A little then and now

Posting about Kira's first day of school here in America, it dawned on me that I don't think I ever talked much about the school that she was in.

800 kids in once school. 80 kids per classroom. Uniforms. Kids walk 1 1/2-2 miles to get to the school. (Uphill both ways.... kidding....sort of.)

Now that you saw the "now" with the last post, here's the "then".

kira's classroom

random signs all over the walls. africa and their signs. :)

this was the attendance board for the entire school

kira saying good-bye to her teacher.

classmates

just taking it easy on the school grounds during lunch break.

First day of School!

Kira had attended school in Uganda, and had just started Primary 2 when we got there. (Primary 2 is about the equivalent of American first grade.) We were unsure what grade we would enroll her in here at home. We finally decided that because of the language barrier alone, and all that first graders know here (and especially because most first graders would be fairly solid readers half way through the year), we decided to place her in Kindergarten. We wanted her to be home for a while before sending her off to school, and we are thankful for that choice. It really helped her and us all connect with one another, and also prepare her a bit through language, security, and schedule before sending her off during the days.

The big day finally came! Kira was beyond excited. She tells us she enjoyed school in Uganda, and was very excited to go here. Her response was cute when we told her she would be in Kindergarten. She piped up and said, "I in P2"! She didn't hold too tightly to her previous grade level, she was just excited to go.  She is in afternoon kindergarten, and on her first day, all morning long kept asking if it was time to leave yet. We finally headed out the door and she could not stop grinning from ear to ear. She was skipping and singing and shooting me the happiest little glances I've ever seen her give. I stayed with her for about 15 minutes, and it was obvious that she was going to be more than okay, and that I was free to leave. There was one little girl who was so very welcoming to her, which I'm very thankful for. At the end of the day, she came running up to me with the same grin on her face. She had had a wonderful first day! YAY! And every day since, about 30 minutes after breakfast, she begins asking if it is lunch time ... she knows that school comes right after lunch. :)

I'm so thankful for yet another smooth transition for her here in this strange land. I'm thankful that she felt secure to leave our little nest and know we were returning for her. I'm thankful that she truly has a love of learning, and that adventurous spirit of hers.

Oh...and she's smart! We had received a list of 40 sight words that the kids had learned so far. We had Christmas break to begin studying them. (Remember, Kira is still learning all of our strange English words (like their, they're and there). She has not really begun to read yet. Some sounds here, especially vowel sounds, are very different to her.) They tested her on the sight words on her very first day. The teacher was impressed and proud to report to me that Kira got an 85% !

Anyway....enough story telling. The pictures, as always, tell a better story than I could!

so we begin the 15 minute walk to school. compared to the mile and a half she used to have to go to get to school, i think she didn't mind. :)

we got there early, so kira had plenty of time to try out the playground equipment.

sitting on the alphabet rug first thing. kira took her spot and joined right in on the topic of the day - Your favorite Christmas present! (She told the class about the new puzzle she got.)

"really mom, you don't have to stay." :)

the kids move from rug time to "movement". super cute. kira joined right in with the crazy dancing and motions!

after school she spotted Eden waiting for us. she ran to her sister with such joy.

walking home with the girls.

Kirabo Dorcas Linda BRITTON !!!

Today was our final step in the adoption process....our court date in the US to finalize the adoption of Kira. This was amazing on two fronts. One - the court squeezed us in today....3 days before the end of the year.  And two - the Court made an exception for our family to be seen before the 6 month mark that is normally required in the state of Colorado. (You adoption folks understand WHY this is amazing!)

It was such a great time. The Judge started by telling us the proceedings were very casual and informal. The kids got to sit in the Jury chairs the entire time. The Judge asked Kira and all the kids questions about if they are nice to each other (of which I am now using to remind them that they swore before a Judge to be nice, so they better not break the law!). Aaron and I were then asked a handful of questions about if we are able to provide for Kira. One of the questions was if we had the financial, emotional and mental ability to care for Kira ..."and the energy". To which I replied, "most days". :)  My favorite question though was when he asked if we realize that if he is to grant a favorable ruling - Kira will be our child AS IF BORN UNTO US ... "even when she's a teenager". YES! YES! and even then... YES! 

Upon giving our resounding yes - he stated that it was then his pleasure to grant our petition of adoption. Kira is now a US Citizen and legally a Britton !

When we were done, he asked the kids to take their seat at his bench. :) He began to interact on a personal level with us as well, telling us he has 3 Internationally adopted children, and 2 bio. We thanked him for allowing us to be seen today, to which he responded that it was his pleasure. And I kid you not - tears were in the kind Judge's eyes, and a few streaming down his cheek.

We know that none of this was coincidence. From the moment we asked for the Courts to make an exception to see us before the end of the year until we had the decree in our possession - we know the hand of God orchestrated this all. Even our Agency Director stated she had never seen them wave the 6 month rule, and told us we must have "special favor". I don't know about any special favor - but God certainly answered our prayers over the last year regarding the entire adoption process.... Some the way we asked, others the way He willed (of which we also asked). To God be all the glory!

This picture includes our amazing social worker and agency director. If you live in CO and need a good agency, CAC is the best!

Fall Dayz

After Malachi's haircut at Precision Kutz and Sytlz, I decided to always spell with a "z" instead of an "s". It just seems right.

Welcome to Colorado, Kira!  Cold, lots of blood work (I won't make you endure the picture again for those of you who saw it on Facebook, but basically imagine 15 viles of blood - yes, that was it), scary costumes and strange decorations, snow ..... oh wait .... a break in the snow! Quick! This is what we call "fall".

We weren't sure how to explain trick-or-treating to Kira, but hey, what kid doesn't enjoy playing dress up and walking around getting free candy. It was quite the delightful evening after all!

The Barber kept singing Lionel Richie songs. Nice.

Dinner at Chili's before trick-or-treating. (The treat was for the parents - kids ate free!)

All dressed up, so pretty in pink. Is she a fairy? A ballerina? A butterfly? (She has wings on the back)

Oh no! Here comes the Storm Trooper! ("Corn trooper" if you ask Malachi)

Kira would stand at the door before anyone answered saying trick-or-treat. It was really a bit funny...

"Many candies!", she would exclaim after every house. The final loot was more than enough.

Quick ... time to play in the leaves before it snows again!

Snowing leaves are as much fun as snowing snow.

Sweet joy - jumping in leaves for the first time ever.

Doesn't get much cuter....

Kira really liked the raking part when we were all done playing. Malachi decided to "help".