Recipe: Strawberry Ice Cream (GFCFSF)

Two posts in one day...hopefully it will make up for the lack of posts this week.  I think you will love this recipe, it is the yummiest GFCFSF ice cream ever.  I think it is better than regular ice cream.

*The recipe is modified from the recipe out of the cookbook that came with my Blendtec.  I LOVE my Blendtec, I use it all the time, especially in the hot summer months, we make smoothies, and ice creams.

Blendtec is sold in Costco several times a year, so if you contact your local Costco, they should be able to tell you when the Sales Representative will be demonstrating and selling Blendtecs in your local store.

GFCFSF Strawberry Ice Cream

1 cup of So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Creamer
   (French Vanilla)*

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups frozen strawberries

Directions:Place ingredients in jar in order listed, and secure the lid.  Press the Ice Cream button.

(You could probably do this in a blender and let it set in freezer)

Mommy, Mommy, I see rainbows!

My little 5 year old has be finding "rainbows" everywhere, basically in glass or water.  Yesterday, while we were in the car he starts yelling "Mommy Mommy I see rainbows".  I say to him "where?"  I was sceptical since it is in the 80 degrees outside and there hasn't been any rain in many days.

As I listened to him, I began thinking about rainbows.  When I see a rainbow or think about rainbows I always remember they are a sign from God that He keeps His promises.  I decided to look up the references to rainbow in the Bible.

A sign of God's covenant
¹² And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: ¹³ I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. ¹⁴ It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; ¹⁵ and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. ¹⁶ The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” ¹⁷ And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

What an awesome picture, the almighty, omnipotent, living God has made a covenant with all of us, and He has kept His promise to us. 

Some days can be tougher than others as we raise our children in this world.  We all experience difficulties, hardships, pain, suffering that leads us to exhaustion or questioning God.  However, we can stand firm and turn to Him and remember that He is always there for us.  So next time you see a rainbow, whether your life is sunny or rainy, you can say to your Abba Father "Daddy, Daddy I see rainbows" and remember that He keeps His promises to YOU!

Review:”The Curiosity Files:Quicksand”

Are you looking for something fun to do with your kids this summer?  Do you wish you could keep them learning and having fun at the same time?  Well The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC has a great unit study that would be a great way to meet both of those needs. 

They have a series of e-unit studies called The Curiosity Files. I had the privilege to review the unit study on “Quicksand”.

I was excited to try it out, because I love to do unit studies, and we haven’t done one in a while.  When I introduced it to my 6^th grader, he was interested to find out what it was all about.  He read the introduction and thought it was so funny that the unit study was written by “Professor Ana Lyze”.  I have to admit, I thought that was funny too.

This e-book is packed with information, and activities that can be incorporated into any day, and provide a lot of fun in the process.  Some of the great information and activities included are:

• What quicksand is, myths about it, steps on how to escape from it.
• Bible lessons
• Math Activities: various levels
• Writing: process of writing an essay on quicksand, and a fun word game
• Spelling and Vocabulary for all grade levels.
• Word searches, Crosswords, and "Just for fun" section.
• Copywork: scriptures to write (printing and cursive) practising handwriting skills
• Labs
• Activities: Quicksand Goo, Edible Quicksand, Coloring pages, and more.

I think The Curiosity files are great for any family with children.  While the study is geared for ages 8-13, I have to say that my 5 year old had a blast with the “Quicksand Goo” activity on page 60.

I love to be able to incorporate all subjects of learning when studying a topic, and unit studies are the way to go about it.  I wasn’t too crazy about all the ink used to print it out (the borders are solid green and it has gorgeous pictures), but we worked it out, only printing what we needed at a time. The Curiosity Files e-Unit Studies are great because they have it all laid out for you so you can dig in, learn and have some fun right away.   

I also believe that even children as young as 4 would benefit and be able to understand the bible lesson comparing quicksand to temptation and sin.  What a great word picture this is to study about quicksand and

how it can pull you down just as sin can.

The Curiosity Files currently have 9 different topics to choose from at $6.95 each.  There are several topics that are available now in the Homeschool Dollar Store at The Old School house Store webpage.  You can also purchase a bundle of 9 for $46 which equals out to be a little over $5  for each unit study. 

You need to check it out!  I know you and your family will have fun with The Curiosity Files : Quicksand.  We plan on working on more of the activities and enjoying our time learning together.  Have a fun and “curious” summer!

*I was given a copy of The Curiosity Files:Quicksand to use and give an honest review.

Glorious Day

He is Risen!

(Death could not hold Him)

O Glorious Day!

Happy Resurrection Day!



If you doubt His love for you...

If you doubt His love for you...listen to what he did for YOU!



We are ALL unworthy, undeserving, and wretched, but God sees us as His children. 

If you have children, think about each one of them. 

Are they perfect? 

Do the do naughty things, I mean really naughty things? 

Do they make you angry?

Are they unloving, ungrateful, selfish? 

Have they rejected your authority, your love for them? 
Yet,
 wouldn't you do anything, even be willing to lay down your life for them?

Well, we are God's children and He loves each of us and desires to have a relationship with us again.  He loves us so much, that He sent His ONLY Son (who was the only perfect sacrifice) to die in our place.

Now look at Jesus

He was perfect!

He did nothing wrong!

He loved us so much He stood in for us and took the punishment and died in our place!

He was never selfish!

He was rejected even unto death!

It is an indescribable gift, that we have been given, and we are not worthy of it.
The gift has been given, receive it! 
If you have received the gift, take care of it, remember how much it meant to you when you first received it and how grateful you are that you have it.

Don't doubt His love for you!

Ephesians 2:11-18 

¹¹ Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— ¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

 
¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.



The Cross to me

The Cross..means everything to me!
It is painful...knowing my sin is why Jesus had to die.
It is incredible...knowing how much Jesus loved me to die in my place.
It is LIFE...knowing that Jesus being raised from the dead gives  me ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM!
What happened long ago on Calvary is why I can live on this earth without despair.
I am a visitor here and my home is with Him in Heaven...Praise the Lord.

In John 17 Jesus prayed for all believers:

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them (the disciples) alone. I pray also for those (me/us) who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
   ²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
   ²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you^[a] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

A childs prayer

My son had a party in his pre-school class to celebrate the Resurrection.  As they prayed for the wonderful food put before them, the teacher led them in a sweet prayer.  (She is truly the best teacher my kids have ever had, because she truly exudes the love of Christ to the children) As they were praying, my little 5 year old prayed loud and boldly repeating the words of his teacher. 

What a "delight" this was to my heart to hear this child of mine speaking boldly in prayer.  For this is the child who barely spoke for the first 3 years of his life, it was unclear if he understood what was going on around him, and when he did speak, it wasn't easy to understand what he was trying to say.  So you can see why this was so special to me.

The icing on the cake was when the little boy sitting across from him said out loud to the teacher as he glanced at me " Teacher, he said Amen twice". 

I looked at him and said "Yes, he did".

My son was grinning from ear to ear and very proud that he was praying to "Jesus".

Children are never to young to truly understand who Jesus is and to come before Him in prayer and worship. 

But Jesus said,

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 19:14

 

God is near..

God is always near no matter how big or how small our need...

Today was the first day of standardized testing that we must do to fulfill a requirement by the homeschooling group we are apart of.  This is not one of my favorite parts of the year, in fact I didn't like taking them as a child either. However, to my delight, today went rather smoothly.  I had been nervous after last year when my son stressed out so much about the "time", that he froze and couldn't function.  So, we were able to do testing this year without a timer, and it worked beautifully.  God was near and heard my prayer!

Then this evening I received a message from a person who "happened" upon this blog. She received tragic news today, and the Lord met her where she was and comforted her in her grief.  God was near and heard her prayers!

The Lord is truly awesome and hears all our prayers.  What a blessing when we see His Hand on our ordinary lives!

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth."

Psalm 145:18

Heart of the matter

Well, I wasn't able to finish the  "Heart and Home Clean Sweep challenge" that Esther at "Our Simple Country Life" hosted this week, but I intend to finish day 3-6 while we are on our break at the end of the month.  If you haven't had a chance to check out Esther's blog, I want to encourage you to browse her site, it is full of wonderful stuff!  She has insight into God's word that is so precious and has impacted me over the last two weeks since I found her blog.  Here is her link http://oursimplecountrylife.blogspot.com

I was encouraged by her "Heart Scrub" for the last two days, but especially on day 5.  She references the scripture in 1 Samuel 16:7b where it says:

"...the Lord does not see as a man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance,

but the Lord looks at the heart". 

Basically, the Lord isn't overly concerned about what our physical home looks like, but what the heart of our home looks like.  I have been meditating on this and looking at our home to find "areas" that may need to be cleaned up so that the heart of our home sparkles. How is the "heart" of your home?

"Heart and Home Clean Sweep"- Day 2

This is my second day participating in the "Heart and Home Clean Sweep" that Esther at Our Simple Country Life is putting on this week.  She is so encouraging and has sweet words of wisdom from the Word to share.  If you haven't had a chance to visit her blog, you really need to, I know you will be blessed!

http://oursimplecountrylife.blogspot.com/2011/04/living-room-dirty-clean.html#comment-form

"But the end of all things is at hand, therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without  grumbling.  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

1Peter 4:7-10

The Heart:

When I went to Our Simple Country Life  this morning, I was so blessed and encouraged by the words and the scripture in 1 Peter 4:7-10.  Hospitality is not a gift that I have.  My house is never ready for company unless I know way in advance that they are coming.  I have always desired a neat and tidy home like my Mother-n-law has, but I haven't made the effort to keep it that way.  The words in Esthers message this morning resonated with me and listed many of the reasons why I don't have people over.  

When I proceeded to read the passage in 1 Peter more closely I realized it isn't a gift given to some, it is a word for all of us.  I don't have a choice, I need to be hospitable to others. Wait, there is more...I need to do it without grumbling.  How often have I complained that I always have to pick up after my kids or, I have too much to do, or my house is too messy to have anyone over, or my house isn't big enough, and I have many more I could list.

After today, I desire to make an effort to have people over and extend hospitality to others.  I don't know when or how, but I know that I want to obey my heavenly father and extend hospitality to others.

The Home: Living Room
After waking up with a head ache and then having a webinar that I attended all afternoon, I wasn't able to participate at the level that I had hoped.  In fact, I wasn't going to do it at all.  Then I saw that Esther had posted her pictures and shared how she was able to continue the challenge even with a busy schedule today.  That was just the encouragement I needed to get me going.

I decided that I didn't have to deep clean, but just pick things up a bit.  So I put things away, vacuumed the rug, threw things away and even dusted.  It didn't take me very long, and now I have 2 rooms in my home that are clean and presentable.  It was so wonderful  this morning to get up and see a clean kitchen, even my husband commented on how nice it was. It gives you a head start in the morning and makes you feel happy and less burdened.

Before

After

"Heart and Home Clean Sweep"-Day 1

This week, I am participating in the "Heart and Home Clean Sweep" put together by Esther at "Our Simple Country Home" Blog.

http://www.oursimplecountrylife.blogspot.com/

The Home: Kitchen/Dining Area:

This is my clean sweep of my kitchen.  I wasn't able to get to the pantry, because I started late in the day and continued into the evening.  However, I am pleased with the change that was made in my kitchen.  I hope to be able to keep my kitchen neat and clean like it is, at this very moment.

Before Pictures

After

This is how I want my kitchen to look everyday.

The Heart:

I love the message in Esther's blog at "Our Simple Country Home". As she mentioned the passage in Galatians, I kept thinking about the fruit of the spirit again (note:yesterdays post was on that same passage..hmm thinkk the Lord is telling me something?...I think so).  It is such a key to our lives, and how much happier we would be if we lived that way instead of in the sinfulness of our flesh. 

As I thought about the first fruit that is listed in Galatians which is "Love", I remembered that phrase people say "an apple a day keeps the Dr. away".  I thought of an alternate phrase for the believer, "Loving each day keeps satan away".  If we are living and walking in Christ we will be exhibiting the fruit of the spirit, it is just the by product of our life in Christ. 

The enemy of our souls can not destroy us, because we are in the hands of the Living God.  Satan can try and slip us up, cause tragedy in our lives and make our circumstances seem impossible, but if we are truly "in Christ", we will be able to stand against his schemes and continue on in Love no matter what. Oh, how I desire this in my life!

"I love you so"

The morning started off good, until we were walking out the door and my son couldn't find his jacket.  At this point, I was not happy and did not display calm and rational behavior.  Even after feeble attempts at apologies in the car, we arrived at church with a lot of tension among us.  Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband who stopped and prayed over us before we entered the building.  What came next when I opened the bulletin ought to make everyone reading this laugh and know that the Lord is intimately involved in our lives.

The title of the message was "I am dead to sinful pursuits, but alive in the Spirit" and the scripture passage was Galatians 5:19-26.  I couldn't believe it, and showed it to my husband and told him how appropriate for me.  See, Galatians 5:22-23 is in many places in my house and is one of the scriptures I love. I have a strong desire and know my life should be producing this fruit as a child of the Living God.  This is a scripture that I refer to a great deal with my boys, in training them up.

While the message at church did not necessarily contain information that was unfamiliar to me, it did impact me and comforted me.  I felt the love of the Lord taking me aside as a parent would do with their child after disciplining them.  He reminded me of what the traits of sin were and then how He expected me to live.  I was looking up to Him in my spirit, taking in the caring that resounded from Him.  It was so tender and sweet.

After we were home, my husband shared with me, how he was as a young boy and teenager, and how his parents responded to him when he did wrong.  See my Mother-n-law and Father-n-law exhibit very loving and caring qualities that are characteristic of Christ.  They love rather than hate, they instruct rather than tear down, they give generously without a need to receive anything in return, they give of their time, love and resources unconditionally.  These are qualities that my husband and I desire to have in our own lives especially in raising our sons.  We have been blessed that they have been close, so that we can learn from them and learn how to respond in love as his parents did with him when he was growing up.

While today may sound like a "bad" day, I take delight in it.  It was today that I saw again, how much my Heavenly Father loves me, even when I may not behave as He desires. I am still the precious child He created and He has not, and says He will not leave me nor forsake me.  I feel so blessed that our Heavenly Father doesn't give up on us or ridicule us for our failings, yet gently corrects us and gives us direction for our good!

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with it's passions and desires. 

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"

Galatians 5:22-25

A picture that the worship leader painted of Jesus this morning was very special to me.

When Jesus looked at Peter after he had betrayed Jesus, His look was not one of "I told you so", but was one of "I love you so".  That is how I want to remember the face of my Savior as He looks into my eyes and tells me "I love you so". 

Happy Helper

"David my sweet helper today!"

 He absolutely loves to help out around the house.  It was truly amazing to see him, at 5 years old, loosen and tighten the bolts on the bed we were moving around today.  Later, he put on his apron and helped his Daddy make chili for dinner tomorrow night, while I made our dinner for tonight.

It delights my heart to see him desire to help us and want to be involved with us in all we do. I hope that we will be able to see him maintain this desire as he grows older each year.  It is so important that our children learn to work, doing it with a good attitude and not expect to be served.

I remember the words of Jesus when he said in Mark 10:42-45:

"But Jesus called them to himself and said to them, You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.  Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.

And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

 and to give His life a ransom for many." 

These are "Blessings"?

This song “Blessings”, and the testimony of Laura story “delighted” my heart today!  I know there are many circumstances and trials that we experience that we wonder, “God are you there?  Do you hear me? Why don’t you heal my child or me or my husband or my friend? Why does my child have ASD or___? Why do I have to go through ____” 

I identified with her testimony, because my husband was diagnosed with cancer 4 months after we married, and I had so many questions for the Lord that seemed to always start with “why”.  However, I have always looked back on it and have seen the Hand of the Living God was on us, and we both grew so much and He did a work in us, through that experience that we would not trade for anything.  That was a time when the Lord was oh so very close to us and we can see his fingerprints all over our lives during that time and even all these years later.  We have had many struggles, trials, illnesses, heartbreaks, betrayals, and difficult circumstances, but our Lord has been there and He hears us and he has taught us so much through each one. 

After I listened to this song, I thought about how the Apostle Paul talks about the “thorn” that he had to bear.  I pondered how he responded in the Word:

“…a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Cor.12:7-10

What a help for us hearing Pauls testimony, and most importantly the very words of God. Be blessed as you read and listen to the lyrics of Lauras song “Blessings”.   ( I included a link to her website where you can read her testimony and learn more about her music)

Laura Story - "Blessings" Lyrics

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home,

It's not our home

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are your mercies in disguise

http://www.laurastorymusic.com/home

Recipe: GFCFSF "Chicken on a stick"

This recipe was adapted for our GFCFSF diet from the June/July issue of Light and Tasty Magazine.

We love this recipe and serve it along side Alton Browns "Brown Rice" Recipe.  I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does.

2 T. olive oil
2 T. lemon juice
2 T. Coconut Secret Raw Coconut Aminos
4 garlic cloves
2 tsp. honey (I add a little extra)
1/2 tsp ginger (optional)
3/4 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips

In a bowl, combine the oil, lemon juice, coconut aminos, garlic, honey and ginger; mix well*.  Pour 1/4 cup marinade in a bowl and reserve for basting.  Pour the remainder of the marinade over the bowl of thinly sliced boneless chicken breasts. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours. 

Grill on a BBQ or you can broil them in the oven.  Drain and discard marinade from chicken.  On a metal skewer or soaked wooden skewers, thread chicken.  Grill uncovered over medium hot heat for 3-4 minutes on each side or until the chicken juices run clear, basting frequently with the reserved marinade and turning once.

* I make a double batch of the marinade.

This is yummy served with brown rice and salad or fruit.
This is what we are having for dinner tonight! YUM!

Fun with phonics

This is actually a "delight" from my day yesterday that I wanted to share, because it might give some other homeschooling Mom encouragement to try something that is "out of the box". 

Yesterday, my 5 year old son came out with paper and his big box of foam letters he got from his Aunt Sandy a while ago.  Excitedly, I said to him "Are you going to make words with your stickers?" 

He stopped and looked at me and then smiled and said "O.K.". 

I replied "That sounds like so much fun!"

I proceeded to ask him what word he wanted to make, and he told me BAT.  So I sounded out each letter and he found it and put them in order on his page.  He was so excited, and I was surprised to see him come up with words I didn't know he even knew how to spell.  The last word that he came up with was BUN.  I asked him what a bun was.  He said "You know.. that you have with hot dogs".  I had to laugh, because he doesn't eat hot dog buns, because he can't have gluten, dairy or soy.  (I know I could buy him some or make them, but I don't because he is happy eating his hot dogs plain)

Learning can be fun and doesn't have to come from a book, especially at this precious age.  I have been so blessed lately to see how the Lord has given me ideas on the spur of the moment for a learning  experience.  I am a rule follower, and a "by the book" type of person, and I want to "make sure my child is learning what he is supposed to".   However, what I have noticed is that as I step back from "what I think school should be", and sometimes just work with my child on the spur of the moment with something he is interested in, it is more enjoyable for both of us and certainly less stressful.  I am making more of a point to "enjoy" teaching my kids, and I am!  Who says that putting foam stickers on a page is not as good as filling out a worksheet in a professional approved workbook, I think it just might be better. 

I do love crafts, and this son loves them too!  I can't wait to teach him more, who knows what we will be doing next! HAPPY HOMESCHOOLING!

The Ultimate BLOG Party

Welcome to all the 5 Minutes for Mom Blog Party mamas.  This is 3D Reflections, and my blog is a place where I hope others will find encouragement in their journey raising their children with special needs.  My goal is to find the "delight" in each day not matter how small and share what I am learning. We homeschool our 2 boys; one with FAS and one on the Autism Spectrum.  My youngest is on a Gluten Free, Casein Free and Soy Free diet.  Occasionally, I will share a recipe, link to a favorite recipe blogger or tip that works for us in an effort to encourage and help others on their journey. 

Come in and check out what I have learned so far and I hope you will be encouraged!  If you are blessed by my posts, I would love to have you follow my blog.

Blessings to you and your families!

TLC



At the end of the week we had to send our chickens to a new home because they were not laying enough eggs and were unable to introduce new chickens due to a bad experience we had trying to add a young chicken in with our full grown chickens.  Fortunately, we were able to purchase five new baby chickens this weekend.  Hopefully, we will begin to get eggs by September. 

One thing that I have noticed through this process is that my little ASD child is such a sweet and loving caregiver.  He loves animals, and we aren't a family that can have the normal domestic animals (cats and dogs).  It was so sweet to see his reaction and interest in all the little chickies that the family we got them from had.  He saw babies that were born the night before, all the way to full grown chickens.  It was so sweet to see how interested he was and how much he remembered from our visit.

Since we brought the chickens home, he has been so helpful!  He tried his best to help his Daddy build them a temporary home to live in until they can be put out in the chicken coop.  He was so protective of them. When he saw them huddling together, he asked me why they were doing that.  I told him that they were cold.  He replied with  "Oh no, we need to get them a blanket". I just laughed at how his mind works.

He has continued to check on them over and over again throughout the day.  He wants to make sure they are warm, and have enough food and water.  It has blessed me to see such a sweet and loving side of my son.  It also gives me hope that he has a great future ahead of him.  These moments help to encourage me on and find something that is enjoyable and provides an opportunity to teach life experiences and train him to care for Gods creation.