If you’d told me twelve years ago that my sweet, newborn baby girl would celebrate her twelfth birthday in Tanzania, well, I probably would have dismissed the idea and told you to leave me alone so I could get some sleep.
In 1998, David was in his last year of residency at University of Arizona and I was a NICU social worker at the University Medical Center. We’d been together for ten years and shared a love of travel. With the birth of Lena, we vowed to live abroad with our children and expose them to other cultures. Twelve years later, we’re finally fulfilling that promise to ourselves and our kids.
Happy Birthday Lena Jayne, my favourite daughter! May this year provide lasting memories, impressions, and perspective that guide your future choices in life.
Posted by Emily and PP on January 16, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Oh, how could we have forgotten to wish Lena a happy birthday when we talked today! Birthday festivities must have been the occasion for the raucous pre-teen giggles in the background. Lena, happy birthday! It’s a year you’ll never forget. PP would want me to remind you that he held you on your first day of life.
And now you’re 12 in Tanzania!
Posted by mary on January 15, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I just welled!
Posted by Joel Ngugi on January 15, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Hi Lena:
Belated Happy Birthday from Keoni, Sylvia and I!
Posted by diane on January 15, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Asante, I can’t wait to see you. Happy Birthday Keoni! Coming up soon
Posted by Cheryl Pappy on January 13, 2010 at 7:36 pm
Happy Birthday Lena! I cannot believe you’re 12! I just love reading about all of your great adventures and I feel as if I’m almost there with you. What a wonderful experience you’re having with your family. Give my love to your Mom, Dad and Anders.
Posted by diane on January 13, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Cheryl! You know I think about you every year on Lena’s birthday. Miss you xoxoxox
Posted by diane on January 15, 2010 at 10:18 am
Thank you Cheryl. I remember you gave me a rabbit one year through Heifer International for a family in Africa. And now we’re in Africa so I thought of you.
Posted by Sara on January 13, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Happy birthday, Lena. I’m sure it will be a special one you’ll remember forever. 12 is a great age! See you this summer. Aunt Sara
Posted by diane on January 15, 2010 at 10:17 am
Thanks Aunt Sara. Tell everyone including Wolfie hi.
Posted by Jenny (and Brian) on January 13, 2010 at 9:22 am
Happy Birthday to Lena, our fa-VOUR-ite 12 year old!!!
Posted by diane on January 15, 2010 at 10:17 am
Thank you. I got lots of shirts in my fa-VOUR-ite co-LOURS.