Lakeside Living!

If there is one place I can always go to to find peace and happiness during the stressful never ending home build, it's our backyard. While I've only been in our pool twice in the nine months we've lived here and probably out on the lake just a handful of times I can say that probably a hundred times a day I find myself gazing out at the backyard. Whether I'm cooking in the kitchen, making my bed, or cleaning the great room, I can't help but stare out at this peaceful view. From beautiful bright pink sunrises to dark, summer storms that light up the sky, it's pretty spectacular. But if there is something that brings an even larger smile to my face it is watching the kids with all their friends enjoying it too! I also adore watching Sage and Jack fish together. That is definitely a highlight...

A day with Sage!

Sage had been begging for quite some time to have a day at the nail salon for a mani/pedi (in addition to a dog...but that story will have to be continued later...) so finally we made it happen. She decided on a 4th of July theme with her nails since we were heading out to Utah a few days later to celebrate. After a nice time getting our nails done it was off to lunch and the shops. And it wouldn't be a complete "girls day" without finishing the day with homemade facials...something Sage loves to do. I sure love this sweet girl!

Hello Grandma Roddy!

In amongst all the friends that have been excited to visit, we also have family that's eager to see us! So next up was Linda, who made it out just as the heat was getting ready to pack a punch but that didn't stop her from going to see a night show at SeaWorld since our evenings are usually perfect and going out for a spin on the jet ski with Jack. I think she decided after this visit that winter may be a better time for her to visit next...

It's Grandma and Grandpa passing through!

When my parents arrived in December for the holidays to an unfinished house, we joked that at least by the time they returned in June on their way back from their European vacation, it would be in tip top condition. Well Jack keeps reminding me that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. And unfortunately when it comes to our builder, expecting him to get anything done in an acceptable and timely manner has been impossible since the start of this build so why would things change now almost two years later even after we've moved in? So I guess we are the ones going insane. So for our own sanity, with the exception of a dining room set and a few empty walls, we have continued to try our best to get settled. So although they didn't arrive yet again to the dream home we imagined at the time we went under contract, they arrived to us!

As it turned out mom arrived with a terrible sinus infection/cold, apparently something my dad had given her on the trip. Luckily their time with us wasn't meant to be busy like their last visit so aside from a trip to Disney Springs to take us to dinner, they spent their days just relaxing and slowly getting acclimated to the new time zone. By far though the highlight of this visit had to be seeing mom on the back of the jet ski. The last time she had been on a jet ski was shortly after Jack and I got married which in itself was a huge accomplishment considering she has no idea how to swim. So almost twenty five years later she got on one again. She may not admit it but we think she loved every minute of it and after a few visits we imagine she'll be driving one all by herself...haha!







Disney Springs and Disney fireworks!





We love you mom and dad and we'll look forward to seeing you in a month! xoxo

12 candles for Sage!

There are a few birthday milestones that our kids look forward to. The first is when they turn eight and get to choose to be baptized. The next big one, especially for Sage was turning twelve, when she was finally old enough to go into Young Womens at church and hang with the older girls! It's really hard to believe our sweet baby girl is now a young woman. From shaving legs to using makeup for special school events, she is definitely growing up on us.

This year, she decided to have her birthday party at Aquatica. She was very excited to spend the day with her friends there and although the weather was a bit cooler by Florida standards, the girls all had a great time! Her circle of friends has grown quite a bit since last year when she had only been living in Florida for 5 months. She had a great combination of church and school friends who all seemed to have a great time together!

Here are a few shots from the day!







A couple days later was Sage's actual birthday. Here she is bright eyed at 6 am with breakfast in bed. It was an early morning since I had to be in a school in downtown Orlando by 7 assisting with a breakfast for low income parents but Sage was just happy I didn't neglect this favorite tradition of hers. After enjoying her dinner of choice, my chicken broccoli casserole, it was time for our small family celebration! She was excited to finally get her mini fujifilm polaroid styled camera and a new chandelier for her bedroom! We love you Sage.



And someone else sure loves Sage too. This sweet woman and her husband are Sage's Sunday school teachers. They definitely get the award for being the best ones yet. Sage loves there classes and how sweet is it that each time they travel whether it be a cruise or a trip to NYC among many other travels, that they send everyone in their class a postcard. They are so sweet. Here is Sage with the traditional birthday cookie that they make for each of their students on their birthday. You sure are loved Sage!

Happy Mother's Day to me!

Love these kids so much! Can't even begin to imagine my life without them. Over the years though Mother's day has created many different emotions for me from sadness that I once felt for Jack and myself to sadness i feel for others who may never have the opportunity to have children who call them mom. Lately though my eyes have been opened up to another group of women who may struggle on this day, and that's the mothers of children who have taken their lives. Sadly this past school year the boys experienced the loss of a friend from swim team who had taken her life. And it seems that we can't go a week without hearing about suicide on the news whether it be that the statistics are showing the rate is going up or that another public figure has decided to end their life. So on Mother's Day this year I found myself thinking about this select group of women who may now find that a day they once cherished and celebrated may feel like a day they struggle with. These women are in my thoughts. I pray my kids never feel the despair that these children must be feeling and that when times get tough and they are brought to lows that seem hard to deal with, they always remember the people in their lives that love them and how a a temporary problem doesn't have to be delt with in such a permanent way. I feel so blessed to have these three call me mom and pray that they are always able to find happiness in their lives and love for themselves.



I neglected to capture a photo of the delicious breakfast Connor prepared for me but it will be cherished forever! Here is Sage with my favorite...angel food cake...

Sophmore year...check!

Heaven knows where the time has gone but the boys' sophomore year has come to a close. From early morning seminary to AP/honors courses to swim team and water polo they were quite the busy bees. I seriously don't know how kids these days do it. I would have either drowned or flunked out...Aside from a couple scary lockdowns during their first semester, Windermere High School was a great experience for them and we couldn't be more proud of all their hard work.

This is my favorite photo from the swim season! Seeing Connor on Ty's shoulders and those big smiles just warms my heart. Since this was Windermere High School's first year open there were no seniors at the school but that didn't stop this team from working hard and bringing a ton of spirit to every practice and meet!



Ty leading the team cheer and showing off for the camera...




Here are a few random shots from their water polo season!





It's always nice to have close friends come out to watch you play!



Water Polo Banquet!






Coach T!



So that's the wrap up! Another year in the books!