Whew- what a busy week! Among other things, I was painting, painting, painting, and I’m so excited to finally be able to put the finishing touches on my third episode for The Design Network this weekend. I don’t know exactly when they’ll post it (I’ll blog about it when they do), but working on Sweet P’s room (and the stairwell) has really helped keep me nice and extra busy while we look forward to getting our invitation letter from IBESR in Haiti. It lacks one last signature from what we understand, so maybe it’ll turn up next week? What a great Valentine’s Day present that would be! (Speaking of the 14th, we’re going to Empowered to Connect in Birmingham, and we’re really looking forward to attending that. Have you ever been?)
And for those of you who have written asking, this first trip will be a two-week bonding trip. We’ll be observed by a Haitian social worker a couple of times while we’re there, and at the end of the trip, she will determine whether or not our match will be made official. As nerve-wracking as that may sound, I feel sure that our boy is our boy, and I am determined to not let my anxiety flail wildly around about that. I’m sure there will be enough nerves the day of our appointments, and God’s got this thing anyway…I just know it.
We’ll also attend our Embassy appointment at the US Embassy at some point during those two weeks. My friend who was there and attended her appointment last week said, “it’s intimidating in a way that any appointment you attended that required no less than four security searches would be intimidating”. Ultimately though, the Embassy is simply preparing for the day when the US government will make it their job to determine if our child (who, at that point, will already be legally deemed a Palmer in a Haitian court of law) meets the requirements to become a US citizen, and whether they will give him his visa for entry when it’s time for him to come home forever. Again, I’m determined not to let that eat me up this month either. Not. Gonna. Do it.
And along those lines, like I’ve mentioned before, Haiti is operating under new rules and regulations this year, so I’ve heard this new process described as being sort of like a rope bridge that’s being built as you cross it…each plank appearing underfoot the moment before you step onto it. Right now, our caseworker (Meredith) tells us that it’s looking like we may be able to bring our boy home about one year after our two-week bonding trip. So, maybe March of 2015? A lot of things have to happen with our paperwork between now and then, but we will be allowed to visit a few more times, which is awesome. And again, every family’s Haitian adoption process seems to be a little different from the next, so we’ll just continue to try our best to be open. This year will be over before we know it though, and I think it’s just as important for us to cherish this chapter, as it is to cherish the ones that will continue to unfold after it. This is the part where we get to find out about each other, and we get to experience love in this completely new and life-changing way. We get to fall in love! It’s a blessing and I don’t want to skim it away.
*****
Switching gears, I was thinking we could link e-arms and go out for a sister-stroll today. Let’s head to the flea market where we can walk and talk and absorb, shall we?
Let’s do some synchronized gasping at the prettiest mint green floor lamp we ever did see…
…and agree that this $18 vintage fixture would definitely have to come home with one of us if the base wasn’t bent so badly:
Let’s swoon together over this “handy” jadeite ring holder…
…and talk about how pretty this little table would look with a coat of paint:
Let’s both just instinctively know that this cow & boxwood is “SO Miss Mustard Seed!“…
…and let’s text Traci because we both remember her mentioning something about wanting a vintage croquet set on Twitter recently:
Let’s chat about how we love this frame as much as the cross-stitch inside of it…
…and about how we both have a “thing” for old wooden crates:
Let’s open up these old quilts so we can see how they look…
…and let’s talk each other out of them because we don’t really need anymore old quilts.
Let’s gush over these lights and their gorgeous wooden beads…
And after that, let’s carry what you bought for under twenty bucks to your car, and carry what I bought for under twenty bucks to mine:
A brass umbrella, books for baby, and dominoes for days…these are a few of my favorite thrifted things. 🙂
Oooo girl I am so excited for you. I say that on every adoption update but I AM! It seems so long ago that we were all sitting around the fireplace at Blissdom and chatting about adoption possibilities and now its so close! 🙂 xoxo
P.S. I could never talk anyone out of a vintage quilt. haha
I’m sure you’re counting down the days until you see your lil man!
I’d shop with you any day! It’d give my poor Mr a break from being dragged to such stores. He’s a good sport though. 😉
Love the books for baby! Always check for children’s books at your local library. If they have book sales, those are the best deals ever!
Oh my goodness! I had NO IDEA that after the meeting with your son you have to wait another year to bring him home! You are filled to the brim with patience mam’. I pray that the reunion happens much sooner than you think. Boy, I would be looking for ALOT of walls to paint! 🙂 However, I guess once having connected you can keep contact and build your relationship through the year, yes? That is a good thing. You have to look at the bright side I guess.
We LOVE Dr. Karyn Purvis. We keep her book and pass it out to people. My husband was just at a conference with her last weekend in Texas. We will be in Alabama to hear her also. My husband, Dwain, is the NC director for Lifeline. NC just received their certification this past Oct. Excited for you and your growing family. You have been on a journey, but your real journey is just beginning! So many blessings are coming your way! I so enjoy your blog! Maybe I will run into you at the conference. Blessings to you.
Layla, Praying for you and Kevin and Sweet P. Know that God’s has His hand on you all and trust His perfect will for all your lives.
Layla,
Thanks for the update. I have been praying for your sweet P union. I love how you shop. It sounds so similar to that of the way I usually shop too. I text pictures of items that remind me of my bff, sister or mother and end up shopping for them as much as I do for myself.
Lay! You are killing me! I don’t want to hold e-arms. I want to hold YOUR arm!! I loved every one of those pictures and thank you for the “text” about the croquet set! Love it!
I love you, Lay! And I love that sweet boy in Haiti! I need some “layla time” SOON!!!!
Wow. I look at your smiling face and imagine you smiling as we read of Haiti’s laws changing…and you’ve been given a baby but he’s not in your arms and I remember a Mom of a couple of my students who was adopting a girl from China. I’m in my mind reliving HER journey in memory by reading yours. All of it. The interviews. The visits. The money they needed so they refinanced the house. It seemed like it wasn’t real. Then China wanted proof her husbands company’s insurance would cover her on his insurance plan and needed that documentation. But when it seemed it had been so long, she said,”My husband already tells people we have four children.” And she arrived!!! Ah we all spoiled her!! Her brothers and sister spoiled her and loved her!!! And the waiting once she was here? It just was over in a blink!! The long-ness disappeared like poof!!! It was no memory of the waiting for the presence filled our time. And yes, was she ever busy!!!! What an active girl. They’ve moved away and I am disabled now…so I will never know their story but she was here in the US for two years before their move, so I did get to know her some. And just know, what seemed like forever a wait (I got frustrated!!!) was just right on that day I finally met their new little girl. And so it will be with you!!!!
Wow, adopting is such a long process!
On a side note…Ha! I thought of Miss Mustard seed today too when I saw a Bentwood caned rocking chair at my local Goodwill 🙂
Erica
Blessings on getting to go, on all the time there, an on coming home without him and waiting for a year. My devotional today was based on Romans 8:28 but says “God can fit everything into a pattern for good” which reminded me of a quilt. A beautiful pattern will show up later even though we can’t see it up close. Prayers for you. d
great post, and yes the time will go fast… 🙂 you may come to find out it wont take that long to begin with. its going to be great for you and kevin. 🙂 loved loking at all the goodies that you posted.. i did about spit my iced tea on the page.. does that croquet set say $80+??? good grief.. i bought 2 for less than $5 ea here in ohio.. i guess no one here plays croquet.. 🙂
The flea market trip would have been great on this cold winters day. I hope and pray that your adoption goes faster than planned
. Love reading your blog…………
As you wait and your little one waits, I’m reminded of my little friend in Central America, who was left orphaned, and has a family waiting for him here in the States as well, due to paperwork issues. I will keep your little one in my prayers and please remember sweet M in yours, that both children will soon be in the loving embraces of their families forever.
I’m thinking and praying for you and your family here and across the world. This child could not be more blessed to have parents like you and I know you are so blessed to have him. I wish you patience and fewer butterflies. xxoxox
How exciting, but I also had no idea that it would be another year or so. I thought once you went for your “visit” then it would be a few months. But I know too this is a pretty big deal, and another country and our country involved and so on. AND with your positive attitude all will be good!!! What a lucky little boy he shall be! Here’s hoping for that valentine surprise:)
Love your vintage finds!!!
Thanks for the shopping date – although one can hardly concentrate after reading your update. So love how God is in all the details : )
We have friends who adopted a little boy from the Ukraine a couple of years ago, so I understand the anxiousness you are going through. We will keep you all in our prayers. On another note, I LOVE the little pillow in the first picture. And don’t get me started on the jadeite hand, mmmmm. The colors are wonderful! Where is this treasure haven, uh, I mean flea market, lol?
I love the brass umbrella! And yes the cow and boxwood is def Miss Mustard and I want to find one myself.
And congrats on the adoption! How exciting!
Hello, enjoy your blog and have to tell you as a grandmother of two adopted grandchildren I am praying for all the Palmers. You have the right attitude and our Lord answers our prayers when we have belief in Him. I am a native of Alabama and love your decorating. Keep your faith and the time will fly. Loved shopping with you, Sharon
I wish that every child that needs someone to love them had parents as special as you guys are gonna be.
A year. whoa. I know you will have patience. On the bright side…it will give you time to get A LOT done at your place before your son is with you. ‘Cause Heaven knows there won’t be much time for anything BUT him when he is with you (and you won’t want to do anything but be with him when he arrives. 🙂 ) I don’t suppose there is a chance of adopting two children at one time is it? My sister and her husband went to Russia with plans to adopt 2 children (siblings.) Enjoyed shopping with you! I LOVE the umbrella stand. Makes me think of Mary Poppins!
Hi Kelly! 😀 Folks can adopt two (or more) children at once from Haiti, but we’re only adopting our little guy this time around. We’ve never had kids before so we’re taking things one (baby) step at a time! 😀
I can’t wait to see the posts about you being over there meeting him. Not crazy about him having to wait a year to come home but what a joyous celebration that will be. Oh, praying hard for you all! I also want to give a shout out to that jadeite hand (wow!) and that cross stitch in the super cute frame. I seriously, seriously want that cross stitch! Where is this place? Do they have an online presence? Do they ship stuff???? 🙂
This is such a sweet post. You have such a calmness about you and it comes through in your writing. It’s so encouraging 🙂 Also, LOVE that brass umbrella holder. That’s a beauty.
You write the CUTEST posts! Thinking of you literally every day, and loving this journey, as long as it is.
Hi Layla,
My husband and I are also adopting a little boy from “Three Angels”. We would love to connect with you. I sent you a private message on your Facebook page 🙂
Layla,
Saturdays are not a day I get off from work usually ( retail in a home decor store) but I am already thanking God for the sunshine, despite the cold, and although I will have to go down to the dreaded basement (unfinished and a mess) to work with hubby…
I love (!) that you invited me to e-link arms with you for the treasure hunt…and adore the umbrella stand..and special somethings for Sweet P…you made my Saturday better!
Layla, I would be in $$ trouble if I did go on that walk with you! That hand would be mine!!!
You have such a wonderful mindset about your adoption process, and you amaze me. You are right….the time will be here before you know it. Blessings.
Oh, Layla, I’d love to go to a real flea market with you!
BUT I will be at the Tobacco Barn in Asheville this week and thinking of you!
I went to ETC in Houston last September. It was absolutely amazing. You will learn so much! I wished I had brought my iPad to take notes and I would love to go again because I don’t think you can hear it enough! I love the unity between biblical principles and scientific data/research.
I highly recommend her book, “The Connected Child.”
Yes! Reading “The Connected Child” was a mandatory part of our home study, and I definitely recommend it, too! 😀
I am SO in love with the beaded chandeliers right now. Those were beauties. And that fun little pillow with the cute birdie! I wish I could have shopped with you – what a great trip. Your brass umbrella is very cool, too.
I don’t think I would have talked you out of that old quilt…having kids means using blankets for more than just blankets! Mine love to make “forts” out of them and get flashlights and books and we have a great time reading stories together! 🙂
I think we all are on our tip-toes waiting in anticipation for each adoption update. So great to hear you sound so positive and upbeat ~ God has a plan! My favorite quote I found recently, “Be patient, God isn’t finished yet”. Blessings to your family, Layla!
P.S. – I think I would have walked out with that beaded chandelier…totally swooning*
Ok, so the umbrella stand was my purchase correct? 🙂 What a lovely find. And what a beautiful way to look at the process of your adoption story. I don’t think I would be as patient as you. But, I know God’s timing is always perfect – sounds like you are resting in his time.
Your new son will do very well with his new forever family. We adopted our son from Russia when he was 11 years old. He adjusted and learned English very quickly. He graduated at the top 10% of his class and is now in a security clearance job in our US Navy.
What a difference a chance at life with opportunities makes!!!
Waiting to hear about your adventures more.
Love the bird pillow and quilt!
Hi Layla,
Long shot, but I have been skimming old posts because I vaguely remember seeing one from a Flea Market in Birmingham. Was this an actual market? I will be headed there in a week and would love a couple out. You seem to be able to find good ones!
Thanks!