Upside Down, Right Side Up

Lately I've been reflecting on my time before Jace and how life was before. 


I remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to have a boy. That thought came out of no where and during the time I thought having a boy was absolutely and definitely impossible. After all, my life was not exactly what I'd planned and to bring another baby in the world at that moment went against everything inside of me. 


I honestly had no idea how having a boy would ever happen. 


Fast forward 3 1/2 years, and here I sit with the most handsome and fun loving baby boy I ever could've imagined. 


I love how God works in our lives. Even when we are at the end of our rope, in absolute despair, and wondering how even the next minute might get better, His work behind the scenes always, always brings good into our lives. 


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Last week, Avy was a sick, sick girl. We woke up Monday morning wondering if we were going to have to make a trip to our local ER. Thank goodness she just had a mystery virus and recovered quickly. 


She's still struggling with the thought that school lasts longer than her little mind had anticipated. She's had several meltdowns at school. 


Her sister was invited to a sleepover on Friday and she usually doesn't do well without her "other half." Despite what they say and how much they fight, they are incredibly attached to each other. 


I decided to make Friday all about me and her, so after 2 years I decided we'd attend our high school's pep rally. I thought afterward I might endure the craziness of GattiTown with 2 kids all alone. Lately, my mommy motto has been "It's all about making the memories. It's all about making the memories." 


Despite how tired I am, how much I have to do after they go to sleep or how hard it is juggling extra activities on top of the regular routine of our 3 kid circus, I've vowed to do at least one thing a week that isn't easy, but guarantees they will remember it forever. 


*Standing in line for 2 hours to see Barney
*Standing in line 2 more hours so little Miss could be on Sprout TV
*Waking up at the crack of down in order to see the hot air balloons at sunrise
*Sweating 5 hours before and during the Jonas Brothers concert


So, the pep rally was a piece of cake, but Gatti Town (comparable to Chuck E. Cheese, but better. much better) was a whole other level of mommy dedication after a long week. 


As we left Avy's school, there was mention of Kenny Chesney. I didn't think much of it, but got in the car, called my co-worker who confirmed the news, and told Avery to repeat the following: We will meet Kenny Chesney. We will meet Kenny Chesney. 


Now, I've said this before. My long time blog readers might remember my first meeting with Harry Connick, Jr. They might even remember the time I made big promises to my students and told them they'd get a picture with Big from MTV's Rob and Big. Years ago as a teen I knew part of my life would end up in a book and SQuire Rushnell did put part of a God Wink story in his book. All ended up being fun stories I enjoy sharing with friends/family. 


So, my idea of visualize, think, be, do really isn't a foreign concept, but I want to teach my girls that nothing is impossible. NOTHING. Most things in my life have not come easy, rarely do they ever, and so this lesson has appeared more than once for me. 


And so if using Kenny Chesney as our lesson was how I'd teach them the concept, well, alright then. :) 


We arrived at the pep rally, found our friend MC, who had front row seats and to our surprise there were free "Boys of Fall" (video) t-shirts on the bleachers for all early arrivers. I guess the rumor was true. 


After finding our place and settling in, I was quickly aware that our friend, Lisa, was sitting near. She is a HUGE, HUGE Kenny fan. Last year when his crews were filming, she was just sure she'd meet him, though, to her disappointment, she did not. Now, here we were again, caught up in the "Kenny excitement." And she had her sharpie in her hand. :) 


Now, if you know me like you think you do, then you know that I carry my camera around everywhere. No, not because I'm a mom, but because you just never know when you'll encounter a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to use it to document a great day. (I also carry a sharpie, but that's neither here nor there. shhhh!)


Since I had my camera, Lisa decided wherever she went, I went. And if I was going, Avery was going, and if we were going MC was going to be the purse security. 


So, the pep rally began, special video played and then Kenny came out. The crowd went wild! 
Here's the video.


Then he left. Lisa tells me he's probably gone - he isn't a big fan of crowds. Hmm. Ironic. 


I see my former student gone co-worker who just so happens to be the technical director for all news stations, sound, lighting, etc. I ask if Kenny has left. He told me "No, he's in the locker room, but there is no way you'll get past the media." 


Apparently I didn't teach this student the power of visualization. ;) 


I looked at Lisa, then MC, then Avery. I told them we were going to stand in the hallway. What could that hurt right? So there we go, looking like we knew exactly what we were doing. We didn't, for the record, but usually that's the key to meeting people who are in high demand.


Then we get to the hall. Now what? Finally we spot a coach we know and tell him in our best, professional, pleading voice that we just want a quick autograph. He left. 


Then, he poked his head out and said, "Ok. Come on." 


OMG!??!? Really?!?!?


Well, the rest as you probably know is history. I walked right up to Kenny and introduced myself, asked for autographs, a picture, took some video and then shook his hand again and thanked him for taking time for us. 


Boy is he short. :) 


Now, you might be thinking "Did Kenny really change your life?" Well, it's not everyday Kenny Chesney crashes your high school's pep rally. 


No, he didn't directly change my life, but he did remind me of the following and will help me to teach the girls and Jace: 


*Life is unpredictable and can throw amazing surprises your way
*Always be ready for anything
*Seize the moment
*Do not be afraid to do the thing you think is impossible
*Your circumstances can change in an instant

 

**I've cut the others out to respect their privacy.

*** BTW - see that sharpie? He kept my friend's sharpie! :) She never got it back!