We went up to see the school this morning and I can't say enough good about it. I hope it stays that way. This is the same school that R went to 3-8 and A went K-8 so we are familiar with it but so many things have changed in the past few years since A was there. The ESL teacher was there to greet us as well as a guidance counselor (who was happy to meet me as she'd been trying to get the abstinence program at this school and another one in the system). The principle is great.
At first J was overwhelmed. He's used to everything to do with school being in about a 2,000 sq. ft. area so just the size of the building was intimidating. We went back to the office and sat down and someone asked him if he was ready to come back on Wed and he shook his head no. Oh boy, I thought. But the guidance counselor had taken a few kids aside the day before and asked them to be his buddies and just explained a little bit about him coming from a different country and that everything was going to be so new to him and those kids came and we kind of left them in a room talking and working on puzzles. He warmed right up to them and then went to PE with them, which he loved. Now he is thankfully ready to come back on Wed.
I have no idea what we'll do about lunches. I'll send him one at first but he's picky about what he eats. Any ideas? I'll probably end up giving him the option of school lunch with plenty of snacks if it's something he doesn't like. I don't know how that will play out.
I'm much relieved that they are not going to just throw him into a classroom and let him get lost in the system. It feels like we have a great group of people as a support system and we'll be meeting regularly to see what's working and what isn't. Thank you, Lord.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Some more firsts
Things are going fairly well overall. Yesterday we had a few "moments" and today J got his drawers in a wad because he didn't get a debit card in the mail like T, R, and I did. It was rather funny. He just has no idea. Even when I told him that A didn't have one he was still devastated that he didn't either.
He rode the horse for the first time today. All I had to take pics with was my cell phone. I sent them to T and he is supposed to get them to the computer and I will post them then. When R first got the horse out he was scared. But later on some boys close to his age came over to play and they all were going to ride the horse. J went first and walked right up to her and climbed on. He was all smiles. Then the younger brother rode and then the older brother changed his mind and didn't ride. J got back on again and then decided he had to go get his cowboy hat and ride again. He loved it.
We went to a small discovery type museum today and he liked playing with all the different things but he didn't stay at any one thing for very long.
The ESL teacher came by the house this afternoon and did a little of the testing to see how much help he's going to need at school. She is awesome with him. She could tell he wasn't getting what she was trying to do and that he was uncomfortable so she just stopped and talked to him. We're going to the school tomorrow and maybe she will finish then. She'll be by his side next week for 3 days straight so that should be good for him.
All in all we had a good day. Oh, and T is at the Titans/Packers pre-game so you know he's having a great day. We grew up in Wis. and live in TN. We are rooting for the Titans.
He rode the horse for the first time today. All I had to take pics with was my cell phone. I sent them to T and he is supposed to get them to the computer and I will post them then. When R first got the horse out he was scared. But later on some boys close to his age came over to play and they all were going to ride the horse. J went first and walked right up to her and climbed on. He was all smiles. Then the younger brother rode and then the older brother changed his mind and didn't ride. J got back on again and then decided he had to go get his cowboy hat and ride again. He loved it.
We went to a small discovery type museum today and he liked playing with all the different things but he didn't stay at any one thing for very long.
The ESL teacher came by the house this afternoon and did a little of the testing to see how much help he's going to need at school. She is awesome with him. She could tell he wasn't getting what she was trying to do and that he was uncomfortable so she just stopped and talked to him. We're going to the school tomorrow and maybe she will finish then. She'll be by his side next week for 3 days straight so that should be good for him.
All in all we had a good day. Oh, and T is at the Titans/Packers pre-game so you know he's having a great day. We grew up in Wis. and live in TN. We are rooting for the Titans.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Firsts
We had a few firsts today. J had his first happy meal. I don't think he was overly impressed though. The burger had mustard on it but that was quickly remedied by dad who took the burger and wiped off the mustard and then traded one of his bottom buns for the top one from J. Problem solved. He ate all of that plus the apples and wanted more. I guess he needs the big kids meals. They didn't even have those when my girls were younger.
It was also his first time to go to Wal-mart. He wanted everything but was fine with being told no. I told him he could get one thing but it couldn't be very expensive and he finally got his choices down to a tent/action figure set or a t-shirt that had binocs, watch, and compass. He went with the t-shirt and accessories.
In the food aisles he touched just about everything and looked at me to see if we could put it in the cart. He was very good and didn't go into any pouting or anything like that. He LOVES apples, grapes, meat, eggs and cheez-its. He wants to try everything but says he doesn't like a lot of things, even things that I know he's had before and liked them fine. I think he's just overwhelmed by the choices.
We also bought some school supplies and so far he is interested in going to school and asks when that is going to happen. We are going Friday so he can see the school and meet the ESL teacher who has been looking forward to his coming. His English is probably good enough not to need ESL services but he will definitely need reading and math help. He reads only a very small amount but he likes being read to so that's good. And he understands and remembers what is read to him.
He observes everything. I think he is a visual learner. If something is going on he is right there in it, taking it all in. He can usually replicate what he saw.
We have a friend coming over this afternoon who has kids in 4th and 5th grades so J should be in one or the other of their classes. I hope things go well and he can learn how to actually play with his toys. It seems like he likes the fact that he possesses toys but doesn't really know how to play with them. He definitely does NOT like to be alone.
That's all I can think of for now. We're taking things one day at a time. Question; has anyone else brought home older children with bedwetting issues? J is 11, almost 12 and wets a fair amount of the time. I told him I was buying him some special magic shorts to wear to bed that will keep his bed dry even if he wets. I'm not sure he's buying that though as he saw me pick them up in the diaper aisle. They should put those in the underwear aisle. Any suggestions?
It was also his first time to go to Wal-mart. He wanted everything but was fine with being told no. I told him he could get one thing but it couldn't be very expensive and he finally got his choices down to a tent/action figure set or a t-shirt that had binocs, watch, and compass. He went with the t-shirt and accessories.
In the food aisles he touched just about everything and looked at me to see if we could put it in the cart. He was very good and didn't go into any pouting or anything like that. He LOVES apples, grapes, meat, eggs and cheez-its. He wants to try everything but says he doesn't like a lot of things, even things that I know he's had before and liked them fine. I think he's just overwhelmed by the choices.
We also bought some school supplies and so far he is interested in going to school and asks when that is going to happen. We are going Friday so he can see the school and meet the ESL teacher who has been looking forward to his coming. His English is probably good enough not to need ESL services but he will definitely need reading and math help. He reads only a very small amount but he likes being read to so that's good. And he understands and remembers what is read to him.
He observes everything. I think he is a visual learner. If something is going on he is right there in it, taking it all in. He can usually replicate what he saw.
We have a friend coming over this afternoon who has kids in 4th and 5th grades so J should be in one or the other of their classes. I hope things go well and he can learn how to actually play with his toys. It seems like he likes the fact that he possesses toys but doesn't really know how to play with them. He definitely does NOT like to be alone.
That's all I can think of for now. We're taking things one day at a time. Question; has anyone else brought home older children with bedwetting issues? J is 11, almost 12 and wets a fair amount of the time. I told him I was buying him some special magic shorts to wear to bed that will keep his bed dry even if he wets. I'm not sure he's buying that though as he saw me pick them up in the diaper aisle. They should put those in the underwear aisle. Any suggestions?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Homecoming week in review
Well, we've been home for a little over 24 hours now. J slept in his room by himself and did fine. I stayed in there until he fell asleep and just explained where things were and what he could do if he woke up, where to find us and he did great. I thought I heard something this morning but I actually woke him up by accident when I checked on him.
We took him to see where we each work but he was intimidated by all the people who wanted to see him. I'm glad that the bond to us is there already. He is definitely comfortable around us and not so much around strangers.
He likes the cats okay but is still not fond of the dogs. He just tolerates them.
He loves the ice and water dispenser in the fridge door. He is quite fascinated by anything to do with ice, including popsicles and ice cream.
I loaded a bunch of pics and figured the easiest way is to just review the week in chronological order.
I've been to Haiti several times in the last 25 years and this was my first time in a tap tap. That was an experience. I'm glad I did it but I went to the chiropractor already this morning. Of course that can't be blamed on just the tap tap. Anyone who knows Haiti knows what the "roads" are like.
We took him to see where we each work but he was intimidated by all the people who wanted to see him. I'm glad that the bond to us is there already. He is definitely comfortable around us and not so much around strangers.
He likes the cats okay but is still not fond of the dogs. He just tolerates them.
He loves the ice and water dispenser in the fridge door. He is quite fascinated by anything to do with ice, including popsicles and ice cream.
I loaded a bunch of pics and figured the easiest way is to just review the week in chronological order.
I've been to Haiti several times in the last 25 years and this was my first time in a tap tap. That was an experience. I'm glad I did it but I went to the chiropractor already this morning. Of course that can't be blamed on just the tap tap. Anyone who knows Haiti knows what the "roads" are like.
This is the very, very bald spare tire for the tap tap. 
Pic of a PAP hill side. 
J is really going to miss his buddy, LM. I think they are close to the same age but LM is quite small for his age.
Um, yeah. A self portrait.
Hamming for the camera after putting his sunglasses on the fan. 
This is the shirt I made for him to wear home. It says From Haiti to home with love.
Our flight out of PAP went fine without a hitch. We cleared immigration fairly easily too. It just took a little time because there were quite a few people. This is J's first meal in the US. Pizza!!
You know the whole trip couldn't go without a hitch. Our plane was delayed because of weather and when we finally boarded we just sat there for a while. They finally came on and said that there was a leak in the galley sink and it would take 20-30 minutes to fix it. A few minutes later they came on and said that the power to the plane would need to be turned off so we would have to unload the plane to fix it. We all got off, with our carry-on luggage and most people headed towards the only restaurant that was still open. We got some food and sat down to wait. J had been so good all day with all the waiting and he continued to be very good. He layed down and went to sleep.
I was able to wake him up to get on the plane where he promptly went back to sleep. We landed in Atlanta and Mrs. H and her daughter and grandson picked us up. It was about 2 a.m. at this point so we got to Mrs. H's house around 3. J was so good. He looked around for a while, asked some questions, and went to bed. I couldn't find my contact case but after a week in Haiti I was able to "degaje" (figure out how to make do or make it work). Here are my contacts soaking in bottle tops at Mrs. H's.
We drove the rest of the way home on Sunday. We had been trying to get there for church but after the delays and the very late night, it just wasn't going to happen. When J walked in the house and met his sisters he wandered around some and went up to his room. He was all smiles. He told us that he saw something on his bed. It was his Christmas gifts from his aunt and uncle from 2 years ago. He wandered around a little more and asked where his bike was. He knew we had gotten him one for Christmas a couple years ago. The tires were flat on it so they had to pump them up.
He really likes the bike.
He wanted to go swimming even though it was rather cold for that. There was another little guy here and they played really well together. Isn't it amazing how kids can just play like they've known each other forever?
He got cold and we had to pick out pants and long sleeves to wear. He was shaking and said he needed some sleeves for his hands too. I told him I had just the thing so he put the Spiderman hat and gloves on and went back out to play. Too funny.
He likes anything to do with electronics, computers, game systems, etc. and here he is bowling on his sister's wii.
Well, that's pretty much homecoming week in review. He is outside riding his bike right now. If I can manage it, I'm going to take a nap.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
We're home!
We had a long couple days of travel but we are home and doing fine. J loved the airport and was very good even through delays and layovers. I had told him about the auto flushing toilets so he wouldn't freak out but I forgot to tell him about the auto sinks. He was quite thrilled with them. We rode up and down the escalators multiple times and then sat down to wait for awhile. He watched some people come in the doors and his eyes got huge. He said, "Mum, de gates (doors), dey are opening by deirselves!!" I said yeah, kind of like magic. He watched a few more and then said with awe, "It is magic." It was so funny. I tried to explain a sensor to a kid from a third world country, then I gave up and we just went in and out for a while.
There are lots of emotions to process, lots of things to do, but I'm operating on about 4 hours of sleep in the last 36 hours and I got a cold too. I'll update with pics when I can.
There are lots of emotions to process, lots of things to do, but I'm operating on about 4 hours of sleep in the last 36 hours and I got a cold too. I'll update with pics when I can.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
It's Thursday...
...and we had a visa as of yesterday afternoon. Praise God. this is like the only part of the entire 4 year process that has gone without a hitch. Weird, but very, very nice. See those of you we know IRL real soon.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
It's Tuesday...
...and we got the "golden ticket". When you are approved for a visa they give you a yellow ticket to come back and pick up the visa. We have the ticket, praise God.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
It's Wednesday afternoon...
...and we've been approved. We should find out about the visa appointment tomorrow. Lord willing. Wow!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tuesday afternoon...
...the paper is found (or replaced or something) and things seem to be back on track. If we have no more mistakes or missing papers we may still get approval this week. Our fingerprints still expire on Sunday either way. Sigh...I got to share a black tie mousse cake from Olive Garden with R today. Awesome comfort food, that is if cake falls into a food category. I think chocolate is it's own category.
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