What We Need

Before the baby comes, even though this is our fourth, we will be needing a few items. For instance, a basinette. The one we had was a yard-sale find and served us well through Noodle and Banana's first few weeks, but then it fell apart in storage (as we discovered while getting ready for our last yard sale).

We'll also need a new changing table and a dresser, as well as a car seat. Our previous car seat was also a hand-me-down, and it expired (those things actually do have expiration dates, as per safety codes and etc.)

So although they are semi-big-ticket items, at least that's really all that we'll need.

However, the rest of the family has some needs as well:

Noodle needs more sleep before the baby comes. She's working on it right now.

Banana needs - um, actually, Banana's good for now.

Chicken Nugget stated her need to me last night: She said very politely that if she were to get a football helmet before the big arrival, she felt she'd be all ready for the new baby.

The Ultrasound

When we went to the Dr. on Thursday, we of course had our ultrasound! Normally we chose not to find out the gender of our babies, but this time we wanted to know.

Dr. F said, "Do you want a boy or a girl or does it matter?"

I said, "Well, I'd like a boy, but if it's not a boy, we'll be fine!"

Dr. F said, "If I tell you that it's not a boy, are you going to get upset and cry and stuff?"

I looked at Buffalo Wings and we both made questioning faces and said, "No. We'll be fine!"

Dr. F said, "Because a lot of people who come in here want one thing and I tell them it's another thing and they get very upset and cry."

BW and I looked at each other again and shook our heads.

I said, "We're just so happy to be able to have babies, we really don't care. I'd like to have a little brother for our little boy, but if it is not a boy, it's still going to be OK! Besides, I'm sure it's a girl. I've been feeling so puky, I'm just sure it's a girl. If you tell me it's a boy, I'll be so surprised I won't know what to do."

By this time, Dr. F had the goo on my belly and we were looking at the baby.

"Well," she said, "You got a boy!"

I was freaking out, more from shock than anything else. I could not believe that a boy in my belly had made me feel so puky all this time! With Banana, I never felt that bad. With the girls, I threw up daily for many weeks. So I was in total shock that I could carry a boy baby and be as ill as I'd been. I kept asking her to check again and again and make sure that it wasn't the umbilical cord that was in the way, but it wasn't. The umbilical cord was way out of the way of that area, because we saw it a couple of times too.

I am still in shock that there is a boy in there! Though I'm feeling much better so far this week, I'm not getting my hopes up that the worst is over. I had a not-so-good moment at the end of the day yesterday, but it was only a small moment. But still . . . so when this kid comes out and I see all of the kid's parts, then I'll be a true believer! But Dr. F was sure and I saw what I saw . . . but still!

Anyway, the rest of the ultrasound was great. We saw the two parts of the bran, the four chambers of the heart, the lungs and kidneys. Dr. F said that looks like a beautiful baby in there! Imagine how beautiful he's gonna look when he's out here! I can't wait.

More Tasty Names Family Kid-isms

Noodle had just gotten herself dressed.
She came and aske me, "How do I look?"
I said, "You look lovely!"
Banana asked if he looked lovely, too.
I said, "Oh, yes, you look lovely too!"
Noodle said, "No, he's a boy! Boys don't look lovely!"
I said, "Banana, you look handsome!"
Noodle said, "Yeah, Banana, you look stinkin' handsome!"

I was getting Banana dressed Friday morning and I asked him if he wanted a little brother.
He said, "No, I want cereal."

Pink or Blue? Part II

BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pink or Blue?

We typically do not find out the gender of our babies while I am pregnant. However, this time it will be different!

We will be finding out!

That's because I want to have a yard sale and try to simlify my life as much as possible before this baby arrives. You see, I have saved boxes of boys' and girls' clothing. And I don't want to come home from the hospital after the baby arrives and have to go through a bunch of boxes to find something for the baby to wear. And since we know that this will be our last newborn, we can get rid of all the other clothing that we won't need for the baby.

So that's why. And it seems like a good enough reason to me.

It's Time to Celebrate!

Today is Buffalo Wings's birthday!

Happy birthday my wonderful husband and to my kids' wonderful dad! We love you so much! Hope it is a wonderful, happy day for you! We'll do our best to make sure that it is!

Happy Birthday!

Skippyjon Jones

As you can see, it is a VERY good book!

Bad Few Days

I started feeling bad again on Monday night. I missed a meeting at church. I had taken the kids to my friend's house in the very early afternoon. My friend and I did some scrapbooking while the kids played. It was a fine day until . . . just before we got ready to leave, I started feeling puky. I was trying so hard to hold it together while I packed everything up and loaded up the kids. By the time I started the van, I was dry-heaving.

I've been having lots of headaches, feeling puky, and feeling in-general just not good, and also very tired and run-down.

I had to cancel a sub job that I had already lined up for Tuesday and I rejected one that called me early this morning. I am going to try my best to make it to the job I have lined up for tomorrow.

I guess my body misses my old friend, Zofran. Buffalo Wings just got me a refill.

On the plus side, my sciatica has magically disappeared! It has not bothered me for days. I am so thankful.

On another plus side, I found the strength to vacuum the floors today. I've never been so thankful for the strength to vacuum.

I don't know why this is a difficult pregnancy. I mean, I am not having difficulties - as in, no high blood pressure, no diabetes, the baby looks great and is thriving - but I just feel pretty bad most of the time. I felt really good with my last pregnancy. I guess they really are all different, and you can't predict your next pregnancy due to your previous one.

I am praising God for the little life that is growing inside me. I am humbled every time I think about it. We are blessed, and I do not take that for granted. I do not take any of my children for granted. I do not take my husband for granted. I've been crying today because I feel so guilty for not being able to go to work, take care of the house, take care of the things that moms and wives should be taking care of . . . but BW was so comforting, as always, and told me not to worry. He took care of me. He cooked supper. He never, ever complains. He is a dear and wonderful man. I'm so glad he's my hubby and the father of our beautiful kids.

I am also praising God because I know that so many are praying for me, all over the world. Talk about humbling. What a blessing is the Family of God. I love all of you so much and am praying for you too. The blessing of my brothers and sisters in Christ, who love God and who love me, is something that absolutely moves me to tears and moves me beyond words. Thank you for praying.

Much love to all of you.

Aren't They Cute?

We sure think so!!!!!!

Helpful Little Nugget

This morning, as I was brushing Chicken Nugget's hair, she was telling me how sorry she was that I wasn't feeling well today. (I've been kind-of under the weather since last night.)

Chicken Nugget said, "I wish I didn't have to go to school and I could stay here and help you all day."

I said, "Awww . . . you're such a sweet girl. But that's not your job. Your job is to be a third grader at school. Besides, you'd be so bored here all day without your friends and stuff."

"Mmm-mmm," she shook her head, "No I wouldn't, as long as we had cable."

Hooray! Huzzah!

I'm shouting praises because I did not take even one Zofran yesterday! Yay! Halleluiah! And I was able to eat quite a full helping of lunch. I haven't felt full in quite a long time. It felt great! I know that so many have been lifting me up in prayer during this temporary trial. Thank you so much. And thank you to my wonderful hubby, who has taken double duty on taking care of the kids and the housework when I've been too puky to do so. I love you, Buffalo Wings! You rock!

Now I have a new inconvenience due to the pregnancy! I know, I know, I'm full of complaints. Sorry. But it is sciatica (I think I spelled that right), and it is very painful. I have suffered from it in minimal ways during past pregnancies, but this time it is even painful at night when I should be sleeping. This condition, unlike morning sickness (or all-day sickness!), will not decrease as the pregnancy goes further along. It will stay the same or get worse. So please pray for me as I take care of house, kids, hubby, along with work, school, church, etc. There are times when walking across the room is excruciatingly painful. And last night was the first time I've ever been kept awake from it. However, as with the nausea, this too shall pass. Poor Chicken Nugget was helping me around the house this morning, saying she wished that baby would come out so I'd feel better.

"Oh, sweetie," I told her, "Thank you. But it will all be worth it. We'll get a sweet little baby and a new member of the family!"

I'd endure it a thousand times over just for this little bundle that's coming our way.

Love you all and thank you for the prayers!

Long Overdue Post; Long, LONG Overdue Pictures

When I was in high school, my friend Boss introduced me to the idea of "having ants." It's sort of like having ants in your pants, which is one way to say that you feel anxious or distracted. But this kind of ants, as Boss explained to me, is the kind that makes you want to do anything, anything, but study. She said that having ants will even make you want to clean your room or volunteer to landscape your yard or do everyone else's household chores, so long as you don't have to sit down and study.

Well, I suppose that in a way I've been having ants. I have a ton of homework to do for my teacher training, and I have a ton of laundry to do so that my family can stop running around in their underwear. I'd really rather do the housework than the studying, I admit. So what am I doing instead? Sitting down to write a long overdue blog, of course!

When Noodle gets out of the bath at night, she likes to sit with her towel around her and unwind for awhile before tackling the arduous task of getting dressed. One night, the task just seemed so arduous, that she fell asleep just thinking about it.

Here is Chicken Nugget playing soccer. This was in October. Yeah, I'm way past due on posting pictues.

Yep, that's Halloween. The holiday before Thanksgiving. And the holiday long before Christmas. But here you have it - Banana is an Arkansas Razorbacks football player, and the girls are bats. We improvised for Noodle, who insisted on being a bat just like her sister. Chicken Nugget has a real bat costume. All I could find for Noodle was a cape and black pants and a white shirt. But with a little makeup and glitter, she was thrilled. Now she'll strip down to her underwear and wear that "bat cape" around the house all day. Halloween every day, I tell ya.

This was also in October, when my parents came for a visit. This is at the Wetlands Center in Baytown. I love going there. Noodle loves looking at this statue in the butterfly garden.

Daddy and Banana pose. Sort of. Aren't they adorable?

I almost didn't include this one, seeing as my double chins could be a third character in this photo. However, Buffalo Wings caught this cute scene one night and couldn't resist the photo op. I was reading my Bible one night when Noodle wandered into my bedroom. She ran and got her little brown Bible, jumped into bed, and started quietly reading right along with me.

Another Tasty Names Family Update

There's been lots and lots going on, as usual!

First, let me just tell you about my subbing experiences. For the most part, they've been fun. In our town, we have two high schools. There is the one where Buffalo Wings teaches, and then there's . . . the other one. The other one is scary. I love kids. I love working with the kids. But when I start to fear the kids, that's when I call it quits. And having a police officer summoned to a class in which I am subbing (more than once, by the way), helps me make that decision to call it quits. So I don't go to the other one anymore. I stick to BW's school. And I like it. I could discuss with you the many reasons for the differences at each school, but I'll save that for another post.

My favorite sub position so far has been for the tennis coach. She teaches computers and coaches tennis. Enough said.

I've also enjoyed my days at elementary school. It's kind of like a break for me. The kids are so cute and sweet in second grade! But as much as I like those days, I never regret my decision to become certified in 8-12 English, and not in elementary education. I just feel that I am really called to work with teenagers. I love those guys!

Speaking of my certification, it's all going well. So far, the work is not too difficult. I spoke to a friend of mine about it, about how I was a little scared that I wasn't finding the work to be as difficult as I thought it should be. My friend is an administrator at a school, and taught English for several years before that. She said, "I think that people who just naturally have the gift to educate will find the work to be easier." That was encouragement to me, because I have been apprehensive throughout the entire process. (Am I making the right decision? Will I make a good teacher? Etc.)

Having BW to help me is great, too, and does make the work less challenging. Since he is a teacher and has gone through all the education classes before, it's all familiar to him and he is of great help whenever I need to ask questions. I like that, because the class is all online. I need some kind of interaction. BW is the best!

The pregnancy is going . . . well . . . um, it's going. First trimester blues have set it. By that I mean, I wish I could eat. Just eat. Just say, hey, I'm hungry! We have peanut butter and bread! I'll have a peanut butter sandwich! But, no. Things don't work that way with me in the first trimester. I have to walk on egg shells around my food. I don't want to make it mad, or it will show itself again. So I'm picking and choosing the food wisely and taking my Zofran around the clock and so far, I've only thrown up a few times. Poor BW is picking up the slack and really pulling double duty on my hardest days. He's so great. I'm so glad I found him out there in Iowa!

The kids are doing great and are very excited about Christmas! My parents, brother, brother's girlfriend, and my nephew will all be coming down here from Arkansas. Noodle has been singing this song, something she wrote all by herself:
"Oh, please, Santa, come to our house! Oh, please, Christmas, come to our town!"
Yes, it's cute. For about the first forty times. But she gets louder and louder and louder, because, she says, she wants to make sure Santa can hear her.

Banana is really into football these days. He loves to throw his Nerf football all around, spike it, say "touchdown!" and run his football all over the house and then fall down on the floor with it. It is really cute.

Chicken Nugget is still doing great in school. She had benchmarks last week, as they get ready for the big standardized test coming up soon. She blew the top off all her tests! This week is full of Christmas activities at school. Today, they brought in a snow machine and all the kids had a "snow day" during PE. It is crazy! To live in a place where, if the kids want to see snow, it has to be fake and brought in by a machine! But they love it, you know.

I'm still teaching first and second grade Sunday School at church and am still in the choir. I've been able to participate a lot more since I quit my retail job (YAY! NO MORE RETAIL FOR ME!). We also got a new pastor at church, which we are all very excited about. I'm looking forward to all that this year will hold for our church. We've faced many challenges, but God is so good and faithful and He is still working in our community, state, country, and world. I'm constantly amazed by His grace and goodness.

That's about it for now. Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas! And sending much love from the Tasty Names family to yours -
God's richest blessings on you all!

Our Tiny Baby

Eleven Weeks and Puky Days Pregnant

Ugh.

I've been holding off on this post. I don't want to complain. But is it complaining if you simply state facts?

I feel nauseated. Not all the time, but most of the time. My doctor gave me some pills to help with the nausea, and they help. But they don't take it completely away. And right now, I am really, really nauseated. And I'm trying to convince myself that I really do not have to throw up. I'm doing everything I can to keep myself from throwing up. That's because I am afraid that if I start throwing up, I will not stop until 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. And that's too many weeks away for me to think of that as a viable option.

When I was pregnant with each girl, I had terrible, terrible nausea and throwing up. I threw up daily. I threw up water. I thought my tiny babies were going to die. I lost weight. My doctors would reassure and try very hard to help me. After about the 15th or so week, it all subsided. And my desire for children was so great that I still wanted to go through it again. So after I found out I was pregnant with #3, the fear set in, after the initial joy. Will I throw up for 15-20 weeks again? Will this be awful and horrible, again? But it wasn't. There was just a bit of nausea and no throwing up, and it passed fairly quickly.

I hear that when you are pregnant with a girl, you have more nausea because there are more "girl" hormones in your body - yours and your baby's. I don't know. But having experienced more nausea with the girls than I did with Banana, I am wondering if this baby is not another girl. That would make sense to me. I want to name her Annie.

Anyway, we have decided not to have any more of our own children. We want more children, of course. Very much so. But I just don't know if I can put my body through this again. And the more children to take care of during pregnancy, the harder everything else seems. So we will adopt. There are so many children who need a loving home, and we'd have a great family to welcome a couple more kids into.

So, I'm not trying to complain. Just saying that this bit of pregnancy is rough, with nausea and extreme fatigue. It's like I'm hungry, but so afraid to eat. But I also know from experience that when this stage passes, there will be no food that I will fear! Food will taste wonderful again, and I'll eat with abandon. Wild abandon.

Blue Like Jazz

I just finished this book a week ago. I loved it. Lots of my friends have read it. I kept thinking, "They read it. They love it. I should read it." But I hesitated, because it seemed trendy. I thought that maybe it was too trendy and too deep and that I probably wouldn't understand it. But it wasn't. It was edgy and raw and wonderful. I felt like I was sitting across from Donal Miller, maybe at Starbucks, sipping a white chocolate mocha and having a conversation with the man. It wasn't even like I was reading. Man, what a good book. Have ya'll read it? What do you think?

Another Quotable Quote

I can't help it, ya'll. My kids crack me up. I know ya'll are probably ready for some pictures or something a bit more substantial to read or look at on my blog, but sharing funny quotations from my kids is hilarious - at least to me!

Here goes:

Banana and I are doing some good, hard cuddling on the couch. Smooching even.

I said, "I love you, Banana."

He said, "I have boogers."

Ahead of Schedule

I had an ultrasound yesterday, and the baby already looks exactly like the one pictured above in my lilypie ticker! Not really. But similar. Anyway, I thought I was only about 8 or 9 weeks pregnant, but it turns out that I really am 10 weeks pregnant! It's always good to be a little bit ahead of schedule, especially in things like pregnancy.

We're hoping to find a scanner soon so ya'll can take a peek at the little teddy-bear looking baby also! I'm totally past the jellybean phase. The teddy-bear looking baby was moving a lot yesterday!

Yay! We're having a baby!

Love all of you.

I'm a great big ol' meanie mommy . . .

Scene: The bathtub, tonight.
Lots of screaming was going on. I was frazzled.
I said, "Ya'll are about to get in some big trouble. Who wants to get in trouble first?"
You always ask the "who wants to get in trouble first" question, because you know that no one wants to get in trouble at all, and usually it will stop any further naughtiness. Not tonight.

Noodle and Banana both stopped and looked at me. No naughtiness for a couple of seconds.

Noodle: "I don't want to get in trouble."
She shook her head. All was silent for a couple more minutes.
Then she pointed to Banana and said, "Banana gets in trouble."

Banana, looking up at me with his wide, innocent eyes:"I get in trouble."

Noodle: "I don't get in trouble."

Banana:"I in trouble."

Noodle:"Banana is in trouble, I'm not. I'm not in trouble."

Banana:"I in trouble. I NOT in trouble!"

Noodle:"I'm not in trouble! Nobody is in trouble!"

Lots of giggling. I started laughing. What are you going to do?

Due Date

July 4th, as far as we can tell. Next month, when we have an ultrasound, that may change. But as of now, we're looking for a baby to arrive on the Fourth of July!

More Goals

As per this post, and specifically goal #30, I have made some new goals:

31. Go to Hawaii.*

32. Start a charter school.

33. Complete my family history (I'll be starting it soon).

34. See goal #30.


*this goal was inspired by this post from my friend Boss.

"Miss" covers a multitutde of suffixes . . .

Is it Miss, Ms., or Mrs? Why, yes, it is!

Of our many lovely and traditional idiosyncrasies Down South, one of my favorites has to be our use of the English language. We're always "fixin' tuh" go somewhere; perhaps it's down to the branch (or perhaps crick) to do some fishin'. We can add syllables to words that have only one. We always wonder what "y'all" are doing. We love our Nee-Naws and Pee-Paws. We couldn't pronounce a short e sound to save our lives. And our drawl makes all those words sound as drippingly sweet as a buttermilk biscuit slathered in local honey.

But one "thang" I cannot figure out is how we got to calling all the Mrs.es in our lives, Miss! I grew up doing it. Mrs. Smith was called "Miss Smith." Never in my wildest pronuciation would I have called anyone "Missus." That would sound awkard, almost foolish! No one I knew did that. Not my mom or her mom, and I never, ever heard anyone call my mother "Missus." Nope, "Miss" was for everybody, despite the suffix. I never really thought it was strange.

Until I moved to other parts of the country. On the West Coast and in the Midwest, my Miss-calling was very out-of-place, and I got surprisingly used to calling every married woman "Missus;" at least, those with whom I was not on a first-name basis. I taught my children to say, "Missus." After all, that is how "Mrs." is pronounced!

Well, now I've been back Down South for three years, and I still say, "Missus" for all those Mrs.es that I know. And I'm bit taken aback when I am substitute teaching in a class for Mrs. Barnes, and I pronounce the "Mrs." in the correct manner, and I hear snickering. But I have to think back to a time when I found that pronunciation foreign as well. And there's not a Mrs. in the South that doesn't mind being called "Miss," so, I'll just have to get back into the groove of the Southern way of addressing all women.

So, Ms., Mrs., or Miss? Yes, you are! And so am I. As long as we're in the South, that is!

Overheard

Noodle, to Chicken Nugget:
"Banana's my brother and you're my sister and I'm your sister!"

Chicken Nugget:
"Yeah, and we love each other!"

Noodle:
"Mmmm-hmmm!"

Chicken Nugget:
"Can we hug?"

The Cat Being Out of the Bag . . .

Yay! We're going to have another baby! I'm so, so, so excited! As I've been sharing the news here and there (OK, everywhere!), I've been getting that trepidatious look as people say,
"Are . . . you . . . happy about this?"

And I say, "Yes! We're ecstatic! We've always wanted more kids."

After taking the pregnancy tests, I told Buffalo Wings that I wanted to wait till Christmas to start really telling people. But that I needed to call my brother and tell him that we weren't telling Mamma and Daddy till Christmas, sort of as a Christmas surprise. And I had to call my friends E and K and tell them. But that was it. That was it.

Well, that lasted till the next day!

I could hardly get through the next few days. I was so thrilled, overwhelmed, and feeling blessed. I'm going to be a mom again! I'm going to have a sweet little brand-new baby! I can't help it. I'm overjoyed.

Some people, as I've told them, have chastised me:
"I understand about God taking care of things and all that, but it's just not economical to have that many children this day and age."
"Are you sure you can handle four children?"
And these are well-meaning responses from friends who feel they are watching out for me and my family. So I just respond positively and continue to feel happy for myself and for the rest of my family. And I know that God takes care of things, even if may not seem economical to have several children, and that we are also doing our best to take care of things and plan carefully.

Chicken Nugget didn't take the news as well as I'd hoped. I told her on the way home from school the other day. She kind of frowned and made a disappointed sound. I said, "How do you feel about this? Are you ok?"
She said, "I'm kinda sad and kinda not. You know, there will be the hair-pulling and the scratching and the biting . . ."
I said, "Well, you could hide from the baby."
She responeded, "Yeah . . . but it will find me."

Sweet girl. I felt bad for her, but then I watched her in the backseat today. She was sitting between her brother and her sister, and was entertaining them. This was without prompting. This was not they're-bothering-me-so-I'd-better-entertain-them. This was CN playing with her brother and sister just for the sheer joy of making them happy and seeing them laugh. She told them both how beautiful they were. It was such a great picture to see, and I was rest assured that she'd be just as happy over her new brother or sister.

My mother said it was hard for her not to buy baby things at the store the other day. She's already planning the colors for the new baby quilt - pastels. She's not made one of my babies a pastel quilt yet.

My brother, silly-head that he is, said, "Send it back! Send it back! Now I have to buy more presents at Christmas!"

By my best estimation, I'm about 4-5 weeks pregnant, and the baby should be here early to mid July. I'll correct my Lilypie baby ticker on the 12th, which is my first doctor's appointment. I'll of course know more on that day.

I was doing chores today, thinking about the baby, and I just felt so normal about it all. Happy, ecstatic, thrilled, overjoyed, but normal. Like this is the most natural thing that should be happening in our lives right now. No uncertainty. No fear. Just as if, well, why shouldn't this be happening?

Thanks so much to all of you - we have felt you rejoicing with us! Much love to all of you!

Positives

There are so many positives in my life right now! I'm overwhelmed. There's just so much to be thankful for, and to look forward to.

Substitute teaching, though a challenge, is definitely a positive. I enjoy getting to know each grade level and how it works. So far, jr. high is my favorite. But I also enjoyed being in the class with the eight autisitc kids. That was elementary school. Lots of positives that day.

Chicken Nugget is getting tons of positives herself. She's making excellent grades in third grade, and she participates in UIL, which is an academic competition. Her area is storytelling, and the UIL leader says she's doing fantastic. She really loves it. Positive!

Buffalo Wings is having a good year, happy to still be in a school that he really likes. I really liked subbing at his school the other day. Positive, positive!

Noodle and Banana absoultely LOVE their babysitter, which was something we were praying for. We wanted the right person to keep them, and we wanted them to love her. The other day, Noodle said, "I just love Mrs. Candy*!" I was so happy to hear that from her. Yay for all the positives!

The three pregnancy tests I took this week were also positive.


*not our babysitter's real name.

Long Overdue Pictures

From a day at the park a few weeks ago. The kids enjoyed climbing on a toy car and driving to Wal-Mart.

Noodle, looking pleasantly pensive. There's always lots to think about when you're playing at the park.

Me and Noodle.

Me with Chicken Nugget.

Banana having the most fun ever on the slide!

Though it looks like it, I'm really not holding his head in place!

Striking a pose.



Now, long, long overdue pics of Vacation Bible School, which was in June! The theme was "Gameday Central, Where Heros are Made," so we had a sports theme. I taught the missions class, and we learned about missionaries who teach the Gospel through sports.

This was part of our missions classroom. Can you tell that those are fans in the stands? We (my helper and I) painted that! We always have lots of fun decorating our rooms.

Another corner of our room. It's supposed to be a truck. You know, for tailgating. :o)

The music room. Cute, huh?

Noodle and Chicken Nugget in the music room.

Noodle's very firts time on stage! This was during the VBS program. Though it is a blurry pic, you can still tell how cute she is!

My first job!

I got the call at 5AM this morning - for my first substitute teaching job! I'll be in a first grade classroom today. Please pray for me! I'm nervous and excited. Gotta go get ready now!

Time for Another Tasty Names Family Update!

Lots of things have been going on . . .

Unfortunately, I did not get the special education aide position at Buffalo Wings' school, but I did get hired as a substitute teacher! It may actually work out better this way. Had I gotten the aide job, I would have had to leave probably just after the term started after Christmas, since I'll be looking for an internship (student teaching) at that time. Besides, by substituting, I'll be known in probably all of the schools in the district, which I hope will make it easier for me to get a job when the time comes.

I've pushed the start of my training back just a bit, to Nov. 1. I feel good about that. It had something to do with my sweet brother turning in some paperwork a bit late (he co-signed for my Region IV loan), but it's really OK. And I love him very much. :o) And I'm actually not upset about it. It will be nice to ease into work a little before having to pile studying on top of it.

Remember the fridge incident (go down a few posts to "Oy Vey!")? Well . . . now we have to get our shower replaced! Here's how it has all gone down:
I came in from work a few nights ago and smelled a smell.
I said, "What's that smell?"
BW said, "What smell?"
He hasn't been able to smell for about a week and a half now, due to sinus issues.
Upon further investigation over the next couple of days, I discovered that the smell was mold, coming from a damp wall and carpet, which was hidden by a rubbermaid container. The damp carpet and wall are adjacent to the shower in the master bathroom. We called our landlords, who send a plumber. The plumber said that the shower is leaking everywhere, not just into our bedroom, and the entire bottom part will have to be torn out and redone - drain, tile, and all. I feel awful for our poor landlords, who really have been such a blessing to us. They take great care of us and this house, and never hesitate at the slightest problem. So . . . I'm not looking forward to the grand mess that is about to take place here!

My parents are coming next week, to help celebrate Banana's second birthday! Where did these past two years go???? He's so big and sweet. I can hardly believe he was ever a tiny little baby. We'll be having a little party for him a week from Saturday. Wish you could all be here with us!

As per substitute teaching, I put in my two-weeks' notice at the store. My boss asked if I could stay on minimally, as well as if I could pick up some hours over the holidays and in the summer. She said I could essentially make my own schedule and keep my discount! For the time being, I'll be working every second Tuesday and every second Saturday.

Soccer is in full-swing. Chicken Nugget is playing strong, and BW is her coach. She's so cute! This is her third year to play, and she loves it. The other two kids love to go to the games and watch her, and Banana really tries to run out onto the field and join the game!

We got a cat. Well, actually, a cat wandered up to the house one day while Noodle, Banana, and I were out playing. He is still a kitten, but a bigger kitten, and he was really hungry. I fed him. And I kept feeding him. And the kids started to pet him. And we named him. So now he is our cat, and his name is Eddie, and even BW likes him (from a distance), even though he is allergic.

I stepped out into the garage the other night and standing there, pretty as you please, was quite a large possum. It's been many years since I've seen a possum that close up, and though it didn't scare me, it was not the sight I expected to see. The thing turned its head to look at me, and I could swear it smiled. Then it turned back to where it had been eating the cat's food, seemed to think for a moment, and moved its clumsy body to waddle under our van. I called BW out there to experience the possum with me.
"What do you do with a possum?" he asked," Will it attack me?"
"I don't think so," I said, "See if it is still under the van."
BW looked and sure enough, it was still there.
"It looked at me," he said.
I went over to a picture that I was painting, sat down, and didn't give another thought to the possum. BW stood there, a bit bewildered, checked under the van again, but the possum was gone. Eddie hopped up to help me paint. A peaceful night ensued.

I'll leave you with some funny quotes:

BW, upon coming home from school one day:
"I'm tired."
"Of what?" I asked.
"Lots of things," he answered, "but mostly of being awake."

Noodle, upon laying down for a nap:
"I love you. And I love Daddy. And I love Banana and Chicken Nugget. I love my family."
"Awww . . . we love you too." I said.
"Ewww . . . you stink."

Banana, upon pretending to be a dinosaur:
"Rooooaaaaarrrrr!!!!!!!!!"
Me: "Oh! I'm so scared!" (pretending to cry)
Banana, pauses and looks concerned: "Don't cry, Mamma. I'll keep you safe." (hug)

Chicken Nugget and Noodle go with me to the store to pick up my paycheck. I walk into the store, dancing as usual. My co-workers make fun of me, as usual, trying to tell me that I am not a good dancer.
"CN," I say, "Tell them I am a good dancer!"
CN, after pause, says, "Well . . . do I have to?"

Noodle, after climbing up into my lap and giving me a hug, says:
"I'm daddy's girl!"
"Oh!" I say, "You're not mommy's girl?"
"No. But I'm still your family."

Change of Plans, and I'm Delighted

After a conversation on Saturday with D/S McNary, it was decided that our mission trip to the Czech Republic would be postponed. It will take place in 2009 (probably summer), instead of July or August of 2008.

It is amazing how God works. That sounds cliche, even trite; people say it a lot. But it is amazing.

Psalm 37:4 says this: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

For most of the years that I've walked with God, when I read that verse, I read that God would give me the desires of my heart. It's taken me this long to look also at the first part of the verse, to understand what it meant to delight myself in the Lord.

Even as Paul struggled, he had this to say in Romans 7:22: "For in my inner being I delight in God's law;"

Delighting in, loving the law of God is not always easy. But when I delight myself in the Lord, things happen. Relationships are reconciled, wisdom comes, opportunities to tell my friends about Christ, peace is restored, real joy comes into my life. Other things happen too - I discover God's will for me, and am delighted by God's gift of a husband and children. I find out where God is working, and am honored to join Him. I dream dreams that seem so big and far away, and God shows me that not only can they become real, but that He has dreamed something even bigger.

On Saturday, Shane told me that that the dates we had originally planned for summer of '08 weren't going to work. The dates that did work for that particular ministy, for summer of '08, coincided with plans that we already had. Even so, as Shane left that place and anticipated talking to BW and I about it, he had a peace. An ocean away, BW and I were talking about something else, and we also had a peace. God was telling us all that next summer wasn't the right time for us, and that His timing is best, and that all is well. So when we talked, not much really had to be said. We rejoiced in what God was doing.

Something else happened: I began sharing some ministry ideas for the future. A local (American) church partnering with a ministry abroad. I have been dreaming for several years now that God would lead BW and I to such a ministry, that we might be involved in some sort of a "home base" kind of ministry, that helps with a church or ministry internationally (ie., the projects that Shane and his ministry works with), which will send out mission trips a couple of times a year, send materials or money, etc., but something with which we can really be invested and really know.

This was just an idea, a dream I've been having and mulling over in my heart and mind. Shane surprised me by telling me that this is actually becoming a movement among international missions.

Wow. God is amazing.

Here's something else:

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20

I'm excited. I'm delighted. I'm asking and imagining lots and lots of things. May they all honor Him, that He might grant me the desires of my heart.

I can't wait, ya'll!

In Search of the Perfect Donut . . .

Well, as you all know, I recently changed my name from Tari to Mrs. Donut, in order to inspire myself to get closer to my dream. You know, the dream of owning a donut shop. To be exact, the dream of owning a donut shop called Ten-to-Ten Donuts; that's a donut shop that will be an all night donut shop, open from ten at night till ten in the morning.

And while I made some donuts a couple of months ago, I am searching for that perfect donut recipe. Of course, the recipe itself will just be a base. A foundation. I'll tweak it and perfect it until it has that just-right Ten-to-Ten flavor.

I'm looking specifically for a recipe for the old-fashioned glazed cake-type donuts. I couldn't find a specific picture of one on the web, but I think it would most like the swirly-looking ones in the picture above. Down here, they look like two donuts in one, with kind-of like a ridge around the middle of it. So cakey. So glazy. So yummy good. My favorite, favorite ones down here come from Victoria's, and they are maple flavored. Out-of-control, people.

But . . . I'll create a donut that will be even better than that one. If only I can find my base recipe.

Do you guys happen to know a recipe for one of those cakey, glazey, swirly, old-fashioned donuts? Or do you know where I can find one? Sock it to me. You'll get royalties, I assure you. Oh, and all the free donuts you can handle, once I open my shop. That's a promise.

Love to all my donut-eatin' pals!

Oy Vey!

I haven't been much with the updates lately, and here's a couple of reasons why:

Last week, I noticed that something was leaking from the bottom of our fridge. I brought it to the attention of my hubby, and upon inspection, we noticed that it was a leak from the freezer that had dripped its way down through the door of the fridge and onto the floor. The source of the leak was the thawing of all the food in our freezer. Our fridge had broken. Thankfully, we have outstanding landlords (the fridge belongs to the house, not to us), so they replaced it as soon as they could. Unfortunately, it wasn't before we had to throw out just about everything in our fridge and freezer. Talk about feeling ill, and I don't mean nausea due to the smell of the ruined food. I felt ill because we didn't catch it sooner, and because that was at least a week or more worth of suppers gone totally to waste. And any of you on a budget knows that's nothing to sneeze at. And anyone else can understand that food going to waste is just a sad thing to see. So, that was the end of last week.

Also last week, we got a call from our mortgage broker. Things aren't going along as well as we'd hoped with the home-buying. However, she is very nice, very honest, and very helpful. She gave us several tips to help increase our price range. She also advised us to wait about six months before we start looking again. That's disappointing, but . . . in the grand scheme of things, it's just a house. We've had to look on the bright side, put aside the frustration of getting our hopes up (really wanting to put in a bid, etc.), and trust the timing and the right house, neighborhood, etc. to God.

Saturday night, I went to bed with a headache. I woke up with a full-blown migraine that put me down for the whole day. I've been having headaches lately, about one a week or so, and I think it's due to some medication I've been on to help alleviate some other symptoms I've been having. No more headaches since Sunday, though, so that's good. But . . .

Tuesday night, Noodle woke up in the night screaming. She had a fever of about 101, so we gave her Motrin and put her back to bed. She was up a couple more times in the night. Being the mommy and all, I fretted all night and couldn't sleep, apart from being up with her anyway.

The next day, she was fine, but we stayed inside just to be sure.

Wednesday night, while I was at work, BW called me to tell me that Banana had a fever and had thrown up. So guess who didn't sleep Wednesday night? Yep, Banana and I didn't sleep! Poor Banana - his fever got up to just over 103, and he had the fever most all of the day yesterday. But thankfully, he has had no fever or symptoms all day today, and we even got to go out in the lovely weather to play.

I'm still working retail. I really, really like my co-workers, but I really, really don't like the world of retail. And that job I interviewed for, two weeks ago now, has still not contacted me. I have the advantage of BW knowing those in charge, and he said they've made a decision, but have to process it through the "powers that be" before they can make an offer. I'm anxious to know, anxious to get out of retail.

So, we threw away food, I've been sick, the kids have been sick, I've been a walking zombie, my house is a wreck, I still work nights (yuck!), we can't buy a house (yet), I'm exhausted, my kids have been watching way too much tv this week . . . how's all this for a fun family update!

But, (except for the lack of sleep), I think we've been amazingly at peace. Even so, there are still those days that I shed some tears and throw my hands up into the air and say, "Oy vey!"

Be a Christian - at least you won't go to hell!

Mmmm . . . if I may be so bold . . .

I tell you what, things change once you get down South. There's a lovely drawl, a drippy sweetness (in both behavior and food), and an institution of religion that's second to none.

This religious institution is most notable on all the church marquis that every church on every corner displays. At my church, it happens to be digital. Missions, schmissions. We need a dang digital marquis! But I digress . . .

While on my way to do my grocery shopping this morning, I passed a church (non-denominational) with a marquis that read:
"The wages of sin is death - quit before payday comes."

Now, as cynical as I've become, not much makes me react. But this sign did. Thankfully, we're in the South, however, and such messages draw little reaction from anyone else. Such messages are the benchmark of much of the religious education and discipleship that goes on in churches around here: "Get saved, so you won't go to hell!"

And while theologically, yes, I believe in the blood atonement of Christ and the acceptance of that free gift - - - and, I believe in eternal separation from God if Christ is not confessed - - - I do not believe in going around telling people that they're going to go to hell, much less, announcing it from a church marquis.

I can just see Margaret May driving to do her grocery shopping. Now this particular Margaret May has no relationship with Christ. She sees the marquis, stops the car in the middle of the street and says, "Holy Cow! I'd better quit sinning and get saved right away, or else I'll go to hell! I'm so glad I saw that marquis!"

Um . . . no.

When I think of telling someone about my relationship with Jesus, I think of this verse:

"The theif cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

I prefer the KJV on this verse because of that last word - abundantly. In looking for a definition of "abundant," I found this: "present in great quantity."

Wow. Lots of life, says Jesus. Life that He will give us. In great quantity, and all for the asking. So why not tell someone about that? Why not say that this life is hard, yes, but I know the source of Life. I know about a wonderful life, and abundant one.

And I don't believe that Jesus is just talking about eternal life here. I've learned that through walking with him since the age of ten. Even in dark times, in hardships, in sorrow, I've had joy. Not joy that comes through circumstances, but joy in knowing the Giver of that abundant Life.

Why not tell people about that?

I witnessed so many camp-type experiences, in which people would seem to have a genuine encounter with God, perhaps "get saved," or "rededicate their lives," and yet . . . it didn't stick. They quit going to church. They weren't committed to Christ. I believe it had so much to do with the emphasis on what happens after this life, not during it; as well as a lack of discipleship after such encounters or experiences.

I don't mean to pick on Southern evangelical Christians - hey, I'm one of them! I do mean to pick on some of their methods and priorities, and I can do this, because I've seen the practice of growing the Kingdom from other parts of the country. The perspectives are different, the strategies are different, and they work. The Gospel is the Gospel. In the hands of frail and finite humans, we do the best we can with it. But I have to think about it, not damage my witness, and give my hurting neighbor or coworker a message that has real hope.

"Well, Margaret, I'm sorry your husband left you. Are you saved? This life might be bad, but it's nothing compared to hell!"

Sorry . . . yeah, I'm being that bold.

Or, a response that Jesus might have had:

"I hurt with you. I want to share some hope with you . . . "

Of course we cannot sweep away the difficult theological truths, but those come in time, with growth and proper discipleship. I still haven't learned so many of them. It's hard sometimes, the balance. But I just think that maybe the marquis signs might need to come down all together.

Was that too bold?

Something New

Things in the Tasty Names household are moving along quite nicely. We've begun another year of school, got a new car, even had satellite TV installed. Crazy, I know. Buffalo Wings is enjoying his year of teaching so far, I'm still working retail, and the kids still rule the roost. We're eagerly anticipating what this year may hold for us, and next year as well. We're excited about our mission trip in one year to the Czech Republic, and what God might teach us as we prepare for the trip and as we go. We're getting ready to let our church know about our trip and invite members to join us. It's going to be exciting!

AND - I FINALLY start my teacher training in October! Just before our vacation, I applied for the ATC program through Region IV. As soon as we returned from vacation, we learned that I'd been accepted! I was afraid that I might have to make up for some required English credits, but I was accepted without them. I've been holding back on blogging about all this, because at first it didn't seem real. Then, as it began to seem real, I have started to be scared, uneasy, unsure, and anxious about it. What if I don't do well in the training? What if I can't find an internship? What if the kids don't like me? What if I am flat-out not a good teacher?

Well, I guess I'll be finding out!

We found a great lady to keep the kids in her home, so I feel good about that. BW suggested that I apply to be a substitute teacher, so that I can get my foot in the door in the district. That way, when it comes time for me to apply for my internship, my name will already be known and it might be easier. I also applied for a job as an aide at the high school where BW works! It's for a class called Focus, a special ed class with only autistic students. I got a call yesterday to come in for an interview for the Focus job! I go on Monday - please say prayers for me. I'm really excited about this opportunity; it would be great to work with this class as I complete my training. Besides, it sounds like something I'd really love doing.

Our long term plan is this: to have enough income so that I can finish my thirty hours left to complete my masters' degree. As we talked, prayed, and planned for the future, BW and I decided that this would be a good path to take to accomplish that goal.

I'm amazed that my Creator God, who has the hairs of all of your heads numbered, also has the hairs of my head numbered. He is interested and involved in every aspect of my life. As the book of James says, "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights." I know that whatever happens, whatever success I gain on this earth, it will come directly from He who is my Father of Lights. At the end of all of this, I will return all glory to Him, and everyone will be able to say, "God has done this thing!"

Much love to all of you.

Family Pictures

While we were on vacation, we had family pictures. My BFF Elizabeth's husband, Johnny, does photography, so they came out to my parents' house and took all the pictures in the back yard. It was totally relaxed and lots of fun. Besides my mom, dad, and brother, and BW and our kids, my nephew got to be there, as well as my brother's girlfriend.

Some of the pics are posted on Johnny's website. If you go to the site, click on "Portraits." Then click on "Magby Family" to see some of the pictures.

I'm totally bragging, but I'm so happy with the pictures and I want all of you to see them!

This Is What A Third-Grader Looks Like:

At least, this is what our third-grader looks like. Only to me, she still doesn't look like a third-grader. For some reason, I'm really feeling like crying this morning! When did she get so big and third-grader-y? I tell her quite often that she used to be a tiny baby. And I'll tell you, it really wasn't that long ago. Eight years may seem like a long time in some respects, but when I look at my little third-grader, it seems like the blink of an eye.

Chicken Nugget appeared in my bedroom doorway this morning and announced: "Get up! It's time to get ready for school!" (Now, I do not expect these early-morning announcements to continue.) She dressed herself and popped out of her room, asking, "Well, how do I look?" with that sweet smile of hers.

I told her that she looked great! But inside my heart was breaking. Just like it is now.

She told me she'd feel a lot better if I walked her over to school and helped her get to her place in the gym. Before third grade, she just went to her classroom. But waiting in the gym is a whole new situation. I was happy to help her out, so we walked over to the school and found her teacher. We scouted out the line in which she was to wait until the bell rang. Chicken Nugget sat down quietly, cross-legged, all third-grader-looking, and she put on that same sweet smile. I could tell she was excited, anxious, a bit uncertain, but also ready. I waved to her, and she waved back, and there wasn't much fanfare; she just sat there, waiting to begin her first day as a third-grader, ready for mom to depart the building.

So I left, and now I'm here at home, working on chores, taking care of the little ones, trying to choke down the fact that the little girl who came into the world, all of 6 pounds and 11 and 3/4 ounces, is now a big ol' third-grader. And I'm afraid time's not going to slow down much from here on out.

Beautiful Bread!

I posted this a long time ago, indicating that I'd like to try baking some bread. Now, almost a year later, I've done it!

I used this recipe from Hey, Mikey Likey! It's very easy, the kids helped (and had a great time!), and the result is delicious!

The girls enjoyed the finished product. Banana wasn't very interested in it. Doesn't the finished product look great? To top it off, I got in my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook and found a recipe for sourdough bread starter, and I made some! I'm going bread crazy! I was so encouraged by my very first attempt at baking bread. I can't wait to let you all know how the sourdough turns out. You are all invited to come over and try some of my fresh-baked, homemade bread!

A New Addition to the Family

As we have been considering adoption for some time, we finally made the decision to go ahead with it!

Yesterday was the big day. I opted to stay home with the other kids while Buffalo Wings went to the center to pick up our new addition. He considered several from the group, but finally decided on the one pictured above - no, not the guy in the car! The car itself.

Yes, the Nissan Maxima turned out to be the right fit for our family. The sensitive and caring staff at CarMax were instrumental in helping with our decision, and they were helpful in making the paperwork painless and expedient. Having adopted from CarMax in the past (our very stylish 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan, adopted in Aug. of '05), we felt that we should keep it "all in the family," and return to them for a second time. We were sure happy that we did!

The kids were all a-flutter when BW arrived home with the new addition in tow! Chicken Nugget was especially excited to have someone her own age around for once! (It's a '99, just like her!) We already love our golden beauty - I'm sure the love will only increase over the years. We are overjoyed to share this news with you - please rejoice with us as we are now A TWO-CAR FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pictures!

Pictures! Yay! I figured out how to download from the new program! Wish we would have gotten a better pic with our digital of the M&J M family. We didn't take near enough pics with our digital. Oh, well.

The girls, participating in one of their favorite vaycay activities - watching TV in a hotel room.

Some interesting fish that we saw at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

The girls walking to the Metra train station. We rode the Metra into Chicago each day.

At Water Tower Place in Chicago, which is a great shopping mall! I wanted to get a pic of those cool fountains behind us, which shoot droplets of water up every now and then and it looks really neat. But we didn't get a great pic of it. But WE sure look great!

A fuzzy pic of us girls on the bus, riding around Chicago.

Banana, chillin' on the bus!

BW on the bus. Standing up and letting the ladies have the seats. What a gentleman.

View of Chicago from the Art Institute.

MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!

On Lake Michigan in Algoma, Wisconsin.

Getting used to the chilly water.

Noodle running from the chilly water!

Cute pic of Banana wading in the waves.

Friends on the beach - building the gigantic sand castle.

Hawaii Five-Oh, a bit out of place in Wisconsin.

Look! Lake Michigan!!!!!

Our Vacation

Our pictures from vacation have been downloaded to a new program, and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to download them onto this blog! Until then, I must apologize to those of you reading this blog, but you'll have to endure nothing but words this time as I give my report, sans photos. :o(

We left on July 20 and first stopped off to see dear friends of mine from seminary, Charley and Marianne, and their adorable son, Joshua! Joshua was adopted from China, and it was such a joy to keep up with their "Journey to Joshua," and then it was absolutely wonderful to meet him in person! Seeing Charley and Marianne again felt just like old times. We had lots of fun back in the day, didn't we ya'll??? And it was just the same. To top it off, we had Mexican food - yay!

We got to my parents' house later that day and then had family pictures made on the 21st. That was fun! My BFF Elizabeth's hubby, Johnny, takes pictures. We all color-coordinated our outfits and went out in the back yard and had a blast of a photo shoot. Later that night, My brother, his girlfriend, and I went to the River Market in Little Rock and met up with some other friends from Matt's and my growing-up years. It was fun being back and seeing some home-folks.

We went to church the next morning, and again it was good seeing old friends; after lunch (thanks, Mom and Dad!), we headed up to the Ozarks to visit my Aunt Nancy. It was so nice and relaxing. The kids had fun playing out in the back yard, catching fireflies, and crawling through the doggie door (sorry, Aunt Nancy!). BW and I had fun visiting with N, kicking back for awhile, and enjoying all the yummy stuff N made to eat! Especially the potato salad, some of which magically made it into our cooler for us to enjoy on the way to Iowa! N and I made a post-card run Sunday night, but came back with no post-cards, but had fun driving around together anyway! I love Aunt Nancy!

On Monday morning, we packed up from Nany's and headed to Knoxville, Iowa! Yippee!!!! We arrived at the home of our friends M&J M, their three kids, and their pets (my kids were thrilled! Animals!). We had a fun five days in Knoxville. Highlights were: daily visits with BW's grandparents, a day in Pella with our kids and M&J's two younger kids, visits with other friends that BW grew up with, and taking a ride with J and her daughter, K, and Chicken Nugget and me - in their VW BUG!!!!!! It is fabulous and yellow and we got ice cream at Sonic!!!! Also while in Knoxville, we took a jaunt over to Winterset to visit dear friends J&S S, with whom I stayed during my summer mission work in Winterset, summer of 2002. We also met up with Jenifer B and her parents. It was great to see them all, and praise be to God, Jenifer has experienced healing! After tests at Mayo, there is no indication of any illness whatsoever, so Jenifer is undergoing intense physical therapy and can expect a long, healthy, and happy life!

We left Knoxville on Friday and headed to LeMars, Iowa, ice-cream capitol of the world! Blue Bunny ice cream is made in LeMars. Also, we have wonderful friends that live there! M&J J, to be exact, as well as their two kids, J&M! We had fun visiting with the family, going to the water park, going to the regular park, and attending their church with them on Sunday morning (M is pastor of the Methodist church in LeMars).

We left LeMars on Sunday afternoon and headed to Britt, Iowa, to the home of our friends M&K S, and their kids, T&S. We had a marvelous dinner of stuffed canaloni (thank you, sweet K!) and then had double-chocolate brownies for dessert! YUM! The kids had a great time playing in the downstairs basement playroom (I miss basements, ya'll!) as well as outside riding backs. We grown-ups enjoyed talking and eating some great Iowa food (like the REAL DEAL sweet corn!!!). K and I had much fun on our Wal-Mart run on Monday!

On Tuesday, we left the S's house and headed to Chicago! But on the way we stopped and had lunch with W&C W and their four cuties - C, A, L, and brand-new baby J! We hadn't yet met L and J, so that was fun. It was also fun to be on a real farm with pigs and cows and a huge garden and a creek and everything! We didn't get to stay long, but still it was great to see the W family!

Chicago was a great time! We had fun swimming in the hotel pool (Chicken Nugget's favorite activity for the whole vacation!), going to Shedd Aquarium, trying to navigate the public transportation system (not easy, or else we are just idiots!), going to the Art Institute (my very favorite!), seeing a friend of BW's from college who works at the Art Institute and got is in free (thanks, A!), eating at California Pizza Kitchen at Water Tower Place, and seeing friends who have a great ministry in Chicago - K&B D, and their eight children! They have a great old house with a huge yard, and the kids played outside for hours.

From Chicago, we journed to Algoma, Wisconsin, with a stop in Sheboygan to see another college friend of BW's. In Algoma, we stayed in an amazing little motel that was right on the beach of Lake Michigan. It was beautiful and the weather was cool. The kids and I walked the beach that Saturday morning - with our jackets on! We spent the day Saturday with friends that Scott knows from college - R&T S, and their three little ones, E, A, and J. There was also another couple, visiting from Iowa with their three kids, also friends of Scott's from college. R&T have planted a church in Algoma, and it's been amazing to see the work that God has done through them. The other couple from Iowa are planting a church, and it was fun to hear the conversations between them and R&T. It was also fun going to the beach so that the kids could play in the lake, and driving around Algoma, which is a quaint and lovely fishing town.

We left Algoma on Sunday and headed down to Nauvoo, Illinois. It was from Nauvoo that the members of the Mormon Church fled to cross the country to Utah, back in the late 1800's. I wish I were more up on my history - anyone wishing to add more information, please do so. On Monday, we walked and drove around the town, saw where Joseph Smith had lived, where he and his brother and wife are buried, saw the beautiful temple (rebuilt to look like the original temple, which had been destroyed), and many other historic sites there. Everyone in the town was wonderful and friendly to us, and besides the historical significance of the town, it is just such a lovely area. It is right on the banks of the Mississippi river, and as we drove down a few roads, we saw creeks and small cliffs and caves and camping areas. We definitely want to go back when we can spend more time.

We left Nauvoo on Monday afternoon and drove all the way down to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to my alma mater, Williams Baptist College. We snagged a guest room there for the night for $8.00! Can you believe it???? We enjoyed visiting with many of my old friends there, including the President of the school and the VP for Student affairs, as well as the Dean. It was fun to see them all again, and many others. There have been many changes at WBC, including a new administration building (it is beautiful), a new bookstore and campus post office, and the student center has been remodled. It was impressive.

We left WBC on Tuesday afternoon, after touring and visiting, and drove back down to my folks' house in Benton, AR, for the night. We got to see the proofs of our family pics, visit with CBB (yay! I love you CBB), clean out our car and repack it, and hit the hay for the night. We were beat. We made it home to Texas the next day and really are still recouperating!

Much love to all of you. If we didn't see you on this trip, well, we'll make it on the next one!

Amy Simpson

What do you think?

We're back!

Vacation was fun. We saw many people in many places and covered six states in the course of our journey. So . . . vacation was fun, but we are tired. We got home last night and we've been resting ever since. Pictures to come. Love to all of you.