Happiness

My brother, Tommy and his wife Christine, welcomed a little- I mean, BIG!- baby boy into their family early yesterday morning! Dax Taylor Hulihan was born at 12:21 am weighing 9 lbs 8 oz and measuring 21 inches long. That makes 14 grandchildren for my Parents! Congratulations! It's amazing how much light a new baby can bring into this world! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I was sent this book by one of the many angels that I have in my life. I just finished it and it was wonderful- full of inspiring little stories and a resolutions chart about how to be happier- in one year. I have decided to start working on it. I decided this morning to work on it and all at once I was happier- you know what they say about making goals and working to achieve them! We rented the movie from Red Box yesterday, as the kids had a day off of school for a professional day. Let me just say that the kids LOVED it! I did too! Why have we not seen it sooner? It did have a seen where the Mom loses a baby in the beginning and is rated pg for intense action, but I loved, loved, loved it! I even let the kids watch some of it again later that day- they liked it so much! Other bloggers that I have read have mentioned having a word for the year. Kind of like a theme. So my word for the year is LIGHT. I want my thoughts and words and actions to be true and honest and good- full of light...

A week ago the kid's school had an awards assembly. Ethan and Jonah both got an award- Ethan for respect and Jonah for responsibility. Asher and I got to go and see them get their awards. We are so proud of you, Ethan and Jonah! (sorry the pictures are blurry- I'm still figuring out our new camera!) This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Elizabeth brought home a project on African Americans this afternoon. On it were a list of thirty African Americans that she could choose from to do a report. I looked at it and mentioned some ones that I liked - Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, etc. She looked at it and picked a random name and Tiger Woods. What am I supposed to say to that? I let her write them down. Then I said "Actually Tiger Woods did some things that were wrong. Let's look at the list again for a different one." She replied "What kind of wrong things?" I didn't know what to say... Turns out her friend wanted to do Tiger Woods and she wanted to do the same one as her friend. Well, at least she's very excited about it! What do you think? Would it be fine to let her study about whomever she wants to? This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

As overheard in the Abbott household: Asher (on learning that we were going out on a date that night): "Good news: We are having a babysitter tonight! Bad News: We are staying home tonight." Hee hee The kids are on a good news, bad news kick. When I mentioned it to Josh he said that Jonah said something that morning. Something like "Good news: We're having pancakes this morning. Bad news: they are sticky!" So funny! Also overheard tonight during a lesson on Heavenly Father and Jesus. Me to Asher: "Who is someone that loves you?" Asher: "JESUS!" Little children are truly precious and I was especially reminded of that today-of how we should be like little children. We went to the Zoo today and I was slightly grumpy and tired from driving and getting everyone ready for the trip. Seeing Asher's and the other's enthusiasm for even the small and simple creatures made my day. If we truly look at the world through the eyes of a child, everyt...

Our new camera takes video- with sound even!- so we were excited to try it out on Christmas morning! Here's Asher doing a little interview. Enjoy! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

This is Asher on his first day being a "Sunbeam" at Church Asher- you are such a happy, fun loving boy! You are so big now! We walked part the aisles of baby things today at the store and said "I don't wanna look at baby things- look at the toys over there!" You ran to a tennis racket, found a ball and were ready to play. You started preschool and love it. You can hold your own with the boys. Still, in some ways you are still my baby! You are trusting and loving, eager to please, energetic and full of life! I'm so glad that you came into our lives 3 1/2 years ago! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

So, Asher started preschool this week! Since all of the other kids are in school, Josh and I felt like he needed something to keep him busy and help him learn and grow! He was quite excited and even got dressed all by himself. When we got there, he walked straight in and started taking his coat off. He has seen his brothers do it and he was ready. Yay for independence! Meanwhile, I was excited to be kid free for a little while! It felt weird knowing that I had three hours that I could do anything with! It's been a lonnngggg time since that has happened! I went to the gym and ran/walked the first week of a 5k training schedule- that's RIGHT! a 5K is among my goals this year- again! Hopefully this will be the year that it happens! After the gym, I headed home to clean the fridge. I decided that I could make cookies so that they could bake while I scrubbed. Little did I know that the process of baking cookies would go something like this: Decide on chocolate chip cookies. Check le...

January- Josh wrestling with the kids! February brings four in the tub! Us at a play in March April flowers- Cherry Blossoms in D.C. May- a Mother's Day program! June- Strawberry time at Butler's Orchard! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott. Happy New Year, Everyone!