Successful Hunt

My favorite hunter shot his first doe of the season on Saturday (the internet's been on the fritz since then or I would've posted that night). He went out to check out the trails and find his way around, so Robert wasn't with him.

Needless to say, he was very excited, as this was his first night out at the new hunting club in SC. Even better - he had to drag the deer up a steep hill afterwards. It had run down the hill in the few seconds before it died. Clever deer--sticking it to the hunter.

Daniel took Robert with him (he's a Jr. member of the club) Sunday after church was over. But, the next few nights were very windy as a cold front or two moved through, so Daniel and Robert didn't see anything besides foxes and such. And it was 29 degrees!!

They'll probably try again next week.. I'd like to load up the freezer for the year. The meat is so much better than Publix b/c there's no hormones or meds given to the deer. It's very lean because these deer are raised on soybean fields --instead of having to live in a tiny stall at a meat farm their whole lives. Much nicer for the animal to have a normal life.

Happy Birthday Daniel!!

(I've noticed I usually post these birthdays a day late, due to all the excitement and just having a too-full life! But, sometimes I just don't get to sit down long enough to worry about posts!)

So Happy Birthday Daniel! Not going to post which one, but he's thirthy-something.....

I couldn't find a more manly, loving, caring, giving, humorous, wonderful guy. I can always count on Daniel to do the right thing, keep a level head, and stay in control of the situation.

I love you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CVS-ing at Bass Pro Shops

Awhile ago, Daniel and I started putting purchases on his BassPro Rewards card. You earn points and can spend them at BassPro just as dollars. I put all of our gas, food, supplies, etc...on it --it adds up quickly!(We just pay off each month in full so there is no interest.) He uses the points for all of the fishing/ hunting stuff he'd like and gets them for free.

He bought a gun the other day and was just shy of the total points needed. However, the gun has a $25 manufacturer's rebate which means they will actually pay him for taking the gun from them!

This one I'm anxious to see b/c it's a muzzle-loader (think The Patriot, consequently on Daniel's list of favorite historical movies. Additionally, I believe I already mentioned, the place where he hunts actually was the site of filming for the Patriot. I guess if I were a good wife, I would be sewing colonial-era militia garb for him to run around in???)

With a muzzle-loader you have to ram everything down into the barrel to fire it-like you see on old movies. I think it'll be neat to see.

Hummingbirds!

I was buzzed the other day - literally - I thought it was a moth but it turned out to be a hummingbird! He was right next to me. Our 2 plum trees by the deck seemed to be his favorite-understandable, they're so good--we ate a ton of them this Summer. (He may have also gotten some of Rush's apple juice on the patio table.)

Then, last night he came back, and Daniel and I watched him for awhile. At the hardware store this morning, Daniel bought me a feeder and four birds have been fighting over it all afternoon--they found it immediately! They're soo cute, I just had to post some pics.

In other news, we are all well- with the exception of a small fish hook going into Ryan's finger. Ugh! But he's fine now and it's just a little mark. Luckily Daniel was here with me to get it out. Also, Richard yanked another of his teeth last night. (The previous tooth fell out while he was asleep.)

We are loving the cool weather here in SC, it feels like Fall! There's a few red leaves too ---but, we'll have to head back on Wednesday. (It's very hard to leave... ) But I'm promised we'll return soon for some hunting! (No, not me, just Daniel)

Happy Birthday Richard

September 11th brings Richard to 8 miraculous years. Whenever this day comes around, I find myself reliving the (very frightening) day that brought him to us. Racing to the hospital, a 3 minute flat C-section, 3 long months of NICU life, and months of oxygen.
Since it's been a few years, many of you may not know that doctors told us, several months ahead of time, Richard would not survive when he was born. (My water had broken around 15 weeks and doctors wanted to "terminate" that evening). We waited and saw several specialists in the next 14 weeks. I went into labor at 29 weeks b/c of an infection--within an hour we were rushing to the hospital.
Richard's heart and breathing stopped, so I was rushed in for a C-section and my doctor wasn't there - the nurses grabbed one in the hallway. When I came to, I laid in recovery for a long time wondering how the baby was. On the way to my room, they actually rolled me through the NICU, in the bed, to see Richard.
The next six months could fill several books--but it taught us much about ourselves and the goodness of the Lord -- providing for us, sustaining us, and sending miracle after miracle. It is hard to realize your own weakness and rely on someone else. It is hard to wait patiently for tiny signs of progress and hope for a life returning to normal.
Now, eight years down the road, we praise the Lord each day for our miracle boy and all he's been through.

And I often wonder what things lie in store for him.

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza ruins in Mexico - it's like pyramids for the west. (Those Egyptians weren't the only hard workers!)

Most people know my brother is in Mexico, and they usually ask "Why???" For the history of course! Look at that sight - and you can climb right on it - pretend you are a Mayan, dragging that rock straight up to the top. Put on your tribal mask, do a temple dance,... maybe not. (I'd be pulling one of the children up.)

Seriously though, he is very close to Chichen Itza. In a few weeks he will be playing there with Placido Domingo, one of the Three Tenors. (Caroline - is he the other guy???). In the musical arena he's met a few famous people, but Domingo and Chichen Itza...too much for one day.

So, get your tickets now....we can play ball afterwards (there's a famous Mayan ball court there).

Giddy-up and Ride - Rachel's 9th Birthday

Rachel, like most nine year old girls, loves horses. So this year for her birthday we surprised her with a horseback riding party at the nearby stable. We started out at the park and then rode over to the stable on a trailer. I thought is was supposed to be a hayride, but there was no hay. (Turns out the kids thought the hay was too itchy anyway and just wanted the bare trailer.)

At the stable, the kids took turns trying to ride 4 horses. It was very humorous to see them shoving and whacking the horses in an attempt to make them go. Robert and Colton did finally get their horses to gallop around. Alyx also went flying by once (she said she had the bumpy horse). Rachel and Hannah were able to get a good trot going, but poor Larissa seemed to always be stuck in the middle of the corral.

We managed to get back to the park before the skies opened up. All in all, I think it was about perfect and the kids had a great time.