Oh Deer!

Back to catching up with the blog...

 I believe it was in June, the kids and I got home and the kids took off in the yard chasing some chipmunks. I stayed in the garage unloading the car, and Jaxon came running to the garage yelling about a deer. I couldn't understand what he was talking about, and finally he said, "There's a baby deer in our backyard." I didn't believe him. I mean, we live in the middle of our neighborhood, near a busy intersection, right by a school. There's no way a deer is in our yard in the middle of the day. I followed them to the backyard, and sure enough, there was a baby deer in their clubhouse.

I called the state department of natural resources, a local police officer (who is a friend of ours), and a local vet. I discovered that this is very normal behavior for deer. Mamas birth their babies and then carry them somewhere where they can hide them. People have found baby deer in their bushes, under their porches, and apparently in their children's clubhouse. The mamas leave them there and then head back into the woods, hoping their predators follow the scent into the woods. Once the mama feels like she has lost the predators, she returns to get her baby. They say it's usually no more than 24 hours and don't expect the deer to be there come morning. Sure enough, the next morning, the baby was gone. It was one of the craziest things we've experienced. We checked on the baby several times that day, being careful not to touch it or spook it.

The weirdest part? A few days later, the baby returned on its own! Jason and I went outside to work in the garden and there was the baby, napping in the kids clubhouse. We tried to stay very quiet, but Jason accidentally spooked it and it ran through a parking lot and back into the woods to find its mama. Dakota was just certain that the baby was there because it wanted her to be its Mommy.

Eventually, both of Jaxon's front teeth came out!
I love this toothless smile, but it sure didn't last long.

Back in March, I started working part time at our church. One of the perks is getting to bring my kids to work! This summer the kids spent two days a week up there while I worked. They spent their mornings playing with friends (other kids whose Mom's work at church). After lunch, we had them all find a quiet spot away from everyone else and read for 30 minutes. I thought it was such a special and precious time, I decided to get it on camera.

Happy Father's Day! So blessed that Jason was home for Father's Day and we got to celebrate him. He is the most incredible daddy and I'm so glad my kiddos have him. He wanted steak for lunch, so Texas Roadhouse it was:

SILLY FACE!

Love when we get visitors!

The kids, with Memaw, waiting on a table at Olive Garden.