Belated Birthday!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday! Sorry I'm a day late, Mamma!

My mom is a great lady . . .

For as long as I can remember, my mom always stayed at home to take care of the family and the house. I never thought there was much to that, until I became a stay-at-home mom myself. As a teenager, I never understood what it meant to have pride in your home and to work hard to make it an inviting place.

As a teenager, I had such a narrow view of how life was for my mom. I couldn't see that far back, and realize what it took to raise three kids from infants to adults. Now I know. Now I see and appreciate all the hard work my mom put in for the good of my family, and I wish I had been kinder and more helpful to her while I was growing up.

My mom has been through some difficult things, but never wavered in her faith. After having to endure the death of her oldest child, just weeks after that, I made a teary phone call to her. It was fresh after my divorce, and I called to say that I needed to come home. With tears in her own eyes, she said, "Come on." Chicken Nugget and I lived with my parents and my mom watched CN and my nephew, French Fry, until she got sick with a heart condition and had thyroid surgery. It broke her heart to stop keeping the little ones. Not long after she endured her illness, her mother died. Mamma handled all of these things with grace, though she knew things would never be the same.

In August of '01, all of my family drove CN and me out to California. I knew this was what God wanted for me. Iasked Mamma about it. She said, "I'm not thrilled to see you go, but you don't belong to me; you belong to God. You have to listen to Him over what I say."

So, though she was sad to be so far away from CN and me, she willingly let us go to be obedient to God.

I remember when CN was born, almost eight years ago now. She gave me great pregnancy advice for being a first-timer, easing my fears and worries and encouraging to go with what my body was telling me. She and dad stayed with me for a week before CN was born, because I was having contractions but no progression. Mom stayed by my side during tests and painful procedures, and helped me out a lot during those first difficult nights. After she and dad got all the way back to their house and settle in for a day or two, I had to call her to come back, because I was sick with double mastitis. I had such a high fever and was in so much pain that even lifting little CN was excruciating. Mamma had no trouble packing up once again and making the trip by herself to take care of me and CN until I was well enough to go it alone.

Mammas are just like that.

I guess it should go without saying, but my mom is a GREAT cook!!! Not just good. Great. Everything that she makes is delicious, and I usually have a menu planned for when we have visits, whether at my house or hers. And not that I can't cook, and even make some really good stuff, but for all my favorites, nobody, but nobody can make them like Mamma. She has also had requests far and wide for such things as her fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, not to mention her homemade Christmas candy and baked goodies. And because she's so nice, she'll even make our favorites, even if they are dishes that she herself doesn't care to eat at all (such as fried catfish!).

Look what a great grandma my Mamma is! She loves those grandbabies. Yes she does.

I called Mamma bright and early yesterday morning to wish her a happy birthday. I was a little sad at her report that she had to make her own birthday cake. I asked Daddy why he didn't bake her one, and he said, "It wouldn't have been fit to eat by anyone."

Well, there is that.

But she said that they were going out to eat in honor of her special day. I'm glad Daddy could do that for her, especially after all the nice things she does for us.

Happy birthday, a bit belated, Mamma!

Sweet Girl

Today, BW got home early enough to go over to the school and pick up Chicken Nugget (the little ones and I usually walk over). I heard CN crying even before she and her dad walked in the door.

"What's wrong?" I said.

"CN got two marks today," said BW.

Marks are the disciplinary system used at CN's school, and each mark has a letter that indicates what rule was broken.

I asked BW what he had said to CN about the situation, thinking she might be upset by something he said (CN cries if you look at her cross-eyed).

BW said, "I didn't say anything to her. All I said was, 'how was your day, CN?' and she immediately started crying and told me about her marks."

CN was sobbing as she put away her bag and jacket, and I called her over to me. Without a word, she dissolved into my arms. She told me about her marks.

"It's OK, you had a bad day, but you're home now," I said, "it's over now."

"OK," CN said, "I prayed to God to give me a good day and I tried to make it happen but it just didn't happen."

I felt so bad for her!

I said, "Well, sometimes we just don't follow the rules and make mistakes and have bad days, but it's over now. Tomorrow you can tell your teacher you're sorry you didn't follow the rules, but you're home now and everything's OK. You just need to pray to God that He will comfort you now."

She was still crying, but nodded. A little later, she kept coming down on herself.

BW said, "It's OK, CN. We all have bad days sometimes. But I think what we are going to do with you now is take you down to the barber shop and have your hair cut like that guy on TV."

On TV, there was a guy that had a mohawk. She made a face and giggled a little.

CN is by no means perfect. But it's hard to even punish her when things like this happen. She's so hard on herself, I think that's just about punishment enough. She was really in pain over what she had done. I think that BW and I could never be as hard on her as she is on herself, and I pray that she'll ease up on herself and learn not to take herself so seriously as the years go by. That sweet girl.

For Valentine's Day

Here are my tulips that BW sent me. I took their picture yesterday, straight out of the box. Now they are more awake. Aren't they lovely?

Valentine's Day is today, and I think this year it will be a good one.

Valentine's Day aside, I've been thinking a lot about this life journey that I've been on. Through the twists and turns, dark days and valleys, there are several people that I could always point to that loved me. Really, really loved me. Not just for what they'd get out of it (Lord knows I've not had that much to offer), but because they saw me as valuable and worthy of love. I'm thankful for that; there are so many who at many times in their lives have been loved by no one.

I was blessed yesterday to talk to three dear friends, friends that have spoken truth into my life many times. I needed truth spoken into my life, as I shared with my friend CW some discouragement and scary realizations that have come to me recently in my journey to intimacy with God. I was thankful for her frankness and love.

As I spoke to two dear friends (who are sisters), I thanked one of them for what she an her two sisters had done for me in the past, during some of my darkest days.
"What we did?" she asked in bewilderment.
I could have ticked them off by the hundreds, "what they did," but at the core of it, they loved me. They helped me when I was in need, did not judge me, and were friends to me. I remember them crying with me and rejoicing with me.

It has never been easy for me to accept love. When it comes to my relationship with God, I would much rather be able to earn His love, grace, and forgiveness. Knowing that it is impossible to do so leaves me feeling helpless, and I have to resign myself to the fact that God does operate like humans do, and that his love, grace, and forgiveness are perfect, supernatural, the real deal. With a human, I can write a thank-you note or bake some cookies; with God, there is no sacrifice great enough - just to give him my whole heart and life, which I often feel doesn't amount to much, and then I find myself back at square one.

The people who have loved me through my dark days and valleys, and rejoiced with me on my mountaintops, gave me unconitional love. There's no amound of thank-you notes or plates of cookies I could give that could ever repay them. Those people are human reflections of God's great love.

I have the great love of my husband. It is a love that goes beyond feeling to true commitment. It is a love that says, "I will love you even when I don't feel loving. I will love you even when you are acting less than lovable. No matter how hard things get, or what we go through, I will never leave you. Count on it." There is great comfort in that.

And I'm blessed, and I do not take it for granted.

And hard as it is to accept it without earning it, I know what is true - God's Word, the love of His people. And I love all of you so much. I say it a lot to you when I talk to you, and a lot in this blog, and I mean it every time. I'm much better at giving it than getting it. You all have my love, prayers, and service. I'm thankful to God for all of you.

May we soak in those true Words of God, may we bask in that love that has been lavished on us. We cannot get away from that love, no matter how hard we try . . .

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measre of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4: 7-11

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1

" . . . for your love is ever before me,and I walk continually in your truth." Psalm 26:3

"O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130: 7

Psalm 136 - His love endures forever!

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13

"How precious to m e are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sumof them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand." Psalm 139:17-18 (read the whole Psalm to see God's great love for you.)

Please share any thoughts, songs, verses. You are greatly loved! We are greatly loved . . .

My Romantic Husband, Part II

Last night, we made our Valentine's Day cookies!

Their New Baby!!!!

All of you who take a gander at my blog should stop by and see my friends Boss and Coach and Sam, and my new friend that they just added, baby Grace! Well, those of you who are not of the H-clan, because all of you already know!

I am so happy for them and baby Grace is adorable!

I'm so thankful for my friend Boss. I met her when I was 15, on my first day of my sophomore year at Benton High. We walked to gym together that day and have been friends ever since. She has been dear to me and a great support to me over the years of our friendship. I'm so happy to still be a part of her life and to see her and her great hubby, Coach, welcome their second baby into their family. And she is a very cute baby indeed! So everyone go look at her and ooooohhhh and aaaaahhhhh like I have been doing! It would only be better if I could hold that little sweet bundle myself!

Much love to the Boss and Coach and Sam and Grace family, and congratulations to you and to the grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and cousins!!!!!

My Romantic Husband

On Saturday, I went to Conroe to a scrapbooking worshop that Kelly was holding. As if I didn't have enough fun doing that, and being grateful that my sweet hubby stayed with the kids so that I could go, I got home to find a wonderful surprise! My darling Scott sent the kids to a babysitter for a few hours, cooked up a wonderful meal, dressed up in a suit and tie, and had the table set with the meal and some Valentine gifts all for me!
Here was the menu (he cooked this himself, and it was delicious):
*Red Snapper Delight (with artichoke hearts and mushrooms)
*Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
*Mashed Potatoes
*Rice
*Key Lime Cheesecake (ok, this he bought, but come on . . . )
Thank you to my one and only for this beautiful surprise! It was a perfect early Valentine's!

A Little Update

I had my root canal on Tuesday. It was (or is so far) a great success. I got a cleaning just before my root canal, and the hygenist didn't know that I had a huge gaping hole in my tooth and an infected, exposed nerve. So when water and instruments hit that nerve, tears involuntarily sprouted and I was so embarrassed. But she stopped and assured me that she was easy to get along with, and the cleaning went smoothly after that. The sweet hygenist even checked on me just before my root canal.

I got my preliminary shot and sat around for a few minutes, talking with the dental assistant about how scared I was to have this procedure, and then the dentist came in to begin. Seconds into it, I could feel pain as he drilled into the bad tooth and hit my nerve. The dentist was kind and apologetic and made haste to give me another shot, which did the trick, but I needed still another one toward the end of the root canal, as the dental assistant was poking and prodding around my tooth. Right now it is still sore and tender around the tooth, but that face-on-fire, agonizing pain is gone. I don't think I'll miss that nerve. Not one bit.

Noodle said something funny to me yesterday (nothing related to my tooth). We were just talking and she said, "And we were in there and I was screaming at Boo-Boo (what she calls Banana) and Daddy come in there and got me in trouble."
I said, "Why did he get you in trouble?"
Noodle answered, "I don't know."
I asked, "Do you think you should be nice to Boo-Boo?"
Noodle replied, "No, I was mean to Boo-Boo!"
I said, "Well, be nice to Boo-Boo."
She said, "OK."
It is true that Noodle yells at Banana a lot, and this makes Banana cry. Anyone reading ever have this problem with your children, or witnessed it with others? If so, any pointers? Or do we just wait out the screaming?

Banana just this morning learned to crawl onto the kitchen chairs and from there, onto the top of the kitchen table and stand up. We are so proud of him.

I hope all of your lives are just as exciting!

Mommy Musings . . .

I got home from work tonight and was unwinding, watching some TV. During a commercial, I turned my head to look at the pictures we keep on the shelf. There's one of Chicken Nugget, the Easter before BW and I got married. She had just turned four, had long hair, was wearing her pink and white Easter dress, had her chubby-cheeked face cocked to one side . . . and I thought how big she is now.
I looked around the house. Toys scattered everywhere. Laundry undone. Lots of work to be done in the morning . . . I stumbled into the living room to lower the blinds, and there were more toys. And I thought, one day our house won't be full of toys to stumble over. But instead of that being a hopeful thought, it made me sad.
I worry a lot about a lot of things that don't really matter. I worry about not keeping the house clean enough. No matter how hard I try, it's never clean enough. The laundry's never done and the toys are never all picked up and there's always a spot I missed while dusting or mopping. But at the end of my life . . . is it going to matter if I missed those spots?
When Banana's such a ready cuddler, happy to be nestled in my lap, should I really hasten to put him down again and begin all my cleaning? How much longer will he want to cuddle and give sugars and tell me what the dinosaur says? When will he stop sticking his feet out for me to do "this little piggy?" As fast as I have seen time go with my oldest child, I know that there's really not that much longer for me to enjoy those things.
I worry about dirt getting tracked through the house or paint getting smudged on the walls, when I should view these things as signs of life and joy and cheerfulness. When I should see Noodle's smiles instead of her messes . . . when I should be getting messy with her, instead of always picking up behind her. Right now it is her joy in life to share with me. It's foolish not to participate in that.
This day, after all, is fleeting.
I should laugh more, relax more. Not worry so much if Banana wants to sleep in the bed with us from time to time. Not try to be a textbook mom who flips if the schedule doesn't go just right . . . one day these people who are now my precious little ones will be in college, and they won't even remember sleeping in bed with us or getting two snacks before lunchtime.
I'll be the one with all the memories, of the toys on the floor and the mud in the house and the running in the rain and the toilet paper trails and the paint on the belly and the morning hair and the being crowded out of bed by snuggly toddlers who needed mom and dad in the night . . .

This day is fleeting, after all. In a few more months, the girl who used to be my first little baby will turn eight years old. What a fast eight years. So for this fleeting moment, I'll cherish and savor and revel in the fact that there are toys on the floor. This day's just about fled, anyhow. Might as well just let tomorrow worry about itself . . .

Pain, Pain, Go Away!

I got some wonderful drugs today - Hydrocodone and some Amoxicillin - please excuse my spelling. I have felt as though my face is on fire. If only the pain were limited to just the one tooth, but no, the pain radiates to the whole right side of my face and head. I feel like a baby because I should be able to handle this kind of pain. Heck, when I had Molly, I endured hard labor pains for about 12 hours before asking for an epidural (mind you, this was in Iowa. There was one guy in town who could administer an epidural, and they had to call and wake him up to get over to the hospital . . . ), so I feel like I can handle a lot. I think I can empathize somewhat with people who deal with chronic pain. Though my trial is light and temporary, I know that there are those who deal with excruciating pain on a daily basis. I keep saying that I did not realize that a toothache could make a person feel this lousy. But now I know . . . it can. And dentures are looking better all the time!

Rah, Rah, Root Canal!

Yay for me! I get to have a root canal! How 'bout that, ya'll?

Please excuse the false enthusiasm. I am very nervous about this. Scared even. When the dentist said the words, "Root canal," I truly almost burst into tears and had to work to control myself. But he patted my shoulder and said that everything would be fine. I haven't been doing myself any favors with the research I've done on the Internet. After seeing all kinds of tubes and extractors and other things, I'm figuring out why ignorance truly is bliss. Some things, especially those that have to be stuck into my teeth to suck out ("drain," as the dental assistant explained) my tooth nerve, just don't need to be seen by those who don't need to know better, namely me.

I've given birth. Three times. Each time with an epidural. And I'm terrified, to the point of bursting into tears, of a little root canal. After having a super-long needle shoved into my spinal cord, and then pushing a baby from my body into the world, I really shouldn't be afraid of much. But I really, really, really am. A lot. Really.

My appointment is for next Tuesday. So in the meantime, I have to deal with the pain. I can only use Tylenol and Advil to ease the pain. The dentist didn't give me something stronger. Vicadin would have been nice. Heck, how about some Stadol? :o) But they said that I would have to wait it out and if I was still hurting on Friday (why wouldn't I be?) to call and they'd call something in for me. I called my friend, who is a nurse practicioner for a cardiologist, said that was stupid, that if I need something for the pain, I should get it. So BW called them back for me while I was at work tonight and the dental assistant said she'd have to have the Dr. review my case and then call me back. But no one ever called back. And the Tylenol and Advil aren't doing a whole heck of a lot at this point.

So, sorry to moan and groan to all of you. This really is going to be a temporary trial. I'm still scared, though, so does anyone have a champion root canal story for me? Or even one you can make up just to make me feel better? And please say prayers for my pain? Thanks. I love all of you!

A Job and A Tooth

I am not going to take the supervisor's position (see post entitled, "Decision Required!").

I would be away from home a lot more, and the pay wouldn't compensate for the amount of $ BW and I would have to spend on childcare. And I'm not looking at making retail my career, after all.

This weekend at the ladies' retreat for church, two of Eliza's Sunday School teachers came up to me at seperately and said, "Chicken Nugget really doesn't like you working. She's worried about you taking this new job and has been asking us to pray for you in class."

That was enough for me to more than question my uneasiness at taking the promotion; I knew for sure my uneasiness had manifested itself for a reason. My decision was made, and I feel a real peace about it. Thanks for your prayers as I was struggling with the decision.

On to other news:
One day a month or so ago, while brushing and flossing, I noticed that I had dislodged something a bit larger than usual. It also seemed like something a bit harder than your typical strawberry seed or miniscule piece of lettuce. Upon closer examination, I realized that it was, in fact, a part of my tooth! And that I now had a big hole right up the middle of my tooth. It wasn't hurting, but I knew this couldn't be a good thing to happen to my tooth. I also knew there was no way I could afford a trip to the dentist until income tax refunds came in. (The last time, the kindly dentist wanted $300 right then and there, and we HAVE insurance! So we're changing dentists . . . )

Over the weekend, my tooth started to hurt. On Saturday, it was just a dull ache. Yesterday, it became a throbbing pain. Now it is as if someone is shoving a white-hot poker up into my tooth socket, and I'm desperate. BW and I have spent all morning trying to get our "main provider" switched form Mr. $300 Dentist to the new office we've chosen, and we've been waiting for a fax to arrive from our insurance to the new dentist. I may be able to get in in the morning; if not, it will probably be Wed. I'm having a rare moment now, as the three ibuprofuen I've taken have just kicked in, as well as the Anbesol I've been slathering all over my tooth and gums.

So I'll leave you with that, before that invisible poker returns again. Please pray for a clear mind as I care for poor Noodle and Banana as I walk around in mind-numbing pain!

Much love to all of you.

Thirty Four and Looking for More!

Buffalo Wings. My husband. His birthday was Friday. It started out to be a good day, with fun presents and birthday wishes, but by the end of the day, our television had blown up due to a power surge and a brown-out, and our computer was messed up and we didn't know if we could fix it.
But BW was cheered up after calling the electric company and being directed to the claims department. It appears that our TV won't be a total loss after all. So he was cheered some. Oh, and he was able to get the computer up and running (yay for surge protectors!). So this is why it has taken me so long to get his "Happy Birthday" blog on here.
Here is a picture of BW with Jarvis. It was taken months ago, and really has nothing to do with his birthday, but I thought it was a cute picture. Don't you also think it's cute?
We celebrated BW's birthday last night. This is because I went on our church's annual Women's Retreat on Friday night and got home yesterday afternoon. Before you think that I am a bad wife, BW and I discussed this several weeks ago and he said it would not make him feel bad if I went on the retreat, even though it fell on his birthday.

Last night, BW and I and another couple from church went out to eat and to see Freedom Writers. We had a great time and BW was pleased with his birthday celebration and gifts. He got some crossword and sudoku puzzle books, as well as some Cubs baseball cards! And money. Always the money for the birthday!

BW is not crazy about big parties or lots of attention, so a surprise party has never been an option. He's fond of quiet celebrations with close friends and family. He probably would have been happy to just have some sort of celebration with just the kids and me, but I thought he needed something more special than that. He is, after all, an awfully special guy!
Through all the strains and stresses of getting married and becoming an "instant family," BW still says he'd do nothing differently. I ask him sometimes - does he missing having his life all to himself - and he says most assuredly, no. He loves having a wife and kids. He loves being around us and sharing his life with us, that he is fulfilled and happy. I sometimes feel that by just being me, I am especially a strain and stress on his life, but he tells me he loves me anyway.
And he surely loves his kids! He is such a good dad, and I know how blessed I am to be married to a man that truly wants to involve himself in his children's lives. It drives me crazy when, if I am out somewhere alone, someone will ask me if BW is "babysitting." I say, no, he's their father. He is spending time with his kids. And he doesn't see it as a burden, but a joy. It's hard for me to understand that not all dads operate like this. I'm so thankful to God for this man who is the father of my children. I'm so blessed by this man, who works hard and truly concerns himself most with the welfare of his family, putting us and our needs before his.
So, you see, it was BW's birthday. But I feel like I'm the one getting all the gifts.

According to Noodle . . .

. . . I am a princess!

The scene:
Banana and I are playing on the floor. I am tickling him and we are both hooting and laughing. Noodle, frustrated, gets down from her chair where she is sitting at the kitchen table. She approaches us, holds her hand up, sighs, and says, "You need to be quiet. I have to color."

In mock sorrow, I hang my head and lay it on her shoulder. Shaking my head, I say, "I'm so sorry, Noodle!"

She rubs my head and says, "It's OK! You're a princess."

So all is forgiven.

Bragging Rights

My little second-grader Chicken Nugget! As if I don't brag on her enough, and she really does deserve it, but I'm gonna do some more! Chicken Nugget was recently honored at a school assembly in which she was presented with the following certificates:
One for Honor Roll for making all A's in the third six weeks of school
One for Good Conduct
One for being a member of the B.U.G.S. Club - Bringing Up Grades Successfully
And here's what she brought home today:
Upon completion of a reading assesment test which all the students had to take, we were sent these results:
Her grade equivalent score shows that "[Chicken Nugget] reads at a level equal to that of a typical fourth grader in the first month of the school year."
Her percentil Rank shows that she "reads at a level greater than 93% of other students nationally in the same grade."
Her instructional reading level score shows that she "is at least 80% proficient at reading third grade words and books."
Wow! Was I ever impressed. Chicken Nugget does love to read. She's into the Ramona series right now, which she got for Christmas. If she's not persuasion enough for me to read to Noodle and Banana, I don't know what is. I've read to that kid since she exited the womb, and many of my friends read to her anytime they came to visit. My parents also read to her from the time she was itty-bitty. It makes a difference! During our winter in Iowa before Scott and I married, CN and I didn't have a TV, so we'd lay at night in the futon and read the Narnia Chronicles and the Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House series. So, read to your kids! And read to other people's kids! Thanks to all of you who helped me with CN when I was on my own. I'm so proud of her, and so thankful to all of you who helped make her the wonderful little girl she is.
As I still tell her at night when I tuck her in:
"I'm so glad God gave you to me."
Congratulations, Chicken Nugget! We are so proud of your hard work and achievements.

Decision Required!

I really like my job. I really, really like it. Especially now that the holidays are over. We have such a great team that works there, and as one of my co-workers commented a couple of days ago, "We really are like a family."

And we are. We've walked through premature birth and eventual loss of a co-worker's baby; she's one of our supervisors and was out for several weeks, and was missed and prayed for, and we were so happy to have her back. We are walking through the process of a dying grandfather with another co-worker and supervisor. We walked through a time of health problems and surgery with our manager. We walk through our kids' illnesses together, and we know we really mean it when ask about one another's families.

And I meet great people who stand on the other side of the check-out counter or who ask for help purchasing a certain type of clothing for this event or that occasion. I get to hear about reunions and cruises and families and anything you could possibly imagine. And since the description of what I would consider to be a perfect job would go something like, "Go into a room full of 100 people, and from the hours of 8am-5pm, find out everything you can about each one of them," the job I have is really great!

So, on a relational level, I like my job a lot. Not that I want retail to be my career or that I even have it in mind for any kind of long-term plan, still I like it.

And I like to work. I like to be set to a task and put all I can into it to make it great. I like to make the store look nice. I like to collect the trash and clothes hangers at the end of the day. I like to be given instructions for a specific projet. In general, I am happy as a clam being a grunt. I have no problem being told what to accomplish and exactly what is expected of me when it comes to a job situation. I have no desire to be in a leadership role in that kind of situation.

So that's why I was very surprised when yesterday, my manager offered me a supervisor's position! And I'm really struggling with the decision of whether to take it. It would mean more money, but there's also the problem of transportation and childcare. I would work three mornings a week. We have only one car and no one to keep the kids. It would also mean more responsiblity, which I can handle, but then there's always with that the potential to really screw somthing up. I shared with my manager yesterday that that is my greatest fear when it comes to thinking of being a supervisor.

Also, I really want to get my teacher's license. Not that I can't do the job and get my certification at the same time, but I also don't want to commit to a leadership position if I really have no intention of staying with the company. However, I don' t know how long it will take me to get certified, and it could be that in that lenght of time, the extra money could be helpful.

Will you pray with me as I make this decision? Also, please offer any insight for me here. I pretty much know that anyone who reads this is going to be a dear friend who knows me and understands my heart pretty well, so I trust all of your input. I have to let my manager know by the end of next week.

I love you all!

It Wasn't Really Meant For Him . . .

. . . but I guess if Banana likes the dollhouse that much, he's welcome to play with it!
As things were calming down for the evening (or so I thought!), BW ran into the den saying, "Tari! Get the camera!" I went into the living only to see my son climbing onto the second floor of the Barbie house that the girls got for Christmas.
Please note that not only are these pictures comical, they illustrate how small Banana is for being 15 months old (he's in the fifth percentile for height and weight).

I LOVE IKEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you fortunate enough to have an Ikea store near your home, I hope that you take advantage of it! If you don't, then that will be one of our first stops when you come to visit us (as all of you reading this are going to do . . . )!

We all went on Saturday. Houston has a HUGE Ikea, and it is awesome!!!! We had never been, though I lived near one during my time in San Francisco, and lots of my friends went there and got cool stuff for their homes and dorm rooms. It was BW's idea to go, since we're in the market for a bunk bed for the girls.

But we found oh, so much more than just bunk beds and cool furniture. I am telling you, Ikea is an adventure. An experience!

Chicken Nugget got to go play at the provided daycare area (! I know !) while BW, Banana, Noodle, and I went shopping (the kids have to be fully potty-trained to go to the daycare). The daycare looked so cool, I wanted to go and play too! But I couldn't. So I just shopped. :o)

The first thing we saw was the grocery area. Since it is a Swedish-based company, they sell lots of Swedish food that was familiar to us, thanks to our time in Alberty City. We saw some of our VERY favorites that we had been missing, such as:







YUM!!!! The Ballerina cookies are my favorite. They're sort-of a shorbread cookie with a chocolate-hazelnut filling. Too good for words. And the Anna's cookies are such a treat. Blueberry is my favorite, but there are all kinds of flavors.

There were many other yummy treats, but we made sure to stock up on these in particular.

Then it was time to look for furniture and other things. We were so surprised that the store sprawled on and on. Anything and everything that you can imagine for a home was there! We'd go to one area, exclaim over the great stuff, only to discover that there, right over there (!) was an area we had yet to discover! And I'm telling you, the products there are outstanding! Fun, original, colorful stuff. And the furniture! And the toys! The bedding! The towels! The dishes, silverware, candles, picture frames, lamps, clocks, storage units!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot put into
words . . . you've just got to go see it for yourselves.

And the PRICES!!!! When the commercials say tiny prices, they mean it!!!!! I got a three-pack of picture frames (cool wooden ones) for $1.99; BW and I each got table lamps for $4.99 each; there were little stuffed toys for the kids for .50!!!! We got a Wok for $7.99! I can't even begin to tell you - ya'll have to just go.

All in all, it really was just such a fun experience. I know that's crazy - I'm only talking about a STORE for crying out loud! But we had so much fun together, looking at all the stuff, dreaming about what we'll do one day when we have our own home, picking out cute things for the kids (the kids furniture there is SO CUTE) . . . and at the end of it all, we went to the restaurant (YES, there's a restaurant there!!!!!) and had the GIANT and delicious cinnamon rolls!

And oh, yeah, we found a great bunk bed for the girls as well!

It Didn't Stop There . . .

I'm sorry that most of the pics of my kids are of them half-naked. But today, we've got a good excuse. We've all (with the exception of Chicken Nugget) been sick. It started with Noodle, who got sick Saturday night with a stomach bug. It migrated to Banana, and I got it just a few hours after he came down with it. Only hours after my attack, Buffalo Wings caught it, so we've just kind of been in survival mode. So when Noodle took her clothes off today (as she often does, on a daily basis), we just didn't have the strength to help her get dressed again. I did manage to help her fix her hair though . . . and get her dressed a few hours later. We are all on the mend, as in, we've all stopped throwing up. Banana is still a little puny, and we're praying that Chicken Nugget doesn't get sick at all.

This hairdo may have made him feel worse.
"Mom, why do you want me to look like a girl????"

At any rate, we're hoping life returns to normal tomorrow. BW and I have now been off work for two days, but we go back tomorrow. It's hard enough for one parent to be sick, but when they both get sick, only hours apart, well, that's really tough!

So to cheer myself up I put a scrunchie in my little boy's hair. Can you blame me?

This NEVER Happens!

But Noodle has been one sick little person. She was up all night long last night, throwing up. She's feeling some better today, but she just wandered into the living room all by herself, crawled up into this chair, and fell asleep. Several minutes after she went into the living room, and after not hearing anything from her in there, BW went to see if she was still in there and if she was ok. The above is what he found, and he said to me, "You've got to see this." It is so uncharacteristic of her. She's been very clingy all day, very mopey and sad, and it just breaks my heart. I want my jumping little monkey back! It's so hard to see her sick like this. But Noodle curled up and asleep in the big chair, does make for a cute picture. Please pray for her that she'll feel better very soon!

2006 / 2007

A little Tasty Names family update!

2006 was busy and wonderful!

January - Buffalo Wings celebrated his birthday. He's a little past the age of 22 by now. :o)
I also attended our annual women's retreat for church; it was held in Houston.

We had two birthdays in the spring - Chicken Nugget turned seven in April; Noodle had her second birthday in May. Both were fun. :o)

The summer was busy with BW working at Family Christian Stores. I was selling Pampered Chef, staying busy with that, and I continued to sing in the church choir and serve on the board of directors for Christian Women's Job Corps. BW and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary in June! The biggest summer event was my mission trip to Hattiesburg, Mississippi! It was wonderful and challenging! And my family survived with the help of good friends and a fabulous babysitter!

In the fall, BW started a new teaching job, and praise be to God, he loves it! CN entered second grade - she's so big now! CN was also playing soccer till the end of October. Also in the October, Banana had his big one-year birthday! These kids! They just don't seem to stop getting big, do they!? Also this fall, on Banana's birthday actually, we had a family reunion (my mom's side) in Houston!

We and the kids stayed busy with many church activities. I was teaching Mission Friends.

I had my 22nd birthday in November. I also started working retail that month.
Thanksgiving was fun with my family in Arkansas; I got to see lots of cousins.
Christmas was also lots of fun with my mom and dad, brother and nephew.

Banana has recently been adding to his vocbulary. So far, we have: Daddy, light, Mamma, sister, Eliza, mmm-hmm (hey, it's a word!), bones, toes, eyes, puppy, Pappa, bottle, "Daddy's at work," more (he signs this one), ear, thank you, bye-bye, uh-oh, fish, that, this, baby, hot, bath, choo-choo (when he hears the train), itsy-bitsy (sounds like "bitsy-bitsy", and is his request to sing "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider"), bite, diaper, and "whoa!".

What's going to happen in 2007? Well, there's no telling, but here are some of our well-laid plans:

-Really, really buy a house, we hope! The one I really liked, as well as the one BW really liked, went under contract before we could make a move, so we got discouraged, and then distracted. Please pray for us as we make this big decision!

-I will continue with retail while I pursue my Alternative Teaching License!

-I am going to hang up my direct-sales hats - no more Pampered Chef or Avon for me! It was fun while it lasted.

-the family will stay busy with church activities; I'll continue teaching Mission Friends.

-we'll all still have our birthdays. :o)

-we do not plan to add any children this year; this is the longest amount of time in our married life that I have gone without being pregnant. Though it's hard for me to wait for another baby, we feel that's the best way to go for the moment.

-I will continue to serve with Christian Women's Job Corps

-Banana will continue to add to his vocabulary, and we hope will grow a little taller. Noodle will keep finding things to climb onto and things to destory. CN will continue being a Top-Spot reader in her class, as well as an expert scooter-rider.

-My mom and dad will visit sometime in February.

-I'll finally finish my novel ;oP

-BW will pray for the Cubs every day and will play Halo at every possible chance, but will play John Madden Football weekly.

-We will visit the beach at Galveston at every affordable chance.

-All of you will come to visit us!!!!!!!!!

-We look forward to a trip to Iowa over the summer.

-God will continue to pour out His blessings on us and on you!

The Scooter

Chicken Nugget is now an expert scooter rider! She has really enjoyed the Razor Scooter that she got for Christmas.

It's Birthday Time Again!

It is (was) my friend's, CBB's birthday yesterday! She joined the ranks of those of us who have just turned 22*. Isn't that right, CBB???? I hope it was a happy one, and I wish I had been there to share it with you, but it was so much fun to see you over Christmas!!!! Don't forget, you promised to come to Texas and visit - wouldn't that be a great late birthday present to yourself? A trip to see the Tasty Names and discover all that the Houston area has to offer???? I love you CBB!!!! HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!!!!!!

*22 really translates into age 30

Seeing the Light

And saying it! Among Banana's growing vocabulary, "light" is a favorite word. He not only repeats it over and over, but he wants to interact with it! Whether it's turning light switches off and on, or clicking a flashlight off and on, he is utterly fascinated with lights. Last night, when BW and I got tired of holding him so that he could turn the dining room or den light off and on, BW pulled out this flashlight. After we realized that it had occupied him very well for nearly an hour, we wondered why we hadn't thought of it before!

Outside Play Can Be Dangerous . . .

. . . so it's always best to wear the proper protective gear.

My Favorite Thing That I Got For Christmas:

That's right, baby, a whole half pound of chocolate!