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Adoption Update: Exequature

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“The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.”
-Amazing Grace by John Newton

Diamond

Some of you may have already heard because I posted this watery-eyed “AAAAAHHHH!” photo with an update on Instagram and Facebook last Friday afternoon…

Haiti Adoption Update

…but for those who haven’t, boy have I got some fun news to share with you today! 😀

In a nutshell, we’ve moved through 11 of the 12 steps in Parquet Court in the past 8 weeks, and our in-country Power Of Attorney is in the process of filling out and submitting our (exequature) application that will finalize our adoption in Haiti RIGHT NOW! Once approved, Sweet P’s last name will officially be Palmer, and he will legally be our child! Approval normally takes 2-3 weeks, so our current (specific) prayer is that everything is good to go, and that there aren’t any revisions or spelling corrections needed that would slow things down.

Thank you for all of your prayers throughout all of this, y’all. Getting to this exequature stage this fast really is a Christmas miracle and we are so grateful for your love and encouragement over the past few years. We actually started this adventure exactly 3 years ago this past Friday, and while it would be very easy to get hung up on trying to figure out why it has taken so long- we trust that God is in control. I’m not saying we never feel sad, frustrated or impatient. I’m saying, big picture…wide angle lens…we feel like the whole mysterious thing is blanketed in Protection and Love, and we have found so much comfort in truly believing that God doesn’t call us to adopt because our timelines will always be quick and easy…He calls us to adopt because He cares about His kids. Amazing grace.


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Comments

  1. Polly Wagner

    This is so great!! It’ll be the BEST Christmas gift ever if everything happens soon for you three! God is so good!!

  2. AuburnCathy

    Somehow I missed this on Instagram…so happy for you and Kevin…praying for no delays and knowing that God’s timing is perfect. My devotion this morning (My Utmost by Oswald Chambers) was about the true peace that comes from obedience to Him. Praying that you all have that peace.

  6. Wendy

    Looks like 2016 is going to be a banner year for the Palmer Family:) Hope you are all united as a family soon…it has be a long road…but it will all be worth it!
    Congratulations!

  7. Tera

    So crazy happy for y’all!! I cannot wait to see a picture of you guys without his face being cropped out! 🙂

  8. Debby Johnson

    Layla, I read your blog every day, but I’ve never posted until now. Your news about the adoption is so great I had to add my congrats–although I have to say, it’s with tears of happiness in my eyes. Much love and happiness from me to all of you.

  9. Amy R.

    Awesome news! So happy for you and your sweet P! Looks like it will be an exciting 2016. 🙂

  11. Karlene

    What wonderful news! Puts a whole new level of JOY in your Holiday Season! Just think what fun next Christmas will hold for you!
    Congratulations!

  12. Marianne in Mo.

    I think I speak for all of us in that we will be so glad to “meet” Sweet P in all his cuteness! Being a grandma 4 times, I can say I get so much joy from the “littles” that I have been gifted, maybe even more than my own, because I just get the fun and none of the hard stuff! No one could ever have told me I would feel this way about being called Grandma, because I didn’t think I was old enough when it happened, but boy, was I surprised! Just watching them grow has been the best! I hope you will let me “grandma” Sweet P, so I can enjoy his milestones! (I think I have adopted every little one I see, [in my head] for a brief moment or two!;-) )

  13. Michelle

    Your patience & love is finally around the corner. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you three!

  14. Ronda Liebert

    That is the most awesome news! I know it’s taken a while, but it will be so worth it.

    I have a question – if you wanted to adopt again, since you have been through all the steps once, do they have a shortened version for 2nd adoptions? I hope so.

    • Layla

      Great question, Ronda! That would be a great follow-up blog post…off to start writing! XO

  15. Joyce

    Congrats! Sweet P is going to have an amazing home and even more amazing parents! God Bless!

  17. Lisa

    So happy for you guys! My cousin and his wife are in the same process and finalizing their adoption too.
    Their son is from Haiti as well.
    Praying for you guys!

  19. Penny

    Layla,

    This is such wonderful news.Truly happy for you, Kevin&Sweet P.

    The very best to all of you ,

    Penny

  20. Faerie

    Christmas miracles abound! I am so happy for you all. Prayers continue for all three of you. May this be your best Christmas ever!

  21. Claudia Phillips

    I am so happy for all three of you. Am looking forward to seeing lots of pictures of Sweet P. Your adoption story has truly touched me.

  22. Mary Feagley

    “I have a son, who is my heart. A wonderful young man, daring and loving and strong and kind.” Maya Angelou

    Hugs and hugs,
    Mary

  24. cheri

    Continuing to pray for you all, lifiting up your specific request, and praying Sweet P is united with his momma and daddy quickly now!

  25. Carolyn Gallmeier

    This is the best news!! I feel as though Layla and Kevin are Mary and Joseph…apprehensive and yet thrilled while waiting for their baby boy. They had to journey to Bethlehem to receive their baby boy in a manger, a long, difficult, journey. You have traveled to Haiti, also in a long and difficult journey, to receive your baby boy in an orphanage. This will be a very special baby boy! God’s blessings!

  27. Suzanne L

    Such a beautiful Present! I can hardly wait to read, the first time what Sweet P’s full name is and his shining face…all of it, un-obstructed 🙂 Praise be to God!

  29. Valerie J.

    Oh my Goodness! I don’t know you guys but have been following your adoption journey over blog/instagram. This is wonderful news! I was praying for a miracle for you and will keep praying until he is finally a Palmer on paper (I know he is already in your hearts) and safely in your arms!!!
    God bless you!

  30. Donna Doble-Brown

    so HAPPY for the three of you, truly! . . . . So excited for the family you guys will become. . . . Sending lots of love and blessings to the “3” Palmers! XO

  31. Mandy

    So happy for you all. I love all your house posts but I always get really excited when I see an adoption one.
    How long is it likely to take for him to come home with you guys now? X

  33. Joanne B.

    Chills, I tell u! I have chills from reading your post today. Sometimes we are just left speechless because there are no words. Blessings to you all! And so the journey continues and you continue to walk in faith. Beautiful!

  34. Teddee Grace

    Thank goodness! Such a long time. Cannot think these frequent partings and long absences are good for the child.

  35. mattie

    wow!!! what a great Christmas gift that will be .so so happy for you all .cant wait to see the rest of his little smiling face .he looks so happy when you guys go to see him. I know its gonna be an awesome life adventure.G-ds timing is not our timing ,but waiting on him reaps great rewards. he is however ,ALWAYS right on time .enjoy your SWEET P (PALMER). and

    MERRY CHRISTMAS
    WHAT A GREAT NEW YEAR ,YOU HAVE INSTORE. 🙂

  36. Dawn

    Layla, Oh my word! I’ve been following you since before you started the adoption process…..and so I’ve read all along the way. I am so happy and excited for you. You are an encouragement to not only those who are adopting, but to those of us that have “watched” you and Kevin trust in God’s perfect timing. What an incredible story, and also a powerful testimony!
    I can’t wait to hear about the celebration when Sweet P finally makes it home!

  38. Mindy

    SUCH wonderful news! You all have been an amazing example of trusting in God’s perfect timing and resting in His promises. Thank you for sharing your journey for us to witness. Love and prayers…

  42. Linda

    I do believe in Chrismas miracles. I am so happy for you two..cannot wait for the ultimate good news! And lots of pictures of sweet P showing his whole beautiful face!!!

  44. Heidi Ferguson

    I just LOVE you!!! You always see the good in everything! Patience is something I NEED a lot more of. Thanks for the reminder!! I’m so excited for you guys. I see Sweet P being in the Palmer home by Valentines Day! Wouldn’t that be something!

  46. Rose L.

    You can have a Christmas celebration when he arrives, does not have to be the 25th!
    You will have such an enrichment of your lives and see the world in a new way! Bless you all!

  47. jaime

    This is such wonderful news, you and Kevin must be on Cloud 9!

    May the wheels of bureaucracy run smoothly, or even spin a little (or a lot) faster and get your beautiful Sweet P home as soon as possible.

  48. Susan Pipich

    Layla, this post teared me up. Again. It is amazing to me how tenderly this wonder-full news touches my heart, considering that I dont even know you. It is your open, genuine, generous and caring way that you share your home, family, adventures and decorating ideas with us that allows a connection to grow across the miles.
    I feel very blessed to have been invited to share your adoption journey. While it is sad to me on Sweet P’s behalf that years have passed, I remind myself it is all to protect these Little Ones and to make sure they are entrusted to loving families, aaaannnd, more important, it is all God’s plan. God bless the loving women who love and care for these angels in the meantime!
    I just cant wait to see him home with you where he belongs and to learn his name. Merry Christmas to you both, and to your precious son, so soon to be in your arms.
    I am anxious to watch your Happy New Year unfold!

  50. Liz M

    Praise God! Layla, our adoption has taken about the same time and it has been so hard, and yet it has been so good for our faith, too. I have been praying for you since you started your journey to bring him home, and I am so happy for you!