We’ve been busy as ever with the move.  At times I’ve worked 17 hours in a day and felt quite like this guy…

I’ve managed to unpack and set up our kitchen, laundry room, keeping room, master, kids bedrooms and closets.  With exception to our cased goods and beds that were professionally moved, Peter has hauled 90% of our home himself.  He loads and drives it over, I unpack and organize it all.  Still much work ahead, but all going well.  Moving is serious work!  Somehow I had blocked out/forgotten how stressful a move is until we were in the thick of it?!  Have to remind myself that setting up a nest takes a lot of patience, it doesn’t all happen at once.  The good news is we are LOVING life on the bay.  I had no idea it would be this beautiful???  So much nature to observe, sunsets that take our breath away, and animal activities happening on the water.  The dolphins frequent our bay regularly.  It really blows away any other place we’ve ever lived.  We are so happy here.

Before we moved, a surprise visitor came home with my husband.

Meet Lucky, our newest family member.  Peter was out buying horse feed and spotted this little puff squeaking in a box.  She was listed for a mere $2.50.  He couldn’t resist.  He texted me a picture on the way home.  I paused in disbelief.  He brought her inside and placed her right in front of me.  The “awwwws” from our children around the room were deafening.  “Seriously, a chicken,” I retorted with concern, “but we don’t even have a farm.”  The chick sat there staring.  How was I supposed to say no to this fluffy yellow face?  Peter wasn’t playing fair.  

“Okay” I thought, “we can do this…at least for a little while.  Lucky will just have to learn how to be a domesticated city/beach chick.”

And just like that, Lucky was a family member.  She (or he?) perched in our pockets, rode with us to Ballet, snuggled with the kids, visited our schools, listened to family devotions, hung out during homework, played dress-up, acted as Barbie’s pet ostrich, ran on the playground…and even assisted during my edit of Peter’s first children’s book (more on that later).

Soon Lucky loved posing for the camera.  It was only the beginning.

I had no idea that this delicate little barnyard bird could be so sweet and innocent.  She took many a nap in my lap while I pecked away on the computer.

She charmed us with her sweet demands and need for affection.

She taught the boys how to nurture and swaddle a baby.

She wore crazy wigs for our entertainment.  Lucky Gaga.

She gave out kisses.

It’s been over a month and Lucky has grown beautifully into her role of baby doll and pet.  Shhhh, don’t tell her she’s just a chicken!  

She even takes rides on Pippi.  That relationship took some work, by the way.  

She’s now going through a bit of an awkward teen phase.  So we threw on a set of pearls.  A ladylike chicken indeed!

.      .     .     .

It’s been a busy and productive month.  One filled with blood, sweat, tears, and plenty of laughs.  Our family feels blessed to have found the little house on the bay and one friendly chick to add to the joy.  I know we aren’t the average family, but I always say “who needs ordinary when you can have extraordinary?”

I’ll be back to blogging in April with a list of our things for sale and also share with you paint adventures with the new house….found some good colors to elegantly neutralize a space : )  Can’t wait!  You can still keep up with the me on instagram and pinterest – my favorite way to relax when I’m tired of unpacking boxes and doing laundry.