“And as the dawn breaks and the clouds clear, in an open space, together we will run.”
-Steffany Frizzell
Suzanne and I hit another estate sale Friday morning. Two, actually. The first one was in Deer Creek, a neighborhood about 15 minutes from ours. I’m still giddy about the ($20) painting I found in the kitchen…
…and the ($3) purse I found in one of the bedrooms…
…but what I really want to tell you about is my chicken. I found him on a card table in the screened-in porch.
I knew he would be for sale that day, because I saw a photo of him listed on the EstateSales.net site a few days before. There was a sticker that read “$8” stuck to his chest, and I was absolutely smitten with his (inexpensive) farm-style self. I texted Suzanne about Mission: Chicken on Thursday night, and when I woke up on Friday, this was the first picture that popped up in my Instagram feed:
One of the fellow adoptive mamas in our Three Angels group had posted it. She and her husband have since flown back home to Ohio, but at the time, they were in Haiti meeting their daughter, who also lives at our son’s orphanage. I quickly left her this comment on the photo…
…and then I raced to get ready, and dashed over to the estate sale house to meet up with Suzanne. When I saw that Insta-photo, I was REALLY determined to get that chicken! 😀 By the time I arrived at the house, a long line had formed up the sidewalk that led straight to the front door. Suzanne joined me in line a few minutes later, and we both noticed there was a much shorter line over on the side of the house, near the garage. Right as the clock struck 9am, we decided to scoot over to the shorter line, in hopes that it would be a quicker route to the screened-in porch…wherever that was. As we all moved forward, (fighting the urge to run- ha!) some folks decided to stop and check out what was for sale in the garage, but Suzanne and I kept walking toward the rear of the house. When we turned the back corner, we spotted the porch. A few people had already overflowed into it from inside the house. Those estate sale shoppers are fast! I did a quick scan of the floor (because that’s where I had seen the chicken in the photo on EstateSales.net), but he was nowhere to be found. I circled back around and scanned the top of the table next to the door we came in through. There he was! Right on top, next to an identical chicken that was painted bright red. By this time, there were several more people in the porch with us, so it was a bit of a challenge to get to the my chicken without bumping into someone. And isn’t it funny how when you’ve got your heart set on something like that, you’re positive that everyone else around you is there to scoop up the same thing? LOL! 😀
Suzanne and I met up with her mom at estate sale #2 a little later that morning. I found the perfect ($14) like-new rug for Sweet P’s bathroom, and Suzanne picked up an awesome old console table for her entry way. I can’t wait to show it to you. We need to modify it a little, and then after we decorate around it I’ll post some pics.
When we were done wandering around that house, we walked out to Suzanne’s mom’s car. We were loading some things into the back when my phone started ringing. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw the word Lifeline lit up on the screen. It didn’t surprise me because we usually hear from our caseworker (Meredith) on Fridays. For 62 Fridays, she has had to call (or email) and tell us that there hasn’t been much movement with our son’s paperwork. Updates on Fridays have been tough for the past 434 days, and I know reaching out couldn’t have been easy for Meredith either.
She asked me if Kevin was with me. I told her “no, I’m at an estate sale with my friend, Suzanne and her mom“. I rambled on and about how much fun we were having, and about how much I was hooked on estate sales now, yada yada yada. Anything to keep the conversation light-hearted so she didn’t have to feel bad about giving me another “no movement” update…and to protect my heart from possibly having to hear another one, I guess. She giggled about my estate sale ramblings, and then asked if there was any way to get Kevin on the phone. That’s when I felt my brain-brakes come to a screeching halt. “Oh! There’s an UPDATE-update? Like, a REAL update?“, I asked. “Yes. There’s a real update“, she replied, with a smile, I could tell. I wanted to hear it right then and there, so I told her she could just tell me and that I would call Kevin and share it with him as soon as we hung up.
Y’all.
We got the last signature.
THEY WANT US TO FLY TO HAITI AND BOND WITH OUR BOY!!!
My legs turned to spaghetti as the words came out of Meredith’s mouth. I dropped down to the curb and slammed my left hand over my mouth. Tears streamed as I half-listened to Meredith for the next minute or so- my brain-brakes in wide open mode at this point…a thousand thoughts racing every which way inside my head: “Is this really happening? Am I really getting THE phone call? I can’t wait to tell Kevin! I have to board a plane again. I get to hold my baby! The date my Grandma showed was 2-26…will we be there then?”
I called Kevin as soon as I hung up, and when I got home, we hugged and danced and cried and smiled our faces off. 🙂
I’m not exactly sure when we’ll travel yet, but it’s looking like late February. Can you believe it?
It won’t be long now, Sonny boy. The dawn is breaking, the clouds are clearing…and SOON, in an open space, TOGETHER we will run.
Julie
OHMAHGOODNESS! SO EXCITED FOR YOU GUYS!!! 😀
kristin
YAHOOOOOO! Is there anything else to say?? YAHOOO!!!!! So happy for you both! YIPPPEEEE! (Smiling ear to ear hearing this news.)
Amy
Sitting here crying in the middle of the Super Bowl. I’m so excited for y’all, especially after 62 Fridays.
Mary
Ohmygoodness! Beyond thrilled for the three of you. Oh, the hugs that are waiting for you at the end of that flight. So, so exciting!
Bev
So happy for you, I have two adopted children, now ages 36 and 41. They are as much a blessing today as they were the day I first saw them, (they were newborns). They are my best friends. It is true, adoption is wonderful and it will be the best thing to happen to all three of you.
Tabitha
Congratulations, Layla and Kevin! How amazing! I hope the time passes fast until you get to see and kiss that sweet face!
Jane
Having experienced the adoption roller coaster, as a Grandparent, I am so excited for all 3 of you. This is a magical time for your family.
Katie @ Little House of Four
Oh.My.Gosh, I am SO excited for the both of you! I totally started crying as I was reading your story. It won’t be long now!
Kristin S
His little beautiful hands!
Gotta say, I was a mushy teary mess when you posted that pic on Instagram!
Mindy
Tears of joy for you. Sooooo exciting!!!!!
Ariel Cooke
Congratulations! I am SO HAPPY for all three of you! What a beautiful present to click on this blog and see your radiant joy at the end of the day.
Wishing all blessings upon you.
Ariel
Heather Cloudt
I remember our call over 12 years ago. Reading your post brought bavk the sweetest flood of tears. Remembering those days – they are so very precious. Journal like craxy so you can hold on to them forever. Gods got the details.
debbie
Amen! Got goose bumps reading this. Answer to many prayers, we will understand if we do not get as frequent updates once your son is home 🙂
Jennifer
This is great news 🙂 I’m excited for you! So funny that you mention that date again because just the other day I was wondering whether you had heard anything and it crossed my mind that maybe that was THE date – just this year instead of last year. God works in mysterious ways and often has us wait much longer than is comfortable doesn’t he? Hoping with you that you will have that boy in your arms very soon.
Stacey
Just awesome!!
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family
I was so excited when I saw this post. I’m so happy for y’all. God’s timing is always right. Congratulations!!!
Arli
Yeah, I’m in with the cryers…so very, very happy for your fantastic news today.
Bonnie
YEAHHHHH!!!! SWEET P IS GOING TO BE WITH HIS MOMMY AND DADDY! 🙂 Such good news!! Praise God.
Teresa C
🙂 !!!
sarah
Glory glory
Helena
Congrats. So excited for you
Marsha
I can so identify with the eager feelings you had at the estate sale. Yes. We think the stuff we like is so good that everyone else has to like it, too. I got chills as I read the last of this post! WONDERFUL NEWS!
Gina Kemp
So very, very wonderful!! You have been in my prayers for a long time. He is listening! His timing is not always in sync with our plans for ourselves but always for the best. Your Sweet P is so very lucky to have parents who are so filled with love and who will raise him to know that he also has an Heavenly Father who loves him and blesses him.
Jennifer
Yippee! Congratulations to Layla, Kevin, and their sweet little boy! We’ve all been hoping and praying right along with you.
Hope Williams
WONDERMOUS!! God is hard at work for your family! Blessings will be with you from ALL of your peeps out here in blog land. It won’t be long till your family is together under the same roof. Just a little bit longer.
Congrats on estate sale finds.
Blessings to you all, Hope
Melissa
One shouldn’t cry when one is down with the worst flu/head cold ever. It produces all sorts of nose-blowing, hacking coughing as a result. But here I am reading this with tears running down my congested face. I’ve been following along on this journey with you all and can feel your hearts in this, and am so so happy for you!!! It’s amazing how God shows up, right?! Congratulations!!!
Jenny Walker
Tears sweet friend. Love you!
Dawn
Happy tears, dear Layla, Kevin, and Sweet P. ♡ Keeping you all close to my heart! ♡
Colleen
So so nice to hear good news on Sweet P…..I just love it when your posts pop up in my email and first thing I look for is an update on Sweet P…so happy for you and Kevin and am sure lots of us can’t wait for the day when he comes home…
Lauralee
I’m so excited for you — and crying. 🙂 I’ve been checking in everyday in hopes to find a post like this! YAY!
Ali Buck
YAY, YAY, YAY, YAY! and more yay’s…………
danielle
Congrats! That is awesome!
Patty
Chills & happy tears for the three of you! My adopted niece (from Romania) turns 24 years old today! Blessings are coming your way! 🙂
Cecilia
Oh how awesome for y’all! Tremendous news. May the days fly by and the time come soon. 🙂
Carrie
Congratulations! I remember when I found out the FedEx man was bringing my referral letter for my daughter. Opening that envelope was so exciting! Wishing you so much joy and so many hugs with your son!
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer
I burst into tears as soon as I saw your instagram! Its crazy how following someone else’s journey can evoke emotion like that. SO thrilled for you!!!
Christy Keyton
I am crying at my computer this morning. So Very, Very happy for you! And, I love your estate sale finds – I went to one and got some goodies myself this weekend!
Brooke Berry Kroeger
I am so happy for your family! That is wonderful news! WOW…. and I love your finds. I have been missing going to estate sales. I know of two weekly sales on friday evenings around here. I am hoping to take some of my cast-offs to sell and bring home a few goodies. Love from Indiana…. xxx….Brooke
Barbara Taylor
Layla, I have read your blog for several years. I have tears in my eyes as I type (blurry letters…hope there are no typos I can’t see). I am so happy for you and Kevin. My sister and several cousins have adopted children (some of them international adoptions) so I have a bit of a sense of what you two are feeling right now. God bless you and I will pray for the bond to happen quickly and be strong from the get-go.
Barbara T
Jenny B.
Oh, so happy for you!!! Your description of getting the news was so wonderful. I felt like I was there with you! 🙂
Penny
Layla.
I decided to read your email first this morning and I am beyond happy that I did. I am more than excited for you and Kevin . What a wonderful gift to you all for Valentine’s Day.
Lisa
Well geez, make a girl cry will ya? So happy for you and Kevin and your little cherie. Come home soon, sweet boy!
Andrea Virnau
Tears of JOY for you both! Praying that this process speeds down the road for you!!!!
So exciting!!!
Jody
So THRILLED that you’ll be seeing your son in person soon!!! 🙂
Garden, Home and Party
Layla and Kevin,
I’ve followed you for years. (I apologize for being a bit of a stalker,never commenting!) but I have followed your adoption story and welled up throughout. I’m so excited and happy for you both. I pray the time flies and that you will be visiting with your boy very soon.
Best to you both, you will be such wonderful parents.
Karen
Patty
I have goosebumps and tears right now with you……and not because of that amazing chicken. It was all meant to be on that glorious day. Hugs for all of you!!!
Betsy Gordon
Beyond thrilled for you and Kevin with this huge next step in your adoption process to bond with your Son.
What a great weekend you must have had celebrating with this news. God is good!!
Betsy
Sharon D
Tears of Happiness for you Both!
Nicola Blake
God is in control, he doesn’t come when you want him to, he is never early or late, he is always right on time!!!
Paulette
Happy tears.