IDAHO!

Last week Luke and I left sunny Tucson, Arizona and spent some time in Idaho. That's right... Idaho. Before you think we're crazy for leaving flip flop weather for arctic chill I should tell you - WE HAD A BLAST! Ok, we could have done without the freezing weather but we had a great time!

We went to Idaho, 'All because two people fell in love (isn't that wonderfully cheesy)'.

But I'm not talking about the bride and groom, whose beautiful sealing and reception we attended, I'm talking about Luke and one of his best friends Brandon (the groom). These two boys met at the Academy and can't get enough of each other. Brandon's Dad says they "giggle like sisters" when they get together. It's true.

We were so excited to be there for Brandon and Whitney!

Weddings are so fun! Congratulations Brandon and Whitney!

Good Things...

Did you know me and my Mom's birthdays are only 4 days apart! 4 days! Isn't that AWESOME! We think so. This year that meant we got to celebrate them together when she came out to visit at the beginning of November.

She saw our house for the first time, we went shopping, we spray painted stuff, we ate a super fancy amazing gelato birthday cake. We watched two of our favorite shows, Modern Family and Chuck. We took the puppy on walks to look at cactus. We shopped some more. I introduced her to pinterest. We made crafty plans for Christmas. Before I knew it the week was up and Mom had to go home. Lame.

Her visit was really, really good. I am so glad she came.

You may have noticed we have a blog, but we do not have one of these...

Weird, right?

For 18 months we have been trying to flag down this guy...

But he has not stopped by our house yet.

So, while we pray and want and wish for one of these...

(Your prayers for us would be MUCH appreciated)

I will try to keep this blog updated with the things we are doing, the good things going on in our lives. Because while there are some pretty rotten days and long depressing nights, there are good days and exciting things going on. You know, in between the infertility appointments. I won't update you about the infertility appointments. That would be weird.

We are so grateful for our family and friends that have been so supportive and sweet during this difficult time. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Free At Last!

So, this is Luke. You may be wondering why I'm making an appearance on our blog, especially after it hasn't been updated for almost 6 months.

Well, here's the reason...

yep... Mongolians.

Right now you're thinking one of two things. 1) What do Mongolians have to do with Marquette not updating her blog for so long? or 2) Luke is an idiot

If you're thinking #1, I will tell you in just a second. If you're thinking #2 you should know I think YOU'RE the idiot

Here's the story. Marquette and I were in Florida (see last post) at a training event for my work when the famed Mongolian invasion 2083 began just a bit early (King of the Hill). They took us by surprise and got the upper hand for a couple months.

Marquette and I went deep undercover (our side felt like we were the only logical choice for deep cover because I speak Chinese and Marquette speaks Danish). While we were undercover things got a bit hairy. It wasn't until the invasion was repelled that I was able to get out.

Marquette should be extracted in the next week or so and continue her normal blog posting duties at that time. Please keep her in your prayers. If you would post on facebook and guilt trip all your friends into re-posting this message that would be great, because that's a good way to show support for a cause.

So there you have it. This whole time you've been thinking 'Man, Marquette is so lazy, she never updates her blog!' but really she's been out there defending freedom. Shame on you.

It's either that or we've just been busy. Either way, this will probably be the last time Marquette asks/allows me to update the blog.

Too-ish-in? What's this strange word?

Yesterday, my husband did something he has never done before...

For the first time in his life, he paid money to go to school!

He was not happy about it.

I guess when you are a smarty pants like him you can attend the Air Force Academy for your undergraduate degree and then get a scholarship for your first Master's degree. Oh yeah, and not pay a thing for the first half of your second Master's degree.

Industrial Engineering Master's degree... you better be worth the $3,000 we might spend getting you.

All you tuition payers reading this post, feel free to laugh at my cute husband who thinks that this is a lot of money to pay for school.

Air Force Summer Camp: 2

At Air Force Summer Camp dodge ball is taken very seriously. The players are not ordinary players. They are Airplanes. And the balls... they are bombs. Strategy is used to launch a strike on the opposing team's military base.

If you do get hit, you must head to the graveyard and wait for a new game to start.

The campers LOVE IT! Of course. Can't you see the excitement in their faces?

You are starting to wish you could go to Air Force Summer Camp... aren't you?

Air Force Summer Camp: Part I

What do you do at Air Force Summer Camp (ASBC)?

Well, during the first week... you get to know your fellow campers, take classes where you learn about Air Force values, and practice shooting guns.

During the second week... you wrestle.

Choke holds, arm bars, and guillotines are all encouraged.

Don't you wish you could go to Air Force Summer Camp? Not convinced yet? You will be.

Upgrade

Last week, my husband's butter bar was replaced by this snazzy, little, blue, number...

He is officially a First Lieutenant.

Did you know...

he's also over half way finished with his second Master's Degree (in Industrial Engineering),

he is training for a marathon,

he is the highest rated Mandarin speaker at Davis Monthan,

and he (still) knows everything there is to know about the NBA.

I just thought I'd brag a little more about my amazing husband.

You are amazing, Husband! I love you and I am so proud of you!

Licensed to Kill

Guess who shot at an expert level, with an M9, the first time he ever picked up a gun...

That's right, this guy...

45/28/10

All 45 shots hit the target. 28 body shots. 10 head shots.

All paper targets... consider yourselves warned.

14 Weeks!

After three and a half months, my wonderful husband is finally home! I'm so glad he is back, safe and sound.

Tulips

Back when L and I were kids, dating before our missions, my birthday was coming up and an odd box showed up at our house with my name on it. The box smelled like dirt.

L told me not to open it. So, that box sat in my room for nearly two weeks. By the time my birthday rolled around my entire room smelled like dirt.

L called me on my birthday (he was away at the Air Force Academy) and I opened my box.

I fully expected to find it full of dirt.

It was full of tulip bulbs.

L knew tulips are my favorite flower.

He said he wanted to give me flowers that wouldn't die. Tulips I could enjoy forever.

Best Birthday gift ever? Yep.

I got to watch them bloom this spring. Those beautiful tulips we planted back when we were kids, are my favorite part of spring. I love him so much. And, I love my tulips.

Now... it's Spring.

Quilting with Grandma

This is a picture of me and one of the two amazing women I am lucky enough to call Grandma. This beautiful Grandma of mine made me a quilt when I young (Rainbow Brite on one side rosebuds on the other) that stayed on my bed until I got married.

Since my husband is away I have been trying to find things to do to keep me busy. Domestic type things. Since cooking is a huge non-interest of mine, I've avoided it like the plague and looked elsewhere.

While visiting my Grandma a few weeks ago her quilting skills came up and I thought, 'Grandma could teach me how to make quilts! That would be a fun thing to do for people I love!' So, I asked my sweet Grandma if she would teach me how to make a quilt. If "Duh" were a part of my Grandmother's vocabulary I'm pretty sure that's what she would have said to me. She looked at me like I'd asked her how to boil water and then said, "Well, you take two pieces of fabric, hem them, put batting in the middle, sew it up, and then tie it or stitch around the pattern." Duh! Oh. Ok.

So, I tried it.

I only got a yard and a quarter (to make it a neat little square) of each fabric, because I didn't know what I was doing. Guess what... it worked.

My quilt might not be perfect, but I'll practice. Grandma was right. It is that simple. Duh.

P.S. Does anybody need a little quilt? It's probably the right size for a baby. I don't know what to do with it.

Little Women

The other night, my sister and I went down town to see an opera. I felt so refined. Thanks to our sweet aunt, who gave us the tickets, we had such a fun night.

The opera we saw was based on this novel...

It was the perfect opera to see with my sister.

My favorite part of the night was driving home with my sister making fun of the song "Ours the Hours." What does that even mean?

We had great time!

My dog is awesome!

I try not to blog about our dog too much. But she is so funny I can't help it every now and then.

My Sister is really good with dogs and spent some time teaching Palin a few new tricks.

Here's my favorite...

She makes me laugh. What a great dog.

Virginia

Since it's Valentine's Day, I think it's my duty (as a madly in love person) to publish something mushy on our blog. Luke is still away, so there won't be much mush around here today. But, I did get to visit him in Virginia last week which was really fun (and mushy enough for blogging purposes).

I didn't take nearly enough pictures of the trip. But, I managed to get one of us outside of the building where church services are held on base.

Luke had a birthday! Shout hurray!

I was really glad I got to be there to celebrate with him.

Even though he is in a different time zone, I hope he knows how much I love him today! Happy Valentine's Day Sweetheart!

Change and Patience

I hate change. Most people do. No, I REALLY hate change.

Example: when I went on my mission the dramatic lifestyle/climate/spiritual change made me physically ill. My body went into survival mode - my metabolism stopped( I gained over 30 lbs, but my metabolism isn't the only thing to blame... I also blame Danish pastry), my hair started falling out, and I became lactose intolerant (random, I know).

I think it's a pretty cruel twist of fate that I fell in love with and married an Air Force Officer. Which ensures my life will remain in a constant state of change. Thanks fate.

Actually, I don't thank fate. I know my Creator is behind all of this change. He is trying to teach me a lesson, and it looks like it will take a lifetime to learn. Change is ok. Physical places and things should not provide comfort and security for me. I need to look elsewhere.

This is where patience comes into play. You see, the word "patient" is used as an inside joke between me and my Creator. He told me once I was "patient" as I waited to come into this world. This is where the inside joke comes in... I know He doesn't mean "patient." You see, I'm sure (like with all change) I was the opposite of patient. I was nervous and scared. I'm sure I tried to be brave, but I'm also sure He saw right through that charade. And when the time came, I'm pretty sure He had to give me a little shove. I hate change. "Patient" is the kind way of saying 'willing, but secretly scared to death.' No, patient is what He wants me to become, not what I am.

Sometimes, in quiet reflective moments I think... maybe I was patient... actually patient. Then, my puppy does something naughty or I glance at the empty side of the bed next to me and BAM, I'm not patient. I'm angry or worried or scared. Anything but patient.

But hey... I'm living in Arizona, my husband is gone (on training, he will come back), my puppy is still naughty... but, my hair isn't falling out.

A step in the right direction? Maybe.

I hope I have the strength to learn the lessons my Creator is trying to teach me. True patience is not a quality I possess now. Maybe at the end of a life married to an Air Force Officer? Maybe. For now, it's a nice inside joke.