Where is Sunee?

Maybe some of you have noticed (or maybe not??) that I, the oldest sister, do not post very often. Maybe you even wondered why. Well here is the story....

Many years ago I had two small children and I was a young mom. I had graduated from BYU, Kyle had graduated and we were now just "living". I loved my little ones so much and I loved my life, but honestly I was bored. Only a short time before I was doing very interesting things, going to school, playing sports, having friends, dating, working, you know the routine. But now I was on 24 hour duty of babies, nursing, diapers, cleaning, and cooking. I needed more. My sister-in-law suggested that I get hobbies. I loved reading, we started a book club. I loved scrap booking, Pebbles in my Pocket was the best store in the whole world!! I tried to go walking everyday and play outside. And I talk on the phone....A LOT!! Oh how I would have loved to have a hobby with all Seven of my Sisters, but they were all still teenagers or little girls. The most interesting part of this story is that I had enough time back then, that I could have written a blog all by myself!!

But, Oh how things have changed. I now can't find a minute. I wonder why I didn't just enjoy my lazy afternoons. I would love one right now!! Now I have 5 busy kids that keep their mom busy. I have looong baseball games twice a week, piano for everybody (then they have to practice), basketball everyday, Science projects, track meets and helping the kids train, Scouts, Young Mens, Activity Days, Primary calling, tutoring math, teaching math at Dixie College...the list seems endless.

So if you are a "young mom" you will love relating to my younger, wonderful sisters. But if you are an "older" mom you will know why my posts come a little less frequent!!!

Track Meet

Today is not my day, but I had something to say so here goes...

I don't love the Elementary Track meets. I was never very fast and got too nervous. I was never last, but certainly never first. Then came James(my oldest)...we would run and practice for the meet and pray that the track meet would be respectable for him. As we were praying that he would not come in last, I wondered who I was hoping would take this dreaded position.

Enter Jeff. Jeffrey has been telling me for weeks that he was winning the practice races at school. I then asked, Who are you racing? How many kids are racing? Do the teachers tell you you win or do you just think you are winning (Jeff tends to follow Kyle's optimism). I didn't know how Jeffrey would do, but I was hopeful. Then I remembered that they run with others in their year, not necessarily their grade. I didn't want Jeff to get nervous, because is so young in his year, so I didn't tell him.

Brynn on the other hand has be scared for weeks. We have jogged, gone to the track, and talked strategy a thousand times.

Wednesday dawned bright and beautiful. I got everyone ready and kissed them good bye, promising to see them at the meet. I rushed to school, taught my class and rushed out right on time so I could hopefully see Brynn, who was running the 800 which is the first race. As I got in the car I called Kyle and asked him if it had started, He said yes, drive fast and I might catch the end. Good thing the track meet was at Dixie College! I parked and ran like crazy, just in time to see Brynn run the last 200 yards. She closed in on the leader and almost overtook her, but ended in 2nd place. We were so proud of her. She ran really fast and strong. She was seriously tired. We hugged and helped her walk around. She is a very good runner and looks really good while she is running.

Jeffrey ran the 100 first. We had taken the kids to the track on Monday night to practice and talk about technique (if we know any!!). Jeff beat me and Brynn and Kyle really had to try hard to not get beaten. As he was waiting Jeff told me that one of the 4th graders had informed him that he would not be able to beat 4th graders because they were older. I just whispered to Jeff that I thought he could beat all of them. He finally lined up. The gun went off, Jeff shot out. He started running and looked so smooth and good. He pulled out in the clear lead. He kept pulling out farther and farther. He won by a considerable distance. We screamed and cheered and were soooo happy.

Then Jeff decided to do his long jump. He went and jumped 6 feet! That was long enough to take first place!!! He then lined up to run the 200. He was in the first lane. The gun shot, Jeff ran. By the time they came out of the turn and into the straight away Jeff had passed everyone. He ran so fast I couldn't believe it. He probably won by 30 yards!! It was so fun for Jeff and us!! Then we had a little break until the finals. They even broke for lunch. I brought Jeff home and fed him a light carb lunch and he rested. We went back to run the finals. Jeff lined up with the 8 fastest boys, in the 100. He was in lane 4. The gun shot, Jeff didn't get the best start, he pumped his arms hard, stuck out his chest and ran. By about 30 yards he took the lead, he and another boy ran out in front of the others, Jeff in the lead. We screamed and screamed. Jeff pushed on until he crossed the line first. Oh we were happy!! What a fun day! I guess track can be fun. I should say winning is not everything, but it is sure fun to win.


Sunee

PS We lost the pacifier at the track meet. It was our last one. I vowed to myself I would not buy anymore. We have now gone to nap 2 times and bed time once with out the pacifier! I'm not sure I'm thrilled about it, and I cried when she cried out "pacifier" , as if I had forgotten to give it to her!! But at some point we had to give up the pacifier and yesterday was the day!!

General Conference

This weekend has been the General Conference for our Church. This is where instead of going to our regular meetings on Sunday, we stay home and watch the leaders of our Church speak to us.

I love Conference. I love sleeping in on Sunday. I love the relaxed feel at home. I love that Kyle has no meetings. I love laying on the couch with kids laying all over me. I love all of the hugging and loving that goes on. I love seeing my kids getting old enough to listen and understand....But most of all I love the spirit I feel when I hear the talks.

These men are called of God to speak to us today. They are inspired and it seems that so many of the words go right to my heart. I found myself laughing, crying and thinking. I want to be quicker to kindness and slower to anger. I want to love more and serve more. I want to pray harder and have a family lead by the spirit. I want to feel like I do today, everyday.

I am going to download Conference onto my iPod as soon as it is available on lds.org and do something productive while I clean. I am so thankful for General Conference.

Sunee

Gardens

This week we planted our garden!! If you don't live in St. George you are probably still thinking it is still winter, but down here it is planting time! We planted squash, tomatoes, onion, peppers, lettuce and strawberries.

My mom has always had a huge, beautiful garden. It was a lot of work but we loved the garden. If you want to get you kids excited about a family project, plant a garden. The kids had so much fun digging in the dirt, planting the plants and watering. It was such a fun evening. The next morning I got up and the sun was just barely lighting the sky, I looked out my window and there was my 5 year old, Eliese, standing at the edge of the garden checking things out.

If you have never planted a garden, google Square Foot Gardening and you will see how much you can produce in a very small area, this system changed my way of thinking about a garden. Also, with the rising price of food you will love saving money with your garden. Not to mention the wonderful taste of fresh food. So get digging and plant your gardens.

Sunee

CROCS!!!

A few years ago a new type of shoe came out. They were "plasticy" and "clompy" and not good style at all. But everyone said that they were soooo "comfy"!! I will admit I hated CROCS at first!! Then....I purchased them for my little kids and overnight I was a CROCS LOVER!!!

Has there ever been a shoe that is both a sandal and a tennis shoe? Has there ever been a shoe that can get wet and dry in minutes? Has there ever been a shoe that kids don't grow out of in one season? Has there ever been a shoe that your 18 month old can put on by themselves? Has there ever been a shoe that does all of this and more? YES!! CROCS!!

And so, as it is nearing Spring, everyone should head to Target as they have their new shipment of CROCS. What a deal...Happiness for only $7.99!!

Childhood

I have wanted to get my post in early Sunday morning, but....I'm a little late!! Oh well I've been a late on a lot of things lately. Except Parent Teacher Conference to which I was exactly 24 hours early!!!

I wanted to share a few of my memories growing up. These are also the memories of my sisters!

I grew up in a small town in Northern Utah. It was an extraordinary town. Not a city, but a town. One of those places that people know where they're from and are very proud of it. I grew up in Hooper. I was related to most of the town and that made me an "insider". I lived on the same street as my Grandparents and 3 of my Haws uncles and their families. It was the kind of place where "everyone knows your name."

Our street was a quiet street. Very few cars traveled 4600 S. There was a sign posted that read 35mph. I looked at the sign many times wondering if it was really necessary on a street like mine.

I had one fabulous older brother, and 6 amazing little sisters. There was always someone to be with. It was the kind of childhood with magical summers. We would go swimming at Grandma's pool every day. We played Marco Polo and our favorite...SHARKS!! After we were wrinkled like prunes we would head back to our house. On my way past the garden I would be reminded of my favorite lunch...tomato sandwiches. If you've never had a Hooper Tomato warmed by the sun and salted to perfection, well you've never lived! I would pick a couple red gems and head for the house. After toasting my bread and aligning my tomatoes just so I'd head for the family room. We loved sitting under the swamp cooler feeling it's cool breeze. There I would sit, watching Matlock and eating. Of course I was never alone. I always had a sibling or two to sit in the breeze with. Oh how I love the smell of swamp coolers.

There were so many things to love that I hardly know where to start and I could never find a way to end. Rootbeer on the top deck of the House Boat, football games in the Shiffman's yard every day, Hooper on the 4th of July, riding my bike with no hands, Disneyland and the 3 Musketeers, Beach Houses, cleaning with mom (so I could get private time to talk), Valentine's Dances, Daddy Daughter dates, a big green van filled with laughter and fun, I was truly blessed to be a Haws.

How can you measure a childhood? With Love!!! These experience would mean very little if they weren't little packages of love in my past. Each experience occurred with people I love and who I know love me. My parents worked tirelessly to give all 8 of us the most amazing start at life. They taught us to share, to obey, to work, to play, to pray, and most of all to Love!!! To love ourselves, to love each other and to love the Lord. I am eternally grateful for the childhood I had. I am thankful for the sweet memories that are like old friends waiting to be visited.

I LOVE MY SISTERS

A few years ago I ordered a book from the book club at the Elementary School. The book order came home and we were so excited!! We ripped opened the package and there was not the book we ordered but a different book and a little note that read: The book you ordered will arrive shortly. We hope you enjoy this gift book while you wait!

Well of course we were a little disappointed, but we decided to read the book. It is entitled "The Relatives Came" by Cynthia Rylant. It quickly became one of my favorite Children's books.



It's about the summer when the relatives came. They came up from Virgina to visit us. They left at four in the morning when it was still dark. And finally after hours of traveling they arrived. Then it was hugging time. They hugged us for hours.

The book goes on to talk about all of the wonderful visiting and loving that went on. It says, "The relatives weren't particular about beds, which was good since there weren't any extras, so a few squeezed in with us and the rest slept on the floor, some with their arms thrown over the closest person, or some with an arm across one person and a leg across another. It was different, going to sleep with all that new breathing in the house. The relatives stayed for weeks and weeks. They helped us tend the garden and they fixed any broken things they could find....We were so busy hugging and eating and breathing together." But then it was finally time to go. After they left, "We watched the relatives disappear down the road, then we crawled back into our beds that felt too big and too quiet. The relatives drove all day long and into the night. And they thought about us. We were missing them. And they missed us."

I am the oldest of the seven girls. I've always loved and tried to take care of my sisters. Sometimes I'm sure I've been too bossy as I've tried to "help" a sister. My mom and dad used to give me a lot of babysitting responsibilities. Now I give my oldest daughter Brynn a lot of responsibilities with the little kids. With all of that helping came something unexpected...LOVE. I have a lot of love and motherly concern for my sisters.

Over the past couple of years I have seen several sisters need a place to stay for a while. Mostly, because of a internship or job change, but they need a temporary place to live in St. George. Because of this I have been lucky enough to have
Rindi, Judi, and Stalee's family's live with us.

The most recent has been Stalee's family. They moved to St.George last year to take a great new job that her husband was offered. We had a basement apartment and we all decided it would be great if they came and lived with us. This has been a fantastic year. We have helped each other. They have helped us "tend the garden and fix any thing that was broken". Because of the economy, we have both been a little broken and needed some fixing. Our two families have worked together to heal.

I have felt so much love for Stalee, Clint and their three girls. I have loved having the girls run in, smiling from ear to ear because they missed us. I have loved jogging with Stalee almost daily. I have loved having a best friend just down the stairs. I have loved borrowing eggs from my downstairs neighbor. I have loved seeing the cousins love each other like sisters. I have been so grateful for the help Stalee has given me. She has watched my two little girls while I have taught a few Math class at Dixie College. I have felt so safe knowing they were cared for and loved. I have been so grateful for all of her love.

Now they are ready to find a home, to live on their own. They have found the "perfect" place and we are so happy for them. But we will miss them and they will miss us. We are so used to hugging and eating and breathing together that our house, and hearts, will feel too big and too quiet without Stalee's family. We love you guys and will cherish our memories forever!!

Better Late Than Never

Hi!!! This is Sunee....I sort of missed my day this week!!! It was President's Day weekend...lots of family visiting. Anyway, my Dad wrote a really great article in response to Joni's car-seat saga. If you didn't read Joni's Saturday entry, read it first. This will introduce you to our wonderfully, insightful Dad!!!

Sunee

As I read Joni's blog entry I thought how the system is taking advantage of all of you. When you were children some of you drove around in your mother's lap (some were actually nursing while we drove, imagine that!).

We did not have government approved car seats and cribs and lead free everything. What? Were we not caring parents? Were we irresponsible? To think that the one car seat we used was really a baby flipper? In case of an accident it ejected the child away from the vehicle like a mid-evil catapult.

Now, I think all of this safety stuff is good. But we need to settle down and take a deep breath. The reason your seat is no good after five years is because some government person realized that SOME parents do not take care of their things and perhaps SOME part has broken, like the belts or straps and so in order to fully implement the "nanny state" they decided to say that any seat over five years old is no good. If you use one, you are BAD!!!!

Now, about the crib, and this is why the DI won't take any of this stuff--they would rather a poor baby from a poor family sleep in a cardboard box than a used crib--is because somebody called that guy on TV when they did something irresponsible and their baby got hurt, or worse, died.

Here is a solution. Permanently disable the side so that it cannot fall down. I would probably use wire on the bottom or better yet either a bolt or a screw. I can make that thing so that it would not go down! But stop for a minute. Whoever invented that concept should have a special place for him (or maybe her) in heaven. The first one we had that did this was great!

Would not a better bumper around the mattress help?

OK. I am not in-charge. But those that are, and those that do not want to be sued, also want to sell more product. Think of all the babies in the world that do not have less that five year old stuff and are OK. Think of the cliff dwellers and their babies. Imagine them not having guard rails on those cliffs!

I know you all want to do the best thing, and none of you want your kids riding with me in my truck. But just think of all the memories you have of going to the dump. Today you couldn't go, even if the reason I was going was to get rid of all the unsafe, outdated, perfectly usable baby furniture. Maybe I am approaching this all wrong. Maybe we should just ban everything. Think of how lovely Disneyland would be without strollers. Maybe that is too far, lets start with double stroller, especially double-wide strollers. Especially jacked-up double-wides-front-to-back-big-enough-for-grandma-too strollers.

God bless you all for your desires to protect your children. Our biggest fear is that one of them will be injured on out watch. So no going to the dump with grandpa.

Love,
Wreckless and irresponsible, Dad

OK, so there is my funny Dad!! I love you Dad! I wouldn't have missed those special trips to the dump and ice cream at Dallas Green's. I cherish the alone time I got with my Dad!! And guess what???? I lived through everything without a carseat!!!

Happy Valentines Day

Sunee on Sunday

A few years back, Kyle was going to a client's house on Valentine's Day. When the lady answered the door she was a total mess, and proceeded to apologize frantically about the total state of chaos that the house and kids were in. "Sorry the house is a mess, sorry I am a mess, sorry I'm still in my PJ's in the middle of the day, sorry the kids are running around naked, looking like orphans", (I think we have ALL had these Days!!)....Kyle is a really laid back guy and really didn't think much about the whole situation. The client then went on to tell him, that the reason for the disaster, was Valentine's Day. She had spent all morning making her husband the most wonderful Valentine's Day present. Kyle was thrilled to find out that it was the gift every red blooded man wants from his love for Valentine's Day,....A Scrapbook!!!!
So, in honor of Kyle's disappointment at never receiving a scrapbook for Valentines....Happy Valentines my Love!!!

Free photo collage customized with Smilebox

Today was also a special occasion for our extended family. Our niece Kristin got married! It is always fun to go to a wedding and remember all the excitement of our wedding day, 15 years ago!!! The man performing the marriage had some wonderful words of advice. He told the couple that it was all the little things that they would do that would add up to the "big" things. I so agree. It's the little glances shared across a crowded room. It's the tender kiss as he leaves for work. It's the phone call just to see if you are OK on a hard day. It's the laughing till your sides hurt. It's the shoulder to cry on when life is just too tough. It's the hand to hold when your scared. It's the hug that warms your heart and soul. It's your best friend, your favorite companion, your husband. I love you with all of My Heart Kyle!! Happy Valentines Day!!

HURRY and SLOW DOWN

How long does it take you to get ready for church???? Me...about 24 hours!! Of course I start on Saturday, that special day, the day we get ready for Sunday! We have 9 am church so anything I want done has to be done before Sunday morning: Sharing time, Primary schedules, Saturday baths, Packing bags...all on Saturday.

Then comes Sunday morning, with five kids, no husband to help and an occasional sick baby thrown into the mix, need I say more!!! So before I even know it boom, it's 6:30, time for me to get up. I hurry and get myself ready. Now it's baby time, she wakes up crying and needing mom. I wake up the 3 big kids, they hate being woken up on Sunday. Of course, I tell them to hurry and get ready. Then I hurry and get the little girls breakfast. By now I'm telling the big kids to hurry every 3.5 seconds. The phone rings, a Primary teacher is sick...now I need to find a someone to take her class.....Oh my goodness, I have got to Hurry. I do more hair, feed more mouths breakfast, hair, breakfast, hair, breakfast......say HURRY 26 more times, you get the crazy picture!!! It is 8:40...I still have to set up the Primary room and get my demanding Deacon,James, in his seat on time. HURRY EVERYONE TO THE CAR!!!! This is the only time of the week we don't use seat-belts. Why, you ask???? Because seat belts take time to buckle, and we are in a HURRY!!!!

Yes, It's a miracle we make it to church in one piece and even more of a miracle that we are almost always on time. When I finally sit down, baby on lap, I take a deep breath and realize I made it. One more week down, infinity weeks to go!!!

Sometimes through all of this Hurrying, I wonder if it is all worth it. If any of my efforts are even noticed. Do I make a difference?? Last week I remembered why I do all of this.




Kyle and I got to go on vacation to Cancun, Mexico. We had a wonderful week snorkling in the Carribean sea. Kyle served his mission in Spain and loved speaking Spanish to anyone who would listen! He wanted to find a church on Sunday. He knew it would be a great adventure. We went on lds.org and located the Cancun 1st Ward's meeting house. We had a little map so at 9:00 we got on Bus #1 and headed into downtown Cancun. The bus ride was crazy. The bus driver was seriously going 70mph. We thought the church was only about 1.5 miles from the bus stop, but it seemed much farther in church shoes! As we walked we got farther and farther from the tourist area and deeper and deeper into the local area. All of the signs and stores were in Spanish and everyone was Mexican. We were the only tourists in sight. The area was run down and poor. We saw lots of skinny stray dogs and people milling around. The homes were very sad. I kept thinking that I was seeing abandoned buildings, and then I would realize that a family lived there. I saw unkempt kids without shoes, and washed clothes hanging everywhere. I could hear babies crying and smell food cooking. I was nervous about what we would find at Church.

And then like a light on a hill we came upon the LDS Church. It was a good sized, well kept, red brick chapel. It was enclosed by a tall, wrought iron fence. As we approached the gates, we saw beautiful families entering. We were immediately greeted by the Elders. One was from Boise, Idaho. He was so happy to see us, and I was happy to see him. Kyle had said to me over and over that morning that this felt so much like being a missionary. I was overcome by emotion as I saw those handsome Elders standing there declaring there testimony by dedicating their life to the Lord. My testimony of missionary work grew as I watched these two men mingle among the ward. They sat with their investigators, welcomed everyone, befriended some young men, and taught lessons. What a blessing missionaries are to the Church.

We entered the beautiful building and the opening hymn was just starting. The chapel was FULL!!! There were probably 150 people there singing praises in Spainish. We quickly took our seats and began to sing. I was so overcome by emotion I could barely sing. Here we were, a million miles from home, worshiping our Heavenly Father in the exact same way we do in St. George, UT. I loved hearing Kyle singing the hymns in Spanish, I loved hearing the Sacrament prayers in Spanish, I loved knowing the words and covenants to the prayers in my heart. I loved seeing the Deacons in white shirts passing the Sacrament. I loved watching the darling family in front of me. They had 5 kids, all so well dressed and well behaved. Their mom even had snacks and crayons!!! No doubt that she had told her kids to hurry a time or two.

Kyle leaned over and said to me, "Why are you so emotional?" I couldn't help it. The spirit was so strong. I had seen the poverty in body and spirit of the people in Mexico and then I entered the church. The Lord has filled these peoples' lives with the gospel, and with his spirit and you can tell. You can see it in their eyes and feel in in their words. I understood very little that day in the Cancun, Mexico 1st ward. But my testimony grew as the Spirit bore witness of the importance of the Gospel. I am thankful for the beautiful experience I had that Sunday. To the Saints in Mexico, I thank you!!

All About Sunee

Hi, I'm Sunee! I'm sister Number#1. I am so lucky to have 6 younger sisters as my best friends. I have loved watching all of them grow into beautiful women. I have been so blessed to be a huge part of their lives. I feel so close to even the youngest sisters, because those are the ones I helped raise!!

I met the Love of My Life, Kyle, in 1995 at BYU!! We were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Life with Kyle is always a fun adventure!! We have 5 amazing kids. Between sports, school, lessons, and life we try to find lots of time to play. We love to camp, hike, bike, run, climb, swim or find any other way to see the world. We love to vacation and especially seeing new places.



Kyle graduated from BYU with a degree in Construction Management and I graduated with a degree in Mathematics. Kyle worked in Commercial Construction for many years before starting his own residential construction company. Kyle is from St. George and with the building booming, we decided to make "Sunny" St. George our home. We have absolutely loved the active lifestyle that comes along with Utah's Dixie's Weather. We have certainly had our ups and downs with the economy, but Kyle continues to please customers with beautiful homes!! In my spare time, I teach Math at Dixie State College. I really enjoy spreading the love of Math to my students!!



With a husband, 5 kids, and a dog, I'm never lonely....but almost always happy. Life is a rich, exciting experience at our house. We all talk loud and laugh a lot!!! I am so grateful for all that I have. I look forward to recording some of my daily experiences, but mostly I look forward to learning from my wonderful sisters.

Have a wonderful day,

Sunee