My family and the United States of America

Have I mentioned that I love my family? And, I love this great country that we live in. Since it is Independence Day, and I am supposed to be working on a HUGE genealogy project, I felt it was okay to take a break to write about my pride in both America and my family.

Visting the Alden House in Duxbury, Massachusetts

I am not sure when my first ancestors set foot on the North American continent. I have some ancestors who were Vikings, so they may have been the first. But, I do know that some of my ancestors and their relatives were at Jamestown in Virginia. I also know that John Alden and Priscilla Mullens came to Massachusetts in 1620. They came looking for a new life and freedoms that were not extended to them under the rule of the British Crown. John Alden was also one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact, so even he knew of the task ahead in setting up a government for and of the people.  I can honestly say that I am the thirteenth generation of American farmers in my family, and I am raising the fourteenth generation!

Early members of the Powers and Daines families also came to Massachusetts in the 1600s. Pennington family members came to Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s. One of my Pennington forefathers fought in the American Revolution. And, a descendant of John and Priscilla Alden was a signer of the Declaration of Independence as well as the second President of the United States, John Adams.

Members of the Pennington and Alden families fought in the War of 1812. Once again, my forefathers and relatives saw the importance of preserving the United States of America.

By the time of the Civil War, the Rolfs had migrated to the United States from Germany and Denmark. This was just in time to fight in the Civil War. Joachim Rolfs served in the Hessian Army while in Europe, and then was drafted into an Iowa militia during the Civil War. Several of my husband's relatives also fought in the Civil War as a part of the Ohio militia. These men fought valiantly to preserve the United States, even though they themselves could barely speak the language and were still learning American traditions. After the war, they came home and became naturalized citizens. They raised their children speaking both German and English. Many generations would continue to be raised bilingual.

By the 1900s, many more branches of my family's tree had arrived in the United States. And, many more generations would continue to serve in time of war and peace. Some came home to loving family and an adoring country, some came home to a country who scorned them, and some never came home at all. . . But, the family continued to fight for the United States and the freedoms this country provides. Even today, I have family and friends scattered world wide who serve to protect the United States of America.

A few summers ago my family went to Plymouth, Massachusetts for an Alden family reunion. On the way, we visited Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We stood on hallowed ground an listened to the ghosts of the past. We stood behind canons abandoned in fields and imagined the battles of long ago. We bowed our head in silence as we stood at the graves of the fallen. We know that our forefathers sacrificed so that we could continue to live in the land of the free.

After we left Gettysburg, we headed on to Valley Forge. While there we listened to the stories of the struggle to survive the elements in a very young America. We saw the huts and primitive houses that the soldiers lived in. We were in awe that men would choose to fight a super power in order to give life to this country.

After Valley Forge, we travelled on to Philadelphia. We saw Independence Hall, and we saw the Liberty Bell. By now my two older daughters felt they were fast becoming experts in American History. They were very enthralled by the Liberty Bell.

Other stops on our trip included New York, Boston, Lexington, Concord, and Plymouth. In each place we found places where our family worked tirelessly to help create this great nation. And, we found ourselves very proud to be Americans. It chills my spine, even today, when I think about the first shots of the American Revolution. Who knew that simple defiance would lead to the formation of one of the strongest nations in the world?

And, so, today as we pack our picnic basket and head to our neighbors' house, we will remember the sacrifice of our forefathers to help create this great nation. Thank you to all who have given of themselves to make this country and continue to make this country great! GOD BLESS AMERICA! And, thank you to everyone who makes this country great!

My Afternoon with the Royal Family of Chuckery

Yesterday afternoon we walked away from our daily chores and took some time off. We loaded up the truck (yes the truck because the van is still in the shop!) and met Sharon, Jack and Rachel over at the Scotts pool. When we got there, everyone was leaving because there was a chlorine inbalance. So, Dennis went into the gate and asked the staff if the pool was closing. He was told that the pool should reopen within the hour. We proceeded to unload the truck and haul our gear up to the pool.

I was once again reminded that we have four girls. I had four little girls to change into swimsuits. All four need to have floaties and life jackets.  They all insisted on perfect ponytails.  Ah, the joy of all girls! Dennis put up his feet and dozed while I got the girls ready. GRRR!

But, soon enough, we were all in the pool. Madeline was splashing after her cousins, treading water in the deep end. Julie bounced around in the shallow end. Christy floated around somewhere in the middle. And, last but not least, Stephenie squealed because she detests water. However, she was soon laughing as she splashed water at her sisters.

We splashed for several hours, soaking up the sun and having fun. The older kids swam all over the pool gathering up as many floatation boards as they could find. Jack wanted to break his previous record of 6. Well, I think they managed to shatter that records with a solid 10 boards. And, to top off the day, Scott joined us. Supper was take out from Benny's.

Yes, I have a wonderful family. And, sometimes even the royal family of Chuckery needs to take a break from everyday life. Dear world, we are now ready for what you throw at us!

When I was little, I lived in a house with NO air conditioning. . .

When I was little, the house I lived in had NO air conditioning. We had no internet. We had one TV, and for many years it was just a black and white TV. Yes, we had it rough.

When I was little, my parents could not afford an Atari. There were no Nintendos. We had a Texas Instrument Computer that my parents used for the budget and taxes. My poor siblings and I had to find other ways to entertain ourselves. So, we played outside.  We played in the barn, we played in the creek, we played in the trees.

We used to take old sleds and use the underside as ladders to climb trees. We had buckets that we used to hoist things up the trees so we could pretend to be tree people. We never had a tree house, but we had fun in the trees.

When I was little, my parents thought we should raise livestock. They were not full time farmers. My dad was a teacher. My mom was a chemist. But, my siblings and I became farmers. We milked Guernsey cows by hand. We raised lambs and hogs to slaughter. We also raised chickens for both eggs and meat. Yes, we worked hard, when I was little. And, we knew where our food came from.

When I was little, things were different in the world. The US still remembered Vietnam, Korea, and the World Wars. When I was little, people saluted the American Flag. We shook the hands of soldiers. When I was little, I said the Pledge of Allegiance each morning at school. And, we all prayed during the "moment of silence" at school.

When I was little, my friends and I thought our dads were invincible. We thought the US was invincible. We did not know that our dads would grow old. And, we did not know that by the time we had children of our own that the US would suffer attacks on US soil. Yes, things are sure different from when I was little.

Maybe air conditioning is not all that great because when I was little we did not have air conditioning in our house, and I think we turned out fine.

Did I mention that Dennis and I did not intend to become farmers?  Our daughters have pulled us back to our roots. They are now raising chickens and sheep with a little help from us.

And, I may pull out an old sled today to see if the girls can figure out how to climb a tree because that is what I did when I was little, when we had no air conditioning. . .

Friend, I will remember you. . .

"Friend, I will remember you, think of you, and pray for you, and when another day is through, I'll still be friends with you."

The words of an old 4-H camp song have been echoing through my mind for the past week as local 4-H members have travelled to 4-H Camp Clifton. I recently decided that I would love to rewind my life to my 4-H days so that I can go to camp.  Maybe this is because I am jealous that my ten year old daughter is enjoying herself at 4-H Camp this week.

But, this morning, I was jolted back to the cold, hard reality that I really am in my 30s. I cannot turn back the clock. And, time stands still for no one.

A few years ago, a very good friend passed away during the 4-H camp week for Union County.  Each year when Union County 4-H migrates to Yellow Springs, I stop and think of my friend.  She was a strong supporter of the 4-H and FFA programs. She had served on the Union County Fairboards for many years. She also was an advisor for the Union County Junior Fairboard for a long time. She embodied the persona of the Union County Fair.

I am not sure when I first met Kay Griffith, but I know that it was at the Union County Fair. My first year on the Union County Junior Fairboard was 1991. I was one of only two eighth graders on the junion fairboard that year. And, I remember how enthusiastic Kay was about the fair. I can remember Kay zipping all over the fairgrounds, both on foot and by golf cart, so that she could attend as many fair events as possible. No one loved the fair more than Kay.

After I graduated from high school, I spent less and less time at the fair. By 2009, I did not even make it to the fair for the parade and style revue. So, it was quite a surprise in November of 2009 when I saw Kay one Sunday afternoon at a restaurant in Columbus. I threw my arms around her, ecstatic to see my friend and mentor. But, it was obvious that she was not well. Time and illnesses had aged her so much. 

And, then I was angry at myself. Why didn't I try to keep in touch with Kay? Who else have I neglected in my life? It seems like I have a lot of old friends that I rarely see. Are these friends just a memory?

Again, the song echoes through my mind, "I will remember you, . . ." I will remember my friends. "Think of you, and pray for you, . . ." Each night I pray for everyone who has touched my life. "And, when another day is through, I will still by friends with you."

Kay, I still consider you a friend. I look forward to the day that I can see your face again, in heaven. You will forever be in my memories. "Friend, I WILL remember you."

Make new friends, but keep the old

I think it was just the day before yesterday that my parents dropped me off at 4-H camp.  I was nervous.  my friend was supposed to be my bunk buddy, but she was in the hospital with appendicitis.  So, I was going to be in a cabin with people that I did not know.  I was shaking with fear.

Fast forward to yesterday, when I drove myself and my four siblings to 4-H camp.  My parents no longer felt the need to drive us down.  Two of us were counselors, two of us were counselors-in-training, and the youngest was a camper with four older siblings who could look out for her.

So, how is it today that I am leaving my soon-to-be ten year old daughter at camp?  What happened to all of the years?  Has it really been nineteen years since I have been to 4-H camp?

My daughter confidently strutted into her cabin.  She had not signed up to have a bunk buddy because she wanted to "make new friends."  After all, isn't that the point of camp?  WOW!  Such confidence!  It is hard to believe that my "baby" will celebrate her tenth birthday tomorrow, at camp, and without me.

Happy birthday, Little One!  You go and make new friends!  Your father and I love you bunches, even if you do make us feel old!

Welcome to Summer!

It's summer!  Well. . . summer according to the school calendar.  I know that summer does not officially start for a few weeks.  But, in the eyes of my girls, it is summer!  For them, summer means lazy mornings and late nights.  Summer means chasing fireflies and playing sparklers.  For me summer means I have become a short order chef.  Laundry will increase significantly.  But, I do have my girls at  home to help.  Right?  So, let us see where this summer adventure takes us.  Today we are off to the ball fields!  In fact, I think that is where we were every night last week.  And, it looks like that is where we are headed nearly every night through the end of June.

Wonka Peel-A-Pops! Fun for everyone!

I have a daughter who is obsessed with bananas.  She would rather eat bananas than any other food.  We should buy stock in a banana plantation.

So, I am thrilled that there is a new summer treat option for my banana loving monkey!  She loves the banana and grape flavors!  And, she really likes to eat the gummy peel and then dive into the frozen deliciousness that is hidden inside.  What a fun way to enjoy a cool new treat this summer!  If you are interested in trying out this product, please let me know!  I have a few money saving coupons to share!  And, while I have your attention, check out BzzAgent to find out how you, too can try products before you buy them!  bzzagent.com

And, in the meantime, check back every so often to see what product I am currently reviewing.

Have a great day!