Five more hats that I have worn from college on…
# 1 ~ I was part of a Christian Rock group where I met Dear and we fell in love with each other and with Great Britain in the early 70’s.
“Hymns give way to Jesus Rock in morning assembly at St. George’s Church of England School, in Meadow Road, Gravesend yesterday. The concert was given by the Contemporaries, 14 musicians from the United States who are in the middle of a world tour. They have already completed a number of successful “gigs” in Liverpool. They are all professional musicians but they are giving their services free”…
Dear and I are in the center of the photo on the bottom row. 1974 was the last summer tour Dear and I participated in.
#2 – I was a bride and became a wife to Dear and changed my name in December of 1974.
#3 ~ I was an elementary school teacher in the Montebello Unified School District until our first son was born.
#4~ I’m blessed to be a mother to these three children and my mother in law sheet is complete with two daughter-in-laws and one son-in-law.
#5 I’m an auntie and great auntie to so many lovely human beings! I’m sharing a few photos so I can get all of the nieces and nephews and great nephews and nieces in. I haven’t met two of the latest greats in person yet.
Our family and Dear’s brother’s family from Katie and Andrew’s wedding in 2012.
Dear’s only brother’s family and our family in 2015 at Riverside National Cemetery (missing Jenna, Justin, Skylar and Travis).
My kids and nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews surrounding my pop at my mother’s memorial service in 2013.
Our kids plus my nieces and nephews with my youngest niece Hope and youngest nephew Andrew in 2015 at my brother-in-law Nick’s funeral. So let me count. 7 brothers and sisters. 7 brother and sister in laws. 19 original nieces and nephews. Many of those nieces and nephews are married now and I have 9 grand nieces and nephews. I have 4 nieces and 2 nephews who aren’t married yet.
I have one brother (out of my 7 siblings) whose family has estranged themselves from all the rest of us siblings and our families. They are not enjoying the love and support and comfort that the rest of us enjoy when we are together. I’m adding this truth here to let my dear readers know that things aren’t all rosy in my family relationship category. My brother and his wife have 4 kids and we know for sure 3 of them are married. We aren’t sure about our oldest nephew from this family. We have at least 3 grand nephews or nieces that I’ve never met. I also have never met two of my nephew’s spouses and the oldest niece’s spouse. They have chosen to cut off all ties and relationship with us. Haven’t seen my brother since 2009 and haven’t seen my sister in law since 2004. So sad but true. We pray that there will be reconciliation in the future. Gott Kann!
I have a few more current hats to share before I totally bore you to tears.
I’m linking up with Amy at Love Made My Home for Five on Friday and with Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five.
I’ll be on the road for most of Friday and hope to check in once we arrive at our son’s house in Eastern Washington for the weekend later on Friday. Blessings…
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
This was such an interesting post. I enjoyed learning more about you. It is fun to see the clothing styles from the 70’s once again! You have a beautiful family. I pray your brother/family will choose to reconcile with the rest of the family very soon.
Hi Ellen! Lovely family! I’m sorry to hear about the estranged one. That’s hard. Have a great weekend in Eastern Washington!
Wonderful to see all your family and all the 70s photos. The picture of you with your school children in 1975 looks like me then–I had that exact same outfit and hairstyle… but then I guess so did many!
An interesting walk through your life through your roles, Ellen. Love it that your family makes many efforts to be together.
That is the cutest thing, EVER! I love your smocky dress top and I love his blue jean cap. My husband traveled around the U.S. in a Christian singing group in 1977 or so! We used to joke, no matter where you saw a small town on tv or in the movies, he would say this; ‘I’ve been there!’
Oh I so enjoyed seeing you in your rock gospel band days!
Such a beautiful family album. I sincerely hope that there will be a reconciliation sometime soon with your estranged family. Take care.
Good to hear and see more about your different hats in life. You have had some great times. I hope that there will be few and far sad times and that someday things with your family will be easier and at least contact will be made, even if not the closest of relationships. Family life can be very hard can’t it. Hugs and all very good thoughts to you. Thank you for joining Five On Friday again this week, I do so appreciate it and enjoy reading your posts. Hope you have a great weekend! xx
I don’t have many photos of us in this era – love that you can tell the photos from the 70s!
We have family situations like you described – it’s sad but there’s not much you can do when overtures are rebuffed except pray.
wow…i hardly have ANY photos of me in the 1970s…i don’t think my parents did much photography unless it was a special occasion (I graduated from hs in 1978). You have a BIG family!! it is sad that one member is estranged from the family though..i am guessing he/she will regret it one day. Happy weekend!
What fun pics. You were so groovy!!! (and still are).
You must have had fun on your musical travels in the 70’s. What lovely fashions they were with the long dresses. Thank you for sharing such special family photos. B x
Families, they can be wonderful and heartbreaking. Your family is lovely, your brother is missing so much.
Hi Ellen
What a post!
Such great photos of family coming together and sharing occasions both happy and sad.
It is such a shame your brother and his family have stepped out of the family circle – if he saw this post he would realise what he and his family are missing out on.
Love those flares! I wore all those clothes too – oh it takes me back!
I was married in 1970 and our son was born in 1974 – it’s all so familiar!
Thanks for sharing
Shane
What beautiful photos that evoke such wonderful memories, and flash back to the days of bright colours and of course bell bottom flares 🙂
Angela – Garden Tea Cakes and Me
Lovely to see all your family photos, Ellen. It’s great that you are able to keep in touch with so many of your relatives. I hope your trip went well and that you had a great weekend.
Barbara xx
You are blessed with a large family! Love seeing all the photos. And those Contemporaries pictures–I remember those styles!
Gott Kann indeed! You have such an amazing family Ellen and your life has been truly blessed.