2015 It was the worst of Times...It was the Best of Times

Last year around spring time I decided to start a blog. Over the last few months, I learned how to build a website, lived life, devoted time to family, and volunteered with the Orlando Shakespeare Gala Committee and Jr.League of Greater Orlando.

In May, my father had a major stroke which led to emergency brain surgery, then months of rehabilitation and a daily fight to survive. However, on Nov 18 2015, my dearest of best Friends, my daddy, died.

Grief. One of the hardest emotions I have ever dealt with in my entire life! It sucks the life out of you from the deepest marrow in your bones. I have never cried more or felt so lost leading up to the months during and after his death. All I wanted to do was run away and join the circus. Living normal life seemed annoying.

During this time I was hanging on by strings. I was living moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. The very last thing I thought of was writing a Lifestyle Blog.

Time has finally taken over and here I am (2016), still standing, and learning to come to terms with my new "normal."

I am finally Ready to LIVE again. There are days that are harder than others, but from the ashes, a phoenix must rise and I am plaining on making 2016 my best year ever.

2015 was a rough year filled with many hardships but I also had some beautiful moments as well. I am going to show y'all a picture timeline of what 2015 was all about and to catch you up on my adventures. I will try to share some links along the way. Thank you dear readers for being patient with me and for your love and understanding. Together, we will have many adventures on Orange Blossom Lanes!

2015 Year Review ( or a slacker's way of fitting 12 months of Blogging into one blog post)

We started 2015 with our annual New Years Eve party at our house. Its a fun event where all of our friends come over and we ring in the new year with sparkling apple cider, fire works over our lake and lots of kids running around our yard with sparklers.

I turned 34 years old on January 17th! My husband and I ate dinner at Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort at The California Grill.

I ran my 3rd Disney Race and did it in 2 1/2 hours with no training! I strongly do not advise you to do that unless you are ok walking around like an old lady for 4 days after the race. LOL Disney's Princess 1/2 Marathon.

I walked the Red Carpet with my Husband Jon for The Jr.League of Greater Orlando's charity gala "Corks for a Cause."

Our Daughter Sahara won 1st place in 2 of her Cheer leading competitions.

My husband and I have been on many cruises before, but this was our first cruise with our kids. If you are bringing your kids on a cruise, a Disney Cruise is definitely the way to go.

Going to "U-Pick" Places is one of our family's favorite pastime. In Florida, April/May is Blueberry pickin' season. The Beck Brothers Blueberries are only 5 mins away from our house. What a treat it is to have a place like this so close to where we live.

Here is Information on the Farm:

Beck Brother's Blueberries 12500 Overstreet Road Windermere, FL 34786 407-656-5344 Season: Friday 9am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 6pm April 5th - May 22nd. Cash only.

We had a mini vacation to Seattle (just Jon and I) to see my Dad and See one of my childhood best friends get married.

Jeannie and Justin's Wedding

I ate pizza with my Dad and Stepmother. only a few weeks before my father had a massive stroke that started his decline. You never know when something is going to be a last. Treasure every moment.

Our youngest daughter, Paris (2 years old), won 1st place in her very first swim competition!! She swam like a little mermaid (thats why she looks so tired).

Jon and I running on the beach in Siesta Key FL. Its our Family's place for the week of July 4th. Eichelbergers have been coming here since the 1950's!

Our Kids got accepted to Hogwarts School of Wizarding and Witchcraft. We are very proud muggle parents. We love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando.

We all jumped for joy in Siesta Key as a family for no reason. LOL

Had fun with Darrell Armstrong to help one of our Law firms Philanthropies "Darrell Armstrong's Foundation for premature Babies"

I am Honored to be apart of Orlando Shakespeare's Gala Committee, where I get to help plan a fundraising Gala for a very special theatre.

All ready for the Shakespeare Gala 2015

My dress is Ted Baker (I linked a similar style) and my Husband in wearing Brooks Brothers

Jon and I traveled to New York City for our 12 year wedding anniversary.

Me, Jon, and Lady Liberty

Eating some of the best pizza in NYC

University of Florida's Homecoming Football Game. Go Gators!

Nov 18 2015, the day my daddy passed. The outpouring of love and support truly was a blessing.

Flew to Seattle for a very Beautiful military Funeral service for my Father.

Tony Castillos

1930 to 2015

While we were in Seattle we went to snoquamie Pass to show the kids Snow. Something that we don't see a lot of living in Florida.

Christmas EVE back in FL

Here's to another New Year. Hello 2016!

#Orlando #universal #disney #lifestyleblog