My name is Galveston Jacob Hurst.  I was born here in Buffalo, New York, 10 years ago.  My parents were born in Texas, in Galveston; that was how I got my first name.  They wanted to have something to remember Galveston by, so that is how they named me, as a reminder.

My parents left Texas because they lost their jobs and they wanted to go somewhere where jobs were more plentiful at the time.  They hated to leave, but they had no other choice.  So that is why I was born in New York, right in the heart of Snowbelt Country.

As I write this, it's snowing to beat the band out.  Several inches are forecast with even more possible tonight.  It's really bad out, so we are all staying in, where it is a lot warmer.  Tonight we are having chili and fried potatoes for supper.  I smell it cooking on the stove and it smells very good.  

I have two brothers: Bolivar Michael (8) and Murdock Payton (5).  We also have a sister: Marina Dolphine, who is 12.  Bolivar, Murdock, and myself were born in New York, but Marina was born in Galveston, lust like Mama and Daddy.  I get along with my brothers fairly well, but Marina can be a pain.

Mama is a school teacher and Daddy works at a tire factory.  

Daddy and Mama both wish that they could move back to Galveston; they miss the Gulf, the beach, and  the warmer temps.  I have been there myself, several times, and I can see why Mama, Marina, and Daddy love it so much.  Right now I wouldn't mind moving TO Galveston; for one thing it's a lot warmer there than it is here in Buffalo!  And it is a very rare thing when it does snow there!

We may not have school tomorrow if the snow doesn't let up.  If that is the case, I can then sleep in and be a slugbug.  :)

Mama does have to take Bolivar to the doctor's for his check up.  Bolivar has spina bifida and lately he's been having blinding headaches, which can mean one thing: his shunt could be leaking or blocked up somehow.  I hope not, for that might mean more surgery for him.  I will just have to pray that if Bolivar does have surgery he will be okay and come through it without any issues.

I wish Mama could get out of taking Bolivar to the doctor's, but no go.  He has to go; if something isn't done he could only end up having more problems and that would not be a good thing at all!

We also won't go to church tonight.  We go to Heaven's Rest Church of God here in Buffalo; I was eight when I accepted Christ (Bolivar's age).  I am so glad I did because that can mean I have the assurance that I will be in Heaven when I die or when Jesus comes back (whichever happens first; personally I hope it's the latter that happens beforehand!).

I guess that means I can watch "America's Funniest Home Videos" and then "Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition" before calling it a night; I'm usually in bed by nine anyway on Sundays because we have school the next day.

Well, Mama just called: supper's just about ready; she wants us kids to wash up and brush our hair before going to the table; she says we look like a bunch of ragamuffins.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Galveston Hurst saying so long! May God bless you real good!

~Galveston.  :)

~To be continued.~