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L eaving H ome I s H ard BUT COMPLETELY WORTH IT
AUGUST 2025
During the next few weeks, many young adults will pack up their belongings and leave their childhood homes to pursue a degree at a university or college. This is an exciting time for them, regardless of whether they’re starting their freshman or senior year. They’re getting a chance to explore their freedom, investigate interests that could lead to a fulfilling career, and establish friendships that will last a lifetime. At the end of August, we recognize National College Colors Day, which provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on our past college experiences before getting our young loved ones ready for their own educational adventure! I remember feeling homesick when I first started my college education at Emory University, even though I attended a local college. The only people you really have a chance to connect with during your first semester are those in your dorm, and I struggled to make close connections with my roommate or any neighbors. This caused me to return home on the weekends, which made my mom happy. However, I quickly realized this was just a quick fix for my current dilemma, and heading home for the weekends was actually counterproductive when it came to
making relationships. Thankfully, my second semester presented an opportunity that greatly enhanced my college experience.
Freshmen were allowed to rush sororities and fraternities during the second semester. I’ve never considered myself a sorority girl at any point in life, but I understood that if I didn’t find an avenue to meet new people, my college experience would be relatively miserable. Looking back, I couldn’t be more grateful for giving Greek life a shot. It allowed me to meet all of my very close college friends, and some of us are still close to this day! When you think about sorority life, you may envision parties, cheesy activities, and matching outfits, but that’s not really what it was about for me. Instead, it was my chance to meet a significant number of people I would have never otherwise met. Though I had friends in grade school, I didn’t fully appreciate how deep that connection can go until I met people who shared my same values and interests in college. I knew I didn’t fit in with certain groups of people growing up, but college helped give me a sense of belonging and I’ll forever be grateful for that. As my kids grow older, and I start to think more about the future, I’m realizing I want to provide a different environment for them than what I received growing up. My parents were strict. It wasn’t anything extreme or bad; they were still loving and involved but were from a different country, and their culture was entirely centered around family. I didn’t have a curfew or rules because I didn’t have privileges that needed restrictions. This meant that when I got to college and received my first taste of freedom, I took advantage of it. I hope to balance freedom and structure for my kids so they don’t go wild when they get to college. If your kids are approaching college age, you may be contemplating the next step for their future. It’s no secret that tuition costs have increased exponentially, and many may wonder if it’s worth the price. There is a good argument to make that college doesn’t provide a good financial return on investment. But keep in mind that college is a safe space for personal growth. Your kids will learn many new skills and ideas that benefit their development and life. How do you quantify that? For me it was invaluable.
Good luck to those in our community who are starting their college education. This is an experience you’ll never forget!
- Esther Vayman
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P illow T alk PREP FOR YOUR BEST REST YET
gentle music before entering the bedroom can put you in a sleepy state of mind. Journaling or writing a to-do list before it’s time to nod off can remove lingering stresses or racing thoughts. Try meditation or yoga to ease your muscles, focus your mind, and eliminate anxious feelings. DINE RIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT Though a late-night snack or a delayed dinner might seem harmless, it can make drifting off difficult. Your digestive system takes time and energy to break down food, which can keep you awake if you eat too late. Eat light, healthy suppers so your stomach can take a snooze with you, and avoid eating anything several hours before you plan to hit the hay.
When your head hits the pillow, are you counting sheep but not catching any z’s? It’s time to hit snooze on nights of tossing and turning and wake up refreshed with a better sleep routine! Getting the proper amount of rest every night is crucial to living a healthy life and can even help prevent mental health issues like depression and anxiety. A sweet slumber starts with the proper routine. Here’s the dreamy plan to wake up feeling your best. BEDTIME BOUNDARIES Consistency and bedtime boundaries can help your body and mind get into a regular rhythm to reach REM sleep. Try to go to bed around the same time every night to train yourself to get sleepy regularly. It doesn’t matter what time you choose as long as you stick as close to your sleep schedule as possible. You should also select a time before bed when you consistently turn off your phone, computer, and other devices. The blue light from electronics makes your mind think it’s daytime and can distract you from dreaming. RELAX, REWIND, REST You can use many tools to help relax and unwind from the day and prevent intrusive thoughts and tension from keeping you up at night. Listening to
THE QUIET GIFT OF ADULT ADOPTION
L ove , R ights , and R ecognition
If you’ve never thought about adult adoption, you may wonder why it exists. When we’re young, we turn to our parents for every need and want, as they provide structure, discipline, and love. The support, assistance, and guidance may subside slightly as we age and become adults, but our parents are still there whenever we need them. It’s hard to understand the need for adult adoption
unless you experience a situation firsthand that requires it. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why adult adoptions occur. INHERITANCE If you pass away without an estate plan, your assets will be subject to probate and your state’s intestacy laws. In most cases, your estate will be distributed among your spouse, parents, siblings, and children. “Children” only refers to those legally recognized as yours through birth or adoption. This means that stepchildren are omitted. If you want to provide a stepchild or someone else with inheritance rights, you will need to adopt them. GUARDIANSHIP As those with intellectual and developmental disabilities age, they may have trouble taking care of important needs, such as health care. If you do not have a legally established relationship with that person, you may be limited in your ability to help them. Through adult
adoption, you can become their legal guardian, allowing you to make decisions on their behalf. This will also provide them with some emotional stability as they know their adoptive parent will continue looking out for them. CONNECTION We establish connections all the time with people outside our families, and sometimes, they become something even more significant. It could be one of your children’s best friends who was at your house throughout their youth, the child of your close friend who passed away, or even someone you met through volunteering efforts. Over time, they become a valuable part of our family, especially if they attend family reunions, religious ceremonies, and more. Through adult adoption, you can make them an official family member. If you have any questions about adult adoption or want to explore the process yourself, give us a call today!
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WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER ACTIVITY WHEN YOU WERE A KID?
Amanda D. My birthday party Amanda H. Cliff jumping into the lake
Jennifer Summers near the shore & boardwalk games Abby Beach trips Sara Eating snow cones by the pool Stephanie Swimming & watching movies when it storms Mari Hanging out with my grandparents
“VERY CAPABLE GROUP. DID A WONDERFUL JOB REPRESENTING ME. THEY HELPED ME ACCOMPLISH THE DIVORCE EFFICIENTLY AND WITH FAIRNESS. EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE, CONCERNED, GOOD LISTENERS, AND GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.” RAVE REVI EWS
Brooke Catching Fireflies Maggie Trips to the beach
Ashlyn Going to summer camp Leah Travel &
my summer reading list Gianna Sleeping in
S pinach , F eta , and E gg S tuffed P eppers
ingredients • 2 large bell peppers, any color • 1/2 tsp salt • 4 large eggs • 2 tbsp reduced-fat milk • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
BRAIN BREAK
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1/2 cup chopped onion • 2 cups chopped spinach • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
Inspired by EatingWell.com
directions 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Halve peppers lengthwise; remove and discard seeds. 3. Place peppers cut-side up in an 8-inch-square microwave-safe dish. Microwave on high 2 1/2–3 minutes until tender; pat dry and sprinkle with salt. 4. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and black pepper. 5. To a medium skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil, then add onion and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes until softened and beginning to brown. 6. Add spinach and cook, stirring 1–2 minutes more until spinach is wilted. 7. Divide spinach mixture evenly among pepper halves. Sprinkle with feta, and top with egg mixture. 8. Bake 30–35 minutes until filling is set.
This healthy, delicious dish is packed with 10 grams of protein.
BEER FAMILY LEO LUNCHBOX MUSTARD PERIDOT
POPPY SISTERS TWINS VACATION WATERMELON ZUCCHINI
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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3625 BROOKSIDE PKWY, SUITE 130 ALPHARETTA, GA 30022
I nside 1
COLLEGE ISN’T JUST ABOUT EARNING A DEGREE
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YOUR GUIDE TO DREAMY SLEEP HABITS
THE CASE FOR ADULT ADOPTION
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QUESTION AND ANSWERS
SPINACH, FETA, AND EGG STUFFED PEPPERS
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NANTUCKET’S TIMELESS ALLURE
W hy N antucket S hould B e Y our N ext G etaway WHALES, WINE, AND WHIMSY
When many Americans think of vacation destinations, they envision beautiful state parks, sunny beaches in Florida or California, and the mountains of Appalachia and the Rockies. However, many states across the country offer exciting events and beautiful scenery. If Massachusetts isn’t already on your radar, consider giving it a closer look the next time you plan a vacation. Cape Cod has beautiful beaches and a rich history that many don’t know about, and something exciting is always happening in Boston. But if you want to experience the true essence of Massachusetts, take a trip to Nantucket.
Nantucket is a small island, only 14 miles long and about 3.5 miles wide. Its history with European settlers goes back over 500 years. First sighted by an Englishman named Bartholomew Gosnold in 1602, the island was settled by colonists 50 years later in 1659. Not long after, they spotted whales offshore, which put Nantucket on the map. Whaling became the ultimate trade for people living in the area, and the island even became the world’s whaling capital until the 1850s. You can still view whales from the island today, and if you want to get the full story, check out the Nantucket Whaling Museum. If whale watching and museum touring aren’t your thing, you can pursue other exciting activities around Nantucket. The island is bike- friendly, and many trails will take you by all the best sights. Many one- of-a-kind boutiques occupy beautiful historic buildings, and there’s even a public golf course that will leave all your golfing buddies jealous. If you go in May, you may even experience the renowned Wine & Food Festival. Nantucket is full of historic architecture, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. You might even see a famous face during your visit! This is a vacation you’ll be talking about for years to come!
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