Happiness

So, the boys have decided once again to refuse to take afternoon naps. We go upstairs, I read books to all four kids and then leave to put Asher and Elizabeth down (Elizabeth just reads- no naps). Then, when I come back to the boys they go running and screaming to their beds. How am I supposed to help them sleep when they are like that? Yesterday, I rocked Jonah so that I would break up the twosome, but then Ethan wanted in and I was sitting there, rocking almost four year old twin boys. For a half an hour. I put Jonah down and he fell asleep and then Ethan slept in my arms. Today started the same. I rocked both, then put them down and then rocked both. Jonah got so mad he pulled my hair. He is one passive aggressive kid! I put him down and he fell asleep right away. That's it. They are almost four. No rocking to sleep at nap time. No pull ups for Ethan starting Monday. I am drawing the line right there. That's my boundary and I'm sticking to it. This is my blog. My name is...

This is me, March, two years ago. I had just gotten a haircut. Now, I'm not as blonde. I should post a more recent one. This is me, with Asher, April, almost a year ago. A few friends have asked me some questions in my comments, so I'll answer them first and then write whatever it is I plan on writing today! Sarah,-Jen and Uche are doing great. She has a blog- that's on my list of my blogs. They have just bought a house in Oklahoma and Uche is finishing his doctorate in Chemical Engineering in March, when they will move to their new, first job. Laura, I'm proud of you for going private! Nothing against being public, but Josh really wanted me to go private and so I did. It was a hard step, but I just tell people to give me their e-mail addresses and then I send them an invite. It's pretty easy. Amy, Thanks for commenting! I hope to deliver in the wheelchair someday, with no time for an epidural! Rebecca, Setting boundaries is way hard. It's a skill that takes pra...

On Friday night, Josh and I went to a Valentines' Dance at our Church. It was fun, even though not many people showed up because of the freezing rain that had been going on all day. It's funny here. It's below 32 degrees, but instead of snowing, it rains and then the rain freezes on everything it touches- cars, roads, etc. They canceled school and then no one was at the YMCA to watch my kids while I worked out since school was canceled. At the dance, we filled out a survey about our spouses. Under Favorite TV show, Josh wrote "Baby story." It's true. It's my favorite show, although I don't get to watch since I've had my babies. They seem to think crying, messy babies and Mothers in Labor are no fun to watch at all. The Baby Story is on at 2 pm our time on the tlc channel. Another favorite show I love to watch is Take Home Chef, and what not to wear. You can check out these shows at www.tlc.com. Have fun. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

My sister Molly just had a baby! Yeah! A girl, her fourth baby! Charlotte Sophia. Eight pounds, 10 ounces born Sunday morning, delivery right in the wheelchair at the hospital! It was fun, because she didn't know what she was having and my Mom left a message on the phone that she had had her baby, but she wouldn't tell me what it was and everyone was at Church, so we had to wait to find out and hear the story! We are so happy and thrilled that everything went well! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

For those of you who don't know, I go to Counseling through LDS family services down in Silver Spring, MD, every other week. This past week I went and was thoroughly uplifted and strengthened. I would like to share with you what I learned. Counseling Session #8 Defining Boundaries in Relationships 1. Know what you want (this has always been hard for me to do, even though it's the first step!) 2. Set your boundaries. 3. State your boundaries again. 4. Reassess if needed. Example: 1. I would like Josh to do the dishes once a week. 2. I tell Josh (sound good, Josh?) 3. If Josh forgets that Sunday is his day to do dishes, I say "Hey, did you remember that today is your day to do the dishes? Or something loving like that. This is the step I most hate and thus lots of my boundaries get forgotten and lost. 4. Reassess. If it is not working out, or not what I like, we can change the day to Saturday or to twice a month. Whatever. As long as I feel that my boundaries are not being c...

Autobiographies. They are my new thing. In February I read one, ok- a biography- on Martin Luther King and was amazed at all the things I learned. You would think I knew everything about lots of things, since I am 30! Currently I am read "The story of my life" by Helen Keller. It is the most amazing book. She learned how to talk, went to College, even studied French and German. She did way more than I have ever done, with my sight and hearing. It's inspiring. Here's a favorite quote of mine: " "There is joy in self-forgetfulness.' So I make the light in other's eyes my sun, the music in others' ears my symphony, the smile on others' lips my happiness." She went through life learning and growing from books, experiences and people. That we may all do the same, and that I might also find the same joy as Helen Keller did, in making people happy, is my wish. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Have you ever noticed that when you clear off your desk, I mean clean off all the random papers, odd pieces of mail, that candy wrapper from three days ago, that your mind feels clearer and you can write? Putting away that tax file folder and the empty turbo-tax box really lightens my load. There's nothing like doing taxes, or having your husband do your taxes for you and grill you on how much we spent on such trivial things like how much we spent on business travel last year- business travel, what business travel? Oh, you mean our move out east? Yes, we spent a lot. Do we get it all back? Maybe? That would be nice! So, now that my desk is free of tax clutter, I can begin to re-clutter it again with pages ripped out from Martha Stewart Living's March Edition telling me where I can order seeds online and how I can spend twenty dollars on chocolate eggs that really are way too cute, but I just probably don't need. Now, that's my kind of clutter! This is my blog. My name i...

I have learned some very important things over the weekend: 1. We will always be getting a flu shot, from now until forever. 2. It's not a good idea to paint a bathroom ceiling when you are already sick. 3. Don't schedule anything, absolutely anything when you are sick, because you will become tired and cranky and nothing in the world can cheer you up except sleep. 4. Always have a good supply of apple juice, orange juice and oranges around, you won't want to go shopping when you are sick. 5. When all is said and done, don't go out of the house right away, take a day to recover, because man, your body still needs extra rest and you're not the same with less sleep. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Yesterday, Valentines day, Josh was sick, sick, sick. It is no fun to be sick on a Holiday! I had planned a great meal, plus dessert and Josh could not enjoy it. Poor guy. He went to bed at 8:30 and had my electric blanket set on HIGH. He had a fever, plus the chills. The kids are still are recovering and I have sent them to bed early this afternoon- at noon! I re-pulled the plug on the cable. That cable drives me crazy! Mostly I think it's February, and I'm ready to be outside again! It's nice today- in the 40's! Yeah! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

A nasty flu is running around! It hit Jonah and Elizabeth on Tuesday and Wednesday. Since then we've been inside, watching all the DVD's we own. plus five from the library. Today, Ethan was hit and I reconnected our cable chord. I am reminded of why I don't like cable, but if the kids are in one room and I'm in another where I can't hear that constant noise of fake kid voices on tv, like right now, I am fine. Maybe I should get earplugs, like my friend who has six boys, ages 17- 3. She loaned me a book called Table for 8. At first I didn't get the title, but then I understood- no one goes to a restaurant and asks for a table for 8 for just one family. It's too crazy. We haven't gone out to eat as a family for probably a year. That's just how it is with big families. You get used to it and find cheap ways to have fun: make your own pizzas, order in pizza, have a picnic on the floor, etc. Elizabeth went to the Dr. this morning. I thought she had pink e...

Happy Valentine's Day! This is my. My name is Megan Abbott.

I have no new news to share with you all today, so I've decided to go over the boys birth experience with you all, my blog audience. On a side note, all four kids are sleeping currently. Jonah and Elizabeth are both sick. This morning I could not find Jonah anywhere. I kept calling his name and when I couldn't find him, I called 911! Needless to say, he was where any sick child would be, hidden deep within his huge blanket, on his bed. Luckily I found him and called 911 back to let them know. An office still stopped by, but that was okay. Poor Ethan started getting nervous and Asher wanted me to hold him the whole time I searched up and down the house for him. Our house is too big. Just so you know. Now, without further ado: Ethan and Jonah's - the twins- Birth Story You boys were born early- at 34 1/2 weeks along, or 5 1/2 weeks early. Too early! You weren't ready to come out. Plus, you had twin-to-twin transfusion (where one twin takes the other twin...

Yesterday was such a smelly day for me! It started out with me making a crock pot dinner that we would be ready after I got home from Choir Practice yesterday. I had to peel potatoes, chop onions and stir the stew, all before Church. Just when I was trying to look pretty and smell nice. Then, we we got there and were sitting in the pew at Church, Ethan began wrestling with Jonah and bonked his head on the place where the hymn books go. I thought he was fine. As I was holding him, I noticed blood on his hand. What's that, I asked and tried to rub it off with my thumb. Phew! Now I smelled like blood and onions! It turns out he had a gash on the back of his head and I didn't even know. Then, Jonah threw a tantrum right after the closing prayer and Josh had to carry him out. He was in time out for fifteen minutes. I guess he is having a hard time adjusting to Primary, the new teacher, etc. So, that was our Sunday, and it was only 10 am. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

What a whirlwind these past two weeks have been politically and religiously. Religiously, President Hinkcley died and a new Prophet was called and sustained. With these changes, there was sadness, reflection on the past, reflection on the future. Politically, we've been following Mitt Romney's campaign. We were so excited when he wond some of the early states. Now he is withdrawing his campaign for presidency (is that how you say it?). With this comes sadness, reflection on past Presidents and reflection on the future- war, economy, education, retirement- what is best for our children. I don't know what to say. I feel a peace with the new sustained Prophet. I don't feel a peace with anyone who is running for the President of United States of America. Maybe that tells you something. The Church is true. Christ is at the head. I can't say the same for this government. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

This picture was taken two weeks ago. It's funny to see four kids in a tub at one time! We learned that if they still in there too long it gets way crazy, so we give them about five minutes to play and then it's wash up time! Of course, there's the normal "I'm cold!" yells after they get out. Then they get to play for a half hour and sometimes they get special after bath snacks. Although one time I gave them all chocolate pudding and they got so messy, right after bath time! Now it's usually just a piece of toast, or something like that. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Today I have planned to go to the YMCA for a 10:30 class. It's kinds of late for my kids, so now we are all playing and I'm on the computer and I don't know if I'll make it. Maybe I'll have the kids eat lunch at 11 am there. Yep, that's what I'll do. I gotta go get dressed. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Today is technically still Monday, February 4th, but I wanted to post a blog for tommorow, since I'm taking a "no computer" day off tommorow. Sometimes I spend too much time in front of the screen and I can just tell when my kids need me more often. Here are some highlights of the day: Good: Josh and I met seven years ago today. Bad: He is still at the office working at a case right now (8:30 pm) Good: I went and signed a memory book at the temple Visitors' Center for President Hinckley. Bad: The kids did not get enough running around time and had a hard time falling asleep tonight. Good: We didn't watch any tv today. At all. Elizabeth and I played Candyland and worked in her kindergarten workbook. Bad: We didn't watch any tv today. At all. I put the kids to bed early and was less patient with them. Good: President Monson was called to be our new Prophet, along with President Eyring and President Uchdorf. I watched the press conference among busy, busy toddler...

Have you ever had one of those days when you have no idea what to write? This is one of those days. So, I will talk about my last counseling session (1/29/08). My counselor looked over the list of roles that I had written and was impressed. I had forgotten that I also needed to write what boundaries go with each role. For leader, I wrote that I will lead, but also not do everything for someone else. For teacher, I wrote that I will teach my children, but let them also learn a little on their own. For wife I wrote that we will do things together, but I will also find time to do things by myself. She mentioned that two of her friends are getting a divorce for that reason- their husbands would not let them be themselves. That's so sad. Then, we made a list of the chalkboard of what the "new Megan" without co-dependency will look like in this year to come. Some of the things we listed were dead-on as to who I want to be: someone who knows what they want and goes after it. Som...

At the end of every month, some women on my side of the family send out a personal update. They are like the Christmas letters we get each year, but monthly. My Mom just sent one out and has inspired me to send one also. I've decided to put it on my blog also. It's like writing an assignment for one class and turning it in to two classes. Hooray! Megan's Update 2/1/08 Latest Happenings: We are in the process of remodeling the half bathroom on our main level. We've took down thirty year old peach, shell wallpaper. It was so old it came down in big sheets, but the builders did not put protection over the dry wall and it left huge holes in the dry wall. We- well, Josh- spackled the huge holes, sanded the huge holes (good thing they weren't too big or we would have had to add new dry wall) and painted the walls a new opal cream. I love the new color. Now we just need to touch up the ceiling, add a new light fixture, towel rod and toilet paper holder, scrub some paint of...