The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. 
~Henry Ward Beecher

Me, my wife and son went mountain hiking in Iceland

A memorable morning on the sands at the Point of Ayr in North Wales

As the hot evenings of summer drew closer to fall, I couldn't help but relish those lazy warm evenings.

Coronavirus time

This picture was taken in Guangzhou, China, one week after my wife and I adopted our daughter Samantha Mae through the "Wide Horizons for Children" adoption agency. Adoption is an amazing thing...one second you're "childless" and the next you're given complete responsibility for another life...for the rest of your life. To me, this picture shows the power of unconditional love.

A photo to bring a smile to your face!

What feels like the end, is often the beginning. Class of 2020 I’ll have an ending to remember. 

This picture is special because it was my youngest son's wedding.

Every summer we go to a small island in the Wadden Sea. It's like one big empty beach and it is very beautiful and quiet.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches of Hunting Island, South Carolina.

It takes me to the stress-free wonderment of summer!

This was a real moment before my daughter’s wedding captured by our awesome photographer. Looking at this photo I can still feel how I felt at that moment. Even after marriage a mother’s love never ends. ❤️

It portrays the love and trust between the two. At the horse barn during riding lessons. This picture warms the heart of anyone that sees it. True display of love and trust between horse and rider.

Graduation Memories

I took this shot in Bar Harbor, Maine.

My brother Ariel is graduating from the University of California at San Diego with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Mechanical Engineering! He aspires to be a design engineer in the automotive or aerospace industry. He loves his classic Mazda RX-7, good food, making music and hopes to travel the world one day. 

I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to graduate from the illustrious ranks of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. God only knows the hardships I have faced throughout the process, but he gave me the perseverance to make it through. Being a transfer student to a school where I didn’t know anyone forced me to step out of my comfort zone and I’m forever grateful. I joined organizations, studied abroad, interned and created amazing bonds that I will cherish for a life time. UNC Charlotte has shaped me into the person that I am today and I will forever hold that in my heart. I want to thank my friends and family for the support along the way. Although my path may not be set in stone yet, it’s definitely set in motion and I’m ready for the journey. ???

Looking back on it now I never thought I would make it to this point. From working 2nd & 3rd shift 40+ hours a week and barely any sleep during the day, to fighting my depression and anxiety. I look back on all the obstacles I have overcome and couldn’t be prouder of myself and the man that I have become, because if you asked me a year ago I would’ve told you I wouldn’t have made it. I look at my future with optimism and faith that God will see me through anything just as he did with this exact moment. I have no clue where life will take me, but I will continuously chase my dreams with all I have in me. Wherever the world is about to take me, I’m ready.

Heres to champagne pops to celebrate graduation. Taelor is graduating from Oregon State University with two degrees, in Business Management and Agriculture Food & Business Management.   

He chose The University at Buffalo for the academic rigor and the ability to graduate with a dual major in aerospace and mechanical engineering. He also walked on to the football team and spent 5 years on the team, with his class being the first in school history to win a bowl championship. And he was able to get a job in his major during a pandemic. Oh, and he is a childhood cancer survivor (diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 4). To say His parents are proud of him and all of his accomplishments is an understatement! Way to go Austin, UBSEAS Class of 2020!

This is Dr. Megan Castner. She received her Doctorate In Audiology from The University At Buffalo on May 15, 2020. This graduation day looked much different than expected. Although she wasn’t able to cross the stage and celebrate with her classmates. It was just as exciting! She walked across our deck with her 8 sided tam in the pouring rain and was greeted with a parade of honking cars. What a joyous day it was!

Proud of my Senior! c/o 2020

Daemon Betts, graduate of JLA in San Antonio, Tx. Finished his senior year early, back in January, just in time to celebrate his 18th birthday! 

Remembering

Our daughter Natalie just graduated from the university at Buffalo with her BS in chemical engineering.  At UB, she was also captain of the dance team and executive officer of the thunder of the East marching band. She will be starting her job this Fall with General Motors in Rochester. 

My daughter Maycie had been chasing frogs all afternoon on Memorial Day. She finally caught one at the end of the day and it was the brightest one around. This was taken at her grand dad's house, back by his pond.

Zachary is a senior at Churchville Chili High school. He plans to study computer science at SUNY Alfred in the fall.  In 2019 he was selected for the AAU National Karate Team to travel to Slovakia to represent the USA in the WUKF World Championships. He proudly brought home a gold medal in kata!  

My dog, Bella, does not like taking a shower. But she took it and felt she was clean!

It captures the British countryside during Summer

I am a graduate in the Class of 2020 from The University of Alabama. The years a person spends in college is some of the best and toughest times in a person's life but the tough moments teach the greatest lessons. To reach the milestone of graduation is a major accomplishment no matter how a person gets there and that is the magic of graduation.