Long Overdue Update

I have come to the realization that I have not done a family update in over 6 months! Agh! A lot has happened since the last post.

The beginning of April we moved into a much bigger place and it has been such a blessing and God send. The girls are happier and the CAT is happier. Shadow doesn't run around all the time like a cat on crack as much anymore and he just loves to cuddle with you. The girls just love making this place a huge mess, running around and chasing each other, and just seem to be genuinely happier (except when the needs naps are just grumpy monkeys).

Rachel is just growing and growing. I can't believe that in just a few short months she is going to be FOUR! How has it been four years already since I had her. I still remember bringing her home from the hospital, how small and fragile she seemed. Now she is running all over, picking on her little sister, starting to role play with her Winnie the Pooh bears (she has 6). She loves to count, say her ABC's, tell me stories about her day, and she is learning to write her name! Josh has been hounding me for last couple years so have a set time to do school with her and I am still trying to figure that one out. I am just not a teacher and I feel lost on what to do with her. Right now we are just using some coloring/activity books that we have and she seems to enjoy spending time with me on that. I know I need to be more diligent with her since she will need to go to preK next year. I also know that she is itching to learn, just need to stick to it and I know she will.

Joleen is my little monkey. She just loves to climb onto absolutely everything! And she loves to run all over the place, picking on her big sister. We just found out that she really likes Mickey and Minnie Mouse. We ended up going to Branson on my birthday weekend to go to the Disney Store and pick out a toy for her. The second we walked into the store Joleen was just amazed! She said "Oh Way!!!" (hadn't figured out "oh wow" yet) and said it over and over again. The second she saw Minnie to grabbed it and wouldn't let go. Now she likes to take her with her wherever we go. She also is my little music baby, actually both of them are, I figured out that she is now singing the theme song to "Winnie the Pooh" and she will sing the theme song to "Go Diego Go" as well. Whenever there is music playing she is bopping up and down to it. Just love it. Joleen reminds me of my sister so much, just so full of life and fun.

Josh has been very blessed with this job that he has, because of it we have been able to get out of debt and move into this nice house. We are slowly learning how to budget again and make it so we have a savings. Also starting to look into insurance for us all. Josh is such a dedicated and hard worker, it has definitely paid off. But sometimes the long days are hard on us all. There are times when we don't see him, he'll leave around 6am and still not come home until after midnight. They are working on making it so he doesn't have to work so much, but we have been able to enjoy the last few weekends with him. He is such a good daddy. I just love the way he dotes on his girls when he's here with them and they just love him to bits as well. When he walks in the door Joleen will immediately say "MOM!" (still working on calling him "daddy") and run up to him and give him a huge hug. Rachel will start running around asking him to chase her. When they all cuddle together, it just warms my heart.

I have just been wife and mommy. Learning how to vacuum again :) and how to be the best mommy, teacher, wife that I can be. Because of Rachel and her bedtime routine, I am learning how to pray again as well. Realized that I haven't been as close to God as I would like to be. I am hoping that once we figure how Josh's schedule is going to be that we can start looking for a church to be a part of.

Some of you may know that last November I "opened" up a little shop on Facebook, The Little Bucket Boutique, showcasing my crocheting. It's amazing how many people love handmade items. I have actually done a lot better with it than I thought I would. Right now I am working on an order of six different hats and a rag blanket that a lady wants and another lady wants a rag blanket as well. It's just fun being able to make something crafty and have people interested in it at the same time. I am getting more into sewing right now too, if I crochet too much I give myself tendinitis in my shoulder so I have figured out how to sew. This past weekend I made my girls some cute dresses and I am going to work on a different style later this week.

 That's really all that's been going on in my world. I hope all is well with you all. May God bless you. Thank you for reading.