Meet the Family

Top: Nicholas 14 months old. What a happy boy!


Bottom: Amy and Robert being randomly affectionate.















Top: Nicholas is all his hockey gear.
Below: The Hooters girls really liked Nicholas.

Top: Nicholas falling asleep at the table during a night out at El Caporal in North Bend.

Bottom: Burnett family celebrating the start of the 2007 hockey season at the Kent Valley Ice Arena.

Robert and Amy in San Bernadino, California at Angels night in the hospitality room.

It's a baby! It's a bus! It's a baby driving a bus!

Remlinger Farms harvest festival October 2007.

I sure look excited, don't I?

Left:Nicholas swimming and trying to drown his dad all at the same time.

Below: Nicholas warming his slap shot.

Left: Robert and Nicholas at Kent Valley Ice Arena getting their skate on.



Below: Amy and Robert trying to pose for a picture and stay upright while wearing ice skates. Not easy!

Nicholas during Little League Weekend at Safeco Field. He got on TV during the pregame. The announcers thought he had a good arm for an almost 2 year old.

God be with you until we meet again

Everyone dies...eventually. I totally understand this. Having said that, the passing of my Grandma is still very hard for me. She had been a big part of my life since I was born. For 29 years I could hug her and tell her I loved her, call her to chat and hear her pearls of wisdom. She was not like other Grandmas in that she liked to swear like a sailor. (I say this affectionately) There is something oddly comforting about a 83 year old woman that likes to drop the F-bomb.

July 11th we were told that she had stage 4 lung cancer and a really awful case of Pneumonia. Up until that point she had been living independently and doing fine, other than her Dementia, but Zach and I were making sure she was alright, whatever she needed. She lived in a Seniors Apartment Complex here in North Bend for the past almost 8 years. She was tough and wasn't ever any more ill than a common cold. Due to the fact that she had been smoking since she was 13 (70+ years!) we were not surprised by the diagnosis.

I would like to think that I have an eternal perspective, well, more so than the rest of my family.
When we were told that she had weeks, maybe days to live, we all handled it differently. I remember nodding alot and blinking back tears trying to be a brave grown-up, when I would have liked be a sobbing 9 year old. My dad (this was his mother-in-law) wanted to talk about all the details of her life and make sure we all said what we had to say to her. I realize he was trying to be helpful, but at the time, it was a bit of Hallmark-ish overkill.

My mom didn't get emotional. (Surprise! Didn't see that coming at all) She wanted to be official about everything and she and Grandma would argue...alot. They are more alike than she will admit. I actually stopped wanting to be in the room when they started in. I didn't have the heart to listen to that anymore. My mom and I are very different. She holds it in and I let it show. I have no poker face and if I think it, more than likely it will come tumbling out of my mouth.

Pete and Zach were quiet about being sad. They rarely cried, although I know they were fighting to keep it inside. They would have to leave the room if the nurses need to move or check on Grandma. I love them. We couldn't keep eye contact or talk about it without crying.

With my schedule, sleep was the thing that I did away with. I wanted to be there as much as I could. I was a wreck. I kept my cell phone on vibrate while I was driving, freaked out that it would ring and be bad news.

Nicholas would lay with her and snuggle with her. She always called him, "that baby". One day he patted her arm and said, "Grandma, I hope you feel better soon." She nodded and said, "I hope so, too." I didn't want him to be afraid of the whole dying/death situation. The day she passed I told him about it and he told me that it was okay to be sad, but I should be happy because she was with Heavenly Father now. The simple logic and faith of a 3 year old.

Through the whole thing I feel bad for Mariah (Zach's wife). They got married in May and she is now a big part of the family. It was like, "Welcome! Hope you enjoyed the Honeymoon, here comes grief and pain for you to help your husband through. Good luck!" She has infinite patience, so Zach is lucky for that blessing.

The last time that I got to spend with her was the afternoon before she passed. We were alone in her room and I was leaning on her bed, holding her hand. She couldn't talk anymore but I could sense her responses. I was praying in my heart for the best thing to talk about. I didn't want to cry and go on about missing her, so I decided to bear her my testimony of a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior that would be the first one to greet her when her journey was over. I told her of family history, baptism for the dead and all the work I had put forth. I reminded her of all the loved ones that she would see. I told her that she deserved her place of rest and paradise. I told her that I must have been in the right line, because she was the best Grandma that I could've had. Then I started to sing some hymns to her. Although I could only remember the first verse of "God be with you until we meet again", I could tell she felt the Spirit. We cried together and I could feel that her time was at hand.

The next morning I was awoken at about quarter to 6 by the breeze from my window. I looked at the clock, rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. At 6:30 my Mom called me and said that Grandma had passed about 45 minutes earlier. Later my brothers and I were stunned to all have felt that breeze at quarter to 6.

Death isn't hard, it isn't scary. The living make it difficult. I will take my heart filled with joy over a heart filled with sorrow. If I didn't have the knowledge of this Gospel and know that I had a wise Heavenly Father, I honestly don't know how many bottles I would have looked in to find that comfort and peace.

I know when I blog that there are basically two people reading this, Kim and Jeff. I appreciate you both reading this and making comments. I think I have hit a point in my life where I realized that I have done and seen alot, even if it doesn't seem like it. There are a few things I wish I would have done. I am not calling them regrets, just things that I would have been interested to see happen and what would have resulted.

These are in random order...(like everything else in my life)

Serve a Mission- I would have loved to learn a new language and be a missionary. I couldn't afford it and I knew my parents would really not like it.

Gone to College- All through high school I knew I wasn't going to college. I just accepted that I wasn't. My parents never encouraged it and I knew really thought about it. I think I can call myself smart, and I would have liked to see how far I could have gotten. I think I would have gone for a journalism or something with writting...maybe even politcal science.

Had another baby after Nicholas- I am wondering if I am going to have the chance to have another baby. Nicholas will be 4 in August and I am thinking that the age gap maybe too much. I would love for him to be a big brother and Robert is the best dad. Selfishly I would just like to have a baby girl so I can go pink crazy. Every month I cry when I realize that I am not pregnant. I think that is a sign that I would like to have another one.

Stayed in Arkansas- When I left, I was the assistant manager of a Victora's Secret, and by now I would be somewhere in management for Limited brands. I enjoyed living in the south. I miss the girls that I knew and the atmosphere down there. People were more polite, too.

These are just a few things I ponder........

New Calling

So I have a meeting with my bishop tomorrow night (tuesday) to discuss a calling. It has been forever since I have had a calling. Let's see....it was 2003 and I was the Ward Temple Night Co-Chair. I have no idea what is my future. The thought of working with other people's kids scares the crap out of me. I know nothing about music, and for that matter I can hardly sing worth beans. I miss the days of the Activities Committee where all I had to do was show up and nod my head.

Resolve this!!

I know for sure that 2009 is going to be a better year than 2007 and 2008. My hope for this year is that with my resolution to be bolder and more adventurous I will be a little tougher and try new things. I have been starting small, such as menu choices and choosing movies to watch. Last Sunday I raised my hand to read a rather large group of scriptures in Relief Society. (I am not nearly as outgoing as I used to when I was in the single's ward)

I didn't want to resolve to do anything major this year because there are too many factors that control my life. I would love to travel around the world, but that is expensive. I have a rule for myself that I will visit countries that I speak the language. I need to learn Spanish so Robert and I can go to Chile and Peru. I would love to see Machu Pichu and where he served his mission. After all, I do have a passport....Thanks Jeff!!

I also decided that I was going to do the Breast Cancer 3 day. My friend Richelle, her mother and I are going to do it together. It's in September so I have 8 months to get into "walking shape" There is also some money that I have to raise, but I think I have a few ideas on how to get that aspect taken care of.

Here's to 2009 and all the wonderful and scary things that might be. Cheers!!

I am only going to read books by LDS authors

I am a little annoyed. I spent a good chunk of time reading a book that I had heard good things about it. It got good reviews and is going to out in the theatres shortly. Revolutionary Road was awful, and bad, and really bothersome. After wading through 355 pages hoping that it would get better, it ended in a really unfortunate and icky way. I closed the book and was actually sick that this is what passes for good literature. I will not be so "worldly" about books anymore.

For the past year (until yesterday) I have been pretty steadfast in my personal goal to read books only written by LDS writers. I was going to break my rule for Twilight, but was pleasantly surprised that Stephanie Meyer was LDS, too. By adhering to this little "guideline" for myself, I feel like I am learning more about myself and gaining an insight that makes me more appreciative. By learning to ponder and pray rather than get drunk and commit adultery, I feel better about life and thankful for what I have. I know that Heavenly Father gives us all we need, we just need to realize that we do need it.

Since finishing Revolutionary Road, I am have been in a bit of a funk. I realized I was making a face that resembles someone smelling something foul and at the same time trying to figure out what it is that smells so bad. Not attractive to say the least.

I want to finish a book smiling, nodding and when I close it, I will hold to me and say, "Now that was a good book", and put it back in the bookcase to read again in the future.

Here are some books that I liked by LDS authors

Captain Matrimony
Wise Blue Autumn
Odds are you are Going to be Exalted
The Work and The Glory Series (The movie versions suck)
Children of the Promise Series
Hearts of the Children Series
Miracle of Forgiveness
The Holy Temple
52 Weeks of Proven Recipes for Picky Eaters
Believe Christ
The Other Side of Heaven
History of the Church
Strangling your Husband is not an Option
Anything by any of the Prophets


And before I forget, I totally recommend the Twilight Saga. It may be about Vampires, but it has a good message and morals throughout. Don't believe me? Read it and we'll discuss......

By their fruits, ye shall know them

I saw this list on a friend's facebook page and thought it looked like a few minutes of fun. When I was done I realized there are alot of things that I still want to do and some that I am totally okay with not having done.

1. Started your own blog*
2. Slept under the stars*
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii*
5. Watched a meteor shower*
6. Given more than you can afford to charity*
7. Been to Disneyland*
8. Climbed a mountain8
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo*
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch*
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning*
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight*
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill*
24. Built a snow fort*
25. Held a lamb*
26. Gone skinny dipping*
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse*
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset*
31. Hit a home run*
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community*
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke*
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant*
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight*
46. Been transported in an ambulance*
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling*
52. Kissed in the rain*
53. Played in the mud*
54. Gone to a drive-in theater*
55. Been in a movie*
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business*
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen*
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies*
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason*
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma*
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check*
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy*
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square*
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone*
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle*
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper*
85. Read the entire Bible*
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eatin
88. Had chickenpox*
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous*
92. Joined a book club*
93. Lost a loved one*
94. Had a baby*
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone*
99. Been stung by a bee*
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument*