Thomas Fleming

My mom has been doing research into the history of her side of the family. She found so much interesting information that we've recently decided to expand the search to include the Eisenmengers and Flemings, so that James will have a more complete family tree. The last few days have produced a boon of information and my mom found this excerpt about the Fleming ancestor Thomas Fleming. He is Great-Great Grandpa Fleming to those in Mike's generation and Great-Great-Great Grandpa Fleming to those in James' generation.

"Grand Meadow Twp. -- Thomas Fleming, a native of New York, was born Nov. 2, 1840. When he was eight years old he moved to Chicago, Ill., with his father, remaining there until 1856, when they came to Clayton County, and settled on a farm in Grand Meadow Township. In 1861 Thomas went to California, returning two years later. He bought a farm of 120 acres, on section 27, this township, where he still resides. He was married to Hannah Herley on Jan. 19, 1870. She was born in Canada in 1842. They have eight children -- Michael J., born Dec. 19, 1871; James, Jan. 11, 1872; Willie, April 29, 1873; E.E., Aug. 5 1875; Thomas F., in 1877; Mary, Dec. 24, 1878; Joseph, April 1, 1879, and Margaret, Jan 8, 1881. Mr. Fleming has held the office of School Secretary for the past six years, and that of Assessor four years. Has also been Township Trustee and School Director. He is a member of the Catholic church, and one of the well-todo farmers of this township." History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 827-828

Name Spelling Song

We sing this daily to the tune of "Bingo."

There is a boy who's awfully great and James is his name-o.
J-A-M-E-S, J-A-M-E-S, J-A-M-E-S, and James is his name-o!

There is a cousin who's awfully cool and Jackson is his name-o.
J-A-CK-S-ON, J-A-CK-S-ON, J-A-CK-S-ON, and Jackson is his name-o!

There is a cousin who's awfully fun and Henry is his name-o.
H-E-N-R-Y, H-E-N-R-Y, H-E-N-R-Y, and Henry is his name-o!

There is a cousin who's awfully cute and Valerie is her name-o.
V-A-L-ER-IE, V-A-L-ER-IE, V-A-L-ER-IE, and Valerie is her name-o!

There is a cousin who's awfully sweet and Lucy is her name-o.
L-U-C-Y, L-U-C-Y, L-U-C-Y, and Lucy is her name-o!

Just thought I'd share. :-)

Some Grandparent Quotes for Your Enjoyment

The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent. ~Sam Levenson

What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure. ~Gene Perret

To a small child, the perfect granddad is unafraid of big dogs and fierce storms but absolutely terrified of the word "boo." ~Robert Brault

Perfect love sometimes does not come until the first grandchild. ~Welsh Proverb

One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather. ~Joy Hargrove

What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. ~Author Unknown

If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first. ~Lois Wyse

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old. ~Mary H. Waldrip

Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of their grandchildren. ~Author Unknown

No cowboy was ever faster on the draw than a grandparent pulling a baby picture out of a wallet. ~Author Unknown

Need reading material?

I don't know how interesting this will be, but if you want to hear more about my adventures as a new nurse, I am attempting to try my hand at this whole blogging thing...

http://cherryameswannabe.blogspot.com/

Christmas Gifts

Vote in the poll to decide what we are doing this year about Christmas gifts. :-)

Pictures

Since we're going to have all the kids together this December, I think that it's a prime opportunity to take some adorable pictures. I imagine that everyone in the family would love to have a picture of all five of them together. We could either go the DIY route by setting up a "photo studio" in the Fleming living room, or could all chip in and take the kids to some place like Olan Mills. Mike and I are getting pretty good at taking and editing DIY photos, so we'd be happy to volunteer to be the photographers. Either way, I think that it would be adorable to dress all the kids in coordinating outfits. Perhaps something easy that they all have like jeans and a white shirt? Or Christmas themed clothes? Or both? Thoughts or suggestions?

Always tell the truth

"Always tell the truth - in what is important and in what seems a small matter.
In a world where so many people habitually think little of a lie and indulge in pretences, we, as Christians must be men and women of truth who always flee from the smallest falsehood. This is how people should know us - as men and women who never tell lies even in matters of little importance, as men and women who shut out of their lives anything that smacks of dissimulation, hypocrisy and duplicity, and who know how to put matters right if they make a mistake. Then our lives will be filled with a great apostolic fruitfulness, for people always trust an upright person, one who knows how to speak the truth with charity and understanding towards all and without hurting people. ...
It is not a matter of knowing just how far we can go in saying things that are untrue before we incur a grave fault. It is a matter of hating lying in all its forms. It's a matter of telling the whole truth, and, when out of prudence or charity this can not be done, then we will hold our tongue and not invent little 'white lies' that falsely ease our consciences. We must love the truth in itself and for itself, not only in the things that can benefit ourselves or other people in a personal way. We must abhor lying as something stupid and despicable, for whatever reason it is resorted to. We must hate it because it's an offence against God, who is supreme Truth. --from In Conversation With God, vol.4, p.115-116

We Have Tickets

I just wanted to let everyone know that we officially purchased our plane tickets for going to Michigan in December. We will be arriving in Michigan Friday evening, December 17th and will be leaving mid-day Tuesday, December 21st. We can't wait to see everyone then!

Come, Holy Spirit!

Sunday will be Pentecost. Let's get ready!

Breathe in me, Holy Spirit, that all my thoughts may be holy;
Act in me Holy Spirit, that my work may also be holy;
Fill my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy;
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, ever to defend what is holy;
Guard me always, Holy Spirit, that I may ever remain holy;
Preserve me, Holy Spirit, that my body may remain your dwelling;
In my last hour call me, Holy Spirit, to enjoy the holiness of heaven.
--Holy Spirit prayer by St. Augustine