tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80740852009-02-21T06:53:00.916-05:00kccjr2noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-82826689537163576432008-07-08T23:19:00.003-04:002008-07-08T23:46:11.861-04:00

Well two more days of fun in Bloomington IN and at least two more to go (but hopefully three).Monday, the first day of championship bracket play, the team played inspired and went 2-0, including the best game I have seen them play against the White Rose Stars that knocked them out of the Nationals last year. The struggling to score was stopped with a nice 73-57 victory over a good Stars team.

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-47469174576352140062008-07-06T22:43:00.002-04:002008-07-06T23:01:36.592-04:00

Bloomington IN is about 185 miles from Centerville OH and has been a pretty cool place to visit so far...Given the 11U team did not attend a Nationals this year, Naddiyah was ecstatic to get the opportunity to join the Dayton Lady Hoopstars 12U White team at the D-II championships in Bloomington. It has been a great nationals already and we are not even into the bracket play yet. What makes it

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-10453767999870106872008-06-29T22:58:00.001-04:002008-07-01T17:20:28.416-04:00

With basketball as busy as it was, I opted on Father's Day to take a rain check on my present and gave the boy's a promise that we would have a boy's day out on the same day. It has been a few weeks, but the day of total male domination was here (I would make jokes, but this is a family site, so move on and stop thinking about it).I begun the day by going off to Hausfeld's to get my full body

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-28177210287158605162008-06-24T14:40:00.005-04:002008-06-24T14:49:28.776-04:00

This was a brief interruption of your blah blah day for a little bit of color in your life. If you don't see a lot of color in this picture, then consider yourself pinkedy pinkified!

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-13547290570418914222008-06-23T06:45:00.003-04:002008-06-23T07:07:37.952-04:00

The 6th annual Girls Basketball Association (GBA) National Championships held at Sports Plus and McGee's Courts4Sports in Cincinnati this year was the final tournament for the DLH 11 Black team this year. It was a great turn out with 20 teams in our age group with good competition.In typical fashion, we have to keep everyone on the edge of their seats, so we come out losing our first game

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-66735819610720849382008-06-10T22:04:00.001-04:002008-06-11T15:14:02.679-04:00

It seems like things have been overly rough this AAU season for me and I guess the Hoopstars as a whole. It is a wonder these 8 - 16 year kids can come week after week and play the game of basketball with the joy they should.Mark Thompson, one of the DLH coaches for the 15 & under age group, unexpectedly passed away last night. Mark was very upbeat and a pleasure to be around. He will surely

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-66411534952116356362008-06-10T13:21:00.004-04:002008-06-10T14:06:24.867-04:00

Well, it took seven tournaments, but Naddiyah's team is finally above 500. They are a great group of 11 year old girls, so it has been a joy to watch them grow to the level they displayed in this past weekend's tournament at the Kingdom Sports Center in Franklin OH.We were playing up in the 12 & under division which we won in very good style. The girls played like a team the entire way, moving

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-62576808898445164862008-06-06T14:16:00.001-04:002008-06-06T14:18:14.400-04:00

This time spent cherish Iwith you, feeling celestial bliss,for 'round you cherubs fly;your face angels, I think, did kiss.Those places gone cherish Iwith you, touring heavenly sights,for around you my eye --sees clear, navigating dark nights.Better for me is everything -with you, even larks, dumb, sing!The songs heard cherish Iwith you, fathoming sweetest sounds.On sensual rhythms liewe two, in

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-57637832729341918232008-06-04T22:54:00.002-04:002008-06-11T16:02:09.932-04:00

Worked from home today, so I could attend Kaleb's end of year pizza party at lunch time. It was pretty cool. There classroom theme is all about frogs. There were frog pictures, stuffed animals, sayings, stickers, books, ribbit -- oh sorry -- everywhere.We are NOT sure if the third grade is ready for Kaleb, but he is ready for the third grade. He is gunho for book club, cub scout day camp, and

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-17437469849458939792008-05-30T15:44:00.001-04:002008-06-11T15:53:52.860-04:00

Centerville Primary Village South did a pretty cool celebration for the end of An's Kindergarten year: Donuts And Dads. It was awesome! An was so excited for me to be at her school in the week before hand that she had her outfit all picked out that she changed to an even fancier dress like ensemble in Centerville black and gold spirit.First there was boredom...Then there was singing...Then the

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-50368248682122470552008-05-22T22:21:00.003-04:002008-06-11T15:38:56.125-04:00

Kevin, Jr. at his chorus group's performance at Dayton Dragon's game.He was so excited and they actually sounded really good singing the national anthem. The Dragons didn't do too well that day, but it was all worth it for the Centerville parents who were in attendance as the kids rocked the house.The entire Cross clan enjoyed it as they had all sorts of over priced junk from the ball park

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-3911320499684550012008-05-19T23:49:00.005-04:002008-05-19T23:58:53.122-04:00

It is amazing what the laughter of your kids can do to your own happiness. For too long my focus was to work and work, thinking that was what I could provide to best serve those I love. However, as I slowly learn how to take the time to love the little moments with my life, my family, I find that those little moments are the most precious.Just having Kyler in my hands for a few minutes or talking

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-56314496560886112452008-05-19T14:54:00.002-04:002008-05-19T15:05:51.633-04:00

I shared the poem Invictus (Unconquerable) by William Ernest Henley with the girls on Sunday as I felt with all they have gone through this season and the growth/resilience they have shown that they embodied these words I had read when I was around their age.Out of the night that covers me,Black as the Pit from pole to pole,I thank whatever gods may beFor my unconquerable soul.In the fell clutch

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-9296078130357914152008-05-19T10:03:00.004-04:002008-05-21T07:39:31.448-04:00

Well it has been several months without a word, but of course life and basketball has continued.After my middle school season came to an end, I could turn my attention back to the kids basketball tournaments in March. Kaleb's team (2nd grade recreation) was knocked out in first round; Kevin's team (4th grade recreation) made it all the way to the championships and finished runner-up to best team

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-87770592732533903182008-01-26T09:18:00.000-05:002008-01-26T09:25:05.298-05:00

Well, this was my first season as head coach of a middle school team and it was quite interesting.This year seems to have much earlier ending that last year, so we are embarking on our end of season tournament today -- that's right, January Madness, baby!!There is a big difference in coaching middle school students as I found coaching a 12 and under AAU team this past summer, but school team with

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-9933265078675812142007-11-24T11:11:00.000-05:002008-05-21T07:40:43.214-04:00

Happy thanksgiving, all.I hope all enjoyed the holidays and the joys of "Black Friday" if you are an avid shopper like Zay. I think everyone had a great time at Thanksgiving dinner here in OH, except myself who was home sick and in-bed.At least it gave my knee some time to heal.Anyway, this one won't be long. Just wanted to get back to keeping in touch...Peace.

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-73587608425901835542007-09-15T21:27:00.000-04:002007-09-15T21:33:59.763-04:00

Pittsburgh is a lot closer to OH than I thought. I knew it was close, but I drove here today with a couple of guys from work and it only took four hours, including a pit stop in Cambridge OH.Up here for work and it is pretty nice area. We came out of the office building around 7:30p and the sky was lit kind of cool from the setting sun. Anyway, if you are ever passing through OH an don't mind

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-86391429352174485362007-09-15T18:14:00.000-04:002008-05-21T07:40:43.214-04:00

Well Ramadhan is here again.Hopefully it is going well for all. I had my first experience taking a certification exam yesterday after getting not much sleep Tuesday and Wednesday and then having fasted all morning before the 12p test. It was rough, but proved that the fast helps keep focus and you can do more things if you put your spirit into it.I can now say that I am a Sun Certified Java

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-44324327212865534832007-09-15T11:03:00.000-04:002008-02-09T09:48:25.545-05:00

Naddiyah and the 10 and under Dayton Lady Hoopstars team finished 7th in the nation at this years National Championships for girls AAU Basketball. The trip was extremely fun as the games are held in Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando FL.It was worth seeing the determination Nadi showed in the second to last game her team played as she drove the full length of the court fully

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-15355406118339080842007-06-28T19:46:00.000-04:002007-06-28T20:12:49.824-04:00

On Friday, June 22nd, 2007, we set out on a mission to drive the arduous journey from Centerville OH to Masonville NY. After diving through Columbus OH, we detoured in Burbank OH, but we pressed on filled with the nutritious goodness that is McDonald's.Onward we drove through Erie PA and Jamestown NY until we reach Alleghany where we found - pause for dramatic effect - PIZZA! Never mind the town

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-17200355311310104042007-05-28T10:43:00.000-04:002007-05-28T11:22:30.167-04:00

Hope everyone is enjoying the day off. Remember, the best way to celebrate the life of those who gave their lives to ensure we continue to do what they fought so hard for: the pursuit of happiness. ;)That means break out the BBQ pits and enjoy the day.The boys and I had the pleasure of attending the annual grave decorating ceremony at Dayton National Cemetery, the 2nd largest veteran's cemetery

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-798307952037475662007-05-02T21:41:00.000-04:002007-05-02T21:43:52.042-04:00

Chips and dip;Jelly and cheese.Capri-suns, you sip;Go-gurts, you squeeze.--k. christopher cross

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-43864995427457345302007-04-21T22:46:00.001-04:002007-04-23T10:40:44.021-04:00

At roughly 70 miles north of Centerville OH, we have found the following to be true about Wapakoneta or at least the BP gas station we visited which right off the I75 exit with a population 4 until we rolled into town.+The slushes are GREAT according to the boys.+The coffee sucks according to me.+You can leave your car keys not only in your car, but also in the ignition. Not saying I personally

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-16065242144154611802007-04-21T22:19:00.001-04:002007-04-23T08:32:55.562-04:00

Well, I guess I am a basketball fanatic even though I rarely see a NBA or WNBA game anymore. With Naddiyah deep into AAU, I am apparently crazy enough to volunteer as an AAU coach for the fourth team at the 12 & under age group. That's right, I am trying to see the better parts of Naddiyah's 10 & under team run their way to nationals while working towards strength with my own team on Nadi's off

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8074085.post-21549932657037496402007-04-17T18:16:00.001-04:002007-04-17T18:22:21.976-04:00

"I've known rivers:I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than theflow of human blood in human veins.My soul has grown deep like the rivers.I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young.I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep.I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it.I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincolnwent down to New Orleans, and I've

kccjr2noreply@blogger.com0