My ChildhoodMy Childhood

Born: July 5, 1977 in Mooreland, Oklahoma

Parents: Kitty & Rocky

Siblings: Levi

Personality TraitsPersonality Traits

From my dad: Generous, kind, sensitive,

smart, overly-descriptive, musical

From my mom: Artistic, creative, serious,

worrisome, funny

Physical TraitsPhysical Traits

From my dad: Red, curly hair, two webbed toes on each foot,

green eyes, and my nose.

From my mom: Freckles, round face, pretty teeth, short

stature, and my long finger-nail beds.

Personal BackgroundPersonal Background

My dad’s family: Grandpa’s Irish family (Ferrell) came to Kansas

to grow wheat. Grandma’s Scottish family (McDonald) came to

Oklahoma during the land run. My dad grew up on a farm, raising wheat and

cattle. He was a Marine in the Vietnam war and had to scout the enemy’s location for the troops. Now, he is a chiropractor in Perry, Oklahoma and Alva, Oklahoma.

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Personal BackgroundPersonal Background

My mom’s family: Grandma’s German family (Sewell) came to

Oklahoma during the Land Run. I have a trunk they used to carry their belongings while they traveled in the wagons.

I do not know much about my Grandpa’s family (Jordan).

My mom lived on a farm in Oklahoma and attended a one-room school house until she was in the fourth grade, when her family moved into town. Now, she helps my dad in the chiropractic offices.

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Significance of My Significance of My FamilyFamily

My family is important because we helped settle some of the towns in Oklahoma and Kansas in the 1800s. We contributed to the agriculture of the country, making wheat and raising cattle for food and clothing.

Because my family comes from a small, family-oriented farm town, I make it a mission to care for strangers as though they were a part of my family too.

I love learning about new countries and hearing different languages because I was not exposed to them while I was growing up in Oklahoma and Kansas.

Oklahoma Historical Society Oklahoma Historical Society Archives Photo; original by Archives Photo; original by William S. Prettyman, 10 William S. Prettyman, 10 seconds after the gun. seconds after the gun.

Biggest ObstacleBiggest Obstacle

My family’s biggest obstacle was finding new career paths after Great-grandpa Ferrell passed away. His 12 children eventually had to stop growing wheat because they were not making enough money to support their families. My Grandpa Ferrell decided to raise cattle in the 1970s but went bankrupt in the early 1980s due to the industry.

Now, our biggest obstacle is staying connected and close. Most of the family lives all over the country and has little time to travel to the tiny Oklahoma farm town, even for our family reunions during the summer.

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Customs and TraditionsCustoms and Traditions

All sides of my family have a special family reunion once a year or once every two years. Sometimes, it’s confusing to know which side of the family I’m visiting because the Joys and Ferrell’s mix their reunions from time to time.

Customs and TraditionsCustoms and Traditions

Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, my mom’s family comes together at my Grandma Leona’s to celebrate these American holidays.