So much rain, but that means we have to find other things to do. Poor Voss had soccer canceled all week including his first game. That didn't stop him from playing on his own in the front yard in the soggy yard or in the drizzle. I got in a fun tennis match after a HIIT class right before the afternoon storm on Tuesday. That was all the tennis I played this week. I got my teeth cleaned at the dentist and we had a fun dinner at the Loop for a school spirit night. The one child we have at the school was busy throwing a tantrum at home so Phil and I got a date night with Abby while the older two had dance. I still don't have that dance schedule down. I dropped the ball one afternoon and had a friend take the girls because it wasn't on my radar. Wednesday I spent the day listening to Roots and going through my dad's clothes. I took it all to the homeless center downtown. Laurie and I walked (in the rain) for a bit during dance. We had our first MomCo (formerly MOPS) meeting on Thursday. I got to hold a 3 month old for most of the meeting. It was great to see the ministry in motion another year. I'm so proud of our group! I went to Ellie's swim meet (in the rain) on Thursday. I met some high school friends for dinner that night. So fun reconnecting with them and catching up. Driving carpool this week meant I was at the middle school to work on some PTSA stuff. Gotta love on those teachers. Friday after HIIT class, Tracy the instructor taught me how to roll my hip and it made my hip pain disappear! Amazing stretch! I'm working on cleaning up our front flower beds and could turn pulling weeds into a full time job. I donated blood (perfect thing to do when I'm feeling blah). I picked Ellie up from school early (stomach bug?) We went out with a new couple, one of Abby's new friends from middle school. Their kids spent the night at our house on Friday. Marly went to a friend's volleyball game then for a sleepover. We had dinner at FYC then to the gastro pub for a night cap. Saturday morning we slept in. The younger two went over to Abby's friends for a pool party and another sleepover. Phil and I went on a date to see Beetlejuice and met up with Marly's friends at the theater. Popcorn and sour patch kids for a rainy day lunch, yes please! Ellie had her first Nutcracker rehearsal and is going to be double casted, which she seemed excited about. Phil and I chaperoned the first Cotillion dance of the year. I'm grateful I brought ear plugs. Phil was an awesome bouncer, breaking up the crowd surfing. I was so wiped out after! We slept in and were a bit late to the first CCD class of the school year. I'm teaching Abby's class with a combo 5th and 6th grade. Phil is teaching Marly's 8th grade class getting Confirmed this year. Ellie is teaching 1st grade! We went to mass after class then went to Lillians to watch the Jags. Luckily they were winning when I was watching. I took Marly for a special Confirmation class. Ellie went to youth group. Early bedtime for all! Here are the pics of the week.

It was a week of open houses at school this week. I guess I'm grateful it wasn't all on the same day at the same time, like it was for some of my friends. Ellie's was Monday night. She ended up coming with me since she didn't have a ride home from swim. I'm also grateful I graduated from high school so I don't have to do that anymore. She's got a tough schedule. I'm so proud of that girl. Me busy facebook friend requesting all her super cool nerd teachers. I dropped her late to dance and then I was late to book club to discuss the worst timing to read the Appeal. Regan did a great job hosting. Meredith won for theme. Tuesday I spent the day with DCPS. I went to SAC in the morning at the middle school then left early to make it downtown at the school board for the DCCPTA meeting. That went late fighting over the budget. I met my friend, Alex for lunch at the Brick, did a few "mom chores" as I call them. ALLLLLL the paperwork necessary to close out my dad's official life. I got death certificates this week (after having to go back to the funeral home again) so now I have a list of chores to do to close everything out. I went back to the middle school and brought dinner for the teacher to eat before open house then we had our first official PTSA meeting with an excellent turn out! That open house was intense because we had Abby and Marly's schedules to follow. I had Phil go to all the teachers I already knew and I went to all the new ones so there was a lot of crossover and running around campus. I was wiped out after that. Picked up CFA on the way home and crashed. Voss had soccer start this week so I had to call in the village already to help with him. Wednesday was an open house break. Thursday was the elementary school one. After middle school, it felt easy peasy. A PTA meeting I didn't have to run and only one kid's schedule to follow. Dance started this week so the evenings were busy running back and forth to the studio and swapping classes around (because of course they've changed their minds since I turned in the registration paperwork). I was happy to get the gang together again for a nightcap on Thursday and still fight over school board reps. Friday I spent time doing mom chores and then we kicked off festivities for Cort's Bar Mitzvah. Our first time in a temple. It was so neat seeing the family traditions and festivities for all the families. We went back over on Saturday morning and then back for the party Saturday night. They did such an awesome job! We slept in on Sunday and went to 10:30 mass. The Freemans had us over for a Sunday Funday to visit with Uncle Stephen. We took the yacht to TCC for pool time then back to the Freemans for more wine and pizza. Marly and I hit the gym on Labor Day then back to the pool for festivities. I took the kids thrifting that night (late back to school shopping). Summer is officially over (not that you can tell with the weather). Here are the pics of the week.

I drove middle school carpool this week so that was new. We are carpooling with a neighbor and he is the cutest history buff. Ellie started swim team this week. I'm so grateI get to listen to Voss calling me multiple times on the way to school and telling me how horrible I am because he doesn't want to go to school. I went to tennis clinic on Monday and then took my friend, April to see It Ends with Us for her Birthday. Mom has decided to move to Pensacola. I drove her back over on Tuesday and helped her get all moved in. We had dinner at the Oar House and watched the moon on the balcony over the bay. I think it's going to be a great move for her. The self proclaimed "social chair" of the condo welcomed us and invited mom to the next two socials. I flew back on Wednesday (via ATL). My neighbor, Paul was on my flight. His friend gave us a ride home. Very nice. My other neighbor saved me by taking Marly to the ortho on Tuesday night. I started back up with Local Fare so I'm excited for delivered produce again! I played in a match with Emily on Thursday, first one back. We won, but it was sloppy. I stayed up too late watching the DNC Thursday night. Getting us all excited for the first female president. I really hope it happens! After HIIT class, Steph and I walked around her neighborhood putting up yellow ribbons in honor of our friend, Jess' son, Leo. Devastating. I picked up Ellie from school and took her to advanced Nutcracker auditions. We were there until about 9:30pm. I got soaked holding umbrellas for dancers as they came in during a monsoon. I was back at it on Saturday morning greeting the little ones. Ellie and her pals went to Savannah for the day for a friend's Birthday. Phil dropped off the middle two for their auditions at 11. They didn't finish up until about 3pm. We had enough time for ice cream and a walk around Ulta and then back to the theater for the role reveal. Abby is very excited to be a page; a new role neither of her sisters have received. Marly is okay to be a sprite again. Ellie is disappointed to be an angel again. She was hoping all the extra pointe classes she did last spring would move her up a level, but apparently not. She'll be okay. I'm happy they will all have rehearsals at the same location around the same time on Saturdays...dangerously close to Parlor Donuts. Phil and I went to dinner at the Napoleons. It was a nice way to end the week, laughing with good friends, food and wine. This morning we went to 8:30 mass. Ellie jumped in for last minute altar serving. Phil and I hit the tennis ball back and forth for about an hour to improve attitude. We all went to the CEE pool party this afternoon. Here are the pics of the week.

The kids all started school this week. Little chaotic and atypical. I'm grateful they are all so strong and resilient. The neighbor carpool took the middles to school. Voss rode his bike. I drove Ellie. I went to a class at the gym and then had a quiet house with my brother and his family. Erik picked us up CFA for lunch. We cooked up a delivered lasagna that friends had given us for dinner. We drank wine and filled out the endless first day paperwork x4. Tuesday was Erik and Kelley's 2nd anniversary. I went to a tennis bootcamp and then babysat Logan so they could have a date. Phil and I picked up kids and then drove to Pensacola. My pal, Lauren packed us car snacks. We stayed with my mom's friend, Joan. She made us a nice breakfast and then we headed to the funeral home. Nice to see family and friends again. We went in the caravan to Barrancas National Cemetery. Steve got a priest to do a ceremony there. Matt organized the fly overs (3 different ones!) Brittany from the Jax funeral home organized the gun salute and honors burial there. It was as nice as it could be. My mom's besties; Gayle, Joan and Sharon hosted us for a reception after. Suzanne drove half and then I drove the other half for my mom. Ellie drove for dad. It was a quick drive home. Of course I made the kids go to school on Thursday. I spent the day in my nightgown trying to get my life back in order. Friday I went to the gym then adoration with mom and then to a Nutcracker board meeting. April provided after school snacks for the kids. I finished this Podcast about how awful alcohol is. Suzanne and I went to my friend, Kathleen's dad's viewing that evening. His death by Dementia was very similar and just the day after. Phil and I had a long overdue nightcap with Keith & Chris after. Saturday morning we took it easy. Phil played tennis. I brought a bunch of kids for a drop off Target play date. Voss had his buddy, Miles over to play. We hitched a ride on the Freeman's yacht to TCC for dinner. It was a perfect night on the river. Sunday we slept in and had brunch at TCC. A buffet treat for how good the kids have been through all of this. Ellie went to babysit for Tara, the rest of us played family soccer. Later we went to 5pm mass then had chicken and rice for dinner discussing our goals for the week. Early bedtime for all...although it was hard to sleep after finishing the chilling book, Verity. Here are our photos of the week.

I don't even know what we did this week. I'm in such an overwhelming fog. My dad planned everything out (including writing his own eulogy and obituary) but there was still so much to do...still is so much to do! I tried to keep up my gym routine and be better about hydration since I just kept crying. It was nice to have my siblings in town to help with the arrangements. At one point, Matt was on the phone pacing in one room working on the military stuff and burial in Pensacola. While I was pacing in another room working with the church and Yacht club with the funeral. Fr. James was amazing and accommodated all our needs. FYC voted to close the club for the day for the celebration of life. Phil got us a room block at the hotel for out of towners. There was a tropical storm that canceled lots of things for Monday, giving us time to plan. Tuesday I had to do a teacher breakfast at the middle school (made the girls come help) then we went to FYC, the funeral home and then the church. Maybe that was the worst day. The funeral home was my personal hell. Upselling on a casket. Gross. All these wonderful people provided dinners and wine and snacks and helped take care of my kids. I stayed up the first few nights watching old family movies. The Kuklas came in town on Wednesday. I borrowed car seats and picked them up from the airport. Henry spent the night at our house so we got extra time with him. My amazing children helped so much, helping with the Kuklas and taking all the kids out on the boat. Friday afternoon Phil's parents came in town. I was running around getting things ready at FYC. That night was the visitation at Sacred Heart. It was overwhelming all the people who came. Seeing all the love for our family and my dad made me cry tears of joy, as much as grief over loosing my dad. Father James did a ceremony and then all the grandkids led the rosary. It was very special. I rode with some sistah cousins and we went out to Lillians for a nightcap. It was so nice having my best friends all there in support. Saturday morning I went for a run to get my head right. We headed to the church for the funeral mass. Voss, Abby and Marly altar served. Ellie and Steve read. Fr. James did a wonderul job with the homily. As per my dad's wishes, the five of us did the eulogy. It was hard, but the right thing to do. The celebration of life was perfect. Ellie did such an awesome job on the slideshow. Matt's girlfriend, Tara jumped in as event planner. My favorite part was at the end sitting around with the Betancourts and cousins laughing and telling stories. Sunday morning Phil's parents left early, Erik and Kelley and Logan moved in our guest bedroom. We did a last minute double Baptism for Conrad and Virginia (Fr. James to the rescue again) and then to TCC for pool time and dinner. Hello August heat. Katie ended up throwing a temper tantrum and left. Steve tried to fly back to CA but ended up getting out the following morning. We had a nightcap at Tara's. And now the first week of school. Here are the photos of the week.

What a week. It began pretty normal with trying to get back into the swing of things. HIIT class at the gym, laundry, unpacking, grocery shopping, visiting my dad. Abby had middle school bootcamp on Tuesday. I tried recruiting for PTSA at the parent meeting. I also worked the PTA table for Ellie's school and went with her to her orientation. My friend from high school was in town promoting his new book so I went to see him and have dinner with high school friends. On Thursday, the older two had their annual check up in the morning. Voss had his meeting with his counselor in the afternoon. I took my mom to the airport in between. She was meeting Suzanne in the Panhandle for a beach weekend. I got a call from my dad's home saying he was in the hospital due to lack of oxygen. I had visited him the day before and he was asleep. I kina knew it was coming because he had stopped eating and we had a DNR. I went to the hospital and was still quite unprepared for what awaited me. Possibly the worst moment in my life, signing the Hospice paperwork and calling Fr. James to give him his last rites. A mechanical fail for the airplane my mom was supposed to take, so she took a taxi to join us at the hospital. Friday I went to a new parent meet up at Stockton and then back to the hospital to camp out next to my dad. Suzanne drove back from the Panhandle and sat with mom and I, too. I didn't know what else to do. Nothing felt right other than sitting next to him and playing some of his old CDs. A sleu of navy buddies came in to visit. Anne Marie took Ellie and friends to lunch. My friend, Jess took the younger two for the day. Marly was still at a sleepover with her friend. We went to dinner at TCC with the Freemans and Nixons, which helped give me a breather but I drank way too much, not anticipating how dehydrated I was after crying all day. So Saturday I was miserable. I went back to the hospital for the same game plan. I helped my mom with paperwork and found all my dad had left to help us prepare. My cousin, Natalie came up with her kids. We just watched his blood pressure slow down. My brother, Matt flew in that night. A saint delivered us all a huge lasagna for dinner. We said the rosary together and stayed him him until about 2am. Matt spent the night there. On Sunday morning I was in the grocery store grabbing things for lunch at the hospital when Phil called me to come quickly. Dad took his last few breaths surrounded by family and friends (Wally). Although we prepared, it was still so hard. The hardest week of my life. I brought mom back home and we started making all the arrangements. We went to mass and then to a new Mexican restaurant for dinner. Here are the photos of the week.

On Monday we took an Uber downtown for some shopping. We had a few souvenirs to buy and hit up an artisan market. My least favorite thing, Marly's ultimate favorite thing. Voss got another soccer jersey. The girls got jewelry. It was such a nice day, we walked an hour to the city center mall for lunch. I tried to get Voss to play a pick up soccer match, but he was too shy. We got flowers and ubered back to Rodrigo's. That night we met Jamie's family for dinner in another mall food court. It was so nice of all of the brothers to come out on a Monday night for a farewell. They got us a nice Ecuadorian picture book, which I had them all sign. Bittersweet saying goodbye to our faves. Tuesday we were picked up early by Fernando and taken to the country club for the day. We had brunch, did some wall climbing swimming, soccer and relaxing with the nice amenities. It was good to catch up with Juan Fer and Cristiani, too. Juan Fer drove us to Fanny;s house after a sushi lunch. We had a fun night with Fanny, Manny, Chris and Andrea singing, drinking wine and enjoying tamales. It was a fabulous ending to our time in Ecuador! The next morning we got up very early to fly out once again. It was an easy flight back to Miami (not counting kids fighting), zipped through customs and back to America, where an uber ride to Abu & Pop's was $75! Abu made us a delicious dinner, early bedtime after sharing photos then I drove back to Jacksonville the next day. I missed the turn off for the Turnpike and ended up driving through Orlando before Jax. Ugh! At least I had The Anxious Generation to listen to (and made the kids listen, too!) We went out for a TCC dinner when we got home then back into the swing of things! We went to the gym on Friday morning. I visited my dad (which turned out to be very valuable) and then we went to the Benton's Olympics party that night. Of course we made ceviche and plantains for the party. Marly went to the Town Center for Addy's Birthday party. We tried to take our boat to Pineapple Point but had an issue with the gas gauge. We ended up dropping it to be fixed and hitching a ride with the Strassers. We met the Bentons and Parks at Whiteys for lunch then went to Pineapple Point. We rode the storm in and hung at TCC until it kina passed then got dropped back off at home. Whew! Sunday we went to mass and then I had a PTSA board meeting at the Brick to get the start of the year ready. Here are the pics of the week.

Visiting the Galapagos has been on my wishlist since I booked our flights to Ecuador. Here I was thinking the islands were like the Bahamas, with incentive cruises for locals and almost a swim distance away. How very ignorant of me! We ordered an uber for a very early departure back to the airport on Monday morning. We needed all of 3 hours to wait in line to pay a $100 cash only family tax to fly to the Galapagos, wait in an additional security search for plants and then the usual ticketing and security line. Plus extra sanitation before we landed and the $100 per person (thankfully not in cash) once we landed in San Cristobal. Don't forget about the bus ride ($20 in cash) to get to the boat to take us to Santa Cruz. After the crazy cost and security to get there, I was expecting big things. We took a taxi (2 trucks) ride into town to a hotel where we met our guide and had lunch. On the way, were welcomed by the giant tortoises just walking along! Our hotel was not very impressive and our guide seemed like he had other things to do. Puerto Ayora, the main town had a Key West kind of vibe. We walked to the Charles Darwin center to see the saddleback tortoises and meander around the streets getting our bearings. Back to the restaurant for a delicious fish dinner then an early bedtime. Voss and I in one room and the girls in another. The next morning we had a new guide (3rd generation of the island) walk us to Tortuga Bay and then Playa Brava. We saw sea lions sunbathing, swam with baby sharks, blue footed boobie and a stingray! We stopped for guava ice cream on the walk back and then later lunch back at the local restaurant near us. That afternoon we toured a lava cavern, caves and my favorite part, El Chato Ranch. Giant tortoises everywhere! It was surreal! We had fresh guava and even saw two tortoises procreating. The last day we went snorkeling in Las Grietas and Puerto Ayora. Amazing how many fish are around when you put your face in the water! We had a relaxing afternoon walking back to the beach by the Charles Darwin center. We went to a different place for dinner with ceviche and giant hamburgers! The next morning we could sleep in a bit, get bfast then head back to the airport. We took a taxi, boat then a bus to get to the airport. Rodrigo and Maria Elena were at the dentist when we got home. We got settled back in. Friday was a relaxing day. Lorena came over. I read Heart Like a Cowboy for the Western category of the Page Turner. Lorena dropped us off at a park, which was supposed to be this relaxing, fun thing. But the kids were all fighting so we started walking to a lunch place but got lost in the neighborhood. My phone stopped working. I thought I got a bug in the airport trying to call an Uber but really it was a storage issue (after going to the iPhone store in Miami). With no map, we just wandered around. We finally found a restaurant and Rodrigo mysteriously showed up and found us. We ubered to Santiago's for dinner and made pizzas. It was a fun, relaxing night. The next morning we went with Lorena and Hugo and their kids to breakfast and then Cotapaxi, the volcano. I was kina bummed we didn't try to climb it or anything but it was cold and neat to drive around it. Kina sad that there wasn't much snow at the top thanks to global warming. A fun day with their family and back to their house for nachos and cake. Sunday we went to mass with Rodrigo at the church in the neighborhood then had a rooftop BBQ. Here are the photos of the week.

​What a week of travel! Monday morning we had to be at the airport at 4:30am for our 6am flight to Cuenca. Abu and Pops missed their flight because of a baggage issue so we were off on our own. I’m so thankful we had an amazing tour guide, Peter to show us the town and get us settled. We were greeted in the airport and wisked away to a nice breakfast at the hotel. Peter took us on a walking tour of the city, to a hat making factory (Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador) and then to a nice lunch. We picked up Abu and Pops from the airport then went back to lunch. (Some of us walked back to the hotel to take a break). Pops is from Cuenca. It was so neat to be with him there and see the school named after his great grandfather and street names, Bravo Malo. We had cui for dinner…which was kina of a let down thanks to all the bones. Oh and the kids fighting. It seems to happen worst at dinner (or in a taxi/uber on the way home). The next day we explored Cajas National Park and then had a spiritual cleaning in the market. The last day we went to see Canari and Incan ruins. The Canaris are the indigenous people there before then Incas. I’m impressed with how well their cultures were integrated with music, art and even Catholicism. We toured a shaw making home and a silver shop. Abu got us all a momento. It was a special trip! We flew back to Quito that night (with views of the volcano peeks as we arrived) and Ubered to Rodrigo’s. They weren’t home so we stopped at a restaurant to pick up a key he left for us and then walked to his house. The next morning we left at 6:30 to go back to the airport. We took a quick 30min flight to Coca. A guy picked us up and helped us into a taxi to the dock. It was hard for me to understand the language out there. It had more of a Quichua dialect (the native group to the Amazon). I figured out we had a 2 hour wait for the boat to pick us up. We wandered around and had a fish lunch (our guide had palm weevils!) We finally boarded the boat, a speedboat and rode for 5 hours into the Amazon rainforest to Sasha Nampi, a resort. We learned there are about 150 people in that Quichua community. The resort is run by a family. We did a 30min night hike when we arrived. Super creepy. We watched and then joined in the family dance and then had dinner. It was amazing waking up in the rainforest the next morning. We had breakfast then got on another boat going into Peru and deeper into the Amazon. We did an hour hike seeing a 300 yr old tree and so many plants, insects and birds. We got back on the boat and cruised around seeking monkeys, birds and pink dolphins! We stopped for lunch and to let the rain pass. Then we fished for piranhas. The guide caught a baby. We stopped in to see the local shaman and got another spiritual cleaning. This one with cigarette smoke and a shot of corn liquor. We had to get up very early the next morning to catch the 6am boat ride back to Coca. It was pouring rain all morning. It took us 6 hours to get back and I was so worried we’d miss out flight! Luckily, I read Ellie’s book over her shoulder the whole way. Holding up the Universe by Jennifer Niven was a great distraction! We flew back to Quito, Ubered to Rodrigo’s. They were waiting for us with a delicious meal and Maria Elena’s newphew’s family. We all crashed early. Sunday Funday we were able to sleep in. Pops and Abu and Santiago’s family picked us all up and we went to Otavalo for the day. We stopped for a delicious breakfast enjoying the biscuit biscottis the town is known for. We went to the Peguche waterfall and then San Pablo lake. A wonderful family day together. Here are the photos of the week: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AncPV7cAwob9zhV9

​We experienced our first earthquake! Phil and I woke up to the room moving. The curtains were swinging in the window. We looked at each other and I said, “We just had our first earthquake!” And then we went right back to sleep. The kids missed it all. The next morning we slept in and had a delicious, lazy breakfast then headed to the Botanical Garden. Abby loved all the flowers. Actually, we all did. I had no idea one in five plants in Ecuador is an orchid! Phil’s parents and then Rodrigo and Maria Elena met us in the garden for lunch. Ellie, Abby and I walked back to the hotel. Phil and Voss tried to play soccer in the park again. Marly went with the adults to shop for a bathing suit. That afternoon I signed my life away, handed over a credit card and passports to book a few trips in the next weeks. Jamie Jr. picked us up and took us to his parent’s house for dinner. It was such a nice night with great conversation. The next morning we went with Fernando’s family to Papallarta, a natural spring bath, thermally heated in the Andes mountains. It was so nice (except for the kids fighting). Then we went to his mom, Hilda’s house for empanadas. We had to get up very early the next morning. The Saavedra brothers took us to Mindo, a city in the rain forest. We went zip lining! Ten zips, saw a toucan and then the older girls, Jamie Jr. and I did the Tarzan swing (a bungee jump). I’m so proud of Phil for doing all the canopies, too! It was such a fun day! Phil left bright and early the next morning. The kids and I slept in, packed up then Rodrigo took us on the metro downtown for me to sign over my life to a travel agency. We had a nice lunch then back to settle in at his place. The kids and I ventured out the next day to TeleferiQo, a cable car that goes to the top of Quito. We hiked another 1,228 meters and then swang on swings overlooking the city, in the clouds! A taxi driver tried to rip me off so we Ubered back to Rodrigo’s. Another delicious family dinner. Saturday, cousin Gabby put major trust in me and let me drive her electric BMW an hour to Cascadas del Rio Pita. We did this super cool hike to a waterfall. It was an awesome day! We had dinner at Jamie’s again. Pizza! Then Jamie Jr took us back to Rodi’s. Sunday we slept in and took it easy, having breakfast on the rooftop al fresco. The kids and I went to Cayetana’s Birthday party on the rooftop of their apartment. They hired a party coordinator who orchestrated games and then Minnie Mouse showed up. It was a fun family party. I made the big mistake of saying we could walk to mass but it turned into a 4 mile walk of the city…and we were 5min late to mass. We had dinner with the abus then back to Rodi’s. We packed and got ready for an early trip. Here are our pics of the week. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z7m6M32FGH6rE9DG7