December Marches On

As I sit here this morning and look out at the gloomy sky, I remember quickly that I cannot be sitting here looking out at the gloomy sky! It's December and I have things to do.

It's time to write the annual letter
Time to make my hair look better
Time to wash the weekly clothes
Time to make another list, so here goes...

Wrap the gifts to look real merry
Paint my toes so they don't look scary
Address and stuff the Christmas cards
Decorate the house, the front and back yards...

Help the kids to do homework
Have dinner ready, maybe roast pork?
Plan an 11 year old birthday party
Shop for gifts, while looking sporty

Bake some cookies and Remember the needy
Stop and thank the Lord, do a good deedy
Help the Girl Scouts with fundraising
Remember that Christmas is about Jesus, so be praising!

Attend the annual "Holiday" gathering for the hubby's work
And wear the girdle so you don't look like a dork
Remember you've worked out all year for this dress
Try not to spill on yourself and look like a mess!

Tuck the girls into bed, Peel the hubby off the sofa
Remember we've got stuff to finish daily to meet the Christmas quota
Have a glass of wine and look real cheerful
Because if we don't get this done, someones getting an earful!

Merry Christmas!
Kelly

A Change Will Do Us Good

We survived these past 2 weeks, in great part to prayer & in great part to friends and family that have rallied around us. In the midst of Jean passing away, we tried to keep the girls going with their normal activities (Girl Scouts, School, Soccer, play dates, etc.) but it was quite the challenge. Taylor did not win her bid for election to President of her school, although her speech was fantastic! Little spats along the way with rivers of tears and emotion were easy to identify as being caused by other things. We have persevered.

In addition to being joined at the hip with the Burton family, Sammie and I finished our soccer season together and we've already had our team party. It was fun to coach my "Super Stars" and come to the realization that Sammie isn't ready to play a different sport in the spring. She earnestly wants to continue playing soccer and so I've signed up to be her coach again in the spring. Taylor's Team finished soccer just this past weekend, earning a top finishing spot (#1) in the league going into the playoffs, and finishing 2nd as a team in the season-ending tournament. Emotional as it was to finish in 2nd place, the team really pushed hard through 3 playoff games including a double-overtime ending! We were all exhausted, and the 90 degree weather didn't help to cool the emotion of the finish. As a parent I would have loved to see Taylor play a more forward position for more than the 1 quarter she played this weekend, however she's a stellar center-D (center defensive guard) and works amazingly with the goalie. It's easy to see why the coach chose to keep her there. Emotions ran high on the side lines, but we've all breathed a sigh of relief to put this season behind us. Taylor is already talking of spring soccer and is excited to try out for the Plus team at the conclusion of spring. Way to rebound T!

As if soccer wasn't enough, our girls ALSO participated in the annual talent show at their school. Taylor and her friend Ellie did a beautiful piano/violin duet to "Silent Night," and Sammie and her best buddie Abby sang a duet to "Crocodile Rock." They really got the audience into their performance, and neither act showed any real signs of nerves. What pro's! Eric's Dad and Uncle were on hand for the talent show, and really enjoyed the comic relief provided by some of the acts performed.


So now we can head into Thanksgiving without sports on the brain, or a talent show to prepare for. There are not any family emergencies at the moment, and we're looking forward to sleeping in on the weekends and preparing our home and hearts for the family gatherings that are fast approaching. We're ready for this change, and the change will do us good.

ps - Thank you for all the warm thoughts, cards, emails, flowers, and plants. Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers. Thank you to those who attended Jean's Memorial Service Life Celebration. We've had so many compliments given to our family on the way Jean's life was celebrated. But truly our friend and pastor, Skip deserves the recognition for setting the tone and for Jean giving us much to celebrate. God Bless You all.

Jean Burton's Memorial Service

Eternal Hills Cemetery & Mortuary
1999 El Camino Real
Oceanside, CA 92054
(760) 754-6600

Viewing - Tuesday, November 11th

4 - 8pm

Memorial Service - Wednesday, November 12th
1 pm

Map to location: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=1999%20S%20El%20Camino%20Real&city=Oceanside&state=CA&zipcode=92054%2d5754&country=US&geodiff=1

The family respectfully resquests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the MS Society in Jean Burton's name.

Contact Karen Barton at (760) 448-8412 for assistance from the MS Society.

Jean has been set free...

Just a few minutes ago I finished speaking with both Ron and Eric about Jean. Around 11:30 this morning Jean went to be with the Lord and took her final breath in the body that's confined her for so many years.

A few days ago Jean awoke to a pain in her chest that turned out to be a massive blood clot nearing her lungs. She passed out and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. At the hospital they stabilized her body function and needed to take extreme measures to keep her alive. These extreme measures are not want Jean wanted. Over the next few days in the ICU she showed signs of life with eye fluttering, muscle twitching, chewing, etc. However, even though the tests administered to Jean showed blood flowing to the brain, there was severe damage when she was not able to get oxygen during her unstable time on Saturday. Also, the medicine used to bring her back, severely handicapped her brain function. As a result, the life signs we saw were merely muscle responses to her body relaxing, not a sign of brain function. The doctors concurred that Jean was not really there any longer, and as a family (husband, children, sister) it was decided that Jean would not want to live in this state on a respirator. They humanely agreed that removing Jean from the ventilator would be what Jean would want. The breathing tube was removed early Tuesday evening, and she continued to breathe on her own until late this morning.

Although it's going to be difficult to share this news with our children today, we can take comfort in these passages...

John 5:24 "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life." ... Jean was a Christian and she knew where she was going!

1 Corinthians 15:42 "Our earthly bodies which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die." ...Jean is now dancing in heaven!

John 11:25 "Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again." ...Jean believed!

Lastly, I know that not all of our friends understand what it's like to be a believer and to know the Lord. We all have doubts. Some may look at a person like Jean and see the MS, the illness, the weakness. Eric and I have often wondered why Jean was given this burden in life. But then we've also seen that through her, our families have more compassion for others. We've raised money for the MS cause to find a cure - would we have done that without her being sick? Our children know that a wheelchair is not a death sentence. They've ridden on her lap, played with her "special toys" - like the chairs that raised her up and down, and the scooters and wheelchairs that drove her around. This is like a bumper car to a child - and fun, not scary. So we can see life and change in us, because of her...

One last verse to end my note today...

2 Corinthians 12:9 "Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me." ... Thank you Jean...I love you

Kelly

Jean in the hospital

Normally, I'd just post about our crazy weekend. Halloween costumes (Taylor was a candy corn & Sammie a bee). And how Eric ran in the NY Marathon today (11/2) and finished all 26.2 miles in a personal best of 4 hrs and 13 minutes. However, all of this greatness is overshadowed knowing that Eric's Mom, Jean, is currently in the hospital in Oceanside fighting to wake up.

As you may or may not know, Jean has Multiple Sclerosis and she's battled with it for 35+ years. She's gone from a belly-dancing, aerobic class taking, nurse and teacher, to a woman who is hand fed by her loved ones and taken care of 24/7 by Ron (her husband) and her hired care takers. She can no longer even use the controls on her wheelchair and she must be pushed. It's been a long road to say the least. It's been difficult to watch someone so alive on the inside succumb to such a horrible disease. She's a model of grace and love, with a ready smile for everyone she meets. And we know that if she doesn't come through, she'll be going to meet Jesus, because that is where her hope lies.

In the next 24 hours we'll get the results of her scans to know if there is still brain activity, and if the blood clots they found in her chest have been reduced. She's stable right now, but still intubated. She may wake up on her own, however the doctors did not want to raise any hopes telling me that she may not wake up at all.

So, after spending the night with family and being close to the hospital, we're now home and waiting for Eric's flight to arrive from NY. He'll spend tomorrow with his family in Oceanside. It was difficult for Eric to stay in NY to run knowing what was going on here. He got the news only hours after arriving in NY too. However EVERYONE here told him to stay and run - this is what Jean would be telling him to do! On a side note, both of Eric's uncles and one aunt had scheduled more than 6 months ago to be here for a visit. They've all arrived and isn't God amazing to know that Ron and his children would need the support of their extended family this week.

Thank you for following our family. God Bless You All!
Kelly

Burton Halloween Pictures (copy & paste this link): http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9EYuWbdu3Yps

October Overatures

The overature would be my children playing the piano that Ron & Jean (Burton) gave us for the girls to use at home. Both Eric and his sister Julie learned how to play on it, so we're honored that the tradition can continue in our home. It's a beautiful thing to hear the sweet sounds come from their efforts on the instrument, and it's amazing that they can still find ways to fight about it too. "I'm first. No, it's my turn!" Oh, well... they're doing what sisters do.

In other news, Taylor is running for President of the Student Council at her elementary school. Her slogan is "vote for Mii! Taylor B. for Class Prez!" The mii part rhymes with wii (like the game system). Her picture and her wii likeness are on the poster in the library for all to see. She's getting so much positive feedback on the likeness and the poster that she's actually walking on air!

Recently a friend of mine sent an email about Caryn (a mutual friend from junior high) that is needing a new kidney. My heart went out to her, as you can imagine, having been through this necessity with my father for the last 5 years. A support group on Facebook was started for Caryn, so I joined Facebook, so I could support her. Now I'm finding that Facebook is going to be my new habit. OK, I admit it, I'm a computer junkie. I LOVE research on the computer, find deals, go to ebay, craigslist, google, you tube, our blog page, movie sites, webkinz (for the kid games) and now FACEBOOK. I hope our insurance can cover this additiction!!

Also, the kids have chosen their costumes for Halloween. Taylor will be a sweet looking piece of candy corn, and Sammie is a bee (a diva looking bee at that)! Halloween will be very fun this year, as we once again share it with Ron and Jean carving pumpkins, making pizza, and then trick-or-treating. It's become a tradition to share this day with them, and it's fun for grandkids, parents and kids alike.

Lastly, on Sunday - November 2nd, Eric will be running in the New York Marathon. He leaves on his flight on Friday (the Halloween Redeye) and runs starting at 10:20 am EST. We'll be tracking him online and then talking to him via webcam when he's done. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some of it. Eric has chosen to run for a cause too, it's the TSA (Tourette's Syndrome Association) since Taylor was diagnosed with it this last spring. NO she doesn't swear, she does have combo motor/vocal tics - it doesn't slow her down. We can talk more about that another time.

Check you later!
Kelly

Where Did September Go?

As I look at my past blog entries I realize that the first month of school is history! We did so much too! The girls started 5th and 2nd grade. They've begun piano lessons. They're back to regular girl scout meetings - and Taylor's troop is planning to go to San Francisco in May to bridge from Juniors to Cadette's! We're also deeply into soccer. Taylor has found her niche as the star center defender and Sammie cannot make up her mind what her favorite positions is... but who can blame her? She's a powerhouse no-matter where her coach puts her! And I'm her coach!

Since October is now 1/2 way finished, I'm trying to stop and look around. Take in the sights and sounds of fall in Southern California. Yes... we do get a change of season around here. The ivy on our back wall fence changes beautiful shades of brown and red before it gently dies and becomes part of the gardeners' problem. And, the hot winds have arrived which means the "fire bugs" are now out and wreaking havoc in SoCal too. We're praying our friends in Simi Valley won't have it too bad this year, although there is currently a fire too close to them.

Whispers of Halloween events are filling the air, candy is creeping into the house, pumpkins and skeletons are adorning the lawns of many neighbors. We've even been "boo'd". This means a neighbor secretly stashed candy in a bag and ditched it on our door for the girls. When we received it, we posted the required "BOO" flier on our window and promptly "boo'd" three additional neighbors to spread the chear. The girls loved filling the BOO bags and then giving them out. They "ding-dong-ditched" three neighbors and waited for them to come out and retrieve the surprise on the door. Where did they learn this term? I don't know... hmmm.... motherly moment to ponder...