Silly Chopsticks

We celebrated Mema's ?th birthday at our favorite Chinese restaurant.  We tried to get Lundyn to take bites of food from the chopsticks.

Not having it....It was just too funny!

Fort Worth Stock Show 2010

Mema had a great idea to take Lundyn to the Stock Show this year.  So, when Lundyn had a day off from school we loaded up and went.  We had a blast with her.  She just loved everything about it.  Where do we even start?

The Petting Zoo:

This type of petting zoo was a new experience for Lundyn.  She has fed and pet animals before, but she was in with them at the stock show.  I should have known that our girl would have no reservations.  I think if left alone she would have rolled around in the saw dust with them.

Lundyn wanted these chickens so bad.  They were fast movers though.

They had pony rides at the Stock Show.  Of course, Lundyn was thrilled and giggled the whole time.

Mommy and Lundyn rode the merry-go-round together.  Lundyn rode the giraffe and laughed and laughed and squealed and laughed.

Next, we rode this bear that turns circles.  The faster it went the more Lundyn giggled.

We let Lundyn ride these swings all by herself.  They were just her size, but Mommy was sure nervous.  She lasted the whole ride and loved every second.

Then we rode this:

There we go.  Up and away....

Okay, just once more on the merry-go-round.

Moooo!

Next, we moved on to more animals.  Oh, man were they huge.  Lundyn eyes were locked on this guy for a while.

Just couldn't resist this beautiful Longhorn.

 Great day! Great memories!

The Child Who Can Not Talk

I am the child who can not 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 cannot walk.

The world seems to pass me by.

You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair,

to run and play like other children.

There is much you take for granted.

I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom, oh I've dropped my fork again.

I am dependent on you in these ways.

My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune,

your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself.

Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them.

I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright,

to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent.

I give you awareness.

I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the special child.

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 special child.

I am the special 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 special child.

- Author Unknown