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.

Christmas Morning 2008

Christmas morning brought it's usual surprises and fun. We want to share it with you..... John got this great book 501 Must See Movies. We've all had lots of fun with it and you can borrow it if you're in need of some movie to rent advice. We all attack our stockings first. They are the only free-for-all of the whole day. Toothbrushes, candy, and little things are all in there.

The big stuff now begins, but this year we did it a little different. The packages were all numbered, no names, and we had clues that matched the numbers to tell us who the packages went to. (we did this once when I was a kid and I was in charge of the list and I lost it - it was open the gift and then mom would tell us who it belonged to - a disaster!!!) We had a great time with it. My mom and dad came over and had fun laughing at the clues and seeing what we all didn't know about each other. I think this may be one we do again next year!

Emily got a cape cod bracelet which is a family thing. My mother, sister, Aly and I all have them. She's finally part of the "in crowd".

Aly got this nice church coat. She picked it out meaning it fits, she likes it, and I don't have to return it this week.

Michael got the Wii he's wanted for a long time, but we all get to benefit from it. The big family game this year was Rock Bank 2, and our family has been rockin' ever since it was opened. Crazy... fun...loud...fun...silly...hard.. fun. We all love it!

Bad picture...but cute girl. Melissa got this vest. I worry so much about her being cold that she got lots of get warm stuff, this vest, long socks, a long Sunday coat, she should be set.

Most of all we had a terrific family day. Lots of time spent playing, laughing, singing (UGH!!), sleeping, and eating. I love these winter days, when all of my other responsibilities can take a back seat and family, motherhood, and a love of Christ truly is the focus. These are some of the blessings I'm grateful for now and always.

Christmas 2008

My favorite part of Christmas every year is Christmas Eve. Our family has several traditions that are fun but always made the evening magical to me. To start we eat Christmas Eve dinner with candle light only...that's pretty magical when your a little kid.

Then we move to our talent portion of the evening. Melissa was our only participant this year, playing "Away in the Manger" for us all. But as everyone gets older they are more reluctant to show off.Next we move to singing carols. This year Aly played the piano and Emily led the music. We are a first verse only family so we do sing several songs.Now for the funnest tradition of all.....the Nut Gift! Mom makes pudding for dessert and places a hazel nut in just one dish. We all choose our dish, youngest to oldest, and dig in at the same time. Usually there is lots of bantering and betting on who will get the nut, who deserves the nut, and just who is the nut! As you can tell, Emily was the nut this year winning the 'extra' gift which was a bottle of sparkling cider. She also is awarded the big cow trophy that one of my brothers won in 4H one year. She will place her name on the bottom and proudly display it all year. Next year she's required to bring it to Chirstmas Eve to see who the new 'nut' is.

After the nut gift, my father always reads the Bible account of the first Christmas. After hearing it so many times, I believe that I've about got it memorized...how about you? Isn't it the best! This year John read to us out of the Book of Mormon the account of the Saviors birth. It was a really nice touch which I hope we continue.

We move to the gift opening section of the evening now. This year we started with mom and dad opening the wall hanging Melissa made them. She started it while she was in the hospital in Denver and finished putting the last button on after they opened it that night. It takes a lot of work, but it is a treasure. I think you can see it ok here.

And finally the kids open their gifts from my mom and dad, and they always open pj's. The most common but most desired Christmas gift of all I believe. You can't tell but Aly, Emily and Michael all got University of Wyoming bottoms this year. It's my mother's subtle way of letting them know where her vote is when they decide where to go to college. (Aly's already failed - but you can never give up hope she'll change her mind!) They are all holding up the ornaments they get from my parents also. It was a great evening, I loved every minute of it, and cherish the memory it has already become. We were especially blessed to have Julie Ann, Greg and Jenny with us this year. They got to see our madness up close and we hope they are still our friends. What a great beginning to a great Christmas break.

Oh yea...Thanksgiving was in there too

Here are some fun pictures of our family Thanksgiving celebration in Burlington at my sisters. She did a great job and we had so much fun. Everyone of my siblings and their families were able to be there plus Jessa and Lukus, Aly's college friends. As you can tell, Josie, the newest member of our family was the hit of the day.

Johnathan, Pam and Richard "shooting the bull" as usual. You could call that a great Gerrard (my mother's family) tradition. We've had some real loud and rousing discussions at the annual Gerrard Thanksgivings in the past.

One of my favorite pictures of the weekend. Jessa, Josie, Johnathan and Aly all enjoying eachothers company.

And my beautiful sister-in-law Krista getting her turn with Josie.

Mom, John and Gregg doing their part to clean up after dinner.

Aunt Veda and Greg reluctant to leave the table and call it good for the day.

The cousins: Kyle, Taylor, Kennedy, Scotlyn, Erin and Emily

Kennedy and Scottie patiently waiting to start on seconds!

All of us - the Gerrard cousins- who could be there. It was always a tradition that my mother's family got together for Thanksgiving every year. We are lucky that some of us still live close enough to do it. We miss David and all of Uncle Clyde's family....but maybe someday!

At Long Last..

I've missed a month...a busy month...so I am going to post lots of pictures. I have to do it for my own journaling purposes, (and now it is public knowledge that journaling is not one of the things I excel at) so it will be long. Here is the Bernhisel's last month in review:

Emily sang in her school choir for their Christmas concert. It was great fun and well done. I'm so glad she enjoy's singing so much.

Melissa had her first Middle School chior and band concerts. She plays the clarinet. She was so excited to participate in what she considers the "big time" stuff. She reminded us about it daily and was dressed long before the designated time...it's fun to love music.

Here is Michael at the same Middle School concert playing his saxophone...he was ready 5 minutes late and was glad he only had to do band and not choir. Although the loves the band, the choir just isn't his cup of tea. Next we went to Michael's 8th grade basketball tournament...He played hard and loved being on the court.Bryce, Shane, Michael and Brady took a break during one of the games. You can tell this was one of the easier games.And here is our great team with their 3rd place plaque. Top row: Bryce, Bill (Michael's cousin), Kirby, Jake, Dalton, Brady and Michael Bottow row: Shane, Cannon, AnthonyThe mighty 8th graders who have played so well together these last 3 years!And, of course, the one we love to follow on the court and off... Michael. We had a great weekend with these boys and look forward to many more fun athletic weekends in the future!

Michael turns 14

There are lots of birthdays that come, and many have lots of significance, but I usually don't think of 14 as one of those significant birthdays. Well, Michael turned 14 recently and it was the hardest birthday he's ever had for me....why...who knows, but I found myself ready to cry several times. He can't drive, can't date, can't start some new and exciting activity that requires you to be 14, but he really seemed older somehow to me. It may be that he's finally taller than me, it may be that he works so hard around here and is so helpful to me that I realized his days with me are numbered, or it may be that I'm just getting so old that I realize my kids are zooming by. I don't really know, but Michael has definitely been a blessing in our home. He's a tease, responsible, kind, and believe it or not sensitive to other's feelings (it must be being raised with so many crazy girls). Well he's a one of a kind and we're so glad he's ours....so Happy Belated but Remembered Birthday Michael!