With camping trips and family vacations, summer is typically a slow season for real estate agents. However, it’s been a bustling summer for me. With two new listings going live today, a closing this week, and active clients buying and preparing to sell, I’ve been trying to savor the moments in between. Whether it’s enjoying a sleep-in morning with Maya, playing with our chickens, or watching the bond between Maya and Brian blossom, I’m cherishing these times.

We recently returned from our Ray Family Reunion in New Mexico, where our daughters got to meet and spend time with their cousins from around the country at Leaping Deer Ranch. We experienced the natural beauty of Santa Fe, the quirky art of Meow Wolf, and even visited hot springs so warm you could cook a lobster (“so hot you can cook lobster,” they said—and it’s true!). Despite being under the weather for much of the trip, it was a joy to spend quality time with family. You can check out my brother-in-law Bob’s fantastic video here: Ray Family Reunion. It even includes our Ray Life Adventure from 2022 in the Bahamas!

Before Brian and I met, we both cherished experiences, traveling extensively across the country and around the world. Now, as parents, we want to instill that same spirit of adventure, curiosity, and love for learning in our children. Later this summer, our girls will miss the first week of school to explore the vibrant art, delicious cuisine (tapas and paella, yum!), rich history, and siesta culture of Spain—a dream I’ve had since Brian and I started dating.

Traveling is a soul-expanding, spirit-enriching experience, but there’s nothing like coming home. The “Ranny B.B.” (Before Brian) used to romanticize living in the last city I visited. Now, with a family and a home to return to, that first night back, with my head on my pillow, feels like heaven. There’s truly no place like home. Over the past few months, my team and I have curated a collection of blog posts that we hope added to your summer enjoyment. This month, we’re bringing it back home, focusing on Back-to-School and Personal Development. For me, it’s just as exciting. Thank you for being a part of our journey.