Christensen's Corner: January 2009

Monday, January 19, 2009

Apple picking in Oak Glen -- October 2008

Daddy helping Audrey pick apples

Michael, Stephanie, Audrey and Wylie

Daddy's Girl

Ryan and Audrey

Marc and Mom

We spent the day in Oak Glen picking apples, visiting the petting zoo and just enjoying the day with my family

A must read for every American

A friend e-mailed this to me, my daughter-in-law posted it on her blog and I decided to do the same.

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday MorningCommentary.My confession:I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me, even a little bit, when people call those beautifully lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees!It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But, there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different. This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And, being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.Are you laughing yet?Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many onyour address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what theywill think of you for sending it.Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not, then just discard it. No one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in. My Best Regards, honestly and respectfully,Ben Stein

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Heather N. Christensen (27) my middle child

Marcus and Heather

Christmas 2008

Heather and Marcus

TRUE LOVE

Sharon, Heather and Hans
Audrey's 2nd birthday party

Audrey and Heather

Heather and Carson
(my sister Rushka's son)

Well, when I think about you being almost 28 years old it really amazes me. Where did the time go...you were just a little over 4 year old when I first met you. You are the exact clone (just the girl version) of your father. You also look alot like your grandmother Virginia, when she was young. She was a beautiful teenager, with her thick head of blond hair and big blue eyes just like you. You have always had your Dad wrapped around her little finger and I am sure you always will. He is very proud of you and so am I. He did a great job raising you, and I did a part too, and we did a pretty good job, If its all right to say so. You and your dad, have always had such a close relationship and think and act so much alike. Genes are a funny thing. You will see one day........There where times I think I was jealous of your relationship..(weird for a mom to say, but true, non the less) I would have loved to have a father like your Dad, to grow up with un-divided love and dovotion but we both know what type of man my father is...so you know where I am coming from. You are a lucky girl. Your Dad would do and/or give up everything for you. You are and will always be his #1 girl. You are lucky to have him and he is lucky to have you too. Your have the strongest bond I have seen between father and dauther. Stephanie has a father like yours too. You helped you dad thru some rough times in your early years before we got together.

I will always think of you as a little girl with most incredible head of hair.....playing with Barbie's

You have something common with Audrey, you loved the color pink and no other color...every shade, just as long as it was PINK. you stayed stuck on that color for years.

You flew more in airplaines more than most adults.You flew back and forth between California and Washington 3 to 6 times each year for many years. You had more pilot wings than most pilots...lol.. you were such a grown up girl...It broke our hearts each time to send you to Washington for vacations and summers but you always came home.

You have grown into a fine, strong willed hard working girl. You have become very successful in your career and have advanced quickly. You are independent and we have never had to worry about you taking care of yourself. Before long you will be my boss...and I will work for you...lol...I will be a pain employee....lol

When I think of you having the most fun, I always get a vision of you flying down the river on your SeaDoo, standing up, blond hair flying.....getting too much attention from other boaters, which I can tell you, scared the hell out of your father. He really had a hard time realizing his baby girl had BOOBS and string bikini and could ride the Seadoo better than him. Hell, you did not make his hair turn grey, it just started falling out. lol Blond Daughter Baldness, I just came up with something funny. lol

I love you very much and I am so proud of the woman you have become....I cannot take all the credit because you also were a very strong willed little girl that always knew and got what she wanted. You still are, you look out for yourself and can stand up for yourself when you right. You know what you want and I am sure all your dreams will come true. You make me happy and proud mom.

(I love you and hope you do not mind me writing this) Love Mom

Christensen Clan -- Our Generation

Han's, Curt and Jon

Curt is holding the 100 year+ Danish Christensen Clan Pipe

which has been in Alaska for years until Michael's passing. His wife Jackie

sent it to Han's at Michael's request, we passed it on to

Curt Hans Christensen

Jon, Curt and Hans

Danish Flag

Jon Christensen

Matthew Christensen

Uncle Fred, Louise Gibson and her daughter
at Illeen's funeral 2 weeks before Uncle Fred's passing

Alisa and her son Allen and her new fiance in the background talking to one on the Sargent boys

Here are photos of the current generation of Christensen's

We had many passings in 2008. We lost Mike from Alaska, Illeen, (Ole's sister and Colleen's beloved mother) and Uncle Fred We really miss Don, Ole, Chris, Michael, Howard, Illeen, Alta and Uncle Fred and Lisa, Jan's oldest daughter. May you all rest in Peace and be with God. We will see you again one day in Heaven.

Christensen Clan -- New Generation of babies (nephew"s and neice's)

This is Han's holding Cole Lewis Christensen...Matt and Jen's son.

Audrey and Samanntha (Amanda's youngest daughter)

Hans, Heather, Sharon, Coby and Audrey
(Audrey's 2nd Birthday Party)

Coby and Audrey watching cartoons

Jennifer and Marcellus at the Monster Truck Show

I am starting to really enjoy this..I keep coming up with new ideas and things to post. You may all get sick of this soon, but it keeps me busy.

The above pictures I would like to share are of Matt's son Cole, Amanda's youngest daughter, Samantha, Sharon's (Chad) son Coby, Audrey and Coby Jennifer's son Marcellus

Michael J. Sullivan (27) my oldest child

Stephanie, Michael, Wylie and Audrey

Christmas 2008

Michael and the kids

December 2008

Day of Wylie's birth

Day of Audrey's birth

Stephanie and Michael's Wedding Day

It is really amazing to me that my first born is 27 years old, almost 28. He is married, a devoted husband to Stephanie and a amazing father of two beautiful children...WOW, being a Grandma is the BEST, BEST, BEST. Grandchildren, are little blessings from God, truly one of his most amazing creations. Seeing small parts of their parents in them and the funny things a 3 year old can say....lol Anyway, back to Michael (I love you but you know how I can go on forever about being a Grandma) I cannot believe the time passed so fast. You were the first grandchild to my father Dimiter Gluhcheff, a father of 6 children...he was so, so very proud to have a Grandson. You were the center of attention for years and the entire family doted on you. You were always head strong and a strong willed child with a mind of your own. You always knew what you wanted, and went after it. Today you are a handsome, wonderful, hardworking son, husband, father and family man. It is obvious that you love your wife and children, family and God. You have really grown into quite a man in the 5 1/2 years you have been married. Taking on the responsibility of marriage was a bit scary at 22 but you stepped up, again knowing exactly what you wanted..and have done a great job. You are a wonderful son, husband, and father. Your wife and children are just as blessed to have you, as he is to have them. You all make a wonderful family and inspiration for other young couples on how to do things right. Michael, you should be very proud of yourself, I know I am very proud of you and love you very much.

You will always be my first born, You make me proud to be your Mom...keep up the good work Son. Hope you do not mind me writing this, I plan to do a bit about everyone special in my life. Mom

Han's "Los Angeles Lakers" game room

Lakers room memobilia

Hans and Matt in the Sun's Arena

Shaq and Kobe (Shaq's first game with Phoenix)

My husband loves the Lakers and has since he was a boy. After 19 years of marriage, I love them too. We attended 24 or more games last year and have gone to at least 5 so far this year.

Our nephew Matt, who lives in Scottsdale with his girlfriend Jenifer and their son Cole Lewis has a friend with season tickets that give them to Matt to take us to the Suns games against the Lakers last year.It was Shaq's first game as a Phoenix Sun. Matt, Hans, Jon and I attended. We were in the 3rd row off the floor in center court. Han's and I went dressed in full Lakers gear and I even painted "24" on my check in purple and gold. We really got under the fingernails of the Sun fans, Han's keep yelling that Shaq was not the answer" Shaq missed more free throws then he made that night and we had a blast letting him have it. Han's even got Kobe Bryant to chuckle and give us a smile. The Sun's fans keep asking "how did you get those seats, go home Lakers" and we won the game. The entire Sun's stadium was chanting LAKERS, LAKERS, LAKERS and Han's got on the news that night after the game.

We also attended the Lakers thrilling win over their rival Boston Celtics on Christmas 2008. That was like a playoff game, the energy was amazing.

Here are a few pictures of Han's Lakers room.