Shook is 2!

I cannot believe my baby is 2!  I feel like time is just flying by and I do not get to spend enough of it with him.  We had a great party though - a construction party!

Birthday Boy!

Dump Truck Cake!

And, a dump truck "bike" - one of Shook's many new words of late!  He LOVES this!  His eyes lit up when dad brought it out. 

What more could a 2 year old boy ask for!

We had a great time with friends and family.  Lots of food, decoration and stuff to play with.   We were so happy some of Shook's classmates came since we don't know them very well.  Of course, they all acted like they had never seen each other before, but it was still fun!

He got a more reasonable tricycle too - since he loves Jules' bike (and of course they fought over all of it....)

And, the fighting led to wrestling...

But, we followed it up with some gift opening and ice cream! 

Who doesn't take their ice cream for a spin?

Oh, and don't forget the singing performances!

What is a birthday party without entertainment!

I think Shook's 2nd birthday was a success.  The last birthday party we will have at our house in Birmingham....more about that to come!

Bost Post Series #4 - Remembering My Dad

Don't worry...there are some kid pictures and posts coming soon!  But, I love this blog post that my BFF did about my dad.  All my friends growing up LOVED my dad.  Collectively, I'm sure they could tell a lot of stories!

DADDY DOUG

 

Daddy Doug...that’s what I called my best friend’s father. He always included me as a member of the family whenever I visited with Misty. The last time I saw him, he told me he had a nurse at the hospital with my name. He told the nurse, “I have a daughter named Candice!” That meant a lot to me.

The first time I met him, I remember thinking that Misty had his chin. He reminded me of Robert Duvall, and it tickled me that his office door was emblazoned with the saying, “We don’t rent pigs.” For those of you who are not Lonesome Dove fans, that’s a line from Robert Duvall’s movie.
Daddy Doug was easygoing and fun like Gus, until someone messed with one of his kids. I always wished I had a parent that passionate about me. He was fiercely loyal to his family. I pity anyone that ever gave Misty any grief or trouble and had the misfortune of Doug finding out about it. My favorite story is the one about the ballet instructor he actually ran out of town for allowing her to go onstage with two legs in one leg hole of her tutu. To this day, no one knows what he said to her. They just know they never saw her again!

Doug was tenderhearted, and he loved and cared deeply for his children and grandchildren. I remember his happy, easy laughter when he danced with Misty on her wedding day. He was so proud the day Jules was born. I remember the gleam in his eyes when he first looked at that baby. As excited as he was about his daughter’s first child, he had hung back from the hospital and made sure I got there in one piece. As usual, I got lost on the way there and he talked me in. To his credit, he was extremely patient and kind. I know I couldn’t have been that unselfish if I had a grandbaby on the way!

He was a good ole boy, a trucker, a man’s man-they almost don’t make them like that any more. He always gave us directions when we traveled and advice when we needed it. He always knew the best shortcuts, and where to stop on the road. I never pass a Flying J without thinking about him. That was his preferred pit stop. I know I have a lot of trucking left to do before I get to see him again, but I’m looking forward to that day. God bless you Daddy Doug; I’m proud to have known you.

Blog Post Series #3 - Remembering My Dad

This entry comes from my aunt - my dad's oldest sibling. 

My brother, Douglas J. Hicks and memories I have:

When we were growing up together, I remember he would always say my name is Douglas J.W. Hicks because he loved Daddy so much and wanted his name to match his.
I also remember how he would aggravate us.  He always kept taking Debbie's jump rope away from her and one time Mom made him jump rope until he got tired and even longer to break him from it.
I remember as we got older we (Mary, Doug, Bill Metz, Richard & Melissa Hicks & I) all went to Missouri on canoe float trips and had lots of fun.  

We used to all gather at Mom and Dad's for holidays and have lots of fun together.  After our children starting getting older, we drifted apart somewhat but we knew we all loved each other.
Doug & I had our altercations at times but I think he probably resented the fact that I was the older and was always the one placed in the authority role.  Then, you know, I guess that made me more controlling?  LOL.

Our last time together was when Mom passed away and we worked on the arrangements together.  He said, he would not have went to Heaven, if he had died a couple of times when he had close calls but he assured me that he was right with the Lord and he knew where he was going if he didn't survive the surgery.  He said he was a winner either way;  he either went to Heaven or he remained here to see his grandchildren grow up.  That has been such a comfort to me to know that he is now in his eternal home.

When I visited him at the hospital, he couldn't talk but could still write and he wanted me to get him a cup of coffee which he couldn't have.  I wish I had just got it and rubbed his mouth and lips with it.  I wish I hadn't left when I did.   I wish I would have been there with him until his last breath.  You see, he didn't want me to leave when I did.   But we cannot change the past.  We must believe and trust that some day we will have a Glad Reunion Day!

Donna Hicks Hale

Aunt Donna and my dad always took turns helping care for my dad's older brother who is mentally disabled.  My Aunt Donna has that sole responsibility now which is a lot of work and worry, and I know she wishes she had help with it.  She had him for his birthday not long ago and she said he talked about how much he missed my dad a lot.  I can remember many trips with my dad to visit him or pick him up for visits where we would all sing old country songs in the car.  My dad would be silly with his singing and my uncle always thought it was the funniest thing.  They have a lot of memories together too so I know that it is definitely hard on my uncle.