Happiness

Sick kids. That's all I have to say. I'm thankful for an Aunt nearby- Ellen- who watched my kids while I was able to buy some stamps and take a two hour nap. I still had a hard time sleeping last night, although all the kids slept through the night- thankfully. I've been having a hard sleeping at night, so I got a blessing from Josh and things should improve as I work on it. Today we are going to the Doctor for Elizabeth to check if she has asthma- she has had a cough for a month and another Dr. recommended it. We'll see how it goes. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott

Good Morning. It's 4:30 am and I have been woken up several times tonight by a feverish Asher. All four of my kids have been sick since Friday. Friday evening Ethan started complaining of pain in his big toe and coughing. We checked his toe, and sure enough it was red and swollen. Plus, he had a fever. We didn't know if it was from his cold or an infection. We decided to wait until Saturday morning to take him to the Insta-care, as it was Dec. 26th and I wasn't sure if they were open. Saturday morning I found myself sitting in a long wait at the Insta-care with a coughing Elizabeth and a sick Ethan. Jonah and Asher were not sick as yet and were at the library with Dad. The doctor gave us advice for Ethan, who had a fever and low blood pressure (any worries that I need to have?) and an ingrown toe-nail. Elizabeth could have asthma he said, as her cough has persisted for a month. What do you think, Hilary? Sunday morning I stayed home with sick Ethan and Asher and Jonah, whil...

Josh took up playing the guitar this year. He is currently a third year associate for a law firm in D.C.- Wiley Rein (www.wileyrein.com)- and has enjoyed working with their communications practice group, along with doing a little anti-trust work. Josh works very hard, commuting more than an hour each way to work every day. He is a good Dad and enjoys taking Megan out on dates! Here's Josh again- isn't he cute? Megan turned 31 this year. Pretty crazy, huh? She's been busy taking care of house and home and four kids. She was diagnosed with Depression in November and since taking medication has really felt back on track again. That's it for the Christmas Letter this year. Here's to a Happy New Year coming up!

Merry Christmas, Everyone! We hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday and time spent with family and friends! Love, Josh, Megan, Elizabeth, Ethan, Jonah and Asher Abbott ps. as a gift to you all, here's the link to a copy of all our pictures taken at our family photo shoot in November. You can order as many- or as few- prints as you would like! Merry Christmas! http://emilyhayes.zenfolio.com/p288481358 )

Ethan and Asher at the Ward Christmas Party. Merry Christmas, Everyone! We had a neat Christmas Eve Program last night. I was Mary, Josh was Joseph, Asher was a shepherd that held the baby Jesus in my lap, Elizabeth was an angel and Ethan and Jonah were shepherds. Oh, wait. Ethan also wanted to be the bad guy that takes away the babies (like the Roman Soldiers) but I told him that he couldn't- sorry, no scary parts in our Christmas Story! The kids had a lot of fun acting out it all out. They all looked very cute! Especially little Asher! This morning they woke up around 7 am- not bad for such little kids! They weren't as thrilled as they were last year. Ethan was a little grumpy and said "Where's the presents?" Jonah was cute and told Elizabeth "Wake up, Elizabeth! It's Christmas." She was still sleeping because she stayed up late, waiting for Santa to come! Two hours and lots of wrapping paper later (I ran out of tape two or three times last night) ...

Well, it's almost Christmas time!! The kids woke up this morning singing "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout- I'm telling you why- Santa Claus is coming to town!" They knew you get to open one present on Christmas Eve, but were saddened to find out that it will be happening tonight (hopefully they won't be more saddened when they find out the presents they will open are jammies and not toys!) This morning, after a trip to the gym for me- it true Abbott tradition we headed to the movies. We all saw Madagscar 2. It's rated PG, but everyone enjoyed it. Elizabeth started dancing and got Josh dancing also! I love to see my family dance- it makes me happy! Tonight we'll be doing a Hulihan tradition of eating Mexican (aka California) food for Christmas Eve- Taco Soup and reading the Christmas story and acting it out. Merry Christmas, everyone! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Elizabeth is now 6 years old and started Kindergarten in the Fall. Her teacher's name is Mrs. Jocham and she loves going to school, learning and making friends. So far last year she lost four or five teeth and is working on another one now. Here she is, squinting, because the sun is too bright, Mom! Ethan is our busy four year old. Here he is holding a stick, because he loves finding sticks and rocks and collecting things. The other day he found two walnut shells outside and happily brought them inside. "Don't throw away my collection!" he told me! He is attending Pre-school at Covenant United Methodist Church and he loves his friends Mauricio and Nikki there. This is Jonah, our second busy Preschooler! Jonah turned four also this year. He loves wearing red. He wears it everyday, except for when he wears his green running outfit, which he loves. He loves playing swords, running, jumping and asked for a robot from Santa this year. Jonah attends Preschool also and ...

Aaron and Sophie Sophie, playing dress up with a flower balloon Last Thursday Josh's brother Aaron and his daughter Sophie came into town. Aaron does the sound systems for the Church and travels a lot. Sophie, who is five, gets along really well with Elizabeth and missed her when she moved. So, Aaron told Sophie that whenever he got a job in D.C. he would bring her. And he did! We had lots of fun! Friday Aaron worked while Sophie went with me to the boys Christmas concert. At night we watched two movies: Chronicles of Narnia and Mama Mia, which we all really liked! Saturday everyone went up to Frederick while I went to the temple. I had a great time there, although it was freezing cold! After five minutes outside my teeth were chattering! Literally! Saturday night we had the Abbotts over for Hawaiian Haystacks and chocolate birthday cake. Sunday Aaron kindly watched five wiggly kids as both Josh and I sang in the Choir. Later they went to look at the lights at the...

Don Carlos, my new bonsai palm tree! My new GPS! Charlotte Larsen, 6 months old, Molly Larsen, Me and Kelsy (18) Happy Birthday, Molly! You are 31 now! Wow!!! We are so getting up there! Just kidding! This picture was taken at our mini-family reunion in August. I went without the kids, as did Molly (mostly) and we had a blast! I'm glad that I live somewhat close to you (a 13 hour drive!) Speaking of driving, Josh gave me a great birthday present- a GPS!- so I can find my way around Maryland! Yay! Yesterday I just typed the name Kmart into it and it led me to a Kmart I've been trying to find for the past year. Yes, year! I am a slow learner. (I printed out the directions from google and promptly lost them.) See picture above. He also gave me a palm tree- yes, a palm tree! It's a bonsai palm tree and can live for many years. This will help me not feel so far away from California or homesick. Thanks, babe, I love you! Happy Birthday, Molly! What a great birthday! This is my b...

Josh and I went out to eat and to a concert at the Visitor's Center for my birthday last Friday. Here is the temple, with the lights around it. Here is me. Josh doesn't like his picture being taken! Last night Josh and I celebrated my birthday a little early by opening gifts. I'll tell about those a little later- which were amazing by the way- but I wanted to write about this morning. After a nice evening I woke from a scary dream and within five minutes Jonah was crying with a bloody nose and Elizabeth was crying from a nightmare also. Phew, what a morning! Some mornings are just like that. You have to grit your teeth and bear it. Usually the afternoon is better. I hope so! I've decided that writing is soothing to me. It's one of those "self-nurturing" things people do, like taking a bath or walking on the beach. When I was depressed I gave up writing- in my journal and on this blog. Now that my chemicals are more in balance, I remember why I even started...

This was us five years ago. Crazy, huh? I wanted to write a post, but I don't know what to write. This morning I was at Giant- the local grocery store here in Maryland- and ran into a Mom from the boys Preschool. I was buying items for my birthday dinner- this Friday- Hawaiian Haystacks- mm! I was buying cough drops for Elizabeth and she was buying soup for her 9 year old sick Elizabeth and we starting talking. Somehow I mentioned that I am on Lexapro and she said that she is on it too! Seems like the whole world is on an anti-depressant! Of course, you know how it is. You buy a new car- like a Nissan Altima- and you start noticing all the Nissan Altimas. Wow, you think! Everyone must have a Nissan Altima! Not really, but you are starting to notice new things that you never noticed before! Goodbye depressed Megan. Hello old Megan! Yay! I'm glad to be normal again- or at least somewhat normal. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I was visiting my neighbor yesterday and she told me a funny story. She works at a local restaurant, The Flaming Pit, that serves steaks, etc. She was asked to come in and help with a large party. There would be twenty five people in the group they said, but it was a Church group so it should be calm. It turns out that it was a gay and lesbian Church. She said that they were all dressed in furs and everything and it was really strange. Later, while I was standing in line at CVS, the thought hit me "The flaming pit. A gay and lesbian Church at the flaming pit. Hee hee." This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott. p.s Hi, to my counselor Joe and to my friend Deborah!! New invites to my glorious blog!

Yesterday afternoon the kids were running around the house crazy. I had already finished the laundry and worked on getting Christmas cards out- by the way- Jen- what's your address?- and finished budgeting for the week, so I was ready to take a break! I gathered all the kids, stuffed them into the car and headed to the Mall to see Santa, in the pouring rain. It was an adventure, but life with four kids always is! When we got there, Santa was on his dinner break (he feeds the reindeer from 4:30- 5:15 pm- not a union job!) which was okay, because both boys were holding themselves- they were too excited to see Santa to go potty before we left. On the way to the nearest family bathroom, we stopped to look at the candy store (and found marzipan in the shpae of fruits for only $12.99!- hint hint- Josh-for my birthday!) and found toys you can ride on that cost 75 cents each. Finally we made it to Santa's lap. We had to buy a $3.99 key chain for me to take my own pictures, but that was...

A tree Elizabeth made in Art class. Cute, huh? As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with major Depression in November. I started taking Lexapro, an anti-depressant, and after four weeks I was able to tell my doctor that I am doing 80% better! I have upped my medication to get to 90% better (after that I'm on my own says the Dr.!) and am still seeing a counselor, as medicine and talk therapy have had the best known results. All throughout this trial I have grown closer to my Savior. I have found myself on my knees, or just praying in the living room or in the kitchen for strength. In all my life, I never thought that depression would be a trial I would have to go through. Yes, if runs in my family and yes, my twin sister has had it, but I thought not me! I have usually been the positive upbeat one in the family. As i t turns out, that yes, me! Especially moving to a new state, with Josh's new job and four little kids at home and my exercise routines, reading groups, goal set...

As we follow in Christ's footsteps, we become more like Him. We have more concern for others, we care about them and want to serve them. I loved the Christmas Devotional given by the First Presidency. Let us look for opportunities to serve this Christmas Season. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Here's Jonah making a Gingerbread house at Preschool. Smile, Ethan! Ethan working hard. Jonah, keep working! Elizabeth, after we set up our fake Christmas tree! Ethan and Asher- such cute brothers! Ethan, wearing a hat they made at Preschool. Jonah, smile! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott

"And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was shite, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit." 1 Nephi 8:11-12 The fruit is the love of Christ and the Atonement. As we accept Him, we can feel His love and grow and learn. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

"If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first, it will in the end,...make no difference what you have chosen instead." Neal A. Maxwell We need to choose Christ. When decisions come up we need to choose what is good and true. If we make a mistake we can repent and work on improving and we will be blessed for whatever efforts we make therein. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God will all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." Moroni 10:32 Through recent experiences I have come to learn that as we continue to pray daily and read the scriptures daily, we will have the Spirit of Christ, which will teach us all things what we should do. So, even as we are led into temptation or trials, if we continue to read the words of Christ, that are found in the scriptures and in the Book of Mormon, we can be made strong and have the strength to endure. I know this to be true. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Today we had a Christmas Dinner and Devotional for Enrichment at Church. Beforehand, we each went through a "14- day walk with Christ" where we read scriptures and quotes about becoming more like our Savior. My favorite part of that was really putting into the practice of thinking "what would Jesus do?" I found myself asking that question often. As a result, I was kinder to my children and more considerate to others overall. It's been an amazing experience, one which I am thankful for. May we all "walk with Christ" this Holiday Season. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

During this joyous Season, the season of celebrating Christ's birth, I want to dedicate my blog this month to Him- our Savior. In reading the passages that I include and in your every day dealings with your fellow men, it is my hope and prayer that we all "come unto Him" a little more fully this month. "I close in testimony with two of the promises He has made to those who seek to come unto Him: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with [His] love, … that we may be purified even as he is pure.” 21 And finally this stirring declaration of Paul the Apostle: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 22 May we ever ask Christ to strengthen our hearts and fill them with His love is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. (Gerald N. Lund, “Opening Our Hearts,” Ensign , May 2008, 32–34). This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.