AK and I have been needing to have a yardsale for a while.. doctor bills are stacking higher and higher and somehow, August has already appeared on the calendar. We decided that we needed to have a yardsale for so many reasons, but what we didn't know is how big of a heart our 4-year old has and her intentions.
When cleaning her room and playroom, I asked Mady to help me sort through the toys and things that she no longer plays with and find some things she wants to give to other little boys and girls to make them happy. She was a trooper and chose LOTS of great things to contribute to the yardsale. I then asked if she wanted to sell Lemonade while we were having the yardsale and people could buy her lemonade and she could raise money. She piped up so quickly and said, "Yes! Maybe if I sell lots and lots of lemonade, we can get so much money and help my baby sister get better!" It kinda broke my heart that she knows money is a sad way around everything in this life, but at the same time, she is right. What Annabelle is battling currently is so costly, it's killing us. All the boys and girls that are fighting the heart-wrenching disease of Eosinophilic Esophaghitis deserve so much more. And sadly, money buys answers, research, doctors and a diagnosis' these days.
We are selling Lemonade tomorrow on behalf of all boys and girls with Eosinophilic Esophaghitis. Mady says, "we need to help them so they can eat food and not have such bad boo-boo's in their tummy's anymore. they need help so they don't have to cry all day when their tummy hurts and they don't have to be sad because they can't eat".
It kills me that Mady has to be involved in this. It isn't her responsibility to worry, fear or want to raise money, but it's heartwarming that she DOES want to be actively involved and wants to help her sister. In many ways, I wish I could lie to Madelynne and shield her from diseases like EoE and Mito, but that wouldn't be fair to anyone in our family - not Mady or Belle. The truth is that Madelynne has to watch her baby sister cry, vomit, scream, go through countless hospital visits, surgeries, biopsy's, she cannot eat, she cannot go outside and play, she cannot go to school / daycare / church or Chick-Fil-A, etc. Mady lives side-by-side with her sister and watches everything. Our home isn't sugar-coated against this nightmare and Mady wants to help. If that means by stirring a pitcher of Lemonade and pouring $.50 cups, provides my 4 year old with the heart and feeling that she is helping contribute to making her sweet baby sister feel better - Well then darnit, we're selling lemonade! This has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with allowing the children to feel involved and giving them the gratification that they are making a difference in this world, and directly in the lives of people they love.
It Gets Better . .
Just when I didn't think my heart could beat any faster about how wonderful of a thing this Lemonade Stand will be, I got a call from a dear friend this morning. I have made two, I repeat TWO friends in Richmond that have children with Eosinophilic Esophaghitis. They are both little boys and both around the same age as Annabelle. I cannot wait until the birthday's with these beautiful little children in which we don't serve birthday cake when blowing out candles. There is a sense of normalcy they provide when I talk to these moms, they justify my fears, worries and frustrations when living with a child with EoE. They understand, they get it when no one else can truly feel the same way. One of our friends has decided that she is bringing her son, Joshua and he will also be participating to help sell Lemonade on behalf of his and Annabelle's shared disease. The cuteness is absolutely on overload at these two little babies. The pictures will be priceless and worth a million bucks! I cannot wait to share them with you all, even better... come out and support them!
If you are local and in the market for anything baby, come shop! And if not, I know the temperature will be in the 90s, so I KNOW you will be thirsty. Please come by and buy some lemonade from these sweet kids to help support them!
We will be setup in Prince George. 7500 Brookshire Dr, Prince George VA. On the corner of Courthouse Road and Brookshire. About 5 minutes from 95 and 8 minutes from 295. Make the trip out and visit some of the cutest little fighters you've ever met.
In addition to Lemonade, we will also be selling donated baked goods and tasty treats to snack on!
Yardsale items include a HUGE variety of things from kid stuff to antiques from our families that are wishing to sell.
I have lots of tables setup of girl clothes, mostly sizes below 2T but many many others things that are larger.
Most brands include Carter's, Children's Place, Target, Kohls, Crazy 8, Puma etc that are selling for $.50 - $1 each.
Boys clothing of all sizes below 4T
Higher End Brands include: Janie & Jack, Nordstrom, Gymboree, BabyGap, Stride Rites, Pediped, Nike's, Robeez, etc that are priced individually
Cloth Diapers, supplies, wet bags, accessories
BabyLegs
We have about 15 jackets and coats of all sizes.
A HUGE bin of precious Newborn girl items.. clothing & accessories
Pottery Barn Kids Infant Bedding
Pottery Barn Kids Toddler Bed w/ Mattress
Chicco Highchair
Pack n Play
SEVERAL excellent large toys - that would make for great Christmas presents... we know, because Santa brought most of them ;)
I am also selling a good handful of women's clothing, mostly brand names Express, NY&Co, Loft, (sizes from XS-M) etc. Shoes size 8-9. Accessories.
Maternity Clothes, sizes S-M
Mens clothing, shirts size XL and Pants 36 x 32.
Household items: Couch pillows, lamps, shower curtains, linens, pictures, art, etc.
Antiques, Tools, and much much more. We have a few families participating and so there will be a great variety of things to shop for :)
Again, everything we are selling and doing is an effort to support Annabelle on her incredible Journey through this battle she is fighting with everything she has. We hope to see a lot of people and familiar faces and I hope to meet a lot of new faces that have been lifting Annabelle in prayer as well. Thank you all for everything again. Let's cross our fingers for beautiful weather tomorrow and we cannot wait to share pictures about our day!
Disclosure: Our babies that are battling EoE can move very very quickly from a great day to a terrible day. Outdoors isn't typically their friend and within minutes their health can turn sour. Annabelle is having a great day today and we hope for the best tomorrow. That being said, if she is showing any signs at all of struggling or she isn't doing well during the yardsale, she will be going home to rest - the same will go for sweet Joshua. Mady will be proud to run her mini-business alone.
It's our goal to have the little ones outside and participating as much as they can, but please be mindful and respectful if something happens and they cannot be there.
Thank you all for understanding :)
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