“Courage, sacrifice, determination, commitment, toughness, heart, talent and guts.
That’s what girls are made of; the heck with sugar and spice.”
―Bethany Hamilton
This weekend is a BIGGIE, y’all.
It wasn’t originally supposed to be anything out of the ordinary, but about three weeks ago, one of the other Angel House mamas-in-waiting typed this into existence:
“maybe we need a girl gathering before all the kids are home…not realistic I know, but I’m just saying.”
Boom.
There it was. Out there for all 11 of us to read, and boy did our adventure-gears start turning!
COULD we get together this year? We’ve talked about getting together every year or so after our kiddos are all home, but could we get together now, too?
TWO of the mamas in our group (of 11) met their kids this past January, and the other SIX of us are still waiting to get our official invites. The other THREE mamas in our group brought their (5) kiddos home this year! 😀
You may remember my post about Kelly & Kevenel’s ‘Gotcha Day‘. Amanda, Kelly & Kevenel’s mama, also wrote a beautiful follow-up post titled, ‘Becoming Sons‘ over on the Three Angels blog if you’d like to see how everybody’s doing these days.
We’re so happy to have them so close to us, right here in Alabama!
You can read about Comerson’s homecoming HERE, and on his precious mama Sue’s blog here: “Orphan” to “Child of Mine”.
(Fun fact: Sue wrote a fantastic Bible study called ‘I Didn’t Want To Be That Girl: A Look At The Life Of Eve‘)
And I’ve been dying to show you this new photo of Lovely and Yrvens with their forever family:
They’ve been home for a little over a month now, and I’ve looked at that picture just about every day since mama Nikki posted it! 😀
Now let me tell you about this weekend. This BIG weekend.
SIX of us are getting together!!
Four of us who are still waiting to travel, and two of us who met their kiddos this past January.
We’re coming in from all corners of the country, and we’re meeting up at a big old beach house. It holds 118 years of history, and after this weekend, it’ll hold the memories of our spur (ish) of the moment meet-up within it’s wooden walls forever, too.
As November presses on, the likelihood of any of us going to Haiti in 2014 decreases with each passing day- but we know God’s got a plan for us. And we have Hope because we have Him. And thanks to Him, my Sisters and I will have each other for a few days this weekend, too. 🙂
And to all the other mamas-in-waiting out there, I read this in Colossians this week and just knew you would love it too:
“We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul
Not the grim strength of gritting your teeth, but the GLORY-STRENGTH God gives.
It is the strength that endures the unendurable, and spills over into JOY,
thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything
bright and beautiful he has for us.”
-Paul, from Colossians 1:10-12 (MSG)
XO,
sian
Oh Layla. You are a source of strength, Sister. Thank you for inspiring us all. May our Lord continue to shine his face upon you and Kev. Enjoy your sisterhood-weekend. x
Courtney
That verse was exactly what my heart needed to hear. We just were placed with 2 newborn foster babies. We are hoping to be able to be there forever home but there is a lot of “ifs” before that can happen. It is an emotional roller coaster. I need the strength that only God gives, especially if it means saying goodbye to our babies. Thank you for sharing!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
I’m praying for your continued courage and your wonderful commitment. I am always thinking that God never closes a door without opening a window of opportunity. Have a wonderful weekend.
Flower Patch Farmgirl
I am so thrilled for you! Have fun sticking it out together. Xo
Kathy
That verse just gets me! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend of laughter, heart to hearts, hugs, and memory making!
Adrianne
I love seeing adoption updates from y’all! I’ve had 3 dreams about your little boy in Haiti, for some reason. In the most recent one, I was there at the orphanage on a mission trip or something, and you’d given me a picture of you and Kevin to take to show him. I pointed at you and said, “She’s going to be your mama!” and he looked at me and grinned and said, “No, she’s ALREADY my mama!” I know that all of us who are following the progress of your adoption process online will cry like crazy when we finally get to see pics or video of your Gotcha Day. Until then, y’all are in my prayers!
Abby
Thank you for sharing your adoption journey with us. That verse is powerful and I admire your strength. Hope you enjoy your time with your Sisters this weekend.
Dawn
Your story reminds me of something I heard from a pastor…..We often times think of waiting as a passive thing. We want whatever it is that we are waiting for, ready for the waiting to be “done”. It is difficult not to be impatient with God….But, it is in the waiting that God grows us, shows us, brings us to who HE is, and continues to transforms us into the likeness of His Son.
I think about your child that is also waiting for you, who wants His mommy and daddy. Adoption is important to our Heavenly Father…..Bringing this child into your family just as God has grafted us, as His children, into His family.
Layla, praying for you and Kevin and for this precious child that God is working to bring into your life. God is always good, and you are always loved.
Courtney Taylor
I am so thrilled that God has given you all this weekend. I’m praying for each of your little ones right along with you! May this weekend be a sweet salve to each of your waiting-Mama souls.
Christy Keyton
Love that verse. Have a great weekend basking in God given friendships!
Julia G.
Enjoy your sister weekend and know that you, Kevin and Sweet Pea are in my prayers for your ‘gotcha day’!
kristin
What beautiful families! Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful getaway and I LOVE the passage you shared–“mama’s in waiting” or not–the words are glorious!
.
Nancy
So happy for you!! What a wonderful idea!!! This will be a great encouragement for your all! I’m happy for you 🙂
I always wanted to tell you this, but I forgot…My friend’s son have been to Haiti in the summer and he told my daughter that he volunteered at the Three Angels orphanage in Pieton Ville. I thought about you again when I heard about that 🙂
We’re about to book another trip to Haiti for this January. This time it will only be my husband and I, but Lord willing, we are planning to take all the family in March.
Keep up smiling 🙂
Blessings,
Nancy
Brittany Fry
Oh what fun you will all have!!!! Cannot wait to read all about it (:
Shayna
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with all the momma’s that could make it!!
Amber
I’m sitting at work crying! That picture of the little boy holding their hands….man, God is so good.
So excited for you!
Amber 🙂
Sherri Farrell
Every time you post those adorable pictures, I try to guess which one will be your Sweet Pea!!!! I’d want to take them all home with me! How precious they are! What a marvelous verse for all of us today. Have a marvelishous weekend!!!!
Nicola Blake
I absolutely love coming here not just for the home ideas and adoption update, b
ut the glory and strength your display in your faith. To god be the glory, may you have a wonderful weekend basking in god’s light.
Valerie
Enjoy this week- end Layla. These pictures of the kids at home are so beautiful and encouraging. We are on the last stretch of the home study then it will be another long wait for a match. Thanks for sharing this beautiful verse. The Lord is definitely molding us in his love. Tailored by the Lord, what else more could we want?
Hey, there goes your next T- shirt. lol.
Mindy
Perfect verse! I love that you are getting together to share your beautiful hearts and support one another in this amazing undertaking that God has so lovingly prepared you for. Your bond with each other must be a gift!
Stephanie, Sandpaper & Glue
oh goodness, I can’t even handle that little boy with his hands on the lap of his 2 new siblings. it brings on one of those ugly cry faces. 🙂 have such a fun weekend!!
Jenny B.
I hope you all have a wonderful, rejuvenating weekend together! I love that last picture of Lovely and Yrvens. Their brother sitting between them looks very protective. 🙂
Beth
Layla,
Thank you for sharing your heart with all of us. So excited to hear about your get together! That verse of encouragement was very touching. I am a mama-in-waiting (Foster Adoption) and it feels like it is taking FOREVER! You are such an amazing example of that verse. Thank you for letting your light shine so brightly!
Kristin S
Oh, Layla, yea!
So, this morning Garth Brooks sang his new song live on Good Morning America. I was a mess of tears as I thought of so many friends (virtual and in real life) who are waiting for their children born of other mothers. His song is called “Mom” and it’s beautiful.
Layla, you are the mom God designed for this little boy since before time began! Praying it’s an encouraging weekend for all of you.
melissa
Oh have fun this weekend!
I am *totally* betting I know which handsome kiddo is your ‘Sonny Boy’. I am betting on Steevenson. And winks??
Ter'e Crow Lindsay
What a wonderful time this will be for you gals. I can just imagine your beaming faces!
I have learned, before I read your posts, anymore, to grab a kleenex first!
I’m an ex foster child, and grandma now…….I know, firsthand, how important these days are to all of you.
God Bless yer hearts!!!!!
Ter'e Crow Lindsay
Layla,
I have a P.S. Question.
The little faces remain the same. How often do they add more children to their photo gallery? Where are the baby-babies!?
I swear, if I was younger and had the $$$$, I would take them all home.
Such gorgeous children. Such wonderful futures, thanks to folks like you. (All of you who are adopting).
It sure brings out my maternal instincts!!!!! Oh, how I could spoil these children rotten.
I am a grandma thru and thru!!!! My youngest grand is 21.
Jill T
So very, very precious!
Amy
Thank you.
Anita
What a lovely group of beautiful ladies we ran in to at The Breakfast Club on Tybee Island yesterday! Your stories are remarkable. You touched our hearts! We will continue to pray for your families and look forward to hearing great news in 2015! God Bless You All!
teresa
Can I just say, ‘sniff, sniff’ and God Bless!
Love you and waiting along with you for news of that precious boy to be with his mommie and daddy!
Devlin DuVall
Hi, Layla – It is such a small world! Sue Allen works and I work out at the same gym! I got to meet little Comerson last week! He is a “heart melter.” He even held my hand as we walked. (Swoon) I pray you guys get to meet your babe soon!
Studio Pillows
Those are the cutest little faces! We have friends going through the same process, but out of the Congo. Lots of highs and lows for them. Love your blog, just found it.