so just since friday afternoon...

sorry for the delay in updates... it is a tad bit harder than i realized :) 

so much has happened just since i last updated...

just after i sent the update friday, Leah stepped on a nail and had to go to ER...

she is all good though :)

saturday we went to mcdonalds and to see the avengers (both of which Erik loved)...

Sunday we had an incredible day at the beach...

we made new friends...

however, Erik DID NOT like the water (he has heard stories, so we'll work on this)...

rode the banana boat (all the kids laughed hysterically... its not quite like home :)

and had Sunday brunch right off the side walk...

on monday the social workers came and gave us our schedule for the next few weeks...

it is a FULL schedule...

there are lots of visits to the courthouse and one more home visit...

BUT....EXCITING NEWS...

we will get to visit Eriks sisters on june 6th

AND...

we get to take them out for a play day on the 11th!!!

HOW COOL IS OUR GOD!!!

only HE could do something this wild :)

so, on tuesday Erik and Leah had to have shots...

no fun :(

sorry i couldn't get it to flip :(

it was the first real mommy duty i had...

sweet for me BUT not for him!!

and then we went as a family to an amazon jungle preservation...

it has been crazy days...

we are all still adjusting!

i attempted mashed potatoes at lunch today...

not so good :(

i let the potaoes boil almost an hour...

but still they weren't quite done.

i'm so thankful that God gave us the Kennedy's as dear friends...

our house is in thier gated community...

our rental is beside the park, which is awesome for us,

because the kids play right outside our door.

so the girls played some game outside til 9 last night...

Erik stayed outside til 10 playing soccer with friends...

and Jordan got home from Bible study with Bethany at 11...

so scott and i watched return to me...

while we listened to our kids laugh and play...

sweet memories!!

i would lie if i said it is all easy...

because IT IS NOT!!

there are tremendous challenges to an older child adoption...

we are facing them one by one as they present themselves...

BUT it is what God has prepared us for...

so we are enjoying the ride :)

the girls have been troupers!!!!!

the house is about 800 square foot...

so all three of them are in one room :)

closeness!

we have eaten more meals together than we have

in months at home...

for me the mom, it is GLORIOUS!!!

i love having my little chicks around...

we have been forced back to a simpler way of life...

and honestly it is really nice!!

we have individual interviews tomorrow at 9...

and then friday we have to be at the courthouse at 9 too!

we'll see how these go?!?!

we miss you all so much and are so thankful for your

sweet FB posts!!

Love, The Newsoms

American football :)

so the social worker never came yesterday...

BUT...

we had a mean game of soccer...

Erik ate bisquits and sausage gravy for the first time...

and our kids played from 4-8 in the pouring rain

and thought it was the best thing ever!!

today we've been to the ER already

(no not one of ours... James had a sinus infection)...

we've been to the mall to have spagetti (Erik's fav)...

and we are now cooking tacos and brownies

(yes i am SO thankful for all that packing)!!

a little while ago Erik went to join a game of American football...

i wonder if football and tacos are too much in one day??

i'll let you know soon :)

we are continuing to adjust to our new surroundings...

the girls still do not like the idea of open windows at night...

the heat here is definitly not good on the hair or complexion...

and there is no tv :) 

washing dishes in cold water is not the norm...

and hot showers are missed...

i'm very thankful for the Kennedy's washer and dryer...

and ipads are the bomb...

i never expected that bug spray would be the new perfume...

and that cooking could be such an adventure...

i've never enjoyed rain so much...

and room temp water... well i've convinced myself it's awesome!!

this is definitly a new way of living for our family...

but honestly i am LOVING

the close quarters

and constant time together...

its been a blast to share this experience together as a family!!

i am certainly coming to terms with how

much stuff we could do without

and be perfectly content!!

in it all...

 the most important thing is...

we see God in every turn, difficulty and new sunrise...

we couldn't do any of it it without Him!

we continue to convet your prayers...

you are certainly here with us!

God knows the plans, we are just along for the ride!!

will update you again soon :)

Only God!!!!!

i just have to say... 

i wouldn't trade this journey with the Lord... 

even through all the heartache, tears shed and changed plans!!

God is doing some amazing things in the lives of BOTH boys!!

Please keep praying and AS SOON AS I CAN share... i will...

trust me when i say...

God is showing JUST HOW BIG HE IS

and HOW SMALL WE THINK!

so... we've only been here 2 1/2 days and SO much has already happened!

we all reunited only 45 min after we arrived at the rental :)

PRAISE JESUS for Cindy & Andy and their friend Jenny,

they had already worked on our rental and it was completely 

ready for our stay  (coke, groceries and all!!).

Yesterday we slept in....

then got acclimated to our surroundings...

(in which Gracie took seven really mean fire ant bites to the foot)...

took an emergency trip to the dentist for Jordan...

(her filling in her tooth came out as soon as we arrived and was quite painful)...

AND then...

took a trip to the mall (of course you know we went to McDonald's for Deb and Gracie

and the pizza place for the rest of us)!

SO... today we saw the judge...

we left at 7:30 a.m... to travel 20 miles...

and arrived at 9:00 a.m. :)

we spent a couple of hours there... where Gracie taught Erik the spy eyes 

(yes a proud moment in the courthouse :)

went to eat lunch 

and arrived back at the house in the HOT weather!!

then Erik, Scott and Gracie (and some neighbor boys)

 had a rough game of soccer...

(where Gracie took one in the face)

then they swam in what my girls are calling a storm :)

so... now we've washed clothes at the Kennedy's 

and have ordered pizza... 

it has been a whirlwind... but a GOOD one!

our home visits begin tomorrow...

so we will be up and at them early again tomorrow!

thanks for your prayers...

we feel every one!

Thoughts during an eight hour layover...

This past week has been just a little on the hectic side...

As a matter of fact... Right now might be the first time this week I've thought much outside of crisis mode.

So it feels good, yet is scary too... It feels somewhat of a cross between Laying on the table waiting on the birth of one I've waited so long for AND the long anticipated ride to our vacation destination that I've planned and prepared for... The exhaustion, the emotion, the excitement and the fear all collide into one and I'm left speechless!

I've not seen my boys in 27 months... A lot has transpired and changed on both sides!
(I'll post the pic of Erik the day we met (as an 11 yr old boy) on twitter, can't get it to post on the blog)

In barely over 24 hours I will wrap my arms around one... While God has a different plan for the other... Painful but perfect, terrifying but tremendous, heart wrenching but exhilarating!! There is no other like our God! He will walk us through this!!

We will begin our journey with Erik on his turf, in his surroundings... How cool is that!

As tough as the next few days will be, they will also be a mighty reunion!!!!!! One full of laughter and tears, dancing and celebration!! To God be the Glory!!!!

Thanks for coming along!

wow, it's really happening...

so this is how this adventure begins...

it's only 11:23 p.m,. and we have...

two suburbans packed...

kids all tucked in...

mom & stephen, grant & amanda, occupying and upkeeping the house...

trey caring for the dogs...

tons of family and friends phoning, emailing and texting us...

passports and adoption papers in backpack...

for a trip to the airport at 4:30 a.m...

GOD IS SO GOOD!!

thanks for going with us :)