We arrived on Saturday evening, and Sunday morning we visited the church that is attached to the school we are considering for the kids. It was not a fit for us. VERY conservative, sung operatic style hymns, and pastor was extremely long winded, to the point where you start to lose interest. The people were friendly, and as far as doctrine, it was on track, just not what we're looking for as far as worship.
Monday at 10 am we had a tour scheduled at Schaumburg Christian School with the admissions counselor, Amy. We arrived a few minutes early, and the bell rung just after we sat down in the lobby. This school is K-12, and apparently the high school chapel had just ended, so about 100 high schoolers rushed the halls, laughing, talking, etc. My kid's eyes were HUGE. We were a long way from their school in TN, with only 50 kids in the whole school, which is all elementary! Shortly after that, a gentlemen came up to us and said hello, asked if we were visiting. We introduced ourselves, and found out he was the Dean of Students, and just happened to be passing by. He held a long conversation with us, asked a lot about the kids and where we were from and seemed genuinely interested in our family. It was very nice. Amy then arrived for our tour, and we had an AWESOME experience. We think this school is a great fit for the kids! She showed us around the whole school, we walked into both a 4th and 5th grade class (their grades for next year). It is much larger than their current school, with about 1000 total students. Each of their grades have 3 classrooms with about 20 students in each class. A 5th grade teacher took about 10 minutes showing us the curriculum and basic overview of what is taught in that grade, how they do testing, homework, etc. They really have a focus on what's best for the kids and work together as a team of teachers each year based on those students. We then visited the cafeteria, and 3 gyms! They have a great athletic program, and have actually moved out of the Christian league because they ended up undefeated in every sport, so now they play the smaller public school so it's more competitive! This will be great for our kiddos! Sports are available on a limited basis starting in 5th grade, so next year, Arahn will qualify for basketball in the winter, and baseball in the spring! He is so excited!! They also allow kids to play up based on talent, so he can be skill level appropriate, based on the other kids skills, not just age. Alannah will have a whole year to get acquainted, and then qualify for sports once she reaches 5th grade. They have both girls cheer leading and volleyball, which are the two sports she's interested in. =)
We have to turn in the application and registration by March, and we feel very confident and comfortable with this decision. The best part?? This school is less expensive than their school here in TN! SCORE!
The rest of the week, we just hung low and relaxed...no cheer, no school, no responsibility.
We did meet with the contractors, but have not heard back with pricing or anything, so we're still waiting to make decisions about how to proceed.
We got to spend some great evenings with my parents and sister Jill, having dinner together (they had to work during the days) and also watching our Cubbies beat the Cardinals! Highlight of my week! =)
We drove home to TN on Saturday, had a jam-packed day with church, cheer, and small group on Sunday, and MOVED to our new short term rental starting Monday! We had several friends from small group help move the majority of our things Monday, then Tony and I made several trips Tues-Sat to get the rest of our stuff. My life was in disarray for over a week, which drives me CRAZY...but it's coming together now. My sister came over one day and helped unpack the kitchen, which made a huge difference. We had to eat out for every meal for 3 days, I think, because I couldn't GET to the kitchen, we didn't have food yet, and I had no clue where any utensils were, LOL! I really like the new place, and Arahn and Alannah having their own rooms is turning out to be a great thing. Their attitudes are better, and I think just them having their own space makes a huge difference. Gives them some extra peace.
Tony spent this past weekend painting our apartment back to the original color, and we finally turned in our keys Monday (10/19). Most of the new place is put together, with the exception of a wall of boxes that have things we want to sell in a yard sale before moving to Chicago. I think we'll put them in storage for now (Tony has a unit for the business already).
Right now, I'm taking a breath...because we leave Friday for our first cheer competition of the year!! I've been extremely exhausted and not feeling well, but pushing through. Yesterday was the first day I felt good in several week. Today I'm resting, as well as tomorrow. I know I need balance, but these things just HAD to be done. Tony probably worked over 100 hours last week between jobs and moving/painting the apt. So he could only do so much. I'm thankful that we are past this move, and cannot BELIEVE October is almost here!
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