Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Anna Arrives

Well she finally made it! Ashley worked hard on painting what was once Jays office and is now a guest room for Anna. The room will be in shades of blue, but Anna's favorite color is pink, so that's the reason for the pink sheets, rug, pillows and although you can't see them, there is a basket of pink flowers on a different table. The shelves on the wall are empty so she can put things up there if she'd like to, and there are magazines for her on the table beside her bed (ones like Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and other teen magazines). We also have a small stuffed pink pig on he headboard. Just some small personal touches we hope will help her to feel welcome.

When there was about 30 min before they were scheduled to arrive in town, we and the other host families met at the high school and waited for them. Some had balloons, some had big welcome signs, and we had a little welcome sign (plus another one on the backside of her door to her room). We decided to do small signs so that had the option of taking them back home with her if she chose to. In this picture, the girl on the right is Abby. She and Ashley were among the students from our school who went to Spain last year, and while waiting they were talking about how much they wish it was them traveling again. They also talked about how they were feeling upon arriving to meet their families and they all agreed that they were very nervous and that these kids would be as well.

Around 11:45pm the van carrying the students pulled in and 6 scared faces entered the foyer area. They met their families and hand shakes and hugs were exchanged. They looked exhausted! When I talked to Anna, I asked if she was tired and she said "Yes, very." I found out that when you included the time difference, they had basically been up for around 30 hours. Anna said some were able to sleep on the flight or on the drive from Minneapolis, but she said she's never been one able to do that. We leave the school and drive to our home. As I said, poor Anna is exhausted, while Ashley & Chelsea are talking a mile a minute to her and Anna said "You both have a lot of energy". I can bet that those of you who know them are not surprised by that statement. LOL

We got home and decided the tour of her home (for the next few weeks anyhow) could wait until morning. We showed her to her room and I showed her where the restroom was. Then we told her goodnight and left her alone. Being the worrier mother hen that I am, I went to check on her about 30 min later and the light was already off in her room, which is what I was hoping for. I told her to sleep as much as she wanted today and she said "Oh no, I want to be up when they are up." We told her Chelsea would be up early since she had to go to work, but that Ashley would be sleeping later and Anna pointed to Ashley and said "I will sleep as long as she does then". LOL Sweet dreams Anna.

2 comments:

Debi said...

How exciting! I hope you have so much fun together!!! :) It'll be fun to meet her next week.

The Naths said...

Oh, how exciting!!!! Can I move in with you guys too? I want to have fun too! LOL! I am just remembering how much fun it was when I traveled in college. Can't wait to meet her!