Cheney Family

blacker died

Each year 9 of my best friends from college and I get together over a weekend for a "Besties Reunion" in different places accross the US and stay up way too late and eat way too much food. Well, I was on my way to the airport yesterday headed for "Besties in Boston" when I called to confirm my ride and was informed that it was next weekend not this weekend. So, I'm back at home feeling pretty foolish with a clean house and no laundry and decided it would be a good time to update my blog since I haven't posted in 2 months and life here has been anything but uneventful.





A sad experience for all of us was waking up on the morning of the 4th of July to discover that one of our chickens, Blacker, had passed away sometime during the night. Savannah mentioned that Blacker was resting under a bush the whole day before as they were playing in the coop. The kids nick named her "sleepy head" and Savannah was making sure the boys didn't wake her up.

We had a moment of silence as TJ dug a grave and buried Blacker. Emmett was extremely sad, wailing would be an appropriate description of his entire morning. He would be fine one second and then he would fall apart again. The great thing is it gave us another opportunity to talk to them about enjoying life knowing that death is ok and happens to everyone but that we can be together again.

TJ gave the kids each a new chick this Easter (TJ-Maria, Moo-Bessie, Mc-Snowball, Sa-Lily, and Em-Tweeterhead) and we had to sell McKay's (Snowball) after it began cockadoodledooing. He was very sad and I told him he could have my chicken. His response was, "I think I'll have Blacky because she really needs me." I know... our first batch of chickens names are very unique... Blacker, Blacky, Yellowy, Goldy, Brownie, Tweeterhead 1, and Tweeterhead 2. You can probably guess their color, Tweeterhead 1 and 2 are multi colored Brahmas with a yellow base. We are down to 7 chickens now (3 from the first batch, and 4 from the second).

new motorcycle

And as though a dog isn't bad enough... TJ bought a new motorcycle. Now... before you jump to any conclusions... I really must describe it as a motor-bicycle. It's a 197? Honda CT90 that has a duct taped headlight and only goes 55mph max. Plus, I rode it down the street which means it's not much more than a bicycle with a little motor. One of his YM counselors at church has one and has been working on TJ to purchase one for the past month and he is at least 50% responsible for the purchase.

new puppy

After much kicking and screaming and crying out that "I don't want a puppy!" We had a family vote and the puppy stays, I was outnumbered 4 to 1. I must say I like Bailee now but we weren't on the best of terms the first week of her life at our home.
Bailee is part cocker spaniel and part poodle and the kids love her! After sneeking her upstairs in their room for about a half hour this morning, this is what she looked like when she saught refuge at my feet downstairs.

cousins

In July, the kids and I ventured on a 10 day trip to my parents in Utah. I love going home for lots of reasons that even make the 4 hour roundtrip plane ride not seem all that horrible with 4 kids. A few of the reasons I endure the travels are 1)the kids get to make fun memories with their grandparents and cousins, 2) I get to see people who think like me and I understand why I'm so stubborn and sarcastic sometimes and 3)there is something about going back to where you started that helps you step out of your current fast-paced life and remember why you live and love life.

Each of my kids found a favorite cousin that they literally followed around during our stay in Utah. Emmett and Emma, Andrew and Mckay, Savannah and Elizabeth


Emma, Elizabeth, and Savannah



Emmett and his cousin Emma are 3 months apart and they were inseperable the entire vacation.

Papa Hendrix and Jo

first taste of sand

it didn't matter how much she didn't like it, joleigh couldn't resist putting sand in her mouth again and again.

Folly Beach in Charleston, SC

we spent a week in cute cottages overlooking a marsh in Charleston, SC last week. (unfortunately the marsh was dry but it was still beautiful). i love when my kids can play outside all day long. we rode bikes on the bike trails in the mornings, spent hours at the beach playing in the water and the sand, played on the playground and splash park during nap times and used 6 bottles of sunscreen... yuck!