“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. 🙂
So I never comment, but read your blog all the time and I just have to say, that this brought tears to my eyes! So happy for you two and for your son!
I’ve followed your blog for a couple of years now but am terrible at commenting. But, I just had to today!
I’m sitting here with such tears in my eyes. Outlining your faces. There really are no words. I’m so thankful that you and Kevin will soon have him to hold and that he will have you to hold him! As I thought about him outlining your faces I thought of the waiting from his perspective….how he is going to be yours and is waiting for the time that you can go get him. I can’t help but think that as he studies your faces that he is thinking, “they are coming to GET ME! I am going to be their’s. They.love.me.” And as I said…there really are no words.
What a wonderful, beautiful journey your family is on!! Love reading your adoption updates – thinking of your family often!
Ok, it ticks me off that there is a little boy wanting his new parents. There are parents waiting for their little boy. It’s just CRAZY that this is taking so darn long!
This just needs to go……..fasterrrrrrrrr
I wish things could go “fasterrrr” too, Rachel, but like my good friend in Haiti said, “this (new) process is like riding on a rollercoaster while it’s being built.” The Hague Convention is still in the process of restructuring the Haitian adoption process (this a VERY good thing) and searching for any possible relatives, scheduling court dates and appointments and visits and interviews, and the constant shuffle of paperwork between us and the state and the federal and the foreign, all takes time. Not a lot of time, in the grand scheme, but time nevertheless. I find myself thankful, this week more than ever, to receive the gift of so many specific details about how beyond well our boy is being loved on and cared for in the meantime. Touch therapy, individual playtime, prayers before meals, warm baths, clean clothes, music, books, and puzzles. These are just a few of the wonderful things the staff and nannies at the Angel House are making sure the kiddos experience every single day. Grateful for those folks, and can’t wait to hug all their necks in person next month! #hopefully 😉
So happy for you
Awww..that made me smile. That is just pure love! So happy for ya’ll. Enjoy reading your post.
Layla, this is wonderful. I feel so happy and full of impatience for you. Did you ever mentionned the age of this little boy ? I’m sorry, i don’t remember.
This is a great adventure who is close to start.
Tears came as I read the last part. Truly these tears of joy were for you and your husband and especially Sweet P. It does not matter how God puts a family together. Bless you and yours.
I have three birth sons, and I can only imagine this as the emotions of feeling them kick…. same inner peace and excitement!!
I got chills reading about your baby boy! I have just recently started following your blog. I am originally from Greenville, so you’re not too far from my old stompin’ grounds. I have friends in the Montgomery area that adopted from Ethiopia. Their story was amazing to watch as it unfolded, and I am happy to be following yours too. Praying that God puts your family of three together very soon!
awwww! outlining your faces…..*sniff
I don’t know you personally, only through your blog. But I must say, it couldn’t happen to a sweeter couple! Every time you post, I pop on to see if it’s time for you to make your trip. So happy for you, and also that you are enjoying your new home. You can have the sleet & snow though! We are ready for warm weather & sunshine up in our neck of the woods. 🙂
Sob, sniff. “So ready for you to come and be his.”
:’-) *tears*
This post just melted my heart. I usually don’t post comments but had to let you know that I am so happy for you all. Thanks for sharing this journey with us. Bless you.
You know they say that sometimes the anticipation is better than the actual event. Not so in your case. God is good. Can’t wait to meet Sweet P.
By the way, I can send you some extra snow from Michigan.
Wow, how incredible to hear of Sweet P’s reaction to your photos! Heart full of love! Xo
Wow. I didn’t expect my emotions to overcome me. I was just drinking some coffee and catching up on my blog roll before playing with my girls. The entire post was just beautiful and thinking of your little boy learning your faces is very magical.
That puts a tear in my eye! So happy for you both!!
“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.””
Oh Layla – this brought tears to my eyes. Continued prayers and blessings for you and your hubby and you walk this amazing journey.
Blessings,
Darlene
Layla, I very rarely comment but enjoy catching up with your news regularly. I just have to say that imagining your little one tracing the outline of your faces made me suddenly sob out loud with joy for him and you & Kevin. I can’t imagine how it feels to know he’s waiting to meet you and yet not be able to see him, hold him, love him from up close instead of afar … your heart must be full and aching all at once!
What a joy to know that this little boy will be loved, cherished and brought up hearing about his Creator. 🙂 Can’t stop sob-smiling!!
wonderful! I sort of welled up with tears as I read that last part….
“he is ready for YOU to come and be HIS!”
such beautiful words! and I hope you friend may have gotten a photo of him with the book outlining your faces….for his bedroom wall…
The last part brought tears to my eyes and gave me goose bumps. When human beings love each other from the depths of their hearts, it is as good as it gets. It is a treat to be able to read about this portion of your life and watch the story unfold. The developing relationship with your son, born out of you desire to love and adore, is just a joy to follow. Thank you for sharing.
my pulse quickened reading that he is outlining your face with his finger – oh.my.goodness. just last night i was looking through our china adoption trip photos for the first time with our china girl (a name she made up and calls herself and other girls from china). such.wonderful.memories.
i’m so excited for you!!
xo ellie
You can complete that heart in the snow when you have your sweet, little gift in your arms. God bless the 3 of you.
Layla, I continue to pray for you, Kevin and Sweet P. May God bless this journey to ffind each other.
Outlining your faces – goosebumps! God is so faithful..
I haven’t been reading blogs much lately and completely missed the big news that you are adopting. Congratulations!!! I know that the wait is long and trying (although you are in the fun part of the wait…post-match), but hang in there! My daughter has been home for 6 years and that never-ending wait is now a blip in the past. 🙂
Thank you, Heather! Yes, we’ve still got about a year to go, but we are so thankful to be so close to turning this very exciting corner! 😀
Oh, that is precious. It makes me all teary so I can only imagine how you must be feeling. I hope you get to meet your baby soon.
So sweet and precious. Brought tears to my eyes <3
So many beautiful pictures in my mind from reading your words. Your peaceful day at home with yummy food and coziness…and snow. And then your little love holding your pictures and tracing your faces with his finger…happy tears! God gives us good gifts even when we are waiting!
What beautiful news. Your home is wonderful and I like what you said about it feeling like it is ready to blossom and it will soon. When you get to go meet your son do you bring him home on that visit? So nice to know someone is spending time with him and giving him some love. I can’t wait for you to bring him home. ((((HUGS)))
Thank you, Debby. 🙂 No, we will only bond with him for 2 weeks on this first trip. After that, we hope to be officially matched with him, and after that, it may be as long as 12 months before we get to bring him home. They do allow bonding trips during that time though, so we’re hoping to spend time with him a few times this year.
How can those of us able help $ with these trips? Now I understand why adoption is So expensive.
What a beautiful message for her to share with you! Your boy is as excited as you are to finally be a family! So very happy for all 3 of you!
This post brought tears to my eyes. As a momma with a heart that explodes with love for my little boy, I can not wait for you to have your little boy in your arms!
Oh, happy tears! So excited for you!
Goosebumps and tears! Can’t wait for you to meet your son!
Sitting here with tears in my eyes imagining him climbing up next to someone to look at your book….. LOVE! Just think – won’t be too long and he will be climbing up in YOUR lap to read it…… 🙂
I’m praying for your family and for Sweet P to be home with you soon!
Blessings on all three of you!!
I’m sitting here with my newborn son, crying over this post. My heart is so full for your family.
Oh my gosh Layla!!! My eyes fill with tears picturing your baby with your special book. What a lucky sweet p. Can’t wait to see pictures of all 5 of you in your most loving home. xo
I have to say that I can’t wait for updates as well…brings me to tears every time you do – All I can see are those 10 little fingers…how hard it must be for you to know that he is out there waiting – sending up prayers that you don’t have to wait much longer
Such a beautiful post today. You brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my heart.
I’m a mom of three little boys. Boys are wonderful.
Favorite post so far! <3
As an adoptive mom, I am praying you, Kevin and your child through this process. God’s Hand is still seen in every step of our journey 13 years ago and I know you will feel the same. In HIS love!
annnnnnnnnnnnnnd happy tears!
You made me cry… :o) How wonderful!
I am so incredibly happy for you. Your post brought tears to my eyes. I’m envious of the adventure you are about to begin. Enjoy all of it!
Layla.. long time reader of your blog. Your excitment is so palpable. I had to comment.. happy for you and Kevin. There is so much love in your heart and your son is already so blessed. Good luck. All the way from Kuwait .. your wellwisher.
Oh my heart!!! What a sweet angel baby.
I’ve been a lurker for ages, but could not help not posting on this one. I’m so very happy for you guys. You deserve it. I wish you all the happiness in the world.