Complicated Simplicity

>Fox and Geese<

Lauren asked what "Fox and Geese" was, so I thought I'd so a little post to answer. It's a game that you play in the snow. My mom played it when she was little, and taught us to play it when we were little (we still love playing it together).

You need an area of snow where there are no footprints. You start by making a large circle in the snow (just walk around it a couple of times to tramp the snow down). Then you make a plus sign across it. So you have a big circle with two crossing paths. One person is the fox and the rest are geese. The fox tries to get the geese (like tag), but you have to stay on the paths. The center (where the crossing paths meet) is a free zone. I believe we put a time limit on how long you could stay in the center (like count to 10 and then you have to come out and have to go back into the center by a different path). It's so much fun in the winter and it entertained us for hours. :-)

>My Story: Moving and Living with Others<

My family never moved and I am so thankful for that. I think the stability of our church, school and friends was so very important. It also helped to really cement our memories in that home-ones I relive every time I walk through the door. I'm always willing to go where God wants us to go, but I hope that we're not moving all of the time. 11/17/2008

When I was born, there were five people in the house (and six when Candy came occasionally). Then Robbie came and there were six. Evangeline came and there was seven. Scott went off to college and there were six again. Then David was out and in and out and in. Then he went to MSU and there were five. My Grandpa Hull came for one Christmas and stayed for a few weeks. Other than that it was mainly just us five. 11/17/2008

All About Me-Childhood Home

• Did your family move often? Where and during what time periods? What impact did the move/moves have on you?
• How many people lived in your home? Who were they?

Just a couple of simple questions for today.

>National Day of Listening<

I just found out about this from Ali's blog. This Friday is the National Day of Listening. It totally fits into my way of thinking lately. I have been loving the process of remembering. Of digging up those memories that were buried and laughing and getting wistful and just enjoying the whole thing. This week I brought along my *long* list of questions and microphone (for the computer)-hoping to get a story or two from my family. I have already heard a couple-just by sharing some memories I had and things I couldn't quite remember (like 2nd grade). It's just amazing how the class I just took and this National Day of Listening coincided so closely (and that they are both related to something I already love-storytelling and storygetting). I love listening to stories. Anyway, they have a list of questions to help you, and other suggestions. Ali puts it much more eloquently here and you can find the questions and more info here.

I encourage you to get a story from someone this Friday (or Thursday). All too often we talk about our selves or what we deem impotant. Let's find out about someone else-there's always something new to find out about them. And as Ali says on her post, you never know if you'll have another chance to hear those stories so take advantage of the time you have.

(And if you're with me that day, be prepared for me to ask you a question or two. Because I really do want to hear your stories.)

>My Story: Sharing a Room<

*loved some of the memories that this brought out.*

I always shared the room with Robbie and Evangeline-until I moved into David's in high school. I loved sharing a room with them. Well, at least most of the time. We used to play these silly games when we were supposed to be sleeping. We had a small stuffed Ziggy (which is now hanging in my bedroom) that we would throw back and forth and laugh and laugh. Robbie and I would play "Catch the Hand". One of us would slide our hand between the bed (bunk-bed) and wall and the other would try to grab it before it was taken away. We played that one a lot. Another game we would all play when getting dressed was "Beat the Yak". Whoever was the last one dressed was the Yak. Silly, I know. Anyway, I don't remember too many problems with sharing a room. I never did have to sleep in a room by myself (even when in David's room I would sleep with the door open to the girls' room) and don't know how I will do if I ever do have to-for any extended time. I do remember sharing a room with such fondness. Someday, my kids will share a room too, I think it promotes closeness nad really teaches patience and sharing. 11/17/2008

All About Me-Childhood Home

• Did you share a room with anyone? Who? What do you remember about sharing a room? Did you enjoy it or not?

I would love to hear your stories about sharing rooms. I loved it, but I know not everyone does.

>My Story: My Birth<

*I sometimes will omit certain dates and names of places simply because sharing everything on the internet is never a good idea. So if something sounds a tad choppy-or just not right-it could be because of my censoring. And I'm hoping to post two stories a week-one on Wednesday and one on Saturday. Enjoy!*

I was born in February 1983 in Michigan. I was born in a hospital. I had quite a bit of think, black hair when I was born. My eyes were blue and I was 21 inches long. I weighed 9lbs exactly. I don't think there was anything too unusual about my birth. I didn't really look like either of my parent. My family lived in Michigan at the time I was born-in the house I grew up in, and where they still live today. My two older brothers, Scott and David, lived there the majority of the time. My mom's parents lived nearby as did most of her siblings. My mom had lived in that house with the boys since they were quite small. I'm not sure why she had moved htere. 11/15/2008

All About You-Your Birth Questions

• When and where were you born? In a hospital or at home?
• Were there any unusual circumstances surrounding your birth?
• Do you know how much it cost?
• When you were a baby what did you look like? What was your length/weight? What color were your eyes and hair?
• Who in your family did you most resemble?
• Where did your family ilve at the time of your birth? How did they come to live there?
• Were there other family members in the area? Who?

I would love to hear your birth story. I don't really know a whole lot about mine, so I think I'm going to ask my mom when I see her at Thanksgiving. To answer some of those things that I really don't know about it and other things. I'm sure Paul will ask his mom too. I am still loving the whole memory-writing process. I'm sure the novelty will wear off at some point, but I'm going to be riding this wave for as long as I possibly can. It's been so eye-opening and fun. It has really reminded me of how blessed I am.

>My Story: My Name<

 

*Note: I've been writing by hand and while writing, I focus solely on the memories and story. I apologize for any grammatical errors, but it is not the focus of my writing time.*

My name is Rachel Denise. My dad chose my name simply because he liked it. I wasn't named after anyone in particular. I had quite a few nicknames growing up. For as long as I can remember, my brothers have called me Bone. David especially. I'm not sure why he picked it, but I've come to love it. He still addresses me by Bone when he emails or calls. He has even sent letters to me addressed with Bone. Scott called me Rachcuhcall for awhile when I was in elementary school. I n middle school the youth group called me Bender and later shortened it to Ben. We had two Rachels, so they started with a nickname to differentiate between us. If I see anyone from then they still call me Ben. I've always been called Rach by my family. Paul's grandpa Phil always called me Rach-a fond gesture I will never forget. At his funeral someone else called me Rach and I thought it sounded so strange coming from someone else. It didn't sound right. Paul started calling me Rachie and his mom does too sometimes (usually when talking to Paul). We used it for our e-mail address even. Paul also calls me Baby or Babe. Katelyn and Madeline call me Aunt Rach every now and then, which I also love. So, I'm called most of those nicknames still, except Ben and Rachcuhcall. I really do love my nicknames and Bone or Boney is probably my favorite. Evangeline calls me Bone or Boney all the time now. 11/15/2008

*See how scattered it is? I love it though-it shows my thoughts as they entered my mind.*

All About You-Your Name

• What is your full name?
• Why did your parents select this name for you?
• Were you named after anyone?
• Is there anything special or unusual about your name or the way you were named?
• Do/did you have a nickname? What was it and why did they call you that? Who called you by this nickname?
• Have you had other nicknames as an adult?
• What do family members call you now?

I would love to hear about your name/nickname if you want to share. I'm finding this process of remembering very cathartic and fun. I'm remembering things I thought I'd forgotten and Paul is getting a kick out of reading my stories.  He even said that he wants to write his stories. Hand-write them. I'm totally serious. It's really creating a stronger bond between us, teaching us about each other a bit more.

>My Story: Some of my Family<

  I just wanted to quickly share some photos of my family to introduce you to some of them.

 This is my dad's dad. I never got to meet him-he passed away shortly after I was born. I took my first plane ride ever to attend his funeral (my dad had driven down to IA, so mom and I flew down there). I hear he was ornery and stubborn. Evangeline gets that from him. :-)

Oddly enough, I don't have a picture of my dad's mom on the computer. I know I have some because a) I have all of my parents' pictures and b) I took quite a few of her before she died.

 My mom's parents (and all but one sibling). I assume she is the one taking the picture. They look so happy, huh? :-)

  This is how I remember them. My grandma was so happy when her hair turned white because she had bright red hair and loved the color pink. So when her hair turned white, she bought all sorts of pink to wear. Doesn't my mom look like my grandma? I have a feeling I'm going to look a bit like them as I age as well, sometimes I glimpse my mom in the mirror (but I don't mind at all). My grandma died of cancer in 1998 and my grandpa died a few years ago.

  This is my grandma (before her hair was white) and my mom. I love this photo because it's one of the few where she's wearing her leg braces.

  My grandma and my mom. I think you can really see the similarity between them here.

  One more of them. My mom's in the front and you can see my grandma and my great-grandma. My mom laughs at this picture because "he kept saying 'turn around' and so I did" but it was backward to everyone else. You can see all of that in her face. :-)

 This is my mom's family-her siblings, their spouses and some of their children and my grandpa on the right. That's me holding baby Emily (my cousin). Yes, I am a baby hogger. I always have been. I told you that my one desire in life was to be a mother. :-) 

 These are my parents. I took this a couple of years ago. 

 This is my oldest brother, Scott and his gorgeous wife Lisa. I am very close with him despite a 15-almost-16 year age difference. I love this shot taken at Brian and Evangeline's wedding. It cracks me up.

 And another one that I love. 

This is my other older brother, David and his wife Susan. They got married this past June, and both are overseas. He's in Afghanistan in the Army and she's in Baghdad, Iraq with the State Department. I miss him so very much, and I can't wait to get to know her a little better.

 This is my younger sister and very best friend in the whole world, Robbie (and her boyfriend Brady). She is so full of personality and I love her so very much. (Isn't her nosering awesome?)

  This is my youngest sister, Evangeline and her husband, Brian. She is stubborn, but so very giving. She would do anything for anyone to help them out if they needed it.

  This is one of my older sisters. I have three, but only a picture of Jolene. She is a tomboy and tough and if anyone messed with me too badly she would come and kick their butts in a second. I'm not even kidding. We always stay with her and her husband, Joel (a very, very amazing wonderful man that I'm so proud is my brother-in-law) if we go to Iowa. This is their only daughter, Sharla on her high school graduation (yup I have nieces and nephews that are only a few years younger than me).

  This is Sharla again with Jolene's youngest (she has three-Sharla is in the middle), Aaron. I remember vividly when he was a little baby. He has grown up so much. He's a little more shy than he used to be, but I still think that little ham is in there.

  And I had to include this one. Look at my dad's proud smile! She was salutatorian of her class.

 This is Jolene's oldest, Nick and his wife Katie. He's a sailor in the Navy and they live in California right now.

  My oldest sister is Crystal and this is her oldest, Jessica. She's so beautiful and smart and talented. She's currently in college and loves softball. I don't have any pictures of the rest of her family, but if you picture her older you have my sister. Seriously, Jessie is the spitting image of Chris. Crystal is married to Craig and they have five kids all together. Jessica, Clayton, Matthew, George (who are ten months apart-yup), and Megan.

My other sister is Candis (we call her Candy), and she lives with her boyfriend of many, many years Roger and they have a son Tony who is either in high school or almost in high school.

And that's my family. :-)

>My Story: Introduction<

I'm participating in Jessica Sprague's amazing class. It's all about remembering the stories of your life and capturing them (along with those that are happening in the present). I love the whole concept. I don't think it surprises anyone who knows me. You know I love learning about my ancestry. I would pass out with joy and contentment if someone just starting telling me the stories of their life. I mean, I love it.

Well, Jessica gave us a bunch of "sparks". They're prompts to jumpstart our memories and ideas of different stories to tell. They all go together in this cute little book (which I haven't put together yet-we're *almost* out of black ink in my printer and Paul's homework takes precedence since the other printer is acting up and refuses to print) that you can carry with you. I love prompts like this. They make me so happy.

So, I was thinking about how I wanted to capture my stories. I definitely want to write them down, because there is such charm in reading things that are handwritten (those of you who have read their parents or grandparents love letters or recipes know exactly what I mean). However, I also want to be able to get some of my stories down quickly and I also want to be able to easily share them. So, I pulled out a notebook that had all blank pages (I'm a bit of a notebook addict-although I have restrained myself until all the notebooks are gone-I like to make lists and write all sorts of random bits of life down). I plan to write my answers in there, which will be so very amazing. And I decided to also share some of my stories here, on my blog.

You may totally not care about what my story is and that's okay. I'm not asking you to read them. I just want to get them out there, and if you feel like answering the question yourself that's fine. And if you're in my family (or Paul's-which I consider a part of mine too) and you feel like answering-share it if you feel comfortable doing so. Like I said, I love just sitting and listening to others' stories.

Anyway, I hope to post one story a week on here. I'll add a category called "My Story" for easy perusing and reference. And maybe someday I'll collect them into a Blurb book or something cool (or scrapbook them). I'm so excited to get my stories told and to share some of them with you.

I may post later today with one of my stories if I have the time.