Happiness

Yesterday I went to a Meet and Mingle for the ladies at our Church. Our ward is still new, so they had set up a speed get-to-know-you session. We sat down and had two minutes to discuss various questions with the lady sitting across from us. Questions like- "What do you least like about yourself?" (the fact that I am too soft/nice sometimes and get taken advantage of sometimes. My nose?) "If you could find anything at a garage sale what would it be and for how much?" (A bigger flat screen tv for $50 thank you very much!) And my personal favorite? "If you could eat lunch with anyone who would it be and why?" Two ominutes people! I replied Joseph Smith. I know it's a little trite for a Mormon, but it's true (did you see Mitt won AZ and Michigan? Hoorah!) Joseph Smith is the man who most reminds me of our Savoir. He is kind and good, full of love and forgiveness. A wonderful man whom I have to thank for the wonderful life I lead.http://www.blogger.com...

Blue and Gold Banquet at Scouts My rash is fading into non-existence- the pale pink stripes left over are trying their best to keep fighting. I slept through the night like a baby *who actually doesn't sleep through the night, so why this expression exists I don't fully know. I survived a crazy rough morning with Elizabeth (something about it being picture day and boys teasing her for blushing and not liking pink anymore) and so, I am celebrating with a postponement of grocery duties by catching up on blogs. I love me a good blog. Things on my mind lately are: The Oscars . I didn't watch them and usually don't, but I love catching a few glimpses of the divine dresses with sparkles galore. And I would want to go see The Artist- but it's in black n white. I have a hard time with those. Really! We won 2- count them- 2 gift certificates at couples Bunco the other night- one to Texas Roadhouse *which we have never been to* and In-N-Out- my fav! Who knew Josh knew how to ...

The kids playing at the Freestone Park- Mom and Dad, we'll have to take you there- so fun! After a Dr. visit yesterday, a steroid shot in the rear and some heavy duty prescription benadryl and steroids, my rash has subsided off my arms and face and now is only on my tummy and legs. And it doesn't itch! Hooray! I caught up on laundry, took out the trash and took Sadie for a walk this Monday morning. It feels so good to get things done when you've been in bed sick the whole day. Imagine what women who are on bed rest for a long time feel! Tomorrow- volunteering in Asher's class. Wednesday- is open: a trip to the post office and to the grocery store, unless I get a call to sub. It's funny about this whole rash experience. I looked in my journals to see if I had written about what I had done for my rash in the past- it wasn't there. It was on this blog! I guess I really do use my blog as a journal. And I'm ok with that. I have been writing in my journal more lat...

The cake batter truffles Larissa and I made to bring to the boys chocolate party- yum! Remember when I had that rash almost a year ago? It was then that I found out I was allergic to the anti-biotic Amoxicillin. It was terrible- itchy, red spots all over! Well, a couple of weeks ago I was walked Sadie on our quick release leash and she saw another dog and lunged for her. I grabbed a hold of the skinny, nylon leash and it rubbed off part of my skin on my finger. It hurt pretty bad, but I kept going and when I got home I was feeling late so I just slapped a band-aid on, no washing or disinfectant cream. Bad idea! A week later my finger became red and swollen- yep, infected! I tried putting Asher's antibiotic cream on it and it didn't help. I went to the Dr. and they prescribed bactrim for it - an antibiotic that wasn't Amoxicillin. That was last Saturday. Eight days later- yesterday- I started getting small red dots all over and took some Benadryl. This morning I woke up to ...

My sister's baby Angel Charlotte would have turned 4 years old today. Happy Birthday, Charlotte, we love you!!! Love, Josh, Megan, Elizabeth, Ethan, Jonah and Asher

a new fav- white chocolate strawberry As per request, I am posting my Sees Poem. The other day, when we went to Sees, I saw they were having a poetry contest. The winner would win a life time supply of Sees!!! I hurriedly came home and wrote a poem right away. The next morning when I went to submit it, I found that they weren't judging the poem on merit and then my computer was having glitches and 3,000 people had already submitted one, so I gave it up. Here it is- maybe I'll try to enter again. Then again, I really don't need a years supply of chocolate! Sees Love One Mother's Day I awoke And reaching out My hands touched The glossy box Of Sees Chocolate- Joy! One Sweet Anniversary I saw In my dear husband's hands Roses And a glossy box Of Sees Chocolates- Lovely. And those Christmas Holidays When Grandpa reached From his tall stack- Of red, slick boxes Of Sees Chocolates And shared around the table, I knew what I had felt- Love. On Valentines Day- Those truffles a...

We live 15 minutes away from the Mesa, Arizona temple. It is a gorgeous temple and the one where my immediate family began on May 29, 1976. I love that Temple. But, I also have a NEW love- the Gilbert, Arizona temple to be dedicated in 2013. We live about 15 minutes from this currently-being-built Temple and have gone to the site a few times to see it's progress. At first there were just metal bars- rebar- jutting out from the ground. They are huge- the size of your arm- enough to support such a big structure. There is a observation deck where you can go and check things out and also a missionary couple in a trailer filled with tidbits of the Temple's construction- a sample of the stained glass used here, a piece of marble there. Amazing. The concrete alone used in the foundation of the Temple could build 1,000 homes. Wow. I took the kids there the other day. Partly to get out of the house (our house often seems cramped on Sunday afternoons) and partly to take pictures of them ...

As the car, Laden heavily with hope, Children, luggage And boxes Crossed the State Line And into this Arid land we now Call home, The future Beckoned and The bright sun Settled in for the night. We were in the desert And I had Returned home. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Do you know how cool you are? You probably do, but I am going to tell you anyways! I wrote a post to each of our kids around Valentines Day and didn't do one on you! Here it goes- You are AMAZING because- -You stay up late with me to watch the Season Finale of Downton Abbbey, even though you had a day full of meetings and were probably exhausted! -You often make the bed because you know I like it. -You work hard at work and work hard at home too. - You love to learn and when something comes up that you can learn more about, you dig right in. -You take Sadie for walks and pick up all her poop when we have discovered her secret "bathroom". -You've supported in all my up and downs, in and outs of growing our family: supporting adoption, trying a new Dr., helping through 2 miscarriages and keeping up hope when I was about to give up- thank you, thank you, thank you. You are my rock. My supporter. My love. My friend. My financial advisor. My guidance counselor. My one and ...

I found out that I don't really have the patience of a good photographer. As I was trying to take pics of the kids (on the day after Feb 3rd- National Bubble Gum Day) blowing bubbles with their gum, I missed quite a few which would have been really good. If only I had waited- camera poised, finger ready. Oh, well! The kids had a blast blowing bubbles. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Sweet Josh bought me this heart shaped box of Sees Chocolates! Doesn't it look divine? Asher- sick and eating toast and watching tv. I really let thing slide when someone's sick. Ethan and his mustache (no idea why he got one at school) Jonah Elizabeth ( I think that is her after school snack) I took a few shots of the Valentines the kids got. I had to include his one! On this one, you popped the balloon and out came candy! The kids get more candy than Valentines! I have no words. The kids passed out bags of popcorn with "You make my heart go POP!" written on them.Doing Valentines for 4 kids is a lot of work! We're feeling all the way recovered over here. After 3 days of illness, it was so nice to get back into the routine of things, and into that box of Sees Chocolate! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

our newly update Guest Bedroom Three years ago, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I had been battling depression and had no clue that it could even remotely be a Bipolar thing. I thought Bipolar people were crazy- they would laugh then cry, shout then weep. They were crazy, right? Nope. It turns out they were okay- they just needed the right meds. After moving across the country, away from most family and friends, it took me 6 months to fall into a deep depression. I began anti-depressants and my depression flipped into a happy-hyper-all-day-and-night thing and I was diagnosed with something I will have for the rest of my life. Bipolar disorder. And I am okay with it.Now. I've been on the same medicine (lithium 900 mg) for the past 2 1/2 years (off and on for some trys at more babies) and I've been stable. I do everything that everyone else can do- driving, sleeping, eating, reading, folding laundry, laughing, playing. I just have to go to the Dr. every few months for a re...

Valentines Day started at 4 am yesterday for me with a bloody nose from Ethan. I was awake then, wide awake and went on line for a little while (probably not the best choice). At 5 am I heard strange sounds and went to investigate. It was Asher, throwing up in the bathroom. Poor kid. I began to feel sick too! We cleaned up and I sent him back to bed, only to hear it happening again a few moments later. No school for us, again. Josh took pity on my poor state and gave me my heart shaped box of Sees Candy before he left for work. A pretty dangerous and brave move, I thought. Luckily, I was feeling sick and could barely even eat dry toast. Not the best Valentines Day in the world, but definitely not the worst! I loved getting to spend more time with Asher. He makes me crack up! He loves choosing his own show, learning to read sight words, holding Sadie the snake (all by himself!) and choosing what to have for lunch (ramen!). That little kid melts my heart. They all do! This is my blog. My...

Chocolate hearts made in a ice cube mold! It works! I'm trying pink milk in them next! February is a great month for me! It's the month I started dating Josh, the month of my favorite color filled in the stores- pink. A month of giving chocolate and flowers- my favorites! Happy Love Day! What do you have planned for your loved ones? Me- two toned heart pancakes and cupcakes for breakfast (maybe- we'll see!), a celebration luncheon of Arizona being a state for 100 yrs and a yummy steak dinner (close to a tradition- depending on what we feel like!) and something fun planned for Josh! I can't wait! Love to you all! Megan

Impetigo (Im-pe-ty-go) has struck our household and hit Asher-boy. Sorry, Lariss, if your kiddos get it! It showed up under Asher's bottom lip on Friday and I sent him to school, figuring it was a cold sore. When it was bigger and goopy on Sunday, we knew we needed to get it checked out. And just when I had a BIG week planned! I took him to urgent care this morning and one hr later and a prescription for cream and a day off of school, we were off to the store to pick up the cream and then home for a day full of tv and laundry. Sometimes life just happens. Let's hope he gets better for Valentines Day tomorrow! His Valentines are already done and packed in his backpack (not the other kids though!). This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Such BIG Grapefruits? A lady in our ward owns an orchard and she came and visited and brought us a huge bag of citrus- grapefruit, oranges, tangelos and lemons. I had to give some away, it was so much! The grapefruits were divine! Plus, she said we could go picking there anytime! Really??? such a drawing? I love how Asher is the only one who has a name is this picture. Such a handsome man working??? Such yummy peanut butter chocolate cupcakes? I made them for a ward social and they turned out delicious! You can find the recipe here . This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

My Sister Larissa and her kids visited and we had a BLAST! We ate lots of fruit, played on the piano tons, Ate out at Joe's Farm Grill (that's a smile- not crying!), Played at the Park, Made Valentines Day crafts, Went miniature golfing, We had a Valentines Party, complete with games (here Shayla and Jonah are playing picking up as many candy as you can in 30 sec with chopsticks), pink fuzzy drinks, heart shaped pizza and chocolate coated marshmallows. Fun! We went Orange/Grapefruit/Lemon/Tangelo Picking and enjoyed the lovely, springlike weather of Arizona! Thanks for visiting us, Lariss! Come back anytime!!! We loved it! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

My Sister Larissa has been visiting and it's been marvelous to have her in our home. Last October there was a screaming good deal on airplane tickets to be used in February and March and when I posted it on facebook, she grabbed it up! Her 2 kids- ages almost 2 and 4- are so adorable and my kids love, love them! Mitchell called all the boys "ASHER!" the first day and then switched to "JONAH!" the next day. I guess all of them look very similar. Shayla was thrilled to come visit our 2 pets too- she told her day "They have 2 Sadies!" and she asks to hold Sadie the Snake several times a day. Since getting Sadie the Dog, Sadie the Snake has been somewhat neglected. We still feed her and give her fresh water and bedding and sometimes hold her (mostly when friends are over) but for the most part, we let her be. I would regret it, but she's a snake and I'm sure she likes it. Yesterday we went to Joe's Farm Grill (pictures to come) for brunch. I ha...

Jonah and his 3 Kings Day present Dear Jonah, Happy Valentines Day! I had to upload a picture of you before I could write, so that I could look at your smiling face while I wrote. You still love to wear RED. In fact, you often wear a red t-shirt, a red sweatshirt and your red jacket on the top. Even if it is 72 degrees outside. Your jacket is a comfort object to you- still- and hate to leave it. I can understand seeing how skinny you are and you have not fat on your bones whatsoever! The Dr. was worried about how small you are, but we did an x-ray of your bones and you are growing just fine. Phew! I love you. You are such a fun boy- full of fun, creative ideas and a little mischief too. And that's okay. Here's hoping you have a great Valentines Day! Love, Mom

Ethan, You are so fun! I love you! We were watching a home video the other day of when you were 4 and you were the exact same- laughing and making jokes. We all cracked up at your antics! You are the funnest kid and I am so glad that you are in our family! Ethan, we love you! Love, Mom

Dear Elizabeth, Happy Valentines Day! You are such a sweet girl! You have been having a rough time of it lately, but we will get through it! You are a great big sister- you make Asher laugh and you show Ethan and Jonah how to do things. You are a great example to them of someone who chooses the right and makes wise decisions. I am grateful for you- my third grader. Third grade is such a fun grade, full of projects and times tables (not so fun sometimes) and recess and fun. The other day you told me how you had a hard time with you x6 but you spent one whole recess on the swings memorizing them and then passed them off! Go you! I love you and am grateful to be your Mom! Love, Mom

Dear Asher, Happy Valentines Day! I want you to know that I love you. I love your sweet smile, your fun laugh and your ability to get excited over small, tiny little things- like nails found at a new home construction site. I love that you are in Kindergarten and that you love your teacher. The other day you turned to me and said "Guess what, Mom! My teacher is Mormon! I saw her CTR ring." I love how you will wear paper gold crowns proudly, you will paint paper planets and know all about them. I love how you read "Sam has a dog" over and over again. I have to pick you up from school now and I will be so glad to hear all about what fun things happened today. I love you, Mom

My husband didn't know what to think of my weepy post. I told him it's just hormones. No worries. Thank you so much for your comment, dear Reader-who-has-been-lurking. Knowing that my trials have helped someone else is really a comfort to me. Sometimes there is purpose to pain. As I mentioned Thursday, it was 11 years ago that Josh and I met. We were both BYU students- I was finishing up with my degree in El. Education with a goal to get married before I was done (poor, unsuspecting Josh) and he was in his first semester back from a mission to Recife, Brazil and definitely planning on taking his full last two years to find a wife. We met at a surprise birthday party that Sunday afternoon and ran into each other again in the evening at a casual hangout. He tossed out a joke about red heads and apologized for offending me. I was not offending seeing as I was a blonde. (although I learned later that if you don't leave blonde hair dye in long enough you get a reddish hue. Anywa...

our neighbors from China, celebrating the New Year I've been really weepy lately. I don't know what it is. It's probably the fact that pregnancy hormones still stick around for 3 months after the fact. I didn't notice it much last time. February 19th- I'll be so happy to meet you. Yesterday, while subbing, I teared up twice. In the school. In public! Once during story time. The story included a little girl who wanted to be a famous woman each day and one day she wanted to be her Mother. I love being a Mother. The other time was when one of my little 3rd graders with autism left school early. I escorted him to the front door and his Mom greeted him with a huge hug and a "Hey, Buddy!" and they left with his arm over her shoulders. Sigh. I'm so glad he has someone who loves him at home and will take care of him when he leaves us. I'm sure she feels the same way. Later, I even teared up- ok, cried- when I read someone's blog post wishing her hubby...

Asher at school, building with his friends High- My sister's baby has gorgeous black hair. Awesome! Low- Asher has peed his pants laughing 3-4 times this week! (Think Elizabeth teaching jump rope lessons to a 5 yr old after dinner every night.) High- The weather has been around 74 degrees since Friday. I think I am in heaven! (What will summer be- 118?) Low- I was depressed today. High- I haven't been depressed in the past 3 weeks- not counting today! Low- My computer is so slow, I keep open my netbook and this one all at the same time -we almost never use this slow one and it's the one with skype! :( High- My sister and her two kids are coming to visit next week!!! High- It's February- my favorite holiday month of the year! I seriously want to make all the Valentines Day crafts on Pinterest- at the very least a heart, felt garland! High- We live near a Sees Candy- perfect for Valentines Day! High- I get to sub at the kid's school tomorrow! High- We're ...