Happy New Year!

No one has posted to this blog in almost a year. I hope everyone has had a wonderful 2010. The weekend of July 4th, we celebrated Dad's 80th birthday and Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary. We took this picture at the reception. It was so much fun having so many of us there together. All the kids were there and almost all the grandchildren. We realized again how much we love being together and wondered why we wait so long to do it. Kelley and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with a cruise to the eastern Carribean. We also made time to go camping in Chama, New Mexico. We even rode the train! I am still teaching Kindergarten, and I love it most of the time. Kelley is retired and has his own painting business going. All our kids came home for Christmas this year. We had 8 adults and 7 children here. It was so much fun. We had "camp out" with Memaw and Papa in the camper Thursday night. I think we may have started a tradition. We ended this year together being thankful for family and the love we share. We are so thankful for the faith that binds us all together. Looking forward to hearing from some of you soon. Hope we get to see you before too long. Wishing you all a happy 2011! Kelley and Karen

Here's a picture of me with my 3 girls. L-R: Deondra, Devonne, Dorena, Nona.

Taken on Christmas day.

Hope everyone is doing well and having a good start to the New Year.

Love to all.

Nona

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a healthy, blessed 2010, and I hope we can stay connected. Family is one of God's gifts, and I am so thankful for each of you. Stay in touch. Have a wonderful 2010. (Can you believe it is really 2010?) Love, Karen and Kelley

Merry Christmas! It's been a busy time for us as I'm sure it has been for all of you. We all met at Korey's house for Thanksgiving this year. We had 8 adults and 7 children-6 and under. It was so much fun to be together. It reminded me of when we all met at Mom's with all our kids when they were little. That was before Janet had kids, and we still had 8 adults and 7 or 8 kids! We had Christmas with Kayci and Keith's families as well. We plan to go back to Korey and Amy's for Christmas. Mom and Dad are going too. It should be a little calmer this time. Praise God for healthy, active. loving families! We are so blessed! Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas! Love, karen

We wish a precious Christmas and a richly blessed 2010 to all the "Burr Connection." Our Christmas photo with grandkids: Eli (almost 2), Dylan (6-1/2), and John David (8 months).

We love you all,

Paula and Dave

I say...Thanks to God from whom all blessings continue to flow...Patriece, I have been praying for your healing and trusting.......didn't realize I hadn't seen the blog for over a month....checked in this morning......Bless your heart!
From the beginning I didn't know any words in prayer for you because I knew you were in His will and that He was caring for you better than we could think to ask, so I just kept lifting you up.
I'm sure your sweet mother and daddy feel more blessed than any of us in your good news.

I saw Daddy last weekend, he is much better. He and Poncho had a good day at the ranch, he looks so much better.

Thanks to you who keep up with the blog....for Christmas I would like Monte to participate!!!
And I mean it.....you too, Suzi.

Update from Patriece

Here's an update from Patriece that she wrote to us this morning and said we could share:

I went to Dr. Block (medical, not naturapathic) in Tulsa yesterday. He was very pleased with how well I am doing. To have decreased my pain meds, to look good, and to be in almost no pain is miraculous and certainly not the norm. He praised the Lord, and so did we!! My chest x-rays showed improvement also and he said, "I believe the Lord is healing you." That is awesome to hear a doctor say that. He is working to adjust my supplements when he gets the blood report back. He also adjusted the hormone cream. :) The older chiropractor who was instrumental in getting my CT scan and was the first person to give me that particular report thought it was reasonable to think that I would not be around by this time of the year (3 months). Needless to say, last evening I went on a praise walk north of the house, but I find that words or "a million angels cannot express my gratitude" to Jesus. The doc said he was praying and knew others were, too. I said "yes!" That would be YOU!----Thanks for your prayers!!!--We all know this is "OUR God in whom we trust", doing this! It was nice (very unusual) when a doctor recognized that fact also.
Pray for Olivia (Trevor's 13-month-old). She has the swine flu. Diagnosed yesterday.

We are rejoicing in this encouraging news and trusting God completely!

Praise for Recovery

Daddy is doing well and finally getting back to normal. His energey level isn't back to normal, but we are confident it will. He has been blessed to hear from a lot of family and dear friends during the past two months.

Courtney's daughter, Frankie Jane (4), spent a couple of nights in the hospital with a high fever. It was scary at first. They determined she had a bacterial respiratory infection. She was able to
go home today.

We are very thankful for answered prayers.

Dad leaving the hospital

Dad gets to leave the hospital today. He has been there since September 29. We are so glad he received the needed help. He was dehydrated, anemic (due to bleeding ulcers), and had a urinary infection. He would have gone home sooner, but he had a reaction to antibiotic. The doctor feels good about his condition and he is supposed to see the primary physician next week.

Praise God he is on the road to feeling better. Thanks for all your prayers.

Here is an update about Patriece. She has suffered quite a bit the last 2-3 weeks. She has been to the MD, and he upped her pain medication dosage from 7 to 10 (Lortab). This is a substantial pain medication. She can walk outside, etc., but has to lay down quite a bit when the pain is significant. I think she had a couple of "better" days this week. As you may know, it seems the cancer has spread to her lungs, collar bone, and breast bone. She suffers from "effusion" which is like pleurisy around the lungs. This can be quite painful. Some people have the liquid drained, but sometimes it goes away on its own. Evidentally, hers went away for a period of time because she felt so much better for a few weeks. It's a roller coaster.

She continues to eat well and get good nourishment along with her holistic, natural program. The pulmonary specialist advised to do nothing "invasive" at the time he saw her some weeks ago. Thanks for all your prayers for her small body's relief. You're all a great support!

Paula

Gail's New Grandson

Gail's daughter Katy delivered a baby boy yesterday. His name is Coulter Allen Taylor. He gave them a scare when he was born with the cord around his neck. He was quickly bagged and soon very alert. They are praising God for this blessing. I'm sure Gail will be posting pictures soon.

Dad's surgery

For those who didn't know, Dad had knee replacement surgery Monday. His doctor says the surgery went really well, and his knee should be great. They moved him to the rehab hospital so he can receive more supervised Physical Therapy. He could be released Tuesday or Wednesday. He is in good health and healing well. Poncho, Gail and Janet were here for the surgery. Janet stayed until yesterday, and Kelley and I came last night. We will stay until Monday afternoon and go home. Poncho may come up until Dad gets home. He is doing well, but we want someone to be with him at night, and Mom can't do it all. She has come down with a cold. Kelley and I were in Memphis with Kayci for a week after Noah was born. We got home last Sunday afternoon. I missed the first week of school for the first time in 25 years, but it was worth it! I have been playing catch-up all week long. Kelley is painting. We left for Amarillo right after school Friday. Thanks for all the prayers for Dad and Mom during the surgery and now the recovery. It's a big surgery, and it's going to be a gradual recovery. Pray for patience, guidance, and healing during this time. More later. Karen

Karen, what a bee-uuu-ti-ful new grandbaby! Congratulations!

Paula

Introducing Noah Ross

This is our newest grandchild. Kayci's son, Truitt James Ross.

Born on August 21st

11:39 am

21.5 in
7 lbs. 15 oz

We are in Memphis, TN getting acquainted.

God is good...all the time.

-Karen

Kevin & Nona

Yesterday KC Wolf (the Chiefs mascot) shared his testimony at our church. He is a vibrant Christian and also a lot of fun. We've been having a good summer--beautiful weather here in KC. Kevin & I are getting ready to take a trip to Ohio & Indiana to see Kevin's family. He's also very busy getting some of his wood art ready for a couple of art shows in Sept & Oct. Love to hear everybody's news!

Great to hear about Joe's wedding. My folks were here in the Springs on his 82nd birthday (Aug. 16). It was great to celebrate here. They're in Rocky Ford now.

Update on Patriece: She is feeling much better. Getting more rest. Sleeping at night. Not coughing. Not having to take as much pain medication. She's in high spirits. God is so near! All praises to God! Keep praying---thanks!

Wedding in Amarillo

Joe and Sarah's wedding was great! Frankie Jane and Collin kept us entertained during the ceremony. Neither one could stand still. Frankie was talking to herself and Collin was trying to stand on his head while swinging the ring pillow. Joe and Sarah were still the main focus. We had a great time at the dinner. White tables, with tablecloths and candles were in a beautiful courtyard of mexican style shops. The buffet was mexcian food. The bride's cake was strawberry and the groom's chocolate. Joe's table had bubble gum cigars for the kids. The little ones had huge wads of bubble gum inside their cheeks. It was difficult to understand anything they said. It was a hit. My James blew the largest bubble, which I captured on my digital camera. The bride and groom had the first dance, followed by the bride and her father. Very sweet! It was a great time of music, dancing and visiting with family. We enjoyed being around Jane and her new husband, Jason (alias, Pampa). Love was definitely in the air. I loved getting pictures of my great neices and nephews. They grow so quickly. I can't wait to meet the Katy and Kayci's new ones when they bless this world with their arrival. I hope to post a few pictures in a few days. God's blessings on everyone.
Love,
Janet

Back to school

I've been busy getting my room ready to start school. We start Staff Development Aug. 13th. Students come Aug. 24th. The trick is that Kayci is due Aug. 26th. I'm trying to get everythiing ready so I can leave it in good working order when I get the call. This is grandchild #7--Noah James Ross. I'll post a picture as soon as I get one. Hope everyone has had a good summer. I would love to read about some of your fun times. Love, Karen

Family Fun

This is a picture of our family at Marshal Pass on July 4th. Bonita sent it to me so I decided to put it on the blog. We sure had a wonderful time together. Karen

Home Again

We just got home after spending 10 days in Colorado. We spent a few days with Richard and Janet while Kelley and Richard had some "projects" to do. They made a wok out of a plow disc for us to use with our camp stove. They also fixed our hitch for the back of our camper so we could carry our generator with us to camp. We camped at Marshall Pass for 5 days. Rod and Bonita joined us for4 days. We had a wonderful time exploring the mountains on 4 wheelers, visiting, playing games and eating the best food anywhere. Bonita has pictures of our family group up there. (Rod, Bonita, Richard, Janet, Deb, Jake, Laney, Brandon, Tripp, Kelley and I) Maybe she'll post them soon. We spent another 3 days in Rocky Ford while Kelley and Richard made a top for the wok, and Kelley used his new sprayer to paint Richard's feeders and other farm equipment. It looks almost new in John Deere Green. Janet and I got a lot of visiting done, and we all played Mexican Train almost every night. Janet, Kelley and I played until late most nights. This trip is the highlight of our summer vacations. We really appreciate Richard and Janet introducing us to the camping experience. We always have such a wonderful time. It's good to be home again. We have Keith's family coming Saturday, and they will be here 2 weeks. We will take them camping in New Mexico for a few days, too. Hope you all are having a relaxing and funfilled summer, too. Love, Karen