Yes, I am pathetic when it comes to keeping up on a blog.

This year we are participating in a life course entitled 'Change.' This course involves moving back and forth across the world and gaining new family members.

It began when we traveled half-way across the world to enjoy Christmas with our families in Idaho. Then the course really got going when David departed for Iraq leaving Jonathan and me to stay with family. Alone. Without him. I took a class at BYU-I. Jonathan got to know his grandparents and cousins, and he loved every one of them.

It hasn't been a very fun year so far for our family. I was gone for four months to Iraq and then was back in Cyprus for three weeks. I was able to come back to the US for Zak's birth, but had to go back to Cyprus again after only a couple weeks. And now, finally, after six months of being apart, our family is back together!

Cheri has been doing very well with teaching Jonathan how to speak. This is no surprise to most people who know Cheri because she is very eloquent with her pronunciation and vocabulary. Recently Jonathan has wanted to talk to me on the phone and since I'm not always available to answer, I get lots of fun messages, sometimes at Cheri's prompting and sometimes all on his own. These are some of my favorites:

Miss you!

Our little boy is talking. He says knew words nearly every day. He will imitate whole sentences if someone will say them one word at a time for him. Every now and again, he will help us say a prayer over a meal. By the time David gets home, I anticipate Jonathan will be talking in whole sentences.

I don't always agree with the things Google does nor with some of its policies. But I am impressed with the way it has stood up against Chinese censorship, even if it had to be "nudged" in that direction. So well done Google. It's refreshing to read (and almost difficult to believe!) that a company gave up "right now" revenue in order to do what it believes is ethically right.

“Papa, where did I come from?” The six year old boy looked up at his father questioningly. His father paused in his methodical way of stocking colorfully striped boxes filled with candies and cookies onto shelves.

He hesitantly replied, “Where did you come from?”

“Ya, where did I come from?”

“Well, your mama and I...made you.”

“How?”

“...We made you in Mama's oven.”

“Like a gingerbread man?”

“Kind of. But we baked you in Mama's oven.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Church services here are a little... different. Sure they are small, but I'm used to small. I got used to that on my mission and during the last two years that we have been in Cyprus.

This is about to be my longest post ever. I'm taking a writing class, and I'm finally beginning to work on a story I've been thinking about for a while. Here is the first scene I've begun to work on.

Quick synopsis: This is a story of a girl who works for her uncle in his bakery. He’s known as the gingerbread man because he is famous for his gingerbread. Here is part of a scene somewhere near the beginning where the girl and her friend discover a well of magical molasses. They’re both kids. It's not finished.

We've made it to over four months now and the baby is still alive! Hurray!

I had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. The ultra sound could not have been any more obvious. We've got a nice little picture with legs spread wide and a little something popping way out there. It's a boy!

Following Justin's lead, this is my year in review by cities:

• Akrotiri, Cyprus
• Chania, Crete
• Paris, France
• Provo, Utah
• Rigby, Idaho
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Ucon, Idaho
• Valleta, Malta
• Ypsonas, Cyprus

Spent at least one night in all of these cities.