Introducing:
Jesse Guest-Felsk of Marion, MI
Favorite Place:
Kigingi, Kamuli District, Uganda
Q: Hey there, you know the drill. Tell us your basic info.
A: It is funny to think about where one will first go with this question…..I am a mom, a partner, a sister, a daughter, a friend….a social worker, a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, and my newest adventure….A Matilda Jane Trunk-Keeper. I have been a Michigan gal my whole life, moving away for three years to serve as Peace Corps Volunteers in Uganda during the beginning of our marriage. We live in a 1915 farm house in rural Northern Michigan. Each of our daughters were born in this house so it is such a special place to us all!!! Our farm is complete with chickens, dogs, a cat and a bunny. We have three daughters under 7.
Life is busy but phenomenal!
Q: I always love to hear how people met and fell in love with their spouse. Do share.
A: Joshua and I went to high-school together though we did not date until we were sophomores in college. We crossed paths in school and he was always such a kind guy. He often helped me with my physics homework in the morning before school. It took me a few years to see the light and go out on a date with him. He wooed me in the most unique and sweet ways….bringing a creel full of trout from the river for me to admire….foot massages and Tori Amos on the stereo….morning greetings in sidewalk chalk in my front driveway…..I was swept off my feet! He was always so good to his mother, a sure sign of a good man. I knew he would be such a loving dad. We are such a great balance together.
Q: How many kiddos do you have? Give us a little glimpse into who they are.
A: Three lil’ Felsk daughters….we gave them all T names. Tessa July, Tahlia Shine, and Tanis May. Each one such a sweet lil’ individual. I love how they all have their own spirits and personality!!! Tessa is 6 and adores books and reading, she said to me once, “Mom if there were no books, I think I would die.” She has been playing violin since she was three, studying the Suzuki Method with her dad. She truly exhibits first born qualities! She can be a perfectionist in her work and is always so nurturing and helpful around home. Tahlia, 2 ½, was born in November so the month middle name could not fly for her. Shine is a perfect adjective to describe her. Tahlia is always shining and making us grin!! She loves music and loves dancing! She has always been a bold child, very willing to try new things and explore. I remember her jumping on the trampoline, barely a year and a half but we could not keep her off. Tanis May, 1yr, is a happy happy baby! She loves reading books with us all and watching all the action from the floor. We have finally had some sunny days and she can be found crawling around the yard in hot pursuit of Happy Cat!!! It is so exciting to think of what each of these lil’ gals will grow to be. Our children are so blessed to be surrounded by loving grands and parents who waited almost 9 years for their presence.
Q: How long have you been with Matilda Jane and when did you know you wanted to be a Trunk Keeper?
A: Good Hart is my first season!!! Starting as a trunk-keeper with Good Hart is so perfect for me. Northern Michigan inspired…..M-119, lilac lush, Trillium, Great Lakes, and more!! These are places and things from my childhood!! It is soooo fun to share these things when I travel to trunk shows in these communities. I have been loving and buying Matilda Jane for Tessa July since she was two. When my trunk-keeper Christy Ingle asked me about being a trunk-keeper the timing was serendipitous. I was ready for a new journey.With three girls ranging from 1 to 6 how could it not work for me???
Q: What do you think is the greatest invention of all time?
A: I sat with this question for some time….I was so tempted to say my iPhone but that felt so wrong!! I wish I was not so attached to it……so I decided to say the airplane!!! Traveling has brought me so much joy and awareness to my life. I cannot imagine if I never had the chance to visit other continents!! Serving in Uganda was the greatest gift ever. I went back after being away for five years and I still felt so loved and welcomed!!! I love daydreaming about the day I bring my three lil’ T’s overseas to greet our far away family.
Q: What special talent do you wish you possessed?
A: Teleporting…..we have so many friends all across the globe. It is hard seeing loved ones only once a year. It would be so fun to wiggle your nose and pow….be in that place you want to be. Share a cup of tea….have a chat…..wiggle that nose and back home again.
Q: Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
A: My mother….she was a single mom since I was five. My memories are so strong of how hard she worked for us both. I know it must have been stressful for her but she was such a kind and loving person. As I raise my children with a helpful partner I can only imagine what it was like for her on her own.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, who would that be and where would you go?
A: I would have lunch with my three lil’ girls and my grands that are gone…it would be so fun to introduce these lil’ ladies to their great grandmothers!! Happy and Cookie were their names….spunky women with such character!! Grandma Happy drove a red convertible til’ the day she died and Grandma Cookie had the best “goodie” drawer ever!!! A picnic in the park would be soooo perfect for us all.
Q: What is your favorite time of day and why?
A: When a day ends and I get a moment to snuggle with my husband. We work so hard raising these kiddos. There is so much satisfaction in finishing a day together and taking a deep breath to soak in all of our blessings.
Q: What is your favorite family tradition?
A: Summer beach vacations! The beach is my favorite place to be in the summer sun! Cousins getting together…..paper lanterns at night….playing in the waves….tasty dinners with loved ones….fireworks….sipping wine as the sunsets…..campfires…..sunburn on my cheek when it hits the pillow at night…..perfect!!!
Q: Which TV family is most like your own?
A: Hmmmmm this is a tough one….I have to date myself and think of families from 80’s TV. Since Peace Corps we promised no TV in our house. I am stumped with this one……When Joshua and Tessa are practicing violin and I am trying to make a nutritious meal for our family it can seem a bit like, Little House on the Prairie. Do not get me wrong….we are far from churning our own butter! I do value so many aspects of that lifestyle. The pace of life can feel far too fast. We love and cherish days at home, taking walks in the woods and playing outside.
Q: Are you a country mouse or city mouse?
A: Country…..though I never saw myself living among alfalfa fields and acres of corn. We were sure we would end up in DC or overseas again after Peace Corps. Living close to our family has been a huge blessing to our kiddos and to our marriage. If we need help with our children it is always there. Sometimes we must be conscience of keeping the balance so as to not upset the grands!!! “I think it is our turn to watch the girls!”
Q: Good Hart is such a special place to Denise. What town holds a special place in your heart?
A: Kigingi, Kamuli District, Uganda. This was our village on the shores of Lake Kyoga. Our sweet lil’ brick house with a galvanized steel roof….two rooms, one sleeping room and one sitting room. Outside kitchen and pit-latrine…The memories of life there are still so vivid. The darkest night we ever experienced, the loudest and brightest storms, 4 mango trees in our compound, we had no running water and no electric for three years. Life was much harder work but it was all so peaceful and wonderful. Sweet and simple…..The people took us in and loved us. They listened to us try our best Lusoga and helped us learn everything we needed to know, cooking, collecting water, fishing, washing clothes my hand, and so much more!!! We gave but wow did we receive so much more.
