A Hunting HE will go.....

Payton Blake Cooper was born on Monday January 1st, 1996 at 12:00 am.  Yes, he was the first baby born in Knoxville that year.  It started off with a bang let me tell you.  The previous day, Sunday, Payton and I went to church as we always did on Sunday mornings.  We went to my nonna and papaws after church for lunch like we did every week.  While we were there I kept telling my mom and nonna that my back was hurting and it felt funny.  Around 4pm they said to me, "Mandi, do you think it could be contractions in your back?" I told them there was no way it did not in anyway seem like I was in labor.  However, after closely monitoring these "back pains" I realized they were coming in a pattern.  Around 7pm Payton and I headed to the hospital and sure enough I was already like 5 or 6 cm dialated.  I started the birthing process around 11:30 and at 25 seconds after midnight on Jan. 1st he was born.  The doctor said it was so close we could either have a tax deduction baby or we could shoot for the first baby of the new year.  So, we chose to try for the first baby of the new year.  We had got it, the next baby was not born until several minutes after midnight.  


The next morning there were news reporters calling, coming in doing interviews, local stores bringing gift cards, formula and diapers. We were showered with lots of things and so many visitors.  It was really a neat experience. Something we are for sure proud of.  

Today Blake is 15 years old and is in 10th grade (at home of course).  He is an avid hunter all around.  He hunts anything from ducks, geese, turkeys, deer, wild boar, squirrels, etc.  You name it he will hunt for it.  He is awesome at it too which helps.  He has supplied our family with lots of meat!!!  He has a passion for it like non other.  He also loves to fish.  he spends every dime he earns on fishing, hunting or guns.  Sometimes it drives me crazy but hey that is how God wired him.  


He is an awesome son, friend, brother, and such a hard worker.  He can do just about anything that he puts his mind too.  Very hands on.  He is still undecided about what he wants to do when he grows up although his talk for the last few years is to open  some sort of business by himself.  He wants to be self employed as he has seen the benefits and downfalls (but mostly benefits) of his daddy owning his own business.  

I am so proud of the young man he is becoming and I know that he will make an awesome husband and father when he gets older(much older)!


And here is a link to his favorite song right now....