Happiness

Dear Blog, I missed you yesterday! You may have not missed me- but I missed you! I was off supervising some students- aka substituting- but now I am back! I have noticed lately that my nest is quite empty during the day. I leave to take the kids to school at 7:30 am and Josh leaves right after that. At 7:35 am, I say good-bye to my bed headed children who are full of energy and excitement as they face a new day of elementary school- playing on the playground, learning about planets, phonics (yes, they teach that here), friends, lunch in the cafeteria, music/art/p.e./snack time and then on to a snack and homework at 3 pm. Between 8 am and 3 pm is my time. It is filled with cleaning up after breakfast and lunch making/walking the dog/hitting the gym sometimes!/washing soiled sheets/doing laundry/taking out the trash and recycling/grocery shopping/clothes shopping/an occasional substitute job/dr. appointments/scratching the dog/going online/blog writing/balancing the budget/paying bill...

It's Friday! What are you going to do this weekend? Tonight Josh are and I are going to a J. Reuben Clark Law Society Fireside at the Institute at ASU. He's going for some intellectual stimulation. I'm mostly going to get a break from the kids and be with him! Saturday I may sleep in a little until my hair looks like this! We're doing chores, the kids are going to Stake Softball and I'm going to our Stake Relief Society meeting and luncheon. Someone important is speaking-not sure who. We are also going to dinner at Josh's faculty director's home. They have 2 kids so it should be good! We've been watching Season 2 of Downton Abbey and loving it. Will Mary marry Matthew? Will he get hurt in the war? I can't wait! I love the setting, the music-everything. Our tv only gets 7 channels and they are not pbs nor Fox for American Idol. And now that Josh is bringing home a pay check, we added a few more bills (repairs on the house in Md, etc) and suddenly we ...

image from parenting.com and smitten kitten- mashed banana, chocolate chips between tortillas, dusted with powdered suger- yum!!! It's 10:41 am and I am sitting in a quiet house. The dryer is going, a load has already been folded, my favorite tv show watched, the dog is asleep by the sofa chair and I am on my own. It threatened to not be this way this morning. At 6 am my alarm went off and at 6:02 am the Gilbert Public Schools called with a sub assignment. I picked up the phone and hung it up right away. I subbed half a day yesterday and while yesterday I thoroughly welcomed the change and reason to get out of the house, this morning I didn't even want to know! I let the kids sleep in as much as they wanted since they have been being pills and I think it's lack of sleep that's causing it. Jonah and Elizabeth slept in until 7:11 am- which is 30 min late for them. I planned on being late to school but when the time came that we really would be late, I hurried them them in...

Can you believe it? I own 2 usb cords to my camera and cannot find either of them. Either they have fallen into the trash or a child has used them for their adventure! Luckily I have not taken a lot of pictures lately, but I have played around with my 50 mm lens- as inspired by Hilary- and I will share those one day- soon! Happy Chinese New Year! (yesterday). Our neighbors are from Hong Kong and they put up lots of red and gold decorations outside their house- pic. on my camera. Here's what's been going on lately: - My sister Amy had a beautiful baby boy in Japan on Saturday- one week early. We are all thrilled. Still waiting on a name and pics! -In December Josh and I went to an orientation meeting about the State's foster and adoption program. We had no job at the time, so we decided to wait. Friday we sent in a form that said we are interested in the program. The next step is taking 10 three-hour classes in addition to many other things. We haven't decided yet if t...

My Sister-in-law Hilary took this picture of Elizabeth- isn't it Gorgeous? The lighting is beautiful- as is Elizabeth! There is another baby boom going on and this time I feel strangely at peace. Maybe it's because I had morning sickness for a month recently and I remember too vividly how it felt. Maybe it's because I don't really want to be pregnant in the heat of the summer and think later would be better. But, most of all, I had a thought. A calming, quiet thought. It wasn't the right time for our baby to come to our family. It wasn't me. It wasn't something that I did or didn't do. And it's okay that we've had to wait such a long time . Because babies are worth waiting for. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I ordered 2 of these charms for my miscarriages to go on a chain. I feel like writing a post on miscarriage. It seems like such a taboo topic, yet 1 in almost 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Now that it's been 2 months since my last miscarriage (my 2nd one), I feel like I can write about it at a safe distance. I still feel upset that it happened, I still feel a little hurt, but I know that while the memory of it will always be there, the pain won't be as bad. Maybe people have a hard time talking about it because it is such a disappointing thing. You become attached to that baby the moment you see those 2 little lines on the pregnancy test (or the word pregnant ). There is someone growing inside of you and all you can think about is how to protect and nurture that little one. When you find out something has happened to him/her- something that you couldn't control and that baby is gone, you feel devastated. You realize that you really don't have control over everythin...

that is the signature of my Great-Grandfather. How neat, huh? Josh had MLK Jr. Day off so we headed to our local IKEA- 20 minutes away in Tempe. We had planned a hike but since it was drizzly it was canceled. I've been wanting to turn our guest room into a bedroom/craft room. There was a desk at IKEA which I love and I wanted to create a space where I can sew, blog, download pics, craft and do family history in semi-peace and quiet. Those of you who know me, know I love shopping and I love IKEA. As we dropped the kids off at Smaland, except Elizabeth who wanted to come with us, I beamed with anticipation. Josh was not as thrilled. That's ok. We found the desk, and a lamp, and 2 Christmas stars on sale (for my July 4th themed room), ate lunch (which was free since we spent over a certain amount) and headed home. A successful trip! Josh worked on his Christmas puzzle when we got home and I did some family history and found the record above. I love it! This is my blog. My name i...

So, the other day I was looking at the sidebar of my blog that has my bucket list. On it is to find a new hobby. I set out to find one! On Saturday we went fishing with the kids. Could this be a new hobby for me? I wondered. As minutes went by without catching a thing, I realized that I had no patience for it. I googled hobbies and found whittling pipes, quilting, gardening, etc. All things that take patience. Which I don't have a lot of. I put it to a matter of prayer and left it at that. That evening, Josh and I went to the Temple and were sealed for Magdalena Cera and John Drewa- my last card that I had printed out to do Temple Work with (she is my great Aunt on my Grandpa's side) and I knew. Family History is to be my new hobby. I had to search through 5 unopened boxes to find my family history binders, but find them I did! (I also found our bathroom scale in one of them- who packed that box??) I am so excited! I was talking to my Mom last night and she mentioned learning ...

Jonah and Ethan, 2004 Jonah, Ethan, Me and Elizabeth, 2005 Ethan and Jonah (and a crying Asher! and Elizabeth- had to throw this one in!) 2006 Jonah and Ethan, 2007 Ethan and Jonah (and Elizabeth), 2008 Jonah and Ethan, 2009 Ethan and Jonah, 2010 Ethan and Jonah, 2011 I was once a Mom surrounded by little, little kids. Now they are all so much bigger. How did this happen??? This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

So, Josh has just been loving his new job this year! He said to me one morning- "Megan, I'm having this weird feeling!" "What?" I replied. "I'm excited to go to work!" Now, this was on his 2nd day of the job, but after 2 weeks I think he still feels the same way! They've kept him busy meeting everyone at the law school, including students, professors, directors of other centers, the dean who he reports to, etc. He is busy, busy, busy- but a good kind of busy. He had to get some professional pictures done the other day. You know, for the school and online. He e-mailed them to me and when the first one popped up on my phone, right in the Target parking lot, my heart stopped beating for a second. He is so handsome! (and I can say that without him knowing since he hasn't been reading my blog lately! ;) ). I am so excited for him and all the new opportunities that are in store this new year. How blessed we are! This is my 1,100 blog post. My nam...

So far this week, I've highlighted some sights that I like (Mr. Tom), tastes that I have enjoyed (the cake was awesome and still is awesome) and now here is a smell that I just fall head over heals for: Chocolate Fondue Lotion! I tried it the other day in the Teachers Lounge as I ducked in to use the restroom. Their restroom was amazing! If you can tell the quality of the education of your children by the teacher's restroom, than my kids are very well educated! There was furniture, there were pictures on the walls and there was a basket with several different lotions. I chose the chocolate one. And I chose correctly! Too bad they don't sell this anymore. Divine! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott. ps. I've noticed a trend in the west- dressy bathrooms. Ok. Maybe it's in Maryland as well- the styles are just completely different. One is understated and cool. The other is crafty and more stylized. Guess which one is which?

This beautiful Chocolate Cake has been egging me on into making it ever since I saw it on Pinterest a while back but I had no reason to make it. When I was put in charge of the dessert and drinks for our January Book Group, I knew just what to make! I planned on splitting it into 2 days- 1 day making the cake, the next decorating it. It was so much fun that I did it all yesterday. Good thing too, since my hosting partner hurt her back so I am hosting now and I would not have had time to do it all. Let me just say that this is the most delicious cake ( I trimmed off a little on the side) and the most delicious frosting I have ever tasted! Seriously! It was all I could do to stop trimming the cake. (I have pinned it on my yummy food boards if you are interested). Nice to know Heaven comes is such a sweet form! Look! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

I feel like doing a somewhat silly post today. As you may know, I turned 34 a couple of weeks ago and Tom Cruise was kind enough to open his latest- and I'm sure last- sequel of Mission Impossible the day after my birthday. Because of Christmas craziness, we weren't able to go see it until last weekend. So, for our Friday night date night, we left a kind and sweet 12 year old girl with our 4 rambunctious kids (and one funny dog) and went out for a little Panda Express and Tom Cruise. Swoon! I have to say, I adored Tom Cruise when I was younger. I thought he was smokin' in Top Gun (didn't we all?), Days of Thunder, Rainman, Cocktail (I think I only watched half of that one), Far and Away (so awesome!), Interview with a Vampire (kinda creepy), not the Firm (but I wanted to watch it) and who can forget Jerry McGuire which came out the year I graduated High School ('96) and I saw the edited version of at the WILK at BYU! Swoon, again! I have since fallen for a blonder, ...

tilt much? I was going thru some boxes and found this easel I made over 10 yrs. ago at BYU in an El. Ed. class. I have never used it, but packed it up each time we moved. I used it yesterday. And it's tilted! And I think I got an A in that class! Oh, well! My poor cub scouts! I feel like blogging. My hair is wet, the kids are at school, the dog is taking a nap outside my bedroom door. One of Josh's 2 rules is no-dogs-in-our-bedroom (the other is no babies in bed, although sometimes I stretch that rule at 6 am with a nursing little one). I don't have anything particular to say today. This morning I was feeling a bit down- as I am wont to do occasionally since I do have bipolar- and started writing a list of things I am grateful for. I am grateful: -that Josh doesn't have to leave until 7:20 am for work. -that he comes home at least 30 min. earlier that before. -that we found Sadie. -that I have a daughter. -that I have 3 sons. -that I had 2 miscarriages (but no, I don...

picture via online "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." D & C 6:36 I've tried to do a word of the year in the past. Usually I'm motivated for a few weeks and then I even forget what the word ever was. So, this year, I saw something on Mormon.org about choosing a scripture for the year. I read a few of the comments and came across this scripture. I really liked it! It was simple and to the point. Something I could memorize and repeat to myself throughout the day. I even have it written on my blank frame with a dry erase marker in our bathroom where I write pithy quotes. Or scriptures. Or Merry Christmases. Today was the first day of having the whole house to myself- except Sadie- since Elizabeth came into our lives. When Asher started Kindergarten, Josh was home looking for a job. When Josh started his new job, the kids where home on Winter break and when they went back, Asher was home sick. Today they are all gone. I came home to an empty house, q...

Reading in the Conference Edition, I found a talk entitled "It is Better to Look Up" by Elder Carl B. Cook and it touched my heart. He spoke about how he had just spent his first week as a General Authority and was feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. As he came down in the elevator he was looking down at the floor when someone came in. It was President Monson and he encouraged him "It is better to look up!" He goes on to say that the Prophets lead us to God and President Monson is a great example of this. He says "He exercises great faith and is filled with optimism, wisdom, and love for others. His attitude is one of 'can do' and 'will do'. He trusts the Lord and relies on Him for strength, and the Lord blesses him." At this New Year, I really want to be more optimistic. Things will work out. We have a good job- A great job! We have an offer on our house in Maryland. We have a sweet dog. Our future is bright and we will be able to reach ...

In September, we got a snake, we visited family for Labor Day, and Elizabeth turned 9! In October, we had Winter Break with our cousins, went hiking in a desert park, and went trick or treating! In November, we celebrated Thanksgiving in Santa Barbara, CA and loved every minute of it! In December, we built Gingerbread Houses, added Sadie. 4 yr old. Cocker Spaniel/Border Collie to our family to the joy of the children, Megan turned 34 and we celebrated over dinner and cake with Uncle Jimmy and cousin Zack. and we celebrated the Christmas Holiday in California! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

In May I ran my 2nd 5K and haven't run another one since- but hope to soon- the boys went on a Fathers and Sons outing, and Ethan and Jonah turned 7 years old. In June, we ate Maryland fresh steamed crabs, played in the water, and celebrated the end of school! In July, we walked in the 4th of July Parade with the Whetstone Whales Swim Team, we went to see the New York Hill Cumorah Pagent, and Asher turned 5! In August we put our home on the market- two days after our 10th anniversary and drove across the country, moved into a new home in Gilbert, Arizona, and went to the temple! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

In April, we celebrated Easter, I got a new camera- a used canon rebel xti complete with 3 lens and love the quality of pics it takes! Josh turned 32, and got balloon hats at IKEA. In March, we saw the Cherry Blossoms, ate ice cream in our pajamas, and made pink goo from borax and glue. In February, we got a scare when Elizabeth passed out in the kitchen (she is fine), I cut my hair short and loved it, and celebrated the Chinese New Year. In January, we sled down hills, played with Mustaches, and visited the Hershey factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania.