Merry Christmas 2024

As the end of 2024 is quickly upon us, we are grateful for the opportunity to reflect on how we have learned and grown. It has been a year with ups and down, triumphs and defeats, inactivity and adventure. This time of year always gives us the wonderful opportunity to reflect on the life and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ without whom nothing is possible. We hope this year has brought you many blessings, triumphs, and adventures with little trial, defeat, or boredom. So, here is the rundown of the Burkinshaw happenings. 

Emerson (5) is finally a Kindergartner! He has been “waiting his whole life for this!” He loves Miss Brown and all his new friends. He has made new friends up and down the street, and some afternoons we have to send a search party out to scour the neighborhood so he isn’t late for dinner. Emerson does not want to miss out on anything! He loves all things “boy”--sharks, dragons, dinosaurs, bugs, and snakes. For the Primary Program, he proudly exclaimed, “My name is Emerson Burkinshaw. My favorite animal is a snake, no wait…a skunk!” There were a few giggles from the audience. He loves his primary teachers! Sis Esserine and Sis Glass get an earful of all his adventures, fictitious or factual. The highlight of his summer was Lake Powell and the houseboat. He braved jumping off the top! We love our Emerson and all the adventures he just keeps bringing to us!

Isobel (6) is in First Grade! She is a fantastic reader! She will sit for quite a long time reading her books from school and all the library books. Isobel has moved from picture book checkout to chapter books at the library. She played her first season of soccer with Coach Chase. It took a minute for her to figure out that she could take the ball from the other team, but she got it and scored two goals in her last game. She is fun to watch! She also enjoys goalie and did really well at it. Isobel is still as crafty as they come. She creates calendars, lists, and cards. She has a goal of making her bed every morning so she can earn a dollar at the end of the week. Isobel was also pretty fearless at Lake Powell. The highlight of her summer was going to Nebraska to visit cousins. She loved going to the zoo and doing the slip n’ slide! We sure love our Isobel!

Adelaide (9) is becoming quite the athlete. She joined a cheer team this fall as well as playing on her soccer team. She had a few friends on the cheer team, and picked it up rather quickly. Adelaide now walks around the house chanting with tight elbows and bouncing hairbows. Although she is the smallest on her soccer team, she is one tough cookie. She can play in any position, but likes forward the best. She can weave around people with her speedy little legs. Adelaide loves 4th grade with Mrs. Reeves who had Esme previously. She is a joy in the classroom, and loves to learn! She loves playing with friends all over the street. She is also “dog walking” for a family a few doors down.. She’s not sure if she wants to own a dog someday, but she doesn’t mind walking them. Adelaide loved the tube and getting to know her new aunts at Lake Powell. We are grateful for her cheering us all on!

Esme (10) is just fun! She is now a 5th grader and the oldest at school. She loves to be helpful. Esme was named to be on the Jr. Hope Squad and loves spreading kindness wherever she goes! She played on the same soccer team, the Sweetarts this year. They almost had an undefeated season, with one tie and one loss. She played goalie for the first half of the last game, blocked a penalty kick, and then in the second half scored a penalty kick. Her coach can put her anywhere on the field and she’ll work her hardest for her team. Esme has been reading the Harry Potter series with Grandpa Tim this year. They compare progress and watch the movies whenever they get together. It’s one of her favorite things! Esme practices her piano every afternoon and has created contracts to earn lunch with mom at school when she’s completed them. We are so grateful for her hard work!

Elin (13) is a teenager! She made the middle school soccer team, which is quite a feat in our area. It is extremely competitive! She works hard on the field! Elin also ran track, but has decided that cross-country is more her speed because “it’s not boring”. She has no patience for waiting around for her events. She still writes contracts to earn things, which helps with her piano and violin progress. She gets things done. Elin and friends had a pickleball tournament over the summer, and she is hooked! She also started reffing soccer this fall and discovered how lucrative it is ($20/game). She still babysits quite a bit, and is looking into investments ;) Elin was her YW class president and enjoyed planning activities, but not-so-much the meetings after Church, especially on Fast sunday. She still enjoys her late night “talks” with Molly while she loads the dishwasher and shuts down the house. Boys may come up every-once-in-a-while. We love our Elin! 

Ewan (15) has a permit. Yes, folks…we are going to have three drivers next year! Ewan played soccer in the Spring with Paul as his coach. He spent the summer running around Prosper with friends. Ewan convinced Molly to give him a perm. He looks pretty good sporting curls. He is now a freshman at Prosper High School. It’s a little crowded, but he’s enjoyed being part of the football team this Fall. He also does 5:45am Seminary with the twins. He’s good about waking up early and getting his stuff done. Ewan is still playing the cello and piano. He has motivation to practice so he can earn practice time behind the wheel. He’s ready for independence or something, but don’t worry he doesn’t quite know where the sink or laundry room is…he’ll need us for a little while longer! Ewan still looks for challenging work at school. We’ve been giving him “classic literature” to analyze with Paul to keep him engaged and busy. He is growing into quite a young man! We are grateful for him!

Aislee (16) is a junior! She has two dual credit classes and one AP class that keep her busy. She enjoys teaching piano and babysitting to earn money for Swig runs. Aislee is a driver and tries to convince Molly that she can drive everywhere and anywhere. *breathe* Aislee is a good helper and likes having the house organized and clean. She also went to FSY in Denton this summer. She liked getting to know other kids in our area and has kept contact through texts and meeting up for local dances. She loved getting to know her new aunts this summer and learning to wakeboard. Aislee is also playing the guitar with Paul’s tutelage. She went to Prosper High School’s Homecoming dance with a good friend and had a great time! We didn’t do the “Texas Mums” for which she is grateful. When she’s not busy with school work or music, she can be found reading or baking cookies. Aislee likes her early release afternoons and getting rides home with boys. We love Aislee and her goodness!

Olivia (16) is also a junior! She is enjoying the Ready-Set-Teach program at Prosper High where she gets to intern with an elementary teacher. She’s also involved in American Sign Language. Who would have thought her very expressive nature is a wonderful asset when doing sign language?! Olivia went to the Walnut Grove Homecoming and enjoyed the “Texas Mum” tradition with her date. She had a good time! Olivia took up reffing soccer this Spring and continued through the Fall. She likes reffing the younger kids, but the real money is in the older games. She’s learning how to be confident with her calls, even if it makes a coach unhappy. She also enjoyed Lake Powell with family and learned to wakeboard. Olivia loved her counselors at FSY and the girls in her group. It’s good to have good friends. She is busy with AP classes, juggling babysitting, reffing, and socializing. She still plays the violin for the school orchestra and has piano lessons with Grandma Stacey.  She is a hard worker and we love her!

Molly has spent much for 2024 the same way as the previous year. She coached Isobel, Adelaide, and Elin’s soccer teams, and enjoyed having Paul assist for Elin’s Fall season. She loved having Emerson home for the last few months of Spring before he started kindergarten. He helped her with many house projects, and made lots of messes. Her little buddy accompanied her to all the end of year parties and assemblies. Now, she gets to eat lunch with him once a month and get the biggest hugs when he gets off the bus! Molly has had the best time perfecting sourdough bread, butter chicken with Naan, lemon raspberry cake, and grilled chicken. She loved teaching the Relief Society class at Church, but now teaches youth Sunday School (Ewan’s class). Adventures for the year included a drive to Utah for Uncle Coy’s wedding, a drive to Nebraska with the younger four, hiking Cottonwood Canyon in Utah with Paul for a few days, and then Lake Powell. She finally got to hop on a ski and show Paul after 17 years! She’s looking forward to another year of adventures! 

Paul continues to be busy with work. New projects and opportunities seem to be the name of the game. He enjoys being busy so it’s all good. Paul has continued running and lifting to keep himself mobile. He gets up before the sun to get his miles in while Molly takes kids to Seminary. Paul enjoyed driving the kids on a tube in Hot Springs, Arkansas for Spring Break as well as hiking among the Ozarks. It was a bit chilly for our Texas blood! He taught Emerson how to ride a bike so he could have a buddy with him everywhere!  Paul traveled a little for work and avoided the long drive to Utah in June, but made it just in time to go to a wedding and drive home. He may like that set up! Paul had a big birthday that we won’t really talk about, but with age comes wisdom, right? The girls on Elin’s soccer team are grateful for the extra set of feet and patience he brings to practice, and louder voice at games. Paul wakeboarded at Lake Powell and it was so fun to see him do things he loves! He’s the best!

Well, that’s a wrap! Another year down in the books! We are grateful for friends and family who have loved and supported us. As we look forward to the coming year, may we prepare ourselves and our homes to make more room for the Light of the World, our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is who gives us purpose and moves us forward towards His Second Coming. Our dear Prophet said, “...now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority.” May this season bring you the peace and joy only found through Christ.

Much Love, 

The Burkinshaws

 Merry Christmas 2023

As many Holiday activities start to fill our calendar, the wrap up of 2023 is swiftly approaching. We are grateful for the opportunities, trials, blessings and adventures we have had. We are again reminded of the love and goodness of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And hope that this last year has brought the same to our friends and family. Without further ado, here are the happenings of the Burkinshaws. 

Emerson (4) is as full of energy and adventure as any preschooler ever. From climbing trees, collecting snails, and taking his beloved “Scooty” to the park, Emerson is constantly on the go. He loves animal books and learning about their different habitats. He is full of information and is willing to tell anyone who will listen, even the young man at the grocery store checkout. He sported a sling for a few weeks after a piggy-back-ride-exchange didn’t end well, but he healed quickly and hasn’t slowed down! Highlights of his summer were going to the beach house in Galveston and hunting for crabs at night. He is Molly’s last buddy at home. Emerson is always up for a trip to Costco or an adventure to Lowe’s. His sweet smile, and perhaps the fear of a meltdown, has gotten him quite a few matchbox cars and Kinder treats while on trips around town. We are so glad he is ours!

Isobel (5) is in Kindergarten! She started this fall with Mrs. Diehl. Isobel adores her and has made so many new friends! She is learning how to ride the bus with the big girls, order her own lunch on Fridays, and remind mom to sign her binder every night. She loves to read books and find all the words she knows as we flip through pages and pages! Isobel has found the magic of bike riding. She rides to the park as Emerson follows on Scooty for the big kids’ soccer games. Isobel loves crafts and coloring. She comes home with all sorts of ideas for books she wants to author and illustrate. She loved the beach and sand castles. Isobel couldn’t get enough of the waves! She would head out with the big kids. Paul and Molly were constantly counting heads and staying close. Isobel still gives the best hugs! We love her!

Adelaide (8) was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Grandparents from both sides came to support her. We are so grateful for her good choices and love of our Savior. Adelaide is still playing soccer. She loves her teammates. She is a quick defender, and pretty tough despite being one of the smallest on the field. She doesn’t back down and will chase after the ball. It’s fun to watch her play!  Adelaide loves to read and write.  She has found new friends in the neighborhood to run around with. She has a watch so she knows when to return home for dinner, and she doesn’t like being late! Adelaide also enjoyed the waves at the beach, but likes the pool better. It’s not as salty! She is a joy to her classroom where Mrs. Barragan cannot get enough of her kindness and willingness to help. Adelaide has continued with piano lessons and loves to learn new songs she can sing along with. She is sunshine!

Esme (9) is growing into one of the big kids! She is the first of the elementary kids awake, ready to pack her lunch, eat her breakfast, and unload the dishwasher. She loves to help in any way she can at home and at school. This is her sixth season with her soccer team, and she loves it! Coach Taylor can put her in any position and knows that she’ll play hard until the last minute. She really enjoys goalie, much to Molly’s anxiety. She is adored by all that meet her. Esme also loves public speaking. She volunteers for talks in Primary, speeches at school, and prayer at home almost every night. Esme had a bike accident at the very beginning of Summer break which meant a cast for the majority of the summer. We’re glad it was waterproof! She got it off right before our trip to Galveston. Esme is always ready for an adventure with Emerson to find toads, chase rabbits, and dig up snails. Everyone should have an Esme! 

Elin (12) is ready to be a teenager! She loves to write up contracts for Paul and Molly to sign to help motivate practicing piano and violin. Elin is very good at following through. She has really blossomed at school, at home, and in athletics. It was her first time competing with the cross-country team at the middle school. Elin placed in the top 10 at every meet! She loves to run and enjoys working at it. Elin is constantly striving to be better in all aspects of her life. She loves being in the class presidency for her Young Women’s group. It has been an opportunity to serve the girls her age. Elin started babysitting. She is beloved by the families she tends to. She is a fun babysitter! We have learned that Elin doesn’t like the dark, and will stay downstairs to “talk” until one of us walks her to her room. It’s a good thing Paul is so patient, because Molly is sometimes just tired! But, we love our “deep” discussions with Elin. She has good insights and questions. She’s a good one!

Ewan (14) decided to ref soccer in the Spring instead of play. He has since decided that he likes being on the field getting cheered for, rather than on the field getting yelled at by parents…So, he convinced Paul to coach a Fall season. Most of the boys had never played, but they sure learned a lot and actually came away with a couple wins and a desire to play for Paul in the Spring. (we’ll see!) Ewan has tried a number of different things this year. He played football again, ran cross-country which he found he’s pretty good at, and is currently on the middle school wrestling team. Ewan has continued in his GT classes, private lessons for the cello, and reading ferociously. He likes to tease his sisters, and “battle” Emerson.  He’s even starting to notice girls! We may be grateful for that…teen boy hygiene is not being ignored! Ewan keeps life interesting, and we are so grateful for him! 

Aislee (15) is now a sophomore! The district opened a new high school this fall, but Prosper High still has about 4,00 students! Aislee doesn’t really like the packed hallways or “G” lunch, but she’s glad most of her friends stayed, and we’re close enough for her to walk home. There is also no shortage of cute boys! The youth in our Stake went to Nauvoo this summer. Aislee had a wonderful time learning about the history of the Church. She has gained a stronger testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. Aislee has also enjoyed her 5:45am Seminary class and the opportunity to learn about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. She’s learning a lot about time management! Early mornings are hard when followed by late nights! Aislee has continued singing for the high school choir. She has made really good friends, and it has given her opportunities for other choirs. She sang in Jenny Oaks Baker’s Joy to the World Tour a few weeks ago. We are grateful for her goodness!

Olivia (15) is also a sophomore. Boy does time fly! Olivia is full of life and all things fun! She is still playing the violin in the orchestra where she has many friends. She chose not to run cross-country so her schedule would have room for some honors and AP classes. She loves learning about the body! Nauvoo was the highlight of her summer. She loved seeing the Church history sites, hearing testimonies of the missionaries there, and driving the 14 hour one-way bus trip. Olivia loves to babysit, but may try her hand at reffing soccer in the spring with a few of her friends. She’s also glad we live within walking distance to the high school. And, our house seems to be the meet up place for friends after school on Fridays. Sometimes, it seems like we collect teenagers…! Olivia still loves books! We have to take books from the table at dinner so we can have a conversation. We are glad she is ours!

Molly has spent the majority of 2023 coaching soccer games, watching soccer games, walking cross-country courses, listening to orchestra and choir concerts, folding laundry, washing dishes, and so on and so forth. However, they may be some of her favorite pastimes. Her most favorite pastime has been running with Paul. They worked up their mileage over the summer and fall, and are now working on speed. She still can’t beat Paul, but Saturday morning long runs are her favorite! For the last week of school, Molly and Paul were able to fly to Las Vegas to attend her youngest brother’s wedding, and then fly to Seattle to hike in Olympic National Park for a few days. It was amazing! She also got to fly to Utah to attend another brother’s wedding for the first week of school in August. They were both beautiful. She is grateful for a year of growth and learning!

Paul Has continued to heal. He runs almost every day, drives the girls to early-morning seminary, coaches soccer, and rides his bike around with Emerson and Isobel. He has stayed active with goals of handstand-pushups, faster paces, and longer distances. Paul flew to Colorado in August to hike the Rockies with his brother. The year has been full of adventures! We were able to make the drive to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for Thanksgiving with Paul’s family where we stayed up too late, hiked many mountains, ate way too many treats, and most importantly, enjoyed time with family. Paul enjoyed coaching Ewan’s soccer team this fall. The boys really enjoyed him, and have asked if he’ll return in the Spring to coach another season. He’s good at it! 

Well, that’s a wrap! 2023 has gone by quickly. We are grateful for friends and family who have loved and supported us. We have grown a greater appreciation of the words of our Prophet, President Russel M. Nelson, “...Heavenly Father’s plan for us is fabulous, that what we do in this life really matters, and that the Savior’s Atonement is what makes our Father’s plan possible.” Life is hard, but it is what we do with the hard, and how we love each other in the hard that matters. May we remember our Savior, Jesus Christ—His birth, His life, and His love this Christmas as we strive to think with an eternal perspective of what matters most. 

Much Love, 

The Burkinshaws

 Happy New Year 2023

It seems like the last few years are ones to remember. And, 2022 has been no different! This year has brought with it many challenges, many blessings, and many learning opportunities. Most importantly, it has given us a greater love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and a greater sense of gratitude for His goodness. Without further ado, here is the 2022 wrap up for the Burkinshaws.

Emerson (3) is potty-trained! Yes, we are out of diapers! Emerson is very independent. He likes to “do it myself”. It may be from the many helping hands that don’t “do it properly”. He loves dinosaurs and can distinguish different species and types. Emerson is a rough and tumble kid who loves to play “steamroller” on the trampoline, practice his acrobatics from one couch to the next, and dive bomb unsuspecting adults if they’re relaxing on the floor. Emerson got to enjoy tube rides with cousins and sliding off the back of the houseboat—highlight of his summer. He loves to give Mommy hugs and kisses before bed and asks for her to sit for a few more minutes when the lights are off. Emerson no longer naps. There are too many things to see and do! He does not have time for rest! We are so grateful that he is ours and keeps us as his. 

Isobel (4) is growing into quite the little lady. She will don the occasional shorts or pants because dresses are difficult when riding a bike. She loves to go for rides with Paul to the park. It may take twice as long to get there. She is very good at braking and notices every flower, bird, or bug. She is getting much better without training wheels. Isobel loved tubing with the cousins and building many sandcastles at Lake Powell. We covered her from head to toe to keep her fair skin…fair. Isobel is ready for Kindergarten much to Molly’s chagrin. She knows all her letters and numbers, can write her name and alphabet, and loves to “read” as she flips through her latest library collection. She is still full of spunk and sass. She makes friends wherever she goes. She sure is a hugger, and has learned the importance of “soft hugs”.  We will take her hugs any way we can get them.

Adelaide (7) is just as full of sunshine as they come! She loves 2nd grade and Mrs. Self, who Esme had for 1st grade. Adelaide loves all the dress up days (oh, so many!), and making sure Mom and Dad can find just the right outfit. Adelaide played another season on the Shooting Stars with Mom as her coach. She blossomed and became one of the top scorers on the team. Her summer highlights included soccer camp with Ms. Anna and spending lots of time with cousins at Grandma and Grandpa’s in Owasso. She’s a pretty good little swimmer and still has the tanlines to prove it! She also loved jumping off the houseboat, tubing, and hiking around the lake with Grandma Maureen. Adelaide loves learning new songs on the piano with Grandma Stacey as her teacher. She is just a joy to have around. We love her so! 

Esme (8) chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in May with many of her soccer team in attendance as well as supportive grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We are so proud of her decision to covenant with the Lord. Esme is still just as funny as ever! She loved kayaking, tubing and sliding off the houseboat with the cousins at Lake Powell. She works hard in 3rd grade and couldn’t be happier to have Mrs. Reeves as her teacher. She loves activity days, biking around the neighborhood, and reading. Her soccer team had a great showing the last two seasons. She is a hard worker and a big playmaker wherever she is on the field. Coach Taylor can’t say enough good things about her hard work and determination. She is fun to watch! We are grateful for her good nature and kind heart!

Elin (11) transitioned to 6th grade like a pro. She was absolutely ready to move from elementary school to middle school. From her earlier “slow to warm” nature, she has become quite the social butterfly. She always seems to have friends to meet up with and places to go. We’re glad she has a watch so she knows what time to come home. Elin enjoys playing violin in the middle school  Sinfonia orchestra with Ewan and working on piano pieces. She also completed two more seasons of soccer with Coach Jamie. She, too, has become quite the playmaker, and scored 2 goals in one game. She is probably the tiniest on her team, but has a fierce competitiveness and can outrun any girl on the field. Speaking of running, Elin loves it! She competed in a local race, placing 1st in the women’s division. The highlight of her summer was paddle boarding to many Lake Powell coves with Grandma Maureen. We are so glad to have her as part of our family!

Ewan (13) yes, we have three teenagers! Ewan claims to be a realist, much like his Dad. He still enjoys reading books, taking things apart, and playing soccer. After getting a double hat-trick in the Spring season, he chose to switch teams for the last season of recreation and took a few teammates along. They had an undefeated season with one tie. He enjoyed playing all over the field except goalie. Ewan also tried his hand on the middle school football team. He enjoys his GT classes and 3D printers. His favorite class is GT Math with a teacher that challenges him to explain and defend his answers. Ewan cannot say NO to a good debate. He loved wakeboarding at Lake Powell, and paddle boarding.  He continues to play the cello in the orchestra and get Zoom lessons with our dear friend, Leah. He is preparing competition pieces which will challenge him and keep him busy. He is a joy to have in our family!

Aislee (14) is a budding freshman at Prosper High. With over 3800 students, it is hard to not get lost in the crowd, but Aislee’s participation in cross-country and choir has gotten her noticed by teachers and coaches for her sweet disposition and hard work ethic. She’s still an avid reader and keeps herself busy finding series that she enjoys and taking her recommendations to the librarians. She participated in Girls Camp as well as the FSY program this summer, and loved it! Aislee also enjoyed her first trip to Lake Powell where she wakeboarded and tubed to her heart’s content. She has become quite the babysitter in the Ward and has some regular gigs that are helping her finance her love for Doritos and Pretzel M&Ms. Between Church activities, school, extracurricular, and 5:45am Seminary, Aislee hardly has time for anything else. But, don’t you worry, she’s noticing boys too! She thinks 2 more years until dating is an eternity! Maybe, we can extend it just a little longer…! We are so grateful for her goodness in our home!

Olivia (14) is also a freshman at PHS. She auditioned for Sinfonia Orchestra and made it as 5th chair. Although she had a rough start to the cross-country season, she learned how to race with over 300 runners and finished the season with a PR. Olivia had a fun-filled summer going from Girls Camp in Arkansas, to Owasso, Oklahoma for two weeks, to FSY in Denton, and then to Lake Powell where she conquered her fear of wakeboarding and jumping off the houseboat. She continues to read anything and everything.  She enjoys listening to Harry Potter on the Alexa as she bakes cookies and cleans the kitchen. She also babysits quite a bit to fund her Skittles and Baked Cheetos addiction. 5:45am Seminary comes pretty quickly, but it’s not so bad when she has some-not-so-bad-looking freshmen boys from around the Stake to wake up with. She has also joined the ward choir and recruited other youth her age (14-15 year old boys *cough *cough) to join with the promise of fresh bread or cookies. Oh boy! We can just push 16 years old out just a little bit longer…She’s a good girl and we love her! 

Molly spent the beginning of 2022 enjoying running with Paul and coaching Adelaide’s soccer team while shuttling kids to soccer games, track meets, and other activities. She even got to run a half-marathon at the beginning of June with five of her brothers. Not even 24 hours after she got home, Paul was on a flight to Iowa for meetings. And just 48 hours after his return and a trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma the very low-key summer plans took a more exciting turn. For more details, refer to burkigroove.blogspot.com. Molly is grateful for a wonderful Ward family and community that rallied around our family. The many meals, visits, notes, texts, and prayers buoyed her amid the unknown. Molly was able to rely on the goodness of her in-laws to fill the kids’ summer with swimming and exploring the greater Tulsa area, her brothers and parents who helped shuttle her and the kids to and from Utah for a wedding and much needed Lake Powell time, and countless friends. The Burkinshaws just don’t know how to slow down. The fall has been another adventure with soccer and cross-country filled Saturdays, weekday concerts and activities, and too many doctors’ appointments to count. We are grateful for the numerous outpouring of love and support we have felt.

Paul is here and we are so grateful! Paul spent the beginning of 2022 working in his office/bedroom, gaining strength in the garage, running with Molly, riding bikes to the park for soccer games, shuttling kids to activities, and generally being very active. Ewan convinced Paul to attend his Deacons’ quorum “low” adventure in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. While kayaking down the river, they stopped for some rope swinging fun. Paul had a miss swing, ending in a fractured hip and lacerated kidney. After a picture perfect hip repair performed in Paris, Texas, he was transferred to a hospital in Ft. Worth in order to treat his kidney. We are grateful for skillful and kind medical professionals. Through Priesthood blessings, many prayers,  and amazing service, we experienced so many miracles. Paul is doing much better, and has been cleared for all activities…maybe not rope swinging for a little while longer. He is beginning to jog in the mornings, stretch out all the “gristle” and gain his strength back. We’ll just refer to him as our Bionic Tarzan. We are so grateful! 

Well, that’s a wrap! It has been quite a year. 2022 has given us a greater appreciation of the love of Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven as well as the covenants we have made with Him. We have come through this year a little more grateful, a little more loving, and perhaps a little more cautious around rope swings…! As stated by our dear Prophet, President Russel M. Nelson, “Our Father knows that when we are surrounded with uncertainty and fear, what will help us most is to hear His Son. Because when we seek to hear—truly hear—His Son, we will be guided to know what to do in any circumstance.” We are grateful for another year of learning to better hear Jesus Christ so we may know how best to love.

Much Love, 

The Burkinshaws

Better Late Than Never (Christmas 2021)

 Merry Christm    as 2021

    What a year! 2021 has proven to be quite the year. We are grateful for the challenges and blessings that seemed to abound this year! It has been another one for the books and has given us numerous opportunities to reflect on our Savior and our Father in Heaven and the matchless love they have for each of us. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with friends and share how our 2021 went. Here’s a look at the year for the Burkinshaws.

Emerson (2) continues to be as busy as ever. He loves walks and runs to the park. Emerson is very talkative and has an opinion about almost everything! He knows exactly how to get what he wants with his sweet voice and coy grin. His older sisters love to assist him. And, Ewan is his best buddy even at odd hours of the night when Emerson wakes him up. At the beginning of the summer he was a little hesitant with swimming pools, but he has quickly warmed up to the pool and is the first to get his swimsuit on when at Grandma and Grandpa’s. It’s a good thing he can’t reach the deadbolt for the backyard. Emerson loves nursery! He has “best friends” and talks about them throughout the week. He loves Mickey Mouse and cannot get enough of Roadster Racers. He’s the first one up in the morning, and is full of energy! We love our Emerson!

Isobel (3) is so much fun! She is still our busy, busy kid. Child Proof door knobs, locks on gates, and high shelves are the only things stopping her from a world of adventure, we’re sure! She’s still all about dresses and fancy things. Isobel gives compliments and hugs to all the ladies she meets. Her favorite phrases are, “You are lovely!” and “Your toes are so colorful!” She’d probably find a new family if we let her, but we’ll keep her as ours! Isobel took a break with naps, but her body (and maybe Molly more so) realized that she needs rest to be happy, and oh how our home is much better when Isobel is happy! She takes a nap along with Emerson everyday for 2-3 hours. It makes 5pm less stressful for everyone! Isobel is still an independent player. She can spend hours and hours coloring a picture or building towers as long as no one bothers her. We love her so!

Adelaide (6) is all about 1st grade. She loves Mrs. Cardenas! She is a great little reader and always takes the part of Piggy for bedtime stories. She played soccer in the Spring and Fall seasons. She scored two goals and is starting to figure out that she doesn’t have to run next to the opposing team, she can take the ball away and it’s not being mean. Molly got to assist in coaching her team and loved watching Adelaide interact with the other girls on the team. There are a lot of hugs, cartwheels, and bows. Adelaide loved being a Shooting Star! Adelaide has started piano lessons with Grandma Stacey via Zoom. She is the first to practice when she gets home from school. She has a good ear and loves to sing the songs and clap the rhythms. Adelaide is full of sunshine and loves everyone! She runs the neighborhood with her friends, and now has a watch so she knows when to be home for dinner. We love our Lady Bug!

Esme (7) is just as hilarious as ever! She loves to tell jokes and make people laugh. Esme has also discovered cute boys...Molly has been finding little notes all over the house declaring Esme’s affection. It’s cute, but also a little worrisome. We’re not so sure we're ready! Esme also played soccer Spring and Fall. Her team is fast! They’re probably the most petite team in their age group, but they sure know how to move that ball down the field. They had a winning season, losing 2 games to the two older teams in their division. Their last game got a little physical, with Esme taking the brunt of some shoving. She ended up scoring two goals back-to-back with her team winning 7-1. She loves reading and writing and math. Her teacher, Mrs. Gee has only the sweetest comments for Esi. Esme also discovered she’s double-jointed in her shoulders, which she enjoys showing everyone, multiple times a day...She’s just so much fun!

Elin (10) has truly bloomed this year! She has been making friends all over the place and really coming out of her shell! She begs almost daily to do something with somebody. The 5th graders in our district attend a three day camp. Molly was one of the chaperones for 150+ 5th graders from our elementary school. Elin loved every minute of it! They had a lot of fun learning more Texas History, walking around the woods, doing the zipline, staying up way too late, and eating plenty of child-friendly fare. Elin also played soccer Spring and Fall this year. She was a little hesitant, but she loves it! Coach Jamie is amazing and Elin gets better and better every game and every practice. Elin has also discovered a love for running. She spent many summer mornings running with her friend, Maggie. Elin is pretty fast and got 5th female in a local 5k. She did so well! We are so grateful for Elin! 

Ewan (12) is finally a Deacon! We can’t believe how much he has grown over the last year. He’s even a middle-schooler now! Eeek! Ewan enjoys middle school and getting to take Engineering, GT Math, Science and English, and Simfonia Orchestra. It keeps him busy, which is a good thing. He spent a lot of his summer running around the neighborhood with friends, reading every book he could get his hands on, and playing on the Switch. He really enjoyed having time with The Uncles when they drove home with Molly from Utah. The Uncles know how to have a good time! He may have also discovered girls, but we’re not supposed to talk about that... Ewan has had a few opportunities to go to the Temple and has enjoyed looking up family names to take and learning more about family history. He loves hearing stories about his ancestors. He’s becoming such a good young man!  

Aislee (13) is thriving, and we are so grateful! She loves reading and researching. Aislee has been doing well in choir where she participated in a Solo Festival in the district. Although she was pretty nervous, she scored top marks in her division! She’s now a teenager, and enjoys some of the freedoms that come from old age, like babysitting! She is a great babysitter! Aislee ran at every meet for cross-country this year and got better with each one. She’s learning that running can be hard, but that she can do hard things. Aislee has always had a very determined personality. She will go far! She’s still trying to convince Mom and Dad that she needs a phone. We’re thinking about it, but thinking is different than actually doing..! She’s also starting piano back up with Grandma Stacey. Zoom is amazing! Aislee likes to make cookies for her friends. We’re glad she’s also good at cleaning the kitchen after she makes the cookies! She is very organized and neat which helps with so many! Aislee is just a joy to have around!

Olivia (13) is also a teenager. Yay! She finished out 7th grade ready for bigger and better things. She loves 8th grade and having more school activities and opportunities. She plays in the Chamber Orchestra, runs cross-country, and reads. She reads a lot! She’s also been babysitting. She’s learning a lot of great life skills so Molly won’t worry too much when she’s on her own. Olivia will know how to make a mean bowl of macaroni and most breakfast foods. She enjoyed going to Utah this summer. Her favorites were boating with Grandpa Tim and hiking at Zion National Park. It was probably the hottest hike we’ve ever done! But, the snowcones from the Tiki Shak afterwards may have been worth it! Olivia has noticed the boys she notices notice her, which is so fun…Oh, middle school. Maybe we’ll keep the braces on for a few more years! ;) She really is growing into a wonderful young lady, and we are so grateful for her! 

Molly spent much of 2021 running, chasing, driving, and biking kids around. With 4 doing soccer, most of our Spring and Fall Saturdays were spent biking and walking to the park for games. This house was chosen for just that reason! We are grateful to live in an area with many opportunities and activities. We have had recitals, concerts, games, meets and many other activities that have kept Molly busy, and she is so grateful for healthy kids who continue to grow and do. After a few weeks in Cedar City welcoming her youngest brother, Kett home from his mission, Molly drove with her 3 youngest brothers and eight children home to Texas. Paul flew home a week ahead of them. The Brothers stayed for a week and Molly enjoyed morning runs, afternoon pool buddies, and late night movies with them. Molly also got to assist on Adelaide’s soccer team. It was a lot of fun! She’s also put together a children’s running club with her neighbor for the middle schools in the area. It has been good motivation for her to keep up her miles so she can keep up with them! There are a lot more years of running, chasing, driving, and biking for her to do!    

Paul spent much of his 2021 doing a lot of running, chasing, driving and biking. He is the rock and support that keeps us all together. He’s still working from the bedroom. He’s been a good sport about the whole situation.  Paul had a bitter-sweet reunion with aunts, uncles and cousins in Wyoming when he was able to attend his sweet Grandma Kay’s funeral. We are grateful for her good example of love and sacrifice, and grateful for her reunion with her sweetheart, Grandpa Gary just days before their anniversary. What a marvelous moment that must have been! Paul has spent a lot of time with Molly’s “honey-do” list as we figure out projects for the house and yard. Paul also got to spend some time hiking with his brother, John in El Paso. They’ll have to do more of those trips in the future! Work is beginning to require more travel as things open up. Although Paul doesn’t necessarily like to travel, we’re sure he enjoys getting out of the bedroom/office! 

We are grateful for another year of learning and loving.  We are grateful for the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ, for his birth and life and the example He has set for us. As Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said, “As we emulate His perfect example, our hands become His hands, our eyes His eyes, our heart His heart.” May we find opportunities to be more like Him, and that this new year finds us just a little more loving.

Much Love, 

The Burkinshaws

Summer of 2022

(This may get graphic) This summer is one for the books. I'm writing about before the normal Christmas letter so I don't forget things. Our summer started the wednesday before Memorial Day. We went to Paul's parent's house in Owasso, Oklahoma for the weekend. We had a wonderful time spending time with grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We got a lot of sun and had a lot of fun! The Wednesday after, the twins left for girls camp. I also had a half-marathon in Utah that weekend. It was a lot fun! We had a good time running down Provo Canyon. We stayed up way too late talking. We got up way too early to run, but we had a good time! I got home Sunday night. Paul hopped on a plane Monday morning for Tucson for meetings. He got home Thursday morning, and within a few hours of landed, drove to Broken Bow, Oklahoma for Ewan's Deacon's Quorum camp. And, that my friends was the real beginning to our summer. Friday mid-morning I got a phone call from one of the dad's on the trip letting me that there had been an accident. Paul was talking, but they were in an ambulance, on their way to a helicopter pad to fly him to a hospital. They suspected that he broke his leg. They didn't know if they were going to send him to Dallas, Oklahoma City, or somewhere else. I said a few prayers, got a couple bags packed, called Paul's parents who were in Oklahoma City at the Temple there, called our ministering family, and waited to know where to go next. The phone call came, and they were flying him to Paris, Texas because there was an orthopedic surgeon who could perform the surgery on his leg. I jumped in the car, and drove over 2 hours to the hospital. I was on and off the phone with my parents, Paul's parents, our ministering family, and the men that were on the trip with Paul. Ewan stayed on the trip which turned out to be a good thing. I got to the hospital and found Paul in his bed with foam slips over his legs. He was still in his wet swimsuit and shirt, shoes and was shivering. After a few hours waiting for some answers, Paul had to use the restroom. There was blood. A lot of blood. I went and told a nurse. They said that he probably had some internal bleeding. They were waiting results of a CT scan and the X-Ray. Turns out, he broke his left femur around the greater trochanter, and had a hematoma on his right kidney. How you ask? Don't worry, there is a video. I won't post it, but don't worry, there's a video. They were going off a rope swing into the river they were kayaking down. Paul went a little higher up from his initial jumps. The rope had a little too much slack in it and flipped him funny into the water. There were some roots sticking up, which he landed on. The doctors moved him to an ICU room to await surgery the next morning. They got him in a gown and warmed up. We waited for doctors to come in. They scheduled the surgery for the next morning. Paul didn't have much of an appetite. The nurses and doctors tried to keep him comfortable with pain medication. I slept on the chair in the room that night. Not that great, or comfortable. The surgery was about an hour and a half. We met with the surgeon the next morning. Dr. Elliott was really nice. He's from Mesa, AZ. We got to chat for a few minutes. After surgery, Paul slept a lot. The pain in his leg wasn't as serious as the pain in his kidney. Apparently, as they were wheeling him into the surgery, the urologist got the CT film and determined that he had a fourth degree laceration of his right kidney. It was pretty bad. Although Paris has some amazing surgeons, they do not have the facilities or staff to treat a laceration like Paul's. So, they started doing the work to transfer him to Dallas. But, there were very few beds available at a Trauma I or II hospital. We waited for 4 hours on Sunday before they found him a bed at a Trauma II hospital in Ft. Worth, over an hour away from our house in Prosper. Meanwhile, I'm texting and calling Paul's Uncle Ryan who is a doctor, and a urologist on our Stake trying to cypher the labs and scans so I can understand what everyone is talking about. Soon a nurse came in and told us that Paul's body was so healthy that it was overcompensating for how sick he was. The urine and blood that was leaking around his kidney was making him septic and he could lose his kidney. I kind of freaked out, inside. So, we got all gathered up and headed back to Dallas. He got in the ambulance and I checked out of the hotel. Sidenote: Do not stay in the La Quinta in Paris, Texas. That is all I will say about that. I was a few minutes behind the ambulance, and Paul told me to go home and sleep. They weren't going to do anything that night. So, I went home. The next morning, I woke up early, drove the hour to the hospital, got there right as visiting hours opened, and then spent the day waiting. A trauma PA told us that he would have a procedure some time that day. So, Paul couldn't eat. I was so afraid of leaving the room. I worried that I would go get something to eat and then they would come and take him for the procedure. So, we waited. We waited for ten hours. At 5:30pm, they came and got him for a scan. It took maybe 15 minutes. When he came back, they told him that he could eat. Our sweet Relief Society President ordered us Panera soup. It was greatly appreciated. At 10:00pm, the urologist came in to tell us how bad his kidney was and that he was debating with the Interventional Radiologist on how to approach this case. I may have gotten a little sassy with him. I was really tired and frustrated. And, no one had addressed the sepsis issue or talked to us about the treatment plan. I was frustrated because I felt like this was an emergency, and no one seemed to be treating it like one. I asked what time they would do the procedure the next morning because I didn't want Paul to not get treated for ten hours the next day, again. We were told that we were 3rd, maybe 5th on the list, but could be bumped if an emergency came in. Wasn't this an emergency? So, Paul sent me home to rest. I cried and talked to my parents the whole hour. I woke up, showered and left before 6am the next morning. When I got to the room, he wasn't there. The Physical Therapist had come and taken him for a walk up and down the hall. I will admit that I rehearsed a really good speech on my drive to the hospital. Watching Paul's frail body walk gingerly up the hall only aggravated me more. After we got him settled back in bed, the trauma PA came in with some nurses doing the rounds, and I had it. I am really non-confrontational. I don't normally say anything. I just let things go and really try to be a peacemaker. But, I could tell that Paul had lost weight. He was in pain. And there was very little being done to treat whatever was going on inside of him. So, I asked if I needed to get him to a hospital that would actually treat him. I told them that I had a walker in the car and that I would drive him myself if they wouldn't treat him or wouldn't release him. I expressed my frustration on the waiting time and how I was told that he had sepsis. Do you know how many people die of sepsis? Yeah, I told them, I looked it up. I told the PA that if I didn't take him home, or if he lost his kidney, my eight children would be going to the best universities in the world, and that the hospital would be named The Paul Burkinshaw Memorial Hospital because I would sue and I would win. I was not going to let him be just another case number, especially when they told me that he was a priority. I asked her if she knew the definition of the word `priority’ and then I told her that it meant ONE, you don't have prioritIES, you have prioritY, and he needed to be first on that list to have the procedure done. She said that she understood my frustration and that if I wanted to speak to a patient advocate, I was welcome to. And then she left with the nurses who all looked terrified of this little 5'2 lady. A few minutes later, the trauma doctor came in and I gave him a less heated speech, but with the same message. He apologized several times. Told me that they should have come in and talked to us the day before about the plan. Paul was not going to lose his kidney and he did not have sepsis. He said that they were fully equipped to do the job, and that they would do what needed to be done. They were letting his body rest and letting his kidney rest. Twenty minutes later, they were wheeling Paul down for pre-op. And then we sat in pre-op for three hours. The nurse that checked us in left for lunch. Paul's IV started leaking all over his bed and gown. I had to go around the corner several times asking what was going on, and it seemed like no one knew and no one knew where our nurse went. So, they cleaned him, changed his gown, called the operating room, and then things started to move. I think I frightened more than a few nurses and hospital staff with my "no nonsense" look. After a kiss goodbye, they wheeled him in for a stent placement. The surgical liaison took me upstairs, and I'm pretty sure the doctor warned her to tread lightly. She gave me a bunch of food vouchers commenting that it looked like I hadn't eaten in days, and a bunch of parking validation stickers. I just asked her if there was a room with a couch so I could lie down for a little while. Forty-five minutes later, the procedure was done. The trauma surgeon and the urologist came and told me that it was the best case scenario. He was in post-op and needed to rest. So, Paul slept. They kept us overnight to monitor fluids and pain. Paul's brother-in-law is from Ft. Worth, and his good parents offered to let me stay at their house while I was going back and forth and didn't know how long Paul would be recovering in the hospital. It was 20 minutes away and wonderful. His mother is an amazing cook! The best scones I have ever had! And, she is the sweetest lady ever! The next morning, I came back to the hospital and he was gone, again. The bed was gone. They had taken him for another scan and to see if they needed to put a drain in his back. They gave him some funky pain stuff that left him hallucinating, not being able to focus, and having a hard time resting. But, they didn't need to put the drain in and things were starting to look better. The urologist was a rotating doctor, so he was already gone. The trauma doctor came in, apologizing again for all the stuff we had been through. I apologized for the emotional outburst to which he said he completely understood and the hospital should have handled things differently. Paul's sister, Jenny was in town and stopped by the hospital for a few hours to visit and check on him. It was good to see her. Again, we just waited. He was doing better, but the pain was getting worse. I went and slept , but came back the next morning to him not having a very good night. He was in a lot of pain and the nurses and doctor were trying to manage it. They were trying to get him off the IV stuff, and move to oral pain meds that would go home with us. So, they kept him another night. The next morning, the doctor wouldn't release him until we had a urologist to follow up with. They also put a catheter in. Not fun. They were really struggling to find a urologist that would answer calls and could see him in a few days at the latest. I had been in contact with the urologist in our stake and he said that he would take the case. However, when the nurses at the hospital tried to call his office to get an appointment, they couldn't get him in until August. The urologist was in surgeries that day, so I sent a text to his wife, and he called Paul in between surgeries and got him in on Tuesday. Paul could finally get discharged! YAY! We got home, but the pharmacy and insurance company wouldn't approve any more pain meds for him. We had to get the trauma doctor to call the insurance company and the pharmacy so we could get everything filled. It was a bit of a mess, and Paul was in a lot of pain. But, we did it. We were able to get all the doctors' appointments scheduled, and pain meds managed. We are so grateful for the many prayers, calls, texts, and outpouring of love we received. We truly experienced many miracles and are so grateful for priesthood blessings. It has been very different being on the receiving end of such an outpouring of service. Our ward was amazing! Our Relief Society President contacted the Elder's Quorum President in Paris. He and a member of the bishopric up there came to the hospital and gave Paul a blessing before his surgery. They offered their home to me so I could shower. We left in such a hurry, I was unable to. Our ward took care of the kids until Paul's parents could get down to Prosper. They took the kids to church, and then took them to Owasso as Paul and I navigated all the medical stuff. The ward provided crutches, a shower chair, wedge pillows, almost three weeks of meals, and much needed prayers, love and support. Our ministering brother is in the Stake Presidency, and brought the other counselor to the hospital in Ft. Worth to give Paul a blessing. They also checked in with texts and phone calls. It has truly been humbling to experience such love and service. We've also learned that one can get a UTI from prolonged catheterization. That was not a fun couple of days. Paul's parents were amazing. They took the kids for two weeks. The kids had a better summer than we had planned swimming, parking, exploring, having cousin time, and enjoying grandma and grandpa. It was such a blessing. Paul is on the mend. His kidney looks good. It's not perfect, but after many scans, it appears to be draining and functioning. His leg is healing. He's no longer on crutches. He has a little limp, but he is working on muscle strength and mobility to regain his range of motion and endurance. He rides his bike, walks around the neighborhood, and is looking forward to running a half-marathon with me in a year or so (hahaha, maybe that's just my plan!) But, he is doing well, and we are so grateful.