Wow it really is amazing to hear all about the Texas Mathews family. They are all growing up and it seems so long ago that we were able to see them all. We here in AZ love you all of you guys so much and want you to know that we think of you often.
The Frus's have made some big decisions over the last month and the biggest decision is that we are moving to New Mexico. I have accepted the offer to get a PhD at the University of New Mexico and I will be working with Dr. Laura Crossey on a water quality management project. I am very excited about the opportunity, but also a bit overwhelmed about the fact that I am STILL IN SCHOOL. I guess once this is over I will be officially done, but WOW it seems like it has been a long time since I haven't had homework.
We put in a lot of thought and prayers to make this decision and I appreciate everyone's prayers for us. We know that we will have to make quite a few sacrifices to complete the PhD, but once it is done...watch out! Our hope is to have me find a tenured faculty position at a small university or community college and feel that it will afford us stability and flexibility. Otherwise working for the government (federal or state) will also be a good option where I can again find some good stability and flexibility. We will see, but first I have to finish.
I am excited about working with Dr. Crossey. In all of my school experiences, she is the only woman scientist that was able to have both children and a faculty position. I have had a hard time finding mentors that understand my primary focus is on my family and it is really nice to know that she understands it. We were in Albuquerque two weeks ago looking at the campus and getting introduced to the city. Dr. Crossey had us stay with her and I was really glad to have her meet Adam and Elizabeth and let her see how important my family is. She and I had some very good conversations about balancing school and home and she seems ready to be flexible. We even went so far as to talk about what my project will be and the great news is that my field area will be a 30 minute drive from the house. This means that I won't have to be away overnight and that Elizabeth will be able to come into the field with me!! I will be super busy over the next three semesters trying to get my course work completed, but after that it is focusing on research and being able to work from home for quite a bit of it.
The move for Adam is going to be a bit different. The city does not have anything like the Mesa Arts Center, which will be very hard. He has been the artist in residence at the MAC for the last 3 years and it will be difficult to not have the facilities. He is being really positive about the move. He is currently building his own studio that we will install in the backyard, where ever we move. This will allow him to work from home. There will be limitations to the new studio, but I know he can make it work. While in ABQ we did head up to Santa Fe (the artist community of New Mexico) and met several big name glass blowers. The entire glass community was very welcoming and excited to have our family moving into the area. One of the studios has already offered a space for Adam to come and blow glass and work for them. It is not a paid position, but it allows him to work for trade. He makes product for them and then gets free time in the studio to make his own work. It is also a good opportunity to meet and work with fellow glass blowers.
It is also a chance to expand the frus glass market. We have become well known here in AZ and will now get to widen our market. The southwest is going to be Frus glass territory soon! This is very exciting for us. Adam will have a lot of work ahead of him, but I know he can do it. I will hopefully be able to help with some of the marketing and will also plan to be his assistant in the studio on the weekends.
He also has been accepted into the Pilchuck glass school for the July session. This is a very prestigous school that he applied to at the end of last year. It is highly regarded and he is one of seven that was accepted. He will be in Washington State for most of July. While we will miss him here, it is a totally awesome opportunity. He will be learning from one of the great sculptural glass workers and is really excited to be surrounded by the glass community.
As for Elizabeth she is just so great! I call her my little party girl because she loves to be around people. The mobile hotshop had a private party over the weekend and Elizabeth and I were invited to attend the party. Of course once we got there I was put to work, but the baby girl was SO good. She was passed around from person to person and just sat and smiled and talked to everyone. She was the hit of the party and even got a tip of $50 at the end of the gig because she was such a pleasure to have around. Everyone was so sad to see her put down for the night, they wanted her to stay awake with all of us.
She is so strong. She just started turning from her back onto her belly and is getting really good at it. She loves to sing and suck on anything she can get her hands on. No teeth yet and still not sleeping through the night, but hopefully soon. She loves to stand and she loves to smile.
We hope everyone is doing well and miss all of you. Because of the move to ABQ I will not be able to attend the July 24th party in Utah. I do plan to be in Utah between the 17th to the 22nd. So if any of you are planning to come to the reunion, try to plan to get there early rather than late. That way we will be able to spend some time together.
We love all of you so much! Hope everyone had a nice easter.
love the Frus's
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