I’ve realized for several days now that our chicken foster-care operation is nearing an end.  Not only are they getting bigger and eating more and pooping more, but we are running out of our second bag of chick food, so it’s a good time to send them on to their next home.  On top of the practical issues, we also had a rather dramatic situation happen a few days ago.  Somehow one of the chicks was overlooked when the flock was brought inside for the night, and our cat, Indigo, caught the abandoned chick.  Of course it was dead by the time we retrieved it, and the children were quite upset by this rather graphic lesson of the hunter and the hunted.  Michael and I tried to assure the children that these things just happen sometimes, and it’s unavoidable.  But the girls were crying and the boys were trying to figure out burial plans.

This morning we’re keeping the chicks inside until it gets warmer outside, so they are making quite a racket in their box.  A little while ago an alarm was sounded, and I hurried to the living room to see chickens on the loose!  Indigo was quickly accounted for, and I was surprised she didn’t have a chicken with her.  Laura, Amelia and Mike gathered chicks and popped them back into the box.  Laura counted to make sure we had them all, and Mike caught one last one to complete the collection.  Turns out, Judah had taken the lid off the box without anyone knowing, hence the great escape.

So now I’m thinking again that perhaps we should just be done with our little flock.  They are a lot of fun, and very educational, but since we can’t give them a permanent house, maybe we should start saying our goodbyes.

In other news, I’m still fighting the sickness that goes along with this pregnancy.  This has definitely been one of my more challenging early pregnancies.  But I keep reminding myself that it’s a good sign that things are happening.  Still,  it makes for some long days and some difficult moments.  It’s hard to be as patient with the children, as willing to take care of things around the house, or as good of a wife as I could be to Michael.  Everyone is being so considerate of me, so I’m grateful for that.  I have a great family.