August 15, 2010

From the Editor's desk

The week has zoomed by. My sense of the family is that things have been really busy for some and a bit slower for others. I hope that you have enjoyed the weekly updates. Perhaps the biggest update is that we are just days from having Andy returning safely from Iraq!!!! Thank you Andy (and Melanie) for your sacrifice!!!


The Wisconsin Haws Family

We have had a productive week with the garden giving us tons of zuchinni, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes and green beans. We also spent one evening together as a family canning peaches. I enjoyed it a lot. I am not sure that everyone feels the same way about the peach canning experience.

Logan's chickens are growing very fast. This morning one of the birds was standing on top of the container he has been keeping them in. We realized that leaving them in the same container today will probably result in birds walking around the house while we were at church. So Logan and I put together a quick chicken coop as temporary measure. The real coop is making pretty good progress but it is not done yet. Logan is also looking forward to starting soccer practice in one week.

Emily started work this week at Chips fast food restaruant. She has found out that making cones is a bit harder than expected. Work is not her favorite activity but I am sure her first check will improve her outlook on the job. She has had some fun with friends this week. She is looking forward to school registration this week.

Lanette completed her work program at the daycare center. It was a good experience for her to work there. She is using some of her money to take the Elmhorst family out to dinner. I thought that was neat that she wanted to do something for someone else. She loves her cell phone and I am sure many of you have heard from her.

Grant told me that he had nothing for the family blog except for the fact that he "worked" this week. His flowers and trees have really ornamented our home. The porch has a number of flowers that greets our visitors. The trees are fairly well with some already growing more than a foot this year. We appreciate Grant's constant contributions to our home and life.

Mom has traveled to Janesville and back enough times this summer that she has a number of routes identified. On Thursday she went down to Janesville and stayed overnight so that she could break up the trip. She picked up Lanette on Friday and came back home. I asked her if she would like to consider going to the temple on Saturday. It was clear that another long road trip was beyond her body's capacity.

I have had a great week with many opportunities. Work has been challenging. I have been invited to play a new role in the residency training program supervising resident research. That will be a good opportunity. I have enjoyed taking care of some complex patients that keep me learning. I have enjoyed the blessing of the Holy Ghost directing me in my activities which has been the brought a great peace to me in daily life. Most of all I have enjoyed some wonderful time with my family. Mom and I took made a short date of getting a milk shake together. You all have a wonderful mom.

The Jackson's of Alberquerque

This week was very busy for Stacie as she worked to prepare for her new staff and all of the residents moving into the dorms. Almost every day she worked overtime and still had to bring some work home this weekend. Although it was very stressful, she is thankful for the time passing by quickly. This week Kevin looks forward to meetings at UNM to prepare for school, which starts on the 23rd.


On Monday, Kevin was able to lift weights with his friend, Cesar. Cesar has been really kind to Kevin and Stacie by loaning them tools to fix Kevin's bike and helping Kevin fix the car. It has been a blessing to have a friend who lives nearby. On Thursday, Stacie and Kevin assisted with an eagle project at the state fairgrounds. The scout's family offered them tickets to the state fair, which they look forward to using.


On Friday Kevin worked very late at the Y. After he got off work, Stacie & Kevin went out for a late night dinner at Denny's which reminded them of Provo. In Provo a lot of students will go out to IHOP or Denny's as soon as midnight hits on Sunday. It is crazy to see how packed the restaurants can be at that time. Afterwards, they then tried to catch the meteor shower but gave up and went home to bed. On Saturday Stacie worked on some more things for her workplace in order to prepare for the upcoming week. Kevin had to work through most of the day, but after he got off work they relaxed together and watched Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince.


Today Stacie & Kevin attended their stake conference. They enjoyed sitting next to a family from their ward, called the Crams. The Crams have been really nice to Stacie & Kevin. A few weeks ago Stacie & Kevin doorbell ditched cookies to their house. This evening Stacie has to go into work for a training orientation for her new staff members. This upcoming week they look forward to visiting with some friends from their BYU single ward and hopefully, taking a little time off from work.

News from Newport News

This week we have been busy going to the library and staying indoors to stay cool. Some exciting news is that Haley was able to tie her shoe all by herself, and Kayla has been miss speedy on her bike. The girls received a long waited package from their daddy which contained their cool Dora and Tinkerbell hats and camel necklaces. On Saturday we were able to make signs for Andy's homecoming. We have about one more week until Andy comes home! YEAH!

The International Haws Family

Dad and Mom,


This week was very busy. Our iPhone app has evolved to a universal app being
available for both iPhones and iPads. To add to the challenges it was a
Cocoa Report week, which brings much data maintenance so that Steven can
judge the markets. In the end I think that it was more stressful for Renata
than for me and she deserves an enormous congratulations for putting up with
me.

Felipe and Lucas had a normal week of school and soccer. Brazilians have
moved on from World Cup to national competitions. School has brought a halt
on much of their fun as some soccer games are late in the evening and past
their bed-time, which Mommy cannot save them from as she is at school.

Derick had a good week. He enjoyed books Mom and Dad sent. He also enjoyed
spending the night at his cousins house.

Renata and I have been adding a ceiling to the house. A couple of pictures
of the living room show the difference. Mom and Dad will best note the
difference. I would mention that it has as provided a bit of insulation.
Though there is no insulation between the ceiling and the roof by trapping
the air a bit better we have felt the living room to be a bit warmer than
other areas of the house during our bitter cold winter nights. It may be
mental and not physical though. At any rate we have enjoyed the improvement.

After a long week Renata and I went to a small town south of Angra called
Paraty. Several of the pictures included are of our trip. Renata's
grandfather lives in this town and some other family as well. It is a lovely
town that has retained a historic district now full of bed-and-breakfasts
and restaurants. It is one of the location where we like to run away to when
we have only a day or two.

Jeff


The Virginia Lanes

This week has been normal! We finished our peacock blue,"legacy" rocking chair. Jeff had mutual on Wednesday and many hours of study through out the week. Julie is trying to enroll in an on-line course, but is having some difficulties with BYU's IT skills.

We have attached some pictures of the dinner that we had with our friends, rocking chair, gumbo, and the trip to NY.