- Mom changed jobs and left United Way of Siouxland as their Campaign and Communications Manager of 5 years to become the new Director of Development and Community Engagement at the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA. A very nice pay increase, more challenging, and a very family flexible work schedule. I started at the Y on March 14, 2013.
- We're pregnant with Baby #3! About two weeks into my new job at the Y we discovered that we were expecting Baby#3 in December! Such a blessing!
- We decided to build a house in Lawton!! After lots of thinking and debating on where to move our ever-growing family we landed on building a house in Lawton just the way we wanted it so we bought a lot and got working on plans. Josh drew up the plans and we began the initial stages of building in April. We officially broke ground in June. Many summer nights were spent checking on the house in Lawton - the kids always had fun - and got dirty!
- We are a Catholic family! I am so happy and thankful that Josh made the decision to go through the RCIA process and become Catholic! I was his sponsor and we spent every Thursday night for almost 9 months going to classes at St. Michael's Church and Blessed Sacrament. So glad that we keep God in the forefront of our marriage and family life.
- Josh accepted a new position at MidAmerican Energy in October. He had been a fuel handling technician at Port Neal North for just under a year when he got an even better position as an IT Tech at Port Neal South - no more rotating shifts and no working nights! His new position pays incredibly well and the opportunity for overtime is abundant which worked out good for us with the expenses involved with building a home and being able to save up for a nice down payment. He unfortunately came on board when everyone was working 12 hour days so it was still a bit much for us all but we are glad that he is home with us every night - and work won't be so demanding all year - thank goodness.
- We moved into our new house on October 9, 2013!!! WE LOVE IT!! It is just perfect for our family - we love the location - the quick drive to Sioux City, the peace and quiet, and the space for everyone! We are still putting on final touches and of course there is a "list" of little things to buy and put in as we have the time and money - working on getting blinds up in each room now - landscaping this Spring -etc.
- Our third baby - second daughter - joined our family on November 25 - Hazel Kathleen was born at 11:59pm weighing in at 4lbs. 15oz. She is perfectly healthy but was slow to gain weight the first month of her life and struggled with RSV - congestion issues - but we have her on the mend and doing much better now!
Whew! I think that cover the big news. Hayley and Hudson are as fun as ever - crazy and loud - but oh so worth every minute :) Hayley is talking up a storm and has such a fun and independent personality. Hudson is becoming very expressive but not yet talking or potty trained - both things will be happening before we know it!
We are a busy, fun, happy, thankful, crazy family of five and I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store - although a year without any major life changes is just fine with me :)
