Happiness

So, the boys have decided once again to refuse to take afternoon naps. We go upstairs, I read books to all four kids and then leave to put Asher and Elizabeth down (Elizabeth just reads- no naps). Then, when I come back to the boys they go running and screaming to their beds. How am I supposed to help them sleep when they are like that? Yesterday, I rocked Jonah so that I would break up the twosome, but then Ethan wanted in and I was sitting there, rocking almost four year old twin boys. For a half an hour. I put Jonah down and he fell asleep and then Ethan slept in my arms. Today started the same. I rocked both, then put them down and then rocked both. Jonah got so mad he pulled my hair. He is one passive aggressive kid! I put him down and he fell asleep right away. That's it. They are almost four. No rocking to sleep at nap time. No pull ups for Ethan starting Monday. I am drawing the line right there. That's my boundary and I'm sticking to it. This is my blog. My name is...

This is me, March, two years ago. I had just gotten a haircut. Now, I'm not as blonde. I should post a more recent one. This is me, with Asher, April, almost a year ago. A few friends have asked me some questions in my comments, so I'll answer them first and then write whatever it is I plan on writing today! Sarah,-Jen and Uche are doing great. She has a blog- that's on my list of my blogs. They have just bought a house in Oklahoma and Uche is finishing his doctorate in Chemical Engineering in March, when they will move to their new, first job. Laura, I'm proud of you for going private! Nothing against being public, but Josh really wanted me to go private and so I did. It was a hard step, but I just tell people to give me their e-mail addresses and then I send them an invite. It's pretty easy. Amy, Thanks for commenting! I hope to deliver in the wheelchair someday, with no time for an epidural! Rebecca, Setting boundaries is way hard. It's a skill that takes pra...

On Friday night, Josh and I went to a Valentines' Dance at our Church. It was fun, even though not many people showed up because of the freezing rain that had been going on all day. It's funny here. It's below 32 degrees, but instead of snowing, it rains and then the rain freezes on everything it touches- cars, roads, etc. They canceled school and then no one was at the YMCA to watch my kids while I worked out since school was canceled. At the dance, we filled out a survey about our spouses. Under Favorite TV show, Josh wrote "Baby story." It's true. It's my favorite show, although I don't get to watch since I've had my babies. They seem to think crying, messy babies and Mothers in Labor are no fun to watch at all. The Baby Story is on at 2 pm our time on the tlc channel. Another favorite show I love to watch is Take Home Chef, and what not to wear. You can check out these shows at www.tlc.com. Have fun. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

My sister Molly just had a baby! Yeah! A girl, her fourth baby! Charlotte Sophia. Eight pounds, 10 ounces born Sunday morning, delivery right in the wheelchair at the hospital! It was fun, because she didn't know what she was having and my Mom left a message on the phone that she had had her baby, but she wouldn't tell me what it was and everyone was at Church, so we had to wait to find out and hear the story! We are so happy and thrilled that everything went well! This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.

For those of you who don't know, I go to Counseling through LDS family services down in Silver Spring, MD, every other week. This past week I went and was thoroughly uplifted and strengthened. I would like to share with you what I learned. Counseling Session #8 Defining Boundaries in Relationships 1. Know what you want (this has always been hard for me to do, even though it's the first step!) 2. Set your boundaries. 3. State your boundaries again. 4. Reassess if needed. Example: 1. I would like Josh to do the dishes once a week. 2. I tell Josh (sound good, Josh?) 3. If Josh forgets that Sunday is his day to do dishes, I say "Hey, did you remember that today is your day to do the dishes? Or something loving like that. This is the step I most hate and thus lots of my boundaries get forgotten and lost. 4. Reassess. If it is not working out, or not what I like, we can change the day to Saturday or to twice a month. Whatever. As long as I feel that my boundaries are not being c...

Autobiographies. They are my new thing. In February I read one, ok- a biography- on Martin Luther King and was amazed at all the things I learned. You would think I knew everything about lots of things, since I am 30! Currently I am read "The story of my life" by Helen Keller. It is the most amazing book. She learned how to talk, went to College, even studied French and German. She did way more than I have ever done, with my sight and hearing. It's inspiring. Here's a favorite quote of mine: " "There is joy in self-forgetfulness.' So I make the light in other's eyes my sun, the music in others' ears my symphony, the smile on others' lips my happiness." She went through life learning and growing from books, experiences and people. That we may all do the same, and that I might also find the same joy as Helen Keller did, in making people happy, is my wish. This is my blog. My name is Megan Abbott.