Has-Lina

              
Earlier this week Drew and I were watching something on the Discovery Channel/NatGeo before bed (our go-to channels when there isn't much on TV).  Anyway, back to Has-Lina, a Christian Child Fund commercial came on and inspired us to want to sponsor a child in an underdeveloped nation. I signed us up to sponsor a little girl the next day. Her name is Has-Lina (goes by Lina) and she lives in the Svay Angk Community of Cambodia. She is 12 years old and loves school, especially mathematics. I would like to encourage everyone to sponsor a child through CCF if you are interested. You can pay on a month-to-month basis, quarterly or once per year.  The cost to sponsor a child is only $28/month which is basically the cost of a manicure or a trip to the Mexican restaurant. Here is the link if you are interested: www.childfund.org. I wrote my first letter to her this morning and I am excited to receive a response (which will take a few weeks to be delivered to her and translated) but I will share with you once she writes back. 

Has-Lina, 12 y/o

 

Point "A" is Svay Angk which is about 80 miles from the capital.

Lazy Summer Catch-Up

So far it has been a lazy summer for us (although summer does not officially begin until this Friday). We have been staying in more than usual and I must say it is nice to go all weekend without having to put any makeup on. We need to stay home more often! Drew has been playing more golf lately and I've been torturing myself at the gym after work a few days a week; other than that it has just been work and home, work and home. Here are the highlights from the past couple of weeks:

1. It’s a GIRL!

We found out last weekend that J&K are expecting a girl this fall! I was convinced it was going to be a boy but “boy” was I wrong! We are all thrilled to be receiving a baby girl into our family. I don’t believe I mentioned this yet but J&K asked Drew and me to be the godparent’s of P and Baby #2. Such an honor that was! As far as I know they have not decided on a name for baby girl yet but they need to do so quickly so I can feed my etsy addiction!

Kim and Parker after the confetti drop!

Me, Kim & Courtney; my 2 oldest friends.

Here is my first purchase for baby girl! 60 hair bows!!
Let's hope she isn't bald 'til age 2 like I was!

 

2. DONE. WITH. CLASSES. FOREVER…. Or a while at least.

I finished my LAST class for my MBA program on the 10^th! I am thrilled to be finished with classes and now the only thing left to complete is my MBA project. I am about a 1/3 of the way finished with the project and have until September 30^th to submit it. I’d like to think I can get it turned in early, but if my past performance is any indication I’ll be rushing to finish at the bitter end! I would like to think that I am officially finished with higher education, but getting my PhD is pretty tempting. Dr. Bean – I like it!  

check!

3. Mama’s birthday! The 9^th was Mama’s birthday! She turned 49? … Yes, let’s go with 49. We had a mellow evening; Chinese food and birthday cake! I’m pretty sure we were all sick afterwards from eating too much.

 blowing out candles before "wopening" gma's presents.

 

4. Effective today I am offically a part-time reduced hours employee. It will be a while until I can consider myself an actual part-time employee especially with the increased workload businesses now face with the implementation of the Obamacare Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA) in January. I went to an ACA seminar last Friday and I am genuinely frightened for the vast majorities of small businesses. This "Affordable" act is going to sink far too many businesses than benefit the individuals who already receive free healthcare need access to insurance. ... Okay, off my soap box.