November 25, 1959
I will be quoting my Mom during this blog so her "voice" will be in quotes and italics!
JAMIE LORENE COUCH
I was named after my Moms good friend and my middle name is after my Dad's mothers first name. I was born in the morning at 9:37am on Wednesday, November 25, 1959 in Meade, Kansas and weighed 8lb 13oz and was 21 in long.
Bette Jo Davis and Willard Arnold Couch, Sr
"My parents lived in Oklahoma until February of 1959 at which point they then moved to Meade, Kansas for a year. My Mom got pregnant with me when we moved there (I was an unplanned pregnancy)."
Although I was a 'surprise' baby I have alway felt loved and cherished by my family!
We moved from Meade, Kansas to Colorado when I was just a few months old.
(Judith) Jill -3 1/2 yrs and (Willard Arnold, Jr) Dubby - 6 1/2 yrs
Jill took me out of my playpen and scrunched me up into her doll stroller. By the look on her face I think she was pretty proud of herself and her accomplishment!
The date looks like 1957 but Willie helped me to see it really says 1959, phew!
In Pueblo I would play in my crib and I would be laughing and grinning from ear to ear watching my Mom sleep and waiting for her to wake up. Mom felt all the time, "isn't it nice to have such a sweet baby." Mom had to work because my dad didn’t bring home enough money and she was also saving as much as she could knowing that she would soon be leaving my Dad.
My Mom was going to school to be an RN and was working as a nurses aid while doing so. She would take the evening shifts so she could be with us kids during the day. I am sure it was not an easy time for her. In this picture I was just getting over the chicken pox and some other childhood disease that I had at the same time. They were a little worried if I would even survive.
My Dad bought and sold cattle and would travel all over the States of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.
My fathers mother, Lorene Jane Duncan Couch, was a very active member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My mother was baptized but was not ever active or had a testimony of the truthfulness of the RLDS religion. My father was not active either. It is amusing when I look back on my life how the only thing I thought about the Reorganized Church was that they stayed behind in Nauvoo and that the "Mormons" stole their name. Obviously I had no understanding of either religion and it is interesting that years later ~ age 17 ~ as I was searching for truth and understanding that I would join the actual church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ~ The Mormons" (see blog: "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" 2/26/77)!
My Mom tells me how I was the best baby; very easy going and sweet and truly a gift from Heaven.
Dubby was a very mild boy, kind and considerate. When Jill was born she was a ball of fire, very active and a take charge personality. The family would be entertained by her and Dubby was her greatest champion. He encouraged her and praised her in every exciting antic that she got into.
It was so intriguing that back when I was born this is the formula that was given to non-breast fed babies.
This was a real rough time in my Mom's life. She knew she was going to leave my Dad (she had decided this a year before) and was waiting 3 more years until my sister entered 1st grade but then accidentally got pregnant with me. Now she would have to wait another 5 years before I would start school. Even though I wasn't a planned pregnancy my Mom has always told me that I was a blessing in disguise as I brought peace and tranquility that was missing in her life.
This looks like a Sunday morning waiting to leave for church (of course the baby needs to be the last dressed so the outfit isn't spit or spilled on).
I just love these last 2 pictures. You can just feel the love that siblings have for each other as they play and take care of one another. Dubby ws always the little protector and sweet, kind child. Jill was the adventurous one and could entertain us for hours.
We had a very fun, normal childhood with all the usual activities!
Just some informations from my Mom: I was born the afternoon of November 25,1959. As my mom went into labor she called the stockyards where my Dad was working and a woman answered the phone. My Mom asked for Dub Couch and the gal asked who was calling. My mom answered, “This is Bette Couch, Dub’s wife.” The lady replied back, “Dub doesn’t have a wife.” This was very sad for my Mom but apparently this wasn’t new news to her.
This is a cute picture of Mom, me and my 2 cousins Christy and Jeanna. It was always a blast to go to Oklahoma and visit them. We were only able to go about every other year at Thanksgiving or Christmas and this was our big vacation. I have such fond memories of my grandma's house and having all 13 of us tweeze into her little home. It was wonderful!
