TAKING DOWN THE TREES

The "Red" Tree..Front Room

Up close "Gllitz"

Sad to say (and do) but it's January 2, 2012, and it's time to take down the three Christmas trees. Everything else that pretty much "decked the halls", as they say, has been boxed up and put away. And as much as I'd love to keep these trees up all of January, it's time to put them away. And it makes me a little sad. With putting them away it pretty much finalizes the year 2011. And a great year it was with the birth of our 16th grand child, Beckham Christopher Burgess, the graduation of our son, Joshua from B.Y.U., and the engagement of our son, David. All great things! 2011 brought us a new business with Voyager Health Technologies, lots of renewed friendships with distributors from coast to coast, a phenomenal family reunion at our cabin in Pines Ranch, Utah with all of the kids present, and involvement with another stake musical. All amazing blessings that we will cherish forever.

Office/Studio Tree

Theme: Nutcrackers

Joshua and David both were able to spend a week with us for Christmas. Joshua, Asheigh, Chamberlain (5) and Siri (almost 2) drove from Utah just after taking his "final" exam, and Sarah and David drove in from Henderson, NV. It was wonderful having them. We did the mall thing, the Spectrum thing (twice - 2nd time buying an iPad2 for Josh' graduation gift), and did the traditional Christmas formal dinner on my new Lenox Christmas china (a Christmas bonus for myself this year). Josh read from Luke, and we retired to our "sleeping spots." Since moving from the "big house", we only have one guest room here in the condo. So, hotels near by make it simpler to house the family. Christmas fell on Sunday, so instead of our usual dawn present opening, we attended a special 1 hour session of church and celebrated the present opening after. 

Bedroom Tree

Theme: Reindeer and Stars

We had a special one hour session Messiah Sing-In this year, something we used to do as an annual stake event. For 8 years I sang all of the soprano solos for this amazing musical masterpiece. And it has been over ten (10) years since I did that. But they asked me, in this shortened Messiah Sing-In, to sing "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" this year, so although hesitant now that I'm 60, I'm glad I participated - maybe for the last time with my voice growing tired from singing, teaching voice and directing productions and choirs for more than 45 years. And I'm very happy a couple of my children could attend. David even filmed me singing with his iPhone. Chamberlain said, "grandma you sing very loud!" I asked, "did you like it?" He said, "yes" then he hugged me. So, with his vote of approval in tact, I smiled at the memories that were made for everyone this year, and will always cherish 2011.


Celine Dion's "Another Year Has Gone By" song keeps coming to mind as this new year of 2012 unfolds. Blessings are counted. Opportunities are recognized. And grateful hearts abound here at the Burgess home. Our kids don't live here on my once dreamed about "Burgess Boulevard," but the moments we have together are still treasured. And, we move into the new year with hope and possibility for even more precious moments with our distributor friends, music friends, students, and definitely family. Happy New Year!