We have talked of having chickens ever since we moved to the farm but really haven't ever followed through on the idea. A few weeks back the girls & I were into our local farm supply store & of course they (MaKayla & Mal) instantly fell in love. They tossed the idea out to their dad & to be honest, I didn't really think it would go much further than that.
Some long time family friends where we previously lived raise chickens, both laying & broilers, so Kyle called them & asked lots & lots of questions. As well, the individuals that MaKayla & Mal watch puppies for have a small brood, so we made a trip to their place, scoped out their coop, gleaned some good information & before long, plans were being drawn up for a coop & the darlings were purchased... 47 of them.
After three trips to the lumber yard & more money than we had planned, Kyle set to work. He took an extra day off of "normal work" to put our "chicken home" together & board by board, us girls were amazed at his creativity & precision. I simply stood back & marveled...
Undiscovered technique...
Extraordinary skill...
Just as the snow began to fall late Saturday afternoon, the roof was finished...
Now it's building nesting boxes, making ladders, hanging roosting bars, constructing an enclosed run & adding cosmetic details to the outside.
In other happenings, Mallary has been soda free for nearly two months now & this week has decided that refined sugar all together must go. Her discipline is inspiring... Uncle Mark has pitched pop through Mal's motivation & last night I asked her to hold me accountable in regard to my sugar intake. Unfortunately, Mallary has a very sensitive gut (assuming it's a genetic bi-product of Kyle's UC) & she is finding that certain things simply make her hurt & feel nasty. I've told her multiple times today how proud I am of her diligence, perseverance & will power to deny those things that her body doesn't appreciate. At present, we have eliminated all bread & milk & the majority of gluten from our eating. Hard? Yes. But freeing especially when it causes unnecessary inflammation... We're all better/healthier because of it. :)
Bri has been away since the end of December & the reality of not having her close (with the exception of hundreds of daily texts & weekly/bi-weekly Skype sessions) has been a tough transition for MaKayla. She knew her "Ocean" was coming home for Easter therefore she has been counting down the days... It was a sweet reunion last night... ♥
We're all ready for warmer weather...
To come...
And stay...
Praying that this finds each of you doing well...
The one who forever holds my ♥...
