School

Yesterday was the start of a new chapter in the girl's lives. They started school. I believe the anticiation of school was much harder on them than school. Leah was not really wanting to go, as she told us at least 100 times on our way. She did go, but was not happy about it. Susha seemed to play off of her.

We spent at least 30 minutes in the office first. The transportation department did not want to add two more to the bus (even though they are already picking up Sarah and Jacob). The principal was great and was trying to fight to get them added to no avail. So for the last 4 weeks of school I have to drive them and pick them up. It is about a 20 minute drive. Lloyd will take them in the morning on his way to work and I will pick them up. We kept our two places on the bus just in case, which has actually proved to be a blessing as I will explain later! So after the mess in the office, we started taking the girls to class. I asked that we put Leah in first because I knew once she was not complaining, we had a chance to make Susha more comfortable. Leah went in complaining how she did not even understand. Her teacher was nice and several girls tried to help her.

As we walked to the other end of the school you could see Susha getting a little nervous, but she softened without the influence of her sister. She slipped her hand into mine. (and put her thumb into her mouth). I reasurred her and when we got there her teacher came out and was very nice and we talked a little and a sweet little girl came up and showed Susha to her desk. She hugged me good bye and smiled.

I checked throughout the day and was told they were really doing well. When I picked them up Susha's teacher told me how great she did. They had a little trouble with Leah (wanting to retreat to the hall), but overall she was good as well. The kids all thought they were the neatest things and they made many friends.

So we get into the car and Susha is telling how fun school was and what she ate and her friends and what they did. She had some homework. Leah was complaining that they just said "no,no,no,no" Lol, I wonder why.... After the conversation back and forth, Leah informed me that she wanted to go into Susha's class. Later, with the aid of the translator program, I explained that because of her age, they would not allow me to put her in 3rd grade and how her teacher is just as nice, Susha just had a very good attitude and did not yell at everyone. And how if Leah went to school with a good attitude, she would also have fun. It was her choice.

I had to explain it again, because she had an attitude in the morning and was making Susha not want to go to school. I took Susha asside and with the computer program explained that Leah is just scared and there is no reason to be, because noone will hurt her. And that if Susha lets Leah give her a bad attitude, she will not have a good day either. It seemed to help for a bit until we left the room and Leah started talking to her again.

So, I gathered up Susha, Jacob, and Sarah and took them to school and let her ride with Lloyd. Susha was great in the car and gave me a chance to reassure her. Lloyd also said that as soon as Susha left, Leah was good.

So new plan! (Here is where it may have been a blessing that we only have two spots on the bus....) Susha and Jacob are morning people, they need little sleep. They wake early and are ready to go. Sarah and Leah need as much sleep as they can get or they are very grumpy. So we will let Susha have Sarah's spot on the bus and let Jacob and her ride the bus in the morning and as soon as they leave, we will wake the other two up and drive them to school. Susha will not have to hear Leah complaining and Leah will have noone to complain to and school will start out much better!

Some times the little things we fight against, are really God trying to bless us. I fought so hard for the bus seats. I thought it would add so much stress to my life, trying to drive them to school, BUT it seems it may have been the best possible answer.

What is so funny is that is what the girls do. They fight us so much and we just want what is best for them and to love them and to bless them, but every step of the way they fight our blessings. It is very hard and frustrating and then I think this is EXACTLY what we do to God. He sent His son, sacrificed Him for US, for the world, that laughs in His face, curses Him, and denies Him. Yet He still loves us and would do it again. Just as I still love these girls and will continue to fight (even against them) to do what is best for them.....