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Baby Naming Traditions

Sometimes, it is fun to think about how our ancestors may have felt about doing certain things that we ourselves are doing now. One thing that has been on my mind quite a bit lately is naming our second son, who is due in April. My husband and I had such an easy time naming our first son. He suggested a name. I decided that it was not only a great name, but a great fit with my father’s first name as the middle name. The thing that sealed the deal was that we both thought that it sounded great … Continue reading →

Holiday Traditions

Each family has its own unique set of holiday traditions. Whatever the traditions in your family, it is likely that you can look back through the years and see how certain things became a part of what your family does. For example, my father’s side of the family has always gotten together on Christmas Eve. I think that this tradition started when my cousins and I were born because each set of new parents had two sets of grandparents to include in their Christmas visiting schedule. Instead of trying to have each set of cousins make it to two sets … Continue reading →

Baby Blessings: An Alternative to Traditional Church Ceremony

Baby blessing is a ritual that is becoming increasingly popular with new parents. Read on to learn about baby blessings and see if this is something that is right for your baby and your family. A baby blessing is a welcoming and blessing ritual for your baby that isn’t associated with a particular church or religion. While people who are unfamiliar with this practice may think it is something new age or without an element of traditional religion, this is far from the case. A baby blessing can encompass many different ideas and meld together religious beliefs and traditions. In … Continue reading →

Sports And Family Bonds

With the Super Bowl just a couple of weeks away, now is a good time to think about sports and how they relate to family history. Whether you have athletes in the family, sports fans, or both, it is very likely that at least some family members have an interest in sports. If you think about your relatives and what sports they like to play or watch, you may see some similarities between family members. You might also see some major differences of opinion, which can make for memorable family events if there is a game on television featuring the … Continue reading →

A Bit of Genealogy Humor

Genealogy is fun, and there are even moments where you may have a hard time controlling your laughter as you piece together your family tree. Don’t worry, it’s okay to laugh a little along the way – unless you are in the library doing research. Everybody knows that you are not supposed to laugh in the library. In fact, I do not frequent libraries because inevitably, every time I do, I have a funny thought and have to run outside before I burst out laughing and disturb the silence. I have no idea why this happens, it just does. Laughter … Continue reading →

Caring for Family Heirlooms

Some family heirlooms that are passed down through the generations are meant to be put on a shelf and looked at. Others are pieces that get used only on special occasions, like fine china or silverware. There are other heirlooms, though, that see more frequent use. Things like tables, chairs, cupboards, and cradles are meant to be used and, if cared for properly, can last for many more years. In order to keep these prized family possessions in good condition, it is important that you regularly inspect them for signs of wear and tear. Things like loose rungs on a … Continue reading →

A Tip for More Peaceable Family Gatherings

This holiday season, I realized that one important communication skill is essential to surviving many a holiday gathering. Those of you that read this blog regularly know that I love words, so I am excited to inform you that this magical skill has a name – tact. Tact is a word that refers both skill in dealing with difficult or delicate situations or a knack for knowing what to say or do in order to avoid offending others. In a time where people often pride themselves on being “uncensored”, letting their opinions be known, or saying what is on their … Continue reading →

Valentine’s Day Carnations

Jessie came home from school with an order form for carnations to be delivered to the students on Valentine’s Day. I love this idea. The children can give flowers to their friends or family can send flowers to the children. I couldn’t wait to share the carnation news with all the grandparents. The grandparents were completely on board and just as excited as I was. Grammy and PaPa each gave Jessie one flower and a lovely note. Grandma decided that because Jessie is three then the toddler should have three flowers. She made that decision for Grandpa too. My parents … Continue reading →