Burns Boys + 1

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Woofers Taroo

Yesterday I remember staring at my almost 10 year old. I was sitting on the couch and I remember thinking, "when did he get so tall and when did I get a 10 year old?" Because of his autism and how much work we have done together, I haven't spent much of his life wishing it would slow down, or that we could linger a little longer. Actually most of his life, I let out a long breath once melatonin kicks in and I know that he is sleeping until 5 am tomorrow morning. But suddenly I looked at him and was amazed that we got to this point.

Tonight I can hear the dog upstairs that is not happy about being shut in the bathroom while his owners are out and about. It reminded me of the stuffed dog I got for Michael before we had kids. I used to have this thing for stuffed animals - not that I had lots, but a few sentimental ones. I think it must have been after Sept. 11th in NY. I can't really remember who would have "woofers taroo" - I'll have to ask Michael when he gets back. I can't remember if it was the person who left or the person who stayed when traveling. And who knows maybe it changed all the time. Anywho, tonight I actually wanted to get up and go in Duncan's room and find Woofers. I got lonely.

For the first two weeks of this active duty I was strong and focused, went to bed early, lost 6 lbs by eating perfectly and working out. The third week I got depressed thinking that this could really end up being my life for long periods of time, and this last fourth week when the car needed fixing, the tires needed purchasing, the storage stuff needed moving, the oldest needed more understanding, the house needed a locksmith scaling the balcony, and the house desperately needed cleaning - I kind of hunkered down and read books about people much more unfortunate than myself, but also much more good natured and humorous as well.

I've actually made some real efforts not to feel too much emotion this time around. But tonight, I miss my dear sweet partner. Not any one particular thing, but just miss him. I miss sharing my life with him in a very real teary sort of way. I miss being able to look at him and say, when did we and our kids get so old? I miss sharing a spiritual lesson I've learned or just looking at him next to me or putting my head on his chest. I know I'm supposed to be stronger 10 years later, but if I weren't so tired, I'd go track down that stuffed dog, just to have something to hold on to - Woofers Taroo.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Happy New Year 2012

We spent the new years with the Burchwin group (Bucharts, Burns & Irwins) + Ryan and Ann. All of us were in Hawaii together. I made these balloons with money, smartees, and jokes and fortunes in them for the kids to pop and celebrate the new year.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Thank you to Michelle

Michelle,

Here is a big thank you from our family. Timon helped select some of the items in this basket.

Bread & jam: in honor of all the peanut butter sandwiches you helped him eat

Sparkling grape juice: in celebration of your new job and freedom

Rosemary salt dough bread: because it is Timon’s favorite (mine too – best warm)

smartees: Timon’s pick and for helping him become a smartee

erasers, crayons, & bits of paper: you’ll never look at these the same way again – who knew they were food items????

note from Timon on the back of a Math minute – now there are some things you can gladly say goodbye to!

Agry birds cupcakes: again Timon’s pick!

We love you and will miss you!

The Burns

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Eve

Timon & Ninjago Dude

Jed explains Kristi's Phone to her - thank heavens for the tech savy

Grandkids watch the church nativity video

Musical Program

Timon sang "Was He a Boy Like Me" and Duncan sang "Up on the rooftop"

Nativity Pageant

Spencer & Duncan as Shepherds

Grant as Joseph and Timon as the Star

The trusted Donkey

From Jed & Steve - glow in the dark tubes

Family Composite Photo

White elephant gifts

Pickle Bandaides

Reaction to the overall winner

Friday, December 23, 2011

Service Letter 2011

Every year my dad asks for a Christmas present of a letter describing the service we participated in. Here are a few things that we can remember. Hopefully there are many more that we cannot remember.

Duncan: cleaned Timon’s room (a lot), helped take food to the Utah Food Bank Drive & participated in the Penny War for the Salvation Army

Timon: participated in the Penny War, took his friend Kazden to a BYU game & gave him Pokemon cards. He helped out in the ward garden and forgave a bully by taking cookies to him.

Kristi: being good friends with the compassionate service leader got me involved in many ways including making dinner every week for an elderly woman in our ward. Michael says that taking care of the family while he was at basic training was my service.

Michael: joined the military, delivered dinner every Wednesday to our neighbor, served as Sunday School President, and as a 6^th grade teacher.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas Letter 2011

In True Cheesy Christmas Letter Fashion…

Catch up with us & sing along!

Proud to Be an American . . . I am now married to a military man. Michael joined the National Guard and spent 75 long days in the heat at Basic Training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He leaves for Officer Candidate School in January for 8 weeks. I have a whole new perspective on freedom. I know you’re not supposed to brag – but my husband is in awesome shape & looks great! We joined him for graduation in August.

Cruel, Cruel Summer… leavin’ me here all alone. This was the summer of camps, camps, and more camps. Timon says his favorites were military kids camp and Lego camp. Duncan loved sports and art camps. Many of you helped out – thank you so much, esp. our nephew Travis!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun . . . craft morning, pool trips, Time Out for Women, & cooking blog with my sisters. How to fill a sleepless night? I finished my first quilt and repainted the condo. Thank you to all of my girl friends who have kept me sane.

If I Could Turn Back Time . . . Duncan started 1^st grade. Is there a song called “All Grown Up”?? I know – those of you with teens are making fun of us now. Still kind-of crazy to see them go off together. All three boys are at Early Light Academy – Timon’s in 4^th grade and Michael is teaching 6^th grade.

Kombayah… According to ethnomusicologist Thomas Miller, this song began as a Gullah spiritual. People might have thought the Gullahs talked funny, but we owe them a vote of thanks. Can you imagine sitting around the campfire singing, "Oh, Lord, come by here" (translation)? Anyway, this tid-bit is thrown in here as a tribute to the Burchwin Reunion. We have dear friends from Hawaii who all happen to live in the SL Valley right now. Our three families enjoyed Labor Day up Hobble Creek Canyon at a Cabin. Where, yep, we kombayahed around the fire pit. We’ve also been sighted experimenting with various fondue recipes and playing games.

Rise and Shout . . . 2 cougar football games with Grandpa Mac. One for the whole fam & one with me and fourth grader Timon & his bud Kazden. The whole funny story is here: http://burnsboys1.blogspot.com/2011/11/byu-vs-id-game.html

If I Were a Rich Man . . . then things like gas prices, doctor bills, and rising grocery costs, wouldn't bother me! I try to tell the boys we are "rich" in other ways . . . love, laughter, fun, faith, family, friends but they don't always see it my way.

Oh Holy Night . . . is my favorite Christmas song. We are so grateful for

this season where we get to deeply remember our blessings and the Savior

and we get to reconnect with all of you!