Happy Monday y'all.  Just a few days shy of July.. how?

This weekend Rob and I spent a lot of time watching some shows on TV that made me cry.  Like ugly cry because they featured amazing stories - ones where individuals just could not be knocked down.  They kept getting back up and fighting.

Then I got on here to work on a partnership post which sent me to Operation Smile.  And I'm close to doing the ugly cry again.. because this last weekend has just been so good.  Life is good y'all.

Operation Smile is an amazing international medical charity present in over 60 countries that exists to improve the medical condition and lives of children.  To date, Operation Smile has provided more than 220,000, yes THOUSAND, free surgeries for children born with facial deformities to include cleft lip and cleft palate.

How about we let that sink in...


They said it best...

"For too many families around the world, safe surgery is not an option.

At Operation Smile we believe every child deserves exceptional surgical care. We believe that all children deserve to be treated as if they were our own.

That’s what drives each and every one of us: our global network of medical professionals, who donate hundreds of thousands of hours toward the care of children around the world each year, and our supporters who are moved every day to make a difference in the lives of children they’ve never met."

How amazing is that for a Monday?

So spread the word.  Donate.  Or if you are a college student, RENT your textbooks.

CampusBookRentals.com donates to Operation Smile with each textbook rented.  And there are so many advantages to renting... like 40-90% off bookstore prices, free shipping both ways and flexible rental times.

Any company that donates to such a worthy cause is a company I will vouch for.

****I received compensation for this post, but all opinions expressed are my very own.

always,
amanda

Happy Monday y'all.  Just a few days shy of July.. how? This weekend Rob and I spent a lot of time watching some shows on TV that made...

Flashback seven years ago.  Rob and I had just graduated from high school.  Our plans were big.  Law school for Rob at KU.  Elementary education for me at KSU.  Rival colleges.  We spent the month between graduation and June 25th doing summer things, because we were 18, young and free.  At the time we were just friends - the best of friends.

About a week before June 25th Rob dropped a bombshell on all of his friends.  He had decided to enlist in the United States Army.  Nobody expected that.  But we all accepted it - and knew he was destined to kick ass and take names.

June 25th, 2008 - Rob was officially in the Army and leaving for BCT in Georgia the next day.  Our only contact would be letters for the next ten weeks.  A flurry of text messages were sent the night before.  Tears were shed.  And he was off.

Here we are seven years later.  Married, parents, on his third assignment.  Rob has gone from BCT to SSG to Warrant Officer.  He has stepped up and lead.  He has learned and specialized.  He has grown up so much.

The Rob from June 25th, 2008 would not recognize the Rob of today.  He makes us all so proud.

Happy Army-iversary Rob!  You are my best friend and I am so proud to be your wife.

Here is to the next 13 plus years...



always,
amanda

"No matter where I go or what I do in life.  One thing is for sure you're in my heart forever and always." -Rob June 25...