Take a look, this is big!

I know what you are thinking, why in the world is she posting about a stack of paper? Only THIS stack of paper is symbolic of the following: blood, sweat and tears (mostly mine), late late nights, basement office dwelling, lots of new gray hair (mostly his), insomnia (him again), single parenthood (that would be me), huge financial expense but because I'm already trying to implement a New Year's resolution to be more positive it also represents dedication, intelligence, perseverance, self control, patience, and hopefully in the future a reward that we can understand. I'm so puffed up with pride for my husband it could be bordering on sinful.

It is Mark's dissertation, complete to the point of turning in copies to his committee back at Tech. In January he will fly back to Texas to meet this committee and defend this stack of paper. Once they accept it, which they will or by golly they'll have to deal with one heck of a woman with attitude, we patiently wait out the spring until graduation. At that point he'll be given a sole 81/2 x 11 piece of paper that says he is a Doctor. But remember folks, not one that can save a life (except maybe mine, over and over and over) BUT one that can entertain the socks off you and tell you a lot about the Bass players in Weather Report, which is the subject of this dissertation.

We still have questions on what this degree means to Mark, after all he is secure with his military job right now, meaning he is still enjoying it and the lifestyle it provides us. But things are changing, more deployments mostly likely, which will be a factor in staying in. Plus you just NEVER know what the future holds in the military. Lot's of factors, which I won't bore you with, my fellow military friends know what I am talking about. All we know for sure is that this degree needed to be completed whether it was just about learning a lesson in perseverance and self control or whether it will be a factor in sustaining this family at some point, it had to be done. We tried to run from it a couple of times, but Heavenly Father has made it clear, "get 'er done".

Likely, Mark won't know what to do with himself now. Oh, never worry dear husband of mine, I have ideas. First thing, we'll turn that basement dwelling office of a dungeon back into a place of refuge and relief. Practice room combined with a room that you can go to, to listen to the things that your wife doesn't enjoy ( he will forever be a fan of the rock hard rock)

Another thought, Bailey is following along in his scholarly footsteps, she made honor roll again this quarter along with every quarter since the beginning of quarters in her life. But, she has been one to point out that she never wants to do this thing that Daddy is doing, you know, the one that takes him away from us. Never fear, the end is near!