abby bell is nine years old today! it seems like i just met her and her lovely family, back when she was three and nora was just almost born. wow. anyway, happy birthday, abby! this girl, my niece, is amazing. she's smart and gifted beyond her years. she can write poetry like nobody's business. she's also a very resilient kid, and manages to find good friends wherever she goes. i can't wait to have birthday cake with her at church tomorrow night! we booked our honeymoon yesterday. jamaica, here we come!