REAL GAME

Oakley's soccer team got to play at half time at the Real game this weekend, the girls thought is was great! They are such a fun little team!

Oakely's favorite soccer Bud!

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The Big Game

So last week the night before the big game there was a knock at the door. It was pretty late so we were wondering who it was. When Jeff went to the door he found this box on our steps. Jeff was wondering who it could be from? Luckily I recognized the hand writing and knew it had to be from Rick and Candice. Rick is a packers fan so they thought it would be funny to leave us this nice gift! Jeff thought is was great that they came up with this. Too bad the Bears did not win so we could return the box with the cheese all crumbled up and say looks like the Bears got the best of the cheeseheads.

*Autograph*

So we all know that Jeff is the biggest Bear fan ever, well we have this Chicago sports channel on our TV so Jeff can watch all the pre and post game shows and interviews they do. So on this channel after games you can send emails in with comments and they post some on the screen and comment on some as well. So this particular game Jeff sent one saying how he named his son Briggs after the best linebacker the bears have right. So they brought this up on the show and were talking about it and Jeff thought is was awesome. Then few days later they were doing a interview with Lance Briggs and brought this email up again and asked Lance what he thought about Jeff from Millville naming his son after him. Lance said he thought it was an honor to have him named after him and that he is sure he will be a great young man someday. Jeff thought this was the coolest thing ever and decided this might be a great way to get a autograph. So he emailed the guy that hosts the show and asked what would be the best way to maybe get an autograph from Lance Briggs. So he emailed us back and said send what you want autographed and he would see what he could do but could not promise anything. So we sent a picture and a football and then sent a couple pictures of Briggs so he could see him. He autographed everything we sent. The look on Jeff's face was priceless as he opened the package. Someday when Briggs gets older hopefully he will think it is really cool to have an autograph of who we named him after.

Ice Skating

Oakley has been begging us to take her ice skating, we did not make it to the outdoor rink before it closed so when Wendee invited us to go with them for Kolton's soccer party Oakley made sure we went.

We had a lot of fun! We pushed Briggs in his stroller and he absolutely loved it!

By the end of the night the girls were doing so good and did not want to leave when it was time to go.

My little helper

Briggs loves to help with the dishes. When I open the dishwasher door he is there to help. He thinks he is so Big!

*CHRISTMAS*

We had a very fun and busy Christmas this year. One of my favorite things to do is decorate my fireplace at Christmas. This is my angel corner and I just love it! I try to add something to it each year. It is so fun to look and pick out something special for this corner. It is always the first thing that gets decorated at my house. We also in memory of Hadley always go and pick a little girls name off the angel tree for how ever old Hadley would have been. This is something the whole family loves to go do and about the only shopping Jeff does at Christmas. This year the little girl wanted a kitchen, nursery stuff for her doll and a stuffed pony. I am so glad Hadley's nurse told us about doing this it has been so much fun to do each year!

A few years ago I did the 12 days of Christmas for Oakley and this is a tradition she makes sure we do every year. This year their first gift was a new tradition we started. We give the kids a Christmas book each year and in the front of it we write a letter about some of the things they did that year I think it will be fun to look back over the years and read the things about the kids.

This is the Hansen Christmas Party. We usually have this the Sunday before Christmas. We get together and eat, play games and the cousins exchange gifts for the names they drew. Santa usually always comes too. Briggs was not too sure about him but he did not cry!

Grandma and Grandpa let the kids open one of their presents from them that night, this year all the grand kids got snuggies. Oakley was so excited she had been wanting one these!

On Christmas Eve we trade every other year going to my Grandma Nyman's and Jeff's parents. This year it was our turn to go to Grandma Nyman's. We always have so much fun. This is the grand kids singing some Christmas songs.

Aunt Tana always has the best games to play! This year we were in teams and had to decorate one of our teammates up like a snowman. The kids thought this was great!

Oakley has been wanting this new Salon Doll that came out this year. It has real human hair so you do anything to her hair that you can do with your own. She even got a little mini flat iron to use on her.

Matching P.J.'s

The look on Briggs face when he realized that this 4- wheeler moved when he pushed the button was priceless. He still has not quite figured out though when he crashes into something to let go of the button he just keeps it floored! He also loved the blow up full of balls that Santa brought. This kid loves to play with any kind of ball.

Jeff was excited to finally get a Lance Briggs jersey he has been wanting for quite some time. (still can not find one small enough for Briggs)
But I think Jeff's favorite present was his BEARS SNUGGIE he might not admit it to anyone but he loves that thing. He says it is perfect for playing Xbox. I will have to post a picture of that when I get one.

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!!!