I have never been in a tornado, nor do I ever wish to be, but something tells me that if I ever were it would feel something like how it feels to get FIVE people out the door by 6:30am everyday! That's 5 towels, 5 breakfasts, 5 pairs of shoes by the door, 5 toothbrushes left on the counter, 5 piles of school stuff, 2 little people snacks, and ten sleepy eyes! :) So far, it's going amazingly well and I've managed to get as organized as I can be. I still have my sanity, so I consider that to be a major accomplishment!
Nighttime organization and preparation has definitely been the key, along with two very patient teenagers and one patient husband. Cady's varsity volleyball season is in full swing, so a couple of nights a week that drastically reduces the time I have to get things ready for the next day, but for now the kids are loving going to the games. And besides, I refuse to miss one of Cady's games just because it's bath night! That to me just seems silly. Now, don't get me wrong, Ava & Luke are not going to school dirty or smelly, but we just make do in the morning when we have to. I'm learning to let a few small things go, which probably needed to happen anyway...my mom, sister, and husband can keep there comments to themselves about this one. ;)
At any rate, nobody wants to hear how I'M doing, everyone wants to hear about the kids, so here it goes...Ava is in 2nd grade at Aurora Christian and LOVING IT! She is working very hard to be independent as much as possible, but does have a peer helper in class when she needs her. She loves going to the library to check out books, playing outside on the playground, Music class, and her teacher Mrs. Beckley. Her English and reading skills are coming along amazingly well too! Many people do not even detect an accent when she speaks anymore (and it's only been 3 1/2 months!). Her teacher reports she is a little shy at school, but she is making friends and just got invited to her first (non-family) birthday party! Luke is in 1st grade with Mrs. Post, the teacher who has magic powers. Mrs. Post has gotten Luke to sit, be quiet, listen, AND follow directions in the short 2 1/2 weeks she has had him in her class. Luke LOVES Mrs. Post and she just "gets" him I think. He too is learning his letter sounds and just beginning to read. He sits in the front, has a peer buddy, and loves gym, math, Bible, and recess.
The first week of school the kids were exhausted. All day of sitting and listening to instructions given in English just wore them out mentally. Ava would come home and want to show me everything but just couldn't find the words describe all she had done that day. Luke on the other hand just needed to play outside to run off some energy before he could even begin to do homework. Speaking of homework...WOW...I had no idea how long homework would take when everything needed to be explained and/or re-done. Piles of papers with no direction and no possible explanation from the kids made it very difficult to know what went where, what was for practice, and what needed to be saved or returned. In a week, I collected a pile 3 inches high of papers from school! I saved every scrap for fear that something wouldn't be done or done right and a teacher would say, "Do you know what happened to Luke/Ava's math worksheet from Tuesday? I never got it." It was like being a new mom, when you write everything down and you save everything but have no idea of really why you are doing it. They are priceless artifacts from their first week of school now and still sit in a pile on the island in the counter. I just can't bring myself to throw them out, it is still such a miracle to me that they are even here!
By week two all started to get the hang of our new routine. The "tornadoes" in the mornings downgraded to strong thunderstorms. We all got to where we needed to be on time and everyone that needed a lunch and a snack had one in his/her bag. News from Mrs. Beckley & Mrs. Post that Ava & Luke were doing well at school certainly eased my fears that I had done enough this summer to prepare them for an American private Christian education, not the "Free and Appropriate Education for All" that public schools provide (no pressure, right?). I was not a failure after all. Shhhheeew!!! Huge sigh of relief! :) The kids are working very hard everynight on their reading, writing, phonics, and math. Not only are they resilient, but they are bright. They are learning quickly, and we are so proud of them!
When I look at Luke & Ava there is no doubt who is in control of the universe. God has really blessed our family this year in many amazing ways and I am eternally grateful for the patience, flexibility, energy, and grace He has given me. Ava & Luke have filled out lives with such joy. Three months together and I cannot even imagine life without them. People always talk about how lucky they are to have been adopted by an American family, but really we are the lucky ones to have them here with us.
