Tulsa Time

Cooper and I just returned from a weekend getaway to Tulsa with my family to watch Bennett play a 3-game series against Western Michigan and had the best time. I am looking forward to many years of being part of the Bennett Pickar Fan Club.

We flew into Tulsa on a regional jet (propellar plane) late Thursday night. Bennett picked us (my mom, Cooper and me) up at the airport, which is about 20 min. from the ORU campus and took us to our hotel. The three of us got up on Friday morning and toured the campus and went to chapel with Bennett. This is a requirement for him twice a week and as crazy as I thought it was going to be, I actually enjoyed it. The music was impressive (lots of amazing voices and a full band) and the sermon was even good. A few crazies in the audience, but even that was entertaining. Bennett had to be at the field at 1:00, so we left and went out to lunch and hit the ORU bookstore. We are all set on ORU gear for a while now, but it was cloudy, cold and drizzling, so we needed some more layers.

A view of the campus from our hotel--very 70's looking!

The prayer tower made to look like the crown of thorns on top

We found out from Bennett that he was not playing in the first game (no warning and a major bummer), but it was still a great game and ORU won big. That night, we went to the Cheesecake Factory with Bennett and one of his friends and then waited for the rest of the fan club to arrive (Brandon, Erika and Jay). The next morning, my mom and I went for a great run along the Arkansas River and then joined everyone for breakfast. Cooper got treated to the day of his life before the game--he got to go into the locker room and tour all of the facilities. Never seen that kid so wide-eyed! Bennett played awesome on Saturday both behind the plate and hitting (2 RBI) and the team won again. He is the only true freshman on the team and some of his teammates look so old! After the game, Cooper got to even go down on the field and play catch with both of his uncles and watch Bennett catch some in the bullpen. Saturday night was dinner out to a mexican food place with all of us. Good times! After dinner, we snuck into Bennett's dorm so us girls could see it. Hilarious! We had to go in a side door and have people on the lookout because there is a strict policy against the opposite sex being in dorm rooms.

The weight room that overlooks the field

Gorgeous field

Nice scoreboard with Bennett's mug shot

Right before his base hit single that drove in two runs

Ready to run

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory

Sunday's game was a little warmer, but still no sunshine. We said goodbye to Bennett before the game because we had to leave as soon as it finished. Again, Bennett played great even laying down a bunt single, which is something he has never done in the past. They won again to sweep the series.

Elite members of the fan club

More members

Playing catch on the field after the game

Bennett's #1 fan

Because the entire state of Oklahoma takes spring break at the same time, all the flights were full, so we rented a car and drove it home. We left at about 3:00 and got to DIA at 11:30, so not too shabby. We were all pretty tired yesterday, but it was well worth it. It definitely won't be the last trip we make to Tulsa in the next few years!

Two for two

I'm not sure who was shocked more this last week when Kaiya won the science fair--us or her. We didn't even bother going to the awards ceremony, but when Doug showed up to pick up her display, he learned just as he was leaving that she won. Who knew our non-creative, non-motivated family would be 2/2 on science fairs? Cooper won when he was in 4th grade. Neither project was anything spectacular, so I'm thinking we will always stick with short and simple! And, yes, I said "we". Anyone who has been through this knows that the parents deserve a little side award for the headache that helping with these projects becomes!

Kaiya's project on lung capacity in cold vs hot air

One other side note of the past two weeks (and it is awesome news to be able to call it a side note!) was that Cooper's most recent cardiology visit was totally uneventful for the first time in several years. The echo looked good and all the adjustments that had to be made to his pacemaker last time to allow it capture without missing any beats have held. The battery is wearing down a little quicker than we had hoped, but maybe in a few years they will develop technology that we can just plug him in at night like I do my cell phone.

Cooper and I are off to Tulsa this weekend to watch Bennett play in a home game series. Can't wait! We are even going to go to chapel with him--should be highly entertaining. And a much needed break from work--we've been so busy and we keep losing some of our transplant kids. Sometimes, it is more draining than I realize to take care of these kids only to lose them. I actually got to work in the NICU last night and took care of a couple preemies. Got my baby fix, so I'm good to go for a while again!