a first

So yesterday I experienced "a first" in my life. Yesterday I fired a gun for the first time, and it happened to be a shot gun no less! Here's how it happened:

I walked to one of my neighbor's, Caroline, house after work to visit for a little bit. She happens to be one of my dearest friends these days and is actually getting married this coming Saturday to a wonderful guy named Nick. Her fiance was there moving in some of his things so I offered to help him carry some of the stuff. The following conversation then took place

Nick: Any of the camoflauge bags can come in
Mandy: Um, are all of these guns?
Nick: (chuckling) Yes
Mandy: I don't know if I can carry these
Nick: why?
Mandy: I've never held a gun before, well other than a bb gun at camp
Nick: WHAT? Are you serious?
Mandy: Yes, I'm serious. And, why does one guy need all these guns?
Nick: they all shoot different and are for shooting various things. And, this isn't all of them
Mandy: Devon was talking about all the guns he has. I don't think Devon even hunts
Nick: (chuckling again) oh, he doesn't hunt. you just need to know that guys are gonna have guns...

(nick proceeded to say more about this, but i can't remember his explanation as to why guys have and like guns...so, i'm just accepting it for what it is...that some of them do)

We (Nick, Caroline, and I) finished carrying everything inside. Caroline and I were chatting in the kitchen when Nick walked out of the bedroom with a shot gun in hand. Don't worry, there was some special lock over the safety of the gun. He said that we were going to have to remedy the fact that I've never shot a gun before. I proceeded to argue that we couldn't just go outside in the neighborhood and fire a gun, to which Nick responded, "sure, why not." I was positive that someone would hear the shot and call 911. Yes, we live in a tiny country town and not a big city, so I know Nick was right. So the three of us walked out on the future Mr. & Mrs. Lewis' back deck and Nick explained all the parts of a shot gun, the type of shell that was being used, and what happens to that shell once it's fired. I can't remember the specifics of the type of shell we used, but I do remember that Nick said something about "if I stood by that shed over there and got hit with it, it would sting, but it wouldn't really hurt me." Again, I took him at his word and believed him. I trust people so easily, don't I? So, Nick showed me the proper way to hold a shot gun, with my elbow up and it in the pocket by my shoulder and not actually on my shoulder, and where I place my cheek. He was great and supported the gun as well, since it was my first time shooting it. I clicked the safety off...and fired. The gun definitely kicked back and made a crazy amazing sound! The sound of a shot gun fire really lasts for at least a full second or second and a half...that's a long time! I must admit...it was a lot of fun! But, please...don't tell anyone I didn't wear ear plugs when I shot it! :)

3 months away

Well hello to those of you who would even venture to check out my blog any more. With 3 months with nothing, I'm surprised if anyone checks it out. My loss definitely. So, I'll write about a few exciting things that have gone on the past few months and then try and get back into "normal" blogging. (I won't ask you to hold your breath though, cause I don't trust myself).

To the left is sweet, precious Nathanael. I really cannot say enough how much of a blessing this season of life is, getting to live next door to Annie, Robbie, and Nate. I don't see them every day, but I sure do see them several times during the week. This is a picture of some time Nathanael and I had together this past Friday while Annie & Robbie went to a Valentine's day dinner. So, cute to see him playing and inspecting the bubbles. He's walking and babbling up a storm. Amazing to watch babies grow and develop. Again, such a sweet season in life, and I'm thankful.

On another note, I'm almost done with school!!! I offically graduate on Saturday March 7th from A.T. Still University in Arizona. I've been "in school" though an online program for a little over two years now getting my clinical doctorate in Audiology. A lot of people don't even know I'm doing this program cause I try and keep quiet about it, as I feel like it seems like it's a bigger deal than it really is. I guess now I'm shouting it to the blogging world, aren't I? I'm just so darn excited to have ZERO SCHOOL WORK! woohoo! I can read with no guilt and I can plan my weekends with no thought for quizes, exams, papers, or projects! I have one more online class chat next Monday and my last final due next weekend, and then I'm home free.

Joe Bud...I need you to meet me in Arizona on 3/7/09 so we can take our normal graduation pic! (see link to interpret that code language) http://mandyleighrambles.blogspot.com/2008/05/tradition.html