JEAN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

First, Grandfather Albert, Grandmother Olive, Thomas and our whole family would like to thank you all for your messages, prayers and thoughts.  We all really appreciate it.

Thomas is still getting use to using our last name.  Before we adopted him, he called us Jean and David, which we allowed.  The day after the adoption he got David and I alone and asked if he could call us Mother and Father.  We, of course, told him yes.  He kept saying I have a Mother and Father. Once in a while he will ask is this for real.  I just can't believe it.  We are so happy that we are his family.

Someone asked about the wedding.  While they were here for his adoption, his lady, mother and myself started deciding for the wedding.  We have ti figure about how many guests are coming.  Thomas over heard us and said not many on his side.  I told him don't be surprised - you have relatives you don't even know you have yet.

We also decide who we will get to help in the kitchen-cooking, preparing food, filling the plates, etc..  Also, we have to put in for the dishes buggy and the cooking buggy,  Also, we have to get some help to clean the house and some men to move the furniture.

Lady will have to make her dress.  I will make Thomas' wedding suit.  Of course she mus decide what color dresses she wants her servers to wear.  They also must decide who their side sitters will be.  I am trying to tell what side sitters are -  maybe like English bride maids and best man.  Side sitters are next to them at the wedding and dinners.

So we are trying to get started ahead.  Told Thomas he became my son, and is leaving already.  He said we will only be down the road.  They came to our house for meals anytime.  I think he ment that as a joke.  Michael said it also means we can all show up at their house for dinner. Thomas didn't think that as funny.

Someone also asked where we purchase the material for our clothes.  Jo-Ann's store.  Since Mennonites and Amish have moved in this area, they carry some of our material.  Some that they don't have, we order by mail.  If we get a driver there is a store in the town of Clyde and another in Waterloo.

What do we use for patterns?  We measure up the person once.  With small children you have to measure them as they grow.  Then I cut the patterns out in paper bags.  The next time someone needs something, I don't have to measure them - I just use the the paper bag patterns.  When Thomas marries, I will give my paper bag patterns to his wife.

What are "cape" dresses?  Maybe I should have Anna answer there this, but I will try.  The Amish ladies have on the dresses along with they wear an apron that goes down the front and they pin closed in the back.  When I first heard "cape" dresses, I had to ask Anna what they were.

Neither we not Anna make goat cheese.  We don't raise coats,  We have purchased some goat cheese from other Amish and Old Order Mennonite that do make it.  Have you ever had goats fudge?  That is delicious too.  Sometimes if I can get some goats milk, I make goat fudge at Christmas time.

Someone asked what clothes we make for our family.  We make our own dresses, nigh  wear (women's children's and men's), men's pants (except jeans), men's shirts, baby clothes, and children clothes.  Some make men's hats, we don't.  I got one of David's hats repaired and bought him a new one from a hat maker in Pennsylvania.  Shoes, socks and ladies stockings come from a local store like Walmart.

Old Order Amish are allowed to wear coats in the winter.  In fact, we wear jackets when it gets cool enough out.  I asked Anna about the Amish and she said she is allowed to wear a coat when the weather is cold enough.  She doesn't believe all Amish women are allowed, to wear a coat but her group and several others are during the cold months.

Someone asked if we wear knee socks or heavy socks during the winter?  We wear heavy socks or heavy pantie hose during the winter.  I spoke with Anna and they wear heavy pantie hose or wear high rising heavy socks during the winter.  Some Amish ladies wear stocking holders (girdles) that they can attack the heavy stockings or socks to.

I agree with Elmer, please keep questions coming so we know what to say in our posts.

Be With God,
Jean