Jerusalem 2018-2019

It is time to revive the blog. We are back to high-speed, unblocked Internet access. So, while I may do some back-blogging to try to fill in our family history, I hope to also post about this unexpected year back in Jerusalem. It was our first post 11 years ago, and although the city hasn't changed, we have! We're hoping the kids are able to take memories with them for a lifetime.

We thought we would be spending this "gap" year between our last Shanghai assignment and our next Shanghai assignment in Washington, D.C. But, when a one-year assignment to Jerusalem popped up on the "now" list, we jumped on it. They put us in a gorgeous apartment right downtown, walking distance to the Old City, Consulate and many other interesting places.

Jonathan is working in General Services for the Consulate. (Yes, we know the Embassy has been moved here, but there is still a consulate, as well. It's messy.) The kids are all in school, and I am blissfully taking each day as it comes. Come visit! I'll show you around.

Shanghai, China

After two years of preparation, we are finally in Shanghai for a 4 year assignment. Jonathan will be doing reporting in the political section of the consulate, and as of now, I am home with the kids. We loved our year in Taiwan but are really looking forward to the stability of staying in one place, one school, one job for our longest stint yet.

We live west of downtown in an area called Hongqiao near several of the international schools. I have to admit that as expats, we aren't really living in China. We live in a resort-style compound and basically have all our comforts of home (our stuff, our car, online shopping, great schools, instant American friends, an expat church congregation, etc.) We have a huge house with the top floor just for guests, so I hope we get some (hint, hint).

Taipei, Taiwan

As part of Jonathan's training for his upcoming job in Shanghai, he gets a full year of advanced Mandarin training in Taipei, Taiwan. I was excited to learn that they open the training up for spouses if they qualify, so I will be able to join him! I served a mission for our church in southern Taiwan back in '97-'98, so I am excited to return and see how things have changed.  We will be living on the north side of Taipei near Yangmingshan National Park. The U.S. built housing for military dependents there back in the 50's, so we'll be living in an "American" neighborhood in a little ranch-style house with a fenced backyard (a first for us!!) You can follow more details of our life this coming year by clicking on the Taipei link above.

Aspen Grove

Our last week in the U.S. was spent with my side of the family at Aspen Grove, BYU's alumni family camp near Sundance. It was an ideal family reunion!  In fact, we are already planning on going back in two years. Here's what we loved about it:

-We stayed in a big lodge with enough bedrooms for all six families (and Great Grandma Clontz), so there was lots of intersection of the families and together time.

-The alpine setting was out of this world.  Plus no commercialism, no Internet or TV in the cabins, no video games in the game room--just nature, recreation and family.

-All meals provided in the dining hall--no prep or clean-up--yay!

-We basically checked our kids into day camp every day where they were with their age group with two BYU student camp counselors.  They had tons of fun and so did the adults!  We hiked, swam, went to lectures, slept, read, played sports, went to the temple, talked, etc., etc. all while our kids were taken care of.

-They had lots of organized activities for families that you could participate in or not.  Every person in our group from age 2 to 89 had a great time.

San Jose

This was our 10th roommate reunion since we graduated from BYU!  I love these gals. This time we spent the weekend in the San Jose area: at the beach, shopping at Santana Row and roaming Los Gatos.  We worked in some chick flicks and Shakespeare plays, too. These are inspiring women, and I'm so grateful we have stayed a part of each other's lives. L-R Lindsay, Stacey, Kellie, me and Mamie

Boise

This is the summer of reunions. We drove up to Boise, stopping at Shoshone Falls, and I got to spend the weekend with two high school friends, Carrie (on the left) and Jeneanne (on the far right), and a college roommate Sarah (in red). We really haven't changed a bit and spent a joyful evening doubled over in laughs and sharing tears.

Utah

While J is in training, he can't take vacation, so he had quite a bit stored up that we needed to use before we head to Taipei. After packing out in D.C., we decided to spend the month in Utah. We both have some family here and friends we haven't seen in a while. I feel like the kids are getting a "real" summer with road trips, swimming pools, running around in backyards, summer reading program at the library and Otter Pops, of course.  See more photos by clicking on the Photo Gallery above.