Chicken Talk

I wanted to give a quick update on our chickens for those of you who were wondering how they were doing.

You know we began with fifteen little bitty chicks almost nine weeks ago. We now have fourteen full grown chickens. Are you wondering what happened to the other chicken? I would love to be able to tell you, but we really have no idea. We went to bed with fifteen and woke up with fourteen. We are assuming that somehow it got out or something swooped in and plucked it out. Thankfully, there was no sign of struggle or distress. It was just gone...disappeared...kind of like it was raptured and all of the rest were left behind.

We are sad but happy that at least we still have fourteen. We are still waiting to determine for certain which ones are roosters and which ones are hens. We will be keeping all of the hens but only one rooster. The more hens, the more eggs.

I also want to give you an update on Murr. This is still, I think, the prettiest chicken that we have. We are going to hopefully show her in the fair this year. Her namesake, Mary, is so proud, I know, that she will be put on display for all (or maybe just those few who are interested in the livestock barn) to see.

This is Murr.

Fun In the Sun (finally)

Our family just got home from a ten day vacation to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. We had not intended to stay that long, but due to tropical storm like weather for the first five days, Donnie thankfully decided to extend our trip a few days.

We spent the first five days of our trip in the condo except for a few excursions to the pool for Faith to swim in the rain. This was more rain than I had ever seen...and...of all places...Florida. It was crazy and kind of depressing. Until...God sent me a sweet Christian sister to remind me that we are not "fair-weather" Christians. She said that the joy of the Lord fills her and that no matter the rainy, stormy weather outside, she was going to have fun and enjoy her family vacation. Thanks, God, for sending me a reminder through this sweet lady.

Anyway...after five days of rain, the remainder of our vacation weather was wonderful. We played outside until we could play no more. What made it even more special and fun was that the end of our trip included my brother-in-law, his wife and their four children.

I always love vacation time and spending uninterrupted time with Donnie and the kids and this time was no exception. The rain was not great, but the time together was priceless.Meet our crazy Uncle Earl who went along with us.

This is how the vacation began.Finally, headed out to the beach.I don't think Faith liked the seaweed. Do you agree?

"The Boys", as they are so affectionately referred to by their mom and dad, had a ball playing together.
All of the cousins were together for a great vacation.

I have made a picture like this since Keith and Beth were little bitty standing looking at the ocean. I have about fifteen years worth of these and LOVE them.

Faith and Donnie got to touch and feed a manatee that came up to the dock where we were walking.





Faith loves her Mamaw and Papaw. She and Papaw are especially big buddies.

Mama Jo and Papa Joe

My dad and stepmom live in Valley Mills, TX, which is close to Waco for those of you who remember David Koresh. For those who don't, then it is about seven miles from Crawford, TX, where President George W. Bush has a ranch.

Anyway...they have been in Tennessee for the last week or so to see my brother and I and all the grandbabies. What fun we have when they come to visit. Faith loves to sit in Papa Joe's lap and listen to him talk like Donald Duck. And today they all got to get outside and throw the softball around.

This trip has been especially nice because both Mama Jo and Papa Joe were able to help us identify which chickens they thought were roosters and which ones were hens. See, they both grew up with chickens, cattle, goats, horses, etc., so they both know what they are talking about. It was cool to be able to have them show us and teach us more things about being "farmers".

I think my daddy gets a little tickled seeing me "try" to be a farm girl, because of course he knows how girly I am. He also knows though, that I don't mind hard work.

We love you, Mama Jo and Papa Joe, and are so glad that you got to come for a visit. It was great to have you here.

Desperate Gardener

We have had so much rain that our garden has been sitting in water with half of our plants planted. The rest of the plants have been sitting on our deck just waiting there turn.

Finally, this morning we decided that no matter how much mud there was, we HAD to get our plants in the ground. We are on a time crunch!!

Thankfully, Donnie took the dive and did all of the messy work while I stayed on the outside and stayed half way clean. He started out in rubber boots but finally had to ditch those and just go barefoot; he kept getting stuck. I think his feet froze but he got it all done with no complaints.

I have prayed for a bounty and am expecting to receive it. I can't wait to see it all grow and then get to eat those fresh veggies!!

How Many Ways Can You Use Toilet Paper

In our household toilet paper is not just used for the intended purpose. It is also used for Faith's playtime.

I have had rolls of toilet paper in my living room for three days now. It has been used as sofas, as pyramids, as beds, just about anything that Faith's mind can imagine.

I have actually had to go and get the toilet paper away from the Barbies and from Faith so that we could use it. I'm sure you are wondering why I have let her keep it in there. Well, it's like this...I love to see her imagination at work and I like things that have dual purposes. So there you go. Who woulda thought that Angel Soft could entertain for so many hours.

Graduation Day

I cannot believe that my baby girl graduated from kindergarten yesterday. What a wonderful little graduation ceremony that they had at Enrichment Fellowship for these sweet children.

I asked Faith what she has learned in school this year and this is what she said. "I forget what I have learned but I know I have learned a lot." Hopefully she learned something. I do know that I have no idea what her favorite subject is. She really doesn't like math or reading even though she did good in both. She does love to be read to and she likes to draw.

I have to take a minute to say thank you to one of the best teachers that a kid could have. Kathy Burnett (aka Aunt Kathy) taught Faith every Friday at EF and Faith loved it. She loved the class and everything that they did. She said that her favorite things about EF were playing, eating and Aunt Kathy. Not only did Kathy teach the kids a great deal, but they also had fun. Lots and lots of fun. They cooked foods, planted seeds, drew pictures, did phonics and all kinds of other neat stuff. Thank you Kathy for all that you did for these special children and for sacrificing your time to help them learn.

Congratulations, my darling Faith. I am proud of you. I am very glad that this is only kindergarten graduation and not high school graduation. That will come soon enough.My sweet little graduate.Faith and Diddy. What a proud big sister Beth is of Faith.Faith and her buddy William Zebick.Aunt Kathy gives Faith her diploma.Class of 2009.Faith with her flowers and diploma. She was so happy.Faith and Aunt Kathy. The best EF teacher ever!!!See why Faith loves her.Mommy's baby girl. (no matter how big she gets)

Chloe got to come along for graduation and also got to get a new friend to play with. His name is David.

Happy Hour

We love Happy Hour!! Happy hour at Sonic that is. For those of you who possibly are not aware of this wonderful time of day, it is from 2:00-4:00 and all of there drinks are 1/2 off. What a great deal!!

I know that this has been going on for a long time and probably isn't a big deal anymore to most people, but to us it is a HUGE family outing!! We are so excited to go and get a BIG ROUTE 44 soda for 1/2 of what is costs any other time. Remember, that I am married to the wonderful man who doesn't like to buy sodas at restaurants and usually makes the kids buy there own if they want one. So... on these Sonic trips, Donnie treats us all. HOORAY HOORAY!!

Thanks Sonic for the treat!! We love you and we love Happy Hour.