We’re celebrating another fun adoption update this week- so, of course, I wanted to share it here, too!
The last time I blogged about where we were at, I told you we were just about to enter phase two of our process: Immigration.
Basically, this step involves getting all sorts of paperwork together so that you can have each document notarized and authenticated at both the county and state levels. The paperwork consists of things like (original copies of) birth certificates, marriage license, psychological exams, medical exams, immigration forms, reference letters, etc.
Once they’re all gathered, and notarized, and authenticated- our adoption agency (Lifeline) will put them all together, along with our home study, and that will form our dossier.
The goal was to get our dossier to Three Angels (the orphanage we’re hoping to adopt from) sometime this Fall. Then they would, in turn, submit it to the Haitian government- who will match us with one of the children currently living at the Angel House orphanage.
But here’s the thing: the Haitian government is in the process of passing some new adoption-related laws, so they haven’t been accepting submissions for the past several months.
BUT- our (new) caseworker, Meredith, called last week to tell us that there might be an opportunity for us to get submitted this month!
No one really knows how long the window of opportunity will be open, so we did a lot of dashing around the state of Alabama to get our paperwork authenticated in various counties last week.
(that’s sweet Meredith in the upper right!)
As of today, our authenticated documents are at the Haitian Consulate in Miami and our home study is being translated to French. We’re hoping Lifeline will have everything back by Friday so that our dossier can all travel to Three Angels in Haiti sometime next week!
Once it’s there, it’ll have to go through a legalization process at Three Angels, and then *hopefully* we’ll be able to get submitted into IBESR’s system before the submission window closes again for a while.
If we DO get submitted, the next step would be to get matched with one of these precious kiddos:
Thanks to social media, I know that at least six of the children above are in the process of being adopted because I’ve had the pleasure of meeting four of their Moms online over the past couple of months. Connecting with them every week has been such a blessing! We’re all at different stages in the process, so I am really learning a lot and feel so thankful for their friendship! One couple traveled to Three Angels not long ago, and it’s been so fun to hear their stories and see photos of them with the children.
I always get emotional when I think about how Amazing this process is and how HUGE this Gift is. I mean, that a (big) country would allow (little) me to be someone’s parent.
WILD!
Amazing, awesome, wild!
Hopefully I’ll have another exciting update to post within the next month or so. ‘Til then, thank you so much for swinging by today, and for taking the time to read about this really special time in our lives. 🙂
PS- If you’d like to check out my past adoption posts, click here: ADOPTION
Theresa
Praying for you and your future child now, that all goes through–best wishes!!
Richella @ Imparting Grace
Oh, Layla, I’m so happy that you were able to get all your papers submitted so quickly! I pray that everything will get to Haiti right away and that this window of opportunity will be thrown wide open for you. You and Kevin are going to be such wonderful parents to a truly blessed child!
Denise Z
Each step brings you one step closer! Praying that the window of opportunity stays open long enough for you to pass through!
Maureen
Will be praying for both of you as well as for the process to go quickly and smoothly and you will be proud parents very soon!
Liz V.
Good Luck! We went through the long process in 2003 when we adopted our son from Russia. Lots of apostilles for the dossier… The time does actually come and it is very exciting! If your traveling there make sure you get all your immunizations. Godspeed ❤
Kristin S
Yea, yea, yea!!!
Ter'e Crow Lindsay
When the time is right and that little child really needs you…….God will ease you into his plan. That baby will be so loved………..by all of us. I am so thrilled that your day is edging closer and closer.
I’m so excited for your family……
Xoxo
Debra @ Msmoozysopenhouse
Praying that all moves head with the best for all! Adoption is a hard road that can take a toll some times as we are almost at the end of our journey and just waiting to be able to get our finalization paperwork and court date (We are adopting through US Foster care system). But the road is filled with so many ups and downs but I would not change the journey for anything.
Prayers are with you all. ~hugs~
Debra
Alayne
Lots of love and blessings to you and Kevin. It’s so exciting to know that your baby is already in this world, just waiting for your hearts to connect.
Robbin
Those children are so beautiful, and any one of them would be doubly blessed to have you and Kevin as parents. May God bless you, and send parents like you for every single one of those beautiful children!
Carrie
Congrats! As an adoptive mom myself, I remember those days! Sharing online beforehand is such a blessing. We actually also have two the old fashioned way, and I can tell you it does not matter how you get to be their mommy! 😉 You will truly end up with the child that is meant to be yours.
Sandy A
So happy to see things are moving along swiftly for you to soon have a gorgeous child added to your family! Even though you still have a wait-you will soon be a family of three.And when one of those beautiful babies is placed in you arms to bring Home–all those days will fade away and be so worth it. Prayers for you and Kevin…
Dawn
May God be with you both as yo continue your adoption journey!
Gracie
I am so glad to read that your adoption is going well. I was excited to learn that you plan to adopt from Haiti. I am an avid listener to what was our local show here in Austin, TX but since has moved to Nashville to be national, “The Bobby Bones Show.” Amy, one of the hosts of the show has formed a charity to help the orphan kids in Haiti. She is also trying to adopt from Haiti but has not been married the minimum number of years required to adopt from Haiti. Anyways, I just wanted to put her charity out there http://www.thirtyabes.com in case any other of your readers want to contribute to meals for the Haitian orphans.
Stephanie, Sandpaper & Glue
Ahh, I have actually been hoping you’d have an update soon 🙂 SO EXCITING that you’re really starting to move forward in the process and you may have even already seen the face of your kiddo and not even known it!
Cindy barganier
SCREAM!!!!!!!
Marsha
Praying for things to go smoothly! Thanks for posting an update.
Marsha (from the Wendy’s in Prattville)
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family
This is so exciting but I am sure nerve racking for you at the same time. I will keep y’all in my prayers.
Karen
How exciting for you both, so close now! Thank you for sharing your process with us, and fingers crossed you get a happy ending sooner rather than later!
I love the wee tweaks to your header, it’s lovely and graphic and very pretty indeed! x
Jennifer
How exciting. Praying you get submitted in this window. Fingers crossed too!
kristin
I’d say the government needs to make laws quick and not hold up ANY adoptions. To think there are so many parents who are willing to take these sweet children into their hearts and lives…SWING OPEN the DOORS and LET THEM COME IN!! It is a huge GIFT and YOU are the GIFT–what a lucky child this will be! Great to hear things are moving along (so much work for you all!) and I pray you make the window of oppportunity! And how exciting to know (got chills) that six of the children are on their way to a family!
Neesey g.
I just love reading about your adoption process. Don’t know why….just do. You both are so close. I get excited for you every time you post another hurdle. I hope the ‘window’ stays open so your precious child can climb into your hearts very soon. Christmas would truly bee divine !
Phyllis
Congratulations on the progress! How exciting for you! I am a little curious; why not adopt a child from the United States? I do not know much about adoption; is the process here more complicated than adopting a child from another country? Just curious! Thanks and good luck!
Layla
Hi Phyllis!
Our adoption journey has actually taken quite a few twists and turns since we first started researching our options a couple of years ago. We started out in the fost-adopt system, but when that didn’t work out we spent a lot of time researching domestic adoption, then Ethiopia’s program, then officially applied for China’s special needs program. We switched to the Haiti program this past April because we felt a definite call to move in that direction. So many folks who have adopted before (both internationally and domestically) told us we would “just know” when it came to the right fit, and boy were they right! It took a while, but everything just feels so Right now and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to grow our family through adoption! 🙂
molly a
layla and kevin! this is so inspiring! I have tears in my eyes. I have been following your blog these last few years and it’s so fun to see what God is doing in and through you. May He richly bless the paperwork and its speedy delivery!!! Those babies are each so precious. You are going to be PARENTS!!!!!
Gwen
I am new to your blog but as a teacher I’ve had parents going through all this process for various countries/even here…and seeing photos made me think back to teaching (I’m disabled from a classroom fall) and each baby looks like one of my kids I’ve had…that became like my own…and God is choosing! I’ve prayed this open window stays open…and it will be soon! I have no words…but God does! So in the waiting? Id just say it helps when my husband reminds me of the verse “Be still…and know that I am God.” He tells me. ” Gwen, be still. Read God’s Word. No radio. No hurrying. And wait…He speaks in those still small times you give Him .”
Beckie D.
Wow! How exciting! So happy for you and Kevin! Speaking of Kevin , love your new do! Had to do a double take. Also did you change your header ? And your photo too! I can hardly wait to see who comes home with you and makes you a mommy!
Layla
Thank you, Beckie! And, yes, I did change my header and profile pic! Thank you for noticing and for being excited about the adoption with us! 😀
Mary
Every time you post one of these updates my heart overflows with happiness for you two. There are such joys to come (and frustratrations, and heartaches), but it’s so, so very worth it. Can’t wait to see your sweet family all together under one roof!
kelly thompson
wow- I will be praying for ya’ll!
Layla
Thank you so much, Kelly! 😀
Angie
These pictures are priceless! Kelly looks so happy with a maybe a little mischievious. (I probably spelled that wrong) And Kevenel has such big eyes! Actually Yrvens does too. How could you choose just one? You are going to fall in love when you see their little faces in person.
jane crawford
This is such wonderful news. How does one ever choose among all of those precious babies. Do you and Kevin get to choose or does the agency match you up with one of the children?
Layla
Hi Jane!
The folks at IBESR in Haiti will be the ones to match us with a child. Can’t wait to post an adoption update that day! 😀
shelby
God Bless you Layla and Kevin for having such wonderful hearts to bless a child with. I have question knowing zero about adoption, why did you chose to adopt outside of America? I have noticed many people from America are adopting in other countries…
Layla
Hi Shelby!
We actually started our adoption journey in America, through the fost-adopt program. When that didn’t work out, we explored many other adoption options, including both domestic and other international options. In the end, Haiti was the perfect fit for us, and we’re so excited to see where the journey takes us next! 😀
Heidi @ Decor & More
Oh, I could just gaze at those precious faces all day long! Layla, it blesses me that you so appreciate the gift that is parenthood. As a teacher, I see so many parents that love their kids, but are lacking somehow in their commitment to actual parenting. This child of yours will know that they were CHOSEN… how awesome is that? Prayers that everything will go swiftly and smoothly. Blessings!
xo Heidi
Bridgett Junkin
Great news! My family has been down this road. My nephew and his wife are adopting from Haiti. Check out their blog, The Junkins at http://heatherkm.blogspot.com/ It has been a long arduous process that should have taken a lot longer but God showed His hand in many ways. Updates are less frequent now because they just gave birth 2 weeks ago and have a one-year-old!
Kim A
Best of luck for the adoption!!! Also wanted to say how much I love the new look of your blog. It seems to run much faster on my computer now. It used to take several minutes (or so it seemed) to open fully before.
Layla
Thank you, Kim! I’m having my tech guy (Tony at Evenpar Solutions) make some changes, so hopefully it’ll just keep functioning better and better as he works his magic! 😀
Kim A
Just logged onto your blog again from home, and it is the old look. Did it go back or am I just going crazy? 🙂
Layla
Hi Kim!
You’ll probably just need to clear your cache or history to be able to view the new look on any computer that’s used to pulling up the old look! 🙂
Kait
This is such exciting news! Thank you for sharing so much of your adoption process with us! At our house we are big fans of adoption since we adopted our son 5 years ago! I remember how exciting each milestone was as we got closer to “the call”! Feeling giddy with excitement for you & your husband!
brenda
I cannot recall the info regarding how you and Kevn arrived at Haiti as a choice for adoption; Is this Angel House a home your church is affiliated with ?? I just always think how interesting these “coincidences” come about. Something that I really feel are God things rather than coincidences.
Layla
Hi Brenda!
No our church is not affiliated with Three Angels- our adoption agency is. They are partnered with two orphanages in Haiti actually, and we chose Three Angels because it seemed like a great fit. We chose Haiti after lots and lots of research, prayer, and discussion. We just had an overwhelming feeling about it, so actually, it feels more like Haiti chose us! It was definitely a God thing and we’re so thankful for the Guidance! 🙂
Juliane at Modern Mural
Good luck with your match! My friends just went through the adoption process for a little girl from China. It was long and hard, but they are so happy to have her with them and their two little boys. I hope the process is over so you can all be together soon!
Layla
That’s so exciting, Juliane! I hope your friends are having a ball with their new addition! 😀
Karen
I get excited for you, just reading the updates! And those sweet faces! Oh my, God has something special in store for you!!!
XO
megan
This is exciting news! I’ve been praying for y’all! And all involved! I am so interested in adoptions, i have friends that are adopted and friends who have and are in the prosess of adopting! Keep looking up!
Lisa
Layla, I don’t usually comment often because I read your posts in email, but I had to come over and say how absolutely precious those babes are, every one of their faces!!! I am so excited for you for what is ahead!!!
Marianne in Mo.
So nice to hear good news today! I’ve been in a somber mood all day, remembering this day 12 years ago. Then I come here and get happy news! Thanks for sharing this today, and continued good luck with the process! God Bless!
Tracy R
What good news! This is hope. This is love. Those beautiful baby faces gave me a lump in my throat. Bless you guys and this journey…
Allison A.
Those sweet faces on those babies make my heart melt. You two will be amazing parents. I am keeping good thoughts and prayers for you as you go through your adoption journey.
Deb Owen
Hearing adoption stories never gets old! I get goosebumps every.single.time. Best wishes for a speedy match with your perfect angel!
Cindy
God is SO good! I’ll be praying for you and those kids!
Jenny Lynn
I am praying for you. It is going to come together and you are going to be a wonderful mommy.
Julie
This is so very exciting! We wanted to/looked into international adoption and sadly just wasn’t something we could swing financially. 🙁 Those are some beautiful littles, but oh how little Steevenson’s eyes pierced mine!
Cindy @ diy beautify
Layla, that is such awesome news! I have good friends who are in the process of adopting a little girl from China…they are playing the waiting game as well but are hoping to bring their “new” daughter home sometime next year. I know the emotional ups and downs must be exhausting and overwhelming at times – keep your eyes fixed on the prize {a precious baby to love and spoil for the rest of your life}!
Blessings to you 🙂
Lin
Sending you prayers and hugs!
Laura@Ms Smartie Pants
Layla, exciting news for sure! I recently went to visit an orphanage in Africa, I wish no child was without a home! Do you follow Ashley’s blog, Under the Sycamore at all? They adopted a b
Laura@Ms Smartie Pants
ooops, hit enter too soon. They adopted a baby a year ago, it’s been fun to follow along. Here is a link if you would like to read http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/
Midwest Magnolia - Melissa Lewis
That’s just so awesome! Awesome is the only word I can think of. Praying for y’all and your sweet baby! ~Melissa
Layla
Thank you, Melissa! The whole process really does feel AWESOME! 😀