“All really great flying adventures begin at dawn.”
-Stephen Coonts
We woke up at 3am to catch our (first) flight from Birmingham, Alabama to Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Saturday, February 21, 2015, and we watched the sun rise up above the clouds at 40,000 feet. I had thought about what it would be like to meet our son at least a thousand times up until that day, but I never once thought about how beautiful the space between us would be.
What a gift to be able to sit up there IN on our way to him! I will never forget how peaceful that part of the adventure felt. God speaks so clearly through the colors of a sunrise. Makes me emotional just thinking about it.
Kevin’s best friend (and my best friend Suzanne’s hubby), Billy, was so sweet to offer to travel with us for the first few days of our trip. He captured lots and lots of photographs, and even recorded a video of our first time meeting Sweet P.
(Kevin, Sweet P, me and Billy)
We are so grateful he was able to get away for a few days at the last minute, and I’m looking forward to starting a scrapbook and “gotcha day” video with his images and footage. Billy and Suzanne’s kiddos call us “Aunt Layla and Uncle Kevin” so it was such a treat to be able to introduce Sweet P to his “Uncle Billy” on our trip!
(By law, we aren’t allowed to post photos of Sweet P’s face until his last name has been legally changed to Palmer.)
We met up with our contact (Leah) from Three Angels Children’s Relief at the Miami airport, and the four of us boarded our (second) flight to Port-au-Prince around 10am. We landed in Haiti just after noon, and after a very….uh….wild ride (they don’t have traffic lights or signs- aaah!), we finally pulled through the gate at the guest house a little less than an hour later. (I blogged about the guest house last week, but I’ve since added a lot more photos if you’d like to go back and see more.) This next part is a little blurry, but I *think* we all figured out which rooms we were staying in, changed clothes, and then walked over to the Angel House orphanage together. We may have eaten lunch in there somewhere too, but since it’s the day we met our son, I have a hard time remembering much else than that!
This next photo was taken within a couple of minutes of meeting Sweet P:
He and Daddy were already making each other smile, and Mama was tickled listening to them be silly with each other. 🙂
We got to spend 14 days bonding, and we had the best time together…
He loved misting Daddy with his water bottle- ha!
Coloring (he’s a lefty!) was another one of his favorite activities.
I loved it when he wanted to be held by both of us at the same time! 😀
Here are a couple of short videos I posted on Instagram while we were there. His voice makes me smile so big! 😀
He speaks Haitian Creole at the orphanage, French at preschool, and (a little) English when he was with us. It is amazing how quickly he picks things up. Such a little sponge!
We also had two very important appointments while we were on our trip. One was at the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince, and the other was with a Haitian social worker, right there at the orphanage. The Embassy appointment was set for 7am on March 4th. Alix and Christine (from Three Angels) picked us up just after 6am, and we made our way back down the mountain. It was a long and very bumpy/dusty ride, but we made it just in time to stand in line (outside) until 8 o’clock. The street and sidewalk were full of people and vehicles that morning, but here’s a photo I found online that shows the tent we were waiting in line by:
After they called our names, and we went through security, we waited in a huge waiting room for another couple of hours. There was easily over two hundred seats in there, and almost every single one of them had a person on it. We found four open ones at the farthest end of the room, and an embassy officer called us up to window #26 (out of 29) shortly after 10am. She just wanted to verify some things with our paperwork. When we were finished, she told us we could go ahead and sit down. About an hour later, she called us up to window #27 (or was it #28?) and said they “had a little problem”. Our hearts sunk. She went on to explain that the officer who was going to do our interview had to go in to a Visa meeting for the next couple of hours. We were relieved that was the only “problem”, and decided to head back up the mountain to the guest house for lunch.
We drove back down the mountain around 12:30pm, and our interview only took a few minutes once we were called up to the window again that afternoon. Kevin and I stood side by side, opposite the officer who was seated on the other side of the glass. We answered her questions together, under oath, and her cheerful demeanor helped to put our minds at ease. We had waited so many months (22!) to get to that window and complete that step. I told Alix and Christine I felt like crying AND doing a cartwheel on the way back out to the car. 🙂
Our appointment with the Haitian social worker happened the next day, on Thursday the 5th. She and her driver pulled in through the big black gate at the orphanage around 10am.
(Photo by Nikki)
Sweet P, Kevin and I were waiting for her right by the front door because he LOVES to watch the “machines” come in. I feel like I’m probably not supposed to talk too much about the rest of this step of the process yet, but I will tell you that Sweet P greeted her with a “Bonjour, Madame” and a kiss on the cheek (it was ADORABLE!), and that everything went great. It was very apparent that the social worker cares very much about the children she is matching with their forever families, and we are so, so grateful for her kindness and her passionate heart.
We have been interviewed so many times (and by so many people) throughout this process, but that was the last interview.
* e x h a l e *
We flew home on Saturday, March 7th- and although it was extremely hard to leave our Sweet P, we couldn’t have had a better bonding trip and we’re excited to be on this final leg of the journey! And speaking of the journey, a lot of folks have asked me what’s next as far as our timeline goes, so Kevin did a little research on the remaining steps that need to happen before we can bring our kiddo home. Keep in mind, these may not all be exactly right, and there’s no way to know how many days/weeks/months any of them will take:
-Central Authority delivers or rejects authorization for the adoption based on the Haitian social workers evaluation report. (This is where we are right now.)
-Exit IBESR (Haitian Social Services)
-Parquet– About 11 court-related steps involving the Dep. of Justice, Dep. Foreign Affairs, Archive Office, Notary, and Immigration Office.
-Adoption Decree (3) steps– 1st legalization: Parquet Court, 2nd Legalization: Ministry of Justice, 3rd legalization: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-MAE (Ministère des Affaires Etrangères) Ministry of Foreign Affairs must legalize the signature of the person in the Ministry of Justice.
-Attestation– After court papers are finished, the Act of Adoption must be sent to the National Archives and they declare that the signature on it is legal.
-MOI– Ministry of Interior. All adoption passports must go through the Ministry of the Interior for approval before Immigration will print the passport. (About 15 documents are needed in total)
-Adoption Decree (Sweet P becomes a Palmer!)
-Medical exam of Sweet P by US Embassy approved doctor
-I600 provisional approval
-Passport printing phase: Dossier in Haitian Immigration waiting for the passport to be printed.
-Final I600 App
-US Visa App (3-4 weeks?)
-Exit Letter
-Travel to USA!
We’ve heard that it could be another year before we get to that last step, but since this is a brand new system and we’re one of the first families to go through it, there’s no real way to know exactly how long it will be. We are able to visit Sweet P two more times between now and homecoming day though, so that will give us something to look forward to every few months while we wait.
And speaking of waiting, I’ve also heard from a lot of people who say they would love to adopt from Haiti, but they don’t think they could handle the wait or leaving their child after the two-week socialization trip. If you are one of those people, I’m here to tell you: with God at the helm, you can absolutely do it.
Especially if He’s been whispering to you about it already.
2 years and 4 months in- the weight of this process is undeniably that heaviest thing I have ever felt Called to carry. But we have an incredible Lifting Partner, y’all. And because He is concerned more about how we carry things than how long we carry them, He is always RIGHT there. Sustaining us, encouraging us, and protecting our hearts, every step of the way.
We’re 2 years and 4 months in, and I have held my son. I have memorized the map of his bones. I have absorbed the sound of his voice and the direction of his gaze. I have been captivated by the rhythmic rise and fall of his tiny chest as he sat in my lap and played with whatever was on the table in front of him. I know his joy. It flooded out of him like a thousand sparkling rivers, and it’s still splashing around in my eternally grateful heart.
The wait doesn’t have a thing on the one who is SO worth it.
XO
I love this post. It makes me so happy!! God’s time table isn’t ours, is it? 🙂 The pictures are the sweetest.
This is beautiful! I am so happy for you both, and its only closer from here! So many great memories and photos taken and his little voice is adorable!! Looks like an amazing and successful trip and you already look like the happiest family 🙂
Thanks for sharing this and I can’t wait to see & hear more!
Lauren | LB Designs
xx
It’s like the song by The Byrds, Turn, Turn, Turn.
Layla, Kevin and Sweet Pea, this is certainly your time to laugh, dance and love with
“A time to every purpose under heaven”.
I love how much you love life. I love the patience and understanding you have filled your life and souls with. I cant wait till you walk thru your front door as a family with Sweet Pea very soon. All my love, prayers, and wonderful wishes, geri.
Happy tears for you all!! Praying that the homecoming day comes as quickly as it possibly can for the 3 of you. What a lucky boy Sweet P is.
I am so happy for you three! Thanks for sharing.
God chose well when He picked you! You have done such an amazing job being patient. I am happy that you were finally able to meet your son.
Best,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
I have loved your story and I am so happy you have been able to hold that precious child in your arms. What a wonderful life is in store for Sweet P. Our grandson from Africa brings us such joy. God Bless you both!
The Lord just reminded me today to check on your adoption progress and here is this very recent update! Rejoicing with you and praying for strength and patience.
RCG
Oh my heart welled with tears during the last paragraph. Time is a temporal thing… what a miracle that God has given you and Kevin to Sweet P as mama and daddy. Praising God for that, and so blessed by your heart! What a good point- its about the HOW not the how LONG. A good reminder in so many circumstances. Blessings in the days, weeks and months ahead. For you and Sweet P!
…such a beautiful, touching and inspiring story! My amazing daughter is now 21 years old. But, she was a miracle baby that God blessed us with after 7 1/2 years of infertility. As challenging, painful and difficult as that time was…I wouldn’t change a thing. God bless your sweet family!
Thank you so much for sharing every little bit of your journey Layla…I feel honored as do others I am sure, to feel a part of it, as we pray and yearn to see this come to completion…in His time…He makes all things beautiful in His time.
I know there are others out there with the same seed in their hearts, and your story is encouraging them to step out in faith.
May you find joy while you wait.
This is a beautiful testimony of God’s love. Thank you for sharing your family’s journey. May the Lord continue to bless you!
So exciting! Just wanted to drop in with a little advice while you are navigating the government paperwork phase – if you are having trouble and exhaust all other options, don’t hesitate to contact your local congressman or representative. We had a Visa issue (as in, the paperwork ended up on the desk of a recently retired worker and basically got forgotten about). When I was told it would have to start the process from scratch, adding another 4-5 months until I could bring my son home from Korea, I called my local rep, explained the situation, and asked if there was anything they could do. The next day I received a voicemail from Homeland Security saying our application would be processed within the week. Obviously it’s not something to pull out to try and “jump ahead” but we found that there are lots of bumps along the path when dealing with this phase and lots of people wouldn’t think to utilize this avenue but government workers love to help with these kinds of feel-good cases when there truly is a need. Hope you don’t need it and everything goes smoothly, though!
Gah, Layla, tears!
I could weep for joy for you! My goodness, those sweet videos and that voice! What joy! I am always amazed at the path of adoption and how you are changing a sweet little life and his/her heritage forever. How blessed that little sweet P is. Praying all of this goes so fast and he is in his forever home soon. Thank you for sharing with us.
All that waiting, all the tears, the nights pleading with God, it all becomes a faint memory when you meet and hold your son. You know this now, and the next year will fly by. Sending you love and light from one adoptive mom to another.
This is just so awesome. I have tears and a smile. I’m so utterly, delightfully THRILLED for you!!
I’m just curious. Are you allowed to write to him, facetime him or send him gifts during this year of great patience?
Yes, we are allowed to send him things and FaceTime him. 🙂 Whenever another family travels down there, we try to send something along with them. FaceTiming is trickier, because our friends are there to bond with their children, and Sweet P isn’t always around because he attends preschool Monday-Friday, but we have been able to do it a couple of times.
I am so happy for you all! I will pray that God give you peace and patience during this wait time and that maybe…it will not take so long. Such a blessing that you have shared your story!
That scripture! And the next paragraph after it about your Lifting Partner (what a beautiful name to call the One who daily bears our burdens!) being more concerned about HOW you carry your heavy thing than HOW LONG you carry it! Those are some profound words in this precious, precious post! Thank you for blessing us all by writing so vulnerably and eloquently about this long, but beautiful process. Not just this post, but ALL the posts you’ve shared with us. I’ve not commented before, but I anxiously read them all and rejoice over each step the Father takes with you. God, the God of all comfort, is so good!
Trudy- you are so sweet to say that! I am smiling ear-to-ear right now. 🙂 Thank you for being such a blessing!!
I pray too that the wait time is not too long….I also adopted and love my son to the moon and back.. I know God will help you because you are a true believer.. Keep your faith close. Thanks for sharing your journey.. God bless
The last line did it, what a fantastic post. Been watching from the sidelines for along time now and can just about feel the emotion right along with you. smiles/tears
xoSue
Oh my tears of happiness for you here! You post is so lovely and shows what is in your beautiful heart. God Bless you both on your continued journey towards this wonderful little boy.
So happy for you to pass this milestone. Best of luck to you in the months ahead. Reading this I was all smiles and tears.
Oh my goodness…I was in tears after reading that post! SO happy for you both as I, too, have been waiting along with you for quite some time. How amazing to finally spend time with him and HOLD him….I would find it so very hard to let go…..I pray that you don’t have to wait much longer and that your son can come home to you and his forever home sooner than later. Your journey has been an amazing one to follow, so very inspiring, and I know your faith in GOD will make it happen. God Bless!!
I am so happy for you even though my heart my heart breaks a bit for you. Beautiful attitude.
what a post! i’m still a bit teary from reading it – it’s the beautiful little hands and how precious they are. i remember when we flew to Guatemala to visit our son when he was 15 mos old. i’d forgotten how little they are at that age (he’s almost 8 now). i know that first ever hug feeling, watching them color, look at you with big brown eyes, snuggling… i’m so so happy for you and wish you all the best for the remainder of your process. ((hugs!))
Awww! I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I can feel how much you are ready to be a mother! I pray he is in your home soon! I have been watching from afar. Nothing like being the mother of a son. I am blessed, too.
Beautiful words. Thank you for taking us on this emotional and personal journey with you. The joy, the love, the memories… it will ALL be worth the wait.
So, so happy for you guys… Sweet P is one blessed little boy to have you guys as his mommy and daddy… what an amazing God we serve! Enjoy your little boy <3
yea, how exciting!! I want to invite you, as one adoptive mom to another, to join the Transracial Adoption page on Facebook. It has been a wealth of information, although some very difficult to take in, to my family as we navigate this new road.
Your post brought tears to my eyes. I have been standing in the gap for you and Kevin for nearly two years and will continue to do so while we wait for Sweet P to come home.
Thank you for allowing us a peek into such a personal journey.
Oh! What a great blessing. I’m so, so happy for y’all getting to finally be there holding him. I’m praying for the next steps to go quickly. I almost wept when I saw your scripture…it is one God has recently put on my heart to memorize. It is just perfect for you too!
The verse you quoted fits in perfectly with some things I’m dealing with too, thank you so very much for sharing it. The grace you’ve shown in every post about this oh so long process is amazing, I too thank you for sharing it with me, you are planting seeds with every post, for me they have nothing to do with adoption but still help. I’m working on memorizing this verse and saying prayers for your wonderful family to be together under one roof and name soon. May God bless and keep you, Laura
Layla,
It has been forever since I’ve read (or posted) and today I checked in.
I am so excited for your and your little Sweet P. I truly had tears in my eyes reading your post and know the wait must be excruciating. Love and prayers to you and Kevin!
Reading your updates gives me chills, tears and smiles. You are both going to be wonderful, patien and loving parents. Sweet P is a very lucky boy – and he will fill your hearts with more love than you could have imagined. Sending prayers and love, M.
Hi Layla –
I watched the first video on loop just to hear his voice over and over – sobbing, of course. From one adoptive momma to another – there is nothing like your baby in your arms!!!! The physical surety of your joy. I hope these never-ending minutes in between meeting and bringing him home fly by. Blessings on your family!
I just returned from my first trip to Haiti, Feb. 3 -11! It was life changing! We are the parents of 3 children who are almost all grown…yet, I find my 42 year old self longing for a child from Haiti! I’m returning this summer!! Your post hit my heart!! Praying for your next steps!! God Bless!! Cassie xoxo ( from Kansas )
Beautiful! I came to your blog because of cake recipe and found your story of your journey. My husband and I are on a similar one now and are earlier in the wait. Thank you for being a voice of strength for the rest of us!