Yesterday, my family and I attended a family reunion for the maternal side of my dad's family. Aside from getting to catch up with distant relatives and visit with those who we are closer to, I learned quite a bit about my family's history. I recently took up studying my genealogy and was excited to fill in some of the blanks I had on my dad's side. At the reunion, I discovered that my great-aunt had compiled one line of our family history back to the 1700s and that they would be willing to send it to me. I also learned that a great, great, great-grandmother had traveled to America, by herself, from Germany when she was 13 years old as an indentured servant. A distant cousin of mine shared that she has original letters shared between 2 brothers, related to our family, who were both serving in the military during the Civil War. I am sure I won't get the originals of those letters, but how neat it will be to read them when she sends me the copies.
Those of you who are genealogists, do you have any neat stories from your family history to share? If you are not into genealogy, I encourage you to at least trace your family tree back through your grandparents and if you ever have the chance to talk with other relatives, ask to hear a story about your ancestors and be sure to record what you learn for future generations. It is a really neat feeling when you discover a connection between yourself and history.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
11 July 2010
17 January 2009
My oldest daughters and my dear husband
As I said in my last post, I have learned several things over the past few weeks as I have been feeling ill. The love you all have for me is one, but I have also been reminded just how much my sweet family loves me as well.
The other day, my headache had me bed-ridden for much of the day. My older daughters (who really are not that old, 6 and 7 years to be exact), were incredibly helpful with keeping the babies (7 months and 2 years) happy, healthy and clean. Of course, these are the same girls who helped me keep things running during both of my difficult pregnancies, when I was on complete bedrest, as well. They may be young, but they are very independent and capable young ladies. On top of doing their chores and helping with the babies, they thought what mommy really needed was a "get well soon" party. They made, and helped the 2 year old make, get-well cards for me and wrapped up gifts for me. The gifts were things they had received for Christmas, and as my oldest said, "made them happy, so they figured they would help me too". They set the "party" up in their bedroom, which they cleaned up first and "decorated", and designed an invitation for me on my computer. On a humerous note, they mistakenly typed that it was a "Get Wet Soon" party, so I asked if that was a hint that I needed to shower. When I thanked them for the party but explained that I just was not feeling well enough to attend a party, they told me they had made up a bed for me in their room. How could I resist? My babies showered me with love and then put on a special play they had "written" (it was more like improv, but it was sweet none-the-less). They then fluffed my pillows on my bed, so I could return to it, and re-cleaned their room, all while continuing to care for the littler ones. (As a side note- although I was in bed, I was very aware of what was going on with the babies at all times and available for any emergencies.)
Now onto my amazing husband. My dear husband currently works both a full-time and a part-time job so that I can stay home with our children. His part-time job is a retail job so for much of November and all of December, he was working 70-80+ hours a week. January is very much looked forward to by all of us as he returns to a lighter schedule of 50-55 hours a week. Of course, my being sick for much of January, I have been unable to keep up with household tasks such as laundry and cooking. My husband has graciously stepped in and given me a helping hand, as he has in the past when I needed it, without complaint and without being asked. He calls before coming home to ask what I need so that I can put off going shopping a little longer and he rents good family movies so the kids and I can curl up in bed during the day and enjoy watching something we all will enjoy. He knows I can only stand so much Barney/Sesame Street/Word Girl and they can only tolerate so much Martha Stewart/Price Is Right/local news. I know I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and I am so thankful to have him in my life.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I love my children and I love my husband so, so much and I thank my Heavenly Father for them daily.
The other day, my headache had me bed-ridden for much of the day. My older daughters (who really are not that old, 6 and 7 years to be exact), were incredibly helpful with keeping the babies (7 months and 2 years) happy, healthy and clean. Of course, these are the same girls who helped me keep things running during both of my difficult pregnancies, when I was on complete bedrest, as well. They may be young, but they are very independent and capable young ladies. On top of doing their chores and helping with the babies, they thought what mommy really needed was a "get well soon" party. They made, and helped the 2 year old make, get-well cards for me and wrapped up gifts for me. The gifts were things they had received for Christmas, and as my oldest said, "made them happy, so they figured they would help me too". They set the "party" up in their bedroom, which they cleaned up first and "decorated", and designed an invitation for me on my computer. On a humerous note, they mistakenly typed that it was a "Get Wet Soon" party, so I asked if that was a hint that I needed to shower. When I thanked them for the party but explained that I just was not feeling well enough to attend a party, they told me they had made up a bed for me in their room. How could I resist? My babies showered me with love and then put on a special play they had "written" (it was more like improv, but it was sweet none-the-less). They then fluffed my pillows on my bed, so I could return to it, and re-cleaned their room, all while continuing to care for the littler ones. (As a side note- although I was in bed, I was very aware of what was going on with the babies at all times and available for any emergencies.)
Now onto my amazing husband. My dear husband currently works both a full-time and a part-time job so that I can stay home with our children. His part-time job is a retail job so for much of November and all of December, he was working 70-80+ hours a week. January is very much looked forward to by all of us as he returns to a lighter schedule of 50-55 hours a week. Of course, my being sick for much of January, I have been unable to keep up with household tasks such as laundry and cooking. My husband has graciously stepped in and given me a helping hand, as he has in the past when I needed it, without complaint and without being asked. He calls before coming home to ask what I need so that I can put off going shopping a little longer and he rents good family movies so the kids and I can curl up in bed during the day and enjoy watching something we all will enjoy. He knows I can only stand so much Barney/Sesame Street/Word Girl and they can only tolerate so much Martha Stewart/Price Is Right/local news. I know I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and I am so thankful to have him in my life.
I just wanted to let everyone know that I love my children and I love my husband so, so much and I thank my Heavenly Father for them daily.
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