The Weenie Farm

Greetings from the farm!

So, life has developed a familiar rhythm once more and we are no longer struggling to restore order. I've unpacked most of the home-- so much of our stuff will have to stay in boxes and totes until we have more space-- and things are comfortable and easy. Summer comes early here and the weather is up in the 80's now. Everything on the farm is thick, green, and buzzing with the constant song of rampant insect life. The kids and I all agree that this would be almost heaven if it weren't for all the darn bugs! We keep the windows open and the breeze is absolutely delicious. Ron's Grandmother had hung ghastly ruffled curtains all through the house while she lived here, and they are still hanging jauntily in all the windows. While I would never have picked those myself, I find them friendly and old-fashioned so they are staying. They give this place a very retro feeling, almost as if we moved back in time... except for the big screen TV and the computers. Oh well.

The older two kids each have a new best friend. Clyde has buddied up to Patrick, and Heidi's "BFF" (man, I hate tweenies!) is Alexis. They're sweet kids with heavy country drawls that make me laugh. Jack is in Pre-K out here, a free program in Tennessee, and is frighteningly smart. Eric has grown so much! It's amazing how fast kids grow. I know it's very cliche, but it's absolutely true. You blink, and they're two years older.

Josh is an angel! He's halfway to his first birthday now. Yeah, it's pretty scary. The little guy is catching up very quickly and, by all outward appearances, seems like a totally normal baby. He is the only blue-eyed being in the house, which gives him an even more angelic look. The family finally feels complete!

No city-to-country tale would be complete without chickens. Ron built a sweet little chicken coop and aviary, and we filled it with laying hens and two roosters. Fred is the older rooster-- a Rhode Island Red with a gentle personality. Elvis is just a few months behind Fred, and has limited access to the hens. Fred guards them like he's the head of a polygamist sect or something. My hens lay big brown eggs (bigger than any at the grocery store) every day, and we've hatched quite a few into fuzzy little chicks. It's quite an experience, hatching eggs. I'm loving it!

Well, Josh is crying so I'll keep this one short. Take care and check back often!