Which way to the moon?

Ever been at a point in your life where you have no idea what's around the corner, as if everything is being tossed in the wind and you have no clue where it will end up? I suppose a lot of university students feel this way as they approach graduation.

My husband graduates this summer. By that time, we will almost be married 13 years. For the first 9 years of our marriage I think he avoided following his heart into the type of career he's always dreamed of.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "like a kid in a candy store"? It's when someone is absolutely giddy over something. That's how my husband gets when it comes to lunar and planetary studies. He's always said his dream is to fly to the moon, and he's serious. Even just the experience of being able to study the moon, the planets and stars his eyes light up! He has loved these things before he fell in love with me. But it has always been just a dream to him.

Just over four years ago we were at a crossroads. We had just sold our home to pay off all my husband's previous school debt from his associates degree, ITT tech, real estate schooling, pre-architecture classes, and our van. We moved into an apartment and sat there for a year not knowing where to go. We prayed for guidance every morning and night. We did a lot of fasting too. We had been everywhere trying to figure out his place.

All his education wasn't satisfying him, he knew he needed a bachelor degree. We knew he needed to go back to school. When the offer for him to attend BYU came up WE KNEW this was where the Lord was guiding us. It also meant he'd have to leave his job (that was paying very well) and find a new one in Provo. We'd have to sell most of our furniture, our washer and dryer to fit in a smaller and more affordable apartment. Our income would be cut down to an eighth of what he had been earning. His desire was to study Physics and Astronomy and he had never pursued it until that time because he didn't feel smart enough... and "how on earth would we pay for more schooling?" We went forward anyway, a little fearful of the unknown...yes, but we went with faith.

Now the end of August, we are facing another crossroad. He is graduating with his Bachelor of Science. He is applying for internships and may go on to pursue his master's degree in another state. He really wants to try an internship involving lunar and planetary exploration. So he's applying to the Johnson Space Center in Huston, TX. I'm so happy to see, after almost 13 yrs of marriage, he's finally pursuing his dreams.

"I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future."

Missing my man!

3 weeks down and 5 more to go!! I've survived the first three weeks my husband has been gone on his internship in D.C. and it's gone surprisingly well. I've had lots of support from family and friends which has made all the difference. I miss him like crazy.

Without him around to hang out with in the evenings I've been putting some time into my art (which I have'nt done for a very, very long time.) It really feels good to draw again... I didn't realize how much I missed it. This is my latest work. I'm a little rusty but I'll get back into it with some practice, I think.

Where are we going?

It's been almost 3 yrs. since my husband decided to go back to school to get his Bachelor's Degree. He has one more year and he will be done.... at least with that anyway... he's talked about getting a Master's Degree too. This summer he accepted an internship with NASA at Johns Hopkins University APL. It's exciting for me to see him getting this far because he never believed he could.... but I believed. I'm proud of my husband! This is going to be such a great opportunity for him this summer. Where will it lead us? I have no clue. I just know that we have been prayerful and the Lord has guided us throughout our life. I pray He will continue to guide our future and I will trust in Him.

By Study and by Faith

Winter semester started today. My husband is nervous because his classes are very intense and require long laborious hours of study and homework, leaving very little time for him to work to provide for our cost of living. Really, if it were not for the financial help from his parents while he is in school, I don't know where we would be? We also have food stamps which is something I absolutely have been against but I don't know what else to do?

One thing I do know is that he is supposed to be in school right now. He kicks himself for waiting so long to get his Bachelors Degree but I'm proud of him for having the courage to finish his schooling at this stage in our life! He knows he's in the right place too. He has had wonderful opportunities to work with different professors in Astronomy, Physics and now Planetary Geology. Each professor highly admires Joseph and have written excellent letters of recommendation for his internship this summer.

I don't know where we are going in the next few years. Perhaps we will stay here for another 4 until he gets his Masters? My oldest child will be turning 14 then... that's crazy for me to think about!! Most likely we will move somewhere across the United States. His dream is to work for NASA and I would love to see him achieve that dream.

There is no doubt in my mind that our Heavenly Father has guided us to where we are and is continuing to guide us where we need to be. It's very exciting. I've seen so many miracles in the 11 yrs. of our marriage. Prayer and faith have been a daily part of our journey. Monetarily, I don't like depending on anybody, I have had to humble myself and except a little financial help here and there. But I know that when all is said and done, when Joseph finally finishes school, we will then be in a position to help someone else in their journey.

I want it to be very clear that I have never cared for lots of money. I told my husband when I married him that I would be happy to live in a tiny house and live a very simple life. I don't care for manicures, matching purses and shoes, name brand clothes or name brand anything for that matter. And I think it's wonderful that my kids are content with paper, markers, books and their imagination... so spending money on toys has never been a problem either. It's wonderful! I like the simple life because it helps me treasure the simple things!

I am very excited for my husband to be successful and achieve his dream, not for money but for the sheer thrill of saying that he did it, he got his degree, he accomplished something that he didn't feel he was capable of doing.

I have no doubt that when he finishes up his schooling we will have opprotunities to make very good money. I'm sure it will be nice but at that time, I never want to lose sight of the happiness I have found in simplicity, hard work, prayer, faith, humility and trust in God...because money can't buy any of these things.

Happy Father's Day

This is a really great video about a wonderful dad. My husband and I watched this together. We were both in tears.

I love stories like these!

To watch this awesome Father's Day Video, click on this link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhqRMP9meMc

Happy Father's day to my wonderful dad, to my sweet father-in-law and to my very wonderful husband.

I am so blessed to have such great men and fathers in my life!!

Of course I can't forget gratitude for the Father of us all, MY HEAVENLY FATHER.
I love this song by Cherie call about our Father in Heaven, entitled "Names". I think it's perfect for Father's Day. It's the first song on my playlist if you want to listen.

Names
(Cherie Call)

He's been known throughout time by so many names
Creator of worlds and the ruler of all
And I do not disagree with the ones I have heard
Like The First and The Last, and Wonderful
Eternal and Endless, Provider and King,
And His Majesty
But when I think of the hundreds of prayers that I've prayed
There are so many more that I'd add to these, like

Mathematician, Concert Musician, Master Physician
and Listening Friend
Who knows all about cars, and my fragile heart
So the best name would still have to be
Heavenly Father

When I'm helping a friend He has sharpened my mind
When I've asked that my lips could say all the right things
He can part the Red Sea and still keep me from shaking
When I've prayed that my hands could hit all the right strings
He has always been there to handle the big things
But He can still find a way
To help me with tricky equations and dark twisty highways
And children with fevers
I know I can pray to the

Mathematician, Concert Musician, Master Physician
and Listening Friend
Who knows all about cars, and my fragile heart
So the best name would still have to be
Heavenly Father

And isn't it just what a father would do
Helping His children with all that He knew
And then using His wisdom to step back sometimes
On some of the answers we're just meant to find for ourselves

So we can be mathematicians, concert musicians,
Mothers, physicians, and listening friends
And we can learn about cars, and we can heal broken hearts
With the love that we've learned first hand
From a Heavenly Father

Copyright 2002 Cherie Call, all rights reserved
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MY DADDY

MY FATHER IN-LAW

MY CUTE HUSBAND

For all you math and science geeks...

Lately my husband has been overwhelmed with the difficulty of his classes at the University. This semester he is taking Astronomy, Calculus 2 and a Physics Major class.

He has worked over 6 hrs. a day on his homework just for his math class... that doesn't include all the hours of homework for his Physics and Astronomy. He's been discouraged because he bombed a couple of tests, that he studied for like crazy.

So I thought it I could lighten his load with a little humor, you know, I thought it would be funny to send him some things that would make him laugh: (you might have to click on these to read the captions better)

I don't think these two made him laugh though..... I think they made him cry.... I'm in the doghouse tonight.

Brag Tag!

I've been tagged! My friend Jessica wants me to share a little bit about my hubby:

JOSEPH

#1. Where did you meet? LDS distribution center, we were set up on a blind date... He took me to a yodeling concert!

#2. How long did you date before you were married? For sixteen long weeks (Not recommended) I had dated alot of guys before and he was different, He showed me so much respect and He was the first guy I was around that I felt like I could be completely myself (a nerd)..... and low and behold he was a big nerd too! We had all the same goals and beliefs, which was number one on my list.

#3. How long have you been married? 9 years.

#4. What is one thing he does that surprises you? hmmm. Can't think of anything.... he's been pretty predictable.

#5. What is your favorite feature about him? I fell in love with his profile. I love the bridge of his nose, cute smile, and the wrinkles by his eyes.

#6. What is your favorite quality about him? Besides his testimony of the Gospel, I would have to say his love for our kids.

#7. Does he have a nickname for you? "Sweetie-peetie-piety-poetie-pootie".... (I told you he was a big nerd.)

#8. What is his favorite color? light tan...just kidding (inside joke). green.

#9. What is his favorite food? Beef Jerky... does that count as food?... because other than that, eating is a burden to him.

#10. What is his favorite sport? Anything BUT sports. Joseph can't stand watching sports, he says it's a waste of time.... my kind of man. (Oh but he loves any kind of sport when his kid is in the game.)

#11. Who said "I love you" first? I don't remember... but we both said it the same night.

#12. When and where was your first kiss? On my porch, after our fourth date. He leaned in to give me a little peck on the cheek and I thought he was going for the lips so we bumped our faces... he was embarrassed and stepped back. I thought, "hey get back here!" and I grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for the lips.... he was all teeth, he couldn't stop smiling. Then he said the sweetest thing. "I have never kissed anyone before." I wished I could have said the same. But that really impressed me about him. (By the way, he's a much better kisser now.) ;D

#13. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Watch http://www.homestarrunner.com/ play Boggle or Scrabble, Ride Bikes, and Talk. Talk about our kids, our lives, the Gospel, just talk about everything and anything.

#14. Do you have any kids? We have four. Two boys and two girls.

#15. What is a hidden talent of his? Calculus. (Inside joke again.) Dancing... he never dances in public but he really CAN dance... I just need to convince him of that!!

#16. How old is he? 33

#17. What do you admire most about him? His testimony of the Gospel and his love of family.

#18. What is his favorite past time? SLEEPING (emphasis on the past in "past time")

#19. What is his favorite kind of music? CLASSICAL - favorite composer is Antonio Vivaldi. Next in line is: Enya, Josh Groban, Loreena Mckennit, Bagpipes.... He HATES country music... I listen to that when he's not around... heh heh.... well... sometimes I'll bug him and listen to it when we're in the car.

#20. Do you think he will read this? Yes cuz I told him about it.

I tag Vanessa, Kristen and Leah!