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god is awesome.

July 19, 2012 Filed in creativity,faith,photography,things i love

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i hunt for sunflowers.
every summer.
i am a sunflower addict.

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i mean really….just try to tell me what is happier than that?!!
nothing.
it is the best site to see.

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every detail amazes me.
LOOK at that!
it's about 8 inches across and hasn't even opened yet….it is  B E A U T I F U L !!!

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sean held annie up to see a bug inside that one.
they had a blast running around this old farm.

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this brings me joy.

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{{{{ sigh }}}}

three of my favorite people in one of my favorite places….it's enough to make me cry.

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GRASSHOPPER!!!

i didn't see that in my lens….or when it uploaded….i noticed it when put it on the blog.
i absolutely LOVE that picture! 

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only about half of the flowers were open when we came by.
which made me giddy just thinking about coming back.

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my kids asked if we could build a house right here so we could see the flowers and climb that tree.

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talby took this picture of the lady bug!
amazing.

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i am not prejudiced….i love dead sunflowers too!

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one of the things i love about sunflowers is that they are solid and study.
they have big leaves….they have layers and layers of seeds and petals.
God creates each one so intricitly.
His creation is so detailed.
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she found her twinsie in size.
🙂

thank you Lord for reminding me of how detailed You are in the world.
every seed.
every petal.
Thank you God for caring about every hair on my head….every tear…every hurt….every joy in my life.

and for showing me that in a field of sunflowers.

God is awesome.

 

add a comment

Mary - LOVE all of these pictures(the grasshopper one totally blows me away), and i love even more the fact that God IS so awesome! how humbling to know that He’s all about the details, in each of our lives.
super awesome, great, wonderful post. 🙂

katey - Your grasshopper picture is totally my favorite. I think you could have that published!!!! Love it!!!

elizabeth highsmith - He sure is! Thank you for passing on a beautiful reminder!

Chrissy - Gorgeous pictures (and children!)!
Thankfully, someone pinned something from your blog and I have found you. 🙂
ReadWriteSing

Natalie - the grasshopper… AWESOME!!! Since you love sunflowers, I knew I had to share… The tornado that drove thru the state of Alabama, “April’s Fury 2011” missed my home by about a mile. It was devastating. At least TEN families in my church lost everything. It was life changing, physically and spiritually for our state. Months after as families still tried to make sense of the disaster and families searched, rebuilt… The coolest thing EVER happened~ all over, in the most random spots, popped up the most beautiful SUNFLOWERS! Apparently seed from different bird feeders were scattered EVERYWHERE! To me, it was this great sign of HOPE, growth! IT was BEAUTIFUL! You would have loved it!! GOD IS AWESOME! 😉
Enjoy your stories!!! Blessing to you and your family!
Natalie

Sarah H. - God is awesome! You don’t know me from Adam, but we planted sunflowers in our garden this year and every time I look at them I think of you and your love for sunflowers! My sweet 5 year old daughter and I love our’s too. I love, love that grasshopper. That is print worthy for sure!

Lisa - I’m blessed to drive by a sunflower field every morning as I take my son to day care. A big field of big happy sunflowers, basking in the rising sun, every one of them facing the east like lines of sunflower soldiers. So beautiful. Must remember to take my camera one day soon.

ira lee - i love sunflowers too. i meant to plant some with my kids this spring but i forgot. ive heard they are easy to grow!!!

elisa - These are great! Love 🙂

Melissa - Sean seems like such a great big brother!

Robin - Thank you for this post! Your photography is unbelievable – truly magical – especially the grasshopper – the best photo I have seen! I am always so inspired when I read your blog – it is one of three that I MUST visit EVERY day! That grasshopper picture belongs in National Geographic, or the National Gallery of Art!!!! It is truly spectacular!
What kind of lens do you use? Your pictures are always so clear and vibrant.
Thank you for the joy you bring us every day. Yes, God is amazing.

cath w - Good grief.

Jenn B - I Love this post! Sunflowers bring me joy too. We have one growing in our yard that is taller (by almost a foot) that my husband and he is 6’2″! They are huge and truly God’s amazing work. My favorite picture is the grasshopper one. I love that you didn’t even know you got it. Awesome!

the.mrs - indeeeeed! i feel the same giddy feeling looking at bananas. I know, weird, right?! But next time you open a banana look closely, they’re glittery. 🙂 I mean seriously, God loves glitter as much as I do. And they break into 3 right down the middle. Unless you’re lucky and get one that breaks into 2. God’s creation rocks.

Jessica at Me Sew Crazy - wow. Just wow. Amazing photos, amazing praise, and amazing grasshopper. I am pretty sure you found Jimini Cricket.

Becki - Beautiful!

jeannett - sigh…
love it.
all of it.
missing you.
owen said he needs you to cuddle him.

Lisa - Love everything you said

Heather - “Thank you God for caring about every hair on my head….every tear…every hurt….every joy in my life.
and for showing me that in a field of sunflowers.
God is awesome.”
Thank you for a beautiful post and an important reminder. I needed that today. So Much!

Rachel Spin - Love your pictures. Do you have a flickr account? My fave is the grasshopper photo as well as many above. I also love that the sunlight is composed right at the face of the flower. Awesome light and cute little bug.
God’s creation always inspires me and to grab my camera. His glory surrounds us every day.

rachel - lovely captures! 🙂

karen gerstenberger - God is awesome; I agree. Your grasshopper photo reminds me of the books by Eric Carle, especially “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Did your kids have that one? It’s adorable, like you and your family.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - That grasshopper pic is the What-What! I fell in love and didn’t notice the grasshopper until I scrolled down. Tricky dude.

Mindy Harris - such a sweet post, megan

nat - what an awesome post. i actually just bought a huge bunch of sunflowers at costco today. they are so happy to me.

roganne - great pictures! God is great and you can see his love shining through your camera 🙂 thank you for today’s post!

kerry - Oh how AWESOME! xx

Lori H - Thanks for sharing these photos. I love sunflowers too, but usually have to find mine in Trader Joe’s 🙂 I love love the photo of the grasshopper…he looks like he is at home in his apartment, looking out!

Angie - Absolutely beautiful photos!
A gentleman down the road used to have a field of sunflowers and I always smiled as I drove by. They are a very cheerful flower!

Suz - great photos! God is a creative GENIUS! And weird to think that we live in a fallen world that is not even perfected yet…really something to look forward to…I can’t even imagine!! xoxo

shannon - Pretty sunflower pics. They are perfect Summer and Fall flowers. Great pic with the three of your cuties standing infront of them.

Kirsten W - I feel the same way as you do about sunflowers! They are really awesome!! And your photos are just fantastic – love, love the one of the grasshopper!

colleen from alabama - I needed that today. I have sunflowers on my table and i need to be reminded that God is in the details… especially the painful ones right now. Thanks for helping me to see things a little differently!

Amanda - I love sunflowers! Your pictures are so beautiful, and you are correct, God is awesome! 🙂

sandee prince - great post meg!

Kristin - just joy!

Carla TV - Amen! Thank you for sharing the beauty. 🙂

sara @ it's good to be queen - i love how you notice and appreciate God’s creation as His expression of love for us. what a gift.

Beth K. - Just the reminder I needed today – God is awesome!! I just lost my job today of 15 years with no forewarning – devastating! Trying to stay positive and find something new to help support our family of six. Thanks for providing this wonderful post for me today! Just what I needed! God Bless You Meg!

Jen Brandt - Beautiful flowers. Beautiful children. Beautiful God.

Jodi - The Grashopper picture is SERIOUSLY AWESOME! Love it!

Cathy - So beautiful! God really is so awesome…always!

Laura - Love the hiding Grasshopper!!! Fabulous pic!

Trish @TheOldPostRoad - Nature makes me feel sorry for all of those who think everything just ‘evolved’ without God. Honestly! This beauty around us just could not ‘appear’ out of no where without our amazing God! Thanks for the reminder!
-Trish

melodee - I love them, too! your pix are amazing and just ooze summer:) and so true…God IS so awesome!

Robin Canter - Makes me want to bust out singing “I’m walking on sunshine, whoa… and it makes me feel GOOD!”

Dani - Love this post!
This past weekend we were driving home from a conference and I saw a field of sunflowers. Immediately I thought of you! Your pictures are amazing. I felt like I could reach out and touch the flower!

Alisa - With the gift of the little grasshopper peeping out…..it was kind of like God was saying, “Thank you for enjoying what I have made.” Love.

stephany - Sunflowers are my favorite!
When we got married the florist asked me what I wanted for flowers and I said, “There HAVE to be sunflowers. I don’t care about the rest.”
My husband calls me “Sunny”.

Sarah Syhakhoun - Gorgeous post! Every summer I look forward to your miraculous sunflower photos. They pull at my heart – each and every one of them!
I have to admit that I’m a little creeped out when up close to a sunflower, but they sure are beautiful!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Amen!
We need to name the grasshopper.
He is adorable!

seriously sassy mama - So what I needed to read today. I love sunflowers. I almost changed my whole wedding after seeing sunflowers in a Martha Stewart Wedding mag. I love how earthy and yellow they are.

Ruth Elder - I would love to be able to get a copy of your 7th. picture blown up through that picture-to-canvas service you post about. Is there a way to do that?

Kelly Henderson - Thank you for such wonderful morning inspiration… I’m heading out on a walk with a happy heart (I’ll look for sunflowers;)

Casey - Wow, simply gorgeous. God is, indeed, awesome 🙂 I love that grasshopper shot – how amazing!

Kristin S - Love, love, love!
Also love Annie’s sweet pose in the threesome pic.
Love a sweet big brother giving sister a boost.
Love taking time to enjoy the little (big) things.
Thank you Meg!

Kimberly Dial - Meg, your pics are always awesome, your kiddos adorable & your words inspirational … thank you for sharing! (Sunflowers are pretty wonderful!)

Terrie G - Sunflowers make me weak in the knees!
I hunt for fields of them!
They are one of my favorite things to photograph…
besides the grandson! LOL!!
Well Done!

Niki - Amen and amen!! I am so taken with how deeply God knows His creations…be it flowers or people! I love that He KNOWS me inside and out! I have nothing unknown and He loves me anyway! 🙂

Heather F. - Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I love the surprise grasshopper! That would be a great tree to build a house by. Your kids have a great eye.

Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - God is awesome and so is that tree! I want to climb it. 🙂

tara pollard pakosta - BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!
these are just gorgeous!
love them all!
tara

Jen - Amen!! Well said.

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happy birthday big guy!

July 18, 2012 Filed in birthdays

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for Sean's birthday i asked "what would you like to do?"
he said "could we go to the old house and get our tramploine and bring it to the new house?"

um….yes!
i love his simple request.
he didn't ask for anything elaborate or expensive.
just the trampoline.

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the neighbor's puppy LOVES the trampoline.

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then we got out the sprinkler….so much better!

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this picture IS annie in every way.

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he wanted to light his own candles….but i only had 6!! (mom fail)
and he still wanted us to sing.

we got him a giant cookie (thanks grandma) and we had homemade ice cream (thanks dad) on top.
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twelve year olds are very goofy.

he asked for Lynette's noodles and ham for dinner.
we talked about how we barely made it to the hospital for his birth and how Craig nearly passed out.
he always says "i chose to lay down on the floor in the delivery room…i did not fall down there"
everyone loves to hear their birth story in our family….but especially that one.
🙂

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the next night Sean had his birthday party with a few friends.

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they went to Ice Age 4, ate pizza, they goofed off all around the house and then our neighbors let us swim. 

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he had another friend come later but the camera was put away by then….sorry jonah.
you missed all the pictures!

they watched more movies and sprawled all over the living room staying up reeeeeally late.
it was a great party for sean.
he was happy.
this year has been SO good for him.

makes a mama's heart happy to see.

happy birthday big guy.
i can't believe you are TWELVE!!

 

 

 

 

 

add a comment

J L Harvey - Where is Lauren?

holly - It looks like a fantastic time. Kids being kids! perfection….The second picture of the 4 boys is perfect!

elisa - I’m so happy that he is doing good 🙂 I know that makes you smile!

karen - that wet slippery trampoline gives me heart palpitations.

se7en - Happy Brilliant Birthday… Oh the summer fun just looks magical!!! I would like to take this moment to post a comment on every single blog post of your forever: That Annie is the cutest thing on earth!!! Just assume this comment is on every post with love from me… because really that photo of Annie!!!

danielle burkleo - happy birthday to your big guy! love the pool pictures, and him with his buddies. i can’t believe my boys will one day be this age. hold me.

Tracy Fisher - what a great day! congrats on raising your kids… love watching them grow up… yet stay young at heart. -tracy

Andie - I just wanted to comment on how much Sean reminds me of my son at that age. He is 15 now. I miss 12. He looks like such a great kid. You can just see the kindness in his eyes. I’m glad he had a good b-day.They grow up way too fast.
Andie

Joanie Woods - My son was 12 once, and it seems like it was yesterday. I was home with him everyday, and the time still flew bye! Keep doing what you are doing,enjoying these simple times you have with your kids. My boy is 23 now, and I miss my goofy kid so much!! Reading your Blog is a great way to end my day, Thanks ;o)

happygirl - Hahaha. my son used to put the sprinkler under the trampoline, too. and there is nothing funnier than a dog on a trampoline. GREAT pics.

Chris - Your Sean looks so tall for 12! Happy Birthday!!

Carrie - Happy Birthday! My oldest is turning 5 in a little over a month and I can not beleive that, 12 seems so untouchable at this point but of course I am soo okay with that! I am not rushing anything. I wanted to share what we talk about on her birthday every year. We talk about how we did not make it into the birth center. She was born in the parking lot and not in the car. I was trying to make my way around the car while my husband went to get a midwife. The midwife came out and by that time I was able to say while standinf up ” I think the head is out”. She took it in stride and said, but your shorts are still on. I now do not think she really believed me until she pulled the rest of that just 6 lb little girl out. My midwife took her shirt off in the parking lot at 3 pm in the afternoon along a relatively busy street while the whole second floor of the birth center stared out the window. 6 hours later we were home in our own bed. She will forever be known as the parking lot baby. In reality, Cecelia was meant to be born in a parking lot, it suits her. She is amazing, spunky, and you always know where you stand with her. So every year we taking her picture in the parking lot, a few times getting our spot.

Kelly - Those are the BEST photos…I can feel all the joy just pouring through my computer screen… especially the one with all the boys and the sunlight behind them! Summer bdays are the best.

Heather - Love all the pictures. We used to have a trampoline, but it wore out with age over the years. The kids miss it.

Lisa - Those pictures of Annie on the trampoline are HILARIOUS!!! They look like they were having a blast. And Happy Birthday to your son!

Heather S. - I know it’s a post all about Sean, but can I say I LOVE the picture of the dog diving into the pool? And all the swimming photos with the sun setting? Awesome! Happy Birthday, Sean!

tonya - my girl turned 12 in april and so far, i’m loving it! her and her girlfriends are so silly and giggly…they crack me up!!!
happy birthday, sean!!!

karen gerstenberger - I love this post, especially the “birth story” part. Good for Craig, choosing to lie down instead of tipping over. It’s a good thing that men don’t have the babies in this world!

betsy - Great pics at the pool … boys are so fearless! I’m pretty sure I never even attempted one of those jumps or flips into the pool when I was little. Makes sense, because now I just want to quietly sit on the edge of my pool & read a good book. I get annoyed when loud people come near me and get all splashy 😉

Alicia @ La Famille - oh my…12!! deeep breaths!! i’m only 2 years from that.
so the trampoline/sprinkler combo is brilliant.
also? your porch with the banners and lights is adorable.
sweet bday post 🙂

Kate - Julia just turned 12 and it was so hard for me to pick out presents with her! She is in that precious stage of inbetween…

Alice H - I didn’t realize how close in age our boys are. My son will be 12 in October. Happy Birthday to Sean!
Is that bunting on your porch up all the time? Where did you get it? Is it weather resistant?
Thanks,
Alice

Danielle F. - LOVE the pic of Sean looking at his candles! Love. it. Happy bday, Sean!

Danielle F. - LOVE the pic of Sean looking at his candles! Love. it. Happy bday, Sean!

Tina I - What a great birthday! Ahhhh….if only 12 year old girls were that easy…….

Hannah - Hey Meg!
I feel like you told the stories of all of you children’s births (maybe a year or so ago now?) but I can’t remember! Could you maybe do a retell, if it’s not too much trouble? Or just point me in the direction of that post?

Jenna@CallHerHappy - Beautiful pics, as usual 🙂 The party looks so happy, and I love that he wants to jump on the trampoline and still sing. I love boys who stay boys 🙂

Sandy - Love all the picturs, as always, but especially love the dog jumping off the diving board! How cool is that?!
Happy birthday, Sean!!

laura b - Your kids are getting so big! Too fast! Love the photo of the dog jumping into the pool!

Lorel - happy birthday Sean! I love seeing the changes in you this year. You are a great kid.

heather - sweet post! looks like you made it a perfect birthday!

W. - Happy birthday, Sean! Love the pictures.

ira lee - im sorry- but boys (at ANY age) are just too stinkin cute with no shirts on!!!! i love it! happy birthday to him- sounds like my kinda party!

kristina - I love the bunting and lights on your porch…way cute!

Jessica - Craig’s comment about laying down cracked me up!

Jen Brandt - How. fun. 🙂

Kimberly Dial - Happy birthday to your sweet Sean! 12-year-old boys are the best (I’m not sure everyone will agree with me) but having raised two sons, it’s awesome to see them turn into a man while still having the little boy pop out (often!) … such fun to watch … laughter filled my house during that time … oh how I miss those precious boys! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Tiffany - He is so handsome. And your right, 12 years olds are so goofy 🙂 they are in an in between stage trying to figure it all out. Good friends (and parents) help.

Jamie - 12 year olds are funny. And they come in many different sizes!

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pretending we know how to do this…

July 17, 2012 Filed in family fun,special

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we don't fish unless we are at our friends house with the pond.
with grown ups who can take the fish off the hook when we catch them.
i just can't do it.
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they had to wait all afternoon for Mike to get home from work to fish.
and when he was still in his truck they said "can we fish now?!!"
they love that part of the day.
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my friend adam was there for a bit and helped with the slimey stuff.

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any fish is a good fish.

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remeber these two from Country Living oh so long ago???
still fishin' buddies after all these years.
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annie caught a large mouth bass….
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weird.
you could see the gills and the worm on the hook!

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we tried to get jackson to throw it in for us but he was sure he did not want to.
i am with you jackson!

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craig and Joel came after work too.
annie was telling him how big her catfish was.  

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we had a big dinner all together….kids every where…. yummy food….perfect weather….
excellent day in my life.

and waffle's too.
(except when he kept getting in the water where we were fishing and then got wrapped up in our lines and then took off and ran around me and craig and was all twwisted up in the dumb fishing line and broke the line and a hook in his fur…. ugh.  we are so bad at this fishing thing… even our dog doesn't know what to do!)

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i searched back for other fishing with our family….

first time…       waffle's first time….    this one has a video 🙂    

i am in love with these pictures and memories.
what special friends we have that will take the time to make these memories with us!

 

so tell me, do you fish?
do you take the hook out yourself?
am i just a big wimp and need to get over it already?
or do you agree that it's nasty and you don't do it either?

 

add a comment

she - you’re really pretty…and this is coming from a 15 year old girl so you know you have to be really pretty for someone like me to say that

shea B - I caught my first fish, a rainbow trout, when I was almost three. I’ve loved it ever since. I eventually started baiting my own hook and then moved on to taking the fish off the hook. I’m 33 now and I still love to go to the river. My two little girls, who are 1 and 3, had their first fishing experience on Father’s Day. They squealed with delight while reeling it in and then freaked and burst into tears when they saw the fish flopping around on the ground. Memories! I’m glad you let your kiddos experience things even if you’re not a big fan.

s - can’t put hook in worm or take fish off hook. funny story…when i was a kid, wanted to cast overhead like my brothers, caught my head instead, and what freaked me out the most? the HUGE nightcrawler in my hair. had to sit in dr’s waiting room with a hook and worm in my head (one of my brothers must have been smart enough to cut the line – I don’t recall having to hold onto the pole!) problem is, to get a hook out, you have to push it past barbs, so they had to push it in further, cut barbs, and take it out. I don’t recall any pain, just complete mortification and the whole ick factor with the worm! no idea how my mom handled it – I would probably would scream all the way to the dr’s if it happened to one of mine!

elizabeth - those fish are beautiful!

Dani - Nasty! And that comes from a true country girl! I just can’t do it. Baiting the hook doesn’t bother me. I don’t like to touch the slimy fish that is flopping all around! We have a pond… but unfortunately it’s full of humongous snakes! So, no swimming in it for us!

Melissa - We fish. And I remove the hook. It makes me a cool mom….and I have three boys so it kind of a requirement. LOL
Mike looks younger now than he did in ’09.

Melanie - I lived in the country when I was a kid and did all that gross stuff — putting worms and insects on the hook, taking fish off the hook. When I fished again as an adult, I realized I am just too grossed out by the whole thing, and especially don’t like murdering worms to do so. And UGH! taking the fish off the hook? Just can’t do it anymore. So no, I don’t think you need to just “get over it”.

sandy toe - I love those pictures of the fish and kids- so bright and pretty!
sandy toe

joyce - Great photos. Yes I dont do the slimy stuff either!

Anna - Ummmm that’s what dads are for! I have wonderful memories fishing with my dad. Even at 31 he still takes the fish off the hook for me!

Amy @ Little for a Little While - Completely nasty and I have never baited my own hook or unhooked my own fish. Yuck!

mollie's mom - I cannot stand to bait the hook or take the poor fish off the hook so, of course, every.single.time I fish I have amazing luck catching fish. Go figure!!!
I am in love with that pond 🙂
marcie

lisa currie-gurney - Annie still has a polka dot bathing suit!!!
Hugs From My Heart

Michelle From Australia - Living in a City of over one million people, my idea of fishing is going to the Fish Markets and buying something ready to cook. As long as it is product of Australia or New Zealand or South Africa where we know that health and hygiene standards are enforced.

Lynne - Love, love the picture of Annie showing her dad how big her fish was! So sweet!

Elizabeth Grandon - Love it! I fish, but mostly just the casting, reeling, and taking pictures…I let me husband take the hook off. We fish for larger types like Musky, Northern Pike, etc. so it can get complicated with taking the fish off…He LOVES IT, and I love relaxing on the water/taking pictures/and occasionally fishing 🙂 I should blog about it soon!

Lori - My boyfriend has gotten me into fishing and I like it 🙂 I went Deep Sea Fishing out of Port Aransas, TX this summer. However, I’m totally with you on the nasty. I definitely don’t take the hook out myself. That’s what boys are for 🙂

Janet - I have learned to love fishing. My kiddos even convinced me to take them – by myself – without my husband, the hook and worm guy. 🙂 I always make sure I have my trusty yellow kitchen gloves and a big towel. That way I don’t have to “handle” those slimy fish. I even have my own little “tackle box” with a small plyers to reach in for those swallowed hooks. The kids have a ball and I don’t have to get all gross – everyone wins!
Janet – WI

Rach - I loved fishing as a kid. So fun and such good memories. I can relate most in this post to the picture of the little boy next to Annie though. That’s my youngest right now. Always trying to get into things. Can’t imagine what he would do with a pond and some fish.

Routhie - I love fishing and have gone my entire life, mostly with my father and brothers, but really, my entire family loves it. Being from TX we mostly fished in lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. Having said that, it takes me a while to brave baiting my hook (they use live shrimp) and I absolutely do not unhook my fish. Ew. Having said that, a friend has offered to teach me how to fly fish with the stipulation I get over these things. We shall see.

roganne - you are totally right…fish are slimey and gross. there is something really creepy about their eyes too…{shudder} they obviously shouldn’t be trusted 🙂

Jenny B - I haven’t fished in a LONG time, but used to go often with my dad and friends when I was a kid. We camped on the Buffalo River several times, and fishing was a daily event during those trips. My grandparents lived on a farm and had a pond. “Pops” would take me fishing there whenever I wanted to go. In all those times, I have NEVER – NOT EVEN ONCE – baited my own hook. No, thank you. 🙂

Heather - I love fishing! I grew up in central FL where there are lakes everywhere, not to mention the Gulf of Mexico, so there were lots of places to go. It was a special thing I did with my Dad. We never kept anything we caught- it was just the experience of being up early while it was still cool, enjoying the quiet and stillness of the water. The worms and hooks don’t bother me at all, but I still get a little skittish sometimes using crickets as bait. 🙂

sue - I hate fishing. That hook looks nasty for the fish and it must hurt it.

Krista - Their home is absolutely beautiful, the pond, the flowers, everything!! I must be reading your blog FOREVER, because I totally remember you posting about being in Country Living, and then seeing it in the magazine when it came in the mail… doesn’t time fly!?!

Heather S. - Don’t fish. Not my thing. If I’m going to sit around and do nothing, I’d rather be on a raft, reading a book. 🙂
My daughter has the same suit as the cutie in the pic with Annie. Such a cutie!

Judy - I don’t fish. I don’t want to learn. Yuck. And I’m not a patient person:). My 18 year old son has started fishing with his friends. I got a text from him one night at midnight asking if they could clean the fish in our kitchen! I said yes, as long as you clean up.
I slept right through it. And in the morning the kitchen was spotless! Such good guys:).
The garbage…not so much after a couple days of 100+ temps. I feel sorry for the garbage man!
Thanks for sharing your awesome photos!

happygirl - Haha, fishing. I love fishing, but I don’t care if I catch any fish. I just like to be out there with a pole in the water and being quiet. And, the best way to photograph fish is to have the holder, hold the fish out arms length in front of them. Makes the fish look HUGE. It’s all about size, doncha know.

shiela - so cool to enjoy the nature & everything in it…instead of being bombarded/hypnotized by all the high-tech gadgets these days, especially living in southern california! wonderful fishing time…wish i was able to do that when i was little….

Lisa - I grew up fishing with my dad and we had to do everything if we wanted to fish.
That was his rule. 🙂 He would help if we needed it but we had to try.
It is still a little gross to me but I do it. I have some of the
best memories fishing with my dad and now my kids are the ones looking
forward to it every year!!

Mickie Lara - That looks like such an awesome place. Just another time that I find myself wanting to crawl into your summer pictures (even just to sit out under the tree and have coffee in the morning…)and enjoy some of those places. I was a Kansas girl too but never saw a pond like that one! And, yes I like to watch my husband and both grandpas fish with my son but…I can not participate at all. Not with the worms, not taking them off the hook or even throwing them back in. I’m too wimpy but oh well… that’s what dads and grandpas are for!

Jessica - We fish with my father-in-law at his lake house. I’ll hold the pole, but like you I don’t handle any fish. I love that my children will have these memories of fishing with their grandpa!

christiejayne - Wow! I have that Country Living edition, and I totally remember reading your little blurb! Crazy!!

Alice H - and Annie is still in a polka-dot suit!
I remember fishing with my grandpa when I was younger. I loved it.
And now that I am a mom to an 11 year old boy and a 2 year old boy, I like to take them fishing. Luckily, I don’t have to touch the worm or fish because my older son doesn’t mind doing that. Even my 13 year old girl enjoys it!

jen - we fish. originally from vancouver – fishing is big there. i worked, on and off, in a local fish market for 10 years {through high school and between careers.} i actually caught one myself last summer in vermont after having my line in for about 30 seconds – i wasn’t very popular back at camp as the boys had been trolling the lake for about 3 days and nothing – sorry guys!
call me next time to help with the lines and the gutting – i’m pretty good at that! 😉

Sharla - What a beautiful place!

laura b - We don’t fish either. I went once as a child and was really bored. However, I would like my kids to try it out to see what they think. But I’m a bit overwhelmed, like you. The whole worm on a hook. And what to do with the fish when you catch it. Yuck!

Han - I don’t fish. I’m not sure I have the patience for it but I’d love to try it once just to say that I have tried it.

Kim - My kids love fishing. I don’t. I don’t do worms or fish. Thank goodness for my husband. He takes them fishing every year, mostly when we are up at the cottage. I’m much better at cheering from the sideline.

Gretchen - I fish. Started as a child, and my late husband got my son hooked. I bait the line, take the fish off, throw them back. Fishing is a great way to learn patience. Love sitting by the water and soaking up nature!

stephany - Yep. We fish.
I started young with my dad…fishing streams and beaver ponds in the Colorado Rockies.
I have fished all my life.
I put the worm on, take the hook out…it’s not enjoyable, but it’s part of fishing.
We started our kids fishing last year (our boy was 3 and our girl was 1 at the time).
We fish at least once a month from April-October.
The Tualatin River is walking distance from our house, so we just throw some worms in…we catch sunfish, catfish, carp, large and small mouth bass, and crawfish.
I’ve blogged about it a few times…you can search for fishing on my blog.

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lovely day

July 16, 2012 Filed in friends

last week we had an impromptu party with friends.
it started with a simple request to swim at the pond and turned into a full blown dinner party.
it was awesome.
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the weather was perfection.

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we played with new adorable friends who thought my kids were FUN!

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they swam a full 3 hours at least.

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the world's smiley-est baby was there.

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Sean and Jackson were buddies.
they jumped off the dock, swam & jackson even pushed sean in! (after he asked permission in his cute toddler voice) 
i was so proud of watching sean interact with him.  
and then Sean very politely asked "can you play with him now mom?"  ha ha ha
and i said "YES!"
and we buried our feet for about 30 minutes.  
i missed my babies. 

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my mom, my niece and sister came too.

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suddenly annie was tired.  
so tired.
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she needed some shade time.  :)

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such a beautiful day.
good friends….old friends….family…..my favorite place to be.

i even got in the water!
and only felt one fish on my sparkley toes.
{{shivers}}

how are you keeping COOL this summer?
or are you melting away most of the time like we are.

 

add a comment

shea B - I caught my first fish, a rainbow trout, when I was almost three. I’ve loved it ever since. I eventually started baiting my own hook and then moved on to taking the fish off the hook. I’m 33 now and I still love to go to the river. My two little girls, who are 1 and 3, had their first fishing experience on Father’s Day. They squealed with delight while reeling it in and then freaked and burst into tears when they saw the fish flopping around on the ground. Memories! I’m glad you let your kiddos experience things even if you’re not a big fan.

Audrey - Sorry this got posted twice!

Audrey - What an amazing family day! I haven’t been fishing in a long time and sadly my 2 year old son never has. Probably because I don’t trust him not to get hooked!
http://www.SpilledMilkStyle.com
A blog for stylish moms despite all the spilled milk!

Audrey - What an amazing family day! I haven’t been fishing in a LONG time and actually my two year old son never has. Probably because I don’t trust him to not get hooked!
http://www.SpilledMilkStyle.com
A blog for stylish moms despite all the spilled milk!

Alicia @ La Famille - fun! that’s what summer’s all about 🙂

Dani - I hated lakes and ponds as a kid. I NEED to see what is around my feet!!! We played in small creeks when I was younger. That I could handle. Looks like y’all had an amazing time! Love the pics!

Prairie Jenn - It is hot enough to melt this year:( We are keeping cool in the sprinkler and the creek. Love your photos! Looks like a wonderful day and the very best way to keep cool…swimming with friends:)

Mindy Harris - ponds and lakes gross me out cuz you can’t see what’s in them, but, man this looks super fun!

Michelle From Australia - It’s winter here in Australia. But thankfully we live in the sub-tropics so it is 70 degrees here today 🙂 Loving your pics of Summer fun though and counting down the days until our family will be able to enjoy our month in the USA in November this year 🙂 🙂

Carolyne - we are actually shivering from cold weather here in Australia….cranking the heat up and snuggling under blankets for us. Meg I love your blog and specially your craft weekends which is only a dream for this girl.

christine ishmael - Fish touching my feet creeps me out too! Looks like so much fun, that house is awesome!

karen gerstenberger - It’s crazy, but it has been a cool summer here, so far. Not much above 80, and some days in the 50s and 60s (like yesterday), so we’ve actually kept cool naturally. David and I took an 8-mile beach hike yesterday (his gift to me) and we were wearing layers – t-shirts, Dri-Fit, windbreaker, etc. I wish I could send you some of this salty, cool marine air!
I just love your blog, Meg. Thank you for writing.

Sandy - Looks like fun!!
The picture of Annie jumping in behind the pedal boat (do I remember right?…is that what they are called???) should have the caption “wait for MMEEE!” ha ha 🙂
Also, Annie looks like a model in the picture where you said she got tired. Your kids are gorgeous!

Tracy Fisher - love love love the SIMPLE stuff! thanks for sharing. -tracy

Katie N. - We moved to SW MI this spring and are at the beach all the time. Totally amazing especially with friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meg's Mom - What a great idea, you had! I had such a good time catching up with everyone. And the weather was great. Thanks Carolyn for sharing your home!

roganne - Wow! That lake is fantastic! Growing up our pond at home was mostly moss and mud (and the occasional snapping turtle). I love your pics of the kids jumping…they look like they belong in a summer Crew Cuts catalog for swimwear!

happygirl - Great pics and I so love your boy asking for time off for good behavior. I know what you mean about the fish nibbles. I’m not a fan. I blogged about it here. http://beinghappygirl.blogspot.com/2012/07/hot-hurting-and-happy.html

Lorel - That really was a lovely day. I always feel so “home” with you guys. -happy sigh!- Thanks for everything!

Allison - Super hot in Indiana too and NO rain in sight 🙁 Nothing better than spending the day by the water with good people.

Kerstie Pederson - We are unseasonable cool in my part of CA. My boys have only gotten into the kiddy pool twice. Bummer for them as they LOVE water. Joined Instagram over the weekend and started following you. You were right it is totally fun!!!

Natalie - Looks like you had a lot of fun in the water. Brilliant photos than you for sharing with us 🙂

Trish @TheOldPostRoad - Unbelievably hot in Georgia, right now. The little beach/sand area next to the pond is a great idea! How fun!
-Trish

ko. s - Such fun you have my dear!!! We are melting away over here 🙂

Kimberly Dial - We’ve been melting here in WV too. I’ve been in the water more this summer than in the last 10 years combined (that may be a slight exaggeration but hey, it’s been hot, hot, hot & I’m not thinking clearly 😉 Looks like you all had fun. Nothing like family & good friends. Thanks for sharing!

elma - I mean looks:)

elma - What wonderful pictures!!! Lookes like the best of times!!!!

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craft thursday!!!!

July 12, 2012 Filed in crafts & art

what??

craft thursday?!

🙂

finally.

here’s the scoop on WHERE craft thursday has been…
1. we moved  (insert delayed exhaustion here)
2. craft weekend has taken LOTS of time this year
3. our house is much smaller than the other one so in order to make a craft we first have to clean the entire area first…just so we can mess it up again…and i haven’t had the energy to do it.
4. my kids are getting older and think my ideas are not as cool as they used to.  (can that BE possible??)

BUT…if everything aligns perfectly…craft thursday happens.

it did and they liked it!

i found this Painted Peacock craft through pinterest (of course) and it linked through to smART Class.
watch the cute peacock video…my kids were amazed.

we started by painting paper first.
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i had annie help me with this since her siblings had friends over and she was LOOOOONELY.
it was so relaxing.
after we painted several big sheets of paper we used the end of a paint brush and “drew” in designs on the paint.
we discussed how much Eric Carle must LOVE his job.

then we left all the painted paper to dry.

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we did this craft outside and you can see why.

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i painted their hand and they stamped it onto a sheet of heavy white paper.
then they painted the arm part on with a brush.
then i made them wash it all off.
i only found a tiny bit of blue paint on the bathroom sink afterwards…. not bad for three hands.

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while the hand print was drying we cut “feathers” out of the now dry painted paper that annie and i made.
i made them a pattern to trace onto the painted paper in a feather shape….kind of.

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we used school glue and gluesticks…just depended on their preference.
they cut out five “feathers” and then cut out the eyes/circle shapes for the feathers next.

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aren’t the colors so rad?!

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busy bees.

they glued the eye/circles to the feathers.
they made an eyeball with white paper, the orange painted paper & black. (annie begged me to make hers for her)
they glued it to the center of the handprint.
then cut the handprint out and glued it over the feathers.

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ANNIE

and a close-up…  glitter paint!!  i would have them use a bunch more had i known how pretty it would be!
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SEAN
his patience had worn thin by the time we were done.
no fancy details on his peacock face.
but i was grateful he stayed as long as he did.

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TALBY

and her close up….
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this was a FUN craft.
messy.
i like messy.

you can check out our other Craft Thursday projects right here….
we have made some really cute stuff!!
i love looking back at their projects.

if i had to pick a favorite i would choose….this one. 

or maybe this one…. 

i can’t decide.

there is THIS great one too! 

happy crafting to you and your littles.

here’s to hoping for many more craft thursdays!
cheers!!
{clink  clink  clink}
(toasting our Sonic Cranberry Limeades together in awesomeness!)

 

 

add a comment

Bernice - Love Eric Carle books! The peacocks turned out awesome! Now I’m wondering… how did you paint those painted papers? I know this must be such a dumb question but I love how there’s a bunch of colours all mixed in but not completely mixed in, and the brushed look in the pinkish one. Clearly I havent spent enough time playing with paints.

Heidi Jo the Artist - And I meant, how fun!! A little one distracted me! 😉

Heidi Jo the Artist - How fun!? Love that craft Thursday came/is back. 🙂

Rebecca Forcht - That is stinkin’ ADORABLE!!! Love your blog!!

Amy K. - Oh my goodness!! I had entirely forgotten that Craft Thursday was the reason I started following Whatever… thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Mary - these are so wonderful!
my kiddos would LOVE this! 🙂

joyce - these would look fab on a canvas in a kids room! Thanks for the idea

Mindy Harris - that is so “essence of eric carle” love!

mollie's mom - Love it. What a great project!! We did a peacock project (http://madebymolliesmom.blogspot.com/2011/06/pretty-as-peacock.html) last year at art camp and the kids loved all the colors, glitter glue, etc. but I love this project because I love having their little handprints incorporated in their artwork!! Those are definitely keepers:) Marcie

kerry - Wow, they look amazeballs! I love that Sean joined in too – not too big too craft with mom 🙂
Happy Summer guys xx

Jennifer - I have been missing your craft thursday’s. this is a great one! we did your “giant squid” craft today, very fun. my girls loved it! thanks for all the ideas.

Kristin - I love craft thursdays, great project! Just a heads up you might want to check the comments (or trackback) from the rainbow paper plate…one caught my eye that isn’t family friendly. 🙁

Karina - OK, never mind…I searched and found your explanation in March. I guess I haven’t been following your blog faithfully enough! Congratulations on having TWO houses, at least for the time being! As long as you still own that awesome first house, I guess I can get back to my day. lol

KirstenP - I checked the links for your favorite Craft Thursday projects. Of the three I loved the butterfly craft the best. I’m puzzled why Annie couldn’t also have a turquoise background for her butterflies like Talby did. 🙂

Karina - You MOVED?!?! What did I miss??? I hope you’ll fill us in…

Heather - We did it! They LOVED it. 7year old, 5 year old, and even the 2 year old!

Julieschomacker - When I taught elementary school, the district art teacher came about once a month and one time she did this art project with the kids. I think it would be perfect for your kids. I have even done this with 8th graders and they loved it!
Take fabric squares-I bought a white flat sheet and cut it into 12″x12″ squares. Then you take a mixture of equal parts toothpaste (the paste kind, not gel) and hand lotion. I think I used Aim and the cheapest Great Value hand lotion. Mix it together and then have them paint a scene on their fabric. We did underwater scenes and space scenes, or whatever they wanted scenes. It depended on what we were studying. You let that dry for a day.
The next day paint it with two different colors of Tempera paint-in big stripes. Let the paint dry about 30 minutes, then rinse the paint off. You can feel the slick paint coming off along with the toothpaste/hand lotion, but it will be have stained the fabric. The hand lotion/toothpaste acts as a resist-like batik. When the fabric dries then you can make pillows with the fabric. It really is a cool project. I should show you a picture of the finished project.

Kelly - We checked out a book at the library this week that made me think of something you might do for Craft Thursday. It’s called Roly-Poly Egg by Kali Stileman. We’re definitely going to be recreating it soon!

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - Oh Meg — these are SO Beautiful!!
I LOVE making Paste Paper — so very Eric Carle — the peacocks look fabulous and I’ve Pinned it to do with my own girlies.
Haven’t been crafting as much this week here either – we were without power all of last week (ugh!) then the girls have had VBS this week. Getting ready for our dog adoption so I’ve been sewing doggy beds and getting the house puppy proofed. Hoping to do some more crafting in August!
xoxo
Love,
MaryLea

Heather - I might just do this with my kiddos TODAY! Thank you. Those are great!

Eugenia - Can’t wait to try. Looks so amazing.

amy jupin - clever clever.
anna just looked over my shoulder and said “ooooohhh!”
and now she is digging through our paints as i type!

Anna Marie - What is that heavy white paper called? Where do you get it?
I love this craft. Thank you for sharing, lady!

roganne - this is seriously the most adorable craft ever! i can’t wait until my little ones are big enough to do awesome crafts…with MULTIPLE steps! (that last part is key i think 🙂

Nicole Q. - This is a fun one ….
Miss you too !
Did you guys decide to go to the Jost wedding… let me know if you do.
We are making the trip.

Gemma - Wow they look so cool, especially the glittery one! So much fun : )
Still love your blog Meg after so many years!
Gemma xxx
http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.co.uk/

Jenna@CallHerHappy - What beautiful art! I was just wondering the other day how Eric Carle does his books. Now I know 🙂

Jenny Joy - LOVE. IT.

Jennifer Dawn - Great craft! I love it! I am glad Craft Thursday happened!

Alicia @ La Famille - these are SOOOO cool! i love them!! what a great project and they DO look just like eric carle’s illustrations 🙂

Jen Brandt - You rock. I don’t know how I’ve found the energy for anything these days. Happy Thursday!

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hot hot summer

July 11, 2012 Filed in creativity,family fun

when we moved out to the country….we did not bring our pool.
and I MISS IT!
a certain someone who sits in an air conditioned office with other grown ups all day and NOT five children and all of their friends decided that we didn't need to put it up this summer.
it was not a unanimous decision.
i am not bitter….but man…. we are hot and bored…. and hot.

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so we took it old school ….the sprinkler.

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at first my daughter didn't even know what to do in a sprinkler that is not at a splash park.
"do i just stand there?"
"why is this fun mom?"

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i brought even more OLD SCHOOL toys….practically vintage even…. bowls and cups.

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they got a little excited.
"YAY!!! we can pour it on each other!!!"
"we can fill them up and throw it on Waffle!"

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but then it came to be….. "LETS MAKE SOUP!!!"

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"I need more leaves!"
"my soup has lots of rocks!"
"i like adding more mud to mine!"

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"these leaves make the soup extra spicey!"

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it was a successful play time with antique toys and no dogs were harmed.

but we still wish we had that pool…..

 

we are headed out to the zoo because it's only 90 today!
and i am surprising the kids with a movie afterwards.
🙂
and sam's club pizza for dinner. 
AT sam's.
cause we're fancy like that.

i do make them share a drink though.
when your only option is 32 oz….one per kid is quite ridiculous.

have a super day wherever you go!

 

 

add a comment

Leonieke - If i had a garden like yours (and a summer like yours :-(. ) ik would get a sliding mat with water!! Loved it wheni was small, still ove it now, but unfortuntely no grass here. It has everything: fun, water, action,. Enjoy your summer!

Heidi Jo the Artist - Love sprinklers! Looks like they had a blast. Sometimes it is the simple pleasures in life, isn’t it!? And now you know why I put a question mark on that last comment. I use it way too often… Awesome photos by the way. Loved the vivid colors of the peacock project too.

Darcie L. - I love the Sam’s date. What? $2-3 for dinner, and kids could share those slices of pizza too… they’re huge! Our pool got a hole in it, then the baby pool got dirty yucky from sitting outside with rain water in it. Next, the slip ‘n’ slide, then I think we’ll have to resort to the sprinkler too!

Dana - I love sam’s club pizza! It’s cheap and the drinks are super cheap too…unfortunately they are all large.

Angie - You and I are in the same boat! We took our pool down last winter with the intentions of cutting some trees during the Spring and having it set back up by Summer time. Apparently Hubby didn’t get the memo so we have had NO POOL all summer and it’s been quite hot, disappointing and boring!!!! We too have been playing in sprinklers and we even made us a Homemade Slip n Slide. Still, it’s not the same 🙁
Enjoy the zoo, movie and pizza!

sarah b. - meg… i love your blog. love love all the fun and your style seriously. awesome. i want to make some flags for my patio like the ones on yours that hang by your lights. how did you do those? hot glue or sew… double sided or single. i tried to email you and it flopped. me 0 computer 1. boo. maybe you could post about it or email me back at sbwootton@hotmail.com thanks!!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - You make me laugh 🙂

Bev - That is so funny…we didn’t put up our pool…because of Hubby too!!!…and wouldn’t you know it…we have had a week of Hot Hot weather…the hottest since 1964…. The perfect year to have the pool up:))

Heather - haha…duerksen…goertzen…they’re all related anyway, right?!! 🙂

Heather - Oh, Meg. You and I live such similar lives…lots of kids, Mennonite heritage/town, farming, the WT pool, Sam’s pizza AT Sam’s. I seriously feel like I know you. I grew up in NW OK and remember your hubby at the Southern District Youth Conferences we went to in Hillsboro. My maiden name is a great German name like Goertzen. I’m sure ya’ll know the Sheweys (Andy, Stan)…my neighbors growing up. How about Hal Penner or Brenda Sechrist? And here I am playing the Mennonite name game on your blog…always a favorite past-time in OK/KS! 🙂
Anyhoo…I love reading your blog and seeing your JOY in life. Mine has gotten lost through the years due to hard times along the way. Yet…you inspire me to keep fighting for JOY!

Debby - Since you are in the country, you should get a stock tank! Al and his siblings used to swim in that. Sometimes they would get under the water and when the cows came to drink, they would pop up and scare them.

Ashlyn@Pinecone - “why is this fun mom?” So funny!!!!
No pool over here either, but we are off to a beach house in a few days thank goodness – that should keep all of these teenagers over here happy for awhile : )

mollie's mom - It’s 100 in Hot ‘Lanta – I guess you can’t complain when they put it out there in the name! I miss my pool, too. It’s been 2 long, hot summers since I had a backyard pool 🙁 They are the absolute best but I had the best time reading about the old school fun you had with the sprinkler!! I remember those sprinkler days very fondly! It’s gtreat to see good, old fashioned kiddo imagination at work, too!!
Have you seen the giant slip and slide type things on Pinterest that are made from tarps and duxt tape and are filled with water – looks right up your alley!!
Even without the pool I am loving your posts about your new house and neighbors, the cows!!
Marcie

Tiffany - You are so fun. I look forward to reading your blog each day because you are just so real. Your posts always put a smile on my face.

Tanya - We went to the donkey sanctuary today! The under 5 crew liked it a lot.
Our blow up pool kicked it the first time I blew it up…boooo!
I think it’s hot everywhere 😀

Tracy Fisher - So ironic… we were just at out beach house (the place i want you to visit some day) and my kids kept saying they were bored. REALLY??? They had to make forts, collect shells, swim to the dock and jump off without any water toys, etc etc. I just laughed. I should have brought out the plastic bowls… what was i thinking … haha. looks like fun. although i agree, you need the pool back next summer. ususally when i want my husband to set something up for the kids, i leave for a few days on a girls outing. for some reason they beg him enough until he does it. don’t know how it works. just does. -tracy

Tiffany - You are too funny, I just sit and cheese when I read these posts, you capturing her spirit and remembering (impressive), “these leaves make it spicy”. Crack me up! Have fun at the zoo, what a good suggestion actually. Holla!

Cory - We had a pool just like that, but a few weeks ago it broke, and since then we have all been a hot mess! :/ In about a week or so we are getting another one.

Jamie M. - The Wichita Zoo? It is my favorite!! That and exploration place, my kids say that is what they miss most about Kansas.
Love the “Vintage Sprinkler”!! The greatest was when we put the sprinkler under the trampoline, the kids were shocked we could do that.

tina - we made a great slip and slide out of tarps for the kids this summer. when they realized they could be one four times as big as a slip and slide you buy at the store they were all for it! we haven’t had a day under 90 degrees in over three weeks now! our farmers need rain so badly!!

Erin - We had story time at the library this morning. Each week they hand out a card on one of the planets. My 5 year old son has them all memorized already. He is loving the space theme. When we got home, he was quizzing his 3 year old sister on planet facts. Tonight, the library and the Cosmosphere are putting on a program at our local ball park. Rhett is sooooo excited! They get to eat space ice cream, build a rocket, and look though telescopes. One of the church youth groups has a concession stand so I don’t have to fix supper. Yeah!

Heather - Love it! “why is this fun, mom?” Kids are so funny!

KirstenP - I just clicked on the link to your pool. Your kids were having so much fun! Go get that pool! There’s a good 2-3 months left of summer left. You’ll be so glad you did!

jenni@talkinghairdryer - We eat Sam’s pizza at Sam’s too. What’s the point of bringing home pizza to cook in the oven? There’s still a mess to clean up 😉
We all get our own drinks, but the littles only get to fill it half way. I HATE the sinking feeling you get when one kid gets sick and you realize that you let them share a drink or dessert with all of the other kids just last night.

Cathy - I love a child’s imagination and the things they can come up with so little to do it with. Good job mom!

steph - my girlies always make soup in our backyard too.
sometimes it drives me nuts… but that’d be my type a personality!
but other times i just sit there and smile and say how cute! 🙂
go and get a bigger kiddie pool from target!!!
we have one, it’s rectangular and probably 9×3 feet.
it’s awesome!
enough to get wet and then go and play!
just enough to cool off!

Sandy - Looks like fun. Who is Annie’s new friend?

happygirl - Boo hoo, no pool. Yeah, my kid didn’t know how to play in a sprinkler either. And that was 15 years ago. LOVE the soup. I was so hot last week I jumped into the lake. And I hardly EVER go in the lake. 🙂 stay cool.

sue - I have a question. I never see Lauren anymore. Did she move with you to the country ?

sue - Meg……Go get the pool this weekend. It will be a life saver for you and Waffle. lol

Jacci in Ohio - Totally do ALL of this at least 3 mornings a week. Sprinkler, bowls, etc. Actually, this year I went tractor supply (I *know* you have those around) and got 4 galavanized buckets of various sizes. They’ve been so great for making the mud/weed soups and jus toting water around the backyard. I got one REALLY huge one… it was, like, $35 and it has been *awesome*.
Then, once we hit around 11am we pile in the van for swim lessons. And stay at the pool for hours. It’s 20 minutes away, but so worth it. About 4 days a week.

Jessica Johnson - Your Annie and my Kayla are two peas in a pod. We make soup lots around here. “Why is this fun, mom?” She’s a good one.

seriously sassy mama - We have never had a pool, so this is how my girls play all the time in the back yard. It is a bonus when you have a sprinkler system. SOunds like a fun I like to havem girls except we go to Target for pizza and soda.

lauren - we never had a backyard pool…only really good city pools.
but man do i miss the days of the sprinklers and the $10 slip ‘n slides.
enjoy your littles…they outgrow those sprinklers so dadgum fast.

Stephanie - Soup! It’s a favorite outside activity here, too 🙂 Mud, water, rocks and leaves? Mmmmm, yes please. And I just found a fun sprinkler at Aldi for $6; hoping that will help us survive the pool-less summer!

Leah - What is it about husbands and pools? Mine has banned me from purchasing any more backyard pools for our daughter. Whatever, it’s not like he’s home to see her use it during the day. Your pictures are great! And that Sam’s Club pizza sounds awesome (seriously, I want one).

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summer fun.

July 9, 2012 Filed in family fun

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we packed it in this weekend.
nothing major but lots of little and big things to keep us busy.

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big beautiful post rain sky as the sun was setting.
the cows were near our house chompin' on grass….wondering what i was doing.

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               we have a cucumber! it's very exciting for this non vegetable growing family.  big news!

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                   i drove my three to their last swimmeet….clueless that it would be 9 hours before we left.
                                                       i wanted to run screaming down the street.  
                                                             8 hours is TOO LONG for kids!!!
                                         and their moms who are melting in the 110 degree HEAT!

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all these art supplies make me happy.  
happy to see them working on art just because.  
and it's so nice when the tv is off!

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talby and annie treated craig and i to a restaurant night.
(i made the meal but we won't get technical)

waffle even wore a bow tie.
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annie served the drinks.
talby served the meal.
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it was so fancy.  they loved being waitresses.  it was so cute!

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i finished kisses from katie.  
and i am sad it's over.  
i could read hundreds more pages of her life in uganda.
                                           
her big beautiful heart is completely inspirational.  

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i watched four of scott's six games this weekend.

they won the tournament which makes for a happy kid afterwards.  thankful for that.
and Craig even let annie sit on the bench for the last game….adorable.

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i started reading Seven.  
i am LOVING it!!! you have got to get this book and read it!  it is SO FUNNY and REAL.
i was scared of it because i was fearful of feeling guilty.
BUT it's not like that.
it's just so good.
it's a lovely challenging book that everyone can learn from and think about.  

GET IT!

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            softball is almost over.

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waffle ran away and came home filthy!

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naughty.

 

what did you do this weekend?

we didn't clean anything….and it's obvious.

boo.

i want cleaning fairies to come by today.  

 

 

add a comment

Wendy C - I love that you take the time to get in front of the camera with your kids!
We just returned from a week vacation in Florida and I was not in one photo.
You are my inspriation for a new goal of getting in front of the camera too!
Thanks, Meg!

Rachel @ Polka Dots and Lemonade - Love the pictures! I especially loved the cows – it made me think of home. My family just moved from Texas (where I’ve lived my whole life) to California. Most of the time we love it out here in SoCal, but sometimes I definintely miss “The Big D”.

Ashley - 1) I love that photo of the lone cow. The colors are amazing!! 2) I also love your last photo. You always have awesome snapshots. I would love to learn how to use my camera to get photos like yours. Your family seems really great!
Ashley

She Loves Life - I LOVED the book Kisses from Katie too and didn’t want it to end!! Made me really think about the fact that God does really use every type, age, and race of people to live out his love ! I have Seven on my list of books to read too!
I’d love it if the cleaning fairies visited my house too but they say a “dirty” house is a sign of a life well lived and I like that as one of my motto’s…it kind of takes the guilt away a tiddly bit : )

Lisa - Cleaning is so completely over-rated. 🙂 I would much rather spend my weekends doing fun things with my kiddos and my hubby than cleaning and feeling crabby – life’s too short…have a dusty house!

Krista Priest - Were you in Abilene for the swim meet? Our whole family was there too. Where do you live now? In the country?

nora - I love your photos! And cleaning is overrated, in my humble opinion 🙂

happygirl - Great weekend! Reading 7 scares me. One of the bloggers I follow took the 7 challenge and it looked so hard. I’m looking forward to seeing how you are inspired by it. 🙂

Doris - Hey, I gave you award in my new post 🙂 It’s for Beautiful blogger:
http://truthwithdoris.wordpress.com/2012/07/10/beautiful-blogger-award/

Pat - DITTO ON THE SWIM MEET EVENT – I WAS THERE ALSO – SAW YOU SWELTERING UNDER A
TREE!!!!!!!

Anne - Glad you posted about Jen Hatmaker’s newest book. I’m totally going to check it out. She spoke at a MOPS group meeting I attended a few years ago, and was very funny, inspirational, and genuine. She’s great!

Lisa - I have become the 7 pusher…I think everyone around me is probably sick of hearing about it! I just found out that Jen Hatmaker is speaking at Life Church in Olathe Monday 7/16 – thought I’d share! 🙂

Jen Brandt - Meg, I love looking at your pictures. They make me happy. Thank you for your blog. I’ve decided to live life and not worry about my house so much this summer. HOWEVER, I made a big, anally typed “everybody needs to pitch in and help out” cleaning list and all four of us got to work on Saturday. I couldn’t take it anymore. Besides that, we hung out at the pool all Friday evening, attended a very moving baptism for my best friend’s and her hubby’s adopted daughter Sunday (I cried my eyes out with joy!), more pool after church, and then hubby and I went to dinner and outside concert – Last Summer on Earth Tour: Cracker, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Blues Traveler, and Bare Naked Ladies. Beautiful evening to be outside! I hope you have a rockin’ week!

Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode - Oh how I would love cleaning fairies. What is it about summer that makes my house such a mess? I don’t have an excuse for the rest of the year either. Hmmmm, guess it must just be me! Love your family summer days, love that you have cows and chickens all over the place like it’s normal…heehee. Keep enjoying the summer.

Jennifer - Such fun pictures! It always brings a smile to my face when I see Waffle in your posts. 🙂 Thanks for the book suggestion…I’m heading over to Amazon right now to buy me a copy. Sounds very interesting.
Blessings!
jennifer

Rachel B. - I got to spend time with a school friend and her husband. We hadn’t seen each other since 1991. It was an awesome time.
p.s.-love Waffle’s bowtie!

Jolene (Homespun Heritage) - We are now finished with our reno room! We turned an extra room into a bedroom (5 month long project!) and they finally finished the trim! I got to move stuff back in today…while it is technically a bedroom we use it for a playroom and mama’s craft area! We adore the brightness! (Need to get this up on the blog!) Umm…that was mostly it! Spent Sat. running around doing errands, getting groceries, trying not to die in the heat from this past week.
This week…finish up moving back into the playroom…pack a bit for our 3 week China trip, get paperwork done that needs to be brought with us (slightly important!), and organize/purge the house of STUFF before we go!

Jennifer - Wonderful happy colorful pictures as always. I can’t believe that swim meets go that long! How horrible! Outside in the heat??? My girls do irish dance and we have usually 8 hr days at competitions too. 8 hrs+ of accordian music. :/ And loud hard shoe clomping. I almost always leave with a headache.

Christa - I am reading 7 at the moment too and love it! The other night, I had a good 10 minute laughing fit in bed at midnight trying to read one part of it to my husband. Sooo funny! But also so relatable. And inspiring. And challenging. I thought too that I’d feel like I was reading one big guilt trip but you’re right, it’s not like that at all. I want everyone I know to read it!
This weekend had one day of being at home and one day of being gone all day. But both days were fun and awesome in their own way. 🙂

laura b - I want the grocery shopping fairy to come to my home! Haven’t shopped in 2 weeks and the kids are getting desperate (I do have food in the house, just not snacks and now out of bread). And my copy of “7” just arrived in the mail. Haven’t started it yet, but I have heard good things. But I agree, I’m a little worried about feeling guilty!

Meredith - I had a fun weekend. It started Friday with my 3 1/2 yr old and my Mom and I going to Philadelphia to Franklin Park to ride the Carousel and have milkshakes in the park. We picked up my 5k pack and just hung out. Cleaning, went to my inlaws pool with the boys and hung with the little one again at night while my oldest son and husband when to the dirt races. Sunday I did the Color Run in Philly. It was amazing. I would never have heard about it if it was not for your posts. Thanks, it was a great time and I can not wait to do it next year. You would have loved it. I ran almost the entire 5k around walkers and then stopping to take pictures. Yours was crazy busy too and I have now put your book suggestions into my phone so I remember.

kerry - aaah – I love the reserved Coca-Cola message as well!
So funny – I just updated my Facebook status before I read this post:
“Where is that flipping cleaning fairy???!!” Haha – moms think alike! 🙂

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - My favorite part of this post?
“Coka-Cola Zero – 1 reserved (2 left)” 🙂
Too funny!

CathyC - Hi Meg, I love that book 7! I read it a few weeks ago in a flash because I could barely put it down. Now my friend is reading it too. Very inspirational.
Have a great day!

Becki - I had to pin that awesome quote, and I do want to read both of those books! Your photography is amazing, and when I saw how great those art supplies looked all spread out in the crate (I pinned the photo), I was upset because I saw one just like that at the flea market on Saturday. Maybe it will be there again next week.
AND I love that your dog’s name is Waffle!

amy - please send the cleaning fairies to illinois next. thanks. i actually had quite a bit of free time myself this weekend working on shop stuff but that means i really got nothing done around the house–no cleaning, no laundry and no house projects. ughhh. i love the dinner idea, i am gonna let the kids do that one night this week for us, they would love it. i love that pic of waffle getting sprayed.

Sarah - Thanks for saying that you started 7! I have been so intrigued by it and scared to buy it to read, too. 🙂 I was actually just reading Jen’s blog for a long time last night and feeling that pull to read it get stronger. Quite certain this blog post of yours just pushed me over the edge to head to Amazon to buy it. Thanks!
Also, I read Kisses for Katie 7-8 months ago…sooooooo good! I had the exact same feelings in that I was very sad when I finished it. Was one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. Completely amazing girl and I firmly believe there will be much more than any of us can imagine to the legacy she is leaving. Amazing.

tiffany gardner - had a tough weekend. thanks for making my monday a bit more shiny.

seriously sassy mama - You were a busy bee. I love the pictures of the cows.

Jane Frederick - Oh ‘my, even ater 30 years, my husband and I haven’t forgotten the swim meet torture. Those long meets out in the heat and sun are NOT fun! Of course our boys have fond memories of playing Magic while waiting their turn.

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - We celebrated our 11th anniversary, finished planning our vacation(heading south from NY), and got a new rug. Oh and the cleaning fairies? When one contacts you to do a review send it over here…Id be glad to employ too:)

jennie - just got 7 on my kindle this weekend, going to read it at the beach. can’t wait!

Debbie Smallie - My MIL and her mother just dropped by because “they were in the neighborhood” and I was instantly VERY aware of how little cleaning happened here this weekend. A 30 minute heads-up should be manditory!!! And I feel your pain about the swim meet…we have one tonight. Hours of sitting to watch seconds of swimming..FUN!

maggie - i wished for cleaning fairies too but so far they only come when i leave a $60 check on the counter 🙂 we celebrated our 12 year anniversary..nothing fancy but just us two…i enjoy all your country pictures and that waffle is super cute! wishing you a great week {wishing the cleaning fairy pay you a visit}.

Lee Ann - I want to read “7” next. I read “Kisses from Katie” a few weeks ago. I checked it out from the library and then promptly ordered it. I try not to buy a lot of books, but that’s a keeper for sure! I can’t wait for my girls to read it. I want them to know her story. To know that following God’s plan isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Michelle - I want cleaning fairies every day!
We had a slightly insane weekend of cottage time, dinners with friends, a concert, a party for my husband’s old Air National Guard unit that is being retired, and a baby shower for our nephew that has already made his appearance.
I’m using this week to take a much needed NAP.

tina - Our weekend was packed full of small fun stuff too! I wish we had a cleaning fairy at our house also!!!!! Happy Monday 🙂

Terrie - It was a crazy, busy, FUN weekend!
Photo field trip to the winery to shoot their vineyard…
1st group photo shoot…23 peeps! So nervous!! Think it went ok…
Impromptu photo field trip with the girls around town…
Dinner with the boys at Brookville…shooting pics as we were driving there and to see the
Grandson, daughter & son-in-law… fun!
If you find those cleaning fairies…please send them my way when you are done with them!! 🙂

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