Happy Birthday, April and Hailey!

She's my first cousin (our mothers are sisters) and my second cousin (our fathers are first cousins), but she's more like a sister to me. She's a confidante, defender, fashion icon, spiritual advisor, comedienne, and best friend all rolled into one. She's wise, intuitive, and knock-down gorgeous. There's no one like her in the world. She loves me deeply, and I don't know what I would do without her. My regular readers know who she is, and today is her special day.

Let's make it all about you today, April! You know I love you, girl!


April's daughter, Hailey, celebrates her birthday on Saturday. Happy birthday, Pussycat!





Okay, I confess, beauty runs in our family . . . .

Nathan and Hailey

August 2007

When the Hoods came through Florida on their way back to Jamaica last August, I took this picture of Nathan and his cousin Hailey, April's youngest daughter, by the aquarium at Joto's. It reminded me of some pictures I had taken of them six years earlier.

July 2001

Earlier, when I was planning what I would write in this post and thinking about these pictures, something triggered my memory. When I checked out the pictures, I was right. Some things never change.

Halloween 2006

If you still don't know what I'm talking about, check out Hailey's head in the last two pictures. Once a Pussycat, always a Pussycat.

Here's another shot I found of Nathan and Hailey at his first birthday party at Alderman's Ford.

July 2002

First Day of School for My Little Jamaican

Nathan started first grade Monday at Montego Bay Christian Academy. I talked to him Monday afternoon and he seems happy to be back in the classroom, or at least with children his own age. Of course Nathan has always loved school.


Uncle Howie was concerned at first when he saw the cubicle, but after a chat with Carla, I think it's going to be okay. Carla said they call the cubicles offices, and the children turn their chairs around during instruction. I just didn't want Nathan to be stuck in a box writing in workbooks and raising a flag when he needed help.

I was also concerned about Nathan being prepared for FCAT when Todd and Carla return to Florida on furlough. Nathan will be in third grade. Carla assured me that she will teach him the Sunshine State Standards so he won't be behind. I'm sure Nathan will have many wonderful experiences in a Jamaican school that American kids will miss, and those experiences won't be tested on the almighty FCAT!

Carla and I were reminiscing a bit about our days at Asuncion Christian Academy when we were missionary kids in Paraguay. I hope Nathan grows to love MBCA like we loved ACA.

Check out my nephew in that cute uniform! I wish students at Tomlin wore uniforms.

Do good, Nathan!