family – Page 4 – Casting A Stone

By His own hand He leadeth me.

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Tammy

The decisions we have been making over the past weeks haven’t been easy. Ironically, the hymn our family has been working at memorizing together is “He Leadeth Me” by Dr. Joseph H. Gilmore. As we move forward one step at a time, we feel blessed to serve a good Father, who even had our homeschool curriculum present us with a hymn that reminds us that His hand is leading us even when life feels out of control.

He leadeth me. O bless-ed thought! O Words with heavenly comfort fraught!

I need that reminder as I pack up the youngest three members of our family preparing for a journey to the States that will not include their dad or siblings. For sure, a two month separation would never be what we would choose (especially right after an adoption) but as we have pr@yed and talked to Little Man’s doctors we feel confident that this is what we need to do.

Little Man, Little Monkey, Moe and I will leave for the States May 8th. We will land in Tampa, Florida where Little Man will have a bone reduction surgery on May 11th. He then will have follow-up appointments over the next month. 6-8 weeks post-op they should be able to start making our guy a new leg. He is looking forward to that. He hasn’t been able to walk for three weeks and he already is tired of us pushing him around in the stroller. He asked me to pack his old leg so that he would have it when he came out of surgery. It wasn’t fun to explain to him that surgery wasn’t the only step towards getting him walking again. The awesome thing about our Little Man – He has a joyful spirit and doesn’t let much get him down. He has been telling everyone that he is excited to have surgery because the hospital has a great playground and the food in the cafeteria is wonderful! That’s our boy.

Hubby and the oldest two kids will join us in the States as soon as the semester is complete – sometime the end of June. We haven’t even left yet and I am already counting down the days. We then will all return to our Asian home the end of August.

Surgery isn’t the only thing that will keep us busy while Stateside. We will be working at getting Mo’s immigration paperwork filed, will apply for his new American passport and be getting him a visa to return with our family to Asia.

We would truly appreciate you lifting up our family through this season. So many transitions, goodbyes, and emotions will fill the weeks ahead. Please specifically lift up:

Me as I travel with an immobile kiddo and a two year old who has never done this world wide travel thing. So thankful for Little Monkey who is one of my biggest helpers! I know she will make the task much easier and more fun as she chats with me along the way.
our new little guy…may Moe handle all of the transitions and continue to feel safe and loved in our family.
for Little Man’s surgery and healing process.
think of Hubby as he continues to teach his classes, finish homeschooling Soccer Dude and Roo, and keeps our home running while I am away.
and last but not least, for our family dynamics and relationships. Two months is a long time.

I know we travel a lot and our lives seem a bit on the crazy side….but really we are a family who enjoys pizza and movie/game night every Friday, shopping at the same veggie stand, and sipping hot chocolate and reading a good book equals an exciting night. Can I say routine? The next four months are going to shake us up a bit – pr@y for us.

There are no words.

Posted on March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 by Tammy

There are no words to describe what it feels like to walk through the corridor of a government office headed to a board room to meet your new child. It is unnatural. You can imagine the nerves of new parents about to adopt and the fear of children who are being led through the same multi-floored building unsure of the new life that will await them.

We had done it twice before – but my heart still wasn’t prepared. Agencies try to prep families. They tell us that even though we are thrilled to be meeting our new little love, they, on the other hand, will be scared. It isn’t usually a happy union, but a meeting of sobs, fear, and unknowns.

Why was I so caught off guard this time?

I was expecting a crying two year old. Instead our little guy marched into that board room like a boss. He was carrying the little photo book we had sent him. The nanny who brought him to us pointed to the photos and asked, “Who are these people?” He told her each of our names in the photos and then pointed to us in the room and said our names again. He walked over to us and happily started playing with the bouncy balls that I pulled out of a special bag.

That was it.

I am not sure there could be a child who was more ready for a family. He has embraced us with open arms and has stolen our hearts. He has shed a few tears and asked for his nanny, but he also has snuggled deeply into my arms, is calling me momma, and is sleeping soundly as if he has always been with us.

This child is brave and amazing. He has eaten our food like a champ. He has sat quiet as a mouse during van rides and through meetings. He counts every time he climbs stairs (up to 30 in Chinese and 10 in English) and has shocked us by sitting for over 3o minutes playing with play-dough or toy trains. He is entertaining his siblings with new Chinese songs and hand motions and somehow they have been the ones to get him to smile quickest and laugh the hardest.

I wondered the most about Little Man. How would he take becoming the big brother? The first night we had Moe, Little Man curled up into my lap and said, “Thanks for adopting him, Mom. He is the most adorable thing ever.” I thought it was pretty darn adorable that he used the word adorable!

We finalized Moe’s adoption after several days in his province. We are now back at home getting to know each other. We will need to travel one more time to finish getting his immigration and visa paperwork for the States, but that can be done in a few weeks.

Tonight, as he snuggled in my arms and drifted off to sleep, I couldn’t help but think about how blessed we are. Three times we have been given precious gifts to parent. Each time I have watched as Father has chosen children that fit so perfectly in our family. One of my favorite things to remind people is that #kidsneedfamilies, but I must admit as I look into his precious face – I need each one of them too. They make me a better person – loving them calls things out in me I did not know were there. I see Jesus in a way that I never would have if I hadn’t become their mom. There are no words to describe that either.

A new slower journey (plus a bonus adoption update!)

Posted on March 4, 2017March 4, 2017 by Tammy

My dad is a story teller. His fish are big, his journeys are long, and they are always uphill.

There is one story I vividly remember him telling me as a girl. I have no idea if this is an original or true story – I just know it made an impression.

His story started with him being a lad on the farm with a chore to complete. (I am sure he used the word “lad!”) His dad gave him a metal bucket to fill with water from the drudge ditch and bring to the big barn. It was a warm afternoon and as he carried the bucket he was enjoying the walk through the golden fields under the blue cloud filled sky. To his dismay, when he arrived at the barn the once full bucket was empty. He set out to try again aiming to please his father. He went faster the second time around, but the pail still did not hold the water from the ditch to the barn…since it had a hole in the bottom. Trying to get his chore done he tried many solutions: running, patching the hole with mud, and a few more that slip my mind. (My dad is a better story teller than I.)

I recently thought of this story during a visit to a guest house in January. It had been a long, hard, but very good semester. Honestly, I think we could safely say the hardest semester we have had living overseas. But, I also wouldn’t be lying if I said that I have learned more in this hard season than in the previous 10 years as an expat. Maybe some day I will be able to tell the story of this semester, but for now you can just imagine me as a lad on a farm running hard trying to get my work done.

My natural reaction to a hard season…work harder, try harder, run faster. The thing is, a bucket with a hole in it won’t carry water no matter how fast you run or how hard you try.

When I took time to slow down, reflect and get real with Jesus – well, the crazy thing is – I think rest is what He wanted to give me. I don’t think He wants me to try harder or work faster. I think He would be pleased if I simply would ABIDE.

I am not good at abiding.

Sabbath. What?!

In general, I am not a disciplined person. But when it comes to the spiritual disciplines, this is the one I am worst at. I blame it on being a perfectionist. I rationalize it away by saying that hard work is good for the soul. I have small children how can I rest? What will others say when they find out I had to take a break?

Really, it is pride. All excuses that keep me from making space to abide.

We took a much needed break. Some very generous souls took over my responsibilities for several weeks to give us a rest and to allow us to attend a training conference. I sat on the beach. I went to bed early. The dear folks who run the guest house for “workers” like us did our laundry, cooked all our meals and just gave us space to rest. We made memories as a family and I read some great books (Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta and In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership by Henri J. M. Nouwen. Both so very good. Read them. You won’t regret it.) We took space to prepare for the next season, got more training, and fell on our faces before our Creator.

Through it all, I felt a still small voice in my heart asking me to abide – to stop trying harder and just trust Him.

I needed it.

We are now back home and starting a new semester. Not just any old semester, but one that holds many demands, high stakes and a new baby (to us) as well.

Isn’t God so good to give me the generous gift of a break right before another busy season?

As we start classes again, put together a toddler bed, dive back into our homeschool books, soak beans for dinner, and pack for an adoption trip….I keep coming back to the idea that I don’t need to try harder.

We leave to go get our new son in one week…maybe two. Ekkk! (Did you read that little adoption update in this long, ranting, personal growth blog post?! We also have a name for our new sweet guy. Call me. I will tell you! A hint: his middle name is after that story telling grandfather.) With a new little one on his way, life isn’t going to slow down any. I need to slow down my soul. I am taking deep breaths. Going to bed earlier. Reading a few phrases of my book. Smiling. Walking. Trusting.

Abiding.

I am on a new slower journey. Tell me how you abide. I could use some tips!

More of the story unfolds…

Posted on December 3, 2016December 3, 2016 by Tammy

He will be two years old on December 23rd. He lives in a city that is an easy train ride away from us. He likes to clap his hands when his foster mom sings him “Twinkle Twinkle” and he likes to play with blocks. We don’t know much more about this little guy, but what we do know – He will be the next Williams.

It is a boy.

Our Christmas baby.

Little Man is thrilled to have a brother coming, thinks we should name him Moses, call him Moe and keep his hair in a mohawk. Momma isn’t sold on those ideas.

The countdown is on until we are able to meet this sweet boy and let him know that he has a forever family. We have done so much of the work for this adoption not knowing who we were adopting, it feels surreal to finally see his face.

We want to thank you all again for each donation, word of encouragement, and prayer. We stepped into this adoption knowing we needed to do it no matter what others thought. (Honestly….we kinda thought we might get a few “you are crazy” comments.) But, we have been blown away and deeply blessed by how supportive you all have been.

Thank you. Two simple words, but I really am not sure what else I can say. We mean them deeply.

Looking for him

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Tammy

We had the sweetest 16 month at our house playing. Just for him, we pulled out baby toys and had them set out on the coffee table. Our apartment is far from baby proof….especially the living room. There is a long entertainment center type table that is low to the ground (complements of the university whose housing we live in) that holds our TV and other fun looking hands off stuff.

What does a smart baby do when he sees stacking cups vs. a dvd player? Why, he crawls straight for the electronics, of course. And when Momma says no to banging on the TV, what does the same sweet boy do? He lays down on the floor and cries huge tears and has himself a ~~little~~ tantrum.

I laughed. It struck me so funny that there was a whole stack of toys that momma would say yes to, but he just wanted what was off limits.

My giggles choked me when I felt God nudge my heart.

Over the past 2 months I have faced some situations that have not gone my way – one of which surrounds our adoption.

We really had hoped that we might adopt a child from the orphanage in our city. Doors got closed. There is no possible way for our adoption agency to get files from this orphanage, which means we are not able to be matched to any of the precious kiddos from the city that is our second home. That is kind of a simplistic explanation to a complicated situation, but it means a no.

I have cried. I have sulked. I have tried to trust God in the midst of it all, but you know what….I kinda was just pitching a big ol’ tantrum. I wasn’t laughing as God told me no…and I was having a hard time accepting the things that He was graciously offering me as a yes. He has clearly been closing doors and leading us in a new direction – we have been praying for clear direction, right?

It is sobering when you realize that you act like a toddler in the faith department.

Don’t get me wrong. I know that God has listened to my woes with grace. He is comforting me and meeting me right where I am at, but He doesn’t want me to stay there. He has a different plan that will be so very good for our family. Our agency has so many children who are waiting for a family, and we are excited to have been approved to be a family for one of them. One day I am going to look back and see how God perfectly was guiding us through this adoption. There is a kiddo out there who is to be a Williams, and we are on the adventure of our lives looking for him. I don’t want to forget even one bend along the road.

I want to mature in my faith – accept a “no” and be filled with peace, joy, and excitement for what God has planned.

Help the Williams Family Adopt #5

Posted on November 14, 2016November 14, 2016 by Tammy

Looking back at some old family photos….when there were only four of us and before adoption rocked our world. Wow, what we would have missed if we had kept our world small!

btwilliams-1-28

Asking for help is humbling. So you can imagine what a blessing it has been to have folks contacting us wondering how they can help us as we adopt #5. How do we have such a great community?! We are totally blessed. Many people don’t feel called to adopt, but are able to give and pray for a family who does. Thank you – from the bottom of our hearts. We could not do it without you.

We are about half-way through the adoption process and are hoping to be matched to our new son or daughter soon. Even though we live in Asia, we have to go through the adoption process like any other American couple. You would think there would be some perks of already being here, but nope. I take that back – travel to meet our child might be cheaper and we won’t be dealing with jetlag and getting to know our new child. That is a win!

What can you do to help?

1. Pray for God’s direction for our family at this pivotal point in adding #5. It is overwhelming to look at files and “choose” your child. Pray for wisdom and God’s clear direction. Not so ironically our family is memorizing the hymn “He Leadeth Me” by Joseph H. Gilmore as part of our homeschooling. Perfect timing Perfect words.

2. Give towards our adoption. Adopt Together has graciously offered to gather funds for our adoption. You can designate funds to our family through Adopt Together and they will send your gifts to our adoption agency to go towards our next fees. Your gift will be tax deductible. You will get a receipt immediately if you donate using a credit card or a PayPal account. If you donate by check, you will get a receipt at the end of the year. You can donate here.

3. One more way you can help….share our story. Point others to our blog or to our story on the Adopt Together website.

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Adoption is expensive. Some have asked why? Here is approximately where it all goes:

Agency Application:    $1000
Children’s House International (our U.S. Agency):    $6,550
Home study:    $3,000
Translation/Document/Dossier Expenses:    $1,770
China Program Fees:    $2,660
China Orphanage Fees:    $5,600
Visa Fees for Child:    $400
Travel in China:    $3,000
Flying Child Home:    $800
In-Country Costs:    $3,000
Post-Adoption Report:    $500
Re-Adoption in U.S.:    $3,000

Approximate Total: $30,000

One way God has confirmed in our hearts that this is the time for us to add #5 has been through His provision. In the past 6 months as fees have come up to start us on this journey, the funds have been there – extra teaching jobs for Hubby, generous gifts from friends and family who had no idea there was a need, and the support from another adoptive family who felt led to give to us. We stand amazed. Actually, it is one of the blessings of adoption – seeing how God cares for His children and provides to set them in families. We are looking forward to seeing how He provides for us in the coming months as we finish this journey.

Thanks again for standing with us. We will keep you posted on our journey.

**Photo Credit — Ben Hall — B’s Photography**

Miracle Soup

Posted on September 30, 2016September 30, 2016 by Tammy

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.

Breaking News. 4 +1 = 5

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Tammy

We have news. News that probably won’t surprise any of you, but news that might be shocking all the same.

I have gone over and over how to write this blog post – sharing our decision. Some cute photo perhaps? A snappy saying? In truth, this long-in-coming decision can’t be summed up in a cute phrase or a witty blog post. So, I will just blurt it out.

We are going to adopt again.

Yup. Five kids.

It is kinda crazy. We know it.

Something that is even more crazy? Children are growing up without parents. I know them. They are my students. Often, my students will plead with me, asking me if I would please adopt them. I really don’t think I can explain how my heart hurts for each of those kids who long for a family of their own. It is so very hard to say, “No.”

You see, when you teach at an orphanage…you face the need. There are not enough families and there are so many amazing kids waiting, hoping, praying. We can’t adopt them all. But, we feel that by God’s grace we are able to be the family for one more. We will grieve that we just can’t care for them all, but we will do all we can for one. We know we are able to love and care for one more.

We are facing the need I see on a daily basis and choosing to do what we can. The true crazy part…we will be blessed for it. I know that is truth. As a result of our two adopted kids, my life is so much fuller, brighter, happier, and filled with more slobbery cheek kisses. As a dear friend of mine (who has adopted 8 times!) once said, “We are just gluttons for blessing.” Amen.

I never set out to have a large family, though my high school Sunday school teacher might argue otherwise. I did once say I wanted 13 children and a station wagon. No husband. I am so thankful God hasn’t made all of that a reality.

There are moments – like today when we were shopping for jeans for our current four children and it took two extra strength tylenol, a half a gallon of sweet tea and the entire afternoon to get the job done, I wonder what kind of crazy woman I am. And when I think about adding another child to the mix for next year, well, sanity may be a bit overrated. Just keepin’ it real.

Then there are moments – like holding a small hand, reading a book, snuggling in bed, saying evening prayers, playing ping pong, and talking about the joys and pains of growing up – so many moments that I will not trade for anything.

We have never regretted adding any of our four kiddos to our family. We won’t regret #5. And at the end of our lives, we won’t look back and regret providing a home and a family for one more kiddo – even if it means stress and craziness and pressure in the short run.

I can’t wait to look #5 in the face and say, “Yes!” I can’t wait to tell them, ” We are now your family. No matter what life throws at you we will all be in your corner, walking with you, cheering for you, grieving with you. We are yours, and you are ours.” Oh, what a moment that will be!

So, we would really appreciate you praying for our family as we step out in faith to adopt again. We have just completed our home study and we are facing much more paperwork and a lot of fees. Please pray for God’s provision and strength as we wait, as well as His will as we seek being matched with the child He has for us. We will keep you posted as God unfolds another story of His miracles and grace in our family.

that is a wrap.

Posted on June 4, 2016June 4, 2016 by Tammy

The day that seemed so far away last August….it has arrived. We have wrapped up our school year and celebrated with some of our favorite Chinese food, hot pot. We survived. Another year of homeschooling in the books and I do believe that we all are a bit smarter. At least, I am smarter. That is something to celebrate! (My 5th time through Kindergarten was the charm. I think I might have passed this time!)

Here is a peek at what we accomplished and how much our kiddos have grown.

Little Man: Our Kindergarten graduate (kinda)

Age: 5

We started Kindergarten with this kiddo because he was dying to do school with the other kids and frankly we homeschool so we have the freedom to start when the kids want to learn. Another layer of honesty, he is a busy kid. Giving him things to learn keeps him busy with the rest of us. Win. Win. Now – what to do next fall? My grand plan had been two years of Kindergarten, then he informed me that he had passed kindergarten and sure hoped 1st grade would be more of a challenge. HA! Now, if he could just learn to sit still in a chair. Hmmm.

Favorite subject: Geography. This kid knows crazy facts about the States and can put together a State puzzle faster than I can. Need to know a capital or in what order a State entered the union? Ask Little Man. I am not joking.

What he wants to be when he grows up: A baker or a dragon trainer.

Favorite food: Noodles

Biggest accomplishment: He is well on his way toward reading and knows his basic math facts. He claims knowing how to add and subtract is not an accomplishment – “You just use your fingers. Everyone knows that.”

Little Monkey: Our 3rd Grade Graduate

Age: 9

Favorite subject: Reading and art. Little Monkey also added piano to her list of studies this year. She is whizzing through the first book, but isn’t so sure about playing in front of people for the recital coming in a few weeks.

What she wants to be when she grows up: A baker or a teacher (Not sure what is up with my kids all wanting to bake. I told them I would hire them now!)

Favorite food: Rice

Biggest accomplishment: Learning to read music and completing a special science course that she chose. If I was giving out end of the year awards, “most diligent” would be hers. She is so good about staying focused, going down her list of daily work. She is becoming more and more independent in her work. Maybe that is what I should have put for biggest accomplishment; she is growing in confidence and character.

Roo: Our 6th Grade Graduate

Age: 12

Of all of our children, Roo loves homeschooling the most. I often find her sitting in a corner of her room working away on a school assignment with headphones tuning out the rest of the world.

Favorite subject: Art and piano

Biggest accomplishment: Roo has learned how to use iMovie and is using this new platform to extend her creativity. Many afternoons, you will find her along with her two best friends dressing up for roles in the latest film they are producing. She might be creative, but she also is rock’n sentence diagraming. She can tell you the difference between an IO, DO, OPN and PN faster than any kid I know. Helps to have a daddy who is a whiz at languages. (Have I mentioned that my kids are smarter than I am? Makes homeschooling more and more challenging!)

What she wants to be when she grows up: An artist, film maker, or a beautician.

Favorite food: Broccoli soup and French bread

Soccer Dude: Our 8th grade graduate

Age: 14

This kid will be in High School this fall. What?!# He started his school career going to a Chinese emersion preschool in Michigan. It seems like yesterday…kinda. We have all come a long way since then.

Favorite subject: History

Biggest accomplishment: Surviving online classes with North Star Academy. He took two online classes this year – Math and Language Arts. It was a huge learning curve, but by the end of the year we were getting in the swing of things. We are leaning towards him taking a full course load at NSA next year. It has its pros and cons, for sure, but they offer classes he wants like Latin and advanced science classes.

What I love about homeschooling at this age…the great conversations. There is nothing like sitting down with your teen and hearing their perspective on what went wrong during the Civil War. I love hearing his passion for equality, human rights and what he would do differently if he were in leadership. Add that to his volunteer work with the disabled children at the orphanage….he is going to be a world changer. Okay, I am a proud mom. A proud mom who is struggling thru the teen years, but seeing the beauty of them too.

Favorite food: Coke and candy (Keep’n it real, folks!)

What he wants to be when he grows up: He isn’t sure. Actually, that helps this momma’s heart. He might be entering High School in the fall, but he isn’t ready to launch into the world yet. We still have some time!

Homeschooling four kids at once. Check. Makes me think I can handle five. Just say’n.

Just what the doctor ordered

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Tammy

When you live in a city of 1.5 million people, a day in the forest is a much needed break, especially for Hubby and I. We both grew up country. Although I am not sure I could ever really fit back into rural farm life, at times my heart needs a hike in the woods, mud on my shoes, and the sound of birds rather than cars.

This week was “Sports Week” at the university. It is a week of track and field activities and no classes. The Chinese teachers must participate. They let the foreign teachers off the hook. So, Hubby had the week off. We used the break to rent a driver to take us out of the city for the day. Hiking and a picnic were good for our souls.

This is one of the first times we have hiked with Little Man not riding on my back. Keep in mind that his prosthetic doesn’t have an ankle joint. (Once he is older and we don’t live in a remote area, there is an option to make a leg with a moveable ankle.) At the beginning of the climb, he told the family, “This is the first time I will climb a mountain.” He picked a walking stick and set his mind to it…and did it. He kept asking if we were climbing Mt. Everest. HA. Someday Little Man, someday. He really is a wonder and I don’t doubt that he could climb Everest if he decided to.

Little Man’s favorite part of the day was conquering the mountain, but my favorite was find a clearing with a stream. We sat and rested while the kids played with sticks, dug in the mud, and got wet. A perfect afternoon in my book.