“We should be astonished at the goodness of God, stunned that He should bother to call us by name, our mouths wide open at His love, bewildered that at this very moment we are standing on holy ground.”
-Brennan Manning
Y’all!!!! We ended up getting our I-600 approval email on Friday after all!!
Kevin and I were eating lunch at Zoe’s when I heard my phone ding in my purse. Normally, I would’ve waited until I was done eating to check it, but since we were hoping to receive this one especially important email, I set my silverware down and pulled out my phone. I gasped as soon as the message from USCIS popped up on the screen…
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Palmer,
USCIS in Port-au-Prince, Haiti is pleased to inform you that the I-600 petition, on behalf of Steevenson Chevalier, seeking to qualify him as your immediate relative has been approved. This completes all action by USCIS on the referenced petition. The Consular Section will soon contact you to follow-up on your case.
Regards,
Adoption Team Haiti
I sprang up out of my seat and marched in place next to our table while Kevin read through the email out loud. I kept my hands slammed over my mouth so that I wouldn’t let out a scream, and I remember feeling like I needed to cover my ears and nose so my squeals wouldn’t escape through those places, too. 😉 In the words of Raymond Carver, “I kept fidgeting…I felt like I could throw off sparks”.
I’ll never forget seeing Kevin’s face absolutely BLOOM in that moment. His eyes came ALIVE and I swear his smile stretched as wide as it could go. What a thrilling and once-in-a-lifetime lunch date God stitched into our story! Thinking about the enormity of that blessing nearly puddled me, y’all.
A few minutes later, a friend from church (Stefania) happened to walk through the door and, bless her heart, she didn’t have a clue what kind of lunch she was walking into that day! Kevin and I ambushed her with hugs and fired the news at her a hundred miles a minute. Stefania is one of the sunniest gals I know, so I’m tickled that God weaved her into that special day too. 🙂
So here’s where we’re at now:
Like the email from USCIS mentioned, we’ll be hearing from The Consular Section (via email) next. Their office will tell us what day and time Sonny’s visa appointment is and our in-country reps will make sure he goes on the right day at the right time. They will also take him to his (mandatory) medical exam with a US Embassy-approved doctor. (Prayers appreciated for speedy scheduling of that appointment, an easy exam, and safe travel to & from that location!) After that, we’ll wait for the final email telling us his visa is ready for pick up. Once we get that email (a week or two from now?) Kevin and I will be able to book our plane tickets so that we can go pick up his visa (TOGETHER!) and then bring our Sonny home! AAAAAHHHHH! 😀
Needless to say, I’ll be dropping my silverware whenever my phone dings again this week. 😉
PS- This month’s Pike Road Southern pre-order sale is up and runnin’ over at PikeRoadSouthern.com.
Our tees will be available through Thursday night, and we’ll send the order off to the print shop on Friday. We probably won’t get the shirts back from them til after we leave for Haiti (AAAHHH!) so we’re putting a delivery date range of August 29-September 2nd on this sale. Here’s a peek at some of this month’s designs:
Thanks in advance to anyone who is interested in placing an order! We’ll be using this month’s proceeds to book our plane tickets. ALL THREE OF THEM! AAAAAHHHHH! 😀
I want to do everything I can to NOT email you so your phone doesn’t ding for the wrong reason and get your hopes up!?!? Not that I’ve ever emailed you before… 🙂
Gah, so excited!
Congratulations, Momma and Papa.
I’ve been following your adoption story since it began. I’m so happy for ya’ll. And today I’m even wearing my shirt “Count Adventures Not Things!” I love it and as someone fighting Ovarian Cancer I truly believe in as many adventures as I can take!
Oh my gosh – God is sooo good!! So very happy for you!
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Congratulations! I am so happy for you!
Congrats!!!! As an adoptive mom, (from the US though) this is how I felt when ours was finalized! Happy for you both.
Oh, Layla! It’s almost time. Soooo happy for you. 🙂
Congratulations! Your story has touched my heart in ways that I just can’t put into words. The love you have in your hearts makes my heart sing.
Gotta get me the sunshine shirt and so happy it will help with plane tickets
Tears of Joy!!!!!!
Delighted for you both and I wish you the best with the adoption.God is Good
Yay!! Congratulations and praying for all the rest to happen speedily! So excited and happy for you. 😀
I felt like I could see you and your beautiful smile while reading this email through your eyes?
Over the moon happy for you two!!!
Here’s to a safe and speedy visa!!!
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Lisa
I’ve been following your story and am so very glad to read this update. Can’t wait to see pics when Sonny finally makes his way home. He’s going to love his new very own room I bet. Also love the clothing line and that it supports adoptive families. I’ve almost worn my daydreams shirt out!! Time for a reorder. Can’t wait for more updates!!! Congrats to all three of you.
Oh, Layla! Tears of joy are falling down my face for you, Kevin, and Sonny!
Congratulations! I am so happy this chapter of your story is almost at an end.
Oh how my heart is singing for you right now! I wish I had been at Moe’s and witnessed that marching.
Oh I don’t know how you can stand the next days! I think I would want to hop the next flight to Haiti and wait there! ( I’m crazy like that ) You have much more restraint than I do!
I can just see you at the restaurant, while Kevin is reading the message, trying to contain your squeals. 😉 I am over the moon happy for you two.
So how were the expressions from the rest of the family? Hope you got photos of faces, that would make a fun collage, right?
Along with you both, I will be sitting on my hands waiting to hear when you get word to travel!
God bless!
I am elated for you two, and for your new little man! Luckiest boy alive! Congrats to all of you.
Just ordered my t-shirt! So happy to help in the cause that brings Sonny home!
Kristen in Atlanta
Happy tears!!!! 🙂 I am just thrilled for you, Kevin, and Sweet P. Just a few more sleeps and you will all be home together! ♡
I’ve been following you guys and with each new adoption update I feel your joy! And now, very soon, he will occupy his new room and you will be a family all in one place. So extremely happy for you both!! And Sonny too as he is blessed to have you both for parents!
Not long now!!!!! Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!
Congratulations!!! I’m over the moon happy for the two of you!!!!!
This made me cry! So so happy for you! Your patience and trust in God is incrediblely ispirational to a waiting-to-be mom like me!
Hugs!
Layla, I am so happy for ya’ll! I got tears in my eyes when I saw the good news over the weekend on Instagram.
When you get a chance, please look at the e-mail I sent you. As part of your online “family”, we’d love to get you something you may need as an “Adoption Shower” gift. I have no idea how to do an “Online Shower”, but maybe someone here does and could kick that off??
Please let us know what y’all might need and how we can get it to you.
Blessings to all 3 of you!!
So excited for you to have Sonny in your arms forever!! You new adventure is about to change your life forever! May God bless you and your family together!!
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As I read the subject line I started a little squeal myself! This is such wonderful news!!!! so excited. did you check this step off of your list?!?!? Such great satisfaction in that check mark!
I am so happy for the three of you! Can’t wait to see pictures of Sweet Pea posted on your blog. I started following your blog because I love your decorating style, but I soon fell in love with your adoption story. Every time I see that there is a new post I am hoping for good news about the adoption. You and your husband are truly blessed and you are also blessings to the world.
So incredibly happy for you all! I teared up when I read how your reaction and Kevins were! <3
We serve an awesome God! Doing my happy dance for you, Kevin and Sonny. Also, I am praying and praying!!!!!LOVE
Yea! Yea! Yea! I’m so excited and happy for you guys.
Ahh so excited for you all! Thanks for sharing this story and your faith through it! Heading your way to work with teachers this week in the area! Can’t wait to experience some Sweet Home Alabama! prayers are continuing to be sent up for a speedy quick save homecoming!
Yaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!! That is all, just so YAY!!
Oh dear sweet Jesus, thank you Lord!! Praise your Precious name!!! I just seen this update about Sonny…literally leaning over my counter right now bawling my eyes out in Praise to our Lord for doing this for you all!!! I have been reading your blogs since you began in your first lil house…but I have to say…today was one of the best!
Our God is Awesome!!! ALL PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR BELONG TO HIM!!!
Can’t wait to see him at home with his precious new mommy and daddy! Thank you for sharing this…for letting a total stranger witness an awesome moving of the Lord! I feel very blessed to have read this today!!!
Chastacee Gidcumb
Eek! So excited for you guys! I wouldn’t be able to sleep and would be checking my phone & email ALL the time. Congrats!!!
There’s nothing like goose bumps from feeling the greatness of God! Congratulations!! What a lucky boy to be gifted with such amazing parents.
Prayers answered. As the mother of 2 adopted children I know all the feelings you experienced. God bless you 3 and safe travels home together!!!! xo
So, SO exciting! Prayers go up on your behalf and I think how wonderful it is that I can pray for total strangers.
So excited for you guys! What a special lunch date. Congratulations!
I got goose bumps reading your blog this morning! I am so happy and thrilled for you! I cannot wait for the first picture of you and Kevin with your sweet little son sitting on your front porch at home.
Glory be! This is the happiest & most joyous news I’ve read in a long time. So happy for you & your sweet little family!
I’m so unbelievably happy for you all:-) Wonderful wonderful wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh Happy Day! A lovely card with an awesome photo arrived in the mail today and then this message in my email! “on behalf of Steevenson Chevalier,seeking to qualify him as your immediate relative has been approved. ” that quote made my heart skip a beat, I can’t imagine how you contained yourself at the restaurant!
Here’s to more spoon dropping soon!
Thrilled for you. Looking forward to meeting Steevenson on the blog. He is one lucky fella! Blessings to you. You deserve this.
SO very happy for the both of you. Congratulations. Can’t wait for the next post.
I have followed your blog for about 4 years now and THE DAY has finally come! I am so excited for your family. Praying an easy transition for your sweet son and your family. In love,
Vicki
Pinson, AL
So excited for your little family!!
Ordering a t-shirt for a friend and wondering if you have plans to offer tank tops anytime soon? Would love one of these to workout in!
I’m so happy for all three of you!! Like many others, I’ve been following your whole adoption story and this just brought tears to my eyes!! I hope these next couple of weeks fly by for you. I can’t even imagine how excited you must be and all the other emotions you’re going through! There’s nothing else like becoming a parent or a family. I’m so happy you finally get to experience this after such a long wait. You finally get to join the club!! Now, WHY CAN’T IT BE NEXT WEEK ALREADY?!!!!