UP week 12

Let's start with the number, get it out there, no hesitation, rip it off like a Band-Aid... 206lbs. Not bad, eh? I had expected it to be more because I indulged in some birthday treats (not my birthday, my brothers). I also did not work out, not even walking on the treadmill. I have higher hopes for this coming week.

Today has been really busy, lots of cleaning and organizing at home. I convinced Kevin to help me because he wanted my help with his car at the shop. The reason I even needed his assistance was because I had to take some pictures for our Host Family Application 🤗. Kevin and I are applying to the Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA) to host an exchange student from another country. We discussed it in November and December as venture for 2023. I asked for more info and now we are in the application process which is really nerve-wracking. Even with my writing skills, I noticed I am no where near as good at selling myself without the use of humor, sarcasm, wit and emoji's 😅😳. I had to include my personal likes (reality TV), hobbies (reading & writing) and traits (funny and personable). I also had to include KEVIN's likes (all things car related), hobbies (besides cars, music) and traits 😅😳 (😂). Here are the things I DO know about the program:

• We can choose a girl or a boy (we would like a girl)

• The student will be either 15 or 16 years old

• We can preview the child profile including their country of origin and their English speaking skills before making a decision

• We can choose one semester, two semesters or a full year (we originally thought one semester but after talking to our niece and nephew, they both think one semester is too short so we are going for two semesters)

• The student will be receiving a monthly allowance from their parents so they can do stuff, buy stuff that they would like

• We are responsible to feed the child (surprisingly, I found out, the county school system here feeds each child breakfast and lunch at no cost to the student/family)

I am excited and nervous! I really think a student from Spain or Italy would fit in well with us. We are so fortunate to have the life we we do here in sunny Myrtle Beach South Carolina and its been a while since we've had a teenager in the house (our son Josh probably thinks we are nuts for doing this LOL) but life is all about adventure and experience. Why not step into the unknown and invite some wonder and knowledge into our every day life?

This is going to sound like a cop-out and maybe it is, but I am too haggard and tired to take a selfie soooo I will share with you all, the photos I added to our Host Family Application. The house doesn't look this put together right this instant but I swear it did this morning!! Have a good week everyone, make good choices (I'm certainly going to try!).

Bedroom Option #1

Bedroom Option #2

Guest Bathroom

Kitchen

Living Room

Living Room/Dining Room

(It's like he was begging me

to take his photo 😂)