The Burgess Family Blog

It's new year's eve once again.  Winter told me today that we should just say, "it's a new year" instead of "happy new year," so as not to jinx it.  By now, that seems to make sense!  The past few years have been not what we expected, in so many ways.  Between personal circumstances and global-wide events, it's been downright weird.  So what can I say about ringing in 2022?  Better just not say anything, except that we're thankful to have all our material needs met (and then some), and to have family and friends around us through whatever life brings. Some things I look forward to this year: Luke and I will celebrate 20 years of marriage Our oldest child will graduate high school Our youngest child will be 10! We will have lived in the same house for 10 years, and have spent 12 in Laramie  Tentative happy new year to you and yours! 

Yes, we went to a yurt again this Christmas.  Why?  why not?  It is a unique experience that I hope our kids will cherish-- a chance to unplug and be like the family we were years ago.  I'm not going to ramble on about it, just gonna share some photos.  In no particular order...   

Wow, I haven’t written on this blog in so long!  I’ve often thought about it, but somehow I just keep not writing.  We’re in a new stage of life with 3 teenagers in the house, so maybe I don’t blog as much because my life isn’t as simple and share-worthy these days.  But today is our 12 th “Laramiversary,” the anniversary of our move here to this little place known as “Laradise.”   This photo popped up to remind us how different our lives were 12 years ago. As I think on this special anniversary, I had the idea to use a familiar poem to help me write a Christmas letter, of sorts.  Here’s to Christmas in 2021— and what a long, strange trip it’s been . A Christmas Poem  Twas three nights before Christmas and all through the house All the creatures were stirring, except maybe the spouse The stockings were hung in the kitchen upstairs While the pellet stove downstairs needed repair The freezer broke too, adding fun to the season But it’s cold in ...

 Dear _____, 5 years ago this month I quit my job and started a new one, only to completely lose my bearings more than I ever have, even after 3 experiences with PPD.   4 years ago this month I nearly lost my marriage. What a mess I was! But I'm glad now that I got so depressed after working for you, cuz it helps me understand others who are depressed and even suicidal.  Yes my marriage was a mess at that time already, but your treatment of me was the match that lit the rest of my pile of stuff on fire. You'll notice that we were able to fix our marriage, but not make peace with you. That says something.  Anyway, I would never wish depression or suicidal ideation on anyone, but I am grateful to have come through that so I can now hopefully be more compassionate towards those suffering or their family members.  See, it's just not as simple as people want to think. Unless you've been there, I doubt you can understand. People don't "commit" suicide, or "...

 The title of this post is a song lyric that will make sense a little later. A few weeks ago, the kids and I traveled to Iowa with my mom, my sister and her family, and other cousins and family.  It was a lot of driving for a really fast weekend, but we made some great memories! The sunsets in Iowa are amazing, for one thing.  The weather cooperated so nicely for our time there, the kids were about ready to move there!  "What is this new color called GREEN?!"  It was beautiful. We stopped to play by the North Platte during our drive out When we were almost to our destination, we needed to stop and see the Ice Cream Capitol of the World in Le Mars, IA, where they make Wells Blue Bunny ice cream.  Yummy! And then it was on to the Tulip Festival in Orange City, IA We also did some family history tours in Sioux Center And we played at the campground where cousins were staying. (Silly teenagers) We caught a parade-- look at the wooden "klompen" on the marching b...