Oh My, Oh My, Oh, Kevin, Joe And Nick!

Yes, the big day arrived. Nooo. I don't mean Sue and Bill's anniversary. Okay, so it was THAT day too but even more importantly, it was Jonas Day!

The day of Grace's first concert! Whoo Hoo! Bill drove me, Grace, Grace's BFF Miss K and Miss K's mom to Columbus. He took a book and headed out to a quiet spot after dropping us off at the concert venue. Here are the girls in front of Nationwide Arena. The girls standing in front of The Jonas Brother's bus. Graffiti is encouraged and boy! There are layers upon layers of messages and names and, well, expressions of PURE devotion to the 3 Jonas boys. Grace points at her message... Miss K points at hers... The girls pose with a poster, standing along side their particular object of affection. Miss K with Nick, Grace with Joe. Sorry Kevin! *smile* Entering the arena...the excitement builds!

Grace had saved her money for months so she could buy a concert shirt.

Mom kicked in for the program...aw gee. It WAS her first concert and all...

How long now Mom? How long? HOW LONG?

The crowd has filed in and thousands of fans take their seats. Yes, it WAS a sell out!

Oh yes, we do, we truly DO! Ohio ROCKS!

I got this shot of Gracie just as the boys took the stage.

Is this a face of a young girl in complete and utter awe or what?

Then the reality set in and the SCREAMING began!

Oh Nick!

The brothers three...

Oh Joe!

Oh Kevin!

And, after 3 hours of music, dancing, screaming and singing, it came to an end.

2 very happy girls, 2 very happy moms...

Uh huh. The moms were happy too!

It was such fun. I felt so lucky to have had the chance to be a part of this with Grace.

It was a joy to share this special night. I have had a few people tell me they would have hated the experience. Phooey. These boys are good. Talented like crazy. The music was good, fun and

of the sort that can be shared with Grandmas, Moms, Dads, teenage sisters and little sisters alike.

To write these guys off as another silly *boy band* or *all bubble gum* is wrong. Oh so wrong!

Their music is clean but well done and on that note, just what is wrong with being CLEAN anyhoo?

The words CLEAN and talent are NOT mutually exclusive!

So thank you to our friends, the Marcum family, for helping us "live the dream" .

Thank you to The Jonas Brothers for such a wonderful night!

All of you made my little girl's dream come true...and with it, mine as well.

Why? Some of you know Grace's adoption story. She came to us at 6 1/2 and it took awhile before she would allow us to shower HER with affection. It was not something she was used to or was comfortable with. It was almost a year before she allowed us to hug her, another year before she didn't pull away when we tried to kiss her. She loved to cuddle and loved us, that we knew, and we were sure that, given time, our daughter would begin to return those hugs and kisses. Last year she began giving awesome hugs but those kisses still eluded us. On Wednesday night, as we tucked her into bed, both Bill and I got hugs AND kisses to go along with her sleepy, "Thank you for all of tonight...thank you SO much". Those sweet kisses have become a regular part of our good nights since then...and oh what a happy treat.

What was it about this concert that unlocked this ability? I don't know and I don't care! We are just relishing each hug, each kiss...

Wishing each one of you a sweet week...be good to yourselves!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

A Big Day. Nope. A BIG DAY!

Oh yes...it is a BIG day here at Rabbit Run Cottage! A BIG day...no.

Wait. Strike that. It is a HUGE day! Gigantic. Monumental. Earth shattering!

Okay, so it isn't exactly *earth shattering* but hey...

It's our 31st anniversary. I know what you're thinking! How could anyone as young as I am possibly be married for 31 years! Ahem...I married Bill on this day in 1978. And heck.

I still love the guy. He is pretty cute, puts up with me and all my faults, is a super dad and

*sometimes* picks up his dirty socks. I'd say he is a keeper.

For a little of our story, please look back at a post I did last year: The Journey Continues

It is also the first day of a new school year! I am one of those loopy parents who *hates* the day the kids return to school. I will miss having Grace as my daily side kick. I felt the same way when Daniel started back each year...*sigh* She is beginning the 5th grade and even though I am sure Mom embarrassed her, she agreed to a quick photo at the bus stop. And yes. She *IS* cute isn't she? And just when you thought that this day couldn't get any bigger...wow. I, Susie Q, the mistress of Rabbit Run Cottage is going to see The Jonas Brothers tonight! I know you are all excited so try to control yourselves. No pushing now...calm...calm...there. Better? This will be Grace's first real concert and she is over the moon about it! Thanks to my talented friend Gary and his beautiful daughters (who secured tickets for us when they were almost impossible to get), Grace, her BFF, her BFF's Mom and I will be in Columbus, Ohio tonight, rockin' with the boys. I KNOW it is their first day of school but they are young. They will be alright tomorrow and ready for school bright and early...me? Who knows! But we will have fun and I will be sure to tell you all about it. Bill and I will have dinner together later this week to celebrate our day...or maybe, just like one of my dear friends did when she and her husband celebrated a recent anniversary, we will go out for ice cream! Even better! Now go on out there and have a great day...a BIG day. A Gigantic day of monumental and earth shattering proportions! Just enjoy it...and remember to smile. You look gorgeous when you do!

Love and Hugs, Susie Q