More Christmas Fun

 
Just some more snapshots of our Christmas break fun. We have really enjoyed all the family time we had an opportunity to have with Rey & Mary, Mom and Russ and Laura. As I am posting, we are in the middle of yet ANOTHER round of team Spades. I think Mary & Darrell will win again (they cheat, did I mention that last time I lost?). Happy 2009 to all our family and friends. We are optimistic that it will be a good year and that Darrell will regain his health. Combining our faith together we can look for the miracle. Thanks again for all your love and support. Sending love to all of you!

Merry Christmas 2008

 
We had such a wonderful Christmas this year. Mary & Rey came out from Virginia to spend some time with us and we just had so much fun together. We have been sitting by the fireplace with hot cocoa, playing board games and some really competitive games of Spades (when they win it's luck of the cards, when we win of course it is skill), RockBand (you would have been disappointed if we hadn't played, right?), silly string, the park and lots of food! The kids got a Gameboy (Max, Serena & Holly), Eric got lots of ASU-related stuff, and Michelle got a GPS system from Rey & Mary (if you know me, you know I have absolutely no sense of direction - this is the most practical gift EVER)! I am so happy to have family surrounding us with love and support. We truly are blessed.

Silly String II

 
Does this bring back memories? Way fun!!

Silly String I

 

Check out Mary & Michelle jumping for joy - aren't you impressed?

Bryanna in Action

 
Santa's gift came early for me - just in time for Bryanna's 3v3 soccer tournament. A beautiful 18x zoom, 10.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix digital camera, complete with sports burst mode. These are our first test pictures. They will just get better. Bryanna's team made it to the Semi-finals - we were so proud of her. She is a fierce competitor. And I love Santa!

Max Christmas Recital

 
Max had a Christmas dance recital - he was so serious it was just too cute to watch him. I just love little kids and I laugh over the effort it takes, months of practice, to get a 20 minute performance. But it was a joy to sit in the audience with my husband and watch our youngest do his best to make himself and us proud. Way to go Max! We love you!

Eric Accepted to ASU Engineering Program!

Eric received his letter of acceptance yesterday to Arizona State University, Ira Fulton College of Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering major. I am SO PROUD of him! Now I just have to find some scholarship money......this is my new happy focus. There has to be an organization or funding source to encourage and support budding engineers who have gotten into the program based on merit. I am really happy for him. This is what he wants to study and he has such a gift in the area of physics and math. Education is the gift of a lifetime. He will go, no matter what, if I have to fund it all by myself. But I really believe I can find scholarship or grant help. Wish us luck!

Striving to Keep the Balance

Lately I feel like I am on a see-saw with Faith and Hope sitting on one end, and Discouragement and Dispair trying to tip the balance on the other end. There's a fine line between being realistic and hopeful, and realistic and discouraged. My faith is non-negotiable. I so appreciate friends and acquaintances that offer words of support. And many of you know just what to say to help lift my burden and ease my mind. But may I suggest that the following are simply not helpful:

1. Telling me in great detail about all those you know that have died of cancer and how you hate it and how unfair it is. I agree, but I don't want to dwell on it.
2. Telling me that the trial of losing your spouse would just be too painful for you to go through. I promise you, it will be just as painful for me if it happens.
3. Telling me that the Lord only gives you what you can handle. I recognize that our trials are given to us as an opportunity to grow on an individual level. I sincerely accept this and already can list many valuable things I have learned and will continue to learn. I pray that someday I can perhaps offer assistance to another in a similar situation and that my compassion will continue to grow. But I disagree that our response to our trials somehow dictates what ones are chosen for us, and this statement seems to me to imply that. The Lord choses the trials, we choose our response, and the conversation in prayer between human and diety is private and sacred.

Here's what IS helpful to me:

1. A text or post that you are thinking about us
2. A hug!
3. Tell me about you and the good things going on your life! Invite me to celebrate with you. I don't want to wallow in me - I want to focus on something other than our family situation.
4. A diet pepsi (or coke)...did I really need to post this? I am so easy to please.
5. Let me talk if I need to, or simply sit by you to draw from your strength. I don't know how I am feeling at any given moment, so the same question can elicit a coherent response from me or simply tears. I hate that I don't have a lot of control over my emotion at this time, but it's just the truth. I have been counseled this will go away in time.

I love you all. Please understand that I want and need all of your love and support. I read that often others do not approach someone dealing with a burden (or grief) simply because they are afraid to say the wrong thing. It's OK- it's way better than being ignored or avoided! And even those comments that have prompted this post were made by those who have only the very best of intentions. And I know that. And I quickly forgive, and I hope and plead that you will forgive my shortcomings. I just wanted to post what DOES help me. I hope it is received well and accepted in the spirit in which it was intended.

XOXOXOXOO, Michelle & the Hadder Family

Darrell is on the Road to Recovery!

I wanted to thank everyone for all their prayers for Darrell. He got really ill about 1:00 am on December 10th. His heart rate and pulse were so faint that as I watched him struggle, for the first time I was really afraid. He was already in renal failure, despite my best efforts to watch him carefully and get him immediate help as soon as I recognized danger. Thankfully they got him stablized in ER triage and transferred to ICU, where he remained until last night. He is now in a regular hospital room. He is steadily making progress and is lucid and able to talk to family & visitors. We don't know how much longer he will have to stay. We hope he can get out in a couple more days.

My mom was and continues to be amazing as she fields 3:00 am phone calls from me and drops everything to help our family. She has done it before, and unfortunately she will most likely be called upon again and again. She has been the best mom I could ever ask for and a trusted friend to lean on. I have been so blessed and feel deep gratitude for her and those around us that honestly care.

Thank you to Mary Davis for posting a call for prayers on his behalf. Thank you to our friends who called, text and came to see Darrell and provide support to our family (too numerous to mention). Thank you so much for the treats (Mary Davis and Lori Farr) and the yummy wonderful dinner delivered right to the room (Marilyn Johnson is the best cook!)Mary also helped with Max and Marilyn would have done anything for us we asked. Chrissy Hamberlin helped with Bryanna. Everyone has been so supportive - we never felt like we had to go it alone. We appreciate the blessings and visits from our new Bishop and home teacher, the offers of diet Pepsi from everyone that really knows Michelle, and the care and concern for Darrell and our family.

These are times that we are so dependent on our friends and family in order for us to be strong and exercise our faith. Each time you come through, I know I can never repay the kindness. It has humbled me in a way I cannot describe. We have been shown the true love of Christ as you have reached out to us with charity. We love you all. I will never be able to express how much. Please continue to keep Darrell in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers. This will be a wonderful Christmas after all!

Early Christmas Present

 
I was so happy to see three of my favorite friends from my old Ward! How I have missed their friendship. It has been hard to move away from the love and support of friends like Amanda, Mary & Tiffany. I don't know how I can ever repay them for all they have done for me. You guys are the best! P.S. Amanda, you're really rocking it!

The Life Cycle of Santa

Ok, so this isn't the traditional sentiment about believing in Santa. I heard this somewhere and I can't help but laugh at the truth of it.

When you are a child, you believe in Santa.
When you are a teenager, you don't believe in Santa.
When you're middle aged, you are Santa.
When you're old, you look like Santa.

Fragile Nature of Things

I love these flowers. They are from Darrell for our Anniversary. He started a tradition that he would give me a rose for each year we were married. It was not too expensive the first 10 years, but now the display is quite impressive. And I was so happy to get them this year. I wish the flowers would last indefinitely. But I know that soon they will fade and wilt away. I wonder if that is why I appreciate them so much. If they stayed forever, I would take them for granted and become accustomed to their beauty. In time I would not even notice them. But since I know they will be gone soon, I treasure them while they last. It has got me thinking about the fragile nature of things. The Lord could make things last forever and ever, yet He doesn't. There is a time and season for everything. I know that there is a plan to my life that isn't always clear to me. And beauty that I must fully appreciate because of its fleeting nature. I know family and relationships are ultimately eternal, but I am confronted with the knowledge that here they can be fleeting. I think health issues really make you examine your perspective and choose an attitude. I choose to be hopeful and recognize the role that faith plays in my life. I choose to be grateful.

Family Turkey Time

 

We had such a fun, low-key Thanksgiving this year! Thanks to Mom and Russ who suggested we eat out this year and save our energy (especially Darrell's) for food and family time. We had lots of yummy food, even better desserts, and then we came home and played an "I-spy" type of game that is fun for everyone from Max to Grammy. The weather was beautiful and it even indulged us with some much needed rain. We have finally hit in the low 70's . NOW I remember why we live in Arizona. On friday Eric, Bryanna and I played the 7-hour marathon Rock Band Endless Set List - now we have platinum symbols (for those who know or even care what that is!)with me on vocals, Eric on guitar and Bryanna on bass. We are waiting for the Ion premium drum kit to arrive...how exciting and slightly pathetic is that? Now to start a real band, right? "Thanks for the Candy" goes on tour near you....or at least in the neighborhood. Our house is always filled with music - and I love it. Hope your Thanksgiving was as happy as ours filled with food and family, health and happiness. It just doesn't get any better than this.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

I can't believe it has been 18 years since we got married! When Darrell was in the hospital we wanted so badly to spend our anniversary together - and here we are! I enjoyed peeking back and I hope you do too. It was fun to remember how we felt and the committment we had and still have, now stronger than ever. Three beautiful children and a marriage of serving one another has given us many wonderful memories. We look forward to the next 18 anniversaries. Darrell always says "18 years and counting 'til Eternity..."

Bryanna gets a new look!

Bryanna decided to cut her own hair - look out Hannah Montana! But with the hair color magic of new Ward friend, Jodi Crosby, Bryanna's hair is so cute. Shout out to Jodi Crosby - we recommend her to anyone. If you want to have your own hair transformation, call her at (480) 229-7326 to set an appointment. I'm next!

Max gets 50 stars!

 

We are so happy with Max's choices at school lately. He has been working very hard to earn 50 stars for appropriate behavior during the day. He is on day 12 in a row of perfect 50 stars. Way to go Max! We love Max so much - the little teacher in our family with the biggest lessons of all.

And Now for Something Really Random.....

Chuck Norris...that really cool guy that fears no one and everyone fears him. Do you know the TOP 19 CHUCK NORRIS "FACTS"?
1. Chuck Norris can sneeze with his eyes open.
2. There is no 'ctrl' button on Chuck Norris' computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.
3. Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
4. A "dead ringer" is the guy who sat behind Chuck Norris at the movies and forgot to turn his cell phone off.
5. Chuck Norris has counted to infinity...twice.
6. Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
7. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
8. Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience.
9. Chuck Norris is the reason Waldo is hiding.
10. When the Boogeyman goes to sleep each night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
11. Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
12. Chuck Norris doesn't wear a watch. He decides what time it is.
13. When someone says "no one is perfect", Chuck Norris takes it as a personal insult.
14. When Chuck Norris does a push up, he isn't lifting himself, he is pushing the Earth down.
15. Chuck Norris knows the last digit of "pi".
16. If Chuck Norris works in your office, do NOT ask him for the 3-hole punch.
17. God said "let there be light" and Chuck Norris replied "say please".
18. Picking a fight with Chuck Norris is illegal in 12 states because its considered assisted suicide.
19. Chuck Norris died 3 years ago, but the Grim Reaper is too afraid to tell him.

Remembering those who served our Country

I want to express my gratitute this Veterans' Day for all those who have served in the military. I have a father, stepfather, grandfather, sister, and two brothers who have served our country. I salute all those who have done so for our freedom. And for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, how can we show our gratitude? I know of one small way...make a toy donation! Jeremiah's Corral is a toy chest with donated toys for hospitalized children at Banner Gateway set up in memory of an East Valley soldier, Jeremiah Robinson, who died while serving in Iraq just before his 21 birthday. These toys made a huge difference for Max when he was hospitalized with pneumonia a couple months ago. Please consider donating to this worthy cause for ill children and as a way to honor not only Jeremiah's memory, but all those who have given their lives in military service. For more information, call Banner Gateway at (480) 543-2748 and mention Jeremiah's Corral.

Welcome to our New Home

Not too fast...

Bryanna got the 24 hour stomach flu and after a day of feeling not so hot, she recovered and went back to school. Friday night Darrell started getting sick, despite our efforts to keep any germs away from him, and he just got worse. By Saturday morning I knew he needed medical intervention and took him to Banner Gateway E.R. We spent the entire day there unsure if he would be admitted as they administered two bags of fluid and zofran (very strong anti-naseau meds). Finally he stablized and I could tell Darrell was going to be alright. I was able to bring him home last night and he has slept on and off since then. Although we knew he would be susceptible to everything, we didn't know that a bug that makes one member of the family sick makes him super sick and warrants a trip to the E.R. I guess we will have to always be diligent.

Health Update

Darrell is not only holding steady but is actually showing signs of marginally improving! He goes to the Dr. regularly and has blood tests every other week. Slowly but surely he has been able to lower his prednisone. Some of his blood levels are coming back into normal ranges. This is good news! We would love to see him totally off the drug, if possible. The Dr. has no explanation as to how his body is reacting. We are just grateful for any reprieve. Now if we could just fix his pesky leg....

Mesa High Homecoming

Eric had a great time at Mesa High's Homecoming October 25, 2008

Friends Gone

We had a tough weekend facing the devastating effects of cancer. The father of Darrell's paralegal and our friend, Alyse, and Jeff McBride from our Ward passed away this Saturday after brave fights with the disease. In response Darrell slept most of the weekend and Eric and I played marathons of Rock Band (our favorite escape).

These experiences have really hit home as we contemplate making the same journey towards either recovery or a shortened time together. We are grateful for all the support of friends, family and the Church in our lives. We love you all.

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