When Life Gives You Lemons...

The boys have wanted to have a lemonade stand for a looooonnggg time. I told them to figure out the supplies, the advertising, the day, etc.  They figured out their cost, bought the supplies, made several signs  advertising and pointing the way to The Stand, designed and printed flyers which they then passed out in the neighborhood. They decided to add lemon crinkle cookies (YUM) to the lemonade menu.  I must admit I was a little surprised when I saw they were planning on running the stand for 4 hours in the heat.   

They did fantastic.  Our neighborhood really supported them and the boys learned about speaking up, making change, and being friendly sales men. They were very happy with their profits. Can I have a loan???

Freedom, Peace, and Kindness

 Happy Fourth of July!  

We had an easy-going day together as a family.

We watched the second episode of "John Adams" when brave colonists were debating whether their cause was just enough to declare a separation from the monarchy and the unjust treatment they had suffered.  I think the kiddos might have gotten a titch bored, but I wanted them to know that the freedoms we enjoy came now after much thought, deliberation, prayer, and yes, even differing opinions. Even though there was disagreement, these men were able to put aside their individuals fears and opinions for a greater cause. 

 Then we celebrated freedom by jumping in the pool and cooling off. 

Triple decker chicken fight, anyone??

 L. & A. ready to take on anyone. 

 Thumbs up for the pool!

Chicken fight!!

Saturday we went and helped an international organization deliver Eid goodies to the children of Muslim refugees in the area.  I am not an expert on Islam, but it was explained that the month of Ramadan is when Muslims fast from sunup to sunset for 30 days. It is to help them exercise self-control, feel what hunger feels like and in turn, feel what those who have less feel. They also reach out to others less fortunate than themselves.  At the end of Ramadan is Eid, which is a few days' long celebration of eating and being with family.  

We met several women and children (their husbands were at work, working long and hard) who didn't have a lot and were in a strange country, having left their brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers behind in exchange for peace.  They all invited us in and shared their celebration food.  Some spoke English, some did not, so we had to smile and trying to shyly understand one another. I was awed by their graciousness, their generosity, their kindness.

One lady brought out a dish of seeds from her native country of Afghanistan, showing us how to crack the shell to get the seed out, inviting us all to "please! help ourselves, and enjoy how good they were!"   When she further explained that these were very expensive in her country, we were amazed that she was wanting to share something she really loved and might not be able to get for a long while with strangers. She even had us say "hi" to her sisters in Afghanistan who were celebrating Eid. So, yes, we spoke with someone in Afghanistan! Another woman brought out cookies, huge slices of cake, and juice. She wanted to give us the whole cake! With so little to give, these women wanted to give so much. 

Again I realized, while we all come from different places and cultures, we want a country of peace and kindness, a place to be treated with fairness and respect regardless of our differences.  Our hearts desire the same thing. A country of peace which is what our forefathers wanted our nation to be. 

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."  

Declaration of Independence

So thankful to have met these strong, courageous, gracious women.