Julie Wheeler Boyer

Six weeks after returning from Jerusalem I married Ryan Boyer in the Portland, Oregon temple (I was one of the engaged ones at Jerusalem). During the next year and a half we finished our bachelor degrees at BYU. I gave birth to our first daughter two weeks after finishing my last class. We then moved down to Arizona, where he's from, so he could attend law school. While he was in school, I tutored students with ADD, ADHD, and other learning disabilities while juggling my mother duties.

We currently live in Mesa, AZ (love it about 8 months of the year!) and we have four beautiful daughters--ages 8, 6, 3, and 1. (Yeah, can go ahead and sympathize with my husband--he's a little worried about surviving life 10 years from now.) I enjoy staying at home with my children and being involved in their busy lives with soccer, music, dance, and school. I've learned its important to still take time for myself and love running, gardening, and reading when I need a little "me-time." As a family we love going to the beach, bike riding, swimming, and working in the yard (okay, my kids don't like it but they still have to do it!).

On the 15th of August our oldest daughter will be baptized. Am I old enough for this? We have loved seeing her enthusiasm and supporting her in this big step. I feel like its opened another season of parenting and is been great!

I refer back to my Jerusalem learning experience all the time. I was on the brink of a huge transition in my life and Jerusalem gave me the opportunity to grow as an individual and prepare for future roles in my family and church. I admire and have the highest opinions of those I met in Jerusalem. What a group of achievers and determined people! I regret that I will not be able to attend the reunion since I already took a long trip to Utah earlier in the summer and my kids will be in school, making another trip difficult. Best wishes. Do some grape stompin' and have fun!

Julie Wheeler Boyer
julieaboyer@msn.com