The Greatest Show on Earth

Remember our last adventure at the circus? Well, this time around was quite a different experience, one which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. I tried multiple times to get a nice clear picture, but I tell you, with all the sights and sounds and fast paced nature of the show, a good shot was nearly impossible....at least with our limited camera capabilities.

I sat by Serious this time again, and I always delight watching her and her expressions as she watches the fantastic displays before her. It's almost just as fascinating as the show itself.....at least for me it is.

Regularly throughout the show she'd turn to me and ask, "Is that real or fake?" The tricks and treats of the show even had me answering a few times, "I'm not sure!" Either way, it didn't really matter, the skill with which these performers produced these amazing demonstrations, of skill, strength or shear bravery, was something to behold.

Today, before we left for school, Thinker had a question for me, that caught me off guard. She asked me, "Mom how old were you when you first went to the circus?"

I paused, then answered, "Honey, your first time was also my first time."

She was shocked. "Really? Why didn't you go when you were a kid?"
I thought for a moment, "Well, most activities that we did as a family were camping."

She asked for more, "Did you ever go to the zoo?"

I had to think on that one. "Nope. I didn't. My first time at the zoo was when we took you as a baby."

She then came over to me, gave me a hug, and said, "Sorry, Mom. I feel so bad for you."

Her sensitivity took me by surprise. My parents were very conscious about finances and the expense it was to take five children to the circus or the zoo.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily circus has deep roots in Americana history. Did you know that they begin the circus with the National Anthem? The whole arena stood for our anthem and I looked around to see hands on hearts and/or hats taken off in respect. Their trapeze artists were decked out in all the red, white and blue glittering costumes. There was a spirit in the air of patriotism rarely seen anymore these days.

It was truly good family fun. And while, I wish I could have gone as a child, I see my childhood now, as making me the woman I am today. With all it's hardships and blessings, each milestone of my youth brought me to where I am, and for that I can look with a more wider lens. God had a plan for me, for my life, and for my future. He allowed whatever difficulty, He allowed all the blessings, in order for me to be here, today, the woman, the mother, the wife, that I currently am.....not that I don't have a road ahead of me, of course!

But I can see, there's a purpose to it all. Now, I look to my children, and then possible future that they will have, and they will be who God intended them to be, because we were the family God allowed us to be. It just so happens that we also get to enjoy the giraffes, the alligators from the zoo, as well as the clowns, the elephants, trapeze artists and motorcycle tricksters from the Greatest Show on Earth.

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu Nihon - Thank You Japan

First, I apologize. It's almost been a week since my last post, and life certainly has a way to take me over. Arigato Gozaimasu - Thank You We have many commitments, many places where we have promised our time and energy, and when sickness sets in for me or anyone in our home, life pretty much stops....for little while anyway. Thankfully, the illnesses are down to minor colds, and as of yesterday, I am off the meds to treat a sinus infection. But that's not all. It's re-enrollment time at school, and every March we face the same uncertain future in debate...Can we swing yet another year's worth of financial commitment to our Catholic school, for four children. It's a stressful time, it's uncertain, and I have to say, that security is something I thrive on. Any insecurity, and I tell you, life just isn't right. With the children unaware of our finessing the budget, we work to keep that calm and peace that assures the children all will be well.

Words Can Hurt

When we first started having children, like most people, we realized quickly how they often work as a mirror to our own actions. Letting a swear word slip here or there was not uncommon in our home, yet, when our first child was about 18 months or so, and hearing my swear word echo in the house for several days from her little lips, well, it was enough to curb my speech, dramatically. And now, swear words are never spoken in front of the children, and we have adopted a few more words that are unacceptable in the house, even though common place in the world. Just another example at how, as parents, we truly are the domestic church. The world may be on the path of negativity, but the home is where we make the difference. My four year old the other day, said, "I hate tomatoes!" Not the worst thing to hear from her mouth, granted, however, the word 'hate' bothers me a lot. 'Hate' is a very strong word, opposite of 'Love'. Think of how strong that word,

Little Guys and Big Things

Sometimes, Veggie Tales stick with you. Even when an 8 year old seems too old for Veggie Tale stories, and reluctantly watches a few, the messages do stick. Over the weekend, my Knight was to serve Mass. For the past few Sundays he has been serving, and we keep reminding him of the various ways to show reverence while doing his duties.....a bow to the tabernacle, folding of the hands and so forth. Sunday, I happened to be watching Knight lather his gel in his hair to ready for Mass, and I once again, reminded him to keep his reverent ways about him while serving. He made a distinct face at me, and said, "Ugh, Mom, those other server boys are bigger than me. I don't want to do something they aren't doing." "I understand, but you could set the example, because you know, what you are doing is the right thing." He shook his head, looked at himself in the mirror, and seeing his own image reflected, said again, "I'm the youngest one there, Mom

S.tay A.t H.ome M.om at Work

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