“No one knows what you have been through, or what your pretty little eyes have seen, but I can reassure you- whatever you have conquered, it shines through your mind.”
-Nikki Rowe
I normally don’t talk about the comments in a previous post, because for all I know, this is your first visit to my blog and you have no idea what any of my previous posts were even about, but I just *have* to quickly say thank you to everyone who does know what I’m talking about because they did leave me an encouraging comment on Monday’s post. Y’all sure know how to make a gal feel good! 😀 I truly appreciate your e-friendship so much, and because of your encouragement, I look forward to sharing lots more posts about adoption, family, faith, food, fashion and, of course, decorating and design throughout 2017!
…and speaking of adoption, family and fashion, I normally do my LuLaRoe box openings via Facebook Live videos at night after Steevenson goes to sleep, but he was just ITCHING to use his little scissors yesterday when the UPS man dropped off my latest box. Click the play button if you’d like to watch him dig in!
Can you believe he didn’t know English four months ago? 😀 Which brings me to my Thought-Full Thursday quote for the week:
As an adoptive mama to a precious babe who experienced some really difficult early childhood trauma, that one really spoke to me.
So thankful for his pretty little eyes and shiny little mind, and so grateful God wove us together as family!
Layla
I originally found your blog because I am interested in decorating, design and DIY, but have I enjoyed following along your adoption process. Videos, pictures and stories about Steevenson? The absolute best.
Sweet Layla, yesterday I was watching your Instagram post of ya’ll making Mrs. Katie’s spaghetti recipe. From the next room, my son asked me who that was on the video.
When I told him it was Steevenson, he said, “I thought so, but he doesn’t even sound the same.”
It’s amazing how after such a short time he sometimes sounds like he was born here.
What a blessing from God that He put the three of you together!
One other thing, I really like your posts about what inspires you on Instagram. We have very similar tastes, and I don’t have much time to search through Instagram. You do the work for me, and the pictures you choose make me smile.
Thanks for all you do Layla. May God continue to bless your family.
I’ve been following your journey here on the Lettered Cottage for YEARS and am so excited to follow along as you’ve become a Mama too. You can blog anything you want and I love having my morning coffee feeling like I’m catching up with a friend. Bless your little resilient Sonny!! ~Kim
Such a cutie and so full of joy! I’m so happy for you and your family and that you finally all get to be together! I’ve been following your journey closely as my husband and I started our domestic adoption process at about the same time. Our older child is 3 1/2 and watching Steevenson makes me so excited to see him continue to grow and develop.
Wonderful family, wonderful life!
THAT BOY IS ADORABLE! He cracks me up! I often wonder what his beginning was like, before you found him. I’m glad children are so resilient.
So glad you got all that positive feedback on Monday. I pretty much love every post you do, and because of you, I now do Instagram too. ( But I really don’t know anything about it, I just look at what others post! :-/ ) I forget to go there until someone mentions something, so now I have to go see your “spaghetti” video. I saw a snippet on Facebook though.
Dear Layla….I just went back and read the comments from Monday(for some reason I couldn’t comment there-problem on my end)…I say just keep blogging how you have been. You are a busy mama now so no doubt decor has taken a bit of a back seat! You are right though…perhaps some people are new to your site and don’t know the history. You are always so gracious. I started following you right around the time you first saw Your precious babes photo and love all that you post.
Loving this journey.
Layla, this is such a special platform that God has given to you. There is great purpose in your words and those who choose to read them – those who are chosen to read them – are encouraged and inspired, whether it involves restoring spaces or restoring hearts. Stand firm in this place He has you. Hugs to you, friend!
Genesis 49:23
“Archers attacked him, they shot at him and harassed him. But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One, by the Shepherd.”
Adorable! Not that I don’t enjoy all your decorating posts BUT who cares about paint colours and shiplap when you can see a child just being a child?
This video was nothing short of absolutely adorable. That boy!!
Your life is beautifully full…..
Y’all are all each other’s blessings. Bunches of love.
Layla you are going to have to find a clothing company who needs to have you promote Little Boys clothes…. your son would be wonderful spokesman for them… as well as an adorable model!
I think that you are a person (and family) that connects with people through everything that you do. I read some of the comments…you can never, ever make everyone happy!Be encouraged though-as I have shared your adoption experience with others and I am wondering how many new people are following you? My 13- year old son and my husband both follow you instagram because they enjoy Steevenson’s story so much. I feel like you have changed, so your content should as well-your being authentic and that’s what connects people. I still love the décor stuff, but bring on all the life stuff too. People who don’t like it will just go away I guess-but you will gain others along the way. 🙂
Layla, you shine as a mama!
Adoption is a wonderful experience. Mine was for many years. My son was a drug baby and had to go through withdrawals. He was such a joy until about 14 when he started going the way of his birth mother (have no idea of father as she prostituted) and things changed. He turned 30 yesterday and I have not seen him in 4 years, not even sure he is alive as has been in and out of jails. Last time I saw him the police were taking him away as he was caught robbing my home the night his father was dying (he passed several hours later). I concentrate on the joys we shared and the love, but there is still pain. I pray nothing like that ever happens with your family.
Thank you for sharing your heart and adoption experience with us here, Rose. *hug* I am deeply saddened to read about how painful it’s been, and will be intentional about lifting up a special prayer for you and your son tonight. I know you’ve dealt with a lot of physical pain too. I hope you are feeling more comfortable this week. XO
Rose: Saw your comment. You are to be commended for all of the time you put into your son. Giving birth to a child, OR adopting one: one never knows how a child will turn out! I was a single Mom, I am BLESSED to have my son turn out well, BUT I know that is not always the case. Life is a “crap shoot” with kids. I am sorry you have had a rough time, especially with your husband then passing. My heart goes out to you. My son is 26 and I, too, remember those difficult teenage years. I will say a prayer for you tonight, plus for your son, and hope you connect with him in the near future. Also know that your husband is watching over you from Heaven. –gv xxoo
Thank You for sharing your video, Steevenson’s take on the English language is AWESOME!!
Many happy days ahead!!
Cyndee
AHHH, Steevenson is so, so, cute!!! And sweet!!! I sure wish I had all ya’all’s energy! 🙂
I originally started following your blog for the decorating, but fell in love with your story once I hung around a bit. I’ve been a reader for several years, so I was anxiously awaiting your Sweet P’s arrival, and I assume many others were too. I love the mix of decorating and family life. If I want to see just pretty images I can scroll Pinterest; what I love about your blog is that it gives me pause (and it’s pretty to look at too)! I’m a little ashamed of other comments that said to cut out the personal…that’s part of your life, and goodness knows you put in your time waiting for that little guy!!! Well that’s my two cents;)
I hadn’t commented regarding what I would want to see because it is not for me to say. I feel like this is YOUR blog and YOUR voice and you should do YOU. Do what makes you happy, what you feel called to share, and what you have time for. We stay (or leave) for the same reasons. I had to do what was best for me a few years ago and I stopped following many blogs. I came back to yours again because of the adoption and your faith in God during your process. (I was first here for your decor.) I think most of us want to know the person on the other end and we care about you and your life–not just which room was redone over the weekend. 🙂 You do YOU mama and listen to your heart.
Awwww, thank you, sweet Kristin. 🙂 Always fun to see your name pop up here, too.
I will always post about what tickles my fancy, but since blogging is also my job, I feel like I should also know what visitors are hoping to see. It was really sweet to read that most folks like to find a variety of topics because, clearly, that’s what I’m most inspired to share too! 😀
Layla, you’ve always managed to speak to me in an inspired manner through your blog. You and Kevin are outstanding parents. Sonny is a blessed little guy. You all are truly becoming a sweet, loving family. I’ve been truly blessed praying for you three. Through the eyes and ears of your blog, you’ve made my heart smile.
He makes my day! I am so happy to see how well he is doing. Great job. I love his love of fashion! If he sneaks off and cuts his hair with his scissors one day, just remember they all do it lol.
Layla- Thanks for sharing the box opening video with us. AWESOME! I can hardly believe how Sonny is mastering the English language SO FAST!!! I have sometimes wondered, if the more command he has of English, and the bigger his vocabulary gets, if he will be able to express himself even better verbally, and maybe it will make things easier for him in this whole transition. I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been when he first got here and could barely communicate. Praise God for all the progress!!!
So sweet. You’re doing great! A natural!
I love that little boy so much!?
Oh my goodness, he is so adorable! And your joy is so shiny and beautiful!
The boy is pure joy!! I love his voice and his smile.
I agree with one of the comments about looking for/creating a clothing line for boys and having him as its spokesman.