Happiness

Okay. So we didn't actually drive down to D.C. to see the WWII Memorial. I scheduled that blog post and that was before Friday, when I realized what we all really needed was some down time and not go anywhere for a while. So, Saturday I took Jonah miniature golfing and we all went swimming. Today I went to the temple and then we went swimming again, without Elizabeth and Josh. Later we had a yummy dinner at a friends house. And that my friends, was our Memorial Day weekend. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Image taken from www.thepioneerwoman.com. Check it for more pics- they made me cry! Today is Memorial Day! To celebrate, we will be driving down to D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial. What a better way to celebrate Memorial Day by visiting this site and remembering and honoring those who have served so valiantly for our country. Happy Memorial Day! How wonderful to live in such a great country and to have peace in our land! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Elizabeth's face is pink because of an allergic reaction to amoxicillian. Elizabeth today This is a picture of Elizabeth's arms. She woke up this morning with an allergic reaction to amoxicillan. Poor girl! We gave her benadryl and called the Dr. and she slept through Sacrament Mtg. Again.

This picture was stolen from thepioneerwoman.com, taken by someone else. I was going to wait until Monday to post a Memorial day picture, but I just couldn't wait! Thepioneerwoman.com is posting a series of blog posts with just pictures of soldiers coming home from war. Wow. It made me tear up. Okay. It made me cry. But that's just because I'm hormonal. And it's a good thing I'm hormonal too. All systems are up and running fine, if you know what I mean. And if not, e-mail me and I'll let you know! (joshmeganabbott@hotmail.com). On the home front, Asher is still sick. From 5 pm on he kept saying he was cold (getting the chills from his fever) and that his head and tummy hurt. He didn't eat any dinner, but it could have been because of the bag of Captain Crunch I gave him earlier to keep him happy. I just signed up to take him to the gym too. I haven't been in a week! But I have been running in the morning! :) The ringing in my ears is spontaneously gone a...

Asher, playing the guitar at Elizabeth's piano studio I love how about half my readers are in California so that if I wait until 11 am or 12 pm to post it's only 8 am or 9 am there. Of course that makes it hard when you want to call your Mom at 9 in the morning and it's 6 am there! Oh, well! Also, some people in California have not been posting on their blogs. I won't name any names, Kristen! I don't want my blog to be a woe-is-me blog all the time. But, here I go. We are home again today, missing another field trip- this time for Ethan and Jonah (hopefully I'll get my $ back). Asher was burning up at 6 am when I checked his forehead while he slept and I knew that wasn't good! He woke up with a fever of 100.8- bleh! It was low enough to maybe take him to the babysitters- but 100.8 is still pretty high. Plus, he was clingy and grumpy. Plus, I started having that weird ringing in my ears that caused me to miss all of Church a week and a half ago. I can't e...

Poor sick Jonah on the night of Fathers and Sons All last week Jonah was extremely grumpy and tired. He would yell, throw his fork, hit Asher, fall asleep anytime we went somewhere in the car and wouldn't eat very much. This is so abnormal for Jonah. Friday morning after another disagreement I got upset and said "Jonah, I am so tired of you being grumpy all the time!"I called and attempted to make an appointment with the Dr. They got him in later that day. He was feverish and the Strep test came back very positive. What??? I thought! (and felt badly for yelling at him that morning!) He didn't have a sore throat- still didn't and only wouldn't eat. Turns out that is typical for 4-7 year-olds with strep. Elizabeth came home from school that day with a crazy fever of 101.8. I committed to taking her to the Dr. the very next day. She also said her stomach hurt. After an hour and a half at a busy Dr. office, her strep came back negative but that was only the quick ...

(stock photo) Ever since Josh and I got married, he has wanted to buy me a nice piano. We did get a pretty good keyboard, complete with a stand and a bench from his Mom, but it's just not the same as a piano. When we finally own a house, we will get a piano we decided. That was almost three years ago. Mortgage payments, painting of rooms and other furniture such as a sofa for the family room have all taken precedent. Until now! With the help of some funds left over from a project and the beautiful thing known as Craigslist, we are soon to be owners of a beautiful, black Roland HP-203 Digital Piano w/Bench and Light! I went to see it yesterday and loved it!!! The only problem with it is that I will play it A LOT and our home will be filled with a lot more noise, which is saying something in an already noisy household. It will be good noise though. More NEWS! I will be returning to teaching piano lessons in the Fall! I taught for one year when I was in High School at my piano teacher...

Josh, me and our four kids- almost nine years later! Nine years ago, in 2001, I had been off my mission for about ten months and was seriously dating a wonderful guy named Joshua Abbott. Ok, so yes, I did marry him, but pretend you don't know that yet. Josh had a roommate named Court and one day Court came into my apartment to visit with us and show us the ring he had just gotten for his girlfriend. These were the college days and everyone was getting married left and right (especially at BYU) so we were not surprised to find out that Court was planning to propose. He showed us the ring and right away I said "I love it!' The funny thing about that ring was that it was a $9 fake diamond ring he had bought at Wal-mart. I guess he didn't really know what she wanted, so he got a place holder ring. As it turned out, they got engaged and then broke it off and the ring was returned. Josh had finally decided to propose (after 4 months!) and asked his roomie for the ring as he ...

Asher's last day of preschool was yesterday. I was really sad. Not because he is leaving Pre-school- he will be in Preschool next year. It's that it was his last day at that preschool. I loved his preschool. His teachers were fabulous and the curriculum was great! He's not doing it next year because it is more expensive for the four year program: more money than I really want to pay. So, he will try the High School one which is a LOT cheaper. We'll see how it goes! Enjoy his sing along! (side note: Asher is in the back and you can't see him, but I love the song and here's a picture I took of him.) This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately, so I've decided to write a list of all the things that I am grateful for. There is a power in gratitude. It helps you see the positive side of things. It magically changes your attitude and helps you be happy, instead of sour and grumpy. So, here it is: I'm grateful for Asher! I'm grateful for Elizabeth! I'm grateful for Ethan and Jonah and having twins! I am grateful for Josh and good friends! :) This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

4 Trips to Home Depot. 3 repair men. 2 repair vans. No walking on our main floors for two days. Out to eat twice. No cooking or dishes. No access to e-mail. Insurance paying for the refinishing of our floors and new tile. Priceless.

This is a message of peace! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott

I woke up this morning at 5:30 am, feeling fine! I got my blood tested last night and then read up in my Bi-Polar book I got on Amazon when I was diagnosed. I learned a lot more about it, so it was a good thing this all happened. The boys birthday was awesome- we had a movie "Up" birthday themed party with pin the balloon on the missing balloon, pop the balloon on someone's foot and pass the squirrel. Thanks for all the Happy Birthdays and cards and presents- they are still busy playing with them this morning- they wouldn't even get breakfast or get dressed! Crazy! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

So, I'm back on lithium. I've taken before and loved it! I've loved it this time too, until I forgot to go get my blood levels checked like I was supposed to on Tuesday. Things have been so busy around here: preparing for the boys birthday party and at the same time getting materials for a bathroom overall. It has been sooo crazy! and I was cocky- once again. This seems to be the story of my life. I thought that since I had taken the same amount of lithium before, that the same amount would work again so I did not get my blood checked. Also, after getting my blood drawn twice for my last pregnancy and things not working out, I feel strongly against that lab and do not want to set my foot in there ever again. Until today. I woke up with ringing in my ears and a feeling that there is water in my ears but it won't go away. I can't hear very well and I'm in pain. Plus, it's the boys birthday! I got all ready for Church and was ready to go when I felt like I was ...

Happy 6th Birthday, Ethan! I love you! You have always been able to blow out the candles first on your birthday. Yesterday, at your party, I let Jonah go first and what did you do? You blew out his candles! He was sad and cried. I wondered why you did that, since you were next. I guess it was just habit. Ethan, you are such a creative little boy. You love to draw and create. You love to write and collect. You love to climb the trees in our backyard. You make a wonderful friend. Your best friend is Andy and you do everything together at school. You are a wonderful student and a great son. Thank you for blessing my life with joy! Love you, Mom

Today is a Sunday and Jonah, you are a bit bummed that it is on a Sunday because your teacher can't tell you happy birthday and you can't have a friend party today. That's okay because we had a friend party on Thursday. Although you were so excited about the party that your Mom has decided no more birthdays from now on. Seriously. I wanted to do a separate post because you are separate from Ethan and I unique individual all on your own. You just happen to be a twin! Jonah, when you were blessed you were blessed that you would be happy and make others around you happy. You truly do that and we love that about you. Sometimes you get passionate about something and feel very strongly but most of the time you are easy going and laid back! Happy Birthday, Jonah!

The New Hinckley Visitor Center Good Morning/Afternoon! I am up early on the computer. I should have read my scriptures first, so I'll do that tomorrow. Meanwhile, I wanted to let you know of the re-broadcast they are doing on BYU-TV of the Women's Conference I attended in April. I am so excited! They are doing it today and a little next week. The BEST one to watch is Julie B. Beck next Wednesday. The others are all great also- I love technology! So, that's what you'll find me doing today at quiet time- listening to some of the talks I missed, because you can't go to all of them! There also will be a book published of some of the talks and I may get that also! I love it!!! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I was doing my early morning scripture reading in The Book of Mormon and I was getting bored! I checked what book I was reading in and it was Alma- of course! I always get stuck in Alma! The fighting, the wars, I just have a really hard time getting into it. Isaiah is fine for me. Alma? Phew. So, what did I do? I prayed. "Heavenly Father, I am really having a hard time getting into my scripture study this morning. Please help me find something that I can apply in my life and help me be better." Or something like that. The next verse I read was Alma 43:50 "And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power: and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them..." What I learned from this was: 1. God hears and answers my prayers. Because I prayed, He helped that scripture come to light in my mind. I could have kept reading and totally glance over it. 2. He will deliver us from our fears: our worries a...

May 2009, watching tv! Fathers and Sons Camp-Out 2008 Easter time with all four kids! 2007 The boys, making a mess as they often did! 2006 Us, circa 2005 I am getting ready to do a big post for the boy's 6th birthday. I have my scrapbooks, my new scanner- all I need is a USB chord for the scanner and I'm set! Until then, here is a little preview and a little birth story: My twins were born early with twin to twin transfusion. They spent a month in the NICU. What a crazy time. We didn't know they had twin to twin. It was a Sunday and I had just informed the ladies from Church that I would need meals starting in five weeks and the contractions hit. Pretty strong. Every five minutes. They came as I walked little 20 month old Elizabeth down the streets of Provo. I hoped they would go away. I napped. They kept coming. We went to Sacrament mtg. Still every five minutes. We went home and after an hour called the hospital. Twins? Come in! They said. Everyone was still at Church and...

I did it again. I used up all my alloted computer time on e-mails and facebook. The e-mails I read were messages from my Moms club about an event that I'm not even going to attend, but really want to. I wasn't going to go on facebook, but someone sent me a message and I had to respond and then I had to send more messages and coordinating and pretty soon Asher is out of his quiet time and the laundry is calling me- threatening to get wrinkly and then there are cookies to make and boys parties to prepare for. Call me when the month of May is over. Better yet, call me in July, when I'll have three kids in summer school and it will be just Asher and me. Once again. Love, Megan

Larissa!!! Congrats! I will send your package out very soon and since I only had3 people comment in total I may be sending out more than one package if I have cookies left over!:) Now I really do have to bake today- sometimes I put it off and put if off and then it never gets done. Love, Megan p.s. Josh (and the kids) surprised me with a scanner/printer/copier! Yay! I LOVE it! Look for lots more scanned pics to come! I have to get working on the boys birthday post! They will be SIX in a week! My baby twins! Aaah!

I love having kids in school. It's worth all the hard work and effort staying home with them the first five years or so to see them leave the nest and succeed in another environment. Each of my children made me something at school for Mother''s Day. Elizabeth painted a pot with a flower in it and wrote a Mothers Day poem. Here's what it said: My mom cooks the best food for dinner. Oustanding mom! The desserts you make for me are sweet. Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you. Excellent cleaning skills! Roses remind me of you. by Elizabeth Ethan gave me a painted flower pot also. Jonah gave me a picture of him in a pink heart frame and a bead necklace. Each color bead represents something and his teacher told me that he was very adamant about picking out more of a certain color because I was more of that. So sweet! Asher gave me a Spring Concert and a tissue papered candle holder. I love it! Josh even made me breakfast in bed and gave me a foot massage and did the d...

Okay. This is the last Women's Conference post! That is until I go to our Stake Women's Conference today and learn even more! Just kidding! Women's Conference started off with a General Session where Relief Society President Julie B. Beck spoke to us. From Julie B. Beck, I learned that being worthy of receiving the Spirit and then following it's guidance is the most important job I can do as a woman. That is how I will know what I need to do or to change. That is how I will know how best to help my husband and children. That is how I will know how to serve best in my calling. She said "feeling the Spirit is the Ultimate Education we can receive." She suggested essential, necessary and nice to do things in being worthy and receiving the Spirit. They are as follows: Essential: -Spending some time in the scriptures each day. -Praying several times a day, often with pen and paper, to hear His voice and record it. -Renewing our baptismal covenants through taking th...

I have five minutes to write a post before I get the kids up out of bed. With this time frame I just wanted to share a few thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head lately: - I love the Church. I love that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love that I can have a convert-like testimony so even though I've known the Gospel all my life, I can feel like I have just found it. -I love being a Mom. I love having a girl who is precious and sweet and intelligent and fun. I love having twins, even though they drive me up the wall sometimes. And I love Asher. Yesterday his preschool had a Spring Concert and he shouted out to me "Hi, Mommy!" for the whole world to hear. He melted my heart. -I love being a wife to Josh. He works so hard to support our family and really tries his very best in all that he does. -I love being a Hulihan and a Abbott and all that comes with that. -I love blogging and I love the fact that I can share my thoughts an...

My favorite meal at Red Butte Gardens- I've eaten it twice now! French Onion Soup with bread and salad. I was in Heaven! Plus, good company! So this is my 598th post! Can you believe it? I can't. It's crazy! Look for something good on Saturday the day of my 600th post- something good like a give away or something like that! Last week I had the chance to hang with my family. I saw all of my siblings except two- Molly and Larissa- and I have seven! Tommy and Christine and family were in Utah the same time I was in Utah last week and we just had to hook up! We saw David's new house and then went to Kangaroo Zoo, a bounce place. Upon hearing about Kangaroo Zoo, my clan immediately demanded to be taken there. When I said it was five hours away on plane, they didn't care. So, I may have to tell them there is a bounce U, not too far away. That would make their day. Maybe even their birthday! (Ethan and Jonah that is- they turn 6 in a little over a week!) Amy and her kids C...

Why does NieNie make me cry???

I had the opportunity to attend BYU Women's Conference 2010 and volunteer at one of their service projects. In February, Josh's sister Emily, called me and asked if I wanted to help her and Joy do a service project of making boxes that women could take home from the hospital after they lost their babies. After some thinking, and planning and feeling like I just couldn't say no, I said yes. Little did I know that I would miscarry at 8 weeks on April 6, three weeks before Women's Conference, and thus feel very much attached to the said service project. Emily lost her son, Joseph, at 21 weeks, and was deeply devoted to carry this service project out. We were going to make 400 boxes and bracelets, with the help of lots of women at Women's Conference. Josh's other sisters Jen, Kristen, Ellen and sister-in-law Marrisse all planned to come. It was going to be an amazing reunion and Women's Conference. And it was! How so! We stayed up late talking at night. We list...

I'm back! I spent the past five days in lovely, snowy Utah visiting with family and friends and attending BYU Women's Conference. I had the time of my life! So much so, that I called Josh and poured my heart out about how wonderful Utah is- the people, the food, the shopping, the inspiration. We finally decided that yes, it is wonderful and no, we don't need to pack up our family and set up camp. The Lord needs us in Maryland. Even with all of it's humidity and way of life. Utah can be where I go on vacation, like California. But I won't go again- at least for a little while. It's gonna take a whole lot for me to get on an airplane again. Like a wedding or something. Because, man, flying across the whole United States is one long, big, tiring trip. And that's without four little kids. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I don't usually blog on Saturday, but I have some time today, so I think I will. Happy May 1st! I was reading a woman's blog (on mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com)who works on improving a new trait each month. Last month, for April she was working on forgiveness. I like that idea. For this month of May I want to work on Gratitude, the opposite of Pride. I want to be grateful for what I have. I have a wonderful husband who is relatively healthy and has a well paying job. I have a beautiful daughter who makes me laugh and smile with her notes and cute little anecdotes. I have precious twin boys who each in the own way win my heart over daily. I have a little preschooler who loves to sing songs, play on the slide and ride his scooter. I have a home that we own, something that I have always wanted. I have a degree in Elementary Eduation and can use it to teach if I ever want/need to. I have a loving Mother and Father who constantly care about me and my children. I have wonderful sister...