I've seen this on a lot of blogs lately and though it was neat...kind of a reflection thing, as my birthday approaches...

25 years ago: I was 9. I was in Miss Rex's third grade class and it was the best year of elementary school. It was her first year teaching, so she was really excited. And she was exceptionally kind. That year, we learned to sing Silent Night in German & English for Christmas. She also read us a lot of different books, which I loved. And she had a panda puppet that she used to help her with the stories. At the end of the year, she gave me the puppet to keep. I cried because I wanted to have her for my teacher forever. I think that even to this day, she was the best teacher I ever had.

15 years ago: I was 19. I was in my freshman year at Temple. Besides moving away to college, there had been a lot of change and turmoil in my life my 18th year...I had been in love and out of love and back in love again. I lost a dear friend in tragic car accident. I had moved into the dorms, not knowing a soul and eventually had made some great friends. By the time I had turned 19, things were looking up and coming into a kind of naturalness, like this is where I was supposed to be.

10 years ago: I was 24. I had survived my first "real" job out of college and moved on to another in a crazy office. The work was fine but there were some real loons at this one...including my supervisor, who had a koala bear puppet named Mrs. Wiggly. If you were having a disagreement or confrontation, Mrs. Wiggly would come out and attempt to resolve it. I should have quit then. He eventually got let go and I got his job.... On another note, friends started to get engaged and married. People were starting to settle down. I was in an on again, off again relationship that I had been for a really long time but I knew that the two of us would never be ones settling down together. I was in first apartment on my own and Ramona, a beautiful black and white kitten had come to live with me. I always thought I was a dog person until then...

5 years ago: I was 29, on the cusp of turning the big 3-O. I had achieved my dream of doing PR for a non-profit and found that, in the end, I really didn't enjoy it as I thought I would. Luckily, there was another part of my job that I enjoyed a great deal more and I was able to expand that and someone else was hired for PR. More friends had married, several had kids, even some now a few years old. I had started attending church with Mike & Lisa and found something that I had been missing all along. I accepted Christ into my life and started serving in various ministries in the church, trying to find where I fit best. I made a lot of new friends there as well as at my job. The thought of turning 30 soon didn't really upset me - it just made me feel like it was time to reexamine things and set some new goals for my life.

3 years ago: I was 31, about to turn 32. I had added Nellie & Norm to my furry family and was looking for a place to move, closer to church, closer to friends and family. I was still at the nonprofit but itching to move on. There were really good days and really bad days. My grandmother passed away this year. Although she had been failing for a while and had been in a nursing home, it still came as quite a shock. I mustered up my courage and spoke at her memorial service and will never regret doing that. It was just important to me and I'm thankful I was able to do it. Shortly thereafter, I moved into the place I live now which I absolutely love. It was worth all the time and effort searching for just the right location and place.

1 year ago: I was 33, about to turn 34. I was preparing for a major survey at work in February that could mean my job if we didn't pass and had been for several months. There wasn't a lot of support for my role, so I was pretty much on my own with it all. I had decided that I would definitely be leaving within the next year, no matter what it took. In other aspects of life, I had taken on leadership of our children's ministry when the Associate Pastor left and was actively involved with the youth. I feel like this is where I am supposed to be and how I am supposed to use my energy and gifts.

This year: It was a good year overall but began on a sad note. My uncle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer early in the year and there were many struggles associated with that. He passed away very quickly and for his sake, I am grateful he didn't suffer. We took the teens on our first workcamp to Ithaca, New York and it changed me...for the better. I interviewed for many jobs and finally received an offer for a great one in November.

Yesterday: I've been crazy busy at the new job but I'm thankful for that. Last night, Kym & I went out to Outback and had a great time. I've resolved this year to be more present - and to make time to have fun and not spend so much time in the "have to's" of life.

Today: I have a ton to get done around the house. I'm meeting my college roommate and her little girl for lunch and tonight Michelle is coming over for our monthly scrapbooking extravaganza. : )

Tomorrow: Another busy day. I have to teach Sunday school and take a meal up to a family that just had a baby. More stuff to do around the house...and preparing for the week ahead.