Bravery and Perseverance

I needed to get on here tonight and talk about how incredibly brave my kiddos have been this past 8 months. They upended their lives in the states and moved to a foreign country last July. Where they didn't (and i say that is the past because they speaking so much now) know any of the language, or very little. The arrived here, knowing our close adult friends, but without any friends of their own. They moved into a new home and started a new school where the days are taught 80% in Spanish. 80 percent, let that sink in:/. They have had the opportunity to be the only non-tico (not from Costa Rica) kids in many spaces. Which is eye opening and mind blowing to experience at their age. They've handled it with curiosity and drive. They did 5 months in 4th and 5th grade, had some months off and now are in 5th and 6th grade. Again, 80% of the day in Spanish. 

They have both loved and disliked school on any given day. They both love most of their teachers and they made friends when they first arrived there pretty easily. They play sports, swim and run around the school getting to know more and more about the culture of education here in Costa Rica. Though it hasn't all been easy. 

Eli has navigated bullies at school and has found confidence in standing up for himself and with asking for help when needed. Ayden has navigated losing her 2 friends from the school year last year. She started this year with not a friend in class, most of the kids knowing each other since kindergarten and few speaking a little english. She has stuck with it and is building relationships slowly. It hasn't been easy. This year, Eli started school and called out the kid that was giving him issues right away. Not allowing it to start all over again. They come home every day, so tired, and their brains are so worked. Translating, trying to keep up, focusing when it's so hard to do so -having no idea what's happening half the time. The persevere on the daily. It is incredibly impressive. 

At home, they fly around this amazing farm where we live. They've made friends with not only the family that lives here, but many of the neighbors and neighbor's kids. All in another language. When we first arrived, Ayden was so nervous to try and speak. She knew some, but would feel nervous to try, knowing they might not know what she said or she'd not know what they did when they responded. She wouldn't try to order food, or speak too much to our neighbors. Yesterday, I walked down to Narcissa's house (mom of the family that lives here) and they were sitting and chatting, all in Spanish. Eli has always had more confidence in speaking Spanish, even if it isn't correct, he'd try. And that has bought him the incredible experience of practice, on the daily, with people at school and here at home. They are both now speaking consistently in Spanish with their friends. Is it always correct? No, but they know and speak enough that they make jokes, make plans and play for hours. Wow. 

We are very lucky to live with our neighbor family on the farm. Narcissa and Domingo have Kendal (7) and Keylin (19) whom our kids have spent hours with. They have learned about the cultural traditions of both Costa Rica and NIcaragua since Narcissa and Domingo are both from Nicaragua, having moved here to have a family. They've learned how to mill corn, make tortillas, play made up games, cook everything you can think of on a fire. The family treats us as their own family and I truly believe it all began with our kids making the bridge. They bring joy and laughter everywhere they go. And now I hear them running around, with Kendal, speaking the whole time in Spanish. They call out to each other and the neighbors in Spanish. They're both confident in speaking, even if it isn't correct. 
They build forts and water slides, learn how to process food grown on the farm, take rides in pick up trucks and spend countless hours playing outside with monkeys and mackaws singing in the background.

I'm not sure how much of it is sinking in. The language and culture, yes, that is sinking deep into the people they are. I'm watching their perspectives widen, their world view expand to incredible places. It brings tears to my eyes. Daily. But I'm not sure how much they realize how brave they are, how they are learning that they can do very hard things, be uncomfortable, be honest and vulnerable, be open to new ideas, languages, cultures, people. Even though we tell them, even though we celebrate their perseverance. I wonder when those seeds that are being planted know will come to full fruition. Will there be a moment in time? Or will it alter their perspective and actions in a million different ways over time. What a blessing. 

All this is to say, I'm beyond proud of both Ayden and Eli. I am proud of who they are as people and who they strive to be. They are curious, brave, driven and all the while, willing to speak their truth. The wins and losses. The ups and downs. 

Being a parent isn't always easy, I ask myself often if I am a good mom, if I'm imparting the values we hold dear or giving them the tools they need to show up as their authentic selves. This experience has shown me time and time again that we are doing great. All of us. We are learning as we go and my kids are constant reminders that bravery and perseverance are key. I am one very lucky momma.