“You never know what’s around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you’ve climbed a mountain.”
―Tom Hiddleston
Y’all…this could be *the* week.
One of the weeks we’ve been looking forward to for two years.
In a nutshell: we entered IBESR (Haiti’s adoption system) on November 25, 2013, and there’s a *chance* we could exit IBESR this week.
Feels a little freaky to type it out loud (because this very well may not be *the* week), but we were told (on Friday) that all of our babe’s paperwork is signed and ready to go, which means we could be released any day now! When our paperwork is released from IBESR, we’ll move on to the next phase of our adoption process, which is called Parquet Court. Parquet Court is 12 or so steps in total (you can read about them here if you’re curious), and when they’re all completed, Sweet P’s last name will be Palmer!!!
Based on a bunch of other adoptive families timelines, it looks like the Parquet Court phase has been taking between 2 and 6 months to complete. (which honestly sounds lightning fast, at this point!) And although it’s unlikely, just knowing there’s a *chance* our boy could legally be our boy by the time we visit him at the end of November is absolutely thrilling!
We’ve heard that homecoming happens about 10-12 months after IBESR exit, so exiting this week would give us a better idea how to answer the “how much longer?” question we get asked a lot. Here’s hoping I have another fun adoption update to share later this week!
On the home front, Brian the Carpenter whipped up a matching pair of sofa tables for me last week. Nothing elaborate- just four reclaimed white oak planks, some leftover pine from the fireplace project, and eight chippy old spindles. I haven’t really started to decorate the tops of them yet, and we’re out of town til Thursday, but I’m excited to “Fall-ify” them (and the mantel) a little when we get back. How about you? Are you ready to break out the “Fall stuff” yet?
Fingers crossed for more wonderful news later this week or as soon as possible for you all. Sweet P is going to love being cuddled tightly in your arms, as he explores his exciting new world with you and Kevin. x
Fingers crossed for more good news later this week.
Hopefully Sweet P will be snuggling safely in your arms before you know it. x
Eeek! Such exciting news. Holding it all so in prayer x
Oh Layla I am so excited for you. I hope this is “THE” week. Good luck. Sofa tables look amazing. Jen
squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! so exciting!!
Layla – praying that this is “THE” week!
I have cold chills as I read this. I am so excited for y’all. I am praying for you. And hoping the process goes just as quickly as possible
I have begun to pray a prayer of thanksgiving every day for Sweet P’s Homecoming! I will continue thanking God for a speedy completion of the last steps! A glorious day is up ahead!! Remember Isaiah 40:31!
Wonderful news!!! Wonderful news!!!!
God speed this situation please!
On another subject….
I received my “It is well with my soul” baseball shirt! I love it. I really do. It fits well and is a perfect weight.
Again, it is so good to hear this news regarding Sweet P.
So happy to hear that the end of the adoption is so close. Seems like it has taken forever.
So exciting!! Reading your post gave me goosebumps 🙂 You have such a huge base of people who love your story & the brightness in your life; you’ll have supporters everywhere celebrating the momentous occasion with you!! ?
… and those sofa tables… Gorgeous!!
Wow congrats to you!! I’m so happy for you and yet cannot help being sad. Goodness gracious why does adoption take so long. That poor babe is just waiting and waiting while you are here wanting to love on him. Maybe I’m ignorant to the process but it seems like there needs to be some system reform. How wonderful that you are one step closer to bringing him home anyway!
I am so praying for you guys.
Oh, I pray that Sweet P will be home as soon as possible!!!!!!! 🙂
O Happy Day! Wonderful news that adoption process is progressing! Your Thanksgiving this year will take on a whole new meaning, so much to be Thankful for!
Love those tables too!
Through prayer and love, you have almost come to the end of your journey – and Sweet P will soon learn to enjoy your home which is full of all goodness and love – praying for good news!
Praise God!
I just started following your blog this past January or February, so I haven’t been with you through most of the adoption process… Still, reading those words made me smile. I can’t imagine the joy and anticipation you must be feeling.
I read the following paragraph on a website, and thought about all that ya’ll are going through.
“How hard it can be to trust in God’s timing. We are a people who want what we want and would prefer it right now. Sometimes it seems as if we are not even on God’s clock. Yet, there is never a time in which He is not aware of the desires of our hearts. He does, however, know better than we do, whether what we want to happen, is necessary or good for us. Sometimes his timing may be just the amount we need to see that what we thought we needed, we never did, or that the waiting made the receiving that much better. His timing will always be perfect, even when our trust in it is not…”
I will be praying that all goes well!
Hey Layla!Praising God for the victory! In the process, what a testimony! Thanks for sharing! Praying you through and the baby boy to his home:) And yes, I am super ready to break out fall! Blessings,Suzanne
Raising your names to God in prayer for Sweet P to be coming home to Alabama soon. I can’t wait to see his lovely face on your blog!
Praying for all of you!
Congratulations on one step closer. I know it must be thrilling. I went through my close friend detailing their process getting their three little girls home.
Thank you for the update. It is wonderful to follow along.
God Bless
Yeah in the adoption progress! Hope you get that great news when you return from your travels!!
I SO want to break out the fall- but haven’t… We close in our new house on the last day of September… But then found out last week that the current owners want to rent from us for 2 weeks so they can finish going through all of their stuff! (The couple selling the house is in their mid 90’s). So alas… I plan to wait, so that it’s less to pack up again…
I often want to go onto your blog to see an update on the adoption process but won’t because it is so heartbreaking to me to see how long you two have waited and yet you are always so positive through it all. Yesterday I read your adoption update and was brought to tears. I began to pray and ask that your baby would be home for Christmas. I logged on today and read your newest update! God is so able. Believing these final steps will move quickly and that God is in control.
Oh, Layla~ I am thrilled that things are moving. Somehow I just don’t know how you do it, but with God’s grace, you are such and inspiration and model for PATIENCE. May He continue to pour out His blessings on you, give you favor, and hold you tight till sweet P gets to AL!
Yippeee! Praying for great homecoming news!
Sofa tables? I am sure they are lovely because all you do is, but seriously, what GOOD news for you on the adoption front!!! I am way to distracted with that to look at tables today….maybe tomorrow : )
Praying that this is the week!! So looking forward to when your little family is all under your roof!!!
Side note:: Your new sofa tables are awesome!!! Made my heart go pitter patter!! Wish we had Brian the carpenter in CA every now & again ; )Excited to see you fall stuff come out to play!!
Yeah! Praying that this is “the” week and the time table of months is shortened and goes very quickly!
Exciting news on the Sweet P event. Seems like a long haul but then it all seems really fast at the same time. Praying God’s perfect peace for all. Jumping up and down excited for the Palmers!