Fall stretch

As a teacher, the hardest part of any school year for me was the long stretch from Labor Day to Thanksgiving break. I'm not even teaching this year, and it's been the craziest year yet! Brian works at least ten hours every day (and many Saturdays this fall), leaving me at home alone in isolated Mono City with the two kids. Before we had Jack, I remember a friend of mine saying that, when her husband got home at the end of a long day, she'd hand him the kids and go off and hide, by herself, for a little bit. At the time I thought, Can it really be that difficult? It's just a kid or two, and they're yours, and you have naptime and downtime, and you don't have to get out of your pajamas all day... But now I understand! Being a mom is definitely the hardest job I've ever had. I think Lynnette from "Desperate Housewives" said it best: "Motherhood means you feel lonely all the time, but you're... never... alone!" Which makes this upcoming Thanksgiving break especially needed. Brian is off for the entire week, and what's more, his mom's coming into town as well! I am so looking forward to having their company. We've planned a relaxing week; hopefully I'll have time to get out and walk the dog, take a bath, or just breathe.

The "news"

I'm lying in bed in our RV just outside Phoenix, about a mile from the racetrack which will host a NASCAR race tomorrow. The kids and I just spent five days in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, visiting my sister. My parents also made it down from Idaho for the visit, and we all got to meet Val's boyfriend RJ. Now, Phoenix for a few days. I'm lamenting my lousy blogging the past month or so, and how much writing I'll have to do to catch up, but there is a good excuse! My laptop went on the fritz awhile ago. Brian tried to reformat the hard drive, but it just didn't work. So he's been bringing his work laptop home for me to use in the evenings. The situation has not given me much time for frivolous things like blogging! Alas, it was time to order a new computer. Not complaining or anything, but there's been a lot of new stuff in my life lately. This, for a girl who's happy with a new three-pack of socks from Target. It all has my head just about spinning! Starting back in June, here's a list of my new things:

* baby * travel trailer * church * mommy group * school year * several sets of neighbors * cell phone * Internet service * insurance plan * pediatrician *

And next, a new laptop. It should arrive Tuesday, which is also Jack's birthday and our first day back in town after this trip. I look forward to posting some pictures and tales of our latest adventures very soon afterward.

Birthday auntie

Whoops! Didn't get to post this two days ago, on her actual birthday, but my little sister has turned 29! Happy Birthday to Val (or TT, as she's more commonly known 'round these parts). She's my best friend and the best sister a girl could ask for. And she certainly loves her nephews and nieces.

Pumpkin patch

This past weekend, we took the kids--all dolled up in their Halloween costumes--to the pumpkin patch just south of Gardnerville, Nevada. It actually turned into a whole weekend trip; we stayed overnight in the trailer at the Silver City RV Park in Carson City. We did all our shopping, and conveniently, there was a hair salon for me at the RV park! But the best part of the weekend was, by far, the pumpkin patch. Corn maze, pig races, haystack slides, train and pony rides... what could be more fun?

In-laws, binkies, Tonka trucks, and tufa

Brian's dad and stepmom are in town for a few days. Aaahhhhh... it's always so refreshing to have them here! Brian's dad always helps with projects around the house, and Lynn gives me creative inspiration for any sewing, beading, or any other crafty projects I may have lying around. Plus, we just enjoy their company! We met them in Reno on Wednesday night, where we stayed the night at the Silver Legacy and shopped the next day around the area.

Jack achieved a major milestone at the hotel, sleeping without a binky for the first time! (This wasn't planned; I'd forgotten the binky at home. And, of course, it was a miserable night for him. But we let him pick out the biggest Tonka truck he could find at Walmart the next day, saying he could only play with it once he traded in his binkies for good. As soon as we got home, he brought me his binkies, and we ceremoniously dumped them all in the trash. He reeeeally wanted to play with his new truck... and we haven't heard anything about the binkies since!) Today, of course, we had to take Rick and Lynn to see "downtown" Lee Vining and the south tufa.

Kate at four months

Jack and I took his little sister in for her four-month checkup today. There was actually a lot less crying from the little drama queen this time around! We talked about the eczema on her forehead and the backs of her arms, as well as using drops to clean out her system and rid her of the gas that's been causing her pain. The stats:

Weight: 14 pounds (just a little over the 50th percentile)
Height: 23.5 inches (just a little under the 50th percentile)

I was hoping to start her on solid foods soon, but the nurse wants me to wait until she's doubled her birth weight, which is another 10 ounces. (Brian and I'd already tried giving her a few "sticky stars" the other night at dinner, and although she liked them, it took lotsa effort to keep them in her drooly mouth.) So, darn it, still just breast milk. The little stinker has been sleeping all afternoon, which she probably needed, seeing as how her naps lately have been short and unsatisfying (to both of us!).

It's all about the awkwardness

We all have, somewhere, a family picture that we'd rather forget, right? I can think of many a bad hair day, tacky sweater, or unfortunate pose in the Gibler family photo vault. The creators of the website AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com have given us all a place to submit our most horrifying pictures and laugh at those from other families. The next time I'm having a bad day, I'm soooo going to sneak a peek at this website.

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

I'm not about to turn in any of the following, as I couldn't find anything truly awkward, but it's always fun to reminisce...

My parents' wedding. June 3, 1967.

Yeah, it's cute picture, but rumor has it my brother Ryan was saying naughty words to get us to smile. 1982?

I think we called ourselves the Christmas Patrol: me, my sister Val, and our buddy Jenny. Check out our sweaters and my fanny pack! 1988?

Just another Saturday night at the Gibler house. (Yes, I know my outfit was bad. That was the point, people!) 1991?

Val and I took teenage rebellion to new heights during a family visit to Fort Edmonton. While Mom and Dad chatted up a blacksmith, we stole the camera and got some fun shots. (And this was before digital cameras!) Summer 1998.

Like Waldo, only cuter

This is Jack's new favorite game. He piles up animals on his bed, hides among them, and then asks me to come find him. I think he's the most brilliant boy ever...

The bash

Jack was a big help yesterday getting things ready for his dad's birthday. He helped make a "Happy Birthday" sign, a card, and chocolate cupcakes. He also put the candles in the cupcakes. I had to help a little. If it'd been totally up to him, all 35 candles would be in one cupcake. Imagine that fire!

Jack also helped Brian blow out the candles. Looks like he'll be good and ready for blowing out his own candles come November 17th...

To my dear and loving husband...

Brian turns 35 today. I am incredibly blessed to be married to such a kind, intelligent, and hard-working man. And our kids are lucky to have such a great dad. We've had a tough year--our first in the Eastern Sierra, and his first as assistant principal--but everything we've been through has only made us closer as a couple and a family. Happy Birthday, Brian!