School Orientation

On Thursday we had to go to School to have Kaden tested for Math and Spanish so that he would be placed in the correct class. While he was testing Colin was able to meet another new student and went off to play with him and his brother. This family was coming from Connecticut where they resided the last 11 years. Their mother was born and raised in France, their father in Ireland and they lived in London for a few years and moved to America. They just arrived a few weeks ago for the husbands job (a 3 year stay). Abby also met a little girl and was off to play with her. Her family came from Portugal, so Abby said she didn't talk a lot. Well you know Abby, she didn't have a problem doing the talking. :) They were moved here because her mom is in Pharmaceuticals. I also had the pleasure to meet a lady that just arrived a week ago with her two kids from Michigan and her husband works for Bosch and they will be here for 3 years. The last person I met was a man that works for the US Embassy and he just moved his family here from the Netherlands, he was raised in Arkansas and joined the military. All very lovely people and really neat to see all the different languages and countries that people come from.
Friday was Orientation day for all new families. We were greeted by teachers, principals and student ambassadors. Each class had a couple student ambassadors that took 4th grade on up through 12th grade new students around the campus, answered questions and ate lunch with them. It was such a neat way to get all the students to talk and know that they were not the only new kid in the class. They actually have 138 new students this year! We had to stay with Abby and they gave her a piece of paper where she had to find her classroom, library, principal, several rooms and places she would go and collect stickers from those places. Very fun for her and Dad! Randy said she is full of energy. During that time I got all the papers and information overload for PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association). I have already been asked to do several jobs, excited to be a part of them.  Not sure if I will take up the secretary offer or not. :s
The best part of the day was meeting a new family we had heard about in March when we came to visit the school. They have a world map up in the hall and there are pins as well as students names that are new and it shows you where they are all coming from. In March when we came to visit we saw this board and noticed there was a family by the last name of Woodbury, yes spelled exactly like ours that came from California. They also have an Abigaile Woodbury but they add the "e" on the end. When we moved into our house we were told by our neighbors that there was a family down the street that had girls and they go to ACS Hillingdon also. We have watched all summer for them to walk by or be out and have never seen them. Well, today we met the Woodbury family and realized it was them that lived down the road with the girls! Wow, we were so excited and so amazed at God's greatness! The mom is involved with spirit wear in the PTSA, which I would love to help with, the Dad is with NATO and they are here for 3 more years. We are headed to their house this evening to have a BBQ.
The kids are more than ready to start school, I think they are excited for their new adventure. Kaden is going to start running with me a couple times a week and doing a little strength work to get prepared for Rugby try outs. Hopefully their first day on Monday will go well. You can pray for Colin as he is a little nervous about his Science class, his teacher is an evolutionist and that worries him. We told him that it is good to learn why we believe the way we do and hear other peoples opinions. One friend said when I asked her for prayer "tell him he shouldn't be worried because he knows what the truth is and writing answers on a piece of paper doesn't mean that is what you believe." Very true, at this age I just want him to stay strong and be a light and not confuse the poor thing.