February B-day Celebrations

We celebrated February b-day people yesterday. Caden turned 9 on Valentine's Day. Allie turned 6 on the 11th and Emma turned 4 on the 19th. We enjoyed ice cream and cake and a generally good time together, as always! Happy Birthday!

B-Day Celebs

On Sunday the Abel families gathered for some birthday celebrations. We had missed celebrating my niece, McKennah's birthday in December so we threw her into the mix along with my sister, Sylvia, my sister's boyfriend, Mike, and two of my nieces. One of my nieces, Saydee, was not present because it wasn't possible for my brother and his wife to make it down from Idaho. We sang to her and presents had been sent. She was missed a lot. Everyone enjoyed the cherry pie and sugar cookies that were served, especially my youngest niece. Pictures will prove that. We had loads of fun. It was a great way to start a new week.
To those in my family whose birthdays were celebrated Sunday, I wish you many happy returns. May 2008 be as great as your birthdays were!

La multi ani, draga mea prietena!

The following is meant for a dear friend on her birthday.

Ce pot sa spun? Cuvintele au scapat. Esti prietena mea cea mai buna. Fara tine cred ca m-as simti pierduta. Din cauza ta, ma simt nevoita. Multumesc pentru memorii frumoase. Eu sper ca in aceasta zi minunata in care sarbatorim ziua ta de nastere ca vei avea tot ce iti doresti. Iti urez fericire deplina si o zi senina. Ma gandesc la tine in continuare si imi pare rau ca nu pot sa fiu chiar in prezenta ta.

Cel mai bun dar care ti-l pot da este cunostiinta mea in legatura cu evanghelia restaurata. Tot ce s-a intamplat, tot ceea ce am predat ca misionare este adevarata.

Te iubesc, draga mea sora.

I Haven't Had 40s Therapy. Yet.

On Saturday I will be 36 years old. A lot has happened in 36 years. I started life backwards. I was in a cast for a congenital hip and subsequently a brace for the better part of my first year of life. I started Kindergarten at the age of 4 in Maryland. I would attend 4 elementary schools, 3 jr. highs, and 2 high schools. I graduated in 1989 from Hillcrest High School. I attended Snow College, received an AA, then headed to Utah State. After getting a BA in History, I went on a mission. I remembered thinking that I had finally gotten to that stage in my life and I couldn't believe it because I had wanted it for so long. Romania was amazing.

I worked in a private school post-mission before spreading my wings again and moving to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC. Taiwan was brilliant!

Finally settled back at home, I went back to school and got my teaching license. I started my career in teaching in my thirties. Today, when I was telling some students something about "when I was in my twenties" and then expressed the shock that I could say that, they kindly said they thought I was in my twenties. I will love those girls forever for that.

I've travelled more than many in my almost 36 years of life. I have seen almost half of my siblings get married, most of them have children. I've seen them grow and develop into fantastic young people. I'm proud of them.

I realize I still have 4 years left in my thirties. I feel like I should have more. Am I ready to head into my forties? I don't think so. I haven't had forties therapy yet.