International Family of Mystery

Holy S. Holeeeeeeeee Ssssssssssssss.

That's what I've been saying in my head ever since 2:00 or so yesterday afternoon. Holy S.

My hubbers called me yesterday afternoon.

"Hey, hon," he said, sheepishly.

"Uh, heyyyyyyyy. You sound weird. What's up?"

"Um...."

"Did you lose your job again???"

"No, no, no," he chuckled. "How would you feeeeeel... about living in China for 8 months?"

Silence.

Then, "What? What? What?????"

He laughed and then told me the following:

The company that he works for does a lot of international work, but thus far, he hasn't traveled much. He went to San Francisco once, and that's it. His job has mainly been to stay here and design stuff. Then other dudes go to other parts of the country - and other countries - do be project managers, construction workers, etc.

Well, there's some big project in Baoding, Hebei, China, and they want Ben to be a project manager over there. It will take about 8 months or so. The company likes to send whole families over for projects like this, because they find that the husbands do better when they have a support system with them.

I know, right? I'm fa-reaking out.

It will be fantastic for Ben's career. He will get a sizeable raise. And the money will mainly go in the bank. I mean, we'll still pay our mortgage here, but they pay for our room and board over there, plus airfare. Living is very cheap over there (as is the shopping, from what I hear. $15 Uggs, anyone? Let me know if I can pick you up some).

And when are we leaving? Oh, the end of June.

Holy S.

Um, so yeah. We have a lot, lot, lot of things to do. I'm extremely overwhelmed. We went and got passport photos for all of us at Walgreens last night, and Ben's filling in all of our paperwork online to get our passports finalized.

Apparently, they will put us up in a hotel for the first couple of weeks until we find a suitable apartment. Furnished, of course. :)

Baoding is about 80 miles southwest of Beijing. Baoding itself is about the size of Salt Lake City. It will be so different and sooooooooo cool. I mean, how often can you say, "I lived in CHINA for 8 months"??? It will be so neat for our kids to experience a different culture. And it will be neat for me and Ben, too. We never get to go anywhere cool. And now we have this amazing opportunity.

And I am soooooooooo traveling and seeing the sights while I'm over there. The Great Wall of China? Hong Kong? Beijing itself? Yes, please.

Sooo, we'll be back at the beginning of March, 2012. What will we do about schooling? No idea. I'll have to see if there are American schools there. If not, I'll have to homeschool the kids. Barf. Is there a church branch we can attend? No idea. Are there American grocery stores? Normal baby food? Nooooo clue. We are going to really have to fly by the seat of our pants. Which is hard for me. But good for me.

I suppose I should try to develop a liking for seafood.

I am going to be the tallest, chubbiest person around. Hahaha! Chinese people are so skiiiiinny.

This is crazy. I keep thinking this is some really weird dream. It came out of NOWHERE. I had noooooo idea (neither did Ben) that this was even on the horizon.

I think we'll have to hire some dudes to mow our lawn throughout the summer. Our lawn which will die because we don't have a sprinkler system. Hmmmm. Anyone want to come water our lawn??? We'll pay ya... Should we install a sprinkler system before we leave? I know it's weird to be worrying about our lawn at a time like this. I also keep thinking, "My poor flowers! Who will water my poor flowers???" Duh. Who cares, Kar? I'm such a weirdo.

Mmmmkay. I need to get going and start making a lot, lot, lot of phone calls. If you're finding out through here or facebook about our big news, instead of the phone, don't be mad. I'm trying my best.