she went to be with jesus today.
send them love.
pray for their family.
|
she is one year older….  her birthday was much anticipated (by her).
thinking about it constantly.
(annie is four and talks about her birthday everyday…not much changes in 10 years)
she only wanted money….for shopping of course.
she got a bonus gift of goofy stuff like face paint, care bear underwear and skull earrings.
   she took cupcakes to school.
i didn't know that kids still did that in middle school…
she had a basketball game that evening and played the best she's ever played.
it was so fun to watch her hustle.
her coach even said "she was on fire!"
she requested pizza hut pizza for dinner.
then it was time for cake.
   yeah…..she's 14 alright.
the irritated look on her face gave it away.
even cake and candles is not cool at 14.
 well…you are looking at one smart girl.
i can see a glimpse into her future and see a strong woman there.
i have high hopes for her and big dreams.
i hope she does too.
being honest here…..even birthdays can't produce perfect days or behavior.
but hopefully when we remember this time in her life…we won't remember the drama as much
as we remember the silliness and love that is there deep down.
because it IS there.
deep and wide….forever crazy love for our big girl.
whether she likes it or not.
🙂
my eyes are always drawn to red.      i changed a tiny bit in the entryway.
you probably can't even notice.
and that floor…i don't like….especially when i see it in a big photo…yuck.
i wish it were wood or covered in a rug.
i made curtains at my girls weekend when i made the matching lampshades.
 i cut them and sewed them there.
came home to hang them….they were WAY short!
i even said quite few times how they looked wrong but just kept sewing.
so….a half a yard of red velvet later….problem solved.
the entry way feels like a room now.
and my sister gave me the little bird hooks for my birthday.
yes…that was 5 months ago.
but i finally hung it up.
i love it lorel!
   red makes me happy.
oh yeah….keepin' it real…one more time.
 here is what it looks like when the kids are home.
Thanks for keeping it real Meg! Love love love what you did. So pretty!! I was very delighted upon going through your article that ponders me with bucket of productive and essential information. And I just admire your creatively personal touch for your home designs. Wow! Oustanding job. It looks like a happy home. Came over from Kimba’s – I LOVE your mudroom!!! How great is that? (and how jealous am I? a lot) Red is one of my most favorite colors – it just makes me happy. Great job on those curtains too – so cute! I’m a first time visitor, and love your blog. I am a major fan of everything red, and post about red all the time. You did a fabulous job on your room, thanks for sharing the “real” photo! Funny how crazy things get when the kids get home… Hee Hee Looks like my messy mudroom in the keeping it real phase@! Hi Meg! I love your mudroom. The red looks fantastic. Thanks for keeping it real! Looooooove it all! I love the last picture, which brings your awesome entryway to life. The red looks awesome, great work on the entryway, you’ve definitely got style. Each and every time I come back here, I say stupid things like you made my day – but keepin it real, this time, your bit o red made my february. I love red too. Just the littlest burst of it tucked in somewhere makes me feel happy. =) Oh YAY for “new red thing”. Love them all! It turned out beautifully (of course) but I’m loving that final shot. Makes me feel at home… I love the red too…. that is how my house looks every day! Your entry is so crisp and bright and WOW it’s lived in, too! Thank you for the organizing inspiration, but mostly for sharing that last photo! Have a nice night! 55 comments? Holy Moses. I am way behind here… I guess we are all loving the red. I am only recently learning to truly appreciate red, now that my Shabby Chic phase is finally fading into oblivion. Oh, I’m love little bits of black, too. Is that a little cubby-hole curtain I spy? Makes me wonder what’s behind it! Beautiful entry way for a beautiful home. My mom loves red too- she tends to buy a lot of red. I love your birds and your entryway. (And the keeping it real photo! It is nice to know that we are not the only messy ones around.) Ohhh I would be so happy walking into that entryway every day. 🙂 It’s beautiful and happy! you made me snort my soda with that last photo! Looks just like my entryway at 3:32. (minus all the cute details) Red is my favorite! oh yeah……I love red too!! Like you, it just make me happy. And can I ask you something…..how do you get your pictures so big on your blog?? how much do i love you keepin it real?? what i wouldn’t do for an entry way with cubbies! Love red! And love those curtains!! Beautiful mudroom! I love your mud room!!!! Where did you find your fabric?It is gorgeous,also love your door. Red is my favorite color – I’m thinking about painting our kitchen island red. Still trying to talk my husband into it! Red IS a very beautiful color! Me, myself and I are having a pinkish-period right now. I love pink, and turqouise! Oh and where did you get those red buckets? I think I have a weakness for buckets. And I think I’m too weird. Ooh–I love red, too. If I were you neighbor, I’d want to come and steal all that stuff–even your purse–except I’d leave all the contents. I’m not THAT psycho. Your house is so cool. My back entry opens right into the kitchen. Really. If you’re not careful or blind and don’t walk straight in you’d run into the table and sometimes my kids come rushing in so fast they slam the door into the oven door handle and stuff I have perched on top of the oven come crashing down. Maybe we should have moved to Kansas to get more house for out $$$. Or maybe I’ll win the HGTV house. big fat YEAH RIGHT. Can you please tell us where you got the red boots? I really want them…you know how I like red and white polka dots :o) Oh I am crazy for red too, I want your wellies- dang cute, and i am so glad to know that my kids are not the only ones who come home and dump their stuff! hee hee so thanks for keeping it real. red is one of those colors that just pops. Thanks for a glimpse into your reality! I feel better now! But I LOVE the red as well!!! And the curtains look lovely! love the red, it’s gorgeous. and I love that you “keep it real” because I only have two kids and my house is a mess like that a lot!! my eyes are drawn to your house. Can we move in? ooooooooo….eye candy! i LOVE red too! it just makes me happy! =) love your entry, too. that fabric is fabulous. What is it about RED??? I LOVE it too because…it reminds me of birthday party balloons, Christmas, happy flowers, etc. It’s just a happy color, it can’t help itself. : ) Love your curtains…especially with the red velvet on the bottom. Kind of a happy accident! OH man do I love red too!!! You would LOVE my new stove that we are putting in our new house…it’s old, from England, old….and it is all garnet red and I think I’m naming her Ruby 🙂 I mean, seriously, do people really name their stoves?? I do. I really must have that fabric for something!!!! And oh yea…I love it when you keep it real 🙂 You make me smile so much! Love it all! I want a red laudnry/mud room. I saw a red and black one years ago and fell in love! Love it all! I want my new laundry/mud room to be red! I saw a red and black one years ago and fell in love. You make me laugh (thank you!) I love the red and beauty in your entry way – and even more I love your keeping it real pictures. Thanks for helping us to know we aren’t alone. 🙂 I just found your blog this week and I am loving it! I have 4 kids so I love the keeping it real — instead of all those “fake” blogs who make their lives look perfect. Your red curtains are so gorgeous and I think they are better with the velvet! Hi, I just found your blog – I love, love, love the pictures of your house. I’ve been wanting to get something from Tanya Whelan’s new line (I thought I recognized the red fabric as being from “Darla” – if not, it sure looks like it!). The curtains are wonderful. I just got a new red accent for my kitchen – red is really growing on me – http://www.flickr.com/photos/29635318@N07/3251338104/ FOR THE LOVE OF RED… i just love it! Love, love, LOVE your entry way! I fantasize about turning the laundry room into a kid-friendly entry with a bench and hooks . . . your “keeping real” photo reminds me that likely it’ll still be a bit of a disaster:) Hilarious! It’s so comforting to know that with your five kids and a dog, your house does get messy like the rest of us – phew *wipes forehead* I thought you were superwoman for a moment there. I still have my suspicions. I actually think you were meant to make the drapes to short. The red velvet makes them so interesting. I would totally by these in a store. Red is my favorite color and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE your curtains – the Red velvet just made the curtains PERFECT! See… you were supposed to mess up that way and make them too short so you could add the “real” finishing touches! Great job! :o) And I LOVE the fact that you “kept it real” as always – that’s what my foyer looks like always too between the kids and the dog! LOL Thanks again for sharing! Hugs, Trac~ :o) You know it’s “wear red” day for women’s heart issue awareness?? How appropriate! I so LOOOOVE the color red! Your house is awesome. I like the keeping real picture too!! I loooove red too! I’m finding that is the one color in every room of our home. Thanks for sharing! You are definitely an inspiration to me. I especially love the curtains and what was a problem with them being too short became even more beautiful with velvet! Oh my gosh…. love it all! I have been addicted to red lately. And not the earthtone red… the bright-make-me-smile-‘cuz-it-pops red! Too fun! I love the perfection and I love the keeping it real.. that is life…. try for perfection but live in pic # 2 most of the time.. wow your curtains are fab! thanks for the real life shot. I feel better now! You’ll love brown eyed fox’s blog today then!!! Anyhoo – I have a fabulous blue handbag that is lined with a lovely red….love love love it!!! I love your blog and I appreciate your “keeping it real photos” so much! It’s incredible important to be inspired by the small things in everyday. When you show us your mess after we’ve been looking at the rest of your fantastic photos, we can take that inspiration and leave the behind the all the pressure to live a “Martha Stewart Lifestyle”. Thanks. I found my way to your blog by way of the Sticklers blog. I LOVE the fabric you used for the curtains…just what I have been looking for for my kitchen. Could you tell me what the name of the fabric is??? Thanks so much for sharing a picture of your life. And today is National Wear Red Day for woman’s heart disease awareness. How fitting! I love all the little touches of red and the bird hooks, anything with birds really. I laughed when I saw the brown suede boats, because my daughter has the same pair and they are laying on the floor in my mudroom as I type. Glad you kept it real! love, love red!! my favorite color!! i even had two red cars…unfortunately, the first one was totaled by a man running a red light, the other we had to let go since we were growing out of room…hard to load kids in carseats in a two seater… The curtains are gorgeous and I love the keeping it real photos. love the red!!! so cheerful. cute curtains, i so wish i could sew!! that’s what my front porch looks like all the time, shoes and bags everywhere!!! This gives meaning to “a mother’s work is never done”…love the pics…especially the “real” one! Thanks so much for posting the “keeping it real” pictures. I LOVE blogland for all of the incredible inspiration it can provide, but it can also suck me into this distorted world where I start to think that messes don’t happen in other people’s houses and if I just worked a little harder my house would look like a page in a magazine all the time. I appreciate that you can blend insipration with reality. It’s more than inspiring, it’s downright encouraging! I LOVE that red purse!!!! And lovin’ the keeping it real photo . . nice to know I’m not alone 🙂 Okay Loving your entryway!! 🙂 Love the red and white so much and thank you for making me feel so normal. Our entry way is sadly enough our laundry room (old farm house) and when my kids get home from school or rooms look exactly alike!!! Sigh…. Thanks for a bit of normal. 🙂 I love the red too…Love the curtains and I noticed them in the first photo in the cubbything. I think you can fix that floor up…..Your Meg….aka Miss Crafty…I am sure you can go into Mary Poppins craft room and craft it up with something. me, too. i threw what has become our definition of a party lat night and got out all my red stuff. it was fun. and the curtains? nice work. and i like the velvet. it anchors the fabric since you have the darker blind at the top. my opinion. and i think it looks fab. if we lived in the same area, i’d give you my jute rug with the red trim that i have no use for 🙂 LOL I adore the keepin’ it real pictures. Awesome. The red is so fresh. that last pic still has me laughing. soooo true! very valentinesyish! do you get tired of hearing how inspiring you are? i sat up and read some of your old blogs for hours last night! wierdo alert! kidding. really, you should have your own magazine. i love the lamb or donkey or whatever he was & the look on his face! i would never thought to put that into words, bravo! keep it coming! for all the happiness, self esteem strengthening, brain building memories you provide.   
  
 
such goodness comes from playing games.
i will admit to being terribly bored while we play…my mind races with things i could be doing.
but you watch them play and SEE them get it.
the counting and remembering.
spinning the spinner and moving the piece.
she got it!
she just learned a new skill…right before my eyes.
she'll never NOT know how to play chutes & ladders again.
how cool is that?!
(* i took all those photos with the camera on the table and clicking.
not looking through the lens…because i was playing the game too.
it's fun to see what you get that way…give it a shot.)
and just for the sake of keepin' it real…..
(click on the picture)
 see why my mind had "things to do" racing through it?
50 of those things were right next to me.
but dishes will still be there after the chutes & ladders or memory.
there should always be time for play.
This post makes me smile! I’m inspired to get Chutes & Ladders down tonight with my kiddos. hi there! i came across your blog through a friend and her suggestion was to grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy your blog. so, that’s what i’ve been doing! i love seeing all the colors your incorporate into your life. anyway, i noticed your cool gumball machine in some of your pictures. my son LOVES gumballs and i wanted to get him a gumball machine for his birthday, so i thought i’d ask you what the make/model of your machine is. it looks old/vintage, so i don’t know if i’d even find one out there but i like a good hunt. thanks for your time! i don’t think i’ve ever played chutes and ladders. These are such happy pictures. What a sweet little face, bed head and all. Good for you…making time to play games and doing dishes later:) Crazy that we both posted things about family games. Our was Zingo. But we also like Apples to Apples. Yay….a new read! Love your blog. Just found it and will be checking back. annie beat you huh? cute little thing. love the way your counter looks – just like mine. that makes me feel so much better!! I agree! My favorite part with my three year old is when he raises him arms up in the air and yells “I WIN”! I love that. Yes I also say thanks for keeping it real-thats probably why I like your blog so much!! you maka-a-me smile! Hi Meg, oh joy! we spent a few hours the other day playing this very game lol I love the cute pictures of her having so much fun playing. My boys love chutes and ladders too. Next time we play I’ll put the camera on the table and see how the pictures come out. Thanks for the tip. Glad to know I’m not the only one whose mind wanders onto the list of chores I should be doing. Megan: To me she looks in that third picture like Audrey Tautou in Amelie! She’s grown bunches since I was last at your house for Bible study. Cute cute. She looks so cute playing the game…makes me want to play a game! You are an amazing photographer!!! I love playing board games with my kids, even if sometimes I am bored, too. And since when did Hershey Kisses come in a box? Thanks for keeping it real.. I have such a hard time ignoring the mess..but lately I just feel like I need to or I’m losing precious time. I clean and then try to play and by then there is little time and I’m tired and crabby – you know. Ps- thanks for the comment and I love that you came home and got right into bed….good for you!! You deserve to do that….I just might have to give it a try sometime soon! Thanks for keeping it real.. I have such a hard time ignoring the mess..but lately I just feel like I need to or I’m losing precious time. I clean and then try to play and by then there is little time and I’m tired and crabby – you know. Ps- thanks for the comment and I love that you came home and got right into bed….good for you!! You deserve to do that….I just might have to give it a try sometime soon! i love it! my daughter anya absolutely loves chutes and ladders. i play out of love because i think it’s quite possibly my least favorite – well, right there next to hungry hungry hipppos – boy that’s a loud game! come to think of it, i still owe those parents a pay back gift for buying such a loud toy for my daughter! 🙂 anyway – i agree – to see their face light up over simple pleasures is priceless. i also love the “shooting from the hip” or table as it were idea. i do that sometimes when i’m walking outside where there are lots of people. you get amazing photos that way. have a great day! Hey- she was fooling you – because we played Chutes and Ladders many times when she last visited and she beat me everytime!! Cute pics. I love you blog! I’ve been reading it everyday for months now! Thanks for all your thoughts and time you spend sharing them! I agree wholeheartedly with all of these sentiments about games! I loved nothing more than playing board games when I was a kid. Remember how fun it was to load up the Life car with all of those babies??! Calvin and I played Candyland last week and I felt guilty for being secretly glad that he chose the ice cream cone right off the bat. It certainly sped things up! A little off topic: but Candy Land is going to be a movie sometime in the near future. Not sure how good it is going to be…should be interesting. Love your blog. Game times, what great memories. Thanks for posting the link to MacGruber! Ha. I am so sad to say…we don’t even own CHutes and Ladders…I think I’ll get it today though! And this is why you are such a great mom….even though there are a zillion things that you know NEED to done…you can always put things in perspective and realize…it will all still be there…Annie learning AND WANTING YOU TO PLAY WITH HER won’t. I am praying for sweet Cora and her family. Ummm… why don’t we have chutes and ladders? Adding it to my Walmart list now. THanks for sharing! Love seeing your messy kitchen… looks a lot like mine! 🙂 I’ve been reading your blog for the last week or so and I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it. It is always genuine – from your own days with your kids to your tears for your friends. You seem to stay true to yourself. Kudos. I agree, a lovely post. I have learned something from you that I am currently working on. Letting them dress themselves no matter HOW CRAZY they look!! By the way, your kids always look cute but they do sometimes/often look crazy..lol BUT I love that you let them and Im not so good at that. THIS week I let my crazy dresser do it all week and said NOTHING but ok, you may. Next week, Im going to say, You may and you look FANTASTIC!! Im trying!!!!!!!! We are a family of game players too. Sometimes you have to keep the work for later…. I like the “keepin’ it real” picture. So fun! Thanks for keeping it real… love the labels on the photo. I should take a picture of my desk and label everything… however it might scare people away. I am so glad to see that your kitchen doesn’t always look like the “our house” photos! I love your blog & your daughters haircut? By the way, do you work from home? What a lovely post! Good for you, you let the mess go. Annie will remeber you having time for her, not that things were messy! Have a great day! I want to take a photography class from you! I smile every single time I look at your pictures. Any chance of you coming to TX anytime soon? She’ll never not know how to play Chutes and Ladders again! That brings tears to my eyes, every single day there is something my kids will not know how to do again! Ha! You’re silly. she is struggling.  will you continue to prayfor cora and for her family?
their hearts are heavy.
it must be so discouraging day after day of this.
how Great is our God.
sing with me…how Great is our God
and ALL will see how Great…how Great is our God.
i cried all the way home today.
seeing jess's mother makes it all so real again…real pain and sorrow.
in your face.
my heart just aches for joel and jessica and their family.
Name above all Names.
Worthy of Our Praise.
My heart will sing How great is our God.
they are hurting so much.
they are sad and scared and just want to bring their baby home.
when the darkness closes in Lord…
still i will say Blessed be the name of the lord.
Blessed be your Glorious Name.
My heart will choose to say
Lord Blessed Be Your Name.
(the red words were two of the songs i was listening to today…singing through tears.)
jess and joel –
the women at Mom to Mom last night want you to know that
WE ARE PRAYING FOR YOU.
***********************************
            all of us.
we are thinking of you.
praying for you.
missing you.
Having a child who struggles daily, I am so sorry to hear about this precious little one. I will pray for her and her family. That song. The Holy Spirit is moving. That song has been stuck in my head all week. It has been my anthem for the last two weeks (as I pray for a husbands job) and tonight, I join you in singing this song for Cora. How great is our God? When all we can do is obey and praise. keeping precious Cora lifted in constant prayer… and jess & joel… their entire family! Still thinking about baby Cora. I hope she is well & home soon. I’m praying Meg! It just sucks doesn’t it! I just lost a friend (24) to CA. Then yesterday evening at work I took a little baby off life support to die in his parents’ arms. Then I came home and read your blog. Too much! Just balled in my husbands arms. It just doesn’t seem right. I sing those words all the time. How Great is our God! We must not forget that. I am praying, too. Thank you for the song lyrics. I posted a little blog about sweet Cora…figured the more people praying the better. me too. prayers coming…. Prayers–big big big prayers from knoxville. God is good. He is faithful and He is mighty. prayers from Spain. Meg, i hope you don’t mind – i took your photo of Cora and posted it on my blog. Praying. And like everyone else—waiting for a time when all these “why’s” finally get answered. Meg, I just posted about Cora on my blog. I want as many people as we can get to pray for her. Let me know if I can do anything to help with her family. Sincerely, Katy I will pray, I hate hearing this. I will ask my readers to pray for her and her family as well. Meg, I have been reading your blog for awhile now (which I LOVE). I am not one to comment, but have been so touched by the story of Cora and wanted to thank you for sharing it. I passed along Cora’s story to my Bible Study here in McPherson…this group of mommas are praying and feeling right along with you. We also had some friends that had a 5 month old son diagnosed with Neuroblastoma several years ago. He had a tough battle, highs and lows just like Cora, but he is now a happy, healthy 5 year old. There is SO much power in prayer. His Mom is also a Kansas teacher, so I passed along Cora’s info to her…she then contacted Cora’s parents through their blog letting them know she was available for any questions they might have. I know we dont have to beg but I have found myself begging with God for this precious child. I dont understand. I continue to pray. I cant even fathom…I really cant!! i have been and will continue to pray for sweet little cora. my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family too meg. I have been praying for little Cora and her family since you first posted. It just breaks my heart. “We will overcome by the blood of the lamb and the words of our testimony” I’ve been playing this song over and over crying out for healing for Cora. It’s called Overcome by Desperation Band. ‘I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you’.” 2 Kings 20:5… I have been checking their updates so many times a day since you first posted. Is there anything more that those of us who don’t know them personally can do? Are they still taking donations? I would love to send money to you to provide food or something. She is just a precious little thing. Thanks for your update, I know it must be so hard on all of you who are their friends. I don’t even know this family and this really is making me hurt so much inside for them…I had a button made for her and since you have a big amount of bloggers please pass this on…I actually have done tow post since hearing about this baby…She just makes me smile everytime I see her beautiful face. Please send my love and prayers to this family since you know them. I have been praying so hard for her little body to be healed. God is Good! I know he is with her. Meg, I’m praying and commenting on their blog… please, Lord Jesus, have mercy on and heal this little child. My friend and I were just wondering about baby Cora. We are both praying for her and her family! What wonderful friends she has. i found out about sweet little Cara via Angie’s twiter from Bring the Rain. My heart is breaking as I read about her struggles. I just wanted to let you know I am also keeping Cara and family in my prayers. I too have been following the story of sweet, beautiful Cora. My heart is breaking right along side of everyone else’s. Thanks for sharing Meg. Still hard to believe that that sweet baby girl is lying as sick as can be in a hospital bed… My heart aches for Cora and her parents. I will include them in my prayers… GOD IS SO GOOD. Prayers from NC. Amen. I’m praying for them continuously. i've got super bowl fever. (elaine on seinfeld) we partied like rock stars.
or at least we we ATE like rock stars.
mid-westerners know what to bring to a super bowl party.
and i am so irritated i didn't get a good picture of just the food!
but here is shot with NOTES.
 click on it if the words are too small.
it was ALL very yummy.
everyone brought such good stuff.
 annie fell asleep about 30 minutes before the party.
and slept right there in the middle of everything….surround sound blaring…
over 50 people around her….
out cold.
she slept until half time!
she must have really needed a nap.
            we covered the dining room table with paper and set out the playdoh
and markers, crayons, stickers and pipe cleaners.
it was a big hit.
   sean won this game….he was very proud of himself.
  the barbies were out in full force. later i found sean and beth….the only ones upstairs quietly watching sponge bob.
that is so like sean.
crazy party going on…people everywhere….sean somewhere quiet away from it all.
   waffle got to come out of the kennel when their were about 10 people still here.
he went NUTS.
goofy dog.
i think i saw 3 commercials and i watched the last minute of the game.
we had over 30 kids here and no fights or trips to the ER.
that was cool.
and no left overs.
gotta love that.
although…some of those hot wings would be really good right now.
I love the pic of Annie asleep on the couch. Cracks me up that kids can just fall asleep anywhere, anytime. Wait, isn’t there an affliction like that? wow! what fun! you amaze & inspire me everytime i read your blog! thanks! So fun! And your house looks gorgeous too! Somehow when I get a bunch of people in our house, it starts to look like something exploded. But not yours! And sweet Annie. That’s a girl after my own heart. 🙂 i’m now fully addicted to your blog. LOVE IT! 🙂 question, is there a way to search for things on your blog? like if I’m trying to go back and find a specific idea or something I remember reading? I know how to search on blogspot blogs but not on typepad. Thanks. Kelly Meg, Did I tell you yet to come check out my giveaway? If I didn’t…come on over, I think you’ll like it for your home. 🙂 I love Waffle. I have my own version of Waffle – Daisy, aka “Crazy Daisy” the Goldendoodle. I blogged about her a couple of weeks ago because she brings me joy. She goes crazy when we have people over too ’cause she’s just so dang excited to see everyone! I happened to stumble upon your blog and I LOVE IT! It is such a colorful and encouraging blog… thanks for making my night! Seriously:) Dang, now that is the kind of party I want to be invited to! I love the kid friendly idea. Your house looks like so much fun. I wanna come to a party at your house! 🙂 You are the house everyone must love to come to! How cool is that. What a great party! Yes, I think I might need an invite to your party next year! Okay, when can you come to my house and help me EDIT? I need someone to help me get rid of the stuff I don’t need (decor wise). Let me know when you are up for a trip to Cincinnati, kids and dog are welcome too, they will blend right in here. Been reading your blog for awhile, but I think this is my first comment. Your pictures are worth as much as your words. 🙂 I was just going to mention that I don’t think you missed much with the commercials this time. Some were entirely inappropriate…. looks like you had a ball! My 3 best friends are addicted to your blog and now I am too! meg- I seriously LOVE Waffle! Oh he is soooo cute!!! I absolutely LOVE coming to your blog. I always want to jump right into your house, it looks so inviting. Thank you for sharing your home and game night with us. Looks like a wonderful time!! you’re amazing. what a party! the paper on the table with crafts. brilliant! Love it all……..the house, the kids, all the food making me hungry now and of course, Waffle is in my book of cool dogs. Life wouldn’t be complete without our Doodles! This morning ours got stuck under our bed……..she’s big! What a bash!! I can just see you walking around the house snapping pics-I am always THAT person too! haha Love this. And I love all the kids there! I spent the weekend with 20 high school girls, so I came home on Sunday, got in my pjs, cooked some pizza, and watched the game with my husband who was equally pj’d. It was nice. And I think we might have eaten as much food as your whole party did. No joke. Hey Meg, Watch your “counter” {as if you actually have time to do so}… my sis just linked to you… you may get an influx of views… like several thousand extra! 🙂 Here’s her post on Waffle… Love your blog! I agree with your measure of success. The kid vs ER/injury ratio is my ultimate consideration. My other test of a good party is if someone/anyone is carried out screaming and yelling– against their will! Hopefully that someone will be 10 and under! wow, looks like a blast. Looks Like a Perfect Super Bowl Sunday to me. How fun… Looks like lots of fun. Great photos! I just love Waffle! What a big lump! He almost looks like a stuffed animal or a rug in that picture! What a party! And what a GREAT person you are for hosting…I’m sure you are still cleaning PlayDoh today 🙁 oh well…it was alllll worth it I’m sure 🙂 terrific post. always love the photos. any tips on getting nice pretty pictures in the night time lighting??? yours are so crisp and clear. I can’t throw big parties like that because then I worry about who the heck is going to clean up aftewards, but wow that looked like everyone had FUN! And the food – wowowow. What fun! Gotta love party food! I just love your blog… your personality shines through in your words and photos! I aspire to have a blog half as good as yours! Great pics–I’m hungry ALL OVER AGAIN! Darn it! Poor little Annie was out cold for sure. What a sweetheart! Looks like you guys had a blast. I must say, every time I see Waffle I think he looks like a giant stuffed animal. He is so cute and perfectly poofy that he doesn’t look real. This looks very similar to the party we went to! I’m no real sports fan, but the Super Bowl provides a very good reason for a party, just when we need one. Now this is a party I’ld like to come to!!! I just gave you an award over at my blog 🙂 Happy Monday! Once again you amaza me. Your house loooks super huge. The pool table looks small and you have a fooozball table too and your house is so cute and cozy. Can you find me a huge house like that under 300,000? and my husband a good job? Wow! My hero. I wish I had the courage and energy and general “with-itness” to plan such a fabulous party. The super bowl went unnoticed for the most part at my house but I could so use a reason for a get together with good eats! Every time I read your blog I find myself wishing I lived close to you so I could be your friend. LOL now THAT’s the kind of super bowl i like! I also threw a big superbowl party…and made your cream puff dessert for the first time. It was the HIT of the party!! My husband won’t stop talking about it (and still eating it). My next dessert to try is your Mom’s mint brownies…those look yummy too! Houston, we have a problem. It’s double posting. Sorry:( I can’t believe how big Waffle is. He is huge. I think Sean belongs to me. He’s off doing his own thing in the peace & quiet:) I can’t believe how big Waffle is. He’s huge! I think Sean belongs to me. The one that is off doing his own thing in the quiet:) you know how to throw a party. lots of fun stuff for the kids too. love that. looks like you all had a great time. i can’t believe annie fell asleep like that – adorable. I love the pic where the young girl is reading a book amid a sea of sports fans. That is so me. Wow what a great party! Looks like everyone had a lot of fun. Your home looks so warm and inviting. I’m joining Jimaie and moving! Looks like a very fun time! Great party & lots of food. We watched the game at my sis’s house, our AZ Cards! I am orginally from St Louis area. It was double sweet, even if we lost, we still palyed well. ok…um, we’re selling everything and moving out to be your neighbors, you guys always have SO MUCH FUN! This party looks like a blast! and the food? omg, the food!! lol! so delish. Annie is SO stinkin cute!!!! How sweet that she just slept through all of that…looks like a party that even I would love and I HATE sports!! 🙂 Could you please photoshop my smiling face into your party. I’d like of each of those dishes… Mmmm! Looks like a fantastic time! wow, you sure can give a party. looks like your guest had a great time. i would freak with 30 and play dough out, eek. Wow! Looks like a way fun party! Thanks soooo much for commenting on blog. I’m so sorry I’m such a major copycat of your ideas. My daughter LOVES her curtains & I thank you for that. It is awesome when your 10 year old hugs you every 20 minutes because she loves her room so much. Looks like a lot of fun. Okay, can Waffle get any bigger I want one of those dogs. i have loved macgruber all year.
mcgruber is a family affair. he’s quoted regularly around our house. Love it! I posted this as my favorite Superbowl commercial. too funny! u have to love it! Stinkin’ hilarious! Every. single. time! Peter loves it too. He fast forwarded to all of them last night and we watched them. Love it!!! Yeah, I was on the only one laughing at that commercial at our party! So funny. HAHA!!! I was SO excited to see this commercial last night. The people at my church’s “Souper Bowl” party, I’m sure, think I’m a HUGE dork because of how excited I was! I have loved it too! ” call me Pepsuber!” |
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Kirwin - Your daughter is beautiful. My daughter is almost 3, and already a handful…does that mean we’ll have easy teenage years together? ; ) Fingers crossed, but not counting on it!
BTW, I love the creative birthday bucket she got. It’s always nice to open surprises on your birthday. You’re a great mom.
Blanca - Happy Birthday to Lauren!
Oh the drama that follows these girls. All we can do is ride this huge wave out. My daughter just turned 15 and is already planning her 16th birthday party.
traci - HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!! she is a beautiful girl. deep down she loves all the commotion. even the rabbit ears from talby. sounds like she had a wonderful day!!
patricia - My Mother told me this,
“the first 7 years they belong to the mom, the second seven they belong to the dad, and after that they want nothing to do with either of you til they magically turn 21.”
Just keepin it real, I love her snarky birthday self.
She looks like a cool kid that I would be proud of.
Shana - Happy Birthday Lauren! Love you girl!
Lazy Mom Leslie - She likes it. She would miss it if it was gone. Crazy love is what they all need and your kids are lucky to have you for a mom!
http://www.lazymoms.com
Wendy - My mom gave me great advice when my daughter turned 12. She said, “From here on out, don’t take anything she says or does personally until she has kids of her own.” I remember that every single day. She’s almost 14 now.
Happy Birthday Lauren.
Linda@ Restyled Home - What a beauty…frowning or not!
Happy birthday to your girl!
queen b - i love your blog 🙂 Do you mind …what paint color is on the walls where everyone is watching the superbowl ?
It looks tan or khaki..I love it.
Teresa - From a former 14 year old that’s now a 24 year old (*gulp* where do the years go?! i still feel 18) she’ll remember back and think of all the wonderful things her parents did for her. Especially her mom. We all go through that stage. I look back and remember all that grumpiness and bad attitude and it just makes me want to be a better daughter to my parents.
You are truly one heck of a cool mom! And you’ll see, one day she’s going to wake up and get it. You have a beautiful daughter she’s going to grow up to be something great! 🙂 You just have to be patient with the rebel years before you get to the *really* good ones.
God bless 🙂
Cherry Tree Lane - I can already feel that feeling. The feeling of pride for my child. Happy Birthday to your baby girl….
Chaos-Jamie - Dang! Wasn’t that just us? I have to admit, I see her mama in that irritated bunny ear photo.
carissa - hey… loving those pics of your FOURTEEN year old daughter… can you believe it!
she is going to be an amazing woman… with the two of you as her parents… for sure!
and oh gosh… do i ever remember being that age… i was too cool for all the fluff!
we know now all that fluff… the little things… really are what make it ALL special! 🙂
hAppY BiRtHdAy Lauren… !
NorthDakotaMama - Your daughter is so beautiful! Your pictures truly capture her personality… you are very talented! I must say… I look forward to reading this blog every day!
Julia - I have one of those at home too (a boy)!.
Mandy - OK, seriously….could you PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do a post on photography!? Your pics are AWESOME!! Do you set your camera on auto or manual? and what lens?? help a sista, out!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture of you daughter blowing out the candles! you are such a neat person 🙂
Ashley - Meg,
14 is a real drag when your the parent isn’t it?! My oldest daughter is 14 too and WOAH what a year! I do agree that DEEP down in the trenches of their hearts that their is still a little angel… we just don’t see it too often-
LOL Love your blog, thanks for sharing!
Ashley
Staci - Happy 14th Birthday Lauren!!!! She’s just so beautiful Meg 🙂 One day…I am sure that the attitude will just blow away in the wind…I know it won’t be any too soon for you 🙂 Until then, enjoy the beauty 🙂
sarah - That bucket of goodies makes me so happy, and the yellow cupcakes…and the heart cake.
I’m going to enjoy my next 12 years or so before that attitude kicks in. I hope she’s not EXACTLY like me, but I’m already seeing signs that I have no hope. haha.
You are a wonderful mother, and I hope that at least sometimes she lets you know, or shows you signs of being appreciative.
Regina (QueenieBee) - HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN!!!!!! I have a daughter the same age, so we “get” what life for your family is like..and we’re livin’ it daily! Drama aside, it really is a fun age.
And that cake looks super delicious.
Starnes Fam - I love this celebration. You did well combining some fun for the family and a great time for your teenager. My oldest just turned 8, but I’m paying attention.
jamie - Big Happy Birthday! My almost 14 YO still talks and talks up her Birthday like it is the Big One! LOL.. It’s nice to see my Teen isn’t the only one that asks for cold hard cash! Kills my family members that want to buy her something to give cash.. Must be a Teen thing. Hope she has a wonderful Year. Jamie
Donna - My daughter turned 14 on Thursday – so many things I can relate to this post. She too, wanted money for shopping………and the moods – oh the moods!!!
Ramona - Great photos! She is a beautiful girl. Speaking of teenagers- I hope the Lord in His grace spares me from having a teenager like I was. I was good outside the home but a nightmare at home. I still can’t figure that one out!
Keep doing what you are doing- you are a great mom!
Sandy - Thanks (again!) for sharing your family with us and always keeping it real. I get so tired of the blogs that want everyone to think life at their house is perfect. My daughter is 19 and we’ve always been very close; I don’t think she acted like a 14 year old or a 15 year old when she was that age. HOWEVER – I have a 15 year old son that more than makes up for both of them. Your readers’ comments that it will get better help me to stay positive and hopeful. 🙂 Keep believing in her and loving her – that’s what I do with Seth and hopefully one day it’ll make a differance.
Love from Troy, OH
Jessica - I remember being that age. I can now look back and say that it was never enough. My mom tried, and I was an ungrateful teenager. Nothing was perfect for me, yet I expected it to be..even at 15 or 14, or whatever. Keep being the best mom that you are….someday they will thank you for it. Someday they will actually learn the “life lesson” you are trying to teach them at the delicate age of fourteen. Even if it’s when they are 25.
Alyssa - Do you mind me asking what lens you normally use?? you’ve said before, but i forgot….
Sara - Good luck!!!! I only say that because my daughter is seventeen (almost 18) The attitude started at 14 and there is still a hint of it!!!! Sixteen was the worst!!!! Love the heart cake!!!! Love all you photos!!!! I have to have your camera( and house) !!!!!! Sara
kasey@lolabboutique.com - seriously, you look tooooo young to have a 14yr old!
xo
Lauren - I completely understand! My sister-in-law is 13 about to be 14 and she is definitely going through the dramatic stage of hating her family! I’m 25 now, but I completely remember how harsh I was at that age. Just know it will get better…..and keep praying for her! 🙂
Shannan - She looks 17 to me! When I was 14 I was woefully uncool and didn’t even notice or care. No cool clothes, no make up, bad permed hair, etc… Lauren is so beautiful! I hope she enjoyed every minute of her day.
danyele - love it! my brooke (5) just said, “what a beautiful bday cake”!! my p turns 14 in two months…ahhhh. i love the goody bag! great idea for me to steal!
regina - I LOVE how you do things! I can bet that there is always something going on in your house and that it is never boring. Love the Bucket of stuff
Linda@Lime in the Coconut - Happy 14. Tumultuous often crazy years….but oh so fun!
My baby will be 14 in May. Oy.
Lorilee - My “baby” boy will be 14 on March 30th. I am dreading 16 and driving! Your 14 year old is beautiful!
Blessings,
Lorilee
karen - I came over from another blog (I think it was The Mommy Chronicles). You are an admirably creative woman, and I like your style. It’s inspiring.
Your daughter is lovely. Our Katie would be turning 14 next month (if she hadn’t passed away in 2007 from cancer), so I enjoy seeing the expressions on your daughter’s face at this stage, as she is celebrated. At that age, they are full of life and pushing limits, AND it is beautiful; it makes us all grow with them!
Sending prayers for Cora and her family, too.
http://www.karengberger.blogspot.com
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katiegerstenberger
chris - Oh I wish I lived at your house, birthdays look fun , tomorrow is my birthday and I will be lucky if I even get a cake , I’m betting no cake , truly all I want is to go out to my favorite diner with my family , that will make me happy , but a pink bucket of goodies well that would be the best.
Lanny Stanard - Happy Birthday Kiddo! wow fourteen I can’t even remember 14 Hmmm Have a great day, and I like all your gift’s lucky girl;) Megan next friday for sure it’s been a bad week for me my Mom’s not doing so well:( please keep her/us in your prayers!
Lanny…
Penny - I love the pictures. She is a beautiful girl. My youngest daughter will be 15 in April. I know the looks and I also know the love! It is a challenging age. It does get better. My oldest daughter(21) and middle daughter(18) were home from college this weekend and I listened to the chattering over breakfast. They have grown into beautiful young women. You will cherish these moments. I know I do!