Simply Jaimie

Imagine spending weeks rebuilding a city wall only to have people constantly try to distract you. That was Nehemiah's reality. As he and the people worked to rebuild Jerusalem, their enemies mocked them, threatened them, and repeatedly tried to lure Nehemiah away from the work. His response has become one of my favorite verses in scripture: "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down." (Nehemiah 6:3) Every time I read those words, I ask myself: What is the great work God has given me? As a wife and mother, it's easy to feel like my days are filled with ordinary things—reading bedtime stories, helping with homework, wiping sticky counters, folding laundry, and making dinner. It's also easy to wonder if preserving family stories, interviewing grandparents, labeling old photographs, or writing in my children's journals can wait until life feels less busy. But Nehemiah reminds me that some work is simply too important to "come down" from. Presid...

 As parents, we spend so much time making memories with our children that we sometimes forget to share the stories that came before them. They know your favorite color, what you like to eat, and maybe even your favorite movie. But do they know what you dreamed of becoming when you were ten? Why you chose their name? What your grandparents were like? Or what you prayed for before they were born? The truth is, there are countless things your children will never know unless you tell them. Not because they don't care, but because they don't know to ask. One day they'll wonder what your childhood was like. They'll want to know how you met their other parent, what life looked like before smartphones, what made you laugh, what broke your heart, and what shaped the person who raised them. By then, you may not remember every detail—or they may no longer have the chance to ask. That's why it's worth sharing your story now. These 25 prompts are an invitation to preserve th...

 Every family has things that are passed from one generation to the next. Sometimes it's a recipe. Sometimes it's a tradition. Sometimes it's a story. And sometimes, it's a song. Music has a remarkable way of helping us remember the people we love. Long after conversations have ended, a familiar melody can bring back a face, a place, or a feeling in an instant. That's one of the reasons I loved Holding On by Sophia N. Lee. It reminds us that family history isn't only found in photographs or journals. It's also found in the songs that fill our homes. Lola's house is always filled with music. Sammy Davis Jr. plays in the morning, Dean Martin in the afternoon, and old Tagalog love songs drift through the house each evening. Along with the music comes one piece of wisdom that Lola often shares with her granddaughter: "If you want to hold on, you gotta sing your songs." Her granddaughter treasures those words, tucking both the music and Lola...

It's easy to think our lives aren't interesting enough to write about. We tell ourselves we'll journal when something exciting happens—a big milestone, a family vacation, or a once-in-a-lifetime event. But family history isn't built on extraordinary moments alone. It's built on ordinary Tuesdays, bedtime routines, favorite recipes, inside jokes, answered prayers, and the little moments that quietly shape our lives. Those are often the memories our children will cherish the most. Journaling doesn't have to mean filling pages every day. Sometimes all it takes is one thoughtful question to help you pause, reflect, and preserve a moment that might otherwise be forgotten. These 25 journal prompts are designed to help you do just that. They invite you to capture the season you're in, the lessons you're learning, and the everyday experiences that make up your story. Years from now, these words will become more than journal entries—they'll become a gift to t...

 "My name is my heritage, given by elders to carry their hopes and dreams. It shapes who I am now and who I will become." Before children learn where their family came from or hear stories about their ancestors, they usually learn one thing first, their name. It's one of the first gifts they're given, and often one of the first ways they begin to understand who they are. Whether our name was chosen because it belonged to a grandparent, reflects our family's heritage, or simply because our parents loved it, every name has a story worth telling. My Name Is Ai Lin by Maria Wen Adcock is a beautiful reminder that our names are something to celebrate. Ai Lin loves her name, but she becomes discouraged when classmates and teachers struggle to pronounce it correctly. She begins to wonder if having a different name would make life easier. With encouragement from her family, Ai Lin discovers the beauty and meaning of her name and finds the confidence to patiently teach ...

 One of the things I love most about card games is how easy they are to bring to the table. They don't take up much space, they're quick to set up, and they're perfect for everything from family game night to vacations, camping trips, or evenings with friends. Over the years, we've discovered a handful of card games that we reach for again and again. Some make us laugh until our cheeks hurt. Others have us trying to outsmart each other or wondering whether we should risk one more turn. But every one of them has earned a permanent place on our shelf because they're easy to teach, fun to play, and always leave us wanting another round. If you're looking to add a few modern card games to your collection, these are six that we happily recommend. No Thanks! combines simple decisions with surprising strategy. Every turn presents the same choice: take the card or spend one of your precious tokens to pass it to the next player. Knowing when to take a risk and when to s...

I only have one memory of my grandad. I was six years old, eagerly waiting for Mum and Dad to arrive home with my brand-new baby sister. In our family, there was a little tradition. Each of us children would sit on the couch while the new baby was passed from one sibling to the next. We each got a turn to hold the baby for just a few seconds before passing them along. After my turn, the front door opened. My grandad walked into the house. He struggled with his health for as long as I could remember and was in constant pain, so it wasn't common for him to visit. As he stepped into the living room, he smiled and said, "Where's my little granddaughter?" That's it. I don't remember what happened after that. I don't remember whether he sat down to hold her, how long he stayed, or what anyone else said. I only remember that one sentence and the joy in his voice as he came through the door. Two months later, my grandad passed away. That single memory has ...

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a sense of belonging. As they grow, they naturally begin to wonder who they are and where they fit in the world. While we often think about passing on eye color, curly hair, or a familiar smile, our children inherit so much more than physical features. They may share a grandparent's love of gardening, an aunt's creativity, a parent's determination, or an ancestor's adventurous spirit. Helping our children recognize these connections reminds them that they are part of something much bigger than themselves. They are the continuation of a story that began long before they were born, and each day they are adding a new chapter for the generations that will follow. The questions below are designed to spark conversations about the family traits, traditions, memories, and stories that connect us across generations. There are no right or wrong answers. Instead, let these questions lead to laughter, storytelling, and meaningfu...

 What is something about yourself that reminds you of someone else in your family? One of the things I love most about Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho is how it celebrates seeing ourselves through the people who came before us. The young girl notices that her eyes look like her mother's, her grandmother's, and her little sister's. Instead of wishing she looked like everyone else, she learns to treasure the family resemblance that connects generations. Family history isn't just about the stories we tell—it's also about the pieces of ourselves we carry. A familiar smile, a laugh that sounds just like Grandpa's, curly hair from your mother, or the same kind eyes your grandmother had. These small connections remind us that we belong to something much bigger than ourselves. When I look in the mirror, I don't just see myself. I see my Nan's nose, my Dad's ears, and glimpses of my mother and great-grandmother looking back at me. Their features l...

Life looks a little different depending on who is gathered around the table, and over the years I've found myself reaching for different games depending on the group. Every few months, three of my closest friends and I plan a girls' night. For a few hours, we trade bedtime routines and laundry baskets for good food, plenty of laughter, and a table full of board games. It's a chance to catch up, make memories, and simply enjoy being together. Other times, it's my husband and me with two other couples. Those evenings have a different feel. They're filled with conversation, friendly competition, and just enough strategy to keep everyone engaged without taking ourselves too seriously. While the people around the table may change, one thing stays the same: board games have a wonderful way of bringing people together. They give us something to do while creating space for conversation, laughter, and the kind of memories that stick with us long after the game is packed away...

One of my favorite places to find family history inspiration is the children's section of the library. Every week, I come home with a stack of books, hoping to discover stories that spark conversations about family, identity, memories, traditions, and the people who have shaped our lives. As a family historian, I am always looking for books that help children connect with their own story. Some books inspire meaningful conversations. Some introduce important family history concepts. Others are simply wonderful stories that help children see themselves and their families in new ways. That's what inspired this new series: Library Roundup: Buy, Borrow, or Leave on the Shelf . In each roundup, I'll share recent library reads and give my verdict about whether I would: buy, borrow again from the library , or leave on the shelf next time . Along the way, I'll highlight the family history themes, discussion opportunities, and activities that each book might inspire. Whether you...