“They say a person needs just three things
to be truly happy in this world:
someone to love, something to do,
and something to hope for.”
-Tom Bodett
A winter storm blew through on Tuesday. Rain turned to ice mid-morning and our shrubs slowly leaned stiff into place with each freezing drop.
By lunchtime, icy roads meant no more trips to town, so I pulled on thick pajama pants and curled up on the couch with hot soup and a sandwich filled with warm cheese. I watched for snow from the living room window, and by late afternoon- yahoo!
Just like ice cold confetti floating down from a silver-white sky.
Snow doesn’t happen but once every few years around here, so you understand why I had to pull on my boots and take a few pictures. 🙂
*****
Today, I’m painting more wood on the second floor, while Kevin finishes a song on the first.
This house was dark and empty for seven straight years, but now there’s music in her soul, and I’m convinced she was built to blossom.
*****
I’ve been hearing (daily) from one of the other adoptive Mamas while she’s in Haiti. She and her husband walked through the big green gates at the Three Angels for the first time last Saturday and my pulse quickens whenever I see that she’s written. There’s no telling how many times I’ve read and re-read her updates. It’s like I can’t read them hard enough. Do you know what I mean? It’s hard to believe I’ll be jotting down the details of my own experience there very soon, too.
And guess what?
Sweet P has our photo book.
On day 2, my friend said he carried it around “all. morning. long.” and climbed up next to anyone sitting still so they’d look through it with him. She said, “Layla, he was OUTLINING your FACES with his finger and babbling.” She said, “He is so ready for you to come and be HIS.”
See what I mean?
Can’t. Read. Hard enough.
Feeling incredibly thankful for Love, and letters, and hope that outlines and babbles today. 🙂
How wonderful the news is! I am so happy for you both!
I have to say I look forward to your posts, first it was just for your wonderful decorating ideas and now it is so much more. Now I feel somehow a part of your lives. I can hear Kevin’s music filling your home and I picture you reading a book to your beautiful son. I look forward to seeing pictures of him in his new room surrounded by the love of his (and your) wonderful new life. So happy for your wonderful journey.
Lalya,
I’m so happy to read this post and to hear that your little one has already connected with you through the picture book you’ve sent.
You must be smiling, dreaming and waiting each day until you get to hold that little child.
Continued prayers for all of you!
Betsy Gordon
West of the Square Designs
Ah the image of Sweet P with your photo book brought me to tears! What a blessing he is to you and what a blessing you will be to him! Can’t wait to read about more progress being made in your journey to him!
WOW! That is so amazing…and just gives me goosebumps! Praying HARD for y’all!! And…wasn’t that snow/ice crazy? We have quite the stories here in ATL!!! 🙂 Happy Friday!!
Tears in my eyes as I read this, just imagining the scene of him carrying that book and showing it to everyone. Thank you for sharing these poignant moments of your experience with us “imaginary” friends. Cannot wait to “meet” Sweet P!
Awwww that is heart warming for sure! I can not wait until you feel that moment in time when you get to have him in your arms forever! Have fun painting…….Have a blessed weekend.
Playing in snow is the best! So glad you got to do it!
Outlining your faces…insert melting heart! <3
Layla & Kevin,
I’m so happy for you! Praying that you have your Sweet P in your arms soon!
your post gave me shivers! so happy that you are so happy!
Layla- I am praying that you, Kevin and Sweet P are together soon!
Tears in my eyes, so happy for you!
Oh, how I love this. Outlining your faces. He’s in love too.
I firmly believe that children KNOW who loves them, even if they haven’t met them yet. Your son will be such a blessing in your life, as you will be in his. And, a SON! What a wonderful gift for you and your husband. All your moments have led to this. This child. This time.
Layla,
I want to “like” this a times a million.
This makes me so very happy and I am just flat-out overjoyed for you guys. What a beautiful life.
x,
amy
Layla,
Oh my, I can feel the excitement and anticipation that has to be filling your home right now. That little one is so blessed. He doesn’t even realize the blessing that he is. I cannot wait to read more of your adventures in parenthood and the love that will be flowing. Thank you for sharing this experience with us.
GOOSEBUMPS!!!!!
This is so amazing to me. I am SO excited for you all. The three of you are going to have such a grand adventure in this life!
Just precious! Sweet P will be the joy of your life! So tickled for you two!
I LOVE that he has your picture book ahead of time! That will be wonderful for him as he prepares and adjusts to his new life. My daughter didn’t get her picture book (that I sent many months earlier) until she was in the car on the way to the adoption offices on the day she met us. She was scared of course, and I wish she had been given a little more time to prepare for the new family that was coming for her. Your little guy is lucky already. Must be why he is coming in the Year of the Horse. Joy is galloping your way…
My heart!! I am beyond excited for the birth of your family! What an incredible and beautiful blessing you are giving one another. A family. Absolutely amazing. May God bless you and your child and make you all whole.
Tears of happiness for you. 🙂
This brought tears to my eyes! It makes the world seem so small. What a wonderful story. Best wishes to you and your family!
love, love, love
That gave me goosebumps (good ones!) Layla. I’m so excited for you all!
Your post brought tears to my eyes. So excited for you to meet your Sweet P. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Tears of joy!!! I think all of us are waiting to hear from you everyday to see if you’ve heard anything from Haiti!!! What a happy time for you both, full of anticipation of a new little boy in your lives!!!
Layla,
It brings tears to my eyes, reading about Sweet P going around and sharing his picture book. He is going to be so excited to come home with y’all. Looking forward to that day with y’all. Take care!
Blessings,
Linda
What a blessing to have someone witness your child seeing your pictures and learning to love you from the first moment!
God is good
Oh my this post made me cry. How wonderful for all 3 of you to know that you’re going to have each other soon! I realize that you look at Sweet P as a gift to you, but the gift your giving him is enormous! Look at the hope he has already. How amazing!!!
Love love love hearing about all this!
My heart is so happy for you.
…..absolutely FEEL this post with you. Amazing how WORDS on a blog…on a page….a STORY followed….an Eye caught into the Design of the Whole Plan…..can gather human souls into community. Thank you for the privilege to Peek into your hearts…..beautiful.
OMG is all I can say, that’s just amazing. The life of this little boy will forever be transformed into something so beautiful he doesn’t even comprehend. And if you think your heart is full of love now and ready to explode, just wait until he’s just yours, at home with no one else around but you and your husband….just wait…….
This is amazing. I am so happy to hear this wonderful news. It brings joy to my heart.
Oh Layla,
Your posts always warm my heart, but this one made it melt…
I am so happy for you both! I’m sure your hearts are just bursting with love for your little Sweet P already!
Oh Layla I am so thrilled for you! I’m praying that the days pass swiftly till you hold that precious child in your arms!
Such a day. My own Sweet P turned 26 today — and he and his wife and their son pulled out of my driveway at 5:30 a.m. to begin their long drive north to a new job, new lives, new adventures. Sad, happy, sad again. Your post made me cry for you — because you’re beginning what I’m just now ending. I can’t wait to follow your new adventures, too.
Seriously, had my eyes just well up reading this post. I don’t even know you but your excitement makes my heart feels light. Sending much love and well wishes your way (from Hubbards, NS).
WOW! that brought tears to my eyes. How amazing. How precious. I reread that a few times too! What a special little boy you have waiting for you. You are going to be wonderful parents 🙂
That just gave me “Jesus bumps”! So excited for you all to experience the blessings God has waiting for you in parenthood.
So happy for you both! Can’t wait until he has you for himself either. 🙂
Layla, Your post this morning made me well up with happy tears. I can’t wait for you and your Sweet P to be together at last. I love when souls find each other in this world.
When a new post comes up on my email from you I open it quickly! Every other blog waits til mommy time! Love the outlining of the faces…. Glad you have things to do to keep you “busy”. He sounds wonderful.
Thanks for sharing all the details of this very personal journey. This story warms my heart and you both will be such amazing parents. Lucky little sweet p 🙂
I understand the “can’t read hard enough”…like you need to see every word and ingrain it in your head, to get the meaning and feeling out of each written word. I get it! Even with blogs that speak love and truth (like yours and HandsFreeMama) I dig deep into those words, trying to get all I can out of them. What a beautiful time for you both. Enjoy these days together to prepare, dream, and enjoy each other. 🙂 I am so thrilled to hear your son has the book you made him. You and Kevin were so clever to make that!
Tears! You brought big, glorious tears to my eyes once again! I’m just so excited for you guys!
Hi Layla,
I typically read your posts through email and rarely comment, but just had to today. I totally teared up reading that last bit. I could picture him doing that. My daughter is 16mo and it’s something she would totally do, too. What a lucky little boy he is – and how lucky you will be to bring him into your world. Best of luck to you. I can’t wait to read your updates when you finally go meet him.
-Laura
Oh. My. Goodness.
I can’t imagine how filled to the brim, and yet not quite full enough your heart must feel. Bursting at the seams at the thought of how close you are, but not content until he is in your arms. My prayers to you, mama, for peace while you wait and for the days to go quickly. And to your sweetie to know that you are coming. Just as soon as they will let you, you will be there. God, let it be quick.
tears!! how precious to have such a personal update!! hard to hear and not be the one with him, but oh such a gift of connection to him during the wait. can’t wait to see your boy in your arms!! eeek!