A July week

This whole week has had a very sad tone as everyone processes Steve McNair's death. When I was a senior in high school, it seems like my brother read Air McNair's stats to me everyday from the Clarion Ledger over our breakfast. While he was basically an acquaintance....I saw him several times a week at school pick up and our baseball league. Just a month ago, I got to visit with him for a little while about Mississippi and his friends down in Monticello, our boys etc. His youngest son was born on the same day as Willie and goes to school with Willie and played baseball against Willie. I guess seeing him around often and thinking about his boys has me hurting for them all.

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday. This week has zipped by and we had only one really hard afternoon while Jay has been away. That was the evening where I realized that my son and I are just alike---know it alls, competitive, stubborn and just plain difficult. So, to my dear mama and daddy.....I'm so sorry. I think I freak out that this is not just a phase on a given evening.....b/c as I reflect, I was like this most of my life. Literally, as I decided I might need counseling to figure out a way to get through to him...he was angelic today. Speaking of angels, it made my morning when Ruby starting calling me "mama angel" today on multiple occasions.

Also, Jay mentioned to me he almost had a tragic wreck on the way out of town last Sunday afternoon that he narrowly escaped. Well, I was woken up from my nap on the same Sunday afternoon just sick that something was going to happen to Jay so I started praying for his protection....I believe there were angels helping him squeak through too. Jay has hit Indy, Cincinatti, Louisville, and I think he might be going to Tulsa too before coming home.

We added some swim lessons to this week to keep us moving and wet. We have enjoyed eating picnic suppers at the pool every night. Willie takes his lessons around 5 then we eat, then swim until time to come home, bathe and sleep!

Willie passed the Y swim test which I believe is 25 meters. The instructor (who he calls his director) told me he passed and I was stunned b/c I've never seen him swim that far. He did great and they started working on the back stroke today. It's funny what your kids will do for a stranger. He hasn't taken the green "pass" bracelet off yet.

Before leaving the pool today, Willie had me in one of his basketball pick-up games. When did my little boy learn "check," "make it take it," and "deep 3"? We finally wrap up to head home and Ruby lays down like a limp rag doll on the cement.