New Puppy

Santa has finally decided that this was the year for the puppy!  We are all very excited about her. She is a white Boxer, 9 weeks old, full of energy and deaf! We know that Santa found her the perfect home with us...what better family for a deaf dog. I told Westen since he can't seem to give me a deaf baby, Santa decided to give me a deaf puppy instead! The kids wanted her name to be Marley, we went back and forth and finally decided that it seemed to fit her because she is a bit ornery. She is very smart...after just a few days she seems to understand the signs for bed and bathroom. She doesn't startle easily like we had thought she so thats a good sign. She is very aware of where we are in the house and doesn't like to be alone which doesn't surprise me. When we are out of her sight she doesn't know where we have gone...on the other side of the door or half way to China. She is doing well with potty training and has just had a few accidents (the downfall of getting a puppy in the winter)...but we are luck that she sleeps through the night, something my human children never did. I may be a bit grumpier if I had to wake up every few hours with her! Over all I think it was the perfect timing for us to get a dog, she is a happy and long awaited addition to our family!

First Timer

So I am new to the whole blog thing but decided it would be kind of fun to talk about some of the highlights that happen during the year with the Gibbens Family. As with most families, life is never dull and everyday bring with it joys and challenges. For this first post I will tell you a bit about each one of the kiddos.

Jacob is 8 and in 3rd grade. It has been a great year so far with a great teacher. He does great in school, if only he would get his homework in on time he would be set! As the oldest Jacob is dependable and typically helpful. He is a bit on the sensitive side at times but tries to put on a tough bravado! He recently got a puppy for Christmas and is very excited about it!

Avery is the only girl and loves her role! She is 5 and the girl half of the twins.She is in kindergarten and loves it, although who knew there could be so much drama amongst girls at that age! She is my helper and fashionista! She loves all things girl: make up, hair, clothes! She is a great sister and loves helping her mom clean. She is known for deep cleaning her room without being asked because "it makes mom happy ". She does inform me almost daily that she needs a baby sister...we'll see.

Westen Samuel is 5 and the boy half of the twins. He is also in kindergarten and has had a bit more of a struggle adjusting to the new world of acadamia! He is all boy, wild, couch jumping, wrestling, yelling, dirty smelly, loud, gun fighting, energetic boy. He is my wild thing and sometimes I hug him because it's all I can do! He has a great imagination and always has the funniest things to say...the way his mind works always keeps me laughing.

Dexten is the "baby" at 4 and loves his role and he plays it so well. Although he is only 15 months younger than the twins, the whole family is guilty of spoiling him...especially daddy. Dexten loves his daddy and is always very put out when he isn't allowed to do everything with him. As the youngest of 3 boys you would think he would be a bit tougher but he is a bit of a mammas boy, which is just fine by me.

A short bit about Westen and myself then we will be done! Westen is a 3rd year electrican's apprentice which he loves. One more year is what he keeps telling himself and then he will be a Journeyman which will open up more possibilities for our future whether in Idaho or other...Arizona maybe since Westen is from there. with the economy being slow right now any jobs related to the housing market have been slow to say the least although God has been faithful and Westen has been able to stay employed through these dry times. In the mean time (and to fill the hours) he has taken up woodworking and has built some great furniture for our house this last year. I will post some pictures soon! As most of you know I work at the school district here as an interpreter which is a great (and very secure) job. I love all the people that I work with and the kids are great. To help out I have taken a second part time job working as an interpreter for a video relay service for the deaf...also a great job but very different than working with kids!