Christensen Family

I can across this today

I have to share this poem I found today. It is all about my daughter. It is a little long but I love the message it has.

I am the Child

I am the child who cannot talk. You often pity me; I see it in your eyes. You wonder how much I am aware of. I see that as well. I am aware of much...whether you are happy or sad or fearful, patient or impatient, full of love and desire, or if you are just doing your duty by me. I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater, for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.

You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times. I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks to be laughed over and repeated. I do not give you answers to your everyday questions, responses over my well being, sharing my needs, or comments about the world about me. I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards.. Great strides in development that you can credit yourself; I do not give you understanding as you know it.

What I give you is so much more valuable...I give you instead opportunities. Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine; the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities; the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible. I drive you further than you would ever go on your own, working harder, seeking answers to your many questions with no answers. I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired. I don't learn easily, if you judge me by the world's measuring stick, what I do know is infinite joy in simple things. I am not burdened as you are with the strifes and conflicts of a more complicated life. My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child, to teach you how much your arms around me mean, to give you love. I give you the gift of simplicity. I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child. I am your teacher. If you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life. I will give you and teach you unconditional love. I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you. I teach you about how precious this life is and about not taking things for granted. I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams. I teach you giving. Most of all I teach you hope and faith.

I am the disabled child.

Everyday Summer Camp for the Christensen’s

Chawndell and I are working at Camp FIFE in Fielding this Summer, Larry has been helping out also on his day off. We are having lots of fun, but it is a lot of WORK!!

I have been telling Chawndell she needs to go on the zip line, we Saturday she finally did it, and I’m very very proud of her, this is something way out of her comfort zone and she loved it. We asked her if she would do it again and she said YES!!

Being at camp has been fun, we have meet some great people and it is soooo fun to see the boys with HUGE smiles on their faces!! We sing songs, we have a opening and closing flag cermonary and lots of fun activities for the boys and girls to do. BMX Bike course, BB GUNS, Archery, Zip Line, Nature walk, Lots of fun games.

here are some fun pictures so you all to enjoy.

State Track Meet

Chawndell’s Special Olympics State Track Meet…

Opening Ceremony's just waiting and waiting and waiting…

Jazz Bear stirring up trouble :)

Special Olympics Torch, Lighting of the Caldron, this is a Father and Son (cop who did the Torch Run and Son who Participates in Special Olympics)

Just simply amazing, (Tears in my Eyes)

Now on to Shot Put

She won the 4th place ribbon on this one!

Staging for the 100 meter Run (she is saying with her eyes “NO more pictures MOM, Your embarrassing ME!!”)

100 Meter Run. And she RAN & RAN and Won the Silver Medal!

Random Random Random

200 Meter Walk (GOLD MEDAL)

I keep telling her, (she was going against boys on this one) that “GIRLS RULE and BOYS DRULE” Well she KICKED some BOYS BUTT!!!

Gold Medal Photo Opt with a “Queen”

All in all, she ended up with 3 medals and one ribbon. Gold in 200 meter Walk, Silver in 100 Run, Bronze in 100Meter Walk and the ribbon in shot put. What a FUN Weekend!!!

That all for now folks, I’m tired :)

My Amazing Daughter

I have the best daughter in the WHOLE WORLD!! She is so amazing, She participates in special Olympics, she is on the honor roll. She Loves her animals, and works hard at everything she does.

Right now she is doing Track and Field. A few weeks ago she participated in the area games but before she was able to do all her events we got rained out, well snowed out. Later this month she will be doing her State games.

One of the highlights of Special Olympics is the Torch Run. She gets to carry the Special Olympics Torch with the police officers who raise money to support our kids! Every time I see her with the torch I get tears in my eyes. I think I’m the luckiest mom in the whole world!!!

This is Chawndell getting her award for the honor roll

This is Chawndell throwing her softball (this is like the shot put)

Her 200 meter walk, and bronze medal

and now the torch run pictures

athletes

athletes and coaches

athletes and police officers

Photo opt with the torch

See I told you, my daughter is amazing!!!

Amazing

Last week one of Larry friends passed away, he was on the Fire Department. Well, I just have to tell you, we (Corinne) have a AMAZING Fire Department and a AMAZING group of guys who all care for each other. They all stepped up and put on the BEST, most memorable Funeral Service I have ever seen!!!!! I was lucky enough to attend this, and like always I had my camera with me, so I want to share some of the Service with you.

First up is Clint, the Chief (I edited this and I have to say OMG this picture is GREAT!!!!!)

He is holding the helmet that was presented to the family.

I LOVED how everyone honored Jose!

They placed the Casket up on top of the Fire Truck

Larry and Scott pulling it up with them.

The guys climbing up for Jose’s last ride. It was so nice to see the “old timers” and “new guys” on the department come together along with Tremonton, Brigham City and Weber County Fire Departments.