get older… toys were so much easier.
i am constantly second guessing myself.
“i don’t know if she will like this or not.”
“if i like this does that mean she will NOT like this?”
“is this too grown up?”
“is this too babyish?”
“why do they have to play the music SO LOUD in here?!”

ha!

i am out of here.
i think starbucks is calling my name first though.

(isn’t it always…..)

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Kat - Your pictures are stunning. I love them all, especially the beautiful colours.
I love autumn too, it’s one of my favourites also.

sara @ it's good to be queen - totally agree. i would rather go hiking for a few hours and then come home to our warm, cozy house. 🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Your stripes + stripes = Like, totally awesome.

melissa@joyineveryseason - Love it all, the fall, the photos, the family walk and the pinterest quote!

Emily - I totally agree–toys were SO much easier…and cheaper! Now they want expensive jeans and electronics 😉 Such pretty photos! Oh, yeah…EMAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristin - Your photos are stunning. I wish I had your eye for composition!

Nicole Oberle - Dude…Kansas has amazing colors this year!! I’m in a photography group and most of them live in KS (I’m in Texas) and the colors are CRAZY!!
Beautiful!! Love your blog:)

Alicia @ La Famille - Love fall…but its always gone too soon. Happy birthday shopping!

Laura H - I feel like I was right there! Gorgeous pictures! I LOVE that Waffle went with!

Pamela - I love that Waffle was included in the picture of everyone’s feet! So cute.

Mindy - Such beauty in the woods – and Fall is one of my favorite times. We lives just a few minutes away from state forest land and it is like being in a different world. Lovely pictures – you capture God’s handiwork beautifully!

Leslie - LOVE Fall too – we are finally having a real one in CA this year – but first thing that I said (out loud!) when I checked your blog today is “Waffle Rocks!!” 🙂

Alice H - I feel the same way about presents and loud music and BRIGHT lights. Haha!

meredith feisel - I love that Mr. Fluffers? came with! Too cute! Great photos as always. I liked Lisa’s comment too. Not sure how you would work it into a post but good question. Thanks again for always keeping us entertained!

Sara - Pics were beautiful! I loved reading your comments about shopping for your kids- so dead on for me! Enjoy!

Christy - Beautiful! LOVE the photos. What a fabulous place to go and soak it all in!

Lisa - These pictures are breathtaking! I would love for you to share tips that you have figured out that help with family/homework/chores time while multiple kids are in sports/practices. For the first time this fall, we had 3 out of our 4 kids in sports. Man, its rough. I never know when to have dinner and when to even make dinner. And we always seem rushed in the evenings to get homework done etc. If you are ever up for sharing some tips I’d love to hear it! All our friends are a few years behind us so we are totally winging it! haha!

KirstenP - Thanks for sharing your fall walk with all of us. Totally love all the colors – reds are especially brilliant. I love the stream – I always think a walk is more special if there is a stream, or creek, or lake, or great lake. Fun to see Mr Fluffers!

CC - I have been enjoyed your site for quite a while now and I have never left a comment before. Because you mentioned Starbucks I just wanted to be sure to let you know that Groupon just posted a great $5 for $10 deal. Enjoy!

I have no affiliation with Starbucks, but I do love their products and I know that you seem to as well.

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N i n e

November 5, 2013

birthdaygirl3
annie turned nine on sunday.
a bit shocking that she is that old.
i can’t believe my baby is nine!
birthdaygirl2 she wanted to go to Build-A-Bear for her birthday party.
she made a bunny and named him Mr. Fluffers.
we went for ice cream before, Chili’s afterwards and Krispy Kreme after that!
it was like a food tour party with a build-a-bear side stop.
annie is full of energy.
everyone says that every where we go.
but she also loves to give hugs and kisses, is very funny, is super smart and loves her sister talby fiercely.
of course she loves all of her family but her love for talby is different.
it is one of my favorite things to watch.
annie is a real joy in our family.
and growing up way too fast… so tall and wearing the biggest size of kids shoes now. birthdaygirl4
i am almost positive that on my ninth birthday i had a cake shaped like a roller skate.
it was so cool.

can you remember your favorite cake? or favorite party?
i know that this one will rank way up there for annie.
she has been dreaming of build-a-bear for YEARS!

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Carly Winborne - The first post I read on your blog was Annie’s fourth birthday and the photos were of her carrying a balloon bouquet down the street. (I’m not crazy and stalkerish, i just was taken with the perfection in that photo.) How in the world has five years passed? I know you feel the same way…

Loni - Wow! Happy birthday Annie! I have been reading your blog for a long time. Seems like yesterday she was 5. Happens too fast! Glad she wanted a stuffed animal!

gale - My favorite cake was 8 years old – it had a Barbie doll look-a-like in the middle of the cake and the skirt was the cake all decorated with frosting. Loved loved LOVED that cake. My Mom made all our cakes from scratch and we thought she was a rock star (and still do even though she doesn’t make many cakes now!) My birthday is 3 days before Christmas but I always had a birthday cake – although parties were harder because school was on a break and kids were gone. Best party ever was a roller skating party where I learned to skate backwards… and a kid in my class gave me a gerbil as a present. Yep, my Mom was thrilled about that. Now as a mom, I wonder why she even let me keep it!! 🙂

kris saia - Always enjoy your photos — your girls have JOY in their faces!

Lisa - The food tour was a great birthday wish! And her bunny is awfully cute. I really like her cake – how pretty – wonder what flavor of cake was under that yummy decoration?

Nanette - Wow! I have been reading your blog for a while…I can’t believe she is 9! I love her expression with the shoes…Happy Birthday! I have been making my boys cakes for their birthdays and I am always amazed by how much they love them! (Even when I feel like they are a failure, their little faces just light up!) Your cake looks awesome by the way…

mommyjulia - I’m pretty sure I remember when Annie turned 5? On the blog? Wow. I can’t believe she’s 9! Happy Birthday to Annie, love those pigtails!

Stephanie - Happy birthday cute little Annie! She was born the same year as my baby boy. I can’t believe he is almost 10! It sticks in my heart when I realize how close he is to shaving and being muscled. He is still cute and cuddly, but manhood is coming around the corner. Enjoy your little girl!

Leah - Didn’t you start this blog when she was 2?! Wow, time flies!

Heather - Happy Birthday Annie! My oldest will be nine in less than 2 months. Where does the time go?! My favorite cake was a Holly Hobbie cake that my mom made me when I was about 6. But my husband orders me fabulous decorated cakes every year on my birthday and they are pretty good too. 🙂

denise@victory rd. - so sweet.

happy happy 9th to your darling girl.

she sounds like my josie, who also loves her older sister “fiercely.” if i could oprah winfrey give THAT away as one of my favorite things to every mama i know i would. 🙂

se7en - Oh Annie, nine!!! How did that happen so fast!!! Wishing you the best birthday and a year full of fun!!!

Tiffany - Oh My, the cheeks on that one, too sweet. What do you do when ur baby is 9 – aaaack! Bittersweet, I am sure. Happy Birthday Annie!!

Pamela Gordon - I lost your blog for a while when you switched domains but found you again. 🙂 I remember when Annie turned 6. She’s such a sweet and pretty little girl and growing up fast. My favourite cake was one my aunt made us each year. It was angel food cake with lemon cream frosting and sprinkles on it. 😉 Yummy. Blessings, Pamela

Julie - Happy 9th birthday Annie.
My most memorable cake was when I turned 5 – it was shaped like a rabbit’s head with the big ears. My other special cake memory was when my then boyfriend (now husband) organised a surprise birthday dinner for me with friends and family at a favourite cafe and they brought out a cake he had made for me.
Thanks for making me remember those occasions

Angie - I just had to read this twice because I didn’t believe that Annie is nine! I guess I’ve been a reader for about five years now and I remember when you were taking her to preschool! Looks like it was a fun day!

Angela - Ironically, I never remember my own birthday cakes, but I vividly remember my brother’s 4th birthday party/cake. He wanted… a PICKLE cake! What?! So my mom made him a vanilla cake died green, green frosting, and sweet baby pickles around the top. So. Nasty. 🙂 But he loved it!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Hi Meg, Your Annie is s cutie pie and I can tell she has lots of energy just from your photos. It’s funny how much you can tell just from photos isn’t it? Happy birthday to your baby. They really do grow up sooooo fast don’t they? Makes me sad sometimes and sometimes it’s so much fun watching them grow up and become young adults. Hope that Lauren is doing well in college 😉

Charly - Is it weird that I want to go to Build a Bear for my birthday? How fun! I always loved getting the McDonald’s birthday cakes. Do you remember those?

Christy - Happy birthday Annie! She is such a doll.

Gina - Nine!! No way! I’ve been reading your blog for years and just can’t believe it! :/ What a fun day for her! Her cake is so cute! 🙂 She seems like such a sweetheart! 😀

Janelle - Hey Meg…if you happen to have a chance (and want to!) I’d (and I’m sure everyone else) would love to know what Annie got for her b-day (in addition to the cool shoes) and what gifts you have in mind for Christmas. I’d love to hear your thoughts on technology too…We all need help 😉

Laura O - My sister turned 17 on sunday and we went to Chili’s too!

Rae - Any chance you’d share how to take the photo of Annie blowing out the candles? Everytime I try that photo, I get a blurry result?

Eryn - Sadly, I don’t remember many of my cakes. However, I’ve never really been a “cake” person so that may be why that was an insignificant memory to me. 😉 All my teenage years I had a chocolate cream pie with candles in it. Definitely a “pie” person! 🙂 I do have many favorite parties though. I think I had my party at the local roller rink like 3 years in a row! Haha!

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october sponsors

October 29, 2013

Each Craft Weekend we have really wonderful sponsors.
they are ALL fabulous companies!
Go check out their shops and enjoy the discounts they are offering.
get a head start on your christmas shopping. 🙂

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I love that jen always had SO MANY choices in her shop for her camera straps.

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you can enroll in sara’s class too on her blog and clicking on the Rosy Retreat button.

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Cynthia - Hi Meg… been meaning to ask you. You have mentioned you have relations named Polster. My great-grandmother was Alwina (Winnie) Elizabeth Polster, born Nov. 23, 1863 in Pitts (Wright City) Missouri… she was married to Ambrose Miller in 1891 in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Just thought we might be related!

Cynthia Dickison (Minneapolis)

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i like donuts and my kids.

October 25, 2013

i took my kids for donuts and i caved in and ate that peanut butter one.
i had serious guilt about it.
but it was so delicious.

they may fight but they really are good friends.
i gave more haircuts…. it never ends.
their hair just grows and grows.
but if i cut it then that is one less appointment i am running to, late to or miss.
and of course… cheaper. 🙂
i made an apple pie.
it wore me out standing the kitchen making that darn thing.
they were tiny apples so i have to hand cut them all (no peeler/corer/slicer)
and then it didn’t even taste that great.
blah… that is the part about cooking that ticks me off.
all that work and it not being as awesome as you had hoped or thought it would be.
craig liked it so that is good at least.
meg8
halloween costume shopping.

we stopped in a shop in wichita called The Yard just to peek around.
my kids were so excited about these street signs and wanted to buy them.
i talked them out of it for the time being saying it should be something that was significant to them.
yard meg3
then we walked out to the back and there was the Armour street sign.
i almost cried. My grandma lived on Armour for entire life. I said “Now THIS would be significant!”
we didn’t get it but it was a sweet little moment for me.
the store was pretty cool… such odd things there… kind of a junk shop/hardware store?
the wall of cording was pretty fabulous. meg4
bowling with the kids and Chili’s for dinner.

good times.

do you have plans this weekend?
what are you doing…. does it involve donuts?

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Lisa Risse - Where did you get the minion hats? I LOVE them and so would my girls, who are 12 and 9. We all LOVE despicable me and those stink’in cute minions! I’d appreciate knowing if I can get the hats for gifts for them! Thanks!

Tiffany - Oh, those donuts look so good! Good for you for treating yourself! I wish you would have bought that sign. If i didn’t live a few states away I’d go there and buy it for you! 🙂

Christy - Today started early with my son’s school fun run. Afterward, my husband and son went hunting for youth weekend. My oldest daughter is with my MIL for the weekend. So, it’s just my little girl and me. We headed to church for Christmas pageant rehearsal after the fun run, then went to Jason’s Deli for a lunch date. We had homemade hotdogs with plain bread (because I forgot the hotdog buns)for supper, and now we are chillin’ out on the couch watching movies. 🙂 I’ll be working on my blog makeover homework while we chill. Have a good weekend!

Tanya - No donuts this weekend, but the kids did come home to ghost butter cookies from a local cupcake shop yesterday :)…far too expensive but worth it!
It’s cold and rainy here this weekend and my sister and I are heading to see an art exhibit this aft. Happy weekend 🙂

Nanette - Love the minion hats! I am attempting a “do it yourself” minion costume for my 4 year old this Halloween!

Sara Torbett - Your doughnut looks delicious! I haven’t had one in at least a year. Not because I’m super healthy-we just don’t live close to any places that are convenient!

The Yard looks like such a unique, fun place! I always like seeing what you’re up to with your kids….mine are still so little (which I love), it’s fun to see what it might be like to have older kids too. This weekend we’re having a little fall party and spending time on our farm. I’m hoping for a s’mores.

beth - maybe? I adore a fresh raised glazed donut- always the one I choose!
don’t feel guilty for eating one- life is short- make it sweet!!!

cindy - Where did you find those cute minion hats the girls were wearing?

Michelle Whitlow - Too funny that you mentioned donuts…I just stopped today to pick up Krispy Kreme. I felt guilty eating one, too…but man it was good!!!

Andrea - The girls’ Minion hats are amazing!

Tammy - My dad used to take me to The Yard with him when I was young. The place has been there forever!!! What a fun place, you never know what you will find. The street signs are great-may need to check those out.

Alice H - We are playing our last youth football game on Saturday night. Next year we will be in school ball. So I bet I will shed a few good tears! And I am making beef stew for dinner on Sunday!!!

April R - Your kids smiles made me smile.
And I’m so glad I’m not the only one that feels that way about cooking!
My boys are going camping with Boy Scouts (no horrible rock tipping involved)
My daughter and I are going to see my grandmother.
We call her BeeBelle (her name is Belle) and there may be pound cake involved 🙂

Kerri - Where is The Yard? Newton? Wichita? Looks very interesting. And I can never pass up a donut – Casey’s are yummy. (Cannot stand those solid sugar lumps called Krispy Kreme…)

Breenah - I giggle every time I drive by The Yard because Hiland is right across the street and it reminds me of the song “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.” My husband always just shakes his head at me.

Tiffany - I had to chuckle a bit about the donut. I rarely get a hankering for sweet. Usually, I’m all about salty, or fried foods, wings, fries, egg rolls, onion rings, chix tenders. But this morning the coffee/donut/gas station called me. I had a glaze and it was fabulous, lick ur fingers fabulous, gone before I made it back to the car 🙂 Have a great weekend.

leah faye - It is so weird seeing places I recognize on someone elses blog! Looks like a fun day!
I have been giving myself, my boyfriend, and even my dog haircuts for about a year. It saves sooo much money!
Leah Faye
a clover and a bee

danielle - I have been wanting a donut but I want a really good one and I keep not buying one thinking I will be dissapointed. I am odd. I get to have a mom’s day out on Saturday! I have been recovering from being my husbands crew for a 100K he did. He did awesome but I drove to meet him every three hours with my 5 and 7yr old. All night. I think I have still not recovered and he did all the work!

Suzanne - I LOVE it when you post pictures from Drubers Donuts! I worked there while in college. The owners then were the best second parents I could ask for while away from home. And the peanut butter donuts are wonderful! My roommates would beg for me to bring them home. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

rebecca - Donuts are the BEST!!!! Going to memphis for a quick getaway!

stephany - The kids are off from school today, so we are going to work on their halloween costumes. Ryan will be out of town tonight and tomorrow, so I will take the kids to soccer and then we will probably just hang out…I like to be mellow on the weekends and Ryan likes lots of plans, so I’m going to take the opportunity to just be mellow with they kids…I think they need it and I KNOW i need it!
Happy Friday!

Kristin S - No guilt, Meg!

You are beautiful. Food is not bad. Sweets are not bad. It’s OK to splurge. You didn’t overindulge. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and under no condemnation!

OK, preaching over. 🙂

Jill - so I’ve read your blog for a while but have never commented. BUT Drubers.donuts. Oh my word – so yummy. I have lots of great memories of late night trips to that donut shop to get fresh hot donuts when I went to college in your sweet little town. The PB one was my FAV. mmmmmmmm.

colleen from Alabama - Actually, my plans do include donuts! I am going to do these fun little fang monsters from the blog eighteen25. I have a HS girls Bible study in addition to my 2 kids who will think these are AWESOME. I have no affiliation with this blog but here is the link… you may just have to have donuts AGAIN!?! Do y’all have Krispy Kreme? I’ve noticed you have different looking donuts from theirs. OH MY, they are addictive! BEST ever!

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2013/10/sink-your-teeth-into-these-treats.

Cynthia - I’ve heard so many great things about this pie: Ultimate Plush Pippin: Deep Dish Apple Pie, 40 oz (Walmart). Maybe it’s worth a try? If it’s fabulous, that should move me closer to the top of the Craft Weekend list, right? Happy Friday 🙂

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memories…

October 16, 2013

craig and i got married on september 3rd and moved to illinois on september 9th.
we were 18 & 20 years old.
babies.
he went to school & played basketball… i worked as a temp at the college before and after lauren was born.
between his classes and my work craig was in charge of tiny baby lauren.
such a sweet memory.
when he finished school and got a job, i started to nanny and took lauren with me.
then i did daycare from home when scott was on the way.
we bought our first home. we fixed it up room by room.
we loved that house. we filled it with love and babies…we had all of our babies while living in illinois.

this summer we did a little tour of the old places we loved.
it had been a long time since going back there (physically and mentally).

our first stop was The Grove… a nature center.
this was a place i came to ALL the time with my daycare kids because it was free!
i was so glad to see it was doing even better than when we lived here.

three two
huge tank filled with turtles… lauren used to love this!
0ne
it smelled exactly the same in these buildings. 🙂
it felt a little surreal being back there.
scott remembered it a little but the others couldn’t.
four five
we had never seen this black smith demonstration before.
they watched him work for several minutes making a nail.
just one nail!
it was crazy to think about how they used to have to hand craft every nail they used.
can you imagine?
six
one nail.
five minutes.

then just for something different we went to Abt.
there are NO stores like this in kansas.
we killed an hour here easily between me looking through the dream kitchens, the boys in the massage chairs, the free hot out of the oven cookies and this magician.
my kids were totally into the magic.
seven

we stopped in to see our neighbors from our old neighborhood.
one friend was at work so we peeked in at her job to say hi.
marybeth was so special to me.
she helped me so much with my little ones way back when.
she watched them sometimes, she encouraged me as a young mother and she loved my kids.
we loved being neighbors with her family.

THIS is where i wanted to go more than anywhere on our vacation.
the choo choo.

this tiny little diner was my FAVORITE when we lived in Des Plaines.
and it’s funny because back then… we hardly went there.
at the time it was a lot of money for us to spend on a toddler’s meal or with several kids.
so it was more of a special place when we had just one kid with us.
or we would go just for a milkshake but no meal.

it is very small and it is almost always full with people waiting for a seat.
they serve hamburgers & fries. they make big yummy milkshakes. (Oreo is the best)
we sat at the bar because there were too many of us for a booth.
this is a shot of the whole place.
there are three booths in front of the camera that you can’t see but otherwise… that is it.

what makes this place so fun?
your meal comes out on the train!
nine ten
i was loving all the memories from this place so much and then they played the happy birthday song for a little boy in the diner.
and oh man… it was very hard to not cry.
immediately i remembered the last time i had been at the choo choo was for lauren’s 9th birthday.
i think it was just the two of us?
and i got her the birthday cupcake.
they play the birthday song really loud and the train brings out a cupcake.
i missed her very much in that moment.
i wished she had been there with us to see if she remembered it too.
this meal made my whole trip.
and i didn’t even eat anything! ha ha ha
i was just so happy to be there.
i was beaming from the inside out.
so many memories for me of being a mama to those little ones.
and how it feels so different now… it was so good to go back.

and then if i wasn’t feeling emotional enough already…

we went to see our old house!
this was our first home.
we moved here in 1998… scott was a few months old.

we painted it all white… we put in that “garden”… craig built me an arbor for mother’s day that i LOVED… we built the fence and the deck… finished the basement… gutted the bathrooms and the kitchens and made them shiny and new… the four windows on the second story were our bedroom.
i remember taking naps on sunday and laying in bed listening to craig playing with the kids in the front yard.
i spent so many MANY hours on those porch steps watching my littles ride their bikes up and down the street.
i rocked my babies on the porch swing.
it was a great place.
1345 Henry street treated us well.

ahhh… i am feeling a little weepy now thinking back to those days.
life keeps going.
kids grow up.
i am so grateful for that home.
and that guy who i shared it with… he’s pretty rad.

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Flower Patch Farmgirl - OH MY GOSH THAT SNAKE.

First the possum. Now this.

You want me to have bad dreams every night, don’t you?

Lisa - Oh my goodness, I live in Park Ridge and we’ve been to Choo Choo grill many times 🙂 Makes me sad that my boys have all outgrown it as well…it’s amazing how fast time flies! I miss the days that we spent playing in the backyard, looking for bugs and eating goldfish crackers – sometimes it seemed as if those days would never end but I’d sure love to see those chubby little hands digging in the sandbox one more time…

Friday Favorites » Between You & Me - […] Meg shared some memories. Her oldest just left for college, so she’s in a new season. I’m learning from her, while I’m in my new season, and she doesn’t even know it. […]

Vicki - I was already a bit emotional before reading this and now I’m a hot mess! I’ve been reminiscing too over the last few weeks as our family is in the midst of some major transitions. This post makes me long for the days when my babies were babies and a nap made everything better!

Renee - This post was sweet. I grew up near downtown mt. prospect, which is like 10 minutes from the choo choo restaurant. how fun! And the grove – i remember a few class field trips there. Free and educational! haha.

Jolene (Homespun Heritage) - This summer I was thrilled to take my 7 children to the place that I grew up going to on vacation. Its changed dramatically since I went there as a child but it still held that same magic that it use to hold for me!

Rach - Such a sweet post and such an inspiration.

tracy fisher - precious!!!! thanks for sharing 🙂 -tracy

josie - what timing, I am from chicago and they just featured choo choo on “chicago’s best” – i had never heard of it and then its on your blog today….
Will have to take my 2 year old : )

Nanette - We love the Grove! My first boy had his 5th birthday party there and I remember how much he LOVED passing around the animal skins to look at! We don’t go as often as we should…so pretty just to walk the trail on a good weather day. And I have heard from others how great Choo Choo is…but they always just called it “The Train Place”…I will have to take my 4 year old before he gets any bigger. Thanks for the post with the good reminders!

amyellen - oh my goodness! i live in arlington heights, i have a daughter the same age as lauren, i did (still do) home day care when she was little, we LOVE the grove, my son is 11 and still has to go to the choo choo for every birthday (and a couple other trips throughout the year), my husbands best friend has worked for the abt family since high school!
i so wish i had known you when you lived here, i am certain we would have been best of friends 🙂

Christy - What a great post! My husband and I were the exact same ages as you and yours when we got married. It was actually October of my senior year when he proposed. I still can’t believe it. We have survived through a lot. So glad I have him to make the journey.

Julie - Memories, misty water-color MEMORIES, of the way we were… In my mother’s family, reminiscing is kind of a no-no (stoicism, always!), but like you, Meg, I enjoy a little trip down memory lane every now and then! You remember what it took to build your life as it is now.

On another note, did you notice how all three kids in the blacksmith shop photo have their hands up near their mouths? Funny! I notice mainly because I am constantly reminding my 9- and 5-year old to stop chewing on their hands/nails. 😉

Thanks for sharing, Meg! I love your blog!

Shelby - Meg – I just read this and it made my sentimental morning even more sadder. My daughter is in 11th grade and so far I have cried at her field hockey team’s parent night (knowing next year I am there!), her last field hockey game of this year and at homecoming. I loved this blog and learning more about you and your family. Sometimes I think people lose sight of the memories they are currently making, so I loved reading this. Next year I will probably be the biggest crybaby watching my daughter go through her senior year but I will cherish every single experience, photo opp and memory. Thank you! Oh, and your family is beautiful!!!

Sarah K. - So many beautiful memories!!! I love that you can still go back and relive them! My husband would LOVE to go to that Choo Choo restaurant!! Oh my word, the trains!

Melanie - I loved this sentimental trip of yours! And I’ve been to all the places you mentioned – I live here in the Chicago ‘burbs. What town did you live in?

Jennifer - Meg thank you so much for sharing your memories and pieces of your heart. I just married the love of my life this past summer, and just last night I was telling him how I can’t wait to make memories like these with him. Your post had me in tears!

Colleen - Those kids of yours are beautiful, both then and now. Couldn’t have been easy making ends meet, taking care of all those babies and a daycare to boot. Love your ability to make lemonade and ignore the lemons ( not being able to afford eating as a family at the diner) Hope you let Lauren know about the cupcake to see if she remembered it when you returned home. I think you are a great mom!

Carol S. - Meg, you know I’m from Chicago but you probably don’t know from Mt Prospect at River Rd and Euclid. Minutes from Choo Choo but regret I never went there! Loved taking my kids to the Grove too. The paths to a field with a gazebo and swamp, the t-pee and long house, such an awesome place on a fall day to let kids explore. Ever feed the ducks at Allison Woods? Thank you for these sweet memories and pics. I miss my college guy too, Thanksgiving is sooo sweet with them home! Happy Fall.

Kat - I love this post as it struck such a chord with me about memories and little ones growing up and wanting to step back in time and be there again.
Such a beautiful thing.
My kids are still relatively little at 11, 9, almost 7 and almost 5, but gee I still get so sentimental about when they were babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Sigh.
I loved the part about you remembering Lauren’s 9th birthday.
That made me want to cry too.
Aren’t we so lucky that we get to make these special memories with our kids and that there are still many more to come.
Love your blog, after all these years I think it is still my favourite 🙂

Valerie @ chateau a la mode - Awww, love this post. It tugs at my heartstrings. There is something so special about the place where you raise your babies.

Jessica McCart - I bet. Makes me teary just reading this. Great looking house!

Kristin S - Meg, it’s so special how your girls look at their big brothers. You are raising them well!

And what the heck would you do if Lauren told you she was getting married?!?!?! You WERE babies.

Jenny B. - So special. What a great trip. It must have been hard to move away from there. It appears you guys have always had great taste in houses. 🙂

Tiffany - Sweet sweet post. When u look back u see how time flies. The elders always say, The days are long but the years are short. The Choo Choo cupcake with the doily, sprinkles and train topper almost got tears outta me. I hope your daughter reads this and REMEMBERS too.

Lisa - I’m getting emotional for you! And I don’t even know your family! Haha! I was just listening today to the song my husband and I danced to at our wedding and was all teary eyed and emotional! Its fun to look back at all the good memories…

Molly - this was a really cool post. life is so full. isn’t it. so good.

we are from iowa and lived in arizona for three years. those were three hard years…in so many ways. it is emotional to think about it. now we have been back in iowa for five years. going back and visiting would be so fun and so emotional.

Sara Torbett - Meg,
this might sound strange, but thank-you for this post. I was walking on the treadmill, praying over some things and a bit sad. Then I read your post. It was just what I needed to read today. I’m a mama to two little gals and sometimes I look at gals like yourself with older kids and think how lucky you are that you get to pursue your dreams and be mama. Gulp. That was selfish of me to write. Your post reminded me that the rich life I’m providing for my little girls matters. That it will still matter later, it’s something that lasts. XO.

Angela - Your children, ma’am, are absolutely beautiful! And I love that you took them back to that house – I lived in the same house from birth through college. In fact, my parents still live there, but… My son, my first child, is due in January and I already cannot wait to take him back to my childhood home. My Mom and Dad took my brother and I to their childhood homes and told us all sorts of fun stories. It is so special knowing that part of a parent’s life.
Your kids are so blessed to see a home that was your first and theirs! And to hear stories about what it was like with Mr. Duerksen or with them when they were tiny? Even more special!

Nicole Q. - Loved your trip down memory lane . . . made me teary and think of our own memories with little babies!!

Alicia @ La Famille - I am beaming too!! Meg, I love this post so much. Every drop of it. I love it because we are in a major limbo period of our lives and nothing seems right. We moved from our first house two years ago in a major move and things still don’t feel like home at all. This post makes me see that there’s memories everywhere and you’ve shared it so well. I hope I look back on this time with tears of happy memories, even though being in limbo makes me sad a lot right now.

Thank you for sharing, Meg. Really really beautiful post.

PS: Sean holding Annie on his lap in that photo is so sweet. Something about big brothers and their little sisters…protecting them, loving on them…just melts me. I saw Noah (my 11 yo) holding Sophie’s hand (5 yo) the other day and totally lost it.

PPS: Choo Choo is where its at. I’ve never been, but when you get your food on a gosh darn TRAIN, you know its something special. Officially on my bucket list: Eat at friggin’ Choo Choo

Trish - we are still in our first house. i am ready to move into something more suitable for our family now, but just thinking about it makes me all nostalgic and i know i will cry when we do finally leave!

Jenn - What great memories! Thanks for sharing….I’m smiling 🙂

Jackie - I’m a 26 year old mama to 2 (three in March!) little ones, and I think I’m in those days right now. Is that strange? Seeing how your kids grew up and the trips down memory lane makes me think about how things will be for us in 10 or 15 years. I catch myself wishing things were easier because they’re so little, or wondering so often what things will be like when they’re bigger, but the truth is it takes a post like this from a person like you to make me realize I’m in the “good old days” right now!

Gina - What wonderful memories!! Your story about Lauren’s birthday tugged at my heartstrings too!! 🙂

Sabrina - We recently moved back to my hometown and it’s been fun to drive around and reminisce about all the fun times I had as a kid. My kids are tiny, but I’m excited to introduce them to some of the old places I enjoyed growing up.

P.S. I almost had a panic attack looking at all those snakes. They are HUGE and so many!! eeek!

Kari - It’s awesome that you posted this now. I just went to see the house I grew up in. The house I lived in when I met my husband [who lived across the street]. The house we had out first kiss in front of. The house we spent most of our dating years. We looked inside and I was checking out my old bedroom. I noticed in the closet, the wall says “Kari <3 Zane Forever" It's been about 12 years since we lived there. No one ever covered it! It's STILL there! Made me so soooo happy! And to make it even better. WE'RE MOVING IN! It's ours! I can't wait to make more awesome memories there!

erin - You were in my old “hood” I grew up in Elk Grove and had many friends who lived in Des Plaines growing up as half that town went to our high school. I work in Niles now so I know the Grove you were talking about. I looked into the house to host my wedding there but it was too small for our needs. Thanks for sharing!!

Courtney - I needed this today. I have small babies.. And in the last 3 years we have bought, redone, put our hearts into 3 homes. And then to find out, it was time to move. We are moving into the next house we just finished remodeling this weekend.. Here’s to living in today, and focusing on the now.. Appreciating today! These will all be cherished memories someday. (I hope! Ha ha)

Tracy - Awwwww….now you’re making me cry! I love going back to see our first house. This was a beautiful post!

Kassondra - I am smack in the middle of raising babies and running my in home daycare. Crying over your memories because I know all too soon I will be coming back to this place missing this crazy time in my life.

Tessa - Loved this … a great reminder to soak up all the time we have with our kids because they will be off to college before we know it … 🙁 The Choo Choo is adorable!

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