Traditions.

My Dad is in the habit of making things he likes that we don't, 'traditions'. He's tricky like that. But I've been thinking recently about traditions and which ones of our family traditions I'd like to keep going with my own family someday and what traditions I want to start.

I mentioned back in January that I'd like to make visiting my best friend over Christmas a new tradition. I'm headed to see her over 4th of July - but for as long as my parents stay in the midwest, I want to spend part of Christmas vacation with her. After that, well I guess we'll have to see how that works, huh?

For this season of my life, traveling is a big part of my life. When I told Thomas about all my upcoming travel I wanted to think of something that I could bring back from all of my trips for him, a new tradition of sorts. I couldn't think of anything wouldn't get excessive after about 5. I couldn't imagine him collecting thimbles or shot glasses...and so, we decided on postcards.

As I travel the US (and who knows, maybe the world someday) I will pick up postcards along the way and write about my travels - places we should visit together someday, things I loved seeing, and if my New York postcards where any indication - probably a little bit about the yummy food I found there as well.

It seems appropriate with this being Father's Day weekend and all to share a little bit about a tradition that was between my Dad and I only growing up. More of you know that my Dad has been a football coach my whole life. But after he made the change from college to the NFL we decided to make a tradition. As he would travel around (and sadly, I couldn't go) he would bring me back a field pass from each new stadium he went too.

We faithfully collected them for YEARS - from Lambeau field in GB (my favorite at the time) to even stadiums that no longer stand - RIP Big Sombrero. I was thinking just the other day I should go back and find these in my bedroom at my parents house.

I have the most precious Daddy in the world - hope you all are making yours feel special this weekend. And who knows, maybe starting some new traditions of your own.

Love,

B

One Right Decision.

Well the time has come again - walk time. I know this is the time of year that people are constantly getting hit up to support a whole bunch of great causes. Don’t think I’m not one of those people who’s getting hit up, because I totally understand. And honestly, I want to support pretty much all of them but I know that we’re all on budgets and we can only do so much. Whether or not the fight for the sanctity of life is something that makes your heart ache the way it does mine, I wanted to share with you a little about how much the walk means to me, personally. This is a chance to let you know me a little more intimately and share with you a bit about my family.

I do the Walk for Life as a tradition that I feel is my personal tribute to my Dad & his birth mother. My Dad was born to a 15-year-old unwed mother. By current US standards that would have made him the perfect ‘candidate’ for abortion. His birth Dad wanted no part and his mother was but a child herself. My Dad always describes her choice to give him a life with my wonderful grandparents as ‘selfless’. A true sacrifice of her own choosing that has given my Dad the chance at a full, incredible life. Wherever she is, I love her for that choice, and my walking year after year is with her in mind. What a brave woman she was, and what long-standing good her choice has made.

Here’s my Dad’s take on it, he always says things more eloquently than I:

‘I can't help but think of a 15-year-old, unwed, pregnant teen who made a courageous decision not to abort her child, but instead gave him a chance at life that over 50 million children since have not had. That child was me," he said....I am a husband, a father of three terrific daughters, and I'm an NFL football coach. I don't know of anyone whose life has been more blessed than mine," he says. "Coaching has given me the opportunity to influence many young lives throughout the years. And today, my own beautiful girls have and will continue to impact this world for good. What an impact one right decision can have’ – Clyde Christensen, www.lifenews.com

I could probably end this entry right there because that really brings home the heart of the matter. The fight for life has weighed heavy on the Christensen hearts over the years. Both of my parents have taken an incredible stance to value life and to bring a positive message about adoption. My Mom volunteers weekly at a Life Center in Indianapolis, and both of my parents have spoken many times over the past few years, including with former President Bush to encourage more people in their area and all over to fight for the lives of the unborn.

My sisters and I have had the love of life instilled in us from a young age. I think each in our own way we continue to carry that torch and take a strong stance ourselves for the sanctity of life. The Walk is just my way of contributing with more than just my verbal support but a chance to raise money for my local center and give more women the resources they need to choose life.

I hope for those of you who haven’t heard this story before this gave you a little insight into the Christensen crew. The Lord has certainly had a plan for my family from the beginning and I see daily how he’s blessed us. My hope and my prayer is that he’s blessed that sweet woman who made all of this a reality for us – who ultimately gave not only my Dad but my sisters and I a chance at life. My only regret at not knowing her is that we can’t thank her ourselves and that she can't see what she made possible. If you’re interested in helping me out with the walk, I’d certainly welcome that as well and you can check out my page here.

Love,

B

Wisdom.

It's a little scary I've been asked to impart some wisdom to you all from this year. Since I don't consider myself to be an overly wise person myself (yet), I will impart on your the wisdom of the wisest man I know - my Dad. I turn to him for advice on literally everything (except boys - because his motto is 'forget boys'). He knows something about everything it seems (note: don't direct him to this entry - I don't want him getting all cocky about it).

Anyway, one of the life-altering nuggets of wisdom he gave me was right after I'd graduated college. Literally, I'd finished my last final and I was leaving at 4am the next morning to head to Florida to start my adult life, alone. He sat me down for one of our heart-to-hearts about life and he told me this... he said, 'Bekes, when I get an amazingly talented player like Marvin (Harrison) or Reggie (Wayne) I ask them the same question I'm going to ask you - what do you want your career, your life to look like? Then after the answer I ask them what sacrifices they're making to attain or acheive that life'.

When you're 22, think you know it all, and tired from a week of finals it's hard to be overly inspired by anything. But 2 and a half years later I find that I go back to these questions regularly. What do I want my life to look like? What do I want my career to look like? My relationship with the Lord? My relationships with my family members and friends? Then I sit down and work out a plan to get there. If I want to be in shape, I have to make a plan to workout (and stick with it) and give my body the food it needs to thrive, right? If I want 2011 to be the closest I've been with my family members, well that probably means I need to call them more often, listen more than I speak, make time to visit them and be part of their lives, value what's important to them.

I hope that I will continue to grow in wisdom and in character throughout 2011, but I leave you with this...my Dad has worked with some of the most talented athletes in the United States and has found that everyone needs a plan, everyone needs goals, and everyone has to make sacrifices to get where they want to be. We are no exception. I hope that this wisdom takes you far.

Love,
B

One more!

I only have one Christmas gift left to purchase. It's for my Daddy dearest and I cannot for the life of me figure out what to get him! He loves golf but golf related items are incredibly expensive and let's face it my budget won't allow me to go buck wild with the spending this Christmas. Like me, he already has quite a few clothes and he's picky so somewhat hard to buy for (though admittedly he usually likes what I pick).

In recent years I have bought him:

A Coach money clip
A designer cashmere sweater (I found a fabulous deal)
Before that a tie I believe

Any good ideas?! I'm really at a loss here. And I'd like to finish up my Christmas shopping for the year.

Love,
B

Colts update.

If you're a colts fan you should read this blog from former Head Coach, Tony Dungy about Sunday nights incredible game.

You should also check out this great picture of yours truly's padre from the sidelines after Sunday's win. Love this picture of Dad. You may have to hit pause on the slideshow because for some reason when I link it, it tries to keep going and showering you other pictures. So if you want to pause on the big grin, you will have to stop the slideshow.

Love,
B