Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Which Came First??

So apparently we weren’t quite busy enough ;) and the THREE dogs, 1 tarantula, 2 wild kids, and 8-10 chickens / roosters that wander around near our house were not enough... A few weeks ago we made a purchase that we had been discussing for quite some time. It is one that we feel very strongly about on many levels…it will teach the kids responsibility (as only raising ‘livestock’ can), provide some free entertainment (especially for the next several weeks as we ‘create’ their living space), be a very ‘green’ source of bug control and fertilizer, provide a needed food source and even a little income :). Plus – they are just so darn, stinking CUTE!



So they started in a washtub in the kitchen.  They have moved to the playroom. They quickly graduated to needing the brooding pen around the washtub. We take them outside as often as we can, when it is warm enough…the kids just love them. Justice spent the first week or so counting and RE-COUNTING them each time we would return to the house. LOL  They have thought about names <Savy mostly names them after her friends, team mates…Sally, Ella Ray, etc> But they are so hard to tell apart at this point, we will have to wait a little while...or until we can band their legs.

Their 1st night at home.
 
She would NOT hold them the 1st night.
 
There actually is ONE that has a name so far...Til-ta...she is very sweet and ALWAYS tilts her head, like she's saying..huh?  They really are sweet, and fluffy, even though they are getting more and more feathers every day...I got to the daycare a few days ago and all the kids were collecting worms <EWWW> My sweet girl had several in a bucket - and had even convinced them to let her take the bucket HOME, so she could bring the chicks fresh worms <ummm BARF> But, smart girl...they LOVED them!
 
Getting some fresh air :)

He loves the chicks!

Feeding her babies <3

So for now, our home continues to be a growing zoo...and we wouldn't have it any other way.  You can feel the love, hear the noises, and there's a little pecking here and there.  But mostly you can feel the LOVE...


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Loving my Crazy Life

Grace isn’t a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live. – Jackie Windspear

WOW - it's been SO long since I have updated, if this blog were one of my children someone surely would have called DSS for neglect by now ;) Let's see...where do I begin? How long has it been? What have the Nortons4 been up to?  Well, we moved. Again. Shocker, I know.  Right before Christmas (so I'm not REALLY sure this qualifies as an 'update' for anyone...lol) but, oh well.  But the BIG NEWS part of the move is that we moved INTO the Hillandale District, so Savannah can attend school with her big brother next year when she starts Kindergarten (which is an entirely different blog - cuz I CAN NOT believe my baby is starting school :( The kids LOVE their new neighborhood, it is the first time Justice has EVER lived near his classmates.  We love that he can just go across the street and play with his friend Alan.  In the mornings (when I don't have duty ;) I can catch a little bit of a break and put him on the bus also.  That means I just have to drop off the Peanut, and then...wait for it...I get about THREE WHOLE MINUTES...KID FREE!!! WOOHOO!!!

We had about a month of getting settled, playing with friends afterschool, etc and then the next sports season was upon us.  We decided that after several years of VERY structured Church-League basketball, that Justice was ready for BASEBALL. And since Savy met the minimum age...of course she was ready too ;) for Softball that is.  AND since we weren't QUITE busy enough...Jay figured he would help out coaching softball at East too. and the Peanut STILL does gymnastics on Thursdays when she doesn't have practice or games.  This all sounded possible, even enjoyable - until last week (otherwise known as the 7 game week of death ;) I am not quite sure what I was ever thinking...and am now fairly certain, that not only will I die at the ballpark - but it will be a slow, and rather painfull death...most likely caused by a random foul ball, a horribly uncomfortable bleacher, a watermelon ring pop, or 1 of the 45 babies that Savy HAS to bring to her brother's game.

But really - they are both very gifted athletes, we are truly blessed.  Which actually WAS the point of this entire blog in the first place...I have been reminded on more than one occasion in this past week of just how truly blessed we really are.  Justice was a little nervous when the season started, since almost everyone but him (and 1 other player) had been playing for years.  But it turns out he is just fine...he is quite the hitter, and his fielding is not too shabby either.  He usually plays short-stop and pretty consistently knocks it out to the outfield. He is even developing some friendships on the team - we could not be happier!  Savy is also pretty good!  She is by far the smallest and youngest on her team...but she sure has 'racing feet' - just ask her!  She is getting to be a pretty good hitter too and her fielding is not that bad, when she isn't playing games <'there's a bug on your shirt' is her fave> She is too stinking cute in her uniform...of course it swallows her whole!


Anyway - I joke that this baseball / softball season just may be the death of me, but actually not much makes me happier than being at a ballfield.  In many ways it reminds me of just about everything that I truly love - my man, kids, sports, fun, life, and God - who makes it all possible.  It takes me back to the beginnings, to a simpler time, and reminds me how it all began...with a Little League coach and a sports loving girl...who had a wedding and went to see a bunch of Braves games. And almost 10 years later are more in love than ever...watching their own Little Leaguer and softball player.  Can't imagine being any more blessed.