The Game

Brooks has enjoyed each and every second of each and every baseball practice that he has had so far. In the short few weeks since practice has started, he has learned so much and his skills have drastically improved. The average person might not be able to tell this, but Brent and I can tell a tremendous improvement. Most of the other boys on his team have played before and are really good. I think they have been a good influence on him to want to do better. The results are not what I am concerned about though. Is he learning? Is he being a "team player"? Is he having fun?

The 3 Rivers Cotton Systems Baseball team had a scrimmage with another team this past Saturday morning. Brooks was going to get to try out his new bat, because his other one seemed to be a little much for him to handle.

His first up to bat, he hit the ball! Now he didn't make it to first because he was thrown out, but I didn't care. He hit it! As he went back to the dugout, he yells, "Mommy, I HIT THE BALL!" He was so excited.

His second up to bat he hits it again! This time he hit it harder and it dribbled past the infielders....he rounds first....it is over thrown to the second baseman......he rounds second......it it still being fumbled around.....he rounds third....they overthrow third......and then....he touches home!

I have never been so HAPPY for him. I am not talking about being proud of him, although I was very proud of him. I have had many moments during his life that I have been just as proud of him. This time though, I knew how exciting that moment was for him, and nothing at that moment could have made him happier.

He went on to hit the ball every time he was at bat, which was a huge accomplishment for him. He said later it was his new bat. The funny thing is that the new bat is 1 ounce lighter than the other bat, but it is quite a bit shorter. All he seamed to need was a confidence booster.

After the game, the coach said he was going to start giving out a game ball. He gave it to Brooks! To Brent, Brooks and I, it might as well have been the Silver Slugger award. It meant that much to us. There were many other players on his team that hit better and scored more runs, but none that made that drastic of an improvement.

Just a side note...
We have the best group of coaches too. The two main coaches are very organized and have put the boys through so many drills and exercises to teach them and help them improve. They are the perfect balance of toughness and nurturing these little boys. Brent is what I would call the third coach. He has helped as much as he can, but cannot make every practice due to work. He will coach third base. The fourth and fifth coaches are perfect at what they have been asked to do. One is behind the plate, helping every boy get ready to hit the ball (because you can have a coach do that at this age) and he is the nicest, most patient man. The other gentleman is the dugout coach. I don't envy him having to keep that place in order for nothing. It is constantly, "Where is your glove?," "How did you lose your helmet?," "Don't cry, it will be OK."

(Apparently 5 and 6 year old boys don't know There is no crying in baseball.)

Boys will be Rough Boys

This past Tuesday afternoon Reese's daycare called and said, "Reese has fallen off a tricyle and hit his head, and you need to come get him." It was that short and to the point. I said, "I'm on my way, but in the meantime, his Daddy is in the Regions Bank building next door, so I'll send him over."

Brent went to get Reese and then called me and said he was going to need stitches.

Well great.

I called Dr. T's office and they said since it was so late in the day just take him to the emergency room.

I called Melany and she told me to bring him up to Wetumpka because she knew which doctor was working that day, and said he was really good. I picked Reese up from Brent and we headed up the road.

During the ride to the ER Reese kept saying,

"I don't like doctors."

"I don't like shots."

"This is not going to be fun."

"Mommy, I don't like this."

And then he would start over with his phrases.

Long story short, Reese had two STAPLES, not stitches put in his head. Somehow I knew this wouldn't slow him down though. He left the hospital and we went to McDonald's with Melany and Brooks, and played on the play ground as a treat for being so good.

They are kind of hard to see in this picture but they are above his right ear. Thankfully it wasn't in the middle of his forehead.

And by the way, I am not surprised that Reese was my first child to have stitches. Those of you who know him personally are not surprised either.

The one about the broken furniture

We ordered some new bedroom furniture in February, and it was finally delivered this past Friday. I was so excited. When we first got married we used Brent's parents old furniture, and then a few years ago we got my parent's old furniture. We were blessed to be able to use them, but I was excited about finally having something new.
I waited for Brent to get home and we began to unpack the furniture. While we were moving the dresser into the bedroom, we noticed the left back side of the dresser was messed up. If you lifted up on the dresser, the left back leg would actually fall off. It was completely broken. I called the company and they said to take pictures of the damage and email it to them. I was so upset.
We then started unboxing the chest of drawers and it looked like it had been dropped at some point. It had a few cracks in the front, and the whole right side was not in line with the rest of it. At this point Brent called the company back, because I was about to lose it. They said to just check out all of the pieces and email pictures of any damage.
We continued checking out everything and it ended up that the footboard to the bed was damaged too. At this point there is packaging materials all over everywhere, half opened boxes of furniture, and no hope in sight.
I was so upset.
Did I mention we had already moved out the old furniture? So Saturday morning, we moved it all back in because we have to have somewhere to put our clothes.
So as of right now, I am waiting to hear back from the furniture company as to what we are going to do. I am hopeful that things will be made right and it won't end up costing us more money.
Now that I am 3 days past the initial shock, I realize that things like this are going to happen and
I have to just deal with it.
At least I keep telling myself that, while I look around our house filled with broken furniture and empty boxes.

Issues

My layout has issues, and I don't have the energy or time to fix it right now.

I had a disappointing issue with some furniture we had delivered yesterday, so expect a blog of me just complaining soon. Just warning you so you can skip it if you want to.

Field Trip

Brooks' class went on a field trip last week, and I was luckily able to meet him there. It was the "Let's Pretend Hospital." He told me his class voted on a mom, dad, and patient. The field trip was all about teaching them what happens if they have to go to the hospital, and to not be afraid. It was cute!