October 3, 2010

From the Editor's desk

Conference was wonderful. President Monson's teaching on Sunday morning about gratitude surely had deep importance for me. Once again I realize that gratitude is one of the wonderful traits that the Savior taught by example and by precept. I hope that you too were blessed by the teachings of living prophets. What a wonderful time we live in.

From the Wisconsin Haws family

Logan had a game on Friday that I was able to attend. He is getting really quite good. I am impressed by the strength of his kicks and also the improved sense of where he needs to be at the right time. He is good at teamwork. He is anticipating the first eggs from his chickens any day now.

Emily participated in homecoming activities this week. On Thursday students were to dress up like favorite characters from movies. Emily was dressed up like Hermione. She went TPing on Friday after work. On Saturday night she went with friends to the dance and had a really good time. On Tuesday her wisdom teeth are coming out. Thank heavens for ice cream and ice packs.

Lanette spent most of her weekend with the Elmhorst. She enjoyed watching conference with them. Lanette was scheduled to have her wisdom teeth out during Christmas vacation. With the plan for family pictures and other activities together we decided to postpone her dental surgery. She was very happy about this plan.

Grant continues to travel back and forth to Stevens Point to work. He is down to eight more work days (really nights). We only get a few minutes with him each day but we have stocked the refrigerator with veggie pizzas from Lean Cuisine for this very late night/early morning nourishment. We will be glad when he is done with his training.

Mom and I have been working on organizing. That amounts in part to giving things to Goodwill that we have not worn or used in the last ten years. We have worked on organizing an attic and I am finishing a storage area in the basement. It is a mess right now but we have the hope of bringing more organization to our home.

News from Newport News

The big news this week is that we were saved from the flood thanks to Andy and a few brethren from church. On Thursday we were hit with a bad rain fall. There was so much water that water was almost up to Andy’s waist by the drainage system. Our drainage system does not work very well, therefore the water kept piling up. We ended up having to move the truck next to the house so it did not get flooded and built barricades around the truck and in front of the door so water would not get in. We were very fortunate, because our neighbor two houses down from us had water seeping through her walls and both of the neighbors behind us had three inches of water in their apartments. There was so much water that it made a tree fall over and tipped the dumpsters on their sides.

From the Lane's of Virginia

Why Hello To All!

This week has been a little stressful, but enjoyable. Our move is this upcoming week, so this is your official notice of the change of address: New address: 1751 S Dogwood Dr Apartment F Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Overall, Jeff has been working hard this last week as his work still is demanding Saturdays! Julie is still packing and cleaning. We are excited for the Saturdays free again!

On Monday and Wednesday this week we got to see the kittens. Princess and Ek Balam are both getting big! Their cognitive abilities are also developing as they are learning to play with tease-toys, pouncing and climbing. We got some cute pictures and videos. (Videos may be available later this week if our comp stops hating on us!) Ek Balaam got up on the top of her cat tree. She looked very proud until she figured out that she could not get down. We also brought a cat carrier with us that unzips on both sides- at first they were very scared of it, but then they found that it made a great ambush spot to pounce each other. Princess is also enjoying pouncing, she curls up into a ball and then pounces things, like strings, and it is very cute!

Thursday we watched Texas A&M almost win against Oklahoma State! It was a good game! Julie also set a new record for a wii game, which is funny because she does not play very often. She was really proud of it!

Friday, date night, we went to Dairy Queen for dinner and then we met up with another couple to go bowling. That was fun!

Saturday and Sunday we watched conference. It was inspiring! Jeff's favorite talk was the one about the cows, the fences and the wheat. Good excuse not to eat healthy it will make you blow up "like a balloon" and die! Hehe Just kidding. Luckily, we are not cows!Julie's was the trust talk by Henry B. Eyring. So the next time we see a stranger and they offer us candy we are gettin' in. NO ONE ACTUALLY DO THAT OR BLOW UP LIKE A BALLOON!

We will probably not be writing next week due to the fact that it is our first anniversary and we may not have Internet (moving). We are grateful for the last year, even though there have been some hard things coming up. We probably would both say that it has been the best year of our lives. Marriage. Yeah!

What will likely be happening this week is work, cleaning, pakcing, seeing cats, a birthday Luau (at the Hartmans), getting our cats, getting new keys, moving, and celebrating some marriage events with our wedding cake, candles and lignon berry cider! In otherwords, just another week! NOT! Please do not feel bad if we do not call! All are loved!


The Jackson's of Albuquerque

On Monday night Kevin and Stacie enjoyed an evening of FHE and spending time together. Stacie and Kevin are worried that they may be taking on attributes of older people despite their young age. Kevin usually turns on Jeopardy while they are watching dinner and answers most of the questions correctly. Then they go to bed early and wake up early to head over to the YMCA. It's getting scary.


On Tuesday Stacie attended mutual where the Mia Maids designed and decorated t-shirts, aprons and shoes. She continues to enjoy her calling serving the Young Women in the ward. On Friday Stacie and Kevin attended a party at her workplace. Technically it was an induction ceremony for residents joining the National Resident Hall Honors Association, but it mostly felt like a party. Kevin had the opportunity to meet many of her work friends and supervisor. She enjoyed supporting her staff members that joined NRHH.


On Saturday Kevin woke up early to join one of the department professors in a jog. The famous Balloon Fiesta of Albuquerque began today and he was able to see a lot of the hot air balloons take off. The Balloon Fiesta will last through next week. It is the most photographed event in the nation since hundreds of hot air balloons are lifted every day. Thousands of people will come out from around the world to see the sites. Stacie and Kevin look forward to seeing more than just one or two hot air balloons this week.