June 2025 & Stop and Smell the Flowers

June felt like a month of change and gentle reminders about how quickly time passes. Sam finished his junior year of high school, which means he’ll be a senior next year—the final chapter of having kids in school at home. It feels like just yesterday we were sending him off to kindergarten, and now we’re preparing to watch him step into adulthood.

We also celebrated our nephew’s high school graduation, another milestone that reminded me how each season of life opens the door to new beginnings. In the same spirit, Ryder returned home from college for the summer, full of energy and determination to launch his dog-walking and boarding business. Watching him carve his own path, while Bo and I pitch in where we can, has been both heartwarming and humbling.

Amid all of these transitions, I’ve been mindful to pause—to notice the blooms, the laughter, and the fleeting everyday moments. Life moves quickly, but there’s beauty in slowing down and truly stopping to smell the flowers along the way.