With four active kids, Jake and Mary Catherine Armstrong can be found most days on a field or court – whether it be football, basketball, soccer, tennis or softball. Throw in a Bernese Mountain puppy and a business to run and it’s easy to see what they mean by “busy!”

 

Jake and Mary Catherine met at Fort Walton Beach High School at ages 16 and 17. “My husband and I both grew up in Destin, so we are true locals (and high school sweethearts). Our families are here, and Destin is our home. We love it here.” The couple got married after graduating from college at UWF.  “We've now been together 22 years, more than half our lives,” Mary Catherine said. Now they have Lia (11), Jacob (9), and twins Emma and Camille (7). “They are active kids so you can find us at practice somewhere!” Puppy Zoe is the best, most affectionate dog, “minus the incredible shedding” Mary Catherine chuckled and added, “Sometimes I think our life could be a comedy show, Beautiful Chaos!”

 

Even though they are new to the neighborhood, the family has settled in to all that Kelly Plantation offers. “There are so many great things about living here. The location has been high on the list for me since I have kids at both DES and DMS,” Mary Catherine noted. “We love taking walks and biking down the beautiful streets, too. It feels like a safe and friendly community.” Fun things they love - Rosemary Beach, going out on the boat, and trying new restaurants. (Favorites are Bijoux, Jasmine Thai, Boshamps, Craft Bar, and Burrito Del Sol.) You might even see them on the pickleball court, soaking in the sun, riding bikes, or rollerblading. That’s only if they are not doing organized sports with the kids.

 

When they’re aren’t at practice or a game, Jake and Mary Catherine are transforming homes in the area. Their remodeling business, Revive Properties, renovates luxury properties and homes, many in the Kelly Plantation neighborhood, including their own. “We do large, residential remodeling from Destin to Rosemary Beach. We absolutely love it!” The Armstrongs and Revive Properties recently celebrated 10 years of transforming homes along the Emerald Coast. If you are thinking of remodeling, give Revive Properties a call!

 

With all their commitments, it’s noteworthy that the Armstrong family makes time for church, traditions, and volunteering. After church at Destin Worship Center, they have Sunday Sundaes. “It started off as just a way to limit sweet treats to one night of ice cream per week, but it's kind of evolved into different treats each week, so it's not always sundaes anymore,” Mary Catherine explained. She is on the board for a local non-profit called Selah’s Heart that offers biblical grief support and comfort to moms experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. “This organization is near and dear to our family as Selah is my honorary niece and was stillborn in 2021.” Both actively support a wonderful ministry called Mission of Hope, located in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, that feeds and educates families in those locations. On top of that, Jake is a volunteer coach for many of the kids’ teams, too.

 

With four awesome kids, a bundle full of puppy, and a thriving business, Jake and Mary Catherine are living life to the fullest in Kelly Plantation.