Twins Baseball

Pitching during a lesson

Baseball starts so early anymore, but due to all of the rain that we get in the Spring here in Alabama...it is always a slow start.  This year Preston was drafted to play on The Twins, with Coach Heathcock.  He had a lot of friends on his team, but they had a tough time performing well as a team, and sadly had a losing record.

Their overall performance did not stop the support from Mimi, Papa and Uncle Dan though.  They came to at least half of his and/or Walker's games. Of course I love watching my boys play ball, just wish they could get some more hardware at the end of the season by playing on a decent team.

With all that said, Preston did get the opportunity to play at his usual position of short stop, and he continued to develop some decent pitching skills (thanks to an ex-MLB player who has been helping him with that).  Playing time is key, and he got plenty of that.

Uncle Dan is never a fair weather fan!

Pres, Collier Hicks and Reid Johnson with their 4th grade teacher, Miss Lyon

Wow, look at that cheering section!

Redwings T-Ball

This spring both of the boys played baseball again.  Walker played t-ball on the Redwings, and learned a little more about running bases and specific positions.  This year, there were less parents on the field, and more actual playing.  They kept score, called outs and really helped the 5 year olds improve.

Walker definitely got a little better, but I am pretty confident his favorite part was still the snack after each game.  He assures us that he wants to play coach pitch next year.  Here's hoping he continues to enjoy the sport!

Walker with Stan Evans and Lochlan McBurney

Easter Weekend in Peoria

Peoria Bound!

This year we gave up our tradition of church at Trinity and pictures in front of the beautiful flower cross to go to Peoria to visit my parents.  It hasn't been a good year for my poor father, so we are trying to go back as often as we can (especially since he can't travel anymore).  For the past couple of years, we have been explaining to Bennett and Preston what dementia is and how it is affecting Poppy.  They both have watched him decline, but Bennett is much more aware and quick to pick up on the changes.

After a scare on the airplane during the flight down to Birmingham at Christmas, my mother declared that he would not be flying anymore.  In fact, she insisted that we cut out the connection for their return flight, and drive them over to Atlanta so it would be a direct flight into Peoria.  Brian was kind enough to do that, but at that time, we didn't realize that we wouldn't see Poppy again unless we came to Peoria.  Since Peoria is not a hot destination, we rarely return.  In fact, it has always been easier for my parents to visit us in Birmingham since they can see both of us, and all six of their grandchildren at one time.

After we put my dad in the memory facility in February, Bennett really started realizing that she didn't like her last visit with Poppy, and she wanted to see him again (before he didn't remember her).  After much discussion, we decided it would be best for all of the kids to see Poppy in his new home sooner rather than later since our spring and early summer is crazy busy.

So the whole family (Beck included) drove to Peoria on Maundy Thursday and arrived late that night.  The next morning we went to visit Poppy.  It was definitely a shock for the kids, even for Bennett who "loves old people."  We tried to prepare them, but it is hard to predict the craziness that comes from a place like that.

I mean there is an old lady who kept screaming at all of us (other tenants too) saying "Who are all of these people?  Why are all of these people in my house?"  She thought she was at home, and we were all invading her space.  There is another sweet woman who doesn't talk much, but she loves to sing, and that is what she does much of the time.  We tried to bring levity to the situation by bribing Preston to sing with her (which he did).

Then there is Connie, who gets all dressed up, puts on her ornate jewelry, does her hair and make-up, and walks up and down the halls asking people to take her to Peoria.  One of the guys who is better off than her, quickly answered "Sorry I can't help you, they took away my license and car."  There are funny situations with the male tenants too.  One man just walks the halls popping his dentures and grinding his teeth (making the most annoying sound ever).  And then there is my father's former roommate, Gene, who they caught multiple times in bed with a lady tenant.  They eventually moved him to another room (after getting both families' consent) so they could do whatever it is they were doing.  It truly is like a soap opera.

Anyway, my mother is a saint.  She goes to visit him every single day for several hours, and usually over lunch so she can cut his food and help him eat.  Dad has good days and bad days, but the bad days are becoming more and more frequent anymore.  Dad was definitely excited and shocked to see us all on Friday (and every other morning).  He recognized us all, and called me and Steve by name, but not the kids.

I was able to get some sweet pictures during our visits, and I know that I will treasure them forever because I was able to see glimmers of my dad in these....his big smile, his loud laugh and his loving nature.  It broke my heart to say good-bye on Easter Sunday, and it hit Preston really hard too.  It was the first time he put it all together that Poppy will never get better, will never get to go home and is only going to get worse.  He cried, and refused to talk about it anymore.  His teacher even told me he cried in class one day after we returned.  She asked him what was going on, and he just said that his grandfather is sick and he was sad about it.  The whole situation is just heart-breaking.  Dementia is a HORRIBLE disease.  I can't stand the way it is eating away at my father.

Thankfully my mother has great health and is miraculously staying positive (even with the terrible winters in Peoria).  I know she misses her husband and the man that he was tremendously, but she is doing what she needs to do.  The visit from us was a welcomed distraction, and I know good for all of us.  She went on walks with the kids daily, got supplies for dying Easter eggs, took the kids to a movie, and we celebrated Easter at my former church and went out to lunch at the country club.  We had a nice long weekend, and don't regret the long drive one bit.

Giving B some love Sat morning upon our arrival

Happily Married 48 years!

Easter Sunday - W finally got to wear his bow tie!

Enjoying the pretty Easter Sunday afternoon