Last week was a momentous milestone for Payne.
He got his driver’s license.
He legally can drive. Without an adult in the car. By himself.
Just walked out of the office with the temporary license
Driving all by himself for the first time
The next morning, driving himself and Jackson to school for the first time
Last night was Parents' Night at Payne's basketball game.
2010 will be known, forevermore, as "The Year of Payne."
He started the year winning Grand Champion at our county show in January, followed right after by making the sale in San Antonio with another pig.
He ended 2010 with a bang. Literally.
If you know us at all, you know I have 2 farm-raised, red-blooded country boys. Boys who hunt. So if you have a problem with that, just click away now. Come back later on, and we can still be friends and no hard feelings whatsoever. But if you don't have a problem with my deer hunters, read on!
I get a phone call Sunday morning as I am ready to head to church.
"Mama, I got a deer."
"Sure thing Payne. Congratulations!"
"I think it is a pretty good one."
"Cool. Text me a picture."
This is what they texted me. Payne was with Bob-Bob, and the combination of grandfather + grandson produced the above shot. I could count 12 points for sure.
Then Jon calls, telling me what a good deer Payne shot. Over 20 points. Well, that *is* a good deer. Again, I told them to text me pictures. And this is what they send me. Now I can really see the drop tine in the back and can see a few more points.
It wasn't until my brother-in-law texted a picture to Roberta that I finally got how good the buck was. Here is what he sent:
For anyone still reading who really cares, here are some details:
December 19th, 2010
150 yards
25-ought6
Free-range white-tail (non-typical)
Webb County
Possible Boone & Crockett score: 193 3/8 (not sure if that is the "official score" or not yet)
Football season marches on. Payne's team only has one loss. They are the bright spot this football season. A&M has lost 2 games, both of which they could have easily won. The Cowboys are stinking things up.
Can we discuss the fact is already the second week in October? Where are the emergency brakes for 2010?
Second game of the season, second win somehow found.
He didn't catch the first pass to him in the end zone. He was on his butt, sliding, and it slipped over his shoulder pads. The coaches later claimed he couldn't hold onto it because he had already puked and it was dripping off his hands. Gross.
He caught the second pass to him. In the end zone. Redemption.
There was also a fumble he caused on a kick off. I thought the coach was going to break Payne's neck celebrating.
There were also some tackles.
And the puking. Lots of puking, which continued on the bus ride home.
It was a good night for football.
Payne setting up as wide receiver - He's #1 this year. Literally.
If you live in America, you *must* know football season is upon us. Payne and his 8th grade compadres had their season opener at home last Thursday. Somehow, as time ran out, they emerged on the winning side. It was ugly, but it was a notch in the "W" column.
I'll be on the road part of the day, picking up Jack. So popping in for a quick Happy Birthday! post for my freshly minted 14-year-old.
Happy Birthday, Payne-O!
Many of my summer days were spent on the water, skiing and kneeboarding. And now my boys are on the kneeboard too. Makes this mama very happy. The expressions on Jackson's face were hysterical - smile, frown, scared, smile again, terror, smile again. And yes, I can still do it too. That kind of makes me happy too.
The annual first day of school|last day of school photographic evidence of physical growth.
Wow! No wonder they have complained all year of their feet hurting, their knees hurting, all their joints aching.