Orientation into Parenthood

I promised to blog about our Sunday and the orientation we attended in Burwell, NE. We have had quite the introduction to parenthood since!

Parenthood Orientation #1: Baking with foreign recipes
The girls were asked to each bring a dessert from their country. So, after a long day on Saturday, Amy created her favorite dessert, milk tart. Differences in baking became evident as we google searched what exactly "corn flour" was and whether it existed in the United States. We determined that it is something between corn meal and corn starch. We opted to use corn starch and the crust of the milk tart, though it was delicious, did not turn out like "usual" according to Amy. We also had to convert all of the measurements and temperatures into cups and Fahrenheit.

Daniela decided to make pudding that she had packed from Germany. She did this on her own Sunday morning while I ran into Valentine to do our grocery shopping for the week. Our habits in grocery shopping have changed with the girls in our home--less time to go grocery shopping and more planning involved but more about that some other time!

When the desserts were finished and packed we headed out on the 3 hour trip to Burwell. When we arrived, we met the other families in our program and the girls got to spend some time with other foreign exchange students that are all here through STS Foundation (that is the organization we have our girls through). I didn't do a good job taking pictures on Sunday--I didn't take any! So, I am borrowing these pictures from Melina Jamain (a lovely young lady from France).

STS Foreign Exchange Students

The Arnold Family: Dani, Amy, Jodi, George

Sunday was a fun day, with delicious desserts from many different countries! As the meeting began to wear down, we noticed Dani seemed to be feeling worse and worse.

Parenthood Orientation #2: Sick Kid
Today was the second day Dani spent at home resting and trying to kick the nasty "American" cold she is now dealing with. Yesterday we had a two-hour late start due to snow so we encouraged her to stay home and rest. She wasn't feeling any better this morning so we asked her to stay home one more day. She seems to be doing some better now and plans to go to school tomorrow morning. Though being sick is never fun, Dani has now spent two days with our pugs and they have bonded. In fact, Toby is sleeping on her lap right now!

Dani & Toby watching a movie together

Parenthood Orientation #3: Dating
A young man asked us if he could invite Amy to go to the Winter Formal Dance (to be held on Saturday) with him. It was a very awkward moment for us and although we told him he could ask (but that she would NOT be riding in a vehicle with him), Amy politely turned him down. She also turned a different boy down today. She wants to go by herself and we are proud of her for being brave enough to make her own decision and not feel like she HAS to go with someone.

Next blog will most likely have pictures of the girls in their dresses for the Winter Formal so stay tuned!

Weekend #1: BHSS

We have successfully made it through the first week and weekend with our girls. We spent most of the week adjusting to the new schedule at home (for example actually trying to eat supper at a semi-normal time) and trying to help the girls settle in. I think the girls would have been perfectly fine with staying home over the weekend but we wanted to have them experience a rodeo and the Black Hills Stock Show was the perfect opportunity. So, we got up at "regular" time (the time we get up for school) and headed to Rapid City. The girls chose to invite Rebekah as well and they had a great time together! It was so fun to hear them talking and laughing together in the back seat.

Our first stop in Rapid City was at the mall. We did a little shopping. We found out that neither one of our girls really love to shop all that much. It seems we did not get girly-girls so I'll have to work on that :) Anyway, our first shopping spot was one of the western stores where everyone (except the photographer) was forced to try on at least one hat:

After that we sent the girls off to shop together without the "old fogies." We later met back up when they told us they were trying dresses on for Prom and the Winter Formal. Both Dani and Amy had picked out a dress for one of the events but are still kind of looking for another dress. Here is a picture of the girls each in one of the dresses they tried on--and "ridiculous heels" that they could barely walk in (except maybe Amy...her's weren't so bad). Aren't they beautiful?

George got a bit impatient waiting for us ladies to finish our shopping and ended up trying on these:

We went to lunch at Olive Garden where we all ate WAY too much and then headed for the Rushmore Civic Center to take in the rodeo. While in the parking lot the girls got to see their first American car wreck (two ladies backed into each other right in front of us while I was saying "Uh oh, they are going to hit, they are going to hit..."). Eventually, we made our way through the crowds and into the Barnett Arena. The rodeo was fun. We saw bareback riding, tie-down roping (calf roping), saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. We also got to watch the "One-Armed Bandit" herd two buffalo onto the top of a stock trailer! Here are some pictures from the rodeo:

We even got to see Linn Churchill, a steer wrestler from Valentine, win the first go-round!

Following the rodeo we visited the petting zoo. The pictures from the petting zoo didn't turn out very well but I do want to share the one with Dani and the ONLY animal she would pet...no one can resist a bum lamb!

Finally, after a bit more shopping (to buy supplies for the desserts the girls needed to make for our Sunday adventure) we headed home. We stopped in Kadoka and of course the girls (with only a little bit of pushing from us) had to get on the buffalo statue for a picture.

The picture turned out a bit blurry but the girls refused to hop back on to try again...too cold declared the Australian!

It was a great Saturday. More on Sunday later as this post has already gotten quite long. Right now (Monday night) it is snowing outside and we have a 2-hour delayed start of school in the morning (with a possibility of no school if the snow continues). More next time!

Why be a Host Parent?

Tonight I wanted to capture via blog some thoughts about why I wanted to be a host parent for foreign exchange students. I am sure that I will find many reasons why I should have wanted to be one as we journey through this experience. Therefore, I think it is important for me to blog my reasons for applying so that I can look back and see how we have grown and changed.

First of all, receiving something out of the deal was not our motivation. Receiving gifts from our foreign exchange students never really crossed our minds...but they obviously thought about it. We received multiple items from each girl that they sacrificed precious space in their suitcase to bring us. What a kind gesture--and such great things too. Amy brought delicious cookies (or biscuits as she calls them) from Australia as well as some "vegemite" (which I haven't been brave enough to try yet) and a cool decorative boomerang. Dani gave us a beautiful calendar, a box of chocolates, and each of us a book. She gave George a book featuring her hometown and she gave me a cookbook. How did she know I LOVE cookbooks?!?

We didn't apply to be host parents to receive but to give. As I search my heart and mind, I find that I wanted to be a host parent because I wanted to share my home and life with others. I think, deep down, I have always just wanted to be a housewife. I have always wanted to cook and care for children. This opportunity had not yet been given to me. I love cooking but seldom have more than myself to cook for (since George has a different diet) and although I enjoy good food, I don't get much satisfaction out of cooking for just myself.

When I first thought about hosting, I was very uncertain. Even after I asked George what he thought and he gave me the "okay" to host I had mixed thoughts and feelings. Then, I prayed about it and earnestly sought out the correct answer. For three nights, I dreamed of foreign exchange students and every dream was a pleasant one so I decided it was right to host. When I told our coordinator we were going to do it I felt a great peace--and excitement. Right away I began thinking about "our girls" and the things they might like and not like. I wondered if they would enjoy living with us or not. I stressed about whether to assign their rooms or not. I cleaned out closets and drawers like a mad woman. I was, as George put it, "obsessed" with the preparations. I spent a chunk of time creating these:

I painted and decorated each one in their "national" colors--though I'm pretty sure they didn't even notice that! I loved these girls before they ever even arrived, before they even knew they were headed to the middle of nowhere on the South Dakota/Nebraska state line.

I think ultimately, my main reason for wanting to be a host parent comes from the fullness of my heart and the emptiness I felt in my home. George, Toby, Lola and I get along great and love spending time together but for some reason our home still felt a bit lonely. Now, we have two lovely girls occupying our upstairs bedrooms. Lola barks at every move the make, Toby seems a bit confused, and Amy & Dani are busy with schoolwork and settling in but somehow (even though at the moment it is just George, Toby, Lola, and myself sitting together while the girls get ready for bed) I feel more alive and more needed and more like who I am supposed to be.

So why be a host parent? To share myself and my family.

***More about the girls next time...just wanted to share these thoughts with you and note them for me to reread later.***

First Day of School

Today the girls enrolled at Cody-Kilgore and attended their first day. They both thought things went pretty well for the first day. They were both registered as Sophomores so we have three foreign exchange students in the Sophomore class! They will have a few days to decide if they want to stick with the classes they are in or not so we will see how many changes they make.

I (Jodi) had to somewhat unexpectedly drive the cheerleaders to a Sandhills Conference basketball game tonight. That left George with two girls and supper duty. They ordered pizza! Rebekah came over to eat and hang out again so we had a full and happy house. I would share some pictures of the evening but the girls would "kill" me if I did because the pictures they took tonight are pretty funny--crazy hair and facial expressions! George had to pick me up at school and when we walked in they all had high crazy ponytails and were giggling away.

Both girls are spending some time catching up on Facebook. Amy hadn't gotten on the internet since arriving here so her Facebook account had exploded (figuratively, not literally!). That is all for now. We are busy planning a trip to the Black Hills Stock Show and realizing how busy the next few weeks are going to be!

First Day

Well, today was our first full day in the role of exchange parents. We woke up at 6:00 a.m. so that we could get on the road and drive from Fremont to home (about 5.5 hours). I think poor Dani thought she was never going to arrive at our house--it was a LONG road trip for a very tired girl. Meanwhile, in Lakeview, SD, Amy went to church with my parents and met up with her new friend Rebekah there.

We arrived home in time to eat lunch with my parents, brother Rob, and Amy. The smile on her face when we walked in the door was so fantastic! We all got acquainted over lunch and Amy got to experience my dad, husband, and brother's endless teasing. We found out that the biggest hurdle may be feeding a girl (in cattle country) that doesn't like beef. Oh well, either she will grow to like it or she will be eating LOTS of chicken :)

When we finally arrived at our house, we gave the "grand tour" (which really is not all that grand) and showed the girls their rooms. They both began unpacking, resting, and settling in. Unfortunately, Amy's checked baggage ended up in Pierre this afternoon (they didn't get it switched when they switched her flight) so George and Amy drove to Pierre (two hours one way) and back to retrieve her suitcase. Dani and I hung out at home and Rebekah came over to provide some entertainment!

When George and Amy returned home we had supper after which the girls prepared for bed. They will be enrolled at Cody-Kilgore High School tomorrow so they needed to get some rest! I will leave you with this picture of our girls...from left to right: Amy, Rebekah, Dani

Exchange Parenting

We have officially become parents to two 15-year-old girls from two different countries. This semester promises to be a semester full of adventure, joy, and learning. Our two lovely ladies arrived tonight. Daniela is from Germany and flew into Omaha. Amy, who grew up in South Africa and now lives in Australia, flew into Rapid City.

We greeted Dani at the airport in Omaha. My brother Rob and student Rebekah were scheduled to pick Amy up in Pierre but they found out on the way to Pierre that her flight was cancelled. She was able to get on a flight to Rapid City instead so they headed west instead and were able to make it just in time to greet her there.

We are looking forward to sharing our experiences with "our girls" on this blog. In the meantime, enjoy this picture of the lovely Amy and Rebekah. (Our picture of Dani didn't turn out very well!)