Dark Clouds, Charles Darwin and the Dreaded Interview

Okay, no more epic posts ... I just want to simply relate the events of the week!

All this week we've been watching The Genius of Charles Darwin, a documentary made by the famous atheist Richard Dawkins. Which probably did not make it a good week to have our interview at The Lighthouse, the overtly fundamentalist Christian homeschool "school" group we will probably enroll Gabe in (if they will take us!). Present at the interview were Mom, Dan and me ... and the first questions were about what church we go to (none), and an attempt to solicit our religious testimony. Though we were perhaps evasive, we didn't tell any lies. We said that Gabe has been to, like, six churches. He has (though mostly because Mommy was looking for dating prospects during divorce). We mentioned that he's been in Awanas, and that we've read him a children's bible.

We want Gabe to have a religious education, but we do feel a little uneasy about exactly what they're going to teach him ... This week we will find out if we've been accepted in the group. If we are it should be interesting.

On Thursday someone at Brian's work opened a door right into his head, knocking him out and requiring an emergency room visit. Instead of stitches they sealed the cut with surgical glue. When he got back to work there was a sign posted where he had been standing that said "Caution: Door may suddenly open." He asserted that this just added insult to injury, since there was no sign on the other side that said "Open door slowly." Gabe added more insult, I guess, when his first question to Brian was, "Why didn't you just pay attention, so you wouldn't

get hit with the door?" Our little charmer.

I had to intervene in an escalating angry conversation between Gabe and Joe this week. Gabe was angry because Joe had said something in Spanish and wouldn't tell him what it meant. He said, "What does it mean?" and Joe said, "Spanish!" This interchange was repeated several times, the tension and pitch rising each time. I finally ascertained that the word Joe had said was, in fact, "Español."

Max has become a little more difficult this week and sometimes screams at me when I try to nurse him, which is more than a little bit unpleasant. He seems to be having more frequent reflux, and waking at night coughing with milk shooting out of his nose. If this continues we will go to the doctor. I had a sore throat this past week, so maybe this is associated with illness. I love my baby so much and worry about him!

On Saturday Dan's crazy unemployed aunt came walking up the road, this time not begging for a ride, but for someone to co-sign on a car loan! Dan told her no. I took Max on our regular walks up the street, but twice I saw her coming my way so I detoured down another stretch of dirt road and even looked for a tree to hide behind until she was gone so as to avoid the potential confrontation.

Tonight I came outside to see everyone staring up at the sky, where a dark cloud was literally swirling. Gabe became very nervous at our reactions to the menacing sight, and he cried out, "I don't want to die today!" I guess he was relieved somewhat by the laughter that followed his outburst. We saw a little wind, not too much rain. Everyone is safe in bed tonight. (Except for me, but that's where I'm headed.) I will try to write weekly.

Gabe's new toys this week: Michaelangelo, Rafael, Destro, the Red Hulk