School

School is in session....sorta.

Going into this adoption, we knew Annika would be joining her brother and sister at school one day once we were home, but as for when she would join them, we decided to play it by ear.  We didn't know how long she would need to adjust and settle in at home, how long attachment and bonding would take, and how she would react to new environments.  As a parent, an educator, and having a counseling background, I knew that we wouldn't really know until Annika was with us and even then, it could potentially be awhile before she's ready to start school.  Jay and I decided to make a plan and keeping in mind, it could change.  Back in October, we met with the team at school to go over facts we knew about Annika, possibilities and options, and laid out a loose game plan to begin finding out what the school would need to have in place and prepare for Annika's coming.  The meeting went GREAT and Jay and I walked out of there feeling hopeful and at peace that we were in the right place for Annika, once she was settled in and we felt she would be ready to start school.  The team we have at our school is incredible!  We are truly blessed that we have a great administration, staff and community at our elementary school.  Jay and I have said from the first day when Jadyn entered Kindergarten there that God has blessed us with an amazing elementary school.  It is not just a job to so many of them... it's a calling and it is plain as day that they love what they do and it shows!  I know it is not that way for so many people and their children's schools, and I wish everyone could have the experience we have with our school! When we met with the team that would be involved in the planning and preparing for Annika's transition into school, we met with people who listen to us as parents, hearing our concerns and expectations, answering our questions and working with us as team to formulate the best plan that Annika needs to be successful in her environment.  Over the last couple of months, we've stayed in contact and kept our team up to date on our adoption journey and how Annika has been doing since we arrived home.  The last several days, with the start of school approaching after Christmas, Jay and I had been continuing to pray (and still do) that the Lord would continue to guide as as we make decisions about when Annika should start school.  Attachment has gone really well and life at home has adjusted somewhat seamlessly.  What does that mean when I say it has gone well?  She has securely attached to us as her parents and her siblings.  Without a doubt, she has become loyal and loving to each of us and knows we are her family.  All four siblings are just that.... siblings! They play like siblings do, argue at times like siblings do, and have fits at times....just as siblings sometimes do.  :) All four have adjusted to one another and the bond we have as a family is inseparable.  Annika has no problem telling someone no when she doesn't want to talk to them or play with them or even wear something I've picked out. (ha!) She feels secure in our love for her that she can express her opinions and emotions with us in a safe environment. And based on how well she is doing and the interest she has expressed to us, Jay and I agreed we were going to move forward with enrolling her at the start of the Spring semester.

And Annika did really well yesterday.  She is usually timid as she enters a new situation until she feels comfortable, and then she leads the way and is eager to dive in!  She took in and observed her surroundings and the people in it. Sometimes, she interacted and said hi, other times, she would hide behind me and say 'No' to whomever said hi to her until she was ready to come out.  Sometimes, SHE led the way down the hallway and sometimes she followed as we toured the school.  She was very curious, a little nervous, and mostly happy to be there.  While there, we learned that she does need some more vaccinations in order to fully enroll in school.  We were able to spend a couple hours there though, which was good for her as an introduction to the school environment.  She was able to see her new classroom, her brother's classroom across the hall and her sister's classroom upstairs.  She got to see there were friendly faces when she met her classmates and teachers.  She was actually disappointed to leave about mid-morning, ESPECIALLY since she knew her brother and sister weren't leaving too and she let me know she was quite put out that she didn't get to stay!  Once our pediatrician gets all the blood work results in and we know for sure which immunizations she needs more of, then we will get those done so she can begin school officially.

Our plan at this time is to begin with half days for her.  Once we do placement testing, we will know exactly what extra support she will need while at school, but yesterday, our team was able to get a good glimpse of our little girl and they met again yesterday afternoon to make sure we were all on the same page and they are fully ready to embrace and welcome Annika as a new Liberty Eagle. Starting with half days will allow her to acclimate and make sure she's not getting overwhelmed.  We will continue to follow her cues as far as how she's handling it all, and we will make changes along the way as needed for her.  We LOVE our kids' elementary school and we are truly blessed that is not a "cookie cutter" school... every child is different and their needs are going to be different too.  Annika has a taylor-made plan just for her so that she can be successful...academically, socially, emotionally, physically.... So, at anytime if we need to slow down or even halt, we will.  We know there will be days when she has meltdowns. There will probably be days when school just does not happen for her. And there may even be days when she only gets through a partial day then is done for that day. She has been through a lot in her short life and she will continually be processing things from her days in the orphanage that we have yet to know about..... adoption into a family does not immediately fix or take away her past hurts and hidden scars.  Rather, we will be continuing to see the effects of those scars throughout her life.  And we will walk through them together with her as she is ready.  In the meantime, school is in session, she's itching to be there, and she has not shown us any reason to be concerned with her starting....we have complete peace about her being in school. She's ready and wanting to be in school, so we aren't holding her back! :)  

So, since we had time to fill while Jadyn and Eli are at school today, Annika, Asher and I went to daddy's work today to say hi and meet some amazing people there.  We made a quick stop for a treat on our way there too and took daddy a coffee. :)  Annika is now counting down the minutes (again) until it's time to go get Jadyn and Eli from school.  I know she is eager to be doing what they are and she wants to go to school like them.  Soon, my daughter.  Soon.

And with that being said, it's about time to go.  I know a little girl who will be first in the car. ;)


To God be the glory....
Shannon