Memorial Day

On Memorial day this year we went to my cousin Pam's house. We had a lot of fun. The kids rode on the horses while the adults sat and talked. Here are some of the pictures.

Braces for Melissa

The moment Melissa has been waiting and, believe it or not, hoping for finally arrived this past Monday. You would have thought she was getting Christmas early the way she was preparing that morning. When we arrived at Dr. Bennion's office she was immediately whisked off, before I had even made it in, and was sitting in the big chair with a smile on her face ready to go.

Britt was the dental assistant who worked with Lis and all was well until that HUGE RED mouth sucker was put in. It was supposed to help her keep water out of her mouth but it ripped on her lips and since it was the smallest they had, she was stuck.

But as you can tell, she was still happy when they were done. I think it was the Bite Bottle she got that made her so happy, and the fact that she beat Michael to the braces race line. Poor Michael, broken foot and baby teeth still in place...he feels a little sorry for himself right now and I feel sorry for him too. He had to miss the Scout Winter Camp this weekend because of his foot and got the news that he's going to be in that boot longer than he had hoped. Track season may be major delayed this year, but we're still crossing our fingers that it comes.

**PS: John just called and Emily got first place in the shot put at the first track meet of the year in Greybull. What a girl!!!!

It's broken!

Last Wednesday Michael and some friends decided to play a little basketball at the elementary school after he had run 3 miles with his dad. Once girls showed up, I think the game changed a bit. As Michael describes it, "I was trying to go around Trixie (names changed to protect the innocent) when she got in my road and I just came down wrong on my foot. It hurts." Yes, when we saw it 15 minutes later it was also swollen and starting to look scarey. We did the normal parent doctoring, ice, ibuprofen, ice cream..... and didn't worry too much. The next morning....well we were concerned when he couldn't put weight on it and a bluish tinge had appeared.
Long story short and x-rays later, it's broke. Its the first broken bone in our family and we are so proud!

Most disappointed is probably John because track season starts in the middle school in 2 weeks. Such high hopes dashed in 2 seconds. Michael will be out on April 4 if all goes well. We'll keep you posted.

We want to share 3 significant events with you: First - this weekend we went to Laramie and Denver to see my niece Josie Jeanne get sealed and blessed. How can you describe your feelings at such a tender occasion? Josie is simply a charmer and her family was jubliant all weekend long. Watching her sit on the alter to be sealed to her parents was very peaceful and sweet. She never fussed and the room was full of tears. We love her and look to lots of years of fun with her.


Here is Becky, Josie and Johnathan outside the temple living in the moment.

And this is the group pose outside (something must have been on my lens)

And finally my favorite picture. Johnathan couldn't have been more proud and excited to have this day finally come.

Second: Melissa's dance ended for this year. She had a great season with a couple of great coaches.

(performing at a Rocky Mountain basketball game)

Melissa and her friend Mikaela right after a performance. We thought she did an awsome job!

And Third: Emily was asked to Prom by her good friend Russell. They decided when they were in middle school that they would go to prom her senior year. We came home from school one day to find our driveway all decortated with the prom invite. It was really difficult to take a picture of something so big, we needed to climb on our roof for the right view, but you get the idea. Emily is happy and excited for the prom and we're happy that Russell is the one taking her to her last high school dance.

Weekend at Bernies

We had an exciting weekend and got to travel to Utah for some appointments and family time. But first...proof that it really did get very cold last week here in Cowley, WY

That was the temperature in my car when I drove my children to their schools. It got down to -35 while I drove, but I couldn't stop for another picture. I do, however, love the way our home looks in the snow. Nothing is more cozy to me than a white roof, a roaring fire, a good book and some hot chocolate.

After those cold days we headed to Utah, and the highlight for me (besides seeing Alyson) was taking Emily and her friend, Maria, to temple square. I always like the feelings I get when I visit, and then I remind myself that we really should bring our children here more often. It was peaceful, beautiful, and as always, thought provoking. I felt like I had to force myself away since I would have been content to wander there for hours.

My favorite bulding that you can visit on temple square is the Assembly Hall. That stair case is unreal. I'm thinking I want one or two of those in my Heavenly Home!!!And the pipe organ...I know the tabernacle pipes always get the mention because of their grandeour (how to spell it?), but the pipes in this building are so beautiful. I especially like the carvings at the top.And stained glass windows are the greatest. I love the colors as the sun streams in...yes I think I'll take a few of those in my Heavenly Home also! Love that building, but of course this building is number one in my life..

This view is from the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, as you can see, it was a beautiful day ( yes I know I've used beautiful way too much, but it just seems to go). John and I were married there, my parents were married there, my grandparents were married there, and I have ancestors who worked hard to build it there.

The rest of the time I savored every moment with Alyson. She loves her life at Utah State, and I couldn't ask for anything more. We played games, went to a movie (Inkheart!), and had several nice talks. It's nice to see her growing up (grown up?) and so happy.

Here she is enjoying Rock Band with her roommate LuLu, friend Justin (on guitar), Lucas (red hair)and brother Michael. I would say that Rock Band was Michael's highlight of the weekend, but he got to go to a USU basketball game with Aly that was very close and we ended up winning. He was pretty high on that for quite a while. In fact, I'm sure that will be all he thinks of when he thinks of "college life" for a very long time.

Our time with John's family was fun and calm, nice after such a bad drive to get there (bad roads). They were very gracious and good to all of us. We celebrated John's mother's birthday with his brother and his family and had fun listening to cousin Matt describe his upcoming wedding. Lucky for us, we get another Emily Bernhisel on 9-9-09!

Todays Thoughts

Today as I was driving my daughter to yet another doctor appointment, and of course feeling a little sorry for myself and her, I heard something that made me sit up, think, and count my blessings. The radio announcer was interviewing Meredith Vierra's (the lady from the Today Show - can't spell her last name) husband about a new book he wrote. He is currently in a wheel chair and his speech is a little slurred due to multiple sclerosis. He noticed how people mistook his disease at first for drunkenness and how they acted around him, and realized that he wasn't alone out there. So he recently wrote a book about 5 people who are all dealing with chronic illnesses and how they look at life, handle their day to day care, and make a difference. It was so humbling....fascinating....inspiring....and even encouraging to hear. One person was a lady dealing with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), another severe MD, and one other Crones disease. Just listening to a few of their day to day routines, made me grateful for the 45 min routine Melissa has to deal with twice a day. A couple of them have to plan out their days down to when they will take a drink of water so that they know someone will be with them to help them with the bathroom. Imagine! But the part that really got me....the part I already knew, but to hear that these people say it really made me think was this.....the author got all 5 people together and they told of their lives, everything...and not one person there thought they had it the worst, and not one person there would want to trade their "bag of trials" for any other persons there.
There is a children's book called Jenna and the Troublemaker. It is out of print, but I found an old one and I keep it in my desk at home. I pull it out now and then to remind myself how lucky I am and how my troubles are mine...and they are not half as bad as anyone else's. It basically tells of a little girl who is mad at the bag of troubles that she has to carry around and the "troublemaker' lets her go through everyone elses bags and pick another one to take home. In the end she chooses her own. I really believe our "troubles" are hand picked for us, that a loving Heavenly Father lets those that He knows will eventually bring us the most growth and joy enter our lives, and then we get to choose how to handle each one. I hate the saying "we'll never be given more adversity than we can handle", I'm not sure I even agree with that at some times in my life, but I do know that I am very blessed, overly blessed, and I am very grateful today for all those people in my life (friends, family, etc) who make my life great and my troubles seem small.

Happy Moments

Here are a few highlights of our week. First, Melissa's middle school basketball career has begun. They played Cloud Peak and had a great time. The score 16-12 (we were 12) was close and the girls seem to have fun. I had forgotten how different MS ball/ MS girls ball, is from the high school stuff I watch each week. Big Difference! But oh, so fun and much more relaxed.

Melissa made 2 baskets (4 points for you basket ball greenies) and was high point man for the game. We like to say that, and that's what she told her sister, Aly, when she called, but the actual truth is that she, Sarah and Mikala were all high point men (women?, girls?) with 4 points each, thus Rocky's 12 points. Above is an actual picture of her ball about to drop in (I can never get the exact swish moment).

She is one of the point guards. Michael sat right by me during the game, pointing out all the areas he needed to coach Melissa on. I don't think that will go over very well...we'll see.

Our next big news of the week was Emily's amazing Rock Band score. Expert Level, 98% correct and the crowds went wild. We are so proud, this may be her senior graduation announcement picture - how can High School acheivements compare to this incredible Rock Band score. In fact, we're hoping she cancels her college plans and goes on the professional Rock Band tour. What more could parents want for their children?????

And there you have it, our week.