Friday, July 31, 2009

Back to reality

We're home! We took the slow route back, stopping overnight in Flagstaff so we could visit the Grand Canyon. It is one of those things that you have to witness it to really believe its gargantuan size. My mom, who has seen and cringed at my husband's daredevil side, would have hated to be there and see how close Brian got to the edge, and how Jack accompanied him right up to that edge.

The house survived the month. We had one of Brian's students and her family look after the cats. Unfortunately, one of the cats was locked in a bedroom closet for over a week, thanks to one of their kids, and left a mess. The carpet is torn up, but thankfully, she's fine. Now, it's back to the grind for the Marshall family...

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

All good things...

...must come to an end. Our last few days in New Mexico were spent in Rio Rancho, with Brian's mom, Bob, Yoli, and the kids. We've enjoyed a whole month here, but it's time to head home.



Friday, July 24, 2009

The positives

After getting word this morning that Brian was not hired as Las Cruces's newest music teacher, I allowed myself a minute pity party... then came up with a list of the positive aspects of returning to California.

1. We'd saved up money, not knowing if Brian would be paid at the end of August. Turns out he will, so we can use that savings to pay off our credit card debt. Hallelujah! Freedom!
2. We don't have to move! I was sooo not looking forward to packing & unpacking all those boxes.
3. If he had gone back to teaching, our income would have been substantially reduced, and I would have had to get a job. Not that I mind working... but my kids are my first priority. Now they can remain so.
4. If we get the one remaining spot in Lee Vining's preschool program for the fall, Jack can attend. Yes, that's right: in California, he need only be three years old by December 1st... and he'll be three on November 17th!
5. Back to the savings we'd built up: instead of using it for moving expenses, I can now get a new cell phone. And, possibly, a laptop!
6. We won't let down Brian's boss and superintendent, or our landlords, or anyone else to whom we might have commitments in the Eastern Sierra.
7. Brian will still be doing the job he really wants. He's always loved teaching, but I think administration is truly his calling.

So, the pity party is over. I am going to remain positive about returning to and living in the Eastern Sierra. I think God's telling us we're not quite ready to move. Maybe (as we've said nearly every summer for seven years now...) next year!

Monday, July 20, 2009

A little TT tonic

After a week with us in Cruces, sadly, Val had to go back to Texas yesterday. She told me, right before she left, that for several days, any time she leaves Jack, she'll hear his little voice in her head, and it makes her feel so sad. Her comment made me appreciate my little monster even more (even though, BTW, the Terrible Twos are currently in full swing). So, TT, thanks for visiting, and for reminding me of how precious my kids are. Hopefully we'll live in the same town someday!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Oh, Ruidoso

Haven't written in awhile because my sister is in town! As much as we've tried to show her a good time, the 100-plus-degree temperatures force us indoors much of the day. Yesterday, Lynn, Val, and I HAD to escape this unbelievable heat. Lovely Ruidoso is just a little over two hours northeast, up in the green mountains, and on average about 20 degrees cooler. Plus, it has a ton of cute little shops, the kind that I love. Jack found a train shop and went temporarily cr-rrazy over the model trains running through exquisite little villages. We tested out the front carrier with Kate, and she did well. We came back to Las Cruces refreshed, and ready to take on the scorching desert heat once again.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Whataburger, whatagrandma

French fries and a shared chocolate milkshake... the lunch of champions!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

A whole month!

My beautiful little baby girl is one month old today. She's starting to wake up more, to actually gaze into our eyes, and to assert herself when something's not quite right. She's still full of all sorts of grunts and groans, and still a wiggleworm when she sleeps. She seems to be in a big hurry, already holding her head on her own. She's also chubbing up quite well, much more than Jack ever did as a baby!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

A festive Fourth

Some of the best things about summer can be found in our Fourth of July weekend:

*Entertaining visitors, here to meet Kate
*Swimming in a hotel pool
*Watching the minor-league Diablos play in the sweltering El Paso heat
*Loading up on hot dogs, a mere quarter apiece, at said ballgame
*Gnawing through watermelon chunks in the front yard
*Chasing frogs, which appeared by the dozens after dark to catch bugs under the streetlight
*And, of course, setting off fireworks