Favorite Pix's of Chase

Previous tourney play-Note the score-We were the Visitors...
Again, hence, the funny face...

"Hollywood" I always wondered how the right toe of his shoe always wore out...

It doesn't seem like I ever have any pictures of Chase.

He usually runs from my Camera, or makes a funny face.

Here are some of my favorites from the last ball games...

Evergreen Storm Baseball

' NatGirl'
Evergreen Storm and the Lakewood Tigers
Evergreen Storm Players and Parents

Ok, I know alot of you are wondering what happened at State playoffs...

We played alot of incredible teams. The Storm made it to the Championship Game, beating Dakota Ridge to get there. Congratulations to the Lakewood Tigers for 1st Place. Congratulations to the Evergreen Storm for 2nd Place.

Score 5-4 Very Close!!!

I would like to express my disapointment with how this tournament was run. This was the STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! It felt like just another ball game. All of these teams that made it this far paid alot of money to play in the State Championships. I would be very interested in knowing where this money went to. There was no hype whatsoever. Nothing was advertised. Even the concessions closed early...Most fields were not prepared. There was no backup for rained out games. Shame on them...

On an upnote: At least we had lights...

The Haggard Firecrackers...

Perfect light? Wouldn't you say?

Ever get the idea that Anna wants to be a model?
Happy Birthday Daddy...

Here is Chase trying to teach Jeter how NOT to fetch Smoke Bombs...Stupid Dog.

I like to think of us as being patriotic. I teach my children to respect the American Flag, That we are lucky to live in the United States of America. When Natalie sees a soldier at the airport, she likes to say hello and Thank you to them. We still hang our large flag on 9/11 in honor and remembrance. I teach my children about the soldiers in Iraq, and the sacrifice they and their families are making to keep us safe.

With that said, here are some images of my family, on July4th, which also happens to be my husbands birthday.

Trip to MO

Anna and Nat with my mother and one of her home grown tomatoes,

that the squirrels did not get ahold of.

Anna on her favorite tire swing...
Me with Connie and Billy
My family...I can't believe Chase is taller than me...
Greg

Bob

Planned a quick trip in less than 24hours. Got my windshield replaced, checked the oil and tires, washed my car. Did all the laundry. Put the carrier on top of the car (me and Chase) Packed, picked up the house. Loaded up the Kids, dogs, fed the cats, and we were out the door. (Friday 4:30pm) Drove from Evergreen to Kansas City, (with an overnight in Salina KS) visited with my friend Mary, and her son Tyler. Picked up Mike from the Kansas City Airport, (Sat afternoon) ate dinner at my favorite KC restaurant (Margaritas) went bowling with Mary, Tyler and my family...Got back on the road, and drove to Lake of the Ozarks, while my husband slept...Made it to my brother Greg's house. (early Sunday am) Unloaded...Had to be back on the road Thursday for State playoffs in Colorado for Chase's Baseball team starting Friday.

My mother came over the next day, fixed breakfast, showed Anna again how to fry green tomatoes (her favorite).

We were able to have a nice visit with my mother and step father, Paul. Kids loved shooting off fireworks, (no ban on them like in Colorado) My brother Greg loved shooting them off too, I got a scar on my belly to prove it...LOL! Mike, Chase and Greg were able to do some golfing. After 9 holes Chase became the desiginated driver...Kids got to go to the creek and catch crawfish and frogs. (Sadly I didn't go...darn!)

One of the highlights was getting to visit with my very good friend Connie (who was a foster mother to me for a time while I was growing up) and her husband Billy who flew in from Antigua, where they own the Mad Mongoose Bar and Grill. I haven't seen her since we both lived in Florida.

Here are some great pictures of our trip...It's true about what they say about pets and their owners...Starting to look alike. This is my brother Greg's new pet "Bob." Can't tell them apart? Greg is the one wearing sunglasses...LOL!

Sorry that we weren't able to make the rounds to everybody. This was an unplanned trip, that was pulled together very last minute. We did not have alot of time. Hopefully, we will be able to get around again this summer. I know that some of you said that you would be visiting us, soon. Hope this still stands true. (but I am not holding my breath...)

Dreams...

Dreams...

I am a mother whose baby has died.
A part of me is missing, never again to be found.
But I am still his mom, and he is still my child.

Do babies grow up in Heaven?
Yes, he does. Every night in my dreams.
First tooth, first step, splashing in his bath,
and Oh my gosh!!! He is so full of mischief!

I see a fuzzy caterpillar while walking on a trail.
"Lookie here, my son, do you see what I see?"
His tiny finger, cautiously reaching for the touch...
I see the wonder in his eyes,
hear the squeal of his voice, see the smile on his face.
I feel the pride and love in my own heart.

I sit here writing this with a lump in my throat.
Wondering what will you think?

Will you think I am crazy?
I am not! See, to me this is real.

This is not just a dream.

This is my life now. This is what is normal.

I know you can't see what I see,
nor do I ever want you to feel what I feel...
To you my baby is dead.
To you he's not real.
To you, he was just a dream.

Author: Cheryl Haggard

Family

Here is a portrait of my beautiful family.
Chase is 13, Anna just turned 11 on April 30th, Natalie is 7 and our angel Maddux is represented by the "Pooh Bear".
No need to know how old Mike and I are...

Friends

Here we are celebrating Ali's birthday at Benihana's.
Kris, Ali and I are attempting to do our 'cheer' faces, like our daughters...

The Brave Little Soul

A photographer friend sent this to me and I want to share this story with everybody I know and even those I don't. It is so beautiful. I like to think of Maddux, being the Brave Little Soul...Thanks for reading. Cheryl

The Brave Little Soul
by John Alessi

Not too long ago in Heaven there was a little soul who took wonder in observing the world. He especially enjoyed the love he saw there and often expressed this joy with God. One day however the little soul was sad, for on this day he saw suffering in the world. He 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,” he 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 – to create this miracle - for the good of all humanity."
Just then the little soul got a wonderful idea and could hardly contain himself. With his 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 then 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 his suffering and God’s strength, he 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 friends got together and new friendships were made. Distant family reunited, and every 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.

Florida, March 2007

Just got back from Orlando. We took the family with us for the girls cheerleading competition. Anna's team took 2nd place and Nat's team took 1st. We stayed at the beautiful OMNI in Davenport Florida, and spent most of our days soaking up the beautiful Florida Sunshine with good friends, good food and even managed to spend a day at Sea World. Natalie and I were wrestling in the pool on the first day, and lo and behold, her front tooth got knocked out. (not my fault) Here are some images or our fun together:

Image 1-Nat, Anna and their good friends Katie and Kylee Haralson

Image 2-Poor Sophia, playing chicken in the pool, with Nat on her shoulders. Do you think she can breathe?

Image 3-Nat and her NO NO DRAMA...

Image 4-My cheer face with Nat and Anna...I think Anna is alittle embrassed...Oh well!

Image 5-Me and the hubsters...

Glamour Shots

Anna was invited to Glamour Shots to celebrate her friend Kylee's birthday...

Here are some of the images that they took...Anna, Kylee and their friend Taylor, who sadly is moving to Texas soon...

They are all so beautiful.

Hunting Rabbit?

Our friends, Jim and Mikey went hunting this year...They got an elk and a deer. Actually, I think Mikey did them both in. My friend Gina had to bring by the heads to show the girls. They were completley grossed out. Baxter was freaked out, and Jeter thought this was just a big 'chew bone.' Here are some cute images that I took...

This is So COOL!!!

I just did the coolest thing...Here is an image of my son Chase. He wanted an image for his 'myspace' page. We decided to have some fun, so we found the image and made it look like a colored pencil drawing...Cool huh? I swear, computers are so cool...What an amazing tool!!!
Oh, Had to add one of ANNA, too...

Then decided to play with the one of Maddux and myself...I think it turned out really nice.

Had to add one of the hubby in a cowboy hat...How hot is he???

Maddux's 2nd Heavenly Birthday

Wanted to share our family photograph. This was taken the night we removed Maddux from life support. The nurse with us took the only photograph of all of us together...It took me along time, (two years, but...) I asked one of the NILMDTS affiliated photographers, Art Wright from Texas, to take this image and do something with it. I didn't give him much to work with, the background was bad, the lightning was terrible, and we all looked like, well, you know...Awful!!!

Here is a before and an after...

I had this done in honor of Maddux's 2nd Heavenly Birthday.

“The mention of my child’s name may bring tears to my eyes,
But it never fails to bring music to my ears.
If you are really my friend, let me hear the beautiful music of his name.
It soothes my broken heart and sings to my soul.”
Author Unknown

Jeter Dog...

Most of you know that Alex and Mieka (our Daschunds) died in 2005.
In 2005, we added Baxter to our family...Bernese Mountain Dog. (Mike HAD to have a BIG DOG this time...)
Baxter loves me only when Mike isn't home, so I decided that I wanted another little dog.
This is Jeter...(Yes after Derek Jeter) We are Yankee Fans!!! We welcomed him to our family in 2006. He is a West Highland White Terrier.
He loves the water...

Natalie's 7th Birthday

Here are some images from Natalies 7th birthday. She took three friends indoor skydiving.
They all had a great time.