As if I don't have enough things to keep me awake (ummm, snoring in the background) we were blessed to have baby chicks hatch on the farm today. Unfortunately, one of them died before we evenknew it was out there. I don't know what happened, but it had some fire ants on it, but I don't think that is what killed it. It managed to get out of it's shell almost the entire way, but didn't make it for some reason. Anyway, I looked very closely, and sure enough there was a second one that had gotten it's beak through a hole in the shell. I picked it up before the ants had a chance to get to it. But, I thought, what am I going to do with this. It was very warm, and so I thought ok, I'll take it in the house, and let it hatch in safety (as the mother was dealing with fireants coming after her as well, as she sat on the rest of the eggs).

Ok, so here I am with this baby chick, in a basket, filled with grass......seriously looks like easter!! I'm waiting and watching and nothing. Ok, so I go back to other things, and nothing. I tried to call my neighbor, but turned out that she had my number wrong, she has an ag degree and knows everything to do. I picked up the egg and noticed that it was cold now, so we talked about it (8 yrs. olds are so helpful!) and we decided to put it under a heat lamp. So out into the living room it went, basket a and all, under a heat lamp. Still nothing. So I finally called the local feed store, and he said that I had done everything right, and that it needed the warmth to continue the hatching process. So YAY!! We didn't screw it up!! So needless to say, very soon after it returned to it's regular temp, it started pushing and stretching and well, 9 hours later, NEW BABY CHICK!!! Can't sex it yet, it's too young, but it is soooooooooo cute. I will put pics up soon. Ah, the miracle of life and death. It was so very hard on my daughter especially, the loss of the one baby, but she is enjoying this other one, so much. Now if I can keep them from killing it! First thing my youngest did was come to me with this lego car looking thing, steering wheel and all, and said,"Look, it's for the baby chick. See it can sit and drive!" Oh, sheesh, poor thing doesn't stand a chance does it?

I can't seem to get back to sleep, due to a headache. It's not a bad one, just bad enough to keep me up. I am sure that I will get back to sleep, although I don't know just when.

God bless to all, and all my friends here on DS. Without you I would be so lost!!