Tammy

Package and Swimming

Posted on June 20, 2012June 20, 2012 by Tammy

Summer is in full swing around our place. The kids are enjoying sleeping in, extra trips to the library, riding bikes and visiting the community pool. The pool is one of my favorite parts of summer. There is nothing like sitting on the edge of the pool watching my three kiddos entertain themselves (with the bonus of them being dead tired at the end of the day making for a GREAT nights sleep)! Hooray, to Little Monkey who has learned to swim under water and we have one brave Big Girl who has mastered the huge slide.

As much as I love the pool – every time we go I feel a pang of regret. Little Man is missing out on the fun.

Knowing that he would be joining us in August, I added him to our family card. Every time we hand over our cards to enter, his tag screams at me. It is not being used. The girl taking tags yesterday asked, “so everyone is here except I?” Instantly tears sprang to my eyes. Big girl looks at me and asks if he will come in time to enjoy the pool this summer.

I hope so.

It seems that we are so close, yet so far away from this process being over. Just a few more documents – just a few more details – just buying plane tickets and booking appointments – just enough to make me go crazy! I want it to be here. I want four heads to count at the pool!

Whine, whine, blah, blah. I know, I need to stop and be thankful for how far we have come and how close we are. Forgive me. Patience is not one of the virtues I excel at.

We sent Little Man a package this week (a perk of having the letter of approval from China is being able to send a package). We sent him a little photo album, some clothes, a blanket, a truck and a letter introducing our family.

How do you write a letter introducing our family? Brutal.

After several attempts we came up with a short letter fit for an almost 2 year old and his caregivers. We included photos of our family, the dog, his bedroom and a photo of the 3 kiddos swimming. Praying that it prepares him a little bit for our arrival in August.

Ready or not we are coming and he has a “swim date” to keep. I am more anxious than ever to bring that Little Man home.

Our Both Hands Video

Posted on June 17, 2012June 17, 2012 by Tammy

Check out this video from our Both Hands project last Saturday. We worked with a team of beyond amazing folks to bless Carla, who recently has become a widow. She had a list of jobs around her house (inside and out) that she couldn’t accomplish on her own. We mulched flower beds, trimmed trees, changed AC filters and even flipped her mattress – all jobs that seem overwhelming to one person. It was a hot long day of work, but we all felt blessed by the end result. (Keep in mind that it had been very hot and we had worked a long day by the time I was interviewed for this video. Talk about humbling to have my stinky bad haired self sent out all over the web!)

Here is the video from the day:

The team has gone one step further in living out James 1.27 by seeking sponsors for their day of work at Carla’s house. The money that has come in from the sponsors has gone towards our adoption costs. It’s not to late to be a part of this amazing project. If you feel led to give, you can click on the Both Hands button in the right hand bar here in the blog. All of the money will go towards the costs of traveling to get our new son and finalizing his adoption into the Williams clan. Another way you could help is by sharing this video with your friends or liking it on Facebook to spread the word. Feel challenged to live out James 1.27 by serving a widow or helping a family to adopt? We would love to talk with you about how to plan an event in your area!

A VERY BIG thank you to the Grosz family – who not only worked the day of the project, but also put together this video for us! You guys rock!!

Letter of Approval arrived – HE IS OURS!

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Tammy

The title of this post says it all…..I almost can’t type from excitement. We got the letter of approval (LOA) from China that we have been waiting on. They have officially approved us to be Little Man’s family!

I was just beginning to feel a bit blue about how long we were waiting on our LOA. We have been able to rejoice with two friends and my sister who have added babies to their families – and I wanted my “due date” to come too. Enough of this paper pregnancy. I want there to be end. I was even telling God that I would welcome some good old painful contractions just to get the process going.

That is when our sweet Lifeline social worker called.

I went from depressed to excited in such a short time frame I thought my body was going to physically protest by bringing up my lunch.

It is still sinking in. We are really going to China at the end of the summer. We really are going to have four children. I really am going to be mom to this rock star with hair that sticks up on end! There really will be a family day ending this adoption and making this guy ours forever!

From here the process is more predictable. We wait about a month for his immigration paperwork, we get visas to travel to China, and then we get travel approval to pick up our boy! That should all happen so that Little man is able to join our family in August.

Wow! I need to clean out a dresser, set up a crib, and get the LEGOS up on higher shelves. Off to nest…..

Help us – help a widow & an orphan!

Posted on May 26, 2012May 26, 2012 by Tammy

Some people are called to adopt (that is the camp we are in) but many are not. Sometimes it is hard to know how to live out James 1:27 where God mandates that we care for orphans and widows. If we are not called to adopt does that let us off the hook? If my mother is not a widow, then am I off the hook in the widow department?

We have recently been given a chance to live out James 1.27 in a practical way. Both Hands is a non-profit organization who plans events to care for widows in practical ways while raising funds for orphans to be set in families. The founder had the idea of not hosting a golf-a-thon or a marathon where folks get sponsors to play a game – instead they help plan a work day for a widow in need. A team of people work on a widow’s house and ask folks to sponsor them for their days work. You guessed it – the proceeds from the sponsors go towards the high cost of an adoption.

When I first read about the project it gave me goose bumps. It really is an easy practical way to live out our faith. Our family has made it a priority to care for orphans – but to be frank, I had ignored the second half of that verse. I was excited by the challenge to serve with both hands – one hand for the widow, one hand for the orphan.

Karla just lost her husband four months ago after a long illness. I sat down with her to see if she needed help around her house. She came up with a list that started with weeding her flowerbeds (it hurts her knees to kneel), flipping her mattress (it is to heavy) and hanging things on the walls (she doesn’t know how to work a drill). Her modest list, that she was unable to do for herself, brought tears to my eyes. How have I not thought to serve her and other widows earlier?

We have come up with a much bigger list of ways we can bless Karla. On Saturday, June 9th we are going to spend the day doing just that. The kids are excited to help her too. When Beth learned that Ms. Karla lives by herself without a family I was surprised to see how she connected with that. “We need to help her mommy!”

Would you consider helping us with this project? If you live in Kentucky (or you want to come visit for the weekend!) we REALLY need more workers. Karla says she doesn’t expect us to finish her list of projects but we sure would like to.

Both Hands in connection with Lifesong for Orphans has taken this project to another level by offering us a matching grant for any sponsorship money that comes in for our project up to $3000.00. Anyone who sponsors our family (or the other workers) for our day of work on June 9th will truly be helping us with the travel costs to go pick up our new son in China (who no longer will be an orphan! WOOT, WOOT!) and will be helping Karla in her grief. If you are not able to be a part of the work team, would you sponsor us or one of our workers for the day?

There is a Both Hands button on the right side of the blog. You can donate on line by clicking on that button. Every gift small or large will make a difference!

Sometimes it is hard to know how to live out our faith. When the Bible says that it is good to serve orphans and widows (James 1.27)- that is great, but how should that really look today? I have been challenged during this process. We hope you have been as well and that you will take this chance to live out James 1.27!

Banned

Posted on May 24, 2012May 24, 2012 by Tammy

I have been banned from all future preschool graduation ceremonies.

(No, I did not go all soccer mom crazy screaming at the teacher handing out diplomas. I am not that mom. Although, I have been told that I can be obnoxious on the sidelines. It is my goal to out yell the overly critical, mean soccer mommas and overly ambitious dads. I figure if I yell encouraging things two times louder then it all evens out….right? I have been banned from carrying my guitar to soccer games to sing my “we are all winners” song too. That is for a different post.)

Little Monkey graduated from preschool and it was a huge event with a commencement speech – the whole nine yards. As the children’s pastor gave what was supposed to be an encouraging sermon on how our kids grow up if given the right environment, I found myself growing faint. “In six years they will be going to middle school,” he beamed. I swooned to the right. “Another six years and they will be off to college,” he added with pride. I rocked to the left. “The years go quickly.” the pastor ended with a flourish just as I thought I would vomit ending in a messy heap on the floor.

Will it really be over that soon?

When I think of how far Little Monkey has come in one year, I believe it. Just a year ago she clung to my leg, cried and feared making new friends. Now she is one confident little girl who is counting the days till the next milestone.

I know… I should want her to grow up confident, independent – the world changer she is bound to be. I do. But a secret confession….I love kids! I got hooked back in my babysitting days and decided then I should have 13 kids and a station wagon.

Wait!

13 more kids. Perfect!

Just when I thought I would faint during preschool graduation, I thought of Little Man. Little Monkey might be growing up, but there is another to come.

Somehow my sweet hubby knew the gleam in my eye as I pulled myself together to celebrate our daughter’s big moment.

“We can’t keep having kids so that they never grow up, you know!” “What?” I replied with innocence. He wasn’t fooled.

“You are banned from all future preschool graduations!” He declared hoping that it would curb my need for just one more baby!

Hmmm, we shall see! I guess we should see how we do with four before I make more plans. I will give Hubby that! 😉

Goal met!

Posted on May 21, 2012May 21, 2012 by Tammy

When friends approached us about throwing us a “fundraising party” as a shower for our new little man, I was so blessed by their thoughtfulness. That evening the WGM center was filled with people we knew and even strangers all who came to “shop with a purpose” to help an orphan be set into a family. Generous vendors (from 31 Bags, Mary Kay, Stamp’n Up, Pampered Chef, Premier Jewelry, and Blessings Unlimited), supportive community, and sweet fellowship marked the evening. Even the kids had fun playing yard games in the back while their parents shopped. At one time there were over 30 children playing – many of whom have been adopted themselves! Have I mentioned how much I love our community and adoption support group?!

The photos taken early in the evening don’t really do justice to the event. People were milling around, snacking , talking, shopping…..and showing their support of our family. By the end of the evening over $550.00 had been raised toward our adoption. The vendors are sending those funds to LifeSong for Orphans who is going to double that amount! We had hoped to raise $400.00 which would cover our next agency payment. That goal met and passed! Thanks everyone!

The vendors have all graciously offered to continue taking orders until the end of the month. A portion of the proceeds go to Lifesong on our behalf. If you would like to make an order here is the information:

Thirty-one Bags
http://www.mythirtyone.com/sbivins/
Shawna Bivins
shawna_bivins@yahoo.com
859-948-1327

Pampered Chef
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/JenniferD
Jennifer DuBois
Use “Tammy Williams” for your hostesses name
PC4Jenn@yahoo.com
(cell) 573-433-4892
(home) 859-368-7611
Host a show and mention Tammy’s name and contribute an extra $10

Premier Jewelry
www.premierdesigns.com
Beverly Parker
2909 Southview Drive
Lexington, Ky. 40503
beverly.parker@Insightbb.com

Blessings Unlimited
Jyll C Hearn
(peruse the catalog online, then call or e-mail Jyll with your order).
www.myblessingsunlimited.net
jchearn8@bellsouth.net
502-425-9063

Mary Kay
Hilary Fiskeaux
www.marykay.com/KYredhead
KYredhead@marykay.com
859-338-3431

Stampin’ Up
Bethany Wells
http://www.facebook.com/bsteury

Ei8ght

Posted on May 16, 2012May 16, 2012 by Tammy

Our big girl turned eight this week! We had so much fun celebrating our passionate, dramatic, artistic daughter. She asked for an art party which gave me a chance to throw the party of my dreams! Tye die, watercolors, stamps, canvas, sidewalk paint….oh my, did I have a ball planning! We set it up in the garage so they could be as messy as they wanted and then they entertained themselves. Big girl even wanted to make the cake into an art project – so the girls decorated their own cupcakes. Seriously the most chilled out birthday ever and we had one happy birthday girl.

Here is a peek into the fun:

Grief and Blessings

Posted on May 12, 2012May 14, 2012 by Tammy

The Mother’s Tea at Little Monkey’s pre-school caught me off guard. I had the event penciled into my calendar and squeezed in between work, errands and other craziness – something to check off my list. When my girl walked in with her class holding my gift my crazy day stopped. I froze wanting to capture the moment – taking in her cute ponytails and broad grin not wanting to forget.

She was so proud of her gift. As she handed it to me with adoration and love in her eyes I almost started with a single thought that came from no where (or maybe it came from the depths of my heart.) “This gift shouldn’t be for me.”

Grief welled up in me like I can’t explain. There is another woman out there that should have been honored by Little Monkey on Mother’s day. A woman who is missing out on the hand potted flowers, cute poems, and sweet smiles.

Little Monkey was called forward by her teacher and interviewed in front of the small tea crowd. “What is your mom’s favorite color?” She replied with confidence, “all the colors because she is an artist.” Her eyes were trained on me the whole time looking for my approving smile. Her head tilted as if with a question. “Right, Mom?” I nodded and she beamed. She ended by telling the crowd that she loves me because I play dress-up with her and cook her Chinese food.

Oh, how my little monkey knows me.

My grandmother used to cry at church often and call them her “happy tears.” I never really understood that. Can happiness and sadness go hand in hand? Really? I always thought that true happiness would somehow squeeze out the sad parts.

Adoption has shown me how sorrow and grief can be so closely tied to joy and blessings. It stinks that Little Monkey couldn’t be raised by her birth-mom. Could there really be a greater injustice for us to mourn? And if I am being honest, I hate that somehow I am profiting from that injustice. How do I reconcile that in my heart?

I can’t.

These flowers should not have been for me. I am not the mom she should know.

But I am.

Me….I am the mother who missed the joy of carrying this jewel in my womb, of knowing her as she was formed. I miss knowing how she came into the world and what circumstances brought her into mine.

Grief and blessings bind me to a stranger somewhere in China. We grieve for parts of our daughter that we can not know, yet are blessed to have known her at all.

Shopping with a purpose

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Tammy

Thank you so much for all of you have emailed, been excited with us and offered encouragement since yesterday. Folks have asked about info of the fundraiser this coming Tuesday. Info is above. A percentage of the proceeds will go towards our adoption fund at LifeSong for Orphans – LifeSong will then match the money that comes in.

Feel free to stop in any time between 5:30-7:30 and bring the kids. We will have yard games and fun for them as you shop.

Now that we have the Chinese orphanage fees taken care of by the JSC Foundation (Praise God one more time!) the funds will go towards the travel costs to bring Little Man home and the final $800 of our last agency fee.

Thanks!

Overwhelmed

Posted on May 9, 2012May 9, 2012 by Tammy

An email popped into my inbox that brought me to tears. JSC foundation has given us a grant to cover the China orphanage fees for our adoption of Little Man. I have no words.

Really.

How do I thank a group of people I have never met for giving us money to help bring home the son of our hearts? How can I tell these strangers that they are an answer to heartfelt prayers and that their donation came at the perfect time? I am afraid if I even knew who to thank I would be a blubbering mess and they would be turned off by all the snot produced by all the tears that came about from one simple email.

It isn’t just JSC. The support and help that we are getting for bringing Little Man home is truly overwhelming. A month ago when LifeSong for Orphans gave us a matching grant I felt the same awe and shock. Who are we to be so blessed and taken care of? To add on top of that friends from our adoption support group have planned a fundraising event this coming Tuesday, May 15th, to help us with adoption costs (proceeds from which LifeSong will match!) When I was embarrassed over these sweet friends spending their time and money – using their contacts to secure vendors to sell goods on our behalf – they shrugged and said “I would spend this much time and money on a baby shower….with this we are helping an orphan.” The shrug made it so matter of fact as if everyone in the world thinks in those terms.

That is just the beginning of the story.

I run into a woman at ballet this week who I didn’t know. “Oh you are the family who is adopting from China right?” I nod and give her my bravest “I probably should know you, but I am not sure who in the world you are smile.” (Years of traveling and speaking at churches has helped me perfect this special grin.) She goes on to tell me that she will see me on Tuesday night for the adoption fundraiser.

WHAT?!

My practiced grin cracks and I ask who she is and how in tar-nation (is that really a word? oh, spell check knew it.) did she hear about that. (Great way to make a person feel welcomed and invited to the event, I might add.) A friend of a friend, who also is a teacher at the kids’ school, told her about it and they are so excited for our family and praying.

Humbled to see God working through all of this.

Yet there is more.

A family gave us their “change jar” that added up to more than $100. Friends who sold their house gave from the sale to help us bring our son home. Ladies in my prayer group are praying and working to see the money come in that is needed. So many people, who have never met Little Man, already love the crazy haired boy with a sweet smile and they are showing it by helping us bring him home! How do I thank everyone?

We stepped into this adoption not really feeling prepared and able to pull it off. We hadn’t had enough time since Little Monkey’s adoption to save for another one. The math didn’t work. We couldn’t do it. I think that was God’s plan all along…to make us step out in faith and trust him to do ~~a miracle~~ miracles in order to bring home our Isaac. The waiver from China was the first big miracle and now we see the miracles come in one dollar at a time.

BLESSED.

OVERWHELMED.

There really are no words.

Or, I guess I should just say – “THANKS.”