From the Editor's Desk

August is here. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere we are seeing the approach of fall while Jeff and Renata are seeing the approach of spring. I am sure that Andy would love to have fall come early to Iraq as he weathers the 120 degree temperatures while we here in Wisconsin have been enjoying a beautiful summer with plenty of green and rain to water our garden, trees and flower beds.

I want to invite you to see our ever updating family genealogy. Please feel free to add information for your family. You can see our site by going to www.new.familysearch.org and using the username: rmhaws and password: rmhaws1957. You can see our by clicking on the second tab- me and my ancestors. I appreciate each of you that has helped with getting the temple work for our ancestors waiting for the ordinances of salvation.

The Wisconsin Haws Family

Yesterday we attended the baptism of Marie Taylor. For those of you that remember the Taylor's know that when they moved to Marshfield Marie was a young preschooler. It is amazing to see her growing up so quickly. After the baptism Logan had the opportunity of going with the Taylor's to swim, kayak and have a great time. It was nice for Logan to have the opportunity to be with friends.

Emily is preparing to go to girl's camp. She will be a YCL and will be the over the fourth year girls. She is preparing various treats for them. She has been working on getting a part time job. That has proven to be a real challenge. Unfortunately the economy in Central Wisconsin has not rebounded. This week a major factory in Marshfield announced a job reduction and sending jobs to Mexico. That will hurt.

Lanette has a cellphone! I am sure that most of you know that already. She is so excited. She loves all the different ring tones that Mom has set up for her. Her favorite of course is Grant's ring tone. It is a rooster call. Grant loves to wake Lanette by calling her fondly "chicken butt" while jumping on her bed.

Grant has had another rather uneventful week at work. There is progress on his management training, although things are still up in the air where he will rank amongst the managers. He is supposed to have an interview with the Senior Vice President of the company and that will determine where he will fit into amongst the managers and what his pay will be. Otherwise, not too much excitement.

Mom has been the traveler this week. She has gone back and forth to Janesville for Lanette in addition her usual taxi driving. Mom and I had the pleasure of taking Grant out to eat on Friday. The restaurant we went to had some problems but you could not ask for better company.

I have been pretty excited about the ongoing family history work. That is why I suggested you visit the website I cited. I have been able to identify more names of our ancestors with the hopes of your assistance with getting the work of salvation done for them. I have felt the spirit guide me in directing my searches. In addition to my usual activities I have been working with Logan on the chicken coop. I will send you a picture when it is finished.

News from Newport News

The most exciting news this week is that Kayla got her cast off! She is now having fun splashing at the pool and in the tub. Not to mention the smell of her arm is way more pleasant now that we are able to wash it. The girls and I have been busy going to the library, Virginia Living Museum, the beach, water park and exploring different playgrounds this week. Andy seems to be doing well but has had a lot of extra taskings put on him. We only have about 3 half more weeks until he should be home!

Mom and Dad were able to speak with Andy on Saturday night/early Sunday morning. It was great to see him on Skype and talk with him. It was a delight to hear him laugh. We are really looking forward to his safe arrival back with his family.

The Jacksons of Alberquerque

For Family Home Evening on Monday, Kevin and Stacie decided to sneak some cookies to a ward member's home. Stacie drove the getaway car and Kevin was the designated "cookie-dropper-offer." They look forward to doing some more doorbell ditching this week. On Tuesday they looked forward to performing some family history work at the temple, but unfortunately Kevin had to stay late at work. However, they were able to perform endowments during the last session of the day on Wednesday. The session was unique because it was held in Spanish. On Friday, Stacie was very busy at work. Since summer conferences are beginning to end she is busy preparing the customer service desks that she supervises for the fall students. Kevin looks forward to beginning school at the end of August.


On Saturday, Stacie and Kevin walked to a nearby park and tossed around a frisbee. In the afternoon, just as Kevin needed to leave for work the rain really picked up. With monsoon season the weather has been pretty crazy in Albuquerque. It rained very hard for a while, but after a half hour it didn't look like there was any rain at all. So Stacie thought it was safe to visit a woman she visit teaches that just had surgery on her knee. After the visit, she headed off to do some grocery shopping and as she left it was pouring again! The worst part is how deep the water gets on the road near their house. Seems like there is more water in the streets than in the nearby arroyos.


Saturday evening, after Kevin came home from work they had a "Potter Party" to celebrate J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter's birthday. They enjoyed making treats and watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire together.

The International Haws Family

Dad and Mom,



We spoke quite a bit during the week and I suppose you may know plenty of our activities.



Tomorrow is Lucas’ birthday. He is excited as 12 makes him more of an adolescent and less of a child, or so he suggests. Today much of the family has come for cake and ice cream. Some fun birthday habits in Brazil are never waiting until your birthday to open presents and friends like to break raw eggs on your head making a nasty mess for moms to clean up.



Winter vacation has come to a close and Monday brings the joy of school, even if the joy is felt only by two of us. The kids are ready and Renata will continue in her evening classes as well.



Work has been fulfilling but hectic. Having both Matthew and Steven to keep me busy has provided for a more stable load and eludes to possible transitions though much remains in the murky vision of future.



Jeff

The Lanes of Virgina

This week we had FHE on Monday- we worked on sanding a rocking chair some more. Julie got her blood drawn on Friday for her medical issues. She has been working hard on trying to figure out what is wrong. We will see what comes up with that test. Saturday Jeff had the first weekend in a while where he wasn't working nor traveling. Hallelujah!!! Julie had a baby shower for a friend of ours, who lives in the complex we will be moving into this fall. While she was there, Jeff was at her apt helping her husband set up a playpen and a swing. We did a themed gift of food. The package included plates, sippy cups, place mats, baby spoons, and a Rubber ducky with the letter "M" (they said they will be naming the new baby Mya) that Julie stiched together. After the Shower on Sat we went to another party for a family that was moving out of our ward. They are the family that gave us eggs on Sundays for free. Weather wise the week started off hot and now is about what should be expected for Sept~Oct, but is looking for a heated revenge this upcoming week.