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~~~ Still Quarantined ~~~
I am so sorry I haven't gotten you guys any updates for several days. It's been a busy week. We were approved for the new home we are moving to, and our move date was pushed from the 24th to the 27th. However. we JUST got boxes today because it took until yesterday afternoon to get all the expenses approved by the corporate people from my husband's work. Doing corporate moves is so much easier than regular moves, because the company pays for everything. However. they tend to only give us 10 days to get everything done, even though they let us know a month or so ahead of time, that a move is coming. But at least they pay for all the moving supplies and stuff, so it saves us money. However, living in a super tiny town, I had to drive a freaking hour to the Uhaul store today, just to get boxes. I have my kids toys all packed up, 2 boxes per kid, which a small amount left out for them to play with for the next week, and 4 large trash bags of toys being donated to families who are less fortunate. I've also gotten a ton of the kids old clothes gathered up for donation as well. We are downsizing from a 3 bedroom house, to a two bedroom apartment, so we definitely don't need all the stuff we've accumulated. The sad thing is that before we moved to where we are now, we were in a two bedroom apartment, which we had also downsized to. It's amazing how much stuff you accumulate in 10 months. And yes, we just moved 10 months ago. This is move number 5 in two years. And let me tell you, moving during a national pandemic . . . NOT the greatest thing in the world. LOL
I'm not sure how much time I will have to write in the next week, but I am going to be doing my best. I definitely will be needing breaks from packing because otherwise I will just make myself completely crazy.
Please, if you weren't taking this virus serious before, I urge you to do so now. Please follow the health dept guidelines, and practice social distancing, and for the love of all that is good, please PLEASE WEAR A MASK when you go out in public! If you aren't already, please PLEASE take covid seriously! Be smart, be respectful, and wear a mask.
Thank you everyone who has posted a review for me to read! I have been cracking up reading them lately. Thank you so much! You guys really keep me going. I really look forward to reading every single one of them. I've even responded to a few, so check your messages!
"Logan, Honey, where is Rory?" Shira asked as Logan sat watching her unpack her things after arriving at Honor's house.
"She's at home resting. Rory is on bed rest"
"Still? When are her doctors planning to lift those orders?"
"When Ayribella is born. Rory's pregnancy is very high risk."
"Does this mean that you only get the one child?"
"Not that I am aware of. We'll see how Rory is doing after she recovers. But if we only get to have one baby, that is totally fine."
"Don't you want multiple children?"
"Only if it is safe to do so."
"You always wanted to have a big family."
"Priorities change, Mom. I won't risk my wife's health so I can be selfish and have a ton of kids. Rory comes first."
"How far along is she now?"
"28 weeks."
"So not too much longer."
"Only 8-10 more weeks. Rory will be delivering early."
"But isn't that dangerous for the baby?"
"The longer Rory can go, the better it is for Ayribella. But even if she was born today, she has a strong fighting chance. In another two weeks, Rory will get the steroid shot to help the baby's lungs develop faster, that way there are less risks to delivering early."
"Are you prepared for the baby to come early?"
"I really don't think that anyone is ever fully prepared for a baby, but yes. We have everything we need if Ayribella were to be born today."
"But you haven't even had a baby shower yet."
"No we haven't, but there is nothing that we need. Anything that we are given is an added bonus. We actually aren't asking for gifts at all. Rory and I are fortunate enough that we can more than provide for our own child. Rather than ask for gifts at her baby showers, Rory is partnering with a charity here in the city, as well as one in Hartford, and she is donating gifts to mothers who are less fortunate than we are. All the invitations that went out let people know that we are celebrating Rory and the baby, but that in lieu of gifts we suggest a donation. Rory and I have already made large donations to both places."
"Well isn't that kind of you."
"It's the least that we can do after everything that we've been blessed with."
"So you really don't need anything else then?"
"Mom, you've already bought us way too much. We appreciate your enthusiasm and help, but we really don't need anything. We have more than enough. Why don't we talk about something else. Your birthday is on Monday. What would you like to do? I'll take you to lunch, dinner, breakfast . . . Would you like a spa day? Maybe get your hair and nails done? What would you like? What can I do for you to make your day special?"
"You want to take me out?"
"Mom, come on, don't act all shocked that I want to do something nice for you. It's your birthday. Let's do something."
"Logan, you usually just send flowers and a nice gift."
"I know that, but I'm trying to be better. What would you like to do? Rory isn't able to do anything, but I thought it might be nice for the two of us to do something together. Maybe even do something with Dad and Honor. We can spend the day together as a family. It might be the last chance that we have time to do something before the babies are born. So what would you like? What would make your birthday special?"
"I guess maybe we could do lunch."
"Do you want a spa day? What would you like? Lunch is only about an hour event. Maybe two. Your birthday lasts all day."
"Shouldn't you be working?"
"I was going to take the day off, unless you don't want me to. It's your choice, Mom. I'm making an effort to be a better son, and to spend more time with you. I never got to do that growing up, and we've never had the best relationship because of it. I promised to do my best to break the cycle, so that is what I am trying to do. I want to give you the best birthday I can. Just like I do for Rory. You don't have to decide right now. You have a few days to think about it. But whatever you decide, we'll do it. Just you and I, unless you want to spend the day with someone else, or include other people."
"That sounds nice Logan. I'll think about it. Thank you Sweetie."
"I'm sorry that you didn't get to be a better Mom to us. Honor and I really missed out."
"Well maybe we can remedy that with your babies. Maybe I'll try to do everything with them that I didn't get to do with my own children."
"I think that sounds like an amazing idea. But can I make one request?"
"What's that?"
"I know that Rory has never been your favorite person, and that you two have your differences. But I really need you to be nicer to her. She doesn't have to be your favorite person, but I do need you to cut her some slack, and at least try to get along. Rory isn't going anywhere. And I really think that if you made an honest effort, that you would realize that you and Rory have a lot more in common than you ever realized."
"You're right Honey . . ." Shira said with a sigh as she sat down on the bed in front of Logan. "I'm sorry, I'm trying. This is all very new to me."
"Society Shira is pretty engraved in your brain."
"Yes, she is."
"I get it. It's hard to undo all those years of ridiculous expectations and abuse."
"It's been difficult, yes."
"Maybe you should try treating Rory the way that you wish you had been treated when you were pregnant with Honor and I. Maybe that might be a good place to start. Maybe try being the person to Rory, that you needed by your side back then. Maybe the two of you can build an understanding from there."
"You are absolutely right Honey. Do you think Rory would mind if I went over to see her?"
"I don't think that she would mind at all. Do you want to go right now?"
"Why don't you give me a few minutes to change, and I'll meet you downstairs."
"Sure. Let me know when you're ready." Logan said as he got up from the chair he had been sitting in, in the corner of the room, and started to leave, before stopping and turning back to face his mother. "Hey Mom?"
"Yes Sweetie?"
"I know I've never told you this before . . . But I love you . . . And I'm sorry that you never got to be the mother to us that you deserved to be. You aren't a bad person at all. You were just put in a really crappy position by a vindictively abusive man."
"Thank you Logan. That means a lot to me."
"I'll see you downstairs." Logan told her as he turned back toward the door.
"Hey Logan?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think that maybe I can have a hug?"
"I think I can do that." Logan agreed, a smile spreading over his face as he headed back to his mom, and wrapped his arms around her.
"You are a really great son. I'm sorry that I haven't told you that sooner. I am so proud of you. I love you Honey."
"Thanks Mom. I needed to hear that."
"Alright, head downstairs Sweetie. I'll be there in a few minutes." Shira said when she pulled away from Logan a few moments later.
"Take as long as you need." Logan smiled, placing a kiss on his mother's cheek, then heading out of the room, spotting Honor outside the door with tears rolling down her face. Logan shook his head, and pointed down the hall, urging Honor to follow him.
"That was the sweetest thing that I have ever seen." Honor sniffled, following Logan down the stairs.
"You are not going in there when you are all emotional."
"You've never had a talk like that with Mom before. It was really sweet. It think it means a lot to her."
"And I don't want you ruining it. Go dry your eyes."
"It's the pregnancy hormones."
"I don't care. You need to pull yourself together. I'm trying to do what I promised, and give mom a chance to be the mother she wishes she could have been to us. But I don't need you acting all hormonal, and messing with the progress we are making. So please, dry it up."
"Do you want me to come with you guys to see Rory?"
"You don't need to. I know you have a lot going on here. I don't mind taking her. I told Mom that I would take her out for her birthday on Monday. I told her to decide what she wants to do, and that we can do it just the two of us, or as a family, or whatever she wants to do."
"That is awfully brave of you."
"I'm making an effort."
"Mom was right. You are a really good son."
"I am just doing for Mom, what you've always done for me."
"Ok, now you are making me tear up again. Stop it!"
"Stop being so hormonal."
"I can't help it. I'm pregnant."
"Excuses excuses!" Logan smiled, kissing his sister on the cheek, then heading into the kitchen. "What kind of snacks do you have?"
"You have food at your own house."
"Yeah, but I asked what you have. I don't really feel like anything that we have. Going to your house is like the equivalent of going to the stereotypical Grandma's house. You have all kinds of good food, and never mind feeding extra mouths."
"What can I say, I've helped raise you for the last 35 years, and it's ingrained in my head to always have your favorite snacks on hand." Honor shrugged.
"And this is why I love you!"
"Yeah yeah yeah, go eat an apple. You have about an hour before the others arrive."
"I'll make sure that we are back in time. Frank is supposed to text me when they leave the airport."
"You need to make sure you tell me when he does."
"Don't I always?"
* ~ * ~ * ~ * 15 Minutes Later, Huntzberger Home * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Hey Rory, there is someone here to see you." Logan said, walking into his bedroom with Shira at his side.
"Hey Honey. Hey Shira. Welcome home." Rory smiled, closing her computer and setting it on the bed beside her.
"Thank you Sweetie. How are you feeling?" Shira asked.
"I'm doing alright. Just getting some work done between naps."
"Is there anything that you need? Anything that I can get for you?"
"I'm ok right now, but thank you for asking. How was your flight?"
"It wasn't too bad. Honor booked us first class, so it was pretty uneventful."
"Well I'm really glad that you made it back safely. You look amazing! California definitely agrees with you."
"It is beautiful out there. Winter is much different there than it is here."
"You missed the snow?"
"I did. It just isn't Christmas without snow."
"I definitely agree with that. California has some great weather, but it definitely isn't Christmas without snow. It just doesn't feel right."
"I forgot, you spent a lot of time traveling after college, didn't you?"
"I did. I was on the campaign trail for 18 months, going all over the country. I got to see a lot of different places."
"What was your favorite?"
"Wow, that is a great question, I'm not too sure. California was beautiful. The beach was amazing, and the sunsets were gorgeous. Salt Lake City was nice. The mountains in Colorado are amazing! Iowa was kind of dull. Texas had the best food. Las Vegas was fun. Arizona was miserably hot, but it was a dry heat, which is completely different from the wet humid heat here on the east coast. I learned that I actually prefer the dry heat. It's not so suffocating."
"Did you get to see any of the sights while you were out?"
"I did, a little bit. I'm a nerd, so I enjoyed going to museums, or taking a historic tour. There are some awesome museums in San Diego, and in San Antonio. I got to see The Alamo, which was just awesome! One of my friends drug me to this place called Cadillac Ranch, which is just this desert with a bunch of old Cadillac cars sticking out of the ground that are completely covered in graffiti. There is a Titanic museum in Missouri that was pretty cool. There is so much to see all over the country, I wish I could have done more than I did, but there just wasn't time. The one thing that I did get to do that I really enjoyed, was checking out a couple Trail Of Tears sites while I was in the South. I'm weird, and it was something that was on my bucket list, so I was really excited for that."
"The Trail Of Tears was on your bucket list?" Logan asked.
"Donner Pass was on my list too, which I also saw."
"Seriously?"
"You, of all people, know how nerdy I am." Rory said, defending herself.
"What else is on your bucket list?" Shira asked.
"I've crossed quite a few things off already. I went to Fez, and backpacked through Europe with my mom. I want to go to Peru someday and visit Machu Picchu, and to Argentina to visit La Plata near Buenos Aires. I want to visit the Mayan and Aztec Ruins in Mexico and I want to go to Zimbabwe and see the Mana Pools, and visit the elephant sanctuary in Botswana."
"Some of those are pretty unusual places."
"They are, but that's why I want to go there. Not too many people have a goal of visiting those places, and I find them fascinating. The culture is so different than anything that we are used to here, and I find it all incredibly interesting."
"Most people want to go to Paris and Rome."
"I've been to Paris, it was gorgeous. Rome I haven't been to yet. I want to go there, and to Greece and Austria, and to Hamburg."
"When I was in high school I wanted to visit Auschwitz."
"Yes! I want to go there! Logan, we should all go. Maybe next summer?"
"We can definitely do that. We'll plan a family trip. We have papers out there that we should check up on too. There is an annual international press summit in Hamburg, so maybe we can plan to go around the same time."
"That sounds amazing!"
"I want to go to Hawaii someday." Shira told them.
"Mom, you haven't been to Hawaii?" Logan asked.
"Not yet. Your father was always too busy to go."
"Well you guys have all the time in the world now. Maybe you can go this summer. Maybe you can take a cruise somewhere."
"Maybe. But I want to be here when the babies are born. Maybe when the kids are a few years old we can all take a Disney Cruise. I hear those are all the rage."
"I've heard that." Rory agreed. "I've never been a big Disney fan, but it sounds fun."
"We'll have to plan something."
"Definitely! We'll have everyone make a list of places that they want to go, and we can plan family trips to wherever everyone has in common."
"That is a really great idea." Logan told them. "But for right now, we need to get back to Honor's house. She's got some afternoon plans."
"Yes, and Rory needs to get some rest. We shouldn't keep her." Shira agreed. "Rory, you let me know if you need anything, alright?"
"Thank you Shira, I definitely will." Rory told her.
"You get some rest. Logan, I will meet you downstairs. I'm going to go say goodbye to Emily and Richard." Shira told them, then headed out of the room.
"Wow!" Rory mouthed silently to Logan as Shira left the room.
"You just had a pleasant conversation with my mom."
"I know! And she's wearing jeans! I've never seen your mom wearing anything not fancy."
"Yeah, me either. It's mind boggling." Logan agreed as he sat down on the bed next to his wife. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm good. Just kind of baffled."
"Right?!"
"Your Mom was so nice to me."
"We had a nice talk before we came over."
"About what?"
"Just stuff. How difficult it is to step away from the societal mentality and live a normal life. I asked her to be nicer to you. Maybe try being the person she needed and wished that she had when she was pregnant and in your shoes. I think it gave her a new perspective."
"I actually like her when she's like this."
"I know, I do too. We had a really nice conversation over at Honor's. Honor overheard it and was in tears."
"Pregnancy hormones?"
"That's what she said. I told her that she needed to dry it up and not ruin things."
"You're real nice." Rory chuckled.
"Yeah well, I try."
"I'm glad that you guys are getting a second chance with your Mom."
"Me too. She wants to be a better grandparent to our kids than she's been as a parent."
"I think that is a really nice idea."
"She is pretty excited."
"It's a really big change for her."
"Rehab has been life changing for my Mom"
"I agree."
"I need to head back to Honor's, but I want to check your blood pressure first."
"Pick an arm." Rory said as Logan reached into his medical bag that sat next to the nightstand.
"Thank you for being nice to my mom."
"I'm not the one that you should be thanking. Your Mom is the one doing all of the hard work. I'm just sitting in bed doing my own thing."
"Yeah, but you have every right to completely hate her after everything that she's done to you."
"You know that isn't the type of person that I am."
"But you still have every right to be."
"As long as your mom continues the friendly attitude, I have no problem being around her. It's the spiteful bitter Shira that I can't stand."
"I told my Mom that I would take her out for her birthday on Monday. Just the two of us, unless she wants to do something else."
"That sounds really nice."
"She was pretty shocked. We've never actually done anything together."
"It will be really good for you. Your Mom may never be like mine, but she is at least making an effort."
"It's a really nice change."
"I'm glad that you are happy Baby. You deserve this."
"We deserve this."
"You need to get going." Rory said as Logan's phone buzzed in his pocket.
"That is probably Frank, telling me that he is on his way with my Mom's family."
"I'll meet you over there for dinner."
"I'll let you know when it arrives."
"If you want me to come over when they get there I will."
"It's up to you, but I completely agree with you wanting to give my Mom space, and not take any attention away from her."
"I just feel like my being pregnant and on bed rest is a distraction that she doesn't deserve. Your Mom hasn't seen her family in like 37 years. She deserves all the time and attention in the world. But as soon as you want me to come over, you just text me, and I'll be there, ok?"
"Do you know how much I love you?"
"I think that I've got a pretty good idea." Rory smiled as Logan leaned down to kiss her.
"I've gotta go."
"Have fun."
"Yeah right. You and I both know how much family get togethers completely suck."
"Mine really aren't so bad anymore."
"But they used to be."
"I will definitely agree with that. Go try to enjoy yourself."
"I'll do my best. I love you."
"I love you too baby." Rory said kissing him again.
"Call or text me if you need anything."
"I will. I'm going to take a nap."
"Damn, I'm jealous! You are making it really hard to leave right now."
"Go!"
"I'm getting, I'm going." Logan said giving his wife one last kiss, then leaving the room.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * 2:00pm * ~ * ~ * ~ *
"Are you ready for this?" Logan asked as he stood in Honor's kitchen, awaiting the arrival of Shira's family.
"I think so. I mean, it can't possibly be any worse than a Huntzberger get together."
"Nothing is worse than a Huntzberger get together."
"Well at least the good news about you and Rory running the family business, is that hopefully we won't have to go to any more of those ever again!"
"Plus, we eloped, so there was no huge fancy wedding."
"You guys aren't going to do the big wedding later on?"
"I'm not sure. We haven't talked about it since we got married. Rory originally wanted a big wedding, and she definitely deserves it. But no one has mentioned it at all."
"Do you want me to bring it up to her?"
"You can if you want to. I'll eventually mention it. We've just had a lot going on."
"That's true. Your life kind of imploded with parental drama."
"And it's not even close to being over yet." Logan said as the doorbell rang.
"Hey Mom, would you mind getting the door?" Honor called out. "Hold on . . ." Honor said holding her hand up in front of her brother as they heard Shira head through the house toward the front door. "Ok, let's go but stay back. Let Mom have all the time she needs."
Logan and Honor stood watching as Shira opened the front door, and was shocked to see who was outside.
"Hey Shira." a man said with a country twang of an accent.
"Jimmy?"
"I brought a few other people with me." Jimmy said stepping aside to reveal the three people standing behind him.
"Momma?"
"Hi Honey." An older woman smiled.
"We got a phone call asking us to come see you, so we jumped on an airplane." a younger woman spoke up.
"Helen . . . Wow, what's going on? What are you guys doing here? How did you find us?" Shira asked.
"Mom, why don't you invite them in." Honor said as she stepped up behind her mother.
"Why don't you all come in." Shira said softly as she stepped aside, holding the door open.
"Logan, why don't you lead them to the living room." Honor said as she looked to her brother.
"Sure, right this way." Logan answered, leading the group through the house.
"Honor, what is going on?" Shira whispered in her daughter's ear.
"Logan and I spoke with Gayle, and we thought it might be nice to surprise you with a visit from your parents and siblings."
"Honor Amelia, you should have told me about this."
"Maybe, but we didn't want you to back out. Dad and Josh won't be back for a couple hours. We wanted to give you plenty of time. Your family is here for the weekend."
"For the weekend?"
"We thought it would be a nice birthday surprise. You can spend as little or as much time with them as you want to. Now come on. Let's go sit." Honor smiled, linking her arm through her mother's.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable." Logan told everyone as they entered the living room.
"This is a lovely home." Helen said as she looked around in awe, taking in their surroundings.
"Thank you." Honor smiled as she let Shira to a chair, opposite where her family had sat down on the couch. "Mom, would you like to introduce everyone?"
"Honor, Logan, this is my brother Jimmy, my sister Helen, and my parents Maggie and Dedrick. Momma, Daddy, these are my children, Logan and Honor."
"It's very nice to meet you all." Logan said, nodding in the direction of their guests.
"Thank you all so much for coming to visit us this weekend. Logan and I thought it would be a nice birthday surprise for Mom."
"Thank you for the invite." Helen answered. "We were very surprised to hear from you all. It's been over 30 years since we last heard from Shira."
"Yes, it seems there were some unfortunate circumstances surrounding that whole situation." Logan told them. "Fortunately, that has all been remedied. Honor and I apologize for whatever you all were told back then. We have no knowledge of what went on, but it has been brought to our attention that our Grandfather treated you abominably. We sincerely apologize, and hope that you won't hold it against any of us, and that you can all reconnect and maybe rebuild your family."
"Logan and I don't condone the actions of our Grandfather at all. He was horrible to Mom, and to us. He really wasn't a very nice man. Nothing will ever fix the way you all were treated, but Logan and I hope that we can all move forward as a family. We would love to get to know all of you, and for you to get to know us." Honor added.
"That would be nice." Maggie spoke up.
"Gayle, there you are. Would you like to join us?" Honor asked, seeing Gayle walk through the house, after having come down the stairs.
"Sure, that would be lovely." Gayle answered.
"Gayle, how was your nap?" Shira asked.
"It was very nice, thank you."
"Everyone, this is Gayle. She is a good friend of our family. Gayle, this is Maggie, Dedrick, Helen and Jimmy, Mom's parents, brother and sister." Honor said, introducing everybody.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you." Gayle said as she took a seat next to Logan.
"Mom, would you like to say anything?" Honor asked.
"I apologize for whatever Elias said to any of you on my behalf. I was not made aware of any of it. Elias was very manipulative and controlling right up until his death. I can't even begin to tell you how deeply I was hurt by him as well. What he did to all of us is unimaginable."
"Do you mind if I help out?" Gayle whispered to Logan.
"Not at all, please do. I think Gayle has some words that may help in this situation." Logan spoke up. "I hope it's ok with the rest of you, but Honor and I asked Gayle to be here to help us all out this weekend. She is a licensed therapist and has been working with Mom for the last several months. Gayle helped Honor and I orchestrate this whole reunion."
"Thank you Logan. I hope you all don't mind my intrusion. As Logan said, I have been working with Shira for the last several months, and at one of our family therapy sessions a few months ago, it was brought to my attention that Shira had not been in contact with her family since becoming pregnant with her daughter, and moving away to get married. Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, things were said and done that no one in this family was aware of at all, and a lot of feelings were hurt. It is only natural for there to be a lot of resentment, but we are all hopeful that maybe we can move past all of that, and heal as a family unit. No one in the Huntzberger family is at all aware of what was said or done by Shira's father in-law, but regardless, he is now deceased and should no longer be able to drive a wedge between anyone here. I know that all of you in this room were hurt by that man, but I think that right now, maybe we can put all of that aside, and just get to know each other as people. Later on, if you are interested, I would be more than happy to work with all of you to address what happened all of those years ago, and help you find a way to heal and move past it. But I think that this weekend maybe we should just set all of that aside and focus on happier times."
"I think that is a good idea." Jimmy commented.
"Why don't we go around the room and you can all introduce yourselves. Tell everybody a little something about you since none of you know each other. Logan, why don't you start."
"Alright. So I am Logan. I am 35 years old, and I am a doctor. I recently opened my own clinic in partnership with Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. I have an amazing, absolutely gorgeous wife, Rory, and in a couple of months, we will be welcoming a baby girl into the family."
"Where is Rory today?" Gayle asked.
"Rory is at home with her Grandparents. She is on bed rest, but she will be here for dinner."
"What happened to put her on bed rest if you don't mind my asking?" Helen asked.
"Rory suffers from Gestational Hypertension and Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Rory has been very sick the entire pregnancy. I've been working very closely with her doctor, to monitor Rory's condition, and keep both her and the baby safe and comfortable. Rory has two monitors that she wears 24 hours a day that link up to an app on my phone, so I can keep track of how she is doing."
"Honor, why don't you go next." Gayle suggested.
"I'm Honor. I am the one who originally called Jimmy. I am 38, and I technically don't really work, other than helping Logan's wife at the office when she needs it, and taking care of my parents. I am basically a second nurse to my Dad. I am married to a wonderful man, Joshua, and we too are expecting a baby in June. I am due a few weeks after Rory is."
"I'm not really sure what to say." Shira started. "I'm Logan and Honor's mother, and soon I'll be a grandma to both a little boy and a little girl. I've been married for almost 39 years, and my husband recently retired."
"I am Jimmy. I am a year older than Shira. I have a wife and 5 children who are all grown and one grandchild. I took over dad's farm when Dad needed to step back."
"What do your children do?" Shira asked.
"Abagail is a nurse. Murphy and Brett help on the farm, Steven is in college studying accounting, and Mary Jo is taking a couple years off of school and working to decide what she wants to do. She helps on the farm and is looking at maybe studying to be a veterinarian for livestock."
"So two children in the medical field, that is wonderful. You must be very proud." Gayle smiled.
"I am Dedrick. I ran my family farm my whole life, and raised my children. I now help Jimmy and the boys out when I can, but I mostly do the paperwork and stay out of the way."
"I'm Maggie. I have 9 children and 37 grandchildren, including the two of you, and 4 great grandchildren, and with another 8 on the way, including your own. I have always been a homemaker, and I enjoy spending time with the children, and sewing when I have time."
"I am Helen, I am three years older than Shira. I also am a homemaker with 6 children and 7 grandchildren with another 4 on the way this fall."
"Wow, that is a HUGE family!" Gayle told them.
"Wow, I can't even fathom all of that right now." Honor told them. "There are a lot of kids on Dad's side of the family, but at home, it was always just Logan and I. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to have 9 children, much less 37 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. That is 60 people before you even count spouses. How do you keep names straight?"
"You don't." Dedrick told her.
"Daddy is right. I don't think any of us have ever been able to keep names straight. We've tried to not give any of the babies the same name as anyone else, but it's a lot to keep track of." Helen told them.
"Wow! That's just incredible!" Logan agreed. "I had no idea the extended family was so large."