Christmas Letter 2009

2009: Another year of changes.
The Busaths have returned to the states! Many thanks to Measurement Specialties for the adventure of living in China for the last 3 years.
We started making arrangements to move back in April and in June we flew home and only stopped over in CA for the weekend so we could get to Utah for car and house shopping ASAP (our apologies to all the friends we missed seeing on that trip). We thought for sure we were going to end up in something 4WD due to the snow that we get in Utah, but they all seemed too big or too small. So we ended up back in what we knew best; a Toyota Sienna.
The house hunting started shaky. We were avoiding short sales because of the time that it might take to hear back from the bank. The foreclosures had relatively nice prices, but all needed some sort of work before we could move in and we were pressed for time. We looked about a week, and at approx. 20+ homes (probably hundreds on line), with not much luck. I needed to return to China for the promised 2 months to tidying things up. Our agent had to go out of town for a week so Mary and I decided while he was gone we would boil the list down to the 3-4 least objectionable and then go from there. We were on an automatic email linked database from our agent. When listings meeting our criteria would come up, we would get a notice. Mary went straight to the database website and opened the first report. I heard her say, “I don’t remember this house. How come we haven’t looked at this house?” I went over and pointed out that it was a brand new listing and it was the first day on the market. We hadn’t even gotten the automatically generated email notice yet. Mary said she thought this was the place and wanted to see it that morning. Our agent had left us a contact in his office that could help us if needed while he was gone. The contact called back to say we could go at 11 am and that there had already been two other visits that morning. As soon as Mary walked in she felt like it was the right place.
We went through it again the next day with our agent and 2 more buyers came through while we were there. We decided to make an offer that day due to all the activity on the house. After multiple offers and a little haggling back and forth they accepted our offer. Hurray, we are homeowners again!
So we signed. I called the shipping company to send our stuff from China (we held it back for a month waiting to find out where to ship it too.). We made another trip to CA to empty the storage unit. I went back to China for 2 months to work with the new guy they hired. Mary and the kids moved in and the shipment was delivered (no major damage). And the decorating began in earnest.
Finally, here we are in American Fork, Utah. We love our new home (919 Lakota Rd., American Fork, Utah, 84003, 801-756-7163). We have driven in the snow without 4WD (no damage yet).
Andrea is in her 2nd year at BYU. She wanted to continue the collegiate experience without moving back in with us. We decided it was cheaper then buying another car.
Noelle is a Junior at American Fork HS. She has a built in friend from CA and has made some new ones from our ward. She is anxiously waiting to get her license.
Ben is in 9th grade and is also making new friends, only to leave them when he goes to a new HS next year. He is waiting for the day that he passes up his Dad in height. All most there!
Camille turned 12 this year and is loving being in Young Women at church. She is in the 7th grade and is still playing the flute in the band.
Mary and I have settled into a routine. I go into the basement to work. It’s private enough in the basement to avoid too many distractions. Unfortunately it is not finished (one of our next big projects). Fremont comes on line about 9 am. I go through emails, review reports, issues and proposals. I contact vendors and do stateside contacting. Around 7 pm China comes on line and then I Skype mtgs, answer questions etc. I’m usually done by 9 pm. About every other week I’m on until midnight as required for meetings.
Mary is enjoying getting thing in order around the house. She is able to attend the temple whenever she wants since it is so close! She is also watching a newborn little guy 2 days a week and is loving that and the kids too. It keeps the kids from asking us to have another one!!
We have enjoyed being close to the Utah part of the family and look forward to this new adventure of living in Utah! We wish you all a Happy New Year.
Love the Busaths:
Ed, Mary, Andrea, Noelle, Ben and Camille