Happy Anniversary Darling

It is finally here! The day that was unimaginable 364 days ago has arrived and we are so delighted.
I have spent the last few days reading through our Adventure, reliving the tears and triumphs, reviewing the lessons that seem to fade into a shallow memory and renewing the spirit of faith, hope and miracles.
Much has happened since the last post and if you will indulge me, I would like to give you the quickest update I can.
On January 14, 2013, exactly six months to the day that Our Adventure began, Kirk met with Dr, Gardner and Starlene Clayson PA, and learned that he would be able to return to work, 100%! This is more of a miracle than many would ever dare to dream as we were told at the very beginning that this would never happen. (NEVER say Never:)) Since Kirk was on assignment in the administrative offices for the Orem Department of Public Safety he continued there for two more weeks before heading to his new "Home Away from Home". He was placed at Fire Station 5 in Lindon, where Orem contracts to provide services for Lindon. It is a much slower pace than the stations in town and it was thought that it would be a perfect scenario to ease Kirk back into the demands of Fire/Paramedic work.
Kirk was excited to be back with the Brethren, sad that it wasn't his original crew but excited to have the opportunity to create a stronger bond with the new crew. All went perfectly on his first day back, they did some training, had a great firehouse dinner together and retired to their beds and the warm visions that dance around in a fireman's dreams. The team was awakened at 4:40 AM with a call to respond to a fire at Patch's Majestic Metals in Lindon. It was a 7 alarm fire, meaning seven fire stations were needed in order to contain the fire and put it out.




You can pick Kirk out of all the pictures published on this fire as he is the one in the shiny new turnouts. The Brethren worked their tails off on this fire but I am not sure that there was another firefighter as delighted as Kirk was. He did it! He did what he feared he would never be able to do. And, maybe only men can understand this but he conquered the broken back. It had no more power over him.
He came home that afternoon rejuvenated and exhausted all at the same time. It was fortunate that he had his four day break before the next shift or tour of duty as they call it.
It is amazing how being able to physically and mentally do your job can strengthen you in so many ways. Kirk seemed to have a little more spring in his step after his first shift. And really, what are the odds?
Halfway through Kirk's second shift back was a house fire. Seriously....




Yep, that's him on the ladder breaking through the vents in the attic. The second day of his second tour was a fire at a local laundromat. I could not believe it and sent a message to Julie Benson, our sweet friend and nearly famous dispatcher for the fine City of Orem, to see if it was, in fact, a third fire in three work days for Kirk. She said it was indeed a third fire, a laundromat. It was a small fire in a dryer but she said she thought the "boxers are a total loss."
It was no surprise to hear that many were questioning Kirk's whereabouts prior to each fire ;). Three fires. Three days on duty. Something sounds fishy here.......
The beauty of it all is that it felt as if Heavenly Father was making sure we understood that Kirk is back. He's BACK!!
On May 30th of this year he passed his yearly physical test with the department including 35 sit ups! Dr. Gardner had told him not to do sit ups and Kirk said, "I have to in order to keep my job." Dr. Gardner said, "Then don't practice." I can't name another soul that could do 35 sit ups after breaking their back less than a year before. Heck, It may take me close to a year to just work up to 35!

As the weather warmed up this spring I could see the aching in Kirk's eyes to be riding again. Every motorcycle that passed by was an immediate distraction for him and it wasn't long before he had purchased a Razor side-by-side ATV for us to ride together. On our first ride we went back to cherry Creek with the coordinates from Air Med as to where the crash was. He had a hard time finding it and kept saying "It looks different when you are laying down." We stopped at the site with an enormously grateful prayer in our hearts. We talked about that crazy day that started Our Adventure, reliving memories and blessings, and got back in the Razor to head back to the truck. As Kirk started to drive away a group of motorcycle riders crested the dune to the left of us. The stopped their bikes on top, took off their helmets and looked around the hill that they had conquered. The look on Kirk's face was one of recognition and longing. I knew then that the Razor would never be enough for him, even if he pretended it was.

Within a month of owning the Razor it was decided....by me....that it should be sold and a two wheeled- one seater bike should be purchased. I believe this was part of a very well laid out plan. 1. Get a side-by-side ATV, 2. Scare the living daylights out of Gena, 3. Purchase a motorcycle, with her blessings. Step 2 went a bit like this.......We went to Moab for the Fallen Officer Memorial Ride with Dani, Bryn, The Fabulous Derico's, Big Jake and Scott Rich. After all manner of spinning, speeding and crazy driving I unclenched my hands from the handles and tell Kirk, "This is not my favorite part of the ride." In his most serious tone he says, "Hon, if this thing tips over I will be just as surprised as you." Not a comforting thought for me. Step 3 was put on the fast track and a new bike arrived at our home within a week. Fast forward one month and bike number two snuck in under the radar. Kirk had gone up to the BMW dealership to have new tires put on his bike only to come home with a different bike. The Dream Bike. The "I won't ever need another bike" Bike. And the smiles have just gotten bigger.

He and Jake have already had a ride along the coast and are planning the next big ride, 6 states in 6 days,

Kirk took me for a ride on bike #1 and as we cruised through the neighborhoods in our ward I was flooded with the emotions of all of the prayers and service our dear family and friends offered on our behalf through the last year. A guilt-like feeling came over me and I told Kirk that I felt like it was almost mocking the miracles being on a bike again. He gently explained that we were not mocking the miracles.....we were living them. All of the prayers worked! He is living proof of the power of prayer and the beauty of God's miracles.

Someone asked Kirk recently, after hearing that he had purchased a motorcycle, "Haven't you learned anything?" Kirk said, "Yes. I've learned that I heal really well."

There are not enough words to express our gratitude for all of you. For the prayers, the service, the strength you have shared with us over the last year. We are changed yet we are the same. We have grown and continue to learn from the examples we have seen. We are back.


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Goodbye 2012

I can hardly believe that it is December 31, 2012. The end of one crazy year!
It has been 170 days since Our Adventure began. It has flown by and crawled at the pace of a snail all at once, if that even makes sense.
A more beautiful day could not have been offered for the beginning of our journey. We had breakfast together and then began focusing on our individual "priorities" for the day. Kirk had found a weight lifting set in the classifieds and had made the purchase and the pick up before 10:00 AM. He loaded "Inga" the dirt bike, on the trailer and went to pick up our favorite son-in-law Steven and nephew, Kenny, who would be joining him on his third ride of the week.

Third ride of the week?!?! Has this man no job? Responsibilities? A wife with a Honey-Do list?

Yes. Yes. And, yes.

This is the life of a Firefighter. When the opportunity for Kirk to transfer back to the Fire/Paramedic side at the Orem Department of Public Safety, it almost seemed like an answer to prayers for this motorcycle riding man. Firefighters work a grueling 48 hours on duty and then enjoy 96 hours off duty. It is not a schedule for the normal man. ;)  The Brethren refer to each 48 hours on as a "Tour of Duty". Kirk had just transferred back at the end of June and had served three tours before Our Adventure began.

Back at home I was making preparations for an early birthday dinner for Steven including his favorite dessert, lemon meringue pie, which turned out pretty great, if I do say so myself. ;)



I had just tidied everything up when the phone rang. It was Steven. "Kirk has been in a motorcycle crash but he is okay." His voice was so calm that I thought he was just teasing. "You are so funny" I said, "What time will you guys be home for dinner?" He repeated what he had said the first time and added, "They life-flighted him to Utah Valley and he should be there by now." I told him I would head right over. I was trying to digest three key points from the phone call; crash, life-flight and he's okay.

I immediately knelt down and prayed with all of my heart, "Please Heavenly Father, please let him be okay." I felt an overwhelming sense of peace; everything would be fine. I held on to that moment with an ever tightening grip that almost became a strangle hold over the next few days. I even started to doubt the feeling. Did I just make this up in my head. Did I really get an answer to my prayer? I think this is human nature. We ask for Heavenly Father's help and then doubt the blessing we have been given. Why do we do this? Wouldn't our lives be so much easier if we just believed?

Over the next few days we were granted a miracle. Millions of miracles! The word "Miracle" became our new mantra. Again, doubt would creep in and make me question the blessings..... "Are we worthy of these miracles?" The answer? Heavenly Father thinks so.

Over the next 170 days we have watched our life become rich with blessings. We are even closer as husband and wife. Our girls, Bryn and Dani and her husband Steven, have given up so many of their own lives to be available at any moment.






We have enjoyed the support, love, prayers and service from family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and our ward family. They carried so much of the load for us that we almost felt weightless. I never realized what my actions, bringing a meal to a neighbor, running errands for another or praying for them during their time of need would do for them. It literally "lightens their load". Another revelation for us both was that we could "feel" the prayers that were offered for us. I don't even know if there are words to describe this. I do know that I will forever be grateful for those prayers.



We are optimistically looking forward to our January 22nd meeting with Starlene Clayson NP at Dr. Gardner's office. We anticipate a clean bill of health and a 100% clearance to return to work with the Brethren at the Fire Station. It will be a celebration of epic proportions!




We leave you at the end of 2012 with this:

The memories of our Adventure filled year
Are full of miracles we'll always hold dear.
Millions of lessons and blessings galore
With all of this, who could ask for more?
But more we were given, much more we received
Our greatest lesson was just to Believe.
Believe in miracles, great and small,
Believe in the love God gives us all.
Believe in the goodness of family and friends
Whose service and prayers seem to have no end.
Believe in this truth, that God has a plan
And He'll help you through if you'll just take His hand.
He'll love you and guide you and help you to grow
He'll be right beside you, of this we know.
So through this Season, with all you receive,
We hope that you will always Believe.

May 2013 bring you copious amounts of happiness and blessings! You are worth it!

Love to you all!
- Posted by Gena Bertelsen using BlogPress from my iPad

Every Second Counts

106 days since Our Adventure began.
2,544 Hours.
152,640 Minutes.
9,158,400 Seconds.

Putting it into numbers seems to makes it feel so recent and so far in the past all at the same time.

We went to see Dr. Paul Gardner's PA, Star Clayson, last week after Kirk did a flexion and extension series of x-rays. Star put the x-ray films up on the board, separately and one on top of the other to see if everything lined up. The best words came out of her mouth, "Everything looks very stable. It couldn't be better."

Absolute relief was shining through our smiles like the rays of the sun after a stormy day. We ran several questions past her, the biggest of which was, "When can he get out of his shell?" Star wanted to speak with Dr. Gardner but felt that he would recommend transitioning into a soft corset over the next month or two. She said she would give us a call when she had spoken with him and got his opinion.

As you might expect, Kirk transitioned himself out of the shell that night. No call from Star. No soft corset. No surprise here. He went to work the next day, with shell in hand, "just incase".

Three days later he got the call, "Dr. Gardner would like you to transition into the soft corset over the next few weeks." Star told him. "Well, what if I just transition myself out of the shell without the soft corset?" Kirk casually asked. Star gave him the recommendations from Dr. Gardner and Kirk finally told her he had already "transitioned" himself out of the shell. "How long have you been out of it?" she asked. "Since Tuesday." Star asked how he felt and his response was joyful....."Better than ever!"








And he is.

He has transitioned out of the hospital bed and out of the shell. He continues to physically do more and more each day while taking fewer and fewer medications for pain. After spending the morning raking leaves with his dad, brother Brad and nephew Cole, mowing the lawn and even doing some laundry, Kirk walked into the room, threw his hands up in the air like a veteran referee calling the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the championship game, and exclaimed, "I'm back!"

What a beautiful journey we have been blessed with. Every single, miraculous, second has brought us together in ways we couldn't have managed on our own.

We are stronger.
We are more focused.
We are giddy.

And "we" are searching for a new motorcycle:)





- Posted by Gena Bertelsen using BlogPress from my iPad

It Will All Be Worth It

Eleven Weeks.
We are at eleven weeks since the beginning of Our Adventure.
Kirk and I have spent most of the day at home today. For once, I am the one not feeling well. Ironically, he says this is probably his best day so far.
We watched the movie 17 Miracles this afternoon after a sweet friend of mine challenged me to watch it. We have heard what a great movie it was, and we agree. However, my eyes are swollen and red from shedding tears for over an hour. If you haven't seen it, you definitely should make every effort you can to watch it. Make sure you have the kleenex close by.




This is a true story of pioneers from the Martin and Willie Handcart Company that crossed the plains to come to Zion. Two of the pioneers, Sarah Anne Frank and George Paddley, were obviously so in love and had planned to be married when they reached Zion. George asked Sarah several times why they were waiting to be married, she would tell him, "It will all be worth it."
I needed that today. We are constantly grateful for the multitude of miracles we have been given but, as time goes on, the miracles seem to be disguised as other trials, stresses and worries. I am human. I am imperfect. I get frustrated, ticked off, impatient, discouraged, sad, mad, worried, doubtful and weak. Today, I needed that reminder, "It will all be worth it."
And it will.
Watching this movie was a great reminder that prayer works and that every challenge we face is meant for our good and our growth. In short, it will all be worth it.
I am starting to wonder who really needed that lesson on patience;)
- Posted by Gena Bertelsen using BlogPress from my iPad

Conversation Piece

Another week has passed in Our Adventure.

Today is the 80th day since it all began. Whew! Kirk says it definitely feels like it has been that long. I think you might get a different perspective whilst wearing a turtle shell back brace.

He has been back to work, light-duty, for 3 weeks now and comes home each evening totally exhausted and ready to crawl in bed. Considering the alternative.....exhausted is absolutely exceptional.

We had a great day yesterday. We had originally planned to take a ride up the canyon and see the beautiful fall leaves up close. But, as I was reaching for my shoes my dog Buddy nudged his way into my closet as if to show me which shoes I should pick. They were the walking shoes. Putting those shoes on makes him the happiest dog in the world as he knows he will get to join me for a walk. He became very vocal as I picked up the walking shoes and I told Kirk that Buddy was hoping we would go for a walk instead. He got his way. And it was perfect.

We went about two miles, just North of our neighborhood, and roused just about every dog you could imagine into a barking frenzy. It was not our normal route so these dogs are not as familiar with Buddy the Wonder Dog and his gentle, playful nature. It is either that or they are extremely jealous of his doggy backpack that he wears on our walks.


Buddy is quite an amazing dog. He is a shoe and furniture critic. He creates enough hair in one week to make another dog and, he loves everyone. Buddy is such an obedient dog that he stays right with us when we walk as if he were the poster dog for the "We don't need no stinkin' leashes" brand. No leash, just a happy friendly dog that wants to meet everyone. This last trait is not always welcomed by others. In fact, most people Buddy would meet on our walks would initially be afraid of him. He is very unique looking and if you didn't know him, you might wonder about his level of friendliness. I decided to use him in an experiment; what if I changed everyones perception of him? Would people still be afraid?

We took him to PetSmart and purchased a doggy backpack. Upon returning home, Bryn and I put it on him and took him for a short walk. He acted as though he had been punished and walked with his ears back and with a little droop in his tail. I didn't give up. I started putting it on him for every walk so that it would become routine. Almost immediately people changed. Everyone wanted to pet him. All that changed was their perception! He had this backpack on which made him appear to be a "working" dog and everyone knows that working dogs are friendly! And, working dogs want to visit and be touched. Buddy cannot believe his good fortune.


Kirk's turtle shell has become a lot like Buddy's backpack. Wherever we go, people want to talk to him, ask him what happened or, as in an earlier post, ask if it can stop a bullet:) We ventured in to several pawn shops yesterday and met so many people that seemed to have so much in common with us. Whether they lived in Mapleton, rode motorcycles or had back problems, we were connected. Kirk and I were talking about how his shell is like a people magnet and he said it has opened up so many conversations with people he didn't even know. He calls it a "Conversation Piece", you know, like one of those great big twisted pieces of glass that you use as a decoration and people are drawn to ask questions about it. It starts a conversation. That is another blessing of Our Adventure.


Saturdays have become our "let's just be together" day. Our old "normal" would have seen weekends come and go with most of our time spent separately, focused on whatever we each made a priority. I was worried about laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning and Kirk was more "fun" oriented with motorcycle riding or tinkering on guns when he was not at work. The new "normal" includes plenty of focus on each other. Priorities have been balanced where they should have been all along.


There are so many ways, in the busy life that we all lead, to lose focus on the important things and we are living proof of that. I think you become so comfortable in your relationships that you don't think about the nurturing that is needed to keep that relationship strong. It's like planting a garden; you work the soil, plant the seed, fertilize and water, prune and weed, and if you are diligent, you reap a wonderful harvest. If you only planted the seed and watered when it was convenient or when you remembered to, your harvest would be nothing to brag about, if you even had a harvest.

Our Adventure has taught us to make each other and our family our number one priority. No matter what. I used to think our marriage was great and couldn't really imagine it being any better. Our Adventure has only improved our relationship because of the adjustments we needed to make. Again, another blessing.

Hope your priorities are balanced. If not.....do something about it! Life is too short to waste another minute!



- Posted by Gena Bertelsen using BlogPress from my iPad

The SWARM

Day 73 of Our Adventure.
Can you believe it has been over 9 weeks since it all began?
I was thinking about that a lot this morning. Some of it still seems very surreal. The rest of it is a reminder that it is VERY real. It's all good, in the big picture of life.
Both Kirk and Bryn have been sick this week and they were kind enough to share their good fortune with me:( They both missed several days of life/work and both seem on the mend. Being an overachiever, I intend to make short work of the gift and be 100% tomorrow...wish me luck.
Kirk was invited to a SWARM on Saturday and, wanting to spend some more time with him, I invited myself to go too. I had to ask him what a SWARM was, I am pretty sure you might be wondering too. A SWARM is kind of like a remote control mini-convention for those who fly RC Planes. They all stand on the pre-determined "flight line" and release their planes at the same time. It sounds like a swarm of bees and is actually pretty darn cool to see. Here is the video footage I took of it:

One of my favorite parts of the SWARM were the two little commentators on the lawn in front of me. I have no idea who they are but, dang it was fun listening to their views on the event.
A couple of The Brethren, current and retired, were there making planes, flying them and having all manner of fun as they attempted to take the planes with the streamers out of the air.

















A big shout out to Ralph Derico, Jake Ervin and Dan Holdaway. It is always great to see you boys. I did ask Kirk why Cheryl and Kim weren't there and he said, "This is kind of a guy thing." Whoops;) Maybe next time.
Over the last few weeks, almost everywhere we go, someone we run into mentions the blog, that they read it, enjoy it and share it. How beautiful is that!? Thank you. We are humbled and inspired and hope that you find something of value in Our Adventure that can help make your life better.
I love this picture of Kirk at the SWARM. Yes, he does have his brace on under the sweatshirt.....otherwise he would look even skinnier! I keep trying to fatten him up without success.




I don't know that we could say this enough........THANK YOU. We are so grateful for the wonderful, genuine friendships we have come to count on in our lives. Your thoughts and prayers, positiveness, service, example and love have held us up through some of the most difficult times we have know. There truly is strength in numbers, especially when it is focused on good.
Love to you all!
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Tomorrow

"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life.
It comes to us at midnight very clean.
It is perfect when it arrives and puts itself in our hands.
It hopes that we have learned something from yesterday."
~John Wayne

Today is the 69th day since Our Adventure began.

Kirk has been plugging away, putting in lots of hours of light-duty work at Orem City. His spirits are lifted so much by The Brethren. They probably don't even know how loved they are.....in a professional way, of course:)

He stayed home from work today not because he wanted to, but because his body told him it would not be in a standing position for more than a few minutes at a time. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Our sweet Bryn shared the quote at the beginning of the post. When I read it I immediately knew it was meant for me today. Do you ever have moments like that?

Let's just say...."It's been a day." Whew...I feel much better:)

So many times I get caught up in the moments of today, stress, smiles, happiness and frustration, and I let it set the tone for the rest of the day. I realize that this is not very productive, but that does not lessen the "attractiveness" of letting emotions take the proverbial wheel and drive you wherever it may. Unfortunately, emotions rarely take you to your planned "destination".

Our Adventure has opened up a treasure chest of emotions for our entire family. We have laughed, cried, worried, been hopeful, anxious, grateful, joyful and elated. Actually, where haven't our emotions been?

Emotions are tricky little things that have much more control of our actions and words than any of us would be willing to admit. (There's that "control" word again.....why does it always seem to be in the shadows just waiting to jump out and do something crazy?)

So, today is almost over. Tomorrow is going to be beautiful. We all have another 24 hours to smile, serve, pray, help, guide and inspire. And after that, we will get another 24 hours to improve on everything again.


I am looking forward to midnight. In fact, I may just stay up to welcome tomorrow with open arms.



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