Howdy!  Jemima Mae Hodges here.  I am still busy as ever, raising my son, Tiyavious Ri'chard, who continues to achieve great things, even with having Down syndrome.

My husband, Kirkland, helps us, as do his older brother Calvin, 13, and older sister, Michelle, who's fifteen.  They dote on their little brother; they just love him to death!  In addition, he has three younger brothers:  Cooper (9), DelRay (7), and Floyd (6).  He loves playing with his little brothers.

Tiyavious did not make it to the televised round of America's Got Talent, unfortunately.  We were so disappointed; he tried so hard!  Maybe next year:  he's still got that angelic voice; we will try again when the tryouts come here to Nashville.  We don't give up that easily; Tiyavious has never been a quitter; maybe that's one reason why he does so well in a lot of different things!

Speaking of singing, Tiyavious will be singing during the Christmas Cantata at our church (Christ Community Assembly of God).  He will be singing a solo:  he'll be singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas".  He's been practicing hard, does really good with the song.  It's one of my favorites.  Everytime I hear my baby sing it, I can't help but cry, it's that beautiful!

Tomorrow Tiyavious will be singing during the city's Veteran's Day tribute:  he's been slated to sing the National Anthem.  I know he will do a great job; he always does.  He loves singing for our brave men and women who fought in the war or those who are fighting now; he wishes he could do more for them so they don't have to worry or struggle in life.  He has always had a soft spot for our Veterans.

Maybe it's because his uncle Rindell fought in the last Gulf War and came back with both legs missing.  It really hurt him to see his uncle like this because the two of them used to play football or baseball together; now his uncle can't do that.  His uncle has really been down in the dumps; it breaks my heart to see my brother being a shell of his former self.  He used to be so happy:  now he sits there in his wheelchair, waiting to die.  He feels he has nothing left to live for.  I worry about him constantly, and so does Tiyavious.

I hope to see my brother at the tribute tomorrow; it would mean so much to Tiyavious; he loves him so much!  He's his favorite uncle.

Tiyavious has won two more awards for his swimming; he swims like a fish! 

In addition, he is entering a video game tournament this weekend; first prize is $1,000 cash.  That would come in handy with Christmas coming up! :)  I pray he wins!!!!  He has been practicing hard; his favorite game is PacMan, which is something I used to play when I was his age.  Funny how some things come back!

Well, I am in the middle of cooking red beans and rice for supper, and I don't want to burn it, so I'd best go.  I will write in here again; pray that Tiyavious makes it to the AGT audition for next season, and pray that he wins the $1,000 in the game tournament this weekend!  I would greatly appreciate it, and I know he would, too!

Take care and may God bless you always!

~Love, your friend, Jemima Mae Hodges, Tiyavious' mama.  :)