Ok... so I know I owe you all a real post. It's coming. I promise. But here's an update on James' football team. Hurricane Ike delayed the season by two weeks. But on this past Thursday, the Hightower Hurricanes took the field again to take on the Willowridge Eagles. The Hurricanes put a serious beat down on the Eagles - final score was 55-0. James was obviously VERY excited. He asked "wasn't that the best game ever; my defense held them to 35 total yards". I, personally prefer to watch a more competitive game. But James tells me that I need to appreciate the dominance. Go 'Canes!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/6024025.html
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Ike Update
Hurricane Ike has passed and has left most of the greater Houston area without power. Thankfully, we have minimal damage to our home - a few shingles fell, a gutter came down, and a portion of the privacy fence was blown down. Ike had horrible timing as I was scheduled to fly on the Dow jet to Midland, MI this morning for the 2008 BEST Symposium. Instead, Sherrika and I drove to Dallas (in the dark), flew to Detroit, and then to Midland... made it just in time for the Welcome Reception tonight. James and the kids are staying with The Richards Family - they have power (Let the church say AMEN!). Will post more later. Just wanted to let you guys know that all is well. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Ike Preparations
Current forecasts project that Hurricane Ike will make landfall between Matagorda Bay and Freeport, TX (Dow location) early Saturday morning as a Category 3 hurricane. While most of Brazoria county is under mandatory evacuation, no evacuations have been issued for Pearland at this time. But all around, preparations for Ike are underway - gas stations lines are insane, places like Wal-Mart and Lowes are packed, schools are closed or will be closing.
I am finishing up a few last minute things for work. The kids' school closes at noon today. James' game tonight has been cancelled and his school district is closed tomorrow. We'll probably leave at some point tonight or in the morning and head for the north side of Houston. Please keep us and all those who might be affected in your prayers. We know that God is in control!
Will post an update as soon as I can.
I am finishing up a few last minute things for work. The kids' school closes at noon today. James' game tonight has been cancelled and his school district is closed tomorrow. We'll probably leave at some point tonight or in the morning and head for the north side of Houston. Please keep us and all those who might be affected in your prayers. We know that God is in control!
Will post an update as soon as I can.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Couthins from Texas
Being the brave mom that I am, I packed up the two kids for a three hour flight to Virginia over the Labor Day weekend. We left Dad behind in Houston to do X's and O's. The trip was long awaited - it had been a year since I visited, two years for Janai, and the first visit for Baby Jay. I figured I should take the little guy and introduce him to the family before he was walking, talking, and perfectly capable of introducing himself.
Janai took a quick liking to my first cousin's daughter, Jasmine. Would that make Jasmine and Janai couthins? They spent the whole weekend together. To my surprise, Janai even spent one night at Jasmine's house for a couthin sleepover. I'm not sure how much sleeping she did though. When Robin (Jasmine's mom) went for a 2am bathroom break, she found Janai laying there with both eyes cocked wide open. What can I say... the child doesn't get out much.
Jay found a couthin his own size - my nephew, Micah, the ~1-year old son of my brother, Rob. While they are 2.5 months apart, they are roughly the same height/weight. They didn't do much in the way of playing together. Instead they fought over pacifiers, plaits, and the telephone toy. Micah kept trying to jack Jay for his pacifier (Man, why are you sucking so hard...must be good... gimme some). And Jay seemed to be in awe of Micah's plaits (Hey Cuz', what's up with those things in your hair? My pops would never let my moms do my hair like that!). My crazy uncle (we all have one in the family) suggested with all seriousness to me and my brother that "y'all need to switch kids". Jay does favor my brother quite a bit, and Micah has more of Janai's skin complexion. But uncle, there will be no kid swapping!
On Saturday, we visited the Children's Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth. Jay had a blast - does his outfit look familiar?
We also went to Woodstock Park in Virginia Beach. This was enough to wear the kids out and mom too. We even got locked in the park! Can you believe it? There we are swinging, sliding, having loads of fun... only to find a nice nasty on the car that says "The park is now closed. Your vehicle has been locked in. You can retrieve it tomorrow at 7:30am". Are you kidding me? Luckily, after one phone call, a bit of Texas charm, and a 20 minute wait, a nice city official showed up to open the gates for us.
On Sunday, my mom hosted a Labor Day Cookout. Lots of food, fun, and folks. And to Janai's amazement there were couthins, couthins, and more couthins! Janai was the source of entertainment for all in attendance. Everyone was amazed at the way Janai talks - she is so articulate (proper) for a 4-year old and talks sssslllllooowwwwllllyyy according to the fast talking southeast Virginians. While I always knew that she had an interesting way of talking, it just recently hit me that she's Texan and has a drawl. Duh! So when she speaks, words are drawn out (God forbid she messes up and has to start over!)... and there is often an unnecessary use of extra syllables. For example, if you hear her say:
"Mahhhh-aaahhhhm", that's Texan for "Mom"
"Hayens", that's Texan for "Hands"
"Thayer", that's Texan for "There" or "Their"
"Chayer", that's Texan for "Chair"
"Fayel", that's Texan for "Fell"
"Bayef", that's Texan for "Bath".
Ok, so maybe she's not so articulate after all, but you get the point.
All in all, we had a good visit. It was great for the kids to see Nana Nell, Jerry, Poppa Bear, Pearl, Aunt Cat, Uncle Rob, Uncle Lil Rob, Aunt Monica, Uncle Jim Jim, Aunt Wanda, Uncle Sean, Aunt LaLa, Grandma Liz, Aunt Bettie, Aunt Cathy, Aunt Carolyn, Mr. Pleasants, Ms. Cassandra, Ms. Gertie, Ms. Bernadine, Ms. Janice, Ms. Brenda, Ciara, Couthins Mya, Micah, Delante, Jajuan, Jasmine, Eysence, Amir, Meco, Robin, Garfield, Pam... and the list goes on... and on... and on! Poor Jay was overstimulated!
After a late night of fun, we took the 5:30am flight (whose bright idea was that?) back to Houston on Monday morning and rested up before getting back into the regular grind. Who knows when the next visit will be... but we'll be looking forward to it!
Janai took a quick liking to my first cousin's daughter, Jasmine. Would that make Jasmine and Janai couthins? They spent the whole weekend together. To my surprise, Janai even spent one night at Jasmine's house for a couthin sleepover. I'm not sure how much sleeping she did though. When Robin (Jasmine's mom) went for a 2am bathroom break, she found Janai laying there with both eyes cocked wide open. What can I say... the child doesn't get out much.
Jay found a couthin his own size - my nephew, Micah, the ~1-year old son of my brother, Rob. While they are 2.5 months apart, they are roughly the same height/weight. They didn't do much in the way of playing together. Instead they fought over pacifiers, plaits, and the telephone toy. Micah kept trying to jack Jay for his pacifier (Man, why are you sucking so hard...must be good... gimme some). And Jay seemed to be in awe of Micah's plaits (Hey Cuz', what's up with those things in your hair? My pops would never let my moms do my hair like that!). My crazy uncle (we all have one in the family) suggested with all seriousness to me and my brother that "y'all need to switch kids". Jay does favor my brother quite a bit, and Micah has more of Janai's skin complexion. But uncle, there will be no kid swapping!On Saturday, we visited the Children's Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth. Jay had a blast - does his outfit look familiar?
We also went to Woodstock Park in Virginia Beach. This was enough to wear the kids out and mom too. We even got locked in the park! Can you believe it? There we are swinging, sliding, having loads of fun... only to find a nice nasty on the car that says "The park is now closed. Your vehicle has been locked in. You can retrieve it tomorrow at 7:30am". Are you kidding me? Luckily, after one phone call, a bit of Texas charm, and a 20 minute wait, a nice city official showed up to open the gates for us.On Sunday, my mom hosted a Labor Day Cookout. Lots of food, fun, and folks. And to Janai's amazement there were couthins, couthins, and more couthins! Janai was the source of entertainment for all in attendance. Everyone was amazed at the way Janai talks - she is so articulate (proper) for a 4-year old and talks sssslllllooowwwwllllyyy according to the fast talking southeast Virginians. While I always knew that she had an interesting way of talking, it just recently hit me that she's Texan and has a drawl. Duh! So when she speaks, words are drawn out (God forbid she messes up and has to start over!)... and there is often an unnecessary use of extra syllables. For example, if you hear her say:
"Mahhhh-aaahhhhm", that's Texan for "Mom"
"Hayens", that's Texan for "Hands"
"Thayer", that's Texan for "There" or "Their"
"Chayer", that's Texan for "Chair"
"Fayel", that's Texan for "Fell"
"Bayef", that's Texan for "Bath".
Ok, so maybe she's not so articulate after all, but you get the point.
All in all, we had a good visit. It was great for the kids to see Nana Nell, Jerry, Poppa Bear, Pearl, Aunt Cat, Uncle Rob, Uncle Lil Rob, Aunt Monica, Uncle Jim Jim, Aunt Wanda, Uncle Sean, Aunt LaLa, Grandma Liz, Aunt Bettie, Aunt Cathy, Aunt Carolyn, Mr. Pleasants, Ms. Cassandra, Ms. Gertie, Ms. Bernadine, Ms. Janice, Ms. Brenda, Ciara, Couthins Mya, Micah, Delante, Jajuan, Jasmine, Eysence, Amir, Meco, Robin, Garfield, Pam... and the list goes on... and on... and on! Poor Jay was overstimulated!
After a late night of fun, we took the 5:30am flight (whose bright idea was that?) back to Houston on Monday morning and rested up before getting back into the regular grind. Who knows when the next visit will be... but we'll be looking forward to it!
Twins
This is a rarity - posting in the middle of the day. But I couldn't resist. I just got this picture sent to my cell phone via PictureMail from the daycare. It seems that Christopher and Jay showed up today looking like twins. Looks like Chris' mom and Nana Cathy have been shopping at the same place. How cute!
Monday, September 1, 2008
'Canes Roll!!
Football season is here!!! On Friday, August 30th, the Hightower Hurricanes opened the season with a 35-21 win over the Eisenhower Eagles. The first mark in the "W" column was attributed to the strength of the Hightower defense, led by James. So, the team is 1-0, fired up and ready to go! Next up... after this week's bye... Willowridge High School! Will keep you all posted.
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