“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. 😀
Over the moon for your family!!! 😀
I am reminded of the song “Open the Eyes of My Heart,” when I read this. God truly opened the eyes of your hearts when you three met and bonded and are now coming together as a family. I could not be happier for you! Looking forward to all the pictures of that sweet homecoming!! <3
Layla,
I am extremely happy to hear that the three of you will be together soon as a family. I wish you all the best for a lifetime of joy, and special memories.
Have a blessed day and safe journey.
So excited for the three of you!! Prayers for your safe travels!
OMG! I can’t believe how long the process is! Hope all goes well! God bless!
I’m so excited and happy for you!! Prayers will be lifted on your behalf these next few weeks
What a lesson in patients and faith you have been! God bless you all!
Congratulations!!! Can’t wait to hear about your trip and your homecoming!!
Yeah!!! So excited for you and that sweet little one! God is so very good!
So happy for you and your husband. You will soon be a family of three. It’s been a long road and I pray for a safe trip to pick up your SON. Can’t wait to see little Sweet P home with his Mom and Dad. God Bless your new family!!!!
Congratulations and may your family of three be abundantly blessed
Wahoo! So exciting! Have so much fun!
I remember so well the weeks and days leading up to the birth of my son his 1st birthday is next week!). I remember thinking that i knew him, and he was but at the same time he was not yet. Just like your Sonny is here and fulfilling his purpose for this moment but yet he isn’t fully in his place among his family. This is your mommy moment leading to your birth story. The anticipation that your family is complete from the moment you knew he was, but not yet fully realized. It is so close now and soon you will hold him knowing, this time as you embrace he is, and HE IS YOURS! It is beautiful, it is divine, and it is overwhelming. My heart waits in such anticipation for you! From one mommy to another I send all my best thoughts and heartfelt prayers to you!
Tears of happiness flowing for the Palmers (all 3 of you)!!! So excited for you all.
So happy for you all!!!
I’m sitting here with the biggest smile on my face and tears in my eyes. The BEGINNING, indeed. I have been blessed that you have shared your journey and could not possibly be more thrilled for all of you. God’s perfect plan in action. Congratulations, mama (and papa)…each day is one day closer to your son and the start of so many new adventures. Love and safe travels.
So, so, excited for you, Kevin, and Sweet P! I do NOT want to rain on your parade, but just remember that this is going to be a MAJOR adjustment for Sweet P – leaving everything he has ever know – plus he doesn’t speak English. He is going to be scared (even though he loves you guys) so give him some extra time to get adjusted – don’t be surprised if there are some melt downs. Just his way of coping. Hang in there Momma – it’s all part of mommyhood! 🙂
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe he’s finally coming home! My heart is bursting for you guys! I’m adopted too, and a new mom, so this story has been so close to my heart. I hadn’t been by the blog in a little while (I normally read at work on my breaks and I’ve been slammed!) and this is just the BEST news!!! I can’t wait to follow along as you guys bring your Sweet P home! Sending up prayers for safe travels and prayers of THANKSGIVING!
All I can say Layla is it’s taken way too
long to get “Sonny” where he belongs!
So thankful it’s finally happening!!! : )
I am so excited for you. We have five adopted children all adopted as infants or toddlers. Some were domestic, some international. They are growing up quickly! They now range from age 11 up to 21. It has been the greatest joy of our lives. God miraculously placed each one of them into our lives at just the right time. I remember the excitement of bringing then home as if it was yesterday. Enjoy the journey!
God is soooo good! Very happy for you all!
Rejoicing with you!!!!!!
Oh, my lord, I don’t know if I could be more happy for you if you were actually my family. Can’t wait to see the next few posts! Bless you all.
SO excited for you and Kevin Layla!! It seems like it has been such a long process, but you have been faithful and are finally reaping the benefits! I saw Three Angels Haiti post a picture of your sweet Sonny and his buddy…it said they were getting ready to go to their forever homes. I know they will miss your sweet boy so much….what a blessing all the way around!! Prayers for a safe trip. Cant wait to see your updates!!
Sending all my prayers and happiness with you both as you pick up Sonny.
So excited for you! All of you;). It’s been a blessing to be on this journey,as much as we could be, through your blog. To see your patience and faithfulness each step of the way and now, to see your reward. Your son. What an incredible blessing God has in store for you:). Enjoy every sweet moment.
I’ve followed your journey, and shared it with several co-workers. I smiled when I read your blog this morning! I’m so happy for all of you ❤️
So, so, so excited for the THREE of you!!! 🙂
So excited for y’all to make the trip to pick up your son! Wishing you safe travels. ?
GOD BLESS!!!!
PRAISE!!!! Can’t wait to see pics of your son’s homecoming. What a blessed adventure!
I’ve been reading for many many many years, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever commented. I’m a 39-year-old mom of 7- and 4-year old girls. I’ve been thinking of you through all the ups and downs of your journey, hoping that this would happen for you. I’m so, incredibly happy for you and your family. Have a safe journey, can’t wait to hear all about it and read your adventures in new mom-hood 🙂 God bless you all.
Loving thoughts from Boston,
CA
That’s awesome! So happy for you all.
“What feeling is so nice as a child’s hand in yours? So small, so soft and warm, like a kitten huddling in the shelter of your clasp.”-Marjorie Holmes
Congratulations and safe travels. Now go get that Bubba! 🙂
I can’t even type a message without crying. Suffice it to say, I am beyong thrilled for all of you. Grandma and Grandpa as well. The whole experience is a “Godwink”. Don’t you love Squire Rushnell’s phrasology?????
I cannot wait for Sonny to be on USA soil. ALabama soil. His new, forever home soil. We are all waiting for him to come “home”. Ah shucks…………sniff. ?
God bless all of you!!!!!
I am over the moon excited for you, Kevin, and Sweet P! I remember a recent post about how excited he would be in a ‘machine’ (car) to go to an appointment. I can’t imagine how excited he will be on an airplane! I am praying for travel mercies for all of you. You are beginning a new chapter in your life and I am so excited for you and Kevin. I am so looking forward to seeing pictures of Sweet P on American Soil – I’m also getting my Kleenex ready as I will definitely need it! Your friend in Nashville, Susan
Wahoooooooooo! Your patience and grace through this whole process is excellent practice for your lifetime of parenting this lucky boy. So happy for all of you!!
??✈️☮????ALL but happies here!!!! Wishing you a safe trip AND so stinking excited to follow along on this bittersweet journey!!!!!!!
Lisa❤️
So fun to finally read this post that we have all been waiting so long for! God is so good and it is such an incredible thing to see a dream come true that you’ve hoped for for so very long!!! Travel mercies to you all!!!!
I am really happy for all of you, but specially for your sweetie pie, for he has got wonderful parents! All the best and many blessings for your sweet family!
Layla, I’ve been reading for years but I have never commented. I have felt such excitement for your family as your adoption has progressed this week and have been checking daily to see if there are any updates. All those slow steps and waiting along the way and it seems to all come at once in the end, although I’m sure for you the days are dragging as you count down to homecoming day! Your happiness jumps out of the screen! Wishing all three of you the very best as you embark on this magnificent life journey together. Very soon it will feel like Sonny has always been there, and you will scratch your head and wonder what you used to do with all that free time! It’s great stuff!
Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to see your whole family together! Being adopted myself, I know how blessed you all truly are. It’s been a long long road for you all, but sweet pea will always know how badly you’all wanted him and how much he’s loved! God bless!!!
Finally!!! Patience is a virtue!!! 🙂 GODSPEED. –gv xxoo
Yay! It has to be so exciting and surreal to finally be at this point. Praying for a sweet visit and making lots of memories for y’all!
You are so gracious to continue truly and totally sharing this wonderful, exciting experience with all of us! My heart is full because yours runneth over. 🙂 Godspeed you and Kevin, and the other adopting family making the same journey. <3
Layla,
How long will you be in Haiti before you can come home? I’m over the moon elated for you guys!!!! And Sweet P makes 3!!!! Love to you all!!!!
“You have a little bubba to pick up…” Before long, that will seem like such a normal thing to say. I think I say it daily! Revel in the newness of each little experience, for they are gone so fast! And congratulations from CANADA!
So excited for you! It’s been a long process and your journey has been inspiring. Soon you will be bringing your son home! Can’t wait to his his reaction when he gets to see his new home, meet your pup, the rest of your family and friends and see his new bedroom. Exciting times!
I am also excited for you
Have a great time in Haiti
Laurence
Safe travels and sooooooo happy for you. What a long road–let the fun begin!!