SONNY HAS A PASSPORT!!!!!! Our adoption caseworker texted us a photo of it around 4pm on Friday afternoon!! 😀
We excitedly called and texted a few friends and family members, then dashed off to Miyako- our favorite restaurant in Montgomery. It’s become a tradition to celebrate our completed adoption steps there, and the gal that usually seats/serves us has been so sweet throughout the years. When she saw us come through the door this time, she just put down what was in her hands and sped toward me with outstretched arms. “Congratulations!!“, she said, without even needing to knowing why, as she pulled me into a heartfelt hug. One day, I’ll tell her how much I appreciated her shared enthusiasm and pure and palpable relief that something great had happened for our Sonny that afternoon. (If you have adopted or are in the process of adopting, you know what I mean!) 🙂
After we were seated, I shared with her with her that we were celebrating because Sonny had received his passport. She was so excited she pulled another server into the conversation! The second server didn’t know us from Adam’s house cat, but took server #1’s word for it that she should be excited for us- ha! 😀
A few minutes later, server #2 took our drink order and they both zipped away and back to work.
As we waited for our drinks, Kevin and I talked about how we can hardly wait to move from our little 2-seater table (that we’ve been sitting at all these years) to the slightly bigger table across the aisle. We visualize Sonny sitting there with us every time. Sure hope he likes Japanese food! 🙂
As for his passport- our in-country rep will keep it safe for us until we get there to pick him up. Which, by the way, will likely happen 5-6 weeks from now. FIVE TO SIX WEEKS FROM NOW!!! I can hardly sit still/think straight/stop smiling. 🙂
I posted that photo on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter on Friday afternoon right before we went to Miyako. Our baby doesn’t look too happy (he was 2 years old at the time the photo was taken and probably a little scared about what was going on), but as you can see in this next photo (sent to us by friends that were at the orphanage visiting their son) he’s gotten a lot less camera shy since that photo was taken.
😉
I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years now and can hardly believe that it’s only 5-6 weeks til your gotcha day! Wow. X
Congratulations…I have been reading your blog for years before you started the adoption process…so happy for you guys…well done. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Two words – Thank God!!!
I can totally see the 3 of you sitting at a table enjoying dinner together as a family. :))) What a Blessing and I wish you all every happiness!!! Exciting news!! :))))
I have been following your blog since early adoption not thinking it would take this long. I feel for you and Kevin because you have had such a wait and lost precious time with your baby boy. It will soon be over and he will be in both your arms! Congratulations!
Oh, it doesn’t feel like “lost time”, Linda! These past three and a half years feel like an (undeserved) GIFT! We could’ve not known him at all if we had not obeyed God’s calling, so this time actually feels *very* precious to me. And the best part is, at the end of this blip of a journey (in the grand scheme)- we get to spend eternity with our Sonny. He wasn’t with us while he was 1, 2 or 3- but he was lighting up people’s lives at Three Angels in Haiti, and we’re so thankful for all the ways God used and shaped him during those years. 🙂
Layla, I love your response to this comment and am clinging tightly to it. We are in the process of adopting a little girl from Ethiopia, and we know it is going to take awhile. What a positive way to view a difficult situation. It’s hard to remember sometimes that these children are not really ours, but God’s. Thanks for encouraging my heart today, and God’s speed on bringing your sweet boy home!
I could not imagine how long I read your Blog. I start reading around 3 years ago, when you start your adoption process. And I was so happy to see, your Sunny could home very soon.
All my best wishes from Germany
Nina
Have been so waiting for this news. Wonderful – and those 5 or so weeks are nothing after all the waiting up til now! So exciting 🙂
So excited for all three of you!
I hope you can feel our joy for you in Bucks County PA. So exciting!
Oh Layla, so thrilled beyond words. Adopting my son was such a gift and he has been such a blessing for our family and all those he meets. My sons
passport photo makes me want to cry too. He looked so sad and scared. Surely doesn’t reflect him now!!
Such a great cause for celebration! I’m so happy for all three of you!
Question- are you going to call him “Sonny”?
Just curious!
Can’t wait to see the homecoming pics!
Thank you, Kate! And, yes, his nickname is Sonny. 🙂
Layla…Never stop smiling! Best as you and Kevin prepare to welcome your beautiful boy home! A family of three you soon will be!!
So excited for you! I love your blog and reading about your new addition. Congrats on this exciting step and looking forward to seeing the big homecoming. I read your book recommendations at the beach and enjoyed them so much, thanks again for sharing!!
So very, very excited for you!!!
I have been reading your blog ..for several years before the mention of adoption. Is there a way we could send a cute clothing item, or book or toy for Sonny? I know that might get overwhelming. But I think many readers would feel like giving a shower ..so please consider giving out sizes, favorites, and maybe a p.o. Box number. I have prayed hard for you. So happy.
Terry! What a kind comment you left for me to find! Our PO Box is #640381 here in Pike Road, AL 36064, but please don’t feel like you have to send a gift! Your encouragement throughout this process has been the best gift a girl could ask for! 😀
Clothing size? 🙂
It can be a virtual baby shower!!!
I would absolutely LOVE to participate in a virtual “welcome Home Sonny” shower! Any info on sizes, preferences and wants would help greatly!
Yes, I have wanted to buy things for this cutie forever! Just need size. 🙂
Almost 19 years ago, I made the trip to China to adopt my beautiful daughter, Avery. Reading your blog has brought back so many wonderful memories. Cannot wait to see what this next chapter of your life brings. God is so very good.
Oh my goodness! That is wonderful news! I’m so happy for you!! You must be beyond ecstatic to know the journey is almost complete. Yay!!
YES!!!! Boy do I remember that feeling! All 4 of our precious grandbabies were internationally adopted. Knowing the wait is on its final countdown is such an amazing feeling (even for the grandparents)! Enjoy the next few weeks of nesting.
Happy for you two, soon to be three!
Yea!!!! Oh my goodness 5-6 weeks!!! This news made my day!!
OH Layla I am so anxious right along with y’all! I can’t believe it’s down to a handful of weeks now!! Can y’all even sleep or keep your get on the ground? This is SO exciting A PASSPORT!! I can’t wait to see pics of Sonny in his new home with his mommy and daddy!!
Blessings, blessings, blessings to your family! Sitting, party of 3 coming soon!
So very happy for you!
I have been following your blog long before you started the process with 3 angels. I can’t tell you how happy I am for you. This is one of my favorite verses of the bible and I will share with you. Habakkuk 2
2 I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint.[a]
The Lord’s Answer
2 Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald[b] may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it[c] will certainly come
and will not delay.
God is so good! I am so happy and rejoice with you guys. May the next few days be filled with joy and peace as you prepare to bring your son home! ❤️
I am so happy for you. I know God will bless you and your son.
I saw your post on facebook, so was waiting to see your blog post to hear more. I don’t know how you can contain yourself with all that overflowing joy! So excited for the whole family!
I think you should maybe ask the builders to slow it down a bit, so Steevenson can be there to watch the construction guys – he would sooo enjoy that! If for some reason he comes on the far side of the wait (hope not!), he may miss all the big equipment!
Another thought – is there a playground nearby, and do you plan on having some outside toys?
Truly, I am so happy for all of you that your wait is almost over!
Hooray!! Hooray!!! You will soon have you little boy at home!! Happy for you!!
SO excited for you guys!! I too have been following your adoption journey from the start. I was wondering if you’re thinking about doing a “Sonny’s room tour”? I’d love to see the precious space I am sure you’ve created for him. <3
Thank you, Ros! I actually blogged about his bedroom makeover a couple of years ago…here’s a link to all of the posts:
https://theletteredcottage.net/category/kids-room-2/
That was such a fun adventure to keep busy with while we waited! 😀
AHHHHHH!!!!!!! What great great news!!!!! I can’t wait for you all to be a “table of three” as well!!!! What a blessing he will be to you! What a blessing you all are to him. How great is our God!!!!!! Cant WAIT to see that video of the three of you walking into your house!!! There will be tears, but they will be tears of JOY!!!!! Amazing love!!!!
So happy for the three of you! Hope the next 5-6 weeks goes quickly for you and that you are together as a family almost before you know it. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your happy family in your new life together!
So so so so happy for the three of you!
Golly, gee!!!! I’m crying tears of joy for you guys. I was just thinking how long it’s been since I’ve followed you two on Lettered Cottage. It’s been a long time! My daddy died August 2009. (I had already been following you before then!) I quit my job to take care of my mom. She was so sad after my dad passed plus she had dementia. I remember showing her a video y’all had made at your old house where a neighbor had left a package in your car & every time y’all would go toward the car, the windows would go up or down. My mom laughed hysterically!!! I think that was the first time she’d really had a good laugh! We spent the rest of the afternoon looking at videos on your blog! You may not know whose life you’re touching, but you both have meant a lot to me over the years. And now look where you are!!!! One day I hope to hug all three of the Palmer’s necks!
I don’t know you from Adam’s house cat either but I am ELATED for you! I DO know your story thru your blog and I CAN see how eager you both are to have Sonny. Congratulations and I’m praying these 5-6 weeks go by quickly for ya’ll.
So happy for you all! I have been following your story since day one and anxiously awaiting the happy ending to this wonderful story. Can barely wait to read that you three are on the plane, together, flying HOME! You all have been blessed in more ways than you will every know!
Hip hip hooray!!??????
So happy for you both (and Sonny too!). Been reading your blog since long before you moved and started this process. It’s always seemed so far in the future and I’m thrilled for you that it’s now down to a few weeks.
Layla, those of us who want to send goodies would like his size. Thanks!
Soooo fabulous! I just love how you have a special method to celebrate each success! Waiting patiently right along with you…
Layla,
I couldn’t open my email fast enough! Your good news is so wonderful! Thank you for sharing your faith, journey and family!
I have been waiting to read these precious words. Gods timing is always perfect. God bless y’all!
OH HAPPY DAY! 6 weeks, that’s only 42 days!!! You need an old fashioned countdown chain! ( those stapled loops of construction paper where you rip one off each day to celebrate one day closer! ) congratulations!!!
Such wonderful news! We all seem to have been (and are)pulling for your sweet family in your adoption journey! I have been following along your story for years. It ended up being a blessing in my life reading about your journey, as my best friend is going through her own adoption journey now. Your insight has helped me celebrate with her each little victory, feel the joy in the journey, and keep hope that the next steps are laid our before her. Thank you for sharing, and cheers to this next step to your babe’s homecoming! Yay!!!
Ahh!! You’re nearly there! What an exciting day! So happy to hear the good news!
What a fantastic update. I am so happy for y’all. 5-6 weeks Wow!
SO excited! Such happy news indeed!
I like the idea of virtual baby shower!
What’s most helpful? Clothes ( size 4?) books, toys ?
A silent follower who has been reading about your journey, I am so very happy for all of you!
Kim
Praise the Lord! What a sweet blessing! Smiling and happy for your family!
All I can say is -God is good – all the time. Love your story. ?