Where Are You God?

In light of today's events in Connecticut, I direct you to my other blog today.  Musings of a Ragtag Heart.  I am diligently praying for the families struck by this tragedy and I know you are praying too.

Battle the Barriers

     Wowie!!  I just read about a great event happening this Saturday morning for kids and I had to share!
      Battle the Barriers is a kids' obstacle race hosted by Phoenix Children's hospital and Kohl's Kids Rock Stars, this Saturday, December 15th, from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. at Grand Canyon University for kids in K-6th Grades.  The description reads:

"Bring the kids out for a fun and exciting morning of knights in shining armor, princesses, dragons and castles.  This non-competitive obstacle course event will challenge your kids to climb, balance, jump and crawl through eight obstacles of extreme fun!"

     This sounds like tons of fun and I am sure my son, J, will love this!  Now if only I can convince the girls to participate...hmmm...

      You will need to register online at www.phoenixchildrens.com/battlethebarriers, the cost is $5 per kid and it says if a parent would like to join their child, they will have to pay $5 as well.  Radio Disney will be there and every child who participates will win a prize!  Enjoy!

Not A Present In Sight!

     Well, here we are, 12 days away from Christmas and I have not bought a single present.  Yes, you read that right...not ONE present!  One of the things I have found since going through such long term unemployment is that I have a terrible time making decisions on what to buy when I actually get to go buy something.  I think sometimes my husband wants to leave me in the store when we are shopping.  It is crazy, I get really anxious and pick something up and put it down and walk away and walk back and then put it down and leave with nothing! 
     So...I find myself here, with only 12 days, three kids and everyone else to buy presents for.  I had plans to be finished with everything by now, but I have had enough distractions to use as excuses for not shopping...but really...it is because I have no idea what to shop for.  I looked at our Christmas tree today and realized it is probably a sad sight for my kiddos...no gifts to wonder over, nothing to shake and guess at...guess it is time to get busy!

Circus Americana - Part 3, The Show!

Wowie!!!  What a fabulous show we saw on Monday night!  Circus Americana was Christmasy, funny, exciting, endearing and completely entertaining!  The Taylor family has put together a wonderful show!  If you are looking for something fun to do with your family this Christmas season, I cannot say enough good things about this show!  My kids were intrigued by the talent.  My 7 year old, J, looked up at me just before the first half ended and said, "I want to OWN a circus someday!"

There are plenty of shows available during the next two weeks.  You can check out my post Circus Americana - Part 2 for a special discount just for you!  One of my readers, Shannon R,. won my ticket giveaway and is there tonight!  I am looking forward to hearing how her family enjoyed the show!

Thank you Taylor Family for a great show!  We hope to see you again!

Circus Americana Winner!

     I want to say congratulations to Shannon R.  She won the tickets to opening night of Circus Americana!  Have fun Shannon!

Circus Americana - Part 2

     You all know how I love to support local business...well, Circus Americana just might become my favorite!  The description reads:

Some children dream of running away with the Circus. The Taylor children were raised in the Circus! Martin and Barbara Taylor and their four children built their artistic, sophisticated and elegant circus from the ground up, right here in Arizona! It is their full-time work and they are one of the only Circus families left in all of North America!! The Taylor Circus Stars blend traditional old-style Circus fun with dazzling modern twists. “Circus Americana” is the premiere production by resident Arizona circus company, Taylor Circus Stars. 

     You will recall, this is the family who touched my heart with their statement, about their adopted children, in my post here:  Circus Americana Part 1 - Adoption.  Although Mike, the kids and I have not yet been to see this Circus yet, we get the privilege of doing so next Monday and we are very excited!  The show boasts a tight rope walker who walks the rope on pointe, a cast of 24 human performers, 8 animal performers, "Pirate Trampolines" and even Santa!

     The show will be right here at the Herberger Theater from December 12 - 23 and I am privileged to offer you a special discount of 10% on tickets.  When you go to the website to order your tickets, simply enter the code SANTA.  

     Also, the Taylor family has given me four tickets to give away for opening night...next Wednesday!  If you would like to be entered into the drawing for the tickets, you will need to be a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this post!  I will do the drawing on Sunday Evening and announce the winner!

I have been given tickets to the show in return for my time and efforts.  Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Donate Hair and Receive Disney on Ice Tickets!

    Have you ever considered cutting off all your hair and donating it for people who are fighting and surviving cancer or are in other situations where they are facing hair loss?  I, unfortunately, never grow my hair long enough to do this, but am always intrigued by those who do.  Well right now if you have long, lovely hair and this has been on your mind: (stay tuned for a great discount to the show)  

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS DARE TO DREAM

INVITES YOU TO DONATE YOUR HAIR

Disney On Ice is partnering with Children with Hairloss,

Arizona Mills Mall & Riposa Salon To Make Dreams Come True!

WHAT:         In honor of the new ice spectacular Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream featuring Disney’s newest princess–the long golden-haired, Rapunzel from “Tangled”–Disney On Ice producer Feld Entertainment is inviting the community to participate in a heartwarming hair donation campaign to benefit children suffering from medically-related hair loss. Join us and donate your hair (at least 8" long) to Children with Hairloss, this non-profit organization provides customized human hair replacements and care kits at no cost to over 300 children a year. 

                       In appreciation of the heartwarming donation, the first 25 hair donors to register will receive a special Rapunzel necklace and everyone that donates will receive two complimentary tickets to see Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream in Phoenix January 9^th or 10^th.

                         Master Cuts Salon will be providing the salon services for the event at Arizona Mills Mall on Saturday, December 8^th from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

                       Riposa Salon will be providing salon services for the event at their location in Mesa on Saturday, December 8^th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:        Arizona Mills Mall  - Food Court

                        5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, AZ

                        Call (480) 756-3996 to register for this location

                        Riposa Salon

                        2655 W. Guadalupe Road, Suite 23 in Mesa, AZ

                        Call (602) 370-8998 to register for this location

                       

WHEN:           Saturday, December 8 from 10:00AM – 5:00PM at both locations

 About Children with Hairloss

Children With Hair Loss was created as a resource for all children who have medically-related hair loss. It is our mission to empower these children to become whole again by making hair replacement available to those who may be financially challenged and might otherwise not have a means of obtaining the hair they want and need. Their goal is to assist as many of these children as possible in changing their lives by improving their outlook and empowering them with a degree of self-confidence that will allow them to face the world with renewed self-esteem. For more information visit: www.childrenwithhairloss.us

About Feld Entertainment

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year. Feld Entertainment’s productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!

Circus Americana Part 1 - Adoption

     While perusing my email a few days ago, I came upon an invitation to the "Media Premiere" for Circus Americana, featuring the Taylor Circus Stars, who happen to be a family from right here in Arizona.  They are from Gilbert and have started their own circus (I will give you more information in the next post).
     At first I was just totally excited to be invited to the Circus Americana at the Herberger Theater...I mean really, I just received a "Media Premiere" invite???  Exciting!  However, in the fact sheet attached to my email, I read the best thing I think I have ever read in my life!  The fact sheet had some bullet points, telling me about the family and about halfway down after describing some of the talents the members of the family bring to the show, there is a line that says:

Two of the Taylor children were adopted but the Taylors have forgotten which two.

     I don't think I have EVER heard an adoptive family say it quite this way!  Now hear me out, I am not criticizing adoptive parents in any way.  I think that adopting is absolutely wonderful!  What made me excited about this statement is, I usually hear something like, "oh we have two of our own and we adopted two."  Can you feel the difference in the two statements?  It touched my heart in a big way!  Stay tuned for more on this upcoming show, it is just one more way to support Arizona!