Happiness

 Peeta's Cheesy Rolls. I made them! They were yummy! Not as good as on Pinterest, but that's okay! I've been a little sad lately that my blog isn't what, in my dreams of dreams, it would be. It's not Best Bites. It's not Marta Writes (hey, that rhymes!). It doesn't get comments. And that's okay. I've thought about stopping it. And doing something else with my time. Like crocheting (if I can ever find my crochet project- why, oh why, was there not a box labeled "crochet" when we moved and my nice little project tucked inside? I finally found my favorite pink bathroom in a bag labeled "Winter Coats"- who in the world was packing? Next time we move I'm paying professionals to come help us organize and pack.) But, today after reading a sweet, sweet birthday post, I've decided to keep this little blog of mine and just write. Me. And my thoughts. It doesn't matter if anyone reads it. I'll be writing just for the...

*Disclaimer- this is is just my opinion and not those of any other group or establishment. (this is a political post so if you don't want to read it, please feel free to skip over this post!) As I was laying in bed last night, trying to go to sleep, I happened to read something online that stirred my thoughts and emotions and began thinking of this year's election. I am conservative and because of that, I know without a doubt who I will vote for in November. I have been meaning to make phone calls for this person's campaign, but somehow I keep putting it off and I was trying to wonder why.  Last night, while pondering in my bed, I decided two things.  One- I haven't committed to making phone calls for Mitt Romney because I fear that he will lose. And if he does lose, will that time I spent in calling be of naught? Josh and I talked about it and decided that no, the time wouldn't be lost. It's up to us to do our part and then to "stand stil...

   Ethan, seeing that Halloween is soon approaching, finds the dress up box! Fall is Here (Saturday) and it is supposed to hit 106 today. I can't believe it. Last year we had only been in Arizona for about a month when Fall hit and we weren't begging for the weather to cool down. Please, please, please cool down Arizona! Well, last week I had a week long substituting job as an aide for a cute little boy (with I think Cerebral Palsy) in 1st grade at the kid's school. There are a lot of kids from our Church who got to school, so when they would see me they would say "Hi, Sister Abbott!" and "Are you a teacher?" I would explain that yes I am, and that I am work for any of the teachers who are sick or on vacation (the lady I subbed for was in Hawaii for a wedding). Then I would say "And I LOVE it! I love being with you kids and I love getting paid for it!" They thought that was pretty funny. The week was hot, fun, tiring, lots of learni...

We let Elizabeth invite a few friends over for a swim party last Saturday. The water was a little cooler than normal, but everyone had a great time!   Elizabeth was cold after the swim and instead of donning a cover up, she chose a jacket. Silly girl!    Swedish Fish cupcakes (on my worst baking pan!)      At the end of that Saturday, we gave Josh's hammock that he brought home from his mission to Brazil it's maiden voyage out into the sun, after 12 years of being wrapped in plastic. The kids love riding her great berths and I love that we are finally using something that survived 7 moves! This is my blog. My name is Megan.

I have to share this before I forget. Today, while talking on the couch, Asher said to me: "I met the most beautiful girl when I was born." I said "WHO???" He looked at me shyly, I answered my own question- "me?" and he smiled and nodded. Swoon . I love that little first grader! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

Elizabeth and baby Chloe Elizabeth has an AWESOME teacher this year! While talking with a few Moms last year on the Stake/Church Softball field, we discussed which teachers they liked and which they didn't. Elizabeth's teacher, Mrs. Bretzke, was mentioned time and time again for 4th grade. I made a mental note of it and was sad to hear that this year the school had decided to let the computer decide who got what teachers and were not taking any requests. I put my faith in the system though and was thrilled to find that Elizabeth got Mrs. Bretzke, along with about 4 other girls from our Stake! This year she has 33 students in her class, including 4 kids who have autism and their aide. It is one busy class. Elizabeth's teacher even has to wear a microphone around her neck for certain lesson times. I volunteered in her class from 10:30-11:30 last week and when I was leaving (very impressed with how under control the class was) Mrs. Bretzke said "Aren't you going to ta...

 I am substituting all week this week at the kid's school, working with one child in Special Ed. What a great way to celebrate Elizabeth's DOUBLE DIGIT Birthday by being at her school- seeing her in the hallway (possibly), eating lunch with her (if my schedule overlaps with hers) and walking home with her (and the boys). Lately, I've been taking the time to notice Elizabeth. Do you know how beautiful she is? I may be biased, but she is! She has these beautiful, big red lips and these giant, pure blue eyes. Her laugh is contagious, happy and fun. She is a wonderful sister- playing card games, board games, wii games, swimming pool games with the boys. And yet, she loves time with her girl friends by herself. She is having a few close friends over for a swim party on Saturday. She made the invitations almost all by herself and is super excited about it. But, mostly she's excited about being 10. She's growing up- learning more about the world, caring about what her...

Two things: 1. Sometimes I learn something cool, or discover something new and I want to do a blog post on it! 2. But, sometimes, I want to give an update of our family and how we are doing. So- here are both of those. At the same time!   Our family is doing really well. The kids are doing well in school, Elizabeth's mood and anxiety issues are almost completely gone. Josh is busy at work. I am busy at work. We are prepping to be ready for our foster baby. Babies take a lot of stuff, especially when your youngest is 6! We've had to buy a stroller, a car seat, a baby bjorn, a new crib, etc. We have started putting him/her in our conversations and Elizabeth was surprised to realize that this baby could potentially be a part of our forever family. "But, we have 4 children- it would be so weird to add another person to our family." I guess she needs to get used to it! 2. I get to go to Stake Institute (a religion class) on Thursdays taught by two wonderful women...

   The other day, the kids decided they wanted to make cookies so here Jonah and Ethan are- mixing the dough! Sometimes, the smallest thing can leave a big impact on your day, your week and your life. A sweet, tender mercy of the Lord happened this weekend. The J. Rueben Clark Law Society, ASU's chapter, was having a BBQ swim party pretty close to our house. Josh mentioned it and we had decided that it would be a fun event to go to. That day (Saturday) was super busy: me watching the kids while Josh worked on a project then taking the boys to a friends house and running a few errands. I was starting to feel sick again (it happens when I'm running around and it's hot outside) and tried to recover while watching BYU football (yay!). When it was time to go, I just didn't want to. I was hot, tired and I would have to socialize with people I didn't know while trying to keep an eye on the kids in the pool. Yet, I felt strongly that we should go, so we went. At the ...

 Jonah,     Ethan Ethan and Jonah earned their Bobcat awards in Cub Scouts last week. They were sure cute! In our ward, they tip them upside down, pin their badges on them and they turn them right side up when they've done a good deed. I guess Ethan already did one! They also give a pin for the Mom to wear each time a scout gets a badge. I'll have to find a good place to pin them! I love Scouting! It's a wonderful way for the boys to learn and grow and serve. It's going to be a lot of fun (and work) having them both do scouting at the same time! Two Eagle Projects? Maybe we should start now! Congrats, Ethan and Jonah! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

A fall swag I made. Welcome Fall! -to finally feel better. - to really take a shower, exfoliate and shave (I wasn't supposed to both though right? Oh, well!). -to really do your hair: blow dry and curl- all before it drys it a complete limp, heavy mass on your head. -to finally take Sadie for a walk again- even if it was a short one. -to eat breakfast and make all of the kids lunches- by myself! When I was sick (ie. yesterday), I made two sandwiches and told the kids that they were in charge of making the rest. -to actually see people outside of my home besides Josh and the kids. Even the people at Wal-mart were a sight for sore eyes yesterday. -to be one step closer to foster care (we got a life ring and hook yesterday. Thank you, Jimmy!). -to not see our name on the list of bringing home the class pet yet (I'm not ready since Sadie usually tries to eat or play with them.) -start planning a small party for Elizabeth's 10th birthday. 10!!! -to have a ...

Did you know that you can get Heat Exhaustion for 5 days (or more)? I do. I always thought you were overheated/dehydrated for a few hours and then you were fine. I've spent the last 7 days in bed or on the couch in a faint state of nausea/headache/stomach cramps watching a show, reading blogs or reading The Hobbit (for Book club).  Sometimes I would have a burst of energy and get up to make dinner, read the kids a book or switch laundry and then I would feel drained and be back in bed again. Ugh. Good thing it was a 3 day weekend. Good for the kids. Not so good for me. The only things that offered little comfort were watered down apple juice, soup and crackers and something to keep my mind off of it all (the show was an old series of version of North and South from the library- and a long one at that). After a blessing on Monday, I checked in with a P.A. Tuesday (I should have called Dave!). He said that my two options were to go to the ER and get fluid thru an IV or wai...

It feels as though I am pregnant, due with a baby sometime this October or even November maybe? But, I am not uncomfortable- my insides are not squished like a rotten banana in my 3rd graders backpack begging for release from the strain. My feet are not swollen. My belly is not swollen. There is no heartburn, no insomnia, no food cravings that pull me to the store like there is no tomorrow. There are no outwards signs of this expectancy except for the car seat and stroller, the swing and new IKEA crib that are stacking up in the warm Garage. We try to speak of it often, as we would if we were pregnant. "We're planning to foster this Fall." we'll say to new friends and neighbors. "Oh, really?" they reply. "Wow. That's great." And often we get "How are the fostering plans coming?", just as one would ask "How is the baby doing?" And so things go, from day to day. Two Dr. visits for me, one for Josh and that's i...

Fall Tree Craft Here in Arizona, it doesn't seem like Fall. The leaves fall in February or March and so I'm determined to make a few Fall decorations this year to make it seem more like Fall.   Peeta's Stuffed Rolls Don't these just look delicious? I am planning on making them. Soon! This book bag can be found at a online British book shop. I was thinking of buying it for my Mother, who LOVES books, but I've spent all my money on books, so I can't. (j/k!) I love Louisa May Alcott! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott. ps- I fully intend to make this craft and rolls and then blog about it. Hold me to it! pps- I am in bed today, sick and blogging, pinning, reading away. Josh is playing with two of the kids in the pool and it is so cute! Ethan and Jonah are off at a birthday party. One was invited but the other persuaded his way into going! Twins!