RFG Wealth Advisory News July '24
Short articles by all the RFG Wealth Advisory staff's personal lives.
RFG Wealth Advisory - Team News We are now in the middle part of the summer. Both Chris Robinson Chris Robinson my older sons have gone back to college. Henry is at Texas Tech and will be a senior this year. Jacob is playing football at Tyler Jr College and will be a July 2024 sophomore. It is always a sad day when they head back to school. The house gets a lot quieter. Ben will be a junior at Argyle High School this fall. He keeps us entertained when the older boys leave! Molly will be in 8th grade at Argyle Middle School. I do not look forward to the Texas heat. As I age, I like it less and less. I try not to wish the summer to end too quickly; that will Chris’ Quote of the Day happen anyway. I tell myself seasons are good and change of “The nature of seasons is always enjoyable. Life certainly has seasons. I believe I compound interest is it am in the Autumn or Fall season of my life. Frank Sinatra wrote about it, and Antonio Vivaldi wrote “Four Seasons” (my favorite behaves like a snowball piece of music). I like to break summer up into three parts. The of sticky snow. The beginning of the summer is good; it’s not too hot, and I get to spend trick is to have a very lots of time with my two older sons, who have come home from college. This is by far my favorite part of summer. We use the long hill.” swimming pool a lot, it’s good family time, and the water is not like a warm bath like in July and August. I like to lie on a raft and watch Warren Buffet the sky; it’s incredibly relaxing. I also like to watch airplanes fly over and wonder where they are flying to or from. I use an app called Flightradar24 that shows me what kind of plane I am looking at and where it is going to and coming from. Then I wonder if I would like to go to these places? I usually listen to Jimmy Buffett while in the pool, definitely my happy place! Read More, page 2
We took a family vacation to the Florida Keys in late May. We flew into Miami and drove the rest of the way through the different Keys. The highlights for me were visiting Hemmingway’s house, which is now a museum, and going on a fishing trip with my sons. The Hemmingway Museum is a special place. Being in the same place where many of his best novels were written was inspiring. The fishing trip also turned out special. We had a guide named Bear, who happened to be from Texas. Bear told us we were in the Keys on one of the best days of the year if you want to catch a Tarpon, which “was” on my bucket list. We started off fishing for Permit. We went 6 After our fill of Permit fishing, Bear told us it’s time to miles out to Bear’s “Honey Hole!” The water turned go after my bucket list fish, the Tarpon. We went back from crystal clear to a deep purple color. We found a much closer to shore, and the Tarpon were everywhere. group of Permit and we all took turns catching them. My son Henry hooked into two big ones. Both jumped 8 Bear told us pound for pound Permit are one of the to 10 feet out of the water for us! Unfortunately, landing hardest fighting fish in the sea. a Tarpon is incredibly difficult, and both came off. Bear informed me he usually lands 1 out of 10 they hook. After an hour of casting and reeling I saw a huge explosion on my topwater bait, and my rod bent straight down. The fish fight of my life was on! I fought the prehistoric fish for 2 hours. Finally brought him alongside the boat and released him. Captain Bear estimated him at 170 lbs. and 50 to 70 years old. A very memorable day fishing with my sons! I love checking things off the bucket list! We appreciate our clients and friends very much. Our desire is to help each of you have a financially successful life. Send me an email and let me know what you have been doing this summer. Enjoy your summer! Happy Summer Season! Chris
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Attending my Grandma's 85th birthday JD Crowder JD Crowder party was a heartwarming experience filled with love and nostalgia. The party was held in her cozy, charming backyard, reflecting the celebration of her rich life. The air was filled with sweet melodies of old tunes she adored, softly playing in the background. The barn was very decorated, and we had multiple games set up, from cornhole to golf, creating a warm ambiance that complemented the gathering's intimate feel. The highlight of the day was witnessing Grandma's joy as she greeted each guest with a sparkle in her eyes and genuine warmth. Surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren, she radiated happiness and contentment. A particularly touching moment was when Grandma The celebration brought together shared stories from her youth and imparted wisdom generations, sharing laughter over gained over a lifetime. Her resilience and gratitude family stories and marveling at the for family support resonated deeply, reminding us of changes since Grandma's youth. the importance of cherishing each moment together. There were playful teasings, Grandma's birthday wasn't just a celebration—it heartfelt speeches, and endless underscored the enduring power of family bonds plates of Grandma's famous and the beauty of shared memories. It was a day homemade dishes. filled with love, laughter, and a profound sense of belonging.
But soccer wasn't the only Martial arts taught them more than just physical skills. Lindsay Freeman Lindsay Freeman sport that kept the boys It instilled discipline, respect, and the importance of busy. In addition to their perseverance. Each belt level was a milestone, a time on the field, Corben reminder of how far they had come and how much and Bosten were dedicated further they could go. Their sensei often spoke of the martial artists. They had value of integrity and humility, lessons that resonated recently earned their yellow deeply with Corben and Bosten. belts, a testament to their Balancing soccer and martial arts was no easy feat, but commitment and their love for both sports kept them motivated. As perseverance. The martial parents, we marveled at their dedication and the life arts dojo had become a lessons they absorbed along the way. Watching our second home, where they children grow into confident, skilled, and respectful learned the art of self- young athletes was the greatest reward. And seeing defense and invaluable life Charley support her brothers with unwavering lessons. Charley was always enthusiasm fills us with joy. Spring means sports, sports, sports. The season there too, clapping and brought a whirlwind of activity for Corben and encouraging them through Bosten, who wrapped up their fourth soccer season every belt test and training with great enthusiasm and remarkable growth. Their session. love for the game had blossomed since they first Under the watchful eye of kicked a ball, and now, their skills were sharper, their their sensei, they practiced teamwork stronger, and their competitive spirit, their katas and sparring inherited from Mom and Dad, was fiercer than ever. techniques with precision Every Saturday morning, the soccer field buzzed with and focus. The dojo's walls excitement. Dressed in matching jerseys, Corben and echoed with their shouts of Bosten would eagerly join their teammates. They determination as they darted across the field with speed and agility, each pushed themselves to new pass and goal showcasing their dedication and hard limits. The black belt work. Their parents and grandparents, always on the training program is a sidelines, cheered them on with pride, their voices rigorous journey they are blending with the crowd's roar. And right beside them embracing. was their little sister Charley, whose cheers rang out Spring meant sports, sports, sports for Corben, Bosten, the loudest, and her infectious enthusiasm inspired and their little sister Charley, and they wouldn't have it her brothers to give their best. any other way.
In June, my husband and I had the privilege Susan Dawson of traveling to South Africa and I’d like to take you on a lion photo safari adventure. Join us at Mala Mala Game Reserve, 32,000 acres in the South African bush. Upon arrival, we meet the camp manager, Loraine, and Adam, our safari guide for the next four days. Adam appears to be in his 30s yet very capable of guiding an inexperienced group of Americans on a photo safari. We began to comprehend the close encounters we were about to have with wildlife. He explained the animals are not afraid of vehicles, even giant Range Rovers. For several hundred years, this camp has been a no-hunt camp, so the native animals no longer perceive a vehicle as a threat. We would drive within a few yards of many of the animals we encountered. It is simply We revisited this same pride that evening after amazing. dark before they began to hunt for food. Our rover was parked in the middle of the pride when one lioness began to roar. A signal to other prides that this is their territory. As she roared the other two Our first lion adventure begins on our first-morning game drive beginning at 7:00 am. The early morning fog is lying low lionesses and lions joined the call. It was a little on the ground, but on the Sand Riverbed, guides have spotted one of the lionesses relaxing with her three 7-month-old frightening and exhilarating to be part of this cubs. We head that way and are the second rover to arrive. Guides here are very sensitive to the delicate balance of mom pride’s call of territory. The volume was high, and and cubs and have strict rules regarding the number of vehicles and time spent observing. This foursome seems you could feel the vibration deep in your chest. completely at ease, and we’re able to watch them groom and play for 20 minutes or more while the sun rises over the There is no doubt that this is their world, and they horizon. will protect it at any cost. The following evening (yes, after dark) one of the males in the pride is spotted resting in some tall grass. We follow the directions and interrupt what seems like a really great nap under the stars. He pays little attention and goes back to sleep This is one of those trips you dream of but aren’t as we leave. sure it will ever happen. After careful planning On day three, a larger group of our pride, including two males (brothers), three females, and several cubs, is spotted and budgeting for over 18 months, it happened, lounging in a long grassy meadow. We visit and observe them, marveling at how close we can be without them showing and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. any signs of distress. This pride is one of over ten tracked daily and observed by the Mala Mala camp guides. They record On our 12-day excursion, we traveled to four significant sightings and log everything monthly, keeping the animal's well-being at the forefront of their minds. No countries, and every place we visited was special human intervention is allowed as they go through their natural behaviors, including driving the 2-year-old male cubs out in its own way. The people were warm and of their pride to fend for themselves once the dominant male perceives these little ones as a threat. The outcasts must welcoming, and the service was exceptional. then go out and establish their own territory away from their family and begin to build their own pride if they survive. It is one of the harsh realities of wild animals. Truly, the strong survive.
Emilio Gonzalez The heat is on! Not so much the summer heat but the pressure to get our home completed. We are getting down to the nitty-gritty; just a few weeks away, and we will be able to move in. I can't believe it has been over a year and a half since our house burned down, but we are so excited to start a new chapter in our new forever home. If you have ever built a house, you know the struggles; if you have never been the General Contractor…DON’T!!!! It is not for the faint of heart. But seriously, it has been challenging but fun at the same time. It is exciting to see the vision we drew on the proverbial napkin come to fruition. We have over 2200 square feet of wrap-a-round porch (great for sippin’ Speaking of the sun, I continue my mantra, “Earn the “something” no matter the wind Sunrise”, a quote from former Navy Seal Commander direction) and a 10x10 back deck where Jocko Willink. My goal has been to see the sunrise at the you have about a 10-mile western view, END of my workout or work morning. This calls for getting an awesome vantage point for majestic up at zero dark thirty, loading up my rucksack (35lb Texas sunsets. weighted vest), and hitting the road. While walking west, I hit the 1.5 or 2-mile mark, make a dramatic U-turn (just to be silly), and head back east. At this point, the sun is peaking over the horizon, and I say “Well good mornin’, where you been??? I love this alone time in the morning; it gives me an opportunity to reflect on how grateful I am for my family, my friends, and honestly, to be able to breathe deeply (which I do a lot of on these long hikes).
So, with building the house and work, there has not been much time for much of anything else. However, I always have time for my cutie pie, Mia!!! She is growing so fast and has taken to the pool like a frog to water… literally! She tries to swim like a frog! Sharon and I are still in the honeymoon phase of being grandparents…I am not sure that ever ends!!! Sharon gets to watch Mia this summer while Olivia starts her Doctorate program at UNT for Physical Therapy. Yes, I am jealous!!! I also finally made my first fishing trip of the summer. Mateo, Kody (my Son-in-law), and I trekked out to Lake Bois D’ Arc, the newest lake in Texas. We went fishing, not catching. Lake Bois D’ Arc -1, Emilio -0. I WILL get my revenge!!! Mateo has been working hard at summer workouts getting prepared for his junior year of football. We are looking forward to a fun season…it is just around the corner. Because of goings-on, we canceled our summer vacation, but I explained to Sharon that we would soon be in our new home by the pool, and we could act like we were at a VRBO somewhere…Do you think that will work? I’ll let you know next time! Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of your summer and know, when I count my blessings, you are one of them!!!
Nick Noll In addition to the birthday festivities, our weekends On another front, we're starting to have been filled with soccer. Kylie and Addison dip our toes into the college- continue to enjoy playing, and we are thrilled to share hunting process. It's an exciting that Kylie will be joining a new soccer club this year, one yet daunting journey, and we're with a lot more exposure to college coaches as she is making the rounds to explore looking to build off the one offer she has so far from potential future paths. It's Concordia!! We're excited about the new challenges and amazing how time flies and how opportunities this will bring her. quickly our little ones grow up! We look forward to sharing more updates and adventures with you in the coming months. As always, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey! I hope this message finds you well and that you are enjoying the summer! The past few months have been a whirlwind of birthday celebrations, soccer excitement, and a new adventure on the horizon. We recently celebrated both Kylie (17) and Emily's (13) birthdays, which brought a lot of joy and laughter into our home. Emily's 13th birthday was particularly special as we took a memorable trip to Broken Bow. We had an absolute blast exploring the area and creating wonderful memories together. It's hard to believe that all three of our daughters —Kylie (17), Addison (15), and Emily (13) —are now officially teenagers!
The last newsletter left off praying for my in- Mike Lemich laws as they wrangled our three children while my wife and I took our first kid-free vacation. I’m happy to report that the kids were on their best behavior for ‘Mimi and Papa’, and everyone had a blast. Sarah and I enjoyed a long weekend in the Florida Keys. While there were three shark attacks in other areas of Florida that weekend, thankfully, we were spared. However, Sarah did decide to flip off of the boat during one of our excursions, and the water was not as deep as she thought, resulting in her cutting her foot on a rock at the bottom of the ocean, causing her to bleed a little bit. So, it’s fair to say we gave the sharks their opportunity! It was also nice to be able to sit down for a few long dinners at a restaurant We also just returned from our annual 4th of July reunion in with Sarah, as this doesn’t happen as Northern Utah (just south of Salt Lake City). If you have never much as it should. Speaking of food, experienced Utah in July, I’d highly recommend it. Summer the various ways the restaurants nights are amazing there. While an unplanned stomach bug served key lime pie were impressive. passed through the family, we were still able to make fun White chocolate key lime pie was our memories with cousins and family. Our family went on a favorite, followed by meringue key record 3 waterfall hikes this trip. The kids are turning into lime pie and then fried key lime pie. great little hikers. I also got to take my two oldest kids to a Most had raspberry sauce drizzled on late-night 4th of July party, where we had a front-row seat to top, which was incredible. It wouldn’t an awesome fireworks show. We already miss the cooler surprise me if my wife is already weather and are bracing ourselves for lots of swimming and planning next year’s kid-free vacation. splash pads as we try to survive the rest of the summer. I look Recommendations are welcomed! forward to speaking to you soon and hearing about your summer adventures!
We look forward to a great second half of 2024 with you and your family. Thank you for being part of the experience that is RFG Wealth Advisory. Chris & Team RFG Connect with Us! “The stock market is the device to transfer wealth from Chris@RFGWealthAdvisory.com the impatient to the patient.“ Emilio@RFGWealthAdvisory.com Warren Buffett Mike@RFGWealthAdvisory.com Susan@RFGWealthAdvisory.com Nick@RFGWealthAdvisory.com Lindsay@RFGWealthAdvisory.com John@RFGWealthAdvisory.com 940-464-4104 RFG Wealth Advisory Blueprint
