The Circus tells you how it is

I should have posted this last week, but holy cow, it's amazing sometimes how busy life can get.  There wasn't a single day last week that I was in the same place with all six kids at once to corner them for answers.  I got four of the girls to answer these questions while Jay and Sean were at their mom's but as soon as Jay and Sean got back, I was headed to St. George.
So here's what we have, but I may have to update it as soon as I get a chance to sit down with Jay and Sean.

Where does the tooth fairy come from? Santa lives in the North Pole the Easter Bunny lives in a hole, but where is the tooth fairy's home?

Casidee: the tooth fairy lives in a rock in the magical land of teeth
Cali: she lives and comes from tooth world, which is on a different planet.
Tayler: in the sky.
Brynn: London.

Seriously, all you need to know about that crazy lady, the tooth fairy, can be found right here.
But for the record, she lives in a tooth castle in tooth fairy land, which is in the clouds.  Don't listen to Casidee, she doesn't know what she's talking about.
Living in a rock... come on now.

Also... she does not look like The Rock.

Just sayin'.

How do you incorporate God and spirituality into your home without practicing or committing your life to one specific religion?

Casidee: pray and read scriptures
Cali: by praying.
Tayler: praying and reading the scriptures.
Brynn: Well, you could pray and read the scriptures.

Firstly, I'm going to let you all know that I know the person who asked this up close and personal.  Therefore I know their situation, and their desires past this one question.  So if I seem to be making assumptions... I can.
Secondly, I must say that I am an active, devout member of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I take my kids to church.
That being said, I firmly believe that love is the answer to all things and if you choose to handle religion differently than I do, then by all means, that's your choice.  As my choice is mine.  And I still love you, and hope that you will still love me.
The Man is not a member of any church.  Nor are his kids.  So we know a thing or two about live and let live around our house.  And love.  Above all things, love.  And a good dose of mutual respect.
I also believe, and it is taught, that the church is a tool for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  You can be active in the church, and not be actively living the gospel.  (If you're interested, there's a talk about that here).
And this can be said for any church.
I firmly believe that my kids need to know the gospel.  Not just what we do, but they need to understand why. (A good talk on that here, if you're interested).

If you want to know God and have those things in your home, by all means you must learn about them.  Take it straight to the universal source, The Bible (um, universal for Christians that is, since that's what this question is about :).  Read with your family.  Tell them stories and the lessons therein. Explain it to them.

What better way to know God than by reading His words?

My favorite is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. As well as their companion, Daniel.  The first time I read that straight out the King James Bible as a teenager I got goose bumps.  I always knew that those guys came out of the fiery furnace alive, but when I read the verse where they say:

" If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (Daniel 3 17:18)

They had no idea they would come out of that.  And they still stood up for what they felt was right. 

Powerful.

Don't have a Bible on hand?  You can find the King James version online here.
Or if you want to, you can also check out the Book of Mormon online here.  Or get a free copy here.  It has some pretty good stuff in it.


But that's up to you.

Not only can we hear His words to us through scripture, but we can speak with Him through prayer.  If it's something you want to establish in your home, pray together, and teach your children to pray on their own.

If it's one thing I know, it's that He hears us.  He is there.

He loves you.

This I know.

One more thing.  Service.  Not just for those around you, but teach your family to do service for each other inside your home.

Nothing brings you close to the spirit of God like serving one another.  Purposefully.

What is your favorite thing to do for the 4th of July?

Casidee: hang with family and put smoke bombs in water.
Cali: watch fireworks.
Tayler: watch fireworks.
Brynn: Have a big barbecue.
What's not to love about the 4th of July?  Except that it's not Halloween.  I have a full pinterest board of ideas that I'm just bursting to try out. :)

And according to Julie-Mom I need to carve something out of fruit...
(inside joke).

Also, have you ever put smoke bombs in water?  It's pretty cool, I would highly recommend it.  It makes color bubbles :).


How do you know when you've really forgiven someone after they've hurt you?

Casidee: when you aren't mad at them and you can be happy around them
Cali: I don't know.
Tayler: you can be nice to them.
Brynn: I'm not sure.  I guess when you know you're ready to forgive them.

My thought on that is you know you have forgiven them when the hurt no longer controls how you act or react towards them.

Hanging on to that bad stuff only affects our own selves.  It's so hard, sometimes, to let go, but the freedom and lightness you feel when you do is so much a happier place than when you carry around the bad feelings.  I've learned that the hard way.

Good questions.  Thank you.  I love seeing the wheels spin in the heads of The Circus when they think about these.  If you have a question you want to run pass them, please feel free to comment here or email us at circuscakes@gmail.com.