Our Baby of all Babies is ONE

And just like that I have a one year old! This darling baby boy has been such a blessing in our lives. He is the sweetest little guy who really loves giving hugs and snuggling. We had family over on his birthday to celebrate with cake and ice cream. I cried most of the day, but in a happy/sad way. I have really struggled with knowing I am exiting the child-bearing years of my life. They were very hard, but they were the most meaningful years of my life. Looking forward to the next phase of life, but sad that it means this phase has ended.

Aunt Stacey delivered another delicious and beautiful cake!

And Weston really liked it!

Time Out for Women

Recently, the stars aligned and I got an overnight AWAY! I was feeling guilty at first, because I wasn't going to be home the morning of Weston's 1st birthday. Then, a friend of mine reframed it all for me! She said my weekend away would be a great way to celebrate surviving a year of being a mother of five children! So, I went and it was awesome.

I attended a women's conference called Time out for Women. It was an evening and a day packed full of uplifting music and speakers. Plus, I was in a room full of hundreds of women all doing their best and finding joy in their journey. 

And, sleepovers with your gal pals are still amazing even as a 30-something.

David Archuleta sang Friday night. He has a beautiful, rich voice. What a gift!

Rachel, JoAnn, Stephanie (a new friend), and I got a hotel and gabbed into the late hours. We didn't get woken up by small children and it was so awesome!

Chicken Love

Okay, I love my chickens! I love my chickens way more than I ever thought possible. And, they haven't even laid a single egg! I love watching them. I love holding them. I don't love cleaning up the copious amounts of poop, but I really don't mind it at all. I am anxious because I think our beloved Zoe is a rooster. Some have told me it's too early to tell, but this chicken separates from the other four and has a bright red comb and bright red, large wattles. If Zoe is a Lenny, then we'll have to find him another home because roosters are a no go in the neighborhood.  I guess it is too early to tell, but I let my anxiety get the better of me. Because....

I went to the feed store and saw they had 4 Ameraucanas left of the final shipment of chicks. I couldn't just take one for many irrational reasons, so I brought all four home. That's right, I now have 9 chickens! I hope I don't get busted, because I think the Residential limit is technically 5. I'm just going to see how long I can get away with it. This is probably my most rebellious moment in my life.

The Ameraucana are so cool because they will lay BLUE eggs! How cool is that?! Also, they really love me. They think I'm there mom or something. Whenever we take them out to play, they crowd around me and jump all over me and don't venture too far. I really love that!

Weston's First Haircut

Weston joined the ranks with the big boys over the weekend and got his first haircut. He was very curious as to what was happening, so it is a little uneven around the ears. Regardless, he looks so handsome!