Tasty Names Family Update

It seems that each time I start a letter or an e-mail, I always say, "How are you? We're fine. There's not much going on around here," and then proceed to list about 50 things that are going on around here!

So, here goes:

Buffalo Wings and Chicken Nugget started school on the same day. BW's job at his new school is so much better! The school he left lost 60% of its teachers! There was quite an exodus. It would take another post just to describe all that is going wrong with that school. Anyway, BW has lots of friends from church at his new school, lots of professional support, and the kids here really work hard to learn (for the most part).

CN is enjoying SECOND GRADE!!!! But I'm having a hard time believing that I have a child old enough to be in second grade! She's a great reader, but struggles a little in math. I feel bad that I have passed down the math-impaired gene to her. Thankfully we have a math teacher in the house! That helps a lot.

CN is also playing soccer. Today will be her third practice. And BW is her coach! That's lots of fun. Games begin in just a couple of weeks.

Banana is walking, ya'll! He's still so smiley, cuddly, and happy. He is a sweet and easy-going little guy. He's having a hard time right now, because he is cutting some more teeth, we think. He's not sleeping, he's drooling a lot, and he's got a horrible runny nose (but it is running clear. I know that's gross, but that's just one of those things you look for!). Right now he is sitting in his high chair eating some crackers. He loves to sit in his high chair and eat anything!

Noodle is working on potty training. When she first realized that she'd get candy if she went, she stopped saying, "I need to go potty," and started saying, "I want candy." Now she'll go sometimes without a reward, but there are times when her Dr. Jekyll comes out and she will cry if she does not get candy, even if she does not "produce" on the potty. For about a week or so, she'd go with not much prompting and no reward at all and was perfectly happy about it. But then she had a personality change. Anyway, she's doing much better at the potty training than her older sister did at that age. I would entreat CN to go to the potty, and she'd simply say, "No, I don't want to." Noodle is pretty eager to get on the potty each time I ask, and usually, something will come out. So this is good news. We're on our way to no more diapers!

BW has been missing his men's Bible study on Thursday nights, because of soccer practice. He really enjoys that group, and I'm happy he has it. The guys are great and they do some really amazing studies. Scott will even skip out on Halo from time to time! Now that's dedication.

Things are back in full-swing at church. All the choir and missions programs are back on for the kids. Last night was our first Wednesday night supper of the year - the best meal in town for $3.50! Last night was hamburgers. CN enjoyed her choir class. Sunday begins missions classes. I'll be teaching Mission Friends (4-5 yr. olds)! I'm really excited about it. Maybe I will get to teach them about some of my friends who are missionaries.

I'm still singing in choir and I am the chairman of the education committee. That is a task that will last three years. I am very excited about this opportunity. At the moment we are involved in starting up small groups. I can't wait to get going and then report on all the progress! I also hope to coordinate a marriage enrichment seminar or retreat before the year is out.

BW and I have the chance to help out with another ministry that is going on. There is an apartment complex right beside our church. One of our good friends has been instrumental in getting a Saturday night worship service going within the complex. I will be helping coordinate childcare for this ministry.

Most of you know that I sell Pampered Chef. I have also added Avon to my plate! But Avon is very simple and does not require that I do home shows, so I can still commit plenty of time to Pampered Chef.

We are house-hunting! I am really excited about this. We have never owned a home. I'm excited because this means that this really is where we want to stay. And I'm thrilled about this because we have great friends here, BW likes his job, there's tons of opportunity for ministry, and I am ready to put down some roots. Please pray for us through this process! We've looked at several and have found a couple that we really like.

Much love to all of you as always!