Lemonade * A summary

I usually do a summary post when I have finished writing about a specific topic or a special trip. But we have had a family emergency that will be front and center for an indefinite amount of time. I decided to quickly wrap things up and tell the unfinished "kindof warm, kindof cold" New Zealand Fresh Lemonade story.

Back in June, I had the great fortune of traveling solo for seventeen days. My husband is a "kindof" awesome. I surprised my parents and got to have some wonderful quality time with family back in the States. I also got to see my college roommate Sarah who would soon be traveling to to Guatemala with an organization called Living Water International.

Fast forward a few weeks and I am back at home. The seasons are flipped, it's cold in July and our kids are home from their year round elementary school. July 17th was day number 13 of a 16 day winter holiday. Naturally, I was zoned out in front of the computer, clicking through newly posted pictures on facebook. And there is Sarah, pumping water for kids in Guatemala. The photos sparked a bit of lunchtime conversation. We watched a video of a girl named Lucy that lives in Kenya. It had an impact on Max and he was able to make a bit of a personal connection because of the short time we spent in Kijabe when he was younger. He also grew up around some pretty cool and generous kids who led the charge and set a great example with their own charitable lemonade endeavours (donating thousands to end modern day slavery through International Justice Mission).

I was inspired by Living Water International's website... but then I took a nap. Max got to work. When the little boys and I woke an hour later Max had stripped our lemon tree clean and was at the kitchen counter cutting and squeezing. I did my best to thwart his efforts by suggesting other things he could do with his afternoon, reminding him that lemonade is more of a summer drink, and pointing out the fact that our street doesn't get much traffic. He was unfazed by my discouragement and decided on a "kindof warm, kindof cold" marketing strategy to combat the cold weather.

The lemonade stand had humble beginnings but lots of kids from our neighborhood pitched in to make improvements that bolstered revenue. We started meeting neighbors and making friends and found out that lemonade is an innovative product in New Zealand. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers donated lots and lots of lemons and over a couple of weekends the kids raised $172 in front of our house (in winter on a not-so-busy street).

I set up a Give Well page through Living Water International and started writing about the lemonade stand. To date we have raised $1,858 towards an audacious goal of $15,000. We are incredibly grateful for all the support.  Last Friday we had a party to write thank you cards to all of our generous benefactors and we have a big weekend of sales planned (with beefed up marketing in the neighborhood).

"Coincidentally" last night right before bed time (in the midst of receiving some very hard news) a guy named Ben (who happened to be from New Jersey) came to our door. He was with the aid organization UNICEF. I have very clear memories of walking door to door with my parents and an orange UNICEF box. Ben gave us a weigh measurement tape, a package of plumpy nut, and told us about how oral dehydration salts can  be used to help kids who have been drinking dirty water. He also told us about how $1 a day can provide temporary relief for children in crisis. Ben reinforced the importance of establishing sustainable solutions (like a water wells) in developing countries and the kids got to share about their project. It was a divine appointment and brought some joy to an otherwise hard day.


This weekend we will be having a blowout lemonade sale/party to wrap things up. If you are a local, please stop by. If you live on the other side of the world you can donate to the cause and get a "virtual cup" of lemonade HERE. In return, our "stewardship team" will handcraft a beautiful thank you card and send it across the ocean with a lovely New Zealand stamp.

Everything is a bit up in the air right now, but I wanted to thank all of the people who have supported, encouraged and given money. Your efforts are two-fold... not only have you given to provide sustainable infrastructure for people living in poverty, you have also made this a valuable and fruitful learning experience for my kids and lots of our neighbours here in New Zealand. Thank you!

Get your virtual cup of lemonade HERE!

South Island Road Trip * A Summary

In April I took one thousand, four hundred and ninety seven photos on our South Island Road trip... and even still, I wish more of this experience could have been captured. I wrote about the BIG things... but it was the little things that made this trip so special for our family. The fires we made, the stories we told, the rocks we threw... It took me a long time to finish this series - perhaps I wasn't ready for it to be over.

Thirteen days of adventure with my husband and kids - time and money well spent. We moved to the other side of the world to create space in our lives for rich and meaningful memories. This trip was everything we had hoped it would be. It wasn't perfect (good stories always involve a bit of "conflict") but it was exactly right. Thankful for this journey we are on. 

You can read the complete series, check out the interactive map or pick a link below.
I hope this will be a helpful resource for folks interested in seeing a bit more of this beautiful country we currently call home.

South Island road trip * We've been away
South Island road trip * A lesson in delayed gratification
South Island road trip * Packing logistics
Day one * Travel from Rotorua to Punakaki
Day two * Punakaki
Day three * Travel from Punakaki to Lake Tekapo
Day four * Lake Tekapo
Day five * Travel from Lake Tekapo to Arrowtown
Day six * Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Wanaka
Day seven * Arrowtown and Glenorchy
Day eight (part one) * Arrowtown to The Catlins
Day eight (part two) * Arrowtown to The Catlins
Day nine * The Catlins
Day ten * The Catlins to Kaikoura
Day eleven * Kaikoura
Day twelve (part one) * Kaikoura to Picton
Day twelve (part two) * Kaikoura, Picton and Wellington
Day thirteen * Wellington to Rotorua

America with George * a summary

For seventeen days I got to traipse around the United States all by myself. It was a special trip for so many reason... too many to count. I missed my immediate family, but it was a great to be "present" with other people that I love dearly. I tend to grow most in relationships... in conversations with people, learning from their stories, sharing meals, laughing together. I feel closest to God when I am fully engaged with others. Most of the time that happens in my home with my kids. This trip was quite a unique break from the norm. In addition to spending time with people I love... I also had a lot of time to write. I used this blog space to communicate with my kids while I was away (via George... Jude's stuffed dragon)

In summary... (click here if you want to read the whole series without clicking on all these links)
Traveled from Rotorua to Auckland to Los Angeles... arrived around noon
Dropped bags at the hotel and one of my sister's friends picked me up for a day of fun in LA
Next day met my sister (connecting through LAX) and we flew together to Columbus Ohio
Surprised my parents (my sister got it on video) and then went to dinner
Had an interment service and buried my amazing Grandmother... some history on her trailblazing independent spirit
Toured Marysville, Ohio (the town where my father grew up) and met the man who baptized me as an infant
Drove to Atwood Lake for my cousin Amy's wedding (my mom's side of the family)
Had a fun dinner with family and got a genealogy rundown from my Aunt Sue
Took a ten hour road trip... in the back seat of my parents car... with my sister. Awesome.
Relaxed at my parents house in Salem, South Carolina... a lot. Enjoyed their fabulous brand of hospitality
Met my cousins new daughter Stokes. A beautiful adopted addition into our family
Spent great time with my sister (who is also my best friend) and her daughter (who looks cute as a dragon)
Traveled from Greenville, South Carolina to Austin, Texas for a super duper quick visit (22 hours)
Spent a relaxing evening with in-law cousins Sabra and Jon and their three lovely, creative girls
Stayed the night and had breakfast with my old college roommate Sarah and her two boys
Spent some time with my sister in-law Lorri and met my brother-in-law's dog name Hess (Hebrew chesed - pronounced HESS -id)
Drove from Austin to Houston with a quick stop at Buc-ee's gas station (what in the world?! Only in Texas)
One night in The Woodlands with sister-in-law Joy and family. Lots of cousin fun in their new (opened the day I got there) pool
One night in Houston with brother-in-law Max, his lovely wife Gina and their water-baby Greer. Delicious meal from Gina.
Visit with Ben's amazing Grandmother (Great Granmama)... and some history on her uniquely adventurous life
Lunch with Aunt Ruth and Hannah in Friendswood... I knew met Ruth at Frontier Ranch when I was 17 (long before I knew Ben)
Visit with cousin-in law Mark and Shonda and their kidos. Shonda wrote a piece for my blog on international travel with kids
Drove from Friendswood to Galveston... the first place that Ben and I called home.
A great few days with my wonderfully faith-filled in-laws on Galveston's west end... a great way to wrap up the trip
Travel from Houston to Los Angeles to Auckland and home to Rotorua... three very relaxing flights without children
None of this would have been possible without my amazing husband... who sacrifices so much to keep me sane & growing.

Ponui Island * a Summary

photo credit: Rene Lange

For the past week I have been doing a series of posts about our time at a youth camp on Ponui Island. You can find the complete series here.

Erie Bay Christmas * a summary

For the past week I have been doing a series of posts on our time on the South Island (over Christmas). This is the abridged version (with links) for those of you that aren't interested in scrolling through a weeks worth of posts. You can read the complete series here.

We had a non-traditional Christmas this year, in a very special place. It was difficult getting there and back with lots of packing and food to think about. But it was worth the effort. Wonderful memories were made... hunting for treasures, building ramps and rock castles, making forts and doing lots of boring every day things in a beautiful place. We did some fishing and experienced some authentic kiwi hospitality.

It is unlikely that we will ever make it back to this corner of the world - but shots like this will forever be in my mind.

Travel with kids * a summary

Mandy * Madagascar

Shay * Travel as a kid

I just wrapped up my first series with friends... and it was a lot of fun. Eight ladies from different seasons of my life shared their stories, thoughts and tips on one anxiety-inducing topic..."travel with kids"

There are so many wonderful bits of wisdom and humor in these 8 posts. If you are planning an international trip with kids, it would benefit you to read them in full... but if you are anything  like me, then you are scrambling for a cut and dry "to-do list" with exactly what you need to pack in order to avoid disaster.

So, for those of you kindred (cut and dry) spirits - here is a summary of tips from a group of women that have travel extensively with a collective crew of twenty two children. I hope it will encourage and equip your family for adventures of your own. 

Megan * Central Asia

Booking your travel

Shay * Bolivia

If you are traveling with an infant, book tickets through a travel agency to reserve a bassinet. 

Most international flights offer special meals for kids... timed to arrive about 15 minutes before adult meals. Call ahead to order.

If you will be purchasing a ticket for you child under the age of two (but over the size limit for the bassinet), plan to take their car seat on the flight.

If at all possible, stick with your routine and book an evening flight that leaves around bedtime.
 

*A note on sedation*     If you have issues with claustrophobia or anxiety, now is a good time to consider your options for medication. If you plan to drug your little ones, be sure to talk to your doctor and test them ahead of time.

Before your flight

Prepare your kids ahead of time. Make sure to tell them again and again in the days before your trip what is happening. Think through the trip, talk about what will happen, make it a story about what they are likely to experience. Use positive but honest descriptions. Try not to say anything too absolutely like "we will" or "definitely" about things that could change. Use words like "probably and "we are planning to".

Decide discipline ahead of time. Traveling is difficult on kids as well as adults. They are often dealing with feeling tired and perhaps confused by the changes to their schedule or routines. They may be getting too little sleep, or too much stimuli from in-flight entertainment. They may or may not be eating very well because they are tired during meals. I think it is a time to exercise grace with kids. That being said, there are times when their behavior or choices have to be dealt with. Decide ahead of time how you will discipline a the airport, on the plane, ect. Have a game plan so that if you are confronted with defiance or other unacceptable behavior, you will not have to rack your tired, stressed-out brain for how to deal with it. 

Shonda * South Asia

Counting. If you are traveling with your spouse, divide jobs before you arrive at the airport. Who will count the passports, who will count the kids, who will count the bags? Keep each other accountable for knowing the numbers.

Carry-on items for kids

Beth * Hong Kong

KID BACKPACKS - each kid gets a backpack that goes inside an adult size carry-on. Kids get to open their surprise backpack once they are on the flight.

INSIDE THE BACKPACK - be creative and purchase age appropriate and travel friendly items. You know best what will entertain your specific kids - if they like it at home, they will like it on the plane. Here are a few Pinterest ideas to get you thinking. You can wrap items individually for an fun extra touch.

TECHNOLOGY- i-phone, i-pad, dvd player, whatever. If you have a limit (or ban) on videos and television, now is the time to lift it and let them watch to their heart’s content.  

SNACKS- novelty snacks, favorite snacks, airplane snacks... throw the thought of a balanced diet out the window.

SIPPY CUPS OR WATER BOTTLES - bring them empty so you have fewer issues with security... but bring them (even if you have older kids) to avoid spills.

PULL-UPS - Even if you kids "almost never have accidents"- travel can be

Amy * Botswana

busy and exciting don't risk it.

PRESSURIZATION - kids often have trouble with their ears on take-off and landing. It is a good idea to be ready with a bottle for baby and gum for big kids. Pez dispensers are great for kids that can't chew gum. 

BEDTIME- bring familiar items for bedtime... Special books, blankets, pillow, stuffed animals. Bring pajamas and proceed with your normal bedtime routine. (It can also be helpful to bring an eye mask). A black out sheet can be very helpful to drape over a seat or attach with velcro.

Carry-on items for adults

Natalie * United States

EXTRA CLOTHES - for everyone... not just the kids. Don't forget pajamas for the kids and comfortable bedtime clothes for yourself. 

ZIP-LOCKS & GROCERY BAGS - empty bags always come in handy. Zip-locks are nice to store food from a meal if kids are sleeping when it is delivered. Grocery bags are helpful for diapers and other trash that accumulates during the flight.

HAND SANITIZING WIPES - much easier than the liquid. You can have a few in each of your bags for easy accessibility.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF - remember to bring your favorite snacks, magazines, book, etc. and take advantage of the free wine on the plane.

No tips from us - just a photo

In the terminal   

If you have a toddler and plan to take a car seat on the flight - get one of these.

Use a sling to transport your infant - much easier than a stroller. You don't have to take them out every time you go through security. 

Bring an inflatable beach ball. When deflated the beach ball weighs barely anything and takes up minimal space, but pull it out and spend a few minutes playing in an empty-ish corner near your gate. 

If you have young children tag them with paper bracelets. The neon-colored, fibrous, self-adhesive kind that you might find at a carnival or amusement park. Each bracelet has the child's name, parent's name, destination, and an emergency contact number... written on the INSIDE surface to protect information.


Travel tips

Chill out. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your kids will be. Just deal with the matter at hand and keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other and you are bound to arrive at your destination eventually. Patience and a happy face. Remember that you don't have any "rights" - If you go into your travels NOT expecting to have the experience catered to your desires or even needs, you will often be more pleased with how it does turn out. In addition, if you do encounter a frustrating detour from what you wanted, it may feel like less of a problem if you have already determined that you are not entitled to anything. 


Tell me a bit about your expereience?

"It thrills me to seem my place as a global citizen and to raise my kids with this awareness."

"We really enjoyed the friendliness and hospitality we have experienced. People here are rarely punctual and more spontaneous than i am used to, but that is because here relationships are more important than the clock."

"Living abroad helped me to seem more clearly not only the fabric of my society, but truly the fibers within my own being. The good the bad and the ugly."

"This experience has challenged our perspectives.  In the book, The Wild Goose Chase, the author states an equation that change in time + change in place = change in perspective. I haven’t even begun to understand all of the change that has taken place in my own thought processes and previous assumptions that were never challenged in the past.  Our biggest takeaway don't put God in a box…you never know where He is going to take you next!"

"The love felt between friends who became like family is something I so badly wanted to bottle up and carry home with me."

"I was most inspired by the freedom of the people in owning less and being less owned; consuming less and being less consumed. Poverty can be consuming to. it is not a good thing. But living among the poor helped me to examine the dangerous false security that wealth has to offer. Money may make life easier, but it doesn't bring happiness."

"I find encountering different cultures to be endlessly exciting (albeit challenging to the core)."


People traveling with kids need all the they can get.
Please add your travel tips, tools and tricks in the comments below,
and if you happen to be flying without kids this holiday season...
be thankful and be nice.

Thank you & links
Mandy * Madagascar
Shay * Travel as a kid
Megan * Central Asia
Shay * Bolivia
Shonda * South Asia
Beth * Hong Kong
Amy * Botswana
Natalie * United Stated