Exploring and Engaging the Issues of Injustice

Normally, I post fun stories and pictures of my kiddos. but this issue is very close to my heart and I simply can't overlook an opportunity to shine a light on this injustice. So here's your warning in advance...this is not a happy post, but a necessary one.

Over the summer our church confronted an important, often neglected issue that takes place world wide.

The below information is from http://www.iempathize.org/.

"Each year sexual traffickers lure, coerce, trick, drug, kidnap, and sell millions
of vulnerable women and children into the multi-billion dollar sex trade. In
their daily lives victims of sexual trafficking endure unspeakable acts of
physical brutality, violence and degradation including rape by so-called
customers and pimps; undergo forced abortions; acquire drug and alcohol
dependencies; live in fear of their lives and in fear for the lives of their family
and friends; suffer acute psychological reactions as a result of their extreme
physical and emotional trauma; and contract sexually transmitted diseases
which all too often bring life-long illness or hasten death. If they survive, the
physical, psychological and spiritual impacts of these experiences on victims
are devastating and enduring.
As for the traffickers, they are not respecters of international borders, the rule
of law, democracy, or multi-lateral treaties guaranteeing universal human
rights. They have no regard for the economic status of victims or their level of
education. They do not discriminate against their victims based on the color of
their skin, their nationality, or their religion. For all those among the innocent,
Explore the Issue."


After hearing all of this I was horrified. We were told currently iempathize was raising money to build a fence around their community because pimps were stealing children back that had been rescued from the sex trade. Children as young as 6.

As a mother, there is no way I could ignore this. My children, thankfully, are safe, but there are some mothers who don't know where their child is, as their child in being tortured in unspeakable ways.

And don't be fooled into thinking this only happens in other countries. There is child trafficking taking place right here in our country.

Find out how you can help. http://www.iempathize.org/

Hiking trip!

Saturday we went up to Evergreen to take a family hike. We packed sandwiches, snacks and our pack to carry Avie. We hiked over 2 miles total! Haven walked most of the way all by himself! We were so impressed. Avie hiked some too. She fell down every 5 steps or so, but every time she just got up dusted of her hands and continued with a big smile. Both kids loved the hike. When Haven finally reached the end of his strength he got to ride in the pack. He calls it "riding tom tom". We also got to see a horse on the trail. There were flowers everywhere, including my all time favorite, bell flowers. It was a great day!

Wild, Wild West....

Jumping, eating and Dancing!

Sunday our church put on a family field day at a local park. They had dunking tanks, field games, jumping castles, music and snow cones! Avie jumping in her first castle and was a trooper even when she got knocked around a little. Haven got his face painted with a lightning bolt! We played...actually they played and we chased. Avie was drawn to the music and spent the majority of her time dancing for anyone who would watch.

The moment below is rare and I nearly missed it! I didn't have my camera. A really nice guy stopped and couldn't resist taking their picture and then offered to e-mail it to me! How nice! Now I have proof they like eachother sometimes. ;)

Happy Birthday Haven!

Saturday we celebrated Haven's 3rd birthday. We had a great time and Haven got a lot of cool new stuff. Avie has had a great time sharing in his gifts. The real question is...does this mark the end of the terrible two's??? Not likely.




Last picture of my two year old.

Our first film shoot

On Mike's birthday we had our first film shoot as Emerald Productions. It went very well. We have one more day of shooting to go for this short film. In case you are wondering it is about SEX....yep...that's right.

Avie's Nursery!

Finally....it is finished. She is nearly 18 months, but who's keeping track? I completely love how it turned out and it was totally worth the wait.