September 2016 – Casting A Stone

My mother-in-law has shared stories with me on how she managed a home with four kids on a budget. One thing she did – freezing left overs in a carton. Once the carton was full she would pull it out and make soup. You never knew what fun soup creation would result.

I kinda feel like this blog post is a bunch of tid-bits from the month of September. Not really sure what the end result of this post will be, but want to save these precious moments and share them. Mostly so I won’t forget.

We have celebrated an anniversary this month, Little Man’s 6th birthday, family day for both of our youngest kiddos and some milestones for our upcoming adoption. It has been a big month.

My baby is 6 years old! We had fun celebrating him with gifts, chocolate cupcakes, and his first ever birthday party. So much fun to plan a Dragon Training Camp that ended with a piñata (created and painted with much love by two older sisters) that was fought with a sword. Nothing like watching a bunch of kids swinging a wooden sword while your husband holds a piñata from a broom handle in the living room. Fun times. We may also have launched stuffed sheep across our living room at the book shelves and made our own version of corn hole…or feed the dragons. The whole thing was a hoot.

I was having so much fun celebrating our big, 6 year old, funny, first grade guy…not one tear. Then a couple of days later he lost his first tooth! I must admit, that is when I lost it. He is six. He is missing a tooth. My baby is all grown up. Sniff. Sniff.

Maybe that is why I was savoring our “Family Day Celebration” with more vigor and focus. Little Monkey has been in our family for 6 years this month – Little Man for 4 years. On the outside it seemed that we celebrated by going to a huge ball pit/playground. We then ate our favorite Chinese meal out – Hot Pot. Fun times. Good food. But, as I watched Soccer Dude carry little Man to the top point of the playground, I delighted. When I had a little in my arms for a few moments of rest, I savored the warmth of my space in time. I felt the joy and the miracle of my family that afternoon. I wanted to hold on and take in the moment. Not to keep the kids from growing up, I have longed since learned there is no trick for that. I just wanted to remember – never forget – our family that was brought together through pain, sorrow, redemption, joy and a lot of paperwork.

I felt the miracle of it.

I truly feel that every adoption is a miracle and as I watch our children grow and blossom, shaped by adoption (not just my younger two, but all four of my children…heck, me too) I am filled with awe and thankfulness.

We are on a journey that will take another miracle. I see the miracles our first two adoption were and I expect nothing less this time around.

We have completed all of our paperwork to submit to China for our next miracle. It is being authenticated and soon will be on its way from our adoption agency in the US to our side of the ocean. The next step….to be matched with the child God has for us.

Would you pray with us? We know that Father has a child in mind for us….and He will confirm who the next Williams will be during this next step. This will be part of the story of the miracle of our family. It will be miraculous, life changing, and we are praying hard.

Thank you for standing with us, following our journey and praying. Can’t wait to share our next miracle with you.

We had been living out of suitcases for at least 5 weeks by the time we hit Ohio. The kids were fighting in the van and I was nervous about the friends we were about to see in our state of mind. That is when Hubby pulled onto Brice Road. We looked at each other and smiled ignoring the chaos. At a church called Brice 17 years ago, that is where it all began.

We have moved 8 times, finished degrees, experienced two births and three adoptions, lived in 3 countries, learned two languages, and worked countless different jobs since that hot day in September. I had no idea what I was getting into!

That is exactly what I was thinking as I asked our kids to tumble out of the van to take photos on the steps of the church. We have a photo of our young selves all dressed up in a tux and white dress on those very steps. I still am amazed that at 24 I made a good decision like marrying this redhead. The grace of God. That is all I can say. I have been thankful for and marveled at that decision every year since.

Here’s the thing. I would do it again. Not because it has been easy. It hasn’t. Good but not easy. We now have tasted and seen sick, poor, bad, sad and a bit of ugly. But, there is something about choosing to do life with the same person. I never doubt who is going to be by my side during each season. He keeps on choosing me and I choose him.

Our new photo on those steps – we for sure are not as pretty. Those capri pants were wrinkled from travel and I had been sweating over my peacemaking efforts as momma to my crew. I am pretty sure I wasn’t wearing any make-up and I no longer can count the gray hair in somebodies chin strip. But, I think I will treasure this photo more. It shows us 17 years into this thing called marriage. I know what I am getting into now. I held his hand, gazed into his eyes and said yes again. It grossed out my teenagers and did all of our hearts some good.

We have come a long way in 17 years. I wonder what the next 17 might hold and am thankful that this redhead will be by my side. Choosing him one ~~year~~ day at a time.