Happiness

Congrats, Shawna, on the birth of your big, beautiful baby girl Moira Eve yesterday evening! Actually, I haven't seen her yet, but I am SURE she is just gorgeous! Three girls now! I am way jealous! On a different note, I tried starting a new blog, but it didn't work so the trusty pink panda is here to stay. Love, Megan

I want to start posting fun ideas on Fridays. Here's my first one. I went to the dollar store and got some window ocean decals for $1 and came home and stuck them on my kid's bathtub wall. It looks great! I got the idea from Pottery Barn, where you can buy fancy flower decals. Why spend $39.99 or whatever it cost, when you can get it for $1? And that's my fun, plus thrifty idea for today! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott

Well, please excuse my last blog entry. Last night, I worked hard to put the kids to bed and then started cleaning the house- thinking I was all better and that it would be so nice for the tv room to be tidy and clean tomorrow. I even started a load of laundry, because the kids pants were wet from playing outside and I know they can't make it until laundry day Monday. This morning, around 3 am, I woke up with an intense pain in my throat. I asked Josh for a blessing. He was so sweet and got dressed and gave me one. I took two ibuprofen, a cough drop and went back to sleep. I was woken by Jonah twice and Asher once and now I'm up. Melissa will be taking Elizabeth to school this morning- thank you! thank you! thank you! (By the way, Heather, my kids absolutely loved your lasagna! Jonah said "Thanks for making this, Mom." and while I was tempted to take the credit, I said "I didn't make it. Heather did." "Oh," he said "I didn't see her co...

Sorry for those who received my freaking out e-mail this morning as a call for help. I'm glad I sent it, because I received lots of help (Someone taking Elizabeth to school and back and a plan to take her tommorow also, a nap while Ellen watched the boys, dinner brought over and soup being brought later tonight). For those of you who don't know: I woke up around 4 am not being able to speak a word and I freaked out. Josh, I whispered, I'm sick! You have to stay home! Then, the realization hit: he's a lawyer. At a big law firm. He gets paid big bucks to do big jobs. He's not going to be able to stay home today. This is the first time I've ever been sick to the point of not functioning as well since he's had this job (I've not been pregnant for two and a half years and am generally healthy!). I kind of freaked out and sent a mass e-mail calling for help. In the end, it turns out I don't have strep. Yay! When 4 pm hit and the doctor hadn't called, ...

It's official. I'm sick. I woke up around 4 am this morning with a cough and no voice. Dang it. I woke up Josh. I'm sick! You have to stay home today. I can't. Was his reply. Danggit. What am I supposed to do? Oh, well. I'll stay in my jammies, blog and let the little ones run a muck. If you were one of the luck ones that received my-call-for-help e-mail this morning at 5 am- lucky you! If not, that's okay too! I still love you, I just don't have your e-mail address. Plus, hotmail won't let me send e-mail to over 50 people at a time. Who knew? Help!!!!! Anyone???? I'm stranded in Maryland, surrounded by ice! My Mother and Father live thousand miles away! My nearest blood relative is a thirteen hour drive from here. Abbotts???? Visiting Teachers??? Anyone from my Church ward family? Help!!!!!!! Love, Megan p.s. I've been reading too much of www.thepioneerwoman.com- she is influencing my blog voice. p.p.s This will be my last blog entry at this blo...

Sick. Snow day. Strep Throat. Sick kids. Lots of laundry. New cell phone. New number: (301)767-6669. (Okay, that was more than five words, but Josh is home with Strep Throat and he gave it to me probably and he is working from home on the computer so my life is now reduced to folding laundry and watching the Bee Movie- which is hilarious by the way- instead of hanging out alone online. Hmm. Maybe this is a good thing) Keep warm and pray that it will only be a 2 hr delay and not another snow day! But, if it is- that's okay too! Love, Megan ps. call me or text me anytime: I'm on Verizon and we now have a family plan! Yay! Next step: a blue tooth- so I can talk and fold clean clothes at the same time!

Today is the first day of the year when they've canceled school. Josh called on the phone at around 8 am to tell me that school has been canceled, since I neither watch t.v., nor read the newspaper in the morning. Josh brings me the Express, a free paper they give out on the Metro, but usually they are a day or two late, so I didn't even know it was supposed to snow. I was online, checking e-mail and Josh kissed me good-bye, saying "it's pretty snowy outside." Oh, boy. I said. The boys had a sports class this morning, but since they missed the first two and I didn't know if it was canceled, I headed to the Sport and Health gym- the gym of the wealthy- for two hours. I exercise machined (I don't even know what it's called, let alone work the darn thing) This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

So, Asher and Ethan both have pink eye. They stayed home from Church yesterday, while I played a piano piece in Sacrament mtg. Right after I got home at 3 pm, I took just Asher to Medical Access while Ethan stayed home. I wanted to take him, but he didn't want to go and his eye wasn't that bad and I thought I could charm my way into getting the doctor to give me a prescription for him also. Turns out he wouldn't, which is probably good. So, this morning Jonah is the sole school attendee. Elizabeth has no school today and Ethan is sick. Right now Jonah is bawling "I don't want to go school!" Now starts the jumping and a louder voice. Soon it will turn into a tantrum. I better go. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott. p.s. If you pray for humility, you may just be diagnosed with warts on your feet by the dr, so think before you pray!

In 2005 I made a list of 100 things that make me happy. The other day I found it and added fifty more. Here are the first 50, not in number of importance or relevance: 1. Spending time with Josh 2. Fun family Activities 3. Alone time 4. Shopping 5. Eating Chocolate 6. Praying 7. Reading the Scriptures 8. Going to Church 9. Using a new shampoo 10. Getting e-mail 11. Getting letters 12. Getting phone calls 13. Drinking hot chocolate 14. Talking on the phone with family 15. Seeing a new baby 16. Holding a new baby 17. Being pregnant with a new baby 18. Having a new baby 19. Watching the boys 20. Playing with Elizabeth 21. Playing with Ethan & Jonah 22. Playing the piano 23. Running 24. Skating 25. Swimming 26. Going to the Temple 27. Going to a park 28. Going to the Mall 29. Going out for ice cream 30. Visiting family in CA 31. Going to the beach 32. Shopping on E-bay 33. Home decorating 34. Scrapping 35. Getting a good deal 36. Watching my favorite tv show 37. Babysitting 38. Doing a...

Here's Josh in the driver seat- he hates it when I take his picture! Hee hee! Here are the kids watching a movie at Ellen and Jason's new place. Smile, Ellen and Jason and Josh! (watching a slide show of their many adventures!) Anna, opening an early b-day present (she turns 1 on Feb 7th) The kiddos eating pizza. Yummy! We had a great time! Thanks, Ellen and Jason! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

No, I'm not pregnant! But I do have good news! I'm hosting my first ever book club today! Wish me luck! I'm switching to Verizon and getting a new number and new phone! (any suggestions? I like the touch phone but is it too hard to handle?) I'm starting a free 7 day trial at Sport and Health TODAY. Wish me luck. I do wish I was pregnant. But, since I'm on my medicine for three more months, it won't be for a while! Now I can clean my home and organize everything to at least be ready whenever it happens! Have a fabulous day! Know that the Lord loves you and wants us to be happy! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Well, I'm off! Ready to take on a new week after a four day weekend! Monday we drove up to Philadelphia to visit with Ellen and Jason and Ellen. Their apartment is cute and small and Ellen and I had fun shopping at Costco while the men watched the older kids for us. It snowed most of the day and the kids had fun taking a walk in it (although Jonah had an accident in his pants) and watching it snow outside. Anna is adorable. She turns one February 7th and is just tiny and cute and always happy. We ate pizza for dinner and drove home to find a snowy yard and car. Welcome to baby Luke Kleinman, born yesterday at 6 pounds 2 ounces. That makes Grandbaby number 30 on Josh's side. My kids have 39 cousins, so far! Who has 39 cousins??? It's my goal to make sure they know everyone's name and face, not like Josh! Have I told you the story of our first apt? They checked us in and said Abbott? we have another Abbott here. Josh said "Oh, okay." It turns out it was David an...

I went to see my Psychiatrist, Dr. Joshi, in Baltimore, Mayland today. I mentioned to him that I wanted to stop taking my medication (for personal reasons! You can e-mail me and ask me if you want to!). He replied that that was NOT a good idea. He said that my brain does not make enough seratonin. Lexapro does not give me seratonin, but helps my brain produce it. He said I should be on it for six months (I've been on it for three, so three more to go) and then we can start reducing it then. If I start having a hard time, then I will go back on it for next winter and try to go off of it next summer. Some people have to stay on it all their lives, but I don't feel that I will be one of these people. I want to still have more babies, and you cannot get pregnant on this medication. This seems to be a longer recovery than I originally planned, but I am giving myself until Dec. 2010 to work on this Depression and make more decisions from that point on. Thank you to all who have praye...

I normally don't blog on Sunday, but Asher said the funniest thing just right now and I had to document it before I lost it! He said "Can we have light sabers?" (It's right before quiet time and they usually can't have toys) and I said "yes, for right now." Then he said "You are in jail!" with the meanest look. That was funny but then he said "say your prayers!" That was a little more funny but the funniest of all was when Jonah told Asher (and this was a while back) "Say your prayers! (Asher learns everything from his siblings!) and Asher replied... "Dear heavenly Father, Thank you for the day..." I wanted to reply that when said it to me now, but I just laughed. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott. p.s. Afdab didn't attend Church today, but I hope with more discussion he will come another time.

It's very chilly outside today! This morning we woke up to FROST on the inside of our window and an outside thermometer read of -1 degrees! Needless to say, I canceled the trip I had planned for the gym at 8 am today! I already have to go outside to take ELIZABETH to BALLET lessons! Aaah! What is this California girl supposed to do? Josh will take the boys to a class at Lowes and pick up my blue paint for me. We signed up for the Missionaries to come help us paint, but then we didn't want to really work that hard this weekend, so we called and canceled on Monday. Last night, at 9:50 pm, we got a call from the Elders asking us if they could help us with anything else today. It is so cold, the Mission President told all Missionaries to stay inside today! You know it's cold that the MISSIONARIES can't even go out. They go out in the freezing rain. Everyone here is way hyped about the INAGUARATION. There are supposed to be 3 million people attending it on Tuesday. Hotel...

Let me briefly go over some of the crazy happenings that have happened to me very recently (as in today or yesterday): -Asher found his old pack n play and wanted me to set it up. I did and the boys promptly taught him how to crawl in and out of it-resulting in all three boys coming to wake me up from a very short nap during quiet time. Luckily Asher doesn't know how to crawl out of his crib yet! -After I was woken up from my nap, I went online. A few minutes later, Ethan came up to me with a gushing bloody finger and said Jonah bit him. I knew that wasn't the case, with so much blood, but I went and got a band-aid and some water. I went to talk to Jonah and Ethan told me the real story. They had taken a small glass treasure box that Elizabeth got from Church out of her room, had broken the glass and somehow Ethan got cut. I don't know all the real details. The boys probably aren't really sure either. -I signed up for a Costco membership today and proceeded to buy the b...

Hi, Everyone, I had a wonderful missionary experience this morning and just wanted to share it and ask for your prayers of faith. As some of you know, I joined Golds Gym in November, right when I started taking Lexapro (my depression medicine). This was so that I could get off of it as soon as possible. Anyways, I began to talk to the regulars who go there. This morning, after not going to the gym for a week to two weeks because of Christmas break, sickness and injuries, I committed to going no matter what. It was freezing and icy outside but I went anyways, despite the kids protest not to "go to the gym." I asked them to turn on Regis and Kelly for me and began walking next to one of the regulars- Aftab- although I didn't know his name. He asked me where I had been and we started talking. We talked politics and he took a break for some water. Upon returning, he said "Que passa, chica?" I replied "No, mucho? y tu? I s...

This is the result of looking for the video option on your camera right before the school assembly and turning your flash off, accidently. (Elizabeth is in the middle wearing purple. Oh, and yes- she is a minority. Now you can spot her in the picture easily!!!) Good Morning. This morning I took all three boys to an awards assembly for Elizabeth. This was her first one ever. She got an award for "Responsibility" with Anshuman, an Indian boy in her class. I go help out at her class almost every Wednesday so I know each kid in her class and how they are. If I were to give out two responsibility awards, I would have given them to Elizabeth (of course, I am biased) and Anshuman. Anshuman always finishes his work promptly and hardly ever goofs around or plays like the others. Elizabeth turned 6 on Sept. 17th, so she is quite a bit older than the others, which helps her know the rules better and be a leader in following them. I almost want to keep Ethan and Jonah and Asher a year be...

Friday Night Josh and I went out to eat at Pandera Bread, which was fabulous!, and saw Twilight, which was also wonderful! What a great date! Then, Saturday, our friends invited us over for a game night, so we got another babysitter and went on over. We ate treats and played Guitar Hero and had a blast. Josh really wants to get a Wii, but we will probably need a couch and a new loveseat first. I guess one has to have priorities, right? This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

So, I've started a book. I started January 1st, 2009- by writing ten things that I was thankful for first thing in the morning. After three days of doing this, I thought that it could turn into a book! 36500 things I am thankful for! Pretty cool huh? I reward myself with two Christmas peanut m&m's (yes in the morning and before I even brush my teeth!). I'm on day 9 so far and I've only forgotten to do it once for a half an hour while I was dealing with a fussy Asher. Here's to creating new goals and sticking with 'em! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

This morning, over cereal, Elizabeth says to me: "Yesterday a boy stood up in the lunch room and shouted: "Elizabeth kissed Joshua." I didn't! He's my best friend! I wanted to hide under the table, but it was all dirty and I didn't want to get my skirt dirty. Classic Elizabeth. Does this sound familiar to anyone else? This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Last night, after not eating anything after eight o'clock, not going shopping, drinking a warm glass of milk, praying, reading, writing, talking to Josh, sleep spray on my tongue, sleep lotion, sleep rub on oil, sleep spray on my pillow, brush teeth, floss teeth, exercise and a nap- I still woke up at 2 am. Danggit! I began to plan my whole life! I woke up Josh and said "I'm planning my whole life!" He said "There's plenty of time to plan your life in the morning!" To some that may sound right. I said "You're right" and tried to sleep, but turned the light back on. He groaned and I turned the light off and got out of bed. Little does he know that my day- from sun up to sun down will be spent taking care of four little ones, with no time in between to plan my life. I guess this is my life. But I want something more! So, I will continue to plan my life at night if I wake up, I'll just have to do it on a laptop or in the other room. This i...

So last night I woke up at 2 am wide awake and I was mad! I did not want to be awake. I need to sleep! So, I got up out of bed and went downstairs. I remembered that I had laundry in the washer that needed to be dried. I pulled it all out and found my favorite coat- a baby blue down coat with hood that Josh bought me to help me stay warm- as flat as a pancake! I freaked out! I have washed this coat before, but I washed it in Utah and in Utah I had the three tennis balls it says to dry it with. I have no tennis balls here in Maryland. I pulled out the phone book and started reading. Eventually I found Wal-Mart, but they weren't open at 2 am. Finally, I decided to get in the car and drive to a nearby cvs (very nearby a 2 minute drive). As I got in the car I had a random idea to drive to a local hospital (Shady Grove) and see all the new babies there (am I baby hungry? hmm...). My GPS could not find the satellite signal because of the cloud cover, which is probably a good thing (I tol...

Christmas two years ago! What do you do when all three boys don't want to take a nap or have quiet time? We had Happy Meals on Friday, while Josh was away at New York (pictures pending) and the lady gave me four girl my little ponies and four transformer things- like each child needs a toy of each?I tried to return them, but they said "Well, they are for you." and I felt bad returning something someone gave me. So I gifted two away and now the boys are busily combing the hair of the pink ponies with their light on, instead of reading in bed. They wouldn't do that if Elizabeth was home- she would tease them. Asher hears them playing loudly and wants to play too. Maybe they'll go to be early tonight! Thanks, Larissa for the info! I'll work on it right now! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I know that some people have on their blogs when other's blogs were last updated. I knew how to do this awhile ago, but I never did it and now I can't remember. Can anyone tell me how you do it again?

As some of you may know, we took Elizabeth to the Doctor on Thursday. After running around the office a few times and have Elizabeth start coughing and wheezing, he decided to put her on Albutirol (sp?), a medicine for asthma. Josh takes the same kind but his is an inhaler and Elizabeth's is a yummy syrup- yay for new technology! The Dr. said they used to have only adrenaline to cure asthma but now they have other medicines. It does make them a little more hyper though. Not something I really need with three boys already! He also put her on an anit-biotic for five days to loosen any mucus and we see the Dr. again on Tuesday for a final diagnosis. On Friday we drove down to D.C. to see the new American History Museum that just opened up. It was really cool. Not as kid friendly, but Josh and I really enjoyed it. On the way up, I was reading an article in the new Oprah magazine (which I don't subscribe to, but buy once every two years) about an actor who had no family and no respo...

Check out this website: www.everydayfoodstorage.net. They're having a give-a-way on Monday! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

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