Where to start...

{View over Pattaya from my room}

I think, think, I have some sort of words for what I experienced in Pattaya, Thailand. This whole experience has been an emotional roller-coaster. Everything I felt, heard, smelled, tasted... it assaulted my every sense. I knew I was sheltered...but this much? How was I so completely clueless that something so horrific was going on in my world? It rocked my world - turned it upside-down. 2 second blips of moments, images, experiences, smells - roll constantly through my mind, even while I sleep. I haven't been able to escape it or shake it.....But I don't think I want too. I want to remember the eyes I looked into; I want to remember the unforgiving humidity; I want to remember the noises that haunt me; I want to remember the lives that have been sold; I want to remember the hope that is being given; I want to remember the lives that are being changed; I want to remember the generation that is being transformed. I will not forget. I will not turn my back. I have never been so ready to go to war.

{Walking Street}
It is so difficult to even begin to explain everything - even in a way so that you may have a hint of an idea of what is going on over there. Even for Chris - the first night I was home, we were sitting on the couch after we had put the kids to bed, he pulled out my camera and began flipping through the images..."So is that a prostitute? Is that a prostitute...?" After the 10th time of asking that same question, I put down the camera and said - you don't get it: everyone you see is for sale. It is right there - in your face. But it's illegal. ILLEGAL. HOW IS THIS OK?

{Walking Street}

There is SO MUCH MORE. But I think this is all I can do for today. Processing these images, alone, has been heart-wrenching. I find myself sobbing just looking at them. But I am constantly reminded of why I am fighting for these people. They need me. I can do this. WE can do this!

This song was written in a bar in Pattaya.
About Pattaya.
It is so true!

Bible & Wii

In the car this morning, coming home from dropping the kids off at school - Carter perks up from the back seat:

"Mom, do you know how to turn on the Wii?"

"Uh, yes." [I know your sick buddy, but really, where have you been?!]

"So you know how the Bible says 'think of others first'?"

"heh, yes." [ok, switching gears. but seriously buddy, I know your sick - trust me, I took you to the hospital on Mothers Day where they thought you had Meningitis...I know the 'others first' bit - you don't have to use it on me just so I'll turn on the Wii for you!]

"well, I'm gonna play on Dad's wii so I can open new games for him. Isn't that a great idea?! He'll be so happy when he plays it again and more things are open for him!" (In his laryngitis-y/swollen shut throat, totally stuffed up face/nose - dripping green goo and blood shot puppy dog eyes - voice)

"Oh, ok - I think that's a great way to think of someone else first!"

You gotta admit - the kid is smart!

Now tell me you wouldn't turn on the Wii for that?!!

i'm ready

Dear Friends,

I am so excited to be able to share with you an amazing opportunity I have! A few years ago, God had placed Thailand on my heart. I never really questioned why or for what - but the seed was planted. About a year ago I became involved with a group of other ladies and moms - just like me, called Eastside Women of Purpose. Women committed to putting a stop to the horrific act of {Sex Slavery} and educating the women and children of SE Asia about {Human Trafficking}. Our group educates, advocates and fund raises for our partnership in Thailand with incredible people and organizations. These groups are on the ground pulling girls from the bars and brothels and setting them up into new life as well as doing prevention education for kids in the villages from where these girls come.

Which brings me to the purpose of this entry. I have been given the opportunity to go to Thailand May 22nd to 29th! To be honest…I am nervous about going. Nervous of what I will see. Nervous of what I will experience. Nervous about going without Chris and leaving the kids behind. Nervous of allowing my heart to be opened - and broken for the people of Thailand. But I feel blessed beyond blessed that God is revealing His plan that He placed on my heart several years ago - and it is actually happening! And with an unexpected bonus, a publishing company, would like to publish a book of photography on {Human Trafficking} with us. The fact that I am one of three photographers of our small group of seven that are going, is awesome! He’s using my passion for photography to be used with my passion for these women and children in Thailand - so cool! These pictures will tell a point of view that words just can’t.

On this trip, we will have the opportunity to do a few things. We want to continue to pro-actively be a part of the solution. In doing so we will build stronger relationships with our partners. By visiting and working with the project, we will be better able to recruit and provide needs for the solutions.

We’ll see the ‘border kids’ at risk for trafficking and visit a project that is rescuing and preventing kids from being trafficked. As we pray and walk the dark city of Pattiya, we will talk with the young girls and women. Inviting these women into a community of hope, healing and opportunity. Our group will meet with these young people that have been rescued and bring back the incredible testimonials of hope.There is a growing number of women of influence, that need to be involved. Our team will work to create a trip guide for future exposure that will impact and motivate others to be involved. There are many individuals we work along side that are in the thick of this tragic issue daily. Many are part of the organization that carries out the ‘sting’ operations on brothels and rescues these young children and women. We want to pray, encourage, help and give hope.

I would like to ask you to consider two things. First, would you please be praying for our team as we prepare for this trip and for during the trip. Second, would you consider praying about supporting this trip financially? I am needing to raise $1800 by May 1. Chris and I are contributing some funds and then prayerfully asking others to help. Would you consider supporting me financially? Any gift you feel led to contribute would be greatly appreciated. In a few days I will have a link for you to do so electronically here on my blog. If you would prefer to send a check, please email me or leave me a comment, and I will email you my address.
I know this trip is coming up here fast, and financially this timing is tough, but I trust that each of our financial needs will be met!

Thank you for considering helping me on this trip. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, chris.carlee@juno.com. I will follow-up with a prayer letter asking you to pray for our trip with day by day specifics.

Thank you so much!
Carlee

*If you would like more information on {Human Trafficking} you can visit: www.EastsideWomenOfPurpose.blogspot.com

Here is a video of our fearless leader, Marisa talking about Thailand: http://vimeo.com/3662997

Love God
Love People
Serve the World

Seriously??!!

Why did God not give us an ugly daughter???!

Haley is 10. Oh, yes - you read right, 10
What the heck happened to the past 10 years - 0h, and I'll throw in the "we're not old enough to have a 10 year old" bit. (truth be told, we're probably not.)

I'd like to say we have the cutest kids on the block - well, we do...but what I'd really like, is to KEEP it as just the cutest kids. We're stepping onto new grounds - thrust into the pretty/beautiful category, without warning. Ok, I'm sure we assumed this day would come, but really - now? this soon? now?!

My friend Kara with Kara Hicks Photography had a 'child high fashion' assignment (ala Targe` and Old Navy ;) and asked to use Haley - besides the fact that she was ubber giddy to play model for a few hours, she was talking a mile a minute when she came home...had a little too much fun. Oh boy! Kara is insanely great at her talent, so of course we assumed the pictures would turn out great. Only it sort of back-fired on us. Crap. She's pretty, like totally pretty. Crap.

Oh the joys of a 10 year old. It only just begins.

Here is our Haley as a pretend model...she gets her braces off tomorrow too - shoot, its probably just going to be worse, huh?

Hun - you can get that gun you've been wanting.

tithe rap

Oh yeah... that's right - a tithe rap. You read that right.

So the church we went to when we lived in Georgia was amazing - much like our church here - that would be why we go there. My friend Laurel posted this on her facebook today, and it was too perfect and funny to pass up! Check out the little diddly they did at 12 Stone.
Enjoy!

Mysterious

My husband has his own keys - that work JUST fine. But for some strange reason he likes mine better, not sure why because he hates the extra little hand sanitizer on it and my little pink "C"... So last week I found my keys in the dish with just the house key and my car key - no extra stuff to be found. Hmm, ok. So, last night I go to leave and find my car key - That's IT! Not even the tiny little ring that's attached to it, to attach to the bigger ring - just my van key! Ummm, really?!
Is he trying to tell me something?!

pass the jam

This little 5 year old never ceases to amazing us - he's funny - totally a character in his own right!

Over Christmas break, he came to me and told me he was hungry for a snack. I told him he could make his own peanut butter sandwich if he wanted - - he looked at me with these huge eyes and an enormous smile "Really!?" {side note: working at the pre-school has taught me that messes are OK, let them do it on their own - that is how they learn} Well, he did a great job...so well in fact that a couple days later he asked to do it again, but with peanut butter and jelly, this time Tanner asked him if he could have one too.
Carter: "Um, Mom..."
Me: "Yes?"
Carter: "Uh, Tanner....Tanner said that I make better peanut butter and jelly sandwiches than you." (totally trying to hide his smile)
Me: "Hmmm, is that so? Well look who has a new job! I guess you get to make the sandwiches for lunch now! ;)"

Fast-forward to last night. Everyone was getting ready for school the next morning. The kids were laying out their clothes, pulling out the backpacks from the weekend, filling up water bottles... Carter walks into the kitchen, opens up the pantry, pulls out the bread and PB, walks to the fridge, pulls out the jelly. Plunks it all down on the table.
Me: "Whacha doin' bud?"
Carter: "I'm making sandwiches for everyone - its my job!"
So granted, it took him four times longer than what it would have taken me and with half the mess, the peanut butter wouldn't have been double dipped with the jelly, and the bags wouldn't have been covered with sticky jelly - but they were perfect.

New firsts

{This is the look of "Please, Mom, put the camera down and help me!"}

We're big believers in our kids learning responsibility, ownership, and involvement in being apart of a family. We think it gives them more pride - knowing their dog is happy and healthy because all the poop is picked up in the yard, her water bowl is filled... you know, things like that ;)

example: Mom and Dad don't do everything

So, going along with this theme, Chris thought it was time Tanner learned how to wash the dog - - either that or he just didn't want to do it himself :)
He actually was a total trooper - Ellie on the other hand was less than amused (see above pic :) Chris had him strip down to his boxers and hop into the shower in our laundry room...fun times! :)