Aunt Marguerite Memories - Just a Couple

On Saturday, June 7th my dad called me to inform me that Aunt Marguerite had peacefully left this life for a reunion with many of her loved ones. It was a very bittersweet moment for I knew that her body had just worn out and she was finally the the lady I remember so fondly from my childhood, but also she wasn't accessible to me anymore.

Aunt Marguerite was such a spry lady, one who never missed an event in my life and who was so much more than a great-aunt to me. She was more like a grandparent. I vividly remember her attending Grandparent's Day when I was in elementary school, or flying all the way to Idaho to watch me graduate from Ricks. My Aunt Marguerite was a tremendous woman who along with my Aunt Ruth allowed me the opportunity to spend countless nights at their home all the while telling stories about their childhood and instilling in me a love for people I had never had the opportunity to meet, like their parents and grandparents, and good ole Mrs. Patrick who was her boss at Ayres in the fashion department.

I will sorely miss this wonderful lady who loved me like no one else and who was a tough old bird, and as she would say "fat and sassy" until the day that she returned to her parents' and siblings loving arms.

I am so thankful for my testimony that life continues after we leave this world and that I will be able to see her, and feel her loving arms surround me one more time.

I love you Aunt Marguerite and thank you for always being an intrical part of my life!

Precious Aunt Marguerite's Obit

Marguerite Ann (Myers) Burnsten, 94, passed away on early Saturday morning, June 7, 2008 at The Woodlands Health Care Center of Muncie following an extended illness.

She was born on August 14, 1913 in Indianapolis, the daughter of Robert John and Grace Fedricka (Steirberg) Myers.

Marguerite had attended the Shawnee Heights Baptist Church when she was able to attend. She will be remembered for her loving, giving, spirit and her wonderful back massaging and scratching. She will also be remembered as a fabulous cook, with a depression era sweet tooth. She never knew a stranger.

She is a 1932 graduate from Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. Among a host of things Marguerite has done in her life, she served as a Fashion Coordinator for L.S. Ayers Department Store. Most recently, she was an Executive Secretary for Kowebe Foods and Union Carbide Corporation.

Surviving are one niece, Donna (Husband Phillip) Mercer of Muncie; three nephews, David (Ex-wife Connie Shank) Myers of Muncie, Roger (Wife Joyce) Myers of Anderson, Kurt (Wife Debbie) Myers of Roswell, Georgia; two great nephews and six great nieces; seven great-great-nephews; and nine great-great-nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters; and one brother.

Cremation will take place with private family services to be held at a later date. The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory Washington Street Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

A Tie

For the first time in Sawyer's life he wore a tie to church. It was a tie that his Aunt Erica had given to him a long time ago but just now fit his neck. He wasn't really sure what to think of this shirt being button all the way to his neck and then having something hanging from his neck. I was certain he would be playing with it the entire time it was on but he actually left it alone.

When asked to model his tie he struck this pose......

Animal Field Trip

Emerson and Kameron Porter

On the very last day of preschool Emerson's class along with the other preschool classes went on the field trip. This time it was my turn to go since Pat had spent the night following preschool graduation. It was a little overcast and had rained the night before so the conditions weren't the best. Emerson and I headed out to Stapp's Farm to see some different animals.

When we arrived most of the other children were there. We were able to see bison, ostrich, turkeys, long horn cattle, a camel, a ram, and got to feed some koi. They had a baby bear but it wasn't old enough to be exposed to the public. I was a little glad about that because I had been told that you could go right up to the cage and that is just a little too close for comfort in my opinion.



Aside from all the mud we walked through it was a lot of fun. Emerson and I talked about how we would have to bring Sawyer and Jason back.

Thanks for the memories of our first field trip together, Priss!

The Graduate

Emerson has completed preschool and we attended her preschool graduation. She was so excited to get there that she kept reminding us that we need to get there early. We ended up with great seats since Jason and my dad went over early.



Sawyer listening intently


Emerson had memorized a nursery rhyme to recite and did very well. In fact, she even made the crowd laugh because when she paused during her nursery rhyme everyone thought she was finished so they began clapping. When she realized what was going on she stopped and laughed at the crowd. They then laughed with her.








She looked adorable and was so glad that Grandpa David had surprised her and was able to come. Honey and Grandma Pat were also able to make it. The rest of the family was sorely missed but thought of.






Way to go Priss!

Last Preschool Day

Preschool is now over and I have to admit that I am sadden a little. Priss has completed her preschool class and is now ready to move on to kindergarten. She had such wonderful teachers who took a great interest in her, and the others I am sure, and helped to prepare her to be successful in kindergarten in the fall. Priss loved going to school to see her teachers, Mrs. Greiwe and Mrs. Wellman, in fact, there were a couple of days this school year that she could have stayed at home but begged to go to school. I really hope that her determination and love of school continue on for several more years.


Emerson & Mrs. Wellman


Emerson & Mrs. Greiwe

Somethings her teachers said about her were: that she will be missed, that she had a great vocabulary and loved to be expressive in her speech, that she was a good student, that they would miss talking to her.

I had to get a picture of Emerson with both of her teachers to be a reminder in the years to come of the wonderful women who helped instill in her a love of learning.

Me & My Teddy Bear

Last night Emerson performed in her first dance recital and did a wonderful job.

About an hour or so before her performance she began to get dressed and made up. Cooper and Ainsley were here to watch her perform and they thought her hairdo was pretty funny looking. She wore one of those fake hair pieces so that it looked like she had a look of curly hair on top of her head. After hair was completed it was time to put her costume, tights and slippers on. When all of that was finished it was time for her favorite part....make-up. She wanted to wear eyelashes (mascara) even though she wasn't required to. Once we were all done getting ready she asked that everyone close their eyes so that she could make a grand entrance into the living room, allowing everyone to ooh and ahh!

Grandma and Grandpa Slopsema, the Ggs, Honey, John, Aunt Erica, Cooper & Ainsley all had come to support Emerson so all of us loaded the cars up to go meet up with Jason and Ed who went early to save seats. We all made it there and it was time for the show to begin.

Emerson did a great job in both of the numbers she was in. She loved being on stage for her numbers but didn't really enjoy having to stay in the band room while everyone else performed. In fact, a mother of another little girl in Emerson class came to get me during the performance because Emerson wanted to come and sit in the auditorium. At the very end of the performance all the dancer were to go back on stage and since we were unaware of this Emerson had already put her slippers on, and returned to the stage wearing her slippers. I thought it was adorable!

Prissy, we loved getting to watch you in your first dance recital and hope that there are many more in the future!

PS A few special people were unable to be there and we missed them...Grandpa David, Uncle Brian, Aunt Valeri, Uncle Morgan, Uncle Matt and Becks!

Mom Says I Can

I received a book this Mother's Day that sums up what I feel a mother is and what a mother gives to her children...it was about a little boy who was seeking the greatest treasure in the world and he searched high and low, but ended up finding the "greatest treasure" right in front of him...his mom. The book was entitled "Mom Says I Can", is this not what every mother strives to impress upon their children throughout their lives? Does a mother ever stop telling their child they can do whatever they set their minds too? I know without a shadow of a doubt that my mother to this day still believes that I can do whatever I set out to. Thank you, Mom for always seeing in me what I was unable to see on so many occasions. You have been, still are and forever will be my hero, role model and the person I have learned the most from.

When I think of the women who have shaped my life and have helped to make me the mother I am today I can't help but acknowledge my sisters. They allowed me to hone my mother skills on them throughout the years, enduring me as their second mother...a role I relish to this day. They are tremendous women who I love to be around and who I am unable to spend enough time with. I miss my Weedie and know that she will be an amazing mother when the opportunity comes. My Bon is already a fabulous mom and she will be missed greatly when the time comes for them to move. I love you two so much and thank you for allowing me to be your big sis!

As for Jason's mother, I admire the way that she loves me. She is a woman who has always treated me like her own daughter, and she even refers to me as her daughter. I love the way that she loves my father-in-law and so willingly gives service to those around her. She, too, has always told her boys that they can do whatever they set their minds to, and both have become wonderful men who love so deeply and willingly. I love the ways that she shows my children that they are adored in her eyes. I will forever be in her debt for allowing me the privilege of marrying her baby. Thanks Pat for all you do for my family and for loving me the way you do!



Happy Mother's Day - a day late!

Sleepover Date

Jason and Emerson planned a sleepover night where the two of them would drag the futon mattress out to the living room, watch a movie while partaking of popcorn and they would sleep all night out there. Right before Sawyer went to bed the two of them prepared the living room for the "sleepover date". After Sawyer was in bed, scriptures read and prayers said Jason and Emerson were ready for the "sleepover date" to begin. Emerson selected "Finding Nemo" as their sleepover date movie. I was allowed to hang out with them for a little bit, but both were ready for their time together to begin. I retired to my bedroom and worked on my blog book, and checked for random items on ebay.

Right before I went to bed I walked out to see the two of them sound asleep and snuggled up together. How sweet!

Splashing in the Puddles

The skies kept threatening rain and Priss being observant asked if later, when there were puddles, she could play in them. In a moment of weakness, I answered yes and her day was made.



After 2 hours of rain she put her rain boots on and grabbed herd Dora umbrella, and raced out into the sprinkling rain. She had so much fun running around and jumping in the puddles. A few minutes later, Swee woke up and wanted to join her. He didn't have rain boots so he just worn his snow boots. Swee also loved jumping in the puddles but he really loved holding the umbrella as he tried to climb up the ladder to the slide. He didn't make it and soon had ditched the umbrella so he could remove all the existing water off of the slide.



As I was watching the two of them completely enjoy their selves in the rain puddles I realized that moments like this are fleeting, and I need to take advantage of them more often.

As the country song says, "You're going to miss this, you're going to want this back, you're going to wish these days didn't go by so fast..." and I already feel that way about my children's childhoods.