It's Gonna Be a Long Night 121/365

This is the front of my house.  I feel well protected right now, because this is just one of many police cars outside.

We also have this....you will have to trust me, it is a SWAT bus.  I couldn't use my flash because I didn't want them to think it was a gunshot.  I now have two of these.  We are on lockdown, and my neighbor is hold up in his house with a gun.  I promise you, I live in a really nice area.  This is just one of those crazy things.  Please pray for us though.  I am hoping that this all ends peacefully, I'm afraid it won't, but I pray that it does.

UPDATE:  They were able to peacefully remove the armed man from the house around 5 a.m.  He is now in custody.  I am a little worried about his dogs though. They are silent, so I am hoping they made it through all of this too.

Our Fine Feathered Friends 120/365

I get tons of questions about our urban chicken farming adventure, so I thought I would put some pictures with all the stories.  

When we went out to the chicken farm to pick out chickens, I was well aware that they wouldn't just be yard birds, but they would be our pets.  Sure enough, they are.  We have learned so much about each chicken's personality.  Each one is well suited for the child that picked them.

This is Marigold.  She was the one chicken that I knew I wanted when we visited the farm.  She, like Noelle, is the momma hen.  She keeps the others in line.  Marigold is sweet, but serious.

This is London.  She is so a curious little thing.  She is a little hyper as she is the one that likes to run around in circles the most. She is sweet though, and loves to cuddle once you pick her up.

Hope's chicken in Lilly.  Lilly is the sweetest chicken of all the girls.  She is a little slower moving than the rest, so she is the easiest to be caught.  The other chickens have labeled her the lowest chicken in the rankings, and unfortunately, she gets hen pecked by the others.  Lilly is perfect for Hope, because she allows Hope to pick her up and she settles right in.

This is Easter, she is a mess!  She is the one that is always stirring up trouble.  When she does something well, she squawks so loud that all the neighbors know that she is boasting.  She is also the chicken that tries her best to escape.  Noelle and I call her Sketchy instead of Easter.  She is great for Hunter though....he is the only one that can catch her, and he enjoys running to see what kind of drama she is creating. 

Our chickens get to run free now.  We put up some deer netting on top of the fence that keeps the hawks out.  They are locked up tight at night, so our only real concern at this point is snakes.  I'm sure if one comes that Easter will be sure to let me know.  

I really am thankful for the many lessons that these chickens have taught my kids.  I again would recommend raising chickens to any family.  

The Chickens 119/365

I get so many messages and questions from friends about the chickens, that I have decided to spend my time tomorrow introducing you to our chickens.  But for now, here is Noelle with Lilly.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow now!!  I love the chickens and can't wait to formally introduce you to the gang, so see you tomorrow!

Gak 118/365

Today we made Gak.  They wrapped it around their fingers.....

 let it slide down to the ground....

 they stretched it.....

and leave it up to LeeLee to break it!

So far the gak has completely entertained them.  I still marvel over them getting so excited about such simple things.  Have I mentioned lately that I love these four kiddos!!

AU Explore 117/365

 Today I got to chaperone ten little giggly girls on a science field trip to the University.  We played with snakes....

and lizards........

Noelle was even brave enough to hold this one. I love the expression of her friends in the background.

Our Main Man 116/365

My little man has been sick since last Saturday.  When he is sick he has this devoted boy by his side.  I think Rags tries so hard to perk Hunter up.  I am so thankful for Rags faithfulness to protect us and love on us.  I also think he looks like a puppy with his summer cut.

Good-Bye Tuesday 115/365

I always hate the last Tuesday of the school year. It means that my college girls will soon be leaving for home, and we have to say our good-byes.  This years group has been a special one.  They have inspired me, challenged me, and given me lots of great memories.  As you can see by the way the girls are climbing on Kelsey, they have become part of our family.  Today they wrote in prayer journals for each other, and we just had time to talk.  We talked all the way up until 2 a.m. so I can tell you I am tired.  I only had to say a few good byes tonight, I will have to say the rest Sunday morning at church.  I will miss each of these precious girls, and I will be looking forward to fall so they can all come back.

The Military Cut 114/365

Hunter wanted a buzz cut with enough left on top to make it stand up.  We looked up pictures, and then we cut away.

 He has the thickest hair, so there was lots to cut.

Unfortunately, Hunter's hair is to stubborn and to thick to stand up like he wants.  I will give him a few weeks of this, then we will reshape it....the good Lord gave Hunter plenty of thick fast growing hair.  Tomorrow we will try to use some hair gel and see what we can do.

Bible Drill 113/365

Today was Bible Drill for our church.  Bible Drill is a great Sunday morning class offered to the kids.  Our children's program is busting at the seams, so I was so excited for these six kids who took the challenge to do this class.

Noelle really did a great job!  She was nervous so she didn't answer some of the questions that I knew that she knew.  However, I am so super proud of her.  She is such a light, and I know that her faith is strong. I love watching the desire in her to learn more and more about the one who has captured her heart.

The Troll Dog 112/365

Hunter and I were laying in my bed talking about toys when I was younger when I mentioned the troll doll.  Annie happened to be right beside me so I twirled her hair like the troll doll.  To my amazement, Annie's hair stayed up just like the doll.  Then Hunter and I looked up the troll doll on the internet and we laughed at the similarities.  Sweet little Annie will put up with anything just to be able to lay in my bed.

A Day Off 111/365

 

The kids had the day off today from school, so the first thing they thought about was the taco truck.....I'm telling you, they put something in those tacos!  So, we headed down to campus for lunch and met up with Kelsey (which I am sorry to say I didn't get a picture of.)  We sat for hours and people watched as the kids played.  We stayed so long that we watched the taco truck drive away.  It took some self restraint not to chase it down.

LeeLee likes to entertain all the students as they walk by with her skills.

She got quite a bit of attention with moves like this.  I think it might be time to build her a beam of her own so she will quit using benches and fence rails to land cart wheels.

On the way back to the car we ran into these girls.  They were doing something called slacklining.  This is right up LeeLee's alley, so they let her join in.  She was a natural, and within just a few minutes she was able to make it half way without help.

And of course if LeeLee does it, then Hope has to try too.  Lets just say that Hope is not a natural, but what a great activity this is to develop her balance and core body movements.  While Hope was trying out this slack line, the other kids were invited to slackline with a bouncy slackliner.  He demonstrated lots of tricks for them, then they were off.  It was so fun!  Today makes me dream of summer.  I love having the kids home, it is such a blessing for me to spend time with them.

Fear the Stache 110/365

This is what Hunter looked like when I picked him up from school today.  He went on a field trip, and a friend of his bought these at the gift shop and gave Hunter one.  I know mustaches are a popular thing right now, but it Auburn, people are crazy about them because our new defensive coordinator has a quite fabulous one.

Cute but Psycho 109/365

This shirt couldn't be more perfect for Noelle.  It sums her up in three words....love my little red headed cutie, but she can be a little psycho at times.

The Missing Shoe 108/365

As a mother of four children, I often try to streamline things so we can get stuff done without wasting to much time.  One of my ingenious thoughts was to put a huge basket by the front door and have everyone throw their shoes in there.  I haven't minded that I have a hideously overflowing basket by the front door, because if you know me well, you will know I am not out to impress, I'm more concerned with functionality.  For three of my four children, the basket has worked.  When we are running out of the door Noelle, Hunter, and LeeLee can quickly grab their shoes, and we are off.  Hope, sweet Hope, just can't seem to figure out why her shoes are never in the shoe bin.  I guess it doesn't occur to her that they aren't in there because SHE NEVER PUTS THEM IN THERE!  I continually remind her that her shoes need to go in the bin, but she just doesn't follow through.  I tell you, I have lost all compassion for her on our morning rush hour when she can't find her shoes.  I used to help her locate them, but no more.  She could not find one single pair of matching shoes that were school worthy, so I had to send her in her church sandals.  That is a no no for the school dress code, but I was desperate.  I informed her that when she got home from school that she must locate at least one of the missing shoes so she would have a pair to wear the next day.  She got home and I sent her looking.  She looked and looked.  For three and one half hours, she looked.  Then finally she located one of the missing shoes.  I felt bad that it took her so long, but I think she learned her lesson.  When I asked her where the sandals were that she wore to school, she looked at me and said, "They are in the shoe bin momma, where else would they be!"  She said it with some sass too!  Hopefully this lesson will span across time and she will continue to put her shoes in the shoe bin.

Something is wrong with the egg 107/365

Those were the words I heard out of Hunter's mouth as he ran up the hill from the back yard.  I looked at him thinking I would see a cracked egg, but no, instead he was holding a miniature egg.

We went inside and decided to do our research.  I will admit that I thought something may be wrong with one of our feathered friends.  Hunter on the other hand thought that maybe a snake had ventured into the coop and left an egg.  However after a little research, we found out that it does happen, and it is called a..............

FART EGG!  Isn't that hilarious?  Our chicken laid a fart egg.  The little egg has no yolk, and is a freak thing that doesn't naturally happen very often.  We are learning so much through our urban chicken farming.  It has been a great project for our kids and I highly recommend it. I can't even count the number of life lessons that the chickens are teaching our kids.  And we have also learned this funny little lesson about fart eggs.

Sweet 7th Party 106/365

Some precious little 7 year old was excited to finally be celebrating her birthday.  Before we get to the fun of all the presents though, we have to get to the cake.  She made the cupcakes herself today.  She was determined to do every single step by herself, and she did.

Then she iced them and decorated hers.  She put her candles in, then she let Hunter light them for her.

Then is one big blow, she blew them all out.

Then it was time for LeeLee to open her presents. She got a sweet regifted present from Hope.  It made all of us smile....it is the thought that counts.

She got some presents she needed.  Her other gymnastics leotard was entirely to small.

She got some presents that got her really excited.

You would have to know LeeLee well to know that she would love getting her own set of silverware.  Good job Tita!

She got some fun presents!  Most of them will help her get her energy out.  This jump rope happens to be the one thing she asked for.

I love my 7 year old baby!  Sometimes I just wish we could freeze time and I could keep her right where she is right now.  She is so full of life and so much fun.  Happy Birthday my precious girl!!  Hope we get to share many more together.

County Contest 105/365

Today was the county competition for 4-H.  Noelle was so excited to be entering her picture of Annie again.  She ended up doing a great job, and now she will be advancing onto the Regional Competition in June.  She knows that the competition is going to be stiffer, but she is ready for the challenge.  When I watch her at things like this, I see how she is my child.

In other news, we went to campus today for the A-day game, and ended up hanging out with the guys from the taco truck.  The girls and I had a blast, and we enjoyed all out free food.  Once we caught back up with our boys, we had to get them to join us for some more taco truck fun.  I at this point am questioning whether or not the taco truck laces their meat in something illegal, because it is addicting!!

My Sweet Willa 104/365

Okay, so she is not my sweet Willa, but I love her like she is mine.  She is my god dog and I get to baby sit her when her family goes out of town.  Luckily for me, they left today so I get some Willa time.

You see, Willa is kinda my fault.  Through the wonders of facebook, I was able to match Willa with her forever home.  I had played with Willa at the the shelter, and I had fallen in love.  She has the look that I love, and I really wanted to bring her home.  However, we had just adopted Pippa and we were quickly learning that she didn't like other dogs.  So leaving Willa at the shelter that day killed me.  I couldn't stop thinking about her when a friend posted this on facebook.....What kind of small breed dog would you recommend?  All kinds of people started listing all sorts of pure breeds, so I just posted...What about a sweet little shelter dog?  She messaged me back privately explaining that she wasn't against shelter dogs, but that she just didn't think she could go there.  So I sent her a picture of Willa and said...This happens to be the dog that I was thinking about for you.  Well, that is all it took.  I heard from her at least ten times before the shelter opened the next day.  She wanted Willa.  I was so happy, because even though I wouldn't be able to have her, she would be where I could visit.  I am so blessed that Willa also comes to visit me.  Isn't she the cutest?

Easter Continues....103/365

Well, LeeLee was right, it was a shame that her birthday was yesterday.  With everything that is going on, she didn't get to experience a normal family birthday.  We took her out to a special dinner, and unfortunately, I forgot my camera.  So, no pictures.  No worries though, she has elected to celebrate her birthday on Sunday once the services are completed for Uncle Mike.  So, that update will come then.

In the meantime, we will get back to Easter.  The kids kinda got cheated out of all their Easter activities too, so we are playing catch up.  Hope had fun dying eggs this year.  She was gentle this year and didn't crack all of her eggs like she did last year.

LeeLee was all about the business of dying the eggs.  She was the first one done, and she was ready to move on to some other activities.

Noelle perfected tie dying  the eggs.  She has some super cool ones when we finished.

And, Hunter just made a mess.  I was reminded of why I called him Hurricane Hunter.  He has the ability to make a mess wherever he goes.