Family Tree Branches

Family Tree Branches

Yes, I do have a new look...I think a few of you noticed! I found it and was surprised how easy it was to apply to my blog...all by my little self! The only snag is I can't figure out how to keep the little ad from covering up my post titles...any suggestions?

Thank you to all of you who commented on my last Show and Tell.
(And Ginger, my history-phobic friend, I have it in writing now that you won't avoid history posts in the future! Sorry... it's a little inside facebook joke...) ;)


And speaking of history (yes, Ginger, I'm still speaking of it...hehe)
some of you know I also specifically love family history and genealogy.
My mom's sister traced our ancestors back to Gov. William Bradford and beyond...all the way to the 1600's which completely boggles my mind!

But as for my dad's side, I didn't even have anything much past my grandparents until recently.

I posted awhile back when two of my distant cousins on my paternal grandfather's side contacted me through the ancestry.com and filled in a lot of blanks for me, including sending pictures and copies of letters.

Well, recently yet another cousin from my paternal grandmother, "Gammee's" line, got in touch with me.
I was extremely close to my "Gammee" so having finally some information about her parents and grandparents has been pretty exciting.

Now, when she was alive I did indeed ask her questions about the "good old days" but for some reason, I don't remember what- if anything- she said about her parents.

But now...after all these years...I have a picture!

In corresponding with this new-found cousin recently, I e-mailed him a few old pictures I had of my grandmother's siblings, ect.

I thought it would be fun to share them with you, too!
Here I am with two of my grandmother's sisters when they came to visit my family in 1980...
(Um...I'm the young one.)

My grandmother had many sisters, all of them treasures....these two aunts happened to live out of state so I seldom saw them.
But there was an occasion or two when I was little when Aunt L. on the right came up to visit all of the family here and brought along her two granddaughters, who were a little older than me.

Here's one of those occasions...

I'm the short one...who seems to be dressed as a boy for some reason that day. (Mom...?)

But there was also this time, when I decided to dress up just a bit more...

Yep, again I'm the short one in the middle...oh yeah...with attitude!

Sadly, I have completely lost touch with these second cousins.
Oh, I have kept some contact with other second cousins, and especially one whom I grew up with... but somehow, as each of my grandmother's sisters passed away one by one, so most of the grandchildren of each of these sisters began to lose touch.

Those grandmothers who once were little girls within the same household and shared parents, secrets and clothes...they were the common bond between the grandchildren that they would later have.
But the common bond is gone.

Now my newly discovered distant cousin is asking questions about them all...which now, in turn, has me wondering. I think I just may have to find out...

I'm thinking, sometimes searching into the past can lead to searching into the present.

Blessings!

Worth Waiting For...(A Valentine's re-post)

In honor of Valentine's Day, I am re-posting just a few excerpts of what I wrote way back in September of 2006...
Our Love Story.
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!!!

"Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be married and have children. And if that wasn't enough, I was a hopeless romantic, as well. So, when my friends began to find serious relationships and pair off one by one, in their early 20's ...and yet I remained alone, I began to feel a profound sadness. Yes, I suppose I was feeling a bit left out. But it was more than that. I seemed to pine for "that certain someone" whom I had not yet met. I could almost feel that "in love" emotion, but it was attached to an invisible guy out there...somewhere.

Oh, I dated. In my 20's, I sort of bloomed late, and began dating several different guys (usually one at a time!) from my church single's group. I sometimes had "feelings" for a few of them. But still, they just weren't right, for one reason or another. I still hadn't met..."him".
People would say, "You're so pretty! I can't understand why you're not married yet!" As if the two things automatically went hand in hand.

As time went on, I began to suspect some of my friends' concerns were based on fact. Maybe I was too picky? Maybe I was just in love with love."

Skipping ahead here...After actually secretly responding to a dating ad that read, "Single Male- Christian"....before the days of all the dating websites...I had listened to a recording of his voice where he said a little about himself. I left my own voice message...
and then a few days later...he called.

"I remember hanging up, after we had arranged for a blind date on a Saturday night, thinking that if there turned out to be no chemistry between us in the romance department, I would really hope that at least he and I would become friends. Real friends.

The big day arrived. I was so nervous, but I was determined to play it cool. We had arranged to meet by one of the entry ways to a shop at the mall. It was a late afternoon in mid-August, 1993, but the summer skies had opened up and were letting down a torrent of pouring rain. Luckily, there was a nice shelter at the entryway while I waited. And waited.

And waited.

A young guy about 20 started chatting with me under the shelter as he waited for the rains to let up. He told me if this guy never showed up that I was waiting for, that I should go hang out with him. Flattered, I politely declined.

A half an hour or more went by...yes, I pathetically still stood there...(Remember, this was before everyone on the planet had a cell phone!) but I just didn't believe the guy I spoke with for two hours would stand me up.

Just as I was thinking of going home, a small car inched in front of the shelter, the driver searching intently in my direction.
I knew in an instant that it was him. I went over and asked his name and when we confirmed who we were. When I looked at him, it was as if I had known him all my life. And though I had safely planned on driving in my own car to the movies, I promptly just opened his door without thinking and hopped in! I would never do this ordinarily...I don't know what came over me! (Kids, please don't do this at home!)
He told me that he had been waiting at the entrance all this time...it had been the other entrance!
We forgot to specify which entrance- so each of us had been standing on opposite sides, thinking that maybe we had possibly been stood up! Good thing, he decided to drive around slowly, before going home...


The movie we went to see was a new "date" movie called..."Sleepless in Seattle". After wards we went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and ended up talking very late into the evening. He told me a few days later that he was so nervous that night...and I could tell that he was, just a bit. But I still thought there was something incredibly special about him

Oh, and yes...though we didn't have our first kiss until the 5th date, I could tell that there was, indeed, that chemistry.

It may have not been in my timing, but God's timing was perfect. He brought me the desire of my heart. I had finally met that someone I had been waiting for. I had finally met... him."


(Don't forget to join me for Home School Open House this coming Tuesday!)
Blessings!!!

Remembering 9-11

In memory of this day, I thought I'd re-post a portion of what I wrote two years ago, as some of us participated in writing our memories of that fateful moment in time.

And I wanted to add that I also had a memory from just a few years earlier...

As some of you may remember, my husband was in the Navy our first few years of married life, and during that time he participated in Fleet Week in New York City. A few of us wives flew up from Virginia to spend half a week with our husbands. It was my first trip to New York, and it was an exciting whirlwind of a trip!


One of the highlights was going up to the top of the World Trade Center...peering down on the city from way up in the clouds.
Never could I have imagined the terror that would take place where I stood, just four years later...


"My very first recollection of waking that morning, was that I was still blissfully unaware of the chaos on the other side of the country.

In fact, I was hibernating under my covers. Feeling that early pregnancy exhaustion of being eight weeks along, I ignored the telephone that had dared to ring before eight in the morning. And kept ringing...and ringing. My two year old daughter was not apparently concerned about the annoying telephone noise, and continued to baby-snore away. But on the fourth series of rings in ten minutes, I could no longer ignore the persistent shrill. The thought that perhaps it was something important entered my sleepy brain...hopefully my husband was alright...and my mom.

When I picked up the phone, my husband simply said, with a strange note in his voice..."You have to turn on the news."
He knew I was not a news kinda' gal, so this was perplexing. I was relieved to hear that he was fine- but I knew something huge had to be happening.
I asked him just to tell me. He would only answer that I had to see for myself. I kept asking, the nervousness now growing, and after several minutes of his side-stepping, he finally told me.
"One of the twin towers is burning," he said simply. "They think we're under attack."

The jolt of what he said sent a shockwave through me, dispelling my fog. Minutes later, I was in front of the TV...just in time to watch the giant tower tumble to the ground...live...before my very eyes.

We all know the horror of all of these images. Even if we weren't able to watch it happen "live", most of us have seen them over and over, as they played them in the weeks to come.

For the next three days...I sat riveted to the television, being careful to not expose my little one to any horrendous scenes. But she seemed oblivious...to her, whatever flickered on the screen wasn't real, and she simply played with her toys in our little house.
And when I could get away with it, or she was napping, I would just plant myself in front of the TV and sob.

And pray.

I prayed for the families of all those lost...for the ones still trapped under the debris...and for the safety of our country (which during that week, was horribly in question.)
And then, with all my emotional upheaval, I began to be concerned about the baby I was carrying. I had already lost a pregnancy earlier in the year...I did not want to lose this one. So I also prayed for my baby...and after day 3 of living the turmoil, I finally switched off the set.

Not only did I have a newly growing baby inside of me, but I needed to properly care for my two year old daughter. And I must say...though I didn't stop praying, it was such a relief to only allow children's shows on my television screen during the day from then on. Watching Nick Jr. or Mr. Rogers with my toddler almost made me feel as if maybe the world wasn't coming to an end after all.

I do remember attending a special candlelight church service held by a church we normally didn't attend, just a day after the attack...and we were there, praying with other Christians we didn't even know. It was such a comfort for me to be united with others, in God's presence, praying earnestly for our country.

Interesting, how our country as a whole turns to God in time of crisis...but when the crisis begins to fade, we begin to forget..."

There's even more, and if you want to read it in it's entirety, you can go here.
But I thought I'd share just a part of it with you today...as we remember.

Where were you on September 11th?

From This Day Forward... (Our Wedding Story)

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Welcome to Marriage Monday, hosted by Chrysalis!
In honor of June, the theme this month is

"Our Wedding Day"...


When I think back to my wedding, and all the days leading up to it, it seems like a whirlwind of happiness, excitement, a few snags, a tiny bit of stress...and with just a little bit of loneliness thrown in.

Loneliness, you ask?
You see, my fiance', who had joined the Navy the previous summer, was half way across the country during most of this frantic and exciting time.
Therefore, I was left to make all the decisions (and to make them all on a tiny shoestring budget!)

With my minuscule savings, though, I somehow managed to pick out my dream dress...
I picked out our cake, the topper, the flowers, the photographer...and all the millions of other details that I'm sure my fiance' was just as glad to stay out of and leave all to me!

My mom did go with me for dress fittings, meetings with florists, ect. But mainly she was just there for moral support- the decisions were all up to me. Which was both good and bad.

And did I mention I had to do it all in four short months?

Actually, this wasn't as stressful as you might think.
Some couples differ or even argue over everything from invitations to fruit punch...
Not the case with us. I got to make all the choices.
His job was to fly in and show up on the appointed day with the ring and wearing his tux.
(OK, I exaggerate just a tad...)

But truth be told, there was a bit of an interesting challenge trying to find things for my wedding in time...at the right price...and that I actually liked.

Oh, there were a few times that I secretly wished we weren't counting the pennies.
For example, after the most important things to me were picked out, I was forced to cut corners...one of them being the decorating of the church. I could only afford real flowers for my bouquet and our wedding party...but the church had to be donned with artificial flowers. Deep inside, I was a little disappointed at the outcome...but I reminded myself that what happened on this day was more important than any superficial surroundings.

I had hired a photographer, but the camcorders were covered...we had both the best man's wife and one of his brothers each bringing one for our big event.
Or so I thought.

Finally, our day arrived.
Right before my two dear bridal attendants were about to make their entrance, we found out that both- both- of these camcorders were forgotten.
One of my attendants and dear friend that she is caught my falling expression before it hit the floor and quickly said anything and everything she could think of to not let it spoil the moment for me. (It worked, bless her heart!)

(Minutes before the ceremony...my quick thinking friend, D. is on the left as they practice "their walk".)

I should add that my husband-to-be and I saw one another only once during our engagement period due to the miles of distance between us.
So when my moment arrived, and I began my slow walk in my dreamed-of flowing gown, it was the first time he had seen me in an entire two months.

Now, some brides relish their walk, regally smiling at everyone as they slowly walk on their father's arm.
My mom had offered to walk me down the isle, but as much as I loved her, I was more of a traditionalist, so I was to go it alone. (Yes, Mom...if I had to do it over...)

As I walked those first couple steps all alone in my flowing white gown, I remember feeling more than a bit of stage fright...
I wasn't thinking of the flowers (or lack thereof) nor the fact that our ceremony wouldn't be captured on film. And I was especially not I jittery about marriage itself.

But nevertheless, my bouquet probably trembled as I walked in step to The Wedding March.
The blur of faces seemed to not even be smiling at me, but looking back I know it was more due to my nervousness that made it appear so.

But then I dared to look up into the face of my beloved, whom I hadn't seen in months and who I was now about to pledge my undying love.
When I saw him beaming down at me as he stood on the platform, I couldn't help but beam in return.
I knew I could make it the rest of the way if I kept my eyes on him and the way he was looking at me...
And as he stepped down to take my arm, the rest of the room faded completely from view...


I can't help now but think of the hidden meaning that took place in this ceremony. No wonder God designed marriage as a symbol of Christ and the Church!
If we just keep our eyes on Him in the midst of life's trials or fears- and even see a glimpse of the way He lovingly sees us- all us will begin to fade a bit from our view.


My earthly groom can still make my heart beat faster.
But unlike Christ, he is only human- complete with human failings. And so am I.
So it's a day-to-day process of accepting and forgiving...


And occasionally stepping away from the hectic pace of life and going back in time together...back to that incredible day when we looked into one another eyes after time and distance had kept us apart, and took our vows to always love, honor and cherish...

When all we could see was each other.

New York...1997

Last week, for our home school book report group that I lead, my third grader chose a Christian fiction book about a little girl who goes on a trip to New York.
Interestingly, the story was written in the 90's, and the main character, among other things, goes up to the top of the World Trade Center.

All of this reminded me with such clarity of my one and only trip to New York City...

The year was 1997, and my husband was in the Navy. His ship was sailing up from Virginia to NYC for Fleet Week, and some of the spouses were getting together and flying up to meet them.


(How I wish I could find more photos to share, but they are currently hidden away somewhere. I can only find this one, single still-image from our time there...)

Now, my husband actually lived in N.Y for a couple years before I met him, but I was very excited to be apart of Fleet Week since this would be my first time ever visiting the Big Apple.
During our whirlwind four days, we did all the touristy things...

One of them being going to the top of the World Trade Center.

So with my daughter learning about New York lately, I thought it would be fun for our family to sit together and watch the home movie we had made during that trip. Especially since our children had never seen it!
So on Mother's Day evening- just two days ago- we all settled in to watch the old VHS tape of their mommy and daddy...back in the days before children!

I learned a few things while I sat with my family, viewing this part of our early marriage.
A few of them were a bit trivial, mind you, but worth mentioning...

1) First of all, we had only been married for two years and most of that time has been spent apart due to deployments. Hence, my adoring husband spent almost as much time with the camcorder in my face as he did filming the actual places we saw.
(Kind of sweet, I know...)



2) I also learned that- although I'm not exactly "waddling" around today...and I suppose I am holding up fairly well for my age...
I had honestly forgotten just how very young and skinny I looked eleven years ago.

(However, my six year old actually said I look just about the same?!!! What a great way for my little sweetie to score Mother's Day points!)

3) But I also learned that despite of the fact that it was 1997, I really seemed to have an 80's perm thing happenin'.
And I was really good at chewing gum back then and I seemed almost...could it be....cool!
(Well, at least for me, anyway...)

It was great watching it all...
our going into a retro-1940's style restaurant (I've always loved that era!)...
checking out the MET...walking through Chinatown and eating dinner in Little Italy....

And seeing my girls giggle as they watched me blow kisses at my hubby who (or the camcorder- not sure which).

Hearing my girls exclaim, "Daddy, look, your hair is SO black!" ;)

But besides the fun reliving that time in our lives, I also felt something else.
You see, I don't think I had seen this video in about seven or eight years...
Not since 9-11.

When it came to the part where we are filming our view from the very top of the World Trade Center, something inside my stomach tightened.

Besides this, there was also footage of us walking around the streets of New York, where my husband would pan in on the twin towers.

At one point a plane innocently went by the towers in view.

I don't have to explain to any of you how that sent shivers up my spine.

My now third grader was just two years old and oblivious of the crisis our nation was having when 9-11 took place. (I was also just 8 weeks along with my now six year old.)
My children thankfully didn't endure the fear of that time...and yet, my oldest is very fascinated with the fact that this attack actually happened in her lifetime... especially whenever she sees the huge magnitude of those buildings.
And she thinks her parents were lucky to actually have gotten a chance to experience being atop of them firsthand.

My husband and I agree.
But seeing the video of us touring the top of the twin towers...looking down on the incredible view from up in the clouds...standing on the very same floor where just four and a half years later, so many would lose their lives... made my heart go out afresh to all those that perished or lost loved ones in that devastating attack.

No matter how time may soften the intensity of that , we just can't ever forget...

So watching this home movie, I realized that it wasn't just a cute little piece of our family history we were viewing, this handsome sailor and his bride excitedly touring the sidewalks of New York...but it's also a piece of history in general.
Somehow intricately tied in together.

But in spite of the underlining national sadness I'll from now on remember whenever I view this video of New York...it's hard not to help but smile when I see myself look up into the camera while in the retro-restaurant and excitedly exclaim with all my youthful exuberance and recently permed hair,
"It's my 1940's salad!"

What about you...have you or someone you know ever had the chance to go up to the World Trade Center? Or, at least have had the chance to visit New York? Share your thoughts...

Cuz Ken

Today, October 30th, I'm remembering someone special from my childhood...



Kenny was not a chubby, cuddly little boy. Some might say he was even kind of a strange looking kid. All arms and legs, tall and gangly.


The youngest of three boys, born each a year apart, he quickly passed his big brothers up in height. However, this didn't stop the eldest from keeping his place in line as big brother and making sure Kenny knew it!


I relished my time with my three boy cousins. Being an only child could be a bit lonely, so during our visits I could feel as though they were all my big brothers for a little while.

For a time, Kenny was my favorite. He was sweet, very funny and extremely smart...and at just four years older, he was the closest to my age, making him a bit easier to play with!


As he grew older, it was no longer Kenny he wanted to be called, but Ken.
But in my childhood bedtime prayers, "God bless Kenny" still would come out.

And a funny thing about this tall boy that didn't exactly look the same as others...didn't have typical features that would be considered handsome. He kept his self-confidence...and exuded such personality, charm, wit and intelligence, that he actually became very popular among his peers.

In fact, I was there as he gave the valedictorian speech at his high school graduation.

Sometimes, when I was in my late teens, he would send me little cards out of the blue. Here is one I received from him about the time I was 18...


He always signed his cards, "Cuz Ken", and this one was no exception.

A few years later, when I was staying with a friend who was going to college, and trying to figure out what I wanted to do in life, he also was attending the same college.
He'd come over to hang out with us, and when he soon started dating someone special, he was so excited to have me meet her. I was flattered, especially when he had told me that she reminded him a little of me!

But then, he sort of disappeared from my life. Well, not sort of... Completely.
He didn't marry that girl, but moved to California...married another woman and became a step-dad...and began a life as an entrepreneur in the world of internet business.

For nearly 20 years, I never heard from Ken, and I wondered if I had somehow offended him in some way that I didn't understand.

Sometimes I would hear updates on him, mostly from my aunt. And one year, some time after I was married, I learned he had been hospitalized and endured open-heart surgery. It had been determined that he suffered from Marfan Syndrome, which accounted for his long, lanky arms and legs, and in turn, affected his heart.

Thankfully, I heard that he recovered from the close call that year.

Finally, the day came when I would be seeing Ken again.

The ironic thing was that when I had last seen him I had been back in 1983. I had been 20, and it was at his brother's wedding.
Now, after 19 years, I was finally seeing my cousin again...
At the same brother's second wedding!

When he saw me at the outdoor reception, he came right over and we embraced.

He met my husband for the first time, my little three year old daughter and our new two month old baby girl.

There is a poignant photo of the two of us talking...I searched all over but I wasn't able to find it.

However, here he is with his family on that day...
My aunt (mom's sister) her husband (their dad passed away in the early 80's) and my three cousins.

And the only one of us together that I could find, was this one that somebody snapped, just as he was looking down, I think, to peer at my baby in her carrier.

I don't remember how long we talked...but I just remember that it did my heart good to connect with him again...to know he still liked his "little cousin", in spite of the two decades that had slipped past us.

Then, just three years later, my aunt called. He had been rushed by ambulance after he collapsed, while actually taking a break from his high-power business day to buy a cup of coffee for a homeless man.
I remember praying for him...I knew he had gotten a bit caught up in the things of this world, but as a child he had accepted Christ. So I prayed not only for his physical heart, but for God to speak to his spiritual heart with His gentle voice.

My aunt and other cousin rushed to California...he was able to speak and even weakly joke with them.

But then, I received another call.
Ken was gone.

As I was thinking about him the other day, I googled his name, only to find out that he was even more successful in the business world than I suspected. He was one of the founders on the ground floor of the internet business...and there were websites mourning his passing, telling of how much they learned from and how willing he was to freely share his knowledge.

There was even a video for sale where he spoke on keys to success on the internet...I clicked on it and there I was, hearing his voice again.




It was amazing and sad all at once to see him, knowing he was gone.
It also reminds me of no matter how successful we are in this world, it is only temporal. This life can be so fleeting!

Funny, how someone can stay in a special place in your heart....even though time and distance separated you for so many years.

For me, there will always be that special little corner reserved for the cousin that was sometimes like a big brother to me, took me with him on a double date, and sent me Snoopy cards.
And I miss him.

In memory of Ken
June,1957- October 30th, 2005

A Golden Half Century Ago...

For My Parents....




This month would have marked a very special anniversary.

And just because my dad is no longer here on earth, I couldn't let the month completely slip by without paying tribute to it...and my parents.

Because, if my dad were still alive, this month of August would have marked their
50th Anniversary.

My parents met at a little phone booth, on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. My dad was at the end of a very bitter divorce process, feeling both lost and lonely. When he saw my sweet mom, an innocent and very-young-for-thirty gal using the phone, something compelled him to try and meet her.
And my mom, very cautious and a little shy....saw something in this tall, handsome and rather lonely looking man...and actually agreed to a date!
She claims this was totally out of character for her. But she did insist, that because it was going to be a Sunday, their first date be to church.

(You can read more about this part of their story from my mom, herself, written on her blog in this post.)

So, began a whirlwind romance...and they were soon married just several months after meeting, in August, 1957.

Well, at least the first time.

No, they weren't divorced later, but because this first marriage ceremony was an elopement in Mexico, where my parents strained to understand the quickie ceremony performed in Spanish, they agreed to have a real wedding later that year in December.



Things were not so easy. There were financial issues, health issues (each of them became very ill right from the start, but thankfully recovered) ...and then there were those issues that come when one spouse has been divorced and has children.

My mom's new step-daughters were about nine and fourteen, and surprisingly, it was the youngest that seemed to have the most bitter spirit; a heart that seemed impossible for my mom to reach.
Looking at this from my now adult perspective, I can only imagine how difficult this transition was for all of them involved...but I do know that my mom has always had a tender heart, and I know how hard she must have tried.

Not quite a year later, still newlyweds, my parents spent their first entire summer as man and wife within the walls of their little trailer house....with his two daughters!

Let's just say it gave a whole new meaning of close quarters.

Here is my mother, above, in front of the "infamous" trailer house. I love this picture of her...I would look at it as a child and think how pretty she was!

Somehow, everyone survived...but there were other issues that challenged their marriage.
She wanted a child...my dad, after seeing the bitterness of his own children toward him following the divorce, did not.
Mom mom pleaded, prayed ...and even contemplated leaving him. She spoke with their pastor, who in turn had a heart to heart with my father.
It was God using this talk, that I believe ultimately lead...five years after their wedding...

to me!

I heard that in spite of his initial reluctance to be a father again, it was love at first sight.


In the almost 31 years that my parents were married, up until he passed away in 1988, their lives were challenged with so many different kinds of hurdles.

The two worst were his years of alcoholism, and later, his kidney disease.
But I do know that after my father returned to the Lord, God was with them, strengthening their marriage and making it better than it had been when they were young.


My parents even became ministers, getting their license and pastoring a tiny church as well as mistering to those in prisons.
Even in the last four years of his life, when illness began to take a toll on his body, he continued to try and work, and minister to others...which became a legacy of his determination, love and faith.
My mom, also showed her faithfulness to him by not holding past sins against him...but completely forgiving and loving him, unconditionally.

As I look back over their marriage- both before I came along and afterward, I am now beginning to see something a little more clearly.
There were the trouble years, times filled with turmoil, there is no doubt...
But but the big picture I am seeing is that God's mercy was there all the time.
When they asked for it, He gave it abundantly...redeeming their lives and their marriage.



I'm so glad they didn't give up on their marriage during those very hard years... which they could have easily done.

Because, with God, all things are possible.
And for them, the best was yet to be.

My mom recently turned 80, and he has been gone from her life for the past 19 years.
I know she still misses him incredibly.
But she knows she will see him again one day.

In the meantime, his memories continue to dwell with us.

So, because of this, I wish you, my sweet Mom and Dad,

A Happy Golden Anniversary.

Until you meet again...

Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers and Daughters (Author Unknown)

We're daughters and mothers
Not so long ago.
We give and take And take and give
Along time's endless row.

Love is passed And love received
To be passed on again:
A precious heirloom
Twice, twice blessed, A spiritual cardigan.
I'll put it on And treasure it, The me I have received,
And when the roles Reverse again, I'll have what I most need.

So may our love Go on and on,
A hundred thousand years;
Mothers and daughters, Daughters and mothers,
Through joys and other tears.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Since I leave this afternoon for the wedding tomorrow, I won't be posting for a few days. I wanted to wish all of you who are moms (and those that will be spending time with moms...or perhaps missing your own mom)...each of you...
A very Happy Mother's Day!
God bless and have a wonderful weekend.

(Say a prayer if you wouldn't mind, that all goes well. Oh, and yes...never fear...my camera batteries are charged...heehee)

Class Picture...1972

Okay, everyone...ready to step back in time with me a moment? Grab your LP's and your fringe vests and come along...

I have to say that all of my school experiences were not so happy. But third grade was an exception. In fact, it was one of the highlights of my growing up years.
I felt sort of "one" with my classmates and absolutely loved my teacher, Mrs. S. She was my absolutely favorite teacher of all time!

Add to all of this that my classmates and I were all Partridge Family wannabes, and well...things could not have been better. Dig those outfits! (Go ahead...click on the picture to get every detail of our cool selves.)

No offense to my sweet mom at all here...but now that I have two daughters, I can honestly say...I would not let my own soon-to-be third grader wear go-go boots and miniskirts! Yikes!
But especially if she had bow-legs like me! (Please....no laughing, you all. Somehow they straightened just a tad over the years. But only a tad.)

Sometimes I forget that it isn't only today that we moms walk into stores and grimace to see teen fashions in size 6-8! We're all looking way too groovy here.


So now that I mentioned that bow-legged thing, it will be easy to spot me! heehee

See the guy in the center? With the stripes? His name was Todd and he was held back in Kindergarten, so was a year older than the rest of us, and oh-so mature. He thought he was third grade's answer to Don Juan. I wonder what Mr. Juan is doing now?
And the boy to the left with the cub scout uniform...That was Jimmy. Does he not look a wee bit like JFK? I thought so, even then!

Mavis and Kellie are in there- two of my best friends that year who I laughed with, had sleep-overs with, and sometimes argued with over who's lunch box was the best or if Laura Partridge really sang on the records. (She never would believe me that only Shirley and David did the actual singing...just couldn't let it go...sigh)
So Mavis and Kellie, if you some how come across my blog, be sure to get in touch, OK?
Are you married? Already have grown children, or *gulp* have grandbabies now? Or did you start a bit later like myself and still have young children in tow?

I remember that Mavis and I did an elective where we did a dance routine to "Cherokee People". I just can't hear it now without reliving us practicing our synchronized movements to the whole song. We were so good!

Don't you just wish you could find some of your old friends and classmates from childhood and see them again, even for just an hour over coffee? I do.
But then again, maybe it's best to just leave those memories tucked away where they are sometimes...Maybe they're happier that way. And perhaps we need to sometimes even say a prayer for an old friend that comes into mind...
whether it's the Don Juan of third grade or the girl who no one wanted to sit with.

So, let me know if this inspires you to rummage through those old boxes and stroll down your old memory lane. And if you decide to post one, let me know so I can come see.
Just beware of glaring fashion statements along the way!

First Valentines...

To the two special men in my life...past and present...



I received my very first Valentine right on my very first Valentine's Day... It was from my daddy. He had enclosed a letter to me, that years later I would read and re-read.
Sadly, somehow, this precious letter was lost.
But I still have the card...somewhere in one of my boxes of keepsakes, where I need to comb through, retreive- and place it in it's rightful place of honor.

My Dad was a far from perfect man...but he also had some wonderful qualities such as tenderness, compassion towards others and was fiercely protective of his family. He also loved God, and went home to be with Him almost 19 years ago.

I miss him... a lot. He was my very first Valentine.

Now, I watch my own girls adore their own daddy. If you saw this picture, you may already know that my four year old plans on marrying him when she grows up. But her plans will probably change. She will most likely fall in love someday and walk down the isle with another man- hopefully someone who loves God and cherishes her.

But just like a generation before, their daddy is the first man in their life...and they are blessed with someone with so many wonderful qualities...someone who takes time to be with them, encourage them, and teach them.

Most of all, to simply love them.

And there's just always that special place in our hearts for our very first
Valentine.


Happy
Valentine's Day!