we are sliding right in to life in the country.  it's easy not to miss cars roaring right outside the window, constant sirens, and noisy, rude neighborhood children.  i'm becoming an old recluse, i think-- i never want to live in a neighborhood again!  the crickets a lovely substitute to city/suburban noises.  josh feels like he's back in asheville and loves it.  in fact, he is in the back yard shooting various guns with a friend right now.

one of the harder things to get used to: there are ticks.  LOTS of them.  josh manages to get one just walking from the car to the house, so if he's working in the yard he's guaranteed to have a few burying their heads into his flesh.

we've been told to get a few guinea fowl-- not only would they give us some eggs, but they apparently think ticks are delicious and gobble them right up.  they also attack snakes.  two VERY good reasons to get some! i'm a bit wary of how the dog would respond, however.




cute? sort of.  okay, not really. but they're supposed to have great personalities.

we had josh's cousin jimmy come stay with us for a few days last week and all had a great time.  i was thankful for another pair of arms to jump ransom.





in other news, baby #2 is already head-down and growing quickly.  at nearly 29 weeks i've gained a full 15 lbs.  this baby, like ransom, jumps and kicks and rolls and makes it very uncomfortable to rest. and we are so thankful for all these vibrant signs of life!