Former Texans linebacker shares his gameplan for a happy, healthy family

Written by Tonya Ellis | Photography by Sara Isola

Sugar Land, TX News - Billy Granville and his wife Gretchen of Sugar Land have always been sports enthusiasts. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals, and she ran the volleyball ministry for Athletes in Action, when they met after college. Little did they know that this interest in athletics would play a big role in how they’d run their family.

“Parenting, in a lot of ways, is like coaching,” explains Billy, who was the captain of his football team at Duke University. “If you coached each player exactly the same, your team wouldn’t be very successful. Each player is uniquely gifted, has specific strengths, weaknesses, and different ways they are motivated.”

Starting Lineup
Parents of six children ranging in age from 10 months to 14, the Granville’s days are action-packed to say the least. Life, 14, and Zoee, 13, attend Fort Bend Christian Academy, and Zion, 12, Macy, 10, and Maximus, 8, are students at Walker Station Elementary School. Champ, their 10-month-old, still stays home with mom.

“Each one of their personalities adds so much flavor to our family,” says Gretchen. “I cherish watching them interact with each other and encourage each other.”

Zion, Zoee, Gretchen, Billy, Life, Macy, Champ, and Max Granville work as a team to stay connected in their busy lives

Typical Days
The Granvilles take part in two sports or school activities each night of the week, with four activities on Tuesdays, so they generally have an early dinner. Afterwards, they have snacks, finish homework, bathe, lay out clothes, prepare lunches, and head to bed. The family, strongly rooted in their Christian faith, is also involved in their church. (more…)

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From Austin High School to a fashion design internship in New York and Paris, this Sugar Lander is making her dreams of a career in fashion design come true

Written by Kennan Buckner | Select Photography by Rebeca Cortes

Sugar Land, TX News (December 3, 2014) - Emelia Natalicchio landed an internship with fashion designer Wes Gordon in New York City in 2011. It was the chance of a lifetime for this young, dreaming designer. “Wes was a magnificent mentor and taught me so much about the industry,” says Natalicchio. “All the knowledge I gained from that internship, I apply every day as a fashion designer.”

Emelia Natalicchio is creating her own fashion label and hopes to announce it on social media

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Planning a fabulous birthday party for your sweetie? Don’t forget to include the birthday boy or girl in the process, allowing them to pick a theme, a party game, or a favorite snack to serve. Choose a great venue and focus on making memories with your sweetie. Check out our list of recommended locations in the Sugar Land area to help you find the perfect party place.

Adventure Kids Playcare
4945 Sweetwater Blvd.
832-886-4153
adventurekidsplaycare.com

AMC First Colony
3301 Town Center Blvd.
281-277-5858
amctheatres.com

AMF Stafford Lanes
4919 S. Main St., Stafford
281-491-2856
amf.com

Athletic and Performing Arts Center
2 locations
281-969-7054
athleticandperformingarts.com

Build-A-Bear Workshop
First Colony Mall
16535 SW Fwy.
281-565-2327

(more…)

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Sugar Land parents share tips on common topics we all face.

Need Advice? Have helpful tips to share? This section is where Sugar Land parents help each other out with advice and tips for common kid issues and childhood dilemmas.

How do you encourage your children to eat their vegetables?

“Start them on baby food veggies and different ones. Graduate to fresh veggies and never stop serving it. My grandson eats veggies more than meat.” - Lisa Simon Wimberley

“My 20-month-old eats anything and everything. But the 5-year-old and husband need to be tricked. I make things like cauliflower Alfredo, or mix a ton of chopped or pureed veggies into meatballs - or maybe margherita pizza.” - Lisette Womack (more…)

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Although fairly common, secondary infertility is rarely spoken about. After one or more successful births, many families find themselves unable to conceive. Courageous Fort Bend couples share their stories of overcoming the stigma associated with this perplexing diagnosis.

Written by Meagan Clanahan | Select photography by Taryn Burnett

SUGAR LAND, Texas (SLM) – Secondary Infertility infertility is a secret emotional and physical battle that millions of couples wage every year. It is the inability to get pregnant or maintain a pregnancy following the conception of other biological children. There can be numerous causes. “This is one of the most challenging problems that we face in our practice,” says Sugar Land ob/gyn, Dr. Lorelei Capocyan.

While discussions of primary infertility have become more commonplace, couples going through secondary infertility may feel more hesitant to speak out for fear of judgment. “We also have to be very compassionate with these women due to the psychological impact of the problem,” says Dr. Capocyan.

Jennifer and Jeff Dye had no trouble conceiving their son Andrew but suffered from secondary infertility before being blessed with their younger son, Thomas

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Jessica Shockley shares how the disease has taught her to live in the moment

Written by Jessica Shockley | Photography by Sarah Crum Photography

SUGAR LAND, Texas (SLM) - In 2002, just three weeks before my wedding, I was told that I may have multiple sclerosis (MS). A week before the wedding, doctors confirmed it. MS is a disease whose course is unknown, and it affects each individual it plagues differently.

At the age of 26, my life changed forever. at year was one of the hardest of our lives. My husband and I had no idea what to expect. It is a testament to God that we made it through. I had visions of wheelchairs, canes, and walkers. The plans we had made for our lives would have to change. There was anger and sadness. There was fear, and years of plaguing myself with self-guilt as the disease began to run its course.

Jessica Shockley's family helps her cope with her multiple sclerosis

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How Sugar Land parents can foster a love of reading in children.

Written by Tonya Ellis

Ask an average kid what they most like to do in their spare time, and few will say read. Books have taken a backseat to video games, television, social media, and other distractions.

By 2020, reading levels needed to get a well-paying job and participate fully in society will be higher than they’ve ever been, according to the National Council on Teachers of English Standards for the English Language Arts. That’s why it’s important that our children work on their reading skills today, say Fort Bend literacy experts.

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Celebrating the students, teachers, and community supporters of Fort Bend area schools.

Click for more School News

Austin High School Science Olympiad
Students from Stephen F. Austin High School SciOly team recently qualified for the Texas Science Olympaid at Texas A&M University. As part of the competition, the team battled over 30 students from around the state. The team placed ninth and won four medals.

Austin High School Science Olympiad

Baines Middle School Career Day
Some 500 students from Baines Middle School participated in career assessment tests to help them identify career fields that may be of interest to them. In addition to spending time with specialists in various fields of work, students were also able to play a game that involved being given a “salary” and having to pay expenses. (more…)

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Now is the time to find the perfect summer camp for your Sugar Land sweetie. Fort Bend is filled to the brim with camps with many different themes, from education to the arts. Your child will be entertained while learning new things.

Written by Christen Wilson and Kennan Buckner

Athletic and Performing Arts Center
4502C Hwy. 6, Sugar Land 7746 Hwy. 6, Missouri City 281-969-7054 athleticandperformingarts.com
Campers ages 3 and up can learn cheer, dance, gymnastics, theatre, and tumbling at one of the Athletic and Performing Arts Center locations. This summer will feature eight weeks of camp, with a new theme each week. Camps run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended care options available for an additional charge.

Forever Dance
4610I FM 723, Richmond 832-573-3734 foreverdancestudio.com
Children ages 3 to 18 are taught ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop dance styles by experienced instructors in a fun and nurturing atmosphere. Programs run June through July.

Fort Bend Music Center
12919 S.W. Fwy., #160 281-494-5885 fortbendmusiccenter.com
Certified music instructors teach children ages 7 and up to play various instruments including piano, guitar, or drums. Camp runs June through July, for one week at a time for two and a half hours a day, Monday through Friday.

Inspiration Stage
Summer Musical Camp 104 Industrial Blvd. 713-302-5329 inspirationstage.com
Campers ages 4 to 19 who are looking for a camp that will end with a spectacular performance in Sugar Land Auditorium should join the Inspiration Stage for summer camp. Camps offered weekly to various age groups and include theatre performances such as Jungle Book, Frozen, Sleeping Beauty, Annie, and more.

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Cub Scout Pack 1133 Collects Food for Needy
Cub Scout Pack 1133 participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring food drive to benefit Fort Bend families in need. This year, the boys collected 1,370 food items and donated them to the Bethel Ministry in Stafford.

Cub Scout Pack 1133 Collects Food for Needy

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