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August 2025
PLANNING AHEAD Estate Planning | Probate | Guardianships for Your Life Chapters
Read Aloud, Love Aloud The Powerful Ritual of Reading With Loved Ones
One of the best ways to spend a rainy evening is to cuddle up in a warm blanket with your favorite beverage and read something new. Whether you like fictitious stories about fantasy settings, biographies about the greatest minds of the past few centuries, or informational reads that teach you more about one of your interests or passions, you’ll enjoy plenty of books out there. And if you want to make the experience even more enjoyable and memorable, include a loved one in the fun! When we think about reading with others, most of us likely imagine parents reading aloud to their children, but that’s not the only situation that allows us to share our favorite books with others. Many caregivers enjoy reading aloud to the individual they’re caring for. It can be a great bonding activity that brings you even closer together! When my mother was alive, I would go to her house every Sunday and read aloud to her. After she fixed me my favorite meal, I’d get out a book and sit next to her and read. We did this for the final five years of her life, and it became some of our most cherished moments. I still look back on these memories fondly. If you’re looking for something new to read, whether to enjoy alone or
with others, I’ve got a few titles I highly recommend. My mom and I loved to read these together, and I’m sure you’ll find them worth reading! ‘The Glass Castle’ by Jeannette Walls This memoir tells a compelling and vivid story of the author’s tumultuous upbringing, marked by poverty, neglect, and frequent moves. She and her three sisters faced challenges due to their parent’s delusional thinking and negligence. At times, there is nothing in the kitchen but a stick of butter, and the kids eat it anyway. Despite these challenges, Jeannette overcomes adversity and creates a successful life for herself. ‘Orphan Train’ by Christina Baker Kline This fantastic book focuses on the relationship between a woman in her 90s and a teenager as they navigate their difficult pasts and find common ground between each other. The older woman was involved in America’s orphan trains when she was a child, a lesser- known American hardship where abandoned children were removed from big East Coast cities to the Midwest by train, where they would hopefully get adopted. This story is an informative read that tackles themes of resilience, second chances, and unexpected friendships.
‘Half Broke Horses’ by Jeannette Walls
Another excellent nonfiction read by Walls, this book tells the story of her grandmother’s life, from her upbringing breaking horses in Texas to her adult life running a cattle ranch in Arizona. This is a great American tale that fills you with fascination and a desire to learn more about how our ancestors lived their lives. If you enjoyed “The Glass Castle,” you’ll want to check out this book! There is so much to learn whenever you pick up a book, from discovering new perspectives, ideas, and cultures to understanding more about ourselves and our country’s history. And if you really want to get more from a book, read it aloud with a loved one and share your
thoughts. Reading aloud could become your new favorite shared activity. - Kim Boyer
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Prep for Your Best Rest Yet
and prevent intrusive thoughts and tension from keeping you up at night. Listening to 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
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 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. OUR LEGACY ISN’T BUILT IN A DAY IT’S FORGED IN THE MOMENTS THAT MATTER 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
Share your traditions, history, and more. By sharing more of yourself with loved ones, you’ll create a more significant bond. Consider gifting them something tangible, whether a family heirloom or something you crafted yourself. Tell your kids and grandchildren about your parents, grandparents, and ancestors. They’ll love learning more about the family’s history. If you have any traditions, include your family in them. There is a good chance they will carry those traditions through the generations. Leave something behind. Through estate planning, we can leave a legacy that reflects us and our values. Leaving an inheritance to your loved ones will help them grow, and they’ll know it was all because of your generosity. You can also pass on prized possessions that will remind them of you whenever they see them. If you want to leave a legacy in your community, consider giving a charitable gift to a local organization that shares your beliefs.
When we pass away, we want people to remember us for all the memories we shared and what we did to ensure they felt loved and appreciated. There can be a lot of pressure to leave a strong legacy, especially in our later years. Many wonder how to strengthen their legacy and keep their memory alive in their loved ones’ hearts. It starts with taking some intentional actions, some front-and-center and others behind the scenes. Since August is What Will Be Your Legacy Month, let’s explore a few strategies that will help your legacy stand the test of time. Be present. Throughout the year, we get countless opportunities to establish strong memories with our loved ones. Holidays, birthday parties, family reunions, and casual get-togethers allow us to enjoy the company of our family and friends. Be there for your loved one’s sporting events, dance recitals, and other extracurricular activities. While you attend these events, don’t stare at your phone. Be fully present, and your family will notice.
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Caring for children and aging parents can be stressful for the generation in the middle, leading to heavy workloads and round-the-clock worries. Nearly 1 in 4 American adults are shouldering those duties as part of the sandwich generation — that is, they have at least one parent over 65 and are raising a child under 18 or supporting an adult child financially, according to Pew Research. These cross-generational responsibilities can easily leave a caregiver feeling swamped and stressed out. However, family-care experts have provided three strategies for navigating this challenging stage of life. Self-Care Essentials Neglecting your own physical and mental health is a mistake, not only for your sake but for ensuring you have the inner resources you need for your family. One social worker told Care.com, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you simply can’t find time for a break to exercise, read, or chill with friends, ask a spouse, another family member, or a friend to take over caregiving duties so you can get away. If you need support or space to vent, look for a caregiver support group through a local aging agency, hospital, or senior-care facility. Streamline Tasks Plan to delegate chores, such as driving the kids to sports practice or taking Mom to a doctor’s appointment. To avoid constantly updating family members on a loved one’s status, set up a group text or shared Google Doc. Family-focused platforms such as Lotsa Helping Hands offer more elaborate information-sharing functions and can be especially useful during crises. Non-Negotiable Needs You may never attain a sense of balance during this life stage. As one caregiver says, sometimes it’s all about putting out fires, and that’s okay! But don’t surrender your own needs entirely! Identify the activities you simply cannot give up without sacrificing your mental health, such as regular exercise, time outdoors, or coffee with friends. Make time for these pursuits by enlisting others to help or paying for professional care. Remember that the difficult, unpredictable labor of family care you provide can make a huge and enduring difference in your loved ones’ quality of life. And that is a purpose well worth pursuing! Sandwich Generation Stress SMART STRATEGIES TO SURVIVE THE CAREGIVING YEARS
Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Ingredients
Inspired by ThePioneerWoman.com
• 1 pt strawberry ice cream • 1/4 cup strawberry preserves • 1 pt vanilla ice cream
• 1 5.25-oz package crispy sugar cookies • 1 0.8-oz package freeze-dried strawberries Directions 1. Stir strawberry ice cream in a large bowl until spreadable. Fold in preserves until evenly streaked throughout. 2. Stir vanilla ice cream in a separate large bowl until spreadable. 3. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the strawberry mixture into the bottom of 8 (1/3-cup) popsicle molds. Spoon 1 1/2 tbsp of the vanilla mixture on top of the strawberry mixture into the molds. Repeat, alternating the 2 mixtures, until each mold is full. 4. Place sticks into the popsicles and freeze until solid, 4–6 hours. 5. In a large zip-lock bag, crush sugar cookies with a rolling pin until pieces are rice-size; pour into a shallow dish. 6. Repeat with freeze-dried strawberries and stir the pieces together. 7. Run the ice cream molds under warm water to release popsicles from molds. 8. Coat bars evenly with cookie mixture. 9. Eat immediately or place on a cookie sheet and freeze. BOYERLAWGROUP.COM 3
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5235 S. Durango Drive, Suite 103, Las Vegas, Nevada 89113 | 702-255-2000 | BoyerLawGroup.com BOYER LAW GROUP
Inside 1 The Powerful Ritual of Reading With Loved Ones 2 Prep for Your Best Rest Yet Our Legacy Isn’t Built in a Day 3 Smart Strategies to Survive the Caregiving Years Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars 4 New Teachers, New Friends, and One Very Supportive Pup
COCO’S CORNER New Teachers, New Friends, and One Very Supportive Pup
Most people don’t realize how difficult the end of summer can be for us dogs. While most of us are happy the hot weather is cooling down, allowing us to spend more time outside, we often spend more time alone at home. The kids were off from school for months, but now, it’s time for them to return. I miss them! When they get home, I am so happy, happy, happy! Over the next few weeks, I’m sure I’ll hear plenty of stories about their new friends, the lessons they learn, and all their adventures! I am sure to hear stories about the kids at school, and hope they have good friends.
Being a good friend can take some work. I listen carefully to see how they are feeling. If it seems like things are okay, I give a smile and wag my tail. If things are not okay, I give an extra big smile and more wags! Of course, I am not in any rush, so it is easier for me to pick up on these signals. You might need to slow down, focus, and
really listen. Then think of how to be helpful. Then you can be a supportive friend, like me.
Coco
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