As I finished Monday's blog post I couldn't help but think there's more to it than simply calling someone "daughter" and that being that. I think of stories Elisa has told me about her friends who are also on AFS adventures this year around the world, one elsewhere in America and the other in France.… Continue reading Culture is more than a country
Category: 31 Days of Instant Motherhood
Elisa the World Traveler becomes Dora the Explorer
Her trusty map and backpack in hand we sent off Dora the Explorer to school today for her first experience with Homecoming Spirit week. Got the full mom experience of staying up until way past my bedtime helping her transform her backpack, create and old looking map, and provide moral support as she freaks out… Continue reading Elisa the World Traveler becomes Dora the Explorer
No she’s not just a roommate…
Now that I've gotten used to it, I find it kind of humorous when people are unsure how to refer to Elisa, especially if they don't know her name yet. For example, a man at church a couple weeks ago asked me "How are things going with your ... uh... friend... uh... roommate... uh ...… Continue reading No she’s not just a roommate…
Stuffed Crust Pizza
Continuing on the food theme from yesterday: We just drove past 4 pizza places tonight to get to one who had stuffed crust that Elisa saw on a commercial. We brought it home, put in a movie, and are calling it a Saturday night cultural experience. 🙂 Some days it's the simple things that make… Continue reading Stuffed Crust Pizza
Lasagna and Apple Juice and Hamburger Buns
So I know this is kind of random but we're blogging "the journey" here and well, this is reality. I knew my budget for groceries would need to expand when doubling the number residents in the house hold. What I didn't know was what those extra dollars would be spent on. Here's a little glimpse… Continue reading Lasagna and Apple Juice and Hamburger Buns
Ice Cream and Laughter and Laundry, Oh My!
Last week I was around a lot of people who were finding out for the first time that I was hosting an AFS student. After their initial reactions (whatever they might have been) often conversation would come around somehow to how the experience was matching up with my expectations. I knew there would be hard… Continue reading Ice Cream and Laughter and Laundry, Oh My!
Meeting Elisa
Written August 13, 2016 ... 2 days after becoming "mom": So I picked up Elisa this weekend. Yep, this is real... And crazy and perhaps really crazy. At the same time, not crazy at all, but somehow normal. At different points I stop and think "what am I doing?" and at certain points I'm sure… Continue reading Meeting Elisa
An International Community
One of the things I'm loving about being an AFS host is that I have so many opportunities to learn about other countries and cultures. Throughout the year AFS plans various events for the exchange students and families. There are currently about 35 students from over a dozen countries (maybe more) currently placed around WNY.… Continue reading An International Community
Where it all began…
"So how did it come about that you are hosting an exchange student?" This question in various forms has passed through my ears into my brain countless times in the last couple months. The fascinating thing is I literally have no clue where the idea came from initially. I was standing at my stove making… Continue reading Where it all began…
Write 31 Days Challenge – Instant Motherhood
"So basically you're an instant single mom to a 17-year old from another country whose third language is English?!?" As I heard someone say this to me this week, I realized again how "unconventional" this all really is. Though those who know me aren't surprised. My journey into, and now, through this year as… Continue reading Write 31 Days Challenge – Instant Motherhood
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