“I really don’t even know you, and yet, in my life, you are forever entangled; to my history, inextricably bound.”
-Sarah Ockler
We received word that Steevenson and Gregory’s medical exams and visa appointments went “very well”, so we are feeling super grateful and even more excited that homecoming is right around the corner. We’re also careful to remember that with every homecoming, there is also a home-leaving to be praying about.
Alourdes (pronounced “Ah-lood”) has been Steevenson’s daytime nanny since his first day at the Angel House.
(Alourdes and Steevenson during touch therapy time – 2012)
She and his nighttime nanny, Carine, have been with him day in and day out over the past few years, and have done such an incredible job of caring for him during this chunk of his life. They each have children of their own, but I’m sure they have both grown to love “our” Sonny as their forever family too. Some folks have said that we’ve “lost so much time” with Steevenson, but I don’t see it that way at all. There is no telling how God worked in and through him during this period of his life, or what kind of impact he had on the lives of his precious nannies, and vice versa.
(Carine and Steevenson – February 2015)
We’ll have a translator with us during the first few days of our trip, mainly to discuss Steevenson’s routine/likes/dislikes/medical stuff, etc. with Alourdes and Carine, but it’ll also give us an opportunity to tell them how much they mean to us. How incredibly grateful we are that God chose them, specifically, to care for Steevenson during some of his most formative years. How it is so apparent that they have poured into him so well, and how their dedication to him is not lost on us. Steevenson came to the Angel House when he was 18 months old, and from the moment he arrived, Alourdes and Carine have played such a key role in his cognitive, emotional and physical growth. What a blessing to be “forever entangled” with those two!
Praying God’s grace and solace will fill their hearts and minds in the days ahead as they say “orevwa” to their sweet Steevenson.
So so true and such a God-inspired view. Keep your hearts open to His discernment and his view of Steevenson’s life and you will continue to see His touch and guidance in it all xx
Stevenson is a lucky little boy. You have a beautiful heart. You are going to be an amazing mother. I can’t wait to go on this journey through your blog with you. Good luck and may God bless you all.
Praying for an easy transition for everyone. I can’t wait to read about all your adventures with your little boy. I don’t personally know you but I cry happy tears every single time you post an adoption update. Thank you for sharing the beautiful life experience with your readers.
*Teary eyed*
What a sweet post. Praying for God’s peace to be over all during the transition.
You are very blessed.
It’s amazing how you are honoring their “family” with these women. This will only help them incorporate these things into their life stories.
More tears… It is so wonderful to know about all of the wonderful people who have nurtured his young life. You are being so thoughtful to consider the home-leaving, Layla. A translator will be so helpful. It will be easy to stay in touch in the coming years. So, Alourdes and Carine will be able to watch Steevenson grow up! Although there may be tears, they will be overjoyed that this special little boy will join the Palmer family. Blessings to all of you! ♡
A wonderful post, about two beautiful ladies, whom God is using to fulfill His purpose. Praying for you all, in the days counting down until your little boy is in your arms.
Yes, they will miss him as you welcome him. God placed those beautiful ladies in Sweet P’s life for a season, and now that season is coming to an end. Praying God will comfort their hearts. Sadly, there are many more orphans who need the love of those beautiful ladies. Asking God to fill their hearts again so they have abundant love to give to the next babies He sends to them. And praying for you and Kevin. Even though this is an exciting time and I know you are “over the moon” with JOY, this transition is going to be tough, on Sweet P, and on you and Kevin. So don’t sweat the small stuff and know that very soon you will all settle into a routine and you will feel like he has always been with you. God is so so so so GOOD!!!
Robin
Your comment was so well written. My heart feels and says the same to Layla and Kevin. Thanks you for expressing yourself so well. Not all of us can write this well even though we feel this way.
Linda
Layla, Every post lately has brought a combination of goose bumps and tears. I admire you and Kevin so much. Your hearts are amazing. Godspeed my friend.
You have a good heart, praying you and Sonny will soon be coming home. Isn’t it wonderful that God blessed him with such wonderful nannies to give him a good start in life. Trust that he will be guiding you through this. All the best to you and your family.
I love reading your blog.
What a precious gift you’re given with the opportunity to meet and speak with his caregivers. My daughter was adopted from China in 2003. We got no background info on her at all. Sometimes I wish I had that opportunity and the ability to give her more information too.
Oh, you are so thoughtful to think of his nannies. They will be heartbroken at the same time they will be filled with Joy for Sonny’s future. I have wondered if he knows what is about to take place in his life. I mean, can you imagine what all the “new” will be like for him? For you and Kevin? Please keep us updated. Your very extended family will want to know. Praying for a peaceful ending and beginning…
I have thought so much about Sweet P coming “home” and all the life changing moments he is going to have but there is another side to this. Sonny is leaving home….. and coming home…..at the same time. It is going to be a HUGE adjustment for him and for you and Kevin. HUGE! This is going to be a period of time that will rely on the enormous patience you have already shown just in waiting so long to adopt this little boy. We would love to think this is going to be a sunshine all day, perfect, happy new beginning but the reality is there will be bumps, and tears, and moments of not knowing how to handle all the emotions. But you, Kevin and Sonny WILL get through all of it one day at a time. Before you know it that little boy will be speaking English (Southern Style!) lol and well adjusted to his new life with his wonderful parents.
Also, those precious women have halos! Thank God for their love and care of Sonny!
Colleen,
When I was a teen my Grandma had a children’s day care. We had a little girl, age 5, who spoke only english. She went to Argentina to spend 3 months with her
Grandparents. When she came back, she could only speak spanish, her Grandparents language. She then had to learn to speak English, again. What I am really saying is, little children this age learn things so fast. Thinking of this I feel Sonny will transition well and sooner than adults. I also feel for the 2 nannies. You become very attached to the children you care for. We cried many times when a child left our day care.
You have such a beautiful heart! Love overflows in this story, and God will continue to work in so many, because of you and a few. Overjoyed for your family!
How Sweet you are !! How blessed he has been to have them in his life!I am sure you have a French Dictionary for looking up some words your Sweet P will say you do not understand.My husband and I were fortunate to spend one day a week with our oldest grandaughter, from 3months till 3 years old when they moved!…Anyway, one day she keep saying what sounded like “Seuss me” a few times. All I could think of was Dr. Seuss but she was trying to say”Excuse me” which her Mom was teaching her when you want to say something to two grownups when they are talking! She was all of about 18 months…So I said” I Seuss you and I Love You” as a response several times that day!!!She seemed very pleased!
Oh my heart rejoices every time I read your posts. We are all so connected. Continued blessings to you all, Palmers!
Sniff…sniff… My heart is tearing over these precious women and what they will feel when Sonny leaves the orphanage with his parents! Mixed emotions that he is with his forever mommy and daddy, but missing him beyond words. I taught school for my career, and each May when the year was over, I would weep over missing my students as they moved on. Joy and tears combined… This is similar but small compared to years of care giving and loving Sonny.
I can’t wait for posts on your return home with this darling boy. Special times. Special memories. Special futures for you all! And grandparents in the same house!!! I love it!
Oh geez…I’m crying over your post today. This whole process has been extraordinary to go through with you and Kevin. I can’t believe the homecoming is just within your grasp. I can’t imagine the joy in your hearts.
For sure, it will be an emotional goodbye for all concerned. But hopefully, these amazing ladies will do their best for another child soon. While there will surely be sadness in their hearts, know that there will also be joy at having been a part of Gods work for Steevenson and his growth. And it is truly wonderful that you both will be face to face with them to learn as much as you can from them. Blessings to them and to you in this final journey home!
I love your heart Layla and the ways in which God has woven all the details of Sonny’s life together to bring him into your family. Praying for the leaving, the coming and celebrating the staying.
Just wow!!!! Your insight just so clearly shows what a Godly woman you are! Pointing out how you don’t feel you have lost time- and having faith in what God has been doing, is so encouraging to me! Sweet P ( that’s my daughter’s nickname!) is truly blessed to be heading into the waiting arms of Godly parents. ? for travel safety and a smooth transition.
I’m overwhelmed for you and Kevin…God has placed you all together for a reason. What a lucky, beautiful little boy Steevenson is.!! I pray for a smooth transition for your family. Thank you for sharing all of this with us…blessings to all xoxo
It has to be so hard for them. Prayers to thank them and support them. Steevenson will need time to adjust too.
I love your grateful heart in all things.
When it happens, in this little boy’s mind, he is being taken away from his “mothers” forever by virtual strangers. This may not start off being a happy thing for him, from his perspective. As we all know, adoption is not always easy on the people involved, especially the children. Good luck and wishing you all the best.
Those women are definitely a blessing to those they provide care for. Praying for a smooth transition for you all.
Love how you view things. You are grateful and graceful.
Am sure Alourdes will miss him terribly but she knows what a loving home you and Kevin will be giving him, that must be some solace to her knowing he is going to grow up with great parents in a wonderful home. So happy for you all. Have been following your story and blog for a long time and just so so happy for you. God bless you all. Sweet Pea will be home shortly ?
I have been thinking about Steevenson leaving all these people behind. They are all a big part of his life and I am sure they all will miss him, especially, the other kids. God Bless these two women that have taken great care of Steevenson. Thank goodness we have the internet so Steevenson can still be a part of there lives and keep in touch with them. It is all bittersweet. I pray for an easy transition for everyone involved. God Bless each and everyone!
I ditto all the expressions of everyone here! I am curious to know if you have knowledge of Sonny’s history from his birth to coming to the orphanage at 18 months? I can’t wait to see Sweet Pea with mom and dad and finally home!
It will be an adjustment period for all involved. I can’t imagine taking such good care of a child and then him going so far away, it would be heart breaking to me. At least they will know in their hearts that he will be going to his forever home to be raised by you and your caring family, that should give them comfort. There will be a void in all lives for sometime but time heals all wounds; Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds
Be safe in your travels and be blessed and fortunate that God has chosen you to be this child’s parents. He has touched many hearts already!’
*Hugs*
I love this story of his. Yours. Such a blessing to be invited to watch it . Thank you for sharing.
I agree with so many above; you’re awesome for considering their feelings and his feelings and the parts of his life before you came into it.
I had to learn about this too (with stepkids) and tried to give the same thought process and respect to bio-mom and bio-mom’s family. It was extremely difficult at times, but it will help you to develop deep bonds of mutual love, respect, and trust. It’s so true; you reap what you sow.
I’m sure Sweet P’s nannies will feely so blessed to have updates and be able to keep in touch. As well it’ll likely help Sweet P emotionally/intellectually/spiritually.
You two are truly some of God’s best work.
I am bouncing up and down in excitement for the three of you. Its finally time to “give birth”. Yay!!!! I hope you enjoy every single precious moment. take a bazillion photos (in case Sweet P wants a few to hang on his wall – like all four members of his forever family in his first home)
Safe travels! Super-big HUGS!!!!!
Oh gosh! Tears already welling up. I’m not sure that my heart can handle it. So exciting! Praying for all involved.
Blessings!
Kristine