July 24, 2009 by Mallory.

So it seems like I need to write a new post, since my mom has called me everyday asking, “Are you okay? Are you sure you’re okay??” So I just want to let you all know that I am fine. I’ve just been relaxing and reading these past few days. I also just found out that our school didn’t make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress- the No Child Left Behind stuff) again this year. So because of that, I found out just a few days ago that they are changing our principal. Do we know who our new principal is yet? No. Is it only a little more than a week left until school starts? Yes. Do I know when I can go to school and set up my room? No. But it’s ok. I think. It’ll all work out. And also, my old principal emailed me and told me that she was going to move me down to 2nd grade. As Wendell put it after I told him, “When was she planning on telling you this??” Good question. It’s funny because I have all my 3rd grade lesson plan books so I can plan for the first few weeks of 3rd grade. It would’ve been nice to let me know sooner than a week before school starts. But hopefully I can talk the new principal into letting me stay in 3rd grade, because I would REALLY rather stay in 3rd grade. But I guess when you work for the government (basically) you don’t get too much choice in what you do. But seriously, I’m doing fine. My apartment is somewhat clean. I haven’t been feeling well the past few days, so I’ve been pretty lazy, but it’s been good. I’ve been reading a whole lot. The apartment complex is under construction, so the other day, there were people banging and pounding on the outside. There was also someone on a ladder RIGHT outside my window, so I could’ve opened it up and started talking to him, but instead I decided to close the blinds.

And finally…..we have decided to create our own blog. Sorry Ashley, you were voted out. That just means that you’ll have to write more! The website is http://funwiththefackrells.blogspot.com/. I am planning on making it private in a little while, so if you would like to follow our blog, please send me your email address. And I won’t add you unless you request it, so don’t assume you’ll just automatically be able to read it. I will leave it public for a little while, but maybe after a couple months, I will make it private. So let me know if you want me to add you! Adios!

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July 24, 2009 by Marlene.

After months of planning, anticipation and stress I am officially married- and after a nice visit to the social security office I am officially Marlene Wood (my middle is Danielle Webster, I’m not totally giving it up). The time period was seriously stressful with packing the house and preparing for our reception but the reception was fantastic. I had an absolute blast and the food was so good. I hope our guests feel the same way. Now I’m looking forward to seeing all the pictures from the temple and the reception. I hope they came out well.

It’s been great living the married life. We’ve been staying with Stephen’s family for about a week now. It’s been nice. It’s so hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that the 5 yr old girl is Stephen’s sister and not his niece or something. It’s a little weird to think that I’m part of two families now but it’s nice all at the same time. I seem to be very well accepted which is good. Soon we’ll be going to Mom’s wedding and then off to Utah in our own apartment and starting the married student life. For now it’s nice just enjoying each other and getting to know his family.

Holy cow. I am Mrs. Wood.

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July 24, 2009 by Melanee.

I am getting ready to move to Utah after my marraige on August 1st. I haven’t really talked about this part of life because I wanted my daughter, Marlene, to have the limelight. Since she really deserves the attention all new brides should have. I look forward to this chapter in my life and count my blessings that the Lord has given me this huge blessing of having Randy in my life. The feeling of Joy has returned. The person taking my place in my job has been trained and she is loving her new position. I loved it too and will miss my so supportive co-workers and residents who reside at the assisted living I worked at for six years.
Going through my house and packing or giving away my 28 years of accumulation has been ? (what word do I use?)…. At least right now I don’t feel I need all that stuff. Sifting through Kev’s things has been challenging. Good memories go through my mind wishing those memories could have continued. But they can’t. Kev would say, “If you can’t control it-don’t worry about it” Well I certainly can’t control him being gone - so I will make the best of what I have.

I know Kev has blessed me with someone who will take care of me for the rest of life. I do not have to work anymore- I just want to rest for now. Even though people who know me say I won’t rest anyways. That’s true. I want to travel and now I have that opportunity. Last night Randy and I talked about making a list of things we want to do and see for the rest of our lives. Both of us want to take good care of each other and our children and grandchildren. We are really looking forward to having lots of grandchildren. We have a total of seven by February. Randy’s oldest daughter Laura is due in December and Ashley is due in February.

My first projects to complete are comfort quilts I want to make out of Kev’s clothes for my daughters and comfort quilts for Randy’s children out of Gayle’s(their mother) clothes. And I will have other projects to work on too….. Smocking, knitting, more sewing, learn how to decorate cakes, organizing my stuff once it gets out west, making new friends, visiting old friends, and exploring. Many friends have told me I need to write a book. When that inspiration comes I will someday.
This will be a huge life change for me, but one that I am super excited to experience. I still have so much to learn in my life and my experiences have taught me much. So, here we go…I am ready to turn the page in my book and live the next chapter of my life.

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July 19, 2009 by Ashley.

Some have already heard the news, but for those who have not yet, I wanted to let everyone know Pat and I are expecting again!

It was a giant surprise to us because as I’ve written before, I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and on top of that a “heart-shaped” uterus, which makes having children extremely difficult. I eventually had to use fertility drugs for Lydia and assumed that would be the case in the future if I wanted more children. But a few weeks ago I just started feeling kind of sick. My stomach was bothering me and it just wouldn’t go away. I started getting a little worried and thought I should take a pregnancy test JUST in case (more for the reason to rule it out). But shockingly it was positive! Because of my PCOS I need ultrasounds to determine the due date and I’m due Feb. 6th. So Lydia and the baby will only be 21 months apart (which I’m petrified of) because I was NOT planning on having kids less than 2 years apart, but at the same time I’m secretly glad this happened because when I take fertility drugs I have to choose exactly when I want to have another baby. And with how busy I am with Lydia I was beginning to think I would NEVER be ready for another baby.

I’ve actually been feeling pretty good. I’m WAY less sick this time around than I was with Lydia. It might be because this is the 2nd baby…or because I’m not taking extra progesterone (a hormone that makes you more sensitive to smells)…or I’ve heard rumors that boys make you less sick (so maybe it’s a boy?!) I’m just grateful I feel better than last time. And for those down days, I have my Zofran to get me through the nausea (for those who don’t know what it is it’s the BEST nausea medication. Expensive (I get generic cheaply for about $.50/pill …but works great).

I also need to catch up with Lydia’s pictures…. .
Here she is “helping with chores”
CLICK HERE FOR MOVIE –> dscn2552_med.MOV

We went to this place called Jumpin’ where they have all these giant inflatable slides and bouncy things. Lydia is such a chicken and didn’t like it. She could only handle the simple toys in the baby section and even then sometimes it was too much for her

Lydia was hanging out while Pat and I were organizing her room. Pat thought Lydia looked too cute in her hat w/ pacifier and so he started taking pictures. As soon as Lydia got in front of the camera she struck a pose which was really funny to us. Can anyone say “America’s Next Top Model”??

This is a very common example of what I see everyday when I get her in the morning or from her nap. Since then we’ve had to lower her crib so she doesn’t decide to jump for it.

Usually Lydia has never taken a pacifier except for right before bed. A while ago she started putting the pacifier in her mouth at other times. Well this one day I took the pacifier away from her. I suppose she wasn’t going to let me stop her because she took a pig puzzle piece she had that had a big peg that sticks out (similar to the shape of a pacifier of course) and popped it in her mouth.

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July 17, 2009 by Melanee.

I have not been able to post anything due to details, planning, and preparing for Marlene’s wedding. She looked so beautiful and Stephen was so happy. My father married them which made it even more special. And there were friends and family there from far and wide. My father-in-law and my three sister in laws were able to make it from California, Oregon, and Utah. It was so good to have my sister Rachel and her husband Schaun there. Ward members and friends made the long trip to DC.
I admit the trip to Washington DC and back was pretty stressful due to my granddaughter Lydia not being able to sleep in a car and crying for two hours straight up and back. But, one thing that stood out is how patient Ashley was with Lydia. She is a wonderful mom. Mallory was unbelievably helpful through the whole week-assisting with doing Marlene’s hair, caring for Lydia, packing and going through stuff in the house, making Ashley breakfast. Randy was very patient and lots of help too. If he survived the weekend with my family then he can marry me in two weeks.
My girls did very well under the circumstances they were given. I am very proud of what they were able to accomplish and they even have a good time dancing the whole night at the reception.
A fun part was stopping and staying the night in New Jersey with my daughter Leah at her new home. She had the place spic and span for us. We attended church with her that day and then she made a really nice dinner of baked ziti before we left Sunday evening. Ed gave us a private tour of the C-17 airplane that he maintains. So interesting to climb in the huge plane and be in awe that it can really get off the ground.
Stephen and Marlene were in a newly married trance as they looked into each others eyes and kissed all the time. Does anyone remember those days?
Having family and friends at the wedding and reception meant so much to me. Some had to pitch in and help with all the transportation issues. Thank you.

Can’t believe my little Marlene is married. My girls have all grown up and are on their own now.

PS: Mallory was here during my birthday and she did the most special thing. She made this huge birthday sign surrounded by balloons in my kitchen reminding me how many birthdays I have experienced. She made me breakfast of an omelet, toast, and fruit just like her father used to do for me. She made me rice krispie squares and had 50 candles on them. We video taped the event of me blowing out the “huge fire” They had used trick candles without knowing it. It took the three of us to blow out the candles.
Then that evening Mallory initiated a foot and hand massage for me. Marlene helped. Thank you girls for making my birthday so nice. You are very thoughtful.

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July 16, 2009 by Mallory.

We finally completed the last wedding of the young Webster girls. This trip was probably the most stressful trip I’ve taken…ever… People have been asking me how my vacation was, and I just tell them, it really wasn’t a vacation. I need a vacation from my vacation! All we did the whole time was pack up the house, travel, go through stuff, travel, get ready for the wedding, travel, hear babies cry, travel, and finally have the wedding…oh, and did I mention travel? Yeah. It was WAY WAY WAY too much traveling for me. And I’ve decided that if anyone gets married in Washington, D.C. again, I’M NOT GOING!!!! So I’m warning all of you now. If you want me to come to your wedding, don’t get married in a place where we have to drive more than 3 hours. I won’t go. It was still good to be with family, but it would’ve been nice if the trip was a little more enjoyable rather than stressful. But here I am, back in Memphis and trying to clean my apartment. For some reason, whenever Wendell and I leave for a trip, we always leave our apartment TRASHED. Hopefully we can do better in the future. It’s looking better now. Unfortunately, I only have 2 weeks left until I have to leave again for CT for my mom’s wedding (and probably more stress) and then I come back to Memphis and school starts the next day. yippee….Could we have planned this any better???? Then during that first week of school, Wendell takes another boards test (for which he is studying frantically everyday for now that we’re back). So the end of this summer has been extremely stressful, but hopefully I’ll be able to get a little relaxing in before I have to go to CT and then start school. I’ll probably have to start going to school to get my classroom ready though. Oy! Does it ever end? Probably not. Alright, enough with my ranting. Now I just have to get back on board with being productive and getting things organized, getting my lesson plans done, and getting ready for the next school year.

Oh! Here’s some good news. While I was in Connecticut, I didn’t gain any weight!!! I didn’t lose any either, but usually I gain tons of weight, but I didn’t! Woohoo! So I’m hoping the losing weight will go better since I don’t have any backtracking to do. Just keep moving forward! Alright, enough sitting here. I should continue cleaning. Until next time!

P.S….I’m debating creating my own blog for Wendell and me. What do you think? Should I do it or should I just keep doing it on here?

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