11-0... Three Weeks To Go!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/6137582.html

There were two choices in this week's playoff game - win or go home. And this week the Hightower Hurricanes put another mark in the "W" column with a 24-21 win over the Cinco Ranch Cougars! Texas is a big state so the football season seems to have lingered. The 'Canes are now 4 weeks deep into the playoffs... only three more to go to the State Championship. Next up... the Hurricanes will take on the Pearland Oilers at Tully Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6th at 2pm. Hope to see you there!

Our Texas family (a.k.a The Lewises, The Crawfords, and The Richards) shows some love to the 'Canes as they pull off another win.

Hightower Head Football Coach, Shane Hallmark, greeted by his adorable twin sons after the game.

Hightower Defensive Coordinator (a.k.a Husband Dude), James Williams, poses with daughter Janai after the victory.

Not Too Bad.

So, it seems that the pictures weren't that terrible after all. Take a look at http://www.studio979photo.net/williamsweb/. The master photography of Steve from Studio 979 made up for the bad mood of my kids. These pictures aren't perfect, but they capture the moment pretty well. There are only a few issues:

1. If it looks like we're sinking into the floor, it's because these shots were taken outside on the grass.

2. There is a little creature in Jay's nose (his left, your right) that only a mom would notice.

3. Janai's hair is not like that on purpose, but it doesn't look too shabby.

4. I have the neck of a giraffe, and had the nerve to have my chin up in the sky for most of the shots.

5. Ummm... where's Daddy? Oh... Texas high school football. Arghhh!

Hope you enjoy!

What a Weekend

Even when I'm a mess, I still put on a vest, with an "S" on my chest, 'cause I'm a super woman! ~Alicia Keys

Stomach virus? Check.
Hair appointment? Check.
Football game? Check.
Grocery shopping? Check.
Birthday party? Check.
Church? Check.
Family picture? Check... well, sort of.

What a busy weekend! I managed to get over the stomach virus by Friday afternoon. And things have been crazy in the Williams household ever since. The football game was the best high school game I've seen all year, and even better was the fact that James' team landed another mark in the "W" column, bringing the team to a record of 10-0.

But no time to celebrate... I had to throw together a 1st birthday party for Jay on Saturday. With the exception of a few glitches, it went off well.

Then there was Sunday. We are early risers and get to church at 7:30am to prepare for the 8:30am service. Then there's the 10:00am Compass class that we host. Then at 11:00am, we're usually on our way back home in time for a quick lunch before James has to head to the fieldhouse to work, while the kids and I lay it down for an afternoon nap.

What was different about this Sunday is that I (being the bright person that I am) had scheduled a photo shoot for Jay's 1st birthday, and while at it, why not take a family picture as well? Seemed like a logical idea to me. Well, everything went wrong with that logical idea.

First, the kids and I napped until 3:45pm and the photographer arrived at 4pm. While he set up shop in the backyard, I worked frantically to get the kids dressed and to style Janai's hair. I managed to put some pretty spiral curls in her hair only to have them fall straight the moment she walked outside into the humid Texas November air. She looked like a wild woman. So I quickly brushed it into pony tails. Jay did not nap well, so you can only imagine the kind of mood he was in. Ummm... and what's a family picture without all members of the family present? James was busy putting together the defensive game plan for this week, and wasn't able to get back home in time. Yay.

Then there were the birthday pictures. Steve (the photographer) had planned to get some shots of Jay tearing into an 8-inch birthday cake and having loads of fun with icing all over his face. Well, that did not go according to plan. When the kid's hands touched the cake, he completely lost it! He looked down at his messy hands, looked at the cake as if it were evil, and with big crocodile tears streaming down his face, he screamed to the top of his lungs and wouldn't let up.

I still had to pay for Steve's time, and I doubt that there will be many good pictures to choose from. I will share them once I have them back. But I must plan better next time. Thank God it's a holiday week.

Baby's First Birthday

Today we celebrated Jay's first birthday with a not-so-well-planned birthday party. The lingering football season has made scheduling family events a little difficult. It was a late night at the game. But I took an early morning run to Wal-Mart and Party City, and when all was said and done, I think I pulled it off. James even took a break from X's and O's and made a guest appearance at home for the occasion.

Hot dogs, pizza, chips, cupcakes, ice cream, goodie bags, a last-minute Sesame Street theme, a few friends on the side... all the makings of a pretty decent party! Jay seemed to enjoy himself and all of his friends. He was less interested in his own cup cake, but tried, without success, to jack Janai for hers. Overall, a pretty fun evening!

Happy 1st Birthday, Son!

A Huge Playoff Win!

On Friday night, the Hightower Hurricanes took down the Houston powerhouse, North Shore Mustangs, in a nail-biting 28-21 win. This was a battle of the top two defenses in the state, and the 'Canes came out on top. The emotions got the best of the players and coaches on both sides. For the 'Canes, this was the biggest win in Hightower school history. On the other hand, this was a stunning upset for the North Shore team that had been picked by many to contend for the state championship. Up next... Cinco Ranch on Friday, November 28th at 6:00pm, Delmar Stadium. Go 'Canes!

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6126401.html

Post Hair Cut Bliss...

Good Hair Day!

"Hair is vitally personal to children. They weep vigorously when it is cut for the first time; no matter how it grows, bushy, straight or curly, they feel they are being shorn of a part of their personality." ~C. Chaplin

So today was the day we've all been waiting for. After a great morning at church and the typical Sunday afternoon nap, we loaded up the car for a trip to the north side of town for Jay's first hair cut! Uncle Juan opened the shop up just for us today. I was prepared for the worst because there's something about clippers and a soft spot that just doesn't go together. But it was time. The mushroom topper, afro, high top, raggedy mop of a hair do had gotten out of control. And while the wild hair had become Jay's trademark, I just couldn't take it anymore.

Jay proved Chaplin wrong and handled the cut like a champ. He sat there with his cape on like a big boy (with a pacifier, of course). Uncle Juan asked "how are we going to cut it" and I responded "just take it off... take it all off". Now it's gone... all of it... it's all gone. I'm still in a bit of shock. He looks like a different kid... ahem, a shorter kid. And... I didn't realize how big his head was underneath all of that hair! Here are some pics... Enjoy!

Uncle Juan scared me for a minute. He went in quick, and it appeared that he was going for the George Jefferson look.

Ummm... are you gonna cut that hair off in the back too? Just wondering...

Ahhh.. Time for the edge up. Sorry Jay, that pick is of no use to you now.

Ta Da! Look at my little man!

And Ta Da! Look at all of that hair!