we're still here

So, there are few things more annoying (in my opinion) than following a blog that is rarely updated. My apologies - I blame the power (which is fickle), and the internet log-in procedure (which is different than what we're used to), so we have a lot to catch up on...for as long as we have computer battery and internet minutes (thank you Kerry and Kerrie).

On Monday, we went to the IOM to get TB tests for Ibra and Suma. We thought we'd let Ibra go first since he's been a champ with the needles, but whoa - that did not apply for TB. Once he saw his skin bubble up, he flipped...which made Suma good and scared for her turn. We had to hold both of them down. Not fun. It made me think of the times when my brother, sister and I had to get shots - we were awful about them! Sorry, Mom, I get it now.

We also moved out of the guest house we'd been staying in so that we can house-sit for a MAF family. The house wasn't ready yet, so we moved in to the Henderson's house for Monday and Tuesday night. Aid Sudan had a team in town, and we got to spend some time with them. We were also thankful for the opportunity to do laundry while we were there. Hooray!

On Tuesday, we stayed at Suma's home until lunch time and had a pizza dinner with the Aid Sudan team that night.

On Wednesday, we moved into the MAF house. Yay! We are so thankful. In the evening, we joined some of the other families here who are adopting from Suma's home for dinner. If we're not careful, Ibra is going to think that we have pizza several times each week! It was great to get together with them and compare notes on how things are going (emotionally and the paperwork that we need to complete).

And it was my mom's birthday. Happy late birthday, Mom!

Today, we went back to the IOM to see the TB results. Suma is fine, but Ibra's bump was pretty big. He had to get a chest x-ray (we told him that it was a big camera taking a picture of him - he even said "cheese!"), and we're praying that it is negative. We then went out to dinner

Tomorrow, we have what we hope is our final court date - the ruling that establishes Ibra and Suma into our home. We JUST now (right this second, no kidding) got a text from our attorney that he got the paper we were waiting on regarding Ibra's birth certificate. Praise Him! Tomorrow should be smooth sailing with that in hand, and Suma should be able to live with us from here on out. I'm really looking forward to having our whole family together. Suma has started to get anxious in the evenings when we've seen her because she knows that we're leaving.

Other than that, we're doing pretty well. We have a language barrier with both of the kids, and it can be frustrating for all of us - as noted in our first dual, in-the-car tantrums with the kids today after lunch. Granted, it was also naptime, but wow. I hope we get over these soon. They are absolutely charming in every other respect.

We'll have some more Silly Songs with Ibra soon as well as Rookie Parenting Stories - once we have more minutes and power. :)

Here are a few pictures from this week. The first one is a picture we took this afternoon - this morning, there was a massive pothole where this tree is planted (yes, it's in the middle of the road). This afternoon, well...I guess that's one way to take care of it!