Creative Counterpart

Some days I wonder if another person really lives in our house. Samuel (our exchange student in case you are still not up to date, hehe) is so busy with school, football, and homework that we hardly ever see him on weekdays. But when the house cleaning, cooking, and busy bustle of our little shut-in life (with 2 young kids it’s natural!) here at home get’s interrupted by a teenager calling for a ride home from school, or the weekend rolls around, we get to spend time with Samuel; Getting to know him more and spending time introducing him to new American things.

There has been a little bit of frustration on both sides over a few issues. One being that we’ve had to place limits on internet access and tv time, stressing the importance of getting homework done first. It feels kind of odd telling another person’s child (especially a teenager) what to do, but it’s getting easier as the boundaries are becoming clearer for him as well as us. The relationship is molding itself and the lines are being etched as to what we expect while also respecting HIS wishes. It’s kind of odd having a teenager. In many ways they test just like a toddler; But for the most part I don’t have to clean up after him or babysit him. He’s very independent and he’s learning very quickly how to ‘get by’ in America.

I have someone that I can ask for a bit of help when Adam is gone. Could you please take out the trash, feed the dog, or vacuum the carpet. He is always more than willing to help, and I try not to ask too much of him. He has a lot on his plate.

He loves to mow the grass. In fact, he loves to do anything that involves using our “machines”. It’s kind of neat. I’d love to have him around more often, but I am glad he is making lots of friends at school and learning about America. He is a very smart boy, and he’s doing well here.

He wants to be a surgeon and he wants to come back for college in America. I wish I knew away to make that happen for him. I guess, that’s what I’ll be praying about…