To Our Beautiful Daughter, MaLynda

Twenty one years ago today,

Our beautiful MaLynda came to stay

In Japan she was born

6:00 at night and not in the morn.

Her Dad was at work when the water “broke”

He hurried home, because he knew this was no joke.

MaLynda would be number six

So by now, Mama and Papa Groke knew all the tricks.

“There will be no pains for awhile”,

Mama G said with a smile.

Back to bed to sleep

Until Kristina, a secret she cannot keep,

Ran up the stairs shouting to Kevin, Anngela, Brenda and Steven

That our little baby was coming from heaven.

Off to the sitters four of them did go

Kevin stayed home, by now he was old enough, you know.

Into the hospital I did go

Waddling and dripping to and fro.

No pains yet, not a surprise.

Why it was just barely sunrise.

But come noon I just knew

I would be looking into the face of our Little Bugga-Boo.

Having babies came easy for me,

I was expecting no less from this baby.

However, noon came and went with hardly a pain

And no little baby to rule the Groke domain.

The clock struck 4:00

Things were picking up

Some of the pains we couldn’t interrupt

It would soon be shift change, the bets were on

Would baby Groke be here before the morning shift had gone?

6:00 p.m. and our little one is making this no fun.

With one final push on my stomach, I groaned

And then to my relief another little girl I owned.

MaLynda with her big blue eyes

Had the nurses fighting to hear her cries.

To our relief she let out a scream

She was every mother’s dream

Into our lives came our little 9Lb girl

I tell you, our hearts were awhirl.

You could search the Far East the whole island around

I promise you, not a happier family could be found.

So many brothers and sisters to love her

For her attention they would clamor.

She couldn’t get to sleep, they held her so much

But they just couldn’t get over her sweet little touch.

MaLynda, for 21 years, you have been a dream come true

And now, we want to wish a Happy Birthday to you.

May your day be all that you want and then some

From opening the presents to eating a cake crumb

Our wish to you from us would be

That you will always be happy.

Good night, our dear, we love you so

As you lay your head on the pillow

May all your dreams come true,

And may your Father in Heaven continue watching over you.

We love you sweetheart. Mom and Dad

I'm just a small town girl---and proud of it!

Kellie Pickler has a song called "Small Town Girl" which got me thinking again (this blogging business is serious stuff--) about my childhood. Boring as it is to some people (No names mentioned Kristina) I wouldn't trade my childhood in New Harmony for anything.

I grew up where I could see the stars
Drinking Mama's home-made root beer from a Mason jar
Apple trees, golden corn, and waking up to a beautiful New Harmony morn.
Playing Red Rover Red Rover, Kick the Can, or No Bears Out Tonight
Were tons of fun, but nothing beat a good old fashion water fight.

Branding cows to go on Pine Valley
Being waved at by Anthon and Sally
Baling hay with my Dad
Or driving the hay truck and listening to my brothers get mad
A small town girl is fine with me
Nothing beats my life in New Harmony

I'd rather be fishin' down to the creek
Or Hunting for side hill Ding Wompus' with a stick
Then going shopping in the city
for something new and pretty.
A town so small you don't need a map to know where you are at,
And the latest attire included a cowboy hat.

I'd rather ride in the back of Grandpa's truck
Or the dune buggy looking for that prize buck.
A cheeseburger cooked on Lowell's grill
Is fine for me, and gives me a thrill.
Chicken in the Dutch oven with family all around
Makes up for not having a movie theater in town

Root beer and the Big Pine
Dirt roads and an old clothes line
Familiar faces and dandelion bracelets
Friday night pot lucks with an apple pie
Or looking at all the stars in the New Harmony sky.

4^th of July races against the Princes and Paces

Eating candy from Aunt Sylva’s store

Never needing a dime or more.

Find a pop bottle, turn it in.

Leave the store with a great big grin.

The smell of the new cut hay

Or dreaming the summer day away

Watching Kolob change its colors every hour

Sometimes, looking like it is on fire.

A small town girl is fine with me
Nothing beats my life in New Harmony

Never a stranger to be found

We we’re the happiest families around.

Everybody was your uncle or aunt

And if they were not, we soon changed that.

Our biggest fear was the frost we may get.

Or the barn getting a lightening hit.

A good rain storm was the talk of the town

In hopes that a flood would come roaring down.

Here in New Harmony we had it made

Our big thrill was the town parade

We didn’t worry about being “politically correct”

We all got along even when our politicians we would elect.

Polly wog hunting, playing marbles, and a Kool aid stands

Are the dreams of every young woman or man

Well, I am happy to say, I had it all,

Even the winter, spring, summer, and the fall.

Yes, a small town girl is fine with me

Nothing beats my life in New Harmony.

Chin chinnery, Chin, chinnery,Chin,chin, cher--ee

Grandma Deanna & Lexie

Great Grandma Prince Vivian F. Prince

I have been worrying abut how to start this blog for a long time. I guess the only way to do it, is just jump in. I have an identity crises. One minute I look like my Dad, and the next, I look in the mirror, and think my Mother has been resurrected. However, there is one thing I am sure of. I know where I got my chin from... I know, those of you that read this think I have lost it for sure. Probably so, but work with me on this. If you see a picture of my Great Grandma Prince, Sarah Redd Prince Davis (not only my Grandma, but also my Aunt--which is another story in itself--what I can I say, I am from New Harmony. We meet ourselves coming and going) you will see which side of the family Daddy he got his chin. Then you look at me and you know that Vivian was my father, you look at my granddaughter, Alexis, and well....the story just continues.

Deanna Prince

Next time you look in the mirror, think about your different features. Who did you get them from? Would they be excited to have you carrying on their name? "Be true to who you are and the family name you bear--Pres. Hinckley