Watch out, Marilyn's got a gun!

I ddin't get a picture of me actually shooting the gun

but I figured this was pretty close.

I mean we could be twins...right? (FYI I'm being sarcastic)

Getting through my list of 30 New Experiences by the time I'm 30 isn't nearly as hard as finding time to blog about them. But I promise I will work at being better about keeping you updated.

My first 30BY30 experience actually took place about 3 weeks ago while visiting my uncle in Jay, Oklahoma. We were sitting around visiting when my cousin looked and me and said, "Wanna shoot a gun?" As fear covered the face of my husband I smiled and said, "YES!" It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I'm a proud supporter of the 2nd amendment. I feel that everyone should be able to protect themselves against anyone and anything. What they might now know is that I've never actually shot a gun outside of my husband's Red Rider BB gun or the plastic gun you use for Duck Hunt.

My uncle lives on several acres so we found a good open spot and set up a plastic jug to use as my target. He went over the basics about gun safety and how to line up the site. After I felt comfortable with holding the gun and using the safety I lifted it to aim at my target. Gently I pulled the trigger but wasn't prepared for the loud noise or jolt of adrenaline that would shoot through my body. It was even more awesome to find out that I hit my target. I pulled the trigger four more times hitting the target each time.

It is certanly something that I will be doing again!

Other Monumental Birthdays!

As I pause to focus on my upcoming birthday I can't help but take notice of other monumental birthdays being celebrated.

Today my friends, Scott and Jenny Williams, welcomed into the world a baby girl named McKenna Rian. I can only imagine what is going through the thoughts of the William's family as they celebrate her first day in this world. She is begining a wonderful journey and I can't wait to celebrate her 30th birthday with her!

Last week I was honored to have my "experiment" mentioned by my friend and neighbor Jennifer on her wildly popular blog http://www.jenx67.com/. She also mentioned an article in the Journal Record by Louisa McCune-Elmore (Subject to change: Lordy, lordy, we’re 40) which gives a great account of what goes through the mind of someone turning 40.

Finally, while in Tulsa today I stopped to place flowers on the grave of my grandparents and was suprised to notice that this year my grandfather, Rev. William T. Roberts, would have turned 100 years young. Even though he won't be here to blow out the candles I will still secretly celebrate his birth. 

Can you imagine the changes that have taken place between 1910, when my grandfather was born, to today when little McKenna arrived into our lives?