Thursday, July 30, 2009

Spontaneous

Apparently I've learned how to be spontaneous- from the master, Greg.

Sunday after church I was about to settle in for a little nap when I realized I had a message on my phone. It was my sister Holly saying that she'd been on my facebook (she goes on as me so no one can find her) and that Erica's status said that she was going to meet David Archuleta at a fireside that night. (Erica is a teenage girl who lives in the Cleveland area, who used to be in the same ward with us when we lived in Michigan years ago.) I haven't talked to her in person since she was about 9 years old, but I was so glad she put her cell phone number on her facebook so we could get the details.

Finally- a chance to give Jillie her hearts desire, and off my back begging for us to find a way for her to meet David. I asked Greg to help me figure out how we could make this happen. We would have to leave in 30 minutes if we were to travel the 3 hours to Kirtland, Ohio and make it in time for the fireside.

I was already planning to go to Cleveland on Monday afternoon to take the girls to the Demi Lovato/David Archuleta concert Monday night and return home early Tuesday morning before Greg left for work. I planned to leave the boys with a babysitter.

Now plans had to change, Greg walked me through different possibilities. Hiring a babysitter to stay with the boys all day Monday was no good because the house was a wreck- coming off a week long trip to Michigan for the kids. Bringing the boys and a babysitter along didn't seem fair to the babysitter. Keeping Jackson happy and quiet in a hotel room all evening wouldn't be fun for anyone. I also knew that the boys would really like a chance to see David too. We decided to call Amanda- a 16 year old girl in the ward who we know is responsible enough to take the girls to the concert safely and who is a big Archuleta fan too.

We called her and she was in (and very excited), packed the kids and myself for the next 2 days and were on the road within that 30 minute window. We arrived just before the meeting began.

Both of my girls have blogged about it already... Jillie here and Reagan here

Kirtland, Ohio Stake Center and the car HE arrived in... (no pictures allowed when we got to meet him, so this is our only photographic evidence)
I suppose their faces are evidence as well... Everyone got to shake his hand and talk to him a bit. I even had a chance to thank him for setting such a good example for our kids. Jackson opted to hug him instead. :)
We spent the next afternoon at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

Dropped the girls off at the concert...


Jillie, Reagan, and Amanda after the concert...
It was quite the adventure for us all!

9 comments:

wendo said...

WOW! Not only are you spontaneous, you are quick! I don't know that I could get myself packed in 30 minutes, let alone get everybody packed and be on the road! What a fun trip and memory for your kids!

Jill said...

That was some serious spontaneity, especially considering it meant giving up a Sunday nap!!

It's so awesome that it worked out so great for everyone and that you made several dreams come true.

Angie said...

First of all, I can't believe Amanda is 16! How did that happen! And Second, what a fun adventure for your family. I can only imagine how excited your kids were! Don't you love facebook!

Greg Garrick said...

Welcome to the fast lane. Nice post Bok

Holly said...

So cute to see their faces FULL of excitement!! Too bad you couldn't get a picture of them together. I was seriously stunned when you called and said, "Guess where I am going". Coolest mom of the Year award goes to YOU!!

Sunny said...

You're a WILD WOMAN!!! :) This DEFINITELY gets you COOLEST mom of the UNIVERSE! Any way you could arrange a meeting with Blues Clues characters or Wall-E or Nemo for Hyrum? :) I want to be like you when I grow up!

Shannon said...

I agree with your sisters- you seriously ROCK!!
That teenager must have totally loved getting the phone call to take the girls to the concert :)

Leanne said...

What a fun memory PLUS Nikki gets the BEST Mom award! My kids would finally think I'm "cool" if I did something like this!

Caity said...

Oh my goodness!!! I LOVE you! That is the coolest thing ever! I already thought you were pretty spectacular, but now I think you are even more spectacular! I hope to be as open and spontaneous as that with my kids.

Oh, and I'm sorry I couldn't make the fun GNO when you were here! I loved seeing all my family but I was totally bummed at the same time.