Extremely Proud Mom

Elizabeth had State Band Championships this weekend.  Unfortunately, I couldn't travel to Louisville.  So on Friday night, I went to the high school to wish her well and see her off.

There were dozens of parents there and lots of cheering.  The band room was decorated with streamers, balloons, and posters.  The mood was a joyous one.

Why was I crying?

My baby was about to participate in the most important school event of her life and I wasn't going to be there.  And she was going to be gone for 2 nights without family and not to a camp. 

My mother-heart was tugging.  I had no idea I would react this way. 

When she got on the bus I stood outside her window for 15 minutes waiting for them to pull out.  I love yous, Be carefuls, and Do your bests were too numerous to count.  I MADE her promise to call several times.

Finally, the time came.  Led by wailing fire truck and rescue squad units, 3 schools buses, a semi loaded with equipment, 2 trucks hauling trailers with band stuff and a huge caravan of cars pulled away on their way to Louisville.  I waived until they were out of sight, got in my car, and broke down in tears.

My baby was gone.  At that moment I wish I had tried harder to make it on the trip.  Next year, I vowed!

I got that call telling me she had arrived safely.  I wished her luck again and to make me proud, make herself proud.

I found out they gave the performance of their lives that day.  The band director was crying, the band was crying.  They had DELIVERED IT!  I wish I could have been there to share in their moment.  My heart was bursting with joy when Elizabeth called to tell me.  Now we just had to wait for the results of the semifinals to see them make it to finals competition.

I found out later that they didn't make it to finals - first time in several years.  The band members were crushed.  The director was speechless.  The parents were shaking their heads.  The mood back to the hotel was silence, interrupted only by the sobs.

They braved their way through it and went to finals to watch Murray High and others compete.  Murray got 2nd place in their division.  Way to go Tigers!  Your program was amazing!

So now it was time to meet the returning competitors.  I got a balloon and a stuffed animal to greet Elizabeth - just to let her know that I thought she did great and I was proud of her no matter what.

When they settled into the band room we watched the performance on dvd.  Parents were crowded behind the chairs.  What I saw, what the entire room saw, was 10 minutes of an almost perfect performance - the best performance of the season.  That performance WAS state finalist material.  I have never seen lines so straight, formations so spot-on, music so haunting, color guard precision.

There were several moments within the performance viewing that the parents mouths were hanging on the ground, it was so amazing.  There were gasps and 'did you seee those lines' and 'WOW'.  Claps and cheering.  Twice we heard the band director quietly, but with full meaning, WOW. 

We were crying but with the biggest smiles on our faces.  FATHERS WERE CRYING.  It was an awesome sight.  I feel so blessed that I got to see it, at least second hand.  I feel like I felt a part of their 'moment' after all. 

The band director and others said a few words.  The kids left fairly upbeat but still in shock.  It was just as hard on the parents. 

Regardless of the 'official' outcome, these kids were a CLASS ACT. 

I am so proud of each of them and all the parents and staff that worked so hard to make it happen.

I am so proud of my Elizabeth!

I wish

I WISH

I knew the results of my medical tests

I felt better

I wasn't REALLY behind in my work

I could multiply myself

I didn't have 5 events to attend this Saturday

My house was clean

I read the Bible more

I spent more time with Elizabeth

I could go to State Band competition this weekend

I had more friends - can never have too many

Had more time to read, be with friends, make cards/crafts

I could travel more

Could see my dad more

Could see my mom again

Could see all the loved ones who have passed

I was a better example to my daughter, friends, coworkers, and family

I don't want to WISH my life away but today is one of THOSE days.

One day in the future she'll look back and call herself a dork!

PEACE OUT!

Stages of Vacation

Vacations are time to relax

To be yourself

Konner wanted to use his own stick to roast marshmallows.

To let your hair down

To play games

And otherwise be silly

Ooooohhhhh Yyyeeeeaaaaahhhhh!

... as Konner said ALL THE TIME with a smirk on his face!

Well, the last day of our trip we visited Silver Dollar City and had lots of fun.  When we first pulled into the parking lot we saw about 20 school buses.  We thought oh no, the park would be so crowded.  However, we hardly wait in line for anything and the weather was great.

The kids couldn't wait to get on the rides.  But first we had to take some pictures.  The kids did not want to cooperate. 

The very first ride was the flying swings.  Aunt Tracy took the pics so she wouldn't get sick!

The kids (by the way Michael was a kid again) wanted to ride the Spin but Konner was too short.  He had to sit and watch with mom and me.  I had to take this picture, he looked so sad.

Kolbee & Konner's 1st roller coaster ride that day - by themselves!  I had more flutters thinking about them being without an adult than Jennifer did.  Folks - it was only a little roller coaster.  They were perfectly safe.

OK there is a story behind this picture.  This is the ONLY thrill ride the family coaxed Aunt Tracy to get on.  In my heydey, I used to ride them all.  But three years ago I realized that my body was getting to old to be lifted, jerked, spinned, looped, and otherwise tortured! 

So I was convinced it wouldn't be so bad, after all it was in a kids section of rides.  As blessings would have it, Konner height forced him to sit in the middle 4 rows with an adult.  I promptly volunteered.  I figured it would be the least disturbing.  So the others got on either end and off we went.  By the second movement, my eyes flew shut and I clasped onto Konner a little harder.  I worried about how was I going to watch out for Konner with my eyes shut.  His little bottom was lifting off the seat with each whoosh.  So I created my own death lock wrapped around him and the lap bar.  There was no way my hands were coming apart.  I'm surprised Konner didn't say that I was squeezing him too hard.  The operator kept asking if I was ok.  Through clenched teeth I told him I was.  But I was glad when it was over.

He has no idea what he is getting into.

This was my FAVORITE ride.  It didn't do anything but slowly ride through a cave!!!!!!  :)

The first time through, Konner was a little scared because it was dark.  But he slowly got into it by shooting the 'bad' guys.  We stayed on the ride for a second time.  At the end of the day, Konner wanted to ride again so we got on for another 2 rounds.  The other reason why this was my favorite ride is I DOMINATED!!!!!!! Whooo  Whooo       I blew the others away in shooting points.  Elizabeth just KNEW she could beat all the rest of us.  She even accused me of the laser gun not resetting from the last rider.  But she conveniently stayed silent the second time through when she saw my score.  I even outscored the hunter!

Our little hoodlums.....

The last roller coaster was a bit much for Jennifer.

It was a long day and we were tired but sad to see it end.  The park closed before we wanted it to.  But the memories will last forever.

Celebrities Among Us

Tonight we went to Dixie Stampede.  I've been several times but this was by far the most fun I've ever had at one.

We were soon to discover that Kolbee was in rare form and Konner was raring to go.  The last time the boys went to DS, Konner was too busy watching all the action to eat and asked the waiter to move because he couldn't see the show.  He also couldn't figure out how Dolly Parton got on the big screen.  He thought she was hiding behind the screen and she wouldn't shut up.  So now they call Dolly the 'Shut Up' girl.

Any time music played, Kolbee danced a jig.  Yes I do mean a real jig.  Picture clog dancing on steriods. 

We were one of the first ones to get seated on the second row.  The waiter came over and asked the boys if they wanted to be part of the show.  They both raised their hands eagerly.  (Jennifer, Michael, and I were worried Konner wouldn't go through with it.  He is very headstrong and when he DOESN'T want to do something, no amount of coaxing will work.  He refused to do the fun, interactive things at the Titanic exhibit - touching an iceberg, shoveling coal, sticking his hand in the 28 degree water. What kid wouldn't want to do those things.  *Konner*)  We were told they would participate after the meal was over. 

Well, their version of 'over' isn't our definition.  We had barely time to eat (and they hadn't delivered dessert) and Konner had to go to the bathroom.  Michael got up to take him when the waiter said that he was coming to get the boys in about a minute!  Konner REALLY had to go.  Michael scooped Konner up in his arms and off they went.  That was the FASTEST bathroom trip in the universe! 

Did they make it?  Yes they did!  It was time for their moment in the spotlight.  They joined 2 other little kids, maybe a little older than Konner, in the arena.  It was so cute seeing them walk out  in that big arena.  We were beaming we were so proud.

(Do you the suspense building yet?)

The other kids were representing the North in the competition and Kolbee and Konner were representing the South.  The emcee asked each of the kids their names.    The 2 'northern' kids politely said their name.  When they got to Kolbee, he turned toward the 'South' side and said loud enough for the entire arena to hear "My name is Kolbee and I'm the smartest kid here" and did a thumbs up sign.  Jennifer was MORTIFIED and I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath.  The waiter walked in front of us just after that and told Jennifer that she had a 'live' one there!

Turns out they had to chase chickens to the end of the arena.  The first team to get their chickens over the finish line won a medal for their 'side.'  Little Konner chased his chicken all the way to the finish line.  It was ADORABLE. The dirt is piled high enough in the arena that it makes it hard to walk so you have to kind of waddle and jump at the same time.  He wasn't much bigger than the chickens.

Did they win? 

No.  Kolbee's chicken refused to cooperate and ran behind Kolbee.  Kolbee ran in circles trying to get his chicken to go straight.  When they announced the winner, Kolbee just grinned and shrugged his shoulders like what was he supposed to do about it.  He had a dud chicken!  But since they were all 'winners' they all got a medal around their neck, a book and a letter from Dolly Parton thanking them for participating.

That's all they have talked about the rest of the evening.  We laughed all evening long.  Konner wants to go back and watch the show again.  Kolbee danced all night and Konner sat mesmerized by the entire show.  He ate but it was like a robot.  Kolbee used to be shy and you usually can't get Konner to sit still for more than 2 minutes.  Not at the DS show.

The only bad thing about the whole evening was DS didn't take a video of it and we weren't allowed to take pictures of it.  We tried to take a pic of the chicken race with our phones but we were laughing so hard we lost out on the opportunity.

The boys were floating on cloud 9 and they didn't want to go to bed.  Definitely a night to remember!

(If the computer is shaking now, it's me laughing so hard I can hardly type.)

Favorite Branson Vacation Spots... so far

Michael heard that the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield MO was the largest in the world.  All I can say is WOW.  When we drove up, it took up about 2 city blocks. Unfortunately, the museum and animal rescue was closed for renovation and several 'exhibits' inside the Shop were also under construction.

We still had fun!  The boys (yes Michael too) enjoyed shooting in a gun arcade and goofing around wood carvings and stuffed animals.

Kolbee really enjoyed the Titanic exhibition.  He wants to go back and carry paper and pencil with him to take notes.   

I, of course, enjoyed it.  This was the second time I saw it, the first being just months after it opened in 2006.  The bad thing was they no longer allowed pictures to be taken inside - I was able to do that last time.  However, they had changed the exhibit so there were new things to look at.  Needless to say, everyone else was waiting on me to get done.  I could have stayed there for another 2 hours......

Konner really liked the Wild Animal Safari in Springfield.  It's a drive-thru setting that has all types of exotic animals.  As soon as we entered the gate we were met by a camel and an ostrich that were very persistent in saying hi.

All the animals were very familiar with cars driving through their sanctuary and handing out food.  Konner was great at spotting the animals for us.  There were so many 'near misses' as long horns, pecking beaks, and slobbering lips brushed up against the truck windows. 

Look at those horns, scowling eyes, and sneer (or is that a smile???) - it's coming for Michael's truck!

There were several times we didn't know if we could get the windows up fast enough!  One camel slobbered on Elizabeth.  There were tiny, tiny deer that we wanted to take home with us.  They weren't any bigger than a medium-sized dog. 

My favorite was the zebras.  I have never seen one just inches from me - so incredible to see animals you have read about and see pictures all your life but live continents away.