Julie Hearron Klinkenberg

I got a degree in International Studies from UW in 1994, and started working in the field of international relief and development in 1995. Got married in 1998 and started having kids in 1999. Left my job when our second baby was born in 2001, and have been a stay-at-home mom since then. I really enjoyed the phase of my life during and after college when I traveled to Europe and Africa, both for work and for pleasure, by myself and with my husband. Someday he and I hope to get back to some of that. Right now, though, we are enjoying a different phase--having five kids keeps us busy and at home most of the time! (though we did take an awesome road trip all the way across the country when we had 4 kids and it was one of the best trips ever!) We lived in Tacoma for 10 years and had a great life there, but have recently moved to Kirkland, following a job opportunity for my husband. It's been a whole year of adjustment but we are slowly settling in. One benefit has been the chance to reconnect with old friends (my 2-year-old daughter is best buddies with Erin O'Connell's 3-year-old daughter and they are so cute together!!) Another benefit is that we've found a church community where we are really happy--Holy Family in Kirkland. I spend my days doing lots of MOM stuff, but also try to get to the gym, go hiking, go biking, read, and scrapbook when I have the chance. Overall life is good and I am very blessed!