The Jonas Brothers Concert

This past weekend was a highlight in the life of Allie and because of that it was a highlight for me too. Months ago, before ticket sales were even open to the public, Allie decided that she would like to spend her own money on a ticket to the Jonas Brothers concert. They were opening their World Tour in Dallas at the brand new Cowboys Stadium. Through a friend that had a way to get our tickets early, we bought two tickets to some pretty good seats. The day that we secured the tickets was so exciting... and the excitement just built for us as this past weekend approached. I have not been to many concerts in my life, but the ones that I have been to recently have been so fun. In fact, at the last one that I went to I realized how much I really enjoy the concert experience and told Corey that I planned to take the kids to them much more often (since that is something that they would love and he would not). The Jonas Brothers concert, in and of itself, was amazing... if you talk to anyone that was there, they will tell you the same... but what made the experience so wonderful for me was seeing the pure joy that Allie experienced as she anticipated it and experienced it. I think that it was more fun than anything that I have done with her so far.

Our fun started on the Friday before the concert and some of it included the whole family. On Friday afternoon Allie and I left Corey and the boys and went to lunch, did some shopping, and saw a movie. Corey and I have always been intentional about spending one on one time with the kids. Making memories with them. Finding enjoyment in the things that our kids are passionate about. Friday afternoon was one of those times for Allie and me. After an evening of girl-time we met up with the boys who were at a hotel in Arlington. Corey, Jack, and Cooper had already gone swimming, but we all swam again when Allie and I arrived. Add in a trip for ice cream and non-stop cartoons on TV, and it was really fun evening.

The next day, we all swam again then the boys left and headed home. Allie and I ran some errands in Arlington, one of which took us right up next to the Cowboys Stadium. Allie was bouncing in her seat at the sight of it... and when we saw the Jonas Brothers' actual bus... well, there were screams of excitement!

~ self-portrait of Allie & me in the car ~

We met our dear friends, who were also going to the concert, for an early dinner - which Allie was too excited to eat - then we all rode a trolley from the hotel to the stadium.

~ Marie & Allie ~

They have been friends since they were born.

~ Allie, Annette, and Marie on the trolley ~

~ Allie and me in front of the stadium ~

As we got closer and closer to the stadium, we got more and more excited. Every part of the experience was new and different. We loved seeing all of these buses lined up and wondered who was inside of them.

You know the little boys that are so into dinosaurs or cars or trains that they can name every type and tell you all about each one? Well, that is how the Jonas Brothers are for Allie. So when she saw their bus and knew that she was about to get to sign it, she was beside herself. I wouldn't have even known that that was acceptable... much less a huge deal. Thankfully, I had a Sharpie in my purse. (Remember? I have a thing for Sharpies?)

Part of what made this concert so cool was the fact that it was held in the brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Seriously --- George Strait played there a few weeks ago, and that is all that has happened there yet. So, we were probably the 2nd ones to have ever sat in our seats. :) Everything was nice and new and clean and cool - literally. (Remember the big hole in the top of Texas Stadium? No A/C!)

At the door that we walked into, the stadium was in full view. It's kind of hard to imagine or explain, but it was like no other stadium I have ever been in. The enormity of it and the excitement inside was instantly obvious.

We had a few friends and family members that were at the concert too. While texting was all we could do with some of them, we got to see my great-niece Emma and her mommy Landra.

We were on the 3rd row of the first level of elevated seats, so we had a great view.

~ Me & Allie in our seats ~

The concert was opened by a new band that we had not heard before called Honor Society. They were good, but we were REALLY excited when Jordin Sparks - the second opening act - came out and sang. We loved her on American Idol, and we loved her even more that night.

Then it was time for the moment that we had been waiting for.

When it was obvious that the Jonas Brothers were about to come on the stage there was crazy-anticipation in the room. I have never seen Allie so excited. I would live that moment over and over and over to see Allie's face light up like it did that night!

~ the JoBros on a lift high above the audience ~

~The Big Surprise ~

On the Jonas Brothers' new CD there is a duet between Nick (the youngest of the 3) and Miley Cyrus (aka: Hannah Montana). Allie and I had talked about how cool it would be if she showed up to sing that song with him, but knew that it was highly unlikely. The concert came to an end... then there was an encore. During the encore, it was obvious that something big was about to happen. The music from the Nick and Miley song, Before The Storm, started and up from the middle of the stage, Nick and Miley came. Seriously --- The. Best. Moment. of the night. Allie was beyond thrilled. She loves Miley as much as the Jonas Brothers.

~ Nick Jonas & Miley Cyrus ~

When the concert was over Allie and I just milled around the stadium soaking it all in. She said it had been the best day that she had ever had... and to tell you the truth, that little phrase right there, the time that I got to spend one on one with my girl, and the chance to see her sheer joy made it one of my best days ever too. I loved the concert. I loved the music. I loved Jordin Sparks and the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus. But I adored the look in my little girl's eyes when she was 100% happy. I love that I am the one that got to share the experience with her. I love that she knows that I love the things that she loves and that I passionately want her to live a life of passion. Dream passionately. Love passionately. Give passionately. Work passionately. Serve passionately.

When we were driving home from the concert Allie was reliving it over and over. My not-so-talkative-daughter was full of life and energy and happiness. She looked over at me as I was driving the car and said, "Why are you crying?" As much as I wanted to, I could not explain it to her. I can hardly understand all of the feelings that it brought up in me myself, but I know that both of us were experiencing so much happiness together that night that it just overflowed.