Family Discussion...

Yesterday afternoon we took a trip, as an entire family, to South Jersey to see my sister-in-law again. Last weekend Kevin and Mallorie weren't with us, and they really wanted to have the opportunity to see her, so we did. It was a good visit and everyone was glad to have gone, and Sharon's spirits seemed lifted to have all her loved ones around her yesterday.

On the way home, however, it was just the kids and I. As my three older children have grown we have had much more intellectual conversations on long car rides. Here is an example

Q: Do chickens have sex?

My Answer: No -- they lay eggs and the rooster fertilizes them, chickens don't have sex.

Jason's answer: Yes they do -- the male climbs up on the chicken's back and they have sex. By the way, I thought I had learned my lesson -- Jason is right 98% of the time!!! I should not question him.

Me again: No they don't.

Meanwhile, Mallorie is on the phone and asks (of all people) her boyfriend to look it up on the internet so we could determine whether or not chickens have sex.

This is what we have discovered under the heading HOW CHICKENS REPRODUCE:

The yolk begins to develop in the ovary and after 10-12 days of development, ovulation occurs. The true egg, the part that develops into the embryo, is located on the egg yolk. It is barely visible to the human eye. If the Hen has mated with a rooster, sperm will be present and fertilization can occur. The male chicken stands on the hens back to mate. He does not have a penis and therefore there is no penetration of the female reproductive tract at the time of mating. Instead the female inverts her cloaca (the common junction of the reproductive and digestive systems) which comes in contact with the male's inverted cloaca and receives the sperm. The cloaca is then drawn back into the hen's body and the sperm are captured. This is the beginning of the sperms journey up the length of the reproductive system. The sperm live inside the female reproductive system and each time an ovulation occurs (every 24-26 hours in good egg producers) the egg can become fertile. This process continues and matings at 7 - 10 day intervals are necessary to maintain fertility. After fertilization occurs the egg albumen, shell membranes, and shell are added to complete the egg formation process. The chicken usually lays the egg about 24 hours after ovulation.

Reminder -- Pam doesn't know much -- she has brilliant children and she should always listen to them.

p.s. -- I have no idea yet how Mary Elizabeth will later relay this conversation to people outside our family and I am quite frightened at the thought of it.

humbling weekend

This weekend was filled with activity for us. Activities that reminded me of how truly deeply blessed I am in my life. I have a wonderful family, fabulous friends, a church I am at home in and even on days when I am having a bad day and forget to thank God for all the blessings in my life, I still know that I am blessed.

Saturday my son and I went to a banquet in celebration of and for the benefit of an organization in New Jersey dedicated to children suffering from cancer and their families. This organization, Ocean of Love, located in Ocean County, New Jersey, does incredible things for these children and their families and I am honored to know some of the people involved. We had a wonderful time Saturday evening and I was reminded, repeatedly, of how blessed I am to have four healthy children. I was reminded that even when my teenagers are being teeanages, I am grateful.

Sunday afternoon the kids and I stopped to visit my sister-in-law. My 46 year old sister-in-law, mother to my nephew's age 7 and 12, my husband's brother's wife, who is in the final stages of cancer. I know that this was probably the last time I will see her. I let her know how much we all love her. I let her know she is in my prayers. I promised her I would look out for her boys. Please keep Sharon in your prayers. Pray that she has peace. The kind of peace that passes all understanding of this horrible disease, the kind of peace that will free her from pain, and the kind of peace that allows a mother to let go and know that God and her family will be there to pick up the pieces and help her children go on.

I am blessed, truly blessed in my life. I have four healthy children, I have the love of a good man, I have a wonderful family, fabulous friends, my health and God's love. I know that I have all I really need.