Oro Valley Flying Fish

It’s not lost on me that here very soon, we are going to be asking our kids to do some very big things. With our move to Spain right around the corner, they’re certainly going to be pushed out of their comfort zone.  

So why not just start now! Two weeks ago I told my kids that they were going to practice with a swim team in Tucson. I was met with some resistance but they bucked up and stepped up to the plate. It was hard to walk into a new pool, with new coaches and new swimmers. But they did just that…and thrived! 

The coaches had such wonderful things to say about the girls, their work ethic, their attitudes and their willingness to take advice from new coaches. They met new kids and certainly enjoyed the two weeks they spent with the FAST swim team in Oro Valley. We’re thankful for coaches like Nancy and Lina that push our kids and cheer them on even when they’ve just met them. And all of this is just setting the stage for when they walk into a new team situation in Spain!

Tucson Time

 Here we are again!!! This is our 6th trip to our beloved Tucson in the last 15 months. But this one is a little bittersweet. It’s probably the last time before we head to Spain, and so the last time until 2022. Just typing that out makes my heart hurt a little. 

But in the meantime we’re gonna soak up as much family time and sun as we can. Hoping to spend about two weeks in the desert. I’ve started a new photo series since getting here. I call it “Papa doing Papa things.” The girls think it’s pretty funny.

Today we celebrated my birthday. Mitch got me beautiful diamond hoop earrings and a couples massage. Laura and Jeff treated us to a nice dinner out, and Kiersten made me a delicious lemon birthday cake. She zested lemon for the cake and frosting...it was delicious. Cheers to more happy days in Arizona!

Have swimsuit, will travel!

 It’s been a few weeks since my kids have been in the water! They are literally fish out of water. So thankfully we’re kicking off summer break in Tucson at Gigi and Papa’s house. But when we return we’ve got swim meets on the schedule and we need to be ready to go.

I reached out to Flying Fish Arizona Swim Team (FAST) in Oro Valley and they graciously have allowed our fish to swim with their fish. I think the girls were nervous and a little apprehensive at first...but it’s good practice for moving to Spain, right?!?!

After the first night they were hooked. The Oro Valley Aquatic Center and Community Center are both beautiful facilities. They have three pools, long course and short and about 50 lanes. Yes!!! I said 50.

The coaches have been impressed with how well the girls swim. Coach Nancy and Coach Lina are so friendly and helpful. The girls are feeling right at home, and bonus they’ll be ready for our meets as soon as we get home.

On another note, Y state times came out and Leah rocked it! She took 12th place in the state for the 50 backstroke, 100 backstroke and the 50 butterfly. She crushed it in the 100 butterfly and took 10th. So proud of how hard she’s worked this past year. 

I’m getting excited to see them grow and thrive at swim and all the things they encounter in Spain!

Boba obsessed!

Today we found a hidden Decatur gem! My girls love Boba Tea so we treated ourself on this gloomy rainy day. The smoothies, matcha milk tea and macaroons get two thumbs up from this crew!

We’lol definitely be back to JS Patisserie. I wonder how many times the girls will try to convince me to get Boba before we go to Spain?!?! I wonder if they have Boba in Spain?!?!

Teenager

 My floors are filthy, my counters are sticky, but our hearts are so full. Not only was today the last Fay of a super crazy school year, but we also hosted a whole lot of junior high girls at our house after to celebrate Leah and the covid crazy year.

Leah really has a lovely group of friends. So we were happy to host them. They really let loose since school was out. All the sugar probably played a small part in that too.

Let’s paint with Liz came to the house and the girls all got to create a project. Just a few more days of work for me and then we’re off to Arizona!

Euchre

These two!!! Their love for the card game Euchre runs deep. 

Leah is my introvert, she’s quiet and a little shy. She wasn’t thrilled about starting confirmation at the beginning of the year. Enter Malinda!!!

Everyone should be so fortunate to have a Director of Children’s Education like Malinda. She has made this year so special for both Leah and Kiersten. They can’t wait for youth group, they want to go to church and Camp Cilca is all they can talk about for summer plans. What a blessing she has been...guiding them in the way of the word, praying for our kids and loving them during what’s been a crazy year. 

And when we head across the pond I know the Schultz girls will be counting the days until they can get back to youth group with Malinda!