Today, DanNi started her school career here in the USA....at Cedar Ridge Middle School...and that officially makes me, well, ...old. It is hard to believe I have a daughter in middle school...did you get that, Middle School!...aggghhhhhh!!!!
And from all we could gather, it was a good day! Mrs. Nichols, her counselor, worked so hard to make her schedule so that she would be in classes with kids from church. Seeing those familiar faces was a blessing, I'm sure. We visited Cedar Ridge yesterday and she was less than thrilled at the thought of going to school there (I'm just basing that on her facial expressions and body language, of which I now consider myself an expert, since that's all we can rely on, since the verbal communication is pretty much non-existent still).
At any rate, with her Old Navy jeans on, toting her new Jansport backpack and TinkerBell lunchbag (and yes, I did type that correctly) she is officially a middle schooler. And oh boy, is that frightening. While at Wal-Mart last week, I showed her the lunch bag choices and she pointed out Tinkerbell...and in my mind, I'm thinking that's probably not that great of an idea for a middle schooler. So, I tried the ole' bait and switch,' how 'bout the red lunchbag?', thinking that red is the luckiest color in China, that might work, well, no. And of course it wouldn't, since it was something I had suggested.
She pointed to Tinkerbell again, so using my better judgment and to avoid a total meltdown in Wal-Mart, which I was not prepared to handle at that moment, we picked up the Tinkerbell lunch bag and checked out. So, we will see how long that lasts. We certainly do not want her to be taunted because of her clothes or what she is carrying, but when you try and try to convince them your wisdom may be better than they think, and it's constantly rejected...experience may be the best teacher.
Please pray for this new beginning...school...I told Matthew last night, I guess we have both become 6th graders again, because we are obviously going to have to help A LOT with homework. Pray that it isn't too overwhelming for DanNi, and we have the wisdom to know how/when to encourage; how/when to 'back off'; how/when to discipline if necessary; etc.
I am certainly feeling every day of my 37+ years....but God is good and He is getting us through, one day at a time.
wow, middle school! THe middle school years were crazy scary for me & I spoke English! Praying for DanNi!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that DanNi had a good day at school....when I asked her how her day went she smiled and nodded yes.....so I take that as a happy yes! Praying for her constantly to make the adjustments needed to become a happy child in her new home.
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