Jackson's Outdoor Survival Projects Combined

If I talk to any of you regularly, you know we chose to do online school through Rigby Virtual Academy this first trimester.  I'm sure you've also heard me complain (too much) that online electives are such a pain.  It's true.  They are hard for the teachers and for the parents.  Math and English are great. But the "fun" electives feel like busywork.  I'm not complaining about the teachers; at this point, I don't know another way to do it.  Everyone is still learning how to do everything, and we are all doing our best.

But, today, I had a small change of heart.  I don't want to do online ever again, but at the same time, as I put all of Jackson's projects together, I was grateful he had this class. I  realized he's learned a great deal these past weeks. I caught myself wondering how cool would it be if we could watch a video of each thing we've learned every few months.  I think we'd be amazed at our growth, or at times we may also realize we could be learning more.  That's why we're here, right?  To gain knowledge and wisdom.

As I type this, I realize I don't make a video of all the things I'm learning.  But, I do have a journal and this blog that helps me see growth in our lives.  So, here's my plug for journaling.  I wish we'd all keep a journal.  If nobody ever reads it, that won't matter.  As we keep a journal, we learn many things about life and ourselves.  As we look back, we'll remember and see the growth we are making.

Here's the compilation of all his work for one class.  I wonder what else he's learned these last weeks of school...  

  

Bo Got and Elk!

Bo got his first animal!  He was pretty excited to get the Elk.  Jackson was the only other one to get a chance, but he missed his.  The Elk were pretty far away compared to deer hunting.  They'll take a couple more day trips and try again.  They have all of November.

Congrats Bo!  I think it's really cool that since Jackson was so interested in hunting that you took the time to get your license and figure everything else out so you could go.  I know you've always been interested, but it takes a lot of time.  You're so awesome to take the time for these boys.  Thanks for inviting me, even though I'd rather just hear about it!  I'm sure these trips will be some of the best memories you'll have with the boys.  

I'm pretty sure hunting is one of the only ways to get a grown man smile too!  :)

Bo, Jackson, and Brayden drug parts of the Elk from the top to the bottom of this mountain.  It was Heavy!

There were some gorgeous skies up there!

Boys cutting meat for jerky and Eldburger, I promise Brayden is a happy kid.  He is just self-conscious about smiling for the camera.

They spent a great deal of time cutting meat.  I couldn't believe how much meat the elk made.  Bo learned how to butcher it himself.  We ended up with two one-gallon bags of Jerky. (We would have had three, but we accidentally burned a batch.)  We also got 45 pounds of elkburger.  Thanks, Bo and boys, for contributing to our food storage!  We will eat well this winter from all your efforts.

Do our actions make a difference?

Since we moved into our house 12 years ago, we have had problems with our walk-out basement door.  Bugs and worms have been able to get in, it's been drafty, and the doorknob has had issues closing and locking properly.  We've done small repairs, and it would do ok for a while.  Then, about a month ago, the door jam broke into a bunch of pieces.  On Halloween, Bo switched the door out.  Thanks, Dad, for helping him finish up.  I really wasn't much help. 

Here's the point!  When we removed our old door, it came right out.  It had NEVER been screwed or nailed in, and it didn't have any silicone, caulk, or sealing at all!!!  How annoying is that?!  All of those problems could have been prevented!  Had we known, we could have fixed it properly years ago.  But, there was no way to know until we took the interior and exterior trim off. Isn't that how life goes sometimes?  We never really know how much a small error or half-done job can affect ourselves or other people. 

Not a hole in sight! Looks brand new.

It also makes me wonder if we had just checked it out correctly from the start, how many problems could have been avoided?  When we feel like doing a little less than our best or fixing something partway, we need to realize it may just become someone else's or our own problem for far longer than needed.  

This also goes for repentance and living the gospel.  We can say we're sorry and change part-way.  But, the only true way is to allow the Atonement to work in our lives.  Part-way doesn't allow for all of the big beautiful blessings.  No matter how big or small, as we make mistakes, we must feel true sorrow.  As we do, we invite Jesus Christ into our life by allowing Him to change us.  Through studying His words, praying for help, and asking for his grace to strengthen and change us, He will be there.

  

The Holy Ghost will teach us what the Savior needs us to hear, and we need to obey.  It is a process, not an on/off switch.  Saying sorry and asking for forgiveness is only the beginning  As we do these exercises: light, peace, joy, and true happiness will shine through.  Others will see the changes and be inspired to be better too!  This is the living gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful to be a member, know it's truth, and do my best daily to follow my Savior, Jesus Christ!

The Hunt 2020

Back in October, the boys went deer hunting with their cousin Ericksen and uncle Myles.  Brayden was old enough to go hunt this year!  He worked hard to get his license, which made everyone able to go except Caleb.  These kids are growing up fast!

Conrad, Ercksen, and Jackson all got a deer.  A first for Conrad and Ericksen!  Jackson got his third!  Brayden got a chance, but he missed his.  Next year, buddy!

Bo said, "killing your first deer is the only way to get a teenager to smile!"

Check out the smiles on these boys' faces.  

Last Spring Bo, and the two older boys put in for an Elk Cow tag at Stoddard Creek.  Brayden wasn't old enough at the time, so he didn't get to try.  They all got a tag, and last week they went to see if they could get anything.  Conrad is in driver's ed, so he only got to go one day, but they still had a lot of fun.  

Bo got his first animal!  He was pretty excited to get the Elk.  Jackson was the only other one to get a chance, but he missed his.  The Elk were pretty far away compared to deer hunting.  They'll take a couple more day trips and try again.  They have all of November.

Halloween 2020

Halloween was a little different this year.  The rule at our house is when they turn 12, the kids are done trick-or-treating.  But, this year has been different, so the rules changed.  I told them they could all go.  This year has had many things passed up and uncelebrated.  All of them ended up going.  This was the first year in my life I've been the one to hand out candy.  Bo and I stayed home while the kids ran around the neighborhood.  This was a first for us too.  The kids loved the freedom.  Hailey went with her friends, and the boys all went together with Conrad's friend Cooper.  They had a great time.  Bo, on the other hand, didn't have as great a time.  See a post about our new walk-out door.

The kids had fun decorating cupcakes for Halloween.

Baby Yoda eating his frog!

Jackson's

Conrad's

Happy Halloween, Kiddos!  I so happy you were able to get out and do something normal!