Hanging up her Pointe Shoes........

16 years of wearing leotards, pink tights and ballet sippers.........

and she's done.  Well, pretty much.

Yes, my Ballerina Girl is moving on.

And guess what?

She couldn't be happier.  (Now mama.......that's another story.)  LOL

To many this will come as a BIG surprise.

To others.......not so surprising.

For those of you who do not know Taylor personally, 

 let me paint a picture here........

She was always a little girly girl.........

in love with Barbies, Fairytales, Princesses and all things pink.

But even more, she loved Ballerinas.
She saw the Nutcracker when she was 3 and all she could ever

say was that someday she wanted to dance the role of Clara in the Nutcracker.

She wanted to be a Ballerina.
  (or Bannerina as she called it:)

She danced non-stop all through high school, 

often making sacrifices most teenagers

would never make.  But she loved what she was doing.

She was dedicated and focused.  

As time went on and she learned more about the world of Ballet Companies,

she asked us to let her go away for a year or so just to

see if she liked that life........

to see if she wanted to keep putting her body through

the daily grind.........

to see if she wanted to constantly compete/audition for 

even the most basic of roles.

We decided that if she was offered the chance, she could give it a try.

She accepted an offer from Joffrey Ballet to train for the year in Chicago.

She also has/had an offer on the table from Nashville Ballet II for this year.

Many people do not know any of this because she is not one to talk about herself.
We often receive questions as to what she is up to and it is awesome
to know so many care!
However, we have also heard a lot of misinformation
 about my sweet girl, which is unfortunate.
So here I am, MamaBear, setting the record straight.
Because she DESERVES that.
And in the process, I get to write one last ballet post.
(Please forgive me for all the pictures, but I couldn't resist:)

She has worked hard and lived her young life with integrity, morals and values intact.
Like everyone, she's made a few honest mistakes.
But she has been and always will be a wonderful role model for younger girls.

She has simply made a decision that she feels is best for her.

And after all, it IS her decision, right?

She still lives to make others happy.......and if you could meet her and see 

her shining light for yourself, you would all understand.

You would also understand that to see this girl unhappy is heartbreaking.

To see her smile NOT shine so bright is the saddest thing ever.

To hear that she is not enjoying the whole routine,

To hear her say that there are so many things she wants to do in life

and to hear her question why she is expected to only focus on this ONE thing

makes you realize that she has far more GIFTS to offer, in addition to

 the gift of being a beautiful ballerina.

(as her family, we knew that......... but maybe we needed a little reminder:)

This girl loves to laugh.

As I said, she loves making people happy.

Performing, in some capacity, is in her blood and still burns brightly.

She absolutely adores ballet and always will.

Even more, she adores the school and the people that helped her get so far, 

Naples Academy of Ballet.

If they ever need anything from her, she will be their biggest supporter.

She had opportunities to dance roles with Naples Ballet 

that many professionals never see if they do not reach the upper levels in a company.
 
She is my Soldier, Harlequin, Spanish Dancer, Snowflake, Snow Queen, Dew Drop, Sugarplum Fairy and her dream.......Clara.

She's been gracefully twirled and lifted into the air by
PRINCES and CAVALIERS:)

She has also been Swanilda......the lead in Coppelia, a Cat, Peter in Peter and the Wolf, 

Peter in Peter Pan and the 

LILAC FAIRY in Sleeping Beauty.

And even more, if I say so myself.

(Forgive me for bragging, but I'm her Mama...I'm supposed to:)

She knows what it's like to dance through the pain........
those ballerinas on their toes...........pay a steep price, trust me.
She has danced through nerves and wardrobe malfunctions.

The show goes on, you know.........with a SMILE:)

Because of this, she can confidently say that she has danced the roles she dreamed of

for the place that was her second home, Naples Ballet,
 and hopefully made many in the

audience smile.

Also, we will forever be grateful to and supporters of Nashville Ballet.  

Besides being in a southern, countrified cool city, the people there and the company are amazing and understand the pressures these young dancers face! 

(In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to find my country girl living in Nashville someday!)

The self-discipline, the life skills and the doors that have been opened
 for her already, because of ballet, are incredible.

The friends she has made........priceless!

Because of ballet, she has had the opportunity to live in Chicago for a year, 

in a high rise downtown apartment. (lucky:)

She has spent summers training in Alabama (Roll Tide:) with the American Ballet Theater,
Ohio with Ballet Met, Maine with Bossov Ballet,
 Boston with Boston Ballet, Chicago with Joffrey Ballet
and in various places around Florida, including Naples Ballet and her first real training grounds with Ballet Florida in W. Palm Beach.
She has danced for Opera Naples and many community events.
Taylor even spent a few years modeling ballet costumes and poses for
a local artist/art teacher.

Yes, she's already lived an interesting life.........

and it's only just beginning:)

What's next for my Sugarplum?
 (ahem.....this will always be her nickname around here:)
well, that and Taylorina Ballerina.  heeheehee

Let's just say that whatever it is, it won't be ordinary.

She has a way of finding and doing interesting things.

Within a week of being home she landed a job at Island Company
( on 3rd St in Naples.)
After only a few months, she was approached by them to train for a promotion.

However, her happy, smiling face was noticed by somone one night and she was offered
 a wonderful position with Michael Kors at Waterside shops.
(as in "project runway" Michael Kors:)
She is now working there and absolutely loves it!
(And she may be meeting Mr. Kors himself very soon, so she is SUPER excited:)
She has also had other offers but that might be considered bragging.......
and we don't do that, right?;)

She still wants to perform in some way, shape or form.

Most definitely!
Dancing, Acting or (Disney Princess maybe????)
In fact, she is teaching ballet to young girls at the Boys and Girls Club of Naples,
on behalf of her school,  Naples Academy of Ballet.
Taylorina the ballet teacher!!!
Teaching is much harder than one might think and she has a lot to learn,
but she LOVES it!

Taylor is taking online courses through the University of Central Florida.

She has something very cool in mind and is soooooooo excited about it.

(Hint:  She just may be Naples, Florida next

 Primo.........or should I say "Prima" Wedding and Event Coordinator
........with a twist;)

That's all I'll say for now!

And, that is just one of the ideas floating around here.

One thing that's for sure, this girl WILL land on her feet.

Or her TOES!   (lol.......a little ballet humor;)

Everyone in our lives has been SO supportive and encouraging

to her through the years.
 It may be her decision and her life,

but she is well aware that she has many people to thank.

So thank you!!!!!!!!!

And stay tuned.

If as they say, the best is yet to come, it should be pretty awesome:)

To all young ballerinas out there, if this is what you love, go for it!
Taylor will be your biggest cheerleader!
She loves passing on little tips she has learned along the way.

But really go for it, because that is what is needed.

Ballet has to be your LIFE, not just a small part of it.
At least at the beginning of your career.

She will never regret these years

and is happy she got the chance to go away to train.

Just because she has other plans for life and is over the whole effort to 

get noticed and all that, it doesn't mean ballet isn't a beautiful life for some.
That's probably why she wants to keep it in her life.

                            Well, I guess that's it!

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

If you're around Waterside Shops in Naples, Fl,
stop in Michael Kors store

 and say Hi to Taylor.
She gets SO excited when someone she knows comes in:)

Or look for her in ballet class.

(She's looking forward to taking class after this longer than anticipated break:)
Taylorina/Sugarplum...........you'll always be our star.
BRAVA, beautiful girl.
You did yourself proud:)  And you made all of us proud too:)

Once a ballerina, always a ballerina!

XOXOXOX

Suzanne
A.K.A proud mama

Hey Dad...Can We Talk?

Well, here we are......another Father's Day without you.

Just so you know, it isn't the same.

Never will be.

You are in Heaven, with your Heavenly Father.

That is so incredibly comforting. 

But at times like this, it's still tough.

However, that's life, right?

I have to be grateful for the time we had.

For all you taught us.

Thank you for being such a wonderful Father.

For being such a wonderful example.

And now, there are a few things I wanted you to know.

Life has gone on......and it's time to catch up.

Catch up on the things you've missed in a few short years.

(and since I've neglected my blog, I'm going to fill y'all in here too.  

After all, this is my little online journal in a way and I've missed some BIG stuff:):)

But this is really for you Dad.......all the things I'd want to tell you if I could.

So here we go, in no particular order......

Mom

You would be SHOCKED to see Mom now.

Or maybe not.

She's a AMAZING!

And BEAUTIFUL!!

I can honestly say she has held it together better than I have on most days.

At least, that's how it seems.

She is STRONG when she needs to be.

Example A.  She drives herself everywhere.  Even in Winter:)

B.  She EVEN pumps her own gas.  FOR REAL!

C.  You should see how she has taken care of Aunt M.  You'd be so proud!!

D.  She pays the bills herself.  And she's pretty good at it:)

E.  She cooks dinner most nights.  Not a bowl of cereal like I would do if I were alone.

She sets the table and has a nice dinner.  You would love it.

F.  She coaxed Taylor through her first year away from home in Chicago.

(more on that next:)

G.  She flew to Florida ALONE!  And let my dogs crawl all over her:)

H.  She watches over others in the neighborhood.

(P.S. Psycho is gone, so life is quieter on the street;)

I.  Turns out, you weren't the only green thumb in the house.......

she does a pretty good job keeping your yard looking like the park you created;)

There's more.......but you know that, right?

Taylor

WOW...you won't believe this but little Tater Tot grew up.......

she graduated last year and moved all by herself to Chicago.

I know kids do this all the time, but this is sweet Taylor.

She was offered a chance to train with JOFFREY BALLET, and you know

how much she loved ballet.......and how awesome she was!

(Clara in the Nutcracker)

Dad, you would be so proud.  We sure are!  

However, she is now thinking she's had enough.  Maybe.  You know she danced since she was 3 years old.  She's 19 now.  

Still has to train a few more years to gain an entry level

position in a ballet company.  

That's okay........people do it all the time.

(SugarPlum Fairy in the Nutcracker)

But I think it's hitting her that this is for a job. Much different than dancing joyfully for your studio and hometown.   I think maybe the joy is leaving her a bit.

And for a girl who just wants to be happy and make others happy, that's a big deal.

She is a small town girl who loves dancing .........but the constant competition, 

the constant "audition" that comes with training to be a dancer is wearing thin.

You know her.  She will never cut somebody down to better herself.  Ever.

She is a sweet, likable young woman........still.......but she is not a 

"look at me" type of person.  Never has been, never will be.

Others first.......that's her.

She's truly a "good girl".

Wish you were here to tell her that it's okay to switch gears and be whatever she wants.

That she has already accomplished so much,  it would be understandable.  

That she has had the privilege of performing roles some only dream of.

Because she so wants to please us, I'm never sure what she's really thinking.

I know leaving is all part of growing up.

We are a close family, and I think that's a big part of it.

She was such a serious student,  at the studio all the time,

and gone every summer.   Her choice.

But I think she might be ready to find something else she loves too, 

a bit closer to home and family. 

To discover another side of herself.

I just want her to be sure.

Really sure.  Really, really sure.

If she does hang up those pointe shoes, 

I'm going to miss seeing her perform something terrible.

But I'll get over it:)  Anyway, stay tuned.  Who knows what the future holds:)

And as you know, this girl WILL land on her feet.

but i'm the mom.......of course I think that:)

Ahhhhhh.......You forgot to tell me it never gets easier being a parent:)

I have to tell you one more little story, and I know.......this is turning into a book.

Sorry!

While living in Chicago, there were many homeless people 

looking for handouts on the street.

With her big heart, it was tough for her not to give in and hand money to every single one.......

and there were MANY, as I said.

But she did something that even I didn't know about, until she got home.

All year, she put her spare change in a bag.

Dimes, Nickels, Pennies.

And on her last day in Chicago, she went down to the street and handed her ziplock of change

 to a certain homeless man she saw every day,

 who really did look down on his luck, but had a beautiful smile.

He seemed kind, never pushy, never "scary".  

So she gave him her bag of change and watched him smile bigger than ever, 

and through his tears said

"Thank you...God Bless You for your kindness."

You and I know he may have done something with that bag of coins

 that he didn't need to do. 

But maybe not.  Maybe our sweet girl gave him more than a bag of coins.

Maybe she gave him HOPE.

Now that is pretty much all you need to know about the 19 year old Taylor:)

Jordie

Where do I start with this girl!

You would be so proud of her too.  And amused.  

She still says and does what SHE wants.......and I learn from her every day too:)

She cracks me up daily.

Let's see.  She got into College 2 years early, just as she said she would.

She is majoring in Athletic Training, with a dual major in Physical Therapy.  Maybe:)  

She's gonna be awesome at it!

But a part of her is also still thinking of Marine Biology, to work with dolphins:)

I say, "Why Not"?  So who knows!

But let's just say if she could be an athletic trainer at the

  University of Alabama,

there would be no decision.

In fact, if she decides to go away to school, that's where she'll go.

She is a southern girl and the SEC is where it's at.  Sorry;)

No, not sorry.  ROLLTIDE! hahaha

But she's gonna miss the beach if she goes.  Really bad!

You might've thought I was a beach bum, but she has me beat:)

She loves anything that has a "board" in it's name.

Surfboard, Skim Board, Paddle Board...

And get this.  She somehow started a cookie business.  

SugarBelle's Cookies of Naples.  And guess what.  They're GOOD.

And Beautiful!!!

Decorated sugar cookies.......YUM!

She has a summer job at the Old Naples Surf Shop!

Talk about "meant to be":)

She has a very "cool" vibe and is perfect for this job.

I'm not done yet.

She still loves to play tennis.

And this week, her coach asked her to help

run a kids tennis camp a few days a week at the resort.

Talk about HAPPY!

Yes, she's doing what she does best.

Being Jordan!

She keeps me young........and exhausted;)

But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Did I mention, she is also a good girl?

And that she wants a mini bulldog someday?

Her dad isn't on board with the idea yet, but what else is new?

We'll keep working on him:)

Jordan is kind and extremely friendly.

She talks to anyone and everyone.

She is 17.........and AWESOME!  You would be So proud!

PHIL

Well, if I have to admit it, he does a good job of taking care of me.

But I sure wish you were here to tell him retirement is awful.

Never do it.  That you hated it!

But you would never lie to him, I know:)  hahaha

He isn't retiring yet or anything.

But it's on the horizon.

(Okay, I can't think about that right now:)

Besides, I'm busy figuring out his next career.

He still loves working, you know.

  He needs challenges!

Then there is Golf.  

He REALLY loves hitting that little white ball in a little hole.

Don't ask me why.  But he does:)

When he goes to Flint, he takes Donna's Donuts to Mom and has coffee with her.

He likes her coffee...and he LOVES talking to her. Really.  

They talk politics, children, the weather.  Everything!

For Father's Day, he and the girls went out fishing today:)

Memories.  We all need to make memories!

P.S.  He absolutely LOVE his dogs.  Don't believe anything else!

Me:)

Well.......there's nothing much new to say Dad.

Like you, I would just rather not talk about myself.

Either someone likes me or they don't, isn't that right? 

 Best way to be.

I still love the beach and floating in the gulf.

But now I'm loaded with sunscreen.  

Too little too late, but I try.

I'm doing pretty good with the MS.

A few little things here and there but nothing major.

Most days;)

But as I get older, I would like to say that I really didn't need a disease

 to mess with my brain.

That's already going all by itself:)

Oh, and guess what?

I got a JEEP!

I've had some awesome cars, but this is the best.

The coolest. I love it!!!!!

We have such a blast with it:) 

And it carries our kayaks, so that's good.

 I just wish I had some rocky terrain to take it on!

I promise you one thing Dad.  I will never totally grow up.

How boring would that be!

Phil has resigned himself to this fact. 

hahaha...Oh, he loves it.  (You and I both know that;)

AND.......I still love football.  (Although i forgive you for making me go

to piano lessons instead of letting me play football outside:)

No, my life is still very much about being a Wife and Mom,

 and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm a pretty good fix-it person and I owe it all to you!

Not a day goes by that I don't think about you.

Sometimes I smile.  Sometimes I cry.

But don't feel too bad.  That's how I am with everything these days:)

I have two messages on my phone...the last two you left.  

One was from March, just checking in.

And one was from the night before your surgery. 

I have recorded them, emailed them and saved them every which way I can.  

But they are still on the phone in case I need to hear your voice right away.

It makes me sad yet makes me happy.......

and somehow reassures me when I need it most.

But even on bad days, I try to be as happy as I can.  

That's good, right?

Lastly, I need to tell you about my boys.

FREDDY & MAUI

Dad, you know how much I wanted a dog my whole life.

If nothing else, you have to admit I really did want one.

Now I have TWO!  And I'd have 20 if I could:)

I think I'm a good dog mom.

Maui is still Maui.........

Sweet, Silly, Goofy, Big, Maui.

The best dog you could ever have.

He loves to play outside and let me tell you, he is my nap buddy!:)

And we will get another Goldendoodle someday.

Now Freddy...that's another story:(

Freddy is getting older and not doing too well.

He sleeps alot.  A LOT

He doesn't have a long time with us.

And wouldn't you know, now he decides to get cuddlier and sweeter than ever!

This little guy loves me like no one else, I swear!

But someday soon, he's gonna come see you.

So please bundle him in your arms and give him all the hugs he needs.

Because he's gonna miss me........but not half as much as I'll miss him.

Take care of him for me, please.

Guess what?

Thats' it!!!!!!!  Hahaha

Long winded as always:)  But i had to get you all caught up.

And in the process, anyone else who's interested.

That is, if anyone had the time to read this long, rambling note.

If not, that's cool.  

it was for YOU from ME!

Because I miss you, And I love you.

Happy Father's Day Dad!!!!!!!

XOXOXOX

Suzy