Denise Antoinette Weibling Phillips |
I was born February 18th, 1966 to Richard and Rose Weibling. I have a brother Ross and a sister Cecilia. Ross has four children: Ed, Sarina, Savannah and Richard. Cecilia has one daughter, Cathy Lynn. I have three children: Mike, Jessica and Kristin. I was born "late" arriving 15 years after my brother and sister. They both married and moved out when I was only two. That left me to grow up as an "only" child. By the time I'd started the
first grade, we'd moved from Kansas to Lawson, Mo. I spent my school years there. (I'm
still "small town"). My family has always been musical. My dad played trumpet and had a beautiful bass voice. My mother sings alto and played violin for the Kansas City Symphony. My sister played guitar, sang, and wrote songs as well. My brother played the accordion and the trumpet. My hobbies now are woodworking and crafts, and I love to paint. (Of course I still love to sing!!) Now that Dad is gone, I try to help Mom whenever she needs me. The genealogy keeps me very busy, but being a "Mom" is the most important job to me.
Mom and Dad were avid CBer's and were always involved somehow socially. They sang together in the Church Choir for years. Dad owned a Champion Motorhome, and we used to go fishing and camping at Pomme De Terre Lake. I guess there's a lot to be said for being the youngest child. It had it's advantages at times, but I was mostly lonely. My brother and sister would come visit, and I got to "grow up" with my nieces and nephew. We still feel close. But I believe I was over-protected by mom and dad, and there was quite a generation gap. But they had so much love for me. Dad always worked hard, and was so funny! I have so many hilarious memories of him and Mom. Sad ones too, of course, but being raised by an "older generation"-- I think I learned more about what really matters in this life. But sometimes it doesn't "stick" until you've done some living. I was married the first time at sixteen. I had my first child (Mikey) at seventeen and was living in California at the age of eighteen. It wasn't easy. My first husband was an abusive alcoholic, and though I tried several times to make the marriage work, it ended in divorce four years later. It took me a long time to get through that.(You never get over it.) I came back to Missouri with bruises, a two year old little boy, and a guitar on my back. We must have looked pitiful. Mikey and I had to "start over". I would have NEVER made it through all that if it weren't for Mom and Dad. They were always there for me--no matter what. But I believe I would not be who I am today without the heartache I've survived. Once I got my heart straight again, I met and married Donny Phillips. We've been married for fourteen years. We've raised Mike, (he's now nineteen), and we have two daughters, Jessica and Kristin. Very bright, and ALL of them, truly GREAT kids!! Donny and I have grown through our tough times together. Marriage is never easy, it's what you learn that humbles you and makes you strong. Donny and I met while I was singing for a country music band. We needed a guitar player. And man, could he play!! (He's truly gifted) After we got married, we continued to play music locally for about ten years. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work as well. (Your children don't care if you stayed up too late, or went to breakfast at 2:00 in the morning...they still get up at 6:30 on weekends!!) Our growing children and his job keep us very busy now and we try to find time together when we can. We enjoy many things, but I think I like being home with my kids the best! In November of 2001, I started researching the Weibling name and surprisingly, we have had much success in finding info and plenty of cousins I never knew I had. Some of them have touched my life so deeply I will never be the same. They are so special to me and I'm PROUD to call them family!! Click here to read about our tracings. In February of 2002, JoAnn Weibling Klacsan and Diane Lee Weibling (both from Washington State), visited me. We toured the Robinson Cemetery together, along with several other Weibling cousins. Click here to view photos of our union! In March of 2002, my niece Sarina and I started our work on the Weibling Website. She is so good to me, and I can't thank her enough for all the hours she spends with me putting all this together. It has been a labor of love for both of us. We've tried to present this in a way that honors our family. (Nevermind the "Contest Link"... That was just a little joke!) My search for our ancestors has been quite an experience for me. I give all the credit to God. I've found special- very PERSONAL ties to these people. I will never forget them, and hopefully now, the rest of the world won't forget them either.
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~ Denise
Antoinette Weibling Phillips ~ |
