We have reached the Light at the end of the MFA Tunnel!

Well I have been back just over a week - and Kirk came home Tuesday early morning. We were in Boston for his final residency for his Master's in Fine Art program. He has gone to Boston 5 times in 2 1/2 years. He would go back in January and June for a 11 day period each time - then work on his stuff at home between residencies. Anyway - I went back for part of the time because he was graduating. His schedule this time included giving his Artist Talk, defending his Thesis paper, having a Gallery Show opening and then Graduation.

I really wanted to be there for EVERYTHING - but with 5 kiddos at home that was not possible. Luckily, my mom was willing to stay with my kids while I was gone for 6 days and 6 nights. I went to the first half of the residency. Kirk wanted me there for his Artist Talk, which was the first Friday. In being there during that time meant I could not be there the following weekend for his gallery opening or his graduation...but that is ok.

It was so great being there at all. I have never left my kids that long - and I think it was great for all of us.

Kirk did a great job with everything! He has come a long way in his art too. The funny thing about this whole MFA degree - is that it is not something Kirk was dying to get. When we moved for him to teach for 1 yr - we felt strongly he needed to get a master's degree. He felt this was the program he should do. After the 1 yr hire he then got a job in the administration area of the University. Which means the Master's degree really doesn't do him any good. He is still in Administration and has moved up in it. He is still trying to figure out why we felt so strongly he needed to get this degree and right now. I guess someday we will receive the answer to why...hopefully before we have paid off the almost $40,000 of debt we just took on for it. ugh! I guess it is good that our only debt is our house. =) Seriously though - I am not worried about it. Yes things will be even more tight than they are now --- but I can't believe that the Lord would direct us to do something that will hurt our family, or not show us a way in the end to make it work.

Boston was great! I had a couple of days that I was on my own until the evening. One day I went to the Aquarium and took lots of pictures for my kids. Afterwards I went to lunch and a great experience being pampered by the Manger and Chef....the Manager ended up being originally from Idaho - and before that a small town that we moved from just a few years ago.

It was a very relaxing time - a nice break from the everyday - and I loved the T. It was so easy to get around...in fact Kirk and I went to Church that first Sunday at Harvard. We had to trek through 6 - 7 " of snow - but hopped on the T and rode it right over to Harvard - then had to walk 6 - 8 blocks to the Chapel. It was great! We joked that on TV that morning they kept reporting all the Churches that were closed due to the snow...but not the LDS Church - it never closes does? Made us laugh. We enjoyed being able to spend time together without interruptions. Our dating is usually a dvd and take out dinner up in our room why the kids are downstairs watching a moving - or a 40 minute motorcycle drive when it is warm enough. So to have 6 days just the two of us has not happened since before our first was born 14 1/2 years ago! So we enjoyed being to talk and visit and just be without our everyday responsibilities at home or work.

It is so nice to know this chapter is now behind us and we are on to the next. It is also nice to be home again all together as a family. =)