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caution: your heart is about to melt.

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we got to go visit miss shana's puppies.
seven sweet beautiful soft perfect golden-doodle puppies.
and we all fell in love.

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even sean was smitten.
he was also quite interested in the doggie door.
he asked if we could get a girl dog & boy dog so we could have puppies.
funny that he didn't just ask for a puppy??
but she did…

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and they did.
and when we got home…i did.
how could you not want to keep a puppy named waffle?

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this is kate in the background.
she is such a good little mama to these babies.
she kept annie from dropping them.
and tried to answer all her questions.
she helped name them:
waffle, hawk, lilly, jet, jessica, stripey, and jack black.

sean couldn't believe she called them poopers.
it was his new favorite thought…calling puppies…poopies.

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it's official.
we all want one.
but daddy (the logical sane one) is saying no.
does he have no heart?
is it made of stone?
who could say no to this?

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thanks shana.
we'll be back.
maybe we'll bring craig along.

**************************************************************************

oh yeah…i forgot to mention…we have a horrible history with owning dogs.
we are not good at it.
but maybe
if it's not a mutt…
or previously abused…
or very old with bowel problems…. 
maybe it would work?

Joy - I know from bad experiences with dogs. What I learned is to research, research and research some more to find out what breed of dog is best suited to your lifestyle. Some dogs are bred to work, and they will need lots of discipline and exercise. Some are bred for companionship and need less exercise. That’s why we chose the Boston Terrier. Also because they are marvelous with people of all ages.

Amanda Jo - I just found your blog through Liz (at Mabel’s House)…I am so glad I did! I love the way you write and your home is AMAZING!
My hubs and I have the same issue with dogs. We’re dog people but we have a very hard time finding dogs that “fit”. We’ve had one that peed on everything and everyone, we had one that bit my son, and (most recently) one that refused to do her business anywhere but in the house. So, yeah, I know exactly where you’re coming from!!

melissa @ the inspired room - We just got a hamster. Eek. Not as cute as these pups!

Shana - You’re welcome! And…they loved you guys too. Bring Craig – B can talk him into it – just look at our yard!

meleea - we have a 9 month old goldendoodle and we are not dog people. we have had bad dog experiences before, so i worked my butt off for the first 5 months raising this baby and we would not trade it for anything! he is fabulous and adorable and amazing! everywhere we go people love him!!

meg duerksen - Chris!
what are you trying to do?!!
you’re bringin’ me down man.
i live in constant chaos.
what’s one more giant thing to make me crazy?!
HA
thank you for the does of reality.
i guess.
-meg

chris - I just had to clean poop out of my dog’s mouth , nice huh , he even had a muzzle on to prevent him from digging up goodies , grubs out of the earth like he tends to do, so the muzzle had poop in it too, cleaned that , then I scraped poop and dirt out of his paws, its not every day these gross things happen , but I’m sure you have plenty of time for these kinds of events , five kids can’t keep you that busy.
🙂 reality .

Liz - Oh my. I vote for Waffle. 🙂

Andrea - Oh my goodness….how adorable…..How could he say no? I agree, take him with you and let him hold them and see the munchkins holding them….if that doesn’t soften him up….then he is surely related to my heartless husband who continues to say no to puppies!!!!! Good luck. I am pulling for you!

Queenie Bee - Well, well, well…never say never, huh? Looks like you may get to check off “get a dog” on that summer list after all, lol!
They are sooooo adorable, and I’d love to be there to smell their puppy breath! We have two “poopers” ourselves and don’t know what we’d do without them. They add so much to our family.
Best of luck with daddy. Bake him some cookies or something yummy to sweeten him up a little. It works in our house every time. 🙂

Mrs. Fox - Oh my goodness! I’m a big softy when it comes to animals anyway. But those first few months are a trial. Even my Gerrard, who was the worlds easiest dog to house train, had me in tears a time or two.
Gads! Those sweet little faces . . .

Liz - Heart well and truly melted!

chris - I smell poo in your future.

Bethany - I am not even a big animal lover and I want one!! SUPER CUTE!!

cynthia - “the logical sane one”…
there always has to be one in the group!
we have one too.
his name is daddy.
good luck to you!

Jennifer P. - sounds like we’ve owned the same kind of dogs as you have…..
But there was much ooooohing and aaaahing at this end. We want one too!

pam - AHH! We just came from those puppies. My girls beg to go back all the time! We have a dog from an earlier litter…all golden…and he’s so great with the kids. Wonderful temperment. Awesome blood line. And we have never had a dog we were good with either. (although he did get out and chase a skunk a couple months back and had to go into quarantine for rabies…but other than that we’re getting better with dogs) 🙂
But if Craig says NO…

Staci - OH!!! I DID NOT need to see this post today! After 1 year of being dogless (a shih tzu of 16 years and a yellow lab of 12 who both died) I’m wanting a dog soooo badly! How’s the shedding? Maybe, just maybe…THIS could be THE dog for your family! When you have the right one…it completes a family 🙂 Good luck!

Leslie - We have a labradoodle and she is the most amazing dog! I have pictures of me holding her when she was that size. You would never regret bringing one home.

kari & kijsa - Sigh!! We are in love with that little cutie!!! Beautiful photos!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

kari & kijsa - Sigh!! We are in love with that little cutie!!! Beautiful photos!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

traci - they are adorable!!!! We actually did the animal shelter thing, got a great 3 yr. old dog named boomer with some “issues” but we still love him beyond words. I personally think your kids are old enough they should be able to handle it….my goodness, if you can handle a RABBIT of all things. My sister had a rabbit and said hers was HIGH maintenaince!!! Im for kids with pets…but I understand if you have had bad experiences with dogs Craig would be VERY LEARY…and puppies are HARD WORK!!! Good luck and keep us posted 🙂

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sisters

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my sister came back to visit.

twice in one month…we are so lucky.

our orignal plans were cancelled due to weather.

we decided that taking 7 children to an outdoor concert 

in a tornado watch wouldn't be the best idea.

we managed to find plenty to keep all these kids busy.

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annie dressed herself.
it was very unique.
after the storms passed the weather was beautiful.

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look at those cute pants!!  
hand-me-downs ROCK.

the rabbit hated the trampoline…imagine that.

check out macy's toothless grin.
love it.
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keeping maya busy while we cooked and cleaned.
we added cocoa puffs too.
mmm…stale goldfish and cocoa puffs.
who needs toys?
just sort old food in muffin tins.

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party like a rock star.

thanks for coming lorel.
it was so nice to have you all again.
and now maya likes me.
it was all worth it.
it only took some donuts.

and my dad got a kick out of all your comments.
and so did i.

Liz - oh oh oh those puppies are tooooo cute. i love it. we are picking up a puppy in the next week on our way back from a road trip. sooo cute.

traci - how wonderful to be able to spend some more time with your sister and her girls. they are adorable – just like your kids!! your father’s day posts to your husband and dad were very sweet. great pictures added too. i bet annie used to fall asleep in her high chair too. so cute.

Linda - Your little Annie is the funniest kid!! My youngest son could sleep like that…anywhere, anytime!! Did I mention she is scrumptious??

PamperingBeki - Hey, I found you! 🙂 Great blog!
Drew was completely excited that Talby’s mom has a blog just like his mom. haha!

Jennifer P. - Are you sure you didn’t slip something into Annie’s drink? That’s one CRASHED kid :)!
It looked like such a fun visit from your sister.
And about your dad post (which I loved!)–I think that that’s the second time I’ve seen a picture of you as a child and you and Lauren look soooo much alike!

Julie K. - Oh my – Annie cracks me up. Kiana may be something like her – painting on the tv – and on and on – and sleeping standing up. Hilarious.
Thanks for the great idea of the zipper jammies. I’ll have to try it – and change her into them at naptime too! :o)

Heather (aka Digby's mom) - Lorel — you look so great and your girls are so beautiful!! (Megan — you know you always look great and your girls are gorgeous too — and your boys are so handsome!) I love the photos!

Lanny Stanard - meg, that is so funny, I wish I could sleep like that LOL… Thanks for entering my drawing only 2 more peeps have to enter then I’ll have 20…
Lanny:)

southernseven - I thought your comment on Annie dressing herself and it was unique was funny because Annie is always unique and just as cute as a bug. The toothless grin niece looks like Lauren in that photo with her coloring. I wish I could tell the story with photos like you. I always have them smiling at the camera, I am trying to study you to see the angles and way you capture them so I can be like you when I grow up.

Jenn - They say the best pictures are taken when people are sleeping…..I agree.

Jilly - I LOVE the picture of Annie!

Liz - Those photos were too precious, I feel like I was there! So glad you and your sister had fun… what fabulous moms and aunts you two must make!

Mrs. Fox - That last photo is priceless.

Mrs. Fox - That last photo is priceless.

traci - all the pictures are great but the last one of annie is just crazy funny and sooooo sweet!! My kids have fallen asleep in some odd places but never standing up. I have a sister and I agree…they are the best.

April - Woooo….Annie done fell out…that is Great !!

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dad……part 2

my dad.

Ranneys

i love you dad.
you encouraged us to be creative.
i am so glad you did.

here are a few things i thought you'd like dad.  
and some of your famous sayings to go along with them.

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"you don't see that everyday."

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"that's kind of arsty."

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"who dyed her hair?"

other DAD-isms….

"save your money."

"look at that guy!"

"turn the volume down"

"meg…it's 10:00. time for craig to go home"

"you call that news?!"

"what a bonehead."

"i mean..COME ON!!"

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butterfly gardens…you love those.

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you love live music.

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and art.

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and headphones.
i have so many memories of you wearing headphones.
now that i hear all the noise at my own house…i understand.

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you love and respect nature.

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you are the king of garage salers.

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whenever lorel and i are together…you take a  picture like this.
and i am so glad you do.

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you think sean is funny like i do.
and he looks just like you.

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you like craig.
or loverboy as he's affectionately called.
loverboy is a better nickname than poodle or eddie haskell.

thank you for liking craig (but really who wouldn't like craig?)

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you love those jayhawks!
rock chalk.

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happy father's day.
you are a good dad.
i love you.

p.s.  this is your gift.
i spent much more time & thought on this than if i'd gotten a gift card.

amy - Who is Fat Cowboy?

April - Ah that was special….What an oustanding DAD !!

amy d - wow, lauren looks just like lorel in that first picture. great post! very sweet.

Fat Cowboy - Here are some other things I heard Megan’s father say: “Look at the size of that woodpecker,” “I can’t understand a word they’re saying,” “I’ll be at the Co-op,” “There’s no way I’m that bald,” and in his later years, “Oh, he’s such a good dog.”
i rally enjoyed this post. Your dad sure is a great guy.

emily - such a cute tribute. I love love vintage photos. They are so fun to look at. This is better than any present!

traci - your two younger girls look JUST LIKE YOU…amazing. What a super neat tribute to your dad. He sounds and looks like a really neat guy!!! I have a really great dad too…I think girls who have really great dads end up marrying great men. Soooo our girls are going to end up just fine even though they give us some grey now..lol

Staci - What a sweet little tribute! You are waaayy creative! I’m sure he enjoyed this much better than any old card!!! I’m sure your Dad was a very happy man this past college football season! His Jayhawks ROCKED! (We are in Oklahoma, so we were pullin’ for Mark Mangino’s boys!!) And then again in basketball! It’s been a good year for him!!

Jill - This is a great post. I just love that first photo of your family back in the day. They were a cute couple back then and they are still a cute couple today. That is one rockin’ dad… I mean, come on!! ~Jill 🙂

Jilly - Annie looks just like you in the first picture! How thoughtful! What a great dad!

Sara - I do love the one of you and Lorel…your dad always has a way of not letting the moment go without a picture to remember it by. Gotta love him for that.

chris - Your dad sounds like perfection , its good to hear there are dad’s like that , I dreamed of having a dad like that .
PS which one is you , left or right , the blonde looks like and Annie and the girl on the right like Lauren??

Kristi - In the first picture, it is unbelievable how much you look like your mom and laurel like lauren. WOW!

meghan - i don’t mean to intrude on this really personal post about your dad, but i just wanted to say that the words were so beautiful. there is so much joy to be had everyday and it’s a blessing that you can share that with your dad. i lost my dad just about a month ago. he knew how i felt, but i will forever wish he could just hear it one more time…

Crystal - Please tell me that if I ask you nicely you will send me a copy of that nest print. Please. 🙂

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dad……part 1

what a nice day.

church…good sermon.
meatballs and mashed potatoes.
swimming…all of us.
golf on tv (craig not me)
painting.
movie on tv.
some gardening.

it was a good father's day…wasn't it craig?
i will assume you agree.

and now let me just say a few things about why i am married to a super dad.

he can install a garbage disposal…
and fixes everything he can around the house.

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he has a killer lawn.

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he likes to coach the kids…most of the time.

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and then there are those yummy pancakes he makes.

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he plays.  
he's there.

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i love him with all my heart.
my kids have no idea how blessed they are to have him.
it's an honor to be his wife.
i am one happy mama.

enough mushy stuff.
he hates it.

JimaieMarie - What a special post, i have to say that i too think he secretly enjoys it, who wouldnt?! 😉
you guys are an ADORABLE family, sounds like you had a great day. Treasure that incredible guy, there aren’t too many of ’em out there….you are TRULY blessed

Jill - Very sweet to honor your hubby… he looks like a super dad!! 🙂 ~Jill

Lanny Stanard - Yes now that’s a great Daddy… Looks like a good day 🙂
Lanny:)

traci - Most kids dont know how blessed they are until they are much older and usually out of the house..lol
Great men are hard to find…we have one and unfortunately take him for granted too much.

melissa @ the inspired room - Aw, that is sweet and mushy. And I bet your hubby secretly loves it. 🙂 We don’t always take enough time being mushy and sentimental, especially after all the kids come and we get tired and weighed down with the cares of life. It is so good to slow down enough to think about how we really feel, how much we treasure our spouse, and say it. Or blog about it!
Happy week,
Melissa

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cannonball

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she yells 
ONE! TWO! FWREE! FOUR! FIVE!
HANNAH MONTANA!
TRAMPOLINE!
WAL-MART!
(or any other words she thinks of that very second)

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TAN-NON-BALL!!!

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she's such a goofball.

joni - Love it! I especially adore her countdown. Priceless.

Jennifer P. - Hannah Montana, Trampoline, Wal-Mart—-that should be JUST what her life is about right now :)! Very cute!

Meredith - Hey! Just wanted you to know how much I am enjoying watching your little goofball grow up…she is such a cutie! 🙂
Mere

Allikayesmama - Hannah Montana! Ha! That is hilarious! I can not wait until my Miss Thing starts talking and coming up with classic material like that!! Whew – you got me laughing over here! Wal-mart!

Jenny - Oh she’s gorgeous! TAN-NON-BAAAAAAAAL!

Liz - Lovely photographs of your waterbaby.

traci - I love the facial expression and the way she is holding her hands…HOW CUTE. Is that her own little pool? It isnt the big pool.

melissa @ the inspired room - Ok, little missy, I just caught up on all of your posts. Gorgeous, I tell ya! Fun and gorgeous.
Happy weekend! How’s that bathroom coming?

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i {heart} annie

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annie had her cardiologist appt. today.
it went great!
she was nervous but at least she didn't do this.
the hole is still there but since she has never had any problems she is good.
he said she doesn't have to come back until she is 5.
that good news deserves a cupcake!

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or a cookie.
this was a spot we drove by and turned around just to check it out.
how could we not with this cute sign?

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very yummy.

annie is quite an ornery little girl 
but is just so silly and funny too.
here are some goofy things she has said this week.

*about going to the heart dr.

"i don't want to go…will they cut off my belly button?"
*about trying to help carry boxes to the garage sale.
i said "no honey you just aren't big enough."
she stomped her foot and yelled 
"i AM strong enough big!!"
*her bedtime prayer tonight:
"dear jesus,
thank for our food.
and thank you for all those new shoes.
and thank you for letting me go to that heart doctor.
thank you keeping talby saved.
thank you for not letting me get snapped by a shark.
and thank you for not letting me get eaten by a monster.
amen."
*when we walked into our neighbor's house 
she turned to me to surprise me and said 
"See?! it doesn't stink!"
i honestly don't know why she thought it would or that it had??
*and sunday morning she was told she needed a bath.
she smelled her arm and said
"No.  i don't stink well enough"
what a funny funny girl.

michelle - That picture initially made my heart break! I’m so glad to hear she’s all good. And HILARIOUS! Hat’s off to you for writing down her funny remarks too. Those will be cherished. I wish I would have done more of that for both my girls.

carissa - what a precious daughter you have Meg!
FUNNY… CUTE… a gift from GOD!

traci - so glad the dr. appointment went well. what a little trooper she is. heck, i’d go to any kind of doctor for cookies and cupcakes. she is such a doll. love all the funny things she says. i wish i would have written things down that my kids said – cuz now i have no idea if they said anything funny at all.

Linda - Yoyr Annie is so scrumptious, and funny…and healthy!! Yay!!!
Linda

Jill - Brave little Annie!! So glad she got a big old cookie!! ~Jill 🙂

mrslimestone - Im glad your little girl is okay. She is adorable.

Liz - I’m so happy things went well at the dr! She’s brave, I’d freak out with all those things taped all over me!
Good luck telling your hubs. I feel your pain, one time, I ran our brand new car into the front of our house. I’m not proud, but it happened. 🙂

Juliann - Hey Megan – David has a VSD (is that Annie’s too??) His is almost closed – yippee!! – and I had to hold him for the EKG too, even though he was only 6mos. old…its like they know what the “white coats” are for 🙂

Cathie - I just wanted to say that my daughter had this and it stayed until our appointment this year – her 12 year old check up and it had closed.
Praying for the same miracle for your daughter.
She is adorable.
God bless,
Cathie

Lanny Stanard - So So Happy everything went well at the doc’s app! God is so good 🙂
Lanny:)

chris - Thank you for sharing your annieism’s she is so special, we all forget those funny things little kids say .
Glad she got a clean bill of health with her heart.
Chris

Lori Eurto - Oh how scary to go to the doctors like that!! What a brave, FUNNY, adorable girl!
🙂

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this makes for a good day

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talby caught 2 toads at sean's golf lessons.

by herself.

which provides hours of entertainment…for us.

for the toads…not so much.

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he got away.
she was so nervous trying to catch him again…screaming and running.
hilarious.
i wish i had sound to go with this picture.

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caught him!
back to the hello kitty bug box for you mr. toad.

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eeewwwwww!
that's just nasty.
but at least she's not a squeamish girly girl.

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annie's toad is on the run again.

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sean caught 2 more after golf.
we made a toad world in the dining room.

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it's always a good day when toads are involved.
at least it seems to be true for me.

Diane - Incredible pictures. Scary toad.

melissa @ the inspired room - UNBELIEVABLE! Love that photo of your daughter kissing that frog. Even though it grosses me out, it is a magical fairytale photo! Frame it!
xoxo

Mrs. Fox - Any princes yet?

Jilly - What a great day to spend a summer day, and it wasn’t even on the list!

Bethany - WOW! You have some GREAT shots there! Seriously!!! I am not so much into nature, but am “working on that” for my kids’ sake! I hate for them to go through life and never catch a toad (or lizard in our case!!) or have those great memories!! It is so sweet to see two such beautiful little girls playing with little critters!
Thanks for sharing!!

Bri - what are you going to feed these new toads of yours!?!?!? 🙂

Jennifer Peterson - You looked THRILLED to have a toad on your head :)! And the kitty bug box is priceless. THe poor male toad (he looks male to me…) was probably so embarassed that THAT’S why he kept trying to escape!
Loved all the photos!

Pattie - Your family is just so cute. I give you huge points for things you let them do. Bugs, snakes, lizards and frogs were not my cup of tea. When I used to sub, one of the teachers had a tarantula for the class pet. (goosebumps as I type the word) They had to move him out of the room before I would go in to teach. My daughter wanted to take it to 4th grade show and tell and she and Dad had to take it up to his office and then to school. I would have never been able to stay in the house with it there. You are such a good mom and you can really tell the kids get to experience everything with you. They are really lucky!

meghan - the picture of your daughter kissing the frog is just remarkable. talk about a picture saying a thousand words. it’s just a story waiting to happen. well, i love your blog. it’s one of my favorites to read although i don’t know how i stumbled upon it. now that i’m commenting i might as well tell you i love the pictures of your home too. keep up the good creative work, girl!

Jill - Wow! A frog day afternoon… love it. ~Jill 🙂

Suzanne - Hey there!
No, I just checked my “junk” box, and nothing there…sorry!! Thank you for doing that for me though…you’re too great!

Suzanne - what great shots…AGAIN!!
you have to comment on my blog what kind of camera & lens you have…they are always just incredible!
i’ve been looking at all the pictures of your house & craft room…your taste is AWESOME!! i wish you lived nearby so you could decorate my house! love it, love it!

April - Oh that was fun…I felt like I was there…screaming…and running…and stuffing toads in bug boxes…Great !!

Jim - there are a ton of toads every night in the summer hanging out around the church, up next to the building. Feel free to bring your tribe by if you want more 🙂 I’m talking BIG ones too!

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - oops! I meant “thank” you again!

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - Hey Meg!
We bought the pool! We love the pool!
Thank you for the info! I posted some photos on my blog today and linked back to you. Just wanted to let you know, and to than you again!
Dana
P.S. You are one strong gal putting that pool together yourself! Either that, or I am a complete and total weakling! Ha!

trish - Hey, I’ve been following your blog for a while, but have never commented (that I can remember!.
I LOVE that your girls are not afraid of catching those toads! They are so cute….the girls and the toads, but the girls are cuter!
I do love your blog. you are an amazing photographer and a very inspirational mom.
May I link you in my “favorite reads”?

Lanny Stanard - Okay, those toads are cute,I never thought I would say that Hmmm… And did you darken your hair I like it if you did or maybe it’s that picture!
Lanny:)

Chaos-Jamie - Josiah went searching for toads today. It was a bust here. Maybe tomorrow. If the torrential rain didn’t wash them all away.

mallory Heffron - The picture of your little girl (almost) kissing the toad is way too cute. You need to save that for when she gets married you have that picture and a picture of her hubby and say that she kissed the toad and got her prince charming,,,,Can you tell I don't have girls….

Staci - How funny! I can just imagine the squealing involved! What a fun day!

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