Which Came First...The Chicken or The Egg?

For us, it was the chicken(s)! This spring, we took the leap and now have SIX chickens. No, it wasn't because the price of eggs have significantly escalated...it wasn't because little chicks are so cute and we got sucked in (although they are adorable). We actually sat on this idea for well over a year and finally chose to get chickens this year to provide our son with another opportunity to learn how to care for animals and to take on more responsibility, learning the importance of a routine and caring for more than just yourself...but yes, the eggs will be a great perk too.

What I never realized is that I would so quickly love having chickens. They are pretty hilarious to watch (like tiny dinosauric creatures running around!) and they actually get excited to see us when we come outside, especially when we let them "free range" in the backyard with us. Hudson loves the chickens so much, he yells "Goodbye Chickie Chicks!" out the window almost every time we leave the house. The "ladies" are so fun to have and are far easier to take care of than I ever anticipated. And in a bizarrely weird way, they are very therapeutic to watch...many times I go "check on the chickens" and I'm gone for 15-20 minutes just watching them run around and do their thing, pecking at everything in sight.

So, we have two sets of three different breeds: (2) Isa Browns, (2) Golden Wyandottes, and (2) Starlight Green Eggers. And yes, you best believe when we get our first green egg, it will be heavily documented! As silly as these ladies look when running around the yard, they are somehow adorable and such unique creatures. For whatever reason, they've brought my family quite a bit of joy and for that, I am thankful...when we start getting daily deliveries each morning, I'll be even more thankful!

We've enjoyed starting to live a bit more green this year with getting our chickens, but we've also expanded our garden this year to include a few more vegetables (carrots + squash), herbs (cilantro + rosemary) and fruit (watermelon + pumpkins) than previous years. I have taken great pride in walking out the backdoor to pluck a handful of our very own cilantro to add to our dinner. Don't get me wrong, I will forever go to the grocery store for all the odds and ends and even fruits and vegetables (because there is no way I can flourish enough to keep up with my hungry boys), but again, I have found great joy in doing something I never really thought I would ever do.

Looking out at our sweet backyard full of chickens and produce, toys and sandboxes - it's the simplicity that brings the most joy. Being able to be home with my favorite people (and pets) and enjoy just being together in our little half acre plot of land is priceless. We have all we need, right here together.

With love from me + my little feathered crew!

[Dolly, Dixie, Betty, Judy, Olivia + Gracie Lou Freebush]