The Case of a Missing Husband!

Christmas was spectacular!!! It was so fun to talk of Christ and giving with family- and see Abby!

But a big part of the fun came from an idea Luke had- working on family history. I finally found a name for the missing husband!

It all started back this summer when my dad gave me some family group sheets. I discovered that my great, great grandfather had married a gal who had been previously married and had had children. The family sheets showed a son and a daughter. Well, after some digging, I came across my great, great's obituary only to discover that he had had a step-son and TWO step-daughters! I found Carrie H. and her husband, Ralph R... but this is where it became perplexing. You see, Carrie was listed as MRS. Carrie H. when she married Ralph. Why would 2 different marriage records record her as a MRS. previous to her marriage- and with her maiden name. Hmmm. Then I discovered a census record that listed a son for Carrie (a step-son for Ralph)- William H. That's right, this son had Carrie's maiden name.

Why? 

It seemed that there must be a missing husband, but why would Carrie not use his last name for their son?

I found all of this many, many months ago and have spent many, many hours trying to sort this out every way I know how... no luck.

Then, Christmas day, I found a clue- and some more questions.

Carrie H. had 2 other children, Lillian and Hazel- but both had Carrie's maiden name! No amount of searching had the answer.

UNTIL I came across a census record that listed Carrie H as being adopted by Anthony R and wife, Anna, Carrie's parents former neighbors- Ah ha!

Now I could search for Carrie R. instead of Carrie H. and with SO MUCH help form the Lord, I was able to find a name for the missing husband... drumroll...

Sam H- Carrie's exact same last name! Hence the children have that surname as well!

My very own Christmas miracle!! It is very humbling to know that I only made these discoveries thanks to inspiration- for me, it would have been very easy to just give up or make incorrect assumptions rather than to keep pursuing an apparent dead end.

And I know I am not finished here- I feel very compelled to keep going, to find out more... 

So I will- and it's fun too!

Wise Men Still Seek Him!

And I hope and pray I am counted among the wise!

Our Nativity:

Mary and Joseph

The Shepards

Wise Men

Celebrating All that is Good!

Holidays- and every day really- should be about celebrating all that is good!

So happy 12/13/14 (yesterday)- I was fortunate to celebrate with a kiss from the man of my dreams- as he wished me a happy day on 12/13/14 at exactly 15:16 o'clock! Luke definitely knows how to help life be fun in all the right ways!

Last Sunday, we celebrated Ashtyn, as her father gave her a special blessing!

What is not to celebrate with these two around?!

And I am still trying to get Christmas projects finished... but they are so fun!

little sneak preview:

So much in life that is good!

What Christmas is all about....

I am so blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! And I am so much more blessed to know that My Father in Heaven is real, that He sent His Son to earth because of His great love for each one of us, to know that Christ atoned for me (and for you), for my sins, for my trials, for my sorrows, and to know that because of Jesus Christ I can live with my family, most especially with my dear husband, for all of eternity!

Several years ago, I decided to switch my Christmas decor to match what the season truly signifies. Thus began my 'Christ'-mas tree. Everything on this little tree points to Christ. I love to just sit and ponder all that Christ means in my life. This is what makes Christmas such a beautiful time of the year!

I also had the special privilege this week of tending one of our granddaughters for the night!

Who wouldn't like to wake up to this face?! even when it's 2 in the morning... But she was so very well behaved for most of the time. As Luke says, "What a doll!"

I am so blessed to have this little visitor come to play!