Spring is Here....or so they say!

Although the calendar indicates that it's Spring, the temperature doesn't make it seem that way. We have the green grass (finally) but they may be covered with snow by tomorrow night. We're all doing well and looking forward to warmer weather, and having time fly by so we can travel to get Lize. Here are some recent photos of the family:

Some Easter Fun Prep Photos.......

From snow and dpression to total happiness...Lize Update

Yesterday, we had 45 degree weather, the roads were dry, we could see the brown grass and it was the first day of Spring. I finally had hope of it actually getting warmer. By 5 pm today we had 12 inches of snow on the ground (as it was snowing 1 inch per hour for the better part of the day) and depression was setting in from yet...more snow. After snow blowing the drive, I checked the mail (from yesterday) and found a piece of mail that made the day a happy day.

Today we received our final piece of paperwork (approval) so that we can submit our documents to China and get logged in. From that point, we've been told that it could be as early as three t0 five months before we travel to China to get Lize.- we're obviously praying for the three months.

We ask that everyone continue to pray for our family and give us the peace we need until we get Lize and the Patience as we continue to get closer to the travel date.

It's official - WE'RE A FAMILY OF 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's official, the Chinese government has given us our prior approval that Lize is ours. This is a nice way of confirming that they have given us temporary approval for the adoption and that they will "hold" Lize as our daughter.

We just finished our home study and there's still a tremendous amount of paperwork to be done. After that's done, we start the waiting game. We expect to travel some time this year, but there's no way to know how soon that will be at this time.

Please keep us in your prayers and continue to keep posted by following our blog.

Christmas 07 - in the sun and heat of south Florida

Here we are in sunny south Florida for the Christmas / New Year. The weather has been GREAT and the family is soaking every minute we can. We hope that you remember the reason for the season and had time to enjoy Christmas with your family and friends. The kids have enjoyed the beach, family and the pool. Here's a couple of pictures from Christmas at the docks, beach and Zach showing us his guns in the pool......

It's official - Winter's here in Wisconsin

After all the warmer than normal days we had in October and early November, Winter arrived yesterday in a big way: 4 - 5 inches of snow and lots of ice / sleet after that. Here's a picture of the first snow this year (it's also the first time that Sofia was ever able to enjoy / walk on the snow):

Here's a picture of Santa's little helper standing in front of the Christmas Tree (which she loves to look at the lights):

One year today ........

One year ago to the day (today), Sofi was placed in our arms. The first picture you see in this posting was taken that night (last year) and you can see how reserved she was. Last year, she couldn't even roll over, sit up, or eat solid food.





What a difference a year makes. Now let's fast forward to today the picture to the right (in a red outfit-this was taken tonight as we celebrated her "Gotcha Day") and see what she's like:

Today she runs everywhere, climbs up and down the stairs and everything else for that matter, she eats everything she can (including mamaw's soap), is all smiles and lights up any room she's in, can't go 10 seconds without asking about mama and loves her family. She's gained almost 7 pounds and 6 1/2 inches. True to Newsome form, getting her to be quiet is near impossible and with two older brothers who like to talk too, it should get interesting around here.

It seems like it was just yesterday that we were getting her into our arms. The past year came and went so fast and only proves that it's as if she was always right here with us all along.

Little Angels - October 2007

Tell me that this doesn't look like a happy group. Just thought everyone might like to see one of more recent pictures of the kids. Zach, Will and Sofi are all doing well. Zach's almost as tall as Dawn, Sofi has grown 2 1/2 inches in the past three months and Will is taller than Zach was at 7. When the day is long and you feel completely beat down, it's faces like these that make you go back for another round.

God Bless!!!!

Summer Fun - July / Aug / Sept

Every July, Germantown offers a "family" campout and movie in one of the many parks. Sofia and I enjoy some popcorn as we await the movie to start.








Popcorm quickly became one of Sofia's most favorite foods (and she loves to have her own bag / cup when she's home).














Will decided he wanted to be a chef so true to form, mommy made sure she got him his much needed chef outfit.


He made some cookies and likes giving a hand to mom.










- > Dawn took the kids to the Milwaukee County Zoo. Sofi took her first zoo train ride. They enjoyed seeing all the animals and petting the sharks and stingrays. Mommy even treated the kids to eating at the zoo (rather than the PBJ days).

For the past couple of years, our friends the Jameson's have invited us to northern Wisconsin resort called Silver Birch Ranch. It is a great experience and this year we were able to really enjoy it as Sofia was with us. We had fun doing everything from boating to horse back riding.



We're already looking forward to next year's trip.

The boys started another school year (here's a picture of our 1st grader - Will and our 6th grader -Zach).

How did Sofia react you ask, she cried when the boys left and Dawn had to pull her away from Will when she dropped him off. Dawn said she kept crying Will's name most of the morning.

May - first of June 2007 Update

While visiting family over the Memorial Day weekend, Will got to do one of his favorite things while at Uncle Dewight's house, ride horses. Here he is with Dewight's latest addition to his family.


We had a very nice (but busy) visit but unfortunately couldn't visit everyone. Several new things occured during the past month; will and Zach have both lost more teeth, Zach broke his arm, Sofia has started to crawl on her own and stand/walk -with help, Sofi met more family members, our first all day concert at Alpine Valley - Fishfest, a Christian music event and other events. Here are some additional pictures over the past month :

Family Fun - April 2007

Well, April has been a busy month for the Newsome's. Our fun started with going to Florida during the boys' spring break. In true Newsome fashion, Sofia found that she too enjoys the beach (it took her a little while to realize it....I think eating the sand helped her along.) We enjoyed going to the beach and spending time with Dawn's family. We also had a friend we met in China spend a day with us as we exchanged stories of how the kids are adjusting and saw how much each of our kids have grown since we were in China.

Here are some pictures from Florida:

Here are some photos from our trip to Chicago this past weekend. We traveled to Chicago on the train and spent the day shopping and yes, we took Sofia to American Girl store and purchased the Just Like Me doll (although she shouldn't play with it for a few more years, we're ready and it actually looks like her) The day ended with dinner at Rainforest Cafe.

Oh how the time goes by....

Well, it's been a little while since the last update. I've posted a recent picture of Sofia and the boys at the Chicago Auto Show. Let me tell you, THE BOYS loved the auto show (including me, James). Sofia continues to grow every day and is absorbing everything like a sponge. She is so smart and can remember things that amaze you.

Our next adventure is going to take place in a few days. We're off to Florida to visit Dawn's family, The BEACH and our friends we made in China (who live in Tampa). We'll keep the site updated with pictures of the trip.

God Bless....

Baby, It's cold outside ..and snowy

We'll it finally got here, the snow that is. In the past two days we've received over 14 inches. The boys played outside and I snow blowed our drive way along with the neighbor's.

GO TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who live in a warmer part of the states or another country, please note that it was very cold here last night. The temperature got to - 9 degress (yes, that's negative) and the wind chill was at - 35.

We'll it's that time of the year again, SUPER SUNDAY which brings with it the SUPER BOWL. As for the Newsome home - it also brings some touchy issues. You see one of the family members is a Bear fan (thank you very much Mr Bill) and the other four members are ....well you be the judge of who most of Newsome's support:

we had some friends over for the game and they were actually Packer fans but cheered for the Colts (as they told me true Packer fans could never cheer for the Bears. I took this picture of Sofi (in her Manning jersey) and their son (in the Favre jersey).

What a difference 6 weeks makes

Well, we've been home for almost six weeks and WOW what a difference we've seen in our family. It seems as if Sofia has been with us all along and she learns and does more every day. The boys are back to school and love being home (just as we all do).

Since we've been home, Sofia has gained 1.5 pounds and has grown 2 inches longer and got her first hair cut. She's is getting 6 more teeth, has a ear infection and we couldn't even tell because she's just so happy. We are getting ready to celebrate CHRISTmas and want to wish everyone a Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year.

Here are some pictures we've taken since we've returned home (and yes, Sofia has already been to Florida to see Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Cyndi):

Don't forget the real reason for the CHRISTmas season. I hope we all take time to realize how blessed we are. God Bless.....

We made it home.....

Friday, November 17th we had our citizen oath at the US Consulate in Guangzhou, China for Sofia. (Sorry - no pictures as cameras were not allowed). On this day, 63 children were officially sworn in as US citizens. It was a amazing. Here's a picture of Dawn and Sofia on the way to the Consulate. After the ceremony, we went back to the hotel to finish packing.











Saturday, November 18th -
Our day started very early in the morning hours in China as we prepared for our return flight to the US. Here's on last picture of the boys with Judy our coordinator while we were in China (and if I said it once, I'll keep saying it over and over - SHE WAS GREAT!!! After that we left China and headed for Tokyo, Japan.

Once we were in Tokyo, it was a change of planes and off to Minneapolis, MN in our big 747:

After Minneapolis, we were off to Milwaukee where after a 27 hour day, we were met by several of our friends welcoming the whole Newsome family home. We again thank all of our friends and family for all your support and prayers. Sofia will come to know how special each and every one of you truly are.

When we got home, we enjoyed a meal someone had given us and let Sofia adjust to her new home. She seemed very curious and comfortable. The neighbors gave Sofia a welcome home gift which she (and the boys) opened in her new bedroom.