Football!

There have been many movies, books, and even television series centered around high school football - especially Texas high school football.

Yesterday was Janni's first introduction to the wonderful world of "Friday Night Lights." On Thursday.

We drove to the other side of Houston to watch the Kingwood Mustangs take on Elsik. Though the outcome was not to our liking the game was fun to watch. It was Hailey's first time to cheer at a varsity football game, which she really seemed to enjoy, despite the relentless heat.

Janni said the experience - complete with the band, drill team, etc. - was unlike anything they have in Germany. He loved it. And that's a good thing. Pretty much every weekend between now and Thanksgiving will contain a Kingwood football game. Of course Tom will also do his duty as a host father and make sure Janni gets to watch plenty of college football as well. (Mainly the Huskers...)



Janni and Hunter

 Kingwood TOUCHDOWN!! Yay!!!

(Unfortunately this was followed by two Elsik touchdowns. Oh well.)

Next Friday night he will get to experience a HOME football game - on a Friday. Should be fun! 

Much better day!

I am very pleased to report that Janni's second day at his new American high school went far more smoothly than his first! He was able to find all of his classes and is feeling at home amid the student body.

Basketball practice was a different story, however. Janni has said from the start that the sport is more rigorous and taken more seriously here as compared to his league in Germany. I think the first official class (practice) was tough for him. And I'm also sure that he will work hard and soon be a valued member of the team.

After school was all about doing homework with friends prior to open gym. While Hunter and Janni were playing basketball, Hailey was cooking her specialty - spaghetti bread. A carb lover's dream, it's basically spaghetti topped with cheese, inside of bread. Janni was a bit skeptical at first but after tasting the unusual concoction went back for seconds...I really think he is enjoying having a sister :)



Spaghetti bread!

The recipe can be found here: (We use sliced, not cubed, mozzarella)
https://rhodesbread.com/blog/blog/braided-spaghetti-bread   

Day One. He survived.

I'm not going to lie, Janni looked a little shell-shocked when I picked him up from school at the end of his first day. Kingwood is a large school by any measure and is much larger both in student body and square footage than Janni's school in Germany.

This we knew.

Things became really challenging for him after we realized that he wouldn't see his schedule and class locations until the morning of the first day. Basically there was no chance to "walk through" his schedule so he could find his classrooms prior to the chaotic first day. 

(I don't understand why. Apparently it would have been FAR TOO DIFFICULT to print out the schedules of the 20-or -so new students who attended new student orientation Friday so that they could find their classrooms then....when things were fairly calm. )

His MAP (Mustang Advisory Period) class was first. Once there he received his schedule and things started to go downhill. His first period class, Principles of Architecture, wasn't in the room that corresponded to the number on his schedule. After walking around for a while, and getting "so nervous I was sweating" Janni said he finally figured out that the large classroom number had a small piece of paper taped to the wall below it, with another classroom number - the number matching the one on his schedule.

Janni's other classes were thankfully in the rooms as shown on his schedule but he said it was a bit challenging to find them. The good news is that he knew someone in each of his classes so felt fairly comfortable once he got there!

One funny thing that happened was during basketball class when the coach told the players that he's "not a Nazi" but that practice will be hard. Janni said several of the boys were joking with him about the reference. I'm sure the coach was only trying to say that he's tough, not cruel and narrow-minded, but we all got a laugh out of the slip of the tongue. Hopefully Janni's stay here will remind everyone to be a little more culturally sensitive! As a mom I'm just happy to hear that he's become a part of the group to the point that the guys are joking around with him.

All in all, he said he enjoyed the first day - once he found his classrooms.

Last night he kept remarking on the close relationships that the KHS teachers share with the students, saying that German teachers are far more formal. In Germany, Janni said that the teachers stand at the front of the classroom and talk, with the students sitting quietly. He said he likes the more interactive aspect of the American classroom. He was, however, upset that some students in his English class were being disrespectful to the teacher.

Once Janni got home and played some ping pong and ate some tacos with his friends he was able to laugh about getting lost and the other misadventures of his first day at Kingwood HS.

I know it will take a few days to get into a routine (I had forgotten how much I hate the alarm clock) but so far all of the members of the Leahy household are handling the start of the new school year pretty well. 

Other than Lucy. She really misses the kids!

Sad dog :(

First day of school!!

I don't think anyone slept well last night...not sure if that was due to nervousness or excitement. Or both.


Janni (Junior), Hailey (Junior), and Hunter (Senior. OMG.)

Hailey, Tyler, and Janni
(He rode to school with the girls)



Hours away from his first day

Tomorrow morning Janni and his host siblings will head to Kingwood High School. I think it's safe to say that he is the most excited of the trio!

He's gotten a lot of advice from the girls - especially about his first day outfit...

They were very excited to help Janni chose an outfit

I can't believe Janni has already been here for three weeks. On one hand it's been such a smooth transition, on the other it seems like he has always been here and has always been a part of our family.

Yesterday I asked Janni a few questions about his experience so far. I learned:

• Yes, he still really likes having a sister. (I know there will be moments he regrets this statement!)
• Texas is much bigger and hotter than he expected. I keep promising it will cool off. But he may be getting a bit skeptical.
• No, he's not homesick but does miss his family - even his youngest brother ;)
• Fajitas were the tastiest meal so far (no argument there!)

Tomorrow's post-school discussion should also be interesting. I think it will be fun to hear Janni's impressions of his new American high school and how it differs from his school in Germany.

I know he will make friends easily and soon feel at home in the building he said is much, much larger than his previous school. And if the girls have anything to do with it he will be the best-dressed new student by far!

It's so cool to be connected!

Many, many years ago (the year prior to my freshman year in high school, just after dinosaur extinction) we hosted a French exchange student for the summer. Muriel (whose last name I don't remember) spent a few months living with us in Tampa. Though I don't remember all of the details about her stay, I do have some very funny memories   - like trying to teach her how to shave her legs.  That was bloody. Sadly, we lost touch after sending letters back and forth for a few years...it's tough to maintain a relationship when the communication is so cumbersome.

Technology has really altered the exchange student experience. Prior to Janni's arrival we were all Facebook friends and used the platform to not only get to know each other but to share with him basic information about what he should expect from life in Houston. And to let him know that he could leave the wool sweaters at home!

It has also been amazing because Janni can not only talk to his family but can "see" them thanks to the modern miracle of Skype. We have all been able to wave and say "Hello/Hallo!" to them, even while they were on vacation in Greece.

It's fun to watch him communicate with his family. Their love is very evident, even though I cannot understand what they are saying...especially since they go back and forth between German and Greek. I know he misses them and cannot imagine how much they miss him. I just hope that he is feeling loved and accepted here. He says he is but the Mom in me worries that he is being polite. Unlike his host brother and sister, who have no problem misbehaving :)

It's also been fun to watch all of the other KHS kids interact with him via social media, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Some of them sent friend requests prior to his arrival while others have waited to officially meet him "live and in person" before becoming virtual friends.

We have also used the Internet to share experiences...even recipes. Hailey was making pancakes the other night so Janni decided to make crepes - complete with bananas and Nutella.

What skills!!

This is our last "quiet" week. School starts Monday and then the routine of early mornings, homework, football games, dances, etc. starts. We've been doing some shopping and, thanks to the input of his new sister and her friends, Janni just may be the best dressed kid in school.  

Still on the "to-do" list: sports physical, buying some school supplies, and getting some rest! I'm not looking forward to those 6:45 a.m. departures next week but am excited for the fun events that are on the horizon.

Welcome to the Inferno, Janni!

August in Houston is awful. It's the month when even the native-born retreat to the comforts of A/C and moan about the heat and humidity.

While it hasn't been quite as hot as last year, temperatures are still hovering around the 100 degree mark. Which is about 20-plus degrees higher than the average high temperature that Janni is accustomed to.

His very first day, even the short walk from the terminal to the parked car sent his sweat glands into overdrive. The next day when I stopped for gas on the way to the Galleria just a few moments with the car A/C off was torture.

A few nights ago the kids all went to play beach volleyball and he told me that he is definitely getting acclimated.

He even survived a temporary A/C outage. Apparently two really smart rats decided it would be a good idea to try and eat some of the wires to our downstairs A/C unit. Needless to say they are now in rodent heaven but they did manage to disable the system for a few hours until the damage could be repaired. By that time the downstairs was about 83 degrees - but Janni wasn't sweating any more than the rest of us!

He and Hunter have been working out and shooting a lot in preparation for the high school basketball season. I think it will be so fun for him to have the experience of playing on an American team. I really think this year will be full of new and exciting things for him.

I do feel really bad for him, however. I hadn't really thought this through prior to his arrival but Janni's culinary lifestyle has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. In Germany, his family owns and operates a hotel and restaurant. While I knew this from his student profile I hadn't really made the mental connection that his meals are often prepared by professionals. And he orders whatever he feels like. If I cook more than once a week the family is asking if I "feel okay" because it is such an anomaly. So tonight I will do my Julia Child impersonation and whip up some homemade chicken parmigiana. School starts a week from Monday and that's when the schedule really gets nutty so hope they all appreciate the effort!

Bon Appetit!

Officially a Mustang!

After many hours of waiting and a few discussions about exciting topics such as "proper immunization record format" Janni is officially registered at Kingwood High School!

While waiting we met another student who will be attending KHS as an exchange student from Spain. He and Janni got to talk for a little while and I think they both enjoyed meeting someone undergoing a similar experience.

The senior class was assembled for 'Stang Camp (the actual registration process) during the same time frame and I was happy to see how many kids Janni already knows. I know he is a teenager and perfectly independent but the "Mom gene" makes me fret. I just can't help it.

Kingwood HS is full of kind, amazing kids but it is also very large (about 3,000 students) and I worry about those kids who get lost amid the mass of students and never really find their niche. I have no doubt that Janni's outgoing personality and sense of humor will serve him well there and am so thankful that he is not meek or timid.




Officially a KHS Mustang!


One of the interesting side effects of the experiences with educational bureaucracy has been the discussions about the differences between Germany and the U.S. Several years ago Janni and his peers were subdivided into groups, almost like career paths, based on intelligence and aptitude. (He is slated to become a surgeon, by the way!) Here he has a fairly limited schedule as all exchange students are required to take Government and Economics and U.S. History in addition to his core classes.

(For reasons I cannot explain [bureaucracy] we were unable to select his classes yesterday and have another appointment next Tuesday to get his official schedule.)

With the start of school just around the bend, teen talk has turned to football games, homecoming, etc. I cannot wait to see the look on Janni's face when he experiences the 'Friday Night Lights' of a Texas high school football game: the fans, the band, the cheerleaders, the drill team.

Homecoming has also been hard to explain. Why, exactly, do we make mums? Anyone know?

I get really excited when I think about all of the fun things ahead this year. I know that Janni will succeed academically and socially and am confident that this year will yield incredible memories he will always cherish.
    

Settling in...and trying new things! aka Abrechnung...und neue Dinge ausprobieren!

It's been a busy few days at the Leahy house!

The teens went to the beach on Thursday and it sounds like they had fun - I don't get too many details from any of them but was able to persuade Hailey to forward a photo with her new brother.

The annual cheer clinic fundraiser was Friday and Saturday so Janni spent Friday at the high school hanging out with Hunter and meeting a lot of the girls.

We are all sick and tired of the song they danced to: "What makes you beautiful" by One Direction (or is it One Dimension?!?). But I think he did enjoy himself a little bit - maybe...

Saturday he opted to go to College Station with the basketball players. I think he had had enough of the mini cheerleaders...and I don't blame him!

Today the guys are relaxing and watching the Olympics. Janni started his day by trying Tom's favorite breakfast of biscuits and gravy, which he said were "very good."

Hailey and I are heading to the lake - the cheerleaders will spend the day relaxing on a boat as a reward for their hard work the past two days. I've left a couple of assignments for the guys, including a pile of paperwork that needs to be filled out to officially enroll Janni in school. But I'm not going to lie, I will be shocked if they actually do it!

And now, thanks to the miracle of online translation:

 

Es hat ein paar Tage im Haus Leahy beschäftigt!

Die Jugendlichen gingen zum Strand am Donnerstag und es klingt wie sie Spaß hatten-ich nicht zu viele Informationen von ihnen bekommen aber konnte überzeugen, Hailey, ein Foto mit ihrem neuen Bruder zu übermitteln.

Die jährliche jubeln Klinik Spendenaktion war Freitag und Samstag so Janni Freitag am Gymnasium hanging out mit Hunter und viele der Mädchen verbrachte.

Wir sind alle krank und müde von dem Song sie tanzten auf: "Was Sie schön macht" von einer Richtung (oder ist es eine Dimension?!?). Aber ich denke, dass er sich vielleicht ein bisschen - genießen...

Samstag entschied er sich, nach College Station gehen mit der Basketball-Spieler. Ich glaube, er hatte genug von den Mini Cheerleader... und ich werfe ihn nicht!

Die Jungs sind heute entspannen und beobachten die Olympischen Spiele. Janni begann seine Tag Versuch Toms Lieblings Frühstück Gebäck und Soße, die er sagte, "sehr gut" wurden

Hailey und ich bewegen uns zum See - die Cheerleader werden entspannenden Tag auf einem Boot verbringen, als Belohnung für ihre harte Arbeit der letzten zwei Tage. Ich habe links ein paar Aufgaben für die Jungs, einschließlich einen Haufen Papierkram, die offiziell registrieren Janni in der Schule ausgefüllt werden muss. Aber ich werde nicht Lügen, ich werde schockiert, wenn sie es tatsächlich tun!

How we chose Janni, or... Wie haben wir uns entschieden, Janni

Janni and I had an interesting conversation yesterday morning; he asked why we chose him out of the plethora of potential host students. I’ve had quite a few people ask me the same exact question.

Like most other families in the world, we consider ourselves "normal." The reality is that every family functions differently and adding a new family member is truly a life-altering event. Once we were approved as a host family we viewed quite a few student applications - dozens of pages containing personal information, letters from the prospective student, parents, teachers, photos etc.  The students shared information about their daily lives, providing us a glimpse into their personalities and interests. Though it’s a bit challenging to try and glean a sense of the personality behind the paper when someone is writing in their non-native tongue, the student profiles were very interesting. While they were all impressive, there were some teens that we knew would not mesh well into our world.  One wrote about how he and his parents ate dinner together every night and then would read or play games before bed. It seemed cruel to ask someone accustomed to such structure (and dinner waiting for him on the table every night!) to join our chaos. Other prospective students had interests that weren’t really compatible with ours – a classical musician would probably not feel at home amid the tone-deaf and musically illiterate Leahy family. Another boy was eliminated because he was 5’4”. Maybe that’s discriminatory but it seemed wrong to ask him to live with a tall family in a home where he probably couldn’t reach the cereal bowls in the cabinet!

All in all, choosing our student was a daunting task. Hailey said it was like “shopping for people” and that’s probably the best way to describe the process. All of the students were impressive, accomplished. They were from all corners of the world and had a variety of interests and goals. The process was a little overwhelming.

From the first time I read Janni’s profile I felt that he would be a good fit for our family, however. His family is busy, like ours, and he plays and watches sports. Between Hunter playing basketball and Hailey cheering for football, volleyball and basketball we spend a lot of time in the stands. I felt that hosting a student who wasn’t interested in sports would be a challenge – the idea is for them to participate in the daily activities but it seems cruel to expect them to spend countless hours watching sports that they find boring. Janni not only meet the “likes sports” requirement but also seemed to have the easygoing personality that could survive our busy schedule.

Once we officially “selected” him as our student I started praying that he would easily fit into our family.

All I can say is “Thanks God!!”

He is still in what our local coordinator referred to as the “polite phase.” He is incredibly polite, eager to help with everything…..including chores. I actually hope that wanes soon, that he feels comfortable enough in our family that he complains about helping unload the dishwasher like the two other teens.

Please remind me about that wish when I’m complaining about picking up after three teenagers…and Tom!



And now....in what Bing translate says is German

Janni und ich hatte ein interessantes Gespräch gestern Morgen; Er fragte, warum wir ihn aus der Fülle der möglichen Host Studenten entschieden hat. Ich habe ziemlich viele Leute fragen mich die gleiche genaue Frage hatte.

Wie die meisten anderen Familien in der Welt sehen wir uns "normal". Die Realität ist, dass jede Familie anders funktioniert und hinzufügen ein neues Familienmitglied wirklich ein Leben verändernde Ereignis ist. Sobald wir, als eine Gastfamilie angenommen wurden angesehen wir einige Schüler Anwendungen - Dutzende von Seiten, die persönlichen Informationen, Briefe aus der zukünftigen Schüler, Eltern, Lehrer, Fotos usw. enthalten. Die Studenten gemeinsam Informationen über ihr täglichen Leben, die uns einen Einblick in ihre Persönlichkeit und Interessen. Obwohl es ein bisschen schwierig zu versuchen und ein Gefühl der Persönlichkeit hinter dem Papier abzulesen, wenn jemand in ihrer nicht-Native Muttersprache schreibt, waren die Schüler-Profile sehr interessant. Während sie beeindruckend waren, gab es einige Jugendliche, die wir kannten keine Masche würde gut in unsere Welt. Einer schrieb darüber, wie er und seine Eltern aßen zusammen Abendbrot jeden Abend und dann würde lesen oder spielen vor dem Schlafengehen. Es schien grausam, Fragen jemand daran gewöhnt, solche Struktur (und Abendessen wartete auf ihn auf dem Tisch jede Nacht!), unser Chaos beizutreten. Andere Studieninteressierte hatte Interessen, die nicht wirklich vereinbar mit den unsrigen waren – ein klassischer Musiker würde wahrscheinlich nicht inmitten der Gespür und musikalisch Analphabeten Leahy-Familie zu Hause fühlen. Ein anderer Junge war ausgeschieden, weil er 5'4 "war. Vielleicht ist diskriminierend, aber es schien falsch zu bitten, ihn mit einer großen Familie in einem Haus zu leben, wo er wahrscheinlich nicht die Müsli-Schalen im Kabinett erreichen konnte!

Alles in allem war die Wahl unserer Schüler eine schwierige Aufgabe. Hailey sagte, es war wie "shopping für Menschen" und das ist wahrscheinlich der beste Weg, um den Prozess zu beschreiben. Alle Schüler waren beeindruckend, erreicht. Sie waren aus allen Ecken der Welt und hatte eine Vielzahl von Interessen und Ziele. Der Prozess war ein wenig überwältigend.

Aus der ersten Zeit lese ich von Janni Profil ich fühlte, dass er ein guter Sitz für unsere Familie, jedoch wäre. Seine Familie ist damit beschäftigt, wie der unsrigen, und er spielt und Sport-Uhren. Zwischen Hunter spielen Basketball und Hailey Jubel für Fußball, Volleyball und Basketball verbringen wir viel Zeit auf der Tribüne. Ich fühlte, dass ein Student, der Interesse an Sport war nicht hosten eine Herausforderung wäre-die Idee, dass sie zur Teilnahme an der täglichen Aktivitäten ist aber es grausam scheint zu erwarten, dass sie verbringen unzählige Stunden beobachten Sportarten, die sie langweilig finden. Janni "mag Sport" Forderung erfüllen nicht nur, sondern schien auch die unbeschwerte Persönlichkeit haben, die unsere Terminkalender überleben könnte.

Sobald wir offiziell "ihn als unser Schüler ausgewählt" begann ich beten, die er problemlos in unsere Familie passen würde.

Alles, was ich sagen kann ist "Danke Gott!!"

Er ist immer noch in welche unsere lokalen Koordinator als "höflich Phase." bezeichnet Er ist unglaublich höflich, hilfsbereit mit allem..... einschließlich Aufgaben. Ich hoffe wirklich, dass das schwindet bald, dass er fühlt sich wohl in unserer Familie, die er beschwert sich über helfende genug entladen die Spülmaschine wie die beiden anderen Jugendlichen.

Bitte erinnern Sie mich zu diesem Wunsch wenn ich bin klagen über Abholung nach drei Jugendliche... und Tom!

Just hanging out!

Wow. After reading all about what a host family should expect the first few days with their exchange student I expected some growing pains as Janni assimilated into our family.

So far the entire process has been completely painless. His English is great – and he now knows “y’all”.

(The kids said the look on his face when I said “y’all” within minutes of meeting him was priceless….but now he understands!)

So far he’s spent time hanging out with his new brother and sister – watching the Olympics, going to the movies, hanging out with friends, even washing Hunter’s truck.

Janni is easygoing and outgoing enough to not be intimidated by groups of people. For example, he and Hunter went up to the high school to shoot and work out and came home to find a dozen or so of the cheerleaders here working on crafty-type stuff for the upcoming cheer clinic. He wasn't fazed by their nuttiness and was even teasing them.

For the first couple of days we tried to keep the house relatively calm so that he could ease into his new world. Today was a trial by fire, with a lot of people in and out. I am thrilled to report that Janni passed with flying colors!

He can even handle Tom’s sense of humor. Seriously.


And now, in German, thanks to the wonders of Bing translate

 

Wow. Nach der Lektüre sollten alles über welche eine Gastfamilie erwarten, die ersten paar Tage mit ihren Austauschschüler, die ich einige Wachstumsschmerzen als Janni gleichgestellt werden in unsere Familie erwartet.

Bisher wurde der gesamte Prozess völlig schmerzlos. Sein Englisch ist groß – und er weiß jetzt "y ' all".

(Die Kinder sagte der Ausdruck auf seinem Gesicht, als ich "y ' all" innerhalb von Minuten sagte der Begegnung mit ihm war unbezahlbar.... aber jetzt er versteht!)

Bisher hat er verbrachte Zeit hängen heraus mit neuen Bruder und Schwester – gerade die Olympischen Spiele, ins Kino gehen, hängen mit Freunden, sogar Waschen des Jägers LKW.

Janni ist unbeschwert und ausgehende genug, um Gruppen von Menschen nicht einschüchtern lassen. Für Beispiel, er und Jäger auf der High School ging zu schießen und trainieren und kam um ein Dutzend finden home oder also von den Cheerleadern hier arbeiten auf crafty-Typ Stuff für die bevorstehende jubeln-Klinik. Er war von ihrer Nuttiness fazed und war sogar necken sie.

Für die ersten paar Tage haben wir versucht das Haus relativ ruhig halten, so dass er in seiner neuen Welt erleichtern könnte. Heute war eine Feuerprobe, mit vielen Menschen in und out. Ich bin begeistert, Bericht, der Janni mit Bravour bestanden!

Er verträgt auch Toms Sinn für Humor. Ernst.

The very first day

Janni's first dinner in the U.S. - fajitas - was deemed "delicious"

Janni des ersten Abendessen in den USA - Fajitas - wurde als "leckeren"

 

 

He also survived a night with the Haileys and met Nick, a precious friend to all.

Er auch eine Nacht mit dem Haileys und traf Nick, einem wertvollen Freund für alle.

 

Today Janni wants to go shopping so I think we are headed to the Galleria. I will be interested to see what he thinks about the gigantic shopping mecca!

 

Janni will heute einkaufen gehen, so dass ich denke, wir sind in der Galleria geleitet. Ich werde gespannt, was er denkt über die gigantische Einkaufs-Mekka!

He's HERE! - Er ist hier!

Janni is here :-)

Janni ist hier :-)

 

 

rund um die Uhr und zählen....Hier wird er in weniger als einem Tag!

Hier wird er in weniger als einem Tag!

Janni ist in New York, in eine Orientierungsprogramm, die (hoffentlich!), ihn hilft problemlos in seinem neuen Leben als typisch amerikanischen Teenager. Wir bereiten für seine Ankunft - dafür, dass sein Zimmer bereit ist, usw.. Die Haileys (unsere Tochter, 16, und ihre BFF Hailey, 17) habe meinen "Welcome to America" Geschenke für der vergangenen Woche so bekam er ganz die Auswahl von Elementen, die ihn hier wartet hat wie Sie sehen können, auf dem Foto.... meist "American Snacks" - wahrscheinlich ein ziemlich gutes Geschenk für einen 16 Jahre alten Kerl!

Wir haben auch Fajitas für unser erstes Abendessen gemeinsam beschlossen. Wer liebt nicht, Tex-Mex, nicht wahr?!

Anders als das haben wir nicht wirklich irgendwelche Pläne für gemacht an diesem Wochenende wollen sicher sein, dass wir mit unserem Chaos Janni überwältigen nicht. Ich werde nicht Lügen.... ist es ziemlich seltsam zu denken, dass unsere Familie Morgen um diese Zeit ein neues Mitglied. Ich hoffe, dass er für das Abenteuer ist :)

24 hours and counting....

He will be here in less than a day!

Janni is in New York, involved in an orientation program that will (hopefully!) help him ease into his new life as a typical American teenager. We are preparing for his arrival - making sure his room is ready, etc. The Haileys (our daughter, 16, and her BFF Hailey, 17) have been buying "Welcome to America" gifts for the past week so he's got quite the selection of items waiting for him here as you can see in the photo....mostly "American snacks" - probably a pretty good gift for a 16-year-old guy!

We've also decided on fajitas for our first dinner together. Who doesn't love Tex-Mex, right?!

Other than that we've not really made any plans for this weekend, wanting to be sure that we don't overwhelm Janni with our chaos. I'm not going to lie....it's pretty strange to think that tomorrow at this time our family will have a new member. I hope he's up for the adventure :)