Wilson Family

Each year for Joe’s birthday, I usually get him something lame. I stew and stew about what to get him but inevitably it’s nothing super exciting. Part of that is that his birthday is the day before Christmas but the main reason is that he is THE hardest person to shop for. He usually saves for and buys everything that he wants and the other things that I know he wants are too expensive to justify for a birthday or Christmas. This year was different. I was determined to get him something amazing that he would really enjoy. I had a few ideas of things but I couldn’t figure out what to get. Then I had a wonderful idea…if I could only get it to work right. After his hunting trip last month with his dad, brother and nephew I realized (and I think they did too) that this was going to start happening more frequently and as all of these baby boys get older, the trips are going to be bigger and better every time. SO…I needed to get Joe a deer rifle so he doesn’t have to borrow his dad’s. As I thought about it I decided we didn’t have $1000.00 lying around for a rifle so I needed to be crafty. Joe has a really nice .45 that his dad gave him before his mission. It is beautiful but we’ve only ever shot it a handful of times. So I called up his dad and asked him if he would mind if I sold it to purchase a rifle for Joe. He was excited about the idea and helped me to pick out the rifle. I called a gun dealer (Al) in our ward and he taught me a few things about rifles and then we all decided I would make out better if I could sell the pistol privately (which Al would handle for me) and then I could order the rifle through him at dealer cost. PERFECT! Al ordered the rifle (Browning X-Bolt 30.06) and the Leupold scope (an early graduation present from his parents) with rings to mount it. Al hooked us us with 2 day shipping and had it here on Tuesday the 22nd. I was so worried that Joe would notice that the pistol was missing and I was so excited to give him the presents that I had butterflies in my stomach for 2 days! Finally on his birthday, the 24th, we began by opening a few presents. You should know that I have been making him a quilt so he thought that was his only gift. Emma began by giving him a box of 30.06 ammo. I told him that we knew he had another trip planned and I called his dad to see what ammo his rifle would take. I am sure he thought this was the lamest gift ever. Then Joseph gave him the mounting rings for his scope. I quickly told him that we would get him all the less expensive accessories until we could buy him a rifle. 2nd worst gift ever. Then I gave him the quilt which he loved and then Emma took him to find his last gift from us. As she opened the closet door all he could say was, “This better not be what I think it is!” Oh it was, and it was so much better than I’m sure he thought it would be! After he opened the rifle and looked at it for a minute we gave him the scope from his parents (he had seen the box a few days earlier and thought for sure it was a Maglight…not quite, my love). He was again shocked and so thankful. It was such a great night,  he had this huge smile on his face and I was so happy to be able to do that for him, with my wonderful assistants: Joe’s parents & Al! I made him a fun cake too which I had been hiding until after presents! It was the great start to a wonderful night of playing Santa & Mrs. Claus. I love you, Joe! Happy Birthday!

On a side note, it was fun to glance over at him all night as I could tell he was ecstatic and it was as if he was wondering if that had really just happened. The next morning I could tell he was anxious to get it out again– when he did he put the scope on, then oiled and admired it for a while :) so fun…