My Children's Summer Initiation

In our little 2 square mile town, there are at least 17 ice-cream trucks.  Most of them looking a little sketchy.  Most of them run by recent immigrants to America who are just trying to make a living.

So far, I have held back on letting my little ones in on the secret of the "creepy music".  I'm not sure I want them to have a salivating Pavlov's dog reaction to the tiny tinkering of "Pop Goes the Weasel".  And I definitely haven't wanted to deal with the incessant whining or begging for the sweet stuff each time one of the 17 trucks drives by.

But I knew that at some point, I would have to introduce them to the sure sign of summer.  And today was the day.

When we heard the music signaling a cold, tasty treat, I ran up to get our change jar.  And we scrounged up $4.

The truck finally pulled up and we asked for four vanilla ice-cream cones.

It was just as perfect as I imagined: four sweet, innocent kids sitting down on the steps of the neighborhood bar eating icecream.  ;)  Oh dear.  {Have I ever mentioned that our little town is also known for the coolest bars?  Yep.  Go Hamtramck.}

It was Clara's first time to hold her own ice-cream cone.

And she only de-coned it once.

Which we quickly picked up and put right back on top.  Ten second rule... don't judge.  {Hubby would like to point out that he scraped off the part that touched the ground... as if that makes it much better}.  In any case, we avoided a serious meltdown on the steps of the bar.  One those steps are probably used to seeing, though - so I'm sure they wouldn't have minded.

And in full Hamtramck style, these colorful women walked by and reminded me once again at how amazing it is to have the world living in our small little town.  And how wonderful it is when the world is out walking the streets together in the warmth of summer.

And our perfect "Welcome to Summer" event ended with another summer initiation:  the skinned knee.

Welcome Summer!

 

 
 

Linking here:

Not a Happy Mother's Day for Everyone... {Alice Hansen Family Fund}

It is Mother's Day tomorrow and I can't help but be reminded of the pain that this day brings to many.  Especially reminded of it this year.

Last week, my friend Heidi and her family went through something so painful and unimaginable that my mind and heart are still at war about it.  Her beautiful sister in law Alice gave birth to a sweet baby girl after having two rambunctious boys at home.  A few days later, she (the mom) died of an infection.

I literally cannot stop thinking about her.  I cannot stop thinking about the massive life changes that are going on in that family.  A husband - without his wife.  A dad - left to raise three kids alone... including a newborn.  A baby girl - who will never know her mother.  And two boys who will barely remember her.

How is this fair?  What is God's purpose in doing this?  Why so much pain?

I'm not here with answers.  I don't have any.  My heart wrenches and twists when I think about those sweet kids without their mama.  What do you say when the boys start asking where she is?  How do you respond to the newborn cries of hunger - knowing that Alice should be going through the excruciating first weeks of breastfeeding and bonding.

How do you marry God's faithfulness and goodness with these tragedies?

The blogging community has amazed me with their generosity.  Heidi has a donation button up on her page that I know many have contributed to - to help with the hospital bills and funeral costs.  And Expressions Vinyl has promised to donate $1 for every like on this post (up to $3,000) to give to Alice's family.  Please take a few seconds to click the link and hit "like".  So simple.

Visit Heidi's page for more details and pictures of this beautiful angel.

May I suggest that you just hug your little ones and spouses a little tighter today?  Maybe turn off the computer and shut down your phone for some uninterrupted time together?  Life is so short - and so precious.  We are not guaranteed any more time together than this moment.  Cherish it.

 

NEW Set of Children's Prayer Cards & A Contest

First, today is the last day to enter 12 Days Mommy Moments Photography Challenge.  And since I have only entered one picture so far, I figured I better lump them all together in one post to just get it done!

Enjoy some eye candy for a minute. {Then scroll down at the end for a fun NEW product and a CONTEST!}

#5 - Just Can't Get Enough... of those EYES!

#3 - Depth of Field

#7 - Messy Moments

#1 - Where I Spend My Days

#6 "Objects... Vintage Suitcases ("Treasures") that make a great perch to sit on"

#2 - Puts a Smile on My Face

#8 - Makes You Go Yummm!

#12 - Thankful/Blessed

#4 - LOVE/True Love - Baby Girl's 1st Bouquet of Flowers

Check out the rest of the entries here:

And finally... I'm done with the NEW SET of prayer cards!  They are meant to help you pray more specifically for your children.  There are 26 different verses and cards - based around the entire alphabet.

The entire package will be for sale on Sunday.  The wall art will come in two sizes (8x10 and 5x7).  You will receive both with your purchase.  These make great borders in a homeschool room.  Or attach them to some string to make an educational (yet whimsical) banner!  They also make great scripture memory cards as the verses were chosen specifically as ones I want my children to memorize as they grow.  Verse that will help them be successful and look more like Jesus.

Then, you will also receive 26 prayer point cards.  These cards are meant for you - to help you pray more specifically for your children.  The cards coordinate with the wall art. 

Focus on one letter per week to coordinate the education with the spiritual.  For only $10 for the entire set - it's practically a steal.

Now, you can't buy these downloads until Sunday - Mother's Day.  BUT, you CAN get one sent to you FREE.  Here's how:

• Head over to the Facebook page and share the preview image of the Prayer Cards with your friends.
• If you can get 10 friends to head to the BLB Facebook page and tag your name saying you sent them, then I'll send you the entire download set FREE!

Good luck!