Simply Jaimie

An Invitation Home Hezekiah wanted to celebrate the Passover, but first he sent messengers throughout Israel and Judah with an invitation. They were invited to return to the Lord and come to Jerusalem to worship Him. Not everyone accepted. Some laughed. Some ignored the invitation. But others humbled themselves and came (see 2 Chronicles 30:10–11). As I read these verses this week, I couldn't help but think about temple work. When we find an ancestor and perform their temple ordinances, we aren't making the decision for them. We are simply extending an invitation. Through sacred ordinances, they are invited to receive the blessings of the gospel and return to the Lord. Whether they accept that invitation is between them and the Savior. Our responsibility is simply to make sure the invitation reaches them. I love attending the temple, but there is something especially sacred about attending the temple when I am performing ordinances for one of my own ancestors. Elder Ric...

Some of our most treasured possessions aren't valuable because of what they're worth—they're valuable because of whose they were. A quilt stitched by a grandmother. A pocket watch carried by a great-grandfather. A handwritten recipe card stained with years of use. A well-loved children's book, a wedding ring, or even a worn wooden spoon. To someone else, these might look like ordinary objects. But to a family, they hold generations of memories. The most meaningful heirlooms don't simply connect us to the past—they remind us of the people who came before us. They tell stories of love, sacrifice, faith, hard work, and everyday life. And often, the story behind the object becomes even more precious than the object itself. That's why it's so important to ask questions while we still can. Every heirloom has a history, and every family has someone who knows the story. These 25 questions are designed to help you preserve both, ensuring that when these treasured ite...

What ordinary object has bro ught you comfort over the years? What memories does it hold, and why is it meaningful to you? Some of the objects we treasure most aren't valuable because of what they are, but because of the people and memories they remind us of. A worn quilt, a favorite mug, a well-loved stuffed animal, or an old recipe book may seem ordinary to someone else, yet to us they hold years of laughter, comfort, and love. In One Little Bag , a simple paper bag becomes one of those ordinary treasures. As it is used again and again, it quietly witnesses everyday moments and the passing of time. Though made of something as simple as paper, it becomes part of a family's story. Like so many meaningful objects in our own homes, its greatest value isn't in what it is made of, but in the memories it carries. That's one of the reasons I think this is such a wonderful book to add to a family history children's library. Although it was created with a message of conserv...

From Scattering to Gathering One of the saddest moments in the Old Testament happens in just a few short verses. "Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.    In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria..." (2 Kings 17:5–6) For generations, the Lord had pleaded with His covenant people to return to Him. Prophets warned them. The Lord showed mercy again and again. Yet they continued to turn away until, at last, the kingdom of Israel was conquered and the people were scattered among the nations. It is a heartbreaking moment in scripture. Families were separated. Homes were abandoned. The covenant people of God were dispersed across the earth. But thankfully, the story doesn't end with scattering. The Lord has always intended to gather His people again. Today, we are living in the long-promised gathering of Israel—a work that prophets have spoken of for...

Every now and then, I come across a picture book that captures my heart before I've even finished reading the first few pages. The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan was one of those books. I was immediately drawn in by its beautiful artwork. Every page felt warm, nostalgic, and full of little details that invited me to linger just a little longer. By the time I reached the end, I wasn't just in love with the illustrations, I had fallen in love with the story too. The Little Blue Cottage tells the story of a much-loved seaside cottage that has been part of one family's life for generations. Year after year, the cottage welcomes family members back through its doors as they celebrate holidays, mark milestones, and create treasured memories together. As time passes, the cottage weathers storms, seasons, and change, quietly witnessing the story of the family that loves it. With heartfelt storytelling and stunning illustrations, Kelly Jordan reminds readers that the places w...

 Have you ever noticed how quickly a place can bring back a memory? The smell of fresh bread can transport you to your grandmother's kitchen. A porch swing can remind you of long summer evenings. Even hearing an old screen door slam might bring you back to a house you haven't stepped inside for years. Our homes hold so much more than furniture and photographs. They are where birthdays are celebrated, traditions are born, hard conversations are had, and ordinary days quietly become the stories our families tell for generations. When we think about preserving family history, it's easy to focus on people—and rightly so. But the places where those people gathered matter too. Our homes shape us. They become the backdrop to childhood adventures, holiday memories, family dinners, and everyday moments that often seem insignificant until years have passed. Whether you're thinking about the home where you grew up or the one you're raising your family in today, these 25 questi...

 Home is one of the first places where our stories begin. It's where family traditions are created, everyday memories are made, and the people we love shape who we become. Whether we live in a farmhouse, an apartment, a busy city, or a quiet neighborhood, home becomes part of our family history. These six picture books celebrate home in different ways. Some explore the homes we live in, others remind us that home is found in the people we love, and a few invite us to discover how families around the world create places of belonging. Together, they offer wonderful opportunities to start conversations about your own family's story. The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl When Leo and his dad prepares to leave the only home he has ever known, he struggles to say goodbye to the rooms, the garden, and the familiar places that have been part of his everyday life. As he wanders through the house one last time, he realizes that while a house may be left behind, the love and memories created the...