Auds.

Don't you just want to smooch that face?!  Even though she's trying to break into the fridge for her zillionth snack of the afternoon......

Famous.

3 weeks into his new practice and already he's famous!  Cover story!  So proud of him.  He's loving it.

http://www.laduenews.com/living/health-wellness/premier-medical-specialists-prevention-first/article_e56d7672-d736-11e1-a649-001a4bcf6878.html

Let it be.

I am doing my part to share this video through my blog.  I thank God every day for the health of my babies.  Every.Single.Day.  Perhaps this is the most intense prayer on my heart because stories of suffering and sickness find themselves woven in my family's every day (given Jeff's career).  Perhaps its because we've been visiting a children's hospital twice a week, every week, for 18 months to attend speech therapy and I am forced to make eye contact with the parents of children who are fighting for their lives.  Perhaps its because both of my sisters have tragically lost someone they loved at far too early of an age and sometimes I am paralyzed in the fear that my turn is coming.  Whatever the reason, I am tugged by this story and the raw emotion of a dad, just trying to do whatever he can do to help his son.  I do not know them.  But I know that because God has thus far spared me from this kind of suffering that I must help in any way I can.  Even if its as small as a donation and an attempt to make this video reach as many people as possible.

In my hour of darkness She is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom.  Let it be.

http://covercows.com/let-it-be-a-fundraiser/

Swim Camp

Today was the parent open house on the last day of Isaac's swim camp.  We got to go and see all the progress he's made.  Holy cow - this was beyond our expectations!  2 weeks ago Isaac didn't even like to get his face wet in the shower, let alone get splashed in the pool.  Today he showed us the breast stroke, freestyle, buterfly and back stroke. He dove.  He swam to the bottom of the pool to get a dive stick.  Um, seriously?!  They do not charge enough for this camp!  It's AMAZING!  Go Isaac!

San Francisco Treat.

Thank you Southwest Airlines for having a huge sale and getting me and my hubby to Cali for $279.  Score.  All booked for a fall trip to San Francisco to visit my sister at the end of November.  Jeff is taking his Cardiology boards at the beginning of November so its a well-timed get away to celebrate his freedom from the library and studying :)

Couch Potatoes

Isaac started a 2 week swimming camp this week.  He goes to camp from 9-2 and is so exhausted when he gets home from all the fun in the water and sun that he just lies on the couch watching TV until I get home from work.  And because Audrey lives soley to do whatever her brother does, we end up with 2 couch potatoes.  

Father's Day

In all the graduation and vacation excitement I forgot to post this pic of my loves on Father's Day.  Precious.

British Virgin Islands

I told myself to limit this post to 20 pictures.  That took me a whole week to accomplish.  I'm certain I never did quite capture the pure aqua color of the water correctly, or the rugged beauty of the uninhabited islands.  Best.Vacation.Ever.  It will take a lifetime to top this one.  Complete luxury, relaxation, fun, adventure...unplugged from everything.  We spent our days sailing, hiking, paddle boarding, water skiing, snorkeling, swimming, exploring uninhabited white sand beaches.  We swam up to bars you can only get to from the water.  We spent our evenings anchored in coves watching sunsets, eating ridiculously yummy food by candle light, spotting sea turtles, drinking and chatting the night away with our friends.  We'd wake in the mornings to breathtaking views and do it all over again - a new day and a new island to explore. 



Jeff walking the beach of Virgin Gorda looking for a HUGE shell for Isaac, as he requested.





STL's newest cardiologists at Saba Rock (plus a pirate, of course).

A standard day.

My favorite beach  - The Baths, Virgin Gorda.

The Nutmeg - our home for the week.

The docs left a SLU scrub shirt at Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke, as is tradition at that bar to leave something you came with.

Mike and Kim at Foxy's.

What better way for me to spend an evening than paddle boarding among the sailboats?

Relaxing on the Nutmeg for happy hour.

The sandy spit.  We swam to the sand and hung out for awhile.

Marina Cay

Sunset

Nightly 3 course dinner on the deck.

Jeff and Robbie kayaking to shore to explore and hike.

Cooper Island

This is my favorite photo - captures the feel of the whole trip.

Jeff paddle boarding in a cove at Peter Island.

Peter Island.

Steve, on his normal perch while sailing.

Anastasia and Robby

Snorkeling off Norman Island.

As the day ends, anchored for the night.

Big thanks to my parents for staying with the kids Sat - Sat and my inlaws for staying Sat - Tues.  We obviously couldn't have enjoyed the trip without knowing the kids were home, safe, happy and loved.

Happy 4th of July!

What a difference a year makes!