Brandon...go read this

Everyone would love to see this, but Brandon especially will enjoy. We love you!

(I just posted a ton to our blog to get caught up. I wish I could post videos, but even on this site the option seems to be disabled. I'll keep trying.)

The Oyster and the Grain

Hey Fam. Here is my Thanksgiving Day poem for this year. I ended up doing it as the final project for my 2D Animation class. The video here is just an "animatic" meaning that it is the storyboard with the actual timing. I am still working on the final version but I wanted to share it. Dad, I'm not trying to replace the official oyster poem but wanted to use the story to apply to gratitude even more. Emily and I love you all and are so grateful for you all.

Watch the video on YouTube

Here is also the most recent animated version

There was an oyster with a grain,

His gritted mouth had tasted pain.

A sanded victim of the sea,

Complained, complained did he.

The oyster oozed the victim's groan,

"The fault of all," he did bemoan,

"Hath poured upon me," yet come see,

Remained, remained did he.

The oyster stewed there in his shell,

But over time, the anger fell.

A gritted tongue epiphany,

Explained, explained did he.

"If I cannot remove the grain,

I must indeed improve the same.

For happiness is always free."

Proclaimed, proclaimed did he.

But oyster's time on waves before

Did roll along until the shore.

And oyster stewed but yet the grain

A pearl, a pearl became.

There was an oyster and a grain,

And every oyster just the same.

We are an oyster; let us be,

Grateful, gratefully.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I thought about saving this for Thanksgiving Day, but since I will be caught up in the day's preparation, I will do it now. Just click on the link and enjoy a wonderful message about being thankful.

I hope you each have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We carry on our tradition here at our home but miss the days of having our children with us. I hope the memories of Thanksgivings past bring warmth and joy to your hearts. I love you all. Enjoy the message!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Poem

Thought I would share a poem about Thanksgiving:

While on the way on the store yesterday,

We anticipated a delectable feast.

With hopes high, Thanksgiving nigh

And no impediment in the least.

We went to the shelf in the store by itself

To catch us a turkey main course.

But looking in the empty bin,

Our hunting hopes had scoped remorse.

"There's no Thanksgiving meal without turkey feel,

Of unfrozened fowl cut in sliver."

But in that shelf, I came to myself,

There's no Thanksgiving without the Giver.

The Giver of breath, the saver from death,

So bountifully blesses us here.

What portion to great at this thankful plate,

Can we give to him this year.

And this honey ham sow, so much sweeter now,

As though on alter lay.

Let us give Him, hearts full to brim,

To live in Thanksgiving each day.

the transfer of an inspirational mentor...

Dear Family,
I just learned of the shocking and tragic departure of one of my favorite BYU professors, Kay Mortensen. This is the text of the link (it wouldn't appear when I used the "link option"):
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705345273/Payson-slaying-victim-identified.html

Professor Mortensen is an important mentor in my educational development, and I could not proceed without taking the time to post the following commment on the website of the news story. I want to share it with all of you.
Love, Dad

"I, too, wish to add my condolences to all that knew and loved Kay Mortensen. I'm sure there were many other contributions of which I am unaware, but to me, he was a consummate professor. I very much enjoyed 'sitting at his feet' to learn about metallurgy, materials science, and machine design. Although that was over 30 years ago, I have vivid memories of his enthusiasm for learning, his competence on so many subjects, and his inspiring stories of real-life experiences. For his master's thesis, he accurately predicted the surface density of the moon, just before the astronauts landed there. After some practical experiments, he shut himself in a room for a couple days to work out the theory. "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection." I'm sure he will continue to teach and inspire others, on the other side of the veil. Until we meet again..."

Though I have been home from my visits to Chicago, Rochester, and Miami for a few weeks, I have not given up on sharing my experiences on the blog, particularly since I consider this a journal of sorts. Fortunately, I wrote many of them down in emails to the sisters in my ward as a way for a Relief Society president to stay connected while away for so long. Rather than try to edit those emails, I think I will just share my thoughts as I wrote them at that time...

OCTOBER 18, 2009
"Dear Sisters, I am thinking about you tonight and wanting to share with you some of my experiences and feelings from this sabbath day. I am currently in Rochester, NY visiting my son Doug and his wife Emily. Doug recently moved here to go to graduate school, which is fun since Doug was born in Rochester. This was our first location after Blaine graduated from college and we were here 4 1/2 years. I was 23 and Blaine 25. Our first baby was just 6 weeks old and I had only been a member of the church for a few years. We bought a home in the country and then learned we were part of a small branch in Lyons, NY - just east of Palmyra where the church had its beginnings. The branch met in a Masonic Lodge and Blaine was the only person who had been born in the church. They were real growing years for us both as I served in Relief Society and Young Womens and Blaine as Elders Quorum President. Anyway, today we attended church there. Now it is a ward with a wonderful church building of their own. And 30 years later, many of them are still here, living in the same home and serving each other faithfully. I can't adequately describe how wonderful it was to reconnect with these dear people. It reminds me of the story in the Book of Mormon when Alma and the sons of Mosiah meet up after serving their mission to the Lamanites...

Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

It made me think of what it will be like passing to the next life and being greeted by loved ones and dear friends. Yes, we will "rejoice exceedingly"!

After church, Doug and Emily and I drove out to the Peter Whitmer farm where the Book of Mormon was completed the and church was organized. Then we went to the Grandin Building where the Book of Mormon was published. Yesterday we had gone to the Hill Cumorah and to the Joseph Smith farm and to the Sacred Grove. At each of these places we were met by sister missionaries and given the "tour". What powerful witnesses we received that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet! I am so grateful for my personal testimony of that.. it makes all the difference.

I leave Tuesday to go to Miami to be with my parents for 8 days. My mom just had her gall bladder out and is having some challenges recovering so I am hoping to be a big help there. So forget the picture of me sunning out by the pool in 80+ degree weather! Well, maybe I will get to do that just a little..."

OCTOBER 25, 2009
"Hello from Miami where it is still hot and humid, but beautiful nonetheless. I have been here since Tuesday and have spent the majority of every day at the hospital since. I mentioned in my email last Sunday night that my mom had had her gall bladder removed and was having complications. She is still dealing with the effects of that. We hope she will be released from the hospital by the middle of this week and put into a rehabilitation center for a short time until she can function at home. When I scheduled this trip in July, I had no idea how much I would be needed here. A tender mercy indeed.

I wanted to share another tender mercy that happened last Monday when I was still in Rochester, NY with my son Doug and his wife Emily. I shared with you how on Saturday and Sunday we had visited all of the church sites, but I didn't share that I was just a little disappointed in my visit to the Sacred Grove. Prior to going to NY, this was the site I was most anxious to return to after almost 30 years away. I pictured walking in the grove on a picture perfect fall day, with the beautiful fall leaves, the bees humming, the sweet birds singing, you know, like the song, "Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning" (only it was spring when Joseph went to the woods to pray!). I forgot the reality of the weather in western NY. Still, we were fortunate on Saturday that the rain held off until we were out of the grove, but there were several people around, including some children who were taking advantage of the chance to run around and play. In other words, it wasn't the perfect setting that I had pictured and I was just a little disappointed.

However, on Monday Doug cleared his schedule long enough that we could attend the Palmyra Temple in the morning. We woke up to a beautiful day - crisp, but not cold - and sunny. We got out of the temple (which has a window in it that overlooks the Sacred Grove) in time to walk through the grove one last time. This time we were all alone. It was so quiet we could here the leaves falling. Suddenly, it came to me - this was it. This was exactly what I had pictured. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and recognized what a gift I had been given... a tender mercy which has helped me be strong for the challenge in Miami. Oh, how the Lord knows our hearts and seeks for ways to communicate to us He is there. How important it is we recognize those moments and let them bring us peace and comfort in a world full of trouble.

Today I attended church with my Dad. The minister gave a sermon about Reformation Sunday, celebrated this time of year to remember Martin Luther beginning the Protestant movement. As I sat listening, my thoughts returned to the Sacred Grove, to Joseph Smith's home where Moroni first appeared to him, to the Hill Cumorah where he was led to the plates, to the Peter Whitmer farm where much of the translation took place, and to the Grandin building where the Book of Mormon was published. Yes, I am grateful for Martin Luther and the other reformers because those reforms made RESTORATION possible. We do not have to live with just part of the truth - we have the fullness of the gospel! My testimony was strengthened and my gratitude deepened."

Though it has been 2 weeks since my return, I find myself reflecting on the events during that trip and feeling deep gratitude for each of them... beginning with special moments with Rebekah, James, Nikki and Jason, spiritual times experienced with Doug and Emily, and the miracle of being with my mom and dad in their hour of need. I have felt my Heavenly Father's love in them all and am grateful to know He lives and loves each of us.

HELP!

Russ and I are having a little trouble coming up with a name for the baby. So, we thought we'd request a little family input. Please cast your vote for one of the following names:

1. Nailey Burnett (Kaylee's choice of the day)

2. Lulu Burnett (Ashlyn's permanent pick)

3. Carol Burnett

4. Burnice Burnett (Dad's pick)

5. Other (please specify)

Thanks for your help!

The Difference Between Men and Women by Dave Barry

Today Ashley and I were discussing different communication styles. It didn't take me long to ask, "Have you read Dave Barry's article on the difference between men and women?" When she replied no, I quickly found it and read it to her. I remembered I had never put it on the blog, so here it is. I think those who have been married a loooong time may find it funnier than that other group!

Let's say a guy named Fred is attracted to a woman named Martha. He asks her out to a movie; she accepts; they have a pretty good time. A few nights later he asks her out to dinner, and again they enjoy themselves. They continue to see each other regularly, and after a while neither one of them is seeing anybody else.

And then, one evening when they're driving home, a thought occurs to Martha, and, without really thinking, she says it aloud: "Do you realize that, as of tonight, we've been seeing each other for exactly six months?"

And then, there is silence in the car.

To Martha, it seems like a very loud silence. She thinks to herself: I wonder if it bothers him that I said that. Maybe he's been feeling confined by our relationship; maybe he thinks I'm trying to push him into some kind of obligation that he doesn't want, or isn't sure of.

And Fred is thinking: Gosh. Six months.

And Martha is thinking: But, hey, I'm not so sure I want this kind of relationship either. Sometimes I wish I had a little more space, so I'd have time to think about whether I really want us to keep going the way we are, moving steadily towards, I mean, where are we going? Are we just going to keep seeing each other at this level of intimacy? Are we heading toward marriage? Toward children? Toward a lifetime together? Am I ready for that level of commitment? Do I really even know this person?

And Fred is thinking: ...so that means it was...let's see...February when we started going out, which was right after I had the car at the dealer's, which means...lemme check the odometer...Whoa! I am way overdue for an oil change here.

And Martha is thinking: He's upset. I can see it on his face. Maybe I'm reading this completely wrong. Maybe he wants more from our relationship, more intimacy, more commitment; maybe he has sensed - even before I sensed it - that I was feeling some reservations. Yes, I bet that's it. That's why he's so reluctant to say anything about his own feelings. He's afraid of being rejected.

And Fred is thinking: And I'm gonna have them look at the transmission again. I don't care what those morons say, it's still not shifting right. And they better not try to blame it on the cold weather this time. What cold weather? It's 87 degrees out, and this thing is shifting like a garbage truck, and I paid those incompetent thieves $600.

And Martha is thinking: He's angry. And I don't blame him. I'd be angry, too. I feel so guilty, putting him through this, but I can't help the way I feel. I'm just not sure.

And Fred is thinking: They'll probably say it's only a 90-day warranty...scumballs.

And Martha is thinking: Maybe I'm just too idealistic, waiting for a knight to come riding up on his white horse, when I'm sitting right next to a perfectly good person, a person I enjoy being with, a person I truly do care about, a person who seems to truly care about me. A person who is in pain because of my self-centered, schoolgirl romantic fantasy.

And Fred is thinking: Warranty? They want a warranty? I'll give them a warranty. I'll take their warranty and stick it right up their...

"Fred," Martha says aloud.

"What?" says Fred, startled.

"Please don't torture yourself like this," she says, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. "Maybe I should never have...oh dear, I feel so..."(She breaks down, sobbing.)

"What?" says Fred.

"I'm such a fool," Martha sobs. "I mean, I know there's no knight. I really know that. It's silly. There's no knight, and there's no horse."

"There's no horse?" says Fred.

"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" Martha says.

"No!" says Fred, glad to finally know the correct answer.

"It's just that...it's that I...I need some time," Martha says.

(There is a 15-second pause while Fred, thinking as fast as he can, tries to come up with a safe response. Finally he comes up with one that he thinks might work.)

"Yes," he says. (Martha, deeply moved, touches his hand.)

"Oh, Fred, do you really feel that way?" she says.

"What way?" says Fred.

"That way about time," says Martha.

"Oh," says Fred. "Yes." (Martha turns to face him and gazes deeply into his eyes, causing him to become very nervous about what she might say next, especially if it involves a horse. At last she speaks.)

"Thank you, Fred," she says.

"Thank you," says Fred.

Then he takes her home, and she lies on her bed, a conflicted, tortured soul, and weeps until dawn, whereas when Fred gets back to his place, he opens a bag of Doritos, turns on the TV, and immediately becomes deeply involved in a rerun of a college basketball game between two South Dakota junior colleges that he has never heard of. A tiny voice in the far recesses of his mind tells him that something major was going on back there in the car, but he is pretty sure there is no way he would ever understand what, and so he figures it's better if he doesn't think about it.

The next day Martha will call her closest friend, or perhaps two of them, and they will talk about this situation for six straight hours. In painstaking detail, they will analyze everything she said and everything he said, going over it time and time again, exploring every word, expression, and gesture for nuances of meaning, considering every possible ramification.

They will continue to discuss this subject, off and on, for weeks, maybe months, never reaching any definite conclusions, but never getting bored with it either.

Meanwhile, Fred, while playing racquetball one day with a mutual friend of his and Martha's, will pause just before serving, frown, and say: "Norm, did Martha ever own a horse?"

And that's the difference between men and women.

First Look

Last week I went in for a follow-up ultrasound (I'm a little higher risk because of my thyroid condition), and at the end they showed me a 3-D image of the baby. Ultrasounds already amaze me, but the fact that they can show me in 3-D what an unborn baby looks like is incredible. So, here she is . . .

You can see her little hand up by her face, palm out, with the thumb on the end and the fingers curled down. We're excited to meet her in person in a few months!

Happy Birthday, DOUG!

Along with bringing our birthday greetings, this should also demonstrate how much we've enjoyed the birthday post you created for our Dad. :)