If anyone is still out there checking in??? I am still around and getting through each day one day at a time. I apologize for not keeping the site as current as I would like but I have been real busy with Holiday activities, shopping, family etc that when I did have some down time I just did not feel like doing anything that would involve any intellectual effort… so no blog.

The kids are doing remarkably well (I have many photos to post that will be coming soon). I as well as many friends and family have been doing a really good job of keeping them busy so they don’t have a whole lot of downtime to reflect on the major absence within our nuclear family unit. In fact they are currently down in south Texas near Crystal City, TX where my brother-in-law has just over 100 acres. Yes all three of them are down there with Lil Joe and Big Joe. I talked to Big Joe this afternoon and he said they are having a blast gathering wood, enjoying the campfire, eating dutch oven food and sundry other outdoors type activities.

I stayed behind to officiate in one on the biggest (and best) High School Holiday basketball tournaments in the country which just so happens to be held each year in Houston. The highlight of the tournament is coming up when I make my television debut tomorrow night at 10 pm central time on ESPN U. I am really excited about it and it gets even better in that I get to work with two good friends… Brad and Mel Whitworth! So if you have the “U” be sure to tune in and watch!!!

Additionally, I have been keeping very busy trying to have a little fun myself. In fact, Brad had a game at Southern Utah University and it just so happens that the best place to fly into for a game at SUU is Las Vegas!!! Wooo Hoooo! So Brad booked us each a ticket and a room at the Luxor and it was on!!! Our Friend JFLO joined us one day into the trip and we went to Brads game and played lots of poker… Brad and I did really well at “The Pokers” as we both came home $750 richer… JFLO not so much as he made a contribution to the players at the table… BOOOOOOO!

Tonight (since the kids are gone) I made the drive with Brad to San Antonio as he has a game tonight at UTSA. I have made myself comfortable here at the media table and am watching the kids warm up and the officials go through their pre-game duties…

Here I am at the media Table…

And here is Brad “Big Timer” Batt and one of his co-officals (Brent Dugas) taking a break from their pre-game duties to pose for the camera!

As soon as the ga me is over, we will load back up in the car and make the 3 1/2 hour drive back to H-town. I sure hope they don’t screw it up or worse… send it into overtime!!!

As far as Christmas goes… the kids did well and mopped up the gifts from Santa and other family and friends and the best I can say for me as that I made it through it. I went to the cemetery on Christmas afternoon with my dad and visited with Julie for a bit. Hallie wanted me to make sure Mommy had a “Christmas Tree” at her grave so I place four pine cones upright on her grave… one to represent each of us left behind. It was just hard… plain hard. Now, I just need to get through the New Year’s holdiay and my upcoming birthday. I think once that is done, I can try and invent our new routine and build a new “normal” in the Lyons Family lives.

More to come soon. I promise I won’t take as long between updates as I have between the last post and this one.

Thanks to all who have helped me get through the last several weeks, whether it be in person, phone or prayer. I can not do it with out all of you out there. Please continue to hold us (to include my in-laws) close in your thoughts and check in with me/us often.

YAY GOD!

-Brendan

Brad here… Once again, anything posted here is from me and subject to change (especially once Julie reads it! :))

Meals

A lot of people emailed me about meals — the response was great! I knew that friends from their kids school were providing some meals, but I didn’t know that they had been organized through mid-November! AWESOME!!!

So, I chatted with the head meal honcho — April Morazan — and she agreed to allow anyone from the blog to contact her regarding providing a meal. The best way to reach her is her mobile phone - 713-582-1833. You can also email her at morazan_aa@yahoo.com, but April says she’s more of a phone person than an email person (she had to explain this to me a few times, as this concept is completely foreign to me! :)).

Just coordinate your meal with April and she can let you know any futher details. Also, she has helped by picking up some of the meals and dropping them over herself. Thank you April!!! And thank you to everyone that has brought a meal over — I can tell you that it is a huge help!

Other ways to help

Also, I was blown away by those of you responding from literally across the country and around the world trying to figure out a way that you could provide a meal! Wow.

It looks like April has the meals pretty much covered through the school and others that have volunteered who are local here in Houston. However, I have something in mind for those of you out of state or country, so stay tuned to the blog… I will try to have a new update more quickly this time!

If you would like to send a card, care package, or anything to the family (some of you asked, and some have already sent things! Again — wow!) … Their home address is 8135 Clarion Way, Houston, TX 77040 (I considered not posting that here, but since you can Google “Brendan Lyons, Houston, TX” and it is at the top of the page, I guess all privacy concerns are out the window!)

Visits

Some of you emailed me to ask if Julie wants visitors. Well, obviously it depends on if she likes you or not! Kidding… Well, kind of — I have almost been kicked out a time or two!
I’m sure that Julie would love to see you, but there does need to be some coordination so that 20 people don’t show up at once! Plus, their schedule varies day to day, so it’s best to call and find out a good time.

Brendan has asked that anyone wanting to visit give him a call — his mobile is 281-850-1144 — or you can email him at Brendan@LyonsFamily.org.

I’d encourage you to call when you are on your way to see if they need anything… I’ve called a few times and picked up some food on the way — a pretty simple way to make the whole MDA experience a little more palatable (yes, pun intended!)

Anything else

If you can think of anything else, want to ask a question but don’t want to bother Bren and Jules, or need anything… Just send me an email at Brad@LyonsFamily.org

Post a comment!

Lastly… I was blown away by the comments — and I can tell you that Julie and Brendan read every one of them (along with hundreds of others that visit the blog). And it got me to thinking that this blog is much more powerful when the participation is both ways!

So, take a few minutes today and post a comment about Julie — maybe a story from your friendship or relationship with her. Something that you would like to share with others about her. If you have never met Julie, post a message of encouragement.

Calling All ARMY ANTS! Another Blog Hijack in progress from Angie and Sherri (julie’s sisters.) WE NEED YOU!

Please email us a picture of yourself with Julie or simply yourself if you have never met Julie! We want to make an ARMY collage poster to remind Julie daily of everyone that is supporting her right now. Don’t have time to find that perfect photo? Simply turn on the cell phone of yours, take a photo and send it over!Please email your photos and include your name (first and last, but it is up to you) and where you are from.

Please email to bearkat21@comcast.net as soon as you can please! YAY GOD for each and every Ant.