Happiness

This morning I went to the MVA this morning to register our van and get a new Maryland license. Aunt Ellen- Auntie Em- as her family calls her- graciously watched the kids for me. I was in and out in about two hours and got the van's plates and my new license! Everyone was happy- I think they had a little two much chocolate last night- besides a few disgruntled applicants. Happy Halloween, by the way! Overall, my visit to the MVA- not DMV went very successfully and ended with a "Welcome to Maryland" by a sweet MVA worker. I had never had someone say that to me and felt very welcomed! The kids went to trunk or treat last night and a good time was had by all. We will be going out again tonight and I hope to post pictures tommorow. In other news, I may be blogging only on Mon, Wed and Fridays (poor crazy picture day Thursday get left out in the cold!) I have been busy with Halloween and my therapy. New issues that I am dealing with seem again too much for a blog. Let me just...

I recently wrote a post about a letter from my Grandma Cera that I almost threw away, but didn't. I wanted to share what she wrote to me: "Dear Megan Wed. AM. May 21, 1997 ...You asked what it was like when I was your age- well there wasn't much going on. "The depression" was in the years 1929-1941- most everyone was poor (the average people) many couldn't find jobs but then in 1941 World War II (we got attached at Pearl Harbor) so the 4 years I was in High School was the 4 years the war was going on. About 12 million guys from U.S.- Most got drafted to go to war right after they graduated-They had no choice. Many (1,000's) never came back alive, many crippled. It was hard times. Things were rationed because of shortage- We had to have stamp books- for meats, butter, sugar, gas, plus shortages of other stuff because it all had to be used for armed forces- So it is hard for you to understand unless...

Normally I do a crazy picture on Thursdays, but I completely forgot about it, so here it is. This is the snack we took on our road trip to Philly. Josh loved them! I asked him if he wanted some pretzels and he said "sure" very blandly. Upon tasty these honey mustard, whole wheat pretzel twists, he proclaimed them no longer pretzels, but small pieces of sheer goodness. And I quote "I could just keep eating and eating these." Not bad from someone who doesn't enjoy pretzels! Happy Friday, y'all! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott

Two days ago, we came home to find a picture of a ghost on our doorstep, along with a small bag of candy and this poem: The Phantom Ghost has come around To leave you goodies I see you have found. If you do not wish a curse to fall Continue this greeting, this ghostly call. First, post this ghost where it can be seen On a door or window until Halloween. This will keep ghost from visiting again Be Sure to participate, if you don't it's a shame... Make two treats, two ghosts, two notes- just like this. Take them to two neighbors who may have been missed. Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt. Check back to be sure that they put their ghost out. You don't have much time to act, so be fast! Leave treats at homes where no ghost has passed! Deliver after dark, when there's barely a light... Ring a doorbell and run, then stay out of sight!!! And last but not least, come join in the season. Don't worry, be happy, you'll need no good reason. Be scary, have...

The kids were watching our portable dvd player in the way back, Asher was in front and we headed off. I have more pictures, but everytime I try to download a picture, the sign "Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience." Sorry! That's right! Does anyone know why that happens? I need to call Comcastic! I think I'll do that today! Anyways, there was a great time had by all. We got to see Ellen, who at five months pregnant looks like me eight months pregnant- of course, I'm always so small. Very Cute. Their house is lovely and has inspired me to take down all the 70's style white curtains adorning our living and dining room. The rooms look so much better now and I plan on attacking our bathroom, with the peach shell wallpaper, with a paper scorer anyday now. Today? Maybe! In other news, I went to counseling again yesterday. It went well. It turns out that what I have is not really called "Co-Dependenc...

Saturday Morning, we set off bright and early (before 8 am!) to visit Josh's sister Ellen and her husband Jason, who are living in Philadelphia, Pennsylania while Jason is going to school there at Penn University. It is a two hour and 45 min. drive to get there, so we went early to start the day off well. To be continued... (my computer is having problems and I have to go check on the boys) This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I was thinking of switching to typepad, and even started a new blog there (see: http://www.pinkpanda.typepad.com/ ), but it looks like it will be too much work to learn a new webface (is that what you call it? I just had a brain freeze!), so now I am just typing my blogs in the largest font possible so that my grandparents can read this blog (Hi, Grandma Betty, Grandpapa and Grandmama Hulihan and Grandma and Grandpa Cera- no these names are not typed in any particular order of who I love the best- I love you ALL the best!). Saturday a package arrived in the mail. It was a surprise package from my Mom and I opened it to find four large plastic bags full of all the letters I ever received in my freshman and sophomore years of BYU. I was amazed! I thought I had gone through all my boxes at home, but I must have missed one- or several small shoeboxes). I went through one bag right away- in order to deal with any clutter that comes to my home efficiently). I made a pile of trash and to keep...

I have a question for everyone. I recently printed out a recipe from a blog that I read: www.thesparrowsnest.typepad.com/the_sparrows_nest/ . It looked wonderful, complete with picture of the said recipe (aka popcorn balls, good sized font and lots of fun stuff. I wondered what my blog would look like if I printed it out. I did and it came out bland, boring and with small letters I could barely read. So, I am increasing the font on this blog and hoping it will help my blog look better. I am also considering switching to typepad- her blog service, although it costs $5 a month, where blogspot is free. What do you guys think? I am thinking of printing out my blogs weekly and sending them to my grandparents, since three sets still don't have the internet. C'mon, guys, get with the groove of things! Let me know what you think! Thanks, This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Yesterday I read the whole book "If the Gospel is True, then why do I hurt so much?" I read a few chapters early in the morning Thursday morning when JOnah woke up and had a nightmare. Then, I read most of it while I was waiting for the boys to take a nap and finished it in the evening. It made me think a lot about the issues I am dealing with right now. Needless to say, I have a very scary dream last night. I woke up Josh and we talked about my fears and concerns. He was also able to open up and talk about his fears and concerns. I've decided that this therapy thing is really not going to be a quick fix. I am going to have to feel a lot of anger and pain and forgiveness before I move on, but when I go through that I will be better for it and I'm excited about that. I'm ready to change! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Here's my crazy picture for today: it was taken at Hogle Zoo in April. We need to go to the National Zoo here someday! Sorry for not posting yesterday. Asher has decided to out-grow his morning nap. This is tragic for me! Where once I had a good hour to myself to get ready and check e-mail and blog while the kids watched two shows- yeah, I know it's a lot- but you gotta do what you gotta do! Now, I have a busy active toddler knocking over my newly bought pen organizer, knocking down my framed pictures and even scribbling with pencil on the monitor screen. I am now forced to blog during their nap time at 1 pm. Although currently the boys are talking up a storm and Elizabeth is five, so she doesn't really nap anyways and is prone to start talking to the boys through her door. So, I'll finish this blog and go sit in the boys room, to help them be quiet. If I have to even lay down in Jonah's bed to get them to take a nap, so be it! I need a little peace and quiet aroun...

Happy Birthday, MaryRuth! I won't say how old you are turning today, because I am turning the same age in two months and three days and I don't want to give my age away! You know how it is! In other news, I've decided to apply Julie B. Beck's talk to my life and made a weekly goal sheet that I can fill out each Sunday. Here's a copy of what I did: Stand Strong and Immovable Nurturer: Women who know are nurturers. What can I do to be _______________ this week? Patient: ______________________________________ Loving: ______________________________________ Hard Working: ______________________________________ Leader: Mothers who know are Leaders. Am I having: Personal, couple and family Prayer ________ Scripture Study ________ FHE ________ Teacher: Mothers who know are teachers. What have I taught my kids this week? ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Selective Involvement: Mothers who know do less. ...

Julie B. Beck, the Relief Society General President, gave a wonderful talk last weekend entitled "Mother Who Know." I have specifically prayed about finding out how to be a better Mother during General Conference, and here she focused her whole talk about Motherhood. A coincidence? I think not. Here are some of my favorite quotes from her talk "Mothers Who Know" ( http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-775-27,00.html ); "Mothers who know desire to bear children." "Mothers who know honor sacred ordinances and covenants." "Mothers who know are nurturers." "Mothers who know are leaders." "Mothers who know are always teachers." "Mothers who know do less." May we all strive to be the type of Mother who knows. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I love getting comments! Yeah! I would like to respond to them, but I don't know how- so, I will either go to your blog and write a comment there, or most likely- go to my blog and comment on your comment. Thanks everyone and have a good Fast Sunday today! Megan

Sometimes I have to type fast to get my blog written for the day. Today it is Firday- I mean Friday. Hello to all my old friends, Eliza, Sarah, Katie and Melissa, whom I just found their blogs online. Who knew that all the time I was blogging, they were blogging too? Blogging has become the new scrapbook. Have I done my scrapbooks for the last four months? No. Have I blogged every week day? Almost! So, there you go. I mean, we did just move, so that always puts my scrapping on hold for a while. Although there was a scrapbook enrichment group yesterday and I really wanted to go- but Josh got in late and had a rough day, so we ended up watching the first season of The Office instead. I am such a slacker! Anyways- here's a recent picture of my kids. I seem to be blogging mostly about our new house, instead of my kids! This is my bglo. My name is Mgean Abbttoo. (Just kidding- This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott)

It's crazy picture Thursday! This is a piece I found and I think it's called "Diving Spoon." Pretty cool, huh? It reminds me of chocolate. I'm a big fan of chocolate. Not the really dark, real kind of chocolate- the milk chocolate that's just normal. Not the cadbury milk chocolate that's way too sweet or even most of the American chocolate. What I really love is the European milk chocolate! They know how to make it! Mmm. So, next time you indulge in a Toblerone, a blueberry truffle from Sees Candy (to they have that in the East and no, they are not European, but I love them anyway) or one of those square bars of chocolate with hazelnuts (perfect for the fall time)- think of me! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

My therapy/counseling session went really well yesterday. The kids were okay with the babysitter (my aunt Ellen- thanks!), I found my way there just fine and the counselor, we will call her Marie, was very nice and friendly. She graduuated from BYU also, so I feel that I have a connection with her. We're planning on meeting every other week for 12 sessions. I did have a nightmare the night before I saw her and last night. Oh well, I guess that's what counseling does to you. Also, they gave me a questionaire and I scored a 70, where the cut-off to show whether you are in distress or not is at 63. Most people are at 63 or below. At least I wasn't at 95! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I love Pottery Barn. Anything from Pottery Barn- the furniture, the accent pieces, everything. Of course, it is way too expensive for me. I decided that we should get one "token" Pottery Barn item in our house and that would satisfy my need for pottery-barn-ness. So, I bought a pair of these iron wrought candle holders online. I won't say how much they were! Later, I found something very similar at Target, for about half the price. Lesson learned: if you see something at pottery barn that you like: go to Target, or maybe even Big Lots (you never know!) and find what you want there for cheaper! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Josh told Kristen about this magazine last night, so sorry Kristen that this is old news. Dwell is a magazine that was recommended to me by our neighbor/ film set designer in Salt Lake City. Upon arriving in Maryland, I went online and ordered a free copy of dwell. It didn't come and didn't come and finally two weeks ago, while shopping at the grocery store, I caved in and bought a copy for five dollars! When the mail arrived later that day, guess what came? My free copy of dwell! Now I had two copies! What was I to do? Josh and I could do a book club style activity, where we both read the magazine and tell each other our favorite parts. I could give one copy to my new neighbor- but that requires face to face contact, which always makes me nervous. In the end, I cut up one copy and made a college of all the things I liked (picture of the collage soon to follow) and ear marked the other copy. So, there you go. In Co-Dependency news, I have an appointment with a new ther...

Fridays are always nice! Tonight Lisi (the other Elizabeth Abbott) is watching the kids while Josh and I go out on a date! Hurray! Josh will be just coming home from work, so he will probably be tired! We should probably go out on Saturdays, but tommorow is general conference (see: http://www.lds.org/ ) so he goes to a meeting from 8 -10pm tommorow. Poor Josh got stuck on the Metro yesterday for an hour. They had some mechanical problems. He called me at 6 pm and said "I'm still on the Metro." I probably should have said "Still? Wow!" All I said was "Well, we're sitting down to dinner right now, so..." We were both having long days. I taught Joy School- which means six three years olds (one a five year old) in my house for two and a half hours. I'm usually a little worn out after that! I guess that's the price I have to pay, to get the other Moms to watch my kids for two and a half hours when it's their turn to teach. I haven't deci...

Good thing it's crazy picture day today. All of the pictures I want to share are on my camera and haven't been downloaded yet. Let me just tell you what a Mary Engelbreit kick I'm on! The other day I went to a flea market and found a hardback book of hers for $1. I read and re-read it, then bought her magazine and now I'm on to her blog, her friend's blog and anything and everything that is ME. You can check her out at www.maryengelbreit.com . It you want to buy me anything for my 30th birthday in two months, feel free to order something from her website and send it along! Just an idea! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

This past weekend we went camping with some friends in the ward. It was great! This picture was taken by my friend and posted on her blog, so I just stole it. Sorry, Rebecca! Why is it that other's pictures turn out a lot better than mine? Even if I had downloaded my pictures already, I didn't have any that were half as good as this one. In this picture the kids are all running away from a "monster" and hiding in someone's tent. Erin's tent to be exact. I'm glad it wasn't ours! To sum up the trip to the Doctor's yesterday to remove the acorn from Jonah's nose, and the subsequent trip to the ER, because the doctor couldn't do it, I will use three quotes from the time period of 1 pm (when we left for the dr) to 6 pm (when we got home). Jonah: upon reading a pop-up book in the Doctor's little room and seeing a picture of a tree with a little door you open and see an acorn he said "acorn- that's what I put in m...

You know your family is big when you can fill up a job chart. I made this last week. We haven't used it much, but I want to start working on getting the kids to help more around the house. I'm going a short blog today because Jonah has stuck an acorn up his nose and I need to take him to the doctor in a half an hour. Poor kid. He told me "I stuck an acorn in my nose." All of my Joy School kids were still here too. Hopefully we can get it out without using narcotics! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

This past weekend we visited the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor's Center. It was so neat! It has a huge window where you can see the temple perfectly. While driving away from the temple I saw a house right outside the temple gates. I wrote down the address and I am going to check how much this house is on www.zillow.com , so that I can buy it as my future dream home. Why is it that we own a nice home and I am already setting my sites on newer and nicer planes? I need to make my home lovely enough to enjoy living right where I am! Anyways, the sister missionary at the Visitor's Center was very friendly and nice and helped Elizabeth recognize the Spirit. For some reason, whenever she feels the spirit, she gets shy and leans towards us. After the Visitor's Center we went on a picnic at a nearby park. Josh and I were talking about how important families are in these days. I said something funny- if someone is trying to get pregnant they should say to their spouse- "Family-...