Moving Day For Chickens!

Over Memorial Day Weekend things were busy around here! The chicken ladies were getting their new home built. I went out to the yard with my husband all set to get to work and help. While I was in the middle of cutting wire, our neighbor and friend showed up. So, it was with much (NOT REALLY) grief, I resigned my post and turned instead to take care of gravel and weed pulling. I left it to the gentlemen to set up the coop.
My husband worked hard through the weekend and by Monday night our scraggly little teen chickens were in their new home.

So here is a photo of the coop all up and done! We still need to put a coat of paint on, cut another window and add our nesting boxes. Thankfully chickens or rather, pullets will not really lay till around 24 weeks or so. Ours are now 4 weeks old so we have a bit of wiggle room.

 I was smiling as I took these photos this morning and wished my little chickies a good morning. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would be a chicken owner I would have put up my hand and scoffed.  I already feel so much like an official chicken owner that I could not imagine us not doing this.

 Right now our girls are too little for the roost that was put in but, it is there ready for use! They still need to use their lamp for warmth because they are not fully feathered so it has its place here for a while yet.

 It is amazing to me how chicks can be so adorable but, then they turn into little scraggle-monsters. As they lose their fluff and start to feather up you will see large bald patches and the rough pieces of feather starting to form.
It is a truly amazing process though, unattractive as well.

Our kids are still equally involved in the raising of these guys. Our son, was on the building site most of the day Saturday and worked with Dad as only a 5 year old can. Each morning both kids wake up eager to open the window, and check the chickens. It is a fun project to do as a family!

There are several home projects we have on our plates for the future.
These include -




1. Growing our compost pile
2. Putting in the garden
3. Raising our own pigs
4. Learning to can

We are looking to become for independent of some of our conveniences and connect with our land, food and home. 

 

Chicky Babies!

It's been a dream of our little family to become more independent and become connected with where our food comes from. So, you know what that means? CHICKS! I read Storey's Guide To Raising Chickens to do my research. This is a GREAT book if you like sitting down and pouring over something, the Internet of course, is a wealth of knowledge in chicken raising. For me, personally I am more of a hot cup of tea in one hand, book in the other.
The process of getting them was one of me running a 102 degree fever and driving down to town and getting 15 beautiful black Australorps. Try navigating this while sick. Thank goodness the feed store worker was so helpful or they would have never made it home.
Now, that they are here the process of learning to bring up our babies has brought a lot of excitement and merriment to our home.

They've moved from their first home to a swimming pool (Who knew they'd make good brooders? They do though!) They still are using their heat lamp and will need it for a few more weeks (Until they fully feather) It's kept on one side of the coop so the ladies can warm up if they need to or can head over to the cool side for food and water fun.

I put in toilet paper tubes and wooden blocks to keep them from getting bored. We want content little chicks not, ones that peck each other. This is not a Stephen King novel.

The kids have been so very into this whole project. It is important to handle the birds so they will be adjusted to humans. Well, my kiddos have single "handedly" (Pun intended) taken it on themselves.
My daughter is creating a book that details the growth of the chicks and has information about them. This has been an amazing learning process for all of us.

I love that this is an opportunity for me to show my children how to grow in knowledge I had no idea about how to raise chicks but, I bought books, studied and watched youtube tutorials to gain knowledge. This shows them that you never stop learning and adults have to expand their worlds as well.  They have done this right alongside me and we are growing in our quest for knowledge together.
So check back to see our chickens leave our nest for their coop and eventually bring us their BEAUTIFUL  eggs!

Black Australorp

Where I can be found?

I see my little blog here and how cute it is and I miss chatting over here.
Most of the time I can be found at http://melmovinmomma.blogspot.com/ talking about my lifestyle changes inside and out.
I will pop over here every now and again to update my progress.

Our spring has been lovely and decidedly early this year! With it has come Conner's 5th birthday. It was a small party but, so meaningful to him and fun! The kids helped with all the decorations and it was a joy to get ready.

Spring has brought up our desire to finish strong in school! Bella is almost done with her math book a mere 19 lessons to go. Each morning Conner goes to preschool while Bella and I sit down at the kitchen table.
She's come so far in a year and I am a proud Momma!
There are so many things coming at us in the near future. Visitors from out of town, Peter Pan in the theatre and on top of it a 5k for me here in Redding! Before you get visions of guts and glory this is a tame 5k just a simple 3 mile walk/jog/run where they throw color at you!
I am so excited to be in a place in life to do this! I'll sign off this morning with a couple more photos!

6 am workout photo!!!

When I'm 33

Today as I sat outside and welcome my 33rd year I was overwhelmed by God's goodness and faithfulness in my life!
The evidence for God is presented all around. He causes the sun to stand in the sky, the earth grew from nothing at his words and all around us creation points outstretched fingers to him and his glory.
The dancing wind is whispering his name daily. Sometimes we cast our eyes inward and search for happiness to come from us. We strive for joy and pursue the happy when if we just stopped for a moment, looked up and took it all in we'd be unable to deny the JOY that only comes from him.
I pray that this year the Holy Spirit will transform and remold me into God's image. This process is slow and at times tender and painful. I know refinement is never easy but, the fruit my life will bear is worth each step.

The past years have been full of ups and downs as I struggle up to the top of my personal mountain. God has faithfully led me on. Through all those valleys and peaks. Constant father, loving and tender yet disciplining when I needed it.
I pray today this next year no matter what it is filled with is a year of following GOD.

Mccloud Falls

You know those days when it is just too beautiful to stay home. We had one of those, here in Redding and just had to be out and about. We packed our bags and headed up to Mccloud Falls to hike around and see lower, middle and upper falls. All of them were stunning and it was so warm we walked around in shorts and tee shirts!

 

Conner was so ready to get walking. He did karate kicks and fancy footwork most of the hike.

 There was of course the occasional rock that just said "Come on up and climb me Conner"

Upper Falls

  Sometimes it's great just to take a few moments and sit by the river and enjoy it's sounds. 

Soaking in the zest of a sunny day.

I am excited to hike even more as summer approaches. It feels so great to get out and enjoy
God's beautiful creation.

Keeping Things Transparent

As I scrubbed pots and pans to tidy my kitchen this afternoon my precocious six year old called "Hey, Mom turn around I want to take a photo for your Mom-blog" I quickly turned and obliged her and we have this gem. Sometimes, it is all about styled hair and pretty faces and some days it's about tank tops and having my gal pal do my hair. (Yes she styled this amazing thing I am sporting)

Enjoying the moments does not include a perfect house or perfect style today.

It was a good day! How is your good day shaping up mommies in cyber space? May it be blessed indeed.

Frosty Winter Morning

Nothing says winter like crisp mornings that make you want to curl your toes back into bed.
This morning, my kiddos popped up nice and early to make it outside before the beautiful frost covering the ground soaked back to the earth.

 The puddle of ice water was dismantled piece by piece as the slabs of glassy ice were offered up to Pharaoh in their game of choice. An important element of the game was jumping to create shards in order that it made the perfect ice.

I marvel at how creative children are, and their capacity for savoring a moment as simple as frost and ice.
I too got caught up in the excitement of the moment and captured some macro places that just begged to be noticed.

God's handiwork is amazing to stop and admire. He set the stars in place, and also spreads the frost.

When Siblings Attack A Biblical Lesson Amongst Chaos

I was reminded again the other night how God is always speaking to me. Let me set the scene for you. I was preparing for Christmas photos I got the kids dressed for success. I set out the chairs and bid them sit down. I started snapping away on my camera. It did not take me long to see things disintegrate before my eyes.  I watched as a slap was given here, and a grab here.

In my mind, I was crushed..... here I had worked so hard and yet look how it was unraveling before my eyes. I felt like I was simply the worst Mom on earth to have children behave in such a way.

As I gently removed myself from the emotions of the situation I was reminded how much like a child I am. I a grown Christian woman can act as a child does with their hands. I use my words and it is more subtle but it is still there. I was also reminded how imperfect we are. In the midst of my own imperfections I as a mom need to constantly redirect and work on changing hearts.  It is a daily process of leading them. My prayer is

2nd Corinthians 3:18

  And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Romans 12:2

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

So, I set back on my heels and corrected my two little hooligans. Then, I got out my camera and snapped the button again. 

You know what I saw through my lens. How God loves us, his imperfect children. How even on our worst day where we are most tempted to attack others HE still LOVES us. What a great God we serve. 

His lessons are all around us, when we take time to be open to his leading. Yes, I learned there is a lesson even when siblings attack.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

[2 Corinthians 3:18] - See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-about-change.html#sthash.x1ruCJXc.dpuf

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

[2 Corinthians 3:18] - See more at: http://www.prayers-for-special-help.com/bible-verses-about-change.html#sthash.x1ruCJXc.dpuf

Pumpkin Patch Fun Day!

The Civil War!

A while back, while visiting in Oregon the kiddos and I got the chance to travel back in time and see what it was like when brother fought against brother. Like I had hoped, my daughter has been seriously bitten by the history bug. She can't get enough of it!
So, I knew Fort Stevens was perfect for her.

Learning how the gun is fired.

We enjoyed roaming through the camps and peeking into 1860s life. It was truly a pleasant experience. Then, came the confederates marching through, getting ready for the battle. Conner was thrilled to march with the soldiers.

 

Souvenirs

 

 

Finally after the battle we headed over to Seaside to enjoy the beach and a room with a view.