A Little Update on the Stone Family Shinanagans

I have One single word that comes to mind when I think of our family The Stone Family AKA The Blended Stones and that word is BUSY. I believe everyone is their own kind of busy but our kind of busy is the kind that is who knows if we are coming or going or what the heck we are suppose to be doing or suppose to be at that given moment type busy. We have kids in a variety of Sports and in four different schools. We have kids at different schools because of being a blended family but also this is our first year we have a kid in every level of schooling. This year we officially have a high schooler, middle schooler, two in elementary and one in preschool. Also they participate in high school cheer, football, year around wrestling, 4-H and a ton of school activities. Now, that you have an idea of how busy we are I will give you a little update on the kids and what Paul and I have been up too.

Kenzie made the Mater Dei Cheer team and starts her first year of high school this year. She just came back from Team Power camp where she made a ton of new friends and was hyper excited to tell us all of the stories from the week. She did amazing in 8th grade as for grades pushes herself hard and like a typical teen girl is to hard on herself. She still remains her fathers child and is as sassy as ever and has hit the I don't leave my room besides to eat and use the restroom phase.

Philip is going into the 8th grade and has decided not to do football this year but is continuing to do wrestling. I think he enjoys this sport because he physically and mentally gets to push himself to the level he wants to attain. Currently he has a path set out that after school he wants to go to college to be a Neurosurgeon. (He had to explain to me what that was.) This year going into 8th grade he is a Student Leader. He continues to play Cello and enjoys it a lot, it really shows when he plays.

Elise in the past few years has struggled a bit in school but is quickly catching up. She may still despise homework but she has found a routine and is pretty dedicated to it and it seems to be working well for her. She loves cheerleading and might soon pass her older sister up in height. She is an outstanding big sister to Gunnar and very understanding with Joston and all of his million questions. Her current favorite activity is helping dad mow while earning a few extra bucks doing so. Elise also is participating in 4-H this year and showing a baby Dairy Goat.

Joston is completely still dedicated to wrestling. He loves the sport with all his heart and soul plus some. He was able to place 6 in Folkstyle State and 3rd in Freestyle State this year. He has had a little taste of what being a true winner is by actually winning and losing. He has learned to handle his losses a lot better then he use to and uses them as a learning tool now instead of allowing it to totally defeat him. This year he is participating in football again. I personally am glad I think it will give him a little break from thinking about wrestling 24/7. That's true growth there people! He did exceptional in school and the last two years has had amazing teachers that understand him and his personality. Lets keep our fingers crossed for 4th grade. He is also a great chicken keeper tending to our chickens every morning before and after school. He is  participating in 4-H this year and is showing a baby Dairy Goat and a Dairy Jersey Steer.

Gunnar, where to begin with this kid! Well lets see he is three enough said right. He is equal parts Paul and I personality wise but looks just like me still. He is going in to his 2nd year of preschool and moved up to the 4 year old class he will turn 4 in July. Gunnar took his first wrestling camp at MCWC here in Evansville, Indiana it was a beginners camp. He did great, he became a super hero most of the day and in his little mind defeated everybody he came in contact with by being Red Hulk Smash. The kid could talk super hero's and dinosaur's for hours to anybody who would willing listen.

As for Paul and I... Paul found some great hunting land him and his buddies went and purchased together. He also has been building an apartment onto our house for a mother-in-law suite. (More on that and its progress later.)  As for me in January I retired from the hair business after 13 years and so far do not miss it. More on that later as well. Currently during the school year I am a personal shopper and my summer has been running the kids around like a taxi driver. I have a couple of online stores I maintain to bring in a few extra bucks and I have made this my little side hustle.

As a family we are taking little camping trips as our vacations this year. Its been great to see the kids enjoy a little outdoor time and find stuff to do while not having their phones glued to their noses.

More detailed updates coming later. 

Check back soon to see how I adapted a couple of Rachel Hollis book details into my life, how I got into my side hustles and why I do not yet miss doing hair.