Dear Mom & Dad, One thing that this hosting has given me is a glimpse into the life of parenting a teen. It’s a really exciting experience, where this person is discovering big ideas and making decisions on an adult level in so many ways. It’s a relationship that oftentimes looks like a cozy friendship…
Monthly Archives: December 2013
Back to No Normal
One of my favorite phrases that Sunshine uses is “This no normal.” At first, I thought that it was meant in a critical way. Then I realized that this is what she says any time something is a little bit off, whether weird, wrong, or wryly observed. And I realized that, while sometimes things that…
Christmas Truths
It is sad and wonderful all at the same time, this Christmas with a host child. There are so many things I want to ask her, to share with her, to hear from her heart. Instead, I get alternating criticism and joy. Culture shock combined with a fierce spirit. I feel like I’m being poked…
I Like, But Why No…
Today, we all cried. Little Man cried because he felt exhausted negotiating this new relationship. Sunshine cried because she missed her friends and family and America is so different. I cried because after a really difficult day, I tried to bless the kids by making “chocolate popcorn” and failed miserably. Who knew chocolate popcorn is…
Sunday Lull
Today, there are no pictures. Today, it rained all day. Today, it was Sunday. I’m going to be pretty honest about Sundays. When I’m hosting, I hate Sundays. I know that many other hosting families feel the same way. I mean, I love being able to share part of my routine and my beliefs in…
Quest of the White Converse
This is the story of a girl and her quest for her holy grail: a pair of white Converse. I, her trusty companion and financial backing, and Little Man, our comic relief, set out on our adventure today. We knew we needed to travel beyond the borders of this little town, which is severely lacking…
Happy Birthday, Sunshine!!
Today, Sunshine turned 17. So full of excitement. Promise. Hope. She could barely wait to open her cards and presents. Trinkets of how much people love her…some of them people she doesn’t even know. Reminders of how much I am loved as well. As she read all the words written to her, I know it…
Rhythm of Life
As we live out life together, it’s fascinating how we have already found our own rhythms. Spunk and sass. Made-up sign language and in-jokes. How has this happened in so few days? We went to the eye doctor today, and as we waited for our eyes to dilate, we talked with one of the ladies…
We Choose Family
We talk. Hours and hours. Pouring over pictures on my phone, the computer, albums and albums. Tonight, looking through some things I had saved, she saw a picture from New Horizons of herself, asking for a host family for her. Why this? She asked. I explained that I wanted her to come to America so,…
Soul Connections and Sunglasses
“I think that now, I thinking in English in my head. It very strange!” Funny. The Russian and English and the language of your country all rumbling around in my head? They make me feel like we are home together, carving out a space for this family, connecting in those secret ways of mothers and…
