Another Hunter in the Family?

Okay, for my friends that think hunting is cruel, brace yourself, and maybe even decide not to read this e-mail. :)

I grew up with a hunter. My step-dad was pretty much gone every weekend my mom would let him when hunting season rolled around every year. He wanted us to go with him, but we were always so busy with school things, it just never worked out. I also didn't have much of a desire because I was never going to shoot an animal. I grew out of the "cruelty" stage, because, seriously? Vegetarians are the only people that have a right to that argument. And also to believe that it is cruel to shoot animals for food, can also mean a lack of belief in God's Purposes. He created animals as a means of providing food for us, just as he created smaller animals as a means to provide food for larger ones, at least the carnivores :)

Anyway, off my soap box......

I went hunting, and as Jared puts it "Finally." I wasn't expecting much, I mainly was just excited to get away for a weekend and enjoy the Great Outdoors. In fact, our whole discussion on our trip to Junction was about cutting the hunting fund and the reality of when we start having babies, how we may not be able to afford to pay for a spot on the lease, if one were to come up.

Then the weekend begun. I sat in the blind on Saturday morning and it was beautiful. The air was crisp, my face mask was on and I had a great view of the wildlife through binoculars. It was a nice, relaxing morning. Then a couple of the guys suggested that I learn to shoot a gun. So, Jared and Randy (one of the guys on the lease) taught me how to shoot. Randy said I should take my first deer. I got permission and we went on the evening hunt.

I had some perfect shots at about 3 different deer, and was so nervous, I didn't take them. Then I just decided now or never and I took a shot. Jared said the doe acted as though she was hit but he wasn't for sure, so he took a shot at the same doe. We couldn't see her anymore. So, the excitment grew at the wonder of if we would find her. 20 minutes later we went to track her, and sure enough, she had not gone far. She was just behind some rock directly behind the feeder. Jared's shot had hit the deer in the behind and mine had hit the deer for the kill, just a slight off behind the shoulder.

Wow, I cannot even describe the thrill of it all. Pretty exciting stuff. However, for those that can't understand why that might be, it really is hard to put it into words. There is just so much pride in being able to have a part in literally bringing meat to the table. To know, that no matter how bad the economy can get, we are equipped to take care of ourselves and our family with the resources the Lord has and will continue to provide.

So, the discussion on the way home was slightly different. All me: "Honey, we need to start saving, I will need camo, a gun at some point, and if a spot comes open on the lease, we have to take it." The weekend was very unexpected, but so wonderful. Jared and I now have one more thing in common. And let me just say, you would think Christmas has already come and gone for the excitement he shows :)

October in a Nutshell

I really have been bad about the blogging. I will try and get better at keeping this updated. But, seriously, now that my friend's have such beautiful babies to blog about, mine seems a bit boring, even to me :) I am so busy keeping caught up with other's blogs that I neglect this one :)

Jordyn came for another visit in late October. My church was hosting a Fall Festival and I wanted her to come and have some fun with us. Cailyn and Jordy spend the night with Jared and I, and we just had a blast together. We set up a mattress right in front of the T.V. so we could lay and watch Hannah Montana. Then on Saturday morning, J and I took the girls for breakfast at Shipleys before Jared and Jordyn went to Bass Pro Shops while Cailyn and I went and saw High School Musical 3. We met up later and all went to help the girls build Hannah Montana bears at Build-A-Bear. Yup, my husband is a trooper. The kids were wiped by the time the carnival began, but we all still had such a great time! :)

We have a costume contest at work every year, and yes, we used the same idea, except Michelle and I used the idea. She was the hunter and I was the dear. We got 2nd place, not too shabby. I love days like that at work.

Then there is the scary picture. Jared and I both participated in the Haunted House at the Fall Festival this year. I would crawl on the floor after the people as they were trying to flee. It was awesome! I think people were surprised of how scary I can be :) No funny comments on that one! :)

The last picture is at the Alamo. Amanda brought her boyfriend in for "Meet the Family." And for us, that is no oridinary thing. Because "Meet the Family" in La Vernia not only means the parents and siblings, it also means the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He took it well and even agreed to be in the family picture for christmas cards. Needless to say, I believe he might be the one. I can say that because neither Amanda nor he read this blog, and it is written all over their faces :) We are so excited for them and look forward to what may come.

I will do my best to keep up with the updates, and stay tuned because the next blog will be the most exciting yet. And it is not because I am announcing a pregnancy. Don't look for that blog until at least another year unless the Lord has a different plan for us :)

Hope you are all doing well!