Elena is 14!

She spent the day today helping her family with our chicken-killing-and-freezing. Well, that's not quite accurate. We first went to help Rachel for a bit, then brought home the spare freezer, then processed chickens!

Elena kept up a running commentary throughout the entire procedure.

"Ewwww, this one's gross!"

"What do you think THAT is?"

"Look at this heart...Wow! It's HUGE!"

and so on...

But, she kept at it until we were done the dozen we set aside for today. We're doing a Dozen A Day (you piano types will grin at that one) until they are all in the freezer.

The very second we were finished today's gruesome task, Elena and her younger siblings headed for "Lake Billson", which is a temporary pond that shows up whenever it rains a great deal. They hooted and hollered and played in the water for quite some time.

I am very thankful that Elena is growing into such a beautiful young lady. I'm also grateful that she can still play and have fun at the ripe old age of 14.

Happy Birthday, dear Elena!! We love you very much.