We finished our adoption home study on June 24th!
We couldn’t stop smiling, and we celebrated with the sunset that night. I saved a little video snippet of it on Instagram so that we’d always be able to go back to it:
(Click on the photo above if you’d like to view the video. Email readers will have to visit TheLetteredCottage.net to click through.)
Our (home study) social worker, Beth, was so much fun to work with, and we sure did enjoy getting to know her over the past six months. The average home study takes 3-4 months to complete, but ours ended up being about 6 months because we were still praying about which program was the right fit for us during the first half of it. Around the four month mark, it became crystal clear that the Haiti program was the one for us, and we’re so thankful for the Peace that came along with making that huge decision!
We just entered into the Immigration phase of our adoption journey, and our agency (Lifeline Children’s Services) tells us this step is usually about two or three months in length. Our caseworker’s name is Mallory, and she’ll be with us the rest of the way! We’re excited to get to know her more too, and we’re very thankful to have her helping us along as we continue to gather documents for our dossier. (For those wondering: a dossier is a (giant) set of legal documents that foreign countries require when adopting a child from their country. It’s usually made up of your home study, marriage & birth certificates, immigration forms, etc. etc. etc.) We’re hoping our dossier will travel to Haiti sometime this September or October, and that we’ll be matched with a child from Angel House Orphanage sometime next year. It’s part of the Three Angels organization, which had to be completely rebuilt after the massive earthquake in 2010.
Here’s an exterior photo of (one side of) the new Three Angel’s property:
On their property you’ll find the Angel House Orphanage, the Three Angels Christian Academy, and a small medical clinic.
They’ve been providing care for abandoned children at the orphanage since 2003, and they work with Haitian authorities to admit children who have no other family option in Haiti. These are the little ones currently living at Angel House:
We’ve still got a long ways to go, but Kevin and I can’t help but wondering if we’ll be blessed with one them in the future? 😀
Three Angels also created an Orphan Prevention program which allows them the opportunity to walk alongside families, in their effort to grow their relationship with God, and maintain things like good health, sustainable income, safe dwellings, etc.
At the Three Angels Christian Academy, their mission is to provide students with education, medical care, a hot meal and a safe place to spend their day. It’s primarily student sponsor-funded, and they’ve even been able to offer scholarships for advanced education.
At the medical clinic, staff members provide ongoing community training to help stop the spread of cholera and other life threatening diseases. They provide regular check-ups, vaccinations, prescription medications, emergency care, dental care, and even surgery when a specialist is visiting. (Hey, that reminds me- their website said they are always looking for medical volunteers, so if you’re interested or know someone who may be interested in visiting them- here’s the contact email: [email protected]).
I’m really looking forward to (hopefully) meeting the staff (and our babe!) at Three Angels in person next year, but we’ve made a pact to be super patient with this process. From what we’ve been told and read, it’s going to be a slow-go as Haiti’s government is still trying to get things back on track post-earthquake, and is moving towards a better adoption process through the Hague Convention. We knew that going in though, and I think just fully accepting that it’s going to be a very long and rocky road has already made a difference in our journey. We look forward to making the most of our wait time by learning more about little ones, Haiti, and as always- each other!
(Snapped that one the day we sent off our I-600A immigration form!) 😀
PS- If you’d like to visit Three Angel’s on Facebook, just click on the photo below…
…and here’s a video I found online that shows a little bit more about what the work they’re doing in Haiti. It was shot before the new Three Angels was constructed:
Oh, my goodness — those little, little, little faces. Tears.
Praying for your journey as you enter this next phase.
You are two very special people! So glad you are sharing your journey…
I am so excited for you. I have seen the joy that adoption has brought to families and can’t wait for you to be overflowing with joy. I am praying the the birth mother of your child ( she may be carrying him/her now) will seek help and guidance to receive the best medical and dietary care possible That she will know above all else that Christ loves her and the child she is carrying unconditionally and baby is already loved by the two of you.
How fitting your organization is called “Three Angels”. Soon that is whom your house will hold.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! I know it’s a long process, but at least maybe this feels like the beginning of the home stretch?! Every single one of those babies is PERFECT and precious. I know that God will send you your perfect angel. I can’t wait!
xoxo
So exciting!! Congratulations. You are positively glowing in those photos. How gorgeous are the little kids?! Best of luck with the next stage! xx
I love that you can see a bit of their little personalities in their pictures. Oh, the sweetness! Thank you again for sharing your journey with us, the masses, and congratulations!
It is wonderful to hear how your journey is progressing. And how could you not fall in love with every one of those little people! They are all beyond gorgeous and will be blessed to be welcomed in to your loving arms. 🙂 xx
Layla, I don’t usually comment but you and Kevin have been in my heart and prayers concerning your “birthing process”. I know it will be a joyous day. God’s time will bring the child He has chosen for you to be their mommy and daddy. And once you hear the laughing and crying in your house because of the little one you will KNOW that you would not have wanted to have hurried and missed your child. Continued joy, peace, patience and excitement as each step, each hour and each minute brings you that much closer. See you in October! Jan
Oh what precious babies!!!
So excited with each new development! Thank you for your joy.
I am so thrilled for you that I’ve got tears in my eyes. I hope the remaining steps in the process are smooth and quick. xoxo
I am SUPER excited for you guys! I have a Godson that was adopted from that very orphanage three years ago. He’s one of the lights of my life! I am praying your experience is filled with hope and joy and that it will be speedy process! Much love!
Hey Layla! I have been following you guys forever and just wanted to say i truly hope your little one arrives soon!!
You two deserve so much happiness and will be thrilled with whomever is sent your way… im sure of it..
Excited!!
Patty
Good luck! Those babies are all precious! My husband and I just adopted a baby boy in May. We went with a domestic adoption and I admire your patience for the international process!
Sounds like things are going well. I’m so happy for you!
Goosebumps! I just love following the journey God has you two on! The child He has for you is going to be so blessed! Praying for you! Much love.
Oh, which one will be the next Palmer?? Love that you are taking us on this journey with you! (I love ALL those sweet faces!) My house is FULL, but if it weren’t, I would for sure want some of those lil babes! Good luck sweet Palmer family!! ~Kim
Tears come to my eyes Layla. I see such love between you and your husband it makes me smile. You hugging him in the first picture, with your eyes closed, I can just feel the love pouring out of you (corney but true). The child God sends you will be so blessed.
Congratulations!! And boy do I remember that I-600a feeling x3! I will enjoy hearing more about your adoption journey, and wish you all the best each step of the way!
Whoever that child is…one of the ones pictured or not, he/she will be one of the luckiest in the world to have such fabulous parents!
Hi there,
I started following your website when I redid my lake cottage. I love the way it turned out following some of your cues! I am excited to follow you on your adoption journey as well. Our youngest child, adopted internationally, just turned 8. I remember the process like it was yesterday – the anticipation, joy, and waiting!!! It was an incredible experience for me, my husband and our three other children. Looking forward to hearing about your incredible experience as well!!!
God is writing a beautiful story. As a mother of 3 adopted girls from China, I know the impact it has not only in the hearts of the moms and dads who adopt but those who get to watch and partake in this beautiful way of creating a family. Praying for you.
love this for you two. can’t wait until you have that little one in your happy home. ♥
I just love their little faces and the both of yours, too! What sweet spirits. :0) Looking forward to seeing how God weaves your paths to the one He’s already chosen!
My neighbor adopted a little girl from Haiti! I think she was 5 when the process started, and 8 when she finally came home. She has a blog about it: http://verlandetovirginia.blogspot.com/. Best of luck, I’m sure you will have a happy and healthy child in no time! 🙂
How absolutely wonderful! Congrats Layla and Kevin!
So happy for you both. You are going to make wonderful parents and some little child is going to be very lucky to have you and vice-versa! I think it was a huge, self-less act to decide to adopt. There are so many children (not only in Haiti) all over the world that need someone to love and care for them. Best wishes to you on this (what sounds like) long journey! – Karen
Yay! I am so excited for you guys! What a blessing – and those pictures… oh. my. goodness… I want to bring every one of them home myself!
Welcome to the crazy, wonderful life of adopting from Haiti! We just celebrated our 2 year anniversary of our “yes” to God’s call to adopt from Haiti. We have a little girl who will *hopefully* be coming home in the next several months. Many blessings of continued peace and JOY along the journey. There will be many things that will come in and try to rob you of those two things, but hold them dearly close to your heart, friend, they are what keep you going and keep you sane-ha! God has called and you have answered. Glory to Him!
Excited to read this good news! I feel connected–we’ve kept a child from Haiti, adopted a child from Vietnam, I’ve done home studies as an adoption caseworker, and I was adopted! It’s in our blood!
For the past 12 years, my husband, my daughter/blog partner and I have organized working vacations in third world countries as a way to give back. We take between 15 and 20 friends and build houses, repair schools, and orphanages. Last December my husband took a group to work in an orphanage in Haiti through Mercy and Sharing. Best of luck to you. There are so many children there that have been thrown away by their parents. They need special people like you two.
You two are so stinkin’ cute. This made me cry. So, so happy for you.
I am so excited for you guys!!! And thank you for sharing your journey with us 🙂
So glad to hear that you have passed another milestone on your way to adoption! It may sound cliche, but good things come to those who wait. Best of luck to you both!
Also, did you get your hair cut? It looks adorable!
what a precious bunch of babies. any of them would be so blessed to come home to you all. best wishes for the remainder of your journey.
What precious little ones! Praying with you as your journey to bring home a “little” to your home. Thanks for the update ~
So excited for you~ we too adopted after having 2 of our own. It is the most wonderful , amazing thing. We never worried about what child God was bringing our way as he already had her picked out way before we even decided to adopt. We are so happy for you and continue to pray blessings on your journey. If we were younger we would love to do it all again. A blessing from the Lord for sure. Blessings, Shannon
This is so exciting for you guys. I can only imagine what you think about as you look at those little faces, wondering if one of them will be the little face you get to love soon. 🙂
I am so excited that you guys have chosen Haiti and are getting to take the next steps in your adoption process. Don’t feel bad about your home study taking six months either. Ours was a nine month long process and I can’t imagine finishing it any quicker. It’s a huge accomplishment to have that part behind you now. I look forward to seeing the child God has in store for you. Thanks so much for sharing your journey.
First, congrats Layla and Kevin!!! And I love how Krystle says “looks forward to seeing what God has in store for you”. Going thru years of unsuccessful IVF etc. and ready to transfer my last frozen embryos, that statement is very uplifting! Thank you all for sharing your journey and God Bless!
If you have time, read my post http://wp.me/p3N7Py-6B
I should have added a Thanks to Layla and Kevin to the post too!!
Beautiful children-this must be an exciting time for you and Kevin!
I would want a girl since we have 3 sons. Wishing you all the best as you are blessed with one of your own. Do you ever have a choice, like age or gender? I enjoy reading your posts
and learning so much about adoption.
Thank you, JolieAnne! Yes- you can choose your age range and gender. 🙂
So excited for you!!! And I LOVE your perspective to make the most of the wait! 🙂
~Gini 🙂
God bless your hearts. Can we bring all twelve home to the U.S.. What beautiful little faces………….oh to be able to rock those babies………….
Three angels in your home………that’s how I see it too. I cannot wait!!!!!
Haiti has had a very special place in my heart since 2010 when I took my first mission trip to help rebuild. I have since taken my children each year and they’ve also fallen in love. In fact my oldest “angel” is there right now as an intern with Haitian Christian Mission, and the rest of us will join her in 2 weeks. God bless you and your family.
My heart just overflows for you two and whichever sweet little one is coming your way… I feel quite sure you’ve ministered to many in sharing this special and intentional journey to parenthood. I know you’ve blessed me, just knowing some child’s life will be made full in your love and care. God Bless!
xo Heidi
I know several people ministering in Haiti even now. One is a family whose 10-year-old (at the time, now she is 18) had the dream to move to Haiti and start an orphanage. Within a couple of years, her entire family did just that!
SO excited for you guys! Got goosebumps looking at the pictures of the little ones – must be crazy to think that one could be your little guy or girl next year! Thinking of you guys as you continue along your journey!
Thank you, Mary! 😀 It IS pretty crazy to think we could already be looking at the face of sweet P! We both have that photo saved on our cell phones and we just keep staring at it and smiling! 😀
I wish that you could just go to Haiti right now and scoop up one of those little angels to bring home immediately! (but I know how bureaucracy works!)
I will keep you and Kevin in my thoughts and prayers as you continue this journey!
oh my….I have always loved reading about your updates on the adoption process but this one just melted my heart. actually seeing the kids that are housed at Three Angels melted my heart! I will take them all!!! 🙂
Congratulations on everything so far and good luck!
So Happy for you guys!
Oh, such good news! I’m thrilled it’s Haiti – it has a special place in my heart (my family lived there for awhile) – and so do the people. So sweet! Thanks for sharing.
so glad the process is moving along for you, however slow it may be. i love reading the updates because we are thinking adoption might be what we choose in the future. it’s nice to see a peaceful, collected perspective on it all 🙂