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Nancy V.

Owner of NAMV; Project Manager/Diversity & Events Specialist

Hmm…about me, well, I am always and never the same, which makes for my own interesting world where I constantly recruit individuals to join my planet. Take myself very seriously, but prefer not to, so I dress in outfits that often do not match and say things that I shouldn’t under the guise of �...

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¡Hola!

Nancy Vaughn

I’ve been missing in action from my blog and in the meantime becoming more acclimated to my family’s new house guest. While coming out of our church service on June 29th, a nice woman named Heidys was standing outside with a sign that said, “Host Families Needed.” She was pretty and pleasant, and had a pleading smile when she told me, “I hope you call me!” as I grabbed an application. 

Host families were needed for children from Spain arriving on July 3rd, and staying for one month. These children weren’t coming dependent upon host family homes being available, these children were arriving on July 3rd regardless and needed a place to say. Putting the cart  before the horse, but I tend to operate like that many times in my life, so I could sympathize.

Knowing these children were coming on July 3rd, and some of them not being assigned to a family – well, I just knew we had to sign up. So on June 30th around 10:30pm, I meet Heidys in a Publix parking lot to drop off my application for my husband and me to be a host family.

On July 1st, it’s crickets. I start to wonder if I have just given my personal information to a random stranger standing outside of church. Very smart girl I can be, ugh.

Later in the day I begin to get offended thinking that they have to run a background check on me. I totally think a background check should be done – can’t just have children staying with any random stranger. But a background check on me? I’m normal. What’s taking so long...where’s my kid?

Yay! Later in the day I get an e-mail with information on my host student. His name is Pablo and he’s 15 and likes pizza, spaghetti and basketball. Yay!

July 2nd – call from Heidys – we have to give Pablo to another home. Turns out another kid, also named, Pablo – is allergic to animals and the home he was placed in has pets. Pablo 1 must be switched with Pablo 2.

Pablo 2 is talkative, likes golf and shopping. I’m beaming!! Sad to see Pablo 1 go, but Pablo 2 likes to shop – he’s been placed in the right home.

July 3rd – Pablo (2) arrives to the U.S. and my husband and I greet him.

Pablo is 16, not shy and super sweet. And he likes to shop. We’ve been to two malls, Target and Marshall’s in the past week.

In his first three days – siestas (naps) were re-introduced into the Vaughn household. Bless the child.

Pablo goes to English classes in the day and then fun activities and excursions in the afternoon. I drop him off to school in the morning, and pick him up in the evening – which makes me stop working and have a more normal schedule. Again...bless the child.

Having a ball with our new house guest – he’s very smart, well-mannered, friendly and funny.

Ever welcomed a stranger into your home?  What was your experience like?