Murdock Muse
Mar-Apr 2009, Part 3

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MADDY HOWLETT - THE WHOLE STORY Sean Howlett Well here is the story of Madelyn Emily Howlett. So we were 9 months pregnant with our third child at the Doc's office 2/20/09. The doctor asks us if we want to be induced on 2/23. "SURE!" Kris replies. We enjoy the weekend and have the bags packed and all that stuff. We call 6pm on Monday and ask if there is any "Room at the Inn." They tell us "Sorry we are full - try again tomorow 6am." Needless to say, we were sad. "Oh well, just 12 hours more," I consoled my wife. The next day with more cramps and pain we call again. "Sorry, we are still real full; you'll have to call tomorrow at noon." The wife is mad now. "How can they get our hopes up and then tell us to wait!?!" she asks, and I try to rationalize the staff to person ratio...the # of rooms...hey I found a penny under the sofa. We sit back and wait some more. D day arrives, 2/24/09. Kris is really feeling the kid's kick to her butt and ribs (literally) and we call the Family Place. They tell us to wait for a call back. OK, my wife has sprouted horns and is talking in tongues. I ask her if she can call the OBGYN and plead our case. Surely they will feel pity for her after all the build-up. They must feel her pain. She calls and is told "Well, they are still full, so why don't you come in Friday for your weekly and we can schedule next week. Of course, if you go natural, go to the ER/Maternity and we'll try to squeeze you in." My heart breaks for my wife. She is broken and justifiably goes into a rage. She throws some stuff, swears in Arameic and tears her Induction paper work. Fire and brimstone rains from the sky. I find out I am Satan, the Doctors are the Dark church and My baby is the anti-christ. Eventually we leave the house to get some air and relax. We drive a bit (over rather bumpy roads.) We then go and do some snow shoeing around Memorial field and some farm. We get home to a message. "Call us so we can see about getting you in tonight." We are not jumping at it. We call and I see relief in my wife's eyes. I find we are going in at 7:30pm. The kids go to my parents to camp out for the night. We get to The Family Place and we begin the process of induction. Come Wed. around 12:45pm the wife wakes from her pre-push nap and tells me to fetch the Midwife, she has a LOT of pressure coming. The Midwife and team converges and she checks Kris. "Well it's baby time! Give me a minute or two before you push." Less than ten minutes later I am pulling my daughter up to mommie's chest and cutting the cord. Yeah, it was a long trip but now we are rewarded. Madelyn Emily Howlett is an impressive 8 lbs, 9.5oz's and 21 inches long. She looks into my eyes and tries for the first time to pull at my heart with a quivering bottom jaw. Yup, she was worth the wait.

Tulips, from "Blooms"

PREVIEW OF NEW WEBSITE Darrel and Mary Murdock Greetings, Our new website has the first section completed! It is titled FLORA : Wildflowers, Fungi and Blooms. The address is: http://domania.us/parklynx/flora/index.html There are three galleries to choose from, and now you can see the thumbnails or the slideshow. This is our new format. We found most people prefer one or the other, so we're offering both now. Darrel and Mary Murdock

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Nancy Murdock We have received some good news from a very reliable source. John and Cathy have informed us that they will once again host the annual Howlett Reunion. YAY!! It will be on Saturday, July 11, 2009. We'll write again when it gets closer to the day, so everyone will know where to go, etc. We hope to see all the usual cast of characters - er, beloved family members - and also enjoy pigging out. After going that distance, we hope to catch up with lots of the Murdock clan, also. At our age, we don't want to miss out on any chance to visit with you all. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Tim and Kay, 2008

CHANGE OF VENUE Sgt. Timothy C. Murdock Hi there Grandma and Grandpa!!, (Jan 5): I am writing to fill you in on my recent move. I am now inside the US. I am at Ft. Stewart near Savannah, GA. I have been assigned to the 2 - 7 INFANTRY BATTALION of the 3rd INFANTRY DIVISION. I just got here a couple days ago, leaving behind Europe, Kay and my best friends, though Kay is going to be here in ten days!!!!! She is going to be assigned to the on-post hospital as the Chaplain's Asst., a really good (non-deployable) job. I have just met some of the people I am going to work with, and they seem great. They are REALLY excited to have a new SGT to help out. Well, that's my quick update and I'm stickin' to it. I love you guys and hope to see you all soon!! - SGT Murdock err. Tim

Nancy's Facebook image

CREATIVITY FOR BIRTHDAY 77 Nancy Murdock I was fortunate, as usual, to hear from all of our children, my siblings and siblings-in-law, and my Sew & Tell friends. But the two from our daughters, which had the same theme, were quite unusual. It began with a short message from Valerie: Happy Birthday, Mom! I made you a little something, which I hope you enjoy even a fraction as much as I did, putting it all together. Even though your birthday is still days away, I have to confess that – like a child at Christmas – I can’t wait until then to give it to you! It was an amazing example of the marriage of creativity and knowledge. Jan. 7: So happy to hear that you like it! I've looked at it so many times, and yet still enjoy going through it again. Love you! Valerie p.s. Today is the day I plan to actually hang the reunion quilt in my "office," which I have finally gotten around to "decorating." Will take pics... You can see the front page of Valerie’s birthday document in the March-April 2009 photo gallery, at http://d21c.com/murmuse/pics/gallerys/2009/MarApr09/PageOne.html. I sent it to her siblings, pointing out that it showed both her former job (setting up documents, etc.) and her current one (teaching middle school kids updated info about using computers). Roy wrote this response on Jan. 14: OMG. I just checked my emails and found this. How incredibly beautiful!!!! I honestly have to say, this is one of the best birthday gifts I have ever seen. Great job, Val!!! I am totally moved by it!! Happy happy birthday, MOM. I love you. Roy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - And the gift from Meredith, which displays the series of thoughts with different medallions, is now viewable at http://d21c.com/murmuse/pics/gallerys/2009/MarApr09/MerPicsm.html . Or you can reach it by clicking on the Photo Gallery in the left margin for the March-April 2009 Muse. I am very appreciative of each gift I received, but it was very interesting that both daughters used their creative instincts on similar subject matter - in different formats and media.

Missi, 2008

ORIGINAL SONG AND VIDEO Missi Sargent Feb. 20: Hi there, I wrote and recorded this song last weekend and made a slideshow video to go with it. Just thought I’d share. Click here to see it on YouTube. Hope you enjoy it. Missi

Krista, 2008

KRISTA'S LATEST VIDEO Bob Murdock Krista Reese has a new video on YouTube, and her mom, Mary Reese, sent us the link. Click here to see the video. You will be glad you did. It's a hoot!

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