Haskeland

I come from a traditional family: mom, dad, siblings and multiple pets (ok, maybe the pet part isn’t traditional). Each family is its own country, unique in its manner of speech, favorite foods, and pastimes. Even as a child I remember my curiosity about my friends’ families. Did they have mandatory piano lessons? Did they get to go to the library once a week? Did they stay around the dinner table long after dinner to discuss current events and swap stories? Did they have a cupboard dedicated to Little Debbie snacks?

Paul and I have been married for six and a half years. For the last few years we’ve discussed our desire to start a family of our own. We are the founders of a new country. A combination of our unique family traditions and values, with a few of our own ideas. I think about some of the things that are ours, that make us the family we are (even though we haven’t yet added a little one to the mix):

** We love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is our greatest treasure, the source of our love, a constant companion, and the ultimate model of forgiveness and grace.

** We camp whenever we can and love to be “in the wild.”

** We care about the earth and want to be good stewards, but it doesn’t feel like a “Haske” Christmas without a real tree.

** We are not trendy, but we are loyal to certain brands: like Heinz ketchup and Quilted Northern toilet paper.

** We are usually talking about the law, politics, current events, and books we're reading.

** We often end phone conversations with one word: “pieces.” In our country, that means you are loved (to pieces).

** Popcorn is the snack of choice when watching tv or a movie. It has to be made on the stove and sprinkled with excessive amounts of salt.

That's just a glimpse of our country.