hawks and hospitals

My dad and I went to the Atlanta Hawks game last night. It was the first time I'd been back in Philips Arena since around 2000 or 2001 (maybe some of you who went with me to that game could help me remember... Raul, você se lembra? Você apareceu no telão!). The Hawks played the Jazz, winners of 12 games in a row, the longest streak in the NBA. The game got close at the end before the Hawks blocked three shots and finished them off. There were three (at least) major dunks and Joe Johnson had 30 or so points.
Russell Long and his son Levi met us at the game. We didn't have seats together but it was great to see them.
This morning we're at Emory Hospital. My dad is having a procedure done on his heart to correct his a-fib (atrial fibrillation). Apparently it's a pretty common procedure. Nonetheless we'd appreciate your prayers today.

one back down

Lucy was back down again this past week... first flu, then earache, and now the rotavirus. She was sick through the night on Thursday and spent the day conked out on Sue Sue's couch on Friday. Today she was up and feeling better, but still no appetite.

*Don't forget. Double-click on any word for a quick definition. Try rotavirus.

cat attack

Furlow was attacked for the second "documented" time in the past few months. Each time the cat spends the night outdoors he comes back with some battle wound that ultimately gets infected. Any body want to set up a stakeout and find the culprit?

*This picture shows Furlow's back leg post-procedure. The cat didn't actually skin his leg in the attack or cut him open like that. 

final game of the season

Simon's team wrapped the season with their best game last Thursday. Simon chipped in 6 points on three great shots.

undefeated

Braden and the Shockers are undefeated so far. This Tuesday they won by one basket. Simon and his Bobcats have yet to win, which they remind their coach (me) every game and practice. They led the entire game last night until one minute remaining when the other team took the lead. With 44 seconds left I called a timeout and designed an inbound pass for my hot shooter (remember this is 6 and under). We got the ball inbounds, my shooter was fouled on the play and made one of two free throws to tie the game. Now with 20+ seconds left the other team drove down and scored the basket. I tried to hustle the team down to get a shot off but the buzzer sounded before we could get the shot off. Simon got the pass and shot (he missed), almost getting it off before time expired. 

sold-out

I've lost my motivation to post lately considering our camera broke. We were walking around Gatlinburg when (shortly after I took the picture from the last post) I managed, clumsily, to drop the camera on the sidewalk. The camera was on when I dropped it, so it fell directly on the extended lens. So, it doesn't want to extend and retract anymore. I've been twice to Best Buy to look at a new one and both times it's been sold out (as has the Wii Fit).

We are back in full gear with school, my FSU classes, and basketball (both the boys are playing). Braden's first game is tomorrow and Simon has his second game on Thursday. Simon didn't score last week but he hustled and dribbled and passed well. But I was most pleased with his attitude. He showed a considerable improvement from last year, which only further proves my theory (or was it Amy's theory) that once Simon figures out he can do something, he goes full force. Before that it's like pulling teeth.

Back from G'burg

We're back from Gatlinburg. We spent a couple of days in the woods in a cabin, making a few brief forays into Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We watched the Dixie Stampede show by Dolly Parton (who only appears via video), visited Ripley's aquarium (they boast it's number one in the US), and saw fake snow. You should have seen Simon's face when he ate some. I don't know what he was expecting it to taste like.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

festivals and tigers

Grace Christian Academy (the school where the kids go and where we work) recently held its annual fundraiser, Winter Festival. The kids had a blast. There was a giant slide that Simon wasn't so sure about coming down. An inflatable boxing ring. A massive tricycle course (Braden said he couldn't even reach the peddles on the trikes they were so tall). Lucy got her face painted. She reminded us several times that it was a boy tiger face and not a girl one.

Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great holiday with family. We are so thankful for the time we got to spend with Lady Bug and Grandma Edie.

holiday

On Tuesday while I waited for the rest of the family to get home from school (I stayed home with Lucy who was coughing pretty bad... actually, she's just really good at playing hooky), the Crooms called. We made quick plans for a afternoon rendezvous and they drove down from Ashford, AL and spent a few hours with us.

We'd never met Ella or Nate, so it was fun to finally see them and steal some hugs. It was also great to see Chip and Shelley. After the visit we were ready to move back into our little three-bedroom house down in Barão Geraldo, Brazil.

A short movie of the kids playing in Brazil: Following the Leader, 2006.