The Race

To see a summary and pictures of the race check out this POST that my cousin wrote on his blog!

Dear Mr. Lee Benson,

Thank you for writing  THIS ARTICLE  about our Granty!

Technology Has Atrophied Bravery

I don't usually post about my personal life but I think this time I just can't resist!A friend of mine met a dude whilst eat at Costa Vida, decided to give him my phone number, then came home all excited for me to go out with said dude. I was up for whatever.

The next day dude decides to text me (sorry dude if you have found my blog already) and tells me it's him and that my friend had told him to get a hold of me. Note: to all my guy friends out there. Don't tell a girl you were told to call her or text her or check her out on Facebook. Once someone suggests you call her (or whatever) make your own decision to contact her and you're on your own from that point on.

Then dude continues for a long time to have a "conversation" via text. Note: Do not have conversations via text. Text messages are meant to be short and concise. He pretty much asks me all the "first date" questions via text and at some point I realize we are sort of on a "text" date. I hate this realization and can't wait for the conversation to end.   (note: I don't hate dude cuz I don't really know him at all).

After not really responding very quickly I think dude gets the point and then sends me his full name with the request to add him as a friend on Facebook. Note: Don't ever ask someone to add you as a friend on FB. If you are interested in finding/stalking out more about them via FB then get their full name and request them as a friend.

Somewhere along the line technology started to rob people of their bravery. Instead of actual getting up the gumption to ask someone out face to face we now text, fb, or heaven forbid twitter. Instead of breaking up or having a hard conversation with someone we hope to be able to leave a VM. I'm not saying I'm anti technology but come on. Some things just need to be done properly. Note: this is my shout out to all those who remain brave--Good for you!

Climbing Trees

As a child therapist sometimes you have to be creative to get kids to open up to you--to let you into their world--or at least to understand where they are coming from. You always MUST get on their level. Sometimes this means bending down to talk to them eye to eye. Sometimes it might mean sitting next to them fro 45 minutes without talking while they cool down or stop crying before they will even talk to you. Sometimes it means running after them (after they just got into a serious fight) and taking an unexpected early evening stroll in the middle of the desert.

All of these have happened to me while working with the Apache Native American kids I work with this summer. The last incident happened this past week. A kid I have ended up spending a lot of time with up at camp got into a fight (I wasn't there to witness the fight) and a male staff mentor had to break it up and got really mad at this kid. So the kid took off running at a full sprint to the gate, past the gate, and well on his way to nowhere fast. The mentor found me and pointed to the kid and before he could even tell me anything I took off sprinting to catch him. Eventually the kid slowed down (thank goodness) and started walking and so did I. 

We walked for quite a while without talking and I knew it was time to be creative. I saw this very old and curious looking tree and couldn't help myself I knew I had to climb it. So I asked my young friend if it would be okay and he just laughed and watched as I struggled up the tree. I really did struggle getting up and once I was up there is was amazing but I couldn't get down very easily. So I asked him (he is a very big and strong guy) to help me out. Nothing says therapy or opening up and talking to your therapist like watching her make a fool of herself (but it was worth the climb). So he decided he was ready to head back to camp, I listened to him rehash the past events, cry, get angry, and eventually what had to happen when we got back to camp.

I am learning a LOT of new things in this job from many people and many situations but mostly I'm remembering what it's like to be a kid again. 

I Choose You

Words & Lyrics by Kylee Shields

To: Chad & Tina Morensen

There are so many things in life

that we don’t choose

So many lessons learned in time

by what we lose

I’m tired of living my life

without you

My hands and heart are aching for

something new

And I choose you

Some people come into your life

then walk away

Some place their hand upon your heart

and there they stay

I think I’ll never understand

the sacrifice made

By one who handed me your life

after so many prayers were prayed

And I choose you

I choose you

You need to that you were loved

before you came here

That never knowing you 

was our greatest fear

But now you’re here to stay and I’m

doing okay

And with you lying in my arms

today is a brand new day

And I choose you

I choose you

I love you

Chad & Tina- Congratulations on your adoption! I was sitting at home and was so excited to hear the good news. I wanted you know of my love so I wrote you this song. Adoption is near and dear to me as I've been working in the field of adoption & foster care for about 4 years and love it! 

To all my friends who have adopted, are in the process of adopting, or are thinking about adoption I love you and pray for your hands and your hearts to be full