Thoughts on Chickens

So I call my children Chickens. It is VERY helpful when out in public, at a store, park, or just out and about. Nobody says "hey chickens" so when I say those words four little heads pop up and away we go. No shouting out four names. No getting confused as to who your children are. No having to remember your children's names. Just simply shout "alright chickens." or "hey chickens" or even "come on chickens" and they all come running. It really is a great tool, and my chickens er children respond every time, that is until last week.

I was getting ready to leave the house and not wanting to follow in the Anderson tradition of "3 minute warning" "2 minute warning" "1 minute warning" 30 second Warning" I shouted out "come on chickens" and 1, then 2, then 3 chickens er I mean children came running. I waited, and waited, and then shouted "Rebekah Grace I need you to come right now" she then came around the corner and said to me. "Mommy. I thought I was a Rebekah. I thought I was NOT a chicken." So clearly my youngest chicken is slightly confused.

Held for Ransom

This notice is to inform you we have in our possession your Bible.

We are asking only a few things from you.

If you cooperate we will return you Bible to you un-harmed.

These are our demands:

-You must visit your grandchildren 20 times a year.

-Take care of Papa so well that he cries.

-Talk to Mommy 20 minutes everyday.

-Ignore Aunt Heidi trying to talk to you.

-Send your grandkids 3 whole boxes of pears.

-Ride 8 miles on your bike.

-Finish one crossword puzzle everyday for a week.

These are our demands. We will be contacting you do discuss the location of the drop.

Sincerely,

Your Bibles Kidnappers

The End

The end is coming. I feel it in my bones. Like a sailor can feel the storm so I feel the end. Its like the erie calm before a tornado, the unsettling feeling you get when you smell a dead deer in you yard, (ask me later). Its coming and there is nothing I can do to stop it. My parents are leaving and my vacation is ending...

Gone are the days of waking up to tiny voices cuddling with larger voices on the couch. Gone are the days of laying in my PJ's when the kids are playing baseball with, drum roll......NOT ME! Gone are the days of VERY tired happy children crawling into bed. Gone, Gone, Gone.

I am asking myself if they mean to be so cruel. First they make Coby and I keep this "un-keepable" secret, then they come and surprise my children (yes they were surprised in spite of Coby and my slip ups) then they entertain my children for a week, and then they leave.

We have enjoyed having them visit. I have enjoyed my vacation. Now they are leaving and all I can say is....

I HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY HEIDI!!!!

The Parents Are Coming! The Parents Are Coming!

My parents are coming up to surprise my chickens for a week. I believe they have placed unnecessary stress on Coby and I to keep this secret. I think that next time they should tell the kids and not us. They are better at keeping secrets then Coby and I. These are some of the "slip-ups" and how we have "covered" ourselves over the past few weeks.
*Just a side note, I have only been the reason for one slip-up, and the "cover-er" of MANY of Coby's. Maybe because he is more excited then me? We shall see.

Slip Up #1
Stated in front of Brittany.
"When your parents get here they are not sleeping on this bed are they?"
"Don't you mean IF they come?"

Slip Up #2
Stated in front of Justin & Michael.
"Is this party today?"
"NOOOOOOOO"
"OH, That's right its when your folks are here."
"NOOOOOOOO, remember they cant come now."
"What?"
"Remember, they cant come because of Dads shoulder?"
"Oh, right"

Slip Up #3
Stated to Rebekah.
"Maybe when Memaw and Papa come they can bring us one"
"DON'T YOU MEAN IF!!!!!!"

Slip Up #4
Stated within ear shot of Rebekah & Brittany.
"So I was thinking when your parents are here we could go Huckleberry picking"
(Angry stare that could bore a hole in his head)
"I mean if there are any left...in November....(the hole is starting to take form)...when they might come...if your Dads shoulder is better...(a hole the size of a huckleberry)...then we could pick some...in November...if they come." (The hole is getting bigger)

Slip Up #5
Stated in passing all children within ear shot.
"So when your...(bigger hole forming)...sister called you....(nice save)

Slip Up #6
Stated to Michael in target when looking for bullets for his Nerf gun.
"Maybe we should have Memaw and Papa bring, I mean send some to us from their Target."

Yes much stress trying to keep this secret...they cant come soon enough!