The Catch of Wingycuzins.... Now you see them - Now you don't

VERSE OF THE DAY: Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

Theysa gone. The Wingys stayed for 4 days of total awesomeness, and now BAM!!!! They're not here. It's amazing how long it takes them to get here and then how quickly they leave. Well, enough sad. Here's some junk we did...

First, they GOT HERE!!!!!!!! This time when we were waiting outside it was light out and not freezing cold. Cool!:) Had some dinner and talked, gave Drallen his mutilated OUTBOUND FLIGHT book back after another slight chew-out, and now I have SURVIVOR'S QUEST. We had a sword fight, during which I ended up with my back against the gate with at least 4 swords to my throat if I moved my eyeballs (where are spies when you need them?:P I honestly don't know how I ended up by my onesie, but I'll forgive them cuz it doesn't happen often). Next day I think it was we played some good wiffle ball!!! Here's some pics:

A hit by Comten!!!!

Throw it to Stonewall already!

Froggy watched

"Uh... pitches a little higher please?"

It was the bomb. We played 2 games: big people vs. little people. Played some street soccer too, but have no pictures. My days are getting mixed up, so I'm just listing here. We went on a hike somewhere by red rocks. Here's a picture:

Twas fun! Watched MASTER & COMMANDER. Twas good and I liked it! "Don't count your chickens before they're in the pudding".

General Spy got promoted!!!! Comediantennis scarcely said an unfunny line. Jax seriously grew or I just noticed he was tall. Drallen joined the enemy Spy Team!!!!!! Now the Unholy Alliance is broken!:P

Letsee... what else? We took a big bike ride a Waterton Canyon that is THE COOLEST place to bike or hike! Except I started out with a wipe out on my bike. I mean, I haven't pedaled 3 times before the bike STOPPED and I flew. Spit out some rocks and my hands were real messed up, so I wasn't loving that bikes have to have handlebars. General -I mean Corporal Spy doesn't seem to notice that detail on the bicycle structure \0/:P So anyways I guessed the kickstand got caught in the wheel cuz it was kinda loose. Hmmm. Then the whole time I had to pedal constantly cuz if I stopped, the bike did. Thought it was probably just me till I didn't go DOWNHILL as fast as anybody else. Turns out I was fighting my malfunctioning brake the whole time. But while I was alive, it was fun!:P

Gaming!!!!!!!! Played Rise of the Witch King with Drallen. Was nervous when starting, as I hadn't played since... I played him last. But he choked out some dagummits and no ways when he could breathe after he saw my impenetrable wall. Made him nervous as time went on cuz I held out so well... first objective completed! But.... I lost. With men that were fighting it all out kicking and screaming. Died hard. So I was fairly happy. Not like last time when the Joyfuls GAVE UP THE BASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok. Beat him at RED ALERT 2, not COMPLETELY honorably, but I was winning by a zillion before Dad came in to send in the clowns AND you know it JA!!!!!!!!!!! I shall pause before the bomb for affect and talk about something else.

We had a hot dog and marshmellow roast with Mom's fire pit! Coolcoolcool!!!!!!! J-dude says S'mores too!

Sword-fighted (uh... swordfought? Swordfoughtsen? Swordfit?) at Sancuary Park. And the school. And the yard.

Dad took some pics of Wingys. These aren't all fixed yet.

This is what goes on behind the scenes of a photoshoot! The trick? It's called CROP:P Heehee!

Now the Bomb. The Undefeated General (Drallen), The Rookie (Mr. W), The Retired One (Dad), and The Ever Undaunted and Firey (Thad be Me) hooked up some computers (a long process) to play Rise of the Witch King (The coolest game)!!! It was Taggs vs. Wingys. Dad actually convinced JA to give up the Dwarves (whoa) so he was... Isengard I think. Mr. W was Men and so was I, and Daddo was Dwarves. Drallen was the first to be taken out of the fight. I mean handicapped pretty bad. Fun to hear the screams and dangs!!!!!:P Mr. W had never played before so I was surprised at how good he did with those horses! I had my Aragorn running around Summoning the Army of the Dead and rocking on! More screams. Dad and I got Mr. W out and found Drallen's secret base. A couple of earthquakes and it was gone. The Taggs are VICTORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huzzah!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was awesome!!!!!!!!!

And it's already over. But it was great. Can't wait till Winter to do it again! Miss yall guys!!!

~*. ARIANA EVENSTAR TAYLOR.*~

Curiosity can be GOOD for you!

WOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm back from AR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! It was like God was working everything out from nice weather to plane tickets to make sure we had a good time!!!!!!!!! It was a week full of happy!!!!!!!!!

Lady Lana the Adorable and Sir Luke the Impossible's wedding was magnificent. Her dress was GORGEOUS and she looked like an angel. Oh yeah, and Luke was there too! (kidding Yuke you looked great too:P) But it was spectacular and sweet.

Hung with Lady, watched some movies and saw her new house... cool!!! Went to see Prince Caspian with Lady, Emy, HannahE, Cassie, Cole, Nicole, Jake, Drallen, Comediantennis, General Spy, Stonewall, and... uh... that might be it! Good movie - Bad book following. Spent the night at Emy's and stayed up till 5am watching movies and talking... I was fueled ONLY on caffeine the next day. But it was fun even though we didn't get to watch HALF of our movies.... waaa. Oh yeah and went to the mall with her too before that and made some... interesting podcasts!!!!!:P Went to a swap party at Britterbear's and that was funfunfun!!! Got to see many peoples and got me a shirt! Went to a Wingding (fun game night at the Wingys) and played, and saw absolutely EVERYBODY (except poor Disneyworld junkie Jazz:P) I could've wanted to!!!!!!!!! It was soooooo much fun and the Wingys are about the SWEETEST people ever to walk the face of the planet for setting that up! About the most fun I've had in a long time.

Speaking of awesome Wingers, *drumrollllllllllllllllllllll.........ding!* they SHALL BE HERE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yippeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!! Huzzah!!!!!!! Can't wait!!!!!!!! BUT nobody's probably reading this except the faithful Nana and Grandpa because all the AR friends are at church camp. *You weirdos!* Kidding yall!!!!!!!!

God Bless us all!!!!!!!!!!

Funfunfun!

I AM IN AR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Going back tomorrow. I'm grounded from internet for a week when I get back, but I'll be sure and tell yall about the best trip ever!!!!!!!! Lotsa stuff has happened... Luke and Lana are married... we had a "Wingding"... Uh, we'll talk later people!!!!

Lots of Luv!!!

LET THE PRAISES RING!!!!!!!!!

VERSE OF THE DAY: Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Psalm 119:77

On the National Day of Prayer, Dad took us gals to see.... *drumroll.... crash cymbal!* LINCOLN BREWSTER!!!!!!!!!!! If you don't know who that is, you may wanna fix that and get this album! He sang a couple great songs, then we all prayed for a couple of the "7 points of illumination" which were... the government, business, the media, the church, education, the military, and the family. Then he played a couple more songs, then we prayed some more, and so on. About 100 (that's one hundred) people prayed to accept Christ that night. It was amazing, worshipful, and a fun time!!!!

I got a good seat right beside the stage on top of the amp. Bouncy and fun with a great view till I got in trouble!:P Before the concert started, the band members were just walking around and Dad said, "Hey, that guy plays the bass guitar in the band!" That guy heard and said, "Hi guys!":D Lincoln Brewster was all spiky-haired, good voiced awesome. The drummer just graduated high school last year and was drumming amazingly!!!!!! The keyboard guy could play with one hand and jump up to where his feet were over that hand. I was watching him rock at one point and he looked straight at me. I gave him a good whoop-n-cheer and he gave me a little nod and kept on rockin. It was WAAAY fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you're happy and you know it sing a song

1. Put your iTunes/music player on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT


IF SOMEONE SAYS " IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY?
Lost by RED


WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Burn for you by Tobymac


HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Yours to hold by Skillet


WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Hey Now by Tobymac


WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Mansions by Burlap to Cashmere


WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Alone by Sanctus Real


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
In the Light by DC talk


WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Break me down by RED


WHAT IS 2+2?
Change me by Sanctus Real


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Unkown by Lifehouse


WHAT IS YOUR LIFES STORY?
Cling and Clatter by Lifehouse


WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
I'm not alright by Sanctus Real


WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Like it, Love it, Need it by DC Talk


WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Ill-M-I by Tobymac


WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
The Slam by Tobymac


WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY AND INTEREST?
Catchafire (Whoopsiedaisy) by Tobymac


WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Whispers in the Dark by Skillet


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Slow Bleed by Thousand Foot Crutch


I tag whoever wants to do it!

Boycott the Dentists!!!

VERSE OF THE DAY: The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. ~ Isaiah 61:1

Here's some cool stuff going on around here that makes me over OR underjoyed:

WE GOT ELECTRONIC DRUMS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup - these!!!!!!!! Or pretty close. The little control pad's different, but they ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been learning them and it's fun!

J-dude lost his first tooth!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huzzah!!!!!!!!

Our church is doing a Beth Moore ladies bible study that I'm doing. It's REALLLY good! But this week I have two memory verses cuz last week I didn't know about the little tear-out cards in the back. Heheh. Numbskulled me. But this is the one I'm working on right now...

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." ~ Isaiah 61:1

Got out the spring clothes. Like none of them fit! That's underjoying. But Emy gets them all, so she's happy.

Also underjoying is that our aunt last night had to go to the emergency room to get her appendix out. AND our Gram fell and broke her arm and hurt her leg and she had to get stitches too. Yipe! Pray for them two.

Oh, yeah and THE WINGMEN HAVE HI-SPEED INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am overjoyed and now they know how beautiful it is:P Now I can send them videos and all that jazz I couldn't do before. But it kinda stinks that the Moff is on Wookiepedia a lot now... I won't stand a chance at Star Wars Trivia. I shan't make the challenge. I already have an appointment with him and the deathbed because my shallow intellect has proved itself yet again! I-I-I... agreed to watch ELLA ENCHANTED with Emy while I'm in Arkansas. It's not the movie - it's just that I shouldn't have fallen for her!;P I already made a deal of just 2 of her movies... and I called Vader's Wingmen... and now I'm deciding just how I want to die:P Thanks a lot e-MY! And the crying thing didn't work sweetheart. Oh, well I'll just escape again!!!!;P I beat Boba Fett at the whole escaping idea!:P

So there's life right now. Working on a schedule for Arkansas. Please remind me of what I have to do while I'm there!

New template

Just fiddling around with new stuff. Tell me if you like!!!!!!

DEAF THE ANTS!!!!!!!!

VERSE OF THE DAY: So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1

Tara, I'll use our totally cool new title on my next post!

Now, for a quiz. What is happening in this picture?

We have the backyard coffin, 4 boys and an air horn type thing. Any guesses? Whaddayatink?

Well here's the deal. We got that horn AND that Beckham shirt Sticks is wearing at the CO Rapids vs. LA Galaxy game. The horn has been blowing at little league soccer ever since. So these guys are all outside and we're inside eating during Dad's lunch break and we hear this BLOOOOOOOOOOOONK! Not that unusual. Then we heard it again... and again... and again... (the neighbors just love us) until Dad sticks his head out the window and sees this picture. He says, "What are you guys doing?" They all turn around with their own special ecstatic expressions and say, "We're DEAFING the ants!!!!!" Our boys know that we're supposed to kill ants. My dad says it best on his blog...

"At our old home in Arkansas we developed a relationship with ants. Let's just say every spring we'd wake up in the morning and find the little buggers all around our sink. The little boys would spy us breaking out the ant spray and mumbling unintelligible words under our breath. The ants became a part of our life. Kind of like neighbors that are real annoying...except you can kill them. Well, apparently or somehow, my wife leaks out..."Urine kills ants". At this point it is quite clear to them that the only good ant is a dead ant. The questions arise from inquisitive young boys to find out where to get this magic urine. The boys have hunted out quite a few ant piles in the yard that need exterminating. Boy, were they excited when they found out where urine came from. They would whip out their tallywackers at a single ant in the parking lot of a busy mall much like a gunslinger of the old west. Since that became a little "troublesome" to say the least...we had to somewhat curb that behavior. However, boys being boys...they couldn't let ants continue on. There must be another way to kill them."

Little Einsteins. Don't boys rock? Now I'm thinking of those ecstatic expressions. Let me see if I can find pictures so you can see how cute it is...

Perfect shot of Jesse's!!!

Joshua's is about impossible to get unless you catch him in a belly laugh, but this is cute too!

You can't see it very well, but Mayf's always ecstatic whe he's riding his bike!

Comment me!!!!!

Reach for the Stars! ~ Lesson 9

I got all the Boring Beginning answers right on the download!

Here's my lifeboat thing using two random names from my names chart...

"Come on!" Adrian hissed. Kalista crawled after him through the tangle of bushes and long grass. The blazing bright sun shone overhead, which normally would've made Kalista happy, but now it only complicated things. Adrian motioned for her to be get down. They both dropped low and Kalista looked up, seeing the silhouette of yet another terrorist patrolling the border. When he was gone, she glanced at her watch. Two minutes until the next guard came by. Adrian had already started crawling toward the shore. They had to get out of here. The plan was to swim the small channel of water to the eastern shore, and then run farther. They would probably be seen and shot of course, but better to die escaping than die in captivity. Adrian suddenly shoved her head into the dirt. Had it been two minutes already? The shadow of the guard passed over them. He was so close that Kalista was sure he could hear her heart pounding like a hammer on an anvil. But he did not slow his pace. The two continued to push aside the vines and grass. There was the little clearing that served as a beach. Adrian glanced at her - it was now or never. They both picked up branches, grabbed each other's hands, and ran toward the water. Kalista's feet flew over the dirty sand, nearly tripping several times over the tangled seaweed, rocks, or garbage that had washed up or been thrown there by the terrorists. They dragged the branches behind them, covering their tracks. The next patrol guard would see them soon. Suddenly her foot hit something hard and she did fall. Adrian pulled her up and tried to hurry her along, but Kalista looked down at what had tripped her - to see the side of a upturned boat covered in seaweed, trash, and sand. "No, Adrian look!" she whispered. "It's an old lifeboat! We can pass as a couple of fishermen in a boat!" There was no time to debate it. Adrian helped her push the boat to an upright position, then put his hand over her mouth - just in time. A fully dressed skeleton holding a small piece of paper had been under the boat. Kalista felt like throwing up. Adrian grabbed the note and motioned for her to push the lifeboat into the water. He kicked the skeleton into a seaweed tangle, so that nothing would grab the patrol's attention, and leaped into the boat. They used their track-covering branches for oars, praying they wouldn't be identified and shot.

Here's the other one that is actually the prologue of my story:

Eldarion, king of Gondor rode for his very life under a black sky. Men everywhere were seemingly in a trance, making their way slowly toward the dark castle of Minas Tirith. The king had tried to stop them, but they would not be detained or seemed to notice any of his warnings. But it was what was coming out of the city that worried him more. Orcs that were not tortured elves, but tortured men pursed him hotly at breakneck speed.

Eldarion was afraid.

Thunder rolled almost constantly as he reached the little town of Osgiliath. More men were walking out, transfixed toward the city, all at the same pace. Their eyes did not move from the city nor did they speak, despite the pleading of their hysterical wives and children who had no power to stop them. Indeed, no one did.

Lightning struck.

The town was in confusion. The king rode in, looking about wildly. No one seemed to notice him through the wailing of the women and the screaming because of the approaching orcs.

Wind Blew.

A old woman opened her door and saw him. "Great King!" "Come inside! We will hide you!" Eldarion lept off his horse and it fled in fear. The king ran into the dwelling and the woman locked the door, and proceeded to close all the curtains. Her husband stood near, his sword drawn. Their son clung to his father, an eight year old lad with wide, jet-black eyes. "I put you all in danger! The orcs want me!"

"Say nothing of it, Your Highness. We are in danger either way." The woman beckoned him to a secret door in the floorboards. Eldarion leaped in. He heard Orcs in the village. He heard grunts, shattering of glass, doors being smashed, and people screaming in terror. They were being slain. The King pushed the trapdoor open in anger and quickly climbed out. "My lord!" the woman loudly whispered. "No! You will be killed!"

"It is my life they want! Not those of my people!" he ran to the door. The young boy poked his head fearfully out from under the bed only to unintentionally haunt Eldarion with his deep, frightened eyes. Before the king could turn the doorknob, he heard the boy cry, "Father? Father! No!" and emerge from hiding to grab his cloak. The man was walking toward the black city, eyes staring straight ahead. The woman tried also to hinder him, but orcs were upon the house. The woman pushed her son into the trapdoor while the man walked out of the house. She ran to follow him. "No!" the King called, but it was too late. The orcs slew her. He gritted his teeth and prepared to charge into the pack of orcs, but he felt his foot being grasped. Two small but surprisingly strong arms jerked him into the hatch and locked the door.

Thunder rolled.

Comment me everybody!!!!

Reach for the Stars! ~ Lesson 8

I didn't do the Little Red Riding hood part because I saw the answers!:0 But I pretty much got the point!:)

This is the first bit I've written about this character. She kinda just popped up. I don't really know here or much about her yet.

Sailing on the Ocean... Sort of:

Asassia gripped the Dragon's back with her legs and spread her arms wide, feeling the salty, cool breeze flowing past her. The two of them were zipping through the water much faster than fast. The Dragon easily propelled herself with her wings, specially designed for swimming quickly in the water. Suddenly the Dragon forced herself up out of the water, into the air, then plunged beneath its surface. Asassia latched her arms around the Dragon's neck as they continued to dive down, frightening colorful fish. Bubbles surrounded them like a tickley blanket. She kicked her legs, trying to speed their descent as it were possible. The Dragon flipped and spun, enjoying the frolic time. Asassia did not know which of them savored it more. Her heart soared and if she could have laughed underwater, she would have. But now she was running out of air. She let go of the Dragon and motioned her to the surface. Asassia emerged and took a gulp of air. The Dragon was right beside her, and playfully sprayed water into her face. This time she could laugh, and did, releasing some of the bottled up joy inside her. She looked into the Dragon's bright green eyes and stroked her wet scales. It seemed as happy as she was. "You are beautiful!" Asassia told the Dragon. "And so smooth and agile in the water - like a sea goddess in the stories!" She rested her forehead on the Dragon's and smiled. "Calypso. It's the perfect name for you." Calypso licked her with a lizardlike tongue as if to agree.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROG!!!!!

This baby is 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Neat hat!

Whoa. That's too cool.

Messy Cake!!!

Happy birthday babyest!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!:D

While I'm at it, here's what some other Taggs are up to this month:

J-dude is juking girls a foot taller than him out of their shorts,

Jess got a "World Cup" in his first soccer tournament,

Sticks and SWOOSH are kicking outside again,

Mayfee's sportin new Spidey PJs and jamming (REALLY jamming) to "Bingo was his Name-O" on his new "iPod" from Grandpa and Nana,

And Bird's sitting around looking precious and cute like this and telling me what to do! Funfunfun!!!! Later I'll tell you something really pretty funny... for now, COMMENT ME!!!!!! You gals all of a sudden decided to cut me off!!!!!!!!!:P WAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! Now I'm sad. Yall don't want me to be sad, right?;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are 2 birthdays today, but I will post about the other one when it unfolds a little more. For now, there's a Wingman who's 11 I believe!!!

General, for your blog party, we shall go to:

Yup. Six Flags! After you spend most of the day throwing up, we can go to a:

Steven Curtis Chapman concert!!! You got his autograph and he said hi and shook your hand. You didn't wash it for a very long time.

Now letsee... what else. Oh yeah. We can eat. We'll just have... whatever you want:P Cake, ice cream, all that jazz.

Hey, the doorbell's ringing! All these people walk in:

They all said happy birthday and gave you coupons to various places to eat. Speaking of presents, I got you one! I played saabac and won you...

A planet!!!!! This is Yavin 4 to be exact. You can go to all the Massassi temples and hang around in space where the death star was! Not an easy planet to get, I can tell you what. This Rodian kept cheating me at the cantina.

But wait, you'll need something to get there in, so how about...

Yep. That outta do it!!! The X-wing's actually from Bird.

Hope you had a fun blog party!!!!!!! Have a great year and great day!!!!!!

Oh, and all you peoples around here go to the comment section and drop Jakey a line. I'm sure he's around here somewhere...

Reach for the Stars! ~ Lesson 7

Before: It rained all week during our camping trip.

After: On the last day of our camping trip, I peeked out of our cramped pop-up tent to see if the relentless rain had ceased, hoping we could get at least one day of fishing fun before we had to go home. No. The torrents of rain made it of difficult to see anything, but I discerned the gloomy sight of our dripping lawn chairs, water making pools in the seats. The logs in the fire pit were soaked, and all I could hear was the splattering of cold drops hitting the canvas of our tent.

Before: Katie saw a scary sea creature at the aquarium.

After: Katie tapped the glass separating her from the brilliant yellow fish swimming carelessly by. The Tulsa Aquarium was full of these finned creatures that she thought were so lovley. Smiling at the yellow fish again, she turned to look at another tank. This one was darker, and lacked the bright colors. Katie pressed her face to the glass, confused. All of a sudden, a shadow passed over the sand on the tank floor. Lookin up, she shrieked and jumped back when she saw a shark larger than her father swim smoothly by, as if looking for something to chew on with its razor sharp rows of teeth.

Before: As I entered the cave, I found the object of my search- the lost treasure chest of the Ancients.

After: I was feeling less like Indiana Jones with every move. And less like a girl who had studied for years about this long-lost chest I was after. I army-crawled into the low, pitch-black, cleft in the rock. "A cave" my informer had called it. I scoffed yet again at those words as the space got even narrower. I held my flashlight between my neck and shoulder as I squeezed between the rocks that seemed about to make me the ham of a sandwich. My elbows were scraped raw and my pants were ripped. Sweat dripped on the dirt and gravel I crawled across. Slow going. The space was now too narrow for me to wrestle through. I shook my backpack off and tossed it in front of me, pushing it ahead whenever I caught up with it. I was now flat on my gut, shimmying into what was probably a dead end like all my other expeditions. My fedora scraped off and there was no turning around to get it. Great. There went the last of my Indiana Jones spirit. After an hour of crawling, I pushed myself out of the tunnel and into a vast opening as large and empty as a warehouse that had been cleared out. I whooshed out a sigh of relief to have my feet under me and unconsciously said aloud, "now THIS is a cave!" My voice echoed many times off the walls until the sound finally dissolved into air. I ran my flashlight across the walls where many hieroglyphic figures were painted in colorful detail. I could read some of it, but wasn't interested in trying to sort it all out right then. I had a treasure to find. Pulling the compass out of my bulky pack, I found the north side of the cave, and ran my fingers over the paintings on the rock wall. I couldn't bear to smash them with a chisel. I knew they were important pieces of history that would be demolished. Despite my hurry, I took out my camera and snapped several pictures and drew the signs myself on a notebook in case the pictures were no good. Closing my eyes, I brought my chisel down and connected with rock, sending shards flying. Whew, this was going to take awhile....
A long time later - I still don't know how long, I had laid aside my chisel and brought out the more detailed archeology tools. My heart raced excitedly as I forced my hands not to shake. Finally, it was out of the mountain. The chest I had searched for for ten years was in my hands.

Now, to open it.

Happy Birthday Un-Sticks and Mayf!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to your somewhat-late Blog Party Sticks!!!!!
We shall have your party fun with these guys:

Guess who gets to hold the little white flaggy!:P

Huzzah!!! The 2 coolests are happy!!!

That's probably what you face would look like if you got to meet this guy in real life!

Mom invited Beckham and Donovan over for dinner, and they said sure. So, we're having:

As for presents, I got you a soccer ball signed by every soccer player more famous than Terry Cooke, but I didn't want to take a picture of it. Beckham didn't get you a present, but he wanted to give you something, so he pulled Donovan's shirt off and gave it to you. Donovan didn't get you anything either, and you already wearing your own Beckham shirt, so he reached into Beckham's pocket and pulled out.... a gum wrapper. He looked in the other one and it had a coupon for Chili's. So he gave you that. Then they said they had to get going.

So, I hope you had a fun Blog Party.

More recently, as in yesterday, Mayf turned 4!!!!!!!!! I don't think he'd appreciate a blog party, so I'll just tell you about his birthday. I made him two little car cakes and I'll get the pictures up here eventually. Age 4 is when you're allowed to have chips around here, so we got Mafy a bunch of Doritos and stuff!!!!!!!! Fun!!!!!!!! He played with some new LEAPSTER games, threw some new frisbees, and got a wicked cool bike helmet, but it's all snowy and wet so he hasn't gotten a chance to use that yet. We had some yummy pizza for dinner with Grandma and Grandpa!!!! They left this morning and we did some house-cleaning. Now the house is clean!

Oh yeah, and at dinner we all prayed for Mayf. When it was J-dude's turn he almost exactly said this in a real sighy, sympathizing voice: "And please let Mayfun have fun even though he's 4. Even though he's 4 he's still gotta have fun." Hmm. I guess I don't remember the torture of fourness as well as him:P

God's plans are perfect - but sometimes they really get me confuzlled.

Yesterday in the GINORMOUS storms of AR, two trees fell on Lady's family's house and wrecked it all up. Please pray very hard for them. Here's the link to the news video. Skip ahead to the the 16th minute past all the smashed windows on the cars. Tell your friends to pray for them too. Mom told me some of their stuff got covered in plastic and saved, but they don't have a house. It stinks to be TV stars for a bad reason. And moving really hurts, no matter where you're moving. We love you Lady Boo!!!!!!!! Hope to talk to you soon!!!!!!!!!! Pray everybody - this smells worse than a skunk smoking a cigarette.

Reach for the Stars! ~ Lesson 6

This is my really cool, very awesome, fabulous ship - the Dragon Verde where I am captain. She is the fear of the Indian Ocean, the true sea serpent the legends tell of. Fully crewed and fully armed! Taste the triple guns, Mate! A pirate's life for me!

5 Dead Words: Cool, Small, Awesome, Short, Yucky

The Tour of my Room: Walking down the hall and turning the corner is no adventure. But peeking into my room will raise your eyebrows in incredulity, mirth, or disgust. A gleaming sword, Glamdring the Foehammer, stands mounted on the white wall directly in front of you. A half-sized Templar shield, gold-rimmed with a red cross graces the adjacent wall, keeping company with the piece of Middle Earth memorabilia beside it. After giggling at the hanging weapons, you walk into the room and notice that the leg room is sparse, thanks to the bulky queen sized bed. You sit down on it, running your fingers over the purple and white floral quilt made by grandma for my 16th birthday. The numerous stuffed puppies and baby dolls dressed in pretty pink scattered across the bed give you the hint that this room does not belong to me alone. You hear a noise and turn toward the door, your eye catching a calendar with varied pictures of ships from STAR WARS to adorn the month of April. The entrance of a dark-haired, two-year-old little sister confirm your suspicions that I am not alone at nights. She snatches up her box of miniature toy kitties from the corner and waddles out. You smile at her and glance out the large window by the sword that overlooks our quiet cul-de-sac, peeking to the right to enjoy the sight of snow dusted mountains. A cluttered desk stands in the corner next to the window, covered in papers and school supplies with a computer monitor as the centerpiece. There at eye level is yet another calendar, this one displaying Davy Jones's tentacled appearance from PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. You wisely decide not to ask why I have two calendars in my room. Above it is a homemade picture board, proudly holding numerous cards, letters, pictures, and my favorite comics for your enjoyment. As you continue to turn your head in a circle, you view my hanging clothes and bucket of shoes; as my closet doors are missing. The last wall may be the most interesting of them all. A drab wooden dresser and a bookshelf taller than you stand at attention, side by side, with three swords of my creation between them waiting for use. The shelves hold every kind of book from Elsie Dinsmore to Eragon. A fuzzy pink mushroom chair sits at the foot for lounging. You giggle yet again at the sight of a poster of Eli Manning dropping back to throw yet another amazing pass. A sliver cross hangs shining over a shiny radio and a box of cds. Now you are back to the door, watching my little bedmate dump all her hats out of their basket and laying her dolly in it for a nap.

Reach for the Stars! ~ Lesson 5 revised

Sorrow - Trojan gazed down at the body, feeling his heart shatter with a shock wave felt by his whole soul. Tears chased each other silently down his white face. He closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened them again, this scene would be less than a horrible reality. But it was real. It was happening. "No... no... no..." he whispered. His right hand, still holding the bloody sword, was trembling severely. Stricken, Trojan suddenly dropped the weapon as if it burned him, and stared fearfully at that right hand, aghast at what horrific death and keening pain it could cause - at his bidding. His strength seemed to fail him, and he collapsed to the ground, weeping violently and shaking with sobs.

Pictures

Toria said she wanted pics of me, but... now she's getting the package of ALL TAGG KIDS!!!!!!!!! Cool. This can also serve as a guide for those of you that know who's who in the Taggs, but don't know all the nick-names I use!:P

Me

Lane being goofy

Sticks with his "whoa cool" face

Lou modeling

J-dude being way handsome

Jess and his pretty eyes

Good ol Mayf

Everybody loves pretty Birds!!!

Baby boy Zekey

Oh, and while I have Toria's attention... Here's what the littles looked like on Superbowl Sunday

Bird with "I (heart) Eli" and "GIANTS" painted across her face! (Emy, it's cute, you gotta admit)

Jess, Bird, J-dude, and Mayf all think NY Giants are awesome!:)

When God feels far away, guess who moved?

Hey yall!!!!!!!!

I have started a devotional blog of my own at:

http://www.darkness-2-light.blogspot.com/.

This is the little widget:

Check out the blog, tell me what you think, and tell me if you want the code for this blingy.

His Kingdom Come!!!!!!!

A Thought For The Day

Click on this to see it big: Funnyfunnyfunny.

Oh, and All yall friendses, you can still comment like normal on my reach for the stars lessons!!!!! Don't be sceered!!!!!!:P

But here is a video I got on my podcast. Sigh... funny show!

Reach for the Stars! ~ Lesson 5

This is something I grabbed and tweaked from my LOTR book. I don't have many other characters lying around and I know this guy a lot better than most of the others, or somebody I just think of at the moment.

NERVOUS - Trojan was usually superb at hiding his feelings under an expressionless mask, but now his face was white, making his hair an even greater contrast to his skin. His lips were tightened into a thin line and his eyes darted here and there. His hands were clasped together so tightly that his knuckles were white. Huntram suspected that it was to keep from biting his almost non-existent fingernails again.

ANGER - At Maab's words, Huntram nervously glanced at Trojan. The man's face had hardened and he seemed to tremble with suppressed rage. His eyes became narrowed orbs of hate, and he snapped harshly, ""And how is it that you two travel this land in which you have no business?"

In the book, you almost only see Trojan through Huntram's eyes, which is why everything here is from his point of view.

Reach for the Stars! ~ Lesson 3

Character: Maab Kuldar the Dwarf
Physical traits: The typical dwarvish attributes are standing short, stocky, bearded, fully-armed, and filthy - and Maab is no exception!
Personality Traits: Loyalty, toughness, bravery, and a perky attitude mingled with soft-heartedness are the trademarks of this axe-bearing character. But even dwarves have their bad sides. Like most of his kin, he is as stubborn as can be. A fiery temper frequently shows, but it is not an hasty temper that will flare up for the wrong reasons. He is wise in choosing in whom he can place his trust... or his hate.
Likes/Dislikes: As long as there are more orcs to decapitate, this dwarf couldn't be happier. Also among his chiefest joys are a good smoke and plenty of meat. Almost the only thing that riles Maab's temper is anyone who stands in his way or threatens him. He fears no living thing - except horses when he has to ride them!

Character: Huntram Shaster
Physical Traits: This 15-year-old has blonde wispy hair that is never combed for long and usually has hay in it. He is tall for his age, all arms and legs, and doesn't move as if he quite knows what to do with them. He is always sunburned and chewing on straw.
Personality Traits: Huntram is an adventurous boy, and hopes to get out of the farm one day to see the world - until he is dragged out of the farm to defend the world. Then he realizes that his home is where his heart is - but even that doesn't break his constant resolve to be great at what he tries. His valiant efforts are all too often disastrous. He loves his little brother, who ultimately got him into this "mess", and stays close to him through danger after danger.
Likes/Dislikes: Huntram's favorite thing in the world is normal, everyday farm life in the Iron Hills. He likes the old plow horse, even though the creature is as stubborn as a dwarf. Never having the knack for learning, he never went to school, and later found out how dull it was when he must learn - or die. He hates the schedule his wanderer friends are used to: going to bed only when it was too dark to ride, and getting up at the first morning light!