I didn’t know what to expect, but as usual, Margarita’s adaptability has been a huge blessing. She has jumped right into living in a very hot city, new school and meeting people.
In airport
The first order of business was to introduce herself as Margaret to her teacher and all the new friends and family she meets. After being in the US one day, she put a post-it note on her bedroom door and bathroom, stating that Skz and I needed to ask permission to enter. Skz jokingly pointed out that she had to share a bedroom and bathroom with me in Honduras and here she is one day after her arrival and she has already claimed her territory.
Swimming in pools was Margaret’s next encounter when the boy across the street invited her to come over and swim. She soon asked every day, repeatedly if she could go swimming. We don’t have a pool but luckily have easy access to one and my sister has one as well.She acted like the huge public library was old hat. I was a bit disappointed in this because it was one of my childhood favorites and I was so excited to see her reaction to it. Margaret walked right in and started picking out books, making sure that she liked what was on the cover first. She wasn’t phased that the building was five stories high or that it was made out of glass.
Margaret is attending the local public school and is in first grade. She is in the first grade classroom that is called Structure English Immersion, where the teacher is trained in the state education program and the materials and teaching methods are geared towards second language learners. There are handful of children who are at the same level as Margaret and the teacher feels confident that she will do great.She was also evaluated by a speech therapist that knew two of the therapists from NPH Honduras. Small world. Margaret will continue to have therapy twice a week that will target on certain issues.
Some interesting comments from her;
“Mom, the kids don’t fight in the U.S.” (After a few days of attending school)
“It’s so pretty and clean here.”
“I’m going to be a doctor,” (she replied, when asked by a girl at her bus stop what she was going to be. The girl then told her that SHE was going to be a rock star and Margarita could sign back-up)
“Wow Mom, the food is so good here,” while drinking her first Starbucks Raspberry Frappicuno with whipped cream
Adjusting to a 2-parent household has been rather bumpy at times. The idea of sharing her mom and getting accustom to having a dad around is a learning process for her. Luckily both grandmothers have been around to visit and give her extra, extra attention and spoils. Skz is doing a fantastic job and knows exactly when to step in and take charge. Parenting is so different when you have a partner.
Finally, throughout this whole adoption process, we got to celebrate by having a party hosted at my sister’s house. Over 30 adults and 10 kids arrived to meet Margaret and to share some time with us. I had to stop at times and breath it all in. Especially when my mom was here and we were all eating dinner together in our house, the entire family. I took a deep breath and I thought of all our friends and family still in Honduras and how torn my heart is, being in both places. I would not change this time for anything though and daily, when I have my moments, really can’t believe that we are actually here.
Pros of the Ranch (Honduras) vs the U.S., according to Margarita
Pros in US
Chain cord to light in her closet
Tubular enclosed slides on jungle gyms at school playground
Pros at the Ranch
The Porton (the main gate, this made Margarita feel secure she said and that they watched out for the people coming and going.)
Pancakes
La Venta (where the babysitter Dania and her family lives)
Hope you are all doing well and please drop me a email at
monica.gery@revolutionagency.com
or
mgery@nph.org
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers during our transition.
Love,
Monica
