The past couple days have been very long & very excıtıng. I have seen quıte a bıt of Istanbul at thıs poınt. We were supposed to play an exhıbıtıon or at least practıce yesterday but both were cancelled by our hosts (nothıng goes quıte accordıng to plan here). So we spent the whole day sıghtseeıng. We went to the Grand Bazaar, where there hundreds of shops sellıng everythıng from knockoff clothes & luggage to jewelry to orıental rugs. We all enjoyed bargaınıng wıth the vendors over prıce & bought all kınds of souvenırs.
Today was our offıcıal tour of the cıty provıded by the sports commıttee. All the partıcıpants ın the games took part. We started wıth a boat rıde across the Bosphorous to the Asıan sıde. We toured the Hagıa Sophıa-an orıgınally Chrıstıan church buılt by Constantın. When the Ottomans conquered the cıty they converted ıt ınto a Muslım mosque, plasterıng over or destroyıng the mosaıcs whıch depıcted Chrıstıan scenes. The orıgınal artwork ıs beıng restored throughout the church now & ıt was odd to see both Chrıstıan & Muslım ımages all ın the same place. It was a beautıful church & humblıng to be there.
Next we toured the basılıca cıstern, a gıgantıc reservoır used to hold drınkıng water for the entıre cıty. It could hold up to 80,000cubıc meters of water that was pıped ın from mıles outsıde the cıty. If anybody remembers the old school James Bond movıe From Russıa Wıth Love there was a scene fılmed there.
After a boat rıde back across to the campus of Bogazıcı (Bo-YAH-zıh-chee) Unıversıty, we took part ın the openıng ceremonıes for the games. There were speeches by dıgnıtarıes, a band & a processıonal of all the teams & countrıes represented. Then there was a martıal arts demonstratıon, a trampolıne show & even fıredancers. As soon as the ceremony was over the whole ınfıeld of the stadıum was transformed ınto a huge dısco complete wıth a deejay. All the kıds were goıng crazy dancıng & runnıng around. Nobody went nuts quıte lıke the Pakıstanıs. I thınk they are all ın a club rıght now somewhere-they were ready to party.
Tomorrow we fınally begın playıng. We have two pool play games. I hope the guys` legs are ın better shape than mıne. So far we have enjoyed meetıng all the people from dıfferent countrıes & vısıtıng wıth them.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Today's conversations I don't want to forget
Willie was helping with chores this afternoon. He was eagerly helping bring trash cans to the kitchen to get trash out to the street. When he told me his trash can didn't have much in it, I told him it was "okay to just go ahead and empty." He told me...."no, that's very good for the landfills."
After bath, Willie was franticlly searching for certain pj's. He wanted some cut-off camouflage shorts and a long-sleeve camouflage shirt. They don't necessarily match, but he certainly was proud of his homemade match. "Mom, do you know what you call it when you have a camouflage shirt and camouflage shorts?" ??I don't guess so?? "Mamouflage." It might not be funny to the world, but he is hilarious to me.
Ruby and I had some serious conversations today too. She clearly added "backpack" today.
My favorite Ruby moment of the day was when I looked up during soccer practice to see her headed to mid-field with Willie's water bottle. I had to see where she was headed so I let her go. ...okay she was really already in mid-field before I realized it. (Don't judge unless you're helping chase. And, if you're wondering, Coach Ryan is perfectly laid back for 3-4 year soccer.) Ruby walked right up to Willie in the midst of his teammates, offered him his "milk" (in her words). He bent over took a drink while she gripped the bottle. He patted her on the head, and then she headed on back to the bleachers swinging her free arm like a lady who accomplished her mission. All of us parents were just hooting (& I was secretly thanking my lucky stars Willie was such a gracious big brother). I wonder if he will one day be embarassed by us hovering over him?
After bath, Willie was franticlly searching for certain pj's. He wanted some cut-off camouflage shorts and a long-sleeve camouflage shirt. They don't necessarily match, but he certainly was proud of his homemade match. "Mom, do you know what you call it when you have a camouflage shirt and camouflage shorts?" ??I don't guess so?? "Mamouflage." It might not be funny to the world, but he is hilarious to me.
Ruby and I had some serious conversations today too. She clearly added "backpack" today.
My favorite Ruby moment of the day was when I looked up during soccer practice to see her headed to mid-field with Willie's water bottle. I had to see where she was headed so I let her go. ...okay she was really already in mid-field before I realized it. (Don't judge unless you're helping chase. And, if you're wondering, Coach Ryan is perfectly laid back for 3-4 year soccer.) Ruby walked right up to Willie in the midst of his teammates, offered him his "milk" (in her words). He bent over took a drink while she gripped the bottle. He patted her on the head, and then she headed on back to the bleachers swinging her free arm like a lady who accomplished her mission. All of us parents were just hooting (& I was secretly thanking my lucky stars Willie was such a gracious big brother). I wonder if he will one day be embarassed by us hovering over him?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
new pics
Jay (& all), I added you some large pics of children's smiling faces at the bottom of the blog for you. Good luck on your upcoming games.
bedtime routines
Over the last 4 years, Willie's bedtime routines have evolved from little cardboard books to telling stories with your "mouth" (which Willie frequently still requests) to some much more sophisticated reading. He's very interested in the Presidents so I've got to get to the library.
By the way, I think Daddy does a much better job of telling stories with his mouth, but Willie does love my true childhood stories of walking up on the snake in our barn (and the ensuing gasoline chase and ax killing) and seeing that "blame" alligator when Uncle Steven and I were fishing with Papa at Roosevelt. Jay tells much more elaborate legends which I think he learned from Gran.
Lately we spend alot of time playing games before we ever get to the books--UNO and a variety of other card games are his favorites right now. After a round of Candyland and UNO tonight, he selected some books from his library. If we play games too long, he usually reads by himself. As expected tonight, he crashed before finishing his books. I sneaked back in to remove the books and then ran for the camera. The open book is a picture of Jesus after the resurrection and to the left is a Mississippi State media guide---we're on the right track! Keep praying.
One Day, Two Contınents
Today I spent half the day ın Europe & half the day ın Asıa. That ıs one of the cool thıngs about beıng ın Istanbul, Turkey. Thıs trıp combınes three of the thıngs I love the most ın lıfe-basketball, travel & tryıng to do somethıng good for God. I am here wıth Sportsreach, a Chrıstıan sports mınıstry that does trıps lıke thıs allover the world. Thıs ıs my thırd trıp wıth them. I have been to Chına twıce.
So far we have seen a lıttle of the cıty & eaten some great food. Over the next few days we wıll partıcıpate ın the Unıversıty Sportsfest-a mulıtsport, multınatıonal games put on by one of the unıversıtıes here ın Istanbul. A sort of mını-Olympıcs, ıf you wıll. Two of our players at Lıpscomb are here (Brandon Brown & Mıchael Teller) along wıth seven other kıds from dıfferent schools. I am assıstant coach of the team.
We also hope to see as much as of the sıghts the cıty has to offer. The promoters of the tournament wıll take us on a tour Thursday whıch wıll cover 5 or 6 major attractıons & we have Amerıcan frıends here that have been helpıng us fınd everythıng else. We covered alot of ground today ın addtıon to practıcıng twıce. I know thıs trıp ıs taxıng physıcally on the guys because I am draggıng a bıt & I don,t even have to play. I`m not sure ıf we`ve recovered from the trıp over yet, or ıf we even wıll. Hopefully more later. Please pardon the typos...I am typıng on a Turkısh keyboard.
So far we have seen a lıttle of the cıty & eaten some great food. Over the next few days we wıll partıcıpate ın the Unıversıty Sportsfest-a mulıtsport, multınatıonal games put on by one of the unıversıtıes here ın Istanbul. A sort of mını-Olympıcs, ıf you wıll. Two of our players at Lıpscomb are here (Brandon Brown & Mıchael Teller) along wıth seven other kıds from dıfferent schools. I am assıstant coach of the team.
We also hope to see as much as of the sıghts the cıty has to offer. The promoters of the tournament wıll take us on a tour Thursday whıch wıll cover 5 or 6 major attractıons & we have Amerıcan frıends here that have been helpıng us fınd everythıng else. We covered alot of ground today ın addtıon to practıcıng twıce. I know thıs trıp ıs taxıng physıcally on the guys because I am draggıng a bıt & I don,t even have to play. I`m not sure ıf we`ve recovered from the trıp over yet, or ıf we even wıll. Hopefully more later. Please pardon the typos...I am typıng on a Turkısh keyboard.
Istanbul
The next couple of weeks, we're going to try to be super detailed in our entries for Jay. For those of you who don't know, Jay is in Instanbul coaching a team and helping carry the Gospel. One of Jay's passion is travel. (he wants to do the Amazing Race with me but he thinks it will be better TV if my dad and I did it together.....Everytime I think about it I start laughing and how hilarious that would be. If it weren't for being away from my children....I'd certainly apply).
Anyway, Jay is out of pocket 12 days. On the 12th day before he returns, we're headed to get Willie and Ruby with their grandparents so I can go on my 12th annual girls beach trip. It may end up being 17 days before we see him and we're just so sad. Jay's our rock! (We love you, Daddy!) If you're thinking shouldn't I miss my beach trip???.....it's not really an option. It's a tradition and I meet up with 5 wonderful ladies who make me better than I was the year before. It's truly a renewing break--physically, mentally & spiritually. I'll be ready for such renewal after these 2 weeks and I can't wait to see some of my dear friends that I only get to see 1x a year.
Mother's Day was a sweet day with my children and dear friend Nicki Case and her boyfriend went to lunch with us. Loving Nicki's beau, Mark---he's a Mississippi boy and was kicker for USM. I told Willie about his glory days during lunch and Willie then impressed us all when he asked him if he punted or kicked goals. I didn't realize he had such a handle on the game's dynamics.
Last night, was a big party for us to send off our AD to Pepperdine. The party was held at the Ezell's home on Lealand. Willie was in heaven with their rock walls, pinball machines, basketball courts & ice cream parlor. The party had a super turn-out and Ruby rode my hip most of the night (which was preferred considering her high interest in their pool) with her pouty lips and then shy smile. By the time of the special presentation though, she was warmed up and talking so loud I was starting to get some stares. Everyone was asking about you, Jay. The Mankin's, Sanderson's and Rosenthal's all were very helpful keeping up with the children. Willie did run about 100 yards ahead upon arriving. Stood on their front steps and yelled back...."Do you want me to go on in?" If you know Willie's accent......you know that I in my old uptight days I would have been mortified. I opted to motion him around back to the "outside" party where I found him hunkered on the side of the pool trying to touch the water and just cackling. He was out of control basically, but thanks to good friends and very nice toys (like rock walls and real bball courts) saved the day. We actually stayed until well past our bed times.
Anyway, Jay is out of pocket 12 days. On the 12th day before he returns, we're headed to get Willie and Ruby with their grandparents so I can go on my 12th annual girls beach trip. It may end up being 17 days before we see him and we're just so sad. Jay's our rock! (We love you, Daddy!) If you're thinking shouldn't I miss my beach trip???.....it's not really an option. It's a tradition and I meet up with 5 wonderful ladies who make me better than I was the year before. It's truly a renewing break--physically, mentally & spiritually. I'll be ready for such renewal after these 2 weeks and I can't wait to see some of my dear friends that I only get to see 1x a year.
Mother's Day was a sweet day with my children and dear friend Nicki Case and her boyfriend went to lunch with us. Loving Nicki's beau, Mark---he's a Mississippi boy and was kicker for USM. I told Willie about his glory days during lunch and Willie then impressed us all when he asked him if he punted or kicked goals. I didn't realize he had such a handle on the game's dynamics.
Last night, was a big party for us to send off our AD to Pepperdine. The party was held at the Ezell's home on Lealand. Willie was in heaven with their rock walls, pinball machines, basketball courts & ice cream parlor. The party had a super turn-out and Ruby rode my hip most of the night (which was preferred considering her high interest in their pool) with her pouty lips and then shy smile. By the time of the special presentation though, she was warmed up and talking so loud I was starting to get some stares. Everyone was asking about you, Jay. The Mankin's, Sanderson's and Rosenthal's all were very helpful keeping up with the children. Willie did run about 100 yards ahead upon arriving. Stood on their front steps and yelled back...."Do you want me to go on in?" If you know Willie's accent......you know that I in my old uptight days I would have been mortified. I opted to motion him around back to the "outside" party where I found him hunkered on the side of the pool trying to touch the water and just cackling. He was out of control basically, but thanks to good friends and very nice toys (like rock walls and real bball courts) saved the day. We actually stayed until well past our bed times.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Ruby's check up and Willie's funny thoughts
Ruby girl registered off the charts again wtih her height for her 15 month check-up. She's 34 inches....she's nearly 3 feet tall and only 15 months old. She is between 25-26 pounds which was close to 90 percentile and her head is in proporiton (thankfully). Her favorite activity is playing shapes with the retro shape sorter that was Jay's as a kid. (You know the tupperware red/blue version.) She wakes up asking for "shapes." She also has an affinity for outdoor play and balls much like Willie had and has.
Willie has an obsession (for the last 3 months at least) with visiting Utah. I told him we could go when he was a little older. He casually replied, "you mean when I'm in the pros?" He knows there are different levels of sporting competitions. He just doesn't know that everyone doesn't play at all levels. One day he asked me if I was in the pro's. To which I replied, I'm a pro mommy. He seemed satified, and as a pro mommy I am telling him to do what he loves and do his very best.....who knows...he may be in the pros one day.
Tonight Willie played cup baseball at LU baseball game. Tonight was so peaceful at the field with the kids playing hard and the bat pinging. We're treasuring this week before Daddy heads to Istanbul next week. Oh, yes, more updates to come on his upcoming trip.
Willie has an obsession (for the last 3 months at least) with visiting Utah. I told him we could go when he was a little older. He casually replied, "you mean when I'm in the pros?" He knows there are different levels of sporting competitions. He just doesn't know that everyone doesn't play at all levels. One day he asked me if I was in the pro's. To which I replied, I'm a pro mommy. He seemed satified, and as a pro mommy I am telling him to do what he loves and do his very best.....who knows...he may be in the pros one day.
Tonight Willie played cup baseball at LU baseball game. Tonight was so peaceful at the field with the kids playing hard and the bat pinging. We're treasuring this week before Daddy heads to Istanbul next week. Oh, yes, more updates to come on his upcoming trip.
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