Jun. 5, 2007 - Today's house-hunt and appointment at the ACS Egham International School
Popping in for a few minutes...
We have probably decided that our two oldest, Aaron and Marlo should have the opportunity to go to the private school here. The company will pay for it. It is a delightful place. Really. It is beautiful. It is campus-like but small and friendly. This particular campus only has 600 students from K-12...much smaller than most. There are three campuses for this particular school, all running K-12. This one is the more "artsy" of the three, which makes it perfect for Marlo...the size and cozyness make it perfect for both Aaron and Marlo. It does limit our house hunt though. We feel that God brought us to Sonlight so that Aaron and Marlo will meld perfectly into this school, as this campus is the only one with an "international" curriculum, not your standard American faire. We are very pleased with that, perhaps moreso than most enrollees even. It feels like a good fit.
All that, and then I have to admit that at dinner I finally broke down in tears at my loss of those two chlidren, even temporarily. We realize they may choose to continue with the school after the 6 months we are going to tell them they should do. We feel it would be best for their growth and maturity for them to step out and try out the school. We found out, also, that they will be allowed to sign on for just a 6 month period without any greater commitment, which makes D and me happy. It will allow us and the kids to evaluate whether it would be best to continue with that school or to come back to hsing. It will also allow me to concentrate on Matthew and Elijah and Gillian for a while. I placed Aaron and Marlo into Core 1 at ages 7 and 8 together. I would love to do the same with Matt and E. That gives me at least 6 months to a year before starting them in Core 1. When I do start them in Core 1 then, I may have A&M returning home to do Core 6, as planned, with them doing 1. So, enrolling them feels God-led. It really does. But it is a big step for us. The advantages will be great. It is a school that will be looked upon with great favor when it shows up on their college apps someday, even if only for 6 months. The school offers them choices of an elective also. They will study French or Spanish and they may choose subjects such as: art, drama, IT, etc. They can participate in sports as well...soccer, rugby, cricket, golf, basketball, you name it. I feel that Marlo will take right to it. Aaron will have to get his feet wet but will then enjoy it also, I think. Golf will be right up his alley.
So our home choice will likely be more limited. The one Iraved about on my blog is probably too far. They could be bused from there but we may find it would be a very long bus ride and wouldn't want to push them too greatly with all the changes hitting them right now... Being nearer to the school...there is a home that is about $600 out of our budget that we could suck-up and accept...but whichever home we buy, we need a lot of furnishings for. We can do the safe, very American thing to do and go for the new construction maybe a mile or two from the school...it is right at our budgeted amount which the company provides. It is a lovely home. Not much green space. There is a home we get to see tomorrow which is in a gated community and which will have on-site: tennis, pool, etc. That will make it nice for me and the children who remain at home...so that we don't feel we have to leave the neighborhood for fun or for friendship (hopefully)...but the house will probably be much smaller so we are not sure that will work.
Please pray that we will feel at peace with what we choose. We really must submit a contract tomorrow to let a home for when we arrive. Our time is running short.
I feel okay but very, very emotionally drained right now. David and I are on the same page, which I thank God for.
Ang
All that, and then I have to admit that at dinner I finally broke down in tears at my loss of those two chlidren, even temporarily. We realize they may choose to continue with the school after the 6 months we are going to tell them they should do. We feel it would be best for their growth and maturity for them to step out and try out the school. We found out, also, that they will be allowed to sign on for just a 6 month period without any greater commitment, which makes D and me happy. It will allow us and the kids to evaluate whether it would be best to continue with that school or to come back to hsing. It will also allow me to concentrate on Matthew and Elijah and Gillian for a while. I placed Aaron and Marlo into Core 1 at ages 7 and 8 together. I would love to do the same with Matt and E. That gives me at least 6 months to a year before starting them in Core 1. When I do start them in Core 1 then, I may have A&M returning home to do Core 6, as planned, with them doing 1. So, enrolling them feels God-led. It really does. But it is a big step for us. The advantages will be great. It is a school that will be looked upon with great favor when it shows up on their college apps someday, even if only for 6 months. The school offers them choices of an elective also. They will study French or Spanish and they may choose subjects such as: art, drama, IT, etc. They can participate in sports as well...soccer, rugby, cricket, golf, basketball, you name it. I feel that Marlo will take right to it. Aaron will have to get his feet wet but will then enjoy it also, I think. Golf will be right up his alley.
So our home choice will likely be more limited. The one Iraved about on my blog is probably too far. They could be bused from there but we may find it would be a very long bus ride and wouldn't want to push them too greatly with all the changes hitting them right now... Being nearer to the school...there is a home that is about $600 out of our budget that we could suck-up and accept...but whichever home we buy, we need a lot of furnishings for. We can do the safe, very American thing to do and go for the new construction maybe a mile or two from the school...it is right at our budgeted amount which the company provides. It is a lovely home. Not much green space. There is a home we get to see tomorrow which is in a gated community and which will have on-site: tennis, pool, etc. That will make it nice for me and the children who remain at home...so that we don't feel we have to leave the neighborhood for fun or for friendship (hopefully)...but the house will probably be much smaller so we are not sure that will work.
Please pray that we will feel at peace with what we choose. We really must submit a contract tomorrow to let a home for when we arrive. Our time is running short.
I feel okay but very, very emotionally drained right now. David and I are on the same page, which I thank God for.
Ang
