2. December 15, 1981. First birthday away from my parents. I am 20 years old in London, England eating chocolate cake at the Hard Rock Cafe with my study abroad friends. Earlier that year, we all watched as Lady Diana, who we all took notice was only twenty years old when she became a Princess, married Prince Charles. My friends gave me a nesting doll from Russia, which later turned into a collection by accident, and the next day I left for home after living away for six months.
3. December 15, 1987. Rick and I celebrate our fifth anniversary earlier that year as we navigate through job changes and moves. Jacob welcomes his new little brother as Rick and I maneuver through denied insurance claims and physical therapy for Brett. Books about Down syndrome pile on my nightstand. The next year is looking bright as Rick accepts a job with L.A. Gear. I turn 26.
4. December 15, 1990. Eight months pregnant and 29. Earlier that year I am trying to be hopeful as we enter and exit infertility doctor appointments with negative results. Living in a suburb of San Diego close to my brother Mark and Chris, I try to smile as I count all the ladies in our ward who are pregnant. We finally conceive in May. Both Jake and Brett are doing well; Jacob has been put in a higher reading class and Brett loves his pre-school. His teachers, classmates and parents welcome him with open arms.
5. December 15, 2001. Bittersweet year. I am 40 years old, and our family has grown from three to five children. From 1995-2000, we muddle through adoption mess with Lositika. She arrives in our arms not as an infant, but an almost four year old. My dad passed away at Christmas time the previous year, and the world is still mourning two massive twin towers which fell to the ground. So, at this birthday, I sit on my couch looking at my Christmas tree missing my dad so much, pondering our future, and realizing that terrorists are real.
6. December 15, 2004. At 43 years old, the kids are in school and I am working at Rick's College, soon to be BYUIdaho. Running in the mornings in the crisp Idaho air brings me joy and peace. Both Rick and I are teaching gospel doctrine classes. Jake is on his mission in Limerick, Ireland. My mom experienced a heart attack, and there were two major earthquakes in the world, Asia and Thailand. Taylor and Tika receive their citizenship. Oh, and we own a log home company, Snake River Log Homes and a restaurant, The Smokehouse.
7. December 15, 2011. Another surprise birthday party....because I am 50. My sweet husband set it up at Liisa Frei's house. Our lives are crazy as I have just finished up my masters, living at Lu and Scott's house, working at a charter school and we become grandparents for the first time! Earlier in the year, I hiked Rim to Rim with my brother Rob, Katie, and others.
8. December 15, 2019. After ten years of teaching at Dixie High school, I switch to the new high school, which has just been built, Crimson Cliffs. Being Department chair brings new responsibilities and challenges. In June, I travel with Amy to Ireland, Wales, and England in June for 10 days while Rick works in Orem. We celebrate December with a new granddaughter, Sophie on December 10th, and a new backyard. Fifty eight doesn't look too bad, but the older I become, I spend more time reminiscing and missing my parents.
9. December 15, 2020. Covid 19 took over our year. I tried not to think like that. Being grateful for all that we have. Our health, our jobs, family, faith, but the virus did kind of rule. The month of April and May were really weird. Everyone in lock down, masks, and no travel. People hoarding, riots, no school. On this day of my birthday, Tuesday, December 15, 2020, I was just getting over Covid 19. Headaches, no taste or smell. I first noticed that I could not taste my toothpaste. Then, I could not taste chocolate chip mint ice cream, or smell mentholatum. Strange. Very grateful that it is not worse. I am still very tired.
10. December 15, 2022. Life is going so fast. Working from home now with Utah Online and loving every minute. I have been "healthy" eating for almost 8 weeks, so I go get my blood drawn for a wellness check at 8:00 in the morning. My friends come over around 5:30 p.m. to visit and give me a gift. Liisa, Lisa, Sheryl and Peg came later. Maileg castle with King and Queen from Liisa's store. All of us have received Maileg mice for the last 3 years or so. The world is a scary and beautiful place! War broke out between Ukraine and Russia on February 24th of this year with hundreds of refugees fleeing the country and hundreds of elderly or others who cannot flee left with the ravages of what is left when a country is bombed.
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