We had a whirlwind weekend. The girls in the house Jenna lives in threw her a 16^th birthday party at the park Saturday and we didn’t want to do anything to mess that up so we couldn’t pick her and Sebastian up until Saturday afternoon. We took advantage of it to do our every two week feed run. Before that I took Jacob, my oldest grandson to McDonalds for breakfast. Then we made a trip to Walmart to get a picture of Jenna and Sebastian printed out and pick up a few other items. We were running right up to the time we left to go pick them up.

We had a nice trip back home just the 4 of us getting to know each other even better. We asked them to relax and be themselves. No walking on egg shells around us. I told them we were all going to make mistakes and disappoint each other but we would work through it. We also told them to call us what ever they felt comfortable with but we hoped that some day they would grow to feel comfortable calling us mom and dad.

When we got home all the kids hit it off like they were old friends. The most significant event was when Jenna saw the picture of her and Sebastian on the Family Tree we have painted down the hall. I think it really started to set in that we were serious about this, not going anywhere and they did now have a mom and dad to hold onto. It was an emotional moment for everyone.

My youngest son Matthew came out to meet his new brother and sister. He couldn’t wait any longer. We all had a very good visit. The adults all called it a night around 11:00 but the kids stayed up until after 1:00 AM. So glad they hit it off so well.

Sunday was another rapid fire day. It was Mothers Day and I had to be at the church by 7:30, after taking care of all the animals and milking the cow, to help prepare Breakfast for all the ladies at 9:00. As part of the church service all the mothers received a Rose from their children. Jenna and Sebastian gave Lisa hers. Then Jenna was presented one as well because she had been the mother figure to Sebastian for so long. Another emotional moment. Didn’t know we were adopting a song bird but Jenna got up and sang a solo a cappella in front of the entire church to a standing ovation.

After church we went to Lisa’s mom’s house to meet her and an aunt and uncle who were there and Matthew and his wife Julie. We had a nice visit then we had to take them back home. 2 ½ hour one way plus we stopped to eat. We dropped them off and I gave them our phone numbers and assured them this WAS real and it WAS happening and if any doubts crept into their minds before we saw them again Friday to find a phone and call us. It was a long quiet ride back home after a loud laughter filled ride up. Even the grandkids were missing them already. We got home about 10:30, to bed by 11:00 and back up at 5:00 to start the new week. We are tired but wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. Friday can’t come quick enough for any of us.

I haven’t anticipated the end of school for the summer this much since I was in school. A long, long time ago.

The Staffing meeting was originally scheduled for the 10^th. Lisa noticed that the young lady’s 16^th birthday was on the 9^th and brought it to everyones attention. Asked if they might be able to move it up a couple days so that if it went as expected the kids could be notified about us and be shown the family scrapbook on her birthday. The ladies went above and beyond to not just move the staffing so that the kids could be told but that we could actually meet on her birthday.

The staffing meeting was held on Monday. Everyone was in agreement that we would be a good match and the kids were told that afternoon. We all met at the Birmingham Zoo and “good match” was an understatement from the start it felt like four peas in a pod. It was just right.

We brought cake and birthday presents for both since we just missed his birthday. My mom also sent gifts for both. I think they were a little overwhelmed. Very appreciative. The perl necklaces, bracelet, and ear rings were a huge hit. She put them on immediately.

Once inside we all had lunch including the case workers. Then we walked through the zoo, just us and the kids. I’m sure the ladies were somewhere observing but I never saw them. We walked and talked and the kids rode the camel and fed the giraffe. All was perfect with the world until Lisa’s insulin pump quit. I hated to tell them we had to end the visit early. I know they were disappointed but they understood and took it well.

We still had about 3.5 fantastic hours with them.

After we left the zoo we stopped by 2 different pharmacies to see if we could buy insulin and needles to get Lisa a shot just to make sure her sugar didn’t get too high before we made it home. While in the second store Lisa checked the pump again to show the Pharmacist the error and the pump had reset itself and was working again. We considered rejoining everyone but were afraid it might act up again so we just continued on home to be on the safe side. Better safe than sorry. Don’t need an emergency room visit.

We will pick them up this weekend for a weekend visit and then start doing what is needed for a placement as soon as school is out.

While it’s not final our hearts are sold. Here is the new Newby Family.

Jenna, Lisa, Ned, and Sebastian.

Well it’s been an emotional roller coaster but we may have finally found a match.

From the beginning I had my eye on a brother and sister sibling group. Once we completed the classes, were approved and could actually inquire about children we were interested in they were on hold. We focused on another group but were told we were not a match. Disappointed we bombarded the system with inquiries but this brother and sister were now listed as pending placement. I was happy for them. We focused on another group that was new to the list of available children. We were told they might not be a good fit but the final report wasn’t finished and would be a few more weeks while information was gathered. We waited. We pestered the case workers. We waited some more. Then we got word that the brother and sister’s placement didn’t work out and they were available again. I was heartbroken for them but excited about the opportunity. Lisa and I stayed up late talking about it. The next day we exchanged emails with the case workers and they thought we might be a good match so we asked them to do what needed to be done to make it happen. We gave them the names of our case workers and now we are waiting for a staff meeting to be set up. If all goes well we get to meet these two wonderful people in person.

I can’t even imagine how they must be feeling after the placement failed but we are anxious to wrap our arms around them and help them work through it all.

Please keep us in your prayers.