Tiki's First Day of School

Well, it is over!!! I took him to school this morning. Maggie walked with us to his class and we got Mrs. Larson, the teacher I asked for. I had heard that she is diligent and structured and that she may be good for Tiki. Anyway, I went to his classroom and stayed a while and he seemed to be doing great. He didn't seem scared. He didn't seem too overwhelmed. He was behaving and trying to participate. There were three adults in the room (not counting me) and one was helping him exclusively. I felt great about leaving him. My fears were calmed and I just knew he was going to have a great day.

I went to pick him up. . . .I ran into the principal first and she told me that he kept running off all day and was running out of line and down the halls. Uh-oh! (I don't think they EVER walked in lines in Rwanda and I don't think there were many carpeted halls lined with pretty paintings and other artwork in his old school.) So, I went to talk to his teacher (he and the class were at library). He didn't have the super day I had imagined. He did run around a bit and went into the girls' bathroom several times. He didn't hit anyone, though, and he didn't cry!!! That is good news! That is about where the good news stops, though.

I picked him up at the library and he was sitting down at a table with three girls and he was behaving. I was so proud of him and he looked so happy.

We left school and he was all smiles. About 50 kids said, "Bye Tiki!" as we were leaving. I know that even though he didn't have a "good" day by the adults' standards, he really enjoyed his first day of school as an American.

I was so proud of Maggie. She went to his room to check on him several times. She was a great big sister! My heart was so full of happy pride!

We came home and I had a total emotional break down on the phone (thank you for being there, Gretchen!) I hid in my pantry and just cried to her. I'm feeling better now!

Hays helped him with his homework and Tiki did very well. He has so much potential and I know he'll do so great! I was so proud of his reading! He is great with one on one instruction and Hays was doing an amazing job giving that to him!

He has a long way to go, though. He cannot write letters or numbers. I was surprised by that. I want to work with him, but I just don't feel qualified. Gretchen gave me some great ESL (English as a Second Language) websites and I plan on working on those with him. We'll work on our numbers and letters every night! Hopefully as he learns to speak English better over the next few months, his writing will come, too!

I'm proud of him. He did so much better than I would have done in that same situation! I cannot fathom having to have gone to school where not one thing was familiar. He didn't take out his frustration in any way. He is still smiling. I am a proud momma. . .even though I had my breakdown!

So, there was our first day. Tomorrow is a new day. . . .

Cancel the Whisper in Santa's Ear!!!

Okay, cancel that whisper! I cannot change Tiki's birthday, so I don't want the rings. Dumb. But that's how it is! :)

Tiki started school today! Dropping him off was so hard on this momma, but he did super! I'm sure he is SO overwhelmed, but he did great and I cannot wait to see what his teacher has to say! I think drop off tomorrow will tell me everything. . .if he is excited to go or not! We'll see!!!

A Whisper (or shout) In Santa's Ear

Well, I have been Christmas shopping in the comfort of my own home (only because there is no shopping in Durango. . .I'm missing the Branson outlet malls).

BeBe. . .check
PaPa. . .check
Gran'ma. . .check
Pops. . .check
GoGo. . .check
Andy. . .check
Kids. . .stocking stuffers are more fun to buy in person (not on the internet)

I have a birthday AND Christmas coming up and I am getting this beautiful table (different chairs) for the next decade worth of occasions! I love it and I cannot wait to have a table to eat at as a family (the kitchen floor is getting cold). I love my table and I am so excited to have some heirloom quality furniture! I am so proud of it!


It won't be here until March, though, and I am really itching to have something in my stocking.

I really want these stacking birth stone rings from Andy, so I'm blogging about it in case he reads this or in case any of his mentors read this! And. . .just to make sure we are on the same page. . .I want GOLD and size 7 and our months are: April, May (once we officially fix Tiki's birthday), June, September & November. I think that covers the needed details! :) So, there is my not so subtle hint! Oh, I guess he needs the website: www.redenvelope.com!


(Little note to Andy: you will have to order two sets of rings. . .a three ring set and then a two ring set. . .apparently you can't have five kids and wear pretty rings.)

Decorating Cookies

Thanksgiving Turkey Fry

The Willis family came over for Thanksgiving yesterday and it was so much fun! I, unfortunately, have no pictures of the kids laughing and playing together, but I got the adults in some turkey frying action! What a beautiful day it was in Durango! Thanks for the wonderful Thanksgiving in our new home, Willis family! Thanks for cooking almost the entire meal and for coming down the mountain to our house! We love you all!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

I am thankful for SO MUCH this Thanksgiving. . .so so so so so so so much! Here are a few of my favorite things (people):

Happy Birthday, Dax!

My baby, Dax, is five years old today. . .I cannot believe that my little dimple guy is growing up. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAX!!!

Rub A Dub Dub. . .

WE ARE HOME!!!!

We made it! Oh my goodness! We are exhausted, but we are home with our family and nothing has ever felt better. I feel so complete. That's my feeling. I feel like I am looking for nothing. . .I just feel full and whole and complete. Braner Party of 7. We are here and I am relishing that. I slept so soundly last night. . .I'm sure lots had to do with how tired I was, but I really think it is because I am happy. God is so good!

Here are some pictures. We didn't have a computer while we were in Ethiopia and I couldn't get pictures off of my "good" camera onto our computer while we are in Rwanda, so get ready for a bunch of pics! Enjoy!