EXPLORING ALABAMA || GREEN MOUNTAIN

Monday, October 12, 2020

EXPLORING ALABAMA || GREEN MOUNTAIN

While perusing Instagram yesterday, I came across a photo taken atop Green Mountain along the nature trail in Huntsville, Alabama. It was so beautiful, I immediately wanted to visit.

Since the kids are out of school for fall break, we drove down and took a 2-mile hike around the lake and I took photos along the way. The changing leaves and reflections on the water were just a pretty as I'd hoped.








If you're in the area, I highly recommend going. The trail is very family-friendly and the views are breathtaking.



BACK TO SCHOOL 2020

Monday, August 17, 2020

BACK TO SCHOOL 2020
A lot of schools aren't allowing students to begin this school year in the classroom, but we are thankful that our school district has given us the option to begin traditional or remote. We chose to begin traditionally, so Wyatt and Delta Mae made their way into the classrooms all by themselves this year. Parents aren't allowed to enter the building. There will be no class parties or field trips. Lunch will take place in the classroom and they'll have masks on their faces for hours at a time. It's a big change, but Wyatt and Delta Mae are up for the challenge.
Dags always bites Wyatt.

Wyatt is beginning his first year as a middle schooler. Sixth graders were given the option to pick one honors class and he chose science. While he's not a big fan of school in general, he was super excited to find out that his best friend will be in PE class with him.

Delta Mae is beginning her "senior" year at primary school and she is beyond excited to see her friends. Her third grade class will only have 12 students in the classroom!

And here's a stroll down the First Day of School Memory Lane.

I'm not crying, you're crying... 😭😭😭

ELEVEN YEAR OLD WYATT

Sunday, August 2, 2020

ELEVEN YEAR OLD WYATT
Today, our big guy turns 11 years old! We celebrated the occasion last month with a Pokemon Pool Party and then earlier this week, I took him to a few locations in Downtown Athens to capture some individual photos of him. He still has those super deep dimples and eyes that nearly disappear when he smiles really big, but his babyface is gradually slipping away. Coming in at just under 5'4" inches, he's taller than the average 13 year old boy, which continues to be the trend for him. He still loves to play video games of all sorts and is currently saving birthday money for yet another gaming console. Soccer is the only sport that he has any interest in playing, but I hope he'll join the track team while in middle school. Able to make shots at 1000 yards, he's picked up his father's eye for shooting. And much to my delight, this year we've found that he's naturally gifted on the piano. It's been a joy watching him grow into his God-given talents.
We love you, Mr. Big Stuff!

POKÉMON POOL PARTY

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

POKÉMON POOL PARTY
This year, Wyatt requested a Pokemon Pool Party, and I think we pulled off a pretty cute one yesterday. We reserved our community clubhouse and pool, and I spent the morning setting up the display table. I found another awesome balloon garland on Amazon. I loved the colors of the beach ball and ended up finding some Pokemon confetti and plates that all kept with the yellow, blue, and red colors. Because of COVID, we thought it best to not have him blow out candles on a cake, so it was only cupcakes that made it to the table.
Just as the party was beginning, the thunder and lightning started rolling in. We had to take everything down and make our way to the house for Plan B. I was bummed.
Back at home, I ordered pizza, we sang HBD, he blew out 11 candles on one cupcake, and he opened the cards his friends gave him.

The weather got better, so we were able to head back to the pool for about an hour.
Look at all of those happy faces! Thanks for coming y'all! The next morning (today), I took the kids that spent the night and our dog, Dags, to the lake for a little more swim time.
We are now exactly 11 days away from his 11th birthday. Love you, Big Stuff!

A MADISON, ALABAMA ICE CREAM CRAWL

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

A MADISON, ALABAMA ICE CREAM CRAWL
We've recently had two new restaurants open up nearby, both of which serve custard, among many other things. And with today's temps in the 90s, I felt like it would be a good day to bring back the ice cream crawl. It's been over three years since we did our first ice cream crawl in Portland, Oregon, but the scorecard printable I designed works just as well for the place we call home now. (Free download, btw.) So we loaded up and headed out.

The places we visited were all in Madison, Alabama, and a short distance from each other. I recommend Rita's, Culver's, Bruster's and Freddy's. We printed off our scorecards and made our way around town.
Both Brumfields chose Bruster's as the winner. =)

THE HISTORY OF WILLIAM + ISABELLA JORNS

Monday, July 13, 2020

THE HISTORY OF WILLIAM + ISABELLA JORNS
I've spent some time researching my family's genealogy and though I'd put this collection together so I can share it with my family. Here's what I've learned about my Great-Great Grandfather and Great-Great Grandmother.

At sometime during the year of 1893, Wilhelm Jorns, from Hamburg, Germany, embarked on his journey to America from the Port of Wilhelmshaven. On October 27, 1893, at the age of 28, he arrived in New York with intentions of going to Cleveland, Ohio.


January 18, 1895 || Wilhelm applies for United States citizenship in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

January 18, 1895 || Declaration of Intention

November 3, 1899 || Wilhelm is granted naturalization/citizenship.
The City of Cleveland reassigned street names and numbers, and 15 Claremont Street became 1313 89th Street. Below is a photo of the home that Wilhelm was living in when he was granted citizenship.

October 7, 1903 || Wilhelm Jorns and Isabella Parks marry in Cleveland, Ohio.

Between 1903 and 1904, William and Isabella moved from Cleveland to Orrville, Ohio.

July 19, 1904 || William and Isabella had their first child, a son, William Fredrick Jorns.

July 7, 1905 || William worked with A. J. Shantz, whose company, The Shantz Organ Company, is still operating out of Orrville, Ohio.

January 12, 1906 || Although no longer living in Cleveland, William still owned property in the city.

February 3, 1907 || Baby Gertrude Jorns was born in Orrville, Ohio.

January 1, 1909 || William and Isabella built a home in Orrville, Ohio in 1908.

1910 Census Record

November 20, 1911 || At the age of three, Baby Gertrude passes away. She is laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery.

November 24, 1911 || The Town of Orrville is notified of Gertrude's death.

August 30, 1912 || Isabella gives birth to a Baby Girl. Sadly, she lives only one day. She is laid to reset at Crown Hill Cemetery as well.

October 8, 1912 || I was so happy to learn where William and Isabella lived! Their home address was 723 Mill Street, also known as South Mill Street.

November 5, 1912 || William has purchased property in Wiggins, Mississippi.

January 10, 1913 || The town is notified of births from the previous years. Baby Jorns was included in the list, although she only lived for one day.

July 21, 1913 || Isabella cared for some out of town visitors.

October 27, 1913 || Isabella gives birth to their third child, Mary Jorns. She doesn't survive the day of her birth.

November 14, 1916 || Isabella gives birth to her fourth daughter.

November 30, 1916 || Baby Mrytle Jorns passes away at 16 days old.

In 1918, the family moved to Mississippi. (See final photo for record.)

The census of 1920 documents that William, Isabella, and Willie, live in Forrest County, Mississippi. There is no mention of their third daughter.

December 11, 1926 || We learn that Isabella dies in Mississippi. She was 48 years old. It is still unclear as to where she was buried.

The census of 1930 shows William is widowed and his son, William Fredrick, is living with him.

The census of 1940 shows us that William is now living with his Son and Daughter-in-Law.

May 3, 1943 || William was selected as a juror.

October 10, 1957 || William dies in Mississippi. He is laid to rest at Highland Cemetery in Hattiesburg.
I was so happy to be able to find these items and will do my best to keep looking for more info!