Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Catching up.....

Every day I think of things to put in this blog, but then I think about all of the things that I need to catch everyone up on and I post nothing!

So, a quick update to catch up:

* At the end of December we were asked to take an International assignment for the LDS church. We moved to the Dominican Republic on February 16th and are still trying to unpack!

* Kevin's new job title is Area Physical Facilities Manager. He is over all planning, construction and maintenance of the church buildings, temple, CES buildings, mission homes, etc for the Caribbean area. He is gone a lot. (Insert sad crying sounds here)

* The girls are attending an international school here in the DR. It is called Carol Morgan School and you can google it if you are interested in finding out more about it. Classes are taught in English, although you hear an awful lot of Spanish being spoken everywhere! The girls take SSL (Spanish as a Second Language) as well as their other classes. The school is about 90% Dominican and 10% kids from other countries. They have friends who are Korean, South African, German, Iranian, and from other countries that I can't think of right now. It is a lot of fun, althought they miss their Utah friends terribly!

* I spend my day trying to not get killed when I drive everyone around (We have just one car here). The driving is insane. I also spend all day trying to buy groceries. And sometimes I watch Ellen when I can find it on the cable.

* Yes, we live by the ocean. However, it takes a minimum of 45 minutes to get to a decent beach. The good beaches are two hours away and some European ladies like to sunbathe there.....if you get my drift. You can see the Caribean Sea from my windows, but since Santo Domingo is a port town there are no beaches. Just waves crashing onto cliffs. Two weeks ago we were walking along the Malecon (road by the ocean) and we watched three kids climb down the cliff and go harpoon fishing. It was kind of scary.....attention kids, don't do this at home.......is the information that I wanted to make sure the girls got as they watched them climbing down!

* We live in an apartment building now in the middle of the city. A big change for this country girl. I am getting used to all the noises and to riding in an elevator. Love the pool, gym and tennis courts but really miss gardening and my beautiful yard. I just hope that some of you are enjoying my fabulous tulips since I can't enjoy them this year.......

* My saddest thing is selling our lovely home in Syracuse and knowing that we now no longer have a permanent place to call home. We have had 2 offers, one ridiculous and one waiting on a counter-offer, on the house and it will be sold to the relocation company on the 15th of May if no other offers are accepted before then. I am really missing all of my friends and the fabulous support that I had in Utah. Don't forget us just because we moved!


So, my goal is to share some of the fun, weird and interesting things that happen to us here with you. Remember that we are just a phone call away! (801)776-9323

-Kim

7 comments:

Jenn said...

Yay!! I was hoping you might post a little here soon. :) Sounds like quite an adventure you are having there. I'm sure it can be quite stressful at times. I have enjoyed facebooking with Kaitlin at times..I make sure she's not just playing around and gets to her homework, though...you know, just doing my auntly duty. :)

The Olson Gang said...

YEAH!!! I am glad to see (or read) that you are getting settled... WOW!!! What a whirl wind you have been through the past few months.

Thanks for getting SOMETHING posted!!! I was beginning to wonder if you really were where you said you were..... :)

Well, don't be so long in posting... even if you just say "HI ... I'm still here!" I'd feel much better!!! Does Kevin need any help? I've gotta a man I can spare for a while... hee hee hee... Let me know! :)

K - take care... keep posting!!! And ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!!! (I'm jealous... really I am!)

Carley said...

Hi Kim! So exciting to see a new post and to read all about your adventures... all of your flowers do look really pretty I have to say...You are missed around here:) I am glad that you are surviving..wow..I can't even imagine being in another country...Grayson would LOVE to live in Brazil (where he served his mission) but I am thinking that out of state might be all that I would be able to handle! You are such a trooper...hang in there and keep us posted and up to date on everything...I love to hear how things are going:)

grandma w. said...

Kim, I cheered when I saw that you had posted! We are so unpredictable in when and where we will be.

Thank you for letting us know a little about what life is about over there. We pray for you all. Love you and miss you and your sense of humor. Mom

Nurse Heidi said...

Can it be? *GASP* A post?! Wow! Now, you could really go all out and post some pictures...but that might be asking too much :). Love the update. And every time I walk past your old old house and enjoy the tulips, I'll send a smile your way. The grape hyacinths are in full bloom at the moment, as are the daffodils.

Livewell said...

Thanks for sharing Kim! Love hearing about your experiences.

Alysa . . . . and Reed said...

Kim,
I'm so glad to hear YOUR perspective of what life is like for you and your girls. It has to be so different - sorry, I'm stating the obvious - but at the same time such a unique adventure to be living in the DR. I agree with The Olson Gang - enjoy the journey! We miss you guys!!