“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. 😉
What a beautiful sight! Congratulations!
Makes my heart smile! Sooooo happy for all of you!!!
So very excited for you!!! Prayers for many blessings!!!!
what a relief and a joy! so extremely happy for you all, finally!
b
Congratulations!!! So happy for you!
What a sweet little guy!! Best wishes!!!
Layla, these are the most precious photos!! I am just in awe of God’s goodness!!
The Best line is ‘Its late and I have a baby to cuddle!!” What beautiful words, so happy you have a little one!!
What a beautiful homecoming. Congratulations!
I am overjoyed for you!! Congrats and blessings to all!
Congratulations!! What a special and exciting time 🙂 So happy for you and your family – what a blessing Steevenson is and will be! The Lord is good 🙂
Happy happy happy!!! So glad your son is finally home! Congratulations!!!!
I’m so happy for your family! It’s been a long long time coming but now you have forever to enjoy every moment. Best wishes as you all begin this beautiful journey.
Such a sweet voice coming from such a beautiful little one. I’m so very happy for the three of you. May God continue to bless and keep you. Welcome Home beautiful Sonny! (I know boys are supposed to be handsome but beautiful fits so much better.)
What a beautiful family! I cried tears of joy watching (or listening to) the videos. What a precious child you brought home. I’m sure you can’t stop hugging and kissing him.
God is sooo good! Extremely happy for all 3 of you!
What a beautiful family! I love these pictures of your son. 🙂
His little mocking voice is just dreamy…precious!!!! ???
Oh my how this made me cry tears of joy!!! FINALLY he is home with his family!!!! So so happy for ya’ll!! God is wonderful!
Bless you and your loving hearts! He is one lucky and blessed little boy. You make a beautiful family and I pray God continues to bless your lives as you raise your son .
I’ve followed this amazing journey ever since my wonderful mother booked us into the “Screened Inn” over 6 months ago and I read your e-magazine on the redesign and found my way here. This amazing expression of God’s love that you and your family is makes this world a better place, everyday. Thank you so much for sharing all that you are with so many!
PS We just had our trip to Tybee and my husband and I got to stay in “Lettered Love”. I can not tell you how much this former Scenic Designer loved the details! Wonderful atmosphere and sweet touches that meant so much to my Mom. God bless you guys!
Oh my, how I cried viewing the lovely pics, and hearing the video clips! God bless you all, and remember this: Treat your boy “with kid gloves” as my mother would say… He was emulating you with “I see the tractor” etc., because he SO wants YOU and Kevin to love HIM. He is nervous, being in a land that he has never known, and leaving the land he HAS known, and he will do all that he can to please you. Just put yourself in his place… he is so little, and he does NOT know what the future holds… which is love, and good food and presents! LOL! He only knows: “I ‘think’ I love these people, they have visited, came and got me, but what happens now?” He is little and I’m sure nervous, but he wants to make a good impression, so he will do his best to make YOU guys happy. Hey, I’m no psychologist, but I AM a mother. 😉 So I hope you don’t mind my saying all of this. My friends have coined me “Ma Glo” for a reason: I love to give advice, and it IS always good. LOL! Take care and I LOVED your sharing this homecoming. Love, Gloria (a.k.a. Ma Go)
Geez, I can’t even spell my own nickname name correctly… MA GLO, not Ma Go. LOL!!!! 😉
Happy happy tears as I look through your pictures! I don’t post too often but I’ve been following your journey the whole time! So glad he’s home with you and prayers for a smooth transition as the next chapter of your journey with Sonny begins! ??
Welcome Home Palmer Family!! So happy for all of you! Lots of good times ahead for you precious Sonny! What a fortunate and blessed little guy!
God is good!
How absolutely wonderful for all of you!
He’s home! He’s home! Praise God! He’s home!
Happy for you all! Thank God!!!!
I have followed you before you began the process and have never commented. I am a Nonna and my heart is full reading your post. I am so proud for your beautiful family and wish you much joy and happiness. Know that you are lifted in many prayers and are so blessed. My heart is full. Sending hugs.
PS
Don’t ever stop cuddling. Enjoy your beautiful little fella.
I started following you just about when this all began. And I cried and got discouraged and now today I read Be still and know that I am God.
You had to be stil…..
And the glory is even grander given to our Lord!!!!!!
Congratulations and Ike everyone there’s a lump in my throat. God is so good. I am so glad you are all home !!!!!!!! ??✝
What a beautiful homecoming. I love that your hearts, all 3 of them, have been knitted together by His own hand. <3
You have your precious angel finally at home. I’ve been following along and praying for you. Congratulations!
Love, and blessings,
Sheila in Denver
Congratulations! Welcome home Sonny! I’m soooooo happy for all of you. I wish I could give you all BiIgG hugs at this joyful time.
Crying such happy tears for you and your beautiful family. I am so overjoyed for you. Congratulations, and enjoy every single second of loving your amazing boy.
I’m so happy for you….now the fun begins!
I am just so happy for you guys…dreams really do come true!!!
Our daughter was 3.5 when we adopted her from China. The best piece of advice we received for the transition from living in an orphanage to being a member of a family, learning the rules, etc., was “Time In”. Instead of time out for unacceptable behavior the social worker asked us to hold her in our laps, facing away from us (that is crucial), for one minute per year of age. She fought us the first minute typically, but after she started to calm down we quietly reminded her why the behavior was unacceptable and then set her free when the time went off. It sure beat having her stand in a corner screaming!! The transition to family is hard the first few months, but once the language barrier starts to improve, and the routine. And family rules become familiar, it suddenly takes a huge leap forward toward smoother sailing!
How incredibly sweet! I am crying big tears over your choice to follow God and run after his BIG plans for you.
SSSSSOOOOOO HAPPY FOR ALL THREE IF YOU!!!!!
I tested up when I read the part about him saying God loves you. I have been reading about your adoption journey for the past couple years and I’m so amazed. Your patience and trust and faith blow me away. Thank you for sharing your stories with us.
So fantastic! I am just so happy for your guys!
Oh, so happy for you all!
Congratulations !!! What a precious homecoming !!! Wishing you all a lifetimes of togetherness and joy !!!
God is good! Congrats!
I am sitting here sobbing…just so sweet, and so nice of you to share these moments with us after waiting and praying with you for so long. I will continue to pray for your family. 🙂 What a gracious God we serve.
I’m so happy for you all! All the struggles, tears, paperwork, red tape, hoops to jump through, all worth it! Congrats!
So so happy for you guys!
I am soooo happy for you!!! Congratulations!!!
I’ve followed you on Instagram for a couple of years now and I have tears in my eyes…so incredibly happy for you and your family. Thank you for sharing, really glad you all got your happily ever after 🙂
I am so happy for you I can’t stand it. What a joy it has been to follow this journey and to see him in your arms – HOME!! Happy, happy days ahead – blessings on your sweet family.
YAAAAYYYYY!!!!!!!! WELCOME HOME SONNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!