Days of Change

We received sad news on August 8, 2010. The passing of Grandpa Burt.
He was 90 years old. It was sad to say goodbye, but I am happy for him to be able to see Grandma again, and his siblings, parents, etc. What a reunion that must have been. How grateful I am that I was able to spend time with him this summer and have a good relationship with him. How I miss you Gpa (Bfar)!!! You are such an inspiration to me and my family. You brought so much laughter and good times to all occasions! :-)
We will miss your one-liners such as "It was a good chest till it fell", "I need to go drain my radiator", and much, much more.
I was so grateful for the week you came and spent with our family after the passing of Grandma(Bmor). It was such a joy to have you in our home, and be able to play dominoes and cards with you. Thank you Grandpa for being the wonderful person you always were!
I LOVE YOU FOREVER!! :-)
We sent grandpa off with a 21 gun salute of: Silly String. We had the great grandchildren lined up to send him off in style at the cemetery. We know he was probably laughing about that from in heaven. :-)


This was his obituary:
There were smiles in heaven and tears on earth when our kind, gentle, and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away surrounded by loving family and friends on August 8, 2010.

Glenn Wayne Burt, was born October 26, 1919, in Goldthwaite, Texas to William Tyson and Edna Belle Faust Burt. January 12, 1941, he married Esther Christiansen in Yuma, Arizona. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 10, 1991. Pete and Esther solemnized their marriage in the LDS temple on December 27, 1993.

Pete was a retired member of the Plumber and Steamfitters Union Local 19.

Pete brought lots of laughter wherever he went. He loved his family and cherished the time spent with them. He will forever be remembered for his famous one liners! His generosity and his unconditional love and acceptance of everyone is how he lived his life. He taught by example the importance of honesty, integrity, and keeping your word.

He is survived by his five children Linda (Lynn) Weight, Marilyn (Leonard) Holmquist, Chris Lillie, Rosanne (Ray) Christensen, and Bill (Rhonda) Burt. Pete and Esther were blessed with 18 grandchildren and 33 1/2 great grandchildren and a great-great grandchild on the way! He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, his three brothers, four sisters, his daughter Patricia, and his grandson, Justin Holmquist.

We want to acknowledge our appreciation for the loving care, support, and friendship given to our Dad by Bob and Loretta Stearley and Mark Christiansen. Also to Chris Lillie, for her constant care, love, and unwavering service to our dad. A sincere thanks to Vista Care Hospice, especially Cliphane and Walter.

A viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and also on Friday morning from 9:30am to 10:40am prior to services. A celebration of Pete’s life will be held on Friday August 13th at 11:00am at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East. Interment: Redwood Memorial Estates. Online memories and tributes can be sent to the family at: www.holbrookmortuary.com

Something to talk about.

Here it is another long time since I have written anything on my blog. Time is flying by and I am sitting watching it go by.

Many things have come and gone and I can't recall them all, so I will just begin with today.

Jalani is still playing soccer with the Wenatchee Fire U-11 girls team. So far this season, they are undefeated. :-) GO FIRE!! She is contemplating quitting soccer for the time being. I think she is having burn out. She has been playing soccer since she was 4 yrs. old. I think she is ready for a change. But she does such an amazing job, it is sad to think she wants to give it up. People on her team and parents have asked me if it is true that she is quitting. I say yes, and they say something like ...You can't let her quit, and then I say we are encouraging her but it is her decision. Tryouts are on May 21 and May 23, she would only be able to tryout the one day as the second day is Sunday. She is doing really well in school. She is an amazing artist. She loves life.


Jolyn is still in the high school marching band, and they are preparing for parade season. The Apple blossom Parade here in Wenatchee will start them off. She was doing track and then had some knee issues and shin splints which we were working to help her with.,(taking her to physical therapy and chiropractor) .but she decided to quit. (we wish she would have stayed) She is doing great in school.(A's & B's)
She is going to quit band for next year and concentrate on sports. Hope she enjoys that. She loves to text her friends, and has an amazing amount of texts each month. (we were a little concerned when our first mobile bill came in a box.) lol ;-) We are proud of her and her accomplishments, she even made the Honor Roll last semester. Good job, Jolyn!!



Jeff is still working at Children's Home Society. He seems to enjoy that job. We are grateful he has employment and is doing well at it. The biggest news for Jeff is that he only has 2 more quarters of school to get his Master's Degree. He has been going to school since 2007. It has been a long hard haul and we will be happy to see it end. He is doing amazing with his grades. I believe he currently holds a 3.82 gpa. woohoo!! We are proud of him. Go Jeff!!
He recently was given a new assignment at church, he was released as ward clerk and given the job of executive secretary. He is in the ward choir, and can't wait till he is done with school so he can sing with one of the community choirs again. He misses that.

I am still being a stay at home Mom, but have worked some temporary jobs for a company called JTEC, along with my substituting at times. I am still the RS secretary and for the most part enjoy that. I am thankful for my husband and children and their love and support. They are amazing!!
I love my parents, and siblings and am ever grateful that we have a great relationship among each other. They are something I could never live without! Blessed am I for having such an amazing family!!

My brother Layne, his wife Jayme, and their sons Payce & Tayo are coming in one week to visit. I am way excited by this. I look forward to our time together. THey will get to experience a small amount of the Apple Blossom Festival. for those who don't know about this festival, you may see more about it on www.appleblossom.org

Halloween and Bestefar's 90th bday!!

We just returned from a very quick trip to Utah to be with my family for Halloween and Bestefar's 90th Birthday open house. It was so fun to see all of my siblings and their families. We were able to assist my sister, Lynette, in arriving as she had a last minute issue with her vehicle. It worked out great as we have to pass through Boise on our way. We were making the trip with only my brothers knowledge that we were coming, until Friday morning when I called Lynette to see if she wanted to meet up for lunch. She was surprised. Anyhow, we are grateful that she was able to ride with us, and have that time with her.



WE went to Mom & Dad's and had Friday night, Sat., and Sunday with the family.
Halloween day we shopped for pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, carved pumpkins together, had pizza, decorated cookies, the kids went trick or treating together, and had a great time.








Sunday we went to church with Mom & Dad, and then that afternoon to Bestefar's Birthday Open House. He turned 90 years old on Oct. 26, 2009. I am so happy that he is doing well, and is such a joy to be with. I love you Bestefar!!


It was a fun trip, until on the way home when we had a child puking in a plastic pumpkin ..... :-( Poor Jolyn!! She was a trooper!!
We lined the pumpkin with plastic bags.......I know TMI!! (too much information)
Sorry about that!!
Anyhow, it was great to spend time with family and friends. See cousins I haven't seen in awhile. Thanks to all who put time and effort into Bfar's party!! It was great!!

Life here in Wenatchee

Well, it has been forever and a day since writing on my blog. I seem to forget it is here, and not take time to jot down some thoughts.
Our life has been busy since school started with band for Jolyn and soccer for Jalani.
They each have something going on each weekend and I will be really glad when Nov. 7th is over and we can have our weekends back.
Jolyn has been having band competitions and Lani soccer games each Sat. They are of course in different places, so we can't attend both. I feel guilty that we have not gone to a band competition for Jolyn. She rides the bus with the band to and from each one. She seems to really be enjoying it at this point and is talking of being in band next year. :-) Below is a link of the band's performance in Kennewick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7jqxtynqck

Jalani is enjoying playing goalkeeper most of the time. She is enjoying the soccer season, I think. She has 4 more games to go. This weekend we travel to Spokane for 2 games, then one on Halloween here in Wenatchee, and then on Nov. 7th in the Tri-cities. Then we are done for Fall. I am not sure what winter brings, except maybe practicing indoors. Not sure if they have games.

Jeff is back in school, and has a really difficult quarter, but is surviving. He is swamped with paperwork at work, and feels extremely overwhelmed. Pray he survives it all. I am very proud of him and his sacrifices he makes for this family. I love him and am grateful for his dedication to all he does.

I am busy with life....mainly taxi mom to take everyone to their various places.
I haven't subbed this month, but did a bit back in Sept. Hopefully will get some more opportunities to do that.
I guess that is everything for now.

Dryer and more

Our dryer, a few weeks back, quit drying. It would run through the cycle, but leave everything wet instead of drying it. It sucked!!
This past Sat. 9/12/09, our friend & HT (Kris Dahlquist), came over and fixed it for us. He and Jeff had to go and buy a new heating element, but now it works. YEAH!!
No more trips to dry clothes at the laundry mat, what a pain that was!
I am so excited.


Also, on Sat., Jalani & her soccer team had their first official season soccer game.
They played a team from the Tri-cities. They beat us 3-1. Jalani was keeper for the first half of the game, and was injured during that time.
She came out to get a ball approaching the goal, and the opposing team member barreled into her. She and this girl, and a girl from her team were all in a pile. (If I get pictures from a mom on the team, I will add them). When all was said and done, she was up but holding her right upper arm, and crying. I knew she was hurting if she was crying, cause she doesn't cry unless she is really hurting bad!! :-(
I was thinking she dislocated her shoulder or broke an arm................fortunately, she came out of it with minor injuries. She is still hurting today, and has the start of a lovely bruise, but she will survive!!
Glad for that!!
Jolyn played with their band (golden apple band) for the football game on friday night, she seemed to enjoy that. I hope she continues to enjoy the rest of this year with band. Then if she wants to quit, fine with me!! :-)

Jeff is preparing to start school on the 28th of Sept., this will be his last year. I can't believe it. I thought we would never get this far. It has been hard for him, but he is doing amazingly well. He currently holds a 3.83 GPA overall. I am very proud of him for this, and for sticking with it through all the tough times. He is awesome!! I love you, Jeff!!

I am prepared to sub as much as possible this year, to help with financing Jolyn's braces, among other things.
I have had one job already, and another this week.
Well, that is us in a current nutshell!! till next time!

Life with Us!!

I can't remember the last time I posted on here. It has been awhile. Sad... but true..
We recently went to the Oregon Coast, Aug. 10th-13th. We took Jeff's Mom, Walle there to let her enjoy it and get her feet in the ocean. Something she has wanted to do for a long time, and hasn't been able to get there. I am glad we were able to make it happen.
We stayed at the Surfside Resort in Rockaway Beach, OR. We had an ocean view room. It was awesome. We didn't do much in the way of sightseeing except to the Tillamook
Factory for cheese & ice cream, and a lighthouse nearby there. (Whose name I can't remember at the moment).
It was raining on Monday when we arrived and rained again all day on Tues. (when we went to Tillamook and the lighthouse). Wed. we woke up to rain again and then by mid-afternoon the sun broke through and was beautiful the rest of the day.
That is the day we got Gma Walle to the beach with the help of a young lady from the volunteer fire dept. who was able to get us a wheel chair that had beach tires on it.

It was great. Walle was also able to meet up with a friend she hadn't seen in over 20 yrs. What a wonderful experience for her.


This week Jolyn is at Band Camp every day for the next two weeks. She leaves the house by 7:45am and doesn't get back until after 5:00pm. It is a long hot day for her, so she comes home tired.
She will start High school on Sept. 2nd. I am a bit nervous, and I think she is too.
I need to go down to the High School today and get sports papers for Jolyn, so we can get her physical done and she can be ready for any sports she decides to participate in them. It is a new adventure we are starting in our lives, and I know we can make it through with the Lord's help.

Papa Cliff

How does time escape us so quickly? I can't believe it has been over a month since I posted here.
It has been an eventful month to say the least. On the 16th of May, my parents were on their way to come to Wenatchee, so the girls & I went to Yakima to visit Papa Cliff & Gma Vi, to await their arrival. WE got to spend a good part of the day with Papa & Gma. It was an enjoyable day. (if only we could have seen what was to come)
Papa & Gma took the 3 of us to Selah to the Selah Days. (little carnival/fair) Papa bought each of the girls a wristband to ride the rides there. They seemed to enjoy that. We walked around and talked while the girls went on their rides. There was some that only Lani would ride. :-)
AFter that we met up with my parents at Papa & Gma Vi's home. We visited briefly and then went to dinner at The Country Buffet place in town. Papa treated us all to dinner and we enjoyed visiting and spending that time with two sets of grandparents.
After dinner we went back to Papa & Gma's home and then said our goodbyes.
Then my parents & the girls & I drove home to Wenatchee. Jeff had stayed home to do his homework, so he was not with us. :-(

The following Tues. May 19th, I was at my Presidency meeting (which hadn't begun yet_), when I received a call from Jeff telling me that Papa Cliff was rushed to the hospital and they weren't sure he was going to make it!! WHAT??? How can this be? We just saw him on Sat. (those are thoughts going through my mind)
I left my meeting and met Jeff at home. While waiting for Jeff, I told my parents what was happening(through many tears) and packed Jeff & I an overnight bag. We drove together to Yakima to the hospital. He had been moved to ICU by the time we arrived. So we visited with the family and found out what had happened. Apparently, he collapsed on a job. He was at the home of someone helping her shovel gravel on their driveway. After the first load was mostly finished,(from my understanding). the lady working with him said she didn't feel well and went inside. (Papa, teasing as usual, called her a wimp or something like that )
The next thing the lady knows is the driver delivering the next load of gravel is banging on her door, telling her Papa is passed out in the driveway. Someone called 911 and she started CPR, and kept at it till the paramedics arrived. They had to revive him at least 2 times in the ER. No one knew the extent of damage at this time (due to lack of oxygen to the brain).
On Wed. the DR. met with the family and told us what they knew. Which was: there was brain damage, they didn't know how much at that time; it didn't look good,. We were all very upset by this news. They also told us we needed to pray for a miracle. :-(

Jeff & I decided to drive home that evening and come back the next day with the girls and my parents. (Our family and my parents were supposed to be driving to the Oregon Coast that coming weekend) We drove back to Yakima on Thurs. morning. Jeff & jolyn together in my parents car and the rest of us in the van after we finished packing for the trip to Oregon.
Grandma Vi had told us on Tues. shortly after we had arrived to go on our trip, cause Papa wouldn't want us to miss that due to him. They loved to go to the Coast and went every year.

The next meeting with the Dr. that afternoon brought very sad news. Papa had severe brain damage and if he came out of the coma he was in, would not be the same as he was. The siblings & Vi got together and decided to take him off of the life support and see what it brought. We all knew this was the end. It was very hard to let him go. I have a special place in my heart for Papa Cliff, since the first time I met him, at my parents home at our open house in Dec. 1991. He and Uncle Sonny drove up from Yakima to be there with us. It was awesome. I have developed a very close relationship with him through the past 17 years. Papa Cliff passed away on Thursday, May 21st 2009, surrounded by his family. I miss you Papa!
I still have a hard time believing that he is gone. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that I will see him again.



YAKIMA - James Clifford Giles passed away May 21, 2009 in Yakima, WA.

Cliff was born June 2, 1939 in Clinton, Arkansas, to Perren and Wilma Giles. He was raised in Yakima and graduated from Yakima High in 1957 and served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. Cliff was self employed and owner of Cliff's Classics for the past 30 years. He was married to Vi Giles for the past 32 years.

Cliff's enjoyment in life was: his cars, working, racing cars, NASCAR, other people's cars, working, going to the Oregon Coast, the Vintiques, working on cars, his grandchildren, his pets, working, rollerskating (in his younger years), his morning coffee group (Mel's Diner and various others over the years) and collecting (yes, cars).

Cliff was a fun loving, kind hearted, generous husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He often looked out for the underdog and is well known for helping out many in need. All who knew him were impacted by his generous nature, his friendship and his smile. He has either worked on, sold, or given 'cars' to most family members and half the Yakima Valley.

He was preceded in death by parents Perren and Wilma Giles, baby brother (Doyle Giles) and son Robin Giles.

He is survived by wife Vi Giles, step mother Anita Giles of Selah, brother Sonny Giles (Bessie) of Yakima, sister Barbara Gamache (Gene) of Moxee. Children: Jimmy Giles of Tri Cities, Jeff Stevens (Lisa) of Wenatchee, Dorothy Gonzales of Lodi, CA, Jeri Giles of Anna, Texas, Bobbie Braun (Kelly) of Bonney Lake, WA. Grandchildren: Alicia Velasquez (Ben), Larry and Joseph Gonzales, Christine and Amanda Giles, Heather, Kyler and Robin Braun, Jolyn and Jalani Stevens. Great grandchildren: Alex and Briahna Velasquez and Junior Lawson. and his loving companion, (pet) Winston and too many friends to name.


Goodbye for now Papa. Till we Meet Again!! Love you forever!!