Margaret Rae Davis

I am so COMPLETELY happy about having another little girl. Before learning we were having a girl, I felt suspended almost, waiting and wondering and trying to anticipate the birth of our next child. After finding out that we’re having a girl, things have become so much more real to me! I can picture the first month better, I can picture two years from now, I can imagine and dream and… well… what a person like me really appreciates, I can PLAN!!!

I am eagerly and with much joy diving into the little things that mom’s do to get ready for new babies. As soon as I figure out what Maggie’s clothes will go in (sharing the armoire with Anna? Buying a new dresser?) then I will take out the first “newborn girl” box from the attic and begin setting up house. I have spent hours poring over cloth diapers, brands, colors, styles and made an order. When they arrive, I’ll get all the required pre-washes done so that I can put them into the changing table that I am browsing craigslist for. I am making list after list and loving all of it.

I wanted to share with you something I’m typing up that I will add to Anna and Maggie’s baby books. Please add memories, facts or anything else to the comments section or email me if you have anything at all to add for the baby books. My hope is that these blurbs about the girls’ names will both inspire them and help them “know” the people they are named after.

There are so many other wonderful women in my life that I want to name children after… so I guess I need to have more kids!!!

Margaret Rae:

Great Grandma Reta is Grandpa Chapman’s mother. She grew up during the depression while Great-Great Grandma Hornibrook took care of her and her brother Ron. Her dad named her Reta Louise after two special songs. Reta is short for the name Margaret and both Reta and Margaret mean, “Pearl.” Great-Grandma Reta is definitely a pearl. She is strong, courageous, hard-working, loving, determined and committed. She raised her four children and never gave up when times were tough. She fished and camped and went crabbing with Great-Grandpa until he passed away and then travelled the world and went ocean-fishing (successfully) for large ocean fish all through her 70’s and beyond. When I think of Great-Grandma Reta Chapman, I think of spending Thanksgiving at her house with all the pies, I think of the Oregon coast, I think of her devotion to Great-Grandpa Chapman and to her children.

Grandma Chapman’s name is Daurelle Rae. Great-Grandma Daniel made up her first name and her middle name is from… ________. Rae is the feminine version of the name Raymond, which means protector or the short version of the name Rachel, which means Lamb or sheep. Grandma Chapman’s middle name was well picked. She was a protector of us as we grew up, teaching us, raising us, and sharing generously with us. She has also always been gentle, loving, trusting, hopeful, and kind. When I think of her, I think of my “mom.” I think of planting flowers in the spring, her hosting fun parties for us when we were kids, how much she taught us about business and finances, and the first times she became a grandma and how much she loves you children.

Anna Elizabeth:

The name Anna comes from the name Hannah, which means favor or grace. A woman named Hannah was one of the first people to see Jesus risen from the grave. Great-Great Grandma Anna Hooge-Reimer is a very special woman. She was a young woman and then a mother during the depression, but I’ve never heard a story about hardship from her. She is part of a large family and I love the story of how they all lived in a barn while they built the house on their property. Her father was a ___ preacher and Great-Great Grandma Anna grew up with a great respect for the Lord and for the fruits of the Spirit. She is strong, patient, kind, loving, humble, not boasting, not keepign a record of wrongs and she always trusted the God was with her and in control.

Elizabeth is the middle name of your Great-Great Grandma Hornibrook. Elizabeth means “My God is an oath” or “my God is abundance.” Great-Great Grandma Hornibrook was born in 1902 and raised her two kids during the great depression. She delivered mail on horseback and worked in a bakery. When she was older, she grew beautiful bonsai trees and made beautiful things out of driftwood and shells collected off the Oregon coast. When I think of her I think of how she loved to spend time with us, her great-grandchildren, how she patiently taught us how to make little butterflies out of shells and glue, how she retained a love of life and laughter even when she was too old to walk or talk any more. She inspired so many with her committment, kindness, good cooking, committment to family and strength.

Great-Grandma Chapman:

Grandma Chapman:

Great-Great Grandma Hooge-Reimer:

Great-Great Grandma Hornibrook: