7 years ago almost to the day…
i took the kids (only 3 kids then and pregnant with talby) to the
pick-your-own strawberry farm in wisconsin an hour away.
on the drive there
little 6 year old lauren asked "is it going to rain?"
i told her "no. it's not going to rain" trying to will the rain away.
she said "well…it sure looks like it's gonna rain!"
hmmmm.
not helpful.
we picked for awhile and everyone was having a good time.
we were picking boxes full.
but above us…storm clouds were still looming.
sean was in the stroller…he was almost one year old.
scott and lauren were picking and eating.
and then boom!
a down pour of rain hit.
you know the kind…a huge amount of rain in an instant.
we ran to the mini-van.
pushing the big double stroller and the boxes of strawberries.
we are now soaked.
what else is there to do but go to Mcdonald's?
we go inside and it is packed!
(i should have left then…but no.)
we go in…3 wet little kids, me pregnant and dirty from the field AND
i had a bandana on my head because i liked to wear that then. (huh?)
so we were quite a sight.
i wish i had a picture with me in it…it would be so humbling.
we wait in line and order.
after which i realize that wisconsin McD's don't take debit cards yet.
she tells me the bank across the street (highway) has an ATM.
why do i not just say forget it at this point?
i don't have a clue.
instead we run back to the car in the rain.
drive across the highway, get $20 from the ATM and
go back into this still very crowded McDonalds.
i get to the woman who has my order and
i reach into my pocket….
i don't have the $20.
i can't find it anywhere.
i am a mess. (sadly not much has changed)
kids are pulling on me, baby on my hip, and i look ridiculous!
the cashier leans in and whispers
"just take it. go ahead. take it honey"
she assumes (and with very good reason) that we don't have the money
and we can't pay for this meal.
at this point i am close to tears.
and i say "i had it a minute ago i just can't find it"
she gives me a pity smile and whispers again "just take it"
so i did.
and that's my free lunch.
so maybe if you look homeless enough
and drag in a bunch of kids in rain storm
into a crowded McDonalds in Wisconsin
you could get a free lunch too!
or just pack a sack lunch for the car.
danelle - Funny thing..when i was reading your story I thought you said you had a BANANA on your head. I was thinking WHAT? Then I thought maybe you meant a banana clip (remember those?). Later I caught on you said bandana. Oh! It made the story even funnier!!!
Amy Walker - Hi megan, I was introduced to your blog by Jenn Thomas a couple of months ago. I am an avid reader now, I love all your pictures, stories, ideas, etc. I had an incident with speeding (and unfortunately getting pulled over) about 4 years ago. Nice police man let me off….to this day my mom says “Amy, he took one look in that vehicle and thought poor lady, look at all those kids! I have four and the last two are twin girls!! Anyway I really enjoy yor bolg and you have inspired me to try some things and also to take more pictures. I’m not real good with a camera but I’m hoping to get better:)
Suzanne - Precious, special memories!! Amazing pictures then too!
I wish I could have my pictures post that big, but the large setting on blogger, really isn’t big at all! Do you just use the iPhoto editing or do you have their new software Aperture?? We were just at the Apple store last night & was curious…
I don’t know the history w/YOUR Annie, but I hope & pray that things continue to go well for you all! Your family is just so beautiful! Makes me think that trying for a #4 IS doable!
Shelly - That was a great post! It was cute to see the kids when they were smaller. Thank you for sharing the great story… I may have to try that too =)
traci - OH MY GOSH…there is no way I would have gone in, back to atm and then back in again to a crazy busy atm…WOW.
In situations like that Im the drive thru mom who tells my crying kids to be thankful they even have a mom and dad and arent homeless..lol
Yep, you win the mom award!!!
LOVE your blog…You have even inspired me to get a new camera even though i know your pictures are MORE than just a great camera…you have a really good eye and know what angle to take a picture from.
traci - what a great story. do you giggle now when you think about it, or does a tear run down your cheek? the strawberries look yummy!!
Crystal - Love the last photo! 🙂 Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers! 🙂
lorel - I always liked that story. hee hee.
Heidi - Awwww, what a story! And what lovely photos you take. My sis (Chris) introduced me to your blog while we were staying with her for our mom’s wedding. It’s a delightful blog indeed!
Chaos-Jamie - Too funny! And at McDonalds. Whoda thunk?
(My parents did too like you, they just didn’t talk to anyone (my fault for never bringing people over…my house was too boring and my parents too old in my eyes). My mom liked that you liked her bread. I even remember my dad telling someone off during the summer of ’94 on your behalf.)
southernseven - Oh, I really don’t believe that YOU looked that bad, I have seen your photos and you don’t seem to have one to proove otherwise:)
She probably was more in sympathy of seeing you were just having a bad day. Make sure to find another mom that looks like she is having a bad day and do the same for her- it is so much fun. There is such a difference in the quality of your photos from then to now!
Jenn - One more thing – did you ever find your $20 bill and I was also wondering did you remember to pay for the strawberries?
Jenn - Oh Meg – lol – only you can seem to find the humor/joy/fun in so many situations. How encouraging – will have to remember these stories when things happen with London and the 3 older kids.
betsy - Hey Megan. LOVE your blog! This brings back so many good memories of my mom dragging me and my sisters to pick strawberries every summer. I’m sure it was a bit stressful for her when we were that little, but I’m so happy she did it 🙂 Good times.
Jennifer P. - I will do that! Oh yes I will! Dirty, wet kids, a bandana on my head and all :)!
Even years later though, I feel so sorry for you. Days like that are the ones where you just have to laugh to keep from crying!
Thanks for sharing!—and your pictures were just as beautiful back then!