How We Spent Our Christmas Vacation!

Destination: Big Bend, Tx! For the 3rd year in a row, we made our pilgrimage to Big Bend. (If you don't know where it is, check out the Texas map!) We found out a long time ago that photos almost never convey what it's like to be there--breathing the air, looking at the mountains, smelling the smells, watching the wildlife.... We love this place--actually hiked a total of 17 miles in three days. All of the hikes were to places we had never been--except Castolon. It's always fun to go to the store there. If you have never been, I would urge you to at least try it. However, you have to like places at the literal "back side of nowhere." When you know where to look the desert is so alive and beautiful. You have to have time to be there and find a quiet place to sit and "ponder." One of the things that keeps us going back (besides the scenary) is the great resturant in the basin. Next year, we want to explore some of the areas outside the park--Terligua, Presidio.

An Awesome Sunset!

We happened to be in the right place at the right time to catch this sunset.

The Window Trail

Delbert at "The Window". As you look south, we see Mexico.

Mule Ear Peaks Trail

Streams in the Desert

Mule Ears Spring

Santa Elena Canyon (Rio Grande) from the Mule Ears Peak Trail

2008--The Year that Was (almost!)

Another year has come and, almost, gone. To think it is almost 2009 is amazing. Where does the time go? We celebrated our 40th Wedding anniversary this past July and we won’t even mention those other “mile markers” of age! Even though I don’t seem to get around to sending Christmas greetings every year, that doesn’t mean friends from past and present are not in our thoughts. God has been so good to us over the years and brought so many people into our lives, bringing blessings in so many different ways. For that we are very grateful. This year has been an especially busy, fulfilling year for us. I am still enjoying teaching at the University of Arkansas in Monticello. I made a big move from Early Childhood to Middle Level (grades 4—8) this past year and I love it. Besides teaching Middle Level preservice teachers, I also teach in the Master of Arts of Teaching (MAT) program. The MAT is an alternative licensure program for teachers of students in grades 4 through 12. Teaching at a university is a constant challenge—I can truthfully say I had no idea how much work it would be. But, I still love it! Working with university students is such a blessing to me!

Delbert's Busy Retirement

Delbert stays busy meeting needs in the community. He not only is a Deacon at our church (First Baptist, Warren) but also is active with the local Gideons. With all the stormy weather this past year, he was often called on to participate in the chainsaw crews for Disaster Relief. All of the widows in town have his phone number and when something needs repairing or chopping down, he is the one they call. As President of the local Lions Club, he leads the way in providing vision screening for local children. In spite of all the activities, he still finds time to hunt and fish—especially with his grandsons, Gage and Gavin.

Delbert's Mission Trip to Mexico

In August of 2008, Delbert made his 2nd trip to Mexico. He was in Llano Largo just north of Mexico City. The purpose of the trip was to help build a house for a local pastor. His plans include a return trip with youth from our church this spring break.

Budapest

One of the highlights of the trip to Hungary was a visit to history-filled Budapest. The Danube, Chain Bridge, the food, the Market, and so many other breathtaking sights...

Spring Break with the BCM in Debrecen, Hungary

One of the highlights of 2008 for me was to participate with the UAM Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) in a trip to Debrecen in eastern Hungary. I was also fortuante to travel to Gyor (western Hungary) in Fall 2007. Both trips were to universities and a fantastic learning experience for me. I will admit traveling with college students was also a learning experience. Overall, they were a great bunch of kids and we had a great time.

Gage's Vindication

It was reported earlier in this blog that Gage did not kill a deer at Thanksgiving. Well, that statement is no longer true. While hunting today, Andy found the deer that Gage "missed." The deer had been felled with a single, perfect shot to the heart. The body was a short 30 yards from where Gage shot it. Too bad those with "hunter eyes" could not see it.

Redneck Christmas Card

The Haynes Family

Thanksgiving, 2008

The Farm

(Nova, Lacey, Gavin, Gage, Heidi, & Blake)

Lacey and Blake

This was Gavin's 2nd doe for the week. He and Lacey were in the deer stand together when he shot the deer and it ran off. Everyone searched for it for about 2 hours until Delbert finally found it. The deer had been gut shot and, if we hadn't found it when we did, the meat would have been no good.

As an experiment, Lacey and I decided to can the meat from Gavin's deer. Check back for future reports to find out if our experiment is successful.

Gage did not kill a deer this past week but he shot at three! He wounded one (couldn't find a body) and missed two others. His Papa and Uncle Andy shared their "missed shots" stories with him to help him feel better. He had a great time and got up at 5:15 a.m. every morning to go sit in the deer stand with his Papa. There's always next time!

First Blood

Lacey was proud of her "first kill." Size doesn't matter anyway, right, Lace?

The Deer Slayer

Gavin is learning to be such an avid hunter--just like his Papa. The way he is looking at this deer gives you an idea of how much he enjoys hunting. It won't be long until he is looking at a girl like this--hope he waits a few more years! This was Gavin's first deer this year.

Even the Bradford Pear is showing off this fall!

Here at the farm, fall has come and almost gone. The foliage has been beautiful this year--lots of yellows, reds, and browns. The weather has been usually cool--hope that isn't a sign of a long, cold winter. The cool weather has been welcomed by the "deer slayers." The wood has been burning in the fireplace for about three weeks now. Most falls, we don't even have a fire in the fireplace until Thanksgiving week. I can always hope spring will come early.

Must be genetics...

Just relaxing after a typical day of huntin', fishin', and ridin' the 4-wheeler. (I had to wash Heidi's hair 4 times to get all the mud out.) Wonder where they got the urge to do this? FYI: If you click on the image, you can make it bigger...