Remembering Hadley

I can't believe Hadley would have been 4 years old today! It seems like forever yet it feels like she was just here at the same time. Just after Hadley passed away I came across this and read it often! I know she was so brave and volunteered for this mission in her life. Every time I read this it reminds me of all the things Hadley taught me and so many people.

THE LITTLE SOUL

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. She especially enjoyed the love she saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day she saw suffering in the world. She approached God and sadly asked, "Why do bad things happen; why is there suffering in the world?" God paused for a moment and replied, "Little Soul, do not be sad, for the suffering you see, unlocks the love in people's hearts." The little soul was confused. "What do you mean," she asked. God replied, "Have you not noticed the goodness and love that is the offspring of that suffering? Look at how people come together, drop their differences and show their love and compassion for those who suffer. All their other motivations disappear and they become motivated by love alone." The little soul began to understand and listened attentively as God continued. "The suffering soul unlocks the love in people's hearts much like the sun and the rain unlock the flower within the seed. I created everyone with endless love in their heart, but unfortunately most people keep it locked up and hardly share it with anyone. They are afraid to let their love shine freely, because they are afraid of being hurt. But a suffering soul unlocks that love. I tell you this- it is the greatest miracle of all. Many souls have bravely chosen to go into the world and suffer- to unlock this love- create this miracle- for the good of all humanity."

Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain herself. With her wings fluttering, bouncing up and down, the little soul excitedly replied, "I am brave; let me go! I would like to go into the world and suffer so that I can unlock the goodness and love in people's hearts! I want to create that miracle!" God smiled and said, "You are a brave soul I know, and thus I will grant your request. But even though you are very brave you will not be able to do this alone. I have known since the beginning of time that you would ask for this and so I have carefully selected many souls to care for you on your journey. Those souls will help you create your miracle; however they will also share in your suffering. Two of these souls are most special and will care for you, help you and suffer along with you, far beyond the others. They have already chosen a name for you. God and the brave little soul shared a smile, and they embraced.

In parting God said, "Do not forget little soul that I will be with you always. Although you have agreed to bear the pain, you will do so through my strength. And if the time should come when you feel that you have suffered enough, just say the word, think the thought, and you will be healed." Thus at that moment the brave little soul was born into the world, and through her suffering and God's strength, she unlocked the goodness and love in people's hearts. For so many people dropped their differences and came together to show their love. Priorities became properly aligned. People gave from their hearts. Those that were always too busy found time. Many began new spiritual journeys- some regained lost faith- many came back to god. Parents hugged their children tighter. Friends and family grew closer. Old family spent more time together. Everyone prayed. Peace and love reigned. Lives changed forever. It was good. The world was a better place. The miracle had happened. God was pleased.

THANKS HADLEY FOR CREATING THIS MIRACLE !!
WE LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!

BIRTHDAY BOY

I can't believe Briggs is already a year old. I look back at these pictures when he was just 2 1/2 weeks old and see how much he has changed in the last year. He is so different from my girls he loves to climb and get into everything! He loves to play with anything but his toys most of the time but his one favorite thing to do is bounce any kind of ball on our tile floor and then chase after it and do it again. Maybe that is a sign he is going to love to play sports. We love having him in our family!

Briggs had a couple of parties one at my moms (with my family) and one at our house with the grandparents. He loves to eat so two cakes was great!

He was not happy that we took it away from him! He would have ate the whole thing but I was afraid it was going to make him sick after he had eaten half of it.

He really did not care about the presents after he opened the first one. So Oakley had fun opening the rest for him.

His lawn mower and trucks were his favorite toys he got for his birthday.

Fall Soccer

This year they had a new fall soccer league. Oakley loves to play and had lots of fun this fall. We actually had pretty good weather this season unlike in the spring. She met lots of new friends and they only lost one game.

Trouble

Briggs is such a little climber! One of his favorite places to play is under the kitchen table. He often finds himself in trouble as he tries to climb through the chairs. I can't help but laugh as he screams for help.

Football Time at the Rasmussen's

We all know how big of a Bears fan Jeff is so this is what it looks like around our house on game day.

We still need to find Briggs a #55 jersey (Lance Briggs) after all that is where we came up with his name.

Disney Land Trip

We were able to go to a Angels game when we went to California the kids loved it and we even caught a ball!

Briggs loved everything going on around him and liked the rides he was able to go on.

One of Oakley's favorite places to eat is Goofy's kitchen. She is usually able to get a lot of autographs there which is another thing she loves doing.

Briggs liked most of the characters but Goofy was one he was not too sure of at first.

and of course you have to get Mickey ears when you go to Disney Land.

We had a great time there! Oakley loved all the rides and was not scared to ride anything. Her favorite this time were Tower of Tower and California Screamin. She was lucky and got to ride the big rides twice in a row with the rider switch pass so one of us could wait with Briggs.

*Briggs 9 month pictures*

Sprinkler Fun

Oakley and Briggs running through the sprinkler at Grandma Rasmussen's house. Briggs was not quite sure if he liked it or not. Sometimes he would laugh and sometimes he would cry.

Oakley and her cousin Tori in their matching swimsuits. They were excited to find out they had bought the same swimsuit.