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! :)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow - Let is SNOW!!

*Snowflake Lane*

*Visiting Santa at Molbaks*

Yay for a White Christmas!

Love this white stuff - like totally love it! Snow has a way of covering up the ugly, making everything beautiful and new, quiet and peaceful. And nothing like a good dousing of snow to stop you in your tracks days before Christmas - keeping you bound to your house...to your family!

Yes, my planned big shopping day was 'spoiled' by the kids not having school - and me lacking the "driving the mini-van in a foot of snow" confidence. But it eventually got done...and so did a massive igloo in the neighbors yard - and a pretty sweet fort in ours. So did endless hours of sledding and playing in the snow; the realization that I have turned into my mom - awaiting at the door with open arms to fill with wet boots, gloves, hats and pants, to find the perfect vent for each one to dry them out while the kids re-fuel with hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles. By the end of the night, we all sack out in front of a Christmas movie - up way past bedtime...just to do it all over the next day.

*Fort making in the front yard*

*Ellie loving the snow!*




*Christmas Eve*
Christmas Eve was a long day - good, but long. I have a new respect for pastors (even more for the wives!) The older two were apart of the choir so were at each service: 3, 5 and 11. We were asked to be apart of the cardboard testimonies during the services too. Um, that was powerful! About 50 people, most we 'know' some we didn't. All though, had a testimony that was shocking/touching/sad/amazing, something we never would imagine - in the end blessed by God's glory! The first side of ours said: *Scheduled an abortion 10 years ago* Flipped over said: *Celebrating 10 years with our daughter* God is good! No question! (**Disclaimer - Haley doesn't know anything about abortion, and how we headed in that direction, she does though, know about how we thought we were going to give her up for adoption. Both Haley and Tanner weren't in the worship center when we did our cardboard testimony. We will talk to her about that part of her story when she is older - old enough to understand** Thanks! Click here if your totally confused scroll down to the side note :)



Carter was a wee bit bummed that he had to sit through three services - although when he realized he got to hold a candle, perked up...but the kid sure does surrender easy when he's tired! He passed out cold during the entire 3:00 service - unlit candle clutched into his little hand and all. He woke up when they raised the lights at the end of the service, you could see the anger on his face because his candle was still unlit... We all went over to Josh and Sadies for pizza, and the kids got to open a gift (pj's).
*Carter was apparently looking for more "gifts"!!*
-And yes, his pjs are over his pants
I was SOO close to letting Carter wear them when we went back for the 11 service. Good thing he didn't because they were short on kids in the choir - we asked Carter if he wanted to sing, he said yes - so he did! It was hysterical!! First of all, the kid was good! The only time he took his eyes off Mr.Tim was to glance over at us with this enormous smile! We couldn't focus on anything else - doesn't help that the pastor and worship leader were keeled over laughing too! It was awesome!! And I forgot my video camera at home!! Another parent recorded it for us and I'm just waiting for that now - I'll post it when we get it.


Christmas morning we awoke to more snow - and dumping!! The plan was to open stockings, then pack up the presents and head down to my moms (10 houses away) for breakfast and the rest of the morning festivities...Well, the van got stuck in the street when Chris tried turning it around to load up the presents. Josh and Michael came to pull him out...they got stuck...ok, ok, abandon the mini-van, lets just try to get Josh's car unstuck...So after about an hour, we were ready to load (into Chris burb - why we didn't try that in the first place, don't know ;) We made it over there - and enjoyed our day!
I couldn't think of a better way to spend Christmas! I found this Christmas a little more reflective this year than most. It could have been the snow, could have been that we are in our own home finally this year, could have been the Christmas Eve services that we and the kids were involved with... Not sure. But I do know that God sent His son to be born to a virgin, in a barn - so that we may have an everlasting life with Him. Our prayer this Christmas Season is that you receive the free gift that is found in Jesus Christ, so that you too may have an everlasting life with Him.
May you be blessed in the year ahead!
Love, The Avery's


*Gift Wrapping Central*



*Carter helping Chris prepare his amazing Christmas dinner*

*The star I made for my mom*

*Go figure. The fridge was full I'm sure...*

Merry Christmas!!!