It's A Hard Knock Life

Yesterday marked our first off-broadway show. The kids and I took John for a birthday treat to the musical, Annie (how else would a grown man want to spend his birthday?! - wink, wink). What fun we all had! The whole family was able to get in for a great family price. We tackled the NYC traffic and cabbies and won a free parking spot near the theatre. John snagged us fantastic seats near the front. And the show truly was terrific. At first the girls were very hesitant due to the dark theatre and the pushy crowd, but as soon as Annie began to belt out her first song "Maybe", their smiles couldn't have gotten any bigger. All three of them sat on the edges of their seats the entire time, grinning from ear to ear. Eben was even enthralled. John and I just sat there enjoying the show; yes, the Annie show, but more the show of joy on our own kids' precious faces. During the intermission we were able to go backstage to meet their favorites, Annie and Molly. Both actresses were very courteous, kind, and inspiring. Following the play, the girls got to walk on stage to see the theatre from a different point of view. Adela walked right up to the actors and blended in like a natural; I half expected her to start her own chorusline. Josephine shyly explored and relished the moment. Thessaly smirked, giggled, and then walked right off the stage, literally...landing on her head and freaking out the entire audience.

What wonderful memories we made! Seven years ago, you wouldn't have found John and I celebrating special days at Annie; that venue just wouldn't fit. Seven years from now, you won't find us there either. But right now, this year, this moment, we wouldn't want to celebrate our special days any other way. These precious moments with our children are flying by...they come upon us so quickly, and then are gone. Yes, it has been a hair-pulling out month of illness, overloaded work, and frankly a hard-knock life, BUT all of these moments fit together to make us love, appreciate, and enjoy our times together. Annie (and my girls) have a theme song they sing again and again (only every other waking moment) that states "The sun will come out tomorrow!" God may not promise us a sunny tomorrow; we know that tomorrow will have worries of it's own. But He has blessed us so richly today and I'm sure loving the suns of today (no weather punn intended...okay, maybe just a little bit:-).