“She smiled and said with an ecstatic air: “It shines like a little diamond”.
“What does?”, he asked.
“This moment.”
―Jean-Paul Sartre
Friends and family!! We booked our plane tickets and we’ll be heading to Haiti soon!!
Booking our tickets was such a sweet experience, y’all. Kevin and I called the airline (on speakerphone so we could both hear) and got the sweetest agent to help us. When I explained the reason we were calling, he got so excited and shared that his sister recently brought home his adopted nephew from Guatemala. He told us that seeing them come through the doors at the airport “was one of the best moments of his life” and that he “could just cry thinking about it again!”. 🙂
There weren’t very many seats left on the plane, but he found us three spots (on the same plane as the the Riehms!) and then filled us up with super kind and encouraging words. The whole experience felt like such a blessing. Such a Godwink!
I’m going to bring an iPad with me so I can blog a few times while we’re there, but I’ll probably post more regularly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram since it’s easier to quickly upload snippets and pics there. Here are links to each of those accounts if you’d like to “come with” us:
Facebook: TheLetteredCottage
Instagram: LetteredCottage
Twitter: @LetteredCottage
…and here’s a link to my Periscope if you’d like to tune in real-time:
Periscope: LetteredCottage
Your enthusiasm and encouragement have made this adventure so much more fun, and we truly appreciate the prayers you have lifted up for us along the way!
I’ll be blogging on my regular schedule this week (5 Insta-pics post on Wednesday, Thought-Full Thursday, and a Bungalow Barn update on Friday), but I may have a bit of a wacky posting schedule next week. I’ve got a little bubba to go pick up. 😉
Funny how 3 years and 8 months into an adoption process you can feel like you’re finally at the beginning. 😀
I’m so happy for you all. It’s been a roller coaster ride following your story, so happy that you’re finally at the beginning of a lifetime together. ?
YES!!
The hugest of congratulations and safe travels.
Your blog is the very first blog I read, having come upon it quite by accident some 6 years ago, or so, and have never missed a post! I can not express how truly happy I am for you and Kevin, but also for Sweet Pea for becoming your son. He is one very lucky, lovEd and blessed little boy. Can’t wait to continue follow wing your journey as a family 🙂
I have no words. NO WORDS. Just happy tears and big ol’ smile!!!
Happy happy news!
Becoming a parent for the first time is an amazing experience. That first hug you will get when you see him this time will be your favorite.
Can’t wait to see how life unfolds once he is HOME.
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I’m so happy for you all! Good luck for a smooth trip.
We are in the process of adopting our foster daughter, and while this process has taken more than two years (so far), I am so comforted by successful adoption stories like yours. ❤️❤️
Just sobbing over here on this Monday morning! It was a gloomy rainy morning, but suddenly, the sun is shining. My prayers go with you and bring you home!
So very happy for you, Kevin, and your little Sweet P, Layla!!!!!!!! ♥ These will be the BEST flights of your life!! Thank you for opening your heart to share this journey with all of us. Celebrating your wonderful new beginning! Huge hugs! ♡
Fabulous news!!! The song “Celebrate” comes to mind. 🙂
Sing it with me!!! https://youtu.be/3GwjfUFyY6M
Praise be!
This makes my heart smile!
What blessed news Layla…so happy for you and Kevin.
I can’t wait to see your homecoming pix.
Travel safely and god bless you all xoxox
I’M THRILLED FOR YOU, KEVIN, & SONNY! PRAISE GOD! WHAT A BLESSING! THE STORY GETS BETTER EACH DAY!
Wonderful news. I have been following your blog the past few years. So happy you can go get your little boy!
God bless you all!!!!!
So happy for the both of you.
How thrilling! Said a prayer for you and Kevin and Sonny – for the beginning of your days together.
Prayers for a safe journey! Sooooooo Happy For You Both!!!!!!!!
Getting all teary-eyed here reading your exciting news! Safe travels, and looking forward to reading all about the ‘beginning’ of your lives as a family of THREE!
Layla, I am so happy for you and Kevin and your whole family, but especially for your little Sonny. What an amazing life you all are stepping into. This could only have happened by God’s amazing grace. Such a lucky little boy! He will be receiving the greatest gift of all-a loving family. Best of wishes to you all.
I have a big smile on my face and a happy heart for you, Kevin and Sweet P! I believe you have a LOT of cheerleaders out here that are going to be keeping up with you and praying for a safe journey. Sending you a big hug!!!!
Wonderful. Safe , blessed trip to you all.
Blessings….Safe journey….thanks for letting us come with you.
Jackie
I’m crying reading this!! I’m a mama to 3 blessings and I cannot imagine life without them. Your story, faith, positive attitude, PATIENCE and JOY throughout this experience is such a blessing to watch. I cannot WAIT until you two have your sweet boy in your arms for good!! Praying for safe travels and a quick week to pass by!!!
So happy for all 3 of you!! Have been following you for a couple of years and have been waiting for this post!! Congrats congrats congrats! Can’t wait to see your baby home safe and sound!
Layla & Kevin so happy to see this part of the adoption journey end and your new life with Sonny begin. I am praying for your little family. I pray everything will be as perfect as life will allow it. Praying for a safe journey. Will follow you on Facebook or Periscope.
Just so Happy for both of you!
What’s new @ Kevin’s Parents Barn? No info lately. I think I know why?? LOL
I am so excited for all y’all! I’ve followed your blog for years and I can’t believe you’re finally at the end of your waiting to bring Sweet P home! And I also remember when you found the shiplap in your last house, way before Joanna Gaines made it cool?
Oh boy, I have been following your journey from the beginning. I can’t believe the time has Arrived. How WONDERFUL for you and Kevin and Sweet P. I am just so HAPPY…HAPPY…HAPPY. Congratulations on the BIG… BIG day and hugs to you, Kevin and Sonny from Wisconsin!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, so very happy for you, Kevin and your little Sweet P?
It’s about time!!! I’m so excited for all three of you….sending you off with a host of prayers.
Yes!! It’s finally here and you will be living as a family soon with your son. I’m so happy for you guys and excited to see what God has in store for you 3!
May God be with you and bring you all home safely.
Tears of joy and prayers for safe travels!
How wonderful! I’m so happy and excited for y’all. Enjoy every second.
Congratulations and many, many, many blessings to you all!!!! This is so exciting! As a long time reader, I just couldn’t be happier for y’all!
May God continue to bless you richly and may your travels be safe!
You inspire us all!
Congratulations! So happy to hear the incredible news!! Your little bundle of joy will be in your arms FOR GOOD! Our LORD is SO GOOD!!
This just makes my day!!! Next week! Next week! Wooooo Hoooo!!!
I’m just in tears thinking about it! I don’t know how many years I’ve been following you, but definitely from the beginning of this journey and my heart is so full for yall! P.S. Better get that boy some orange and blue, it’s about that time. 😉
The BEST news I’ve heard all day!!!! What a ride!!! So hold on tight as you enter the final stretch!!! You are going to LOVE being a mommy!!! Your heart is about to grow bigger than you’ve ever experienced in your life. WHAT – – A – – BLESSING!!!!!
Prayers and safe travels to you! So happy and and excited for your little family
WOOT!!!! Hurray and Hallelujah!!! Praying for traveling mercies for your little family. So happy that your hearts’ desire is coming to fruition. G-d is so wonderful!
I can’t even imagine the excitement you must be feeling!!! I wish you the best!!!
Thrilled for y’all!! Looking forward to seeing him in person at church on Sunday mornings.
So happy for you all! Cheers as you start this wonderful adventure!
WOW!!! WOW!! So wonderful! God bless Yall!!
Praise God!!!! I am ecstactic for y’all!! I have been praying and following!! Ohhhh, our God is so faithful, in the waiting, wow, in the waiting season. As we trust… Our eyes are opened to see His Glory unlike any other time❤️Praying as you travel and return and for this new beginning!! Blessings, Suzanne Proverbs 3:5-6
Well I’m happy to see I’m not the only one blubbering! My heart is full for all of you! Can’t wait until you guys are together! ???
So happy for you and your family Layla! I was wondering if you could share how you and Kevin are planning to help your son acclimate to life in the US. I was thinking about your adoption journey the other night, and I realized that your son will be in for quite a change! I’d love to hear more about how the transition and your plans for it!
Yay! And thank you, Jesus!
Layla, I am so happy for you and your family! What a wonderful blessing this journey has been, and I can’t wait to read updates from bringing your son home. Many hugs from Utah!
So glad you lucked on to that booking agent. God is good! Can’t wait for the first post on his arrival to the states and home! So hoping he will not be frightened, just happy for his new future! I follow on instagram and facebook, and will be glued to my computer as much as possible!
As for future posts while you all adjust when home – I think your followers will understand if they are super short or not at all. Just continue to bond. Your family ALWAYS take 1st priority! Safe travels!