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Monday, June 27, 2011

June 27, 2011

Grant's News

Last Sunday was Grant's last day working for Applebee's and since it
was Father's Day it was a nasty, busy day. He has been approached by a
local restaurant Hudson's to work there, but is still looking for
other options for now. Otherwise, Grant spent his week gardening,
cleaning, and reading "Gone With the Wind". He reads the book every
summer and is currently 1/6th the way through the 1400 page book.
Friday was his birthday and it was uneventful other than the family
going to El Mezcal for dinner. No one complains about Grant's current
free time as much as Lanette...who is getting teased by Grant far more
than she is used. to. Grant has convinced her that Kevin helps him
brainstorm teases when Grant calls to help him figure out how to tease
Stacie.

The Jackson's of Albuquerque

Of course, this was a nice week for Stacie and Kevin. On Sunday Stacie celebrated Father's Day by making Kevin a bouquet...of doughnuts. It was awesome. However, on Monday she was still working on recovering from her cold so she stayed home from work. Kevin took good care of her and she was able to return to work on Tuesday. On Tuesday Kevin enjoyed going golfing with his friend Nick while Stacie went to her Zumba class. On Wednesday, Stacie attended her last sewing class. Attached are pictures of her completed tote bag. She learned how to sew pockets, zippers, and button holes.


On Friday Stacie and Kevin were excited to go out to their favorite Chinese buffet with their friend Nick. Afterwards they walked around Goodwill and Kevin found a great stainglass mirror now hanging in their living room. On Saturday Kevin and Stacie celebrated their third anniversary! Now that Stacie is a sewing genius, Kevin decided to take her to the sewing store to purchase some additional feet for her sewing machine. Afterwards, they headed out to Santa Fe. In Santa Fe they ate dinner at a seafood Mexican restaurant and then walked around Old Town Santa Fe. They really enjoyed walking around the old cathedral and fountains. Attached are lots of pictures of their trip.



The Colorado Haws Family

We were grateful to hear from Andy a couple of times this week. He made it to Afghanistan safely but he did get stuck in Ireland for a day due to plane issue. He said that Ireland was pretty but very, very cold. From what he has told me he seems to be adjusting well to his job and out of all of his deployments this one has had the best food. Thank you for all of your prayers on his behalf and please continue to pray for his safety. This week I was able to find a few activities to take the girls to. On Tuesday we went to the library which was good because I forgot that they had story hour on Tuesdays so the girls were very happy join in. After the library I took the girls to a playgroup at the park with other people from church. It was nice that I was able to socialize with the Sisters while the girls were having fun running around. On Friday, Kayla’s friend Emma came over to play. They were so excited that someone was actually home this summer because we kept trying to get a hold of Haley’s friend and couldn’t but then we figured that they went to Germany to see her Grandma and Grandpa. On Saturday I took the girls to the U.S. Olympic Community Day. We had great fun watching the “Ace’s” do tricks on the trampoline. We also saw BMX bikers (which the girls didn’t think was very interesting), and Judo (a type of Japanese martial arts) where they seem to slam each other on the ground. The girls and I found Judo entertaining, but when I look for a type of martial arts to put the girls in this will not be it.

The Lane's of Virginia

Happy Birthday to Grant! Happy Anni to Stacie and Kevin!

So to everyone! Lanette now knows, so do not feel like you have to keep it a secret! We won't tell people in our ward here until the fourth, but it is probably okay if you tell. You may wish to wait until the fourth since that is a good time to bring good news to the table.

Monday, we were going to have the missionaries and an investigator come watch a video at our apartment, but the investigator canceled so we ended up just having the missionaries; which was still nice.

Tuesday, we mostly studied. Wednesday, we decided to go up to DC this past weekend- as we have been dying to do something this summer. So needless to stay we went up Friday and stayed the night. We enjoyed the pool, Red Hot & Blue (a resturaunt), and spending some quality time together. Saturday, we went to the temple and did initatories. We then went to the new air and space smithsonian in dulles. After that we just made our way home.

Tonight, Sunday, we are going to play some card games with some friends.

I know not everyone wants to hear about this, but we are going to the doctors tomorrow to do our 11-12 week check up, if we can we will post some more ultrasound pictures.


The Haws Family of Wisconsin

Logan has been playing soccer with his local team. They are doing very well and we are proud of his efforts. His chicken's eggs are in hot demand. The trouble is keeping up with the requests. A friend of my work dropped by and took two dozen and then he has several other customers anxiously looking for more. Logan will be doing baptisms for the dead this week. He is excited.

Emily went to Nauvoo last week. She seemed to really enjoy herself. Mom and Emily went to the Wausau Ward on Sunday so that they could hear the farewell talk of one of her friends. He is going on a mission to Slovackia.

Lanette has enjoyed school. They have been doing lots of fun things including picnics, bowling and strawberry picking. Her big excitement this week was to hear of Julie's pregnancy and then to go and hold Lisa Lonsdale's new baby.

Mom has been doing a lot of taxi driving during the summer. We enjoyed dinner on Friday night with Grant for his birthday and on Saturday evening with some great friends. I focused extra time on family history work this last week. It was delightful! My garden wants more hot weather but it is doing OK. Logan and Grant helped weed it for me this last week.

Love Dad

Sunday, June 19, 2011

July 19, 2011

Grant's News


This week Grant has been working almost every day. It is his last week
working for Applebee's and they are squeezing every last possible
shift out of him. Sunday will be his last shift and he is greatly
excited to start looking for a new job and to get his sleep schedule
to a sane place. He has been closing the store, getting home from
Wisconsin Rapids around 2 am, and not falling asleep until every one
else is waking up. This coming week he is excited to restart his
summer tradition of reading "Gone With the Wind".

The International Haws Family

First of all a very happy father's day to all of the father's or future father's and anyone else who needs to feel congratulated.

After a busy week I am back in PA.


My time in Brazil was enjoyable. We were able to take care of Derick's US passport and certificate of birth abroad as well as the Brazilian passports for Renata, Felipe, Lucas and Derick.


During our week Lucas suffer a full week of school. He was alone as Derick had more appointments that kept him out for part of the week and Felipe was off as the state employed school teachers are on strike. (Lucas studies in a municipal school and there was no strike, not yet at least.)


I loved to see how well during is doing on the skateboard. It has become his favorite pass-time. We spent some time at the skate park together.


In the end I think that it was hard for Derick to see me leave again. I still can't shake the image from my mind of him sitting on the curb watching as the bus left the station holding back the tears which would soon follow.


This week I have the challenges to start immigration document and hope to have Renata and the boys here in late July.


Love,
Jeff

The Haws Family of Wisconsin

This week has brought some pretty strange weather to Wisconsin but the coming week promises to even stranger. I have enjoyed riding my bike to work most days. Logan and I rode the marsh loop on Saturday. There were many interesting sights including a beaver that swam within 10 yards of us. Logan and I did the rock climbing wall on Saturday afternoon. That was great fun. Logan has been a huge help around the yard.

Emily has had more work hours this week. With soccer over for the year she is now beginning to take a closer look at colleges. She will be going with the youth to Nauvoo this week.

Lanette's first full week of school was last week. She enjoys her teachers and it is a good stimulus for her to get her day started each morning. She enjoyed Friday/Saturday with the Elmhorst.

Mom has been doing things around the house to keep us all going strong. She hasn't been sleeping well lately. I think her hips are hurting again. How I wish I could give her the gift of a good night sleep and a day free of pain.

I have continued to enjoy my garden, putting up a fence around my future orchard and other tinkerings. Work has been really challenging which is fantastic. I have had a lot of fun watching soccer, going on bike rides and enjoying the blessings of life.

Today we had a wonderful stake conference. The general authority was Elder Ian S. Ardern. He was from New Zealand. We all loved his accent was even more important was his message. His theme was similar to a recent message from Elder Eyring. I have that available. I will insert it here.

"As the challenges around us increase we must commit to do more to qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Casual prayer won't be enough, reading a few verses of the scriptures won't be enough. Doing the minimum of what the Lord asks of us won't be enough. Hoping that we will have the Atonement work in our lives and that we will perhaps sometimes feel the influence of the Hopy Ghost won't be enough, and one great burst of efforts won't be enough. Only a steady, ever-increasing effort will allow the Lord to take us to higher ground."

President Henry B. Erying

The Lane's of Virginia

This week Julie was studying for her midterm test that kept on getting pushed back until she finally she got to take it on Friday.
Monday we went Mini-golfing for FHE. That was fun. It has been a while since either of us went golfing. It is relatively cheap for those that are coming out here soon. $11 for two of us and 18 holes.
Tuesday we did studying for the midterm-test, which was that evening rescheduled for Friday as the proctor was sick.
Wednesday we went in to the doctors. Everything was showing healthy. Including the glucose blood test, and the baby dancing on the ultrasound, moving hands and feet with a strongly beating heart. The best news is that the baby now has a 5% chance of loss instead of the 50% of loss rate. If we can make it to the 4th it will go down to 2%!
Thursday we went to CiCi's and buckled down on our studies while consuming a variety slices.Oh Cici's we love you!
Friday, Julie took her test. She thinks she did well. We went to lunch to celebrate. We later went to a Tri-ward event. We brought the swords, it was a parents and kids favorite.
Saturday was a nice low key day of studying relaxing and maternity clothes shopping; which was desperately needed since she already is starting to pop like she is a month or two farther along. We can't wait till the announcement day, July 4th. We are making tshirts to announce it at the stake breakfast. Jeff wants one that says "food storage" while Julie will make one that says something like" bump" both being centered on the belly.

Father's day has been relatively easy going as well. Jeff got a variety of little gifts that he was excited to get! We normally read the bumper stickers on cars and so Julie got him a "I love my husband" car magnet not thinking of the implications if he put it on the car when he drives it all the time. He does not want to give the wrong impression to anyone. So we are going to try and fix that issue.


Hopefully we put some smiles on your face.Thanks esp to Mom for all the phone calls about the How-I-do-this-stuff!


The Haws Family of Colorado


This week has felt like a long week. Andy had made it to Georgia and was staying quite busy; I have not heard from him for a few days but I believe that he has already left to Afghanistan or is in Afghanistan. Friday I took Haley and Kayla to the library to get their prizes for the summer reading program. They were pretty excited that they were able to pick out a book that they did not have to return. On Saturday I took Haley and Kayla to Home Depot (so I thought), I drove up, got them out of the car, and went inside and asked if they were doing an activity today. They told me that theirs is next week. I looked around and realized that we were in Lowes…it is quite sad that Andy has only been gone a week and I have already lost my sense of direction and where things are! So I ended up driving them 5 miles down the road to Home Depot so they were able to make their little tool boxes. They turned out great.


The Jackson's of Alberquerque

Stacie and Kevin continued to enjoy their summer courses. Kevin aced his Latin midterm and Stacie learned to sew a pocket & a zipper. On Thursday they were excited to sign off on a contract for a house that they will be renting. They look forward to moving into the new home next month. Pictures will hopefully come soon. On Friday Kevin and Stacie joined their friends Nick, Jeramie, and Clare for a game of golf. Well, Kevin, Nick and Jeramie played while Stacie and Clare drove around the golf carts. Kevin won with flying colors. Afterwards they grabbed a bite to eat at a restaurant special to Albuquerque called Twisters. Kevin ordered a whole burrito and the waitress said, "You don't want a whole burrito. I've never seen anyone eat a whole one." Of course that meant that Kevin and his friends had to race to finish the whole burrito. Kevin won, but left with a pretty bad stomach ache.


On Saturday Kevin went out with his friend Nick to a place called "The Glass Palace." It is where the old dump used to be located and the only materials left that didn't get burned are mountains of glass bottles. Meanwhile, Stacie ran errands and searched around for more sewing supplies. In the evening they stayed up and watched "39 Steps", an old Alfred Hitchock thriller.


Today they were happy to celebrate Father's Day and talk to both of their great dads. Happy Father's Day!

Monday, June 13, 2011

June 13, 2011

News from Brazil

Dad and Mom,

I am a bit late but I thought that I would include a bit on our week.

First you may be interested in knowing that I have uploaded a few pictures to the Flickr account.

Our week has gone well.

I arrived safely in Brazil on Thursday, before the volcanic activity began in Peru so I did not encounter any delays. I met Renata and Derick in Rio where we went to the zoo and stayed the night. On Friday we took Derick to the US Consulate to request a US passport for him, which should arrive in a couple of weeks. We then returned to Angra.

In Angra I came to find out what a terrific skateboarder Derick has become. Some pictures are included but we have been going to the skate park every day so that he can practice. While he is stilling learning to manuver the board he has great courage and managed to successfully decend a ramp that was as high as my shoulders.

Felipe and Renata have been taking Derick. While Felipe does not feel as comfortable on land as he does in the water he has been able to help Derick to get a sense of how to position himself on the board.

Lucas continues with soccer and kites and has little time for anything else.

Renata has been busy helping to control the goings of the boys and participating in their many activities. I think that she has enjoyed the help while I have been here.

As for myself all has been good and proceeded smoothly. There is a lot to get done this week and not nearly enough time to do it all but I am sure that I will be able to take a bit of time out my day to continue to take Derick to the skatepark and help Renata with the responsibilities.

I hope that you have had a good week.

Love,

Jeff

The Jackson's of Colorado

This week was both enjoyable and not so enjoyable for Stacie. On Monday she received word that her staff members had done a poor job managing conferences over the weekend. Complaints from conference guests went all the way up to the Associate Vice President. All week long she has been working on repairing the damage. On Friday she stayed at work until 9:00pm trying to fix missing key issues. So in regards to work, Stacie has had a very poor week.


However, outside of work things are great! On Monday Kevin started his summer Latin course and Stacie began her Continuing Ed Sewing Class. Although Kevin may not love his Latin class as Stacie loves her sewing class, both are looking forward to growing and learning over the next few weeks. Stacie is also taking a Zumba course at the Y. The Albuquerque air is still hazy from the ash being blown over from the Arizona wildfire. On Wednesday night as Kevin drove Stacie home from her sewing class, the soot was so thick that they could hardly see a block ahead of them.


On Friday Kevin was able to go to a dinner party/meeting at his professor's home. The professor announced that she would be retiring. Although Kevin will miss her, he looks forward to the opportunities to learn and grow from the scholar that will replace her. On Saturday Stacie and Kevin spent the afternoon with their friend, Nick.

The Lane's of Virginia

So this week was exciting with the ultrasound which also gave us chance to hear the heart beat of our baby. We were actually both able to feel it today, Sunday June 12th. It is amazing how fast its little heart can beat. This Wednesday we should find the guess date for the baby's birth. Although we think it could be kind of cool if it was born New Years Day!


We switched the rooms in our house this week so that we could get stuff settled before family comes out. Julie's midterm got post poned to this week. The missionaries came for dinner and that was enjoyable! Some friends of ours got married so we went to their reception which the two wards here pitched together to put on for them. We also canned some yummy mango salsa; which we took with us to a different friends house where she was feeding the missionaries in her ward. We then went with her to the adult conference. Julie participated in a quartet there. After we went to sonic for a treat. Sunday we went early to stake conference for choir practice where both Jeff and Julie partcipated. Both Sessions were really great! Tonight Julie got reassigned classes in primary.


The Haws Family of Colorado (and Georgia)

This week the girls enjoyed cooling off from the heat (hotter than Utah heat) in the swimming pool. They had fun until they started squirting each other in the face with the water guns then it was drama. On Thursday morning we took Andy to the airport to fly to Georgia to pick up gear before he fly’s to Afghanistan this week. I will keep you all updated on how he is doing and also give you his address as soon as I get it. On Friday the girls were glad to get signed up for the summer reading program at the library (of course they were mainly excited for the prizes that they will get for reading). On Saturday I was able to enjoy a day at the Denver Temple with the sisters from Relief Society while the girls had fun playing at their friend Emma’s house.

The Haws Family of Wisconsin

Our family activities continue to focus on Soccer. Tonight Emily had her end of the year banquet. Mom was able to join her. Lanette and I went to Logan's game. His team won 5-0. Logan has an amazingly strong kick. Lanette will start school tomorrow at the Marshfield High School. It will be interesting.

We are in the process of painting the deck. Emily and Logan worked on that today. I have been working with a friend on putting up a fence around our fruit trees. It is beginning to look good.

We are enjoying a beautiful summer. I have had the pleasure of getting up in the morning with the sunrise. I get to listen to the birds. It is a wonderful time to read the scriptures on our back deck and prepare for the day. I love to walk around the garden and watch the plants grow. It is really fun.

I hope you each will have a wonderful week.

Love,
Dad

Thursday, June 9, 2011

A very late entry

Sorry for being so slow on this entry. Thanks to all of you for your contributions. For everyone's information. Jeff is now in Brazil working on passports and Andy left today for Afganistan. Each of you have important challenges ahead. Please pray for each other.

The Lane's of Virginia

So we have pictures of baby!
Baby is now measured to be 7w and 6 days old. It has an Awesome heart beat of 167
(that is what those audio line are showing). We circled the baby for any children that will be shown. The ultrasound tech and the blood lady were really excited about how healthy the baby was for us! Which was nice to feel that way especially when we really have been trying for our little one!

The due date will be given to us in about two weeks, but they are predicting that it will be around the 14th of January, which means that it could come around Christmas, New Years, Martin Luther King day or ground hogs! Haha we did not plan it that way!

Julie


The Colorado Haws Family

These past two weeks we were able to visit family in Utah. We spent the first week with my dad and his wife. We all had a fun time fishing as a family. Andy was very patient with all of us especially when we kept getting the hook caught in the tree, needless to say we didn’t catch anything. By the end of the visit at my dad’s house the girls finally warmed up to their little dogs and even loved on them. The next week we were able to spend time with my mom and her husband. Andy spent most of the time chopping wood and doing work that needed to be done around the yard. The girls loved helping with whatever needed to be done, but I think their favorite part was taking a ride on the tractor. Many times when I went outside I found Kayla playing with the dogs which is a big deal because both Kayla and Haley have been terrified of dogs for a long time. My mom and I were able to attend a friends sealing to her spouse in the Manti Temple. I am grateful that I was able to attend it because it reminded me of the special temple covenants that Andy and I had made when we were sealed for time and all eternity.

The Jackson's of Albuquerque

This week started out well for Stacie and Kevin. Stacie enjoyed Monday off from work in celebration of Memorial Day. She spent most of the day scrapbooking. In the evening Kevin and Stacie visited their friend, Nick, and enjoyed having dinner together. From that point on the week became pretty busy for Stacie with the new conference season at UNM launching off on Tuesday. On Thursday she enjoyed a break in the evening by spending time with her friend Clare, who is in Kevin's graduate program. Kevin spent the day golfing with his friends. In the evening they were surprised to see a sudden weather change in Albuquerque. The air was very hazy and ashy due to winds blowing in ashes from wildfires in Arizona. Although it was gross and ashy, they enjoyed constantly smelling what seemed to be a giant barbeque.


Saturday morning Kevin went into work to help plant a garden. In the evening Kevin and Stacie attended the wedding of one of his fellow graduate students. The wedding was held at the Albuquerque Balloon Museum. The wedding was interesting because it was officiated by their friend, Nick. It was difficult for them to keep a straight face throughout the wedding ceremony. They stayed at the reception until late in the evening and then hurried off to Wal-mart for a last minute purchase of some fabric for Stacie's sewing class. Stacie is excited to begin a sewing class on Monday, which should encourage her to bust out the sewing machine that she has boxed up. Kevin will begin his summer Latin course tomorrow as well.

The Haws Family of Wisconsin

Well as you can tell by the late entry in the family blog it has been busy around here. We have enjoyed a number of soccer games. Sadly Emily's season has come to an end. They won the regional championship last Saturday in an amazing game. They played well tonight to but loss to a very tough team. She won a $200 award at school and combined it with her work money to purchase a laptop computer. She is pretty excited about that. Emily has been facebooking (a new verb in my vocabulary) Felipe, Lukas and Renata. It is really quite a fun experience. Felipe is getting all sorts of valuable information from Emily about American girls, soccer and the like. He is geting pretty excited to come.

Logan's team won a big game last night. Logan has been playing very well. He has been a great helper around the house and garden. He is also working on reading 50 hours this month so that he can win a trip to Wisconsin Dells.

Lanette will be in the graduation ceremony at the School for the Blind. She will continue her high school experience here in Marshfield next year. She has especially enjoyed working in a convalescent home in Janesville. We hope she will find a great job here.

Mom has been working very hard. She is in Janesville tonight for Lanette's graduation. She is the #1 fan for her two soccer kids and all the rest of you. She is constantly praying and worrying about each of you.

I am been working on the family garden. It is actually looking pretty good. I have been busy at work too but my greatest job is in the success of my children. I worry and rejoice for each of you. Please have a wonderful week.

Dad