Raising Chickens with Ashley on Flashback Thursday

I found that raising chickens to be much more than just a way to get free eggs.  While the kids were growing up I was very concerned about the food that they were eating.  I wanted everything to be homemade and organic. One way to ensure that the food they were eating was safe and free of hormones etc. was to raise it myself.  I had large gardens, bought meat from family friends that were farming with out using hormones or antibiotics and raising the chickens.

Every morning we would go out and check for the eggs; it was a great way to start the day out.  My parents also raised chickens this is where the picture was taken of little Ashley gathering eggs with us.

Ashley about 1 1/2 - 2 years old helping us gather eggs

I think it is very important for children to know where their food comes from.  We would get the little chicks and keep them in the basement in a kid's pool with a heat lamp.  Of course there is much more detail to raising chicks to healthy adult chickens but this is what the kids remember.   Once they had their grown up feathers they were ready to join the others outside.

It was a lot of work but it was very rewarding to have fresh, hormone free eggs.  I miss raising chickens with my little chicks.

Raising Chickens on Flashback Thursday

Large Rooster Aluminum platter,Chicken Alumium platter,Cast aluminum plate,Vintage Animal platter, Rooster plate, Chicken DecorChicken plate TocaNycStore $27.00	Vintage, Cast Iron Chicken Dish ShabbyFrenchShack $39.99	Vintage ceramic chicken with corn figurine / Wales Japan hen urban rustic farmhouse cottage chic decor oldstufflove $16.75	Chicken in a Nest MammothMisc $10.00
1892 Matted Antique Chicken Print Poultry Ornithology Birds Hen Chicks Rooster 12 x16" AntiquePrintBoutique $54.00	Very Old Black Ceramic Chicken Figure. MEMsArtShop $75.00	Little 1950's White Milk Glass Chicken Dish with Red Comb TheJewelMystique $20.00	Vintage Chicken School Chart - Large Chicken Print - Rooster Pull Down Chart - Jung Koch Quentell Original 1970s VintageSchoolCharts $150.00
Chicken, Pullet, Dark Brahma, Antique Matted Print, Lewis Wright C. 1885 IntaglioPrintsMaps $95.00	Vintage Lot of 15 Rooster and Chicken Salt Pepper Shakers Cottage Chic Mid Century Country ATCTTEAM RetroCentsStudio $40.00	Filomena the Hen - Corked Decanter - Iridescent Colors - Banty Chicken -1969 Cesare - Bottles Beautiful - Italy - RARE ChicMouseVintage $175.00	RARE FENTON PURPLE Slag Marble Glass Miniature Chickens Set of 2 Lg Wright Chicken Figurine vintagesouthwest $50.00
The Everly Brothers, Pass the Chicken and Listen, vinyl LP 1974 fancifulanne $18.00	Crocheted chickens, Crochet Easter decoration, Crochet Hen / chicken- table decoration, Unique gift, Vintage crochet hens vintagezuzu $15.00	Vintage Salt and Pepper Shakers Rooster and Hen Hand painted Japan Farmhouse Urban Chicken Coop Decor ShakeThatThang $14.50	Vintage Silver metal Rooster and Chicken Ornament, Table Decoration, FrenchVintageHouse $42.00

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Raising Chickens on Flashback Thursday

Blue Line CO-OP Poultry and Livestock Feed Large Metal Sign InTheBluffs $125.00	Vintage Chicken Waterer - Farmhouse Chic - Galvanized and Glass - Home Decor CrownWillow $14.00	Antique windmill chicken coop barn die cast woman farm set American folk art old handmade toys primitive gathering house vintage AMBERNELSONFOLKART $100.00	Girl Gathering Eggs in the Chicken Coop Vintage Digital Image VintageDigitalShop2 $3.00
Antique Pottery Chicken Waterer - Bird Waterer - Folk Pottery - Country, Primitive Home Decor AdryVintage $29.00	1917 Chicken Coop! Vintage snapshot Photo photopicker $5.00	4 Dozen Protecto Egg Crate Galvanized Tin Box Transport Vintage Advertising Sign TheOldGrainery $88.00	Vintage Marx Chicken Coop Tin Litho Farm PlaysetToy Building grannyjunque $19.99
Galvanized 2-Piece Chicken Water Tower, Chicken Waterer, Farm Style Planter, Cool Lamp PineSpringsCottage $28.00	Antique Industrial Farm Tool. Little Putnam Stove Water Warmer. Galvanized Metal Chicken Coop Accessory. Rustic Farmhouse, Lighting Supply FindingtheFloor $45.00	Old Chicken Coop / Weathered Distressed Rusty / Wall Hanging / Rustic Decor / Country Charm / Farmhouse Decor urgestudio $278.00	FALL SALE Antique/ Primitive Stoneware: Brown Stoneware Chicken Waterer Jug... Chicken Hen Rooster Chicks Chicken Coop Farmhouse Farm Barn buckeyeantiques $93.50
Vintage Photo - Child at the Chicken Coop LoosLoft $3.25	Antique Early 1920's Crock Chicken Waterer Dome - Farm Ranch Chicken Coop - Stoneware Decoration Decor - Garden Display samjams3 $40.00	Vintage Metal Chicken Feeder. thevrose $40.00	FEEDING THE CHICKENS - Farm Print - Chicken Coop - Chicks - Vintage Children's Print - Chris G Temple 1920's - Matted - Ready to Frame BeeswingPrints £10.50

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Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday

I seen this on FaceBook today and it made my heart break; the quote reminded me of how hard we (Ashley, my son and me) had to struggle just to have a little of what "normal" kids and families took for granted.

At times it felt as if we didn't have the right to have dreams for her, want peace and happiness in our family, and even as little a thing as to laugh.  So many times people made comments or seemed out right disgusted that I couldn't accept our "fate" quietly.  I want the world to know how much people with special needs can contribute to our society and to the lives of those that love them and work with them.  They are true blessings.

To all of those teachers, caregivers, etc. that worked with Ashley and saw her for the beautiful person she is; thank you from the bottom of my heart.  There were several people that truly had her best interest in mind and worked very hard to help her. 

Please support families that have children with special needs and also the caregivers.  Most of us had more than our fair share of disappointments, sadness and trials.  Often there are multiple illnesses that are life threatening and so many more obstacles than the average kid has just to help them succeed in life.   Parents that have special needs children didn't commit some great sin; they were blessed by God because He felt they could be strong enough to handle the extra challenges.

Despite these challenges, raising someone that has special needs has made me stronger, wiser and a much better person than if I hadn't.  My children taught me so much more than anyone could have ever taught me about patience, love, and true happiness.  When I prayed for wisdom God sent me Ashley.