Placement time!!!

Placement time is in full swing!!!  It has been more difficult this year than any other year ever to place in Utah!!  There has been a HUGE increase of families wanting to host and organizations hiring coordinators and still there are only 328 spots in the whole state.  If you are one of the lucky students to come then shout for joy!

I am excited for all the new students to arrive!

Spring Blues

Spring means the time to go home is ever closer.  This year we never really had winter so the students and families started feeling this early on.

Sometimes this can come with negative feelings. We call these feelings Pre-Departure Anxiety.  Everyone feels them and just as everyone is unique they show these feelings in many different ways.

Some will pull away from the family or the family from the student, some will use anger to make it easier to separate when the time comes, some will all of a sudden not want anyone out of their sight... the list continues on  and on of how one can show these feelings.

Sometimes if these feelings come and there is no communication about them then the outcome is very sad.  It happens every year somewhere in the US when a host family and student don't talk about what they are feeling and why. They pretend as if all is well and it grows to a point where it can't be fixed anymore and the student must be relocated.  I have had such an instance this year and it makes my heart very sad.

Situations like this can be very easily avoided by talking first to each other and then to me as the coordinator.  I have received training to help in this capacity. I love it when I can help a family through a difficult time and we come out victorious.

Snow Fun!!

Every year we try to make it up to the tubing hill.  Some years are more successful than others. This year was almost a no go. THERE WAS NO SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The resort had to make snow just so the hill could open!  I have never before in my life seen that area with so little snow in the dead of winter.

We still had a great time and can't wait to take the kids next year!

December gift making

I began this tradition with the students last year. My mom has a friend who opened her own Do it Yourself craft workshop called Heartfelt Wall Hangings.  She supplies all the materials, you pay for them and make your craft. She has become so successful that she now has her own workshop space in a building instead of her garage! It is beautiful and perfect!

The kids had a great time talking with one another about their host families and school. They also felt accomplished as they finished the gifts they had chosen for their host families.

After we were all STARVING so we headed to Cafe Rio near the first students home on our route to drop everyone off.

It was a great night and one where I began to feel a better connection with my students.

Happy Halloween!!!

Only a few students could make it to this event but it still turned out to be really fun!

First we had a scavenger hunt. The kids had to go door to door collecting Halloween themed items or pictures on their camera.  It was really fun and they got the neighbors to do some crazy things!

We then all met back to carve pumpkins. 

- I didn't have my camera so I don't have pics of this activity. Waiting to receive some. -

Pool Party!!!!

What a great night! One of the last few warm nights I think we will get before fall sets in.

The Martinez family kindly welcomed us to their home and backyard with a pool!  It was a great night complete with food and fun and even a fire pit when we got chilly.

The students enjoyed meeting each other for the first time and learning about where they were from and what school they are going to ect...  

The host families had a great time discussing how their new family member was fitting in and new host families were asking experienced families great questions. 

The night ended with the only boy who showed up being the center of attention.

New Year... New Kids... So FUN!

Welcome students 2011 - 2012!!




What an exciting year this is going to be!  All the arrivals went off without a hitch. Everyone is here safe and sound.  Our Vivian from Hong Kong has returned. She has changed her VISA and will be attending a private high school. We are excited to have her back in our home!

One of my favorite host families is hosting again this year and I am so happy to be able to meet with them every month.

I have 3 from Denmark this year. I am curious to see how they are similar as well as different from each other.

The welcome dinner was wonderful and informative. All the families came and every student remembered to bring their stuff about them and their country to display on the table.  Sadly it was not how I had envisioned it but it worked out quite nicely!  I wish I had thought to take a picture of each one.  I was so excited to look at all of them I forgot to think about pictures!