Happy Birthday

Today is a special day in the Gilbert house hold. Today our youngest, Jessica, turns 2. Can you believe it she's 2 today. I remember the day she was born. I remember every smell, every sound and every sight.

It's hard to believe that she is 2. My heart is sad because she is no longer a baby but my heart is excited to see what she will become someday.

On Monday we get to see just how big she really is. I'm hoping for 22 pounds and maybe a new tooth (that would make 9). We'll have to wait and see.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl. We all love you very much.

The Loss of a Dear Friend and Family Member

Tonight, Chris and I had to make the very difficult decision to put one of our beloved pets down. On Thursday night, our dog Corky, had been showing signs of being in pain and he was very lethargic so Chris took him into the vet today. The vet informed us that he was in the beginning stages of liver failure and that the only thing we could really do was to take him to an emergency vet for IV, and then an ultrasound to find out what was wrong. Unfortunately with liver failure there is not much you can do other than prolong life. Chris and I were faced with a difficult decision, take him to an emergency vet with no guarantee that anything could be done, or end his suffering. It was very difficult but we chose to end his suffering.

The next step needed to be taken was telling our children that their beloved doggy would not be coming home tonight. As a parent there is no harder thing to do than to break your child’s heart, and tonight we had to do that to Kristin. Luckily, Jessica is too young to really understand what is going on, especially since tonight is her 2nd birthday.

Corky was a kind and gentle dog who loved his girls and protected them. He was a good companion and very loving. Although he had his moments that would try our patience, like eating diapers, or barking when the door bell rang and fighting with Cosomo, he was truely loved by all who knew him.

He was a special friend to Kristin and to Jessica and they will surely miss his antics of waiting under the table for food to drop, and his wagging tail when we came home from school. I will miss the way he would lay his head on my lap at night, when Chris was working, and we would watch TV or how he would lay in Kristin's room and sleep with her to ease her fears.

So long old friend you are loved and deeply missed.

A weekend to relax . . .

This weekend was my time to just relax. I had a class scheduled, on Saturday, but it was canceled. And Chris had taken the kids to Flagstaff to see his parents, so this was my weekend to get grades done, the house cleaned, and just plain relax and enjoy the piece and quiet. Only it didn’t work out that way. Have you ever been in a place that is usually bustling with noise and activity and then suddenly it is quiet and you’re alone? Well I have, and it was this weekend. Guess what . . . I got lonely and bored so I packed up the dogs and hit the road Saturday afternoon. Where did I go you might ask? A spa, a friend’s, maybe even to Flag to be with Chris and the kids? Nope, Nope and Nope, I packed up and headed to Mom and Dad’s place in Rimrock. It was nice to visit with them. Don’t get me wrong I love to go there with my family but it was nice to be “the only child” for the first time in a long time. While there I read, watch a movie, laughed and watched the deer come into feed.

On Sunday the girls and Chris came down, along with Larry and Carole and Mimi Pat for lunch.

While there we talked, ate, watched the deer come in to feed, and took Kristin fishing (Jessica went rock throwing) although Kristin didn’t catch anything, other than a tree, she still had a good time.

Kristin thought it was funny to see Mommy acting like a monkey when I climbed the tree to try and untangle the fishing line. There were a few tense moments when I heard the branch cracking under me that I thought I was going to get a bath in Wet Beaver Creek. Luckily the branch held and I was able to get back down without getting wet.

It was a good relaxing weekend, before a very hectic week of late nights and Parent-Teacher conferences.

Mom, Kristin, Mimi Pat, Dad and Larry relaxing on the deck that Dad is building. (Chris, Jessica and Carole are in the house)

Sunday . . .

Today was a lazy day at our house. Both Chris and the girls seem to have colds and after spending money at Walmart, (which seems to be an everyday occurrence around here) we came home and did nothing. The girls and I watched Meet the Robinson while Chris took a nap.

Then the girls and I made chocolate chip cookies (don't worry we washed our hands first). Jessica was having so much fun rolling them out that she was a little upset when I put them in the oven.

All in all it was a great day. With lots of smiles all around.

Now it’s off to clean the kitchen from dinner, straighten up the loft, get lunches together, and all of the other things that need to be done before the beginning of a busy work week.

It’s a Parade

Yesterday Kristin had the unique opportunity to join her about 500 of her closest Brownie Sisters on the warning track of Chase Field. There they walked from one side of the field to the other showing their troop and Girl Scout pride.

After the parade Kristin, her sisters, and their parents stayed to enjoy the game and each others company. Although the Diamondbacks lost in the 10th inning (we left at the middle of the 8th, when we were winning 2-1) a good time was had by all. Kristin and the members of her troop, who were able to come, got to know each other a little better and they socialized with members of other troops too.

Jessica even had a good time. She made many new friends (from Kristin’s troop). For not being into baseball and being in a relatively small area in which to move around and play, she did a really good job.

Daddy even got to come. He had a good time too and he was a big help.

Chris is off . . . YEAH!!

Yep, Chris has started his weekends off and after a very long week at work (seven day’s straight) we enjoyed our first of many weekends together as a family. We weren’t alone though. We escaped the heat and headed north. Chris wanted to be able to see his high school (Coconino) get trampled, mowed over and just plain beat (oh did I say that? I’m an Eagles gal all the way) by the opposing Phoenix team. The next morning we headed to mom and dad’s in Rim Rock where he spent his hard earned money on a new rifle.

Chris and the girls also had a chance to visit with Grandma and Grandpa. Kristin loves to play school with Grandma. She is so patient with both of the girls. Kristin and Jessica just adore their Grandma and Grandpa.

Kristin and Jessica had a great time with Nana and Papa too. Papa took Kristin on the “mini hummer” to get ice for Nana, while Jessica played ball with Cosmo or did puzzles with Nana. Kristin and Nana played games and did crafts together. Kristin just loves playing and spending time with her Nana and Papa.

With Chris off we will be spending more time with both sets of grandparents. Chris has already made plans for several visits. But they both get a break this weekend.

The last dog day of summer

Why do they call them the dog days of summer anyway?

Well, today is the last day of summer, Labor Day, although here in the desert it seems to last until November, where it is cool for about 3 days. In honor of this so called last day of summer the girls and I went swimming.

I loaded Kristin and Jessica into the car and drove to my parents condo in Scottsdale were we spent time playing and swimming in the warm waters of the community pool. The girls had such a great time. Jessica jumped in the pool and Kristin went diving for diving sticks. We had an all around good time even though Daddy couldn’t join us and we missed him.

The next time we go Daddy will get to join us since he starts his weekends off this week. YEAH!!!

Jessica (thinking of Daddy)

I can get the diving sticks

I'll save you Jessica

Look at me

Aren't we cute

What Cute Kids I have