We finished our adoption home study on June 24th!
We couldn’t stop smiling, and we celebrated with the sunset that night. I saved a little video snippet of it on Instagram so that we’d always be able to go back to it:
(Click on the photo above if you’d like to view the video. Email readers will have to visit TheLetteredCottage.net to click through.)
Our (home study) social worker, Beth, was so much fun to work with, and we sure did enjoy getting to know her over the past six months. The average home study takes 3-4 months to complete, but ours ended up being about 6 months because we were still praying about which program was the right fit for us during the first half of it. Around the four month mark, it became crystal clear that the Haiti program was the one for us, and we’re so thankful for the Peace that came along with making that huge decision!
We just entered into the Immigration phase of our adoption journey, and our agency (Lifeline Children’s Services) tells us this step is usually about two or three months in length. Our caseworker’s name is Mallory, and she’ll be with us the rest of the way! We’re excited to get to know her more too, and we’re very thankful to have her helping us along as we continue to gather documents for our dossier. (For those wondering: a dossier is a (giant) set of legal documents that foreign countries require when adopting a child from their country. It’s usually made up of your home study, marriage & birth certificates, immigration forms, etc. etc. etc.) We’re hoping our dossier will travel to Haiti sometime this September or October, and that we’ll be matched with a child from Angel House Orphanage sometime next year. It’s part of the Three Angels organization, which had to be completely rebuilt after the massive earthquake in 2010.
Here’s an exterior photo of (one side of) the new Three Angel’s property:
On their property you’ll find the Angel House Orphanage, the Three Angels Christian Academy, and a small medical clinic.
They’ve been providing care for abandoned children at the orphanage since 2003, and they work with Haitian authorities to admit children who have no other family option in Haiti. These are the little ones currently living at Angel House:
We’ve still got a long ways to go, but Kevin and I can’t help but wondering if we’ll be blessed with one them in the future? 😀
Three Angels also created an Orphan Prevention program which allows them the opportunity to walk alongside families, in their effort to grow their relationship with God, and maintain things like good health, sustainable income, safe dwellings, etc.
At the Three Angels Christian Academy, their mission is to provide students with education, medical care, a hot meal and a safe place to spend their day. It’s primarily student sponsor-funded, and they’ve even been able to offer scholarships for advanced education.
At the medical clinic, staff members provide ongoing community training to help stop the spread of cholera and other life threatening diseases. They provide regular check-ups, vaccinations, prescription medications, emergency care, dental care, and even surgery when a specialist is visiting. (Hey, that reminds me- their website said they are always looking for medical volunteers, so if you’re interested or know someone who may be interested in visiting them- here’s the contact email: [email protected]).
I’m really looking forward to (hopefully) meeting the staff (and our babe!) at Three Angels in person next year, but we’ve made a pact to be super patient with this process. From what we’ve been told and read, it’s going to be a slow-go as Haiti’s government is still trying to get things back on track post-earthquake, and is moving towards a better adoption process through the Hague Convention. We knew that going in though, and I think just fully accepting that it’s going to be a very long and rocky road has already made a difference in our journey. We look forward to making the most of our wait time by learning more about little ones, Haiti, and as always- each other!
(Snapped that one the day we sent off our I-600A immigration form!) 😀
PS- If you’d like to visit Three Angel’s on Facebook, just click on the photo below…
…and here’s a video I found online that shows a little bit more about what the work they’re doing in Haiti. It was shot before the new Three Angels was constructed:
Karen
praying that God will prepare the hearts and minds of those with whom you will be working for your adoption. He knows you will be adopting..praying that he will keep that little one safe and healthy until he meets his new parents.
I’m so happy for you both! Hugs, karen
Cynthia
Hi layla!
We have 8 children – 2 birth and 6 by adoption. The youngest are from Haiti and are now 16 and 18. They came to us at 1 and 3. Our other 18 yo came to us at 2 mo through Lifeline and did an internship at Lifeline this past year. One other thing we have in common is that our oldest (35) is an awesome musician. (Chuck Hooten) Anyway lots in common and congrats!!! We’re in Alabaster and would love to share some of our journey if you ever want to visit with us. Praying for you!
Shannon [Our Home Notebook]
Excited for you both! Praying God’s blessings on the rest of your adoption journey.
Rachel @ Personality Crafts
Yay, congratulations! So glad you are still making progress, even if this is a slow process. Hoping for all the best!
Dawn
Best of luck to you guys on your journey. May God be with you!
Layla
Thank you so much, Dawn! 😀
Cindy Chapman
So excited for you two! All of the pictures of the little ones were adorable. Can’t wait to see your Sweet P!
Layla
Thank you, Cindy! We can’t wait to meet him/her too! 😀
Teresa s.
Layla, as u prepare to visit Haiti at some point, u must add a visit to an amazing organization called The Apparent Project. it was founded by good friends of mine, and works toward orphan prevention through job creation. the founders were also adopting from Haiti, made a visit, and ended up moving there… Check the,m out at http://www.apparentproject.org
Sherry Woodard
I had the life changing experience of going to Haiti last February (going again in September) on a vision trip with Trades of Hope. One of our founders at TOH help establish Three Angels so we visited there and stayed in their guest house for a couple of days. We were able to hold and love on most of the babies you posted picture of. I was so impressed with all the nannies as they really are good with the children. Three Angels is a great place and I wish you good luck as you await your precious child coming home to you.
Sandy A
Layla and Kevin,
Looking at those beautiful children’s faces brings tears to my eyes. No child should be in this world without a family to love and care about them. As heartbreaking as that thought is, it is loving people like you who will become their forever family and give them all the love they have been without–and that makes me smile. And thank God for agencies that care and save these gorgeous little souls. I pray that this journey you have started will soon bring you your child to be part of your family–forever!! The photo of your beaming smiles is priceless!! You will be wonderful, loving and caring mommy and daddy. Congratulations on having become closer to your final desire–raising a child in love. God’s Blessings to you both…
Becky
I was listening to K-Love at the same time I was reading your post. The song was so appropriate – Building 429 “We won’t be shaken”. You too are going to make great parents!
Marsha
How exciting that you guys are getting closer to your adoption dream. Such sweet babies!
Shellie
So excited for you guys!!!!!!
Traci
Congrats on moving forward in the adoption process. It breaks my heart to read about how slow the process in while so many children are in need of homes and love.
Traci
Kim
remember all those steps so well. We adopted our 3rd child from China back in 2004 when the wait wasn’t as long as it is now. Praying for you on this journey!
Lisa Frank
All those little faces are darling, but that picture of Kelly is just cracking.me.up. He looks like he has a larger-than-life personality. 🙂
Paige Sullivan
Hey, So enjoying the update. Someone might have already said this but: I have a friend who adopted a baby from Guatemala. Long story much shorter- he wanted a baby brother who looked like him. He even asked Santa for one. He had his many prayers answered with another trip to Guatemala!
Just a thought.
Fondly, Paige
Traci (@beneathmyheart)
Oh Lay! I am beyond excited for you!!! Just looking at those precious little faces brought tears to my eyes. I can’t wait to see God’s plan for you unfold. It’s gonna be beautiful!
Love you! {and miss you terribly}
SusanH
Prayers be with you. Such an important step for you and I so admire your courage. Those children just make my heart sing – each is so innocent and loved by God. Thank you for starting on this journey – you’ll meet your child soon.
Flower Patch Farmgirl
Awesome news!!! Those little faces are making me weak in the knees. 🙂
Ellen
I was so excited to see your big news this morning and immediately recognized THREE ANGELS as a Haitian ministry. My husband and I have been riding around with a business card from Three Angles on the dash of our van, ever since he went to Haiti on a mission trip nearly 3 yrs. ago.
We did not personally work with THREE ANGELS, but the younger 3 of our 9 children are Haitian. Our daughters came home in 1998 and 2001 and are now 15 and 13. Our Haitian son has lived with us for 2 yrs. and this Thursday (7/11) we are schreduled to go to court to finalize his adoption. His was a unigue situation and I won’t take the time or bore you with details, but this day has been a long time coming and we are so excited that he will finally, officially be OUR SON. He will be 15 in September.
I will continue to pray for you through out the adoption process. Our children are worth all the paperwork and waiting. (this is our 5th adoption and each experience has been unique) I look forward to the day you know who the precious child is that God has already chosen to be your child!
hugs and blessings!
allie
So excited for you guys!! It will be well worth the wait:) And what a blessing you will get and be! xoxo
Hayden
Oh my goodness! Those babies are absolutely adorable!!! I would take any of those sweet little faces! Praying that the process will be speedy for y’all and you can bring your baby home soon!!!
ginny
Lovely Palmer has a nice ring to it. 🙂 They’re *all* precious and beautiful and any one of them would be blessed to have you as their parents. Congratulations and prayers sent heavenward for your new little family.
Jody
Hands down one of my favorite blog posts. Ever.
SO excited for you guys!!!
Julie B. [Holland]
God Bless you and Kevin with a sweet angel. Congratulations!
Geri
Layla and Kevin. I follow your blog each day. I am always excited to read about your adventures with your home and family life. I am even more excited for the day you call yourself mommy and poppa. I think about he movie cheaper by the dozen, which could be your new blog if you bring home each beautiful little tyke you shared pictures of. I will go on the record and offer my help. God does works in very mysterious ways. Love and prayers and wonderful wishes. Geri..
Marianne in Mo.
Hurray! Wish we could all speed up this wait for you, but I know when you get to the end, it will all be a blur. Holding that child and knowing he/she will be yours for eternity will melt everything else away. Best wishes on the journey! Can’t wait to see your future!
Rhonda Irizarry
Wow,… this is so exciting.. God is working on making way for the right child to come into your lives.. Yup that whole patience thing is coming into play.. God bless. Couldn’t be happier for you
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse
Those faces are too cute and some seem to say such deep things with their eyes. Good luck with this new phase of your journey. In France, the “dossier” part takes forever, but someone is waiting for you on the other end of the red thread.
Carrie-Lee Hurzeler
It is so exciting to see your dreams falling into place. I hope you start to show us the ideas you have for decorating the babies room. Thanks for taking us all on this journey with you guys.
Jenny
I just read your story and am so touched! I have stayed at Three Angels and held seven of those precious babies! The others joined after I was gone! I am always on the Three Angels site and saw you praying them through the storm from Alabama. I teach first grade in Indiana. I hope to hear more updates and that you get the baby God is preparing you and your home for quickly!
Katie
Congratulations! We are currently adopting from Haiti as well. It’s a long, difficult road…but I know it will be worth it! Praying for you in this journey!
Katie
Congrats and sending lots of prayers and positive vibes your way. Excited to watch your journey unfold!
Rebecca
So thankful for your heart for adoption and praying that new little one(s) join your home soon!
Ashley M
Wonderful news! It feels good to have that homestudy behind you and an even better feeling when that dossier is sent off!! My husband and I are actually headed to haiti for a mission trip in august I’ve never been there before so I”m looking forward to it!
Brooke
This just brought tears to my eyes, it’s just so sad to think of the children without homes, but I’m glad one of them will be finding a loving home soon!
Allison
Layla & Kevin, you are going to make such loving parents. How exciting to have a heart for a little one to call you “mommy”! God s good!
Julie
I have two Haitian sensations! Have fun on your journey!!!
tara
so happy for you guys!
I remember so clearly when we finished our Dossier and sent it to China….November 11, 2005 was our login date. We travelled exactly 2 years later to bring Lydia home.
the wait will be worth every second.
praying for y’all on your journey.
Trish
I went to Haiti after the earthquake to help rebuild a school and I seriously fell in love with the kids there. I wanted to bring them all home with me or either stay over there (if only my husband and kids would have been with me – I might have!) Such a great place for you to get to know better and find your sweet child.
Jennifer
Layla,
I just read your post…I was in Haiti in April. Jeremie, Haiti. We visited an orphanage there, lots of children to adopt. Is your agency in Port-au-prince? I will be returning to Haiti in January to work at an orphanage and medical clinic ( I am an RN). Praying for your adoption and God’s perfect plan for you and Kevin. God Bless.
Jen
Layla
Hi Jennifer!
Our orphanage is in Pétionville. How wonderful that you were just there, and that you are traveling back again in January! God bless YOU for making those trips, and thank you for the sweet comment today! 😀
Jodee
I have quietly been following your blog and praying for you during your adoption journey for quite some time. I am overjoyed that you have chosen Three Angels as the orphanage that you will be adopting from! My family sponsors Kelly and donates to Three Angels regularly. My neighbors have adopted two sons from Three Angels and travel there 3-4 times a year to donate their expertise in both the school and medical clinic. Our little town regularly supports fundraisers for the orphanage. The grade school has had penny fundraisers and sold Haitian inspired artwork from art class during a family event. Our high school students run cereal box drives and ship the boxes to the orphan prevention program for jewelry making. I could go on and on… And to top everything off, you probably drove right past our town on I-39 when you traveled to Rockford, IL not that long ago! I’m so happy for you and excited that you will be working with a program that I hold dear. Prayers and hugs!