March 9, 2010 by Marlene.

I have kind of disappeared for a while but I guess I have a bit of an explanation.
I’m pregnant!
Yup. Stephen and I will be parents of a lovely little baby approximately around September 3rd. We’re both very excited about our new arrival and are trying to prepare as best we can, if only by getting as much school done beforehand as possible. It will be interesting to see how I juggle going to school and taking care of the baby and spending time together as a family.
I’m feeling much better than I have in the past couple of months, especially now that I’ve gotten over a nasty virus and ear infection. I’m still on antibiotics so I better not get sick any time soon. Urgh.

As always, everything seems to come in waves for our family. This is certainly the year for babies.

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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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May 17, 2008 by Marlene.

Well…it looks like Pancreatic Cancer has struck again. This was definitely shocking news and put a new spin on my perspective of how pancreatic cancer can affect my life. Now that Gramma has it it’s much more likely that it’s genetic or hereditary or whatever word you use there. I really hope that I don’t develop it later in life or that any of my children or grandchildren get it. It’s interesting how so many things can happen to a family within such a short period of time. I’m doing fine, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just a bit more nerve racking to think of what the future could hold. I guess we’ll just have to see won’t we? I’ll just have to make sure I take care of my body, which is a bit difficult out at college. I guess I’ll have to reorganize my budget so that food gets more money so I can spend more on fresh stuff instead of all that preservative packed loveliness. Darn.

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September 3, 2007 by Leah.

Sorry I haven’t posted in so long. I haven’t been able to get in, my password was messed up, and life with 2 kids is much more difficult than I anticipated. Holy cow! One was so easy, I could sleep when she did, it didn’t matter how much she cried because there were no other kids shouting “Quiet stupid, baby, I can’t hear” and then having Mom scold for saying stupid. I remember doing laundry and it didn’t take me 3 days and I used to sleep through the night and I used to shower in the morning. Now I have to shower at night after the kids are asleep. Anya is a great sister, so great that she tries to kill her brother when I leave them alone, hence showering at night. She is also really great at waking him up by trying to put his pacifier back in his mouth. She is also a great diaper throwaway girl and wonderful at telling me if he is awake or asleep when we are in the car and if he starts to cry it’s because “He dropped his pappy, save him!” Sleeping is getting better. As long as I feed him a ton before he goes to bed, then he’ll sleep for 5 hours and then get up 3 later and is up for the day around 8-10. (Knock on wood) I am starting to adjust my schedule and realize that is takes me 2.5 hours to get ready for church, or anything else. Ed has also learned to adjust. I realized after I had Kevin that I had done way too much around the house and with Anya. It took a while but we are good now. 6 weeks that’s about right! We are all doing very well.
Mom and Marlene came down this weekend to visit for my birthday. In true Webster fashion I jammed the weekend with things to do and to keep busy, I have always been like my Grandma.
Saturday Mom and Marlene arrive we eat lunch and then go outlet shopping for 4 hours with a couple hundred of our closest friends. Then we stop home to change and use the bathroom and go to hibachi for dinner. YUM!
Sunday We went to church. Now if you are LDS I could end there, if you’re not I’ll explain a little. Church is 3 hours long. It sounds horrible but it’s not. I t is 3 different classes. I am in Primary. Which is a calling where you are running around and teaching children for 2 of those hours. Now let me also explain that I go to church by myself most Sundays. It was GREAT to have my Mom there to play piano while I taught music and Marlene to have Kevin while I taught. Then we came home and I made tomato sauce and then made a roast and mashed potatoes and corn. Then watched a movie.
Monday We went grocery shopping Now I hear the groans from all of you, but I love to grocery shop. No really it is my favorite type of shopping. When we were growing up Mom used to grocery shop after Dad got home, I can’t imagine bringing 4 kids to the grocery store. I would beg to go with my Mom and I still love to grocery shop. We came home, made sausage and peppers for lunch and then Mom and Marlene packed up and left. Anya cried and cried and then we turned on Wonder Pets and gave her choc. milk and all was right with the world again.
So thanks again Mom and Marlene for coming down and we had fun. Now I have to be a Mom again and Ed has to go back to work.

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August 17, 2007 by Melanee.

We have had a visit from Leah, Ed, Anya, and little Kevin last weekend and this weekend. Anya is growing to be such a young lady. Marlene and I took her to the play ground last Saturday and we enjoyed her youthful energy as she ran, climbed, slid, and hung on everything. We went to Kev’s gravesite after that. I told her we were going to Grandpa’s grave. We went and she was looking around for him. It was really cute. I am glad she still remembers him.

When I held little Kevin Friday night, my mind was able to rest and I almost fell asleep holding him. It was the first good night sleep I had in months. Nights are the toughest for me, so I have yet to get any kind of sound sleep, but the night I held little Kevin was soothing.
I am looking forward to Anya and Kevin’s arrival tonight so maybe I can sleep well tonight too.

We also are borrowing Leah’s dog, Keona, to give Marlene a companion during the day. She is a black lab. Well I got a call Monday that Keona got out of the house and in her youthful way ran toward the street. She got clipped by a car. Marlene called me at work, so we took a drive to the Animal Hospital. The Vet said she was very lucky and only had abrasions and an unstable back leg. A splint was put on the leg. So Keona is hobbeling around the house now for the next 6-8 weeks.

I also wanted to upate you on Ashley and Pat. They have moved into their new home in Colorado. Ashley is getting involved with the church or ward and seems to be enjoying herself. Pat is enjoying his new job. I know I have to plan a visit with her soon because she has plenty of room for me and the whole family. I’ll try to get Ashley to post too so she can give her own version.

Then my next step is to really find the time and learn the steps to start posting more pictures. I downloaded a picture of little Kevin, but have to reduce and post it. Kevin was so handy at that. I miss him in every way.

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August 2, 2007 by Melanee.

….or Baby Kevin as Anya calls him. He has been part of this life for two weeks now. For the first few days all he did was sleep. Leah had to wake him up every time to eat. His eyes would be in a dream state kind of rolled up in his head. There was numerous times when he would laugh almost a belly laugh while he was sleeping. I wonder if his Grampa was playing with him. And he smiles quite often. I have yet to hear him cry, It’s more like a small protest or whine and then he would be okay. My daughter’s family returned with me on Wednesday and they stayed with me till Monday. It was so nice to have everyone here to fill my home. It was a big plus to play with Anya and hold and care for Little Kevin.

On July 30th (around his due date) Kevin started to wake up. He opened his eyes and started to focus on whoever was holding him. When he focused on me I introduced myself and welcomed him to the family. (I learned that from reading parts of “The Baby Whisperer” book.) What an awesome experience to know that your family is developing the next generation.

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July 20, 2007 by Melanee.

Kevin Peter Lonegan came into the world today at 2:07 pm. He is 7 lbs 3 oz. Leah is doing fine. Little Kevin decided to come early because his due date was August 1st. What a nice surprise! I hope to post some pictures soon.

I got a call from Leah on the 19th saying that she was starting contractions at 4pm. I packed, did household things, sent Marlene off to a preplanned trip to Palmyra, NY, and left for New Jersery at 7:30. Arrived at 11 pm. Leah and Ed left for the hospital at 3 am. Then Anya woke we up at 5 am and we have been playing all day. I did get a nap with her this afternoon and was awakened by Ed phone call to say that little Kevin was born.

Kevin looks like Anya. His coloring is the most beautiful pink. A little pug nose. No eyebrows yet. His eyes are just like Anya’s. His head is covered with dark hair. He was making little squeaky noises and he was alert the whole time I held him. He took to nursing very easily.

I asked little Kevin how Grandpa is doing? I think Kev had some really good grandpa-time with him before he was born. Others may think this to be a little different way of thinking, but I think it makes perfect sense. Kev would be able to be with and prepare his posterity for our world.

I am having a blast with Anya. Grandchildren just make the world so much brighter and happier. So, hopefully I will keep busy with lots of grandchildren in the future.

It’s been a really good day. Tears were shed that Kev wasn’t physically here to share, but happy for a wonderful new person that has been added to our increasing family.

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July 14, 2007 by Melanee.

Marlene graduated from high school three weeks after Kev’s passing. The air was filled with excitment that Marlene made it. She had so many challenges, but she rised above them all. Kev’s parents, my parents, Marlene’s sisters, Wendell, and Anya made it to the graduation. The convocation was wonderful and went smoothly. I am so proud of her and I know Kev would be too.

I tried posting pictures to no avail, so stay tuned……I will get some up soon.

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July 14, 2007 by Melanee.

My daughter Mallory looked so beautiful and so happy when she got married June 22 in the Boston Temple. Wendell looked love struck. Wendell family did not make it to the wedding due to the weather moving their flight time. His brother was able to be there. We were so glad to have them there for the reception. The wedding ceremony was very nice. Tears were shed and hearts were full. Of course I wish Kevin was physically there, but I am sure he was spiritually there because he told Mallory he would be before he passed. Just as Mallory and Wendell stepped out of the temple it was raining very hard. Seven minutes later the sky cleared and we had bright sun to take pictures. Marlene’s photography teacher came to take pictures outside the temple. Mallory looked so beautiful and I am so happy for her.

When we were coming back from Boston the traffic was a nightmare and we were trying to get back for a catered BBQ for the Webster, Fackrell, and Florian families that would be ready for us at a near-by park. Rain clouds started to roll in and we were questioning whether we should have it outside at the park or not. We decided to keep to our plans and go to the near-by church if it rained too much.

Just as I arrived at the park the rain cleared up and the most beautiful rainbow appeared beyond the park. It was a full arch with vivid colors. One of my friends said he saw the double arch which I did not get to see. I had never seen a more beautiful rainbow. To me it was God saying he was pleased with Kev’s and my sacrifice. Kev is in good hands and heaven is happy to have him.

Geoff posted some pictures on his blog of the wedding reception. Just click on the link below. You can tell by the pictures we had a wonderful time. Kev wouldn’t have had it any other way. I will try to get pictures posted of my own when I learn how to do it.

http://www.geofffox.com/MT/archives/2007/06/24/kevins_daughter_gets_married.php

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July 8, 2007 by Geoff Fox.

I know… I’m not one of the Webster girls, but this is my favorite photo from Mallory and Wendell’s wedding

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