NBA WIFE ~ JENINE HOWARD

Posted on January 27, 2012 by

Jenine Howard

I know some pretty amazing women who have great marriages, despite what the media tends to report!  As I sit down to talk with Jenine Howard, she juggles managing the house, and caring for her son Jet, who was home from school.  She had to remind him that he was supposed to be sick and not playing video games.  A vision many of us Moms, wives and women of the house are very familiar with.  Once Jenine got him situated and things were able to settle down we began to catch up personally and then we got into the interview.

So how did Jenine and Juwan meet?  How do they make a blended family work and  their marriage thrive in a league where the divorce rate is an astonishing 80 percent?  And what is one of the biggest mistakes she has made and advises no one to ever do?  All while keeping things in a balanced perspective, the role Jenine plays in the success of her family is a huge one!  One that she has done with style, grace, dignity and continues to be blessed while being a blessing to others.  Let’s talk with Mrs. Howard as I am sure you will be fascinated at how this superwoman Removes Her Cape and reveals how super she is!

RYC:  How did you guys meet?

Jenine:  We met at a charity event in Miami in 1997, and he was a celebrity guest and I had to drop of his tickets for the weekend, he asked me my name and then he stalked me for the rest of the weekend.  ( We both laugh)

RYC:  So he magically appeared wherever you went?

Jenine:  Yes, I was like this guy is really liking me.  He said he really wanted to get my attention so…

RYC: Now I know Adrian and I have our own version of how we met and there are always two versions to a story His and the truth (hers) (We laugh). So does Juwan have his version?

Jenine: He does.  It starts off the same way…but then he says I positioned myself to dance with him at one of the after parties and that is the furthest thing from the truth because he came into my section but let him tell it. (laughs)

RYC: I like how the “How We Met” stories seem to always start off the same but then they take this dramatic turn.

Jenine: Mhhhm, interesting!

Jenine and Juwan Howard

RYC: And here they are now, after 9 years of marriage and coming up on their 10th anniversary this July they are going to renew their vows!  After they will vacation alone just the two of them.  And let me say, Jenine knows how to pick a fabulous place to vacation.  I can definitely vouch this woman knows her beaches and the hot spots before everyone jumps on the band wagon!  It is because of her that my husband and I went to Turks and Caicos where she and Juwan were married  and at a time when it wasn’t as popular.  To this day it has been one of our best vacations ever!

RYC:  What’s the best vacation you have ever been on?

Jenine: Seychelles and the Maldives and they are both in the Indian Ocean and off the coast of East Africa, the waters are amazing!  He leaves it up to me to pick the location because the more exotic and  remote the place, the more I am attracted to it!  I get so excited about exploring different regions outside of the Caribbean since that’s where I am from.

RYC: What would you say is the best surprise you have ever done for one another?

Jenine: Our engagement, he took me to my home to my parents country of origin (Grenada) and my biggest surprise to him was probably the 2nd pregnancy (Jenine and I busted out in laughter) She then continues… because Jace had just turned one.

RYC: Girl  was that the year something was in the Gatorade?

Jenine: Yes! Yes!!!

RYC: Wow that year was crazy!

Jenine:  It was, it was, it was you me and Rebekah and we were all due around the same time!

RYC:  And Tiffany (Marc Cubans Wife)

Jenine:  Yes! You were August 25th, Rebekah was September 3, and I had Jet on September 14th.

RYC:  Yes and I think Tiffany had hers on the 8th or something!

Jenine:  That’s crazy!  That’s that New Years Eve…(We both laugh, again)  But monetarily my biggest surprise to him was a boat!  Our favorite pass time is to be on the water, it cures a lot of things.

RYC:  I agree it is very peaceful.

RYC:   The Howard’s are a beautiful blended family, Juwan Jr. 19 yrs, Sky is 14 yrs, Jace is 10 yrs, Jet is 8 yrs, what are some things that make it work?

Jenine: With children in general you must have an open heart and know as a step mom you want to take into consideration respecting the role their mother plays in their life, and that’s the position you operate from.  You’re their friend but you demand respect as well.  Once you get that balance down and assert yourself in that position… It’s a tricky position because you’re an adult and your their friend, you’re the wife of their dad.

RYC: Do all the adults get along? Especially during the holidays, how does this play out?

Jenine: Yes we do, and during the holidays we’ve been doing this for fifteen years now so it is second nature.  We make an effort to get together with the kids no matter where everyone is.  Whether its half day with mom and the other half with dad.  We make it work.

RYC: Speaking of making it work.  It’s important for the athletes to be prepared for life after basketball and It’s even just as  important for the women to be prepared as well.  What are your views for when the time comes for Juwan to retire from working as an athlete?

Jenine: “Take care of your family no matter what, this goes for women too.  He has in me a woman who is not afraid to work and do whatever and to help and be a partner to him.

RYC: Speaking her truth Jenine is a woman of her word who is definitely not afraid to work!   She recently opened a medical spa that she runs in North Carolina.  What does the spa provide and who assists you with it while you are in Miami?

Jenine: The spa provides medical massage’s, acne treatment, Botox, fillers.  My sister, who is an aesthetician, supports me and this endeavor, she is like my right-hand man.  I couldn’t do it without her!

Deborah Cox, Jenine Howard, Tracey M. Ferguson at the Jones & Juice Event

RYC: While running your business you also serves the The Juice Foundation, tell us about that?

Jenine:  The Juice Foundation’s mission is to support alternative Cancer treatment.  This is very dear to me because my brother-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and was given a very short time to survive, and we went into panic mode.  Western medicine basically was just giving us council and to prepare for the worse, and we were like, no!  So we found a clinic in Mexico with alternative treatment, where he started an organic based diet.  A lot of trial treatment, and he survived over a year with this diet and I wanted to continue this for people here in the states who couldn’t afford the resources we were provided.

RYC: So what does Jenine do to balance, Marriage, family and being a business woman?

Jenine Doing The Bikram Yoga Toe Stand Pose

Jenine: I love Bikram yoga! (Laughs)

RYC: Girl I remember you trying to get me to do that in Houston!  Let’s just say I still never found that place. (laughs)  So how often do you do girls night out?

Jenine: It’s not habitual, but when the kids schedule permits I definitely do!

RYC: Do you have date nights to keep the marriage in balance?

Jenine:  Yes. We try to go out every Thursday night!

RYC:  What would you say was the hardest thing you have had to deal with in your relationship and how did you get through it?

Jenine:  The separation.  You know I felt guilty about moving our kids to every city that he was traded to, so I made Houston our home for three years and even in the best of marriages that took its toll on us and I couldn’t just get up and leave when I missed him.  It was a really tough time.  It’s important not diminish what marriage is really all about, it’s a commitment to be together forever and sometimes people quit too soon, you have to know that on this persons worse day am I still willing to stick it out! We realized that being apart wasn’t the best thing and we had to prioritize.  We had to decide was it more important for the kids to be in the same school or for us to be together?  You taught me that and I should have listened at the time but I didn’t.  Being together is paramount and its okay for a short amount of time but not long-term.  It took my kids some time to adjust when we moved here to Miami from Houston, but they got over it.

RYC:  Exactly!  Kids are resilient and moving teaches them how to adapt to different scenarios when they do enter the real world.  I tried the whole you here I’m there as well, once (going back on my own advice) and that was the worse year ever and I will not do that again. (laughs)

RYC: Being married to a high-profile athlete what do you do to stay grounded?

Jenine:  You know kids easily ground you, that’s if you are connected and in tuned with your children and play a major role in raising them, because you can’t be in La La land and parent properly.  that grounds us as a family and showing them the values in life and raising good human beings God-fearing children.

RYC: Amen and Amen.  I couldn’t have said it better and I couldn’t be more proud to call one of the most grounded and beautiful woman inside and out, my sister in Christ and my fellow NBA wife.  Blessings to the Howard family RYC wishes you guys nothing but love and happiness!

The Howard Family (Jet, Juwan, Jenine & Jace)


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Busted at 3am!!! lol

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

I always thought this “Jake from State Farm” commercial was hilarious!  Whenever I see it I  still crack up at the wife saying, “Well She sounds Hideous.”

~Wordless Wednesday~

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When To Get Your Teenager A Car?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

Kendall Jenner Gets a New Range Rover For Her Sweet 16

Let’s face it, whether it is to get to and from school, practice, the mall, or to a friend’s house, sooner or later your teen will eventually want four wheels of his or her own to roll around town in.  The question is when will he or she be ready?  I am having to ask myself a lot of these questions as of late, especially since my oldest daughter has been counting down the days to when she can start driving and we are closing in on that date within a few months.  Oh and she has even picked out a car too, but I kindly had to remind her this wasn’t going to be a re-enactment of Kendall Jenner’s sweet sixteen, so don’t go looking for a Range Rover like mine in the driveway… in due time.  I am sure we will equip her with a safe, reliable and cute car when the time is right, but when will the time be right?

You have to ask does your teen need a car? If so why?  Will it save you numerous car trips to and from school?  What will the costs be and will it be too much?  Will your teen need to work to pay a car note, insurance or gas?  Will she be working just to keep the car and how will this effect their schooling?  I don’t believe the car should be given free and clear perhaps a part-time weekend job to pick up some of the responsibilities of having a car, but will mom and dad be able to carry the remaining expense? However it may work, if it is going to interfere with their grades perhaps it is not worth it.  Everyone must discuss, know and understand that this is a huge responsibility that is and should be taken seriously, because there are no free rides in the real world.

Now every kid matures at different levels and it will truly be the parents final judgment on when they are ready.  Here are some guidelines on whether you can realistically say your child is ready.  One that is not skewed, whether you think they are still your little babies in your head, or whether you spoil them rotten and believe they can pretty much get whatever they want.  If you ask yourself these questions and the majority of the answers are yes, it is probably safe to say that your teen is probably ready for an automobile:

1.  Are they getting good grades?

2. Do they do what they should do with out you asking the majority of the time?  (Not all the time, they are still teenagers)

3.  Are they respectful of the rules and regulations you set in the house and at school and do they do what they are supposed to do? (Even when their friends are around)

4.  Did they take and pass a driver’s education course, whether it is through the school or the DMV?

5. Most importantly, how are your driving habits?

**If you think your teen couldn’t care less about what you’re doing (or that they don’t even notice), here are a few numbers – and these are for you:

• 66% of teens say they care what their parents think about cell-phone use while driving.
• 53% of teens say they’ve seen someone drive while impaired (maybe it’s a friend, maybe it was you).
• 56% of teens say they depend on their parents for driving instruction.

If you can honestly answer these questions with facts, not what you think your little teen angel would or wouldn’t do, you can make a sound judgment and feel comfortable about the decision you make one way or another.  These questions can tell you if they are mature enough to handle a big responsibility as driving a car and if your family is ready for a new driver in the household.

**Some other serious facts to consider are:

• Car crashes are the number one cause of teen deaths in the U.S.
• Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are four times more likely to die in a crash than drivers between the ages of 25 and 69.
• Teens have the highest chance of having a fatal crash within the first six months of getting their driver’s license.
• 2,739 teenagers died in car accidents in the United States during 2008.
• 5,864 fatal accidents involved teen drivers in 2008. This number is higher than the previous one because the teen driver often has to live with the guilt of causing someone else’s death.
• Teen drivers were involved in 12% of all fatal crashes reported to the police.
• Males are twice as likely as females to be killed in a crash while they’re teenagers.
• 37% of male drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 were speeding at the time of a fatal crash.
• 55% of teens killed in car crashes weren’t using their seat belts.
• 31% of teens drivers were drinking alcohol at the time of their death.
• Teen drivers were involved in 63% of teen passenger deaths and 19% of passenger deaths of all ages in fatal accidents.
• 53% of teen deaths in fatal accidents occurred on the weekends and 41% occurred between 9 pm and 6 am.
• Teen drivers are 10 times more likely to be involved in a crash during their first year of driving.
• Teen drivers with more than one teen passenger are twice as likely to be in an accident as a drunk driver.
• 16-year-olds have more accidents than any other age group – including older teens.
• Accidents caused by 15- to 17-year-old drivers caused $34 Billion in damage in the U.S. in 2006.
• 20% of reported accidents involving teen drivers.

Lastly, you can implement this entire procedure with a Teen Driving Contract.  Yes there are rules that must be followed by the teen in order to keep possession of the new ride.  Not only will you have discussed the responsibilities but this will be a clear guideline as to what is expected at all times with this new responsibility, no if’s, and’s or but’s!

Teen Driving Contract

As you can see these are some serious matters to consider when allowing your child to operate a vehicle on the road, but with the knowledge and soon experience, your child can be a safe and responsible driver.  I wish you and your teen the best on the road!  One day they may be able to help you run a few errands! ;)

**drivesteady facts

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Blue Ivy Carter’s Debut on Jay-Z’s Song ‘Glory’ ~ Music Monday’s

Posted on January 9, 2012 by

Congratulations to Jay-Z and Beyonce who delivered a beautiful baby girl, Blue Ivy Carter, on January 7, 2012.   They released a joint statement:

“Hello Hello Baby Blue!

We are happy to announce the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, born on Saturday, January 7, 2012.  Her birth was emotional and extremely peaceful, we are in heaven.  She was delivered naturally at a healthy 7 lbs and it was the best experience of both of our lives.  We are thankful to everyone for all your prayers, well wishes, love and support.” – Beyoncé & JAY Z

What better way to tribute my 1st Music Monday of the 2012 year then with Jay’s track called ‘Glory’ produced by Pharrell, a tribute to Blue…  “The most amazing feeling I feel, Words can’t describe what I’m feeling for real / Baby, I paint the sky blue / My greatest creation was you.”   Click below to hear:

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New Years Victory in 2012

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. (Isaiah 61:7) God is constantly showing us we were put here to live in abundance and to multiply!  Don’t ever think because of your past shames, or the fact you are getting older, dreams and goals are unattainable.   Life changes but it is certainly not over, until we take our last breath and if you are still here then your work here is still in progress!

God tells us in Jeremiah 29:6 “Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you.”  You are going to have people who may not see your vision,  that’s okay, keep right on moving forward anyway!  Never allow anyone to come in and reduce your ability to be all you are.  Just because they don’t see it doesn’t mean its true.  How many successful people were told they wouldn’t succeed but did anyhow, plenty!  Look at Oprah, Joyce Meyer, and Tyler Perry to name a few of my favorite victory stories!

You have the God-given right to do His will, and if He put it in your heart than let His will be done.  You were put here for greatness, so do not fret about what everyone else is going to say.  If you know who you are in Christ no one can stop you.  Know who you are, and I repeat know who you are in Christ.  This will give you the ability not to entertain the devil, who will send people to discourage you and distract you from reaching your destiny.  I’m telling you to ignore them and the no’s will fade away and the yes’ will begin to get louder!  Never put your worth in what you do, but put it in who you are in Christ.  As you learn and grow and keep putting one foot in front of the other, you will be amazed at how great God can be!  If He told you to do something, whether it is to be a better wife, mother, sister, friend, business owner, worker whatever the goal or dream, please know it is not impossible and YOU CAN DO IT through HIM!!!!!

So whatever your dreams and or whatever your 2012 New Years Resolutions are, trust that is neither too big or to small for God to see you through.  When applying His ways and His principles, it is fail proof!  So get out of your own way and let God use you to be a multiplier in this world, live in abundance!  Know that HE will make it work for you and take your destiny and launch it to greatness!!!  I’m so excited for 2012 and I hope you are too!!! Here is to a Happy and prosperous New Year, full of abundance multiplied! God bless!

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Happy Holidays From The Griffins!

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

From L. to R. Aubrey, Adrian Jr, Audrey, Alan, Adrian Sr., Vanessa


Alan & Adrian Jr.

Adrian & Audrey

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A New Vegetarian’s Quest For Vegetables?

Posted on December 21, 2011 by

It has been officially two weeks since I have proclaimed myself a vegetarian.  I think I had turkey bacon 3 times and a few pieces of popcorn chicken.  After all of the instances I felt horrible, it didn’t even taste good anymore!  Perhaps it was the guilt of not sticking with the plan, who knows?

Well I am happy to say after a week I have had none of the above.  After a few failed recipes and a few new great ones, I decided my problem was that my menu was vague and I needed more to choose from.  So while I strolled the isles of whole foods aimlessly I asked one of the attendees there.  “I am a new vegetarian and I don’t know what to cook, do you have any suggestions?”   She then stated, “Vegetables!”  We both laughed.  “Duh why didn’t I think of that!”  I also asked do you have any veggie burgers and or veggie chicken?”  She then walked me over to that section.  My youngest daughter and I picked out what we thought looked good and that was veggie chicken strips, called chick’n! Yes Chick’n, with no e!

I saw there was a menu on the back so I said cool I will get the remaining ingredients too and voila, dinner for tonight!  We headed to the vegetable section picked out the ingredients and I also picked out every vegetable I thought I liked.  Squash, asparagus, broccoli and spinach.

So now what? Well its prep time!  My kids all grabbed a vegetable and cut it up and I heated up the skillet and added some olive oil, with the chick’n and seasoned it all!

The verdict:  Not bad for veggie chicken.  I couldn’t get the hubs to taste it, perhaps it was because it was missing more than the letter e.  However my kids and I all agreed, they should leave the chick’n to chickens!

I am still a vegetarian as of now.  I am happy with this lifestyle choice and honestly I didn’t know I was missing out on having so much energy, I have felt great since removing meat from my diet.  If  you have any vegetarian menus that you would love to share I am all ears!  Thanks!

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Funky Monkey Clothes Photo Shoot!

Posted on December 8, 2011 by

My daughter Aubrey had so much fun taking photo’s for the Clothing Store Funky Monkey, she’s talking about being a model now!  I told her we can look into it since soccer season is over for a few months… what’s one more thing on my already jam-packed car-pool schedule, lol!  I dabbled in it a little as a kid myself and thought it was fun too, so of course I will support her!   Here are some fun photo’s from the shoot, I know I may be a little biased but I think he’s a natural! :) Be sure to check out Funky Monkey’s Holiday Sale and click on the link to the right, they have some pretty ‘Funky’ apparel and accessories for the entire family!

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The Perfect Christmas Gift

Posted on December 1, 2011 by

Christmas is now only 25 days away!  The question still remains for many, what should I get so and so?  Now you could revert to the unoriginal gift card, or you can put a little thought into it and give them something that they will cherish far beyond Christmas day, like a book (The Day I Took Off My Cape) :) or a subscription to their favorite magazine.  These are great ideas for gifts that you can open again and again and again!

Even though I still get gifts for everyone, my kids are well aware that we buy their gifts. They know there is no Santa Claus and Jesus is the reason for the season.  Has it spoiled their childhood?  Absolutely not!  They have had some pretty amazing Christmas’ with full review of why we celebrate it and how we are blessed to be a blessing to others.

One thing that they know is that it doesn’t take a lot to be a blessing.  At least that’s what my son reminded me the other day as we were driving in car-pool.  My kids were talking about Christmas and asking if we were going home to NY?  My youngest son blurted out, “Yes I liked having Christmas at Nonnie’s (Grandma) in NY last year!  I went on to say, “Yeah that was nice of her to give you guys all of your present’s at her house and then mail them to Chicago so they were there when we returned home from winter break!”  My son then went on to say, while shaking his head no, “That’s not why.”  With a puzzled look I said, “Why then?”  He says, “I liked it because Nonnie made me hot chocolate in my special cup she sets aside just for me, you know that blue cup.”  I was overwhelmed with joy, because he had received everything he asked for from my mom and he only remembered his cup of hot chocolate.

The back story on this is my mom is probably the most caring and giving person I know, she pays attention to the details in life.  Always giving you the feeling of love and warmth when she is around and it was her giving spirit my son was referring to that I was very familiar with.  It wasn’t the gift of hot chocolate because my son drinks hot chocolate everyday and I mean everyday!  It was that she knew how much my son liked hot chocolate and she served him with such love and care.  This is a prime example of one of my favorite quotes:  ‘People will not remember exactly what you did or said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.’

So make someone feel special this holiday season!  You don’t have to get a gift that breaks the bank or make a huge performance in any sort, because it truly is in the little things that make s life grand… Like a simple yet perfect cup of hot chocolate!:)

Be blessed!

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My Exclusive Interview With G.O.G. (Grind Over Gossip)

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Another Pro-WAG who is def on her Grind is Audrey Griffin, wife of Former NBA Player and Coach Adrian Griffin. From being a published Author to gracing the cover of Make It Better Magazine, Audrey has her hands in everything! Turn it up as Audrey tells me about all of her Grinds and how she’s now ready to toss Reality TV in the mix! 





kß: Audrey, as if being the mother of four, wife and former VP for National Basketball Wives Association wasn’t enough, you’ve added author, singer, blogger and model to you resume. What has this journey been like for you?

Audrey: Whoosa, (takes deep breath) yes it is a lot when you list it like that but being an author and blogger is really something that comes natural for me. I have been writing for as long as I can remember. I am one of those people who have journals since they could write. Actually my first book was my journal at the time edited for readers. So it is either things I have been through personally or things people I know have been through. Singing I do because I enjoy writing poetry and to me songs are poetry to melodies. One of my husbands favorite past times is to create beats, so naturally after hearing them for so long I started making hooks to those beats then I would finish writing the song. One of our songs I loved and decided to release it! Why not I thought? It was called “Superstar Swag” Did it go platinum? No. But I truly enjoyed the process and getting in the studio to be creative like that. As far as modeling, as of lately I had been contacted to do photo spreads for some local magazines here in Chicago and I had not modeled since I was a kid! I was with the Marge McDermott Agency when I was about 12 or 13 but when I went away to boarding school at 14, that kind of shortened my career, but I love taking pictures and I am always up for a shoot! What girl doesn’t like to play dress-up! I know I do. (smile)


kß: Following your work in the press, you seem to have such a great spirit, what is the source of that?

Audrey: Being grounded in God and knowing He is my source, my provider, my strength, basically my everything! (smiles) I know firsthand that if it were not for Him I wouldn’t be where I am today and He has proven Himself real like no other.


kß: With all that you have going on, you still find time to give back. Tell us about The Remove Your Cape Foundation.

Audrey: The Remove Your Cape Foundation will be providing scholarships for women who have started families yet were not able to begin or finish their education due to the lack of financial resources. If you have read my book, “The Day I Took Off My Cape” you know my story. My husband and I didn’t have two nickels to rub together when we got married and started a family. Although he had graduated he was not drafted, he played in the minor leagues for three years and our salary wasn’t even a $1000 a month. We knew education was important and we knew if this basketball thing didn’t work out I needed a college degree as well in order for us to provide a decent lifestyle for our family. In order for that to have happened I needed a scholarship to finish school. If it weren’t for me receiving my scholarship there is no way I could have returned to school and accomplish what I have. In knowing this I wanted to provide other women the opportunity that they otherwise may not have and in turn their children benefit from a more educated and stable lifestyle. RYC will also provide workshops so that they are not just receiving monies to return to school, but the skills to balance all of these responsibilities. We will be launching in 2012!


kß: What other projects are you working on right now…

Finishing Reading article by clicking here.

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