Sorry I haven't updated lately. It's been a crazy couple of weeks (but what's new), and I think I've decided to go with Facebook for my notes. Sylvia is FINALLY better after being sick with the flu (fever, chest congestion) for over a week. We left her with Holly & Steve in St. Louis last weekend while we chaperoned the middle school choir tour from church, and her fever started the day after we left her. Of course, I felt horrible, but luckily Grandma is a pretty good nurse, and Sylvie did just fine. We had a REALLY fun time on the trip. It's been years since I've laughed as much as I did in the span of 3 days. Of course a little sleep deprivation had something to do with this, but honestly, at the first church service we attended, I felt like I was watching a Saturday Night Live episode. The lady pastor who preached began her sermon by attempting to sing "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" from Mr. Rogers....she was only about 3 octaves too high and only on key with roughly 1 out of 3 notes. I nearly broke Darrell's finger trying to keep my composure. This alone would have been enough to seal this service in my memory permanently, but then she went on to preach about how important it is for us to remember that we should not emphasize the "I-ness or you-ness in the world, but rather should focus on the WE-NESS." Yes folks, that's right, she actually said "We-ness." I literally almost fell off the pew....and let me just say right here....having Kiesha Daulton sitting next to me did not help the situation in the least!!! (Hey Kiesha!!). I really hate having fun at someone else's expense, but I have to say, laughter is really good medicine, and this did a lot for my down and dull mood of late. The rest of the trip was great as well. We had fun at the top of Sears Tower, shopping on Michigan Avenue, seeing Navy Pier, eating at Malnati's Pizza, and The Blue Man Group show was spectacular!! Several of the chaperones (including moi)had a rousing card game of Chicago Rummy and were reprimanded twice by the hotel staff...(Way to set a good example for the kids!).Overall, it was so much fun, and such a nice break from the real world. It is really an honor to chaperone the kids from Schweitzer, because they continually rise to the occasion and behave beautifully. I am SO proud of all of them. This next week is the gear-up for Baby Affair, so my life will be even crazier than usual. More exciting, however, is that our small group series begins Tuesday evening at our house. I'm really looking forward to how God will work in this study. Until Later!

Sock Hop

What a week this has been! It all started on Super Bowl Sunday when Jacob came home early from the youth party not feeling well. He was running a temperature (about 100), and had some cold symptoms. By Monday, the fever was higher, and I called Dr. Atwood and requested some antibiotics as I was fairly sure he had a case of bronchitis. He went to school on Tuesday since they only had a partial day and were officially scheduling for their freshman classes, but by Tuesday evening, he REALLY wasn't feeling well. By Wednesday night, his temperature was peaking at 103, even with regular doses of Advil. NOT FUN! We put him in the bathtub to soak and it finally came down by Thursday afternoon. He went back to school Friday, but still has a pretty bad cough, and this seems to be what hangs on with others who have suffered this horrible flu. We are really crossing our fingers that Sylvie avoids this as we are heading to Chicago for Middle School Choir Tour next weekend, and she is staying with Holly and Steve all weekend.

The pictures above are from the annual Sequiota Sock Hop Friday night. Sylvie had a blast, and really enjoyed running around and dancing with her friends. I'd give anything to have as much energy as those kids....they just never stop!

It was a crazy week at work as we close in on our Women and Heart event next week. After that, it's time for Baby Affair, and then Red Hot Nights. I really love my job, but it sure can be chaotic at times.

Tonight was a really nice service at church. Our pastor has been preaching a sermon series on relationships, and tonight's was on marriage. At the end of the service, he invited couples to come to the front and renew their wedding vows, and we decided to participate. It was very sweet up until the part where Darrell says, "I, Darrell, take you, Sylvia..." So of course, I had to return the favor with, "....take you, Jacob." Talk about kids being the center of your lives!! Brother!!

My prayers continue to be with my friend (and our church accompanist) Cheryll as she continues to mourn the loss of her husband, and our prayers are with Matt and Heather as well as Matt's Uncle Joe passed away on Thursday. In addition, My cousin Jan called me on Thursday night to inform me that my Aunt Kathy's son had passed away on Tuesday. This was quite a shock as he was a young man with young children. Our prayers are certainly with his whole family.

Thank you for visiting! I may be changing to the new Windows Live blog site, but I will transfer these entries, and will be sure to let you know.

Later!

Snow

Well....we finally got some snow this week instead of ice, although I have to say it's still not the all-out 18-24" snowstorm I'm dreaming of. We still have some winter left, though, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

It was another busy week around the Haase house as usual. Everyone was back to school as usual, and grade cards came out today. I'm happy to report that we are very pleased with both kids' evaluations. Darrell and I just had a heart-to-heart with Jacob last night about how important it is going to be for him to really do his best in high school as it will not be easy, but I have to say, his grades are really looking good, and I'm hopeful he will continue on this trend.

Jacob went out to eat with the neighbors, and we took Sylvie out to Toys R Us to spend her birthday gift cards. She picked out a set of pretend food (from Subway) and a mini Etch-A-Sketch. We then came home and ordered pizza, and I actually had to guide the pizza man to our house via phone as he was lost. I think that's the first time that's ever happened. He said he didn't even know this neighborhood existed....guess he's new in the delivery business.

Later!