Generalities

Hey, CBB, thanks for the update! Now I will write one too.

We've been dealing with more bugs around here. I've been trying to learn more about poisonous spiders as well. Just last week, I heard two stories of people who had been bitten by poisonous spiders and ended up in the hospital. Scary. I have learned that in addition to the Black Widow and Brown Recluse, there is a spider called the Hobo Spider that we need to watch out for. We might mistake it for the Brown Recluse. Just so you know. It's very dangerous. The good things about these spiders is that 1) they are shy and actually like to stay away from people. They bite only on instict when threatened. 2)they eat lots and lots of bugs and we'd be otherwise overrun with bugs (like mosquitos) if it weren't for these guys. They're essential to the environment.

But there are some other creepy-crawlers that I know nothing about their purpose. I'm talking about walking sticks, and not the friendly variety you might see in A Bug's Life. No, these are not skinny, but gigantic. And really creepy. And our garage is infested with them. However, if I found out that they help out by eating the Texas Cockroach, I might try to make their stay a bit more comfortable.

This season has seen plenty of toads and frogs around our yard, and plenty of alligators in the nearby bayous. But the big news is that there was a shark caught in a nearby river. You just don't know what's in there. The fisherman has kept the jaws of the shark, which he plans to mount on a plaque that will read, "The One That Didn't Get Away." The shark would not have lasted long in the river, and may have been sick by the time it got that far up the river. Still, just knowing it was there is scary enough for me. A Shark. In a river. No, I don't like that.

On the homefront, aside from bugs, toads, alligators, and sharks, Noodle and Banana have been sick. Noodle came down with something during Vacation Bible School, about the same day that we noticed Banana was cutting four teeth at once. Buffalo Wings stayed home with the two of them Thursday and Friday. Noodle is better; I had to take Banana to the doctor yesterday. He's got an ear infection on top of everything else. I can't imagine the pain the little guy must be in, and BW and I feel sorry for him. And we are really tired. We've not had a full night's sleep in about two weeks. It's been tough. To top it off, BW and I have been sick as well. All head-cold stuff, but my throat has been killing me and I'm getting an annoying cough. It's all just enough to make you feel miserable. I just go to bed praying for sleep, then drag myself out of bed at the first whimper of either Noodle or Banana and pray for strength to make it through the day. It's nice that BW has been home with me. My house is a wreck and I feel like I've been yelling at the kids too much and that I'm really a lousy mom. What I'm really thankful for is the relationship I have with Chicken Nugget. I can go to her and apologize and pray with her that I can follow Jesus and ask Him to help me be a better mom, even when I'm cranky. She's always quick to forgive and happy to pray with me. I'm making it a habit with Noodle too. I just wish I could do better. That I didn't need to apologize as much as I do. But the enemy attacks when we are weak, and I've been so weak. Please pray for the Tasty Names household, whoever is reading this! We are tired and frail at this time.

BW got a job for the summer. It's been interesting watching him enter the world of retail. I like hearing about his day (he works so few hours that he is still home with me most days). I like hearing about quotas and challenges, his co-workers and intersting customers. The best story so far was of a lady that was in the store for his entire shift. She almost passed out (low blood sugar or something), but after sitting for awhile was fine to shop again. She bought lots and lots of items. Now that's a dedicated shopper.

Now, if you'll allow me a rant. I know this post is really long, but in my defense, at least I haven't posted a thousand pictures this time! So, here goes: I like to go to the meetings of our ladies' mission group at church. There are two a month, and I go when I can. It is mostly little old ladies, but I love to go because get updates on and pray for our international and North American missionaries. I like that a lot. But sometimes, we have Bible studies or other presentations. One of the meetings next month will consist of watching some film called "Debunking the DaVinci Code," or something like that, and I am really disappointed about that! The lady that is in charge of our church's mission group is very dear to me, and I do not want to hurt her feelings, but I also cannot support going to see this video. I think it is a waste of time. The DaVinci Code is a work of fiction. Both book and movie, as far as I understand it, are for entertainment purposes. Am I wrong? If so, someone do tell me so that I will be better informed. I feel that none of the ladies in the group (besides me) would be interested in reading or watching either, so it is simply a waste of time to show the Debunking video. What is the point? Besides, aren't we all intelligent enough to make our own decisions? I think I'm going to be bold here: if we spent the amount of time trying to debunk everything, and stand on soapboxes or in picket lines, instead telling a lost world about the Savior Who loves them so much (and Who they so desperately need), that would be the thing that would really please God. Just my two cents.

Thanks for bearing with this really long post! So much randomness. Sorry. Much love to all of you.