Thanksgiving 2019

Beck is allowed on furniture at Nene's

This year for Thanksgiving, we drove up to Peoria to spend time with Nene and Poppy.  We left on Sunday morning, and drove all day.  Nene had a great dinner waiting on us, so we ate and got settled.  Monday morning, we went to visit Dad.  He was pretty sleepy, and we doubted he really knew we were there.  We took him for "rides" around the nursing home though, and spoke to him and other tenants.  He had brief moments of clarity where he would open his eyes and smile.  That afternoon we hit one of my favorite lunch spots, Avanti's, and then hit a liquor store where Steve loaded up on bourbon.  That night, we laid low and worked on a puzzle that we bought.

Tuesday morning, we went to visit Dad earlier in hopes that he would be more awake for us.  He was slightly more awake and had definite moments where he seemed to know we were there.  He even caught Steve's face, and called him by name and asked about "the game."  The kids were all great with him, hugging him, telling him that they loved him and trying to engage him in conversation.  There were definitely tears from us, but they all seemed to genuinely enjoy being there and with him (regardless of his condition).  That afternoon we went to see the Mr. Rogers movie.  Steve and I seemed to enjoy it the most, but it was a slow movie with a limited audience.  That night we went to Alexander's Steak House, and had another delicious meal.

Wednesday morning we got up and went to nursing home again.  Dad had a great day, and stayed awake during our entire two hour visit.  He laughed, smiled and cried some when the kids and I hugged on him (which made me think he knew we were there and could feel the love).  Brian and his family arrived in town around his lunch, and stayed for awhile, so we left.  Dad definitely does better with smaller groups or one on one.

That night our whole family went to Agatucci's for pizza!  Then the Sprenger family came over to visit with us for awhile.  It was a late night, but a fun one.

Thanksgiving morning, we split our time with Dad with Brian and Shannon up first.  Our family arrived a little after 10am, and he was alert and enjoying his snack.  He was hanging out with his former roomie, Gene.  

Poppy is very loved, with Gene Waller

He was very tearful.  Preston asked if it was the last time he would see Poppy, and I told him I didn't know when we would be back.  It was a tough visit on all of us.

When we got back to Nene's, we finished prepping our meal.  Then Shannon took some pictures of the kids and us (for our xmas card).  We worked on the puzzle more, and just hung out and enjoyed our time together.  We had a great meal (thanks to Shannon), and all went around the table saying what we were thankful for this year.

It was nice to have the family together, definitely fun for the kids.  It was sad that Dad couldn't be with us enjoying one of his favorite meals of the year, but I pray that he knew we were all there and love him dearly.  Mom does a great job loving on him daily, but he needs to know we all love him too.  Thanks for being a great hostess mom - hopefully our visit with enjoyable for you too.

Tackle Football Here We Come....eek!

Coaches: Buddy Dabney, Scott Myers, Randy Gartman and Kevin Ray

Back in May, sign ups for youth football began.  We initially told Preston no tackle, due to my fear of him getting hurt, but he continued to ask since many of his friends were moving over from flag.  After consulting with Kevin Ray, who would be his head coach, I started to change my tune.  After lots of conversation, we signed him up.  He didn't get his first choice number (12) since he was late to sign up, but he was playing, so he wasn't complaining.

There were lots of practices in extreme heat, but never did Preston not want to go, or complain.  He loved every minute.  Jersey Night mid August kicked off the official season, where they introduced each player.  His first game was soon to follow, and though they lost....all of the boys had a blast!

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Jonas Harrison, Jackson Chapleau, Jack Myers, Davis Litton and Pres

Jack Myers, James Eady and Pres

The team played several more games, and started winning.  The excitement from the boys was awesome.  Fortunately, Mimi and Papa, Uncle Dan and the Bantas were able to see him in action at least one game!  Pres played offense and defense.

The season continued, and Pres continued to soak it all in, until one night before practice.  This night Preston went to practice NOT in his pads like every night before.  His carpool was dropped off early, so they started playing touch football.  Coaches were just starting to arrive, when Pres was pushed hard, and then stood up and heard and felt "a pop."  Coach Randy immediately called Steve, and told him he thought he broke his collar bone, but was walking to the nearby firehouse for another opinion.  Sadly, they thought the same thing, and recommended that he go to Children's Hospital.  It was a long night for Steve and Pres, but an x-ray confirmed the break of his left collar bone.  Due to a slight overlapping of the break, they recommended seeing an orthopedic doctor.  Thankfully, no surgery was needed, but he was done with football for 8 weeks.

Pres didn't give up on his team though.  He went to almost every practice and game, just so he could soak it all in.

JJ Aycock, Ty Mayo, Jack Myers and Pres

Pres with new bling

Fortunately the team continued to win, and did well the remainder of the season which allowed them to get a buy in the playoffs.  That extra week allowed Preston to join the team in pads!  Though he didn't get a lot of playing time against Pelham in the playoffs, he was just happy to be part of it and able to play some.  They won and the team advanced to the championship game against Helena.

On their final day of football, the team met for lunch prior to the game.  It was a cold and windy day, and the tournament was running behind from the beginning, but the team was there and ready.  They gave it their best shot, but came up short in the end.  They lost 28-6 and ended in 2nd place in their age group.  They each received nice rings, and the coach got a trophy.  Not a bad way to end his first year playing tackle.

Grandpal's Day at SCE

Pres, 5th grade and Walker, Kindergarten

This year Walker got to have his first Grandpal's Day at Shades Cahaba, meanwhile it was Preston's last one.  Mimi and Papa have been awesome, hitting every single Grandpal's Day for the past 8 years except the two that we skipped due to vacations.  Each year, they tour the classroom, tour the school and get to leave with a special piece of artwork that our children have made for them.

This year there was even a photo booth that they enjoyed.  What terrific sports, especially at 85 and 90 years old!  We love you Mimi and Papa.

Moms Night Out!

Chris Newell, Leah Smith, Liza Roitman, Jamie Ragland, Shanon Jarmon

Me, Lauren Tanner, Marianne Siegel and Chrissi Cook

For the past year or so, I have been able to share funny stories, ask for prayers or advice, and just hang with some fun moms.  We have a group text, and we try to get together to celebrate each other's birthdays.  This month, we celebrated Shanon Jarmon and Leah Smith with an epic wine tasting!

We each brought a bottle and put it in a brown bag, labeled it red, white or rose and gave it a number.  Between our group, we sampled ten different wines and then ranked them.  It was a very fun night of storytelling, laughing, eating and lots of drinking!  It is so nice to have fun friends that you can lean on during tough times, and laugh with during the good times.  We had a blast trying to take selfies, and use a timer on our phone.

Bama - LSU

waiting on the team with James Eady

So, while I was having fun in Dallas, Steve was holding down the fort back home.  Except for Saturday, when he left that morning with Preston, Louis and Michelle to go to Tuscaloosa for the biggest game of the season.  Bennett watched Walker for several hours, before a babysitter came to rescue them for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Steve and gang got an early start on the day so they could avoid traffic, but sadly got rear-ended on the way due to stop and go traffic.  Thankfully no one was hurt, and it only delayed them 30 minutes.  Once they got there, they got their game faces on and got prepped.  Of course they had to watch the team load the bus, which is where Pres ran into one of his friends.

They allowed plenty of time to get into the stadium too....not just because it was LSU, but because President Trump and the First Lady were going to be present at the game!  LOTS of security!!

Pres is one lucky kid to be able to attend this game!

And guess who was sitting right behind my crew......

How cool is this!?  President and First Lady Trump

Of course, there was a lot of press wandering around the stadium trying to give the Trumps airtime, so with the Mizerany's primo seats, a camera guy was floating right around my crew, and Preston actually made it on TV after a touchdown was scored!  Just yet another highlight of his short life.

Genuine excitement!

Though Bama couldn't quite regain the lead LSU got in the first half, they ended the game with a 6 point deficit, which was more respectable.  Steve and Pres had a great day together, regardless of the ending.

It Can't Be.....25 Years Since SMU!

Certainly my life has changed a great deal since graduating SMU back in 1994.....I moved to Madison, WI and graduated from graduate school, moved back to Peoria and had two jobs, then made another big move to Alabama where I have embarked on several different jobs, got married and birthed three children.  Yet when I get to hang with my Kappa pledge sisters, it is hard to believe that 25 years have gone by.

SMU campus has changed a lot too (so has Dallas)!  The students are allowed to tailgate now, dorms are all co-ed, there are several new multi-million dollar buildings, our sorority house has been remodeled and much more!  Going back is always fun, and the time I spend with my friends is so valued!

I kicked off my reunion weekend with a visit from Betsy Frederick.  She was kind enough to get me from the airport Friday morning.  Then we went shopping, ate lunch and did a little more shopping before calling it for the day.  As always, we have a blast catching up, and I so treasure my time with her and her friendship all of these years.  She dropped me off at the hotel, where I was sharing a room with Beth Griffith.

I hadn't seen Beth in a few years, so it was great catching up.  We chatted for a good hour before getting ready and meeting some folks out at The Lumen hotel bar for drinks before our class party. After a couple of hours, we headed to the home of Chad and Merry Vose (my pledge sister) for our party.  There was a great crowd, and our sorority was well represented that night.  Sadly we waited too late to get a picture, and some of the ladies had already left.

Pledge sisters and Hunter (who we couldn't shake from a photo)

Marisol and me

Beth, Kris, Kay, Cyndi and me (missed Elizabeth)

The class party went late, so we tried to sleep in some on Saturday.  We finally awoke around 8am, chatted some more and showered before hitting the boulevard and game.  After grabbing a light breakfast, we met up with Cyndi and then a few others.   We entered the game a little late, and were happily surprised to be sitting in the lower bowl on the 47 yard line!  We enjoyed pulling for our ponies, and it was quite the back and forth game.  We mingled with a few others, and ended in a box for the last half of the game.

After the game, Beth, Kris and I went to sports bar to meet up with some folks who were watching the Bama-LSU game.  We cheered them on until the very end, even though Bama lost.  After that, we moved locations to a tex-mex place and had more conversation, and some chips and salsa.  It was a long day, but we made it until 10pm.

I flew home the following morning, but my heart is full of fun times with great friends!

Peruna running across the field after a TD - a sight I didn't see much in college