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10 minutes.

October 31, 2013 Filed in creativity,faith,photography,pretty

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God and i were talking this morning and it basically went like this:

ME:
i feel like crap.
i want to sleep for days.
why do i have to be awake?
why do i have to work?
why do i have clean up?
i don’t want to.
why do i have to exercise?
it’s cold. ugh it’s raining! on halloween!
oh this is the worst.
i want to eat cookies.  it is so unfair that i can’t eat cookies all day long.

GOD:
how about you work on your bible study lesson.  you seem like you are grumpy.

ME:
well of course i am grumpy!
everyone is so lame and hurts my feelings and makes me mad.
and i am tired.
and hormonal.
and there is so much to do because life is full AND it’s halloween!!!!
we never carved the pumpkins that i bought.  what a waste of money!
how will i possibly not eat all that candy tonight!???
and i didn’t buy the boots that annie wanted for her costume.
and i have to miss scott’s football game.
and talby needs her headband made.

GOD:
start your lesson.

ME:
i am cold.
i need another cup of coffee.
and a blanket.
and my sweater and slippers.

15 minutes later….

GOD:
why don’t you start on that lesson now?

ME:
oh alright!!!!

and of course it was awesome and perfect and a great attitude adjustor.
then as i finished the questions the light changes in the room & the cloudy gross weather is suddenly BRIGHT!
it got SO shiny and bright where i was sitting and i immediately felt the need to capture it.
that feeling i try not to ignore.
the push to create something… or appreciate something in front of me.
and so often now just try to get a quick capture on my phone camera.
that is lazy!  it is easy and helpful but also lazy.
but my phone was on 7% battery this morning (oops i forgot to plug it in last night)
so i got out the big mama camera, threw on talby’s shoes by the door & went out to catch the light.

AMAZING!
i felt great… there is something so rad that happens when i use that creativity inside me!
when i plug into that part of me.
the crappy stuff just falls away.
the feelings, the tiredness, the self pity, the schedule, the stress…
for a few moments it is not there.
and then if  it does come back around… it’s more bearable after spending some time creating.
spending time focusing on Jesus helps me to SEE what matters around me.

i came back in the house, 10 minutes and 200 pictures later and sat down in the same spot.
within a minute the clouds came back in and that sun was gone.
dark and cloudy again outside.
what a gift that 10 minutes was to my heart today.
my cloudy gray heart was FULL of that shiny light i had just soaked in.

my problems aren’t fixed but i don’t have to be heavy about it.
i have Jesus.
it’s all good…  everything is in His control.
nothing on my complaint list was a surprise to Him.
(even though i really have nothing to complain about… nor should i be complaining in the first place)
He knows all of it.
i just need to put it all before Him and leave it there.
i am confident that He will change my heart.  heal my wounds.  lift my spirit.  guide my thoughts.

“And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.”
1 John 5:14-15

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what are you hearing today?
do you do that with God too… argue and complain to him?
i hope i am not the only one.

and now… time to exercise and make a headband!

add a comment

Mindy - Beautiful pictures and beautiful post. Our “theme” at our church this past year has been “What 15 minutes can do” – just like your post, giving God just 15 minutes and our whole world can change. Think of what could happen if we (me…) gave Him more?

ira lee - thank you for sharing!!!!! why are we so stubborn? i don’t want to put any energy into having a positive attitde, i want everything to go right and me not have to work on it! lol but once a day or attitude turns around, it is so much better, right?

tracy fisher - oh boy… are we ever alike! i just had that same conversation with God. happy monday. -tracy

Jaime - AAAAmen.

Liz Hurst - Meg,
Somehow I stumbled onto your blog a few months ago and I love reading it. You are so inspiring and this post is so right on!
Thank you for knowing what I needed to hear today – God is so good!
Liz

Jenny B. - Absolutely love it!! What Bible study are you doing? I need a new one.

kensie - How great is our God

Flower Patch Farmgirl - YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!
I’m so glad I read this tonight.
I’m so happy you grabbed those 10 minutes.
I’m so glad I’ve got you!

tara - that whole conversation seems eerily familiar to me. 🙂
grateful for your 10 minutes and 200 pictures.
God is so kind to us…over and over and over.

thanks for keeping it real, Meg.

Lori - I love this! 🙂
Thanks for always honestly sharing with us.
God blessed me with a great night’s sleep last night so that
pile of dishes and laundry this morning feels so much more do-able
today.

Karen Gerstenberger - Thank you, Meg.

Kristin S - Every day and He’s beyond patient with me.

Meredith - Beautiful & Touching. Praise God that we can give it all to him! Love the 10 minutes you got, just for you!

Tiffany - Beautiful words and pictures! Hugs to you!

Tiffany Gardner - This made me cry. I needed this post. Thanks for sharing your heart and touching mine. Jesus does rock!

Kerry - Ahhhhhh yes. Just yes : )

Lisa - All those colors you captured remind me of our God’s creativity. What a beautiful time of year. And yes I totally grumble to God at times. Sometimes I think He must get sick of me. 😉 I have tried to get better at being quiet and trying to just listen to Him. Thanks for sharing this today!

Heather - Which Bible study are you using???

Christy - How did you do that? How did you crawl into my head and hear my conversation with God? I made a conscious decision not too long ago to choose joy. I’m constantly reminding myself of that choice…joy when my hormonal sixth grade daughter bites off the head of whomever is in her path, joy when there is WAY too much on my plate and I don’t know what to do with it all, joy when my car breaks down and I have to wait in the dark for two hours for the wrecker because my husband is out of town (thank goodness for my mama who got the kids and took them to a nearby neighborhood to trick or treat while I waited.)

Thanks for the reminder. 🙂

jen - Needed this today. Thanks for sharing it/you with us.

Kit - Oh Megan! This is a real encouragement!! Thanks for being so real and for letting us in on God’s beauty. I argue and complain all the time. So glad He met you…He is so gracious with His grumpy children, isn’t He?!?

Cassandra - Oh this warmed my heart! Thanks for sharing everything the pictures (gorgeous!), the talk w/ God & the verse. I’ve been in a similar place mentally & emotionally this week so thank you for reminding me where I need to be – in his Word!

Diane - This post was just what I needed today! I often feel this way…until I am reminded of all the GOOD in my life and my grumpiness is gone. I am also doing BSF & sometimes am stressed about getting “homework” done…how selfish of me to think of it as a chore, when I am blessed each and every time I spend time in His word!! Thank you for sharing – I LOVE your photo’s and honesty!!

Linda - Beautiful post and a beautiful, much needed message. Thank you again for inspiring me.

Jen - I love everything about this post. I appreciate your openness and willingness to share. I too have been having pity parties lately and have been feeling left out. Life really is wonderful and I don’t know where my self doubt has come from all of a sudden. Let go. Let God.

Terrie G - WoW! Like…you could be me or I could be You!
I can’t tell you how down I’ve been lately…and mad, frustrated and hurt…
soooo hurt.
I went to the local nature center and shot some fall colors…
best photo therapy!!
I felt so much better having a little God time in nature doing what I love!

Kathy - WOW! This is so right where I’m at lately … and life has been so busy that I’ve put off my quiet time ALL too often lately. Thank you for such a wonderful encouragement today!

jaxcheryl - Would you consider making the 5th one from the bottom – the gorgeous red leaves (swoon) a screen saver or a poster to purchase from your shop? I live in FL, grew up in Michigan, and miss the beautiful fall colors so much!

Kristen - Meg- I just love your heart. Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to share your heart, what God’s putting on it, and those amazing pictures. I usually love fall so much…but lately it’s felt more like “pre-Christmas”, full of deadlines and costumes and gifts to make and tooooo many things to put on the calendar. Too many folks to try and make happy. My creative energy often gets used up with ‘making things for stuff’ that feels like a chore, and not an outlet or gift. But, as it often is, PERSPECTIVE and SCRIPTURE and AWESOME SISTERS IN CHRIST are the balm that soothes my whiny soul – and you are the perfect messenger! Thank you for the reminder that God gives us this creative drive, and that we can praise him with our creations. I think I’ll do a little crafting-for-my-soul today…right after I do my devotions! 🙂

CathyC - Yes! I do that too! So glad it worked out perfectly in the end 🙂 Today I am hearing I do need to go to weight class, but afterwards I can sit and read on my comfy couch with my awesome granny square blanket I thrifted. That’s why He let me have those.

Bethany - What a comfort that we can come as we are-whining, complaining, having a pity party-and he’s always ready to listen. And if we’re willing, he’ll change it all up. Not necessarily by changing our circumstances or fixing everything, but by changing our perspective. Thanks for sharing this. It’s a good reminder about the benefits of spending time in God’s word.

Jennifer - I just love this post – in and of itself its creative!!!

You’re fall photos are amazing. Is there any chance that you’d sell the full-sized jpgs files? I live in Perth, Western Australia (I’m American, though) and we see about 1 red leaf a year, we don’t have fall the way I did growing up in WI. The thought of using your amazing photos to make canvases to hang in my home pretty much makes my soul fill with joy. Seriously, name a price!

Sadie - Where can I get these study lessons? Are they online? I’d love to try!

JulianneB - Oh, Meg thanks so much for sharing…so where I have been lately…a raging case of pinkeye, sore throat, sick daughter, sick son, hubs busy taking care of us and ministry…and no we haven’t painted our pumpkins either…and yet I know God is good and He loves me big. He can bear it all and my burdens aren’t really that overwhelming in the big picture.

kate@stillroomtogrow - wow Meg, awesome post. love your honesty and your heart. thanks for making me feel like I am not the only one who wakes up with these feelings too. thanks for sharing and what beautiful pictures.

Heather S. - It never fails. When I fight Him I always discover He is full of abundant love and blessings, just waiting to pour them out to me when I am obedient. Your sunshine moment was a hug from your Daddy, your Abba Father reminding you just how very much you are loved….

Tiffany - Hi Meg. LOVED your post today. What bible study are you working on, I think I need some of that! 🙂 Thanks for inspiring me on a daily basis with 3 teens at home – one of which graduated last year.
Tiffany

HappyGirl - Galatians 2:20-21
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness[a] were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

This is my verse of conviction this week. If Christ gave all for me. I shall give all for Christ.

Kerrin - Amen Sister! Thank you for the reminder of the power or our great God. Especially when we are fighting it. Thank you for the reminder of the power of slowing down and touching base with God. And as for those un-carved pumpkins….screw it……they are beautiful the way they are. And besides, there are countless blog followers that are copying your lovely pumpkins from Halloweens past..oh yeah I’m talking about the year you all painted a bunch of them. They were RAD and totally inspired me. So you may not have done anything with the pumpkins you have but you sure had a hand in decorating and carving pumpkins throughout blog land!

Marcia - I am so glad that I took 5 minutes to read your post today so that I can focus on all the good in front of me, too.
Thank you for the reminder: God is with us every moment of every day – sunny or cloudy.

Carol Myers - Thank you, Meg, for allowing God to use you to encourage my heart today, AND for making me smile. Your transparency is an encouragement and speaks volumes.

Mari - Your blog is always so uplifting. Thanks for sharing this post. After reading it, I reminded myself “it’s all good… everything is in His control” and instantly my day just got brighter.

Gina - I love this Meg!! You had me at, “i want to eat cookies. it is so unfair that i can’t eat cookies all day long.” 😉 And, YES, I dialog with God like this sometimes too. 🙁

Tanya - It’s 100% chance of rain during the trick-treating hours tonight here, and we can’t hit up the church Glow party instead because my little guy developed pink eye over night 🙁
Lots of ammo for silly complaining here today too…but I’m learning right along with you Meg, that God is a hearing and loving Father who doesn’t grow weary of our human trials but as we talk to Him He also continues to challenge us to see things through the eyes of Heaven. xo

Sarah M - How good is God that he has given you the perfect words this morning. I needed to read this and dwell on that verse from I John. Our life is a mess with a lawsuit and a business on hold but none of it is a surprise to Jesus. Thank for the bright light.

Lora - I love your conversation with God. It kinda sounds like the ones I have. I feel a little far from Himlately. Well, maybe not far, just that I’m not doing anything to Glorify Him. I don’t know WHAT to do to Glorify Him. I thank Him for the good things in my life and ask for His help with the bad things in my life, but I feel like I need to DO something. I guess I’ll just ask Him what I should do and he’ll show me 🙂 … thanks for the post today. I needed it. Have a great rest of the day and Happy Halloween!

Gabby - What a great post! Especially your conversation with God. 🙂

Dena - What a great post! I needed that reminder, thank you. PS. My pumpkins didn’t get carved either…….and I have to learn to be ok with that.

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the gals…

October 26, 2013 Filed in chickens,the farm

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annie has no fear.
i always think animals would be cranky when in their “mama mode”
but apparently not.
she just moved Libby and snagged her eggs right out from her.

this was two days of eggs since we forgot the day before.
one egg was quite poopy.
and that is what annie’s face is about… the egg touching her shirt.
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talby said yesterday that the chickens are her favorite pets of any we have had.
that is sweet i think.
they are a funny animals and they are super tame.

raising these girls has been a fun adventure.

add a comment

Mindy - Your gals are the cutest. I have said it before but you make me want some every single time you post about them…The neighbors in the field behind us used to have some. Their daughter had a battery operated jeep and she would pick one up, put it under her arm and away her and the chick would drive. I got to be entertained but didn’t have to scoop the poop – no eggs either though.

tara - those chickens are hilarious.
annies’ face is awesome.

tracy fisher - i love love love your stories…. i’ve been away being a nurse to my son and husband and taking my daughter to her jobs… and trying to keep up with my own work… exhausting!!! so when i get a chance to sit down and breathe, i love looking you up. hugs to you. -tracy

Melissa - I must say I do agree! They are pretty funny and oh so entertaining!

and now, I think I must take my kiddos bowling and out for donuts this weekend!!!

haha!

Now I’m hungry.

Sara @ it's good to be queen - i love it, i love it, 5 times i love it. chicky pictures are my fave. also, your coop is amazing.

Kristen - Chickens! My brother and sister-in-law just purchased a new home with space for chickens. My nieces are SO excited as they research this venture–fun to see how it’s going for you. Also fun to see your earlier post about IL since I live in that general area. You posted pictures of places that are a short drive from my home. We don’t live in that town but my four-year-old son has been to the Choo Choo restaurant and loves it. 🙂 Been lurking for a while on your blog–I enjoy it.

Emily @ DavenportDIY - Oh you have a broody hen!! We had one growing up that exact same color who would go broody all the time- she even hatched chicks (from some fertilized eggs we got) and was such a good mama. She would carry the chicks around under her wings. Broody hens are the best (and yes, surprisingly good about you removing the eggs from underneath them)

ERIKA - Adorable Chicks. 😉

Sara Torbett - My mother-in-law lives next door and has chickens too. My two year old and 11-month old both love them! They are funny creatures to watch….(the chickens, not the babies, lol) I don’t know about you, but we can definitely taste a difference in grocery store eggs and eggs from home. We eat scrambled eggs seven days a week. 🙂

Lee Ann - Love all of these pics! For some reason my eggs are much cleaner in the summer and can get very poopy in the winter. Trust me, that little bit of poop is nothing 🙂 Sometimes they’re so gross I just throw them away because it grosses me out to think of eating them. Next year you need a white layer and an Americana so you can have blue/green eggs. I love the mixed colors!

Tiffany - I have such fond memories of ‘picking eggs’ when I was a little girl on my parents’ farm. My favorite part. I loved reaching under them and pulling a warm egg out from under them.

Southern Gal - My daughter and my parents have chickens. They are quite poopy, which reminds me of running around barefoot on my Great Aunt Etha’s farm when I was a little girl and having fits when I’d have chicken poop squish between my toes. Yuck! That’s what I always think about when I’m around chickens. 😉

Christy - How cool! I love your chickens…and that precious hen house! LOVE it!

Leah Faye - I lived in a house that had chickens one summer. I was always way too afraid to pick them up and created my on strategies for feeding them without them swarming me.
I loved eating the eggs though! So good!
Leah Faye
a clover and a bee

Laura - wish I read this BEFORE I ate dinner

we just had chicken

sorry gals

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i like donuts and my kids.

October 25, 2013 Filed in Uncategorized

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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.
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they may fight but they really are good friends.  IMG_9213
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.  🙂IMG_9265
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.
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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?

add a comment

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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twenty… how is that possible?

October 21, 2013 Filed in craft weekend

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Craft Weekend Twenty.
so crazy that we have done so many!
i am wrong… it’s only nineteen.  oops.
they are all so good… each different… all  A W E S O M E.

kimberlee and i picked up our helper Trish at the airport on thursday night.
we took her to Chipotle for a quick dinner and then said “are you ok with going to hear a lecture from a priest who works with gang members in L.A.”  she was down with it so we went to hear Gregory Boyle speak on his book and life.  Thanks for being cool Trish.  🙂

then on friday my kids were off of school so i had to be home while these three worked hard at the craft house.
when i got there all the set up prep was practically finished!
i got started making the margaritas for our guests.  🙂
not quite that quickly but almost!  Rock star helpers Trish and Sally for sure!
and Kimberlee is always on top of it.

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oops… now my graphic is wrong too.
pretend you don’t see it that.
pretend that 20 is a 19.

DSC_0431pins&bagsmichelle at close2myart sent her new shopping bags for our guests!  they are my new favorite thing.
IMG_0582fabricsewthis was a quiet group who was very skilled with the sewing machines.
they knocked their aprons out quite quickly on friday night.
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on saturday we had an extra stop for shopping at Kerry’s Barn Sale.
we enjoyed lunch there and a cupcake.
coconut creme for me obviously.
the shopping was super!
we headed to Bearly Makin It and their barn after Kerry’s sale.
shop2IMG_8988shopIMG_8997sale2saleIMG_9007show and tell of everyone’s treasures back at the Craft House.
i pretty jealous of Tracey’s score of the big jars filled with trims and sewing notions….
lootIMG_9010scoreyummyfoodkimberlee makes such crazy good food every time.
i mean… come on…  individual Chicken Pot Pies??!!
and not only were they completely adorable… they were SO YUMMY.
she made Pam’s Cheesecake and Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce for desserts.
there are no such things as calories at the Craft House.
they don’t exist…. tell me this is true…. please?

IMG_8956IMG_0664IMG_0596IMG_0598IMG_0599trish led a project of cute hoop art that could be for a picture or just to hang on the wall.
aren’t they sweet?IMG_0600IMG_0591we made covered button bracelets… every one is SO CUTE!
IMG_0587the Say Hello Shop sent their wood bunting as a sponsor.
they are all so fun to see how everyone makes them unique.
we used scrap fabric and chalkboard paint.
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Benzie Design sent her super amazing felt for making these Hello pillows.
the combos that everyone used and the details they added were so creative.
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these ladies were all so special.
i loved meeting each of them.
Craft Weekend is a lovely break from the routines of everyday life.
these ladies are fed delicious meals… don’t have to clean up afterwards… get to create for hours with tons of supplies… get to sleep in… go shopping…. and create some more… while making new friends!
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yep.
we are dorks.
i sure do like working with that lady.
we have the most fun.

if you would like information about Craft Weekend you can click on the CRAFT WEEKEND button at the top of the page.
and then get on the wait list!
it will be such an awesomely fun weekend together!

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I Went To Whatever Craft Weekend! — My Paper Pinwheel - […] You can read a total recap from the weekend on Meg’s blog here. […]

Sarah - It looks like such a fun time! I have been on the waiting list for almost 2 years now…I am still keeping my fingers crossed that I make it there at some point!

Tiffany - Each CW blog post makes me smile. It brings me back to November 2012. 🙂 I think the crafts from this month are my favorite! I love how sweet and simple the hoops are. What creative ideas you all whip up each time!

Courtney - I am going to craft weekend in 2 weeks and I AM ECSTATIC! My sister, neighbor (that’s like family) and I are road trippin’ it to KANSAS!!! I am elated to partake in the adventure of a lifetime!

Chelsea - Wow! Amazing.

Christine Krueger - Craft Weekend totally rocked. Thanks Meg and Kimberlee – I loved it!

Christy - Loved the chalk board banners so much I ordered two of them + the awesome cake topper. Cannot wait! Thanks for sharing. Would love to come to CW sometime.

Jacci in Ohio - SUPERSTAR! ha ha!!! stop it! I was **just** smelling my pits like Mary Katherine Gallagher earlier tonight! so funny.

Judy - Meg…reading your blog just makes me happy!!! I love all the pictures, colors and HAPPY things!!!! Some day I hope to come al the way from Idaho to craft weekend!!!! <3

tonya - oh, i am so excited! my sister in law and i will be there- i can not contain myself!

ira lee - i think craft weekend is the best idea- ever!!!!!

Leah Faye - This looks like so much fun! I wish I could go to one of them!
Leah Faye
a clover and a bee

Cassie - OK now that we are at 20 CW’s wait I mean 19!! I think we should have a big ol’ CW Reunion!! 🙂

Heather S. - Your hair looks great, Meg! Noticed it right away.
Craft weekend looks so fun! And the food looks amazing – so many fun memories you are helping to make for those ladies! What a blessing to be able to serve in that way. Hospitality is the BEST!

Sara - Your craft weekends look like a blast! If only I lived closer… I love your longer hair style – very becoming!

Jenna - Oh I’ve been waiting for this! Brings back so many memories and now I want to be there this instant! 🙂 Thank you for truly one of the best experiences in my life! Kimberlee and you are seriously super stars 🙂 xoxo

stephany - The doll house at the Barn Sale and the Santa blow mold at the Barn would have been coming home with me!
Craft Weekend is AWESOME!

Tiffany - A great source for inspiration, Craft Weekend pictures, they always get me pumped for crafting. Super star photo = HILARIOUS!!!

robbie - Where do I buy those gorgeous shopping bags? Please share again, if I missed it.

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memories…

October 16, 2013 Filed in Uncategorized

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.

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huge tank filled with turtles… lauren used to love this!
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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THIS is where i wanted to go more than anywhere on our vacation.
the choo choo.

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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.
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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.
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what makes this place so fun?
your meal comes out on the train!
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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.IMG_923512
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.
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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.
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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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self timers…and the winner!

October 12, 2013 Filed in family fun,things i love

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this morning was just lovely outside.
i made some coffee and cuddled up with my little girls and the kitties.
it was so nice.
just…. the best morning.

then i headed out to Craft Weekend to set up and get ready.
the helpers had rocked it out in the morning while i was cuddling.  🙂

everyone arrived and we are having a fabulous time (of course)
actually they were almost all in bed before 12.
every group is so different… and i love that.

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now really all you want to know is the WINNER of that huge pile of swag.
i know.

ok…. the winner is:

 

Dara – I love the Pam Garrison print!

email me Dara with your address and i will ship it out this week!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
and now i am off to bed…. goodnight.hope you have a super saturday!

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Tessa - The one thing that always draws me to your blog is the colors! What fun pictures … I want to go grab a quilt and cuddle right now!

tracy fisher - craft weekend…. oh how i hope it’s in the cards for me next year :). by the way, i love your quilt and the photos of you girls. precious. -tracy

Jill - I NEVER get tired of seeing the things you make at Craft Weekend and SOMEDAY I am going to try to make one of those aprons!!!!

I would LOVE to have those aprons for our volunteers at our Community Thrift Shoppe! SO HAPPY and CHEERFUL! They are sure to make our locals smile when they come in!!!!!

If you get extras…let me know! In the meantime I may have to TAP INTO my sewing side (do I even have one?) and try to MAKE ONE!

Jill

Chris Krueger - I know where you took that picture:) It was so fun meeting you. I loved everything about craft weekend!! Thank you!!

Mindy - Beautiful people under a beautiful quilt : )

stephanie C - I love your kitty pictures!
Congrats, Dara!

Dara - yay! what is your email? I’ll find it!

Breenah - Those pictures are great!
Congrats Dara!

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windy city.

October 10, 2013 Filed in family fun,travels

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three years ago we promised to go to the Willis Tower (Sears tower).
and then we got there and saw the huuuuuuge line and said “nope… sorry.  not going to happen”

three years later we made good on our promise.
the plan was to get up and get to chicago early and go straight there.
it worked!

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the Sky Deck was CRAAAAZY!!!
i could barely go near it without sweating and my heart racing.
and my kids were doing sit ups and push ups??
terrifying.
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i was #3, 514,417th person to go up to the Sky Deck.
interesting.
we had never gone to the Willis (Sears) tower.
We were Hancock Building people up until this visit.
honestly… not much different… but we did it and they will remember forever.

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i went one step into the “glass box of nightmares” snapped a pic and got right back out.
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here is all of us IN the glass box.
holy cows.
it was scary and fun and exciting all at the same time.
i love this photo.

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we love the Bean.
i believe it’s actually called the Cloud Sculpture.
but… it’s a bean.
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everyone was reeeeeally excited to eat at portillos again.
we loved it when we lived in chicago-land and we don’t have them in kansas.
everyone except for me got a milkshake and everyone had a stomach ache… except for me!
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i was trying not to think about the germs at Crown Fountain.
i tried to focus on how much fun all those kids were having.
And listening to them all screaming with joy.

but still…. that is a city’s worth of germs.  OY!

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we went out to the Observatory to get this view of Chicago after all of our exploring.
it really is a beautiful city.
i am missing it at christmas time.
i need to do that again.

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it looks like they are 3 inches from falling into Lake Michigan in this picture!
there is a huge set of stairs behind them and tons of people were down there.
that’s funny that you can’t see any of that.

We had a hotel way out in the suburbs so this was our only day in the city.
our chicago friends met us at our hotel with pizza & dessert and we shared “our” pool & TV.
It was a fun night catching up!

 

Have you been to chicago?
what is your favorite place to go when you went?

What city or travel spot do you recommend for a great vacation?
i would LOVE to hear your ideas!

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Renee - looks so so fun! i grew up in a near suburb of chicago, and i just love that city!! we’ve lived in Nebraska and are now in Boston (both places we really like), but Chicago has such a special place in my heart. i love the spot where you took those skyline pictures. another good (farther away) view is from Promontory Point in hyde park, a few miles south of downtown. I love the view from the hancock gal’s bathroom on the 96th-ish floor. Fave pizza – pizanos & giordanos. and Portillos – oh my word, I miss this. People don’t even know what Italian Beef is outside of Chicago. [this was shocking to me! haha] i so so miss it & ALWAYS eat pizza and portillos when we’re back to visit. we like shopping on state street (hello discount stores!)
Next time you’re back, venture to the Pilsen neighborhood for Mexican food and go on a mural tour. It’s my FAVORITE thing to take visitors to there. So different from anything else you’ll experience in that city.

Gretchen P - favorite place of all time, Charleston, SC. There is so much history in the city, there is something for everyone to do and see. Love it, it is our second home!!!

Amy M. - The last time we were in Chicago we went to the Money Museum and it was fascinating. Granted, we were with a school tour and the guide for it had super dry humor. He was great and had amazing stories. Our favorite place to vacation is Bald Head Island, NC. You take a ferry over and then there are no cars. I would love to see it through your eyes. Lots of adventures and you feel like life has really slowed down. It is very family oriented, which is one of our favorite things about it!

Sarah W. - I have never been to Chicago, but really want to visit.
Those pictures on the tower made my hands sweat just looking at them… But I’d love to go up and go out on the deck. So cool.

Looks like the kids had such a blast!!

Eugenia - Chicago is definitely on our bucket list. San Francisco is my favorite city. Small enough to walk with a little something for everyone. Cable cars, sour dough, Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Chinatown. Also, love Vancouver, BC super clean and there is Victoria island. I’m a huge fan of public transit, Vancouver has everything including a ferry.

xxooo

Christy - Oh my goodness! I’m with you on the “box of nightmares.” My palms are sweaty just looking at your photos! Your pictures make me want to take another trip to Chicago. My husband and I went yeeeears ago. It was a long-weekend type of trip to sing in my friend’s wedding and visit with his cousin. We only had one morning downtown before our flight home. We did get to eat some of THE best deep dish pizza EVER! It was heavenly for this pizza lover. YUM! Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my mouth. 😉

Jenn - The Mr. and I got engaged in Chicago (on Lakeshore Drive in a horse-drawn carriage). It is our FAVORITE city to visit (we used to live close, now we don’t). But, we still go back to visit annually. Our family tradition is to take the kids (4 of them) to Chicago sometime during the Christmas holiday season. We eat at the Walnut Room and visit with Santa. It is the best weekend of the year for the Mr. & I (and for the kids)!

Heather S. - We went to Chicago for the first time two years ago and I LOVED it. Honestly, I have found that I really love visiting big cities. I don’t have any desire to live in one, but visiting them is fascinating. Of course, when I visit we can afford to stay right in the center of it all, and if I lived there it’d be a different story! HA! I really enjoyed all the architecture in Chicago, and I also liked that it was big city, but the people we encountered were still Midwest-friendly.
One of my other fave cities we visited that year was San Francisco. Again, thought I would hate it and it ended up being my favorite place on a three week tour of the Western U.S. Who knew? I loved the natural beauty that is the bay as well as the architecture. Plus, so much great history there!

eric andrews - I used to live near Chicago. Loved Pizzeria Uno! Yummm!

Jenna - I LOVE Chicago and am so happy you shared this!!

Angie P - I’m from Chicago (my dad lived on the southside near Midway until I was 12) and my family still lives there! We visit my dad every year and try to do something fun with the kids – this year it was Navy Pier (ugh. the ferris wheel kills me.) and lunch at Ed Debevics. I miss living there – my husband actually ordered Portillos for my birthday a few years ago and had it shipped to us in Georgia! (It was expensive…but delicious…and so thoughtful!)

Melanie - I live in the northwest Chicago ‘burbs and have been here most of my life. So, of course, been there, done that with the Sears Tower (can’t bring myself to call it the Willis Tower), but can you believe I have never been to the Bean?! We rarely go into downtown Chicago…maybe one of those things where you live kind of close to something, but just don’t visit because you know it will always be there? I dunno. Anyway, if you’re looking for another great city to visit, I’d recommend San Francisco. We were there 4 years ago and loved it. So much to see and do, love all those hills…beautiful views, beautiful architecture (the Victorian houses), great restaurants, the bridges are really cool, and the Bay is beautiful.

Maria - How fun! We did a weekend escape to New York minus the boys for my 40th earlier this year and it was so much fun! We also love going into New Orleans whenever possible for the day (we are really close). Any big city is on my to do list…would especially love to go back to San Francisco.

Jennifer E - We went to Chicago for a family vacay last spring. It was fun to see all the hustle and bustle of a big city, but we parked our car and took the el everywhere and that was my least favorite part!

Things we liked:
Art Institute (mostly me), Museum of Nature, the big fountain, skyscrapers, Sears Tower, SPRINKLES cupcakes!!, Molly’s cupcakes, Magnolia bakery (we fell into a cupcake thing, every single day we had a gourmet cupcake!), and Wrigley Field. Oh, and the marquee at the Chicago Theater, very cool.

colleen from Alabama - My hubby and I went there for our 15th anniversary last year. They had a “broadway in the park” preview at the amphitheater by the bean. It was hands down our favorite thing. It was free and they had probably 20 acts from the Broadway Shows that were touring and stopping in Chicago during the next season. FABULOUS! It was beautiful weather (august) and the performances were so good. We also loved garret’s popcorn. My kids want to go back with us just to get that!

Kathy T - We have lived in NJ for seven years, but Chicago is still our home. I miss it every day, and especially PORTILLOS!! Thanks for the beautiful images. I hope you had a great time there.

Jen - Chicago is MY FAVORITE!! We lived in western Michigan for ten years and visited often and I just love Chicago. I tell my husband that I want to retire in a loft apartment in Chicago! (I love the cold and snow too though, so I’m weird! :-))

And the Portillos chopped salad is TO. DIE. FOR! I’m not a huge milkshake fan so I don’t get those either but oh the chopped salad!

Glad you enjoyed it! I know you’re far away but Philadelphia is also a cool city–rich with history and LOTS of fun things to do in the surrounding area (Valley Forge, Amish Country, DC, etc!)

Kristen K. - LOVED CHICAGO! We live in Philadelphia, but took a road trip to Chicago (two days in the car with four kids – WHA?!) this summer…we were there just a few days before you! I’m SO with you…that Sky Deck was tooo scary for me. I backed up onto it, got a pic, ran! Our kiddos loved the Bean, too, and the fountains…we loved the Art Institute, an architectural boat tour that we took, and Navy Pier. Three days there was NOT enough! Definitely going back!!! With more Purell! 🙂

Barbara - We just moved from Chicago to San Diego— I miss my city! Cloudgate is indeed awesome, I like to refer to it as the Monument to Selfies lol
Looks like a fun visit! Willis Tower just sounds stupid, it will always be Sears Tower to me hahaha
I definitely miss chicago, but I will not miss the cold weather that’s headed that way soon 😉

Jenn - I love Chicago! My husband and I visited there before we had kids. I wanted to move there. I’m from Texas and was transfixed by the cool temps in September and the city life. Definitely plan to take our kids there one day. I loved Old Town and going to a game at Wrigley.

Valerie @ chateau a la mode - Hi Megan, aren’t trips auch great family memories. Chicago looks like it was super fun, it’s still on my lit of places to get to. Our best trips have included my husband’s sister and her family (they have 6 kids). We are in LA and they are in San Francisco. We have done New York city, Washington DC and motorhomes to Yellowstone with them. I recommend all of those as my kids have such great memories associated with those trips. Maybe only because kids waaay outnumbered adult supervision 😉 but great memories none the less.

meredith - The Bean (on vacation in Chicago) is where I told my husband we were pregnant! Also The Purple Pig was a favorite spot to eat. 🙂

Jaimie - Great pics!! Love Portillo’s!!

Lucky enough to have had one sibling live in San Francisco and another in New York City…and prior to that, Boston. Made for very inexpensive trips as was able to crash at their places and had built-in tour guides from a local’s perspective. Would recommend all three of those fabulous cities.

We’re in suburban Chicago, so in addition to what the city and suburbs have to offer, we really enjoy driving up to Lake Geneva, WI for a quick little get away.

One of the times I was visiting my sister in NYC, she mentioned that she hadn’t really enjoyed the city as much as when my Mom and I were there to share in all of the wonderful things the city had to offer. Another confirmation that it’s not necessarily where you’re at but who you’re with. Based on your blog posts and amazing pictures, it looks like your family could have a blast where ever you’re at as long as you’re together.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos…they’re a constant inspiration!

andrea - Meg….your face in the picture of you all in the nightmare glass box was priceless….I haven’t been in there either….I got anxious just looking at your pictures! What a great trip! Thanks for sharing!

Stacy P. - We loved Boston with our 3 kids (13, 10, 6). We toured around, then rented a car to drive to Newport, RI to see the amazing houses on the coast (The Breakers, Marble house, etc) then we drove up to Maine. Beauitful. We did the RI/Maine thing in a day–visited the beach at Ogunquit, Maine. Very different from the beaches we are used to in Florida! Really great, though. It was mid-July and the temps there were in the 70s…waaay too cold for us Southerners, but the “natives” loved it! We played in the sand with our jeans and sweatshirts on while the locals jumped in the waves. The whole New England coast is a must see.

Laura - I’ve loved all my trips to Chicago. Shopping is always fun on a girls trip and the American Girl store is so wonderful to go to with a daughter. I’ve always loved the Shedd Aquarium!
This summer our family went to San Antonio and we had a great time! We went to Sea World, the Alamo and did the Riverwalk boat tour.

Jen Sully - I love Chicago! I’d have to say my favorite thing there is Garrett’s popcorn!!! The best.popcorn. EVER!! 😉

Alicia - Oh, we just recently moved from Chicago to out in the boonies of Michigan. Man I love that city and enjoyed so much seeing those photos. We’re at about 2 months in our new place and there is some “missing” going on. Thanks for the nostalgia:)

Marla - I moved from southern Wisconsin to Montana but my parents are still an hour and a half away from Chicago. For a while I would meet my college friend there each Christmas. I loved the big city for a day. I met a lady in a coffee shop who couldn’t imagine living in Montana. She thought I climbed mountains to get to the store.

Karen Gerstenberger - I’m not much of a big-city girl, so I love to visit Victoria, B.C. on Vancouver Island (Canada). We take a ferry without our car, and arrive in that charming city on the sea. You can also take a car on the ferry, but it’s such a fun city for walking – and they have double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages and pedi-cabs if you prefer not to walk everywhere. Great restaurants, shops, history, Chinatown, coastline, parks, and friendly people make it really welcoming.
If you are feeling really adventurous, you can go up-island to Sooke Harbour, and fish and hike. If you really want to get into the country, Tofino is on the wild west coast (I’ve written about it alot on my blog) – it’s my idea of heaven on earth, this side of Hawaii!

Christy - OK, I never comment but I just had to say that I have been reading your blog for years and it just dawned on me that we were at that fountain thing on the same exact day. We were in Chicago for my brothers wedding — if you remember seeing a very harried woman with a 4 year old, 2 year old and 6 week old baby.. that was me!! Ha! Ha! What a small world we live in. I have to wonder what I would have done if I had seen you. That would have been surreal.

Alicia @ La Famille - oh girl, I get you on the germ thing. germs can steal my joy faster than you can say “e. coli.” good for you for closing your eyes to it and letting the fun prevail!!

I want to go to Chicago badly. its high on my list…I want to see the great museums!

Tanya - I looooove Boston…and Cape Cod. We did that trip numerous times as teenagers with my fam. It was one of the first trips I took when I was newly married and I’ve done it as a grown up with just my sister’s as well. Great sights, great food, great history and great shopping 🙂

Rachel S - My husband and I went to Chicago last year for our 20th anniversary. We loved it! My favorites were probably the Bean, going to a baseball game at Wrigley field, (and surviving the ride on the El!) and also seeing the Blue Man Group. We had so much fun and can’t wait to go back. We didn’t even make it to any of the museums that week so I want to check them out next time. Your trip looks great!

KirstenP - Our family lived in Chicago for several years. We all love to go back for a visit. I’ll admit the Sky Deck scares me and I haven’t even been there, but I will go on it some day soon. BTW, the Bean was actually named Cloud Gate, but I don’t think many call it that. I love the energy of Chicago and it’s people and visitors and that it’s right next to Lake Michigan. Thanks for sharing your photos and memories!

Courtney M - I work in the Prudential building and walk up & down Michigan Ave (right past where you were) to the train every day. I am usually in a hurry and curse having to walk that each & every day. Sometimes I need a reminder of the beauty in this amazing city – thanks for that! 🙂

Kassondra Taylor - i went to chicago twice. the first time was with my 8th grade class and we went to a 50’s style diner that had one of the first photobooth! Then I went back for a girls weekend with my mom,grandma and aunt. It was really fun but we could not find that diner! would love to know the name of it or even if it’s still there!

Shannon - When in Chicago I always have to go to the Art Institute and the Aquarium. Both are wonderful!

Jen - I love Chicago! I’ve only been there a few times, though, and not in over 15 years. Need to take my kids there. So far my favorite city to visit is Savannah, GA. We’ve only been there once, but we go to Hilton Head, SC every summer and Savannah is only 45 minutes from there. I hope to make more trips there in the near future – it is so beautiful!

Breenah - I’ve only been to Chicago once, spring break in 2009. We got to see the river dyed green for St. Patrick’s day and visit the tower when it was still the Sears Tower. I loved it and would love to visit again!

Laura - I went to Chicago for my anniversary for, like, three minutes…had to get a flight back home to avoid hurricane Sandy…BUT…I loved the bean, and all the cute bakeries, but mostly just enjoyed WALKING and people watching and beautiful shops. I am a city girl at heart…which is why, the ONLY city you need to vacation at is NYC…but with ME…I will give you the non tourist version of NYC and you will love it xo

Karol - Love Chicago. Headed there next month with my family. Can’t wait to eat at Giordano’s, take my girls to the American Girl Place, and see the Navy Pier.

Some great vacation spots my family loves are Charleston, SC; Virginia Beach, VA; Washington, DC; New York City; Atlanta, GA; Asheville, NC; Hilton Head, SC…so many great spots on the east coast.

Nanette - Your photos have inspired me! We live in Highland Park and I have never done the tower…my 3 boys would love it! It is now on the list! There is a German restaurant near the bean that my father in law used to go to as a boy…Berghoff’s. Everything in the bar is still the same – he used to get a sandwich for a quarter. Very good if you like German food and the kids love their root beer!
You might like the Museum of Science and Industry…lots of neat, historic things for kids.
Awesome summer!

Jessica - I live 30 minutes outside the city of Chicago in the SW Suburbs. We love taking the train in and just walking around. My girls love the Art Institute, we have spend many a day there. However, my favorite place to vacation is at my cottage in Northern Michigan.

Heather - I grew up in Chicago, but moved to Atlanta in high school. I used to miss being there, but it has since worn off. Now I dont mind visiting…in the summer.

My cousin is getting married next year on the top level of the Sears Tower. I have been up there three times and each time it made me so nervous.

Another vacation city you should check out is Charleston, SC. It is so wonderful! I would live there if I could.

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