I've been away...

... and it has been so grand! I spent time with kids and grandkiddies, had a tooth problem and now I'm old and have a bridge :-( The good thing was that it happened while I was in the US~just a little tender mercy from someone who is watching over me.) I saw some snow, I watched bball and soccer games, I played peek-a-boo, I went on dates with some very cute boys (grandsons!), went to the movie, stayed up late, late, late with my lovely girls, played games, watched my grandson receive the priesthood... it was a very wonderful trip and I was a little bit tired when I got home. Then, my sweet hub had planned a little adventure to Istanbul for Christmas. I had a day or two to wash my clothes, try to sleep and pack for the next excursion. Wowowowow!! do we love Istanbul. It was a dream come true for us. The sights, the smells, the beauty, the people, new friends, roasted chestnuts on Christmas, the cobble streets, the history, oh my, we were in heaven!! We can't wait to go back and see Ephesus and Cappidocia and spend more time in Istanbul. Anyone want to join us this summer? We would love to take you with us.
So now I'm home. Trying to catch up on my sleep a little, excited about our new Abu Dhabi ward building that we are meeting in for the first time on Friday (the first one built in the Middle East). So thrilling to be involved in such an historic event. Just so many things that I never dreamed I would be a part of or have the opportunity to see and experience. Life is so mystifying and seems to rarely turn out like we think it will. Maybe that's a good thing.