It's random, lovely, full of misspelled words and terrible punctuation. It's about me, Erin, my family and friends, in real life. There's sugar but no sugar coating.
"Come what may, and love it!......Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result." ~ Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
So, the other night I watched a movie.
The title "Taking Chance".
I admit I am a fan of romantic comedies and comedies by themselves (although it's rare to find one these days that is clean enough to watch with kids, so I don't watch them) but this was a good movie.
There is no comedy in this movie, it's a pretty solemn movie, very moving, and filled with respect.
It is about an officer in the Marines returning a fallen soldier to his family.
It showed the process the fallen soldier went through to be prepared to return to their home town.
I was impressed by the respect and honor they showed to the soldier from the very beginning of this process.
He was cleaned, both body and personal effects.
Every time the casket was moved on or off a plane or to or from a vehicle the fallen soldier
was saluted, hats were taken off and a reverence was shown.
I haven't known anyone personally whose life was taken in a war or serving our country but I do know people who have served in the Marines, Army, and Navy. I have to say I have felt grateful for all who served but never more than after I watched this movie.
My Bishop is an old Marine. He doesn't talk about the war itself (none of them do) but he does talk about sand in all the food he ate and the Lord sparing his life several times.
My grandfather was in the Navy and the only story I know of came from my mother.
His life was spared also.
Just want to say THANK YOU to all those who have served, are presently serving, and those who plan to serve our country. May repect and honor follow you where ever you go.
March 11, 2011
Poppy, my grandfather, Clarence Oliver Burris gave me the nickname E.Katie.P. I am named after his wife, my grandmother, Nanaw, Catherine. When his memory started to go he was reminded who I was by "the girl you use to watch jump the hurdles". He had come to some of my track meets. Now with his memory not serving him so well, the old hurdle trick doesn't work anymore. He hardly remembers his own children and I think it's very distressing to him. My grandfather is a neat man, a poet, a dad, a grandfather, a husband with a Bible all marked up and worn. I did a post on him a little while ago. You can read one of his poems HERE. It's a favorite.
I'm not near my grandfather although I hear about his care frequently. I'm so thankful for the people who have taken such good care of him for so long. My Aunt Janna, my Aunt Ronna, my own mother, and my Uncle Tim. They have sacrificed a lot (including a lot of sleep) to care for him.
I don't think he has too much longer here on earth. I think he's ready to go. I don't know exactly what is needed to complete his mission here but I'm sure it's purpose is for someone else. Probably to teach things that could not be taught any other way. I know he will rejoice when he is united with Catherine again.
I Love Poppy!
"My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God's kindness. It will build our testimonies."
-President Henry B. Eyring
This is a favorite song right now. If you know it don't sing it, read it.
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly, and you will be singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold. count your many blessing; money cannot buy Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
So amid the conflict, whether great or small, Do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
-Count Your Blessings, pg. 241, LDS Hymnal
I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for.
This year no black Friday shopping (which in years past have excited me more than Thanksgiving itself - I know, just wrong).
Yesterday for Thanksgiving it was just our little family.
The first time I have ever cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
We had a whole chicken that we cooked in the crock pot.
It was as good as it looks.
Heath did the mashed potatoes.
He had plans to go to school yesterday in the evening. He didn't go. I'm thankful for that.
I'm thankful for Heath and all the hard work he does for our family, all the service/time he gives at church, his faith, that he came home from school at a very busy and important time to take care of the kids while I was having a migraine, that he makes the beds practically every day, that he adores me and puts up with my crazy ideas, that he's a good father, that he went trick or treating with us this year, that he encourages me to be better, that he listens to prompting and follows them even when it's not convenient, and that he's funny. I really could go on and on but for the sake of time I'll stop there. I love Heath.
Some of the potatoes where green right under the skin. Heath insisted they were poisonous.
I'm sure this was an "i'm silly like Andy moment"
We ate them. I'm glad to report we are all doing well.
We also had broccoli salad, deviled eggs, rolls, corn, pumpkin pie, and chocolate pie. Remember all gluten-free.
Here's my pumpkin pie. I had to put a picture because it's only the 2nd pumpkin pie I've ever made but the 1st I've ever made with pumpkin from our garden that WE grew. I'm thankful for gardens.
The scratches on my table are custom. It makes it look vintage.
Ok, it happened by accident but I don't mind 'em.
I called my mom practically a million times and Heath's mom one time.
I called for a recipe for the chocolate pie, to see if it's paprika that you put on deviled eggs, I asked questions about pies, about broccoli, about potatoes, and more. She sounded glad to help me every time I called.
I am thankful for my mom and my mother-in-law. And also thankful for my dad who is someone I know I can always talk to about emergency preparedness and will always be interested and always (well, almost always) know the answers. and a dad-in-law that is always a voice of reason.
We haven't had snow yet this year (which is surprising) until just a few minutes ago. It's snowing.
I really have so much to be Thankful for.
That my camera is working.
This dude and his wild imagination.
This little guy and all that he's accomplished down to the drool.
As I listened to Jeffery R. Holland this morning give his talk my mind reflected on my own parents who sacrificed a lot for their children.
I remember my mom telling me that when they were a young married couple she used some of the money budgeted for groceries to by shoes for one of the kids.
My mom and dad were always going without their wants and needs so that their children could have more of their wants and needs.
Growing up we lived in a humble home.
We had food to eat, clothes to wear, transportation to get around.
I remember that my mom didn't always have a lot of clothes but she never complained.
When I got older and was able to work I bought her a dress.
I went to the mall specifically looking for something for my mother.
I walked into a store, found a dress that she might like, guessed at the sized and purchased it.
I could hardly wait to give it to her.
When I did she said, "What is this?" tears in her eyes
I said, "It's a dress for you."
We hugged and cried together (as we sometimes do).
She went and tried it on and to my surprise it fit perfectly.
Sometime later, my sister who was pretty newly married and had one baby with another one of the way and a husband in school, found herself not being able to fit into a lot of her clothing and not having a lot of money to purchase more.
She called my mom.
My mom, still having little clothing and wanting to do what she could, gave my sister the dress I bought for her.
It was a little bigger than my sister so it would fit her pregnant belly.
I know my mom liked that dressed and some time later she told what she had done, hoping I wouldn't be mad.
How could I be mad? She was helping (and sacrificing for ) my sister.
Helping my sister and helping me by being the good example of charity she most always is.
I'm grateful for my parents who raised me with principles of the gospel.
Who sacrificed things for me (even when I was making unwise choices as a stinking teenager).
I love them.
Thanks mom and dad!
Heidi is one of my friends.
A good friend.
Definitely worthy of the title best friend.
She's been an instrument in answering prayers of mine.
She came over tonight. She just showed up out of nowhere.
My house was dirty and I hadn't showered for the day.
Heath had a meeting at church and was leaving soon.
She walked up and said, "What can I do? I came to pickle your cucumbers and I have jars in my car if you need them." (something like that anyway)
She played with the boys, giving me a break.
She picked up my toy filled living room while teaching my children.
She cut up all the cucumbers and pickled them for me.
She swept and picked up my kitchen, emptied my dishwasher and (if that weren't enough) she watched the boys while I took a shower. AND after all that she asked me what else she could do.
I love that girl. Really, I do.
Oh, and wait, wait, wait...She's also 28 weeks pregnant and works full time.
I'm sure she was probably tired after working all day and had plenty of her own things she could have tended to.
She thought of me and my little family and my messy house and my cucumbers and my casted up little baby.
What a friend. She is as great as she sounds.
Hope you have a friend like her.
This is the only picture I can find right off hand but you can visit her blog HERE.
Heidi set up an awesome Easter egg hunt for Noah. We love Heidi and Deric. My camera batteries were no good so Heidi has pictures. On the way home we talked to Noah about Christ. I'm not sure how much he understood but we wanted him to know what Easter was really about. We are grateful for Jesus Christ and add our testimony to that of those in the video that He lives!
We made it home. He gave me flowers. Gerber daisies, some favorites.:) He does love me. Things smelled different when we got here. More like a man but still like burned wood. It is good to be back but those we left are missed. We fed the horses across the street old carrots. My hands smelled like horse My shoes were muddy. It's home and I like it. I love my family in Texas. The words thank you just do not express enough the gratitude for those who care about us so much. I'm so blessed, so blessed.
He's a Grad student. He makes pots. He likes hunting and hanging out with his boys. You can visit his blog at www.checkoutmyblogatmyblog.blogspot.com (or click the picture).
"We artist are indestructible, even in a prison cell or a concentration camp I would be almighty in my own world of art. Even if I had to paint my pictures with my wet tongue on the dusty floor of my cell." - Pablo Picasso
Asher helps me develop faith. He has a nerve injury on his right arm. He also has trouble gaining weight. He sees an occupational therapist 2 times a week. He is sweet and shy but has a funny personality.
this is our story.
i called him. he said yes. he kissed me. i said, "i love you." he said, "i like you twelve." (that equals i love you.) he said "will you?" i said, "yes". we got married. he started school. we had noah. i became a mom. he became an artist. we moved to pa. he became a grad student. then came asher and i became the mom of 2. we moved back to utah. he became a teacher. me? the mom of three. we are happy. we are blessed.
Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. - Emily Buchwald
