“Keep you best wishes close to your
heart and watch what happens.”
-Tony DeLiso
We got a call from our caseworker, Meredith, while we were at the Empowered to Connect conference on Valentine’s Day. She had a green light/yellow light update.
The green light/good news: our invitation from IBESR is signed and ready for pick up! (This is the invitation that allows us to go on our 2-week socialization trip so we can meet and bond with our boy for the first time!)
The yellow light/unexpected news: IBESR is switching things up a bit, and won’t release our invitation until we have something called a “consentment” now. (I *think* a consentment letter officially matches you with your child, but don’t quote me on that.)
We were all caught off guard by this new request because up until Valentine’s Day, you didn’t get your consentment letter until you were exiting IBESR…several months after you met him/her for the first time and closer to the time you are bringing him or her home. But like I mentioned in a previous post, the Haitian adoption process is changing (for the better) this year, and all the new rules are still coming together as we go.
Either way, Meredith is optimistic that the consentment will get signed within the next couple of weeks, and if so, that will (hopefully) help things move a little quicker in the long run.
*****
In related news- I’ve now had the pleasure of e-connecting with the adoptive mamas of all but two of these precious kiddos at our little one’s orphanage…
…and since we’re now required to travel in groups, we’re excited to be able to meet a few more of them in person very soon. This trip will be so life-changing, and I imagine going through the experience with others who are in the same exact boat will definitely make it even more memorable. 🙂
As for this week, we’ll continue to keep our best little wish close as we watch to see what happens! Like Meredith, I’m feeling pretty optimistic about getting our consentment soon, too….what with February 26th right around the corner and all. 😉
PS- For adoption updates between posts, join me over on Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram!
Jula G.
Praying for you as you hold your wish close to your heart. Praying for your Sweet P to know that his mama and daddy love him and are waiting and wanting to hold him forever!
Christy
Layla, I am praying for you and Kevin and this precious covenant child God has for you. He is not surprised nor confused by this update. All part of a His plan. So happy for your progress. Soon you will know and meet this precious child:) “For this child I prayed and The Lord hath granted my petition.”
Raquel B.
So excited to hear this news! Bumps and hiccups are the norm and not the exception when it comes to adoption as you know, so I am hoping and praying for you too. I will be on the look out for your updates. May His peace rest upon you as you patiently wait.
Heather
We still keep in touch with about half of the people in our visit group. It is a big bonding experience and is awesome to not feel “alone” in the process.
Congrats on the green light…and the yellow! Wishing for smooth sailing for you guys!
Layla
Ya know what? You’re right. That IS a yellow light! Off to edit that part NOW! 😀 Thank you, Heather! XO
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog
So many adorable faces in the photo above! Excited to continue reading about your journey!!
Tasha
Praise God for the gift of a child! So blessed to hear you get to meet your precious treasure soon. Warms my heart!!
Stacey
You and your husband are so patient. I guess loving a baby you don’t already have helps you persevere!! Now I can’t remember, do you already know which one is yours?
Layla
Hi Stacey! We know which little boy’s dossier was submitted with ours, but the match won’t be official until we receive that consentment letter.
Jen
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and as a single woman who someday wants to adopt, I’ve been excited to read the updates on your adoption and I’m so excited for you and this newest update! Praying for continued progress!! 🙂
Sarah M.
I’ve been following your adoption process since the beginning, and although I have not adopted myself, I have two littles and I am so excited for you guys to be able to experience the whole mama and daddy thing! I can’t imagine what it must be like to go through the process of adoption, the ups, the downs, the anticipation, but the end result is the most amazing thing ever! You’re going to get to your end result, I know it! 🙂 and just remember that all of your readers are just as excited as you are and when you go through a setback or finally get the news you’re hoping for, we are there right along with you and we are praying and thinking about you. We want you to get your end result!
Michelle
My son just turned 6 months and his adoption was finalized February 4th. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Not knowing how or when your child will come to you is difficult but once they get here its truly amazing.
Donna Doble-Brown
Layla, This is great news! I really have a GREAT feeling it’s all turning out exactly how it should . . . . So excited for you and Kevin and all the soon to be parents! Sending prayers, lots of love and light to you all . . . .. xoxox
Valerie
I am praying that you get the papers very soon. God bless your family and make all of you come together in a very close future!
Andrea
That is so exciting!!! It’s wonderful that you are going to travel in groups. Korea doesn’t but China does and those 15 days in China were wonderful experiencing with the 13 families we met. Eight years later I still look back at that time with fondness and still consider many friends.
Beth Garland
GOD IS FAITHFUL! “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lam 3:22-23. I was reading this in my morning devotion when your email arrived. Just had to share! Your’s and Kevin’s faithfulness will be rewarded!
Ter'e Crow Lindsay
More news. What an absolute blessing for you. I love the sound of green lights……..
I hope it is ok to ask this question………and I ask because I do not know. Do I assume that one of the babes pictured will eventually be your new son? What if they add new children before to make your trek to Haiti? I just would love to know if one of these sweet faces is “Our Sweet P”,
This process is new to me.
God bless your hearts……….your plan is actually happening……..well, yours and God’s.
Layla
Hi Ter’e!
Sweet P (P is for Palmer! 😀 ) is up there in the collage! His dossier was submitted with our dossier, but we won’t be officially matched with him until we receive that consentment letter. Hoping to have more news to share with you about that soon! Three Angels can’t take in any more children until some of these cuties leave to go live with their forever families. Thankfully, one of my friends and her hubby are getting VERY close to bringing 2 of those kiddos home this Spring! We’re all praying they get to travel with our group in March/April! 😀
Cynthia Christensen
So very happy to hear the news!!!
You are so patient….I’d be crawling out of my skin. They would take one look and stamp “unstable” on my letter.
May God continue to blaze the way, your baby needs you and oh, what a blessing all of you will share. Would you be my mommy?! Maybe it IS a little late(I’m 67 years old).
To the little angel: Mommy and Daddy had to wait for you for soooo long. It took a special love to wait for the perfect moment. No one else would do. You are the answer to many prayers and the perfect little boy to fill Daddy and Mommy’s heart. God wanted only you for this family, so He made all of us pray very hard for you. So kisses to you and Daddy and Mommy. Our hearts are full of joy!
To think about it, The Lord literally had to move the earth and oceans to make way for your baby That gives new meaning to the saying when you make a baby: “the earth moves”.♥♥♥
Jane Hanlon
Layla & Kevin,
My prayers are with you and all those who are working with you. My prayers are also with your adopted child. I am an adopted child. My experience w/that wasn’t pleasant…which is a story all on its own. I have recently rediscovered my adopted family and found out there are only 2 of us living. My adopted parents are gone, grandparents are gone, My adopted brother lives in Pennsylvania somewhere. We are estranged due to his cognitive MS. I’ll be 60 this year on July 1st!!! Praise God!. Anyway, I leave you w/2 scriptures for your continued journey:
Our Father, which art in heaven;
Hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done;
On Earth, as it is in heaven;
Give us this day;
Thy daily bread;
Forgive us our trespasses;
and forgive those who trespass
against us;
Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil;
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the Glory. Forever and ever.
Amen.
The other is the 23rd Psalm:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want;
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
he leads me besides the still waters,
he restores my soul,
He guides me in the path of righteousness,
for His name’s sake;
Even though I walk thru the valley of the
shadow of death;
I will fear no evil,
your rod and your staff
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in
the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil,
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life.
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Amen
These are NIV versions because I’m an NIV junkie, but the Lord’s Prayer was King James. I’m glad I did that. I’d forgot how much I’d forgotten of them. I had a quizzing kid who did all 10 of the Beatitudes in front of the whole church about 10 yrs ago. I’d probably have a hard time with that!!! So cups up to you all and may the green light get greener, and the yellow light go away!!! Sincerely, Jane Hanlon
Gina
Praying everything goes well!! So happy for you!! 🙂
Brigitte
All of the babies are adorable!! Congrats!!
Cindy Barganier
Meet you in the back alley Wed. at 5. 🙂
A
Layla, I’m wondering if you’d share your thought process behind choosing Haiti? We investigated adoption about a decade ago, so of course everything has changed, but one of the factors influencing our decision was the wait between match/meeting and coming home. Won’t it be torture for you to know this boy, to have met him and yet to spend a year knowing he’s in an orphanage?
Layla
Hi, A!
That’s a great idea! I haven’t really blogged about exactly why
we choose HaitiHaiti chose us, so I’ll have to sit down and do that! 🙂We’re not sure exactly how it’ll feel knowing he’s there after we’ve met him, but we’re SUPER grateful to know he’s in such a loving environment while our paperwork makes it’s way through the system. Three Angels is THE BEST! 😀 One of the great things about the Haiti process is that you’re allowed to take several bonding trips, so we’re looking forward to visiting him there as much as we can in the next 12 months! 🙂
Liz
I’m so excited for y’all!! I’ve been following your blog and am always excited to see adoption updates. My sister goes to Haiti 4 or 5 times a year and goes to your Sweet P’s orphanage each time. She and a friend sponsor Paula and they always go by to see her. They are going over spring break in March and I told her to be on the look out for your Sweet P to give some hugs and kisses to. Can’t wait to hear more updates and will continue to keep ALL of your family in my prayers.
Prairie Wife
Fingers crossed and prayers of speediness your way!
Rebecca
Yeah!!! I love your green/yellow news!!! It’s the first news we’ve heard in a couple months. You will be there in no time! Keep us updated. No match news here yet. Hoping it’s soon!
Amy
That is awesome! We are praying for your growing family!
Julie B. [Holland]
Wishing you much joy in your journey to expand your family with the love in your hearts to share with your sweet P.
Liz
I continue to pray for your sweet little family. The same day you posted this entry, my husband and I signed and filled our adoption petition to adopt our foster son. It has been journey completely guided by God. I look forward to following your story, and meeting your son through your incredible blog when he dwells not just in heart, but in your home as well.
Kelsey
Can’t wait to see which little boy is yours! They are all so precious! I wish you all the luck with your journey.
Kim @ This Belle Rocks
Congrats! I hope you get to bring your precious little one home soon!
Laura
Which yummy, snuggly little child are you matched with, Layla? 🙂
Laura
Oops, just read your note above! Good luck and I hope you get matched soon! 🙂
chelsea
Such a beautiful quote!
Nancy
I thought of you guys when I read this sweet story. ;-D
http://www.whattoexpect.com/wom/baby/0303/arizona-couple-welcomes-five-babies-within-1-year.aspx?xid=aol_wte-preg_9_20140303_&aolcat=HLT&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl11%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D450456
Rachael
Layla- We have never met nor do we have any connection but I just felt the need to post… I love your work and have come to learn of your journey building a family. I’ve been so touched by it. I wish you all the best. (Those sweet babies are adorable!)
Heather
I thought it was a little lady who was coming home to you!!
Layla
Nope…God matched us with a little boy! 😀
Sheila
Awww girl … how exciting for you and your hubby to be adopting !!! Thanks for the updates and remember you are in my thoughts and prayers. What a blessing to be able to adopt a child !!!!
Lili Tankersley
I was at the ETC conference!! I have read your blog for years. I wish I had seen you there to meet you!