“For the two of us, home isn’t a place. It is a person. And we are finally home.”
―Stephanie Perkins
Hello! 😀
We’re home! I had hoped to blog while we were traveling, but unfortunately several parts of our trip were significantly more difficult than we had anticipated and I just didn’t have it in me. I’m happy to report, however, that we are loving family life at home and Steevenson is doing SO great! He sleeps all the way through the night (10 hours!), and he is incredibly smart, so we have had an absolute ball just listening to him talk. Today, we went for a drive and when we passed by the chapel near the entrance of our neighborhood he told us, “Bondye renmen ou”. (God loves you) Made my eyes water! We’ve also discovered that he loooooves tools and tractors. The first time I pointed out a tractor to him (through the car window), I said, “I see a tractor!” in a sing-song voice and he’s been singing it same way ever since. So sweet! Here’s a snippet if you’d like to listen:
(Sorry for the wonky video- I didn’t want my phone to be a distraction.)
My favorite thing though, is when he gets tired at night. He crawls right up on top of me and clings to me so tight as he asks a million cute questions as he falls asleep. He is so smiley and snuggly and smells so good after his bath. I just lay there and answer, and snuggle…and sweat- ha! (He’s like a little heater!)
I wanted to share some of my favorite homecoming photos (taken by my sweet friend Aubrie at Hello Baby Birth Photography) today, but first, click the play button below to see a clip of our first few moments together at the orphanage. What a sunny boy!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers! More pics and posts to come…but for now, it’s late and I’ve got a baby to cuddle. 😉
Happy happy tears!
I think it’s safe to say everyone has been waiting for this for you guys and everyone is so happy for you. Emotions are indescribable when it comes to children, the feelings are so deep and endless, congratulations!
Congratulations! So happy for you!
What joyful news! I’m so happy for you all to be together as a family. Thank-you Layla for sharing your happy news, and sweet pictures.
Blessings to your family
So very, very happy for you two. I’ve been following this journey of yours and I’m thrilled to see him in your arms!
I’m so happy he’s finally home! It’s amazing to see the entire process finally come to a grand beginning. I can’t wait to see pictures of him in his little room! Enjoy living him, congrats!
I’m so happy sweet Sonny is finally home with you guys! Bless you all and thank you both for blessing us with your journey and homecoming! I have never cried so many tears (some sad, most joyful) for someone I have never met but feel so blessed to virtual know all 3 of you.
Enjoy and cuddle and kiss and giggle!
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. I have been looking all weekend for an update, and this just made my Monday morning perfect!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Enjoy all of your moments with Steevenson. You’ll blink, and he’ll be grown. 🙂
I’ve been holding my breath waiting for a post and hoping everything went smoothly for you. Glad Sonny is home and you can start your life together. His smile just lights up his face. Such a sweety. Can’t wait to read about your many adventures to come.
I can’t even type. (Sniff) your smiles say it all. Now the adventure really begins.
God bless your hearts.
Question…..what did Sonny think of his beautiful, safe room?????
My love to you all………xoxoxoxo
SQUEEE! He’s REALLY yours! I can’t express how happy I am for y’all! Tears of joy here, looking at your homecoming! Wishing you happy days filled with wonder forevermore!
( When I woke this morning, this was the first thing I thought about, wondering if you were home! Not about my family, but yours! )
I have heard horror stories about kids adjusting to their new surrounding. Sounds and looks like Sunny is doing extremely well. You and the orphanage did a lot to make that happen. I am so happy for you all! He is adorable and he clearly loves you!!
awww, congratulations to you both!!
Prayers answered, Home Safe! Sonny looks so Happy! Great he is sleeping well at night! How did he like his room? Did he sleep in his own bed? So proud he is now home and all of you can live as a family! Praying Sonny adjust well and quickly!
God bless your family. I’m so happy that he’s home with you now. I look forward to all of the posts in the future about him.
I’m so happy for you – all three! You have got the most wonderful gift… You all have so much to look forward to… But don’t forget to enjoy the moment right now… <3
God is good ! Welcome to parenthood. Xoxo
Congratulations! So sweet and what an awesome blessing to finally be home together.
SO Very Happy for you guys! I’ve got to go dry my tears. Enjoy those baby cuddles.
Oh my!!!! I knew this day would come, but just didn’t know when! Such a sweet voice and smile! Congratulations on your baby boy. (Mine are 20 and 17 — they’ll always be our babies!)
Best news ever!!! I am beyond ecstatic for your sweet family!! Welcome home Sonny!!
Go love on that baby and hold him tight! Been praying for you all for a long time and so happy to see he is home.
Congratulations!!!
When I first caught a glimpse of your FB update immediately Psalm 126:3 came to my mind! “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy!” I’m filled with joy with you! WHAT GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!!
Your neighbor in B’ham!
How wonderful! Congratulations and happy cuddling!
My heart is full of joy for you Layla and your beautiful family. I was transported back 17 yrs and 15 yrs for our trips to bring home our two younger boys. I share with you the inexplicable joy in your heart now. God Bless you all.
I was on the Periscope shop event when you bought those leggings, I distinctly remember thinking how cute they were when you claimed them! So fun to see they made an appearance on such a special day! Enjoy your sweet boy!!
Such happiness! Love it! Congratulations… Enjoy every minute with your little guy! God Bless!
He’s gorgeous. You’re all gorgeous. So happy for you all! xxx
Tears of joy rolling down my cheeks. Your Sonny is home! Many prayers will be said for this happy, lucky little boy over the days and years. I will keep an eye open in the chance I will spot you out and about! Oh, how that would make my day to see the love between you in person.
Simply joyful. He’s a beautiful child and such a sweet voice. God’s blessings.
Wow what a ride! I have loved being a part of it. ❤
OH my heart! So so very happy and jubilant for you all!! Prayers have been answered and God is good. Such patient and loving parents. Enjoy every minute with your sweet boy!
I’m so happy for your little family. God has blessed you richly. Have a wonderful bonding time.
Oh, melt. He’s adorable and sounds so cute! Congratulations! May these days be golden and fill the years with joy! God bless your sweet family!
This makes me so happy! It’s a big giant Earth and God chose you two and this precious boy to be together. Thank goodness!
Oh Layla – I am so incredibly happy for you guys. What a beautiful experience, long though it was.
Congratulations to you all!
Oh my! You are Blessed and there is not doubt about it. My hubs and I both watched your videos and cried with joy. Your pictures are beautiful and we want more. Please enjoy every moment and there will be many of happiness and wonder. You are going to be a wonderful mom and dad. God Bless your family!
Blessings. There just aren’t earthly words for this type of joy- with tears!
There just aren’t any words. Tears, but no words. To think that the God of the universe looked ahead through the ages, and saw you, and Kevin, and your Sweet P, and brought about the circumstances to bring you all together, well it just blows my mind what an awesome God we serve. Enjoy every moment. Blessings from Missouri!
There are no words to say how my heart is full to overflowing with joy for you. God is good.♥♥♥
LAYLA!!! Oh I couldn’t stop crying reading this!!! I’m so so happy for you all!!! Enjoy your snuggles and hugs and kisses!!
Fabulous! Thank you, Lord! Best of everything to all of you.
Hope you dump that big backpack asap. Cannot be good for a growing skeletal system. Take it from someone who had back pains for many years.
Did the airline charge for an extra bag?LOL!
How did Sonny take to flying?
Looks like you and your friends are going to be a good support group for each other.
Wishing you all the very best with all your cute kids.
Oh, it was just filled with a light-weight blanket, MJ. We tried to get him to let us carry it, but he *insisted* that he wear it. He is accustomed to wearing a backpack anytime he leaves the orphanage, and we wanted him to feel comfortable. He also saw us wearing backpacks, and wanted to be “like mama and papa”. Such a sweet boy! 😀 As for the flight, he wasn’t crazy about taking off (he ran over to Kevin’s seat and sat with him until we reached cruising altitude), but he did great the rest of the time. 🙂
I am beyond EXCITED for your little family!!!
He looks so happy. I’ve been following your adoption journey and am crying tears of joy at these homecoming pictures. So happy for your family!!
I cried. Congratulations!
And just like that, you are home with your son, and life will never be the same. The road had more twists and turns than most, but you were a shining light and inspiration to so many along the way. Thank you for sharing your adventure and giving everyone the courage to hope and dream and believe for miracles. Love to you and your sweet family. <3 God has blessed you mightily!
Prayerfully followed your entire journey and this post is testimony to countless prayers of SO many. Just look what God has done! I love the shirt Kevin wore – through the long process it remained well. And now, so much joy for the 3 of you!!
So happy for you! I’ve been following your journey for years. What a beautiful boy – now part of a beautiful family.