Jessica Turns 17

blurry photo (sorry). Everyone is very intense on the games.

Frannie and Atele

Andrew, Jessica and David

Don't interrupt the GAMES

Fun for everyone!

New game: Twister!

Jern Jern and David

I can't believe Jessica is 17 years old...WOW! Everyone is right - it does fly by. Even if you try to make the most of every moment, it still flies by. It was accentuated when Jessica's friend, Amanda gave her a BIG balloon that said, "RIP: Here lies your youth!" Wow, so "to the point" and true. Next year she will be 18 - an adult.

She had a fantastic night. Friends came over to play, pizza, snacks, drinks, more games...girls spent the night. Breakfast in the morning. Fun 100% of the time.

Game #17 - Bethlehem

This game was away (a long way away in Bartstown, KY - 1.2 hours drive on a Tuesday night) on 1/28/10. Nicole Bryant was still out with a broken finger. It's her thumb which is harder to tape than the four fingers Jessica has broken and played games.

Does Jessica look like "In your face girl?" Oh-yah!

Jessica trying to set up a play - somebody make a move!!

Got the pass

went to pivot, but there was nothing to do there, so Jessica passed the ball out to someone else.

Bethlehem was a very deflating game. They were ranked higher than us, but again...if we stayed focused we could win (with Nicole)...without Nicole it was going to be a loss, but the goal was to keep it close. Their team consisted of one super great player, #15 Hurst but she could sink the ball from anywhere.

First quarter: 9-20

Second quarter: 25-35 starting to make a comeback

Third quarter: we really need it right now, and we came out FLAT: 31-55

Fourth quarter: 41-68 (loss by 27) YUCK!

Jessica's stats: 4 points, 2 pass deflections, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 charge taken. She couldn't get many rebounds because #15 shots scored almost every time.

Game #16 - Spencer County

file:///Users/betsylowe/Desktop/Spencer%20Co%20294.jpg

Saturday - January 23, 2010, Jessica's team has a game against Spencer County. We are ranked above Spencer however, Nicole is out with a broken thumb! OH NO!

So the game didn't start out to good with Jessica and Olivia getting 2 fouls each in the first quarter. With Jessica and Olivia out we dug ourselves into a pit...10-17. Second quarter we really fight back, swing the score in our favor and take the lead ...24-21 (but it's still anyone's game). Third quarter we make a bigger lead 36-27 and everyone's so excited. Fourth quarter we maintain the lead but Spencer really fights back. Jessica fouled out near the end. Final score46-42. We win!!!

Jessica's stats: With Nicole out, Jessica really had to step up her offensive game - and she really did. 8 points, 2 pass deflections, 1 assist, 14 rebounds, 1 steal...5 fouls.

Game #15 - South Oldham

Marissa and I made signs to support the team!

Jessica setting a pick for Lucy Gibson #34.

Nicole on the shot and Jessica ready for the follow through (if needed)

There's Jessica in the middle of it again! Block her pass!

On January 20, 2010 - Jessica's 17th Birthday - her team had to play the biggest rival and an extremely good team - South Oldham High School. This team is ranked #3 while we are ranked #9. However, Walton Verona was ranked #1 and we only lost to them by 8 - so we have a chance if we play really hard and stay focused (don't turn over the ball).

First quarter: they scored, we scored, we scored! We are ahead. We are so excited the game is neck and neck until the last minute of the quarter where South gets hot. Quarter ends 12-9 (only down by 3 - totally doable!!!)

Second quarter: we fall apart. It's like we didn't believe we could do it. Score 19-31

Third quarter: we don't give up, but we don't go all out either. Score 28-35. At least we held them to four points.

Fourth quarter: we out score them, but it's not enough...Final score 39-54. Loss by 15

It wasn't the worst the girls had played, but it was sad to lose on Jessica's birthday. In reality this is the best we've scored against this team. We keep getting better! Watch out South - next year!!!

Jessica's stats: 4 points, 3 pass deflections, 2 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, 1 charge taken.

Game #14 - Oldham County

Friday night - double header - Girls Varsity and Boys Varsity! The girls played first. I (personally) was really stressed about the game and I wasn't even playing. I really wanted the girls to beat Oldham. They are a rival!!! They are ranked higher than us but only by a little bit. The problem is - it's an away game. We always do much better at home. YIKES! Second - the girls will be playing for a very large and loud crowd.

Okay, before I go any farther, I have to apologize for shouting so much at the game. The refs were probably the worst refs I have ever seen (EVER). One girl even pulled Jessica's hair (like the girl in the BYU soccer game). I was outraged - (as only a mother would be).

As for the game: first quarter we weren't alive 8-16. Down by 8. Second quarter we fought back 22-28. Only down by 4. Third quarter is where we needed to come out super strong but we didn't (we scored 10 and they got 14) 32-41. Down by 9. Fourth quarter we scored 25 points but so did they - so we lost by 9: 55064. Bummer!

Jessica's stats: 3 points, 6 pass defections, 3 assists, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 blocked shot.

Game #13 - Whitefield Academy

Jessica's team played against Whitefield Academy on January 12, 2010. They had just lost two games in a row and were determined to fight back. You can see from the photos that Jessica was determined to give it her all.

Jessica always starts the game with the Jump! Go Jessica...

Jessica sets up a strong defense.

Look at the height of this rebound. First, look at where Jessica's heels are - level with Olivia's knees. Second, look at where Jessica's hands are - way above the other girl's. This is probably my favorite photo of Jessica's basketball career so far this year!

Up for a shot - it didn't go it, but it was a good shot to take.

They won the game 61-20. Take No Prisoners!

1st quarter: 12-5

2nd quarter: 26-9

3rd quarter: 47-13

4th quarter: 61-20

Jessica stats: 3 pass deflections, 4 assists, 8 rebounds, 7 steals, 1 blocked shot.

Game #12 - John Hardin

On January 9, 2010 Jessica's team played against John Hardin - a team down in Elizabethtown, KY. We didn't play our very best. After loosing to Walton Verona the girls would either come out pumped up to fight back or deflated from the loss. The were deflated. BOO!

Jessica didn't even have a great game. She was disappointed that she didn't score - it was like there was a plastic wrap around the top of the basket. She had 2 pass deflections, 1 assist, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 1 charge taken. She still leads the team in defense.

The lost 47-33. Better luck next game.

Robert's Last Pinewood Derby

January 2010 - Robert is a Webelo and this is his LAST Pinewood Derby race. Mark's been gone, so Betsy has been trying to help Robert with the car design. He's excited to present his silver ice car. It looks great, and came in weighing 50 grams exactly.

Robert, 10 years old

at his last Pinewood Derby

Dillion, Robert and Mark

Waiting to see which car will win

Robert's car came in 2nd this race

Robert had a great time at the Pinewood Derby. His car came in 4th for the Webelos.

I can't believe this is Robert's last Pinewood Derby - his days as a Cub Scout are numbered. He will bridge into Boy Scouts next month.

American Mothers, Inc. National Board Meeting Trip

Hi,

I left Louisville on Thursday for Burbank, CA with a lay over in Phoenix. Nobody told me I was flying directly into a huge tropical storm. YIKES! Our plane came in on a wing and a prayer in Phoenix...and that is where I was grounded.

I spent the night in Phoenix. Thank goodness there is always a good side to every story. Since my dad, niece, brother-in-law and nephew live in Phoenix I thought it would be great to see them. It didn't go quite that way...here is the story.

I get off the plane at 11:30. I board my connection at 12:00. We sit at the gate...we still sit. Burbank Airport is closed...we still sit. Now, Southwest is not flying any flights out of Phoenix. I'm stuck. I thought, "Hey, this isn't so bad ... I can see dad, Brenda, Jordan and Michelle, Robert, ..." I thought wrong. I made as many calls as I had numbers for, but I didn't even have everyone's phone numbers. I called Mark to get some, but still no answer. Finally, at 7:20 p.m. my dad calls back. I am already in a hotel by this point...had to book something. He comes over to the hotel despite the 60 mile hour winds blowing outside. We have a wonderful visit.

My fight leaves as scheduled the next morning and I finally arrive in Burbank to attend the American Mothers, Inc. National Board Meeting. Meetings go well, love visiting with other members and leaders. I decide I need to stay for the Saturday meetings since I came in late missing the Thursday meetings. This means, extending my stay and revising my flight. Done. Saturday's meetings ended around 12:30 p.m. and my flight doesn't leave Burbank until 2:30 p.m. on Sunday...what to do. I know...

rent a car and drive 2 1/2 hours to Ridgecrest, CA - where I grew up from ages 10.5-14. I drove out into the middle of the Majave Desert (there is nothing but sage brush and tumble weeds - no joke). Finally I see a small town down in the valley. It's Inyokern, Ridgecrest and China Lake Navel Weapon's Center. YAHOO! I drive straight to my house...like I still lived there. The people were so nice to let me walk around. I drive to all the places I used to go...church, Rainbow Girls, Johnny's Pizza Parlor, Penny's Pool, Albertson's Shopping Center...oh my goodness. Talk about a walk to remember. It was like I was that little girl again. Then I started to look up people that might still be there. I saw James and Danny Mower (my best friend's younger brothers) and Shirley Turner's (my other best friend) parents. Soon it was time to make that 2 1/2 hour drive back home.

What a great trip down memory lane. Although not all the memories were good, it was so nice to go back, after 30 years, to see the place I lived the longest in my life (before now).

Audios!

Game #11 - Walton Verona

Jessica's team played one of the top ranked teams in our region - Walton Verona. They fought hard but it just wasn't enough to win. They lost 33-41. Jessica had a good game with 3 points, 2 assists, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals.

Hopefully, they will not let this get them down. They still have two very tough teams to face back to back...Oldham County and South Oldham.

Devon is approved to start his Eagle project

YAHOO!!! Fianally, Devon has received approval to start working on his Eagle Project. This has been a long process (almost a year long).

At first, Devon wanted to build picnic tables for the Briar Hill Park since then Park eating area was burned down, but the Oldham County Parks and Recs replaced the tables while Devon was in the process of getting that project approved. YIKES!

Okay, now Devon has to come up with a new project. I asked Devon to think of something that he was really passionate about (so that it would maintain his interest - and not just be a project to earn Eagle). Devon is very passionate about saving the Earth, recycling, etc. That is where he came up with his second idea - to provide NOHS with proper recycling containers for the classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium and hallways.

Devon wrote up his Eagle project, submitted it and it was rejected stating that Devon was doing too much of the work. He rewrote the project taking himself out of any work, submitted it and again was rejected, however not for a legitimate reason. The District Eagle Reviewer told Devon he would have to raise the money collecting recycling products instead of collecting donations (as it clearly states in the Eagle handbook that you can earn money by collecting donations). To simplify the process Devon agreed to change his project one more time to include the collection of recycling metals as a means of raising money for his project. He left a line stating he would also accept donations.

Devon finally has signatures and the troops support! He is ready to work on his Eagle! I am so proud of him for not giving up after receiving rejections. What a good lesson to learn.

SNOW DAYS -- Thursday and Friday

Wednesday night everyone was praying for snow. Although we had hoped for a white Christmas and that didn't happen, it was nice to think we were going to get snow. The weather prediction is for 2-4 inches. All the kids where hoping to get out of school. When we woke up there wasn't any snow on the ground, but school had been canceled. Wow! Then, the flakes started falling from the sky . . . it was snowing. All day it snowed - sometimes it was a light snow fall, and other times it looked like a blizzard. At the end of the day, it must have snowed 4 inches.

Jessica babysat for the Blocks until 3:00. The rest of us stayed home - Devon shoveled the driveway (sort of), Marissa and Jern Jern played in the snow, and Robert went to play at Aaron's. Robert, Aaron, Jackson, Marissa and Jern Jern had a snow ball fight at Aaron's house - forts and everything!

At 3:30 everyone went sledding. Robert went sledding with Matthew Block. Devon stayed to play at the Heagy, so it was the girls time together. First the little hill behind Kelly's house. This was Jern Jern's first time sledding. There wasn't anyone at the little hill so I drove the kids over to the big hill. While they were sledding I ran to the pharmacy to pick up the medicine for me ear (ear infection). The pharmacy was taking a very long time to fill my perscription, so before I could get back to drive the girls home, they were too cold and decided to walk home. Marissa was so cold she started crying. I felt so bad when they called me from home.

As much as I love snow days, there is a part of them that I don't like - that is that the kids seem to forget all responsibility - I have no idea why this happens. I felt like I was reminding them and reminding them all day. It was so frustrating, especially from my perspective that they had no other responsibilities...so it should be that hard - right?

Anway, the day ended with a wonderful dinner, games, and watching the Alabama vs. Texas game with daddy.

Champions 2nd year in a row

Congratulations to Robert and his 3v3 soccer team. He plays 3v3 with Mason Rice, Parker Vicich, Eric Kirby and Tyler Scholten. This is a great group of boys that play soccer so well together.

Mason Rice, Eric Kirby, Parker Vicich, Robert Lowe & Tyler Scholten

The fabulous team!!!