Happiness

This is where I post some of my writing and you read it, edit it, comment on it, etc. Chapter One (of what I have no idea, it just sounded like a good place to start.): The Twins Things started out relatively normal in our married life. We met, were engaged and married within 6 months. We had our first baby 13 months later. Then came the twins. Nothing was the same again. Upon finding out that we were expecting twins I was elated. Twins! I had always wanted twins! Until I realized they might not be girls! They just might not be fraternal like my twin sister and I. I frantically asked the technician at our first ultrasound at 20 weeks. 'What are they?" It's a funny question, I know! But, I needed to know. She said "This one is a boy." Oh. I thought. O.K. There's still a chance one of them is a girl! "What's the other one?" I hurriedly asked. "Well, we have to see how this one is doing first." Heart, legs, ears: they were ...

Here are some pictures from our Christmas! Enjoy! The kids- having just woken up from a long winter's nap (note their new Christmas jammies! Yay $5 shipping from Old Navy!) Our tree- with all kinds of goodies beneath. No, we don't have eight people in our family! We added two for Ellen and Jason, who had brought their own stockings and used those that night. Elizabeth opening her stocking. My poor camera had problems and that's about all the pictures we got. Plus they were blurry! I'm hoping for a new camera by next Christmas or next new baby- whichever comes next! Coolpix by Nikon, if anyone wants to know! I really want a Nikon D-80, but my budget simply won't allow it! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

For Christmas this year I got two packages of Giradhelli chocolate squares and two packages of Jelly Bellies. Boy, am I set for the year! I love how my family knows what I love. So, what is your favorite Jelly Belly? Mine is Buttered Popcorn. No, I don't love it enough to buy a single bag full of buttered popcorn. Yes, I love it enough that each time I pop one of those delicious, buttery white and yellow speckled pieces of yummy in my mouth, I confirm "Yes! This one is my favorite." I asked Josh what his favorite was. He said he didn't have. What? You don't have one? I exclaimed! Yeah, I like them all. You like them all? Equally? Even the strawberry ones? So, now it is confirmed. Josh and I are two separate people. For sure. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

In light of the fact that we just obtained a new niece and cousin yesterday- a baby girl for Aaron and Marrisse- six weeks early!- I am posting Elizabeth's Birth story. I went into labor early Sunday morning- the day after my due date (Sep. 14, 2002). It was 2 am and I woke up with contractions! I was so excited! This is it!! I thought. (Little did I know that you would be born 2 days later.) I woke up your Dad and had him time the contractions- 8 min., 10 min., 7 min- they were all over the place. We called your Uncle Doug around 8 am- who was in Medical school. He said if we had more than 6 contractions an hour to go into the hospital- so we did. They sent us home (irregular contractions). We missed Church and went for a walk. The contractions started coming only every 30 minutes. I was discouraged. Josh said that they would probably not stop- it would just take a while. My visiting teachers came over and taught me. Later, after dinner, Jen and Ben (your Aunt and Uncle) came over...

Merry Christmas, Everyone! This picture was taken two weeks ago, when we went to Butler's Orchard and chopped down our own Christmas tree. Here is our day so far, from the mouths of our little children: me: "Good morning. Merry Christmas." Ethan: "Can we open our presents today?" me: "Yes, after the stockings." Ethan sprints down the hallway as fast as his little legs would take him. I had to stop him, because Josh was still getting some things ready! Jonah: opens Elizabeth and Asher's door. "It's Christmas!" Elizabeth: "Can we open our presents today?" Me: (Did I already have this conversation today?) "Yes, after stockings." Elizabeth sprints down the hallways as fast as her big legs can take her. Again, I stop her. Josh is almost ready. Maybe I should have waited. But, I was excited too. Plus, this is our very first Christmas ever. With many many more to come. Our favorite presents: Mine: a new set of pots and pa...

So, you want to be a writer? Welcome to the 85 % of everyone else who wants to be a writer also. I was doing a little research for my upcoming princess book- upcoming as in when all my kids are in school and came across a lot of good information. One, princesses can often be demoted from their title by princes. I didn't know this. So sad. It doesn't happen a lot though. Two, Shannon Hale, www.shannonhale.com, has written two books that I haven't read so far- I promptly bought the most recent from Amazon, and is holding a Princess Academy contest, the winner of which gets a phone call from her, all five of her books signed and $50 to their favorite bookstore. I promptly applied to the contest. You can see it on her website. Also, I learned that 85% of the population aspire to be writers, most think that if you write fantasy you will end up making millions like J.K. Rowling and only 2% ever actually finish a book. Go Mom Abbott! So, yes, I do want to write a book. But until...

For my birthday, Josh stayed home from work and watched the kids while I went to the temple. I was planning to spend all day there. No kids. No noise. Just peace. I went and was so excited to see the Temple Matron welcoming us into endowment room. Then, the temple President F.Melvin Hammond officiated. We love the Hammonds. They spoke to us at a stake conference in Provo and then just recently at a stake conference here. Afterwards Josh dragged me up to say hi to them. They are the neatest people we know! After going through a session and being in the Celestial room for a little while, I felt prompted to go home. I came, I served and now it was time to return to my duties at home. I came home refreshed and renewed and sent Josh to bed for a nap, washed the dishes, started laundry and made my cake. I love to serve and I learned that the second best place to serve besides the temple is in our own homes. Me at the temple. Josh's sister MaryRuth sent me a beautiful package filled with ...