Doesn't Look Good for Mom

I think Chris' comment when he snapped this photo of me after first attempting my workout with him in Bountiful, Utah was, "doesn't look good for mom."

Well, that's how it started. Me driving to Utah to spend the month of July at Chris and Lesa's home attempting to make lifestyle changes. I've been told that it takes 21 days of doing something consistently to form a habit. And that was my goal. At age 61, after 6 children (and 17 grandchildren :-), a type 2 diabetic, working too much behind my computer either teaching voice, writing training materials and communications for a new company called Voyager Health Technologies, or talking on the phones non-stop, my lifestyle had to change.The ole' mantra chanted over and over by all health professionals is "eat less, move more." I needed to adapt and internalize this mantra, so I took Chris up on his offer to work me out all of July. It was also a good incentive to start to get in shape for David and Sarah's wedding on August 4th. And I'm so glad I did this. And I will be forever grateful for those 30 days, to Chris for his patience, care and love - although this pictures doesn't reflect that.

My day would start with 45 minutes of loud music - usually Adele or a musical - while I walked on the treadmill, followed by Chris bounding down his stairs to workout himself there in his home gym to P90X video's, then giving me the basics (the "P" of P90X) with warm-ups, arms, abs legs, and the dreaded stand up, sit down routine. That first week was so tough and Chris had to hide his chuckling as I would nearly fall with every exercise. But, near the end of my stay there I could do every exercise, and was down over 20 pounds. And although this is a drop in the fitness bucket with my goals, I am now on the right track and after coming home I signed up at the new Irvine LA Fitness Center, and haven't missed a day with exercise. I actually love it!

From left (Jamie Armstrong move out of the picture) David, Chris, Josh & Ben

The boys were a huge help for me. Their love and care was shown in so many ways. Between phone calls, text messaging reminders and encouragement, to banning me from cheese and late night snacking, I slowly changed my outlook on the word "diet", replacing it with "lifestyle."

Josh was the most concerned about me taking cheese, especially string, out of my diet. David kept encouraging me, and when Ben arrived for the wedding he would make me walk to the LA Fitness Center, workout, then walk back. He and Cooper set me up with my lock and small backpack for this daily trek. However, since they've left, I do enjoy driving there, working out, then driving home :-)

My goals are now looking more long term with seeing lifestyle changes, and hopefully by Christmas I'll be where I want to be.  I have to take one day at a time, as they say - one foot in front of the other - and like the way I feel. And, the good news? I got into that red St. John knit suit for David's wedding!

Smores Bar at wedding reception (I did have one!)

Birth and Baptism

There are a number of posts running through my head right now - all worth sharing, writing down and remembering. And everyone filled with joy that comes from family and family activities. We left California a couple of weeks ago, headed up to be a part of the baptism of Kelli Jo who had just turned eight (8). After spending a few hours at the Vegas offices of Voyager, we headed to Hurricane, Utah (just a few hours from Vegas) to see our newest grand baby, Harrison Joshua Burgess, who was only one day old. 

There is nothing more precious than holding and smelling a brand new baby - fresh from heaven. There's such joyous feeling that sweeps over you as you cautiously snuggle that new baby, touch their soft skin, count their little fingers and toes, and just take in that bit of heaven that lingers with a newborn, remembering why we all came to this earth. There's a peace like no other with newborns. And it takes me back to the births of every one of my six babies. I loved that special time with each one of them in the hospital. That bonding time that only a mother knows and feels. Welcome to the world my precious little one, Harrison Joshua Burgess!

Harrison - only one day old.

Harrison was born June 28, the same day as Kelli Jo eight years earlier. Kelli Jo just turned eight (8) and that is an important time in our church. That is when we baptise our children members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So, not only were we heading up to be a part of Kelli Jo's baptism, but we were able to stop by and spend a few hours with Joshua, Ashleigh and their new baby boy Harrison Joshua.

Now it was time to continue along I-15, next stop...Orem, Utah to spend the 4th of July with Angela, Eddie and their family. Chris and his family came down to celebrate with us and we had a fun visit. With so many fireworks stands on every corner here in Utah, the neighborhoods were all aglow with firecrackers, sparklers, and various firework displays shooting off around us. In fact, where we were sitting there in Angela's driveway, with the girls all snuggly and giggling on blankets on the ground, we could look up, look over to the right and then to the left and see fireworks lighting up the sky from all directions. It was fun and kind of exciting. Anad although the turkey burgers were a bit dry and lacked ...taste... (missing here the real beef burgers of days gone by before my marathon Fit Farm visits,) the company was all that mattered and it was great fun being together.

June 30, 2012 Kelli Jo's Baptism Day

That brings me to the original reason for our treck to Utah ... the baptism. On June 30, 2012, Chris baptized his oldest girl, Kelli Jo.  What a beautiful day where such joy and emotion filled my soul being a part of this important event. To watch Chris baptize his daughter, to be a worthy priesthood holder, brought tears to my eyes, and tremendous joy and happiness. We want nothing more than happiness for all of our children, to see them reach their goals and dreams, to find worthy companions.  But most importantly, to live the gospel fully, honor their convenants made at baptism, raise their families in righteousness, and return again to our Father in Heaven's presence. "Families are Forever," and with every step we take, that dream becomes a reality.

FIT FARM

Here they are, all five of my fab kids, four married with kids and the last one, David, getting married in a few weeks. And, of course, I adore them. And I miss them everyday because they've all moved from California to Utah, Nevada and Pennsylvania. But, that's a whole other post where I bust out in an ole' 70's song, "All By Myself." But this post will be about the four handsome young men pictured who have teamed up to get mom fit for David's wedding. They even have some network, or something, where when I was in Costco here in Bountiful, Utah near Chris' home, I received first a call from Josh saying, "mom stay away from buying cheese." And at that exact moment a text came in from David saying, "mom, stick with the program Chris has you on. Get serious."

Ben, Cooper and Family (5) All Bike

Oh, forgot to mention, I'm at what I fondly refer to as the "Fit Farm" here at Chris and Lesa's beautiful home in Bountiful, Utah for nearly the entire month of July. My mission...to get in shape. That means exercising with Chris everyday on his extremely modified P90X (I'm doing just the P), and Lesa cooks the meals and plates it in the portion I'm allowed to have. I'm fully "armed and dangerous" with my new MACbook Pro (had to throw that in for Chris' sake), my new iPad (3), my cell phone, chargers for all, a small refrigerator in my room, a desk, cases of bottled water (including my fav...ICE from Costco), and to my knowledge, there is no string cheese in the house. And...I love it. 

Chris (my coach) does P90X

Here's my schedule. I get up early, answer biz email and update Facebook, Twitter, and Textmarks for my distributor team, do my call-backs to distributors, straighten up the room, drink my Atkins Vanilla shake with a handful of vitamins and my V3, then plug in my iPod to the treadmill. The music of choice is either Adele or Carrie Underwood, where I crank it up high and start walking. And I walk fast for 35 minutes. Once I'm "warmed up", as Chris puts it, he comes downstairs to his home gym where I'm toweling off the sweat, and says, "today we're working on your core." And then the fun begins.

Josh Runs and Plays Basketball

It's been one week (actually 6 days on my new Fit Farm program), and my blood sugars are doing great, I'm down 6 pounds, and my legs and arms are sore. You see, the only muscle left in my body is my jaw from singing, talking and training. Every other muscle has laid dormant for a number of years. Other than the occasional walk around the lake in Irvine, CA and a massage or visit to my chiropractor where they move my extremities, my muscles had seen no action. My first day with Chris (this past Monday) saw him trying to sneak a picture of me struggling through basic stretches with his cell phone, where I immediately put a stop to that. And the snickers he was trying to hide under his breath were answered with a few motherly GLARES. And my sweet son-in-law, Eddie, attempted to sell me on doing a fitness documentary - not! Come on now, I'm 61 years young, have had 6 children, 17 grandchildren (I know...I did nothing to get the grandbabies, but thought I'd add them in), and I love watching and cooking with the cooking channel. Ooops...another post all together. 

David and Sarah do Spin Classes and P90X

The bottom-line is that I love that my four boys have ganged up on me. I'm glad I'm here with my personal trainer (Chris), and I'm glad I'm on my way to a permanent lifestyle change. I needed this little push and I'm feeling much better, even if it has been just a week. Thank you kids...Ben, Chris, Josh and David! You

THAT'S MY DAD!

When the kids were younger and attending Primary, I decided to write a Father's Day song just for them to sing.  I really didn't like the usual songs that were sung year after year, and I had four in Primary at the time. It is still hand-written, and I'm determined to put it into a music writing computer program so that I can get it officially published. The LDS church actually sent me a request to do just that after recognizing it's submission for newly featured Primary songs last year. There are three versus that pretty much highlight the great attributes of being a DAD.

Ken holding his birthday cake made by Angela & her girls.

The lyrics include (1 of 3 verses):


"My dad is everything to me.
My dad leads our family.
He works hard all day then plays with me at night.
I can count on him
He's my guiding light."


(Chorus)
"Oh my dad.
My wonderful dad.
Oh my dad.
That's My Dad!"

Ken & grandson, Oliver, patiently watching his phone be played with.

  
                                                                                           I was excited to see that tomorrow, Sunday and Father's Day, my daughter is directing her Primary kids in this song.  I was there while they were rehearsing at her home in Orem, Utah, and smiled, took pictures, then reminised about my own children singing it.   I must recognize the fact that the last line of the chorus was suggested by Ken - "That's My Dad!" And it actually made the song more fun to sing.


I'm glad we celebrate various holidays that highlight those we love like Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentines Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgiving, and of course, Christmas.  It gives us pause and time to reflect on our blessings that come from those we love. 

Chris and Ava

Tomorrow is Father's Day and I miss my dad. He died right after Duke went to the finals when Chris was playing basketball there. I remember being at the ACC championship game in NC prior to all the NCAA activities, and as I was going into a restaurant with Ken and a couple of friends, having a very strong feeling that something was wrong with my dad. I turned to Ken and said, "I need to fly to Salt Lake and see my dad." And I'm so glad I immediately did that. When I arrived to see him, he looked up at me from his bed and smiled his usual crooked smile, but this time I felt him slowing fading. And I was so happy that I had been prompted to spend time with him before he passed quietly away a short time after my visit. He was such a great man - a loving man who loved classical music. My love of music came directly from him and his influence. He played the piano and cello, and listened to symphonies every day that I can remember growing up. It calmed him, he said. And his sensitivity kept a beautiful balance to our home growing up. I hope to be more like him as life continues to bring their usual challenges.

Ben and his three oldest children (2004)

Ken may like sugar way too much, and seems to always be gone lately with business in Vegas. But, one thing Ken is, and always has been, is a great father. He adores his kids and has been very involved in their lives as a personal basketball coach, guidance counselor, and friend. And I couldn't ask for a better dad. Throughout the 38 years of our marriage, I have been involved in endless amounts of musical productions, choir rehearsals and programs, and business travel. And he's been there 100%. He never misses choir (as long as I'm the director), and he encourages (and puts up with) every project I get compulsively involved with. I love him for that.

Ben's Biker-Buddies!

I'm also blessed beyond belief with five (5) fabulous children - four boys (now young men) - three (3) married who are also fantastic dads. Each one of them loves their role as husband and father, and takes it seriously. Starting from the top is my son, Ben who has five (5) children (and a wonderful wife, Cooper). Ben is an incredible role model for his children, and loving father. He goes out of his way to make memories for and with his children. From chopping down their own Christmas tree, competitively carving pumpkins, camping with his boys, to biking as a family, he is awesome - and his birthday even lands on Father's Day!

Ben chopping the family Christmas tree 2011

Angela's hubby, Eddie adores his five (5) girls, and is known on Facebook for his fun family video's. These video clips give glimpses of the love and tenderness he feels for each of his girls. One of the cutest video's I took on my cell phone last week, was with Eddie reading to Sutton (2). He smiled from ear to ear as she would repeat every word. Such visible and tangible joy and pride he has for all of their accomplishments, and he is incredible with his praise for each one of them. They will never doubt themselves because of his belief in their individual worth and potential.

Brooklyn, Jacquelynn, Madison, Joshlyn, Sutton & Eddie

Eddie and baby girl Sutton

Chris

Chris travels all over the world playing professional basketball, and has never sacrificed, or put off, having a family and being a great dad while pursuing his professional goals and dreams. (Lucky that he has a darling, supportive wife, Lesa, who handles the travel thing like a pro.) And as macho, teasing and corny as Chris can be at times, he has three (3) of the most feminine girls you can imagine who adore their dad. And adding his 9 month old boy, Beckham, to the mix, gives Chris someone tough to wrestle with in the future. His love for fun and perfection is evident in everything he does.

Chris and Beckham

Kelli Jo and Chris celebrating his "32" bday

Chris showing Ava how to wade in the river.

Siri and Joshua

Joshua adores his children. And it is no secret that he loves being a dad. He sets such a good example for them, and their constant, "I love you grandma," is a reflection of love that has been shown to them by Joshua. Joshua's ability to work full time, support his growing family 
(with beautiful wife, Ashleigh), and graduate from BYU this year makes us all proud and proves that when you have your priorities in check, you can do it all!

Joshua, Chamberlain and Ashleigh

What a blessing the father's in my life are, and have always been. I treasure each and every one of them, and I will never take their love and devotion for granted. From my own dad - my husband - to my sons, the world is a far better place because of them. They bring joy, laughter, support, guidance, sacrifice, commitment, integrity and honesty to the world, and especially to those lives they personally touch. They are loved and admired for all that they do. Happy Father's Day to each one of them. I love you. xo

Chamberlain and Joshua

From Proverbs we read, "I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is our life."

Baby Siri and Joshua

Cousins

There is nothing better than cousins. There's a closeness there that just doesn't happen with a best friend. Besides sharing dress-up clothes and paper dolls, the blood lines that connect us create a lasting bond that can not be broken. I had a similar relationship with my cousins Colleen Sorensen (now Chipman) and Rodney Clayville. Colleen still lives in Salt Lake City, married with children of her own, and Rodney in the Bountiful area, getting married again the 16th of this month. I have very fond memories of summer fun with both Rodney and Colleen. We swam most of the summers at our Aunt Afton's pool there in Bountiful, climbed trees in the cemetery (of all places), and seemed to never tire of each others company. To this day, we smile when remembering the fun times we've had, and are always excited to run into each other at a family function. 

What is Eddie and Angela doing in this picture of cousins?

At present, I have (16) sixteen grandchildren.  11 girls and 5 boys.  By September we'll add two (2) more boys to the mix. These beautiful grandkids all love each other and squeal with delight when they see each other. They are close enough in age that they pair off in age groups, i.e. Madison and Kelli Jo, Zoey and Jacquelynn, Brooklyn and Ava.  They had so much fun with each other this last visit (I got home late last night), that I had to snap a few pictures of them. The captions and smiles speak for themselves.  What fun. And...we missed Joshua and his family, and Ben and his family. But we look forward to the next time all (18) eighteen of them can be together in one location ... probably at the cabin, again in Utah~!

Ava, Brooklyn, Kelli Jo, Madison, Jacquelynn, Zoey, Sutton

Ice Cream Truck!

Lucky Chris' home is large enough to house the cousins!

Jacquelynn and Zoey

Beckham is wondering where more boy cousins are. (Pennsylvania perhaps?)

Good idea...keep them eating dinner outside on the deck, then hose it down.

Nothing better than a play room and lots of dress-up clothes to put on.

Jacquelynn and Zoey

Brooklyn and Ava (Jacquelynn get out of the picture)

Jessica

Jessica would be 28 years old right now had she lived. She would be tall, with long dark brown hair, big brown eyes and a smile and personality that would light up the room. She would be a singer, a great loving sister to her brothers and sister, and always an ideal daughter. And, she would probably be married with children right now. I miss her.

On Memorial Day Joshua and his family, along with Ken and I, went to Jessica's grave there in Newport Beach, California. There was a quiet reverence felt as we drove up to where she was buried. We took some beautiful pink flowers to lay across the top of her grave, and Ashleigh lovingly laid them across the top so that her name and epitaph were still visible to passers by. 


I'm glad we went this year, and that Josh and his family were with us. I don't often go to Jessica's grave because it has always made me very, very sad. And although we are extremely blessed to have the knowledge of the truth the gospel brings our lives, an eternal perspective, with knowing our family will all be together again, I still miss her every day, but especially around September 15th (her birthday), and on days we have visited her grave.  

Baby David, Jessic and Marva

Jessica had such a loving way about her. As a little 11-month old, she would run quickly around the house, always barefoot, giggling and smiling. She would come and lie her head on my knee there in my office and smile saying, 'momma." My comment to a visiting friend was, "if anything happened to her I would die." it was shortly after that that she near-drowned in our backyard pool. An accident that left her severely brain damaged, requiring full-time nursing. Her favorite nurse being Marva (pictured to the left.) 

She lived until she was four years old, then with those pleading eyes begging me to let her return home, I released her emotionally to Heavenly Father. It took me that long to let her go. The details are sort of blurred of those four years she lived and struggled physically, but I know that her presence today is still felt by all of her siblings. At her memorial our bishop said that she was a ministering angel, and I know that she watches over all of the children - Ben, Angela, Chris, Joshua and David. I have felt her presence in my life, and I love her. Thank you, David, for sharing these pictures with me. 


Wordsworth describes this life beautifully... 

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

Heaven lies about us in our infancy! ²

She Rode a Horse

Madison Villa

We are again in Utah juggling spending time with the kids, seeing my mom and conducting a bit of business. Time flies by way to quickly, especially with these visits. We finished up with mom's trust, then took her to shop for new kitchen counters at Lowe's. Ken loves that nitty gritty stuff with picking out marble, matching up patterns for back splashes, etc. I, on the other hand, really don't like doing that. I know what I like and don't like, but hate the process of looking and deciding. So, I turn that stuff over to Ken. We also were able to spend time with Chris, fresh home from somewhere near Bahrain. He's moved his wonderful family back into their beautiful Bountiful home, and it was great seeing (and hugging) his beautiful three girls and chunky monkey boy, Beckham. The girls and I prepared two types of salads, then waited patiently for Eddie to bring up his four beautiful girls. Chris' girls were so excited about seeing Angela and Eddie's girls (all close in age), that they kept having me call and text Eddie to see when he would be arriving. Of course, the squeals of pure delight rang thru the air as Eddie's car pulled up and all seven girls collided, hugged, and walked into the house with their arms wrapped around each other, chattering as fast as they could. It was fantastic. And it reminded me of my cousin Colleen when we were young.

Then today Ken and I drove down to Orem, Utah to spend time with Angela and her family. Angela had been on the road doing networking meetings, but had just arrived home. After we hit an Ihop for dinner (perfect place for little girls to order a fancy pancake decorated with whip cream and fruit), I took Madison shopping. She's 8, will be entering 4th grade in the fall, and has outgrown most of her clothing. And of all the girls, Madison loves to shop with grandma Burgess. And I love taking her shopping. 


With our Target bags in hand, as we hopped into the car Madison was so excited to tell me about riding a horse. "I rode a horse today, grandma!" Then she proceeded to tell me all about it. She was so excited about her horse riding experience, and couldn't wait to share the details with me. I smiled as I listened. Then tonight, after answering all of the biz emails, scheduling and posting meetings and training calls, I looked at a picture of Madison with her horse. It made me smile remembering how excited she was about it, and it took me back to my elementary and junior high days when my sister, brother and I would rent horses for $1 an hour at our cabin there in Pines Ranch.


What a beautiful time that was. And although horribly allergic to animals, I still loved learning to ride and riding those horses every summer. There was one man in particular, Brother Smith, a member of the Tab Choir, who died a long time ago, who had a cabin there in Pines Ranch up the road from us. He was always more than happy to not only saddle up the horses for us to ride, but on many occasions he would ride along with us. He loved taking us on trails we hadn't taken time to explore, and telling us names of the wild flowers along the path, and how the spring was blessed by a General Authority. I loved it. And, I will always treasure the times I had there on those trails with Brother Smith riding the horses, sneezing the entire time, and feeling saddle sore for a day or two after. It was great!


In the morning I will ask Madison more about her horse riding experience. I will take time to do that, and I will listen more closely. You see, it's just so easy to get caught up in daily life and business "stuff". Too many emails, text messaging, and event planning these past few years. It's time to stop, listen, and remember. And, of course, write down these experiences before they slip so far away that we forget the wonderful things we did as we grew up, and the people that added so much to our life. Thank you Madison for helping me stop and remember riding those horses. You made my day.