Kevin and I drove up to Birmingham this afternoon.
We’ve got our last two home study interviews at the Lifeline office here tomorrow morning, and then we’ll be attending a 2-day Lifeline-sponsored seminar called Crossings.
Crossings was created “to prepare and equip families for the joys and challenges that come with the journey of international adoption“. Some of the topics they’re going to cover with us are: understanding development, behavioral effects of trauma, neurochemistry changes, sensory processing disorder, parent attachment styles, behavioral changes, and healthy attachment.
We’re looking forward to soaking it all up, and we’re feeling very grateful about the chance to spend time with folks that are also in the process of adopting through a special needs program, as well as some people who have already gone through the adoption process.
I’ll be back soon with an update about how it all went, and in the meantime, I thought I’d share a fun adoption video we found online. (Email subscribers and Google Readers, you’ll need to pop over to our blog to watch!)
What an inspiring bunch!
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Lots of thoughts and prayers to you guys during this time. Can’t wait to hear all about the next steps!
Thank you, Erin! We sure do appreciate your well wishes and prayers! XO
Yay! So happy for you! Are you keeping the country a secret?
bawled like a baby the first seven or eight times i’ve watched this!
love love love!!!
and i’m SO excited for you guys!
xoxo
Best of luck to both of you! Awesome video. Very touching. Many blessings!
That video was amazing. Thank you! Tears are pouring down my face. I’m praying for you both and this process you’re going through. May God bless you and the wonderful child that He has picked especially for you.
Layla ..do you have an ipad or iphone? I have found the app “supernote” to be invaluable . . . you can tape the meetings and put your notes on the same page! it’s great . . . .
I will be praying for you both . . . .sending lots of good vibes and love your way . . . . 🙂
Thanks for sharing that beautiful video. A child will be so blessed to have you as parents. Sending you both so much love–
That was awesome. Thank you for sharing.
You might want to check out one of the ads on your sidebar – not what I would expect to see on your blog page.
Hey Sue! Ads show up differently for all users, and we’re seeing Nissan, Home Depot, Pier One and Toys R Us right now. We have our ad filter set to block all offensive/controversial ads, so you shouldn’t be seeing anything inappropriate, but rumor has that sometimes one will slip through the cracks. We’ll re-check our settings and we thank you for the heads up about that! 🙂
Awesome! We just got matched with our SN son in January!
Have fun, but DON’T get overwhelmed. There will be a lot of information, and the potentially sad stories to go with each one. That’s what I remember from our process, and my daughter from China (older child and special need) has been nothing but an absolute delight. We have never had any issues with her, behavioral, health-wise, or attachment. Keep the faith. It’s a wonderful journey.
We adopted our little princess through China’s special needs program. She is my heart and soul! I thank God every day that I get to be her forever mommy!! Blessings to you on your adoption journey.
Wow. That was such a moving video – I started crying at the boy playing the worship song and then the precious little girl from Bangkok who looks so much like my own sweet adopted sister. I cannot wait to adopt one day. Blessings to you guys in your adoption process!
What an amazing family! Thank you so much for sharing. My heart is full! I am also so excited to read more about your sweet family’s amazing journey to parenthood. Love your blog!
I adopted my daughter from China. I guess our challenges almost seemed like a blessing – she simply did not want me out of her sight for a moment! It was tiring – I’m a single mom – but it just made our bond that much stronger. We also went through a period of night terrors, but with a lot of prayer and love, we got through that, too. She is now a healthy, very well-adjusted, not adjusted, happy, moody, loving, ignoring girl….in other words, a normal 15 year old..lol!!! Gotta love those teenaged hormones!!
Layla, you may have already seen this family’s blog, but here it is just in case. http://theresnoplacelikehome-family.blogspot.com/ I just love them and their hearts for China special needs children!
Thank you for finding and sharing that video. We’re in the process of adoption as well right now – in a series of training sessions right now and home studies coming up – and watching this makes me get all excited all over again. It’s such a great opportunity to pour out the love the Christ shows us every moment of every day. Can’t wait. Hoping and praying that your process goes smoothly…
Wow. “I looked all over the world and I found you.” “Family is adoption.” Truer, more beautiful words have never been spoken. What an amazing video and family. We adoptive families rock.
I am filled with joy about your journey. Whether your child is born yet or not, Gods plan for her or him is filled with such promise and love. What a lucky child (and even more so, what lucky parents you will be).
God is really preparing you both for a beautiful child. I can not wait for your blessing. I admire the way you and Kevin are truly putting your hearts and souls into this process and trusting God. The key to success is “love” and you have more than enough to give.
As I sit and wipe tears……………….this was so precious and wonderful.
Thanks for sharing.
I am just so excited for you kids!!!!!
Good luck to you both with your adoption process. I am new to your site and spent the last couple of days going through your archives and catching up. Feel like I know you now!
Thanks for sharing, always so inspiring.
I cried through most of that video! Thank you so much for sharing it. We just found out this week that we will be traveling in three weeks to pick up our two year old son from Taiwan and I need all the encouragement I can get right now 🙂
I hope the weekend is great for you and can’t wait to hear more about your journey!
What a great video! So inspiring and uplifting…awesome way to start my day! Thanks for sharing.
So excited for y’all and this journey you’re on. That video was beautiful. What a precious family, and what an inspiration to anyone thinking about adoption. I loved it!
Blessings, Grace
Wow! I hate that it takes a wonderful video on adoption to make me appreciate my own biological children. Life feels so mundane sometimes until we are reminded. Thank you for the reminder of how precious every life is! Praying with you, Layla and Kevin…
Looking forward to hearing about what this next step holds.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you travel this journey! Thank you for sharing that wonderful video as well – my heart is just bursting right now!
Blessings to you both. 🙂
Oh my WORD. I had the ugliest ugly cry EVER going on when I watched that video. My tear ducts are going to be sore tomorrow 😉 so excited for you both!!! What a beautiful story God is writing for you!!
Sending prayers and good wishes your way! I’m sure your last two interviews will go fabulously. That video was so touching and inspiring. Brought lots of happy tears!!
Can’t wait to read more on your adoption journey!
Jayme @ Her Late Night Cravings
What a beautiful video! I’ll definitely be sharing that one! Thank you again for sharing this wonderful journey with us!
The absolute best 6:32 minutes of my week!! I was overwhelmed by the love this family has for each other. It was inspiring. I have a son adopted from Guatemala that was very ill when he arrived. He has brought joy into our lives every day since he arrived.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Lots of positive thoughts coming your way.
The video was so heartwarming. It breaks my heart that so many children need loving homes.
Absolutely amazing!
What a beautiful video! Thank you for sharing. Know of my prayers for you and Kevin as you continue along the path chosen for you. It is a beautiful life!
Layla, you and Kevin are going to make the most awesome parents. Can’t wait to hear all about it. God richly bless you both.
what a beautiful family! that is soooo inspiring!
The joys of getting 2 steps closer to your child! I remember the parenting classes we took. They were a lifesaver.
So happy for you both. However you become parents, it’s a miracle.
Thank you for the kind comment, Beth! 😀 We just got back from the first Crossings seminar and WOW, what a great bunch of education. We look forward to heading back over there tomorrow for more!
This. Is. Awesome.
So happy and excited for you guys…; )
Lots of love,
Leah
Thank you sweet Leah! XO
I am blown away. Blessings to you both as you take these next steps.
We were too! And thank you for the well wishes- we appreciate them so much! 🙂
Kevin and Layla,
The video was full of “goose bump” moments. Thank you so much for sharing the story of this extraordinary family! I worked with students who have special needs for many years and wish you so much happiness as you embark upon of the most wonderful journey of your lives!
Thank you, Jody! We’re very grateful for your encouragement! 🙂
What a beautiful story and family! Thanks for sharing it!
You’re welcome, Debbie! 🙂 We really enjoyed it, too!
Betcha these type of things make everything feel pretty real! The little guy/gal will be here before you know it!
It’s been such a neat process to experience, Mary! We’re soakin’ it up, and look forward to meeting Sweet P! 😀
Wow, what an inspiring video. Thanks for sharing. You and Kevin deserve only the best. Best wishes to you both!
Thank you so much, Trish! 😀
What a beautiful family… so inspiring… brought me to tears (happy tears). Thank you for sharing the video, and wishing you two all the best on your adoption journey. How exciting!
What a beautiful journey you are on. That video was absolutely inspiring too! WOW. I’m currently reading “Kisses from Katie” by Katie Davis….if you haven’t heard of it or read it, it’s an amazing book about a young woman who goes to Uganda and adopts 13! orphaned children. Her story is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Keep doin’ what you’re doin’!!
Gail
I’ll always cross fingers for you, Layla, in this long road which is adoption.
Friendly.
This video is overwhelming … Human are so incredible and full of love and generosity. Thank you.
Wow. Thank you for sharing that video. What an amazing family. I’m a lurker and have probably never commented but ive been following your adoption journey and wish you the best!
Whoa. I really believe that those that adopt are a Dorian group of people in themselves.
When they are brought together with a child chosen for them, it is so touching.
I understood you were trying to adopt internationally but not special needs as well.
That tells me you are extra special as well.
Big hearts!
Bless you as you prepare to meet Sweet P.
So excited for you!
Yikes! Dorian ??? I have no idea why spellcheck chose that word.
It is meant to say “special.” 🙂 A special group of people in themselves.
Layla,
This video moved me to tears. I love hearing about your adoption adventure! Blessings to you both and the future addition.