Much Needed Updates

I can hardly believe that I haven't posted anything new in two whole months. The end of the school year was sooooo busy between church related activities, school awards programs, band concerts, dance recitals, and end of the year field trips, and other extra curricular activities that I could barely keep my own head screwed on straight. So I was gently reminded by Ronnie's mom during our recent trip to South Carolina that I need to keep this updated!! I know I have family stalkers out there who like to look at our pictures and what we've been up to! :) So here's for you, Grandma Cooley and the rest of the family!
I'll briefly summarize what we've been doing then I'll just post pictures.

Right after Briana stapled her thumb (yes, she's all better now!) She had a birthday! My not so little girl turned 13! ... she's an official teenager now. Heaven help us! :) Cause we need it. She had a small party with some friends from school and had a great time celebrating.

Ronnie is still plugging along at his job. He is a commissioned salesman for his company and has done quite well in the last few years. But this year his sales are in the tank, and it's really effected (affected?) our income. So we are thankful that he has a job and isn't doing as badly as some other salesmen at his company are doing. But we are very blessed to still be able to survive it all. We had to cut out everything that the girls love doing... tennis, swimming, gymnastics, dance. We decided that we'd rather pay our mortgage and buy food than pay for those other things. :) So with many of our expenses cut, we are doing okay. I also started looking for a job at the end of March. Which was very scary, because I haven't worked outside our home in NINE years! I can hardly believe it's been that long since I left the Governor's Office. Anyway, it has been- and I was so nervous. But I had several interviews within the two month period of April and May. (I think about 6 or 7- which was surprising for this economy!) I knew the girls were getting out of school for the summer, so I really didn't pursue it aggressively during June. However, one of the companies that I had interviewed with at the beginning of April called me back a few weeks ago and hired me. So right now I am working part time helping our family make ends meet. This past week they talked to me about going full time within the next few weeks. (because they like me, maybe?) ;0 I still don't know why or how I got this job exactly, I just know that when you keep God's commandments, He blesses you for it. It is a direct answer to our family's prayers. And we feel like God has always had his hand in our lives. For that we are so grateful.

We were just in South Carolina a few weeks ago for Ronnie's brother's wedding. We were able to stay for about 10 days. It was great to see all of the family! We also went to Myrtle Beach one day during our trip and we had a blast. Briana, Brandi and Brooke just loved it. Although they had to get used to the ocean water- salty, big waves. It's not like swimming in Lake Michigan!! No waves to knock ya down and no salt to get in your eyes!! And no chapped thighs!! :) Anyway, I will post some pictures now. I think that's it in a nutshell. We love ya'll! And I'll try to be better!! :)