Well, it looks like we may actually be able to move into our new place this weekend- yahoo! The bank agreed to fix the water and electrical issues that popped up in our inspection, and they *should* all be taken care of in the next few days, so our closing is still set for Friday morning.
I’m hesitant to blog too much about the new place until the keys officially belong to us, but I will say that one of my favorite things about the community we’re moving to is how kid-friendly it is.
Traffic whizzed past the front of our last house at 50-60 mph, and we were always a little concerned about having a small child living with us there. There were no sidewalks, and the piece of property our house sat on dropped off into a woodsy ravine behind the house. It was fine for us “big kids”, but like I said, we never really knew how it would work for us with a small child in the picture.
Our new (rural) neighborhood (10 minutes from the eastern edge of Montgomery, AL, where Kev’s parents and brother’s family lives) is nestled between two fishing lakes, and surrounded by hundreds of rolling acres of green space. Perfect for little ones (and parents) that want to get out and ride bike and explore.
And speaking of little ones and their parents, we were so inspired by the comments y’all left us on our last adoption post. So many of you mentioned praying for Guidance and watching for signs. Such great advice and we appreciate the reminders so much.
Since that post, we’ve done a lot of both…praying and sign-seeking, I mean. And those of you that said there may already be signs right in front of us were right. There were- we just hadn’t started seeing them as signs yet, I guess.
I don’t know how many times I’ve bumped into Christine– a blogger and adoptive parent who has always been so sweet about offering to help us with our adoption-related questions.
I don’t know how many times she (and many others) mentioned Lifeline Adoption Agency, which is just up the road from us in Birmingham.
Well, since that post, we’ve re-connected with Christine, who introduced us to Beth and Iris from Lifeline. As a matter of fact, she picked out a cafe for us all to meet at one day and what an absolutely awesome opportunity that was. I could’ve asked them questions and listened to their adoption stories for days!
We left that day feeling like we had taken a big, inspired step forward…
…and we can’t wait to see where He leads us next!
How exciting! Change is good and scary. Wishing you the best and sending prayers your way.
Thank you, Lisa! You are so right about change being good AND scary. We sure do appreciate your prayers!
Yay! So exciting! Can’t wait to hear more of your journey!
Thank you, Gini! We look forward to sharing things as they unfold!
I’m so happy for you! So many exciting and wonderful changes are coming your way. I can’t wait to see the new house. The area is beautiful and does seem perfect for little ones. 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer! We look forward to getting out there…one of these days! 😀
So many exciting new adventures and happenings for TLC…wishing you all the best!!
Leah: )
Thank you sweet, Leah! 😀
Congratulations on the new place! Sending prayers and thoughts your way as you guys begin your adoption journey!!
Amen! I will add you and Kevin to my prayer list. He knows your need!
Thank you so much, Beth!
Reading your whole post, it was filled with signs! I’m so excited to watch how it unfolds for you and your husband!! I am a HUGE believer in signs.. my husband thinks I’m nuts… but there is something to it! When we were debating a move to the town we live in now, I had a friend say to me, “I’m going to pray for you to notice when God opens one door for you and closes another.” Instantly after she said those words to me… it went boom, boom, boom… everything was like slapping me in the face! I lived 18 years of my life on 2nd Ave, the home we bought was on 2nd Ave… the mom was a SAHM, they had a boy and girl and the dad was a 4th grade teacher…. same as my husband! The past 2 years, my husband had been looking for a principal job…he interviewed for one and when drove to go do a site visit… guess what street it was on… 2nd Ave! I told him this one is his… and YEP….he got it! There is something to those little and not so little signs if you ask me! 😉 Good luck on your new adventure!! (I’m jealous… adventure and (good) change is my favorite!!!)
WOW, Kiki! What an incredible and encouraging story! Thank you so much for sharing it here today! 😀
What a fun new adventure!
Thank you, Amanda. We are definitely anxious to get it started! 😀
I’m so excited for you both and can’t wait to witness {thanks to blogging} all the adventures God has in store for you!
Exciting stuff! I know Lifeline well! I also know their in-China person…..if you opt to go that way. Her name is Lily and she’s amazing. I can’t say enough good about her. I never got myself too worried during our wait because I always knew that Lily had things covered! By the way, the wait for our little man was only about 8 months from the start of paperwork to us meeting him in China!
Lots of fantastic options out there. I’m sure you’ll pick the one that’s perfect for you…..and for a little person who will soon be blessed with a family!
How exciting to watch your journey unfold as God picks the child already planned to be your son or daughter. What a platform you have to show this God adventure called life! I look forward to the day that we celebrate along with you.
I can’t wait to hear more about both! Your new hood looks ah-mazing! And adoption will be the best thing you’ve ever done (and I can say that from experience)!!
So excited for you! I’ll be praying for you as you walk this journey.
hey layla, i’m mostly just a “stalker,” but thought i’d let you know we live in fort worth, texas and are also adopting using lifeline. they have been amazing through the whole process. the initial paperwork is definitely overwhelming, but we are so glad we chose a christian agency who truly loves the lord. i can’t tell you how many times they have emailed or called us just to say they are praying for our family. currently, we are waiting on a referral (#18 on the wait list) from ethiopia. if you decide to use lifeline, i know you will LOVE everything about them. just wanted to pop in and say hello and introduce myself. we will be praying for y’all as you make this decision. blessings, s.
Happy for you as you begin your journey to parenting. I am the adoptive mother of three. Two domestic and one international. Hang in there and know that you have a community of adoptive mothers out there if you need us.
The blogging world is such a funny place, it makes us feel as if we know each other when we really only see a small slice of the pie. That being said, CoNGraTuLAtIoNS! to you and Kevin on your new future; wherever you’re led, whatever paths you choose. I love reading your blog and the spirit of hope, possibility, faith and passion that you express here.
Can’t wait to go along for the ride on the next phase.
Most people would feel like moving OR adopting were enough for one year – or decade! But, I sort of knew that you two would be jump in with both feet and see what happens kind of people! Your adventure is exciting. Your faith is inspiring. Your blessings will surely be amazing!
I can’t wait to move! We are for sale right now…fingers crossed we get an offer before the year is out ( we live WAAAAAY out in a rural area of OR
)
Happy that you guys are following your heart. There is nothing like a child to change your life-no matter how they come to nest in your heat.
Excited to see what you will be doing in the new house! Woohoo!
Oh Layla, this is such great news. It was only about a week ago I had you and Kevin on my mind and wondered what had happened to your dream to adopt. I hesitated to ask you about it, as I didn’t know what the status was. I am so excited to hear that you are still pursuing and God is opening new doors where maybe you thought they were closed.
God bless you!
Oh my! I know exactly how you feel. It’s exciting and a bit scary all at the same time. We brought home our son last March and I still can’t believe that our adoption journey is almost at an end…we finalize with a judge this month!
Can’t wait to hear more of what God has in store for you.
Congratulations on working toward both big steps! Can’t wait to read about both things on your blog. Love the curly hair, by the way.
So many exciting things on the horizon for both of you! Will keep my fingers crossed for Friday and I know that there is a little one out there just waiting for the perfect couple ~ that perfect couple being you and Kevin. Hugs.
So many new and exciting things on your horizon – enjoy the adventure! Your “Tour Guide” is the absolute best. He will not disappoint you. He knows all our needs (better than we do) and will provide them. Sending you prayers for peaceful hearts and minds as you wait for what is next.
I’m thinking TLC could also stand for Total Life Change? Or Thankful, Leaning (on Him), Challenged? So happy for the anticipation of wonderful blessings to come in your journey! The wait and the wonder can bring moments of fear, but I have been reminding myself the past few months that He never gives me fear! How can He when He is my loving Father? He brings rest and peace when I let Him!
Love, love, love this. So happy for you, and so inspired by you. It’s crazy that in blogland, you can feel like you know someone from their sweet posts and stories. I am so rooting for you, and praying for you too!
Big hugs,
Holly
SO excited to follow along as your adoption journey unfolds. I remember when we were waiting to travel to Khloe and I got an email from you (back in 2010) asking a few questions. I was so bummed when I later found it in my spam box 🙁 As a fellow-MN gal, I already felt that connection to you, so it was just a blessing to see your heart for the orphans, as well. You will absolutely LOVE Lifeline. If {when!} we go back again, we’d love to go through them. I have many adoptive friends who have used them and a fellow adoptive mommy friend who WORKS for them (Andrea S.) …I’m sure everyone who works there is just wonderful! God bless you on this journey and I’m SO excited to see what God has in store for you next!! He is faithful! <
Blessings & Hugs,
~ Tanya
So excited for you!
Also, less imortant… but I LOVE your “new do”! How did you get them beachy waves???
Thank you, Pamela! I used a curling wand to create my curls. I’m still trying to get the hang of it, but I’m loving how much longer the curls stay curly with it!
I am a stalker to your website as well. You continue to inspire me. Growing up in a family that participated in adoption was so great for me. Really gives you a heart for people “not like you.” Really gets you out of your comfort zone, but it’s worth it.
Thank you, Rene’. I appreciate your wise words so much!
Your blog moves me to tears! What a beautiful young family filled with hopes and dreams and faith! May God bless you greatly!
Yay! This makes me happy!
just stopped to pray for you right this minute. He has a huge plan for your big hearts, that I know!
OH! PRAISE THE LORD!
I’m a BIG believer in signs. They are there if you are open to them. Just before my husband & I got married we got our marriage license at a local government office, with my Mother as our witness. There at the counter was a calendar printed/designed by my Dad from the local printing company he worked for for over 30 years. My husband has a harder time seeing the signs, even he was a true believer that day. I often time think I find signs here at The Lettered Cottage blog. Just about the time you all began writing about your adoption journey, my husband & I realized we were going to begin our own up hill battle with having children. For whatever the reason I feel compelled to follow & learn from your adoption journey. All the best in what’s to come for you both!
LOVE the looks of the new area you are moving too, can’t wait to see more.
Now, about adoption and your own nervousness and apprehension, I’m sure friends, acquaintances and family have all asked you many questions about when you will expand your family. Having children is a life changing experience. Everyone is excited and supportive of you because we can all see that you will be amazing parents. We can also see that you will LOVE being parents. You don’t only love your child, you love the person that having a child requires you to become. They bring out the best and the worst in you, the best they make better and the worst they inspire you to improve. So don’t be nervous, if the signs are there and you feel this is Gods will for your family just dive in. Adoption is such an amazing thing, it brings blessings to so many and I am excited for you on this journey. Sending prayers!
I can hardly wait to see the new place. But, first, I noticed a few things in the post “Moving and Adoption” that we have in common. First and second, is that our 1) ADOPTION blog is called 2) MOVED to MOVE (dot blogspot dot com, of course). Third, is that we are with Lifeline…..we LOVE our agency. We are in their Ethiopia program which is run out of Louisville but, just the same, the agency has been EXCELLENT to work with.
Woohoo! Lots of good news! I can’t wait to hear more!
Happy news! I know nothing about adoption exception that it can be quite the process — and it’s rare that any two are the same! Praying that all goes smoothly with the move and that you’ll continue on your path to growing your little family. 🙂
xo Heidi
We live in Alabama and are with Lifeline, too! We have loved our experience with this agency (we are in the domestic program) and highly recommend them! Blessings and prayers for you as you begin this journey. It is a wild ride – get ready – but there’s nothing that compares. Can’t wait to follow along and watch what God does! 🙂
Thank you for sharing your decor journey as well as your adoption one with us! You will be blessed because He loves you, God Bless
We have two adopted (one adopted at 18 months and one adopted at 9 years old!) and they are both such blessings! I have many friends who have adopted through Lifeline (Including two of my daughter’s foster sister’s families!) and I’m glad you were able to connect with them!! Best wishes~~
reading this post I am so happy for you guys. congrats on the new house (and that you’ll be in it SOON!). sounds like a great house to bring a child/children in to. parayers for you all during the entire process.
As an adoptive mom, I’m thrilled to follow your journey! HUGS!
Layla, your new area sounds so fantastic for little ones and big kids too! I know you will build lots of great memories in this house. Good luck on Friday and I wish you the best in your adoption. You guys would make the greatest parents.
Wonderful, beautiful! Our dear friends adopted a newborn baby girl through Lifeline three years ago! I’ve only heard good things about Lifeline… God Bless you all on this journey.
So happy for you..
OMGosh….totally missed the last post. Going to read it now!!! Cant wait to hear what’s happened with you since Haven!
we’ve been blessed twice by way of adoption. our son was born here in the US, not far from where we live (NY). we planned on another domestic adoption, but there were signs from above that we were to find our daughter in china – and we did. it took many years and traveling over many roads before we became parents, but it was all part of God’s great plan for us to become a family. i tell our kids that we were always meant to be together, even before any of us were born. i will keep you and your children – wherever they might be, in my prayers…
i am
beyond excited
for you both
in your bends in the road
those scary changes
usually end up being
the ones that bring the greatest blessing
can’t wait to read
how life unfolds for you
in the next year.
alison
And I will get to be Aunt Cindy at your back door. Sweet.
Praying for you girl. (remember me? from Collinsville, il on the farm?) still keep up with your blog & awesome designs! BTW your hair looks sooo stinkin cute (color & curls).