Back by popular demand.... The Haines Family Newsletter. We skipped it last year and we actually had folks say they missed it. It's nice to think that some of you are taking the time to read it and share in our shenanigans. Time passes so quickly ... where does it go? Gone in the blink of an eye. Make the most of your days. You never know how long the journey will last. Have a great trip!
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Here is a recent family photo of "Basement" Rob and his sweet family! Go visit their blog at www.theredwebs.blogspot.com
Wow! I must have been busy... I haven't posted anything on my blog since Thanksgiving! Well, after Thanksgiving we decorated the house for Christmas, we got our first snow of the season, were busy with the annual church Christmas show, hosted a Christmas party for the cast, and "Uncle Rob" Webster moved into our basement. Rob and his wife, Lauren, and 9-month old daughter, Bennett, are relocating here from Alabama and Rob is working at our church (Director of Video Production). We've known Rob eight years and he is the mastermind behind our Christmas card this year! We will miss him when he joins his family after New Year's and moves into an apartment (till their house sells). I'm secretly hoping that there will be a delay and all three of the "Red Webs," as they call themselves, will get to stay with us longer. It is a joy to have them in Kansas City! Well, before I get back to my Christmas cards, I want to post a couple photos from "Christmas at Resurrection." Caleb and I had so much fun being a part of this production this year. We always meet so many wonderful friends in the cast. Caleb was "Kid Jesus" this year! Check out this photo of the outfit (with ostrich feathers) that I wore in Act 1 - guess that explains why they started calling me "Mary Feather."
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It's Thanksgiving Eve and we just came back from our annual trek to see "A Christmas Carol." This year we saw it at the Kansas City Repertory Theater near the Plaza. It is perhaps one of the best productions we've ever seen. Amazing talent. Incredible sets, costumes, and it even snowed (in the theater). The Feldmans joined us this year and took this photo for us. As you can see, both boys got haircuts today. Doesn't Josh look so grown up? He's actually 2 inches taller than I am even though this photo doesn't look like it (my secret is in the heels). We came home to see the Christmas lights all aglow in front of our house that I slaved over this afternoon. My hands and nails look horrible, but it was worth it to see how the lights magically mark the arrival of Christmas. OK... tomorrow is actually Thanksgiving, but after seeing the play, I'm filled with the Christmas spirit. In two weeks we kick off our big annual Christmas production at COR which runs for 4 days (5 performances) and both Caleb and I are in it again this year. Since I'll be so busy with that (including hosting the opening night after show brunch at our house for the production team) I was hoping to get a jump start on the decorations during this quiet Thanksgiving weekend. I'm glad we are staying home this year and cooking for just the 4 of us. (Turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, Sister Shubert rolls, corn, apple pie & cinnemon ice cream, pecan pie, and sweet potato pie ... ok, so we love desserts!) Friday is my day of shopping (crazy but oh, so fun). Saturday is the Iron Bowl (Roll Tide Roll)! Then Sunday brings Rob Webster and Shane Segars all the way from Alabama. Rob is starting his new job at COR on Monday and, well, Shane is along for the ride. Did someone say "road trip?" We are so excited that Rob will be staying with us until he, Lauren, & Bennett move into their rental house in January. We were all part of starting the Contemporary Worship service at Frazer UMC in Montgomery together 8 years ago and it going to be great to be together again. Well, Happy Thanksgiving and "God Bless Us Everyone!"
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was taken after Josh's Confirmation ceremony. He went to classes every Sunday for 10 weeks to prepare for this day. Now he is officially recognized by the church as an adult. Wow. Where did the time go? He had a lot of great experiences during the 10 weeks and met several new friends. There were 176 confirmands! And that was just the fall class. Highlights were Metamorphasis weekend, Harvesters Mission project, and the Confirmation retreat. They even started a new Vibe service on Sunday mornings in October for the young and hip. So, of course we go there with Josh now. They haven't kicked us out yet! We are blessed to have such a great church.
Today after I read my GPS (Grow Pray Study) guide that I receive each day on my iphone, I surfed on over to one of our blogging pastor's site for his response. It was on Jeff Clinger's blog (www.changingtobringchange.wordpress.com) that I was really inspired by his comments on November 7th - Contagious Energy - Organizing Community - Starting Churches? . I had somehow missed the story and internet fame of Matt. If you missed it, please click on Jeff's blog and watch the videos. Jeff is right. If this guy can influence that many people with his silly dancing, then how much more can we do if we connect a worthy purpose with all that fun. I want to be a part of a greater purpose and see it spread like an infectious virus around the world, don't you? I'm ready. So, any ideas on how we can do this?
Caleb's first season of flag football has come to a close but that hasn't stopped him. He's already gearing up (literally) for next year when he'll be old enough for tackle. Just last night he was playing football in the basement while watching Monday night football. Did San Francisco win? Hope so... I love their coach Mike Singletary (Da Bears!). Thought you'd enjoy a couple photos of our major sports fan at his Bulldogs' end of season pizza party! Here he shows off his Trophy with friends & classmates, Tyler & Jake. On the right are Tyler & Jake's dads and our Bulldog coaches, Brian & Bob. Great season Bulldogs!
How did you celebrate election day? Did you get your free star shaped Krispy Kreme donut for breakfast, then drive by Starbucks for a free "I voted" coffee, and wait in the long line for the free Chick-Fil-A election day sandwiches after you waited 2 hours to cast your ballot? Well, Terry & I mailed our votes in early, so instead, we celebrated election night in our traditional way - watching the returns while eating Chinese food in front of the TV. Even though hopes for a Republican victory were dashed when they announced Barack Hussein Obama's victory in my old hometown of Chicago's Grant park, we couldn't help but be inspired by the speeches of both McCain & Obama. The world reaction to Obama's win was amazing. Now the media is comparing the Obamas to the Kennedys because they are young, good-looking, and Democrats. But, doesn't anyone remember how that one turned out? Well, anyway.... he definitely has his work cut out for him. Forget his health insurance plan....I just hope he can fix the stock market! The scariest part of my day is opening up my statements from Lincoln Financial and TIAA Cref. Well, now that the election is over, I already miss SNL's political skits with Tina Fey, Sara Palin, & John McCain. What will I watch on Saturday night? Oh well, there's always the Corbert Report. But there's more! I can just watch the exciting news stories about how Michelle Obama is going to re-decorate the White House and house train the new puppy!
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Thanks to all of you who supported me in my Walk for the Cure, the day before my big "50" birthday! I should delete this photo taken at the Legends shopping center in KC where the event was held, because I look terrible in it - I wasn't wearing my contacts. Yes, I need to spring for some hip contemporary frames on those glasses. Maybe some Tina Fey specs? What do you think? I did find a really cute pair with leopard print on the sides (you know how I love animal print). That's my sister, Lisa, in the photo with us. The weather was perfect and Tyler's Team raised over $10,000 to cure diabetes! Now that's how I like to celebrate the first half century of my life.
Yesterday, while washing a load of towels, the hot water hose burst and my neighbor Kelsey & I found ourselves surrounded by water in my kitchen & mud room. Now I cook to the sound of fans and heaters trying to dry out my hard wood floors. I'm praying the floors will flatten back out, but only time will tell. Now why did we elect for that $1000 deductible on our homeowner's insurance????? At least the washer is now fixed and I'm back to washing towels. Maybe if we could have dried the floor quicker if I'd only been washing clothes instead. The good news is that the drums in the "drum room" down in the basement below the laundry room did not get wet. However, the rug they were sitting on was soaked. Go figure. Ours is not to question why. So, now, get up and go check your washer hoses. If they look remotely like this photo, replace them immediately!
When Terry asked me what I wanted for my birthday this year (yes, it was the BIG one - half a century), I replied with, "Let's trade in the van!" I wanted to downsize - live smaller (literally). So, after a lot of research and test drives, I settled on a 2009 Honda Fit! Doesn't it look like we left our Odyssey in the dryer just a little too long? It's little like me, yet has 10 cupholders and lots of room to haul things! The good news is the savings. Yes, we're doing our part to keep our planet green - I'm averaging almost 30 mpg in the city! Of course, now the price of gas has dropped dramatically, but, hey...I don't have to hang off the hatchback door to close it. It's so fun to drive, and it's the best compromise I could come up with since we all know that I'd rather have a Mini Cooper!
For all you reality fans out there.... here's a news flash! A couple of my girlfriends, their daughters and I went to see American Idol winner, David Cook, when he came "home" to Kansas City at the concert held at the Sprint Center. I didn't know they made seats that high up! It was downright scary. The ride up there in the escalator was so terrifying that we had to take the elevator down, no matter how long the wait. OK... next time we'll cough up the extra dough for the good seats. But, hey! We were there to scream with the best of them as David rose up through the stage floor, wearing his Kansas City Chiefs jersey, among the smoke and fanfare. It was awesome. Who needs to be a teenager.... we "girls" know how to have fun! I would post a picture of the Idols (all the other 9 were great, too, but I'm a little too biased to give the others a line here.....) but my camera can't take decent photos that far away. Anyway, here's one of us at the Sprint Center - not the best quality because iphones don't have flashes - and be sure to check out the T-shirts that the girls are wearing. Yes, we had an Archaletta fan among us. We love our Davids.
Caleb started first grade (all day) at Harmony Elementary today and here is a photo of him with his new teacher, Mrs. Runnels. For the first time in 12 years I no longer have kids at home during the day. This will be different. I'm excited about getting caught up for the first time on so many unfinished projects, however, in some crazy way I'll miss the chaos of kids running around. Most of all I'll miss Caleb's sweet smiling face during the day!
I can't believe I'm going to admit this, but I went to my 35-year Junior High School reunion at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. Don't do the math.... "I'll just save you the trouble - we're all pushing the half-century mark! I was a Patton Tiger cheerleader and it was so fun reconnecting with my "old" Army Brat buddies. Why "junior" high, you ask? When you move as much as we did, it was a rare event that we got to stay in the same place for 4 years. We were just a close bunch. Since our old junior high school (Patton Jr. High) was celebrating it's 50th year, it seemed fitting for all of it's former students who are also turning 50 to celebrate together. Here is a photo of us sitting in one of the classrooms at our old school. We all had a blast!
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