Loss of a Job...But it Never Really was a Job.

Hip-Hop, the 76ers mascot is no more. On Thursday as Bill was driving in to work, he was listening to sports radio. The talk show host (I won't name names because his name doesn't deserve to be mentioned on my blog) asked the new owners if Hip-Hop was going to be fired. "I've got a big pot of boiling water, let's have some rabbit stew!".
Bill called me with a feeling that it would be his last day...and it was. He was so thankful to be able to thank all the amazing friends & co workers for 14 years of fun. Bill loved his job. It was the perfect job for my energetic-can't-sit-still- let-me-entertain-you husband. We never saw it as a job...it was a way of life for our whole family. Parades, zoos, movie premieres, dunk shows, games, parties...all these things we were able to do as a family. So many skits on the court involved the kids, me, Bill's mom, Madison's soccer team. It was a family thing...wonderful for that fact.
So on Friday morning as Bill walked downstairs and announced " Well...today is the first day of a new season in our lives!" We all cried. We are still so sad to say goodbye to the friends that we have met along the way & the wonderful opportunities we have had as a family. Some things we are not sad to leave. Game nights...Bill working all day and not arriving home till 11pm. Exhausted. The sheer physicalness (is that even a word?) of the job. Him having to be up and energetic even when he is exhausted...he won't miss. Endless piles of sweaty clothes and sweaty stinky rabbit heads hanging in my house...I won't miss.
I typed up a little history of Hip-Hop HERE. It tells Bill's story. We have kept Hip-Hop's identity secret for 14 years. I feel like people should know what an amazing man he is. I want to send it to the press. Bill said no...so I won't. But if I could I would ask them, along with mister talk radio guy...

Did you know that the man in the costume prayed each and every time before he walked out on the court?
Did you know that he was a national champion and the first man to score a perfect 10 in National Championship history?
Did you know he cried inside his rabbit costume when he visited a sick child in the hospital?
Did you know he endured 3 major surgeries during the 14 years and risked his life at times to entertain you?

So what will we do now? We are not sure. Bill will be coaching at the girls gymnastics club more often. His resume is complete and we will be sending it out. We have been praying alot. Praying that the Lord would show us the way. He answered us as I read in Isaiah 30:


"He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it He answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying 'This is the way, walk in it'.


Teacher, Our Lord, we will wait to hear your voice from behind us saying "This is the way, walk in it."

Hip-Hop 1997-2011

Hip-Hop & His Friend

Meet Mini Hip-Hop

A digital slideshow by Smilebox

This Rabbit Has All the Fun

Here's a nice shot of Hip-Hop meeting the mayor of Philadelphia & making him wear a silly hat to celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday.
You get to have all the fun Hip-Hop! And who is that guy looking at you...is that the mayor's bodyguard? He's watching you like..."one slight move bunny...and your mine!"...maybe he's just wondering why your ears are crooked :)

Musical Chairs 2010

I am so grateful that Bill's job provides so many fun opportunities for our kids. On Friday Hip-Hop did his anual musical chairs skit on court at the game. Matthew was out first as Hip-Hop picked him up and ran him out of the game. Boos began. Then Madison got pushed out of the way. Boos got louder. Finally, little A once again fought Hip-Hop for the final chair and was victorious! Everyone cheered. Here is a cute picture of my sweet Adrienne...the winner once again!!

Hip-Hop SAVED!?

I have often said that I doubt that Hip-Hop is a Christian with his proud, mischievous ways...always trying to be the center of attention, pushing little girls out of the way to win a game, and stealing shoes from unlucky young boys. Well, I think this photo from today shows he finally may have seen the light! Even large grey rabbits are not out of reach from God's hands!!! :)

Hip-Hop's Friend

Hip-Hop did a reading program at at Lancaster school this morning and met a new friend. Triangle Man was a big help for Hip-Hop today & I heard they got along like brothers...(a little hint for those of you who were wondering who is Triangle Man). All I have to say is you better be on your best behavior John...cause I got some incriminating pictures...haha!

Hip-Hop Music or the Rabbit?

I had to post this shot of Madison and her swim team friends during a JV meet. There was music playing & the 3 girls were dancing...too cute. So I grabbed my camera and told the girls to do their best "Hip-Hop" pose. Madison's 2 friends got the idea...then I looked at my daughter, slightly confused. Why does she look like a rabbit? Ah yes...obviously because to her, Hip-Hop is a rabbit...lovingly known as...her dad.

Cleared!

Bill saw his doctor yesterday and he has been cleared for everything...running, jumping, dunking, flipping...everything. It has been 8 months since the surgery & 9 months since the injury. Praise God who is Faithful and Loving.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Musical Chairs

Ok, Ok...now that I'm addicted to Facebook (not a good thing) I have been slacking on my blog. Here's a picture of my 5 year old Adrienne after she won Hip Hop's musical chairs on Wed night at the Sixers game. It was so fun to watch all the kids out on the court with daddy...I mean Hip-Hop. Basically my 3 kids & one of Bill's friend's son were led out onto the court & the game began. Hip Hop cheated multiple times, pushing kids out of the way so he could get a chair...what a BULLY!! Until finally it was between A & Hip-Hop. The music stopped, they both grabbed the chair & A stepped on Hip-Hop's foot to win the game...Go Adrienne!!! The picture shows Hip-Hop in the background trying to recover from falling down. Maybe I could download the video too...(If I could figure out how).

A Little Inspiration

Last night at the Hare Raiser dunking practice, Bill started flipping off the trampoline. It has been about 7 months since he tore his ACL/PCL in his knee while performing. It has been a long & tiring journey for Bill so I wanted to do a post today to encourage him.

Bill has been spending 3 days a week in therapy...now his therapy sessions last 3 hours and leave Bill feeling exhausted. He still has the "go-all-out-or go-home" attitude he's always had from his competing days. He also continues to lift weights and has also recruited friends & co-workers at the center to run stairs with him. Even after all of this rehab to get his body back into shape so he can continue to provide for his family, he still comes home every night ready to spend time with us. He continues to help out a lot at home, willing to fold clothes, vacuum, and also takes the time to read to the kids every night he is home. Honey I am so proud of how you have persevered through this trial. You have never given up and have never given in to fear. You have stepped out of the boat and continued to keep your eyes on Jesus...for this the Lord is pleased! Keep up the hard work baby, we are cheering you on all the way!!

By the way...I found these old pictures of Bill on the web & thought they would be fitting to post today. Though you performed greater feats back then, you were no match for the kind of man you are today!!

Like Father Like Son

I just had to share these pictures of Hip-Hop holding Matthew during the start of a Sixers game a few weeks ago. Matthew ran out onto the court to give Hip-Hop a hug. Hip-Hop acted quite surprised and then carried Matthew who gave high-fives to a few players and then balanced Matthew on his hand for a good 10 seconds. He made his momma proud, hamming it up just like his daddy!

He's Back!

Yes it's true...Hip-Hop is back on the scene walking, running and doing his usual silly antics. His new knee brace is custom-made red, white, and blue. You won't see him hopping, jumping or flipping just yet but maybe if the Sixers make playoffs you'll see him fly through the air once again. He has been busy strengthening the knee in rehab 3x a week for 2 hours and on top of that he has recruited some of the Sixers employees to run stairs with him on his lunch break. Go Hip-Hop Go! We love you and are praying for a complete recovery!

The Latest on Hip-Hop

Press Release:

76ERS PLACE HIP-HOP ON INJURED RESERVE: POPULAR MASCOT TO BEGIN REHABILITATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

YOUNG FANS ENCOURAGE TO SEND CARDS AND WELL WISHES FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY

Philadelphia, Pa. – August 4, 2008 – The Philadelphia 76ers today placed their mascot Hip-Hop on the injured reserve list after the popular and entertaining mascot suffered an injury to his knee while attempting one of his sky-walking dunks for a group of children.

Effective immediately, Hip-Hop is beginning an extensive rehabilitation program.

"We expect Hip-Hop to make a full recovery," said Senior Vice President of Business Operations Lara Price. "We know how badly he wants to return and we know how much his fans are looking forward to him getting back on the court to perform the dunks that made him famous."

Hip-Hop, a 10-year veteran, has only missed one game since joining the club after attending college at John "Hop" Kins University. The only time he was forced to miss action was due to birth of his first bunny, during Game Five of the 2001 NBA Finals.

Hip-Hop is determined to return to form in time for the start of the regular season. The Sixers have created a dedicated space at SIXERS.COM where fans can monitor his progress every "hop" of the way.

Young fans are encouraged to send "Get Well" cards which can be dropped in a mailbox located in Hip-Hop’s Garden for Kids at the Wachovia Center, or via mail to:

Hip-Hop’s Health Watch
C/o Philadelphia 76ers
The Wachovia Center
3601 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA, 19148

Playoffs Begin With a Win!?

It was exciting to watch the Sixers beat the Pistons last night in our living room. The kids were chanting "Go Sixers!" and Bill & I were high-fiving each other. As you know the Sixers are the underdogs so for them to win game 1 in Detroit last night was huge. It is bitter sweet for me...on one hand I want our team to win...on the other, the better they do, the longer the season is...ugh! Game 3 is in Philly on Friday...check it out!

Acts of Benevolence

benevolence: n.1.An inclination to do good; kindliness; good will. 2. A kindly act.
Bill sent me this video clip (below) of Hip Hop and his community outreach...(see if you can guess who the little kids are watering the garden). When I saw the title of the video I realized I did not know what benevolence was...so I thought I would include the definition above...for all of you fellow simple-minded blondes.
I thought about how I am always telling the kids to be kind to each other & unfortunately on Saturday morning, nobody in our home was being kind...including mommy. It was a rough morning to say the least. Bill left for a game & the kids were crazy to get out of the house...as was I.
We traveled to Atlantic City to go swimming in the pool at Harrah's. Needless to say it was exactly what we all needed. The kids had a blast with Nana & Poppy (Bill's parents) and they even made an appointment for me to have a swedish massage at the Red Door Spa. This was amazing! I wore a cozy white robe, sipped juice, read a magazine and took a shower after the massage...all by myself...with no interuptions!! I was humbled as I thought how I did not deserve this kindness after I spent the morning angry and harsh with the kids. I realized that this is what grace is...getting something wonderful when I really deserved nothing good at all. I was restored and relaxed...all because of the kindness of my mother & father-in-law. So thank you Nana & Poppy...for your act of benevolence to me & the kids. Enjoy the video! (You may have to click the play button a couple times)

The Return of AI

If any of you are Sixers fans or remember our story, you know that Bill was hired by the 76ers right after the Sixers were awarded the 1st draft pick & chose Allen Iverson in 1996. He carried the team all the way to the NBA Finals against the Lakers in June of 2001. I remember it clearly because I delivered Madison during the Finals...what an exciting time for us! Well when Bill was hired by Pat Croce, he wanted the mascot to emulate their new star. It had to be quick, fast and jump & flip like no other...hence the rabbit. "A rabbit?" we thought...how strange. Now 12 years later, Hip-Hop is (of course in my opinion) the best mascot in the NBA. AI has sinced moved on to the Denver Nuggets but returned for the first time last night. Check out the link to this great shot...
http://www.nba.com/gallery/iverson/080319_4.html

Mascot Fun

Today was the press conference to announce HipHop's birthday so we all went to Bill's work & had a blast with all of HipHop's friends. Adrienne LOVED the Philly Fanatic...especially his feathery tail. Matthew loved Phlex the Phantoms mascot & is sitting on Mad Dog's lap, the mascot for the Wings. And Madison just loved the whole thing & at one point announced to everyone that they should do a HipHop birthday dance. Hip Hop liked that idea so they all danced. What great fun it was!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIP HOP! We love you!
From your biggest (& littlest) fans