Venice Beach/Caspersen Beach on the way home...

I know you are probably wondering why I have this pictures posted.......Venice Beach is a black sand beach..it looked like pepper. It was so course and felt so strange.

John is a treasure-hunter.....We read that Venice was the shark-tooth capital, so we decided to stop by there on our way home. The beach dropped off so drastically, it was crazy.

We drove down to Caspersen Beach. We would have never found this place if not for our laptop...it was tucked at the end of a neighborhood.

The pictures do not show the actual beauty of this piece of land. The turquoise water crashing against the rocks....so pretty. It felt like we were a million mile away.

John took a picture of me...I like to be behind the camera!!!!!

We noticed that many people had sifters. The waves were so strong that most people were in the water scooping up shells. We were just walking along the beach to look for them. At the shark-tooth capital, this is what we found these in 2 hours.

Anniversary Memories in Sanibel...

We decided to make a quick trip to Sanibel Island. I looked and looked for somewhere to stay and I came across these cottages. I've included all of these pictures of the cottage because it was a great stay. The man in charge was very nice and the cottage was the perfect size a CLEAN!! I would recommend this place, for sure.

The front porch.... So cute

Inside view...there was a sun room as well.

our back porch, where we ate breakfast and drank our coffee.This is the view from our porch...

This is the view walking up from the beach....

Walking down to the beach...

These were the shells we found on Sunday...we did not see too many when we first got there. We waited until low tide and that was the ticket..

Monday, June 27th...

This was the treasures we found our second day. And yes.....I am the CHAMPION with that HUGE conch!!!!! However, John is the true Champion in my eyes...he cleaned them!!

We bought beach cruisers for each other for our anniversary. On the island.....biking is the means of transportation. It was little ride into town but it was fun to not be in the truck. We rode to dinner each night and to go to the shops.

There was a restaurant called Jarcarda---JAC for short, my initials..so I had to get a pic!

We had a storm that came up..

June 28th....is our anniversary! Neither one of us could sleep. We were up at 7am. John made breakfast and he was excited to give my present. John has been an amazingly great giftgiver. He started on our first year to give me gifts that represent the traditional gifts..Year 3 is LEATHER....so he bought me a COACH PURSE AND WALLET!!!! He is very thoughtful and I love that he thinks about me. I am not sure what is year 4 but I am excited to see what he comes up in the years to come.

I was surprised when I saw a Coach box......

These were flowers that were along the beach...they looked so pretty.

Honey was so great about cleaning our treasures!!

Our official anniversary pics......take by a little boy. We gave him our Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches....and they LOVED them.

I loved seeing the flag through the palms....

Our world revolves around our kids...and we like it that way! However, adults need to step away from that role for a day or two (even a few hours is awesome) and just be away from the daily schedules and duties that are associated with parenting. So we did. We did miss them and thought about them a lot. But we are thankful for the time that we got to hang out.

To the different fathers in my life...

Father's Day is a weird day for me.... These statement are in no particular order, just thoughts and feelings!

'D' aka PA, He is a wonderful step-dad and PA. He loves unconditionally and was always there at all of the our 'stuff' and continues with the grandkids. He and G are amazing, generous loving people. He VERY-RARELY misses Chase's games and steps in to keep score or whenever it is needed. D, I appreciate you all that you put up with....mom going all over the world for us, games, awards, borrowing stuff and just going with the flow! You mean the world to me! Thank you for loving us!

I miss my dad....the older I get I realize that things happen and sometimes you just move from day to day and then you realize it has been a year (this just happened to me with my friend Tori..she is 2 mins from me, yet it has been a year....I'm a horrible friend) anyway. I miss not being a 'Daddy's Girl' and be able to relate to the father and daughter songs. But maybe there will be a time that I can repair that relationship...time and distance is difficult.

Ronnie~ this is the hardest part for me! I have not been able to write much about him. The pain is much too great...he was the guy I called for ANY advice!! From regular stuff to parenting to whatever!! When I would call the house to talk to Nanc, I would talk with him for about 10 mins before even talking with her. We would talk about anything and everything. I loved those moments. Chase and I have spent more times than I can count with them. Those that know me, know what he means to me. There have been moments since April 22th, that I've needed his advice and cried when I see his name in my phone. There is a huge hole in my heart. He was a friend as well as he loved me like his own. He loved Chase and loved my new family as well. The people that didn't like him were jealous of his qualities that he possessed and really just wanted to be like him--i'm not saying that to be mean but it is true and i believe it with all my heart! HE IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING, GENEROUS, LOYAL, SMART, KIND AND LOVING COACH and MAN! Vo5~~i miss you, your laugh, your jokes and just that crazy grin you would give me!
love you!

Edgar is another male in my life that makes me know that God does exist.I think is an angel on earth..there are those who God has given him that blessing. He will tell you that he has not be perfect in his life...as a husband or a dad but he will tell you that it is never to late. He makes me smile just being around. His genuine kindness and love for my family is very appreciate. I always love hearing "STOP BY NOW, YA HEAR" I've been hearing that now for 18 years and I love it every time. Edgar loves his family and friends and enjoys just talking and sipping on coffee. I appreciate him and his entire family!

Sam~ this is another relationship that I cherish. I can't wait until he moves closer and I get to see him more often. I enjoy our time together when he comes to Florida...even though it causes him tremendous stress when he is here.....i feel horrible for that but I love him and the unconditional love he has for me. We are all better for having him in our lives....Like D, Sam stepped in to help raise kids that were not theirs but blood but loves the same...You both will have extra jewels in your crowns in heaven for choosing women with kids. My favorite thing to hear or see written from him is LOVE YA KID... Sam, I love you!

I am thankful that Ricky and Chase are doing better...that is my one wish is that their relationship is one that is strong and special. I know how much Chase or any son, wants and needs the approval and love from their dad. I see that changing daily and that makes me happy for him.

John, I could go on and on about what kind of a dad he is but you all know that....Like D and Sam, thank you for choosing a woman with a child and loving them the same!! Chase feels your love--the same love you have for Cait and Ty. I truly feel you have so many qualities that have been listed above...endless effort to making your family feel loved and special. You take off work to go to games the world which means world to the kids. You exercise with the kids, play, wrestle, fix trucks, fish, surf, cuddle, cook, clean, pray, smile, laugh, give advice and the list is endless. God made you for us and I hope we make you feel loved and appreciated DAILY!! I love you babe!

John want to go the beach for father's day...so we did! It was a fun day. We decided to eat dinner at Cracker Barrel on the way home--everyone wanted breakfast for dinner. :) yummy!

We got him a new reel...his made horrible sounds, Reefs and a resistance band.

This was Ty on the way home...he was pooped!

Caitlin's Awards Ceremony and Eighth Grade Graduation

On Thursday, we had Caitlin's awards ceremony in the morning and her eighth grade graduation in the evening. Now I know the next several pictures are not all that different with the exception of the wording on the certificates. Caitlin received...I believe 9 awards!!! Her teachers choose students for each subject and she got all of those, honor roll, library award, Beta club, as well as MAKING A 6 ON FCAT WRITES!!!!!!

I felt like posting them because she EARNED every one of them and we are very proud of her accomplishments!

GRADUATION!!!!

Summer, Ramie, Cait and Kyndel...what beautiful and sweet girls..about to enter another chapter in their lives....scary!!!!

Caitlin, we could not be prouder! We are amazed with the young lady that is before us. You make us proud in every area of your life whether it is in the classroom, on the field, at church helping out, praising or lending a hand at home. You act so silly and you bring smiles to the entire family. We can't wait to see what lies ahead of you! This is a new beginning and God is leading you each step...make the most of it! We love ya SIS!!!