“I’m telling you, when you see their faces…it’s like God turns up the sunshine to full blast.”
-Sophie Hudson
Sooooo, Haiti. Goodness, where do I start?
What a BLESSING to be able to spend five whole days with our friends and our Sweet P for Thanksgiving!
The boys were SO excited to see us (PTL!), and Little G was happy to put the (too small) 3T/size 8s I brought for Sweet P to good use. Since our babe turned 4 the day we got there (November 23rd), I had a sneaking suspicion he would need 4T clothes and size 9 shoes, so I brought the bigger sizes as back-ups. Sure enough, the 4T/9s fit him perfectly, and I was so glad I splurged on the extra set! You guys weren’t kidding when you said they grow FAST during this stage of life! (A note about the photo above: we tried to talk the boys into rolling up their sleeves and unbuttoning their shirts a little (they had cute t-shirts on underneath), but I think both of them were used to wearing their button-up shirts that way at school, so that’s the way they wanted to wear them with us, too. Cutie patooties!) 😀
God blessed us with so many special moments throughout the trip. Laughing ’til our faces and tummies hurt at the guest house with Matt & Tacy each night- MAN, I love those two! Making cupcakes for Sweet P’s birthday celebration- what a HOOT! Sweet P and Little G were such good helpers. Mixing, pouring, frosting, sprinkling…making that delicious mess with them will always be one of my fondest birthday memories.
Sweet P didn’t care for the actual celebration part of the party though. Nope. Turns out, he just wanted to eat his cupcake and open his presents outside with mama and daddy only. A party of three. No candles or Happy Birthday songs necessary. 🙂 Truth be told, he started crying in the room where all the kids were (first time we’ve ever seen him cry…which, of course, made me cry), but he perked right back up as soon as the three of us moved the party out onto the balcony. Whew!
…and here’s another one of my favorite parts of the trip: because we’ve been taking Haitian Kreyol lessons for the past several months, we were actually able to carry on conversations with our little guy, which took our relationship to a whole new level. When we were there in June, we had a blast playing together, but we didn’t really communicate that much. This time, we chatted non-stop because we could actually understand each other, and it made all the difference in the world. He made more eye contact with us, he seemed to trust us more, and he even seemed more interested in learning how to say things in English. I guess because it was easier for him to learn when we knew how to say things in both languages. And being able to draw every single thing my baby called out to me when we were sitting at the table with a pad of paper and a box of crayons? SO. AWESOME! Zandolit? Sure thing. Lizards are a piece of cake. Chat? Absolutely. I can draw cats in my sleep. Machin? No problemo. I LOVE drawing cars and trucks for you. Soulye? You got it. Shoes are my specialty! 😉
Being able to communicate with the women who love and care for him every day was such a blessing too. He has two main nannies- Carine and Aloude. They’ve been with him since he came to Three Angels at 18 months. They are extraordinary women. Kindhearted, hardworking women who have done such a beautiful job of showing our babe the love of Jesus. They taught him how to talk and walk and pray and sing. How to share and be polite…and how to use the potty. 😉 They take care of him when he’s sick, they hold him when he wants to be held, and they kiss his boo-boos when he gets hurt. They will forever be a cherished part of his life story, so being able to talk to/understand them while we’re there made it easier to get to know his “forever aunties”. In the past, we mainly just did a lot of smile exchanging, but this time, it was SO nice to go beyond the grins…even if it was “toddler Kreyol” we were speaking- ha! For example, one day I heard Sweet P ask Carrine if she was going to the hospital. I thought maybe she worked there at night so I asked her if she did. “Ou…travay…lopital?“, I slowly pieced together. In Kreyol that’s “you…work…hospital?”- but she knew exactly what I meant because she responded “Oh! No!” with a big grin as she waved ‘orevwa’ for the night. (Yes- that’s how ‘au revoir” (goodbye) is spelled in Haitian Kreyol) I have no idea why Sweet P thought she was going to the hospital, but how fun to be a part of that silly conversation.
(Carine and Sweet P)
Another moment that topped the charts was when Sweet P told me, “Bondye renmen ou” while I was holding him in the driveway one afternoon.
God loves you.
Even with his cute little accent and toddler-style speaking, I understood it clear as a bell.
Sure, he may have just been repeating something his nannies or teachers have said to him, but talk about PEACE for this mama-in-waiting! To know that THAT is what’s being poured into him while I’m not there…and to hear THAT pouring out of him when I am there. WOW. It was like God turned up the sunshine to full blast. 🙂
PS- We took our Haitian Kreyol lessons via Skype with an incredible gal named Gloria. You can find her as Gloria Guignard Board on Facebook, and you can find her book here: Learn Haitian Kreyol
OMGosh….great post. Sweet P is growing, in leaps and bounds. I can just see the love on all your faces. I cannot wait til he is finally at home.
(Layla, finally making our move to Blue Springs, MO this weekend. Closed on the FL house Monday and then closed, electronically, on the BS house on Tuesday. This has been a long time coming.) almost there………just the drive in front of us………and then we work to transform this house. Xoxoxoxo
This post made me cry. I loved hearing everything that happened and when he said God Loves You, tears…. I am overwhelmingly happy for you both and think you are going to make wonderful parents to this lil’ blessing!
“Dear Lord, please get this baby home soon”. Every day.
Sweet, sweet. I love when God speaks through others straight to me!! What a blessing and I’m so very happy for you and your new family of 3! My first tears of my day. 🙂
What a blessing. I love those stories that you shared. God is good!
Wow! How precious to celebrate Sweet P’s birthday with him! Prayed this morning for your family of 3 to be together soon! Thanks for sharing your blessings with us!
Wow! Loving all that Sunshine! So good for you two to have learned the language and obviously very well!
Interesting about the celebration, maybe he just wanted you all to himself! Cooking with kids is so much fun, they get so excited over things we feel we have done a thousand times! You’ll be making so many great memories in your own kitchen soon!
We have ” once upon a child” children’s consignment shops here, great for finding gently used and sometimes brand new clothes and shoes and toys at CHEAP prices. Given kids grow out of clothes etc before they wear out, its saved tons when shopping for the triplets!
Your pictures are lovely! Thank you for sharing your precious visit story!
Yep- he definitely seemed to just want to be a party of 3 in that moment, Karlene. 🙂
Great idea to search out consignment shops! I’ve never looked for those before!
So happy for you! The Lord is good. Praying your boy comes home soon!!
The sunshine in you beautiful smile is turned up to full blast! I can’t wait for you to bring your sweet baby home! I’m sure that day will be filled with even more sunshine and a little happy rain!
So sweet! I will share that my son is 13 now and his birthdays were always like that. He never wanted happy birthday sang or a big deal made about blowing out the candles(He would cry and cover his face). We just started letting him open gifts later or when no one was paying attention. It is just part of his personality we learned to understand. He also did this at Christmastime. Would just walk around slowly looking at things and a lot of times waited to open gifts later in the day and would always say this is too much. No videos or cameras or his was done. It was hard to understand for a long time but we just went with it.
Have a great day!
Joy
So wonderful!
Wow, beautiful post and beautiful photos! I’m heading back to Haiti this spring, http://www.cupcakesandsunshine.com/2015/11/back-to-haiti-sweet-travels-cookie.html and this post has made my heart so happy!! Thank you so much for sharing your sweet time there!
Layla, reading about your visits with Sweet P is so special. We just can’t wait for you to get him home. What a precious thing!
The joy just exudes from your faces!! I cannot imagine how excited you are to bring this little angel home! Praying that the Lord sees fit to bring him home sooner rather than later! Many prayers for all of you!
Love love love reading these magical times you spend with Sweet P! I cannot wait til you bring him home! I pray that it is very soon so we can all see his sweet face and see those loving eyes that match perfectly with his big smile! God Bless you all! Merry Christmas!!
Cried all the way through this one! Praise God for these women that sacrifice so much to pour Jesus into these children And God bless you guys for making one little boys dreams come true!
Layla,
It was joy reading about the visit and the Bday celebration…when I came to the part where Sweet P said “God loves you” my heart paused and bowed, as I felt the Spirit..and this Christmas, a midst the challenges in our life, I will give thanks to the Lord for His indescribable gift to you..a son..and His great love for us all.
This made me cry. I’m so happy Sweet P is learning the love of Jesus. Our little guy is 4 also. Such a sweet , funny age. You don’t want to miss a word he says 🙂 how awesome that you learned his language
So a happy post. The smiles on your faces are just full of love. P. is really growing. Love that you can speak to him now. Hoping he will be coming home soon. Hugs
Thank you, Debby! We hope so too! XO
What a sweet post. It won’t be long now!!! He is such a sweet little guy. I know it’s hard waiting but soon very soon he’ll be with you both!!
Thank you, Maggie! Yes- it won’t be long now. Only 6-8 more months of “labor”! 😉
The stories of your visit are wonderful. Knowing you, Kevin and Sweet P are growing closer and closer together have made my heart sing. I had tears of joy running down my cheeks until I saw the photograph of Mr. Birthday-Boy-Frosting-Face . . . then I burst out laughing! That is the cutest photograph I have seen in a while. May all your days be filled with laughter and happiness. Hoping you can bring him home soon.
Thank you, Jaime! I hope to get an update of where we are in the Parquet Court process this Friday! XO
Love! Love! Love!?
Love, love, love YOU!
I’m waiting for “the” trip when he finally comes home with you. Such a blessing to have “aunties” who have parented him the way you would.
My daughter hated opening gifts at large family celebrations when she was his age. Too many people, too much attention directed at her, too much noise. Wise of you to “go with it” and not pressure him to do a large group celebration. Also wise of you to allow him to wear his shirt the way he wants to. See what great mothering instincts you have? 🙂
Moi priye pou nou anpil! (I pray for all of you a lot!) I lived in Haiti for a year 17 years ago. 🙂 And I can’t say anymore if my grammar and spelling are correct, but I find your adoption story soo exciting and pray you’ll be together as a family very soon!
Love this post!! It brought tears to my eyes. Praying Sweet P will be able to come home asap!!
Ohmy goodness….this post made my heart sing and my eyes rain a little bit….I’m just so happy and thankful for you and this story. You’ve all been in my morning stated prayers (I’m sure God knows who “Sweet P” is already) so I love the updates. I’m telling myself that you’re pregnant with this child and just like birth mothers go through the time of waiting, that’s what you’re doing….and the time will come, I promise you!!!! Especially during this season of Advent, when we’re waiting for the Christ child to be born, we must be vigilant and prayerful while we pray, “Come, Lord, Come.” Continued blessings of joy to you all….2016 is going to be AMAZING…I just know it!!!! Hugs from north Texas,
Sweet memories for the years to come. Hope you also are keeping book. My girs like looking back sometimes and hearing their story even as teens. Homecoming is going ot be wonderful!
I can hardly wait to hear he is home with you.
I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!! I literally got chill bumps when I read the part about your Sweet P telling you, “God loves you.”– so sweet! Keep trusting God’s timing. Praying for you!
What a precious, bittersweet time with him. I’ve been following your adoption story since perhaps the springtime or last winter and think of/pray for y’all often. I had to leave my little man in Uganda for three weeks and it was agony; I can’t imagine the heartache you must feel! Continuing to pray that you are all home together SOON!!
Neither of my babies (8 and 5) like big celebrations centered on them. They love having a big party – their birthdays are four days apart – but when it comes to the singing and gifts? Nope. They won’t have any part of it. That is saved for the four of us alone. I think it’s perfectly normal and a wonderful way to make the giving and receiving part of the day special to your immediate family.
Wonderful Layla! Thanks so much for sharing, it truly warms my heart! Best to you all!
Layla, you called yourself “mama in waiting”. No, you and Kevin are well and truly mama and father to little sweet P. You have been his parents for a while now, just not physically full time with him, but his parents in the best way – in his and your hearts. God Bless your lovely little family.
Oh, yes! I just meant that I’m a mama that’s waiting to bring her Sweet P home. 😀 Hard to believe we’re on the final leg of this part of the adventure! XO
Oh yes. and I hope I did not offend any way. You have such a beautiful family and I have been following your story. Love and best wishes from Australia
Di.
I am crying tears of joy for you and your family. Our little girls was with a loving family for her first 6 months before she came home with us and what a blessing they were to her and us!!!
I’m so excited to see how God continues to weave your beautiful story together!!!
He is so excited, happy and nervous because he is already bonded to you guys and he knows that you will soon leave him (because so far you always have) so he doesn’t want to share you – he wants to keep you close. How wonderful it will be when you can bring him home and your family can settle into all the ooey gooey wonderfully boring stuff families do together everyday …
Bondye beni ou ak fanmi ou
Oh Layla, I can’t WAIT until Sweet P gets to come home! Sweet baby!
Wow! So amazing. What a gift to be able to speak and understand each other. I can’t believe he’s already 4! I hope he’ll be home with you soon!
This post made me so happy and cry such big tears! God loves you?! How could he say anything more precious! And what a testimony to the love and affection that is being poured into your boy in Haiti! So amazing!!! So so happy for you and Kevin and for your sweet P that will FINALLY have his forever family!
This is too precious! What a darling to just want it to be you 2 (a party of three) for his birthday. Such cute family photos 🙂
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx
I love that you guys have been taking Kreyol lessons! How amazing! I cannot even imagine what it was like to really be able to communicate with Sweet P for the first time … so, so happy for you and can’t wait to be able to see his sweet face!